I am just about to update this year’s best smart trainers for 2025 and there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Wahoo Kickr Core is going to feature prominently. Right now I have it listed as the best smart trainer for Zwift but that’s not telling the whole story. I am going stop here though and simply say, this trainer is 25% off right now. If that’s all you need, here’s the deals. Otherwise keep scrolling for the full analysis.
Refurbished Wahoo Kickr Core (25% off)
The Kickr Core has every feature most people will need or want in a smart trainer and this is an excellent price. If you ride somewhere besides Zwift, or want shifting to happen on your bike vs in software for any reason, You are all set with this version. If you want to make things super easy to ride in Zwift then you can also later upgrade this with the new Zwift Cog and Click making it the same as the Zwift One version for the same price.
Refurbished Wahoo Kickr Move smart trainer (26% off)
The Kickr Core is the budget friendly Wahoo trainer while the Kickr Move is the top end option. I didn’t mention it above because if you are thinking about this one you’ve likely got a better understanding of what it is. Just in case not, it offers +/- 1% power meter accuracy and up to 2200W of resistance, and a max gradient of 20% plus it’s a powered freehub so it’ll simulate a descent up to 10%. Then the Move part of it also adds side to side rocking, like the regular Kickr, and up top 8″ (20cm) fore-aft motion. You can also add the Wahoo Kickr Climb to complete the simulation environment.
Okay, you want some more info. Here’s what’s up.
If you find me on the street and ask me what smart trainer to buy I am going to tell you the Wahoo Kickr Core. I know if you go look at that trainer you aren’t going to blanch at the price and it also offers all the features most people realistically need. Which is why I might switch it to the best smart trainer overall as we move into the winter season.
All that said, I’m writing this article because I just noticed that Wahoo is having a sale on the Wahoo Kickr Core. There is also a sale on the non-recondition Kickr Core Zwift One smart trainer but I recommend passing on that deal. Here’s what’s up.
Both Wahoo Kickr Core versions are exactly the same. Both versions feature +/- 2% power meter accuracy and up to 1800W of resistance. You can also think of that as a max 16% gradient. The difference is that if you buy the Zwift One version you get a single speed conversion that uses shifting within Zwift instead of on the bike. The other version doesn’t have that.
Now I might have recommended either but there’s a catch. Zwift just released a new version of the Zwift Cog and Click upgrade. It’s $50 and you can add it to the cheaper trainer making it the same as the more expensive one except with the new, upgraded Cog and Click. Or, if you don’t use Zwift, you can use a cassette on the trainer as is. You can also always use ERG based software, such as TrainerRoad, with either the ZXwift Cog and Click or without.
It’s also worth noting that we are getting near the end of the year and you can use your FSA/HSA on Wahoo trainers.
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