Zwift connects wirelessly to your devices (smart trainer, HR monitor, cadence sensor, etc) via ANT+ or Bluetooth. While iOS, AppleTV, and Android users can only use Bluetooth, ANT+ is the most common method among Windows PC users.
ANT+ USB sticks (sometimes called “dongles”) plug into your computer, allowing it to talk to your devices using the ANT+ protocol. Here are the top sticks we’ve used and recommend:
Garmin USB ANT Stick
~$37
A premium solution from a reputable fitness company, the Garmin ANT stick is a bit overpriced but also nice and reliable.
COOSPO USB ANT Stick
~$10
Works just as well as other dongles, for a fraction of the price. If you need an ANT extension cord, grab this bundle instead!
Suunto Movestick Mini
~$30
Another premium dongle from a well-known fitness company, the Suunto is priced below the overpriced Garmin but above the bargain dongles.
Anself USB ANT Stick
~$13
Works just as well as other dongles, for a fraction of the price. Ships with no documentation, but all you do is plug it in anyway!
While you’re at it, get a USB extension cable. They’re cheap, and allow you to move your ANT+ stick as close to your trainer for the strongest possible signal. The AmazonBasics cables work well and only cost ~$7. If your cable needs to be more than 3 meters long, get an active USB extension cable.
Getting Dropouts?
Problems getting your ANT+ stick to work properly with Zwift? Check out the “ANT+ Dropout Troubleshooting” post.
Hi Eric, hope your keeping safe. Is it possible to connect a basic level elite turbo trainer (not smart) to swift by adding sensors
Thanks for your help
Sure, see https://zwiftinsider.com/virtual-power/
i have a basic elite qubo trainer and garmin 520 plus computer. what sensors did you get to using zwift? thanks
Hi Eric, I’m a Zwift newbie and a technopobe!! I have a problem i’m not sure how to solve. I’m using a basic (non smart) trainer paired with a PM. I have Zwift downloaded on my phone and am going to tether it to a monitor. My problem is that my PM is ANt+. Is there any way of pairing it or is it a case of having to buy a computer which will then take an Ant+ stick. I’m presuming the monitor will not receive Ant+ even if you plug a dongle in? Many Thanks
Hi Eddie,
Your best option may be to buy a 4iiii Viiiiva HR monitor, which can “consume” an ANT+ signal, then output it in Bluetooth. It’s a “bridge” and would let you use your PM on Zwift on your iPhone.
Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3ceYgNm
Thanks buddy, great stuff 🙂
Hello,I hope everyone is safe and healthy. I’m planning to connect an interactive trainer (elite rampa to be precise) with an old Mac Pro via an Ant+ stick, will Zwift automatically control trainer difficulty or should I pick ant+ stick specifically. If so which feature should I look for ? Thanks 🙂
Hi Eric, I would like to use Zwift but I don’t know much about technology! I have a non smart trainer. I have garmin sensors for cadence, heart rate and speed. I already download Zwift on my phone but i dont know how to pair the sensors. What else do i need to start in zwift?
Does anyone have experience of an Ant+ dongle with a 12” MacBook that does not have a USB port. I have a conversion cable to connect to USB and a Hootoo. I use the former to download routes from Garmin Connect to Garmin 1030.
Not sure if this would be USB 1 or 2 standard.
Any help appreciated
I know this is late, but I assume you have a MacBook with a USB-C port, not one of the standard USB ports. You just need a USB-C to USB adapter.
Eric i have an elite qubo trainer without the red cover for bluetooth ant sensor upgrade
. i have the garmin 520 plus bike computer. Can i use the garmin ant + stick with my trainer to start zwifting?
i am having issues with my ipad completely losing my Saris M2 trainer right in the middle of a ride, the ipad also loses my HRM which is a completely separate sensor, so im sure its not the trainer. I have to connect everything over bluetooth which is all my ipad will do, i have tried my galaxy s9 and it works great but i have everything over ant+ through the s9. is there anyway to fix the ipad drop out issue?
Bluetooth dropouts often are caused by other devices pairing to your trainer… since most trainers can only be connected to one device at a time. Make sure nothing else is connecting to the trainer via Bluetooth…that may do it.
Could also be something wacky with the iPad disabling Bluetooth entirely, not sure on that.
Do the cables or ant+ dongles wear out? I’ve been using mine for almost 5 years and just started using the zwiftalyzer and see a lot of failures.
Hi Eric, I am Michel from the Netherlands and I often have problems with Zwifting via the bluetooth connenction from my laptop in combination with the companion app. A connection via Apple TV 4(K) seems to be the best alternative. Do you agree?
By the way…I have Tacx Flux S Smart Trainer.
I’ve never been a fan of using the Companion app to manage Bluetooth connections for Zwift. Better to connect directly to your laptop using built-in Bluetooth or a cheap Bluetooth USB dongle if your laptop doesn’t have it built in!
AppleTV would work as well, sure.
Hi Eric I was using my Tacx Flux S with my laptop for Zwift, then found that it wouldn’t connect with the “controllable” element. The solution appeared to be to then use my companion app which seemed to work fine until for some reason, this stopped working. Now I can load Zwift but still it doesn’t link with the “controllable” and when I add the companion app, this keeps automatically closing so no Zwifting for me!!! I am considering buying an ANT+ dongle but not sure if that is the solution. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as it is… Read more »
Bluetooth can be a bit fickle on Windows, but you SHOULd be able to connect the Flux as the power source, THEN as the controllable trainer.
If that doesn’t work… I bet ANT+ (make sure you get an extension cable too) would work.
I have a Saris M2 trainer and I use my iPad to connect to Zwift. It keeps dropping. Do I need a computer or is there’s a way to make this work. I am not very tech savvy!
Hi Eric, My wife and I Zwift side by side she using a Windows laptop and myself using a Mac. We’re both using ant+ dongles and the same model of trainer. Nearly every other ride when we start Zwift it connects the controllable to the wrong trainer on at least one of the laptops. It doesn’t do this to the power connection or indeed for our cadence sensors. I’ve tried deleting knowndevices.xml and a complete reinstall of Zwift to no avail. Additionally I always select the FE-C version of the trainers, Tacx Flux 2 smart’s. Any ideas on how to… Read more »
Hi.
do you know if this dongles work with Apple tv( with a usb to usb C to Connect to rhe ATV??) I often get dropouts when supetucking.. I got recommended to use Ant+, but after reading online I am not sure if it will work.
They do not. On AppleTV you can only use its built-in Bluetooth, or use the Companion app to connect devices.
Thank you for you respond..
Does the Tacx ANT Dongle (together with my Tacx Neo) work with the Zwift desktop app?
Yes.
Hi Eric,
Just got a new desktop Window 11 / Intel 7 to comply with the new upgrade’s requirements, but I am having issues with my ANT+. I did not have any issues with the ANT while using it on my old Window 10, Intel 3 computer. Question: Have you experience any ANT+ issue with windows 11? Do I need to get an ANT+ compatible with window 11? What’s your best suggestion?
I just upgraded to a Windows 11 PC, and had to install ANT drivers for my ANT dongle to work.
Windows Update>Advanced options>Optional updates
Installed “Dynastream Innovations, Inc – ANT USB Stick”
Thanks! Had that exact problem and that was the fix.