Recommended ANT+ Sticks (Dongles) for Zwift

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

~$50

A premium (even overpriced) solution from a reputable fitness company, Garmin’s ANT stick is pricey but also reliable, with good support behind it.

COOSPO USB ANT Stick

~$16

Works just as well as other dongles, for a fraction of the price. If you need an ANT extension cord, grab this bundle instead!

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.

Eric Schlange
Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

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Matthew Tye
Matthew Tye
3 years ago

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

anthony strong
anthony strong
2 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Tye

i have a basic elite qubo trainer and garmin 520 plus computer. what sensors did you get to using zwift? thanks

Eddie Humphreys
Eddie Humphreys
3 years ago

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

Eddie Humphreys
Eddie Humphreys
3 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Thanks buddy, great stuff 🙂

Nezih Çetinsöz
Nezih Çetinsöz
3 years ago

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 🙂

Mary
Mary
3 years ago

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?

Richard Windemer
Richard Windemer
3 years ago

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

Weiwen
Weiwen
2 years ago

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.

anthony strong
anthony strong
2 years ago

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?

Brandon Robertson
Brandon Robertson
2 years ago

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?

Kiersten K
Kiersten K
2 years ago

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.

Michel
Michel
2 years ago

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.

Debbie
Debbie
2 years ago

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 »

Paula Teubel
Paula Teubel
2 years ago

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!

Rik Sherman
Rik Sherman
2 years ago

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 »

Anders Kvale
Anders Kvale
2 years ago

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.

Anders Kvale
Anders Kvale
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Thank you for you respond..

Bewer
Bewer
1 year ago

Does the Tacx ANT Dongle (together with my Tacx Neo) work with the Zwift desktop app?

EDUEE SANTIAGO
EDUEE SANTIAGO
1 year ago

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?

Mike Robinson
Mike Robinson
1 year ago
Reply to  Eric Schlange

Thanks! Had that exact problem and that was the fix.

Jill
Jill
4 months ago

Hi Eric, its been 3 yrs since you recommended these ANT+ dongles, do you still recommend them? Are there any better ones out there now? I dont have a Garmin, only the Zwift Hub and a TV/Laptop with a broken Bluetooth and an android phone. Gotta get Zwifting!

Ron
Ron
13 days ago

I purchased the Coospo USB ant stock to set up my Diamondback 1260sc spin cycle.
My laptop computer recognizes the ant stock, But says “driver unavailable”.
I tried to install the drivers , But for some reason couldn’t download them
Any help would be great

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