This is the "should I buy the newest generation or save money on last year's flagship" question, and with the NEO line specifically, the answer isn't as obvious as you'd expect.
Spec-by-Spec
| NEO 3M (current) | NEO 2T (previous generation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~€1,799 | ~€899-1,399 depending on retailer |
| Max power | 2,200W | 2,200W |
| Max gradient | 25% | 25% |
| Accuracy | ±1% | ±1% |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, WiFi (accessory), Ethernet | ANT+, Bluetooth |
| Movement | Side-to-side AND fore/aft | Side-to-side only |
| Pedal-stroke analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Current model | May be phased out depending on region — confirm stock before buying |
What's Actually Different
Read that spec table again: max power, max gradient, and accuracy are identical. The core ride-feel technology that makes the NEO line special — the virtual flywheel, the road-surface simulation, the zero-calibration design — hasn't fundamentally changed between generations.
What you're paying extra for with the 3M is:
- Fore/aft movement in addition to side-to-side, for a slightly more complete range of natural motion
- Broader connectivity — WiFi and Ethernet options the 2T doesn't have built in
- Being the currently-supported, currently-manufactured model
The Honest Case for the 2T
If you can find one in stock at a meaningfully lower price, the 2T gets you the exact same power accuracy and gradient simulation — the numbers that actually determine your training quality — for potentially several hundred euros less. The extra movement axis on the 3M is a genuine refinement, but it's a "nicer to have" rather than a "changes your training" difference.
The catch: it's an outgoing model, so availability varies by region and retailer, and it's worth confirming stock and warranty terms before committing — a great deal on a discontinued unit is only a good deal if support and spare parts are still available.
The Verdict
If the 2T is in stock near you at a real discount, it's a legitimately smart buy — you're not sacrificing the numbers that matter most. If it's priced close to the 3M, or if long-term availability/support worries you, just get the current model. This is one of the rare cases where "buy the older generation" is genuinely good advice rather than just a way to save money on something worse.
Want to see the NEO 3M against a different flagship entirely? [Tacx NEO 3M vs Wahoo KICKR V6 →]
