I have a $99 some-thing-or-other magnetic trainer from Nashbar (I think)
Works fine across all effort levels. I guess I don't know what I'm missing with more "fancy" trainers, but I haven't had problems with cheapos.

I just got a Tacx Bushido Smart to replace my CycleOps Mag+. At $530 on Amazon, it is amazing and well worth it if you are going to try Zwift or TrainerRoad, etc....the smart brake is really cool and workouts are excellent.

At $530 were you actually referring to the Tacx Vortex Smart?

No, I got the Bushido for $539 from Crosslake Sales on Amazon. Looks to be no longer available, and I got it in Christmas Eve, so I probably ordered last Monday. I couldnt pass up at that price. Was going to get the Vortex, but I liked the Bushido specs and no cords needed.

Tempting.. though not at the now $700 on Amazon. Seems most of the UK shops aren't allowed to sell to US also. Found this though out of Germany.. seemingly a good deal, but I know nothing about the DE sites and their legitimacy. Does look like I'd need to have a 220-110 volt converter also though.
Tacx T2780 Bushido Virtual Smart Trainer | Turbo Trainer Shop

Sy, my Bushido needs no power at all. Is self contained. Vortex needs AC, not the Bushido. You should be okay with any new Bushido Smart. Good luck. Bob

I've read several reviews suggesting the sensors don't always pair up with devices. Have you experienced that yet? I think I may go with the Vortex as I don't mind plugging it in, but the only one I found on Amazon ($470) won't be delivered for at least one month, and Performance ($530) won't have any in stock until 01/15.

I am using with a Lenovo laptop and a Garmin ant+ dangle. Works great with Zwift. I did upgrade the firmware when I got it using the utility app i downloaded on my Android phone.

I recently got a Tacx Genius from bike-discount in Germany. It was $600 but they have the Vortex for under $300. Took about 2 weeks for delivery mainly due to a long stay in Customs. You don't need a power converter for the Tacx trainers, you just need a plug adapter for the EU power cord or a US power cord (I used an old computer power cord). They are 110-220v units.

I'd would rather have a "dumb" trainer + Power Meter than a smart trainer. Indoor riding will never be fun but it serves a purpose with intervals and a training plan.

Huh? Do you mean you'd rather have a power meter you can use on the road than have it integrated into the trainer?

I use the Tacx with my PowerTap hub. It adjusts the grade and target zone in Zwift or TrainerRoad for me based on the PowerTap's wattage. I have not used the Tacx alone as a power meter per se.
Reading the PT alone and trying to adjust the "dumb trainer" with the trigger was a PITA.

I would either do two decent used fluid trainers like a kurt kinetic for around 150-200 each or I would do a tacx vortex smart if you like riding on zwift or something equivalent. I just bought one from this site https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/...ry_country=191 (bike-discount . de). I haven't received it yet, but it has shipped. It is just taking forever because usps has lots of holidays off for xmas and new years. I also can't comment on the quality of that trainer yet, but I'm excited! I have used a KK rock and roll and the resistance unit is great, but I always feel like I'm leaning towards one side or the other.

I ride zwift a lot and I use a kk road Machine 2 and just added a power meter, very happy with this setup. Road machine is rock solid, and now I can see power data outdoors which Is nice. I'm on a 50x34 now but plan on putting 52x36 chainrings with my next chain change. Could use a bit more gear for climbing simulation.

Lotsa people on zwift using smart trainers, the popular models seems to be Kickr and tacx neo on the high end; Kickr snap and tacx vortex and bushido on the lower end.

Maybe you'd want to get 1 smart trainer and 1 standard model? would keep the cost down, but would open up possiblities with software apps like zwift, trainerroad etc. that's what I'd do if I needed to buy 2.

I may have missed it in an earlier post, but you should probably read DC Rainmaker's latest Trainer Guide.

Like many of the previous posters, my wife & I use KK Road Machines (two of them), which are built to last forever & give a decent approximation of actual road power. Like many exercise machines, these can often be found on CL or fleabay for a major discount from retail.

If you haven't used a trainer much before, you'll need some kind of distraction to use it consistently. This can take many forms. Some like Zwift, some like biking DVDs, some like structured programs like TrainerRoad, some like movies, etc. Last year, I started with TrainerRoad and shows/movies (specifically Game of Thrones). With the structure of TrainerRoad & distraction of Game of Thrones, I put in more time & made more progress than all of my prior years. Unlike other years where I was dreading the sessions, I found myself looking forward to them (typically so I could get to the next episode of GoT). In past years, I was just trying to not lose much when outside riding in spring started up. With this setup, I started the spring ahead of most of the people from club rides the prior year. Definitely nice not getting dropped - LOL.

I would follow advice from DC rainmaker, his reviews are pretty unbiased and straight on the money. Look at what your goal is and how much you use it. I saved up and did it right from the start buying a wahoo kicker. I ride in zwift and love life. It recreates the road feel and hills feel like hills. riding indoors i find harder as i can't coast like outside. the kicker with zwift i have found is the best way to go, but if you gotta stay in budget do your research and DC rainmaker is the place to start.

My cycloeps wind trainer is in the basement so noise not a problem. I don't really mind the noise no worse than wind in the face outdoors. I paid $150 have used for 5 years and these last 4 weeks with broken hip riding inside, i go 25 miles a day at about 72 minutes. Heart rate is averageing 132 per minute so a great work out. To me it feels pretty good for road feel. I wish I could compare to the Kurt Kinetic fluid but they are $314.

I recently got a Cycleops PowerBeam Pro smart trainer. I was using an inexpensive "dumb" trainer before. I have to say, though, the smart trainer combined with Zwift is incredible. I love that it changes the resistance at my back wheel depending upon the terrain on Zwift. I think this gives me a better simulation riding outside on the road. This, in turn, better prepares me for riding outside on the road