We've tested the best exercise bikes to help you boost your fitness at home

The best exercise bikes can be a great way to train at home whether you want to do some low-impact movement throughout the day or join high-intensity virtual classes. But there are two different styles you can choose from; smart bikes or friction-based bikes. 

These smart bikes connect to the internet for streaming on-demand classes using some of the best workout apps, have built-in displays, and may even allow you to connect Bluetooth accessories like headphones or heart rate monitors. 

However, these smart bikes are more expensive and you often need a membership to access all the classes. If you just want to cycle at your own pace, or practice with YouTube workouts, a standard friction-based exercise bike may be the best home gym equipment for you. 

To help you decide between all of the different exercise bikes, including standard and smart models, we put the best exercise bikes to the test, taking them for a ride, joining on-demand classes, and putting them in our homes to see how they fit in. 

Quick list

We've summarized our roundup of the best exercise bikes in this quick list. However, we go into greater detail later down the page, with more analysis, our experience with the bike, and link to our full review. 

Best exercise bikes you can buy right now

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Best exercise bike overall

Woman on the Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Bike

(Image credit: Sunny Health & Fitness)
Best exercise bike for most people

Specifications

Resistance: Friction
Display: No
Wheels: Yes
Size: 44 x 44 x 20 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Quiet for a friction resistance system
+
Affordable entry to home spin sessions
+
Wheels to help store between uses

Reasons to avoid

-
No workout metrics
-
Seat isn't comfortable for extended periods
-
Handlebars can be difficult to reach

The Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycle Bike is an ideal option for most people, whether you're an experienced spinner or just getting into home cycling workouts. It's easy to set up, and uncomplicated to use; you sit on the bike and get pedaling.  

The machine's friction-based resistance is effective enough to give you a good workout, even up to more challenging levels where you'll feel it in your legs. However, it's not the best exercise bike if you want to do long classes. 

We found that the seat can get uncomfortable after a while, and that the handlebars are too far away if you're on the shorter side as the bike's adjustments don't quite go far enough to make it easy to keep good posture. 

But we did like the large toe baskets, which helped secure our feet in place, and However, if you like to keep an eye on your workout stats, then you'll need a machine with a display, like the Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike. 

Best budget exercise bike

Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike in a person's home

(Image credit: Future/Tom's Guide)
Best cheap exercise bike

Specifications

Resistance: Friction
Display: Yes, performance monitor
Wheels: Yes
Size: 40 x 22 x 45 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Budget-friendly pricing
+
Stable during workouts
+
Comes with a spare resistance pad

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite large for casual users
-
No cadence measurements

Despite it's budget-friendly price, the Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike comes with a display to help you keep tabs on your workout stats. It shows essential metrics like time, speed, distance, and calories. 

Of course, this doesn't come close to the amount of data you can track on a smart exercise bike like the Peloton Bike+, but it's a helpful way to track your progress for a fraction of the price. 

Like with the Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Cycle Bike, there are no classes to join (unless you clip on the included smartphone mount and use a workout app or free YouTube session), but it's a durable beginner-friendly bike. 

When we first set up the bike, we were worried it would feel a bit unstable, but, fortunately, that wasn't the case. Instead, whether we went for speed or distance, the bike stayed firmly on the ground while in use. 

The friction system added enough resistance to make our workouts effective, but after a while, you'll want to upgrade to a machine that'll challenge your muscles a bit more. But for cardio-boosting workouts on a budget, it's a great choice. 

Best value exercise bike

A woman using the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike

(Image credit: Future/Tom's Guide)
Best value exercise bike

Specifications

Resistance: Friction
Display: Yes, performance monitor
Wheels: Yes
Size: 64 x 27.7 x 49.9 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Seat adjusts via a slider
+
Easy to set up
+
Access to more detailed stats
+
Low-impact

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive compared to other non-smart bikes
-
Can't stand up from the seat for spin classes

Recumbent exercise bikes, like the Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike, generally offer a lower-impact workout that's gentler on your joints than upright models (that's why they're generally regarded as the best exercise bike for seniors). 

But that doesn't mean that your exercise is less effective. Once you've got the bike adjusted to your preference, all you need to do is take a seat and get riding. Plus, you can set the friction-based resistance system to one of 25 levels. 

And it comes with a backlit display for tracking your workouts, and it's one of the few standard exercise bikes that has pre-set programs for you to follow and a Bluetooth connection to sync data to the Explore The World and MyFitnessPal apps. 

Of course, the recumbent position means that you can't stand up from the seat when you want to go harder, so it's less suited to high-intensity classes or workouts. However, we still found it an excellent way to exercise and work up a sweat.

Best smart exercise bike overall

Peloton Bike+ in a person's living room

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Best smart exercise bike overall

Specifications

Resistance: Magnetic, 100 levels
Display: Yes, 23.8-inch touchscreen
Wheels: Yes
Size: 59 x 22 x 59 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Motivational classes
+
Access to the Peloton app
+
Large, immersive display
+
Easy to adjust resistance levels

Reasons to avoid

-
One of the most expensive bikes
-
Functionality relies on app subscription

The Peloton Bike+ is the upgraded version of the Peloton Bike, the connected exercise bike that popularized virtual spin classes. The Bike+ comes packed with Peloton tech, including a large touchscreen for you to interact with the Peloton app. 

While the premium bike plays a part, the experience relies heavily on the app's on-demand and live classes. It's an expensive option — the bike is $2,500 and you need to be a member for $44 a month — but it's popular for a reason. 

The Peloton instructors are famed for their high-energy classes, so if you're after a way to keep motivated to train regularly, the Bike+ is a good option. Aside from the software, the Bike+ actually feels like the kind of equipment you'd find in a studio. 

It also has an auto-resistance mode, where the magnetic resistance will automatically changed based on the instructor's recommendations, so you just have to keep pedaling rather than worry about fiddling with menus or buttons. 

The display is also where you'll find all of your workout stats, and you can view your training history to keep track of your progress. The Bike+ has a rotating display too, so you can swivel it and do mat-based workouts instead. 

It's a tech-heavy option, and an expensive one, but it's also one of the most versatile exercise bikes available right now. And Peloton has thought about the smaller details, like adding water bottle holders, USB-C charging ports, and Bluetooth.

Best budget smart exercise bike

Echelon Ex-3 Smart Connect Bike set up in a garage

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Best budget smart exercise bike

Specifications

Resistance: Magnetic, 32 levels
Display: No
Wheels: Yes
Size: 59 x 23 x 53 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Quiet resistance system
+
Easy to assemble
+
Can use your own device as a display

Reasons to avoid

-
Resistance adjustment can be difficult
-
Seat isn't comfortable for long periods
-
Doesn't have a built-in display

If you're looking for a way to add some spin classes to your routine without breaking the bank, the Echelon EX-3 is a great choice. Like the Peloton Bike+, the EX-3 has a magnetic resistance system with 32 levels to choose from. 

The magnetic resistance is quiet, too, so you won't disturb others in your home or nearby neighbors. However, it doesn't come with a display, so you'll need to use your phone or tablet to access the Echelon app for on-demand and live classes. 

And, like with Peloton, the app requires an monthly subscription, which will set you back $39.99 per month. But you'll also get access to off-equipment workouts, like running, yoga, stretch, and Pilates sessions, and up to five user profiles. 

Given Peloton's status as the best smart exercise bike manufacturer, it's hard not to compare the Echelon EX-3. We found that the seat wasn't as comfortable, the resistance mechanism wasn't as smooth, and the lack of display is a let down. 

But these are small complaints. And it's important to remember that the Echelon EX-3 costs just a fraction of the Peloton Bike+ for a similar experience. During testing, we liked the range of classes, and the option to just use the bike for our own workouts.

Best value smart exercise bike

Side view of MYX II Exercise Bike in a living room

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
Best value smart bike

Specifications

Resistance: Friction
Display: Yes, 21.5-inch touchscreen
Wheels: Yes
Size: 54 x 21.6 x 46.8 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Immersive display
+
Personalized recommendations
+
More like an on-demand personal trainer

Reasons to avoid

-
Fewer classes than Peloton
-
Confusing subscription options
-
Needs monthly app subscription

After spending time with the MYX II Exercise Bike, we can confidently say that it's one of the best Peloton alternatives out there, and it doesn't cost as much either. There are fewer classes, but more personalized recommendations, so it's more like having an on-demand personal trainer. 

Just like with the other smart exercise bikes on our list, you'll need to buy the machine and take out an app membership to get the full experience. The BODi Membership costs $35 per month, which is line with Peloton and Echelon.

You can stream on-demand and live classes to the large, swiveling display, so you can do spin classes, cycle sessions, and off-equipment workouts. The bike also has a dual-use pedal, so you can exercise in sneakers or clippable exercise bike shoes

We were impressed with how adjustable the MYX II was, allowing several people to find the perfect, comfortable set up for their ride. The MYX II has a friction-based resistance system, so it's not as quiet or as adjustable as magnetic systems, but it was still very effective. 

How to choose the best exercise bike for you

Choosing an exercise bike for your home can be a challenge. After all, you first need to decide whether you want a standard friction-based bike or a smart one, and factor in the increased cost of a smart bike and the ongoing subscription. 

However, once you've made a decision between the two styles, there are other practicalities, like the physical size of the bike, whether it can be easily stored away between sessions, and if the bike can be adjusted for your height and posture. 

It's also worth thinking about the exercise bike's resistance mechanism. This will effect how much you can customize the intensity, and you can select from magnetic resistance, flywheels, and belt-driven bikes. 

Magnetic resistance generally has the largest range, usually covering 100 different levels, and is the most quiet, but bikes with these systems are often towards the higher price bracket too.

How we test the best exercise bikes

To help you work out which is the best exercise bike for you, we put them to the sweat test! We installed each of the bikes in our homes for at least a month, and put them to the test over a number of different workouts.

Since we had the bikes to hand, we looked at how easy it was to use, move around the house, maintain, and, for the smart exercise bikes, the range of classes on offer.

Plus, we considered any extras like how many profiles you could set up, and useful accessories like phone mounts and water bottle holders. And on the smart machines, we looked at the ongoing subscription costs associated with the bike, and what you get for your money. 

FAQs

Are exercise bikes good for weight loss?


If your goal is to lose weight, then exercising at home can play an important role. However, it's worth keeping in mind that physical activity is only plays one part, as sleep, diet, and overall wellbeing also factor in. 

Investing in a machine like an exercise bike can be a great way to increase your activity levels throughout the day, particularly if you're tight on time. Standard bikes allow you to just jump on and work out, so are ideal for short sessions and extended periods. 

If you're more motivated by classes, then the best smart exercise bikes are also a good place to start. Once you're set up with access to on-demand workouts, these high-intensity classes can help you make exercise a regular part of your routine, which is a key part of losing weight using an exercise bike

Either way, cycling helps raise your heart rate, so you burn energy during your workout, and if you keep the intensity high to sustain your high heart rate, then it'll boost your metabolism (the amount of energy you burn throughout the day). 

Weight loss is a complicated process that can be determined by factors like sleep, stress levels, hormones, diet, and exercise. To improve your chances of losing weight, managing each of these areas carefully should be a top priority.

Of course, cycling regularly as part of your exercise regime can help you burn calories, but it's important to also try to consume a healthy and varied diet and move regularly throughout the day.

NEAT is a process of burning calories outside of dedicated exercise like HIIT classes or spinning. To aid safe weight loss, try to find time to walk more often, get fresh air, and boost your wellbeing with some time outdoors.

Should you buy an exercise bike or turbo trainer?

If you're trying to decide between one of the best exercise bikes and best cycling indoor trainers, we're here to help. Here are a few things to consider: 

Price

Smart bikes and exercise bikes are often a lot more expensive than turbo trainers and indoor cycling trainers. This is often because they have a lot more features, like screens, allowing you to take live and on-demand classes. 

Space

Turbo trainers will often take up a lot less space in your home than exercise bikes, which can be pretty bulky. Most can be folded away and stored behind the couch or in a cupboard should you need them. 

Your preferred workouts

When trying to decide between a traditional exercise bike, as you might find in the gym, or an indoor trainer, it's a good idea to consider the type of workout you prefer. If you're all about live classes to keep you motivated, you might want to opt for an exercise bike. If you're serious about training and want a realistic cycling experience, a turbo trainer might be better for you.

Current equipment 

It sounds obvious, but if you're planning on buying a turbo trainer, you'll need to have your own bike. Most require you to remove the back wheel of your bike to use them, so if you don't own your own bike, you're better off looking at one of the best exercise bikes.

James Frew
Fitness Editor

James is Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor, covering strength training workouts, cardio exercise, and accessible ways to improve your health and wellbeing.


His interest in fitness started after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, and he began focusing on strengthening his core, taking regular walks around the city, and practicing meditation to manage the symptoms. He also invested in fitness trackers, home workout equipment, and yoga mats to find accessible ways to train without the gym.


Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, James was the Fitness Editor at Fit&Well, where he covered beginner-friendly exercise routines, affordable ways to boost your wellbeing, and reviewed weights, rowing machines, and workout headphones.


He believes that exercise should be something you enjoy doing, so appreciates the challenge of finding ways to incorporate it into everyday life through short muscle-building sessions, regular meditation, and early morning walks.

With contributions from