8 Best Exercise Bikes (2022): Options for Any Level and Budget

By Nicole Davis

Looking at your home gym equipment and thinking “something’s missing?”

Stationary bikes can be a great addition to your home gym, allowing you to crush a cardio workout within the comfort of your own space, between meetings, before the sun comes up, or before lights out at night. But with so many options available, how do you know what’s right for you?

Below, our product testers have curated a list of the eight best exercise bikes. They’re all high-quality for the price and serve a variety of goals. They’re a mix of air bikes, cycling bikes, and recumbent bikes, and we’re sure you’ll find one to suit your needs. Make space next to your resistance bands and dumbbells—time to go bike shopping!

This is the smart bike that started it all. Many have tried to emulate the Peloton experience, but it’s still top-notch. And now, with recent price cuts, you can’t beat the value of the original Peloton Bike. At under $1,200, you’ll get a bike with a durable welded steel frame, smooth magnetic resistance, a belt drive, and a 38-pound flywheel.

You’ll have to pay $44 a month for an all-access membership to take advantage of on-demand and live classes, but it’s worth it if you love that boutique cycling experience. You’ll watch the instructors—who are super motivating and engaging—on the large HD touchscreen, and follow their cues on metrics like cadence and resistance throughout the class. All the while, you’ll be jamming out to music from artists like Beyoncé, Beastie Boys, The Killers, and more. You can interact with other riders while you workout, and feed your competitive nature by trying to stay on top of the leaderboard.

One big gripe we have with the Peloton Bike is the disappointing warranty; at only five years on the frame and 12 months on the touchscreen, components, pedals, and labor, it falls way below industry standard, and some reviewers complain about challenges cashing in on the warranty if they need to.

The Rogue Echo Bike is our favorite air bike, hands-down. As you know—or maybe you’re learning—an air bike has no adjustable resistance levels. It’s powered by wind resistance from your pedaling. So, that means the faster you move, the harder it becomes. And because your arms are in on the fight, you’ll get a full-body workout. A basic LCD screen display will show you metrics like distance, calories burned, heart rate, and more during your ride.

Not only is this bike solidly constructed with a steel frame that supports up to 350 pounds, the belt drive system requires very little maintenance. It is a big bike comparatively—it weighs 127 pounds and has a larger frame than other air bikes on the market—but we think it’s worth the space. At $850, it’s an investment, and there aren’t any extras like a bottle holder, but the durability and simplicity makes it a worthwhile investment.

For just over $350, the Sunny Health and Fitness B1002 Indoor Cycling Bike has a lot to like. With a heavy 49-pound flywheel and belt drive system, a quiet ride awaits you. The manually adjustable resistance offers hundreds of levels so you can truly customize your workout, and, speaking of customization—the four-way adjustable seat and two-way adjustable handlebars allow you to find the perfect fit. This bike ships quickly on Amazon, too.

However, this bike is only $350, which means it’s lacking a few things, especially in the technology department. First, it uses friction resistance, which isn’t as smooth as magnetic resistance and will require more maintenance. You won’t see any native programming or app compatibility on this bike either, and it doesn’t even come with a display, so you’ll have to keep track of your stats on your own. If this doesn’t bother you—or if you planned on using your own programming anyways—we think you’ll like this bike.

If you need an exercise bike that’s compact and easily stowed when not in use, the Marcy foldable bike is a good option. Not only is it super affordable at just $160, it actually feels pretty sturdy and smooth when in use. It offers eight magnetic resistance levels, which may not be challenging enough for people with high fitness levels, but for beginners it will work just fine.

We should note that the max user weight capacity is just 250 pounds, which is pretty low as far as exercise bikes are concerned. Plus, a 90-day warranty doesn’t give us much security. But, for the price and the workout experience, the Marcy bike could be just what you need to stay active with a compact package.

Recumbent bikes—where you’re seated in a slightly reclined position against a backrest—are especially great for people with bad hips, knees, or backs, as they take some of the pressure off of these areas. We like the Schwinn 230 in this category because it’s a good value at about $600, with a well-ventilated seat. And, it only weighs 80 pounds, meaning it shouldn’t be too difficult to move, even for beginner exercisers.

Recumbent bikes, by nature, are not compact, and the Schwinn 230 is no different with a length over 5 feet. There is quite a bit of plastic in the construction of this bike, which can lead to durability issues, but most reviewers say it’s held up well. Also of note: The display is not backlit, so if you’re riding at night or in a dark room, it may be hard to see your stats.

If you’re on the hunt for a super affordable and compact exercise bike, look no further than the YOSUDA bike. At just about $300, you’ll get a bike with a 35-pound flywheel, impressive resistance, and caged wheels—all great attributes for a bike of that price.

However, this bike won’t last forever. Reviewers often comment that this bike starts to fall apart after only a few months of use. Ours hasn’t fallen apart yet, but we can tell it’s not the most well-built exercise bike in the world. YOSUDA does seem to acknowledge the durability issue, though, as it offers a year of free replacement parts with any order.

If you can shell out nearly $2,000 for an indoor cycling bike, the NordicTrack S22i should be on your radar. It’s now quite a bit pricier than the Peloton—about $600 more actually—but it has the specs to back it up.

First, it utilizes iFIT programming, which offers top-notch live and on-demand classes. You’ll view the classes on the bike’s 22-inch HD touchscreen, and can take advantage of automatic resistance control, allowing the personal trainers teaching the classes to move the resistance for you. Another thing that sets the S22i apart: It features a -10% decline up to a 20% incline. This is rare on exercise bikes, and another great way you can vary your training.

If you like riding outdoors but are in search of a bike that can help you replicate that experience inside (winter, anyone?), the Bowflex Velocore could be a good option.

We particularly like Leaning Mode, which literally shifts the bike from side to side, imitating turns and activating your core even more. While this doesn’t create a true replica of an outdoor ride, it’s a nice touch. You can ride along to workouts via JRNY programming on the large touchscreen, and take advantage of the Bluetooth heart rate monitor capabilities. A pair of three-pound dumbbells is also included with the bike.

We have to call out the warranty on this bike though—at just two years for the frame and parts, it’s way below industry standards, which is something to keep in mind.

How We Tested Exercise Bikes

Our team of product testers has ridden on dozens of exercise bikes to evaluate the whole experience. Here’s what we consider during each bike review:

• • Setup: Are the instructions clear? Are all parts and tools included? Was the experience fairly easy? Do you have to set it up on your own, or are there professional assembly options available?
• • Adjustability: Do both the seat and handlebars adjust to accommodate a variety of people?
• • Resistance: Does the bike use a magnetic or friction resistance system? How many levels of resistance does it provide?
• • Technology: Is there a screen or display? Does the bike have native programming? Is it compatible with fitness apps?
• • Durability: Does the bike feel sturdy? What’s the user weight capacity? How much does the actual bike weigh?
• • Price: What’s the cost of this bike, and what is its relative value?
• • Warranty: How many years are covered, and what aspects are covered? How does this compare with industry standards?

Benefits of Exercise Bikes

Consistent workouts on an exercise bike can provide many health benefits, including:

• • A low-impact workout: Because you’re in a seated position (for the most part), cycling puts less stress on the joints than other forms of cardio exercise like running.
• • Improved cardiovascular fitness: You can perform steady-state cardio or intervals on an exercise bike, and both will improve your fitness levels. Aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of many life-threatening conditions such as heart disease.
• • Strengthened lower-body muscles: Especially if you’re a beginner, cycling can help you build muscle in your legs, glutes, and even core.
• • Improved mental health: Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and bad moods. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
• • Supported weight loss efforts: Along with a balanced diet, regular workouts on an exercise bike can help you reach your weight loss goals.
• • Accessibility: Whether you’re a beginner or an avid cyclist, someone with a modest budget or a large one, here’s an exercise bike for you.
• • Safety: Compared to outdoor cycling, there are fewer safety factors you have to contend with, like traffic and the weather.

What to Look For in Exercise Bikes

With so many options available on the market, deciding which home exercise bike to purchase can be a daunting task. Here’s what we recommend keeping in mind.

Decide on the Type

There are three main types of indoor exercise bikes available: air bikes, cycling bikes, and recumbent bikes. An air bike is completely self-propelled and will provide a killer workout, but probably won’t offer interactive programming and is pretty bare bones. Cycling bikes, like the Peloton Bike, use friction or magnetic resistance against a flywheel to adjust the ride’s intensity. And recumbent bikes, where you’re seated, provide the most low-impact ride of all three versions.

Decide on Your Budget

Exercise bikes can range in price from less than $200 to upwards of $2,000 depending on the features. Once you decide what type of bike you’re on the market for, narrowing down your price point range will be key to a good purchasing decision.

Consider Key Features

Narrowing down what’s important to you during your workout experience will be key, too. Do you want native programming? Bluetooth connectivity? Compatibility with apps like Zwift or Strava? Heart rate monitoring? What kind of resistance are you looking for?

Which Type of Exercise Bike is Right for You?

Deciding between the three main types of exercise bikes will come down to personal preference.

Air Bike

These bikes don’t have traditional resistance like a cycling bike would. Instead, an air bike is powered by your legs and the fan at the front of the bike. The harder you pedal, the more intense the resistance becomes. These bikes are heavy-duty and don’t require an outlet so they can be easily moved around.

Upright Bike

Upright cycling bikes are your standard indoor exercise bike with adjustable resistance and maybe some included programming. Many are now technology-compatible, so you can hook up your bike to an array of apps to follow along with workouts.

Recumbent Bike

If you need the ultimate low-impact cardio exercise experience, the recumbent bike is where it’s at. Especially for older adults or those with hip, knee, or back issues, recumbent bikes take the pressure off the joints and are great for low-intensity workouts.