Best exercise bikes 2026: workout at home this winter, all tested and rated by our experts

The best exercise bike is one that motivates you to ride regardless of the weather, supports your fitness goals, and keeps your legs moving. In recent years, exercise bikes have evolved greatly, now often including motivational features, large supportive communities, and integrated personal trainers.

In 2026, exercise bikes are also becoming more connected, now featuring better integration with the best indoor cycling training apps and seamless connectivity to the latest tech, such as the best smartwatches, allowing you to utilise more advanced training tools.

Exercise bikes serve as an excellent starting point for individuals aiming to enhance their fitness and training. In this guide, I have compiled seven of the best exercise bikes, as tested and rated by the Cycling Weekly team. They all feature a manual resistance adjustment, which is where they differ from the best indoor smart bikes, which are more advanced and use electronics to automatically adjust resistance. The bikes in the guide will be recognisable to those who may have used the best spin bikes at the gym, for example.

To which point, after our testing and deliberation, we have awarded the Echelon EX-5s our coveted best overall title. It largely does everything as well, if not better than Peloton, all while being a better value for money. For those on a budget, look no further than Decathlon and the Basic 100, which delivers performance beyond its price.

The Quick List

Our pick of the best exercise bikes

Best Exercise Bike Overall

One of the biggest blockers to me continuing my training in the winter is the faff. Even when, like me, you are fortunate to have a bike setup all the time on one of the best indoor smart trainers. It's the tech aspect that drives me nuts, getting everything linked and then halfway through, your daughter needs the tablet to do her homework. Which is where a connected exercise bike appeals to me.

The bike itself is made from robust, welded steel. While this prevents rust and corrosion from sweat and sports drinks, it also makes the Echelon EX-5s heavy at 56.5 kg/124 lb. It would be remiss of me not to mention the assembly and setup of the Echelon EX-5s. As I mentioned, the 60kg mass takes some shifting, and putting the bike together requires a reasonable amount of effort and shouldn't be underestimated. Setting it up, ready to ride, is relatively simple in comparison, though most adjustments are tool-free, making swapping between riders nice and easy too.

For those who are not cyclists yet, the EX-5s is relatively comfortable for 45-minute to 1-hour sessions. However, for me, who is also at the lower end of the size range offered, I couldn't quite find the right position, while certaintly not the worst I have experianced on an exercise, in fact very much one of the better ones - it is still not quite there with the Q-Factor (essentially, the gap between your legs when pedalling) being to wide and being a bit upright for my liking.

Once pedalling the bike feels very smooth, and the resistance felt adequate for most. I did find myself up to the 20s of 32 levels a couple of times. So, for bigger and more powerful riders hardest resistance will bottom out before you do. It is certainly going to make you huff and puff, though; it's certainly better than most in this area.

The digital interface is the key feature that distinguishes the EX-5s from others. There is a lot to discuss on the platform, so I encourage you to read my full review. However, overall, the system is fast, and the classes, while a bit kitsch and cheesy, are fun. Echelon's new OS platform, which is very similar to Zwift, needs a bit of work, but if you have zero experience with Zwift, this will feel like a whole new world.

Would I buy one myself? As a cyclist, unlikely, unless it was being shared with ours in my house. Would I encourage my family members who don't have confidence to ride outside or to have a gym membership? Absolutely yes.

Read my full Echelon EX-5s exercise bike review

Best exercise bike on a budget

For newcomers to riding at home, the Domyos Basic Exercise bike can be the perfect place to get started. While reviews on the Decathlon house brand website say that it's no studio bike, many applaud its sturdiness and value for money. Arguably with less frequent use, this basic spin bike doesn't need to be quite as robust. This means the Domyos is slightly lighter and more transportable, allowing it to be wheeled out the way when not in use.

A 12kg flywheel uses a mechanically applied leather brake pad to create resistance for the user, in what the brand says is 'moderate-intensity use. A chain-driven drivetrain should recreate a smooth pedalling sensation, similar to that of a normal bike. The saddle height, saddle fore/aft and handlebar height can all be adjusted, similar to that of a regular gym spin bike. Making it easy and quick to find a comfortable position.

There isn't an online community or platform to join, which means you'll have to be self-motivated or find online classes to attend. The Domyos allows the freedom and flexibility of keeping fit with a little homemade spin class at a low cost.

Best budget exercise bike for big efforts

If you've ever undertaken a gym spin class, the chances are that you were riding a Schwinn. That background in gym bikes means very little technical know-how is required to get it set up and ready to ride. For those that may already own spin shoes, it even comes with secure clipless pedals (SPD) out of the box.

Formally, the IC8, this sturdy indoor trainer features a weighty flywheel that is unlikely to be overpowered by most riders. It's a direct-contact resistance system, with a staggering 100 levels to choose from, meaning you are in charge of your training at all times.

The added tablet/phone holder and a wide range of third-party connectivity options mean you can choose which virtual classes to join and enjoy.

The bike's location can be pretty flexible, thanks to mini roller wheels that facilitate transportation. But the weight unit will limit its general living place, and I wouldn't be keen on rolling it or riding it without the use of heavy-duty floor protection.

Read our full Schwinn 800IC Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike review

Best Peloton alternative

Horizon Fitness offers an indoor exercise kit that costs under $1,000, with the 7.0 IC model including a Bluetooth heart rate monitor. Set-up isn't too laborious, although there's a limited range of adjustment and the saddle is rather hard.

The Horizon Fitness bike features pedals with SPD clips on one side and straps on the other, along with two water bottle holders. It doesn't take up too much space.

You get Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use a phone or tablet to join classes or rides online, and your speed and other metrics will be sent to the app, although you're still going to need to adjust the resistance manually. With a total of 100 levels, there's plenty of fine-resolution and high-end resistance available, and the transition between levels is smooth.

Read our full Horizon Fitness 7.0 IC Fitness Bike review

Best for motivation and community

"Okay, Peloton, let's do this!" You have almost certainly seen the adverts for this on TV. The brand has been popping up everywhere, and even non-cyclists now know the word 'Peloton'. The American brand dominates the US market and has made inroads into the UK too.

The basic set-up (and membership) includes daily live-streamed classes, as well as 24-hour access to the virtual studio for an entire household. There are curated playlists for all genres, as well as instructors and coaches, and leaderboards to keep you motivated. There are even additional options that include strength, stretch and yoga classes.

It's cheaper than the Wahoo option, but nearly double that of the Echelon, arguably the most significant competitor. If you struggle to plan your own workouts and need motivational entertainment, the Peloton is a great option. There's even the option for individual profiles for household access, so perfect if you're looking for a shared home bike option.

If it all sounds like a tempting offer for virtual cycling, but you are still undecided, take a look at our helpful guide on Zwift vs Peloton: which is best for your at-home workouts?

Read our full Peloton indoor training bike review

Best air resistance exercise bike

Developed for more than a decade, the Wattbike air resistance system is well-renowned among high-level athletes and fitness coaches. The Wattbike Pro and Trainer Air set the benchmark for those looking to incorporate high-intensity intervals into their training plans. The recently launched Wattbike Air aims to bring this technology into the homes of cyclists and fitness enthusiasts.

What do we know about the air resistance system? The commercial gym versions have huge peak power outputs, with the Pro & Trainer Air achieving 3500-3800 watts. These are the bikes you will have seen Sir Chris Hoy and Laura Kenny using for FTP and sprint efforts. The Air has a far more modest peak, but one that is still far higher than its competition, with potential for riders to try and push 2500 watts.

Air bikes are renowned for being extremely quiet and react nearly immediately to explosive efforts, with a smoothness that can only be achieved using this resistance method. As we found with the Atom Wattbikes, reputation for quality is high. Considering the top-level athletes that use either system every day, we have no doubt the Air would be a good addition to any home gym setup.

Best exercise bike for durability

Concept2 is a big name in gym equipment, with its rowing machines considered the gold standard, and this accuracy is carried over into the Concept2 BikeErg exercise bike. Its PM5 power meter measures a host of metrics to give repeatable values from its fan-based resistance unit.

There's no heavy flywheel or magnetic resistance unit here, so the Concept2 BikeErg is lighter than many of its competitors, and it doesn't require a power supply.

Setup was quick, and there's a wide range of tool-free adjustments for all contact points. Shorter or taller riders can purchase a seatpost of a different length to achieve a wider range of inside leg length. You can also swap out handlebars, saddle and pedals, although not the crank length.

On test, the belt drive and air resistance combine for a remarkably smooth and quiet ride. It's easy to do one of Concept2's sessions or to hook up to Zwift for more stimulation; a tablet mount is an extra, though.

On the downside, I found the power measurement to be somewhat inaccurate, although it was consistent in its inaccuracy, which means you just need to do a little maths. The real bugbear is that you need to reach down to the flywheel to alter resistance, rather than having a bar-mounted lever.

Read our full Concept 2 BikeErg review

Specs table

There's a lot to consider if you're looking for the best exercise bike to meet your needs. You'll want to make sure that you've got all the functionality that you want before making what can be a significant outlay on an exercise bike for riding indoors.

Here's a cross-reference table for all the models listed above.

How we test exercise bikes

Indoor training is now a central part of most cyclists' fitness regimes. Indoor training apps like Zwift make the experience much more interactive.

Even without the ability to link up to an app, you can get a lot out of indoor cycling. So, at Cycling Weekly, we see ourselves as dedicated indoor trainers and outdoor riders. Our team has used a wide range of exercise bikes and smart trainers and knows what to look for to maximise your fitness gains from riding indoors.

Our experience means you'll have a consistent, in-depth viewpoint reflected in our product scoring. You can find out more on our How We Test page.

The way we test each exercise bike depends on its categorisation. For the more basic units that lack connectivity, we are setting out a structure of sessions that best test the unit's stability, the unit's maximum resistance, and how smoothly it is delivered.

Of course, we are also checking the more basic features of units with connectivity or smart features. However, we are also cross-checking the data with power meters, the quality of that connectivity to third-party apps and devices, and particularly the speed at which these connections react and adjust resistance levels.

Where possible, we try to set similar session plans. However, different reviewers will be at different points in their fitness plans, so we are mindful that the plans are not always exact. We will always try to ensure that we complete basic sessions, including intervals, over-unders, cooldowns, recovery, sprints, and some race simulations. If classes and community-based workouts are included, we will attend these as well.

Meet our testers

Hannah Bussey

Hannah will be the first to admit she much prefers riding outside, however, she is also realistic. Hannah is a working mom, that till recently homeschooled and raced on the weekends. So, what free time Hannah does get to train or herself has to be used wisely and when the Peak District weather has other ideas, Hannah is more then happy to turn to getting her time on a bike indoors.

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle, like Hannah, is also a hard-working mum of two, and also has to fit in training and time on the bike around family and work life. Which is why she regularly turns to home and indoor training, whether that is squeezing in half an hour during her lunch break or, with a baby monitor balanced on the handlebars, finding time when the kids are in bed.

How to choose the best exercise bike for you?

Choosing one of the best exercise bikes, given their crossover with the best smart bikes and various other fitness platforms like Peloton, can become a bit confusing. What we are discussing here is exercise bikes, which are generally defined by the manual intervention required when adjusting the resistance. This is typically accomplished by a dial or handle located on the bike. If you are looking for something that is automatically controlled, you absolutely will want one of the best smart bikes.

So, how do you choose the best exercise bike for you?

1. Defining your fitness goals is a good place to start. Depending on whether you are looking to just get some Cardio, rehabilitate, make performance gains or lose weight, will depend on what direction you should consider when selecting a bike. For Cardio/fitness and weight loss, this can be done on just about any exercise bike. Given that you can track this style of exercise fairly accurately with one of the best smartwatches or heart rate monitors, you don't need to spend on more advanced systems. However, you might want to consider offerings like Peloton or Echelon for their more all-around fitness training packages. For more advanced rehabilitation and performance gains, it will be worth looking to those that offer greater connectivity to 3rd-party training platforms.
2. Consider the type of exercise bike; we primarily cover the more traditional upright-style bikes here at Cycling Weekly, as they are the most transferable to road and gravel bikes. However, there are several types that offer benefits in specific scenarios. For example, recumbent bikes are handy for rehabilitation, allowing you to focus on the cardio and pedalling without the awkwardness of getting on and off a bike or the need for upper body strength. However, worth considering the adjustability of a bike and if you want to try to replicate a bike fit or not, and the more affordable offerings tend to offer less movement in this area.
3. How hard do you want to make it? For a detailed look at the different types of resistance, please refer to my guide in the section below titled Types of exercise bike resistance: explained. In short, the more performance-focused you are, if you are looking to add intervals or any HIIT training to your routine, the greater the resistance you are likely to require. Which has a significant impact on the selection of bikes you can consider.
4. Consider your budget and the potential frequency with which you might use an exercise bike. Like anything for all the bells and whistles, you are looking at a price to match, and with some, there are additional subscriptions to access the content, like Peloton. At which point, could a gym membership for X months be more cost-effective, for example?
5. Read and digest reviews. I need not mention again our team of cycling and fitness experts here at Cycling Weekly. We are dedicated to providing you with honest and impartial reviews of all cycling-based products. Our team sweats it out throughout the year to ensure you know what you are buying when it comes to the best exercise bikes.

Types of exercise bike resistance: explained

At the heart of most indoor bikes is a weighted flywheel. Its job is to provide mass, which requires energy to establish rotational inertia. In other words, it is a weighted metal disk that takes the place of a bike wheel and is connected to the pedals via either a chain or a belt.

The flywheel stores kinetic energy, so once you’ve got the wheel turning, it will continue to do so, creating a very similar experience to outdoor pedalling.

A good flywheel typically takes force to get it spinning and force to stop it, as kinetic energy is a function of mass and speed. The larger the diameter and heavier the flywheel, the more energy is stored, and the flywheels that spin the fastest store much more energy than ones that spin faster (so keep spinning for longer on their own).

Without external slowing force, a flywheel would create a stop-and-go experience and would need to be very large or spun exceptionally fast to benefit fitness. Using brake pads or electromagnetic induction with magnets can significantly reduce the weight and size of a flywheel for better usability.

Direct-Contact resistance systems

A brake pad is simply applied alongside and on top of the flywheel to create friction which the rider needs to overcome.

The more pressure applied to the pad, the harder it becomes to keep the flywheel moving. It’s that simple.

The downside is, you’ll still require a pretty heavy and large flywheel; think typical gym spin bike, and much like brakes on a bike or a car, over time you’ll find that the brakes will need replacing. Depending on the quality and size of the flywheel, you may eventually find that it needs to be replaced too at some point.

They are also entirely mechanical, so will be noisier than electro-magnetic resistant bikes. So if it’s going to be living in the middle of your lounge, you might need to give advance warning of your impending exercise routine to the rest of the household.

The upside is that this level of simplicity keeps the price down. There are lots of online classes, both paid and free, to sign up to keep you motivated and working hard. These bikes also rarely require electricity, so great for keeping in an outbuilding or, even outside with a protective cover on when not in use.

Electro-Magnetic resistance systems

Recently these have become the pièce de résistance of exercise bikes. By passing an electrical current through magnets you can make the magnets more or less attractive to each other. The resistance in an electromagnetic exercise or smart bike is controlled by the level of electric current passing through the magnets that flank either side of the flywheel. More current equals more magnetic force, increasing the resistance, and making it harder for you to turn it.

The biggest benefit of the electromagnetic resistance system is that it can be controlled by the rider, by pushing a button, running pre-programmed software built into the bike or, with the correct connectivity, a remote third party, allowing for virtual riding on platforms such as Zwift or TrainerRoad.

Another benefit of the electromagnetic system is that because there is nothing in contact with the flywheel creating the resistance, you can significantly reduce its size and weight, making the whole package much smaller and lighter.

Other benefits include less wear and tear, as there are no brakes in contact with the flywheel and the working noise is also significantly reduced.

The downside as well as requiring a source of electricity, is the cost. The initial outlay will be a lot more expensive than a more basic mechanical direct contact resistance bike, and remote third-party virtual reality apps will require a subscription of some kind.

Air resistance systems

Air bikes use a flywheel system based on air to create the resistance and are increasingly popular in gyms since the advent of Crossfit/ Functional fitness and their HIIT style exercises.

Fan like blades are driven by a simple cog and chain/ belt and require the rider’s energy, mostly by co-joined pedal arm levers to turn. The harder you ride, the more resistance the blades meet from air, making you expend more energy.

If you want to cover a set distance or calorie count quickly, you’ll have to push the blades through the air quickly - which requires more force to move air molecules quicker, think of putting your hand out of a moving car window and the force of the wind at low and high speeds.

90% of air bikes will have arms and legs and as the resistance comes from the spinning blade, there’s often no variability.

The upside is that along with getting a full body workout, there’s no need for electricity (other than a new battery once in a while for a head unit display) so it can be located anywhere, another ideal option for the shed or outside under a protective cover.

The downside is that out of all three options, this is by far the noisiest with the harder you work the louder the fan like sound, certainly not household friendly.

Frequently asked questions about exercise bikes