Best Exercise Bikes 2026: Stay fit at home all year, fully tested and reviewed by our experts
Improve your warm-up, get your legs spinning or add cardio to your training with the best exercise bikes that are always ready to ride. All tested and rated by our team of experts
While the summer months are a great time to log up miles on the road and the gravel trails, it's not always easy to find the time for a longer ride. And that’s where the best exercise bikes can help out. If you’re looking to maintain fitness, follow a dedicated training plan or just spin the legs, an exercise bike allows you to do so even during a busy week.
Many of the models featured in the guide allow you to connect with the best indoor cycling training apps, allowing you to benefit from the support of the indoor cycling communities as well as a host of advanced training tools.
I’ve tested a wide range of bikes, from the basic to the more detailed, and have selected my favourites here. My top pick is the Echelon EX-5, chosen because of its robust build, wide range of resistance levels and the large touchscreen included in the package.
While the price tags vary greatly across the bikes in this suide, all feature manual resistance. If you’re looking for automatic resistance, then we have a guide to the best indoor smart bikes for your perusal. And if you’d like to extend your search further we also have a dedicated guide to the best indoor smart trainers which work in conjunction with your bike.
The Quick List
The EX-5s from Echelon truly goes toe-to-toe with Peloton experaince when nothing else in comes close. It is also a cheaper bike and offers better value monthly subs.
Both easy to set up and use, the Domyos exercise bike is ideally suited to those on a budget. It features a 12kg/26.4lbs flywheel and plenty of adjustability to help dial in the fit.
For riders who are looking to put the power down and have a reasonable level of self-motivation. Excellant levels of resistance adjustability keep it ahead of its competitors.
A budget-friendly option that could tempt dedicated cyclists with its excellant connectivity to third-party app platforms like Zwift and Strava.
Famed for its plethora of live classes, the Peloton bike is best suited to those who need help with structured workouts and training motivation. Requires a monthly subscription.
Developed for over a decade with some of the best cyclists and athletes around the world. The Air brings Wattbikes' renowned quality and high-intensity training platform into the home.
Our pick of the best exercise bikes
Best Exercise Bike Overall
Echelon offers more flexibility and access than Peloton
The EX-5 is a robust bike that’s easy to set-up; most adjustments are tool-free, making it suitable for a household with multiple cyclists. The quality of the build, which features a welded steel frame does mean that it’s heavy, and at 56.5 kg/124 lb it’s best suited to those who have the space to leave it in situ.
The ride quality is impressive. I found the pedaling smooth and appreciated the sheer range of resistance levels. While more powerful riders still might find themselves in need of more resistance, for the majority of users it will be fine.
However it’s the EX-5’s digital interface that’s the real winner. The large touchscreen is clear and simple to use, while the OS platform itself is fast and packed with features including live and recorded bike classes, yoga, meditation, and strength sessions.
Read my full Echelon EX-5s exercise bike review
Best exercise bike on a budget
Basic by name but certainly not in performance
If you’re just starting out on your indoor training journey then the Domyos Basic could be for you. As the name suggests it’s a no-frills affair but this has its advantages. It’s lightweight and more transportable than many of its rivals - ideal if you need to store the bike away after use.
The simplicity is mirrored in the set up.Saddle height, saddle fore/aft and handlebar height can all be adjusted with ease, in much the same way as you would do with a spin bike at your local gym.
Once you're riding the pedaling action is smooth, with the 12kg flywheel and mechanical brake offering a decent amount of resistance. Again, powerful riders will likely find this too limiting but for the target market it should suffice.
At this price point there isn’t the benefit of a digital platform but for a low-cost option that allows you to to workout easily and efficiently then it’s hard to beat.
Best budget exercise bike for big efforts
While the Domyos bike above is a great budget option for beginners, the 800IC from Schwinn is a low-cost bike that’s able to match the efforts of more experienced and powerful riders. It achieves this thanks to a hefty flywheel and a direct-contact resistance system, with a staggering 100 levels to choose from.
Naturally this makes the Schwinn a heavy option at 105lbs/48kg but it’s equipped with follower wheels on the base that make it easier to move around as a result. That said, it’s likely you’ll still need to be careful with where you keep it, with perhaps some additional floor protection required!
The Domyos features a holder for your phone or tablet and with a range of third-party connectivity options you can enter the world of virtual training should you wish. Another bonus is the inclusion of clipless pedals as standard.
Read our full Schwinn 800IC Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike review
Best Peloton alternative
If you like the look of the Peloton package but need a more affordable option, then the 7.0 IC from Horizon Fitness should pique your interest.
It’s loaded with features, including a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, SPD pedals, bottle cages and 100 resistance levels. Bluetooth connectivity means that by simply pairing with your smartphone or tablet opens up the world of online classes and rides; while you’ll still need to adjust the resistance manually, your speed, along with other real-time data, will be sent to the screen via an app.
At this price point it’s understandable that there are a few minor gripes. For us, the bike lacks a full range of adjustment, which might mean that you struggle to dial it in as you would your road bike. Similarly, the saddle is pretty basic and a tad uncomfortable as a result.
Read our full Horizon Fitness 7.0 IC Fitness Bike review
Best for motivation and community
Peloton offers much more than just on-bike exercise, with a large community and all round fitness classes
Thanks to its highly visible promotional campaign Peloton remains the most visible of exercise bikes and a favourite among cyclists and non-cyclists alike.
Its key selling points are the ease of set up and the host of workouts on offer. Alongside 24-hour access to a virtual studio you also get live-streamed spin classes, curated playlists, access to online coaches and more. If you’re used to attending gym classes then it's likely a good fit, providing you with the extra motivation you need. It’s also well suited if you’re looking to share the bike with your household, thanks to the adjustability and membership options.
If you’re undecided about whether it's right for you, why not read our dedicated guide, Zwift vs Peloton: which is best for your at-home workouts?
Read our full Peloton indoor training bike review
Best air resistance exercise bike
You may well have used a Wattbike in your local gym or have read about their association with Premier League football clubs and other professional sporting outfits. The Air aims to take much of this premium tech and deliver it in a more affordable package suitable for use at home.
While the Air doesn’t deliver the same peak power outputs as the commercial bikes, you still get a peak of 2500 watts, which is more than enough for most of us. The 10 resistance levels are delivered via an air resistance system that’s heralded for its reactivity and its smooth ride quality, as well as being relatively quiet compared to other systems - a bonus if you don’t want your training to disturb the rest of the house.
The quality of the build is superb, and goes someway to justifying the high price tag. If you train at home regularly and year round then the robust nature of the Wattbike Air will have lots of appeal.
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.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Connectivity | Weight | Resistance | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Domyos Basic Exercise Bike 100 | No | 29kg | Friction | Manual |
Echelon EX-5s | BLE/WiFi | 56kg | Magnetic | Automatic/manual |
Peloton | BLE/WiFi | 61kg | Magnetic | Automatic/manual |
Horizon Fitness 7.0 IC | BLE | 39kg | Magnetic | Manual |
Schwinn Fitness 800IC | BLE | 48kg | Magnetic | Automatic/manual |
| Row 5 - Cell 0 | Row 5 - Cell 1 | Row 5 - Cell 2 | Row 5 - Cell 3 | Row 5 - Cell 4 |
Wattbike Air | ANT+, Bluetooth, FTMS | 55kg | Air | Manual |
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.
Dependant on the bikes features our team sweat away hours testing the best exercise bikes
Meet our testers
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, 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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
How much does the best exercise bike cost?
The price difference for exercise bikes ranges from $150/£100 for basic models to nearly $3,000/£2,500 for high-end options, often requiring a monthly subscription for full benefits.
Interactive, Wi-Fi-enabled exercise bikes offer a good compromise. They allow users to take online classes for motivational workouts from the comfort of their homes. Although initial costs may be lower than those of smart bikes, monthly subscriptions can increase overall expenses.
An entry-level model is sufficient to get you started; spending more provides features like ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity for use with apps like Zwift or Rouvy.
Will an exercise bikes help me get fit and loose weight?
Cycling offers many benefits, and indoor riding is no exception. It enhances mental health, boosts immunity, and aids weight loss; why not check out our 15 benefits to cycling guide?
The main advantage of an exercise bike is the control it offers over pace and duration, which allows you to tailor your fitness journey to your needs. For those investing in an exercise bike for weight loss, our quick guide outlines six essential tips for success.
What's the difference between an exercise bike and a smart bike?
The main difference between the two is the functionality. The systems vary hugely in terms of performance, and the more you spend, the more you’ll get.
Generally speaking, an exercise bike, or spin bike, will provide manually adjustable resistance, have some basic performance data, and a more upright sitting position.
A smart bike is more interactive, and, along with automatically controlling resistance for you, it will also allow you to attend virtual rides, gather significant performance data, and have a riding position that more closely mimics that of a road bike, providing a realistic road-like feel when pedalling.
In the middle is an ever-growing market that combines both smart features and connectivity with the simplicity of basic exercise bikes. We also see a rising trend in air-resistance bikes.
What is Peloton and are there alternatives?
The Peloton indoor exercise bike and app have taken the fitness world by storm, but is it any good for training for proper cyclists?
We've got all the insider detail on the question of is the Peloton indoor exercise bike and app worth it on our dedicated page; but in summary:
You'll need to purchase the bike and then subscribe to a membership monthly fee, a bit like a gym, but it does allow you to include multiple members.
The subscription bit gives you access to instructor-led classes, which resemble 'spin classes' and a motivational virtual community, as well as off bike exercises such as Yoga, stretching and strength workouts. So it's a bit like a mini home gym structured around the bike.
While Peloton might still have the market share, there are a lot more options out there if an interactive smart bike is your thing. We've picked out what we think are the best Peloton alternatives to help you find the right bike to achieve your fitness goals.
Which is better: an exercise bike or a turbo trainer?
When it comes to performance training and riding indoors, turbo trainers have traditionally been the way to go. However, with the advent of smart bikes and more coming on the market constantly, some riders have referred to them as game changers for full-gas efforts and harnessing every inch of power due to their solidity. Then there's the reduction in maintenance and the bike always being ready to ride.
However, on the flip side, the compliance offered by a road bike attached to a turbo trainer does have its benefits on longer rides at home. The ability to stow a turbo neatly away, along with the obvious price differences, will be more of a perk for some riders.
Read more on our Smart bike or top-end turbo: what's the ultimate set-up for Zwift racing feature to see what two distinguished online racers think.
What are the pros and cons of foldable exercise bikes?
If space is limited at home, you might be tempted to buy an exercise bike that folds up and rolls away. However, this will always mean some big compromises in terms of performance, most notably rider position and limited tension settings.
A typical foldaway exercise bike uses an ‘X’ frame, similar to an ironing board, to keep its overall footprint low. To keep this dual triangle relatively strong, it must be as vertical as possible, meaning that you're likely to be sitting very upright.
The other obvious disadvantage of foldaway exercise bikes is that, to keep the machine as portable as possible, they will naturally have lighter, much smaller flywheels, significantly reducing their ability to apply resistance.
Clearly, they have their place for people with limited space and looking for a low-impact cardio workout at home. For experienced cyclists, it is certainly worth considering some of the best rollers or smart turbo trainers instead.
Do I need to have a subscription to use an exercise bike?
The short answer is no: all the exercise bikes in this guide will work perfectly well as basic exercise bikes without requiring a subscription, joining a community, or following a structured workout plan. However, your need for connectivity could help to narrow down what kinda of bike you are looking for. If you aren't interested in racing, classes, or joining others, you could look at some of the simpler units, such as the Domyos or Schwinn and save yourself some money.
Even those that offer their own in-house services like Echelon and Hoizon Fitness, you could opt to use one of the best indoor training apps instead, like Zwift, Rouvy or My Whoosh.
Glossary
Cadence
This refers to how fast your legs are pedalling and is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Some exercise bikes have the ability to measure your cadence and are shown in RPMs on the console screen.
Connectivity
The ability to connect, typically via Bluetooth or ANT+, to a third party app allows you to join virtual classes, rides and training programmes. This is a feature of all of the more expensive smart bikes, but isn’t always an option on cheaper machines.
ERG mode
Ergometer mode, or ERG for short, is a feature of some smart exercise bikes. It allows the resistance to be automatically adjusted, pre-set to an average power in watts, based on your cadence and eliminates the need to ‘change gear’ while riding.
Power
By combining the resistance level (see below) and your cadence, a bike equipped with a power meter can measure your energy output. It’s shown in watts and can be used as a metric for training sessions.
Friction resistance
Cheaper bikes use friction, with a pad applied to the flywheel via an adjustable knob. By turning the knob in either direction the level of resistance moves either up or down. Because the pad is acting as a brake, it can create some noise. The pads also require replacing.
Magnetic resistance
Here magnets are moved nearer or further away from the flywheel via an electric current, without actually contacting it. It results, generally, in a quieter ride than a bike using a contact pad but does require a power source for the electro-magnets to work.
Air resistance
More expensive bikes might use air resistance. Here the flywheel is replaced with a fan, with the blades pushing against the air to create resistance; in essence the faster you pedal, the more resistance you’ll face. This system is a good match for interval and sprint training.
Q-factor
Q-factor is the lateral distance between the outside edges of the two crank arms and with regards to exercise bikes will determine the gap between your legs while pedalling.
