The best exercise bikes are the cornerstone of every home gym. They are more compact and joint-friendly than treadmills, and they take up far less space than some of the best rowing machines. Exercise bikes are also extremely versatile. They range from classic upright bikes like the Peloton to mammoth pieces of kit like the Wahoo KICKR bike. No matter your fitness level, needs or preferences, this neat exercise machine can help you hit your health and fitness goals. Especially in January when it can be too cold and dreary for a comfortable ride outside.
Indoor cycling is a great way to boost your stamina and burn calories without putting excessive strain on your joints. To a certain extent, training on an exercise bike can also help improve cycling performance and core stability. “You will notice increased leg strength, too,” Sam Birch, a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist at Pure Sports Medicine, told Live Science. Want to know more about indoor cycling? Scroll down to the Exercise bikes FAQs section for more useful information.
We are big fans of exercise bikes here at Live Science — we use them daily to stay fit no matter the weather. We know that choosing the right model is harder than it seems. Do not worry, though, we have done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert reviewers have tried and tested dozens of models so you can find one that ticks all your boxes. You can read more about how we test the best exercise bikes down below.
Need help determining what kind of exercise bike is best for you? Scroll down to the How to choose section for in-depth buying advice from cycling experts.
The quick list
See the quick list below for a brief summary of our favorite exercise bikes, or scroll further down for more detailed reviews of each machine and other options we recommend.
Best overall
Stylish, durable and brimming with features, the flagship Peloton machine is the best exercise bike for most people and a real treat if you like fitness classes.
Best on a budget
This no-frills exercise bike offers impressive performance for less than $300. It is sturdy, easy to use, and it delivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
Best Peloton alternative
This Echelon model combines a sleek, sturdy design with fun and engaging fitness classes, making it a great alternative to the much pricier Peloton bike.
Best budget smart bike
Sleek, powerful and reasonably priced, this all-on-one indoor cycling setup provides an excellent workout experience
Best for realistic rides
The Wahoo KICKR bike V2 is a beast of a machine, but its highly customizable features, top-notch connectivity and realistic ride experience are hard to match.
Best for resistance
The Schwinn IC4 offers a whopping 100 levels of magnetic resistance, making this exercise bike a great option for seasoned cycling enthusiasts.
The best exercise bikes we recommend in 2025: Tried and tested by our experts with hands-on, real-world experience
Why you can trust Live Science Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best ones for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best exercise bike overall
✅ You want something durable: It is stable and resilient to wear-and-tear damage.
✅ You enjoy exercising with others: The Peloton App is packed with live and on-demand fitness classes.
✅ You want a hassle-free setup: The Peloton bike comes fully put together, except for the screen.
❌ You are on a budget: This bike costs more than $1,400.
❌ You do not have much space: This is quite a big machine, and it can't be folded.
🔎 Peloton bike: With its sleek design, crisp display and engaging fitness classes on demand, the Peloton bike is a real pleasure to ride. However, it is relatively expensive. ★★★★½
Stylish and feature-rich, the Peloton Bike is a bestseller for good reason. While it is not cheap (it costs approximately $1,400 and rarely goes on sale), what you get for your dollar is an extremely well-made machine with endless features to keep you motivated and on track with your health and fitness goals. Besides, this flagship Peloton machine is still more affordable than premium smart bikes, such as the Wahoo KICKR bike or Wattbike Atom.
During our full Peloton Bike review, it thoroughly impressed us with its robust design, ease of use, and fun fitness classes. This sleek machine features a crisp touchscreen with all of its features hidden within the monitor — this is deliberate so that the bike itself is not cluttered by lots of buttons. With daily live workouts and on-demand classes via the Peloton app, one of the big draws of this bike is that you will never get bored as there is so much virtual content. A subscription is, however, needed to access the app. If you branch out and buy another Peloton product like the Peloton Tread, you can use your existing app subscription to access running content too.
It looks good, too. The bike comes in Peloton’s signature black and red colors, and has a small footprint making it a good choice for people short on space. Another big pull is the bike is quiet and intuitive to use.
We also liked that it was ergonomic, which made it feel comfortable and smooth to ride. Just bear in mind that the pedals require specific Look Delta cleat-compatible shoes, which is an extra cost on top of the bike (you can find some excellent footwear in our guide to the best shoes for Peloton.)
Overall, the Peloton Bike offers one of the most satisfying riding experiences out there. However, seasoned cyclists may still prefer something with a more realistic feel. If that is you, consider spending more and buying the Wahoo KICKR bike instead.
- Read our full Peloton Bike review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | Measured as a percentage of the maximum resistance |
| Extra features | Bottle holder, weights holder |
| Additional costs | Peloton app membership: Basic - $12.99/month / Extended - $24/month |
Best budget exercise bike
✅ You want to get the most for your money: It is affordable, but sturdy and stable.
✅ You want a comfortable ride: We liked its wide seat and quiet yet powerful flywheel.
✅ You do not want a complex setup: You can get it up and running in less than an hour.
❌ You enjoy fitness classes: No touchscreen or workout apps.
❌ You want detailed workout tracking: Its display shows only calories, distance, time and speed.
❌ You are short on space: The bike is quite compact, but it can't be folded.
🔎 Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike: This no-frills machine punches way above its affordable price with its quality design, ease of assembly and smooth riding experience. ★★★★
The Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike offers excellent value for an exercise machine under $300. It is surprisingly well-made and sturdy, and its refreshingly simple design makes it very intuitive to use. The Yosuda bike is also quiet and comfortable to ride. Of course, it is nowhere near as robust and feature-packed as the Peloton bike, for example, and it is almost completely devoid of premium frills. However, you would struggle to find a better exercise bike in this price range ― one of the key reasons why we gave it a strong 4-star rating in our Yosuda Indoor Stationary Bike review.
There is no touchscreen or monitor and the computer display is very basic, but it shows all the core metrics you need, including time, speed, distance and calories. The Yosuda exercise bike does not have any programmed classes either, but you can get around this by simply watching a free Youtube workout on your phone or tablet, or using another app like iFit or Peloton to access live or on-demand online classes. The built-in device holder surely comes in handy here.
We particularly liked how comfortable to ride it was. One big perk of the Yosuda bike is the way its handlebars angle in — this really helps when leaning forward in racing-style rides, as it is a more comfortable and natural position for the shoulders and arms. This exercise bike also has an exceptionally wide and soft seat, and that is something we do not see often even in some of the most premium models.
Moreover, the bike has dual pedals — cage and clip in — so you do not have to buy expensive cycling shoes to use the machine unless you want to.
Lastly, the Yosuda bike has a whopping 300lbs capacity, making it one of the sturdiest cardio machines in its affordable price range. This makes it slightly more robust than the other budget option in this guide, the Sunny Health and Fitness Bike.
- Read our full Yosuda Indoor Stationary Cycling Bike review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | Knob-adjustable |
| Extra features | Bottle holder, toe cage, phone holder |
| Additional costs | None |
Best Peloton alternative
✅ You want good value for money: Functionality of the Peloton bike, but without the hefty price.
✅ You want an easy way to monitor your progress: This bike provides detailed workout data.
✅ You thrive with a supportive community: It allows you to connect with other Echelon riders.
❌ You want something easy to use: The display can be tricky to navigate.
❌ You want a space-saving design: The bike is heavy, takes up much room, and can't be folded.
🔎 Echelon EX5-S: This well-made machine offers a fun-filled riding experience at a reasonable price, making it a great alternative to the Peloton bike. ★★★★
The Echelon EX5-S is a great budget alternative to the Peloton bike. Just like the flagship Peloton machine, it offers top-quality fitness content and a supportive community of riders ― but it costs around $400 less. This sleek exercise bike may have its flaws, true, but we still think it is one of the best exercise machines for beginners and people who struggle with sticking to their exercise routines. Why? It is all down to its fitness classes.
During our Echelon Connect EX5s review, we liked that instructors were enthusiastic and motivating, whilst also giving you opportunities to work at your own pace. We also liked that the Echelon bike offers a convenient way to monitor your progress ― you can see a detailed breakdown of real-time data on the screen during classes, and you will also receive an email report after completing each session.
However, finding an appropriate class can be a challenging task. The screen is not very intuitive to navigate, and the class descriptions could benefit from more clarity. Also, some instructors were quite difficult to understand, and it does take a trial-and-error approach to find an instructor that appeals to you the most.
Fitness classes aside, we found the Echelon bike to be sturdy, good-looking, and quite resistant to wear and tear damage. However, this durability comes at a cost. The Echelon EX5-S is relatively big, heavy and tricky to move around. If you are looking for something more portable, you may want to consider the Yosuda bike as it is almost 20 kg lighter.
The Echelon EX5-S is relatively expensive, but the monthly membership is quite reasonably priced, and its on-demand library is packed to the brim with tutorial videos. We need to point out, however, that there are only a small handful of sessions that last longer than 45 minutes.
- Read our full Echelon connect EX5s review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | 32 levels |
| Extra features | Headphone jack, clip in cleat option |
| Additional costs | Echelon app membership: Limited fitpass - $11.99/month / Full - $34.99/month |
Best budget smart bike
✅ You are a Zwift fan: This is an ideal pairing and provides an all-round excellent indoor cycling experience
✅ You've always wanted a smart bike: The Zwift Ride is far more competitively priced than rivals like Wattbike Atom or the Tacx Neo
✅ You don't want additional costs: No cycling shoes or app memberships required.
❌ You are a platform hopper and want virtual gear shifting: This doesn't work with popular third party apps like Trainer Road IndieVelo or Fulgaz
❌ You want a screen: You'll need to use your own phone or tablet
❌ You want extra gimmicks: Unlike more expensive rivals, there's no haptic effects for different road surfaces, or auto tilt to emulate inclines.
🔎 Zwift ride: The Zwift Ride provides all the substance of a full smart bike at less than half the cost. It’s cheaper than some turbo trainers alone. The only major downside is that the proprietary virtual gear system is not compatible with rival platforms. ★★★★½
Since the pandemic and the days when we were all stuck at home, smart bikes have become all the rage. However, they did always come with one huge drawback: the cost. The Zwift Ride, while it's hardly cheap, does feel less of a sting. It costs $1,299.99, compared to $2,549 for the Wattbike Atom or $3,199 for the Tacx Neo. It is also cheaper than most of our favorite exercise bikes. If you already have a compatible turbo trainer you can also save more by buying the Zwift Ride frame (with handlebar) separately for $799.99/€799.99/£749.99.
Zwift have done this by keeping things simple. The Zwift Ride is a smart bike, but it’s also three separate bits: the frame, the smart handlebar and the Wahoo Kickr Core turbo trainer. The frame comes largely pre-made and the whole thing is easy to assemble.
The Zwift Ride does not include a display, so you’ll need some form of screen, and you'll also need to upgrade the pedals if you want clip ons.
But for all that, the Zwift Ride is ideal for anyone who wants a smart bike but is put off by the cost. However, you'd better love Zwift, too: while the Zwift Ride isn’t 100% locked into using the platform, its virtual gear system is and doesn't work with third party apps.
But what you do get is most of the features of a smart bike that come at three times the cost. Sure, it does lack the really premium features like road-feel haptics, incline motors and sideways motion, but at this price, it would be churlish to complain.
- Read our full Zwift Ride smart bike review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | Controlled virtually via Zwift |
| Extra features | Bottle holders |
| Additional costs | Zwift membership (but some packages come with a year included) |
Best exercise bike for cycling purists
✅ You want a realistic ride experience: It boasts 22 gears and auto-resistance that automatically adjusts to simulate different terrains.
✅ You like intense workouts: The Wattbike Atom is built like a tank — you can put it through its paces and it will not break.
✅ You want an easy setup: The bike comes in one piece, just plug it in and you are good to go.
❌ You are a cycling novice: You may be put off by the data-heavy, performance-oriented nature of the bike.
❌ You want on-demand fitness classes: It has no built-in monitor.
🔎 Wattbike Atom: Made with seasoned cyclists in mind, this beastly machine offers intense rides and in-depth metrics. However, beginners may find it less accessible. ★★★
This is a competitively priced and high-quality machine for anyone looking for an all-rounder exercise bike. It’s well made, with a ton of features that will appeal to both data-hungry athletes and people new to indoor cycling. Make no mistake, this is a big machine, and you’ll need a lot of space to house it. Whilst it’s 11kg lighter than its predecessor the Wattbike Pro, at 44kg it’s still a bit of a beast so you’ll need to find a good location for it before setting it up.
The Wattbike offers a smooth and realistic ride, thanks to its new electromagnetic resistance and impressive range through 22 gears. It has auto-resistance that automatically adjusts to simulate different terrains and inclines, making for a more intense workout. As well as the Wattbike Hub app, it syncs nicely with other fitness apps including Zwift. On the whole, this exercise machine provides good value for cycling purists, which is why we gave it a strong 3-star rating in our Wattbike Atom review.
On the other hand, it does not have a built-in monitor and lacks a USB port to charge your smartphone or tablet, which is a bit frustrating considering this is likely to be your main way of following online workouts. It is also not compatible with Apple Watch or Fitbit, which is a shame for the high price, but overall this is a well-made and feature-rich exercise bike that delivers on design and functionality.
- Read our full Wattbike Atom review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | 22 gears |
| Extra features | Bottle holder, device holder |
| Additional costs | Wattbike Hub membership: $7.99/month |
Best exercise bike for realistic rides
✅ You want to recreate your outdoor bike: It allows you to fully customize its fit and gearing.
✅ You want to boost your cycling performance: The Wahoo apps are packed with workouts, tips and progress-tracking tools.
✅ You do not want anything loud: The KICKR bike is ultra-quiet even at high speeds.
❌ You are on a budget: It is one of the most expensive exercise bikes on the market.
❌ You weigh more than 250lbs (113kg): This bike has limited weight capacity.
❌ You want a basic exercise bike: The KICKR bike may be an overkill.
🔎 Wahoo KICKR bike: Made with seasoned cyclists in mind, this beastly machine offers intense rides and in-depth metrics. However, beginners may find it less accessible. ★★★★
The Wahoo KICKR bike (version 2) is a great option for those passionate about cycling in the great outdoors. This beastly machine features a highly customized fit, shifting and gearing, allowing you to fully recreate your outdoor bike in the comfort of your home. It is also compatible with a wide range of cycling workout apps, making it a useful tool for improving exercise performance and tracking progress.
During our Wahoo KICKR bike V2 review, we were thoroughly impressed with its performance. This exercise bike is sturdy, stable and whisper-quiet, and unlike most models on the market, it features a wide range of incline changes and a set of brakes. We liked the ultra-realistic ride feel of the KICKR bike — it even makes the characteristic 'clunk' noise in-between gear changes. We also did not experience any issues with connectivity to third-party devices, such as laptops and mobile phones.
However, the flagship Wahoo machine is not equipped with any touchscreens, smartphone holders, or other frills typical of more premium indoor bikes. Instead, it features a small LED screen located right beneath the handlebar, and it only displays basic metrics — the gear you are in, your incline, and whether your bike is connected to another device. If you are looking for more in-depth stats, you will have to rely on the connected apps.
Moreover, the KICKR bike is a heavy piece of machinery that requires some serious floor space, and some people may find its seat slightly uncomfortable. Not to mention, it boasts a whopping price tag of $3,999.99, making it one of the most expensive bikes on the market.
- Read our full Wahoo KICKR Bike V2 review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resistance range | Customizable |
| Extra feat |