Best Cheap Exercise Bikes

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These high end options might be too expensive for many people who want to enjoy the health benefits of indoor cycling. However, there are some more affordable options.

Alongside the rise in popularity of high end stationary bikes from Peloton and Echelon, the overall demand for stationary bikes has soared.

When handles and arm movement are included, your upper body can also get in on the workout. Many stationary bikes offer various resistance levels, making interval training possible too.

One systematic review found that indoor cycling can increase aerobic capacity and, when combined with diet changes, can help improve cholesterol levels, contribute to weight loss, and reduce blood pressure ( 1 ).

For those who love to ride, an exercise bike can offer a way to do it without having to worry about time of day or weather. You also won’t have to keep an eye out for cars or pedestrians while you ride!

Why are people choosing to add an exercise bike to their home gym?

When deciding which bikes should make the cut, we considered:

To help you in your search for an affordable exercise bike, we’ve compiled a list of several types of budget-friendly indoor exercise bikes that offer a wide variety of features.

A note on price

General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.

Generally, prices range from $150–$400, though this may vary depending on where you shop.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $200
• $$ = $200–$300
• $$$ = over $300

Best overall

• Price: $$$
• Levels of resistance: 16
• Display: yes, color meter display
• Built-in classes: 12 preset workouts
• Style: recumbent
• Pulse sensor: yes

This recumbent exercise bike tops the list because of the number of features it offers for the price.

In addition to 16 levels of resistance and 12 preset workouts, the bike has a tablet holder so you can use your favorite fitness app to access even more workouts. It also features a wide seat with a mesh seatback to help keep you cool.

The bike is easy to get on thanks to a step-through style, and you can use the side handle to adjust the seat while you’re sitting in it. It also has a bottle holder, wheels to help move it out of the way, and non-slip pedals with adjustable straps.

Pros

• 16 levels of resistance and 12 preset workouts
• includes a tablet holder
• breathable mesh seatback to add comfort and support for those who need it

Cons

• higher price than some other options on our list
• some complaints of wiring and belt problems

Best for multitasking

• Price: $$$
• Levels of resistance: 8
• Display: no
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: no

If you’re working or studying from home, this desk is a great way to avoid sitting still for hours on end.

Although it’s otherwise no-frills, it features a built-in desk surface large enough to hold a laptop, notebook, and phone. And thanks to its transport wheels, you can roll it out of the way when you’re not using it.

The bike includes eight resistance levels and is designed so that the seat and desk are easy to adjust. You won’t have a monitor to track your progress, but that way you also won’t be distracted from your work.

Pros

• includes a desk to work on
• easily adjustable seat and desk
• has transportation wheels to make it easier to move out of the way between work sessions

Cons

• may actually cost a bit more than $400, depending on what color you want and where you buy it
• battery not included
• no monitor to help you track your data

Best for the office

• Price: $
• Levels of resistance: 8
• Display: yes, removable 6-function LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: desk pedals
• Pulse sensor: no

These pedals are ideal if you work in an office. They’re heavy enough that they won’t slide around during use, and their low profile/adjustable pedal height allows them to be used with desks as low as 27 inches.

Because it’s important to keep noise down in an office, these pedals use the quietest form of resistance, magnetic resistance, for the eight preset levels.

The LCD monitor displays your strides per minute, distance, calories burned, and time, so you can keep track of your progress while you work.

Pros

• fits under desks as low as 27 inches
• 8 magnetic resistance levels
• LCD monitor that tracks strides per minute, distance, calories burned, and time

Cons

• no built-in classes
• does not include a seat
• individuals with longer legs may find the tops of their legs hitting their desk as they pedal

Best recumbent

• Price: $$$
• Levels of resistance: 22
• Display: yes, 5-inch high contrast display
• Built-in classes: 24 preset workouts
• Style: recumbent
• Pulse sensor: yes

The ProForm 325 stands out for the number of extra features it includes.

This recumbent bike offers 22 levels of resistance and 24 preset workouts. For a cycling-class experience at home, you can connect your phone to the bike’s built-in speaker system. (The bike is iFit-enabled and comes with a 30-day free trial.)

It also features wheels for transport, a fan, a 5-inch display, a drink holder, and an oversized seat with a cushioned backrest. The step-through design makes it easier to get on than more traditional bikes.

To help protect your investment, it comes with a 10-year frame warranty and a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.

Pros

• includes 22 resistance levels and 24 preset workouts
• iFit- and Bluetooth-enabled (30-day iFit membership is included with purchase)
• oversized seat with a cushioned backrest for comfort

Cons

• more expensive than some other options on our list
• membership fees required to use iFit($396/year for Yearly Family Plan, $39/month for a Monthly Family Plan, or $180/year for a Yearly Individual Plan)

Best upright

• Price: $$$
• Levels of resistance: 16
• Display: yes, 5.5-inch LCD
• Built-in classes: 13 preset workouts, classes available with tablet and app subscription
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: yes

This upright exercise bike stands out for the number of exercise class options it offers.

When paired with a tablet and two app subscriptions (Explore the World and Zwift) that feature more than 1,000 unique classes, this upright bike can provide a similar experience to high end options like Peloton and Echelon.

It’s also Bluetooth-enabled so you can connect the bike to your preferred fitness app to help track your progress.

When deciding whether this bike fits your budget, you’ll want to keep in mind the additional expense of monthly subscriptions ($14.99/month for Zwift and $9.99/month for Explore the World).

If you’re willing to spend a little more money (over $500), Schwinn has a version of this bike called the 170 Upright Exercise Bike that offers even more exercise class options.

Pros

• 16 levels of resistance
• 13 preset workouts, plus compatibility with Explore the World and Zwift apps
• enhanced Bluetooth connectivity to track your workout data in apps

Cons

• monthly subscription costs if you chose to use Zwift or Explore the World
• must provide your own tablet or smartphone to watch classes

Best for small spaces

• Price: $
• Level of resistance: 8
• Display: yes, LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: recumbent
• Pulse sensor: yes

This bike can be folded in half to save space between workouts. It also has wheels to help you roll it out of the way.

The X-shaped design helps riders feel stable on the bike despite its smaller footprint, and built-in arm resistance bands allow a full-body workout without taking up much additional space.

You can track your heart rate, speed, time, and distance on the LCD monitor. You can also adjust the seat and handlebars for a more comfortable ride.

While it doesn’t have built-in classes, it includes a tablet holder, so you can watch videos or use an app to complete workouts.

Pros

• folds up and has wheels to move out of the way between workouts
• large seat with backrest for comfort
• very budget-friendly price tag

Cons

• no built-in preset classes
• designed for riders 5 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 2 inches; won’t work for shorter or taller people
• relatively low weight limit of 275 pounds

Best recumbent folding

• Price: $
• Levels of resistance: 8
• Display: yes, 2-inch x 1-inch LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: recumbent
• Pulse sensor: yes

Recumbent bikes generally take up more space than upright options, but this highly portable exercise bike from XTERRA Fitness folds into a small size for easy storage and has wheels for easier transport.

Although compact, it features a comfortable padded seat, a pulse sensor, and a pocket for your phone.

Something to consider is that while this bike has a lower price point, it doesn’t offer built-in classes. It also has only a 2-inch x 1-inch LCD window, and the weight capacity maxes out at 225 pounds.

Pros

• folds for easy storage
• includes wheels for easy transport
• budget-friendly price point, especially for a recumbent bike

Cons

• lacks built-in classes
• display window is only 2 inches by 1 inch

Best upright folding

• Price: $
• Level of resistance: 8
• Display: yes, LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: no

If you prefer upright bikes but need something portable and compact, this one is a great choice. The seat height is adjustable to accommodate most statures, and the bike is sturdy despite weighing less than 40 pounds (18 kg).

While this bike has a relatively low price, one thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t come with a lot of the bells and whistles more expensive options offer. It has no built-in classes or pulse sensors and has only a small LCD window.

Pros

• 8 resistance levels
• weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg) and folds up
• has 5 seat height options

Cons

• no built-in classes
• no pulse sensors
• has only a small LCD window

Best indoor cycling exercise bike

• Price: $$
• Levels of resistance: infinite resistance options
• Display: no
• Built-in classes: yes, with tablet and app subscription
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: no

Although it doesn’t feature a display of its own, this bike has Bluetooth connectivity and a tablet holder so you can use your own app.

The bike is designed to be used with the MyCloudFitness app, which tracks your workout stats and offers several workout videos and programs.

This particular app has a free version and a premium version, which will cost $14.99/month. (The premium version includes the app’s personal coaching programs and its Scenic World Tour Ride.)

One design feature that’s particularly useful when streaming classes is the ability to stand up and cycle (simulating an uphill climb). Some users say they miss having a pulse sensor, though.

Pros

• includes a wide tablet holder
• workouts can be tracked with the MyCloudFitness app
• design allows user to stand up and cycle

Cons

• no display
• lower user weight capacity (only 220 pounds)
• uses friction instead of magnetic resistance

Best with an extended weight capacity

• Price: $$
• Levels of resistance: 8
• Display: yes, LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: yes

Most stationary bikes have a weight capacity of 250–300 pounds (113–136 kg), so they can’t accommodate people who weigh more than that. However, this one has a weight capacity of 400 pounds (181 kg), as well as a wide seat cushion for larger bodies.

This sturdy bike is also foldable and has wheels for portability. It offers eight levels of resistance and a display that shows calories burned, distance, time, speed, and pulse rate. However, it does not include built-in classes.

Pros

• weight capacity of 400 pounds (181 kg) and wide seat cushion
• foldable with wheels for easier transport
• 8 resistance levels

Cons

• no built-in classes
• no tablet holder

Best for comfort

• Price: $$$
• Level of resistance: infinite resistance adjustments possible
• Display: yes, LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: no

Two-way adjustable handlebars, a padded seat that’s adjustable four ways, and a large range of resistance make exercising on the YOSUDA a more comfortable biking experience.

Additionally, a water bottle holder makes it easy to stay hydrated during a workout, and transport wheels make it easier to move the bike out of the way afterward.

Although this bike does have an iPad holder to allow for streaming your favorite shows and workouts, it’s not as integrated with built-in classes as the other indoor cycling style bike higher up on our list is — the Exerpeutic Indoor Cycling Smart Exercise Bike. It does not come with a pulse sensor. Its friction resistance will also require more maintenance than magnetic resistance would.

Pros

• includes iPad holder and water bottle holder
• has transport wheels to help move the bike between workouts
• designed with adjustable handlebars and four-way adjustable padded seat for comfort

Cons

• no built-in classes
• no pulse sensor
• friction instead of magnetic resistance

Best for short riders

• Price: $$$
• Level of resistance: air resistance to match pedaling speed
• Display: yes, LCD
• Built-in classes: no
• Style: upright
• Pulse sensor: no

If you’re under 5 feet tall, it can be hard to find an exercise bike that will fit comfortably. This bike can be adjusted to fit someone with a 21-inch inseam. (And for those sharing their bike with a taller individual, it can adjust up to a 33-inch inseam.)

While air resistance is a louder form of resistance, the fan’s cool air can be a welcome comfort for those who tend to work up a sweat during workouts.

The bike includes wheels to make it easier to move out of the way after workouts. It also has an LCD monitor that tracks speed, time, distance, and calories.

While it may not be the best fit for those who love preset exercise programs, it does have handles that will work your arms at the same time as your legs.

Pros

• can be adjusted to fit someone with a 21-inch inseam
• fan offers a cool breeze while working out
• moving handles for an upper body workout at the same time

Cons

• air resistance is louder and can’t be mechanically controlled
• batteries are not included
• no built-in exercise programs