We Reviewed 20 Different Exercise Bikes, and These Are the 11 We’d Recommend to Rev Up Your Routine

The Yosuda Pro Magnetic Exercise Bike offers both performance and affordability. Priced at under $450, it features a 40-pound flywheel — a heavy, rotating weight that provides consistent momentum and simulates the feel of riding a real road bike — paired with a magnetic drive system that delivers a smooth and quiet ride. It features a sturdy steel frame that supports up to 350 pounds, and its compact design makes it suitable for home use, even in smaller spaces.

Assembly is straightforward, with riders reporting setup times of around an hour. However, the Yosuda bike does have its limitations. The small LCD screen provides basic metrics, such as time, speed, distance, and estimated calorie burn, but it lacks advanced features like heart-rate monitoring and app connectivity. Additionally, for some, the seat can become uncomfortable during longer rides.

Despite these drawbacks, the Yosuda Pro Magnetic Exercise Bike remains a solid, cost-effective option for those seeking a reliable indoor cycling experience without the premium price tag.

The NordicTrack S24 stands out as more than just a spin bike. It’s an interactive fitness platform, especially when paired with an iFIT subscription. While the bike itself features a sturdy frame, a smooth ride, and a pivoting 24-inch touchscreen, much of its advanced functionality is only unlocked through the iFIT app subscription.

With the subscription, users gain access to over 10,000 workouts, including scenic global rides, studio classes, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) sessions, strength training, yoga, and boot camps. The SmartAdjust feature automatically adjusts resistance to match your trainer’s guidance or your personal fitness level. At the same time, the AI Coach (in beta) acts as a virtual personal trainer, providing workout recommendations, scheduling, and motivation through text messages. To further enhance your workouts, the S24’s touchscreen supports streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Audible. 

It’s essential to note that without an iFIT subscription, the bike is limited to manual mode and a limited selection of preloaded routines, leaving much of its technology dormant. The iFIT subscription is flexible and family-friendly, providing a great value for the money by offering a Train Plan for around $15 a month or a Pro Plan that supports up to five users for roughly $40 a month. It is compatible with multiple NordicTrack, Pro-Form, and FreeMotion devices. Overall, the NordicTrack S24 is ideal for those seeking a connected, tech-forward home fitness experience that is fully unlocked through subscription access.

The Bowflex C6 is an ideal option for anyone needing a spin bike that fits neatly into small spaces, without compromising performance. Its compact dimensions — approximately 48.7 inches long, 21.2 inches wide, and 51.8 inches tall — make it one of the slimmest upright bikes on the market. Despite weighing 112 pounds, the bike includes front-mounted wheels, making it easy to reposition when needed. Users consistently note that it fits well into the corner of a room and appreciate its stable, compact frame. For those who require maximum portability, the option to remove the stabilizer bars provides an added layer of convenience.

Beyond its space-saving design, the Bowflex C6 doesn’t skimp on adjustability or versatility. The seat and handlebars can be fine-tuned for your comfort, and the bike supports various app integrations for interactive workouts (JRNY, Peloton, Zwift, to name a few). Its small footprint makes it especially suitable for single users who want an effective home spin experience without dedicating a large area to exercise equipment. For those in apartments, tight spaces, or shared areas, the C6 strikes a balance between stability, functionality, and portability that few bikes in its class can match.

The Peloton Bike is a solid choice for beginners seeking a structured way to begin indoor cycling. Its 21.5-inch fixed touchscreen and manual resistance knob give riders direct control over their exercise intensity, making it easy to follow instructions and gradually build confidence. With an All-Access Peloton subscription, users can access live and on-demand classes, track performance metrics, and utilize features like high-fives and a leaderboard for added motivation. Beginner-focused classes, such as “You Can Ride” and “Discover Your Power Zones,” provide clear guidance on form, cadence, and resistance adjustments.

The bike itself costs more than $1,000, which is less than a Peloton Bike+ but still a notable investment. The subscription enhances the experience by providing structured classes and instructor guidance, but the bike can also be used in manual mode without it. For someone who is just starting out, the combination of the bike and optional subscription offers a straightforward way to build a cycling habit, learn basic skills, and track progress over time.

The Keiser M3i is one of the best indoor bikes for tall riders, due to its frame design and extensive adjustability options. Its V-shaped frame allows both the seat and handlebars to raise in sync, accommodating riders from 4 feet 10 inches up to 7 feet tall. Combined with four-way adjustability (up/down and forward/backward) of both the seat and handlebars, this ensures an ergonomic fit, even for very tall riders, allowing them to pedal comfortably without overextending. The bike’s compact footprint (51 inches long, 26 inches wide, 49 inches tall) and front transport wheels also make it easy to position in a home gym.

The M3i’s magnetic resistance system, combined with a lightweight flywheel, delivers a smooth, road-bike-like ride. Because the flywheel is lightweight, it doesn’t carry as much momentum (inertia), allowing for quick changes in pedaling speed and more responsive adjustments to resistance.

“I love the Keiser M3i,” says Tara De Leon, an NSCA-certified personal trainer in Annapolis, Maryland. “The seat is comfortable, and I appreciate that a knob doesn’t control the resistance. It’s a lever and you can actually see what level you are on, allowing you to progressively and objectively make your workout more challenging.”

The rear-flywheel placement and robust 350-pound weight capacity help ensure stability and durability, even under heavy use. For anyone above 6 feet 6 inches tall, the combination of ergonomic micro-adjustments, sturdy construction, and smooth performance makes the Keiser M3i a clear standout.

The Merach S19 Recumbent Exercise Bike is well-suited for seniors who are seeking a comfortable and low-impact way to stay active. Its padded mesh seat, ergonomic design, and back support help reduce strain and make workouts more accessible for those with mobility issues. The bike’s quiet operation allows for indoor exercise without disturbing others, and its simple controls make it easy to adjust resistance and monitor progress. Users consistently report that it is comfortable, easy to use, and sturdy, making it a reliable option for an everyday wellness routine.

In addition to comfort and usability, the S19 model provides practical tracking features and a compact design that fits easily in homes or apartments. Seniors can track metrics such as time, distance, and calories, helping them stay motivated and monitor their progress over time. Its low-impact design reduces stress on joints while still offering effective cardiovascular exercise. On the downside, the display is fairly basic, and the bike is not intended for high-intensity workouts, so it may not meet the needs of users seeking more advanced training or performance-focused sessions.

The Sole SB1200 stands out for riders seeking a screen-equipped exercise bike without being locked into a single subscription service. Its 10.1-inch touchscreen provides access to onboard apps like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+, while screen mirroring allows riders to cast content from their phone or tablet, making it easy to use your favorite fitness apps or stream workouts from multiple platforms.

Compatibility with third-party platforms, such as Zwift, Peloton, and Kinomap via Bluetooth provides users with flexibility in their training methods. This approach enables seniors, beginners, and advanced cyclists alike to enjoy interactive workouts while maintaining open-ended entertainment options.

Beyond the screen, the SB1200 delivers a heavy-duty 35-pound flywheel paired with 100 levels of magnetic resistance, ensuring smooth, quiet, and responsive cycling suitable for all fitness levels. The bike accommodates riders up to 330 pounds and features three-way adjustability of the seat and handlebars. Transport wheels make the bike easy to move or store. While the screen is functional and versatile, it is smaller than that of some competitors. Overall, the SB1200 strikes a balance between screen-based versatility, performance, and ergonomic design, making it one of the best options for those who value both entertainment and effective home workouts.

The NordicTrack X24 was designed to support up to five user profiles through an iFIT Pro subscription. Each rider can maintain their own workout history, preferences, and performance metrics without interfering with others in the household. SmartAdjust and auto-follow features further personalize the riding experience by automatically tailoring resistance, incline, and decline settings to match the current rider’s fitness level and past performance.

That said, the NordicTrack X24 does come with trade-offs. Its $2,000+ price tag and monthly subscription can make it a costly investment, particularly since many of its standout features are locked behind the iFIT membership. Without iFIT, the bike’s advanced personalization and massive workout library are not accessible.

For larger households, we believe it still represents a good value, and NordicTrack offers monthly payment plans to help you fit the bike into your budget. For families or multiuser households that are willing to commit, the combination of user profiles, immersive content, and high-end hardware makes it one of the most flexible and accommodating bikes available.

The AssaultBike Pro X delivers a full-body workout in a way few cardio machines can match. Its dual-action air resistance system ensures the upper and lower body work together, creating a training tool that conditions, builds endurance, and burns calories. Unlike chain-driven air bikes, the Pro X uses a belt-drive system, which helps make each stride feel smoother while also cutting down on noise (a possible advantage for home users). With 11 seat height options and six front-to-back seat adjustments, the Pro X can be tailored to fit a wide range of riders comfortably.

Still, the AssaultBike Pro X isn’t without drawbacks. Its biggest strength — the fan resistance — can also be a challenge, since the intensity scales directly with user effort, which may feel overwhelming for beginners. The console, while functional and straightforward, lacks the immersive content and guided programming of subscription-based bikes. At more than 120 pounds, it’s not the easiest machine to move around, and its price point is higher than some other entry-level air bikes.

Even so, for athletes, CrossFit enthusiasts, or anyone else who is seeking an exercise machine that combines arm and leg engagement with minimal maintenance, the Pro X is a practical option.

The Schwinn Fitness 290 Recumbent Bike is a solid choice for those who want a comfortable, low-impact cycling option without overspending. Its step-through recumbent design and ventilated, padded seat make it particularly accessible for longer sessions or users with mobility concerns. With 25 levels of magnetic resistance, the 290 provides an exercise range from light to moderately challenging workouts, all while remaining smooth and quiet.

The 7-inch LCD console is basic but functional, offering 13 built-in workout programs that cover endurance, intervals, and goal-based sessions. Compatible with JRNY and Zwift, the bike allows riders to expand beyond the console’s limited programming and access guided training or virtual riding environments. The Schwinn 290 is a reliable, budget-friendly recumbent bike that sacrifices some high-end features, such as touchscreens or automatic resistance control, but still offers comfort, dependability, and enough technology to keep workouts varied.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Recumbent Bike is a practical option for knee rehabilitation because it combines accessibility, low-impact design, and affordability. “Recumbent bikes ease spinal and hip strain thanks to their reclined seat and back support, perfect for anyone seeking comfort, rehab-friendly training, or joint-friendly cardio,” notes Erica Park, MD, board-certified specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation working in Morristown, New Jersey.

The Sunny Health Recumbent bike’s step-through frame makes it easy to get on and off without straining your joints or injuring yourself after surgery. The eight levels of magnetic resistance allow for gradual progress, which can also be a crucial factor in recovery. The wide padded seat and mesh backrest provide comfort and support during longer sessions, and the bike’s quiet operation means it won’t disrupt a home environment. At a price point under $300, it affordably delivers the essentials needed for safe and consistent rehabilitation, without unnecessary extras.

One of the main reasons this bike makes sense for rehab is the cost. Recovery periods are usually temporary, and investing thousands of dollars in a high-end machine with advanced features may not be necessary. The Sunny Recumbent Bike provides the key functions (adjustable resistance, comfort, and smooth pedaling mechanics) at a fraction of the price. While it lacks advanced consoles, auto-adjust resistance, and immersive training content, its simplicity can actually be an advantage for rehab, keeping the focus on gentle, progressive movement.