The 12 Best Home Exercise Bikes Of 2024 – Your Comprehensive Guide

Exercise bikes make great options for home fitness because they’re low impact, compact, and often quite affordable.

But with so many awesome bikes to choose from this year, finding the right option isn’t always an easy task.

Comparing specs, checking out features, and trying to find the best prices can become exhausting in no time.

Luckily, I’m here to help.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll go over some of the best bikes the market has to offer this year.

I’ll also share some of the key features you should consider when choosing your next exercise bike.

After reading, you’ll be more than ready to conquer the shopping experience and find the right bike for your home gym.

Let’s roll.

The 12 Best Home Exercise Bikes of 2024

There are thousands of exercise bikes on the market these days, but they can pretty much all be divided into 4 main categories based on style: recumbent, upright, indoor cycle, or air.

In this guide, I’ll include the top options from every category, but if there’s a specific type of bike you’re looking for, you may want to check out my complete guide on that topic.

Let’s start with the good stuff, but if you’re so inclined, I’ve also included a buyer’s guide at the end that goes over what the different specs are which ones are most important.

This’ll be helpful if you’re just starting your search or fairly new to exercise bikes in general.

Oh, I also want to point out that there are plenty of great bikes that didn’t make this list.

It’s not easy to compile a list like this and I hated to leave some of these bikes off, but again, I’m trying to offer a concise collection of the year’s best bikes from all categories here.

Anyway, without further ado…

Sole’s LCR Exercise Bike

I’ve been a Sole fan since I first tried out one of their treadmills at our local Dick’s Sporting Goods -and the more I got to know them, the more I liked ’em.

That’s because they put function over everything.

They design and built their products for peak performance rather than showy features that don’t give you a better workout.

Their LCR bike is a prime example.

This recumbent is graded for light commercial use (that’s where the “LCR” comes from by the way), meaning it could easily function in a small apartment complex or fire station gym.

But it would make a perfect addition to any home-gymer who’s looking for optimal performance.

This recumbent bike comes with a 30 lb flywheel, which is pretty unheard of for a recumbent bike, making it well-equipped for providing a smooth pedaling motion and higher resisances..

It also comes with 40 levels of magnetic resistance, bluetooth capabilities, and an oversized, comfortable seat.

Its bulky frame can handle users who weight up to 350 lb, making it a smart choice for larger users who are looking for a safe and comfortable way to exercise.

To make the LCR even better, Sole backs it with an incredible warranty (lifetime frame, 3 year parts, 1 year labor).

Overall, if you’re looking for a high-end recumbent bike that will have the feel of a club quality machine, the Sole LCR is a smart choice. See full review.

The AssaultBike Classic

Honestly, all 3 of the top air bikes in the world are pretty evenly matched, so there’s no wrong answer when trying to choose between them.

But the AssaultBike is easy to move around and well-priced, so I might as well start with this one.

It’s also been tried and tested by CrossFit athletes for years now and it continues to hold up to the stress of being used by the most fit people on the planet.

I think this bike is very well-priced too, considering how high-end it is.

This bike comes with a fully-adjustable seat, a 300 lb weight capacity, and a solid warranty (5 year frame, 2 year parts).

Remember that, as an air bike, there are no resistance settings or weighted flywheels- all of the resistance is generated by the fans rotating as you pedal.

Want more resistance? Simply pedal harder.

The Assault Bike comes with a small, simple console, that does have a few built-in workouts included.

Overall, if you’re looking for a great air bike, the AssaultBike Classic is still the gold standard. See full review.

The Peloton Bike

Peloton’s been around for a long time and even though there are tons of other streaming options these days, I still think the OG Peloton Bike is still a great buy.

And with so much competition now (as well as an upgraded model they’re trying to promote), the price on the original Peloton is better than ever.

I’ve seen this bike on sale for under $1300 on Amazon before, which is literally half the price of what it was when my wife bought it for me all those years ago…

Anyway, when it comes to streaming cycles, it’s still one of the best.

The 22″ HD touchscreen console makes it easy to view all streaming workouts and the bike itself is high-end.

It’s packing a heavy-duty steel frame, clip-in pedals, fully adjustable seat, and comfortable, multi-grip handlebars.

It also utilizes a smooth magnetic resistance system with 100 levels and belt drive to provide an almost silent workout experience.

The bike is amazing, but it’s the streaming workouts that really stand out.

Of all the streaming platforms I’ve seen, I still think Peloton has the best produced videos and the most entertaining instructors.

Of course they make you pay for it – at around $44/month, the all-access membership is pricey.

But if you’re looking for one of the best streaming cycles on the market, it could be worth it (and I still can’t believe how affordable it is now) See full review.

 

Sole’s LCB Upright Bike

I hate to be predictable, but I did warn you I’m a sucker for Sole products. The LCB is basically the upright version of the LCR I discussed earlier and it’s just as awsesome.

As you might expect from a Sole product, the LCB comes loaded with high-end specs.

First and foremost, this bike is packing a 27 lb flywheel and 40 levels of resistance.

Not only is this is heavy enough to give a lot of spin bikes flywheel envy, but it’s more than capable of proving a smooth and intense workout.

You’ll also appreciate the fully adjustable seat that ensures all users can find the proper fit.

The frame is rock-solid and is graded to handle users up to 350 lb.

The solid frame provide a sturdy base during your workouts, so you won’t have to worry about any unwanted shaking or wobbling.

And now that Sole has upgraded their consoles you don’t have to choose between performance or features because you can have both.

With a 10.1″ touchscreen console, the LCB gives you access to entertainment apps, fitness streaming (through Sole+), built-in workouts, and more.

Additional highlights include screen mirroring,  bluetooth speakers, and a wireless charging pad.

Sole also backs the LCB with a generous warranty: lifetime frame, 3 year parts, 1 year labor.

Overall, if you’re looking for a high-end stationary bike that will feel like something you’d use at your local gym, the Sole LCB is a perfect choice. See full review.

Spirit Fitness’ XBR95

I’m not sure if Spirit Fitness has that much brand recognition or not yet – if not they certainly should because they’re one of the best brands around.

In fact, Spirit reminds me a lot of Sole- they too seem to emphasize performance over everything else.

And their XBR95 is no joke when it comes to performance.

Like the Sole LCR the XBR95 also comes with a 30 lb flywheel and 40 levels of magnetic resistance to work with.

This is plenty of muscle to ensure even the most gifted users can get as challenging a workout as they’re looking for.

The frame is heavy-duty and can hold users weighing up to 350 lb, which is impressive.

What’s also impressive, is that this bike is self-powered, meaning you don’t have to worry about plugging it in.

As you pedal, you generate all the power needed to run the bike.

This means you can put this bike anywhere, without having to worry about being near an outlet.

Spirit even backs this bike with a better warranty than the Sole bike above (lifetime frame and brake, 10 year parts, and 1 year labor).

The only possible downside is the rather simple console, but it’s still bluetooth compatible and loaded with plenty of workout programs.

Overall, this is one high-performing recumbent bike that’s built to last. See full review.

Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Bike

I’m pretty sure Schwinn was the first brand to come out with an air bike, so we have them to thank/hate for these hateful contraptions.

This isn’t too surprising considering their extensive history with both road and exercise bikes.

And they’re still on top of their game when it comes to these fantastic exercise machines.

The AD7 is their highest-end air bike to date and as such, it comes with plenty to be proud of.

For starters, we’re talking a heavy-duty frame with a 350 lb weight capacity.

There’s also the fully-adjustable seat and the large, easy-to-read console with built-in workouts and wireless heart rate monitor compatibility.

One thing that does set the AD7 apart from a lot of the competition is the generous warranty Schwinn provides- 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 6 month labor.

The AD7 is usually priced a little higher than the AssaultBike Classic and will likely cost ya somewhere around $1000.

Overall, if you’re a fan of Schwinn products, the AD7 is guaranteed to please- it’s easily one of their nicest products. See full review.

Keiser’s M3i Studio Plus

Ok, I really couldn’t write a “best of” exercise bikes article without including Keiser and they’re incredible M3i Studio Plus.

This indoor cycle is amazing and easily one of the highest rated cycles of all time.

The first thing you will notice about this bike is how elegant the look is.

You may also notice that the flywheel is in the rear of this cycle (something a whole lot of other brands have started doing to imitate the M3i).

However, there is wisdom in this- as you sweat away during your workouts, you don’t have to worry about sweat running down the flywheel and rusting the mechanisms.

This bike also uses a magnetic resistance technology for super quiet workouts and minimal wear and tear.

The M3i also has a display monitor, but more impressively it is also bluetooth compatible.

Additional features you may enjoy include:

• Fully adjustable seat to ensure perfect fit
• Fully adjustable handlebars
• Lightweight frame
• Accurate watt output readings

And while many indoor cycles boast heavy flywheels, the M3i has an 8 lb flywheel.

This is opposite of what most bikes are going for, but Keiser believes that lighter flywheels actually provide a smoother ride.

I told ya, differing opinions.

It all has to do with how fast this light flywheel spins during use (turns out you can achieve the same feel with a light flywheel if you get if rotating faster)

Overall, this is a beautiful, state of the art exercise bike with an updated console (I like to think of this as the Maserati of the exercise bike world).

The only con is, of course, the price – it comes with a hefty price tag.

But if you’re looking for one of the best indoor cycles in the world,  look no farther. See full review.

Nautilus U618 Upright Bike

If the Sole LCB is a little out of your price range, the Nautilus U618 is a good choice.

At about half the price, the U618 has a lot to offer for the price range (but it’s not the commercial grade machine the LCB is).

This bike comes loaded with workout programs- 29 to be exact.

If having a library of workouts to choose from sounds good, you might want to check this one out.

It also comes with 25 levels of magnetic resistance, giving you a lot of control over your workout intensity.

The flywheel on this model is only around 13 lb, which seems tiny when compared to the massive one above, but this is actually pretty average for upright bikes in this price range.

The lighter flywheel can still provide a solid workout with smooth action, but it won’t feel as smooth as the bikes you’ve used before in the gym.

Other highlights include a fully adjustable seat, weighted pedals, bluetooth, and an included wireless chest strap for heart rate monitoring.

Nautilus also backs the U618 with an amazing warranty: 15 year frame, 3 year parts, and 1 year labor.

If you’re looking for an affordable stationary bike that’s still well built and loaded with features, this is a smart choice.

For the price, there isn’t a better option (speaking of price, as I’m writing this, the U618 is on sale for $300, but I’m not sure how much longer this deal will be available). See full review.

NordicTrack’s Commercial R35

If you’re looking for a recumbent bike with some serious streaming options, NordicTrack’s Commercial R35 might be just what the doctor ordered.

The 14″ HD touchscreen makes for easy iFit access, allowing you to choose from virtually unlimited instructor-led workouts and scenic rides.

And with iFit’s Automatic Trainer Control feature, the bike will automatically adjust its resistance to keep up with your workouts, so you don’t even have to mess with it if you don’t want to.

The console on the R35 is awesome, but its performance specs are no joke either.

With a 25 lb flywheel and 26 magnetic resistance levels, you’ll have plenty of control over your workouts.

The R35 also comes with a heavy-duty frame, a 350 lb weight limit, a cooling fan, and a large comfortable seat.

NordicTrack doesn’t offer the longest warranties, but they aren’t awful either (10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor).

Overall, the Commercial R35 is a great home recumbent bike, especially for folks eager to get their stream on. See full review.

The Rogue Echo Bike

Rogue is a well-known brand in the power lifting world.

Their power racks and rigs are some of the best and most popular around, and for good reason- their incredibly well-built.

That said, they don’t produce many cardio machines. The Echo Bike might actually be the only piece of cardio equipment they make.

Like everything else Rogue puts their name on though, the Echo Bike is heavy-duty from head to toe.

When you first look at this bike, you’ll notice how thick and robust the frame is.

This is no coincidence, because the Echo Bike is roughly 30 lb heavier than the AssaultBike Classic mentioned above.

This allows this bike to hold users weighing up to 350 lbs safely.

This bike comes with a small console that allows you to see all your workout metrics- nothing too fancy here, but it does come with a few workout programs to get ya started.

The Echo uses a belt drive too, which helps cut down on the noise a little during use (although these are air bikes we’re talking about here, so there’s gonna be some wind noise).

I’d like to see a longer warranty on this bike (only 2 year frame/parts), but if you can find a way to break this thing, you deserve some type of reward.

Overall, a beast of a bike that can handle anything you can throw at it. See full review.

Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycle

 

When it comes to affordable indoor cycles, it’s gonna be reallllly hard to find a more impressive specimen than Schwinn’s IC4.

With a price tag under $1k, the IC4 is a lot more approachable than the higher-end streaming bikes, but it’s got performance specs that speak for themselves.

This cycle is packing a 40 lb flywheel, 100 levels of magnetic resistance, and bluetooth compatibility with popular streaming apps (like Peloton’s).

It also comes with a 330 lb weight limit, a fully adjustable seat, fully adjustable handlebars, and a solid warranty.

The IC4 also comes with dual-compatible pedals, so you can use SPD cleats or sneakers for your rides.

The console on this cycle is pretty simple, but it still allows you to track all your basic metrics during workouts (and without having to connect with a tablet like Echelon’s affordable cycles).

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable indoor cycle that works with or without streaming apps, the IC4 is a wonderful option. See full review.

Schwinn’s 190 Upright Bike

Schwinn’s 190 is an updated version of the older 170 and like the older model, it has a lot to offer for such an affordable uprigth bike.

Like all Schwinn products, the 190 is well-built and well-designed.

It comes with a sleek look and a nice step-thru frame to make accessing the seat easier.

When it comes to performance, the 190 only comes with an 8 lb flywheel, so this bike likely isn’t the best option for folks looking for heavier resistances and intense workouts.

But it does come with 25 resistance levels, so it does offer plenty of control over workouts.

The 190 only weighs about 80 lb assembled, so it’s a lighter-weight model, but it can still safely hold folks weighing up to 330 lb.

The console on this bike got an upgrade, making it brighter and easy to see, but it’s also bluetooth compatible with fitness apps and heart rate monitors.

Additional features include weighted pedals, a fully-adjustable seat, bluetooth speakers, and USB charging.

Overall, this is a great stationary bike for the price and it would make a nice choice for folks looking for an affordable, easy to use upright bike.

What To Look For When Buying An Exercise Bike

I think the first thing you need to consider when looking for an exercise bike is: “What type of bike do I want?”.

If you can answer this question first, your search will be much easier.

If you aren’t sure yet, that’s ok.

By the end of this article, I feel confident you will:

1. Know what type of exercise bike will fit your needs
2. Know what qualities to look for in that bike, and
3. Have access to a comprehensive guide to help you make your final decision (i.e., this guide)

4 Types of Exercise Bikes

Recumbent

Recumbent bikes are positioned more horizontally than your typical upright bike.

That’s where the term “recumbent” comes in.

I like to think of these as the “reclined” bikes, another term that means the same thing as recumbent.

The reclined position offers benefits, especially when it comes to comfort. The seats on these bikes tend to be larger with larger backs, offering more support.

Having your body in a more horizontal position also reduces the compressive forces in your hips and knees. A great feature if you have achy joints or are dealing with arthritis.

This is why recumbent bikes are so popular in rehab settings.

On the other hand, you may not work quite as hard on one of these bikes as you might on a more traditional, upright bike.

Think about it, if more of your body is supported by the machine, the less your body is going to have to work.

For example, on an indoor cycle, there’s no back support so your trunk muscles are going to work a little harder to keep you balanced as you pedal.

I hope I’m not giving the impression that a recumbent bike isn’t capable of offering a great workout, because it most certainly is.

As long as the machine is capable of offering enough resistance, you can be sure you will be able to get that heart rate up.

These machines tend to have large display screens, displaying all types of varying workout stats depending on the model.

Keep in mind the size of your gym space at home – recumbent bikes have a larger foot print than the other 3 types.

If you know you are looking for a recumbent bike, you may want to check out my full guide on the best recumbent bikes available.

Upright

Upright bikes more closely resemble the feel of riding on a bicycle.

This might also be the type of bike most of us picture when we think about an exercise bike.

On a traditional stationary (or exercise) bike, the user sits right above the pedals in a more vertical position.

These bikes have significantly smaller seats, just like a real road bike. These small seats are not as comfortable as the larger ones provided by recumbent bikes.

If you have back or hip issues, a recumbent bike will probably be more comfortable than an upright bike.

Upright bikes also don’t have a back rest (typically). This is good in the sense that it will make your back and core muscles work a little harder (and burn more calories).

More pressure is put through your arms on an upright bike depending on your posture and hand position.

Upright bikes can offer great resistance and take up little floor space, making them excellent options for a home gym.

These bikes also have large display screens to see different stats and workout options, depending on the model.

If you know you’re looking for an upright bike, you may want to check out my full upright bike guide.

Indoor Cycle

An indoor cycle, technically speaking, is a type of upright bike.

You are sitting upright on these as well, but they differ from traditional upright bikes in a few big ways.

Indoor cycles are designed to provide the rider the closest experience possible to riding an outdoor bike.

The seats are smaller, the handlebars are lower, and you may even have clipless pedals.

Indoor cycles are known for having heavy flywheels to give the rider the feel of riding outside.

The flywheel comes in a bunch of different weights, and it can be argued that having a heavier flywheel gives you a more constant resistance- kinda like riding a bike uphill.

More on flywheels coming up shortly…

These bikes are designed to give the rider a more high-intensity workout than traditional upright bikes or recumbent bikes.

They are made of strong materials that can withstand standing and high resistance rides.

These bikes also take up very little space, making them perfect for home gyms.

As the popularity of these models continues to explode, there are some really awesome deals out there on these bikes.

These bikes are perfect for folks who are serious about cycling, are looking to train indoors when they can’t ride outside, or who are simply looking for a great cardio workout from home.

If you know you’re looking for an indoor cycle, you may want to check out my full indoor cycle guide.

Air

Technically speaking, biking purists may not consider these true bikes because they do include upper body handles.

But who are we kidding, they’re still exercise bikes, so I feel they should be included in this discussion.

Air bikes are unique because the resistance you feel is created by spinning fans fighting against air. The flywheel has small fans attached to it- as you pedal, this wheel spins.

The harder you pedal, the more resistance you are going to feel from these fans pushing through the air.

This is similar to rowing a boat- the fast you try to pull the oar, the more resistance you’re going to feel from the water.

The great thing about this system is that it can offer unlimited resistance.

This is why so many Crossfit athletes and folks doing HIIT workouts have turned to air bikes- this unlimited resistance can give you one heck of a workout.

These bikes work great for interval training because you can let loose and pedal as hard as you want and the bike will just give you more and more resistance.

You also get to work your arms at the same time, turning it into a full body workout.

Air bikes are great for burning a ton of calories and can help you get in the best shape of your lives. That said, they aren’t for everyone.

While you can ride an air bike casually, it would be kind of a waste.

These machines are designed for high intensity, interval style training and are best utilized when used in this manner.

For more information on these bikes, check out my complete air bike guide.

A Few More Considerations

If you have an idea of what type of bike you are looking for, you are off to a good start. Here are a few more things you should consider before purchasing:

• Features- what features are you looking for? A lot of the more expensive bikes offer a bunch of features you may not need. For example, a casual rider probably doesn’t need to worry about finding a stationary bike with 40 different levels of resistance- you would probably be fine with 15. Same idea with display screens, bluetooth, heart rate monitors, etc.
• Price- always an important one. This one is pretty self explanatory, but make sure you find a model in your given price range. Don’t worry, you can find a great bike regardless of your price range.
• Weight limit- always a good idea to check the max weight capacity of any cardio equipment you are purchasing. The nicer, sturdier models have high max user weight limits. You want to make sure whatever you decide to purchase will fit you comfortably.
• Floor Space- another no brainer, but make sure you know where your bike is going and have an idea of how much floor space you will be able to devote to your machine. Always check the dimensions of the equipment. Luckily, the upright and spin bikes don’t take up much space. The recumbent bikes take up significantly more.
• Warranty- I’m not sure why I wanted so long to mention warranty because it’s always one of the first things I look at when checking out a new bike. When in doubt, go with the bike with the longer warranty. Bike warranties usually include a frame, parts, and labor guarantee.
• To stream or not to stream- that is the question. We’re seeing more and more streaming devices these days, so you should think about whether or not you want a bike that can give you access to live and/or on-demand workouts. The benefit is that you basically get access to unlimited, instructor-led workouts. The downside of course, is the monthly fee.

Final Thoughts

Alrighty, that about does it – I hope you found this guide at least a little bit helpful.

As you can see, there are a lot of really nice exercise bikes out there.

And luckily, most of them are fairly affordable.

Regardless of what style of bike you are looking for, you should be able to find a nice product that will meet all of your needs without breaking the bank.

Like most things in life, you usually get what you pay for.

When it comes to exercise bikes, higher price tags usually mean heavier duty components and higher-end features.

But I hope this list illustrates that there are quality options in every price range.

In summary, you should figure out which style of bike you are looking for first.

Once you know what type of bike (recumbent, upright, etc) you are looking for, think about the specs and features that are most important to you.

Then it’s all about finding the bike in your price range that checks off the most preferences on your list.

If you can methodically think about this stuff, it will make your search a lot easier.

I always think it’s a good idea to prioritize the essential specs first (like warranty, weight capacity, etc) and consider features of convenience second.

Well, that about does it.

Like always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you soon.

Happy cycling!