11 best exercise bikes to buy in 2024: rated and reviewed
Investing in one of the best exercise bikes might be the next step to elevating your home workouts, if you love a spot of spinning or are a keen bean on two wheels. After all, there's so much to love about working out in the privacy of your own space: it's convenient, saves time, and you get to choose what you do.
There's been a real boost in sales of the best exercise bikes and spinning bikes for at-home use in recent years. Need proof? Spin bike manufacturer Peloton saw UK sales nearly treble during the first year of the pandemic, and while sales have now slowed, stationary exercise bikes are still a great addition to any workout or home gym.
While they're a big investment, it's best to think about them in the long term – spin classes and gym memberships don't come cheap, either. One study showed that, during the pandemic when we passionately embraced home workouts, Brits were saving an average of £100 a month by investing in at-home gym equipment, compared to going to a physical gym.
Why indoor bikes, specifically? “Some [spinning bikes], including Echelon, now provide so much more than just an exercise bike,” Jama Oliver at Echelon told us. From live and on-demand classes to scenic rides, home exercise bikes serve up the physical benefits of exercise along with the mental health benefits of an engaging community. Yep: exercise bikes have a lot going for them.
So, where to start? Which is the best exercise bike for a beginner? What is the difference between a spin bike and a regular bike? According to an expert, here’s everything you need to know.
SKIP TO: How we tested the best exercise bikes | What are the benefits of using an exercise bike? | What should I look for when buying an exercise bike? | What is the closest exercise bike to a Peleton? | Our full exercise bike reviews.
Meet the expert:
- Jama Oliver, fitness instructor at Echelon.
Best exercise bikes at a glance:
- Best Exercise Bike UK Overall: Echelon EX-5s Smart Connect Bike, WAS £1,349 NOW £1,152, Echelon
- Best Professional Exercise Bike: Technogym Bike, £3,250, Technogym
- Best For Virtual Racing: Wahoo KICKR Bike Shift Indoor Bike Trainer, £2,598.99, Tredz
- Best Luxury Bike: Tacx NEO Bike Plus Trainer, £3,499.99, Garmin
- Best Budget Exercise Bike: Opti Aerobic Manual Exercise Bike, £319, Argos
- Best For Comfort: NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike, WAS £2,299 NOW £1,799, NordicTrack
- Best For Beginners: ProForm Pro 22 Studio Spin Bike, WAS £1,499 NOW £999, John Lewis
- Best For Performance Data: Wattbike Atom, £2,399, Wattbike
- Best For Live Workouts: Peloton Bike+, WAS £1,995 NOW £1,695, Peloton
- Best Peloton Alternative: Apex Smart Bike, from £699, Apex
How we chose the best exercise bikes:
Our editors are fitness experts who have taken the time to test not only the best exercise bikes on the market – but cross-trainers, treadmills, rowing machines, dumbbells, yoga pants and running trainers, too. We know what it takes to be crowned the best in at-home gym equipment, and scored these bikes on ease of assembly, durability, riding experience, extra features like immersive LCD screens, comfortability of riding position, maximum user weight and how well they fit into a busy home. Consider your fitness goals achieved with this high-quality bunch.
What are the benefits of using an exercise bike?
There are so many benefits to using an exercise bike. "Indoor cycling improves cardiovascular health, can lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and improve sleep," Jama said. “Regular cycling will boost muscular endurance and tone your lower body and core,” she adds.
As well as the physical benefits, working out on an stationary bike can provide boosts to wellbeing and can combine getting your fitness fix with being social (yes, even in the comfort of your own home). “Regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,” explains Jama. "The community interaction provided by connected fitness equipment helps members feel less isolated."
This is backed up by research by Medicina, who found that the high-intensity cardio workout that is spinning can help you lose excess fat, improve muscle definition, boost your cardio fitness, and reduce your blood pressure. Sold? Sold.
What should I look for in an exercise bike?
Good question. There are hundreds of thousands of results for exercise bikes on Google, so it's not surprising if you feel a little overwhelmed. Of course, what you'll need in an exercise bike depends on how advanced a cyclist you are, plus how often you'll be using your new piece of kit – but from monthly subscriptions to bluetooth, there are a few key features to look out for.
- First up: the basics. The must-haves. The non-negotiables. Your spin bike should have a brake, flywheel (that's the front wheel), legs and frame, transport wheels (to move the bike around your home), a drive system (to pedal), an adjustable seat and adjustable handlebars. Quite a few come with a built-in screen, but if not, then it's super helpful if the bike has a tablet or phone holder so you can stream classes and workout from an iPhone or iPad.
- Make sure to check the height of your bike before ordering and ensure the seat will adjust to your hip height. This is recommended for all riders to ensure a smooth cycling experience, whether you're a beginner or a pro. You want to be comfortable, right?
- Get clued up on resistance - that's the force you push against when you're cycling. Invest in a bike with varying levels of resistance which can be worked through with a manual screw or magnetic resistance system. This will ensure your bike provides enough push for a tough workout and you're getting the most effective training.
- Make sure your flywheel is 15kg or more - any less, and your spin bike may not be quite as sturdy as it promises to be in the description. Note here: you can get much cheaper exercise bikes without a front flywheel, but this will impact the amount of resistance you can build up and result in a not-so-difficult full body sweat session.
- Consider the nice-to-have features that will make your experience that little bit nicer. Do you want a tablet holder so you can catch up on Selling Sunset while you pedal? How important is a water bottle holder to you? How about a touchscreen LCD monitor? And what metrics would you like the LCD display to present? (Think: heart rate monitoring, cadence or watts). Does it have a warranty? A foldable steel frame suited to smaller apartments? There's also pedals: do you want pedals that you can clip into with cleats, or flat pedals with toe cages that you can use with normal trainers? It's not necessarily a deal breaker, as you can often change pedals, but just have a think of what suits your style and ability.
- Check the reviews, always - the last thing you want to do is spend half of last month's pay check on a wobbly, creaky bike that ends up gradually collecting dust in the corner of your bedroom. Consider those at a higher price point and you’re less likely to be disappointed.
What is the closest exercise bike to a Peloton?
Echelon EX-5s Smart Connect Bike is similar in that it lets you choose from dozens of live classes a day. There are thousands of live on-demand workouts, plus access to yoga and stretching sequences. You can even link your fitness tracker to this bike, so it automatically syncs your workouts. Plus, the rear flywheel of this bike is 13kg so it won't wobble one bit. Neat.
After more fitness and exercise content? Head this way for the best treadmills, over here for the best cross trainer and in this direction for exercise trampolines. We've also got sports bras, gym leggings, resistance bands, dumbbells, yoga mats, yoga blocks, foam rollers and more to level-up your home workouts.
What is the best exercise bike to buy? Ahead, our round-up of the best exercise bikes of 2024 for home use.
Why we love it: If you're a cycling pro or a spinning enthusiast, the EX-5S model from Echelon strikes the balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal perfectly. It also does a fantastic job of rivalling the Peloton exercise bike and has gained a lot of praise from spin fanatics.
With a range of impressive adjustable features that help you to adapt the exercise bike to your own body, it's durable enough for many-a seriously good sweat session.
The star of the show? The connectivity. Integrated technology allows you to join the Echelon Community, challenge yourself against others with leaderboard ranking and live stats, and take part in motivating classes (although you will have to pay a £29.99 monthly subscription for live and on-demand fitness classes).
Echelon's EX-5s comes with a 21.5-inch screen, offering a clear and vibrant display of your workout and stats. You can even take part in scenic rides to totally forget you're actually in your guest bedroom.
Cons:
- Fewer resistance levels than Peloton.
- Monthly membership for classes is £29.99.
Flywheel weight: 13kg rear placement.
Dimensions: 132 x 51 x 127 cm.
Weight: 56kg.
Pedals: Toe cages.
Digital monitor: Yes - 21.5-inch screen.
Streaming subscription: Yes.
Weight limit: 136kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: 1–32 levels manual magnetic resistance.Why we love it: For a next-level smooth ride, reams of snazzy features and live interactive training, the NordicTrack bikes are your go-to. You'll forget your working out in your living room in no time.
Its S22i Studio Bike comes with a 30-Day iFIT membership included, a pair of dumbbells for upper body workouts, 24 digital resistance levels, 20% live incline control and 10% live decline control – plus a whole host of new workouts to choose from everyday. It also adjusts workouts to you using its SmartAdjust feature.
So, what are some other things that we love? It has easy to adjust handlebars, two-sided pedals (so you can choose between flat or clip-in SPD), HD graphics (want to know what it looks like to cycle in Switzerland? You've got it) and bluetooth headphone connectivity.
You can join live workouts with world-class trainers in real-time, choose from the pre-recorded sessions in the real-time library, or bike anywhere with the insane Google Maps workout technology. Oh, and don't forget the strength and yoga workouts available at a touch of a button either.
Cons:
- Pricey.
- Heavy so not easy to move or store away.
Flywheel weight: 13kg inertia-enhanced.
Dimensions: 147 x 56 x 16cm.
Weight: 91kg (boxed weight).
Pedals: Double-sided SPD compatible and toe clips.
Digital monitor: Yes - 22-inch 360° rotating smart HD touchscreen.
Streaming subscription: Yes.
Weight limit: 160kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic.Why we love it: If you're pretty serious about your fitness on a bike or into virtual rides and racing, then Wahoo's range of trainers will already be on your radar.
The brand's KICKR Bike Shift is a high-end option that can take you from a simple easy spin to an all-out suffer fest as you race against others on Zwift. This indoor bike is the ultimate training companion; it's solidly built and gives a strong on-bike feel, giving a similar vibe to riding a road bike outdoors.
It's also straightforward to put together and easily connects to wi-fi (the bike also supports ANT and Bluetooth connectivity). There's a handy tool in Wahoo's app that can help you size the KICKR Bike Shift correctly, so that it's perfectly set up for you.
Other plus points worth noting are the smoothness of its virtual shifting (all you'll feel is a change in resistance), the quietness of the exercise bike when in use and its accuracy in providing performance data.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- No gear display.
- Doesn't include pedals.
- Doesn't have wheels, meaning it's not the easiest to shift or relocate.
- Designed for training and racing, rather than spinning workouts.
Flywheel weight: Approx 6kg plus extended motor.
Dimensions: 79 x 135 cm.
Weight: 36kg.
Pedals: Does not include pedals.
Digital monitor: No.
Streaming subscription: No.
Weight limit: 113kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: No.
Resistance: Electromagnetic.Why we love it: This iFit-enabled ProForm Pro 22 Studio Spin Bike, available at John Lewis, allows you to embark on a virtual outdoor experience and feel as though you're working out with world-class athletes from the comfort of your own home.
The routines are easy to follow – whether you choose weight loss, endurance training, muscle building workouts or HIIT. And helpfully, the personal trainers change the resistance of your bike automatically, letting you focus on your workout.
Hand weights are included for upper body exercises, resistance is easily adjustable and the seating is comfortable (the saddle is padded for comfort and can be modified to however you like). It also comes with a 22-inch HD touchscreen that can pivot 180-degrees, so you can tilt the screen and still follow along.
Cons:
- Subscription to the iFit system is needed to get the best out of the exercise bike.
- Some reviews report an issue with its software.
Flywheel weight: 13kg.
Dimensions: 145 x 56 x 137cm.
Weight: 60kg.
Pedals: Toe clip cages.
Digital monitor: Yes - Colour LCD screen.
Streaming subscription: Yes - Required for additional features but sold separately.
Weight limit: 115kg.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic.Save when you shop for the best spinning bikes with these John Lewis discount codes.
Why we love it: Okay, a list of the best exercise bikes of 2024 is not going to be without it's eye-watering price tags, but if you're after a bike that's purse-friendly and also easy to use, we've got you covered on that front too.
The Opti JX exercise bike comes in at just over £300 - a snip of the price of the other options listed here, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good workout from it.
This exercise bike, available at Argos, has varying levels of tension, so you can go from warm up to seriously spicy workout in a matter of seconds. There's also a screen that'll tell you your time, speed, distance and calories burned as you go. The monitor is battery powered and the bike itself doesn't need to be plugged into the mains.
You can switch the resistance up manually and it also has variable tension control. Given it's not as heavy as some of the other exercise biked listed and has wheels, the Opti JX aerobic exercise bike can be easily moved and stored away.
Cons:
- It's great value for money but obviously has less features than higher-end exercise bikes.
- Requires batteries.
Flywheel weight: 13.8kg.
Dimensions: 115 x 52 x 116cm.
Weight: 37kg.
Pedals: Self levelling pedals with pedal straps.
Digital monitor: No.
Streaming subscription: No.
Weight limit: 120kg.
Power supply: None needed. Display on bike is battery-powered.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Manual.Save when you shop for the best spin bikes with these Argos discount codes.
Why we love it: Another option - and an even pricier one - for those who want to take their cycling fitness up a notch or delve into the world of virtual racing, is the Tacx NEO Bike Plus Trainer.
With a price tag of £3,500, it's definitely not for those on a budget. Saying that, it is a piece of high-end kit that makes sense if your goals are sprinting to victory in a virtual Zwift race or you're into targeted, more intense bike fitness sessions rather than spinning leisurely.
It's not the easiest to set up, but when you're up and on it, the bike has a pleasant smooth feel to it and benefits from two small fans located either side of the tablet holder. There's also an in-built 4.5-inch data display that shows a range of data: speed, power, heart rate, cadence, connectivity indicators, training mode and gearing position. You'll certainly feel serious when you're working out on this smart exercise bike.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Doesn't have wheels, meaning it's not the easiest to move if you want to change locations or store it away.
- Doesn't include pedals.
Flywheel weight: Virtual flywheel.
Dimensions: 139 x 75 cm.
Weight: 50kg.
Pedals: Not included.
Digital monitor: A 4.5in data display is built in to the bike. It also has a tablet holder.
Streaming subscription: Yes - can sign up to a Tacx premium subscription for £9.99. Can also connect via Bluetooth and ANT+ with several popular training apps, such as TrainerRoad and Zwift.
Weight limit: 125kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: No.
Resistance: Electromagnetic.Why we love it: It might be the second most expensive exercise bike in this edit, but if you've got a little bit more money to spend, it's also one of the most high-tech exercise bikes on the market, offering a truly comprehensive spinning experience.
Technogym are one of the biggest names in cardio for good reason. Its exercise bike has a 22-inch HD sweatproof touchscreen on the handlebars, so that – just like Peloton – you can take part in live spinning classes streamed from London's 1Rebel or Milan studio Revolution for a £29 monthly subscription fee.
Don't fancy paying the extra? You can still get access to Technogym's library of on-demand spinning workouts. If you want to simply ~ride~, you can watch Netflix while you're cycling. Oh, and it comes with a surround sound system, a pair of dumbbells and a great range of immersive ‘outdoor’ landscapes. Yes, the price tag on this is steep but it certainly feels like a luxe piece of kit.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- The bike is heavy, meaning it's not the easiest to move if you want to change locations or store it away.
- Doesn't link to Zwift.
Flywheel weight: 17.4kg.
Dimensions: 121.4 x 58.9 x 138.2cm.
Weight: 67kg.
Pedals: Dual-sided SPD in coated silver aluminium.
Digital monitor: 22-inch full HD touchscreen.
Weight limit: 160kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic.Why we love it: Another one to rival Peloton, British brand Apex's Smart exercise bike is not only cheaper in terms of upfront cost, but the subscription to the app is £29.99 - as opposed to around £40 with Peloton.
You can follow a variety of live and pre-recorded classes by connecting to the Apex app, and propping your phone or tablet into the phone holder (which also wirelessly charges your phone - win). The ride is surprisingly smooth for the low flywheel weight, and there are 30 levels of magnetic resistance to work through. They're easy to switch between using the dial.
It comes with 50/50 pedals, meaning you can stick to a trainers and toe cage combo or clip in with SPD cleats. There's also a neat holder for 2kg weights behind the saddle, making them easily accessible during a class (though you do have to buy the dumbbells seperately).
Plus, did we mention that the bike comes in four aesthetically pleasing colourways? Take your pick from sky blue, navy, black or mist (the off-white hue pictured). In fact, Apex proudly share how they collaborated with top British designers to create an exercise bike that works for the home: it's sleek, ergonomic, has a small footprint and is, well, pretty nice to look at.
Cons:
- The Apex App is available only for iOS users.
- The flywheel is light.
- Weights need to be bought separately.
Flywheel weight: 4kg.
Dimensions: 120 x 60cm.
Weight: 45kg.
Pedals: 50/50 clipless Shimano pedals, which allows for either toe straps or clipping in with SPD cleats.
Digital monitor: No. Does feature an adjustable tablet holder.
Streaming subscription: Yes. Monthly subscription of £29.99.
Weight limit: 120kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic resistance.
Why we love it: Beloved by athletes and sports teams (Wattbike are the official performance bike supplier to the New Zealand national rugby teams, the All Blacks and Black Ferns), this is a top piece of kit for elite performers and passionate amateurs alike.
A similarly high-tech offering to the Peloton exercise bike, the Wattbike Atom promises a realistic indoor cycling experience. Not only can you use it to stream your Peloton spinning classes, if you fancy, but you can connect to - and race friends on - Zwift and climb Mont Ventoux on the Wattbike Hub.
Using precision magnetic resistance, the Atom stays quiet when you ride, so you can train on your smart bike at any time. Plus, with the electromagnetic resistance system, you’ll experience smoother gradient climbs and instant gear changes.
It also boasts unrivalled accuracy, feeding back a wealth of performance data, including our favourite: the left/right leg balance metric as you peddle. By checking this out, you can see how evenly you're applying force with each leg. It's certainly an investment but there's a lot to fall in love with when it comes to the Wattbike. Hop on and you'll quickly see why it's so highly rated.
Cons:
- An expensive price tag.
- Doesn't come with an in-built screen.
Flywheel weight: 9.28kg.
Dimensions: 100 x 50 x 150 cm (with fully extended tablet holder).
Weight: 45kg.
Pedals: Flat pedals with toe cage fitted as standard.
Digital monitor: No, but does have a tablet holder.
Streaming subscription: Comes with free Wattbike Hub, which features workouts and plans. Compatible with third party training apps too, such as Zwift, Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, FulGaz, RGT.
Weight limit: 135kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Electromagnetic.Why we love it: Sure, Peloton exercise bikes are expensive, but they've got a cult following for a reason. They were one of the first spin communities to offer round-the-clock live workouts, direct to your bike from their NYC studio. For home workouts, it's almost as immersive as you can get. Plus, they have a host of super motivational instructors and an impressive range of off-bike workouts too.
The exercise bike itself though? Well, you can feel supported in any position with an adjustable seat, handlebar and screen. Let's talk about that screen; with it's 360º of movement, it can be flipped to be in prime position for when you're doing an off-bike weights or stretching session on the floor. No need to crick your neck.
It's compact: a 120 cm x 60 cm footprint means the Peloton Bike+ is smaller than your average yoga mat. Other plus points? It's quiet, you can track your training via the app (not to mention live data on which muscle groups you're working out) and a monthly subscription (again, not cheap) gives you access to thousands of live and on-demand workouts. Want a sweaty spin session? Check. A calming yoga flow? They've got you covered. You can even choose a scenic ride with curated music from Radio Peloton.
There's also a handy option to add individual profiles if you have multiple people using the exercise bike in a household, so if you're serious about cycling and keen to take your home spins up a level this year, it may be time to invest.
Cons:
- The exercise bike doesn't come cheap, plus Peloton All-Access Membership (£39 per month) is required to access Peloton content and features on Peloton Bike+.
- There are less expensive options out there that can offer similar workouts.
- Although you can connect to third party apps, such as Zwift, some features don't work as well or can be fiddly to implement.
Flywheel weight: 17kg.
Dimensions: 149 x 58 x 135 cm.
Weight: 63kg.
Pedals: Delta-compatible aluminium pedals.
Digital monitor: Yes. It comes with a 23.8-inch HD, anti-reflective touchscreen that can rotate with 360º of movement.
Streaming subscription: Yes. Peloton All-Access Membership (£39 per month) is required to access Peloton content and features on Peloton Bike+.
Weight limit: 135kg.
Power supply: Mains.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic with digital adjustment.Why we love it: This more purse-friendly spinning bike from JLL promises to be a winning choice if you'll be doing three or four short sessions on the bike a week. It's got a 22kg bi-directional flywheel which is pretty large for the price, magnetic resistance and heart rate sensors, with a twelve-month home warranty, too.
Time, distance, speed, calories burnt, pulse, watts and cadence are all displayed on its monitor, plus the exercise bike is iConsole app, Kinomap and heart rate band compatible. Built in wheels mean that the bike is easy to manoeuvre around the home - a bonus for when you want to shift it into a corner when not in use.
Some reviewers noted it didn't offer the biggest range of resistance, but at under £500, this still offers a real bargain.
Cons:
- Limited options shown on display.
- Takes time to adjust the resistance.
- Doesn't have the biggest range of resistance.
Flywheel weight: 22kg.
Dimensions: 130 x 54 x 145cm.
Weight: 45kg.
Pedals: SPD compatible pedals.
Digital monitor: Display monitor can track time, speed, distance, watt, calories, pulse and RPM (Rotations Per Minute).
Streaming subscription: No.
Weight limit: 150kg.
Wheels: Yes.
Resistance: Magnetic.
