The Best Air Bike for Your Home Gym in 2024

After researching 30 air bikes, using 20 of them, and legitimately testing more than a dozen, we’ve determined that the Rogue Echo Bike is the best overall air bike on the market today. It also happens to be the official air bike of the CrossFit Games, making it a great choice for most home gym owners or even commercial gyms. 

But we know that many of you have different training goals, or just desire something different in a piece of home gym equipment than what the Echo offers. Our team at Garage Gym Reviews has personally used dozens of the best exercise bikes on the market. We use an in-depth equipment testing methodology to evaluate and rate bikes on factors such as:

• Price
• Warranty
• Performance
• Durability
• Ease of use

After rating bikes on a scale of 1 to 5, we developed our list here of the best air bikes.

Air bikes aren’t like most exercise bikes, and are most commonly used in the CrossFit community. Luckily, we have CrossFit Level 1 coaches and competitors on the Garage Gym Reviews team to lend their expertise to these reviews so we can truly recommend the best options out there. 

Each product reviewer looks at every part of the bike, and while some of our comments may seem nitpicky, it just means we’re doing everything possible to provide you with the most thorough review of some of the best cardio equipment. 

We want you to get a full understanding of what each product is like, and what its strengths and weaknesses are. We won’t accomplish that by taking any shortcuts. 

The Best Air Bikes

• Best Air Bike Overall: Rogue Echo Bike
• Best Value Air Bike: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0
• Best Budget Air Bike: Titan Fan Bike 
• Best Air Bike for Beginners: AssaultBike
• Best Air Bike Without Arms: Concept2 BikeErg
• Quietest Air Bike: Schwinn Airdyne AD7

Best Air Bike Video Review

Best Air Bike Overall: Rogue Echo

Good for: CrossFitters, or anyone else who wants a heavy-duty air bike 

Best Air Bike Overall

Rogue Echo Bike

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Heavy duty steel
• Overbuilt for smooth ride 
• 350 lb weight limit 
• Solid foundation for max outs 
• Easily portable

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely durable, beefy construction
• Very little rocking or side-to-side movement
• Black powder-coated metal on almost everything
• Belt-driven fan for much less maintenance.
• Easy-to-read LCD console screen
• Legs feature adjustable leveling feet
• Somewhat compact
• Oversized, heavy-duty front wheels
• Sleek, attractive look

Cons

• Larger than other stationary bikes
• Belt drive is overall harder to push than a chain drive
• Not the cheapest air bike on the market

Bottom Line

We’ve tested just about every air bike on the market, and the Echo combines many of our favorite features into one. The belt drive is much more durable and requires less maintenance than a chain drive. The size and weight make it extremely stable, and the price is much less than we’d expect for such a quality piece of equipment.

The Rogue Echo Bike is by far one of the best pieces of home gym equipment Rogue Fitness has ever released. Not only are home gyms across the country filled with the black powder-coated, belt-driven monster, but so are CrossFit affiliates, which makes sense since this is the official air bike of the CrossFit Games. That makes this bike worthy of a second honor: Best Air Bike for CrossFit.

The Echo Bike had quite a bit of hype when it was released in 2017, but to be honest, the ease of use, quality, durability, and other features exceeded all of our expectations for it. After years of using the Echo Bike, our testers—including myself and two CrossFitters on our team—still give it 4 stars or higher for its construction, stability, and features.

Surprisingly, the Echo Bike is the first piece of conditioning equipment that Rogue Fitness has made. I say surprisingly for a couple of reasons.

1. It’s that good
2. They’re the largest strength and conditioning manufacturer in the world

The Rogue Echo Bike has remained one of the best air bikes at any price, and there’s a reason it’s our top pick. Despite it being as good as it is, it’s also one of the most affordable bikes available among the top-of-the-line options.

Since its release, nearly every other air bike has dropped in price to compete with the Echo Bike. When the Rogue Echo Air Bike was released in 2017, I wrote the following: “Unfortunately for the manufacturers, the Echo Bike will force greater innovation, dedication to quality control, and tighter profit margins.”

That statement couldn’t be more true.

Although the Rogue Echo Bike will be most often compared to the Assault AirBike Classic, it’s actually more comparable to the Schwinn Airdyne AD7.

We’re big fans of the Schwinn Airdyne, and in fact, view it and the Echo Bike as very similar bikes with only minor differences. That said, we believe the Rogue wins out mainly based on its price and customer service/warranty.

With so many air bikes available today, it’s clear what makes this the winner—stability, low maintenance, and quick responsiveness via a belt drive, an easy-to-use monitor, and multiple adjustment options to dial in the bike for different heights. The Echo Bike exceeds in all of these areas and although there are competitors to the throne, there are none that top it.

Every part on the Echo Bike is beefy. From the footpegs that feature knurling for grip and spin for effect, to the fan blades that are pieces of formed aluminum (compared to the plastic found on most other bikes). Yes, it’s oversized, but not dramatically so when put side-by-side with other bikes. 

It can also look intimidating to a certain type of person. I put the bike in my personal training gym and found that most people stayed away from it. After asking why, the most consistent reply was, “it just looks harder than the other bikes.”

We have now been able to use the Echo Bike both in the garage gym and at our personal training facility for several years. Despite all of the varied use, it still looks and performs like it did on Day One. We have yet to do any maintenance (something that can’t be said for the chain-driven bikes we’ve used).

We’re actually surprised companies like Assault Fitness haven’t tried to redo all of their bikes to compete, as chain-drive bikes feel like such archaic technology at this point (Assault did release the Elite, which utilizes a belt drive system).

The Rogue Echo Bike is the best air bike for most people currently on the market. There has been some competition, including the Fringe Sport Raptor Air Bike, but that bike now costs $100 more than the Echo so we’re sticking with it. 

Read our in-depth Rogue Echo Bike review to learn more.

Best Value Air Bike: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0

Good for: Those who want to get the most bang for their buck 

Best Value Air Bike

Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Sturdy with great transport wheels
• Budget-friendly
• Belt drive
• Compact footprint
• Plus-size adjustable seat

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Heavy-duty frame
• Notable weight capacity
• Belt drive system, which is quieter and requires less maintenance than chain drive
• Ergonomic seat
• Large fan
• Affordable
• Free shipping
• Comes with water bottle holder, wind guard, and phone holder

Cons

• No rear handle to make moving it easier
• Transport wheels are small

Bottom Line

The Blitz Air Bike 2.0 is one of the best-priced air bikes on the market and is packed with great features, a solid build, and solid warranty.

Compared to typical exercise bikes, air bikes simply don’t come cheap. Most are priced between $700 and $1,000, and those on the more affordable end of the spectrum tend to make sacrifices.

That is not the case with the Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0. We love that for $800, you get a lot of the higher-end features you’d find on a more expensive bike: a belt-drive system, wind guard, knurled foot pegs, and a high weight capacity of 350 pounds. This earns the Blitz Air Bike 2.0 a 5 out of 5 in the value category.

We put the Blitz to the test, as I used it repeatedly for HIIT workouts, recovery rides, and more.

The Blitz Air Bike 2.0 is one of the cheapest belt-drive air bikes I’ve ever tried. I love that belt-drive air bikes require far less maintenance than chain drive bikes. That’s one of the reasons we gave this 4.5 out of 5 stars for durability.

The front and the back of the bike feature 23-inch feet, which provide exceptional stability during hard sprints. We found the Blitz to be extremely well-constructed, as it uses almost entirely steel. This also means that it weighs about 118 pounds. There are transport wheels on the front of the bike, similar to what you find on the AssaultBike, so it is possible to move this machine around rather easily.

The seat has 10 adjustable positions, moving vertically and horizontally to accommodate people of a wide range of heights. And the monitor is pretty typical of an air bike monitor: There are some built-in workouts (like a Tabata and targeted time or distance). Bells of Steel claims the seat to be ergonomic and comfortable; we found it to be pretty run-of-the-mill. We rated the customizations, adjustments, and ergonomics category as a 3 out of 5 because of these factors.

What would we change? We’re suckers for big turf tires on air bikes, so that would be a great upgrade (and an increase in price, no doubt). For more, check out our in-depth Bells of Steel Blitz Air Bike 2.0 review.

Best Budget Air Bike: Titan Fan Bike

Good for: People who want a good air bike without spending too much money 

Best Budget Air Bike

Titan Fan Bike

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Affordable air bike
• 111-pounds of heavy-gauge steel
• Integrated with sealed cartridge bearings
• Powder-coated finish.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Made of heavy-duty steel
• Priced under $700
• Easy to transport
• Free shipping
• Fan guard

Cons

• Large footprint
• Chain-drive belt
• Can be loud

Bottom Line

The Titan Fan Bike is an affordable alternative for those looking for a quality air bike. Its ease of use, portability, and ability to deliver an intense workout make it a top choice for us.

At less than $650, the Titan Fan Bike is the best budget air bike we recommend. To be clear, that doesn’t mean it’s the most budget-friendly air bike out there; there are some that are cheaper. But those bikes either look cheap, or are made with materials that will break in a couple of years. 

As Titan Fitness does with most of its products, they were able to create an air bike that looks good and is durable. The frame and most of the components are made with heavy-duty steel, so it will remain stable and in good condition no matter how much you use it. 

And for a budget bike, it also comes with a fair amount of extras including a removable fan guard, and a water bottle and cell phone holder. These are conveniences you have to pay extra for on the Rogue Echo Bike, so Titan gets a near-perfect 4.75 out of 5 stars on our metric for conveniences here.

That’s not to say Titan didn’t cut costs to bring the cost of this bike down. For one, it uses a chain drive system, which is going to require a lot of maintenance and will create a lot of noise. The LCD console is also incredibly basic and only has basic functions, like start and stop (it will keep track of all necessary metrics), leading to a 1 out of 5 rating in the tech capabilities category.

But if you want to get your heart rate up through exercise rather than sticker shock, then you can’t really can’t do much better than this bike. 

To find out more, read our in-depth Titan Fan Bike review.

Best Air Bike for Beginners: AssaultBike Classic

Good for: Shorter athletes looking for a comfortable ride 

Best Air Bike for Beginners

Assault AirBike

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Heavy-duty exercise bike
• Monitor is easy to use
• Affordably priced
• Uses a chain drive, not a belt drive

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A staple in many CrossFit gyms
• Great, easy-to-use monitor
• Made of mostly metal for great durability
• Matte black finish
• Comfortable seat
• Rubber grips on handles are very durable
• Affordable for an air bike

Cons

• Chain-driven system that requires additional upkeep
• Some rocking side to side
• Screws may come loose often

Bottom Line

The Assault AirBike was once the standard air bike for CrossFit athletes. In our testing and reviews of the bike, we’ve found it to be durable and enjoyable (not in the traditional sense) to use.

The AssaultBike Classic is smaller than most air bikes, only 50 inches in height and length. The Rogue Echo Bike is 53 inches in height, and while that may not seem like a lot more, there’s actually an entire Reddit thread where shorter athletes sing the praises of the AssaultBike’s compact footprint, leading to a 5 out of 5 in the footprint and portability category.

The users find it easier to reach the pedals, compared to other air bikes, and it features an easily adjustable and comfortable seat that can accommodate those of short and tall stature. 

In terms of functionality, the AssaultBike is quite good. The real issue is that a very similar bike (except for the monitor) can be had at a lower price (see Titan Fan Bike). This said, the AssaultBike does have one of our favorite monitors and overall, has a good build. In fact, former GGR senior staff writer, CPT, and CrossFit enthusiast Amanda Capritto says that if she had to buy an air bike for her home gym, it would be the AssaultBike. “It’s durable, has longevity, and provides a smooth ride for a fan bike—plus, it competes with the Echo in terms of price.”

The AssaultBike is based on an all-metal frame designed to take whatever an athlete can throw at it. It’s like the Airdynes of old, but with upgraded materials, and is quite stable for its small footprint. A smaller footprint, though, means you will experience more wobbling during heavy pedaling. 

The frame of the AssaultBike uses rounded square tubing that allows the bike to be stiff enough for high-power work, but light enough to move the bike around.

RELATED: Rogue Echo Bike vs Assault Air Bike Review

The handles have a rubber grip that takes chalk well and is firm enough to keep a steady grip. One advantage of this style of handle is that it’s quite rigid and remains out of the way of your knees. You can torque them somewhat at the beginning of an interval if you’re pushing a lot of wattages, but I haven’t noticed much of any issue.

The fan is oversized compared to some of the original Airdynes, but uses the same bike-spoke fan blades that have been around for decades.

Although the outer components of the AssaultBike are all upgraded from the original Airdynes, the use of a chain drive, aka the part that most people had issues with, remains the same.

Chain drives are notorious for needing lots of maintenance and making excess noise. The AssaultBike is louder, requires more maintenance, and is less responsive than something like the Echo Bike or even the Schwinn Airdyne AD7. Going from the AssaultBike to Schwinn is like driving a gas vehicle before hopping into a Tesla. They both get the job done, but one is undoubtedly a better experience.

Although the chain-driven system is less than ideal, the monitor on the AssaultBike is a standout feature, earning a 4 out of 5 in tech capabilities. Every metric you would like to see as well as ways to run intervals quickly are a button away on the Assault monitor. If you wish to do long, slower sessions, or even interval training, there’s also a place for your phone.

Learn more on our AssaultBike review.

Best Air Bike Without Arms: Concept2 BikeErg

Good for: Anyone looking for a unique air bike experience. 

Best Air Bike Without Arms

Concept 2 BikeErg

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• Priced in the low $1,000s
• Uses air resistance via an adjustable damper
• High-performing PM5 monitor 
• Highly adjustable 
• Chain-free belt system that decreases need for maintenance

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable and performs well year after year
• PM5 performance monitor is among the best
• Seat, handlebars, and pedals are interchangeable with standard bicycle parts
• Damper adjusts airflow
• Frame uses a black powder coat
• Self-tensioning polygroove belts that provide a quiet ride
• Extremely light at only 58 lbs
• Adjustable handles and seat

Cons

• Seat cannot adjust forward and back
• Some find the seat uncomfortable
• Height of the seat post has been known to not go low enough for some users

Bottom Line

After using the Concept 2 BikeErg over the course of two years in a variety of workouts from sprints to long-distance bikes, we highly recommend it to anyone wanting an air bike. Although we like air bikes with arms, we actually prefer the BikeErg and have found it to be great for general fitness as well as simply blowing up the quads. The BikeErg is a Concept 2 product; we think that speaks for itself.

The Concept2 BikeErg is the best fan bike without arms, and to be honest, is one of the only available. That said, Concept2, as with all of their machines, has created something that is not only effective, but will be as durable as a bike could possibly be.

First off, the BikeErg is not a typical air bike, which is immediately evident when you realize there are no handles. However, despite it being different from the typical air bikes we see, that does not mean it’s any less effective. 

The goal of the original air bike design (the Schwinn Airdyne) was to provide both a stimulus to the upper body and lower body. One thing that is often overlooked, however, is that in reality, the majority of users spend most of their effort pushing the pedals instead of the arms.

So, although there are arms available with all of the air bikes in this guide, that doesn’t mean the workout is more “total-body” or “harder” for most people.

The Concept2 BikeErg does use air resistance, but it has an entirely different feeling from the air-resisted Airdyne and Assault Bikes. One thing that Concept2 has that traditional air bikes cannot touch is a damper, the same thing that provides either more or less airflow on the Concept2 Rowers and SkiErgs. Although the damper plays a significant role in the Rower and SkiErg, neither can compare to the importance of the damper on the BikeErg. I say this because the damper can take the BikeErg from feeling like an Airdyne with hardly any resistance to a stationary bike with the brake all the way pressed down.

The build of the BikeErg is as good as we’ve come to expect from Concept2, and earns a 5 out of 5 for durability. Starting at the feet, the steel frame sits on four adjustable pegs that screw into the feet for adjustability based on the slope of the floor the bike is resting on. 

To keep the bike grounded and stable, Concept2 uses steel feet that are bolted to the frame. The BikeErg rocks much less than our other air bike picks, but this is most likely due to the fact that there are no arms. On the front feet are two roller hockey wheels that are larger than what is used on the rower and provide for easy maneuvering.

The aluminum frame is given the signature black powder-coat look that is both hard-wearing and corrosion-resistant. Attached in the middle of the frame are two crank arms with black metal pedals. These can be interchanged for any pedals you’d like, including clipless, just like a bicycle. 

One of the best features of the BikeErg is that you won’t have to do much, if any, maintenance over the life of the bike. The BikeErg uses polygrooved belts rather than the traditional chain seen on AssaultBikes and Airdynes (excluding the Airdyne AD7), which not only makes the ride quieter but also reduces maintenance and increases the life of the bike. We praised Schwinn for transitioning from a chain drive to a belt drive system. We’re glad to see Concept2 insisted on the same, except even better is that the BikeErg’s belts are self-tensioning.

In addition to the belts, the BikeErg utilizes a clutch that allows the flywheel fan to continue rotating despite the pedals stopping, something you don’t see on our other picks. If you’ve ever done intervals with another person on an air bike, you know how frustrating it is getting on and off due to the pedals having to continue progressing. This is a significant advantage of the BikeErg, and I hope Schwinn, Xebex, and Assault take notice.

The Concept2 BikeErg also features every adjustment you can imagine, from the height of the seat to the handlebars both horizontally and vertically. Finally, one of Concept2’s biggest selling points is their Performance Monitors that track every metric you could want and allows you to compete against others. We rate the tech capabilities a 5 out of 5 because of this.

The versatility of the BikeErg is unmatched, and it’s the reason we recommend it above the traditional air bikes for most people. The Assault Air Bike and Airdyne certainly have their place (I won’t be getting rid of mine,) but if I had to have one, I’d take the BikeErg.

The Concept2 BikeErg has similarities, but also many differences between our other picks. The main difference that is quite apparent is the lack of arms. The BikeErg was designed with traditional cyclists in mind but can provide an absolutely brutal workout.

One thing to realize about traditional air bikes is that although they have the opportunity to provide more of a full-body workout, many people will spend a majority of their energy on the pedals and not the arms. Concept2 has taken what they do exceedingly well, building very durable and effective equipment, and applied it to a bike.

If you train solely for CrossFit, then you should stick with a traditional air bike. However, if you don’t, we found that the BikeErg was both more enjoyable and provided a more versatile piece of equipment.

Read our full Concept 2 BikeErg review to learn more.

Quietest Air Bike: Schwinn Airdyne AD7

Good for: Anyone who wants an air bike that doesn’t make a lot of noise 

Quietest Air Bike

Schwinn AD7 Airdyne Pro Air Bike

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Powerful solid steel cranks
• Doubled-coated steel body construction
• 9 programmable workout options
• Multi-grip handle bars
• Oversized, padded seat

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Quiet and low-maintenance belt drive system
• Best monitor on any air bike we’ve tested
• Has heavy-duty rubber grips and pedals
• Solid steel construction
• Responsive ride

Cons

• Made with lots of plastic, which reduces noise but isn’t durable
• Fan guard and other accessories cost extra
• Price is over $1,000

Bottom Line

The Schwinn Airdyne AD7 is one of the quieter air bikes on the market, thanks to its low-maintenance, belt-drive system. Priced over $1,000, this bike has a great monitor and is a durable option.

Although we’ve had a lot of beef with Schwinn Airdynes in the past (I’ve owned three of them), the AD Pro impressed us and is easily the best iteration of the air bike. And if you’re looking for an air bike that won’t disrupt your partner or roommate, you can’t do much better than this one. 

We’re usually not fans of plastic in home gym equipment, but in this case, it’s a plus. Plastic is much quieter than metal, which is what most air bikes are made of. When it comes to a machine that already produces the decibels that air bikes are known for, the last thing you need is more noise. So, the basic makeup of the bike is metal and plastic, with the majority being aluminum and steel.

The trade-off, though, is that it’s not nearly as durable as metal. Because of this, we rate the durability as a 4 out of 5.

The Airdyne AD7 was also the first air bike that featured a belt drive system. Rather than using your typical link chain, the bike uses a heavy-duty rubber belt often seen in cars. This allows for a few things:

• Fewer adjustments needed to be made over the lifetime of the bike
• More responsive ride
• Much quieter and smoother ride

The belt drive system requires far less maintenance, but it also reduces noise dramatically. The only real sound you hear is the one produced by the blades on the steel fan battling against the wind. Starting the bike is smooth and quick, as is coming to a stop for things like movement changes or intervals.

The longer frame keeps the bike from rocking back and forth when you’re starting. It also seems like the weight is more evenly distributed on the frame, which helps combat the side-to-side rocking that anyone who’s spent much time on an air bike has noticed.

The Schwinn Airdyne also boasts the best monitor on any air bike we tested. Second place was the AssaultBike with its many presets, but it still left some improvements to be desired.

The main differences between the two were the size and brightness of the AD Pro’s screen being easier on the eyes (especially while sweating), and additional metrics at the top.

The top of the monitor features dials very similar to what you would find on a car. It seemed excessive at first until you do a workout that you’re pacing, and the ability to see your current RPM is beneficial. If you’re a person who loves data, this monitor is the one for you. The bike earns a 5 out of 5 in tech capabilities.

It also tracks heart rate, connects to your monitor very quickly, and you can track your effort based on heart rate zones.

Finally, the bike is, to put it simply, really well-built. The pedals are actual metal pedals and not plastic. The rubber grips are heavy-duty and, unlike foam, take chalk extraordinarily well. There are just so many little things you start to discover as you go through the bike that show Schwinn really went back to the drawing board on this bike.

The Schwinn Airdyne AD7, when released, was nothing like its predecessors. While Schwinn has been making air bikes longer than anyone else (the first Airdyne bike was introduced in 1978), the Airdyne AD7 was Schwinn’s first air bike designed for true fitness and commercial applications.

For more, check out our full Schwinn AD7 review.

Other Air Bikes We Tested

Oh, did you think those were the only air bikes we tested? Far from it. Here are a couple we thought were just OK, but not deserving of being one of the “best.” 

Fringe Sport Raptor Air Bike: When we first tested this air bike, we said it had the potential to take down the Rogue Echo Bike because of the number of extras it came with, its stability, and its use of a belt drive system—all at a price which, at the time, was cheaper than the Echo. Now, it costs nearly $950, and while it’s good, it’s not that much better than the Echo. 

Xebex Air Bike: Before Titan Fitness released the Titan Fan Bike, this Air Bike was our budget-friendly option. However, the Xebex Air Bike is more expensive than the Titan Fan Bike and doesn’t come with as many extras. Because of this, we believe the Titan Fan Bike is a better value, though the Xebex Air Bike is still a great bike.

Body-Solid FB300: The FB300 is the exact same bike as the AssaultBike, but with a lower-quality monitor and a higher price. Unless you can find it used, we recommend staying away from it.

Schwinn Airdyne AD6: The Schwinn Airdyne AD6 was Schwinn’s premier bike prior to the AD Pro. Although it’s a decent bike, it is prone to breakage and has a lot of plastic parts. If you want a Schwinn but don’t want to spend the amount that the AD Pro costs, then this is our recommendation.

Schwinn Airdyne AD4: Before the Assault Bike or the Rogue Echo Bike, this is what you would find in most CrossFit affiliates. Although it’s limited in its functions and not that durable, it’s an okay bike. That said, it’s no longer manufactured and can be purchased for pretty cheap on the secondary market.

Schwinn Airdyne AD2: We would not recommend this bike at just about any price.

Body Rider Exercise Upright Fan Bike: This bike is not made for the functional fitness crowd. However, if you’re trying to go slow, it will work just fine.

Marcy Fan Exercise Bike – NS-1000: This is a decent budget-friendly bike, but we recommend it only if you really cannot afford something more expensive. This bike will work, but not for as long as you’d like.

Marcy AIR-1: There are much better options around this price range.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B2706 Fan Bike: This bike is based on the AssaultBike, but has some cheaper modifications. At this price point, there are better options. However, it’s not a bad bike.

StairMaster Air Fit Bike: We have yet to use this model. However, for the price, we can’t see it being that much better than our top pick.

Fitness Reality 1000AR Resistance Exercise Fan Bike: This is a cheap-looking bike with a design that’s prone to failure.

StarTrac ST Fitness 8610 Air Force Bike: This is the same bike as the AssaultBike with a worse monitor.

StairMaster Zephyr Dual Action Bike: This is the same bike as the AssaultBike with a worse monitor and a backrest.

Lamar Fitness Air Force Dual-Action Bike: This is the same bike as the AssaultBike with a worse monitor and a backrest. It’s fine if bought cheaply on the secondary market.

How We Picked And Tested the Best Air Bikes 

To compile our list of air bikes, we researched all of the major manufacturers, scoured Amazon, Alibaba, and more as well as reached out to industry experts who aided in the creation of these bikes. In addition to this, we went to Garage Gym Reviews HQ to rank and test all of the bikes we’ve used in the past or currently own. After researching around 15 air bikes, we narrowed it down to the bikes that are worth your time and money.

One of the things we found that wasn’t too surprising was that many of the modern air bikes are pretty much the same. In fact, we found that not only were they made to look and perform alike, but many of them are actually made in the same factory in Taiwan. Due to the fact that many of the air bikes that are currently available are similar, we looked for the differences (mainly just the monitors) as well as bikes that weren’t like these. The bikes we’ve picked are all worth using, it really comes down to your preferences and budget. 

Ultimately, after some deliberation, we narrowed down our specification to the following list of features we like to see in air bikes in no particular order.

• Overall construction: An air bike is going to receive a lot of use. Whether you choose to use it for just warm-ups and cool-downs or for HIIT workouts as well, you’re going to want a bike that can take a beating and keep on going.

• Required maintenance: Unfortunately, two of our four picks still use a chain drive system, which requires constant maintenance (i.e., oiling the chains.) However, an air bike and any piece of equipment for that matter is designed to be used for increasing fitness, not increasing handyman skills. Therefore, we took this into consideration.

• Durability: Durability relates pretty closely to the required maintenance of the machine. An air bike should be able to take years of abuse from commercial CrossFit facilities or home gyms and still work like the day they were purchased. This is an expensive machine, it should last like one.

• Adjustability: The seat should be able to be adjusted both vertically and horizontally. The more adjustments available for customization, the better.

• Monitor: The monitor should be able to track a wide range of metrics from wattage to meters biked.

• Components: The pedals, handles, seat, and other parts of the bike should be capable of taking a beating and keep on operating.

• Value: It doesn’t matter if the bike is $500 or $5,000, the value received is what we’re judging. In other words, how much do you get for the price you’re paying? Our budget pick, the Titan Fan Bike, comes with more extras than the Rogue Echo Bike, technically making it a better value. You get the idea.

• Noise: All air bikes are loud due to how they receive their resistance, they shouldn’t be unnecessarily loud from the clanking of components.

• Warranty: Air bikes will occasionally break, and if they do so in a short amount of time then the company should either repair or replace whatever the issue is.

During testing, we used the bikes in various time durations from sprints to longer rides. We tested the adjustability, ease of maintenance, monitored metrics, noise levels, and simply how much they hurt during use (they all hurt pretty equally.) Finally, we asked the opinion of others on what bike they would most like to have.

RELATED: How to choose an exercise bike

What To Look For in an Air Bike

There aren’t as many air bike models out there as other types of conditioning equipment, which means that pricing points and options are pretty limited. It’s best to opt for a bike that’s durable, belt-driven, long-lasting, and simple to maintain.

Best Air Bikes FAQs

Coop Mitchell

Cooper Mitchell ("Coop') is the creator of Garage Gym Reviews. He's produced more content on home gyms and training equipment than likely anyone else in the world and is recognized as the foremost expert in the space. When not writing about barbells, squat racks, and other pieces of equipment, he can be found eating tacos and reading biographies on dead people. Coop has been featured in prestigious publications such as The Art of Manliness, Starting Strength, Men's Health, Business Insider and many others.

Further reading

PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebell Review (2024): A Space-Saving, Durable Kettlebell

by Matt Dustin, CES, PN1-NC

In this PowerBlock Adjustable Kettlebell Review, our testers share their experience with the versatile, square-shaped kettlebell. Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to the Warrior Diet

by Matt Dustin, CES, PN1-NC

Interested in trying the Warrior Diet? A certified nutrition coach explains the pros and cons. Read more

Treadmill Pace Chart: How to Precisely Time and Track Your Treadmill Workouts

by Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC

Unlock the full potential of treadmill training with our detailed treadmill pace chart, essential tips, and sample workouts from a certified personal trainer. Read more

UREVO Treadmill Review 2024: Inexpensive and Foldable

by Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1

Looking for an under desk treadmill? Check out this UREVO treadmill review to see if we’d recommend this compact cardio machine. Read more