The Best Budget Exercise Bikes to Take for a Spin in Your Home Gym (2024)

The phrase “best exercise bikes” probably makes you think of Peloton, NordicTrack, Schwinn, Echelon, or brands with bikes well above $1,000. But what if you’re just looking for a straightforward bike, or don’t have money for a big-name brand?

Our group of certified personal trainers, competitive triathletes, and home gym equipment experts have tested dozens of the best budget exercise bikes that are low on cost but high on value. Whether you’re looking for a foldable exercise that can fit behind a sofa and still hold up to daily use, or you’re in the market for a CrossFit-style exercise bike we’ve got you covered.

We’ve researched and tested bikes based on a multi-point scoring system, rating each one from 1 to 5 based on factors such as:

• Value: Is it a good price?
• Durability: Will it last you a while?
• Dynamic programming: Does it have pre-programmed workouts or connect to a fitness app such as Peloton or Zwift?
• Footprint and portability: How much space does it take up and is it easy to move around?

8 Best Budget Exercise Bikes

• Best Budget Peloton Alternative: ProForm Studio Bike Pro 14
• Best Budget Air Bike: AssaultBike Classic
• Best Compact Budget Exercise Bike: Echelon Connect EX-5
• Best Budget Cycling Bike: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike
• Best Budget Folding Exercise Bike: Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike
• Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB1117
• Best Budget Desk Bike: DeskCycle
• Best Budget Bike Under $500: Sunny Health and Fitness Synergy Magnetic

Best Budget Peloton Alternative: ProForm Studio Bike Pro 14

Good for: Those who want a studio bike experience without the studio bike cost

Best Peloton Alternative

ProForm Studio Bike Pro 14

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• Swiveling 14" HD touchscreen
• 32-lb flywheel
• Adjustable toe cages
• iFIT-enabled

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14” smart HD touchscreen display
• Commercial-grade steel construction
• Instructor-controlled resistance

Cons

• Uncomfortable seat
• No incline or decline feature
• No Bluetooth connectivity

Bottom Line

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro is a solid entry-level option for customers looking for a bike with a screen. Users love iFIT’s programming but you may want to upgrade to a bike with incline feature to take full advantage of iFIT trainer led classes.

The ProForm Studio Bike Pro offers a Peloton-like experience without paying Peloton prices. Like the Peloton, it has a swiveling touchscreen so you can follow off-bike workouts. On top of that, we think the bike itself is better than Peloton’s—there are fewer maintenance issues, 22 levels of whisper-quiet magnetic resistance, and it comes with adjustable toe cages that don’t require special cycling cleats (unlike the Peloton).

One of the big differences is that ProForm uses iFIT programming, which may not be as popular as Peloton, but our testers have rated it a 4.5 out of 5. “I do think that iFIT has emerged as a true Peloton competitor,” says Kate Meier, a certified personal trainer and GGR’s Senior Director of Content.

ProForm, along with NordicTrack, is owned by iFIT, which means you’re limited to their workouts, but there are thousands to choose from. The monthly subscription costs $39 for a family plan, compared to $44 per month for Peloton’s programming.

Let’s talk about the bike itself. Certified personal trainer and GGR Head of Content Nicole Davis says it’s very quiet and likely won’t disturb any roommates while in use. However, she noted that it was a bit wobbly while in use. The weight limit is 250 pounds, which is under the industry standard of 300 pounds, so we’re rating the durability a 2.75 out of 5.

That said, certified personal trainer and GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly, who weighs around 230 pounds, said it felt steady while he used it.

“It’s fine for an entry-level studio bike,” Nicole says, an assessment Anthony agrees with.

Read our ProForm Studio Bike Pro review for more thoughts on this cost-friendly bike.

Best Budget Air Bike: Assault AirBike

Good for: Anyone who needs an air bike but doesn’t have a large budget

Best Air Bike

Assault AirBike

GGR Score: 4.2

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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.

“Budget-friendly” is a relative term here, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive air bike, your best choice is the Assault AirBike. This used to be the official CrossFit Games air bike but was replaced by the more expensive Rogue Echo Bike.

Our previous pick for the best air bike for those on a budget was the Titan Fan Bike, but Assault Fitness recently dropped the price on this classic air bike, so we’re recommending this one now. As former GGR fitness writer and CrossFit enthusiast Amanda Capritto explains, the Assault AirBike is one of the most bomb-proof exercise bikes on the market.

“If it can last many years being used by hundreds of people in a CrossFit box it will last you a lifetime in your home gym,” Amanda notes.

One thing we’ll point out is the chain-drive system is noisier than the belt drive you find on the Rogue Echo Bike, and it requires some regular cleaning. A chain drive is one way Assault Fitness is able to bring this bike’s cost down, since belt drives are more expensive to produce.

RELATED: Rogue Echo Bike vs. Assault AirBike

The bike is relatively lightweight at under 100 pounds, though it still feels sturdy even when you’re going super fast during your workout. It doesn’t come with a wind guard, but our testers liked the feeling of the wind whooshing back at them. If that’s a deal-breaker, then we recommend the Titan.

Read our full AssaultBike review for more thoughts.

Best Compact Budget Exercise Bike: Echelon Connect EX-5

Good for: Those with limited space

Best Compact

Echelon Smart Connect EX-5

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• 32 levels of digital resistance
• Hybrid pedals
• Device holder turns 180 degrees
• Ventilated bicycle seat

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Costs around $850
• 32 levels of digital resistance
• Available in three colors (black, red, and white)
• Device holder turns 180 degrees
• Ventilated bicycle seat

Cons

• No built-in monitor
• Flywheel is only 28 pounds
• 12-month warranty only applies to parts and labor

Bottom Line

A high-quality exercise bike with plenty of tech features, though it lacks a built-in monitor.

Coming in at 20 inches in width and less than 5 feet long, the Echelon Connect EX-5 can fit in any studio apartment or crowded home gym while still providing many of the same benefits as larger cardio machines. This compact exercise bike has 32 levels of magnetic resistance, dual-sided pedals that can be used with shoes or cycling cleats, and a price tag that falls under $1,000.

Certified personal trainer and GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele says she doesn’t feel unstable while riding the EX-5. “The floor stabilizers are a key aspect when it comes to this bike’s smoothness,” she says in our Echelon EX-5 Bike review. That, combined with a 300-pound user weight capacity, earns it a 5 out of 5 on durability, meaning this cost-friendly bike will last many years.

One downside is this bike doesn’t come with a touchscreen, but the media stand can support devices up to 12.5 inches. On the bright side, the stand swivels so you can follow any off-bike workouts. We bumped the tech capabilities score to a 3.5 out of 5.

The Echelon Fit premier membership, which is Echelon’s answer to the Peloton app, has more than 40 live classes a day. Lindsay rated the programming a 4 out of 5. “My instructor, Michael, was upbeat and engaging throughout,” she says.

Best Budget Cycling Bike: YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike

Good for: Anyone looking for a studio cycling bike at a budget-friendly price 

Best Cycling Bike

YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

• Affordable at around $300
• The bike is compact and easily portable
• Comes with caged pedals for extra grip
• Free replacement parts for a year

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable at around $300
• Bike is compact and easily portable
• Comes with caged pedals for extra grip
• Free replacement parts for a year

Cons

• Doesn’t have built-in dynamic programming or any smart features
• A lot of parts, from the device holder to the pedals, feel flimsy
• Some reviewers claim the bike has fallen apart in a matter of weeks

Bottom Line

A budget-friendly exercise bike that provides a good ride, but lacks long-term durability.

The YOSUDA Indoor Cycling Bike has just about everything you need in an exercise bike: a heavy 35-pound flywheel (only 3 pounds less than the high-end Peloton bike), a belt drive for a smooth and quiet ride, micro-adjustments to customize the workout experience to your fitness goals, adjustable handlebars, and caged toe pedals. 

You’ll also get a bike that’s lightweight and compact and stays secure during the most intense rides (ours had minimal wobbling when we put it to the test). That’s a lot for a bike that sells for around $300, but that price point means it’s not what most would consider “high-quality.” 

For one, the YOSUDA bike is not made with the most durable materials. Ours had a small tear in the seat cover after barely any use and our LCD screen never felt secure no matter how hard we tried to tighten it. Other reviewers have complained about parts, such as the pedals falling off during use. 

You also won’t be getting any built-in dynamic programming, but that’s to be expected for a bike at this price tag. 

If you’re simply looking to put some pedal to the metal and get your heart rate pumping while on a budget, then we still recommend this bike. The workout experience was smooth and quiet—surprisingly so for a bike that utilizes friction resistance. If taken care of, it should last you at least a few years.  

It’s also a great choice for beginners who want to get used to the feeling of a cycling bike before spending cycling bike money. 

For more, read our full YOSUDA bike review. 

Best Budget Folding Exercise Bike: Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike

Good for: Anyone who needs a compact but functional stationary bike

Best Folding

Marcy Fitness Upright Foldable Exercise Bike

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Sturdy
• 14-gauge steel frame
• Adjustable seat
• Transport wheels for portability
• Comfortable seat
• 8 resistance levels
• Weighs just 37 lbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sturdy, even when pedaling hard
• Design is aesthetically pleasing
• Comfortable padded seat
• Made of 14-gauge steel

Cons

• Heavier than most competitors
• Shows only basic stats (time, distance, calories)
• No heart rate monitoring

Bottom Line

A sturdy and affordable exercise bike that's a great fit for home gyms of any sizes.

While doing research for this piece, we found a lot of praise for the Marcy Foldable Exercise Bike, and it didn’t take us long to find out why. This thing feels incredibly durable and smooth compared to most other folding exercise bikes, which can feel a little wobbly and insecure during heavy use. 

Budget-friendly home gym equipment typically isn’t made from the most heavy-duty material, since…well, those things cost money. Manufacturers use cheaper materials to offer you a cheaper product. 

Yet, even at just a little more than $150, the Marcy Bike’s steel frame felt wider and heavier than other bikes at a similar price point. And it still somehow only weighs 50 pounds, making it easy for healthy individuals to move whenever you need to do so. 

If you’re someone who considers themselves a hardcore cyclist, you might want to look elsewhere though. We tried the Marcy bike at its highest resistance and it simply couldn’t provide that much of a challenge to us. The good news is, it still felt sturdy no matter how hard we pedaled. 

And if you’re new to the world of indoor exercise bikes, you should know that a foldable option means you’ll most likely be giving up any and all tech features. You’ll get a basic LCD display that shows your time, speed, distance, calories burned, and total distance, as well as a water bottle holder, but that’s it. 

You can learn more about this bike by reading our full Marcy foldable exercise bike review.

Best Budget Recumbent Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB1117

Good for: People with bad knees or those who prefer recumbent-style bikes

Best Recumbent Bike

Sunny Health And Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike

GGR Score: 2.6

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Product Highlights

• Just under $300
• Easily adjust the seat, foot pedals, and resistance levels
• Easy to mount and dismount

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Under $300
• User weight capacity of 300 lbs
• Adjustable seat
• 8 levels of resistance
• Pulse sensors
• Transport wheels

Cons

• Second set of handlebars are short
• Lacks a bottle holder
• No device holder

Bottom Line

For under $300, the Sunny Health and Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike is an excellent option for beginners on a budget.

Recumbent bikes are often much bulkier and, therefore, more expensive than upright exercise bikes. That’s because the pedals need to be in front of the user to reduce the impact on their joints, and manufacturers usually do this by building a fixed piece of equipment that can’t be stowed away easily. 

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB117, however, combines all the best parts of a recumbent bike and a folding bike into one compact and budget exercise bike. For less than $300, you’re getting something that offers eight levels of magnetic resistance and is lightweight and portable. 

RELATED: Sunny Health and Fitness Exercise Bike Reviews

Sunny Health & Fitness isn’t the first company to do this, and some foldable bikes even allow you to pick between upright and recumbent. But we’re big fans of the company’s quality, and find that they outperform bikes offered at similar or even lower prices. 

While this might sound nitpicky, we would like to see this bike offered in different colors. Right now it’s only available in pink, and while that’s not a problem for us, it’s a very polarizing color to some people. 

RELATED: Best Exercise Equipment for Bad Knees

Best Budget Desk Bike: DeskCycle

Good for: Those who want to get a cardio workout while still getting their work done

Best Desk Bike

DeskCycle

GGR Score: 4.25

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Product Highlights

• Compact piece of exercise equipment that's meant to fit under your desk
• Allows you to pedal at any time for a quick cardio workout
• Comes with 8 magnetic resistance settings
• Only 10 inches in height, but it's not adjustable

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sells for less than $200 
• Can be easily stowed away when not in use
• Uses magnetic resistance to provide a smooth and quiet ride 
• 8 resistance settings

Cons

• Resistance isn’t challenging for advanced athletes 
• Height isn’t adjustable 
• Made with lots of plastic, so it’s not very durable

Bottom Line

A compact piece of exercise equipment that can easily fit under most desks for a quick workout.

Alright, so it’s not technically a bike, but it does have two pedals and adjustable resistance. But honestly, that’s not giving the DeskCycle enough credit. 

Not only is it lightweight and incredibly compact (it’s only 10 inches in height), the DeskCycle also uses magnetic resistance so you can pedal on a work call or while you watch TV and not hear a sound. It’s been used by teachers, office workers, and even some professional video game players to help increase the number of calories they burn throughout the day. 

Best of all, you can leave it under the desk when it’s not in use so it’s not taking up any space in your office or apartment. Now that’s what we call compact exercise equipment.

And while it looks easy, the lack of a proper bike seat or handlebars means you’ll have to do some extra work to keep yourself balanced. We’re not saying you’ll be going through the Tour de France, but you may have to focus a little as you pick up the resistance.  

One of the biggest drawbacks of the DeskCycle is the lack of adjustable height. If your chair, or whatever you’re sitting on, doesn’t allow your feet to comfortably reach the pedals, using this might be a little difficult. To that end, you should measure the space in which you’d use this to make sure you’re good to go. 

Our DesckCycle review has more thoughts on this compact cardio machine.

Best Budget Exercise Bike Under $500: Sunny Health and Fitness Synergy Magnetic

Good for: Home gym owners who have a slightly larger budget, but still don’t want to spend a lot of money. 

Best Under $500

Sunny Health and Fitness SF-B1002 Belt Drive Indoor Cycling Trainer

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• 49-lb flywheel
• 275-lb user weight capacity
• Stable
• Feels like road bicycle
• Under $300

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Priced under $400
• 49-pound flywheel provides a smooth ride
• Hundreds of micro levels of resistance adjusted manually
• Four-way adjustable seat and two-way adjustable multi-grip handlebars
• Conveniences like water bottle holder and transportation wheels

Cons

• Leather pad resistance will eventually require maintenance
• No monitor or display at all
• No tech compatibility
• No preset workouts

Bottom Line

A budget-friendly exercise bike that provides a good amount of bang for not too much buck.

For those who want a slightly nicer budget exercise bike, but still aren’t looking to break the bank, please allow us to introduce the Sunny Health and Fitness Synergy Magnetic Classic bike. The main reason this bike is more expensive than the others on this list is because it uses magnetic resistance. 

That means you don’t have pads hitting the flywheel, which eliminates the whooshing sound you get on friction bikes, and you won’t have to fix those pads in the future when they inevitably wear down. Plus, our expert product testers found it surprisingly stable, giving it a perfect 5 out of 5 for durability. “It’s super sturdy, even when you’re riding out of the saddle. And since it doesn’t have a large touchscreen, that makes it less shaky,” one tester noted.

If that wasn’t enough, the bike also comes with a four-way adjustable seat, dumbbell holders, a media stand, floor stabilizers, and a water bottle holder. Those are features we’ve seen omitted on exercise bikes twice (and sometimes thrice) the cost of this one, so you’re getting an incredible value. 

There are two versions of this bike: Classic and Pro. The Classic comes with a slightly lighter flywheel (30 pounds, compared to the Pro’s 40 pounds), meaning your rides won’t be quite as smooth. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem, especially since the bike has a wide range of micro-adjustable resistance levels that should challenge most home gym owners. 

There have been some reviews stating the bike has arrived chipped or damaged, which is probably because it’s made with a lot of plastic to bring the price down. Try to notice any such damage as soon as possible, as the bike only comes with a 6-month warranty on parts. 

Other Budget Exercise Bikes We Researched

We’re constantly testing new budget exercise bikes to see which ones belong on our lists, but not every one is deserving of such an honor. Here are a few that fell just short of the mark. 

Cyclace Exercise Bike: This Peloton-like bike is more than $300, and honestly doesn’t come with anything too much extra that warrants that cost over our top picks. Yes, you get a tablet holder but this bike uses friction resistance, which will wear down over time, and its flywheel is only 1 pound heavier than the YOSUDA bike, which is under $300. If it were of higher quality, we’d say go for it.  

AtivaFit Indoor Cycle: Our main issue with most of the AtivaFit cycles is that, while they seemed durable, there was a fair amount of wobble on them during use. Other, less expensive bikes held up better during heavy pedaling. 

Xterra Fitness FB150 Folding Bike: We haven’t tested out this bike just yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know our thoughts when we do! From some of the reviews, it appears to be a great space-saving and budget exercise bike for those who are not of advanced fitness levels. 

LEIKE X Bike Ultra-Quiet Folding Exercise Bike: This is a great choice, but it’s not the best value. If you’re just looking for a compact, foldable exercise bike that you can pedal on while watching TV or on a Zoom call this will do just fine.

What to Look for in a Budget Exercise Bike

If you’ve gotten this far and still aren’t sure which budget exercise bike is best for you, here are a few things to keep in mind before deciding. 

Price

Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to find out is how much money do you have to spend on an exercise bike? As we’ve demonstrated, you can find plenty of good ones for under $300 or $500. 

We wouldn’t recommend spending any less than $150, as you’ll begin to sacrifice too much quality and durability at that point. 

Many of these are also available through Amazon Prime, meaning free shipping! 

RELATED: Black Friday Exercise Bike Deals

Construction and Durability

Manufacturers will bring down the cost of an exercise bike by using cheaper materials, such as plastic, rather than more durable and expensive options like steel. Do your best to find out what each budget exercise bike is made of, how durable that material is, if it reacts to any climate conditions, and how to take care of it. 

Also know no matter how much you maintain it, a budget exercise bike will begin to deteriorate at some point because the materials aren’t meant to last. It may take a few months or even a few years, but there will come a time when something will pop up unexpectedly. This also happens to the more expensive exercise bikes as well. 

Resistance

There are two types of resistance systems on budget exercise bikes: friction and magnetic. Friction is when pads come in contact with the flywheel to provide your desired resistance level. Because of this, it produces a whooshing sound with some bikes being louder than others. It also means the pads will wear down over time and will need to be replaced. 

Magnetic resistance is generated by a metal disk spinning through a magnetic field, and it’s much quieter than friction resistance. But it’s also much more expensive to build, and therefore makes the bikes more expensive. 

Drive System

The drive system is what helps propel your exercise bike’s flywheel, and it’s either going to be a belt or chain drive system. A belt system is typically lower maintenance, and provides a smoother ride. 

A chain drive system might be a better pick if you’re looking to simulate a road bike, but you’ll also have to clean and maintain the chain regularly to ensure it continues to perform. 

RELATED: How to choose an exercise bike

Adjustability

This goes for non-budget exercise bikes, but make sure you can fit in the bike. To find out if a bike can work for you, you’ll want to look for what’s known as an inseam. This is the length from your groin’s underside to the bottom of your ankle. If that length is in range with what’s listed on the bike, you’re most likely good to go. 

Tech Features

Most exercise bikes won’t come with a touchscreen, or even Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. You’re most likely going to get a basic LCD display on just about any budget exercise bike, and only a few will be able to connect to a fitness app (such as iFIT or Zwift) or heart rate monitor. 

Best Budget Exercise Bike: FAQs

Below we address some frequently asked questions when it comes to budget exercise bikes.

Anthony O'Reilly, CPT, CNC

Anthony O'Reilly is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and personal trainer whose work has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and BarBend, and previously was an award-winning reporter and photographer for newspapers on Long Island and Queens, NY. After spending most of his life overweight, he dropped 80 pounds and took control of his health and fitness. Outside of work, he still enjoys Little Debbie cakes but offsets them with rigorous hikes and workouts. He's an avid Manchester United supporter, through thick and thin.

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