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Too cold to ride outside? These budget-friendly stationary bikes are here to help

Plus, a fitness specialist shares how you should shop for one without sacrificing comfort or quality.
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Exercise bikes have remained a popular way to stay fit from the comfort of your own home. Whether you love cycling indoors or outdoors stationary cycling can be a great cardiovascular workout and, with so many virtual fitness classes to choose from, you can even experience the feel of group exercise without heading to the gym.

For the Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards, editors have tried athleisure, fitness tools and other equipment to stay fit over the course of several weeks. Also, we talked to experts for stationary bikes to keep your goals steady and running.

We rounded up the best-rated budget options that are easier on your wallet and, in some cases, even space-conscious — which is super important if your home gym is doubling as your office and lounging area. And if you think you'll miss the community aspect that some cycling brands like Peloton and SoulCycle offer with their subscriptions, you can still sign up for those memberships — and follow along with their classes using one of the budget-friendly stationary bikes below.

Keep scrolling to see all of our budget picks, or use the links below to jump to a specific category.

What to look for | TODAY Wellness Award Winners | Shopper-loved exercise bikes | How we chose | Meet our experts

Best budget exercise bikes

What to look for in a budget exercise bike

Just because it won't break the bank doesn't mean you should have to sacrifice comfort or quality. So before you take a spin through our top picks (pun intended), we asked Reda Elmardi, a certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer and owner of The Gym Goat, what to look for in an affordable exercise bike.

Type

Start by considering the type of exercise bike you're looking for. "Upright bikes keep your body more upright and simulate real-world riding, but recumbent bikes can be more comfortable due to their back support — just make sure that both the seat and handlebars are adjustable,” Elmardi says.

Resistance

Look for an exercise bike with multiple resistance levels, which can help you keep your workouts from getting stale. "Use a lower resistance level for a spin-type workout session, or increase the resistance for a more intense workout," the trainer explains.

Weight limit

Although you need an exercise bike with enough weight capacity to support your frame, you should also keep in mind that heavier bikes tend to come with a higher price tag, so there's no need to automatically go for the one with the highest weight limit, Elmardi says. "Choose an exercise bike rated for 25 to 50 pounds more than your weight. This will help ensure that the bike can provide the proper support, even during the most rigorous workouts," he adds.

Display features

Look for an exercise bike with a display that shows your speed, distance, time, calories burned and heart rate — if applicable, the fitness expert says, adding, "The feedback can help keep you motivated and will allow you to set goals for each session and track progress over time."

Space

"No matter how much you may love a particular exercise bike, if it doesn't fit in your space, it won't work for you," Elmardi adds. So if you're tight on room, look for a foldable model that can be easily tucked away after each use.

Comfort

As with anything, if it's not comfortable, you'll be less likely to want to use it. "If possible, go sit on the exercise bike in a store and make sure that you can adjust it to fit your body. If it's not available locally, verify that both the seat and handlebars are adjustable and read reviews on the type of cushioning the seat has and how comfortable others found it to be," Elmardi concludes.

TODAY Wellness Award Winners: Best stationary bikes of 2023

Yosuda Indoor Cycling Bike Stationary

Size: 40 x 22 x 45 inches | Weight limit: 270 pounds | Resistance type: Friction | No. of resistance levels: N/A

This bike includes many of the features of the popular, more expensive bikes at a fraction of the price. The resistance wheel makes it super easy to increase or decrease the intensity of your ride or stop the pedals from spinning. The comfortable cushion and sturdy frame will ensure you feel great throughout your ride, and the water bottle and device holders allow you to keep all your essentials within reach.

"This stationary bike is a great budget-friendly option for passionate in-door riders. With infinite resistance options, cage pedals and an emergency brake, you can simulate real road cycling with this affordable yet effective at-home bike," shares McKenna.

Joroto Indoor Cycling Bike

Size: 42.9 x 19.7 x 42.5 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: Micro-adjustable

Miss your spin studio but hate the noise that comes with it? This cycling bike with over 4,200 verified five-star ratings on Amazon promises a “nearly silent” riding experience with a “rock solid” frame, low-maintenance belt drive system and adjustments for the handlebars, seat and caged foot pedals. The magnetic resistance system with seven magnets and a multi-control resistance switch allows you to smoothly control the intensity of your workout with just the turn of a knob.

“This stationary bike was selected as a winner for its versatility and unbelievably smooth and nearly silent ride — ideal for an at-home workout,” says celebrity fitness trainer Daniel McKenna.

“It has adjustable riding positions and magnetic resistance, making it perfect for the whole household to use. Tap into a moderate or full-on high-intensity ride with this universal bike with an accessible price point,” adds McKenna.

Best budget exercise bikes, according to shoppers

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike

Size: 46 x 19 x 36 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 8

This popular option has more than 16,400 five-star ratings on Amazon, so you can trust that you’re making a good investment — even at this budget-friendly price point. It has all the basics that you’ll need, including a comfortable seat, eight levels of resistance, a large display and heart rate sensors.

Amazon reviewers rave about its small footprint and the ease with which it can be folded up and moved around the room. One shared, “This bike is very well designed. It is definitely portable and foldable, and the wheels on the front base make it easy to maneuver.”

Xterra Fitness Folding Exercise Bike

Size: 40.5 x 21 x 48 inches | Weight limit: 225 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 8

If you’re looking for an easy way to work up a sweat, this bike is an excellent choice. The simple option features eight levels of resistance and a display that shows your speed, distance, calories burned and heart rate. The padded seat and back support make for a more comfortable ride than your typical bike. Plus, it’s great for small spaces since it folds up for easy storage.

Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike


Size: 55.5 x 24.5 x 38 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 8

For an effective lower-body workout with less strain, a recumbent bike may be right for you. It may look like a laid-back piece of cardio equipment, but its configuration actually provides a low-impact burn for those dealing with mobility issues or soreness, according to Medical News Today.

With nearly 13,600 verified five-star ratings on Amazon and an admirable price tag to boot, this Marcy exercise bike is a tried-and-true option that'll have you riding towards your fitness goals in no time.

Slim Cycle Stationary Bike


Size: 46 x 20 x 38 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 8

More than 11,000 five-star ratings on Amazon can’t be wrong. This bike gives you the option to turn your cycle session into a total-body workout, thanks to its built-in resistance bands. Move between the eight levels of resistance to adjust the intensity of your workout, and track your metrics on the easy-to-read display. When your workout is complete, just fold it up and slide it under the bed or in the closet until you’re ready for another ride.

Cyclace Exercise Bike with Tablet Holder


Size: 47.24 x 24.21 x 47.24 inches | Weight limit: 330 pounds | Resistance type: Friction | No. of resistance levels: N/A

This bike is perfect for the whole family and has nearly 5,000 five-star reviews to support that. The extendable seat and handlebars make it easier for people of different heights — up to 6.5 feet — to find the most comfortable fit for their ride. Plus, it comes with a spot to mount your tablet, so you can follow along with your preferred class or favorite show.

Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Stationary Bike

Size: 49 x 22 x 50.5 inches | Weight limit: 275 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: Micro-adjustable

This bike features a flywheel, so it’s similar to one that you’d find in a cycling studio. It features adjustable magnetic resistance and a digital monitor that will display your stats. It also features a device holder, so you can easily follow along with workouts from your phone or tablet.

RELATED REVIEW: Read more about how one Shop TODAY writer says Sunny Health & Fitness’ rowing machine “brought a new level of dedication and ease” to her fitness goals.

Echelon Connect Sport Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike


Size: 42 x 20.5 x 45 inches | Weight limit: 300 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 32

While this bike would normally cost over $500, it's currently just under that at Walmart and Echelon's website.

For those who have pined over the Peloton, this bike has a similar sleek look and a number of adjustable features that will help you get the best workout possible. It's made to be used with the Echelon app — which comes free in a 30-day trial — featuring a variety of live and on-demand classes ranging from five to 45 minutes. So no matter how much time you have, you’ll be able to get a quick, expert-led workout in, without even heading out the door.

ProForm Carbon CX Exercise Bike

Size: 52.5 x 21.9 x 51 inches | Weight limit: 250 pounds | Resistance type: Magnetic | No. of resistance levels: 16

Get world-class training in the comfort of your own home. This flywheel-style bike comes with a 30-day iFIT trial, so you can partake in boutique spin classes with instructors from around the world. It also comes with 16 digital resistance levels, a large LCD display to track your mileage and calories burned and a set of three-pound dumbbells for full-body muscle toning.

How we chose the best budget exercise bikes

We searched high and low for the top-rated exercise bikes that are currently priced less than $500 but still offer some of the most desired features — like multiple resistance levels and a display to help track your workouts. We aimed to provide a range of options within that price point to ensure that there was something for everyone’s budget. We also took Elmardi’s shopping advice into account to narrow down our picks even further. And finally, we evaluated customer reviews to ensure that these were truly user-approved picks.

Meet our experts

  • Reda Elmardi is a certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer, a registered dietitian and owner of The Gym Goat, an online platform that produces learning content written by health and fitness experts.
  • Daniel McKenna is a celebrity fitness trainer and creator of The Irish Yank Society based in New York City. With nearly a decade of experience, McKenna is on a mission to help people find joy in daily movement.