Best Exercise Bikes for 2024 [CNET]

Reviews ethics statement

Russell Holly is a Managing Editor on the Commerce team at CNET. He works with all of CNET to assemble top recommendations as well as helping everyone find the best way to buy anything at the best price. When not writing for CNET you can find him riding a bike, running around in Jedi robes, or contributing to WOSU public radio’s Tech Tuesday segment.

Included in this article are loads of different options to suit the needs of just about every kind of cyclist. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a small apartment, a hardcore cyclist who already has a great outdoor bike, or someone who needs that class environment to feel motivated. I’ve done a ton of testing to help you pick the right option for you, but getting there means understanding what you need.

Build quality and size

Not all exercise bikes are built the same, and I’m not just talking about the metals and plastics used in their construction. If a frame is too narrow and the weight is not evenly distributed, it may be prone to tipping. If an exercise bike uses friction to add resistance rather than a magnetic drive, it can in many places either be louder or wear out faster. No matter what the bike is made of, being able to move an exercise bike around easily is a big deal if you’re limited on space in your home.

Workout quality

Cycling is way more than just moving your legs. Many exercise bikes include the ability to clip your shoes to the pedals, which allows you to train a totally different set of leg muscles. In addition, exercise bikes are frequently paired with weights or core leans to offer a full-body workout. Depending on what kind of workout you want to do, the accessories surrounding your exercise bike can make a huge difference.

Software and features

Not every bike comes with a screen, but every good bike should come with the ability to work with the many phone and tablet apps available for cyclists. Whether you’re bringing your own screen and racing friends in Zwift or you’re binging The Witcher to keep yourself on the bike longer on a large, mounted display, the quality of the experience makes a huge difference in your workout.

Like so many other things at CNET, we test exercise bikes as thoroughly as possible through rigorous examination and comparison. Each exercise bike in our list has been through at least 100 miles of riding, using as many of the built-in features as possible. Every exercise bike is judged against the following metrics:

Exercise bike volume

Every workout makes some noise, but a quieter bike typically means greater build quality. At the same time, if an exercise bike has a built-in display with speakers it’s important to know it’s possible to clearly hear the class instructor or your favorite TV show over the sound of you working out.

Riding position flexibility

It’s important to be able to set your exercise bike to the riding position that works best for you and be able to ride in that position for extended periods. All of the bikes in this list are tested in cruiser, neutral and competition riding positions to ensure comfort for as many body types as possible.

Software compatibility

Even if your bike doesn’t have a display, it likely has a way to connect to your phone or tablet to access performance apps. That testing doesn’t end at the ability to connect to a phone; the accuracy of the information sent from the bike to your phone makes a big difference — especially if you’re counting calories or you want to use a competitive racing app to ride with friends. Making sure the power you push into your exercise bike is accurately reflected in the information sent to apps makes a big difference.