The best exercise bikes, tested by a spin enthusiast

Smaller and more compact than a treadmill or rowing machine, the right exercise bike can be a great investment.

“Indoor cycling is low impact, but high intensity,” says Alana Murrin, co-founder at Saint Studios Dublin and former head instructor at London’s Psycle studios. “It’s a huge mind booster and mood shifter. Even when I just have small bursts of time, I can put on a 20-minute express workout and get that same sensation I get from an in-person class.”

Cyclists who use stationary bikes for short, high-intensity interval training can significantly improve performance on the road. “Twenty to 30 minutes is the sweet spot for those working out at home,” Murrin says. “If you commit to doing that every other day, you’ll find that consistency is more valuable than intensity.”

On a mission to improve my own fitness, I’ve spent months testing several of the best exercise bikes on the market. Only four made my final cut. Here they are.

The best exercise bikes of 2026: At a glance

How to choose the best exercise bike

There are three main types of exercise bike.

• Upright exercise bikes (sometimes called static bikes) have an upright seat position and higher handlebars. They also tend to have a larger and more padded seat.
• Spin bikes have lower handlebars and geometry similar to a road bike – they are what you would find in an indoor cycling or spin class.
• Recumbent exercise bikes see you sit slightly reclined, with your feet in front of your body. These are useful for those with reduced mobility.

Once you’ve chosen your style of bike, the next thing to consider is its resistance. Most exercise bikes use a flywheel – a metal disc that provides the resistance to your pedalling. Spin instructor Alana Murrin recommends magnetic or electromagnetic resistance, which is quieter and smoother to adjust than direct contact or “friction” resistance. “I’m looking for a fluid sense of resistance,” she says. “If it feels clunky, you’re not going to be able to work up to higher speeds.”

Size is also a key consideration: you need to be able to fit the bike in your home and store it. Then there’s technology. Top-of-the-range models come with monitors to give you real-time feedback, show online cycling classes and simulate outdoor rides, or a tablet holder for using training apps such as Strava and Zwift.

How I test exercise bikes