If you're thinking about hopping on the smart exercise bike bandwagon and need some help with your decision, you have come to the right place. We've been reviewing interactive indoor cycles since 2018, testing these machines in our own homes and evaluating the assembly process, build quality, feature set, price, and overall workout experience to determine which models are worth your money. With top-tier interactivity, effective workout classes, and a new AI camera for strength training, the Peloton Cross Training Bike+ is our top pick in the category, but several other companies offer compelling alternatives that might better fit your needs and budget. Keep reading for more of our favorites, followed by additional tips to help you narrow your options.
Overview
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![Peloton Cross Training Bike+]()
Best for Cardio and Strength TrainingPeloton Cross Training Bike+
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![SoulCycle At-Home Bike]()
Best for Choreography and Dance LoversSoulCycle At-Home Bike
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![Bowflex VeloCore]()
Best for Full-Body CardioBowflex VeloCore
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![Echelon Connect EX5S Bike]()
Best Lower-Cost Peloton CompetitorEchelon Connect EX5S Bike
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![NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle]()
Best Automatic Incline and ResistanceNordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Angela Moscaritolo
![Peloton Cross Training Bike+]()
Best for Cardio and Strength TrainingPeloton Cross Training Bike+
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Peloton has amassed millions of customers and inspired a bevy of clones for good reason. More than just a workout, Peloton gives you an experience. Its metrics-focused classes, competitive leaderboards, inspirational instructors, curated playlists, and fun social features all help to banish workout boredom, foster a sense of community, and leave you excited to keep using its products. Peloton also supports Netflix and other streaming services, and caters to gamers with its Lanebreak feature.
The Cross Training Bike+ builds on its predecessor with an AI-powered camera that tracks your movements, counts your reps, and analyzes your form to provide real-time corrections during strength training workouts, making it just as useful for building muscle as it is for cardio. Voice control lets you switch camera angles and adjust volume during mat workouts, while built-in Sonos speakers deliver an immersive audio experience. Added perks like a phone holder, a fan, and a redesigned seat boost overall comfort.
Who It's For
Cardio and strength training enthusiasts: While it comes with a steep price tag, Cross Training Bike+'s sheer versatility easily earns it our Editors' Choice award for smart stationary bikes. Peloton's All-Access class membership offers a wide range of class styles, from cycling to strength training to yoga, with options for all levels, and a diverse instructor roster. The rotating screen, movement-tracking camera, and voice-control support make it an excellent strength-training companion.
Athletes who enjoy friendly competition: Peloton's stationary bikes are ideal if you're motivated by metrics and want to cycle your way to the top of a leaderboard. Peloton ranks its real-time leaderboard by total output, based on your cadence and resistance. On the other hand, if you'd rather not see the leaderboard, you can easily swipe it away.
Music lovers: Music has always been an integral part of the Peloton experience, and the Cross Training Bike+ improves sound quality with Sonos-tuned speakers and a rear-facing woofer for added bass. It even integrates with Apple Music and Spotify; just tap the heart icon next to a song title to save the track to your streaming service of choice.
Apple and Android smartwatch users: The Cross Training Bike+ supports Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting to heart rate monitors, and integrates with the Apple Watch and Wear OS smartwatches, allowing you to see your real-time pulse on the display as you work out.
Specs & Configurations
Automatic Resistance Adjustment Bluetooth Headphone Support Footprint 48 by 24 inches Heart Rate Monitor Support Monthly Membership Fee 49.99 Requires Clip-In Shoes Rotating Touch Screen Screen Size 23.8 Streaming Media Compatibility AMC+, DirecTV, Disney+, NBA League Pass, Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV Learn More Peloton Cross Training Bike+ Review -
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![SoulCycle At-Home Bike]()
Best for Choreography and Dance LoversSoulCycle At-Home Bike
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With its well-planned workouts, excellent instructors, top-notch playlists, and uncluttered interface, SoulCycle truly makes you feel like you're in the front row of a studio class. Whereas Peloton motivates you through metrics and competition, SoulCycle offers a more meditative, dance-focused experience. The SoulCycle At-Home Bike challenges you to practice choreography moves like handlebar push-ups (bending your elbows to the sides) and tap-backs (shifting your hips back while standing)—all while you keep spinning the pedals beneath your feet to the beat of the music.
Its companion Equinox+ membership also gives you access to boxing, HIIT, meditation, running, sculpting, strength, stretching/recovery, walking, and yoga classes from brands like Equinox, Pure Yoga, Precision Run, HeadStrong, TB12, and more. On the bike's display, you can also use the Free Ride feature to ride solo while listening to music or watching Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or Netflix.
Who It's For
Dance lovers: If you enjoy mastering dance moves and choreography, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike is the best indoor cycle for you. When you finish a SoulCycle workout, it gives you a Beat Match score, based on how much of the time your cadence matched the rhythm of the music. It lacks leaderboards, so the SoulCycle At-Home Bike is best for those who only wish to compete against themselves.
Yoga practitioners: Know the difference between downward dog, warrior 2, and tree pose? Then you'll probably love SoulCycle's workouts, which deliver a similarly spiritual vibe to yoga. The classes aren't religious, but you might feel like you're at church. The instructors often wax poetic about topics like bravery and resilience. If you prefer not to listen to a motivational speech as you work out, pedal in the opposite direction.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Headphone Support Footprint 62.2 by 22.2 inches Heart Rate Monitor Support Monthly Membership Fee $40 Requires Clip-In Shoes Screen Size 21.5 Streaming Media Compatibility Disney+, Netflix Learn More SoulCycle At-Home Bike Review -
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![Bowflex VeloCore]()
Best for Full-Body CardioBowflex VeloCore
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Any indoor cycling bike worth its salt can make your legs feel like Jell-O, but the Bowflex VeloCore delivers a more full-body workout. This Peloton competitor offers a feature you won't find on many other indoor exercise bikes: the ability to sway side to side as you ride. It's more than just a gimmick, though. With Lean Mode engaged, you work your arms, core, and back in addition to your legs. It also helps relieve boredom by giving you something else to focus on as you push and pull on the pedals.
The VeloCore's JRNY platform offers a growing library of on-demand trainer-led videos; artificial intelligence-powered Adaptive Workouts that get harder as your fitness level improves; and a nice variety of entertainment options to relieve boredom, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
Who It's For
Road cyclists: The VeloCore's most unique feature is its ability to lean side-to-side, mimicking the feel of road cycling. If you need to keep up your Tour de France training while indoors, it's a top pick.
Six-pack seekers: Having washboard abs is all about diet, but if you want an efficient way to work your core, this Bowflex bike is a top pick. With its unique Lean Mode engaged, the VeloCore works your abs and upper body more than other indoor cycles.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Headphone Support Footprint 59.8 by 24.1 inches Heart Rate Monitor Support Monthly Membership Fee $19.99 Screen Size 22 Streaming Media Compatibility Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix Learn More Bowflex VeloCore Review -
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![Echelon Connect EX5S Bike]()
Best Lower-Cost Peloton CompetitorEchelon Connect EX5S Bike
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Echelon Connect EX-5S Bike may not have the same prestige as the Peloton Bike, but it's an excellent alternative that saves you a bundle.
The EX-5S boasts solid build quality, a 21.5-inch HD touch screen, 32 levels of magnetic resistance that you manually control with a knob, and dual-sided pedals that work with SPD cleats or regular athletic sneakers. The more expensive Echelon EX-8S bike has a curved screen and eye-catching LEDs, but didn't make this list due to audio and user interface issues we experienced in testing.
Echelon offers a similar metrics-driven experience as Peloton, with competitive leaderboards, frequent live classes, and an expansive library of on-demand workouts to help you meet your fitness goals. Beyond cycling, Echelon's membership includes a range of floor-based workout and wellness classes, including boxing, HIIT, meditation, pilates, strength training, yoga, and more.
Who It's For
Budget-minded shoppers: The Echelon EX-5S is the least expensive model on this list, making it a top pick for those who are pinching pennies. Smart fitness equipment pricing is always fluctuating, and at the time of this writing, the EX-5S is on sale for about $400 less than Peloton's base Cross Training Bike. Echelon's Premier class membership is also more affordable at $39.99 per month, whereas Peloton charges $49.99 per month for the All-Access class membership on its bikes.
Competitive riders: If working your way up a leaderboard is motivating, the EX-5S is a good choice. Echelon has an active user community, and you can filter the leaderboard by age, friends, gender, or race against yourself.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Headphone Support Footprint 54 by 20 inches Heart Rate Monitor Support Monthly Membership Fee $39 Screen Size 21.5 Streaming Media Compatibility N/A Learn More Echelon Connect EX5S Bike Review -
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![NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle]()
Best Automatic Incline and ResistanceNordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Stationary bikes can make you feel like you're going nowhere fast, but NordicTrack's Commercial S22i Studio Cycle might just trick you into thinking you're actually traversing mountains in Colorado or passing waterfalls in Hawaii. Featuring a vast selection of trainer-led outdoor workouts filmed in picturesque locations around the world, it's the next best thing to road cycling or mountain biking.
In the crowded smart stationary bike market, the S22i also stands out for its automatic trainer control feature, which one-ups the Auto-Resistance capabilities of the pricier Peloton Cross Training Bike+. This feature not only automatically adjusts your resistance but also your incline and decline. Most other smart stationary bikes can't even incline and decline, let alone do so automatically. The S22i features a few other unique perks, including a workout fan and a handlebar tray for your phone.
The bike's iFit platform offers plenty of variety, including beginner-friendly programs, live studio classes with competitive leaderboards, and floor-based workouts to supplement your cycling sessions. And its 22-inch tilting and rotating HD touch screen offers the perfect viewing angle for workouts off the bike.
Who It's For
Nature lovers: If you prefer scenic outdoor workouts to studio classes, or you're looking for a bike that can help you train for a real-world adventure, the NordicTrack Commercial S22i is a good pick for its scenic iFit workouts. The trainers often point out sights along the way, so you're exercising and getting a tour at the same time. This helps pass the time and makes the workout fun: It's like watching a nature or travel show while you're exercising. Many competing machines offer unguided outdoor workout content, but without a trainer, these sessions are boring.
Uncompromising riders: With its automatic trainer control feature, the S22i is a compelling option for those who want to zone out and enjoy the scenery without constantly fiddling with a resistance knob. This bike also offers a bit more storage space than most of the competition and a built-in fan that emulates the breeze on your face, important considerations if comfort is a main concern.
Specs & Configurations
Automatic Resistance Adjustment Bluetooth Headphone Support Footprint 55 by 21.9 inches Heart Rate Monitor Support Monthly Membership Fee $39 Rotating Touch Screen Screen Size 22 Streaming Media Compatibility N/A -
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Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
Best For | Best for Cardio and Strength Training | Best for Choreography and Dance Lovers | Best for Full-Body Cardio | Best Lower-Cost Peloton Competitor | Best Automatic Incline and Resistance | Best for Cardio and Strength Training | Best for Choreography and Dance Lovers | Best for Full-Body Cardio |
Monthly Membership Fee | 49.99 | $40 | $19.99 | $39 | $39 | 49.99 | $40 | $19.99 |
Footprint | 48 by 24 inches | 62.2 by 22.2 inches | 59.8 by 24.1 inches | 54 by 20 inches | 55 by 21.9 inches | 48 by 24 inches | 62.2 by 22.2 inches | 59.8 by 24.1 inches |
Screen Size | 23.8 | 21.5 | 22 | 21.5 | 22 | 23.8 | 21.5 | 22 |
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Requires Clip-In Shoes | ||||||||
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Heart Rate Monitor Support | ||||||||
Streaming Media Compatibility | AMC+, DirecTV, Disney+, NBA League Pass, Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV | Disney+, Netflix | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix | N/A | N/A | AMC+, DirecTV, Disney+, NBA League Pass, Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV | Disney+, Netflix | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix |
Buying Guide: The Best Home Exercise Bikes for 2026
Is the Peloton Worth It?
Now that you've seen our recommendations, you might be wondering: Why invest in pricey smart gym equipment when you can go the traditional, non-connected route for a lot less money? It all comes down to interactivity. Most smart indoor bikes feature a built-in touch screen that lets you stream workouts or connect with a companion app to view classes on your phone, tablet, or TV.
With a monthly membership, smart bikes typically give you access to a library of classes, including floor-based workouts off the bike to supplement your cycling sessions. Knowledgeable instructors lead these virtual classes; they guide your workout, motivate you to give it your all, and entertain you so you're not watching the clock the whole time. They essentially bring the experience of a boutique cycling class to the comfort, safety, and privacy of your home.
Some machines feature live classes with competitive leaderboards, giving you an extra jolt of motivation to cross the virtual finish line. This fosters a sense of community and makes it feel as if you're not working out alone. Smart stationary bikes also generally keep track of your progress, as well as congratulate you when you meet your goals and make gains.
If you need direction and motivation on your wellness journey, a smart stationary bike is an excellent investment. Despite their high cost and ongoing class membership fees, smart bikes can save you money in the long run by letting you ditch your gym membership. The convenience of working out at home also adds to their appeal.
How Much Should You Spend on an Exercise Bike?
As you can see from our top picks, smart exercise bikes are quite pricey. Class membership fees and accessories further drive up the price.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay north of $1,000 for a connected model with a built-in touch screen.
For more affordable alternatives, Bowflex, Echelon, and many other brands sell models that work with your own smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. These options are good if you're on a budget, but they don't offer as immersive an audiovisual experience as models with built-in screens and speaker systems.
When budgeting for a smart exercise bike, be sure to factor in a monthly membership fee. They all require a subscription, typically priced from $39 to $49.99 per month, to access a library of classes. Subscriptions also usually include performance-tracking features and the ability to set up multiple user profiles per household, so everyone's stats stay separate.
Without a membership, you can typically still use a smart exercise bike in manual mode, but it doesn't make sense to pay extra for a machine with smart functionality if you don't plan to use it.
And don't forget to factor in the cost of accessories, like the special cycling shoes you need for Peloton and SoulCycle machines, which can set you back $100 to $200. You also probably want to purchase an exercise mat and a couple of sets of dumbbells if you don't already have them, so you can participate in floor-based workout classes. Finally, some companies charge up to $200 for delivery, assembly, and installation.
Fortunately, most companies offer financing options to make the cost more manageable. In each of our reviews, we break down the costs and the delivery and assembly process so you know what to expect.
What Is the Best Exercise Bike for Home Use?
You might assume Peloton is the best home exercise bike because it's the most popular. But, in reality, the best option is the one that motivates you to hop back on day after day. Fortunately, our top picks offer plenty of variety in terms of class styles.
During Peloton cycling classes, the screen is full of stats to look at, including your cadence (how fast you're pedaling, measured in rotations per minute, or RPM), resistance (your level of difficulty, on a scale of 0% to 100%), and output (how much power you're exerting, measured in watts).
The leaderboard, which ranks class participants by their total output, is a key part of the experience. Peloton also offers other social features, including the ability to congratulate people with virtual high fives for milestones like their first or hundredth ride.
Echelon offers a similar experience, but its classes don't have quite the same production values as Peloton's do. On Peloton, it can feel like you're watching a TV show, complete with costume changes and a live DJ.
Your goal on SoulCycle isn't to work your way up a leaderboard; it's to move your feet in time with the music. When you finish a SoulCycle workout, a summary screen shows your Beat Match score, ranging from 0% to 100%, indicating how closely your cadence matched the music's rhythm.
The iFit app, available on NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion, and Matrix machines, stands out for its outdoor content. It gives you access to thousands of trainer-led workouts filmed in 40 countries spanning all seven continents.
Although guided workouts have their perks, sometimes you just want to zone out and ride. Bikes from BowFlex, Peloton, and SoulCycle let you watch Netflix and other video streaming services while you ride.
The Carol Bike doesn't try to replicate a group fitness experience or entertain you; instead, it promises to deliver the benefits of a 45-minute run in less than a minute. Its primary workout protocol consists of three weekly rides, each lasting less than 9 minutes and requiring just 40 seconds of hard effort. These reduced-exertion high-intensity training (REHIT) workouts aim to trigger your body's "fight or flight response," causing it to burn the sugar stored in your muscles as fuel.
Manual vs. Automatic Bike Resistance
Most smart stationary bikes feature a knob you turn to increase or decrease the resistance, making it harder or easier to pedal. Resistance systems vary from bike to bike, but all are typically smooth and silent. The Echelon EX5S has 32 levels of magnetic resistance, while the Peloton Bike lets you more finely tune the resistance from zero to 100.
One main advantage of the Peloton Cross Training Bike+ compared with the base Peloton Cross Training Bike is its Auto-Resistance feature, which automatically adjusts your resistance to match the instructor's cues. The Bike+ also features a resistance knob, but with Auto Follow enabled, you don't have to manually adjust it if you don't want to. If the instructor says to tune your resistance to 45-55, for instance, the Bike+ automatically adjusts it to 50, the middle of the target range.
With a manual resistance system, you must listen for the instructor's cues and adjust your resistance to keep up.
iFit-connected stationary bikes can also automatically control your resistance. The NordicTrack S22i goes a step further by automatically inclining and declining to match the trainer's cues or terrain during outdoor workouts.
Do Clip-In Cycling Shoes Make a Difference?
One thing to consider when mulling your smart stationary bike options is whether you want to wear clip-in cycling shoes. There are pros and cons to both choices.
Clip-in cycling shoes help you ride faster and more efficiently, making it easier to pull, not just push, on the pedals. But cycling shoes are expensive, and learning to clip in and out takes some practice.
The stock pedals on Peloton and SoulCycle bikes require clip-in cycling shoes. The pedals on the Peloton Bike and Bike+ are the most limiting, as they only work with Delta cleats. SoulCycle's At-Home Bike features dual-sided pedals that support either Delta or SPD cleats.
Other bikes, such as the NordicTrack S22i, feature pedals with adjustable toe cages that allow for secure footing while wearing regular workout sneakers. These types of pedals are less intimidating for newbies, don't require you to buy expensive clip-in shoes, and let anyone with a pair of workout sneakers ride the bike.
As a third option, bikes like the Bowflex VeloCore and Echelon EX5S feature dual-sided pedals that work with regular athletic shoes or SPD cleats. These pedals are the most convenient, offering the best of both worlds.
The good news is that if you want to swap out your bike's pedals for a different pair, you usually can. The S22i is compatible with all standard road bike pedals, so you can eventually replace its stock pedals for a pair you can clip into. It's also possible to attach toe cages to your Peloton Bike pedals.
Does Bike Seat Pain Go Away?
Smart or not, all stationary bikes can be a literal pain in the butt, especially for beginners. Regardless of the model, seat discomfort is the most common complaint I hear about stationary bikes.
One reader I was corresponding with, who owns the S22i, said they find the seat so uncomfortable they can only ride for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, and plan to swap it out for a different one. I, too, found stationary bike seats uncomfortable at first, but over time I got used to them. If you're experiencing a lot of discomfort, padded cycling shorts and bike seat covers, which are widely available in bike stores and online for around $20, can help. If that doesn't do the trick, you can always swap out the seat with a more comfortable one.
How to Have a Peloton-Like Experience for Less Money
If you don't have the money for a pricey smart stationary bike with a built-in screen, you can get a similar experience for a lot less money with workout streaming services such as the Peloton app, which you can use without buying one of the company's machines, and Apple Fitness+.
Peloton App+, which includes bike, treadmill, and rower workouts, costs $28.99 per month, or you can opt for the $12.99 monthly Peloton App One Tier if you just want the floor-based workouts like strength training and yoga. Apple Fitness+ costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, and offers a range of floor- and machine-based classes, including core, cycling, dance, HIIT, mindful cooldown, rowing, strength, treadmill, and yoga.
Lots of people use Peloton's digital membership in combination with basic, non-connected stationary bikes as a more affordable alternative to buying a Peloton Bike. You can do the same thing with Fitness+ for even less money. Both are solid options, especially if you can mount a TV on the wall in front of your equipment to stream classes.
For more connected fitness options, check out our roundups of the best rowing machines, the best strength training equipment, and all the best smart home gym equipment. And for more ways to use technology to improve your body and mind, check out our ultimate guide to health and fitness tech.