Overview
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![Peloton Bike+]()
Peloton Bike+
Most Advanced Peloton Bike - Jump To Details
![SoulCycle At-Home Bike]()
SoulCycle At-Home Bike
Best for Choreography and Dance Lovers - Jump To Details
![MYX II]()
MYX II
Best for Heart Rate Zone Training - Jump To Details
![Peloton Bike]()
Peloton Bike
Most Affordable Peloton Bike - Jump To Details
![Bowflex VeloCore]()
Bowflex VeloCore
Best for Full-Body Cardio - Jump To Details
![Echelon Connect EX5S Bike]()
Echelon Connect EX5S Bike
Best Lower-Cost Peloton Competitor - Jump To Details
![Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle]()
Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Best Automatic Incline and Resistance
You've heard the hype, you've seen the ads all over TV and social media, and now you're thinking about hopping on the smart exercise bike bandwagon. But before you plunk down your hard-earned cash on a Peloton, it's smart to consider all of your options. Echelon, MYXfitness, SoulCycle, and several other companies offer compelling Peloton alternatives that might better fit your needs and budget.
Keep reading for our top picks followed by additional tips to help you narrow your options.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
![Peloton Bike+]()
Peloton Bike+
Most Advanced Peloton BikeWhy We Picked It
There's a reason why Peloton has amassed millions of customers and a bevy of clones. 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. And with its Lanebreak feature, available on the Bike+ and the original Bike, the company is catering to a new audience: gamers.
The Bike+ builds upon its predecessor with a new digitized Auto Follow resistance system that automatically adjusts to match your instructor's cues during on-demand classes, so you can focus on your output and climbing the leaderboard instead of turning a knob. This feature, combined with an upgraded sound system, allows for a more immersive at-home cycling experience than ever, and one that leaves you dripping in sweat and, occasionally, tears. That, plus a 23.8-inch rotating touch screen and Apple GymKit integration for easy Apple Watch pairing, make the Bike+ a compelling upgrade over the original, and one of the best pieces of smart home gym equipment you can buy.
Who It's For
Peloton's stationary bikes are ideal if you enjoy group fitness classes and if metrics and competition motivate you. Peloton's All-Access class membership offers a wide range of class styles, from strength training to yoga, with options for all levels, and a diverse instructor roster.
If you're choosing between the original Peloton Bike and the Bike+, we recommend the latter if you can afford it. The Auto Follow feature and upgraded sound system significantly elevate the experience, and the rotating screen is essential for floor-based workouts if you don't have enough room for a workout mat behind the bike.
Pros
- Auto Follow allows automatic resistance adjustments
- Screen rotates for a good viewing angle during mat-based workouts
- Impressive speaker system
- Offers easy pairing with Apple Watch
- Excellent delivery and setup experience
Cons
- Expensive
- Long delivery lead time
Learn MorePeloton Bike+![SoulCycle At-Home Bike]()
SoulCycle At-Home Bike
Best for Choreography and Dance LoversWhy We Picked It
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 take advantage of a Free Ride feature that lets ride by yourself while you listen to music or watch Amazon Prime, Disney+, or Netflix.
Who It's For
The SoulCycle At-Home Bike is best for those who aren't particularly competitive. If you'd rather zone out to music, work on your rhythm, and master dance moves than monitor your metrics and climb a leaderboard, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike is likely a better option than a Peloton. 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.
Yoga practitioners might also love SoulCycle's workouts, which deliver a similarly-spiritual vibe. 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.
Pros
- Premium, comfortable build
- Large, bright touch screen
- Excellent classes, instructors, and playlists
- Regular schedule of live workouts
- Equinox+ membership offers floor-based workouts
- Supports Disney+ and Netflix
Cons
- Expensive
- No automatic resistance adjustments
Learn MoreSoulCycle At-Home Bike![MYX II]()
MYX II
Best for Heart Rate Zone TrainingWhy We Picked It
Out of all of the Peloton Bike alternatives we've tested, the MYX II, aka The Beachbody Bike, offers the best value. This sturdy smart stationary bike features a swiveling 21.5-inch touch screen, dual-sided pedals for clip-in cycling shoes or regular athletic sneakers, a video camera for interactive classes, and Apple Watch support. Members get access to a large and varied workout library with lots of live classes, including content from Openfit and The Beachbody Company. And a new metrics sensor on this second-generation model means you see cadence, speed, and distance data on the screen during cycling workouts.
There are no leaderboards on the MYX II; instead, the classes focus on heart rate zone training. After connecting a heart rate monitor like the Apple Watch or Polar OH1 to the bike, you see a color-coded graph of your heart rate on the screen as you work out. The instructor tells you which heart rate zone you should be in and you can adjust your intensity accordingly. Watching your heart rate go up and down as you try to stay in the appropriate zone alleviates boredom and helps motivate you to give your all.
The platform's excellent music, top-notch instructors, and focus on heart rate zone training make the workouts fly by. Its class options include barre, bootcamp, cardio, core, cycling, HIIT, meditation, pilates, strength, stretching, yoga, and more.
Who It's For
The MYX II smart stationary bike is the best affordable Peloton alternative if you're shopping on a budget. It's not cheap, but it offers more value than the competition, combining well-built hardware, a streamlined user interface, and a vast workout library.
Because there are no leaderboards on the MYX II, this bike is best for those who wish only to compete against themselves. With thousands of on-demand workouts and new sessions every week, it offers plenty of variety for everyone, from beginners to seasoned gym rats, including goal-based workout series and nutrition programs to help you level up your fitness.
Pros
- Two workout platform options
- Upgraded speakers and faster downloads
- New sensor offers cadence, speed, and distance metrics
- Large, varied on-demand workout library with lots of live classes
- Dual-sided pedals
- Apple Watch support
Cons
- MYX + Openfit membership price has gone up
- Occasional connectivity issues with Apple Watch and metrics sensor in testing
- No leaderboards
Learn MoreMYX II![Peloton Bike]()
Peloton Bike
Most Affordable Peloton BikeWhy We Picked It
The original Peloton Bike started a smart fitness craze by bringing the action of a high-tech indoor cycling class to the comfort of your home. You can stream Peloton's entire library of live and on-demand classes on the bike's bright and beautiful 21.5-inch HD touch screen, monitor your performance metrics, and compete on the leaderboard. Peloton's All-Access class membership offers a variety of floor-based workouts to supplement your cycling sessions, including barre, bootcamp, HIIT cardio, meditation, outdoor running, running, strength training, stretching, and yoga.
The original model lacks some of the perks of the newer and more expensive Bike+, including support for automatic resistance adjustments and a rotating screen, but otherwise offers a similar experience for around $1,000 less. The Bike+ also has an upgraded speaker system for more immersive 360-degree sound, but the original model's dual 10W speakers still get loud enough to fill a medium-sized room.
Who It's For
If you want to complete on the Peloton cycling leaderboard, but you don't have the money for the Bike+, the basic Bike is for you. It costs a lot less upfront, and offers access to the same library of on-demand classes and live workouts throughout the day. Just note that you need enough space to place a workout mat behind the bike for a good viewing angle during mat-based classes, as the screen does not rotate from side to side. If that's not an option, you can always stream Peloton classes on your phone, tablet, or TV.
Pros
- Lets you take streaming live classes
- Large on-demand library of previous classes
- Integrates with Fitbit and Strava
- Sleek and compact design
- Quiet
- Lets you save songs to Apple Music and Spotify
- Massive, highly engaged user community
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires monthly subscription
- Can't select your own music
Learn MorePeloton Bike![Bowflex VeloCore]()
Bowflex VeloCore
Best for Full-Body CardioWhy We Picked It
Any indoor cycling bike worth its salt can make your legs feel like Jello, but the Bowflex VeloCore delivers a more full-body workout. This Peloton competitor offers a feature you won't find on any other indoor exercise bike available today: 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.
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
The Bowflex VeloCore is a compelling option if you're in serious pursuit of six-pack abs or bore easily during traditional indoor cycling workouts. The bike's unique Lean Mode works your core and upper body, offering a more efficient workout. It also helps relieve boredom because it gives you something else to do as you push and pull on the pedals. Support for streaming services like and Disney+ and Netflix adds to the bike's appeal and helps justify its high price.
Pros
- Unique Lean Mode engages core and upper body
- Works with Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix
- Dual-sided pedals support clip-in cycling shoes or regular athletic sneakers
- Silent magnetic resistance system
- Supports Bluetooth headphones and heart rate monitors
- Can sync workout data to Peloton and Zwift apps
Cons
- Expensive
- No live classes or leaderboards
- Limited number of workout videos that incorporate Lean Mode
- JRNY membership costs extra
Learn MoreBowflex VeloCore![Echelon Connect EX5S Bike]()
Echelon Connect EX5S Bike
Best Lower-Cost Peloton CompetitorWhy 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 some money on membership fees.
The EX-5S boasts solid build quality, a 21.5-inch HD touch screen, 32 levels of magnetic resistance you manually control with a knob, and dual-sided pedals that work with SPD cleats or regular athletic sneakers. Note that the newer Echelon EX-8S bike 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
The Echelon EX-5S is a top choice if you're in search of a Peloton-like experience with a focus on metrics and competition for less money. Smart fitness equipment pricing is always fluctuating, and at the time of this writing, the EX-5S costs about $300 less than the original Peloton Bike. Echelon's Premier class membership is more also affordable at $39.99 per month or $399.99 per year ($33.33 per month). Peloton, by comparison, charges $44 per month for the All-Access class membership that pairs with its bikes.
Pros
- Compact design
- Lots of live classes
- Large and varied on-demand class library
- Quiet
- Easy to assemble
- Connects with heart rate monitors and Bluetooth headphones
- Integrates with Fitbit and Strava
Cons
- Screen tilts 180 degrees, but doesn't rotate side to side
- Membership costs extra
- Doesn't connect with Apple Music or Spotify
- Fewer resistance levels than Peloton
Learn MoreEchelon Connect EX5S Bike![Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle]()
Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Best Automatic Incline and ResistanceWhy 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 Follow capabilities of the pricier Peloton Bike+. This feature not only automatically adjusts your resistance, but your incline and decline as well. 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 where you can place 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
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. During outdoor workouts, its iFit trainers often point out the sights along the way, so you're exercising and getting a tour. This helps pass the time and makes the workout fun: It's like watching a nature or travel show while you're exercising. In comparison, many competing machines offer unguided outdoor workout content but, due to the lack of a trainer, these sessions are boring.
With its automatic trainer control feature, the S22i is a compelling option for those who want to zone out and enjoy the scenery without having to constantly fiddle 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.
Pros
- Allows for live, trainer-controlled automatic incline, decline, and resistance adjustments
- Bright 22-inch rotating HD touch screen
- Excellent classes, series, and instructors
- Wide variety of studio and outdoor workouts for all fitness levels
- Features live classes and leaderboards
- Built-in fan and accessory tray
- Connects to Bluetooth headphones and heart rate monitors
Cons
- Automatic trainer control feature didn't always work in testing
- iFit music needs improvement
Learn MoreNordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Buying Guide: The Best Home Exercise Bikes for 2024
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 on which you can stream workouts, or connect with a companion app to let you 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 potentially save you money in the long run by allowing you to 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, companies such as Bowflex, Echelon, and NordicTrack's sister brand Proform make sub-$1,000 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. We're planning to test and review many of these more affordable models in the future, so if you don't see anything here that falls within your budget, check back soon.
When budgeting for a smart exercise bike, be sure to factor a monthly membership fee into your calculations. They all require a subscription, typically priced from $29 to $44 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 price of accessories, like the special cycling shoes you need with Peloton and SoulCycle machines, which can set you back around $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 as much as $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, as well as 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 your cadence (how fast you're pedaling, measured in rotations per minute, or RPMs), resistance (your level of difficulty on a scale of 0 to 100 percent), 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 video chat with other members as you work out and congratulate people with virtual high fives for milestones like their first or hundredth ride.
Echelon offers a similar experience, but its community isn't as large and its classes don't have quite the same production value as Peloton. 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 from zero to 100%, which indicates how much of the time your cadence matched the rhythm of the music.
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 and SoulCycle let you watch Netflix and other video streaming services while you ride, a feature not available on Peloton.
The Carol Bike doesn't try to replicate a group fitness experience or entertain you, but instead 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 of which lasts less than nine minutes and requires 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 manually turn to increase or decrease the resistance, which makes 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 Bike+ compared with the original Peloton Bike is its Auto Follow 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 turn it if you don't want to. If the instructor says to tune your resistance between 45 and 55, for instance, the Bike+ automatically adjust it to 50, the middle of the target range.
With a manual resistance system, you have to listen for the instructor's cues and adjust your resistance if you want to keep up.
iFit-connected stationary bikes can also automatically control your resistance. The NordicTrack S22i goes a step further with the ability to automatically incline and decline to match the trainer's cues or terrain during outdoor workouts.
Do Clip-In Cycling Shoes Make a Difference?
One of the things to consider when mulling your smart stationary bike options is whether or not 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 that come with 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 purchase expensive clip-in shoes, and allow anyone with a pair of workout sneakers to use the bike.
As a third option, bikes like the Bowflex VeloCore, Echelon EX5S, and MYX II feature dual-sided pedals that work with regular athletic shoes or SPD cleats. These pedals are the most convenient, as they offer 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. My hairstylist owns a Peloton and could barely use it more than once a week at first because she found the seat so uncomfortable.
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 from 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 because of 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 $24 per month, or you can opt for the $12.99 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. If you own the necessary Apple gear, 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 on. Just keep in mind that if you go this route, you won't be able to view real-time metrics like your cadence, resistance, and output on your device's screen, or participate on the Peloton leaderboard.
For more connected fitness options, check out our roundup of 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.
