8 Best Exercise Bike Under $500: Reviewed, Rated & Compared

Comparing Exercise Bikes Under $500

What To Expect From Home Gym Bikes At This Price Point

Good news: you can absolutely get a good-quality exercise bike for less than $500. Exercise bikes cost as little as $100 at the lowest end of the market all the way up to $2000+ at the high-end. $500 is a great budget and puts you firmly in the mid-range category.

At this price range, you should expect to get an exercise bike with magnetic resistance, plenty of control modules, decent build quality (sturdy steel frame), and a few extra bells and whistles.

It won’t be quite commercial or gym-grade, but it won’t be far off either. And it’ll be leagues apart from the kind of low-quality bikes you see in the sub-$200 range.

Still unsure of what you want? Check out our overall guide to exercise bikes 

Choosing A Quality Home Exercise Bike Under $500

Type/Design Of Bike

Max User Weight

If you’re big and tall, it’s important to make sure you choose an exercise bike with a frame strong enough to hold you, so make sure you look at the max user weight. All the exercise bikes on this list have a max user weight of at least 250lbs, and some are as high as 400lbs.

Footprint & Storage

Before you buy your exercise bike, you also need to think about your available space and choose a bike with a small enough footprint to fit in it. The footprint of an exercise bike refers to how much space it takes up while in use. This is different from the bike's dimensions as, depending on the model, the pedals may extend out from the frame when you're using it.

If you’re short on space and don’t want a permanent setup, look for a foldable bike for easy storage and transportation. There are also great options for bikes suited for apartments.

Flywheel & Resistance

Different exercise bikes utilize different systems to generate resistance. Most exercise bikes under $500 use a weighted flywheel alongside other resistance systems. The main three types of resistance systems you need to know about are:

Comfort & Adjustability

Try to choose an exercise bike that is comfortable and ergonomically designed to minimize soreness while you're training. Look for a nice, padded seat, ergonomically-designed handlebars, and plenty of adjustability. You want to be able to adjust the position of the seat and handlebars for your height to maintain proper posture.

Most exercise bikes in this price range are highly adjustable and will cater to users of any height (between around 4’ and 6’8”). Look at the specified height range of the exercise bike you’re interested in before you buy.

Preset Workout Programs

Most exercise bikes in the sub-$500 range will come with several preset programs for you to choose from, depending on your fitness goals.

These programs might include things like intervals, hills, fat burning, etc. Programs like hills are designed to recreate conditions you’d experience on an actual bike, while those like intervals utilize HIIT training principles to improve your endurance, lung capacity, and leg strength.

Look for an exercise bike that offers plenty of workout programs. The more, the better.

Ease Of Assembly

You’ll need to assemble most types of home exercise bikes yourself and, because there are lots of different components, this can be tricky. The ease of assembly will differ from bike to bike so, if you’re not handy with DIY, you might want to choose one with a simple, straightforward assembly process. Look at the customer reviews to get an idea of how hard it is.

Secondary Features

Aside from the above, there are also a few other secondary features to look out for. Most bikes in this price range will include at least a few bells and whistles, such as:

Warranty

And finally, don’t forget to check the warranty. Many bikes in this price range will be covered for a limited period. It will differ between manufacturers, but you can typically expect around 5 years warranty on the frame and 1 year on parts and electronics.

We have selected the 8 best exercise bikes under $500 and reviewed each model in detail.

Read more or watch our YouTube video to find the best option for your home workout needs.

1. L NOW

It's a versatile bike suitable for users of all shapes and sizes, with whisper-quiet operation and very few maintenance requirements thanks to the magnetic resistance and belt drive system. It feels very stable and durable, with a solid sturdy frame and heavy 35 lbs weighted flywheel to keep the bike steady. There are also 4 horizontal adjustment knobs and a rear stabilizer for added stability.

The seat is wide enough to give you plenty of wiggle room and can be adjusted in 10 positions, so it's suitable for users of different heights. You can also adjust the handlebars in 6 positions and move the seat backward and forward.

The resistance knob is easy to use; just twist the knob to make smooth micro-adjustments to the resistance levels between 0 and 100%. You can press the resistance knob down if you need to do an emergency stop.

This L Now exercise bike also comes with a built-in LCD monitor that shows you the calories burned, speed, distance, time, and odometer, as well as a mobile/tablet holder. It has over 100 user reviews and is one of the top-rated exercise bikes under $500 on the market.

2. Fitness Reality X-Class 450SL

Next up, we have the Fitness Reality X-Class 450SL. This is the best recumbent exercise bike under $500 we could find and is super comfortable, with an extra-thick, oversized airsoft foam cushioned seat that doesn’t get too hot, breathable mesh contoured backrest, and soft elbow rest pads. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to take a more laid-back approach to working out.

It’s not the cheapest chair on this list and comes in at the top end of the price range, but that's reflected in the quality. The build quality on this thing is as good as it gets. With a tubular steel frame and solid welds, it's super sturdy and doesn't seem to wobble at all when in use.

It comes with Bluetooth smart technology that syncs it up with your mobile device so you can track your workouts via an app on your phone. There are 24 pre-designed programs and magnetic tension resistance levels to choose from.

The backlit LCD display is basic but gives you all the important details, including distance, time, RPM, calories burned, and speed. There are also built-in hand pulse sensors that help you to keep track of your heart rate. The readout isn’t the most accurate and jumps around a bit, but it’s still very useful.

3. EFITMENT IC031

The EFITMENT IC031 Indoor Cycle Bike is our pick for the best belt-drive spin bikes under $500. It’s the perfect choice if you plan on using it to follow along with online spin classes. Just place your tablet or phone in the built-in device holder and get spinning.

Like the other bikes we've looked at so far, it uses an adjustable magnetic resistance system to deliver resistance without any noise. The seat is adjustable in 4 dimensions, so it should be suitable for most users regardless of height or body shape.

The flywheel is nice and heavy, so it does a great job of recreating the feel of an actual bicycle. The pedals are stable with cages to keep your footing secure while you're cycling, and the seat is thicker and more comfortable than most.

The EFITMENT IC031 also features pulse grips to keep track of your heart rate and a display screen that shows you the time elapsed, speed, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and more.

The main downsides are that I’m not sure how accurate the heart rate monitor and other readings are, and the resistance doesn’t seem to get very high even when maxed out, but all in all, it’s still a very good spin bike for the price.

4. PYHIGH

Moving onto another one of the best home exercise bikes under $500 from Pyhigh. This is another spin bike, so the seat is raised to the same level as the handlebars. The handlebars themselves are well-designed and made from high-quality vinyl that’s easy to grip and doesn’t wrinkle over time.

The bidirectional flywheel is about as heavy as it gets in this price range at 48 lbs, so it's very sturdy, and the resistance feels nice and natural. The Pyhigh utilizes a high-inertia belt drive system that’s whisper quiet.

Unlike most other exercise bikes in this price range, this Pyhigh model uses a felt pad direct-contact resistance system, not a magnetic system. While magnetic systems are most popular, many users prefer the feel of pads as they more closely resemble the kind of resistance you experience on a real road bike.

The resistance is adjusted by a simple resistance knob. As you turn it, the resistance is increased gradually and continuously, so it’s nice and smooth and doesn’t throw you off balance.

The oversized saddle seat is very comfortable with excellent breathability and heat dissipation. It can be adjusted up and down, forward and back, and has buffers on each side to minimize pressure.

The LCD monitor will keep track of all the important stuff, including calories burned, RPM, time, speed, heart rate, and distance. Pyhigh also offers a 12-month warranty.

Read More: Pyhigh Indoor Exercise Bike Review

5. Pooboo

Next, we have another great indoor exercise bike, the Pooboo D582-1MR. It uses magnetic resistance and a belt drive system for a very smooth ride that’s whisper quiet. Out of all the bikes on this list, this was one of the quietest, so it’s ideal for anyone living in an apartment or household with thin walls who doesn’t want to disturb their family/roommates.

It’s super easy to assemble and should take less than an hour to get everything set up. It’s also very sturdy thanks to the heavy-duty steel frame and highly adjustable. The seat can be adjusted in 4 ways, and the handlebars move up and down to fit your body type. It's relatively compact and has a smaller footprint than many other bikes on this list, so it's a good option for those with limited floor space.

The bike is very highly rated with hundreds of 5-star reviews, and most users report good customer service. The bike is also backed by Pooboo's 100% satisfaction promise, which guarantees free replacement of any damaged parts within 1 year.

6. LifeSpan Unity Bike Desk

If you’re looking for a way to keep fit while you’re working from home, this LifeSpan Unity Bike Desk is the answer to all your prayers.

This is different from all the other products we've looked at so far in that it's not just an exercise bike; it's a unique, innovative bike-desk combo designed for multitasking. A large desktop work surface with space for at least 2 monitors, plus all your computer peripherals, is attached to an exercise bike frame with pedals and an adjustable seat.

The idea is that you can sit at your desk and turn your sedentary time into a productive workout by pedaling away as you work, read, watch TV, or play video games.

There's intentionally no adjustable resistance as the idea is to pedal away effortlessly, so you're not distracted from whatever it is you’re doing at your desk, but you can still keep moving and burning calories. Not only is this a great way to multitask and keep in shape, but it can also help with office productivity and stimulate focus by keeping your blood flowing around your body.

The seat can be adjusted, and the pedals move in both directions. The desk also comes equipped with transportation wheels, so it's easy to move it around from room to room.

7. Stamina Airgometer

If you’re looking for an air bike under $500, we’d recommend the Stamina Airgometer. This is a great, versatile exercise bike that uses a built-in fan and smooth air resistance rather than a flywheel system. Wind resistance systems are great for beginners as they’re easy to use, linear, and adaptable. Plus, it keeps your room nice and cool.

The build quality is ok considering how affordable the Airgometer is, and there are some nice added extras like a drink holder and InTouch Fitness Monitor LCD display. The seat is wider than most with decent upholstery and is well cushioned for added comfort. It can be adjusted to 10 different heights.

The frame is fairly lightweight but still durable and comes with transportation wheels to make it more portable.

One of the coolest things about the Stamina Airgometer is the dual-action handlebars. You move them forward and backward as you pedal to activate more of the muscles in your upper body as well as your lower body. It provides a better workout for your arms, chest, and shoulders than most other exercise bikes on this list.

8. Sunny Health & Fitness Synergy

Last but not least, we have the Sunny Health & Fitness Synergy, another one of the best spin bike exercise bikes under $500.

It uses a 30-lb weighted flywheel, belt-drive mechanism, and active, effective, and quiet magnetic resistance. The built-in performance monitor is small but accurately measures all the key metrics, including heart rate and RPM.

The build quality is as excellent as you'd expect, given that it comes in at the top end of the price range, and there's virtually no wobble when in use.

It looks and feels almost as good as a commercial-grade spin bike and has some convenient features that you don’t often see in this price range, including dumbbell holders that you can place your dumbbells in when not in use. This saves space in your home gym and makes it easy to work out your arms while you’re cycling for a full-body workout.

The seat is 4-way adjustable and pretty comfortable, and the inseam length is 27” - 37.5”.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is it ok to ride a stationary bike every day?

Yes, it’s safe to use a stationary bike daily - 30 minutes should be sufficient. Just remember that it’s best to vary your workouts and so consider changing it up every once in a while, and don’t overexert yourself.

Is an exercise bike better than walking?

Yes, riding an exercise bike burns more calories per hour and helps you build your cardiovascular endurance more quickly than walking. Also, since your bike is indoors, you don't have to worry about the weather.

How do exercise bikes compare to other cardio equipment?

Exercise bikes are excellent pieces of cardio equipment and more effective at building endurance and burning calories than rowing machines, ellipticals, and cross-trainers.

Treadmills burn slightly more calories per hour than exercise bikes but, unlike treadmills, exercise bikes have the advantage of being low-impact, so they’re better for your joints. Rowing machines are more effective at working out your arms and upper body compared to exercise bikes.

Do exercise bikes really work for losing weight? How many calories do you burn on an exercise bike?

Yes, exercise bikes are fantastic at helping you lose weight. The number of calories you’ll burn per hour will vary depending on your weight and level of resistance, but the average person should burn around 520 calories per hour.

To put that into perspective, a pound of body fat contains roughly 3,500 calories. This means that assuming your diet is in check, cycling for an hour per day will help you to lose around a pound of extra fat per week.  

Are folding exercise bikes any good?

Folding exercise bikes are smaller, more portable, and easier to store away than regular upright exercise bikes. They don’t usually offer the same level of quality or resistance as regular exercise bikes but can still provide a decent workout.

Can I change the seat on my exercise bike to make it more comfortable?

Yes, you can change the seat, adjust the height, or purchase a slip-on padded seat cover to make it more comfortable.

Where can I buy an exercise bike for the best price?

The best prices can be found online on Amazon. Exercise bikes are also available in most sports stores and even large supermarkets like Walmart, but these stores can be more expensive. You might also be able to buy exercise directly from the brand’s website.

Conclusion

To quickly recap, the best exercise bike for home use under $500 is the L Now indoor cycling bike. It’s a fantastic upright exercise bike with magnetic resistance that you can’t go wrong with. That being said, any of the bikes on this list are great options, so take your pick!