Are Other Bikes As Good As Peloton? We Tested 18 to Find Out

Max weight: 330 lbs | Membership not required

Our choice for best indoor cycling bike overall went to the Schwinn IC4 bike, a solid, price-friendly bike whose features meet the needs of beginner and advanced cyclists. Beginners will appreciate that the bike is easy to set up (although it does require another person), and it comes with the essentials: dual-link pedals that let you choose between toe cages or clip-in cycling shoes, plus a set of 3-pound weights. The bike’s stability really impressed us, and we noticed that it stayed steady (and totally quiet) at all different speeds and cycling positions. The value was also a major pro; this bike costs less than its premium counterparts and doesn’t require you to opt into a subscription. Instead, it has a built-in tablet stand for you to choose your own streaming. After two months of additional testing, this bike was still performing well and working properly, so we feel confident in its longevity.

Max weight: 300 lbs | Membership required for access to classes ($39/month)

The Freebeat Lit Bike includes on-screen introductions to cycling and bike set-up, plus options for 15- and 30-minute classes for beginners specifically — perfect if you’re new to cycling (you will need to opt-in to a $39 per month membership in order to access guided classes). Adjusting the bike was easy, and the seat cushion felt comfortable and well-cushioned. The high-res screen rotates and its brightness can be adjusted, which is a feature we typically see on more expensive bikes. The color options let you have a little more say in the bike’s aesthetic, but we weren’t impressed by the auto-resistance, which was touted as a premium feature.

Max weight: 270 lbs | No membership

This home cycling bike earned solid marks across the board for its stability, performance, adjustability, and comfort. Plus, we had an easy time setting it up. The pedals are cage pedals, so if you’re used to clipping in with cycling shoes, you’ll have to swap out the included pedals for a pair you buy separately. There’s also not an easy way to mount your tablet or phone if you want to stream digital classes. But for under $500, it’s a strong option for anyone who’s new to cycling or just wants a low-maintenance way to work out regularly at home.

Max weight: 300 lbs | No membership

Another solid budget option, the Horizon 7.0 IC Indoor Cycle checked all of our must-haves for an indoor cycling bike: simple set-up, reliable stability, and crucial metrics displayed. We especially appreciated that this bike was easy to pair with the on-demand Peloton app; just connect via Bluetooth and you can see your metrics live on the display. One heads up: The Horizon’s resistance goes from 0 to 100, so you may need to do a little conversion to understand how that translates to other apps’ resistance levels. Horizon claims that you’ll never have to pay to use its equipment, and if that remains true, this bike becomes an even better value.

Max weight: 325 lbs | JRNY membership required for access to classes ($20/month)

While any indoor cycling bike will work your quads, glutes, and hamstrings, you’ll have to go beyond the bike to strengthen your core and upper body. The Bowflex Velocore stands out from other bikes we tested thanks to its unique “Leaning Mode,” which targets your core and upper body by letting you lean from side to side. The result is a more natural-feeling ride that engages your obliques, abs, shoulders, and more. The bike also comes with a 3-pound dumbbell set for even more upper-body workout options.

Max weight: Not listed | On-demand classes with optional $29/month Stryde membership

The Stryde Bike (and the Horizon 7.0, for that matter) is one of the only bikes where we didn’t feel punished for skipping the membership. In fact, we used it daily with our Peloton app and felt like the classes and bike integrated seamlessly with the “Free Ride” option. You’ll see your current resistance, cadence, and output, and a quick Youtube video shows you how to download the Peloton app onto the Stryde bike and minimize the “Free Ride” option in the bottom left corner so you can follow along with your resistance/cadence during the Peloton ride. (Note that you won’t be able to track your stats over time in Free Ride mode, however).

Max weight: 350 lbs | iFit Membership Required for Access to Classes (Yearly Family Plan for $396/yr, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/mo, and a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/yr)

Living in a small space — like an apartment or condo — means ruthlessly prioritizing your home gym equipment. Our tests found the NordicTrack Commercial S15i Studio Cycle to be the best indoor cycling bike for small spaces and apartment living. At our fastest speeds, the bike remained quiet and wobble-free on our floors, so we felt confident our neighbors weren’t silently cursing us. The overall footprint was reasonable too and could easily fit inside our New York living space. We also appreciated the two 3-pound dumbbells that came with the bike, which influenced us to try the iFit app’s off-bike workouts.

Max weight: 300 lbs | Echelon Premier membership required for access to classes ($40/month)

If an immersive, high-def experience is what you’re looking for in an exercise bike, may we recommend this Echelon model? The 22” touchscreen display isn’t the largest we tested (that honor goes to the Echelon EX-8S), but it was incredibly clear and easy to see. Having a bigger screen made us feel like we were actually in the class, and underneath the instructor, our stats were constantly updating — yet the screen didn’t feel crowded or overwhelming. The display also tilts side-to-side for off-bike classes.

Max weight: 350 lbs | iFit Membership Required for Access to Classes (Yearly Family Plan for $396/yr, a Monthly Family Plan for $39/mo, and a Yearly Individual Plan for $180/yr)

If you daydream about pedaling through the Alps or racing down a canyon in Colorado, the NordicTrack S22i Bike wowed us with its scenic outdoor rides. With sweeping cinematography, gorgeous views, and a 22” screen, we found ourselves drawn to these rides much more than the studio on-demand rides (which lacked the sleek production of a Peloton or SoulCycle class). This NordicTrack bike also has an innovative auto-incline feature (yes, like you’d find on a treadmill) that really enhanced the outdoor rides — a feature we loved, even if we were majorly sore the next day.

Max weight: 300 lbs | Echelon Premier membership required for access to classes ($40/month)

Want a bike with all the bells and whistles? This option from Echelon is plenty flashy — literally, thanks to 15 LED lights in the flywheel that light up with your performance zone. Two large water bottle holders feel much sturdier than other flimsy options we tested, and you can even adjust your resistance on the handlebars with up and down buttons. The curved screen (24”) can be rotated 180 degrees completely outward for off-bike workouts, and it has built-in speakers as well. Also, a USB charging port built into this bike feels like such a genius thing to include.