Do you prefer working out while comfortable? What about being able to sit back and read a book while you exercise? You can do this easily with a best recumbent exercise bike.
Recumbent bikes allow you to exercise hands-free. You may feel like this is less efficient than an upright exercise bike, but it can burn more calories while giving a rest with the cardio.
The following is a recumbent exercise bike review. There are five great products that are ideal for different situations.
They may or may not fit your needs, but all of them are great options to get an idea of what to look for.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews
1. Exerpeutic 900XL Extended Capacity Recumbent Bike
The 900XL Bike is the mid-level range in Exerpeutics recumbent bike range. As one of the cheapest, home recumbent bikes around it’s not surprising that many people are willing to try out the Exerpeutic 900XL.
Over the years it has gained a reputation for providing the basics well at a rock bottom price.
If you want a light workout at home, and don’t need a fancy machine then the Exerpeutic 900XL Recumbent Bike is well worth considering.
Also, it’s the price of under $200 makes it a viable solution to people who don’t want to spend too much.
Pros
- Well put together, sleek design that is pretty impressive
- Quiet motor and pedaling, will not bother other people in the room
- Easy to put together when instructions can be figured out
- Easy to use and smooth to ride on
- Has a 300-pound weight capacity
- There are pulse sensors on handles
- Eight different levels of tension can be used to your liking
- Simple LCD computer display control RPM, heart rates, and more
- Sturdy and durable design for long and tough workouts
- Easily adjustable and proper tension settings for any workout
- Great value for the money, super budget-friendly
- Flexible seating and pedals for maximum usability for everyone
Cons
- Seat comfort could be better than it is, sitting on a pillow might help
- Large footprint, need a good amount of space for it
- Instructions may be vague and are not written well
- The sides of the machine where the motor is can get hot after prolonged use
- Customer service is not responsive or helpful
- Might begin to make grinding noises at some point
- Shipping damages may be present when you receive it
- Life span is short, will only last for a while
2. Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike
If you’re short on space, living in an apartment or small home, it doesn’t mean you can’t use a recumbent exercise bike.
The Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike can be packed up for easy storage.
The compact semi-recumbent bicycle carries the same cardio exercise benefits of a full-sized recumbent bike.
It can hold up to 300 pounds and sports a large seat cushion. Despite its compact design, this foldable bike has an LCD and a large backrest.
The bike itself uses a V-belt dual drive system and a balanced flywheel, which is quiet and includes an adjustable magnetic tension system.
Pros
- Quiet for small spaces and to not be an annoyance
- Small and compact for apartments, small footprint
- Transportation wheels included making it portable enough to move around
- Eight levels of tension that you can choose from
- Good resistance while pedaling the bike
- Sturdy, especially for something so compact
- Easy to use and functions very well
- The large LCD display with many options
- Foldable and able to be put out of the way in small spaces
- Watching TV is easy without the handles in the way
- Stable enough to type on the computer and pedal at the same time
- Easy to assemble and comes with the tools needed
- Simple and can hold up to 300 pounds
Cons
- Not very comfortable to sit on, might need replacement or cushion
- The wheels do not work that well on carpet
- Makes a clicking noise every once in a while
- Customer service is not good
- The material quality could be better
- No screen backlighting to see the display more easily
- Awkward moving it around, even with the wheels
- Not for anyone over 6′ 2″, the pedals might be a little short
- A pulse monitor is off-kilter but is still relatively accurate
3. Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
The little brother of the more upscale 270, the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike strips away some of the frills to provide you with a great workout at an even better price.
While you sacrifice some of the amenities, the combination of value and performance makes the 230 hard to beat.
Like many bikes on this list, the Schwinn 230 offers 20 levels of magnetic resistance from its weighted flywheel.
It also incorporates 22 preset workout programs that you can use to spice up your exercise routine.
The seat on the 230 is also mounted on a sliding rail, which makes it quick and easy to adjust. No matter your height or size, this bike should be able to fit you without any problems.
Pros
- Easy to put together and use when you are done, even more so with two people
- Digital LED displays with many options such as user profiles and workout history
- Good value for the money
- Setting and adjustments are easy to change
- Super quiet and not a bother to others
- Easy to ride and to switch up your workout
- Fan included to keep you cool during a workout
- Able to listen to music on the device through built-in speakers
- Sturdy and smooth pedaling help it to be easy to use
- Adjustments for people under 5′ 3″ available
- USB input to charge phone and upload workouts to workout apps
- The adjustable seat is adjustable enough even for shorter people
Cons
- Can sometimes have an inaccurate heart monitor
- Control screen manual is online only
- Cheap plastic feels even though it is sturdy and functions well
- Plastic pieces may come apart, though they are mostly cosmetic issues
- No backlight on the screen to show what is on it more clearly
- The factory-installed screws can be loose but are tightened easily
- The seat can be uncomfortable but is not too bad with a pillow or other cushion
- The incomplete manual makes it more difficult to put together
4. Exerpeutic 4000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike with MyCloudFitness App
The Exerpeutic 4000 is one of the most comfortable bikes on our list but that doesn’t mean that it skimps on performance!
It’s an outstanding model that combines good core features with convenient extras and does it all at a price much lower than some competitors.
The main difference between this bike and other models is the large, comfy seat.
With extended armrests and padding for both the seat and arms, it’s sure to stay comfortable through even the most grueling sessions!
This bike also offers 24 levels of magnetic resistance, combined with 12 preset workout programs to help you make the most out of the bike.
An LCD screen in the center of the console keeps you updated with feedback throughout your workout.
Pros
- Quiet as a whisper, will not bother others when they are in the room
- Comfortable seat for best exercise practice
- Good assembly instructions that are easy to follow
- Not too heavy, easy to move around the apartment if needed
- Multiple programs on the display
- Elbow rest pads for arm support
- Built-in Bluetooth compatible technology
- Oversized foot pedals
- 12 programmable workouts you can choose from
- 24 levels of magnetic tension are available
- Extended maximum weight capacity of 325 pounds
- Easy to get on and off of the machine
- Hand sensors in handlebars to pick up the pulse
- Mobile phone pad to keep your phone eye level and safe
Cons
- Assembly can be complicated and take some time, however, it is still easy to do
- Customer service is practically nonexistent
- The seat may wobble slightly due to loose screws that can be tightened
- More on the pricier side of things
- Do not buy for Bluetooth feature
- Can be difficult to adjust the seat
- Might be missing parts after shipment
- Many adjustments need to be made for different people using the machine
- Not a good fit for people 5′ and under, adjustments do not go that low
5. Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike
Moving into the more affordable end of the market, the Nautilus R614 packs in some high-end features without sacrificing critical elements in its design.
This machine packs in 20 levels of magnetic resistance with a weighted flywheel that provides smooth transitions and an exceptional ride.
The R614 includes over 20 workout programs already built into the machine.
If you’re not sure how to structure your workouts or don’t have the time to form your plan, these programs make a great extra option.
An LCD screen dominates the central display, showing statistics of your workout and keeping the machine running smoothly.
Unfortunately, this isn’t backlit, so you’ll have to keep the screen in a lot of light to see it!
Pros
- Quiet
- Assembly is quick and easy regardless of confusing manual
- Well built and sturdy for regular use
- Fan and speakers included for comfort and entertainment
- Workout data will tell you all kinds of things on the display
- Comparative to bikes at fitness centers
- MyFitnessPal tracking and syncing available
- The decent footprint will fit into an extra room or somewhat large area
- Water bottle holder that is easy to get to while riding
Cons
- Thick side handles, may be hard to hold on to
- Taller people may have issues adjusting the seat to be comfortable
- Shipping damages may occur during the shipment process
- The seat may not be as comfortable as you would like
Out of all of these recumbent exercise bikes, there is a clear winner. Since most fall short on the comfort part, there are only a few that stand up to the criterion from earlier.
The Exerpuedic 4000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike seems to be the best one on this list.
With comfortable seating and tons of bells and whistles, this bike is the real deal.
It may not be the cheapest recumbent bike out there, but it is a great value for your money. If the budget is still an issue, any of the other bikes are just as great in their ways.
Whether you need a bike to do exercise because of bad knees, or you just want to work that part of your body, recumbent bikes are an ideal exercise alternative. They are easy to use and have counters to tell you how you are doing.
Whatever you need, there will be a bike out there for you. Even if it takes a little while, the right one will find you.
Remember to keep in mind the features you want on a recumbent bike, and compare each possible one you find. Good luck with your bike hunting and exercise goals!
How to choose the best recumbent exercise bike
Value
In this section, we will briefly consider the attributes of recumbent bikes that are most important to look for.
The footprint, resistance, comfort, and display are all components of these bikes that you should look out for.
The space that your bike takes up, the amount of resistance it has, how comfortable it is, and whether or not you need a display are good starting points to knowing which recumbent exercise bikes to narrow your search to.
Footprint
The amount of space you have for your bike is important to keep in mind. If you happen to need a smaller bike because of space, a bike with a smaller footprint will be ideal. For larger spaces, you can be lax on the space it takes up.
There might even be an option to fold up your recumbent bike when you are finished exercising.
This can be super helpful in smaller apartments or studios where you do not have much space to spare.
Resistance
The amount of resistance that you can use on your bike should also be a consideration.
The range that recumbent bikes have can differ. Whether you want light exercise or more of a burn, there are options for you to use.
The less resistance your bike has, the easier it will be to push the pedals. With more resistance, you can add more of a challenge that can be a better cardio workout than just leisurely pedaling.
Fiddle with the settings and see which one you like better and which ones you do not like. There is nothing wrong with wanting more or less resistance.
Whatever your fitness goals may be, a recumbent bike might be just what you need to get started.
The resistance it gives can be easy or a challenge, whatever works best for you. It is always good to have options, but the way you use it is entirely up to you.
Comfort
Being comfortable is one of the main things that is so great about recumbent bikes.
They support your back and give you free use of your hands. By having you in a reclining position, there is no resistance against your back, either.
You have control over your environment already, so you should be comfortable in that context.
The seats should be comfortable and the pedals in the right spot. If you need to, adjust the recumbent bike to best suit your needs.
There are also handles to hold on to while riding or while getting on and off the bike.
With a convenient step out designs, these bikes are ideal for some casual exercise. You can read, watch TV, whatever you would like. Studying and exercising has never been easier.
Budget
The budget you have for a recumbent bike will most likely be one of the primary deciding factors for a recumbent bike.
Some of them can be expensive, but many are good if you are on a budget. You can get a great deal on a recumbent exercise bike if you do some research.
Regardless of how much you are able or willing to spend, there is an extensive range of bikes out there to choose from.
Narrowing them down by budget should be the easiest part, but a higher quality piece of equipment may be worth the price. It is ultimately up to you and what you want to get out of your recumbent bike experience.
Display
The display updates you on your progress throughout your workout. It can also keep track of your overall progress, and can help you figure out what kind of improvements you need to make.
The display shows heart rate, RPM, metrics, and progress. It is all accessible and able to be adjusted. This is also how you can adjust the resistance if there is not a manual way of doing so.
This way of keeping track of your progress is ideal for some. For others, it may be better to have minimal displays, if at all.
It is ultimately up to you and your preferences. If you like looking at all the numbers, go for it, if you do not, there is no reason to spend money on something you do not want nor need.
Recumbent bikes are versatile and can be tailored to your situation. However, do keep in mind that not all will have the features that you want. Be willing to sacrifice something less important to find the best bike for you.