Best Exercise Bikes Under $500 of 2024
Editor's Choice
Exercise Bike Benefits
- Efficient cardio trainer for all skill levels
- A great tool for weight management
- Tones the lower body
- Recumbent exercise bikes are very low impact
- Cycle trainers are effective for strength training
Exercise bikes under $500 might lack the prestige of pricier models, but some earn good marks for durability and power. A bike from this price class could be your best bet for building a home gym inexpensively, as it’s likely to outlast any treadmill or elliptical found in the same price range.
Comparing the bikes under $500, be especially wary of short stride paths. Pedaling with a good range of motion will be critical to your comfort… and exercising with a poor range of motion could do harm in the long run. The best exercise bikes in any price bracket can be adjusted to fit any rider. Look for options with seats that adjust up and down, forward and back.
Also look for the heaviest flywheel possible for the price. A heavier wheel allows smoother rides and can accommodate more ability levels.
Top-scoring models for 2019 are featured below on our “Best Rated Exercise Bikes” chart.
Top 5 Best Rated Exercise Bikes Under $500
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Model |  Schwinn |  ProForm |  Schwinn |  Schwinn |  Schwinn |
| Rating |  Rating: 83.50% | Rating: 82% | Rating: 81.25% | Rating: 81% | Rating: 81% |
| Type | Indoor Cycle | Upright | Upright Bike | Recumbent | Indoor Cycle |
| Resistance | 16 | 14 Levels | 25 Levels | 20 Levels | Adjusts with Dial Infinite Choices |
| Display | LCD | Large LCD Display | LCD | DualTrack 2 LCD screen system | LCD |
| Programs | 13 | 14 | 29 | 10 | 0 |
| MSRP | $399 | $249.00 | $549 | $449 | $299 |
| Pricing | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price |
Exercise Bikes Under $500 Buying Guide
Exercise bikes under $500 are surprisingly dependable, especially when compared to traditionally low rated ellipticals and treadmills offered in the same price range. The reason for this likely falls under two explanations A) exercise bikes have less wear parts and features compared to other types of exercise equipment, thus reducing the potential for cheap parts break downs and B) exercise bikes are generally lower priced compared to treadmills and ellipticals to begin with.
Consequently, exercise bikes under $500 may not always get the same hype and coverage as other, higher priced (and more reputable models), but that is not to say that a few hidden gems exist in the under $500 price range. For example, in our list of exercise bikes under $500, four models actually received an 80 or higher percent overall rating — not bad for a budget-friendly supposedly “cheap” price range.
Exercise bikes under $500 actually compare favorably to exercise bikes from $1,000 to $1,500. The major difference is that exercise bikes under $500 do not quite have the number of extra features and luxuries of the higher priced models. If you consider one of the Top 5 Exercise Bikes Under $500 (above) you’ll be surprised to find some very dependable trainers.
When shopping for an exercise bike priced at $500 or lower the four most important things to compare and contrast is the resistance type/drive system, number of resistance levels, durability of the frame as well as the warranty & guarantee. If the warranty is poor, it probably shows a lot about the manufacture’s confidence in the trainer. You need something that is not only proficient in meeting your fitness demands but also dependable.
While upright exercise bikes are much more common in the Under $500 price range, there are actually a few recumbent bikes available including the highly touted Schwinn 125 and the Schwinn 220. Check out other exercise bikes under $500 below…
