Welcome to The Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes for 2018 Buyer’s Guide. We are very excited to have you as our guest. Whether you’re looking for a budget option, mid-range or pro unit, we’ve got you covered with the industry’s most recent and relevant information.
So this article is the Sister to our Upright Bike article and will be featuring Recumbent Bikes only.
If recumbent bikes aren’t your thing (you don’t like to lean back) and you prefer an Upright Exercise Bike, why don’t you check out our Best Exercise Bikes Buyer’s Guide for this year.
We think you’ll love that as well, especially if you’re more interested in “normal” cycling experiences.
Quick FYI – you might also be interested in any of our following other Buyer’s Guides:
- Best Treadmills This Year
- Best Ellipticals This Year
- Best Rowers This Year
Let’s waste no time and get started right away!
Simply Select Your Budget for Faster Navigation Below!*
Budget-Friendly Beginner Options
Mid-Range Bikes – Intermediates
Full-Featured Pro Options – Intermediate/Advanced
If you’ve skimmed over our first article, the best exercise bikes for this year, you might already be familiar with what kinds of features you should be keeping your eyes open for.
It pretty much largely depends on what you’re planning on doing with your exercise bike. For those looking to get a pretty decent workout as a beginner, you can look into some cheaper options, and for those requiring slightly more power you can look at the intermediate/advanced budget ranges.
One of our biggest mantras here is that you absolutely do not have to spend a lot of money to get a high quality product. What we’ve done is taken every single recommendation that we think is the best for each price category and have presented it to you in a way that’s easy to trust.
Whether you have only 200 dollars to spend or can spend 2000 dollars, we would never resort to showcasing poor quality options for you. That’s not the name of our game so keep reading to find out what makes these machines great.
An important aspect of any exercise bike is what kind of drive mechanism will be found inside. For an in-depth look at the exact features to look out for in terms of drive mechanism and others check out our What’s the Best Exercise Bike For Home article which you can find by clicking the link.
We’ll go over the main resistance types really quick so you can at least have an idea of what to look out for.
Different Drive Types and Resistance Types
You might come across a few different terms in your search for an exercise bike (whether recumbent or upright):
- Chain-Drive
- Belt-Drive
- Magnetic Resistance
- Strap Resistance
The most important factor to keep in mind is the type of drive system as described by either chain-drive or belt-drive.
In terms of types of resistance, in 2018, the most advanced tension system used now is magnetic. The strap resistance type bikes are older and we do not generally recommend those anymore.
In addition to only recommending a magnetic resistance type, having a bike powered by a belt is the best solution for you if you want to have a hands-off, no-maintenance experience and operation of your training bike.
It is with this in mind that we don’t usually recommend anything other than belt-driven designs as this is the most modern, reliable and hassle-free design available today.
It’s like recommending a carbureted engine when we now have direct injection available. That would just not make any sense these days, unless you’re really into tinkering around.
If you want to learn more about all the in-depth features to look out for in an exercise bike, make sure to check out the article we linked out to above and you can find out all of the most important features.
Part I: Best Recumbent Bikes Under $500
Alright, so here we are with Part I. The truth is, in this price-range, there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of options for you to choose from that have essentially the same feature-set, just like in our regular exercise bike buyer’s guide – although the market here is slightly slimmer with just a few less options to choose from.
The higher your budget is to spend on a piece of exercise equipment the more limited your options get as there are only a handful of key players in the top end of the price ranges, but within the budget range, you have tons of options.
What we’ve done is hand-picked the top recumbent exercise bikes for you plus one honorable mention (if we found one that is of interest) based on overall customer satisfaction and the number of good reviews from consumers that each bike gets (just like our upright exercise bike buyer’s guide).
We’ve also taken into consideration our own personal expertise and have used this to carefully select each of the following recumbent bikes – just for you!
Most of our bikes in the budget-friendly space of sub-$500 recumbent bikes will be filled with high quality and highly-reviewed products, and each bike retains its magnetic and belt-driven design that we truly believe in.
If you are just starting out, you’re sure to find that any of the options here will be perfect for you – and if you require more power and are more experienced, please feel free to skip this section altogether by using the quick navigation button below!
Let’s start off Part I of this article and show you our top-pick right away.
This is our Schwinn 230 Recumbent Exercise Bike and we think this is the best choice in this price-range. You will find out exactly why below!
We hope you enjoy the article and make sure to use our contact form at the end if you want some help picking any piece of home exercise equipment with the help of our knowledgeable fitness staff.
[Continue below to learn more about the Schwinn 230].
Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
In Part I of this article we will focus on the best exercise bikes under 300 bucks, and you will quickly learn about their features, what makes them so special and unique, and how you can benefit from owning one in your own home if space and time is important to you.
You won’t be training for any triathlons in this price-range, but you can definitely get something that is convenient, quick to stow away when not in use and can still provide a great workout for your cardio sessions.
Along with either a belt-driven or magnetic design, you will get EKG heart rate monitoring via the handlebars, speed, distance, time and scan monitoring via LCD panels, foldable designs, adjustable seat posts, and, in some cases, adjustable handlebars.
Let’s quickly dive in so you can get started learning all there is to know about exercise bikes in this price range.
#1: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB1117
Folding Recumbent Bike
Rating:
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB1117 is one of our favorite bikes in this section – although all of the bikes in this price-range are pretty much one of our favorites. With a great foldable design, transport wheels and small footprint, this piece is a must-have for the budget-conscious crowd with limited space at home.
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You’ll be getting a fully folding piece of machinery with the SF-RB1117 and a second-to-none design geared towards not only space-saving, but money-saving as well.
With 8 levels of adjustable resistance, you can keep your workouts as intense as you wish providing an experience for beginners and moderate intermediates alike. We think you will love this bike!
Key Features:
- Amazon’s Choice for this price range
- Easily stashed away thanks to its folding design
- 8 Levels of adjustable magnetic resistance with non-slip foot pedals and straps to keep your workouts up to your level
- The adjustable seat ensures users of varying heights can comfortably use this machine
- Cushioned seat for continued comfort and durability
- LCD display panel indicates time, speed, calories burned and distance
- Features transportation wheels for effortless storage
- Dimensions: 18L x 18.5W x 52H
- Weight Capacity: 220lbs
- Warranty: 3-Year Frame, 90-Day Other Parts & Components
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#2: Exerpeutic 400XL
Folding Recumbent Bike
Rating:
As one of our highest-reviewed product in this price range with the most amount of reviews, the Exerpeutic 400XL is, let’s just say, a hot item that you’re going to want to make sure to check out.
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Accommodating users with limited space, the folding design will make sure you can use this piece anywhere and store it away when not in use.
With over 2000 highly positive reviews, we have absolutely no reason not to recommend this as one of the best in-class recumbent bikes and we are positive you will like it too.
Key Features:
- Amazon’s Choice in this price range with a massive amount of highly positive user reviews (2,415 reviews)
- Foldable with v-belt drive mechanism for easy storage and silent operation
- Uses a magnetic tension control system with adjustable resistance
- The built-in transportation wheels will make this a breeze to stash away when not in use
- Easy to read LCD panel displays your time, distance, speed, heart rate and more
- The built-in hand pulse sensors will pick up your heart rate to keep you in your target zone
- Awesome cushioned seat and back rest for a very high level of comfort
- Great space-saving design for smaller spaces
- One of our most affordable budget options on this year’s list
- Dimensions: 33L x 19W x 46H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 3-Year Frame, 90-Day Other Parts & Components
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#3: Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike
Rating:
Thanks to its overwhelmingly positive reviews and its status as an Amazon’s Choice award winner, the Schwinn 230 Recumbent Bike has been carefully selected as our Top Pick Award Winner for this year’s recumbent bike list under $500.
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This bike is a bit of a step-up in terms of features in this price range from the bikes above. Featuring 22 exercise programs, a USB charging port and Dual-Track LCD technology, this recumbent bike will make a fantastic addition to your home exercise setup.
Also featuring a 3-speed fan and industry-leading warranty, this is no surprise from Schwinn as they’re heralded as one of the best fitness equipment manufacturers around. You will not be disappointed with this machine.
Key Features:
- Our Top Pick Award Winner for this year
- Another one of Amazon’s Choice winners
- A great step up from previous models in this price-range
- Features 22 preset exercise programs including heart rate control, fitness test and quick
- Start
- Includes a 3 speed fan, USB port to charge your devices and transfer data between your
- devices and the SchwinnConnect/MyFintessPal apps and a media shelf for your favorite
- device(s)
- Dual-Track dual LCD display system allows you to track more data than ever before while you work out
- Schwinn is one of the most trusted exercise equipment brands
- Hand grip and wireless heart rate monitoring is available for your convenience
- Industry-leading warranty
- Transport wheels allow for easy storage when not in use
- Dimensions: 66L x 12W x 27H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 10-Year Frame, 2-Year Mechanical, 1-Year Electrical, 90-Day Labour
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#4: Marcy ME-709
Recumbent Exercise Bike
Rating:
The Amazon’s Choice Award is a prestigious award offered to those machines meeting or exceeding Amazon’s requirements by looking at user reviews. Therefore, the Marcy ME-709 is guaranteed to offer a superb experience to those seeking a mid-range recumbent bike with a robust feature-set.
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Along with its 8 levels of resistance and LCD display, you’ll be getting a comfortable seat with adjustability and a 2-Year manufacturer warranty.
What we believe sets this bike apart, however, is the overwhelming number of extremely positive reviews from almost 2,000 satisfied customers. Should you choose to become a customer of this product, we don’t think you will be disappointed either!
Key Features:
- Yet another Amazon’s Choice winner in this price range
- An overwhelming number of extremely positive reviews from over 1,800 reviewers
- One of our most affordable models this year that will provide you with a fantastic experience
- Features a step-through design for extreme ease of use
- 8 magnetically controlled levels of resistance for any experience level (controlled via knob)
- LCD display will display time, distance, speed, calories burned in very large numbers for easier readability
- Very comfortable seat will allow you to have longer sessions
- Marcy has a long history of creating some of the most reliable fitness equipment and we think you’ll love it!
- Dimensions: 56L x 25W x 38H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 2-Year Manufacturer Limited Warranty
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#5: Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike
Rating:
The Nautilus R614 Recumbent Bike offers up yet another Amazon’s Choice award with a supremely high number of positive reviews. Featuring 20 levels of resistance, this piece will deliver a highly premium user experience.
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Nautilus is definitely one of our preferred cardio machine manufacturers, and recommending the R614 was a no-brainer for us.
With its Dual-Track LCD displays, vented seats, ergonomically designed frame, 13 workout details available simultaneously and integrated speakers, we had no trouble choosing this machine as one of the best available in this price-range. Learn more below to discover why you’ll love it too.
Key Features:
- Another Amazon’s Choice award winner with many extremely high user reviews
- Features 20 levels of resistance for any experience level
- Charging port for your favorite devices and data transfer capabilities to MyFitnessPal
- 22 workout programs including 2 user profiles and more
- Speakers allow you to listen to your music without headphones for a more intense and pleasurable experience
- Grip heart rate monitoring which is displayed via the LCD panel
- Dual-Track LCD panels display the status of up to 13 workout details to keep you as engaged as possible
- Vented seat back and bottom will allow you to have a cool and comfortable workout
- Fully adjustable seat will allow various users to use this machine comfortably
- Ergonomically positioned handlebars and fan will allow you to stay cool and comfortable during your most strenuous workouts
- Dimensions: 64L x 27W x 50H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 10-Year Frame, 2-Year Parts, 1-Year Electronics, 90-Day Labour
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#6: PROGEAR 555LXT
Magnetic Recumbent Bike
Rating:
What kind of a list would this be if we didn’t include PROGEAR? The PROGEAR 555LXT is a must-have on this year’s list of bikes under 500 bucks. It’s simply one of the best options and you’ll find out why we think that you will love it down below.
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The market place for recumbent bikes under $500 bucks is quite flooded – but that doesn’t mean there are millions of options that are worth it. Fortunately, the 555LXT is just that – a great bargain and one very much worth it as well.
As another Amazon’s Choice winner, the 14 levels of resistance and large LCD display makes this machine definitely something really worth learning more about.
Key Features:
- Amazon’s Choice award winner
- One of our most budget-friendly options this year
- Large LCD display to access your most important fitness data
- 14 levels of resistance
- Step-through design offers easy mounting and unmounting
- 3 goal workout settings including distance, time and calories burned
- Dimensions: 49L x 22W x 43H
- Weight Capacity: 250lbs
- Warranty: 1-Year Limited Warranty
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We don’t always feature an honourable mention in our lists unless there is a product we think really stands out that you will love.
Well, in this case, we’ve found just that. A product that not only stands out, but that you will love as well (we hope!)
If nothing else, we’d like for you to at least be armed with information that will help you make a purchasing decision (we won’t be offended if you don’t buy from us).
Here’s our honourable mention for Part II. Stay tuned for Part III below.
FitDesk Recumbent Exercise Bike with Desk & Massage Bar
Recumbent bikes are awesome for a number of reasons. They’re more comfortable to use, they’re more friendly on your lower back and they offer up features that aren’t found on upright bikes like handlebars at the seats.
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What’s even better is that you get a fully functioning desk while you exercise – now that’s cool and we believe you’ll love that about this machine.
Key Features:
- Overwhelming number of extremely high user reviews
- Light weight and folding design will ensure you can easily stash this thing away when you’re not using it
- Belt-driven magnetic resistance design for ease of use and no-maintenance operation
- 8 levels of manually controlled resistance
- Desk features ability to use your laptop while you work out
- The seat and back rest are adjustable for ultimate comfort
- The adjustable armrest features padded and contoured massage rollers to relieve strain from typing on your laptop
- Not only can you use your laptop, this machine also features an integrated tablet holder if you prefer to use that instead
- Resistance bands add the ability to work out your upper body when you’re not using your laptop or tablet
- LCD performance meter will track your most vital fitness information to keep you in your target zone
- Dimensions: 28L x 16W x 45H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 1-Year Limited Warranty
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In this past section we’ve covered what we believe to be the best recumbent bikes under $500. You may find lists elsewhere that feature similar or different bikes but these are the ones we stand behind 100%.
Part I was more or less geared towards those requiring a basic cardio workout at home without having to spend a fortune, but those bikes are definitely not meant for the serious spinners and cycling enthusiasts.
Why don’t we jump right into the next part so we can have a look at some exercise bikes for enthusiasts and more advanced riders.
Part II: Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes from $500 – $1000
What we believe here at Physique Authority is really quite simple. Spend the most amount of money you can (and need to) and don’t spend any more – AND get the MOST out of the money you do decide to spend.
We hate it when people get ripped off and don’t get the value for the money they spent that they were expecting and we want you to be fully satisfied with any purchase you make whether through this website or on your own.
With that said, we definitely believe this next section is the sweet-spot in terms of performance for your dollar, and we think you will love any of the offerings in Part II below. Let’s dive right in.
We’ve also offered you a quick navigation button in case you want to jump back up and take a look at the previous section again!
Kettler Giro R Recumbent Bike
When considering spending anywhere from $500 to $1000 on a recumbent exercise bike, a few features are important to look out for.
If you’re using the bike at home, you’ll want to make sure the bike features a belt-driven design not a chain-driven design. This will allow for a hassle-free, maintenance-free experience.
Chain designs are great for fitness gyms and clubs because they are the ones worrying about maintenance, not you! So let the gyms buy chain-designs.
All of the options in this entire article are geared towards belt-drive, non chain-driven designs to keep you up and running with virtually zero downtime for maintenance.
We do not feature any chain-driven designs in this article or our standard exercise bike article this year to keep the ease-of-use high for as many people as possible.
#1: Schwinn 270 Recumbent Exercise Bike
Rating:
We are seeing quite the trend this year – there are tons of Amazon’s Choice winners and this one is another one of them. The Schwinn 270 is like the 230’s big brother, and probably one of the best all-around recumbent bikes you can get today. Learn more below.
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Featuring an impressive 25-levles of electronically controlled resistance and 29 workout programs, this machine will cater to you not only today and tomorrow, but to any other user living in your household.
The USB charging port will keep your electronics freshly charged, the fan will keep you cool and the built in media tray can hold your favorite device so you can watch your favorite shows or work while you exercise.
Key Features:
- An Amazon’s Choice award winner for this price bracket
- One of the most wallet-friendly options in this price range
- Features 25 levels of computer controlled resistance for a wide range of experience levels and intensity needs
- Also offers up 29 programs, 4 user settings and the goal tracking features will keep you motivated
- Bluetooth connectivity will offer seamless transmission of data to your smart device
- USB charging port will keep your electronics charged
- Offers a fan to keep you cool
- The built in media shelf will allow you to keep up to date with your favorite news or shows by placing your tablet or phone inside of it
- Dual LCD panels allow you to track as much fitness data as you need while making it easy to read
- Fully cushioned seat and back rest also offer a vented area to keep you cool
- Full grip and telemetry-enabled heart rate monitoring to keep you in your target zone
- Dimensions: 64L x 27W x 50H
- Weight Capacity: 325lbs
- Warranty: 10-Year Fame, 2-Year Mechanical Parts, 1-Year Electronics, 90 Day Labour
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#2: Diamondback 510SR Recumbent Bike
Rating:
Our Editor’s Top Pick Award Winner this year for this price-range is an incredible machine that will last you for years. The Diamondback 510SR Recumbent Bike will deliver a top-notch experience rivalled by few in the industry for this price-range. This is the one you’ll likely want to buy and learn why below.
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An aggressively industrial designed frame is beautifully contrasted with silver, white and black finishes. The easy step-through mounting design will make this a treat to use with ease and the 16 levels of resistance will ensure your workout will stay as challenging as necessary.
The 20 integrated workout programs will offer up an impressive list of options keeping you excited to use this machine day in, day out.
Key Features:
- An Amazon’s Choice award winner with mostly positive reviews
- Features 16 levels of magnetic resistance to suit any fitness level perfectly
- Also features 20 integrated workout programs including heart rate targeting
- LCD display indicates all vital information while you exercise
- Integrated speakers effortlessly connect to your MP3 device so you can enjoy your favorite music or shows
- Cushioned and sculptured/contoured seat and back rest for extended comfort
- Features a step-through design for easy mounting and unmounting
- Multi speed fan keeps you cool while you exercise
- USB charging ports can charge your devices for longer sessions
- Water bottle holder
- Handlebars and console can tilt for a more customisable fit
- Heart rate monitoring is also bundled in to the handlebar grips
- Dimensions: 64L x 23W x 50H
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Warranty: 3-Year Parts & Electronics, 1-Year Labour, Limited Lifetime Frame
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#3: Stamina Elite Total Body
Recumbent Exercise Bike
Rating:
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