Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes Under $300: Quality & Value
There are a few reasons why people are turning to cycling now more than ever. The world is realizing that they can get an effective workout without taking a toll on their physical body. Compared to workouts like running, cycling doesn’t injure your knees or ankles, and it is an excellent low impact exercise on your joints.
Plus, the difference between an upright stationary bike and a seated recumbent one makes all the difference for many who need things like a walk-through design or more comfort and space. Luckily, you can easily bring this comfortable workout into the comfort of your home!
If you are a new user, you might be overwhelmed with what to look for, so we’ve taken the initiative to provide you a list of the best recumbent exercise bikes under $300, so you won’t have to worry about the price as a factor throughout your search.
Take your time to really think about what you want in a recumbent bike before taking the plunge. Use this list to help you compare bikes and features, and discover things you did not even know to look for before.
10 Recumbent Bikes Under $300 Reviewed & Compared
| Name | Connectivity | Resistance | Display | Programs | Seat | Capacity | Shelf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProForm 235 CSX Recumbent Exercise Bike | Bluetooth | 18-Level Electronic Magnetic | LED Backlit | 18 | Easy Adjustment | 275 Pounds | Yes |
| XTERRA SB150 Recumbent Exercise Bike | None | 24-Level Electronic Magnetic | Blue Backlit | 23 | Easy Adjustment | 265 Pounds | Yes |
| Exerpeutic Recumbent Exercise Bike | Bluetooth | 16-Level Electronic Magnetic | LED Backlit | 24 | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | Yes |
| Sunny SF-RB420031 Recumbent Exercise Bike | None | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 260 Pounds | Yes |
| Merach Stationary Exercise Recumbent Bike | Bluetooth | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | Yes |
| Vanswe Stationary Recumbent Exercise Bike | Bluetooth | 16-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 280 Pounds | Yes |
| JEEKEE Home Recumbent Exercise Bike | None | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | Yes |
| EXERPEUTIC 1500XL Recumbent Exercise Bike | Bluetooth | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | Yes |
| Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike | None | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | Yes |
| Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4616 Bike | None | 8-Level Manual Magnetic | No Backlit | None | Easy Adjustment | 300 Pounds | No |
ProForm 235 CSX Recumbent Exercise Bike
Featured number 1 in our best recumbent exercise bikes under 300 comparison, the ProForm 235 CSX comes equipped with an inertia-enhanced flywheel to maintain smooth pedaling without jerkiness or imbalance. But you’ll find comfort in more ways than one with this stationary recumbent exercise bike, with its oversized adjustable seat and lumbar support; users are in unison when they say that this bike does, in fact, have good back support.
Users can manually choose from 18 silent magnetic resistance levels or let iFit trainers auto-adjust their bike. The SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance ensures your ride stays quiet and smooth.
The large LCD display tracks distance, cadence, and estimated calorie burn. What’s worth noting though, is without the console functioning, the resistance level cannot be adjusted, and this requires several good D cell batteries. For more advanced and accurate training, you can track your heart rate using the dual EKG grips.
The iPod-compatible audio system enables you to play your favorite tunes as you focus on improving your stats. Keep your water nearby with the easy-to-reach bottle holder and stay entertained as you pedal using the tablet holder.
XTERRA SB150 Recumbent Exercise Bike
Plug your device into the headphone jack and listen to your favorite workout tunes through the console’s integrated speakers of the XTERRA Fitness SB150 recumbent exercise bike. Cruise through a whole 23 programs, including 12 preset, four user, one body fat, one 5-hour, and manual. Not only are there 23 programs, but there are 24 levels of resistance, providing a variety for all fitness levels. To adjust the tension, you just turn the simple pop-pin knob.
The 3.7″ blue backlit LCD screen provides easy-to-read information and data, including your program profile, time, distance, calories, resistance level, pulse, and RPM. You can also monitor your heart rate with the pulse grips on the handlebars, meanwhile reading or watching your tablet from the built-in reading rack.
The non-slip foot pedals on the XTERRA SB150 bike were built oversized for extra comfort and feet of all sizes, and the thick padded seat and back pad are contoured for comfortable support. The walk-through frame design makes it easy to get in and out of your bike, and when you’re through, the front transport wheels help you roll it away.
The 11-pound precision-based flywheel creates a smooth and quiet ride with its friction-free magnetic resistance that is also maintenance-free. The SB150 uses a 110v plug-in adapter to power the screen and computer-controlled magnetic resistance braking system.
Pros:
Exerputic Fitness Recumbent Exercise Bike
Second down list in our best exercise recumbent bike reviews under $300, the Exerpeutic Recumbent was designed for training, with 24 versatile preset workouts – one quick start and heart rate programs. The preset workouts are categorized as either challenge, mountains, and fun rides, and you can use Goal Track capability to track your progress for any of them. Actually, two users can set up individual goals, and a large LCD console tracks their time, speed, RPM, calories, distance, results, and heart rate.
The Bluetooth connectivity is linked to the Schwinn mobile app only, so it’s important to set up the date, time, and your personal stats in order to properly upload workouts to the app. Alternatively, you can use the USB port to upload data to the web version of the app.
This Schwinn recumbent bike supports a maximum user weight of 300 pounds, and it’s also sturdy. This workout recumbent bike has a smooth ride on all resistance levels, and the contoured slider seat is easy to adjust as well, although the seat is made of plastic, and some users find it not the most comfortable. The handgrips, however, are comfortable and have ergonomically placed heart rate sensors.
If you want to stay entertained while you ride, there is a small shelf for a phone or tablet, but a tablet will block the main display. The MP3 player enables you to listen to your music through the built-in speaker, and the adjustable three-speed fan adds a nice touch as well.
Sunny SF-RB420031 Indoor Recumbent Exercise Bike
Seen in many exercise recumbent bike reviews, the SF-RB420031 recumbent bike offers the unique benefit and dual-functionality of arm resistance bands – all preassembled. When you’re not busy cycling through eight levels of quiet magnetic resistance, you can use the resistance bands to target your back, arms, and shoulders.
The digital LCD monitor tracks speed, heart rate, distance, calories burned, RPM, and total distance and displays the time. Easily rest your hand on the handlebars to retrieve heart rate data from the pulse sensor. Once you’re done with your workout, you can use the transport wheels to roll it out of sight.
The soft, thick seat cushion ensures added comfort, and with the easy seat adjuster, you don’t have to get off the machine to make adjustments. The backrest is cushioned as well, helping to promote better posture and ease through longer rides.
The maximum weight capacity of 265 pounds is reasonable relative to the machine’s gross weight of 63 pounds. For added support in terms of footing, the large foot pedals are designed with adjustable belts and buckles and bumps for grip, suitable for various foot sizes, ensuring that they stay in place.
Merach Stationary Exercise Recumbent Bike
Merach magnetic recumbent bike was designed for durability with its bigger-size premium steel frame and maximum user weight capacity of 300 pounds.
When it comes to comfort, the large ergonomically designed seat and backrest are padded with a high-density sponge. The seat can be moved forward or backward using a convenient lever while you are seated for a customized setting for every user. The ergonomic handles are also padded with foam for a solid, comfortable grip and heart rate monitoring.
As you move through eight levels of quiet and smooth magnetic resistance and watch your tablet from the iPad holder, the LCD monitor will track your time, speed, calories burned, distance, and heart rate.
While the console is fairly basic, it doesn’t require large D cell batteries or a power adapter to be plugged into the wall – just 2 AAA batteries. As far as everything that is required, this bike is easy to both assemble and move on its transport wheels.
The seat adjustment lever, large soft seat cushion, and LCD monitor make your riding experience more stable, smooth, and quiet and customized.
Vanswe Stationary Recumbent Exercise Bike
On the Vanswe Recumbent exercise bike, users can customize their workout, choosing from 16 levels of smooth magnetic tension resistance. What makes this indoor recumbent exercise bike whisper quiet is not just the magnetic tension but its double belt and needle roller ball bearing.
Users can track their heart rates via the pulse reader grips on the handlebar. This pulse will display in large numbers on the widescreen computer LCD display along with distance traveled, time, speed, and calories burned.
The seat’s infinite slider feature enables users that range in height from 5’2″ to 6’1″ to get a comfortable and effective workout on this bike. Plus, it’s equipped to support up to 380 pounds, which is more than any other bike we’ve seen yet on this list.
When you don’t want any sliding in the picture, the foot pedals with straps will help prevent that from happening. And when you do want to slide the bike out of the way, the transportation wheels help this sturdy yet relatively light bike move around.
JEEKEE Home Recumbent Exercise Bike
The JEEKEE Recumbent exercise bike comes equipped with a two-way external magnetic flywheel for more power and inertia. This magnetic flywheel that produces only 20 DB of sound, along with its dual-belt system, making your ride smooth and quiet. This bike uses eight of the highest-quality neodymium magnets to keep this indoor recumbent exercise bike working smoothly for many years to come.
When it comes to comfort, the ergonomic design of the backrest and the large seat is designed to take the pressure off your back. This exercise recumbent bike under $300 also has ample free space for anyone with sports or leg injuries or for the elderly.
The LCD monitor on this stationary recumbent bike under 300 tracks time, speed, distance, calories burned, and distance traveled. As you easily switch between eight levels of magnetic resistance, you can use the tablet holder to stay entertained and hold on to the pulse grips to track your heart rate.
With nine different positions on the seat to suit adults from 4’9″ to 6’5″, this bike seems to fit the widest range of heights, not to mention it supports up to 300 pounds.
EXERPEUTIC 1500XL Recumbent Exercise Bike
The step-through design on the EXERPEUTIC 1500XL recumbent exercise bike makes it easy and accessible for users of all ages to get the exercise they need. This compact recumbent exercise bike has a pretty sleek design, weighing 63 pounds and supporting users up to 300 pounds.
The bike includes Bluetooth connectivity to the MyCloudFitness app for android and iOS so you can track all your workouts and set goals for time, distance, and calories burned. Use the sensors on the handlebar to track your pulse.
As far as stats on the machine itself, the 3.5″ LCD display shows distance, calories burned, time, speed, pulse, and scan. While the display is easy to read, it is not backlit.
The smooth torque cranking system on the EXERPEUTIC 1500XL allows for smooth pedaling, as users select up to a resistance of eight for magnetic tension resistance. The “v”-belt design makes this fitness recumbent bike under 300 virtually silent, so it won’t impact others around you or interfere with your music or TV show.
Marcy Magnetic Recumbent Exercise Bike
The Marcy Magnetic Resistance exercise bike operates using a heavy-duty, 1-piece crank that gives this machine a strong structure and smooth riding experience. Although if anything were to happen, this portable recumbent exercise bike is backed up by a free replacement for damaged parts within one year.
Users can choose from eight levels of magnetic resistance, and the magnetic system means you won’t disturb others during workout time. Use the tension knob to adjust different intensities as the digital display tracks time, speed, and distance (in miles), and calories burned. You can also read your pulse on the digital display, and the sensors are located on the handlebars.
The non-slip cage adjustable foot pedals have straps that help keep your fit tight and in place, as you ride. Users up to 300 pounds can ride in comfort on the Marcy magnetic recumbent bike that features an adjustable base and transportation wheels.
One more noteworthy thing about this product is the customer service and warranty. There is a one-year quality warranty on this bike, and the customer service team provides 16 hours’ service for customer questions. So, if you’re interested in this bike but not 100% sure if it’s for you, you might not have anything to lose trying it out.
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RB4616 Bike
Featured in many budget recumbent exercise bike reviews, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4616 magnetic recumbent Bike is a quality and sturdy piece of exercise equipment with floor stabilizers to help level your bike to your space.
The dual handlebars provide the option of resting your hands to your sides or in front of you, though the pulse sensors are on the sidebars if you want to measure your heart rate as you ride. If you need to adjust your seat forward or backward as you ride, all you need to do is pull the handle.
On the digital monitor, you can view your time, speed, distance, calories, distance, and heart rate. This monitor is basic and not backlit, but the numbers are large and easy to read.
The magnetic resistance goes up to level eight, although some users note that the higher the resistance, the more wobbly the bike gets; although, it does have the support of a curved front leg rather than a straight one to help minimize this and keep things stable.
Buyer’s Guide
Before you purchase a recumbent indoor bike, there are a few things you will want to know ahead of time in order to select the best stationary bike under 300 for you. Here are a few things to consider:
- User Weight and Height Capacity: Ensure the bike can accommodate various heights and weights. Measure your inseam and check if it aligns with the bike’s specifications. This flexibility is crucial for future use or sharing.
- Seat Adjustability: Recumbent bikes are renowned for their comfort and back support. Opt for a bike with an adjustable and cushioned seat. Mesh backrests allow for better air circulation during workouts, promoting longer, more calorie-burning sessions.
- Flywheel Weight: Look for recumbent exercise bikes with heavy flywheels, preferably perimeter-weighted. This feature provides a natural pedaling experience and smooth momentum. Aim for flywheels weighing more than 20 pounds.
- Warranty Length: Choose a bike with a comprehensive warranty covering the frame and all parts, especially electrical components. Some reputable brands like Schwinn offer up to 3 years of parts warranty.
- Step Through Design: Some users require a step-through design to easily access the bike. This feature allows you to walk onto the bike and sit down without the need to lift your leg over the frame.
- Display and Media Tray: Consider the visibility of the display screen, especially when leaning back during your workout. Backlit screens are ideal for low-light conditions. Most recumbent bikes come with a media tray to hold your smartphone, tablet, or laptop for entertainment.
- Preset Programs: Look for bikes with a variety of preset workout programs to keep you motivated and challenged during your sessions. Having multiple options under $1000 is a great bonus.
- Resistance: Opt for magnetic tension resistance, as it provides a smoother ride. Electromagnetic resistance is even more precise and efficient, making it a preferred choice for recumbent bikes in Canada and the US.
- Cooling Fan and Speaker: While not common in bikes under $500, some models come with cooling fans and speakers. Multiple fan speed levels are beneficial for staying cool during your workout, and built-in speakers enhance your music experience.
- Bluetooth and USB Connectivity: Ensure your recumbent bike has Bluetooth and USB connectivity for staying connected to your devices, uploading and downloading workout data, or simply charging your devices while you exercise.
- Your Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to invest in your recumbent exercise bike before you start shopping. Various models are available at different price points, with options under $1000 for budget-conscious buyers.
- Arm Pedals and Foot Pedals: If you’re interested in a full-body workout, consider a recumbent exercise bike that includes arm pedals. Traditional recumbent bikes may not have handlebars, so models like Teeter Freestep with both arm and foot pedals are excellent choices.
Conclusion
Recumbent exercise bikes are known for their comfortability and ease of use, and it’s great that the fitness market provides so many options to bring this low-impact exercise into the comfort of your home. Truly think about your answers to the question in this guide and take some notes or even mark a checklist as you go through these recumbent bike options. You may think that taking a little extra time on this sounds like a hassle, but the only thing you could end up regretting is rushing through your decision and putting together an exercise bike that does not quite suit your needs.
Hi there, I'm Sayed Hamed Hosseiny, the founder and one of the authors at yourexercisebike.com (YEB). I am a former indoor cycling instructor and personal trainer with nearly 20 years of experience. With a passion for indoor cycling, I have spent years designing cycling parts, repairing, and importing exercise bikes. All the articles, tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on YourExerciseBike.com (YEB) reflect my personal opinion and expertise in the field. I'm excited to share my knowledge with fellow exercise bike enthusiasts and help people find reliable indoor cycling information and the best exercise bike for their needs. If you have any questions or suggestion, you can contact me at sayed@yourexercisebike.com.
I had no idea you could get such a powerful workout from indoor cycling. Back when I was younger I liked to go running but that’s not an option anymore so this was the next, best thing. But I didn’t know it would be this good for me.
Hello Denise, thanks for stopping by
We love indoor cycling, whether it’s a spin bike, upright bike, or a recumbent exercise bike, they are the perfect solution to unsafe roads and busy schedules.
Yeah, indoor cycling (with the right recumbent bike) will give you great results and improve your stamina and overall health considerably. But you do have to put in some work.
XTERRA and ProForm 235 are scored equally in this review so which one is the best?
XTERRA SB150 is particularly nice because it has 23 programs and is also a bit lighter than the ProForm 235 CSX and it’s usually cheaper. I would go with XTERRA.