The 6 Best Recumbent Bikes for Low-Impact Cardio at Home

If you’re looking for the recumbent bike that balances simplicity and capability, we wager you’ll find that in Schwinn’s 290. Not only does this bike come with a crisp 7-inch display for tracking all your favorite metrics, it’s stocked with hundreds of virtual courses that auto-adjust resistance for an immersive, hands-free ride.

Neat finishing touches include USB charging ports, Bluetooth speakers, and even a ventilated seat. And the whole package sits well below the $1,000 mark.

If you’re on a limited budget, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of a recumbent bike. This Sunny Health & Fitness is an excellent value that provides useful features like a pulse sensor, self-leveling pedals, and eight levels of resistance.

The lightweight frame and its integrated wheels make it easy to roll around, whether you’re moving it into a closet or storing it behind the couch. This bike isn’t as durable as heavier-duty models, though, so if you’re looking for something to tackle daily long-distance rides, you may need to spring for a more expensive option.

Want an exercise bike that pulls out all the stops, giving you everything you need on one crystal-clear display? The R35’s 14-inch screen is stuffed to the gills with workouts that auto-adjust your resistance, and it’s flanked on the top and bottom by a large Bluetooth speaker and a built-in fan, respectively.

This bike is also dead quiet thanks to its top-tier magnetic resistance system, making it a perfect option if generating lots of noise is something you’d prefer to avoid (looking at you, fellow apartment-dwellers!).

If you’re not interested in the nice-to-have extras of high-end models and you just want a basic bike for simple workouts, this Marcy model could be the perfect fit. Its stripped-down controls—just three buttons—are great for users who don’t like to decode cluttered control panels.

Despite its simple setup, this model provides a good amount of data, including workout time, speed, distance, calories burned, and an odometer—more than enough for the casual user. Plus, at 86 pounds, it’s still relatively easy to assemble and move around.

Looking to add some upper-body resistance to improve the efficiency of your cycling workout? The revolving handlebars on this Sunny Health & Fitness model let you pump your arms as you pedal, and they feature adjustable resistance settings, just like the lower half.

If you like, you can also forgo the pedaling altogether and simply plant your feet on the floor to specifically target your arms and shoulders. A digital monitor provides workout info as you go, and a handy device holder allows you to easily watch movies or TV shows on your phone or tablet.

If you’re short on space or simply want to stow your bike away when you’re done using it, consider this Lanos folding bike. Its X-shaped design provides a sturdy foundation while you exercise while also having extra slim profile when folded up.

One issue we see with similar folding models is a low-weight capacity, owing to this design’s smaller overall platform and the concentrated strain our bodies put on the central pivot. But this bike can hold a claimed 330 pounds, which is more than seven times the bike’s own weight.