Buying guide
Best Recumbent Exercise Bikes
The best recumbent exercise bikes for low-impact, back-supported cardio at home, from premium connected models down to compact folding picks.
A recumbent bike seats you in a reclined chair-style position with the pedals out in front, so your back is supported and your weight rests on a wide seat rather than a narrow saddle. That makes it the most comfortable and lowest-impact way to ride, which is why recumbents are popular for joint issues, rehab, heavier riders, and anyone who simply finds an upright saddle painful.
The trade-off is intensity: the laid-back position is not built for standing sprints or hard out-of-the-saddle efforts, so a recumbent is about steady, sustainable cardio. When comparing them, focus on seat comfort and adjustability, the smoothness and range of the magnetic resistance, and the step-through frame, since easy on-and-off access is a big part of why people choose this style.
The bikes below run from a fully featured connected model down to a compact folding option for tight spaces. Pick based on how much screen and resistance range you want versus how little room you can spare.
- 1 Best Overall$1,499
NordicTrack Commercial R35 Recumbent Bike
NordicTrack
The Commercial R35 is the most complete recumbent here: a large touchscreen, quiet magnetic resistance with plenty of levels, and a supportive seat built for long sessions. iFit trainer-led rides can auto-adjust resistance so a workout stays engaging instead of monotonous. It is the pick if you want a recumbent that does not feel like a compromise.
- 2 Best Value$699
Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike
Schwinn Fitness
The Schwinn 270 has long been the sensible recumbent choice, with smooth magnetic resistance, a well-padded ventilated seat, and Bluetooth tracking that syncs to fitness apps. You get most of what the premium bikes offer at a far gentler price. For comfortable, low-impact cardio without overspending, it is hard to beat.
- 3 Best for Small Spaces$259
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RB4880 Folding Recumbent Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness
This folding recumbent brings back-supported, low-impact pedaling to homes that cannot dedicate floor space to a full bike. Magnetic resistance keeps it quiet and it folds compact between sessions. The build is basic, but for light rehab-style or everyday cardio in a tight room it fills a real gap.
Last updated June 2026.