From standard stationary bikes to recumbent bikes, there are plenty of ways to introduce cycling to your home cardio routine. There's just one problem: A lot of the top cardio equipment hogs a lot of space, meaning it can be tough to find a place for it in your garage, basement, or compact fitness area.
The answer lies in getting a mini exercise bike, which provides big fitness value in a relatively small package. If you have limited room in your home, finding the best mini fitness bike may be as essential as finding the best cycling helmet or other mission-critical gear. In fact, a good mini bike can easily be parked under your desk at work! Here are a few recommendations from the ACTIVE Reviews Team.
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The Best Mini Exercise Bike - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Mini Exercise Bike: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
- Best Budget Mini Exercise Bike: Mini Exercise Bike
- Best Mini Exercise Bike for Beginners: Vive Pedal Exerciser
- Best Lightweight Mini Exercise Bike: YOSUDA Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
- Best Adjustable Mini Exercise Bike: Vaunn Medical Folding Pedal Exerciser
- Best Stable Mini Exercise Bike: MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike
- Best Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike: DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
- Best Portable Mini Exercise Bike: Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
Best Overall Mini Exercise Bike - Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 20.5" L x 16.5" W x 10.5" H
- Weight: 19.1 lbs.
- Resistance system: Magnetic
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike is a bike so small, you can easily park it under your desk to pedal throughout your workday. At less than 20 pounds, moving it around is a breeze. But that just skims the surface of why we like this mini bike so much.
Consider the magnetic resistance, which is smooth, quiet, and easy to adjust with a simple dial. The eight available resistance levels allow you to choose an intensity level that matches your strength and stamina. And don't forget the easy-adjust straps, providing a simple way to ensure comfort and security while you pedal.
What We Like
- Modest price point
- Smooth flywheel design
- 8 resistance levels
What We Don't Like
- Very bland aesthetic
- Display screen is nothing to write home about
BUY: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
Best Budget Mini Exercise Bike - Mini Exercise Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 15.7" L x 12.5" W x 7.8" H
- Weight: 8.8 lbs.
- Resistance system: Magnetic
Home fitness equipment doesn't get much more affordable than this. The Mini Exercise Bike is available for under $50, making it a cost-effective solution to any office, living room, or home fitness area. With a robust magnetic resistance system, it should provide you with an effective and long-lasting workout option.
Beyond the price point, we love the durable steel design, easy-to-adjust dial, non-slip padding, and digital monitor.
What We Like
- Modest price point
- Durable materials
- LCD monitor offers a number of key stats
What We Don't Like
- Some assembly required
- Not as many resistance levels as we'd like
Best Mini Exercise Bike for Beginners - Vive Pedal Exerciser
SPECS
- Dimensions: 17.72" L x 12.72" W x 7.64" H
- Weight: 12.89 lbs.
- Resistance system: Friction belt
New to under-desk pedaling? The Vive Pedal Exerciser is an affordable and easy-to-use option that's completely beginner-friendly.
Compact, silent, and resistant to slipping, this pedal exerciser offers pretty much everything you could want for a home or office workout companion. Standard features include an easy-to-adjust dial, but the best amenity might be a one-touch display mode, making it easy to track your speed, time, distance, and calories burned.
What We Like
- One-touch display
- Provides lots of good fitness stats
- Smooth, quiet performance
- Modest price point
What We Don't Like
- Batteries required
- Not quite as durable as other options
Best Lightweight Mini Exercise Bike - YOSUDA Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
SPECS
- Dimensions: 21.26" L x 12.28" W x 14.37" H
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Resistance system: Magnetic
If you're keeping a mini bike in the workplace, you’ll naturally want something that's light enough for easy relocation. Enter the YOSUDA Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser. At just 22 pounds, this mini bike can be shifted back and forth from your desk to a closet or from your home to your office with minimal effort.
Additionally, it delivers the smooth, quiet performance you want from an office workout tool. The magnetic resistance offers eight levels of adjustability, empowering you to find the intensity level best-suited to meet your calorie-burning goals.
What We Like
- Smooth and quiet
- Lightweight
- Eight levels of adjustability
What We Don't Like
- Slightly higher price point
- Acrylic surface may take some scratches
BUY: YOSUDA Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
Best Adjustable Mini Exercise Bike - Vaunn Medical Folding Pedal Exerciser
SPECS
- Dimensions: 18.25" L x 15.2" W x 11.25" H
- Weight: 5.4 lbs.
- Resistance system: N/A
Looking for a mini bike that you can easily adapt to your workout? There's lots of adjustability built into the Vaunn Medical Folding Pedal Exerciser. Not only does a resistance knob allow you to tweak your workout settings, but the entire unit is easy to fold, readying it for compact storage. Also note that, at just over 5 pounds, this arm and leg exerciser is about as lightweight and movable as you're going to get. It's not the most robust option, but it's certainly versatile.
What We Like
- Incredibly lightweight
- Easy to fold and store
- Great for both arms and legs
- Modest price point
- Comes fully assembled
What We Don't Like
- Not as durable as other options
- Display screen is limited and very basic
BUY: Vaunn Medical Folding Pedal Exerciser
Best Stable Mini Exercise Bike - MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 9" L x 16" W x 16" H
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Resistance system: Magnetic
With the MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike, stability is the name of the game. Designed to provide a reliable, no-slip workout experience in your living room or under your desk, this heavy-duty exerciser is made to last.
We also love the range of adjustability, including 20 different resistance settings. The resistance is smooth and whisper quiet, and adjustable Velcro straps make it easy to keep your feet in place.
What We Like
- 20 levels of adjustable resistance
- Easy-adjust Velcro straps
- Sturdy, no-slip design
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- Assembly required
BUY: MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike
Best Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike - DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
SPECS
- Dimensions: 10.24" L x 24.02" W x 20.08" H
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Resistance system: Magnetic
The DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser is designed specifically for use under your desk or in your cubicle. Its low profile means it will fit just about anywhere, while the quiet performance means you can work out during the day, breaking up your sedentary lifestyle without disrupting your coworkers. Eight settings are available, allowing you to set your resistance just so.
What We Like
- Low-profile
- Quiet performance
- Five-function LCD display
- High-quality steel construction
What We Don't Like
- Very high price point
- For the price, we'd love to see more resistance variety
BUY: DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
Best Portable Mini Exercise Bike - Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 15.7” L x 11.6” W x 13.7" H
- Weight: 8.09 lbs.
- Resistance system: Friction belt
The Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike is small and lightweight, making it ideal for traveling.
That's just one perk: It also has a multifunctional LCD screen, to easily track core fitness stats. Handles enhance the portability, while the adjustable foot bands make it easy to secure the right fit.
What We Like
- Easy to move around
- Modest price point
- Multifunctional LCD screen
What We Don't Like
- Higher profile may make it hard to fit under some desks
- Batteries required
BUY: Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
What To Look For in a Mini Exercise Bike
When shopping for a mini exercise bike, there are a few factors to keep at the forefront of your mind.
Size
Check the footprint before you buy, ensuring there's room for it in your home gym space or under your desk. You might want to be especially attentive to height; if you're a taller person, you'll need a taller bike. Note that some mini exercise bikes are so small they can fit under your desk, allowing you to burn some calories while attending to your work.
Weight
By their very nature, mini exercise bikes tend to be lightweight. This is helpful if you plan to move yours around a lot, perhaps in and out of a storage corner. Still, it's always wise to double check the weight before you make a purchase.
Materials
Higher-end materials tend to provide greater durability. Steel and other alloys typically work well, offering strength and stability without contributing too much to the mini bike's total weight.
Resistance Type
Magnetic resistance is usually the best bet, offering a smooth, fluid motion and a quiet workout experience. This means you can work out at home or even in your office without disrupting anyone else. Also be sure to look for a mini exercise bike that offers some customization, ideally three or more resistance levels to choose from.
FAQs About Mini Exercise Bikes
Is a mini exercise bike effective?
Yes. In fact, when used properly and consistently, mini exercise bikes can be just as effective as full-sized bikes at providing cardiovascular and aerobic workout options.
Can you lose weight with a mini bike?
Working out on a mini bike can certainly help you lose calories. While that alone is no guarantee of weight loss, it can be helpful when augmented by other types of exercise (including strength training), along with a healthy diet.
How long should you exercise on a mini exercise bike?
While it depends on the person, most trainers would recommend working out on your mini exercise bike for anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes per session, ideally three to five days a week.
About the Author
Josh is a journalist and writer whose work has appeared in magazines and local newspapers such as Christianity Today, IMAGE Journal, Relevant Magazine, FLOOD, The Nashville Scene, True Tunes, Rise Up Daily, and Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. Josh is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast.
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