Fitness
Fitness Tech

Best Peloton dupes for 2023

Not a fan? Check out these other top stationary bikes instead.
By Jae Thomas  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 7 Picks

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B901 Pro Indoor Cycling Bike (opens in a new tab)

Budget pick

The Sunny Health & Fitness bike is the best low-tech choice for riders who want to use their TV to stream workouts, and their fitness tracker to manage stats.

The Good

  • Doesn't need to be plugged in
  • Solid, heavy flywheel
  • Frequently discounted

The Bad

  • Some users report clicking noises from the pedals
  • Friction resistance
  • No screen

The Bottom Line

For users who plan to use a TV to stream workouts and a smart watch to track cycling stats, the Sunny Health & Fitness bike is a budget-friendly option.
Pros & Cons

Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike (opens in a new tab)

Best for using the Peloton app

The best choice for Peloton app users, since you can sync the app to this bike's console.

The Good

  • Smooth ride
  • Peloton, Zwift, and Explore the World compatibility
  • SPD and cage pedals

The Bad

  • No screen
  • Requires your own device for streaming

The Bottom Line

The Schwinn IC4 is the best choice for Peloton app lovers who don't want to spend a fortune on a stationary bike.
Pros & Cons

NordicTrack S22i Commercial Studio Cycle (opens in a new tab)

Our top pick

The SS2i is the best alternative to the Peloton Bike Plus, featuring a large rotating screen and access to an impressive library of interactive workouts.

The Good

  • Free 30 day iFit subscription
  • Can watch Netflix and YouTube on screen
  • Tons of classes offered
  • Large 22-inch rotating screen

The Bad

  • Some reviews say the seat is uncomfortable

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for the full cycling studio experience plus a rotating screen to use for floor workouts, the NordicTrack S22i is the way to go.
Pros & Cons

Echelon Smart Connect EX5-S Fitness Bike (opens in a new tab)

Another Peloton+ alternative

A sleek bike that will give you the spin class experience — if you're ok with only using the Echelon app.

The Good

  • Small footprint
  • Quiet
  • Live and recorded classes through Echelon app

The Bad

  • You can't stream Netflix or YouTube from the tablet
  • $39.99/month membership

The Bottom Line

If you're okay with only using the Echelon app for your workouts, this bike will get the job done.
Pros & Cons

SoulCycle At-Home Bike (opens in a new tab)

Most motivating classes

Studio cycling enthusiasts will appreciate SoulCycle's high vibe instructors and upbeat classes.

The Good

  • Wide rider height range
  • Beat Match gives you a score based on how on-rhythm you are
  • Great playlists and motivating instructors
  • Frequently on sale for under $2,000

The Bad

  • No leaderboard for competitive riders
  • Flywheel weight isn't mentioned

The Bottom Line

Rhythmic-focused classes will keep even the most unmotivated riders pedaling.
Pros & Cons

Bodi bike studio (formerly MYX Fitness Bike) (opens in a new tab)

Good for tall riders

Riders up to 6'8" can enjoy Bodi's live and on-demand rides.

The Good

  • Apple watch pairing supported
  • Polar OH1 heart rate monitor
  • Swiveling screen
  • Healthy eating plans included
  • Kettlebell, 10-piece dumbbell set, foam rollers, and more accessories included
  • Three-year Beachbody On Demand + BODi membership (for up to five people)

The Bad

  • Friction resistance system
  • Beach Body membership is a separate cost

The Bottom Line

The MYX II bike features a wide height range for tall riders, and a sweet Apple Watch integration feature.
Pros & Cons

Echelon GT+ Connect Bike (opens in a new tab)

Best color options

Another mid-priced bike, the Echelon GT+ Connect offers stylish colors and a high-quality bike at a reasonable price point.

The Good

  • Frequently on sale for under $700
  • Stylish design
  • Oversized, padded seat
  • User reviews say it's quiet

The Bad

  • No screen included

The Bottom Line

If you want a Peloton Bike but don't care that much about the screen, the Echelon GT+ Connect is a great option.
Pros & Cons

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST This story has been updated to include new pricing information and new recommended stationary bikes.

You probably know that the pricey, cult-favorite Peloton bikes skyrocketed in demand at the beginning of the pandemic. As gyms and boutique fitness studios shuttered in 2020 and folks turned to exercising from home, home gym equipment (especially connected versions like cycling bikes and smart mirrors) became indispensable. They were a way to work off stress, helped people stay active indoors, and offered an online community through app- and Zoom-based classes.

But now, over three years into the pandemic, demand for Peloton fitness equipment has slowed down significantly, and the future of the connected fitness brand is unclear. For buyers in the market to build out their home gyms, purchasing a bike from Peloton might not be top of mind any longer.

Peloton's rocky road

Things have been unstable at Peloton the last few years — and that's putting it lightly.

According to a report from CNBC(opens in a new tab) at the end of January 2022, Peloton planned to temporarily halt production of connected bikes and treadmills due to waning demand. The company paused manufacturing for two months to recoup costs following diminishing interest in their products, which they attributed to increased price sensitivity on the part of consumers, as well as a steep hike in competitor activity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid these production issues, Peloton also announced on Feb. 8 that 2,800 workers would be laid off(opens in a new tab) and that the Peloton CEO and founder, John Foley, would be stepping down. On Aug. 12, 2022, Peloton announced(opens in a new tab) that it would once again be cutting jobs and hiking prices. One more for you: As of Oct. 6, Peloton announced it would be cutting 500 more jobs(opens in a new tab).

If you're still in the market for an at-home fitness bike, it's no longer Peloton or bust. For folks who don't want to deal with the instability of the fitness tech giant, there are some amazing studio-quality bikes available that will give you the same thrill and sweat as a Peloton bike. Some of them are even compatible with the Peloton app.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Peloton?

While Peloton had some significant price drops in 2022, permanent prices on its flagship products are back up, likely due to company instability. The OG bike(opens in a new tab) originally sat at $2,195, dropped down to $1,895, to $1,495, and finally down to $1,195, but now is back up at $1,445. The original Peloton bike is now available at Amazon at this price, with free Prime delivery.

Similarly, the Bike+(opens in a new tab) went from $2,495, down to $1,995, and back up to $2,495 since its 2020 release. These prices, of course, are on top of the monthly membership fee that was hiked up(opens in a new tab) to $44/month as of June 1, 2022.

Peloton's connected fitness equipment was more worth it when the prices were lower in 2022, but now that they're back up, there are way more stationary bikes on the market than just Peloton, meaning there's pretty much one for every budget.

When shopping for an indoor bike, decide what type of cycling experience you want. Are you looking for a studio-style bike with an attached screen? Do you want to be able to stream interactive workouts directly to your bike? Or are you looking for something cheaper that can use your own device for workout streaming? The driving question here is which app or site you want to get your workouts from, or if you just want a bike to pedal indoors while watching TV. Bikes without connected monitors or membership-based fitness programs tend to be hundreds of dollars cheaper than those with flashy screens.

Who is Peloton's biggest competitor?

Peloton's biggest competitors are NordicTrack, Echelon, and SoulCycle. All of these at-home bikes feature large touchscreens and stream live/on-demand fitness classes — so they'll all get you close to the Peloton experience. Some specifics like memberships, upfront cost, and tech specs set them apart from each other, and we'll get into that below.

Is the Echelon bike as good as Peloton?

The Echelon EX5-S bike is a solid choice as a Peloton alternative. It's nearly $1,000 cheaper than the Peloton Bike+, and it features the same type of rotating screen that rolled out with the launch of the Bike+. It also has a comparable monthly membership fee to Peloton: you'll have to pay $39.99 per month to access Echelon's library of live and on-demand workouts. The membership will get you a pretty good selection of workout options, with classes ranging from HIIT bike rides to floor and mat-focused strength, yoga, and boxing classes.

Overall, Echelon has solid bikes at a wide variety of price points, from the mid-priced GT+ Connect Bike(opens in a new tab) to the super high-tech EX-8s Connect Bike.(opens in a new tab)

What type of resistance is best for a stationary bike?

The two main resistance types for indoor cycling bikes are friction and magnetic resistance. Bikes with friction resistance use felt pads that compress the flywheel of your bike when the resistance is adjusted. Magnetic drive cycles, on the other hand, use strong magnets on the flywheel to create the sensation of heavier or lighter resistance.

Friction bikes tend to be cheaper, but since the felt pads need to be replaced when they wear out, they'll bring a recurring cost. A cycle with a magnetic drive will be much quieter than one with a friction resistance system, and basically won't need any maintenance over its life span — but the upfront cost might be more.

What is the best Peloton dupe?

To get a Peloton-like experience with even more added high-tech features, we recommend the NordicTrack S22i Commercial Studio Cycle(opens in a new tab). This bike is truly versatile: it comes with a free 30-day iFit subscription, lets you stream movies and TV to the screen, and has added incline and decline on top of resistance for an extra workout challenge. You'll also notice a 360-degree rotating screen that opens up a whole world of floor and mat workouts for those days when you need a break from riding. This feature is only available at Peloton with the Bike+, so NordicTrack is 100% on top of the trends.

If you're not already sold on a NordicTrack bike, check out our full list of the best Peloton alternatives on the market:

Budget pick
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Sunny Health & Fitness
Specs
  • Resistance type: Friction
  • Resistance levels: Not marked as levels, 0-100% using the knob
  • Weight capacity: 275 pounds
  • Height range: Not specified
  • Display: No
  • Pedal type: Cage
  • Subscription: No
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, two-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four-way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: 40 pounds

A stationary bike doesn't need a screen or fancy tech specs to get the job done, and this sub-$300 Sunny bike is a good example of quality simplicity. This bike would be great for riders who want to watch a few episodes of Netflix while pedaling, or who want to stream their own workouts from their TV or phone. This is the lowest-tech bike on this list, so we recommend it for casual riders who don't need all the bells and whistles of a smart connected bike.

While you won't be able to view your stats with this bike, it doesn't need to be plugged in, so it can be placed anywhere in your home (or even outside if you have outdoor space). The 40-pound flywheel will give you a stable ride, and it's regularly on sale at Amazon for under $280, so it's a good choice for your wallet. The only real downside is the friction resistance — you won't get really heavy rides with this bike.

Best for using the Peloton app
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Schwinn
Specs
  • Resistance type: Magnetic
  • Resistance levels: 100
  • Height range: Inseam height 29-37 inches
  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Display: Yes, small LCD display
  • Pedal type: Dual SPD clip and cage
  • Subscription: Optional Explore the World subscription, $9.99/month
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, two-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four-way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: 40 pounds

Peloton app fanatics who don't want the Peloton bike price are probably looking for a sturdy, magnetic drive bike that can be used for classes with the iconic Peloton instructors leading the way. 

The Schwinn IC4(opens in a new tab) only has a small LCD monitor for basic stat tracking, but features a media rack to place your own device on, giving you free-range of online workout choices. If you already pay for the Peloton app, you can sync it from your device to this bike's console — a huge perk for tracking cadence during classes.

This bike is also the only one on this list to boast dual SPD and cage pedals, so you can choose between clip-in cycling shoes or wearing regular athletic shoes during your ride.

Our top pick
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / NordicTrack
Specs
  • Resistance type: Magnetic
  • Resistance levels: 24
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Height range: Not specified
  • Display: Yes, 22-inch touchscreen
  • Pedal type: Hybrid SPD+ clips
  • Subscription: Yes, 30 day iFit trial included
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, two-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four-way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: 32 pounds

A 22-inch, rotating screen, and sturdy frame make the NordicTrack S22i(opens in a new tab) the Peloton Bike Plus's biggest competition. The S22i screen is fair game for Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming sites, and the bike comes with a 30-day trial of iFit, giving you access to thousands of on-demand workouts.

You'll find fewer resistance levels here than on the Bike+ (24 vs. Peloton's 100), but the NordicTrack S22i has two features that Peloton hasn't ventured into yet: bike incline/decline and live resistance adjustment. With 20% incline and 10% decline, this bike simulates a more realistic cycling experience, and your bike will automatically adjust to the resistance and incline levels instructors call out during classes — no more fumbling with the settings while you're crushing those steep hills.

The S22i bike was updated in early 2022 to include an upgraded 30W sound system, hybrid SPD+ toe clip pedals for compatibility with cycling shoes, and an improved ergonomic saddle for a comfier ride.

Another Peloton+ alternative
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Echelon
Specs
  • Resistance type: Magnetic
  • Resistance levels: 32
  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Height range: 4'10" to 6'5"
  • Display: Yes, 21.5-inch touchscreen
  • Pedal type: Cage
  • Subscription: Yes, $39.99/month
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, two-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four-way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: 28 pounds

The Echelon Smart Connect EX5-S bike(opens in a new tab) is a solid studio-style bike with a large, 180-degree rotating touch screen, similar to the Peloton Bike+ and the NordicTrack S22i. You'll have to pay $39.99 per month for an Echelon app membership with this bike, so the ongoing cost is something to consider.

The Echelon App has a wide variety of live and on-demand rides ranging from beginner level to advanced, and from lengths of five to 45 minutes.  You'll also be able to access Echelon's Fitpass programs, which feature yoga classes, strength workouts, and more, but don't expect to use anything else on this screen. There's no functionality to use other apps, so Netflix and ride is a no-go, and you'll need to use your own TV, tablet, or phone if you want to work out with different fitness programs. 

Most motivating classes
Credit: Mashable photo composite / Soulcycle
Specs
  • Resistance type: Magnetic
  • Resistance levels: 100
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Height range: 4'10" to 6'10"
  • Display: Yes, 21.5-inch touchscreen
  • Pedal type: Dual SDP clip and LOOK Delta clip
  • Subscription: Yes, $39.99/month
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, four-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: Not specified

If getting pumped up by a hype trainer and popular music during every ride is a non-negotiable, the SoulCycle At-Home Bike(opens in a new tab) is the one to grab. It gives you a wholesome studio-style experience that's more focused on riding to the music than trying to race everyone else in the class.

The SoulCycle bike's most motivating feature is called Beat Match, which measures how in sync you are with the music playing during each ride. Instead of focusing on speed, calories, or distance, Beat Match takes you away from the fitness jargon, ideal for folks who just want to have fun during their rides. 

Good for tall riders
Credit: Mashable photo composite / /Beachbody
Specs
  • Resistance type: Friction
  • Resistance levels: 10
  • Weight capacity: 350 pounds
  • Height range: 4'11" to 6'8"
  • Display: Yes, 21.5-inch touchscreen
  • Pedal type: Dual cage and SPD clip
  • Subscription: Three year Beachbody on demand and BODI membership included
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, four way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: 41 pounds

While most connected fitness bikes cap the suggested rider height at 6'5" or below, the BODi Bike studio(opens in a new tab) (formerly the MYX Fitness II bike) can accommodate folks up to 6'8", giving it one of the widest height ranges on this list (second only to the SoulCycle bike). It's also one of the only bikes that can be paired directly to an Apple Watch, so it's a solid pick for Apple aficionados. 

With a 360-degree swiveling touchscreen, the BODi bike works well for bike and floor workouts. The included three-year Beach Body on demand and BODi memberships will get you access to a good variety of live and on-demand fitness classes, plus extra resources like healthy eating plans, recipes, and more to take your healthy lifestyle to the next level.

While the upfront price for this bike is similar to other options on this list, the BODi bike runs on a friction resistance system, which can be noisy and requires more maintenance than its magnetic resistance counterparts. 

Best color options
Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Echelon
Specs
  • Resistance type: Magnetic
  • Resistance levels: 34
  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Height range: Not specified
  • Display: No
  • Subscription: Not required
  • Adjustable handlebars: Yes, four-way adjustable handlebars
  • Adjustable seat: Yes, four-way adjustable seat
  • Flywheel weight: Not specified

Stationary bikes that are $2,500 just aren't in everyone's price range. If you don't need the high-tech, interactive features and a giant attached screen, the Echelon GT+ Connect is a solid option. It comes in three different flywheel colors, features SPD shoe clips and a toe cage on the pedals, and boasts an impressive 34 levels of resistance.

While this bike doesn't come with a screen, that opens up the ability to use your phone, tablet, or TV for workouts — and means you don't get locked into a mandatory monthly membership.

How we tested

Over multiple weeks of online research, we compiled a list of the top at-home stationary bikes at nearly every price point. We only considered bikes that were rated four stars or higher via user reviews, but tended to stick to bikes that were rated 4.5 stars or higher. We sorted through hundreds of user reviews on each product to rule out any reoccurring, serious issues. We did extensive research on buzzy, popular stationary bike brands as well as lesser-known, hidden gem models.

Some factors we took into consideration while compiling this list:

Built-in screens and membership-based fitness classes — When looking for a Peloton alternative, many shoppers are likely looking for a bike with a built-in connected monitor and trainer-led fitness classes. We included the top bikes on the market with screens and membership-based class subscriptions, as well as options without these two features for folks who want to play workouts on their TVs, or use the Peloton app on a non-Peloton bike.

Comparison to the Peloton Bike — After hands-on testing the Peloton Bike, we determined that the most important factors when purchasing a cycling bike are delivery and installation, live and on-demand fitness classes, durability and stability of the bike, and adjustability of the bike. We compared each bike on this list with the original Peloton in mind. We included bikes that checked all of the boxes, as well as some that were missing one or two of our factors but were lower in price.

Price point — The Peloton Bike and Bike+ aren't cheap, so we included the best stationary bikes from around $300 all the way up to $2,500, because shoppers deserve a bike they love — even if they're on a budget.

Jae Thomas is the Deputy Shopping Editor for Mashable. They specialize in all things outdoor gear, kitchen goods, pet products, and fitness gadgets. Before Jae came to Mashable, they received a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire.

When they're not testing products or writing about online shopping, you'll find Jae whipping up an elaborate meal, hiking, camping, or hanging out with their dog, Miso. Reach out to them on Twitter at @jaetaurina(opens in a new tab) or by email at [email protected]


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