Best Folding Exercise Bike Reviews: Top-Rated Stationary Machines For Your Home Workouts

Best Folding Exercise Bike Reviews

The best folding exercise bikes offer stellar workouts in convenient, compact packages. They ride like stationary machines, but can be neatly folded away after each workout. They’re our go-to’s for killer cardio workouts indoors.

However, not all folding exercise bikes are created equal–not by a long shot! That’s why we’ve created this guide. In it, we’ll explain how to shop for a folding exercise bike like a professional trainer. We’ll also introduce you to all our favorite folding exercise bikes on the market right now.

Read on to see which folding exercise bikes our experts currently recommend and to find out why these models make the grade!

PictureProduct NameWeightFootprintCost
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With PulseExerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse300 lbs.small$
Exerpeutic with bluetooth connectivityExerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with bluetooth connectivity250 lbs.small$$
Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent BikeExerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike300 lbs.large$
ExerWorK 1000Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 Fully-Adjustable Desk/Folding Exercise Bike With Pulse300 lbs.21.3" L x 25.5" W$$

Best Folding Exercise Bike Reviews

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike With Pulse Click for Price

This Exerpeutic model is currently the least expensive model we recommend in the folding category. It’s a full exercise bike, but it folds compactly into a package half the size. We suggest it to most buyers.

Pros:

It’s a very respectable exercise bike, even without the folding feature. It uses a magnetic resistance system and high-torque drivetrain to provide a workout for users of any fitness level. Unlike some other folding models, it includes a flywheel and belt to keep things moving smoothly and with a nice sense of inertia.

There are 8 levels of difficulty to choose from. While a folding model like this isn’t something an ardent athlete should be using, there’s more than enough challenge here for most folks.

It’s a folding model that doesn’t feel rickety. Leg stabilizers keep it feeling secure as you ride, and the rugged build supports users up to 300 pounds.

It folds to a package half the size of the bike. This is an extremely space-efficient design, and the folding mechanism is very easy to deal with. The whole machine weighs less than 45 pounds and includes wheels so that you can easily roll the folded bike into storage.

It’s well-equipped, even if it’s not exactly bursting with features. All the basics are covered, with heart rate sensors and a basic computer display that monitors your speed, heart rate, calories burned, and so on.

One feature we’re especially loving: it’s got a much more comfortable seat than others in this category!

It’s easy to assemble. You can be up and running in half an hour, without any help.

It’s more reliable than any other folding models we’ve reviewed. It’s also covered by a 1-year warranty, and there are extended policies available.

Cons:

It doesn’t have a perfect reliability record. Poor quality control is also an issue, as is less-than-stellar customer service. Shoddy threading on the pedals is a frequent complaint from previous owners, and that’s true of many exercise bikes in our experience. However, this is still the best in its category.

We highly recommend getting a SquareTrade policy to go along with this bike. That’s a suggestion we actually make for any folding exercise bike, simply because reliability tends to be so mixed with these machines.

The computer system is pretty limited. It’s well-equipped for a folding model, but it’s nowhere near as good as you’ll find on the average stationary exercise bike these days.

There is a similar model from Exerpeutic with bluetooth connectivity, but it hasn’t been on the market long enough for us to have a good sense of its reliability. You can check that model out here:
Exerpeutic with bluetooth connectivity Click for Price

The seat position means you’re pedaling in something of a recumbent position.

As with most inexpensive fitness equipment, the Exerpeutic isn’t the most accurate for tracking. If you have a wearable tracker, you’re better off using that to gauge calories.

Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike

Exerpeutic 400XL Folding Recumbent Bike Click for Price

We recommend this Exerpeutic model as an alternative to those who prefer a recumbent exercise bike rather than an upright model like the one above. It’s roughly equivalent to the Exerpeutic Upright in terms of quality and functionality, but offers a different format for those who prefer or require the ergonomics of a recumbent design.

Pros:

As with any recumbent bike, this one offers great ergonomics to users who need or simply prefer a different format from your average upright exercise bike. It’s much easier on the joints and back. Many users will also find that it’s easier to get on and off.

Unlike most recumbent models, it’s not a space-hog. It’s only 2” longer than the upright version! Just like the upright version, it folds into a package half its size. It includes the same wheels to move it into storage, too.

This recumbent model includes most of the same features as the upright Exerpeutic:

Stabilizers
Heart rate sensors
Basic onboard computer system
Smooth, balanced drivetrain
8 levels of difficulty
300-pound capacity

The seat cushion and backrest are nicely padded and quite comfortable. We’ve used much more expensive recumbent bikes that are less comfortable than this budget-friendly folding model!

As with the upright model we’ve looked at above, this recumbent Exerpeutic is the most reliable option in its category. It’s sturdy and should give you quite a decent working life.

Cons:

Prices vary, but this recumbent model generally costs more than the upright model above. However, we think that the ergonomic benefits outweigh the extra cost for certain users.

As with the upright model, this recumbent Exerpeutic is far from perfect in the reliability department. Get a SquareTrade policy to go along with it!

Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 Fully-Adjustable Desk/Folding Exercise Bike With Pulse

ExerWorK 1000 Click for Price

Our final recommendation in the folding category is this active desk from Exerpeutic. It’s quite similar to the recumbent bike we’ve just looked at, only with a desk in the front. We suggest it to anyone who wants to work out while they’re working. This one isn’t for everybody, but it’s excellent for low-intensity workouts while you take calls, look over your notes, or watch presentations on your laptop.

Pros:

It’s a solid exercise bike. It uses the same smooth drivetrain as the other models we’ve recommended above, and has the same 8 levels of difficulty to choose from. This isn’t a gimmick–it’s a real fitness machine.

It’s also an ergonomic desk for active working. You can adjust the angle of the desk and how close it comes to the seat, which makes it easy to find your perfect productivity position.

This might seem like an odd way to spend work hours, but trust us! It keeps your brain and body stimulated through long work days. It’s especially good for folks who work at home. It’s compact enough to fit in many offices, too.

It’s quiet enough that it doesn’t distract from thinking. That’s a big problem with a lot of active desks. The Exerpeutic makes very little noise, so you can keep your focus on the task at hand.

It’s the most reliable machine in this category.

It’s very easy to assemble, like our other recommendations.

Includes most of the same features as our other recommendations in this category. It has a basic computer system and display that track heart rate, calories, and so forth.

When folded, it fits into a space less than 2 square feet.

Cons:

It’s the most expensive model we recommend in this category. It’s not worth the extra investment if you’re not sure you’ll make use of the active desk format.

As with the other folding models we’ve recommended, it has an imperfect reliability record. Stripped pedals, poor quality control, and lackluster customer service are all complaints made my a number of buyers writing online reviews.

Again, it’s a good idea to purchase extended warranty coverage!

Conclusion

Which of these folding exercise bikes should you actually buy?

The Exerpeutic Upright we looked at first is the best choice if you’re after a straight-up upright bike that folds. It’s the least expensive of our recommendations and ticks all our boxes for a great folding exercise bike. Unless you want a recumbent design or an active desk setup, look no further!

The Exerpeutic 400XL is our suggestion to anyone who wants a folding exercise bike in the recumbent format. It can sometimes be a bit pricier than the standard Upright model, but any price difference will be well-worth it to those who need or simply are more comfortable with the recumbent design.

The ExerWorK 1000 is our suggestion to anyone who wants an active desk setup but doesn’t have a dedicated space for one. If you work from home or have room in your office, it makes an excellent secondary workstation that you can easily pack away after an active stretch of productivity. If you don’t plan to work and ride, though, there’s no point spending this much.

Note

If you’ve read through this guide carefully, you’ll probably have noticed that we’ve recommended three folding exercise bikes from the same brand. That’s not by design. After all, we’re not sponsored by or beholden to any manufacturers. We strive to be completely impartial when we review fitness equipment! In this case, one company is simply riding roughshod over the competition. We’re always reviewing new equipment, though, so we’ll update our recommendations as necessary! In the meantime, rest assured that all the machines you see here were selected without regard for the brand manufacturing them.

Buying Guide

Know Your Preferences

Normally, we advise readers to start by deciding on their budget. That’s often the best way to narrow down your options before you start considering specific models to buy. However, in this category, our recommendations are relatively close in terms of price.

That’s why we think it’s more important to think about what sort of folding exercise bike you want, rather than how much it’ll cost. Of course, the more sophisticated models will inevitably cost a bit more. The differences aren’t so vast as with equipment in other categories, though.

So, ask yourself what you’re looking for in your folding exercise bike. Do you just want a classic upright design? Are you looking for a recumbent machine that folds? Perhaps an active desk setup? We’ve recommended a range of options, so figure out what suits your body and your lifestyle best.

Always Choose Extended Warranty Coverage

We’ve already made this point in our reviews, but it’s worth repeating. We always recommend adding on extra warranty coverage when you buy a folding exercise bike. These machines have mixed reliability at best. That’s true even of the nicest models in the category. While we’ve gone to great lengths to make sure we’re recommending the most reliable options on the market, we still think it’s a wise idea to add coverage where possible.

Why spend more money for an extended warranty policy? There are two reasons.

First, these machines have relatively short lifespans. They have many moving parts, and they’re not built as solidly as stationary bikes that don’t fold up. It’s only sensible to spend a bit more money up front to make sure you don’t have to spend a whole bunch more for a replacement unit in the near future.

Second, when you buy a policy from a third-party provider such as SquareTrade, you’re able to avoid dealing with the manufacturer when you have issues. Fitness equipment manufacturers can be pretty frustrating to deal with. This way, you simply file a claim with the warranty provider, and they’ll deal with the company for you (or simply send you a replacement unit).

What’s Next

We hope this guide to the best folding exercise bikes has been informative and comprehensive. If we’ve missed anything you’re dying to know, drop us a line! We’d love to hear any suggestions you might have for how we could serve you better.

At this point, you ought to have one or two models in mind for your new folding exercise bike. If you do, great! You can learn more about any of the models we’ve recommended in this guide by clicking on the links in our reviews. That’s the most convenient way to check current prices, find full spec sheets, and all the other pertinent details you need to look through before making a purchase.

You can find plenty more of our in-depth buying guides, covering all types of fitness and workout equipment, by visiting our homepage. That’s the best place to find links to all our content.