Best Exercise Bikes under £300: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

best exercise bikes under £300

Whether you want to equip your home gym or you’re just looking for a good exercise bike, picking out the right product is no easy task, especially if you’re on a budget.

While high-end exercise bikes generally offer better quality and performance, there are excellent, more reasonably priced machines on the market that can be just as effective as the costly ones. In an array of different brands and models, recognizing the important features is sometimes impossible, so we’ve prepared a complete guide for finding the best exercise bike under £300 in the UK for home use.

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Buying the best exercise bike under £300 – What to consider

While affordability is an appealing plus, there’s no point in investing in an exercise bike just for being cheap if it won’t cover the crucial features like durability, weight capacity, quality, purpose, etc. Here’s what to look for in an indoor exercise bike:

What type of home-based exercise bike do I need?

Depending on your age, exercise goals, stamina, physical ability, and overall activity needs, there are two basic types of indoor bikes that you should look into: the recumbent and the upright exercise bike.

Recumbent bikes are generally more appealing to users who experience joint problems as they provide low-impact cycling and a much more comfortable seating position. Thanks to the reclined body position, recumbent bikes are ideal for low to medium-intensity workouts and long-distance stamina-building cycling.

When it comes to Upright bikes, they resemble more of a regular bike due to the placement of the pedals and the upper seating position. When riding an upright bike, you’re engaging the same muscles as you would on a regular outdoor bike, providing you with a high-intensity cardio workout, perfect for more advanced cylists.

Does it need to be foldable?

For some users, foldability is a crucial feature since it will determine how much space the bike will take up in your house. The ideal scenario is that you have enough room to keep the bike assembled all the time, but if that’s just not possible, bikes that can fold up to ½ of their size and wheeled into a storage unit are a great idea.

How quick is the assembly process?

Bulky exercise bikes with too many attachments and screws are not for everyone, so make sure that the assembly instructions are straightforward and the bike comes with only a few parts that are easy to put together.

What is the maximum weight capacity?

You can significantly narrow down your search options if the heavy-duty exercise bikes are just not necessary for your body type. Also, ask yourself how many people will use the bike and whether it needs to withstand more weight.

Is it easy to move around?

Another feature to think about is the weight of the product itself. Will you need to disassemble it after every use, or will it remain on the same spot? Most stationary bikes come with wheels that enable easier storing and positioning, so consider both the product weight and portability options before making the final purchase.

Best exercise bikes under £300 – Comparison table

BIKE NAME WEIGHT CAPACITY FOLDABLE? RESISTANCE

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse

Our review >
136 kg YES 8-level tension resistance

Ultrasport F-Bike Home Trainer with Hand Pulse Sensors

Our review >
100 kg YES 8 resistance levels

PLENY Foldable Fitness Exercise Bike

Our review >
120 kg YES 16 level magnetic tension control

Viavito Onyx Folding Exercise Bike

Our review >
100 kg YES 8-level resistance

JLL RE100 Recumbent Exercise Bike

Our review >
100 kg NO 8 magnetic levels of resistance

JLL JF100 Home Exercise Bike

Our review >
100 kg NO 10-level magnetic resistance

Best exercise bikes under £300 – Reviews

Here’s our list of ideal exercise bikes that will live up to most users’ expectations and still not leave you penniless. We’ve based our top picks on the essential criteria for various users and the customer’s honest reviews of the products.

Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike with Pulse

This sturdy upright exercise bike is a fantastic indoor piece of equipment, ideal for beginners who want to work on their stamina and lose weight.

Thanks to the wide padded seat, the bike brings you the comfort and stability of a recumbent bike but the intensity and workout of an upright one.

The bike is foldable, while the transportation wheels make it easy to move around in a few seconds.

It features an easy-to-use LCD, with all the important features like heart rate, calorie burn, speed, distance, etc.

This versatile bike is an excellent investment for both low-intensity and advanced workouts. It comes with an 8-level tension resistance, perfect for mild cycling or more intense muscle-building.

The pedals are ergonomic and secured with wide straps to provide stability and safety while cycling.
A smooth and consistent operating mechanism makes this machine almost unnoticeable and perfectly quiet for undisturbed workouts.

Since it can withstand up to 136 kg and is suitable for cyclists up to 1.86 m in height, this bike can serve multiple users and is great for families who need a versatile stationary bike.

Although the assembly was somewhat challenging for some users, once set up, there’s no need to disassemble it as it is quickly stored and folded.

All in all, this is a durable, high-quality bike definitely worth a buy.

Pros

  • Foldable and easily wheeled away
  • Useful features and great tension resistance options
  • Versatile: max. Weight capacity of 136 kg
  • Comfortable cushioned seat
  • Stable and noise-free pedalling system

Cons

  • Time-consuming assembly
  • More suitable for long-distance cycling than spinning

Available from: Amazon

Ultrasport F-Bike Home Trainer with Hand Pulse Sensors

If you struggle with limited space and are looking for a compact, light-weight fitness bike, this collapsible bike will be the perfect fit for your home gym.

It’s ideal for low-intensity workouts and mild cardio exercising. Unlike most recumbent bikes, this sleek machine is not bulky and heavy – on the contrary, it’s space-saving and easily stored away thanks to the smart folding mechanism and transportation wheels.

Elderly users and patients on surgery rehabilitation can safely use this bike and make consistent progress without putting excessive strain on their joints and knees. If you have back issues you are also covered since there is a model with a backrest available.

Ultrasport F-Bike comes with an 8-level resistance option and necessary features for a wholesome workout, such as heart rate monitoring (integrated pulse measuring handlebars), calorie burn, time, speed, distance, etc.

Most satisfied users found this bike perfect for weight loss and occasional workouts to improve muscle strength. Having that in mind, it’s useful to mention that this bike has a maximum weight capacity of 100 kg and is not a heavy-duty machine that can endure high-intensity cycling. Nevertheless, for less than £200, you will get a sturdy and durable stationary bike that will most certainly adhere to occasional cyclists who need to be more active.

Pros

  • Comfortable and secure seat
  • Foldable and quickly stored away
  • Light-weight but durable
  • 8-level resistance options
  • Space-saving

Cons

  • Not suitable for advanced training
  • Not the best fit for shorter users
  • Assembly takes some time

Available from: Amazon

PLENY Foldable Fitness Exercise Bike with 16 Level Resistance, Hand Pulse

We present another sleek fitness bike ideal for smaller homes and limited spaces. The PLENY bike is available in classic black and bold pink, in a modern and unnoticeable design that fits every household.

Although it consists of a heavy-duty metal construction frame, the bike is not bulky and heavy to move around.

It features all the important metrics (calorie burn, speed, distance, time, pulse) and a nifty tablet/phone holder, great for multi-tasking or creating a more realistic cycling experience.

The ergonomic cushioned seat provides maximum comfort and is great for elderly users who need more stability. You can also engage in a mild workout or challenge yourself for better results, thanks to the 16-level resistance option.

Most users really enjoy the balance between stability and practicality of the bike, so it proved excellent for replacing high-end machines and still providing remarkable results.

Pros

  • Light-weight and collapsible
  • 16-level resistance option
  • Space-saving design
  • Quiet and smooth mechanism
  • Durable and sturdy but compact

Cons

  • Handlebars positioned too close to the LCD monitor

Available from: Amazon / eBay

Viavito Onyx Folding Exercise Bike

Viavito Onyx exercise bike is another space-saving and compact piece of equipment, great for home-based workouts. The bike is conveniently folded into a storable unit, light-weight, and effortlessly movable.

viavito onyx exercise bike

The extra padded seat is adjustable by height and designed for a comfortable and safe cycling experience. Also, it offers 8 levels of magnetic resistance and an intuitive LCD with important metrics.

Praised for its sturdiness and quality, the Viavito fitness bike can help you lose weight, occasionally engage leg muscles, or work up to fantastic results and more advanced pedalling.

Weighing only 13.9 kg, this bike is basically unnoticeable and effortlessly ported anywhere. That said, it is not suitable for heavier users and excessive use as it is limited to 100 kg.

Users like that the bike is quick and straightforward to assemble, quiet and smooth when used, and extremely space-saving.

Pros

  • Collapsible and easily stored
  • Easy assembly
  • 8-level resistance options
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Intuitive and self-explanatory LCD
  • A 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Not for heavy-duty use

Available from: Sweatband / eBay

JLL RE100 Recumbent Exercise Bike

Buyers looking for ultimate comfort and safety will definitely find a great use for this fantastic recumbent bike. The JLL RE100 is designed to offer total beginners, patients in recovery, or elderly users the stability and convenience needed for a low-impact, mild exercising experience.

The bike features a large seat with ergonomic back support that enables you to mount the bike and pedal in a reclined position effortlessly: no back and neck pain, strains, pressure, and uncomfortable bending.

The handlebars are positioned like on a chair and feature a pulse monitor. The bike is also adjustable for length and is suitable for 6 different sizes. While it’s mostly aimed for medium-intensity workouts, the bike doesn’t exclude more challenging effort since you can choose from 8 magnetic levels of resistance.
Keep in mind that the bike needs space for use (140x29x82) and is best to keep assembled for continuous and convenient use.

Satisfied users are more than amazed by the comfort and ease that this bike provides, especially for motivating beginners, to gradually step into more serious training.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty and highly sturdy
  • Great for beginners and users with back/joint problems
  • 8-level resistance
  • Comfortable seat and handlebars
  • Quick to set up

Cons

  • A bit bulky, compared to similar products
  • Not applicable for spinning and advanced cycling
  • Not foldable

Available from: Amazon / eBay

JLL JF100 Home Exercise Bike

Our list wouldn’t be complete without this compact upright bike for home-based exercising and low to medium workout sessions.

Although not foldable, this bike is so small and narrow that it can be put basically anywhere, in your home gym, next to the bed, or even in the office for a quick break workout. What’s more, the bike is easily portable thanks to the attached transportation wheels.

The JLLF100 home bike features adjustable handlebars and 7 different seating positions, fitting all sizes and shapes. The LCD monitor tracks time, speed, calorie burn, and heart rate, enabling precise results and easy progress tracking. You can control your workout intensity and speed with the 10-level magnetic resistance.

The belt-driving operation mechanism enables more secure and smooth use, making the bike quiet and seamless when used.
It’s important to mention that this bike was built for domestic use and is aimed at users who seek casual, occasional workouts.

Pros

  • Small and compact
  • Quiet operation
  • Durable
  • Adjustable seat and handlebar position
  • 10 levels of resistance

Cons

  • Not foldable
  • Not sturdy enough for intense workouts

Available from: Amazon / eBay

Final thoughts – What’s the best exercise bike under £300?

To get top-notch quality and a reliable product, you don’t always need to spend too much. In our list, exercise bikes tick all the boxes for quality, durability, great features, and performance, all for less than £300.

Most buyers who look for a recumbent bike and focus on comfort could benefit most from products like the JLL RE100 Recumbent Exercise Bike. Similarly, if your goal is to work on muscle toning and recreate the authentic cycling experience, bikes like the Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Bike or Ultrasport F-Bike Home Trainer with Hand Pulse Sensors will adhere to your needs.

Finally, if saving space and storage is your priority, check out the Viavito Onyx Folding Exercise Bike and similar products on the list.

Related content:

Best Folding Exercise Bikes
Are folding exercise bikes any good?

Author Bio
Sofia Alves is a fitness enthusiast who loves running and motivating others to adopt and stick to healthy habits. She is always learning, searching and investing in further education to build her knowledge. She strongly believes the worst workout is the one you didn’t bother to do.