A fitness mini bike is a portable and light way to keep in shape on the go, at work or at home. While they might not provide the same efficacy as a full body workout, they are an incredibly cost-effective option if you have a sedentary job or want to burn off the calories after a small treat or two while watching TV.
We’ve pulled together a selection of what we believe to be the best mini exercise bikes on the market and compared them to provide you with a definitive list.
Read on if you want to find the perfect mini bike to add to your daily routine.
PRODUCT | HIGHLIGHTS & BENEFITS |
|---|---|
Best Overall OUR #1 RATED  1. DeskCycle | |
 2. Sunny | |
 3. MagneTrainer |
1. DeskCycle Under Desk Exercise Bike (Editor's Choice)
DeskCycle will always top any list of the best mini exercise bikes.
It has a range of features that mean it stands out against its competitors.
Two of the most appealing features are the significantly higher range of resistance and the fact that it has the lowest total height of only 10 inches while fully assembled.
Pros
CONS
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
Sunny Health offers a magnetic mini exercise bike that provides the same focus on variable resistance as that of the DeskCycle, but at a more budget-friendly price.
It stands a little taller at nearly 15 inches, and while Sunny Health claims it will provide a good workout, there are a select few desks that it will fit under comfortably.
Pros
CONS
3. MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike Arm and Leg Exerciser
The MagneTrainer Arm and Leg Exerciser comes with a strap to tether it to your chair to avoid slipping on laminate floors, and it also has an optional upgrade in the form of hand pedals if you’re looking to work out your arms too.
Like the other pedal exerciser machines at the top of the list, it uses magnetic resistance to operate almost silently.
Pros
CONS
4. Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Exercise Peddler
The Drive Medical Deluxe is a great mini bike option if you’re looking to keep it on budget.
This stationary bike is a simple no-frills option, providing the basic functionality without the expensive luxuries of some of the other mini bikes on the list.
It’s lightweight and portable and folds down for even easier storage.
Pros
CONS
5. Vive Pedal Exerciser
Another excellent budget option the Vive offers much the same functionality as the high-end models but at a fraction of the cost.
If you’re looking to burn calories whilst sitting, then this is an excellent choice for shoving under a desk or propping in front of the sofa at home.
Pros
CONS
6. FLEXISPOT Home Office Standing Desk Exercise Bike
FLEXISPOT offers a mini bike that is less mini and more bike.
Targeting the area of the market that wonders, “will my knees bash the desk?”
It has an attachable desk panel that attaches to the bike frame if you want to make the exercise bike the only desk you’ll need.
Pros
CONS
7. ATIVAFIT Mini Exercise Bike
The ATIVAFIT is one of the best mini exercise bikes and a personal favorite for a few reasons.
In the middle, in terms of budget, but still offers the same functionality as the higher-end models.
It also is one of the sleekest and slimmest looking mini exercise bikes in terms of look and easy storage.
Pros
CONS
8. Wonder Maxi Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
It might look a little like an egg, but the Wonder Maxi is no “yolk” when it comes to under desk exercise.
When it comes to the best mini bikes, this is an affordable option with all the features of the more expensive models. It takes the mini bike title seriously and it is incredibly portable.
Pros
CONS
9. FitDesk Under Desk Cycle
The FitDesk looks and functions the same as the Desk Cycle but comes at a bit cheaper cost.
While fully assembled, this stationary bike features the same incredibly low height and will fit under the vast majority of desks easily.
It does have an odometer, but it’s not as advanced or compatible with FitBit like the Desk Cycles is.
Pros
CONS
10. Kranich Mini Exercise Bike
Kranich is another excellent choice for a super simple budget mini bike.
It’s sturdy, but the sleek design means it will easily fit into most spaces that you would need it to, and it provides a decent amount of resistance for exercise or rehabilitation.
Pros
CONS
A mini bike is a lightweight, portable machine that can help with rehabilitation and light exercise while watching TV or working at a desk.
It is ideal for those who have sedentary jobs, and studies have found it can improve productivity and focus while offering a small amount of calorie burning. [1]
With more advanced models that improve the resistance, certain mini bikes can also provide the means for a decent lower body workout while otherwise idle. The magnetic designs are also practically noise-free, meaning they won’t be distracting you or those around you.
Almost all models feature an odometer to track the calories burned and the distance you’ve put in.
As you gain strength and cardiovascular endurance, you can burn more calories by progressively adding intensity. Some, but not all, mini stationary bikes allow you to adjust the intensity of your cycling session. Try increasing the resistance of the pedals or increasing the incline. A more intense cycling session means you'll burn more calories more quickly.
Van Thompson
Martial Arts Instructor and Fitness Writer
Does A Mini Exercise Bike Help Lose Weight And Build Muscle?
Mini bikes can certainly help as part of a healthy lifestyle, but they’re not really marketed as a fitness workout by themselves.
It’s best to view your pedal exerciser as an addition to burn calories while still being in a sedentary position. In this capacity, your pedal exerciser can help you to lose extra weight or at least offset that delicious cookie you had after lunch.
When used for physical therapy and with the variable resistance levels, they are excellent at providing a slow low-pressure workout that can help many people to build and strengthen injured muscles and joints.
If used daily at times you would otherwise be idle, a pedal exerciser can undoubtedly help boost and maintain leg strength.
The exercise bike is a soft and smooth sport that is often recommended for rehabilitation, especially after a knee or an ankle sprain. Indoor cycling is a low-impact sport that solicits the joints in a gentle manner without shock.
Clara Miller
Fitness Writer
What To Look For When Buying A Mini Exercise Bike
Sturdiness And Warranty
Some pedal exercisers, due to their light and compact design, can be made from materials that do not hold up to the consistent use that you’ll be putting them through.
Be sure to check reviews and see how often there are breakages, particularly on the pedals. Make sure the model you buy has a good guaranty, one which the company will honor.
Stillness
To be truly useful, your mini bike should be usable thoughtlessly while sitting at your desk at work or home and so it should be perfectly stable and still.
If you have to keep adjusting it or dragging it back into place, then it’s not fit for purpose. Scan reviews for whether or not the model you’re looking at stays in place and on what surface it is good for.
Resistance
If you’re looking to use this mini pedal exerciser to aid weight loss or build muscle, you need to know that the machine can be adjusted to provide higher levels of resistance so that it continues to offer a good workout as you improve.
Varying Speeds
In order to provide a good health and fitness workout, you want a pedal exerciser that can handle varying speeds and interval training. This means if you're going to do 10 minutes of high-intensity speed cycling, it needs to stay in place.
Some models might be great at a lower fitness level, but become useless if used with any real speed. Be sure to check the reviews for mentions of more high-intensity use.
LCD display
Being able to track your workout intensity on your pedal exerciser is not only essential to gauge your progress and mark any improvements you’re making, but is also an excellent measure of the bikes worth.
You want an odometer that lets you easily read distance time, time speed, and calories burned - and one that won’t break too.
Noise Level
Some of these machines can start screaming at high resistance levels, and if you’re planning to use it in an office or while watching TV, that is a distraction you don’t need. Also, if it’s making noise, then it’s inevitably going to degrade the machine at a quicker rate due to wear and tear. The quieter, the better.
Straps
It may seem like one of the most simple aspects of the machine, but it’s of vital importance that the straps secure your feet well to the pedals. If your foot is regularly slipping, then the bike itself becomes virtually useless as it will neither be secure or stable for you to use.
Benefits Of Pedaling
Cardio Exercise
The benefits of a good cardio regime are well known at this point, and low impact workouts like cycling are perfect aerobic exercise. [2] It can lower stress levels, get that heart rate going, improve blood circulation, as well as your blood sugar levels. Studies have shown it also helps you sleep better, which in turn can strengthen your immune system.
Increased Concentration
Another significant side effect of aerobic exercise and cardio workouts is the positive impact they can have on your memory and concentration levels. [3] This means that not only are you getting some gym time in while you’re at work, you’re also going to be getting more work done and at a higher quality. Talk about a win-win.
Saves Time
If you’re working out while you work, then once you finish for the day instead of heading straight for the gym, you can spend a little time on yourself in other ways. For those of us with a hectic or busy lifestyle by multi-tasking like this, we can focus on the other things in our life that make us happy.
How Many Calories Does A Desk Peddler Burn?
The most energetic desk peddler can burn up to 500 calories a day while the average desk peddler will burn about 180 calories a day. [4]
It is not intended to replace a workout, but if used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can offset excess calories during the time you might otherwise spend idly sitting.
Which Is The Best Mini Exercise Bike?
Here in the MFS office, we’re all fitness buffs, and we’ve used a fair few under desk bike models while working.
Due to its sturdy design, the Desk Cycle is not only one of the longest-lasting pedal exercisers, but it’s also the most user-friendly in its assembly. Whether it’s purpose is for physical therapy or you just wish to lose weight, its tracking software and compatibility with other apps make it ideal for tracking your vitals and progress.
Its magnetic resistance is as quiet as a mouse while providing a great way to ante up the intensity in a pedal motion.
Many people claim it is also one of the few mini bikes that can honestly say it fits under most standard desks with any knee bumping.
Have you used any of the mini bikes on this list? What was your experience? Have you got any further questions about the pedal exercisers we have just reviewed? Let us know in the comments below.
DeskCycle
Our #1 mini exercise bike
