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Best mini exercise bike can make your day more productive. The exercise bike market is really heating up! I mean let’s face it. There’s too many of us who spent our lockdown days just sitting on the couch and gaining excess weights. So, it is only expected that you’d look for a cycle to burn some calories now.
In all honestly, going to the gym or trying to follow a routine to do some workout on your own is not easy. But, having a decent machine at home can truly get the motivation going.
At the same time, big machines like indoor cycling bikes or the recumbent bikes or an upright exercise bike can cost more than you can afford. But, a mini bike is a more affordable choice while not entirely diminishing the chance for a good workout at home.
Why a mini exercise bike?
Well, the mini exercise bikes are the best option to lose weight for busy people like you and me. Besides, the mini exercise bikes also have a double use. The normal stationary exercise bike we use can be used only as an exercise bike. But these under desk exercise bikes can be used as both exercise bike as well as an upper body exerciser.
Because of their small size and weight, you can easily put one on top of your table and use the foot pedals with your hands. This will make it an upper body exerciser while its principle use still remains as an exercise bike.
Can mini exercise bikes burn calories?
This is a common question asked by many curious people. And they have a very good reason to ask so. You see, the mini exercise bikes are very small and have fewer workout features in comparison to the actual stationary bikes which are no doubt best exercise bikes for losing weight.
To simply answer the question of whether the mini exercise bikes can reduce calories or not is yes! Obviously, they can burn calories. The only flaw is that they will burn calories at a slower rate than the other exercise bikes.
In a calculation, it is found that the mini exercise bikes can burn around 50 calories per hour. This means to burn 500 calories, you have to pedal your mini bike for about 10 to 12 hours. However, this also depends on many factors like age, weight, pedaling rate of the user, etc. So this calculation is not fixed for every person.
While it is true that the mini exercise bikes can burn calories, it is also undeniable that they are not a very hardcore machine. And it is also an even bigger truth that these small machines are the quickest, easiest, cheapest and the best choice to lose weight for busy people.
So, I think we have had a lot of pep talk on the mini exercise bikes. Now it is time for the under desk small bike reviews.
Quick Picks
- DeskCycle 2 mini stationary exercise bike – Best overall
- Vaunn medical folding mini pedal exerciser – Best for low budget
DeskCycle mini stationary exercise bike
Our mini exercise bike reviews starts with the DeskCycle which is perhaps the most popular small bike out there.
It comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance. As a result, this bike is completely silent as well as has a very smooth pedaling capability. So if you are using it at work or anywhere, it will not make any noise. You can even put your kid to sleep and use the exerciser beside him and it will not disturb sleep.
Another great thing about this bike is that it keeps the record of the user’s workout of the entire day. This DeskCycle can keep the record of about 1000 minutes which is equivalent to 16 hours.
Now you might ask what kind of record does it store? An LCD monitor shows the time, speed, distance, scan and the amount of calories burnt by using this bike. You can keep it on the desk or below it, with the machine.
Another interesting fact, it supports online app which is very rare in these types of exercise bikes. You can create a free account and log your daily progress to your Fitbit account.
Top Specs
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 10 inches
- Resistance system: Magnetic resistance system
- Tension adjustment: 8 levels
- Product weight: 23 pounds
- Pedals: Wide pedals with adjustable straps
- Display: LCD monitor shows time, speed, distance, burned calories, scan
ATIVAFIT mini exercise bike for leg & arm
This is the ATIVAFIT mini pedal exerciser for both legs and arms.
This cute little piece of exercising equipment is available in three different colors. Dark blue, blue and pink. This one alone has variable comforting features more than other bikes of its class.
There is a built-in handle system in this machine which makes it very easy to transport from one place to another. The bases of the machine are designed to be non-slipping so that they do not slide while you are using it.
The pedals with the bike have a non-slipping surface. That is safer as well as easier for you to pedal fast.
Inside this mini bike, there is a magnetic resistance system of 8 separate levels waiting for you. You can adjust between any of these levels with the help of the tension adjusting knob in front of you. Besides, there are also adjustable straps for the pedals to secure your feet properly. As a result, there is no possibility of occurrence of any accidental slipping.
There is a small LCD monitor just above the knob attached to the body of the bike. In the monitor, you will be able to see the time, speed, distance, scan, odometer, RPM, and the amount of calories burned.
Assembly hassle is not that much of a bother. The unit comes almost assembled. You just have to perform 4 simple steps that can take a few minutes to assemble the whole unit. You won’t even need to use any tool for that.
Top Specs
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.9 x 12.6 inches
- Resistance system: Magnetic resistance system
- Tension adjustment: 8 levels of adjustable tension
- Product weight: 24 pounds
- Pedals: Anti-slipping with adjustable straps
- Display: LCD monitor shows time, speed, distance, burned calories, scan, RPM
Sunny Health & Fitness SF B0891 under desk magnetic cycle mini exercise bike
Another one of the best mini exercise bikes in 2021 comes from Sunny health and fitness. The brand needs no introduction, but how good is this SF-B0891?
Firstly, this bike runs with the help of the magnetic resistance system. This resistance system is also divided into 8 different levels of tension. Not only the magnetic resistance system, but it also has a flywheel that weighs about 3.52 pounds. That is a pretty decent flywheel for a mini under desk bike.
There’s also a small display which shows workout metrics such as speed, distance, time, scan, calories burned, etc. Having the chance to look at how you are doing is always an advantage, isn’t it?
The pedals of this bike are a bit narrow. Normally we find the pedals of exercise bikes like the normal bicycle or sometimes bigger than them. But this one has thinner pedals. Do you want to know why?
Because this is not just a mini bike; it is also an upper body exerciser. If you place on top of a table and use the pedals with your hands, you will get the 2-in-1 use of this machine. To make pedaling with hands more comfortable, the pedals have the shape of the grapple of hands.
Top Specs
- Product Dimensions: 20.5 x 16 x 10.5 inches
- Resistance system: Magnetic resistance system
- Tension adjustment: 8 levels of adjustable tension
- Product weight: 19.1 pounds
- Pedals: Suitable for both feet and hands with adjustable straps
- Display: Small digital monitor that shows time, speed, distance, scan, burned calories
Vaunn medical folding mini pedal exerciser
Once, this type of bike or this bike especially was used for medical purposes like therapy or home exercise. And it is made for that purpose only. But now it has become a mini exercise bike for everyone.
The Vaunn medical folding mini pedal exerciser is a normal mini exercise bike. It is made to provide muscle toning and light cardio to its users. If you’re looking for a heavy and intense workout, then this bike is not recommended for you. However, if you are a busy person who needs some physical exercise to maintain good health then you can use this bike.
Of course, the compact size lets you easily place it under any desk or table at home or work. You’ll have it easy moving this bike since it weighs only 2.3 pounds. Besides, it has a foldable design so carrying it from one place to another is also not a problem.
Unfortunately, this bike does not have any extra resistance system. Don’t get disappointed! Although there is no resistance system in the bike, there is still a manual tension adjustment system. Using the adjustment knob, you can make your workouts more challenging.
If you ever think or feel like the bike is slipping while being used, there is a safety trap to bind it with a chair or any other stationary heavy object. By the way, let’s not forget the display which does track metrics like other bikes on the list.
Finally, there are non-skid rubber feet pedals with adjustable straps with the machine. The users can use these pedals both for their legs and hands.
Top Specs
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 2.3 pounds
- Pedals: Non-skid rubber pedals with adjustable foot straps
- Foldability: Yes
- Display: Digital LCD monitor shows time, scan, RPM, revolution count,
- Ratings on Amazon: 4.3 stars out of 5 stars
Hausse portable folding exercise peddler
Lightweight, foldable, and easily portable; this is another exercise peddler for both home and office use. Hausse gives away a good mini bike at an affordable price.
The weight of this machine is around 5 pounds approximately. When you will use the bike, its dimension will be 20.7 x 14.2 x 13 inches. But, when you fold the unit, it will become only 12.6″ x 14.2″ x 7.1”. So you can easily carry it from your home to the office and also store it in any small place.
The tension adjustment knob works well and is easy to use to keep the bike at the right tension. Pedal resistance is produced by friction which might raise a few eyebrows. After all, most people want the smoothness of magnetic resistance.
Medium sized pedals have adjustable rubber straps with them. As a result, you can keep accidental slip ups out of your mind. And don’t forget that you can use it with your legs and even with your hands.
Time, burned calories, revolution count, RPM are some workout statistics shown on the electronic display of this bike.
Top Specs
- Product dimensions: 20.7 x 14.2 x 13 inches
- Folded dimensions: 12.6″ x 14.2″ x 7.1”
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 5 pounds approximately
- Pedals: Non-slip, adjustable strapped pedals
- Foldability: Yes
- Display: Electronic display shows time, scan, RPM, revolution count,
Drive medical exercise peddler
This great piece of exercising equipment is ideal for providing a good amount of exercise to the elders and busy people or generally anyone. However, don’t expect too much intensity from this small exercise bike.
You can use it as both upper and lower body exerciser. As the machine is made of steel, there is no doubt about the strength of this product. However, this has also become a bit of a problem for the users. The metal part can get really hot after being used for a certain amount of time.
And yeah, like some other mini exercise bike of its kind, this Drive medical mini exercise bike also has a tension adjustment system. There is a tension adjustment knob right at the center of the body of this bike that you can use for adjusting the tension.
The pedals of this bike have an anti-slip surface with adjustable foot straps. These straps prevent your feet from accidental slipping from the pedals. These pedals also have dual-use; it means you can use them with both your hands and legs.
Top Specs
- Product dimensions: 16 x 10 x 6.5 inches
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 2.2 pounds
- Pedals: Anti slip pedals with adjustable straps
- Display: No display monitor
HomGarden mini pedal exerciser bike
The HomGarden mini exercise bike is another one that comes with an advantage of upper and lower body exercise.
It has the usual adjustable tension system. You can use a rotating knob to set the resistance that is suitable for you. Regardless of your fitness level, you’ll always have the chance of selecting the right tension level.
Pedals having an anti-slip surface is the way to go when we are talking about exercise bikes. And that is exactly what you get with HomGarden. You will not feel like the feel is slipping out from the pedals. Furthermore, the pedals are ergonomically designed so that they can be used comfortably with hands too.
Now that you know that this small piece of machinery can be used for both hands and legs; you can guess that it can be used for versatile uses. For example, you can use this as both upper and lower body exerciser; which I have already mentioned. But I have not told you that it can be and it is being used in many places like home, office, sofa, bedroom, or basically at any sitting position.
At last, we are just left with the console. Well though this one does not have a very advanced console that costs hundreds of bucks, there is a small monitor that shows some of the basic workout stats. They’re- time, distance, scan, calories, count and total count.
Top Specs
- Product dimensions: 14.7”L x 11.4”H x 13.7”W
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 9lbs
- Pedals: Non-slipping with adjustable straps and molded finger grips
- Display: Shows time, distance, scan, count, total count, and calories
Kranich mini exercise bike
If you are looking for a mini exercise bike that is a bit complex than the other medical mini exercise bikes we have seen previously and also can provide a good amount of exercise that can squeeze some sweat out of you then this is a product you can lay your eyes on. This one is altogether suitable for rehab, therapy, muscle toning, light cardio, upper as well as lower body exerciser at home, office or while doing any other work.
Just like the HomGarden bike, this Kranich mini exercise bike has a tension adjustment knob for providing various tensions during exercising with this bike.
The pedals of this bike specifically can be used in both forward and backward directions. In addition, straps are present to keep your feet secured on the pedals no matter how fast you are exercising.
The small LCD monitor that is installed on the bike shows the exact same workout statistics like the HomGarden mini pedal exerciser bike. It too shows time, distance, scan, count, total count and the amount of calories burned during the workouts performed with this bike.
For a longer lifespan and better user experience, the product is made durable with steel frames and strong crank arms.
Warning: There is a special warning about this product that everybody should know. And it proves a pretty important fact about it too. It is recommended to give the machine a break after using it every half an hour or less.
Top Specs
- Product dimensions: 16.3 x 12.8 x 7.6 inches
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 9.04 pounds
- Pedals: Non-slipping with adjustable straps and molded finger grips
- Display: Shows time, distance, scan, count, total count, and calories
Aduro foldable sport mini exerciser
Aduro falls in the same line as the ones you’ve seen so far. Great for medical purposes. But, this one gives a little more intensity for you to work with.
Let us start with its outer feature. The weight of this bike is only 4.2 pounds. So as this mini exercise bike has a very lightweight design, carrying it from one place to another will not be a big hassle. Moreover, it is designed in such a way that it can be folded to a very little size.
The pedals with this bike are non-slip and have safety straps. These adjustable straps can hold down your feet to lock them securely to the pedals.
And yeah, just remembered because of the pedals; you can use the pedals with both your feet and hands as this bike is a dual action mini exercise bike. It can provide a good amount of muscle toning exercise to both your upper and lower body.
Finally, we have a small LCD screen attached to one side of the frames. It shows time, RPM, burned calories and rotation count.
And, Yes! There is a tension knob that controls the tension of this Aduro foldable sport mini exercise bike.
Top Specs
- Product dimensions: 19 x 14.5 x9.56 inches
- Tension adjustment: Yes
- Product weight: 6.6 pounds
- Pedals: Non-slip surface of pedals with safety foot straps
- Foldability: Yes
- Display: LCD monitor shows time, calories burnt, RPM, rotation count, etc.
DeskCycle 2 mini stationary exercise bike
Let’s end our mini exercise bike reviews with an updated and advanced under desk small cycle. And believe me, this product is waaaay better than the first one or the other ones.
Both of the DeskCycle mini exercise bikes are almost similar from the perspective of the construction, structure, and features. However, in this DeskCycle 2, we have some additional beneficial features that the other one did not have.
This DeskCycle 2 also has the magnetic resistance system with 8 adjustable levels. Simply turn the knob and find the intensity suitable for you. Not to mention the quiet operation of the bike.
Then it has the online feature and also other features just like the previous version. It is quiet, smooth, supports a formal environment like a workplace or anywhere and provides a very good amount of exercise.
The question is what is new? Well, the first thing is that the front leg of DeskCycle 2 is adjustable. Then, it has a great monitor that shows time, speed, distance, scan and the amount of calories burnt. Along with them, it also shows the RPM. The display also has a larger viewing area and instead of 16 hours, it can keep track of up to 160 hours of usage.
The pedals also have similar features as well as the new adjustability feature. You can adjust the height of the pedals in the DeskCycle 2.
Top Specs
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 10 inches
- Resistance system: Magnetic resistance system
- Tension adjustment: 8 levels
- Product weight: 24.7 pounds
- Pedals: Wide adjustable pedals with adjustable straps
- Display: LCD monitor shows time, speed, distance, RPM, burned calories, scan
Buying Guide: How to Buy the Best Mini Bike
Congratulations! Because you now know the top 10 mini exercise bikes in the market today. Now, we will discuss how and what to look for in an ideal mini exercise bike.
And in the end, you will have the name of the best among these best mini exercise bikes.
Resistance
Whether it is an upright exercise bike or a recumbent exercise bike or an indoor cycling exercise bike or a mini exercise bike, the resistance system is a must in every one of them.
The resistance system is the feature installed in an exercise bike so that it can provide a good amount of intense workout to the users of that bike. Two resistance types are very common in exercise bikes. Yes, that includes mini exercise cycles.
Magnetic resistance system
Perhaps the most sought after and certainly the most common in 2021 is the magnetic resistance. This system is very silent, smooth, user efficient, and has a reduced servicing cost. Zero maintenance advantage.
This resistance works with a magnet placed around the flywheel of the bike whose attraction or repulsion either increases or decreases the resistance you feel when pedaling.
Friction resistance
The other broadly used exercise bike resistance is the friction type.
The friction resistance system works with the help of a friction pad and the flywheel. The friction pad applies pressure on the flywheel to increase resistance. Likewise, when you release the pressure, the resistance will also decrease.
Now, the problem is; the friction pad may wear out after a certain period of time because of the constant friction against the flywheel. Again, due to the constant friction, no matter what they say, at least a little amount of sound is created.
Anyways…
If you are looking to use a mini exercise bike, then you will obviously want a bike that is smooth and silent. If you are using it only at home then the sound might not be a problem for you.
Regardless where you work out, we recommend going for the magnetic resistance.
Console
With mini exercise bike in context, you cannot expect to get those big high-end consoles that are full of preset programs. The basic service we get from a mini exercise bike is the pedaling, movement of legs, muscles, light cardio etc. You cannot just expect it to have high-quality programs in it.
So, like the console, you will just have a small monitor that shows you some of the most important readings from your workouts.
Pedals
Pedals in small cycles are usually made very ergonomically. This is because these bikes can work the upper body if you use your hands to pedal. Again, the pedals are pretty comfortable for the hands too along with the feet.
And of course, the pedals have to be of the ideal size that supports both hands and legs. Besides, almost every pedal has adjustable straps to ensure extra safety for its users.
Stability
Under desk exercise bikes are always lightweight. Of course, the plus side is the ease of portability. But, there’s also a con to it. Being lightweight means that the bike can move easily when you start pedaling a little faster. Obviously, you don’t want that.
You want a bike with good stability. As far as mini bikes go, you can look for stabilizing components. These include a wider feet, rubber caps, anti-slip base, etc. In addition, some mini cycles come with additional strap to attach the bike with a heavier object so that the bike itself stays sturdy.
The bikes that have these features can be said as stable because there are preventive measures for motion in them. So using these bikes would not be a big problem.
However, if your bike still has the toppling motion then you can buy an extra anti-slip mat to prevent that motion.
Pricing
Well, there is nothing much to say about the pricing of the mini exercise bikes. I can say one thing for sure. The mini exercise bikes are very low-cost exercise bikes. You can get the best mini exercise bike at just below $200.
Of course, price varies depending on the quality and features of the bike. But, you expect to get a good deal for anything above 150 dollars in case of mini exercise bikes.
Decision time
There you go! Now, you have the option to choose from the 10 best mini exercise bike reviews. You should not have any doubt now that these mini devils can truly give a decent exercise. Besides, there’s no matching when it comes to convenience and the ease of use.
So, good luck with your mini bike!
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