The Best Smart Exercise Bikes for Connected Home Workouts in 2026
Explore and compare the best smart exercise bikes of 2026, including Peloton, Nordictrack, Schwinn, Bowflex, pooboo and more, to find the right indoor cycling solution for your smart home workouts, personal fitness goals, and budget.
Introduction
Smart exercise bikes have turned indoor cycling into an interactive, data-driven experience. For anyone who wants “Smart” training at home—streaming classes, virtual routes, performance metrics, and app-based coaching—the right bike can replace a studio membership and keep you accountable.
But “smart” can mean anything from a fully integrated touchscreen ecosystem with auto-adjusting resistance, to a budget bike that simply pairs with Zwift on your tablet. Here, we compare the pooboo Exercise Bike (model D525) against major smart and connected competitors like Peloton, Nordictrack, Schwinn, Bowflex, Echelon, Yesoul, and JOROTO to help you choose the best smart bike for your space, budget, and training style.
How We Compared
- Smart integration & apps: Built-in screens vs. bring-your-own-device, app ecosystems (Peloton, iFit, Zwift, Kinomap, JRNY, etc.), Bluetooth connectivity, and workout tracking.
- Ride quality: Drive system (belt vs. chain), resistance type (magnetic vs. friction), flywheel weight, and smoothness.
- Adjustability & ergonomics: Seat/handlebar adjustment range, fit for different rider heights, and general comfort.
- Build quality & stability: Frame design, weight capacity, and user feedback on sturdiness.
- Price & value: Upfront cost plus likely subscription costs, and how much “smart” functionality you get per dollar.
Because “smart” is the defining use case, we gave extra weight to integrated training features and connectivity—while still considering value for money and everyday practicality.
Everything we recommend
Peloton Bike+
The most immersive smart cycling experience, featuring a rotating touchscreen and automatic resistance for seamless, guided at-home workouts.
Nordictrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle
Premium smart bike with a 27” screen, auto incline/decline, and iFit integration for realistic, instructor-led studio or virtual road rides.
Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Brings auto incline/decline and a large touchscreen for iFit-guided training and scenic rides at a more approachable price.
Peloton Bike
Offers Peloton’s polished app, content, and metrics via integrated touchscreen at a lower cost than the Bike+.
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
Bluetooth-enabled for flexibility with Peloton, Zwift, and other apps—an affordable, magnetic-resistance, bring-your-own-device smart bike.
Bowflex C6 Bike
Open-ecosystem smart bike pairing with popular apps and providing very granular resistance for structured, app-based workouts.
pooboo Exercise Bike D525
The budget pick for app-based, smart cycling—a sturdy, quiet, basic spin bike compatible with Zwift, Kinomap, and more.
Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX-5s
An all-in-one smart cycling platform with an integrated screen and subscription-based app—an alternative to Peloton and iFit.
JOROTO X2PRO Bluetooth Indoor Cycling Bike
Bluetooth smart bike with quiet magnetic resistance—ideal for app-based users preferring flexibility and low maintenance.
Yesoul S3 Smart Exercise Bike
Bluetooth-enabled, adjustable, and affordable—purpose-built for Zwift, Kinomap, and smart training on your own device.
Peloton Bike+
Summary: For a fully immersive smart cycling experience, the Peloton Bike+ remains the gold standard. Its rotating HD touchscreen, automatic resistance following, polished app ecosystem, and Apple GymKit integration make it the most seamless smart bike for users who want studio-style classes at home with minimal setup friction.
Feature Highlights:
- Rotating HD touchscreen for both cycling and off-bike workouts
- Live and on-demand Peloton classes with automatic resistance following
- Deep performance metrics and structured training via Peloton’s subscription platform
- Apple GymKit integration for easy pairing with Apple Watch
Pros:
- Best-in-class content and community for smart training
- Auto-resistance and rotating screen make guided workouts very intuitive
Cons:
- Premium price plus ongoing subscription
- Locked into Peloton’s ecosystem for most features
Nordictrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle
Summary: The Nordictrack Commercial S27i is a high-end smart exercise bike built around a massive 27" HD touchscreen and iFit’s immersive, instructor-led outdoor rides. With auto-adjusting incline/decline and resistance, it delivers one of the most realistic “smart” road-simulation experiences available.
Feature Highlights:
- 27" HD touchscreen with iFit interactive training
- Automatic incline/decline and resistance adjustments
- Integrated workout tracking and program variety
- Designed for fully guided, cinematic smart workouts
Pros:
- Huge, immersive screen for a true studio or outdoor-simulation feel
- Smart auto-adjustments reduce guesswork and keep you in the workout
Cons:
- Very expensive and subscription-centric
- Large physical footprint and heavier setup
Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle
Summary: The Nordictrack S22i offers many of the S27i’s smartest features—auto incline/decline, resistance adjustments, and iFit integration—at a slightly more approachable level thanks to its 22" (still very large) rotating HD touchscreen. It’s a strong choice if you want a premium smart bike but don’t need the absolute biggest display.
Feature Highlights:
- 22" rotating HD touchscreen with interactive iFit workouts
- Automatic resistance and incline/decline control
- Integrated Bluetooth connectivity and workout tracking
- Smart design optimized for guided classes and scenic rides
Pros:
- Excellent sweet spot between screen size and price within the premium tier
- Incline/decline features add realism for smart training programs
Cons:
- Still pricey compared with more open, app-compatible bikes
- Heavier, more complex than minimalist connected bikes
Peloton Bike
Summary: The original Peloton Bike delivers the core Peloton smart experience—live and on-demand classes on an HD touchscreen with detailed performance tracking—at a lower cost than the Bike+. If you don’t need a rotating screen or the extra refinements, this is still one of the most polished smart bikes for engaging, metrics-driven home workouts.
Feature Highlights:
- Integrated HD touchscreen for Peloton’s live and on-demand classes
- Bluetooth connectivity and performance metrics tracking
- Deep library of structured programs and music-driven rides
- Strong social features and leaderboard for motivation
Pros:
- Proven, polished smart platform with huge content library
- Lower price than Bike+ while retaining the key smart features
Cons:
- Screen doesn’t rotate like Bike+ for floor workouts
- Platform is primarily optimized for Peloton content rather than third-party apps
Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike
Summary: The Schwinn IC4 is a top pick for people who want smart flexibility without being locked into a single ecosystem. With Bluetooth connectivity to apps like Peloton, Zwift, and JRNY, plus quiet magnetic resistance, it’s a versatile connected bike that pairs well with your existing devices for smart training.
Feature Highlights:
- Bluetooth connectivity to Peloton, Zwift, JRNY, and more
- Magnetic resistance for smooth, quiet operation
- LCD display plus tablet holder for app-based workouts
- Designed specifically for smart app compatibility
Pros:
- Highly flexible for multi-app smart training
- Magnetic resistance is low-maintenance and quiet
Cons:
- No built-in large touchscreen; you supply your own phone/tablet
- Experience depends heavily on your chosen apps and subscription mix
Bowflex C6 Bike
Summary: The Bowflex C6 sits in the same “open ecosystem” smart category as the Schwinn IC4. With 100 levels of magnetic resistance and Bluetooth pairing to major platforms like Peloton and Zwift, it caters to riders who want serious training options and detailed control, but prefer to bring their own screen.
Feature Highlights:
- 100 levels of magnetic resistance for fine-tuned intensity
- Bluetooth connectivity for popular cycling apps
- Device mount for tablets/phones to run smart training platforms
- Built as a robust, connected spin bike for data-driven sessions
Pros:
- Very granular resistance levels for structured workouts
- Pairs with multiple smart platforms for flexible training
Cons:
- No integrated touchscreen; requires a separate device
- Smart experience depends on your subscriptions and app choices
pooboo Exercise Bike D525
Summary: The pooboo Exercise Bike (model D525) is the best budget-friendly smart-capable choice in this lineup. It doesn’t have Bluetooth or a built-in touchscreen, but it’s expressly marketed as app-compatible with platforms like Zwift and Kinomap via your own devices. For well under the price of most smart bikes, you get a sturdy, quiet indoor cycle with smart training potential if you’re comfortable using your tablet or phone as the brains of the setup.
Feature Highlights:
- Silent belt drive and friction (brake-pad) resistance with 100 micro-adjustable levels
- 35 lb flywheel for a road-like feel
- Battery-powered LCD tracking time, speed, distance, calories, and odometer
- Tablet holder and water bottle holder; compatible with Zwift, Kinomap, and other apps using your own device
- 4-way adjustable seat, 2-way adjustable handlebar; fits ~4'8"–6'1"
- Alloy steel frame with triangular design and listed 300–350 lb weight capacity (some listing inconsistency)
- Integrated transport wheels; arrives ~80% pre-assembled for 20–25 minute setup
Pros:
- Exceptional value for a stable, quiet home spin bike with smart-app potential
- Highly rated (about 4.5/5 from 9,100+ ratings) for sturdiness, quiet operation, and ease of assembly
Cons:
- No native Bluetooth or built-in smart screen; you’ll rely on your own device and compatible sensors/apps
- Mixed feedback on seat comfort and some inconsistency in stated weight capacity
Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX-5s
Summary: The Echelon Smart Connect EX-5s builds the smart experience around its integrated HD touchscreen and Echelon’s own class platform. If you want guided, instructor-led rides without going the Peloton or Nordictrack route, this is an alternative with an all-in-one screen and performance tracking.
Feature Highlights:
- Built-in HD touchscreen for Echelon’s live and on-demand classes
- Adjustable resistance with integrated performance metric tracking
- Smart indoor cycling experience without bringing your own device
- Designed for a subscription-based connected ecosystem
Pros:
- All-in-one smart solution with screen and content baked in
- Strong for users who want structured, instructor-led sessions
Cons:
- Best features tied to the Echelon subscription
- Less app-agnostic than open Bluetooth bikes
JOROTO X2PRO Bluetooth Indoor Cycling Bike
Summary: The JOROTO X2PRO is a dedicated Bluetooth indoor cycling bike tuned for smart compatibility. It’s designed to pair with fitness apps for guided workouts, combining magnetic resistance with an LCD monitor and tablet mount. It’s a flexible option for riders who prioritize app-based training and value quiet, low-maintenance hardware.
Feature Highlights:
- Bluetooth connectivity for fitness apps and smart workouts
- Magnetic resistance for smooth, quiet riding
- LCD monitor for basic metrics and tablet mount for streaming apps
- Built to function as a smart-compatible training platform
Pros:
- Magnetic resistance plus Bluetooth hits the key smart-bike boxes
- Good for multi-app users who want guided programs without a proprietary screen
Cons:
- Requires your own screen and subscriptions for full smart functionality
- Overall experience depends on the apps you choose and how you set them up
Yesoul S3 Smart Exercise Bike
Summary: The Yesoul S3 is an app-connected smart exercise bike focused on Bluetooth integration with platforms like Zwift and Kinomap. With adjustable magnetic resistance and a device holder, it’s oriented toward riders who want a compact, relatively affordable entrance into smart cycling with third-party apps.
Feature Highlights:
- Bluetooth support for Zwift, Kinomap, and other fitness apps
- Adjustable magnetic resistance for quiet operation
- Phone/tablet holder for running smart training sessions
- Aimed squarely at connected, app-based workouts
Pros:
- Purpose-built for smart, app-based cycling at home
- Magnetic resistance is quiet and practical for shared spaces
Cons:
- No built-in large screen; experience hinges on your own device
- App and subscription choices determine long-term value
Quick Comparison
| Product | Key Features | Price Range | Ideal For | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peloton Bike+ | Rotating HD touchscreen; live/on-demand Peloton classes; automatic resistance following; Apple GymKit | Premium | Users wanting the most polished, all-in-one smart studio experience | Best-in-class content and auto-follow smart features |
| Nordictrack Commercial S27i Studio Cycle | 27" HD touchscreen; iFit interactive training; auto incline/decline and resistance; integrated tracking | Premium | Riders who want immersive outdoor-style smart workouts | Extremely immersive screen plus incline/decline simulation |
| Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle | 22" rotating HD screen; iFit workouts; auto incline/decline and resistance | Upper-mid to premium | Smart users wanting high-end features with a slightly smaller screen | Strong balance of premium features and immersive training |
| Peloton Bike | HD touchscreen; Peloton live/on-demand classes; detailed performance metrics | Upper-mid to premium | People who want Peloton’s smart ecosystem at a lower price than Bike+ | Proven, community-driven smart platform |
| Schwinn IC4 Indoor Cycling Bike | Bluetooth to Peloton, Zwift, JRNY; magnetic resistance; LCD display; tablet holder | Mid-range | Riders wanting app flexibility with quiet, magnetic resistance | Highly versatile, app-agnostic smart compatibility |
| Bowflex C6 Bike | 100 levels of magnetic resistance; Bluetooth app pairing; device mount | Mid-range | Structured-training users who want granular resistance for smart workouts | Very fine resistance control for training plans |
| pooboo Exercise Bike D525 | 35 lb flywheel; belt drive with friction resistance; LCD metrics; tablet holder; app-compatible (Zwift, Kinomap, etc.) | Budget | Budget-conscious users who still want app-based training | Excellent value and stability with smart-app potential |
| Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX-5s | Built-in HD touchscreen; Echelon live/on-demand classes; integrated tracking | Mid to upper-mid | Users wanting an all-in-one smart bike outside Peloton/iFit | Integrated screen plus class platform in one package |
| JOROTO X2PRO Bluetooth Indoor Cycling Bike | Bluetooth connectivity; magnetic resistance; LCD monitor; tablet mount | Budget to mid-range | App-focused riders who want Bluetooth and quiet resistance | Strong smart compatibility with magnetic resistance |
| Yesoul S3 Smart Exercise Bike | Bluetooth for Zwift/Kinomap; adjustable magnetic resistance; device holder | Budget to mid-range | New smart cyclists wanting a compact, app-connected bike | Affordable smart connectivity with popular apps |
Buying Tips
- Decide on ecosystem vs. flexibility:
- Choose Peloton or Nordictrack if you want a fully integrated, curated smart platform.
- Choose bikes like Schwinn IC4, Bowflex C6, JOROTO X2PRO, Yesoul S3, or pooboo D525 if you prefer open compatibility with multiple apps.
- Screen strategy:
- Integrated touchscreens (Peloton, Nordictrack, Echelon EX-5s) are simpler but lock you into one ecosystem.
- Bring-your-own-device bikes (pooboo D525, Schwinn IC4, Bowflex C6, JOROTO, Yesoul) are more flexible and often cheaper.
- Resistance type matters:
- Magnetic resistance (Schwinn IC4, Bowflex C6, JOROTO X2PRO, Yesoul S3, Nordictrack, Peloton, Echelon) is quieter and low-maintenance.
- Friction resistance (pooboo D525) can be powerful and affordable but may require more maintenance over time.
- Budget vs. immersion:
- Premium models with big screens deliver the richest smart experience but at a high cost and subscription commitment.
- Budget and mid-range bikes like the pooboo D525 or Yesoul S3 can still give you smart training via apps, especially if you already own a tablet.
- Fit and comfort:
- Check height compatibility and adjustability; pooboo D525, for example, is designed for ~4'8"–6'1".
- Saddle comfort is personal—budget for a better seat or padded cover if you’re sensitive.
Conclusion
For the most immersive, fully integrated smart workouts, Peloton Bike+ and Nordictrack S27i/S22i stand out for their huge touchscreens, auto-adjusting resistance, and deep content libraries. For flexible, app-agnostic smart cycling, Schwinn IC4 and Bowflex C6 are excellent mid-range choices with quiet magnetic resistance.
If you’re focused on value but still want a genuinely smart-capable experience, the pooboo Exercise Bike D525 is a promising, underrated choice: it pairs a sturdy, quiet belt-drive spin bike with app compatibility (via your own devices) at a fraction of the price of premium smart platforms.
Compare features, think honestly about how “smart” you really need your workouts to be, then check current prices and subscription options before you buy.