The 6 Best Under Desk Bikes, Tested by Fitness Editors and Experts

The Vivo DeskCycle is like having your cake and eating it too—except in this case, you’re burning calories while you sit. This under desk bike is whisper-quiet, super smooth, and adjustable enough to fit most workspaces (or living rooms, let’s be honest). With the lowest pedal height on the market, it slides right under your desk without turning your knees into battering rams. The eight resistance levels offer just the right amount of challenge, whether you’re easing into the day or pedaling through your email inbox.

The Bluetooth-enabled LCD display tracks all the good stuff—distance, RPM, calories burned—and can be removed so you’re not awkwardly craning your neck trying to read it mid-ride. Assembly? A breeze. It took us 15 minutes, and we didn’t even break a sweat. The only downside? The bike’s length might cramp your style if your desk is on the smaller side, and the display’s default spot isn’t exactly ergonomic.

Read More: Best Exercise Bikes, Tested by Us

The Yosuda Under Desk Bike Pro allows you to pedal your way through emails without missing a beat. At under $150, this budget-friendly bike is compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble. Setup took us only 10–15 minutes, which is quicker than getting through most Monday meetings. With 16 levels of magnetic resistance and a smooth belt-drive system, it’s a great way to add some low-key exercise to your day.

The pedal stroke is smooth at lower resistance levels, but crank it up and the 18-pound frame might wobble a bit under pressure. The pedals, with adjustable straps, keep your feet in place—though they can feel a little snug for wider feet. The console tracks your time, RPM, distance, and calories burned, while Bluetooth connectivity links to trusted fitness apps like Zwift.

This Yosuda works great on carpet, but it’s also a solid pick up if you have uncarpeted floors, as it comes with a mat that adds stability on smooth surfaces. Ideally the bike is kept prety close to your chair, so that you legs aren’t too horizontal, since that will help you keep more of your pedaling force downward. As an added bonus, they’ve included resistance bands that you can use to engage your upper body. If you’re looking for an affordable, portable under desk bike for light activity, the S04 delivers. It’s not built for intense workouts, but for keeping your legs moving while you work. It gets the job done.

The Vaunn Medical Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser is the no-frills, budget-friendly option for anyone looking to sneak in some movement without making a big production out of it. At just five pounds, it’s lightweight, foldable, and easy to stash away when you’re done pedaling—perfect for small spaces or those of us who don’t want fitness gear permanently taking over the living room or office cubicle. Setup? Practically non-existent. It comes almost fully assembled, so you can get started in minutes.

The tension knob lets you adjust resistance to match your vibe—whether you’re casually spinning through emails or working your arms with it propped on a desktop. The LCD display tracks time, RPM, and calories burned, so you can feel productive while binge-watching HR training videos. Is it perfect? Not quite. The ride’s a little choppy compared to higher-end models, and it’s not exactly whisper-quiet. If you’re pedaling during a Zoom call, you might want to hit mute.

Still, for the price, it’s tough to beat. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, multitasking, or just trying to feel less sedentary, this bike is a solid, dependable way to keep your body moving without overcomplicating things. Simple, effective, and easy to live with—what more do you need?

Want to pedal away calories while hammering out emails or zoning into a Netflix binge? At under $200, the Cubii Move Under-Desk Elliptical is an affordable way to sneak in movement without alerting your coworkers or disturbing your dog’s nap.

Setup? Easy. In 25 minutes (or 10 if you’re handy), I had it assembled and ready to roll. At 17.6 pounds, it’s light enough to shuffle around, but once it’s in place, it stays smooth and whisper-quiet—perfect for Zoom calls or pretending you’re fully engaged in that meeting. The six resistance levels let you dial up the intensity, and the LCD monitor tracks your progress, from calories burned to rotations completed. The free Cubii app adds a fun edge with leaderboards, though I’m still waiting for the day it counts my mid-ride snack breaks.

Downsides? The grip feet aren’t great on smooth floors (it slid around more than I’d like), and the display could use a backlight if you’re working late. Still, averaging 150 calories burned per hour without breaking a sweat? Not bad for something you can do in sweatpants. It’s not replacing my morning hill sprints, but it’s the ultimate multitasker for a busy day.

The FlexiSpot Cycle Desk Bike V9 Pro is the ultimate hybrid for anyone looking to move more during the workday. It’s part standing desk, part exercise bike, and all about keeping you moving while you crush your to-do list. Whether you’re pedaling through follow-up calls or updating the company database, this bike makes multitasking feel like a win.

Setup is so easy it’s almost suspicious—snap a few parts together, and you’re ready to roll in 10 minutes tops. The desk is roomy enough for your laptop, coffee, and a snack (because priorities), while the bike offers eight resistance levels to keep things interesting. Best of all, it’s whisper-quiet, so no one on Zoom will know you’re secretly working on your quads.

But let’s be real—it’s not perfect. At 51 pounds, it’s heavy but still easy enough to wheel around. The real downside? Its bulky size, which makes it tough to store in smaller spaces. The FlexiSpot V9 Pro is a practical way to stay active during long workdays—just make sure you’ve got the space for it.

The LifeSpan Ampera Office Bike is a heavy-duty under desk bike that lets you pedal through your workday without skipping a beat. Designed for standing desks, it’s built like a tank—stable, sturdy, and smooth enough to keep your legs moving while you try to remember 15 different passwords. With four resistance levels, it strikes a nice balance between light movement and a low-key workout, perfect for staying active without sweating through your work clothes. The coolest feature? Your pedaling generates power, letting you charge your phone, laptop, or earbuds via a USB-C port. There’s even a wireless charging pad under the seat, though it’s awkwardly placed—good luck reaching for your phone mid-ride without pulling a hammy.

At 68 pounds, the Ampera isn’t exactly portable, but its heft keeps it rock-solid while you pedal. The seat, while functional, isn’t the most luxurious for long rides, and if you’re under 5’1″, you might feel like you’re climbing onto a barstool.

A standing desk pairs perfectly with the Ampera, giving you the clearance to pedal comfortably and the flexibility to switch between sitting and standing. Together, they can keep you active, can boost circulation, and can make your workday healthier. If you’ve got a standing desk and some space to spare, the Ampera is a clever way to stay active while you work, keeping you productive, powered up, and guilt-free about those afternoon snack breaks. Just don’t expect it to replace your next HIIT session.

Read More: The Best Standing Desks

Benefits of an Under Desk Bike

An under desk bike is not a replacement for a workout, and because you’re not never truly decelerating your body, as you do when taking a walk, it won’t have profound impacts on overall movement markers like balance or locomotion, says fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. But you will drive lower-body bloodflow and circulation. There’s no downside to an under-desk bike, but you’re not using this for calorie burn, either.

Research from sources like the American Council on Exercise suggests that incorporating physical activity, even in the form of under desk cycling, can even enhance cognitive function and focus. By pedaling discreetly under your desk, you’re not just getting a workout—you’re potentially boosting your mental clarity and overall well-being. It’s a win-win for your body and your mind.

How Does an Under Desk Bike Compare to a Treadmill?

When comparing under desk bikes to under desk treadmills, the key distinction is in your seating arrangement (or lack thereof). Under desk bikes allow you to comfortably sit, offering a lower-impact option.

Under desk treadmills, on the other hand, may burn more calories as they require you to move your whole body, but they come with a trade-off: standing. They are also larger and heavier, making them less maneuverable.

Plus, we’ve found that the potential noise from walking on a treadmill is typically greater than that of an under desk bike. So, if you prefer a seated, lower-impact experience that’s gentler, quieter, and more compact, an under desk bike might be your pedal-perfect choice.