Best cheap recumbent exercise bikes

Top pick: YOSUDA Recumbent Exercise Bike (Walmart) — the cheapest way into a solid recumbent. It's a magnetic-resistance bike with a 350 lb capacity, a wide padded seat and backrest, and a step-through frame that's easy to get on and off. It's basic (no fancy console), but for steady low-impact cardio at home it's the best value here.

Who the others suit:

• VANSWE Recumbent — bigger riders: 400 lb capacity and a long inseam range.
• Marcy Recumbent — the familiar name-brand choice with a long track record and lots of owner reviews.
• Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Recumbent — if you want app/Bluetooth-style tracking on a tight budget.
• MERACH S19 / S19 Pro — a step up in build and comfort, with heart-rate monitoring.
• Sunny Performance with Arm Exerciser — if you want to work arms and legs together; note its lower 265 lb limit.

Skip the commercial-grade Sole and Life Fitness bikes unless you're outfitting a gym — they cost many times more than a home rider needs.