Between busy lives and the unpredictable nature of the weather, espcially here in the Northern Hemisphere, there are strong arguments for bringing your cycling indoors. One of the best ways to do this is with the best indoor smart bikes.
Smart bikes offer more dedicated tools, and if you have the space or possibly don't own a bike, something that is always set up and ready to ride, unlike the best smart indoor trainers. The best indoor smart bikes also offer a far more realistic riding experience and superior ergonomics and overall cycling experience than the best exercise bikes. Add the ability to connect seamlessly with a variety of indoor training apps and your choice of the best bike computers, and you have an immersive training experience that provides a wealth of real-time data to allow you to track your progress and improve your fitness.
Best Indoor Smart Bikes
Wattbike has built a name with the Atom for its superior ride feel and simulation, which really sets it apart from the competition. It is, without a doubt, still an investment, but one I believe is worth every penny.
Zwift Ride is an entry-level indoor smart bike that’s half the price of its competitors. It's simple to use and set up, quiet and easy to live with.
Please excuse the superlative but the Tacx Neo Bike Plus is 'the smoothest' smart bike we have tested. Which makes it great for those looking to get started in the world of virtual racing.
Offering performance similar to that of the more expensive smart bikes, its compact size and simple, tool-free adjustments stand the Proton out in the crowd.
Muov takes smart bikes to the next level by bringing realism to the virtual cycling world and blurring the lines with video gaming.
If you want your indoor training to replicate riding outdoors, the Kickr is for you. Features integrated grade changes up to 20%, customizable gearing, and simulated shifting.
The best indoor smart bikes 2026: Our top-rated
Best overall indoor smart bike
The Wattbike Atom has worryingly and rightfully so, a bit part of my life. To date, I have spent exactly, 39 days, two hours and 16 minutes aboard on of these machines, aimlessly pedalling away and going nowhere. I am not sure who that reflects on more, Wattbike, for just how got it is, or on me for just being a bit doolally.
So... why do I keep giving it 5 Stars? Now in its third-generation, the overall ride experience of the Atom is second to none and keeps getting better with every update. Even if they still haven't added a click to the shifter for a more 'positive' shifting feel, they have however, at least made it more tactile. My only moan, over.
Otherwise the Gen 3 sees some big updates, the tool free adjustment will be welcomed by those who do need to store the bike away or for those where more then one member in the house uses the bike. Alongside this the Atom now tops out at a whopping 2500 watts, which is fine and maybe even a target if your name is Matt Richardson, for mere mortals like myself that's plenty.
The best way to get a feel for any indoor smart bike experience is to get on Zwift and get racing. The almost jerky nature of riding in a bunch, surging speed, following attacks and sprinting, quickly tells you how responsive the bike is and well it reacts to a number of different scenarios. Yet again I can't fault the Atom, its incredible fluid, quick to change and near flawless.
- Read our full Wattbike Atom indoor smart bike review
Best budget indoor smart bike
The Zwift Ride is an interesting offering. Designed to make smart training more accessible, it’s essentially a steel frame that can be paired with a smart trainer. We reviewed it as part of a package with the Wahoo Kickr Core.
Greater accessibility may start with the reduced costs of the Ride compared to some smart trainers, but also extends to the ease of set-up. We found that dialling in the basic fit was a breeze with Zwift’s ‘sizing by letter’ system, meaning you’re able to adjust the bike pretty quickly, making it a good fit for a household of multiple users.
Once set up, you have access to plenty of Zwift tech, from its straightforward cog system, a single sprocket hub that facilitates virtual shifting and means you don’t need a cassette. We found that in combination with the Kickr Core, it delivered excellent shifting and a surprisingly quiet operation. The shifter buttons continue the theme of accessibility, and we found them intuitive to use.
- Read our full Zwift Ride with Wahoo Kickr Core review
Smoothest indoor smart bike
The headliner here is the smooth ride that the Neo Plus delivers. It uses Neodymium magnets to create resistance within the flywheel and we can attest that it works like a dream. It’s comfortably one of the smoothest smart bikes we’ve ever tested, most apparent when we were using Zwift, with the precision of the ERG mode impressing us greatly. The accuracy of the power meter proved to be spot on as well.
But the features don’t stop there. The range of adjustments are impressive and allowed us to really dial in the fit with ease. There’s also an inbuilt fan as well as holder for your tablet as with the previous model, but the shifters have been completely redesigned. We found that both their functionality and comfort have been improved, something that couldn't be said for the last Neo Plus offering. There’s also a slimmer seat post and an increased range of crank length options. It all adds up to a worthwhile upgrade.
- Read our full Tacx Neo Bike Plus review
Best for multiple users
Like the Atom featured above, the Proton is a weighty number. In fact, at 48kg, it’s one of the most robust bikes in this guide. Fortunately, it comes with wheels fitted to make it easier to move around, but it's probably best suited for those who have a dedicated training room where the bike can stay put.
As far as set-up goes, the Proton is wonderfully simple. Adjustment is tool-free, and we were able to position the saddle and bars correctly in seconds. If you plan on sharing your smart bike with other users, it’s a real bonus. Getting started on the Proton is just as straightforward, too, thanks to the free hub, which means you don’t have to have a third-party subscription to an app such as Zwift.
While the Proton is a more affordable offering from Wattbike, you still get plenty of value for your money. The gradient simulation at 25% and peak power of 1800W are both comparable to the other models featured in this guide. We also found it to be highly accurate, as well, again comparable to far more expensive machines.
- Read our full Wattbike Proton smart bike review
Best for realism
An initial look at the Muov smart bike, and it might look excessive, especially given its overall RRP of nearly £5000. Carbon fibre frame made in the UK, high levels of adjustable fit and customisable paint to name a few. However, innovation always comes at a cost, and that is what Muov believes it offers: a very new and 'real' experience, unmatched by its competitors.
There is no denying that indoor riding is monotonous; the best training apps have gone a long way toward bringing a bit more fun and realism to indoor training, without a doubt. Performance-wise, the Muov really doesn't offer much more than the Zwift Ride, which is effectively a bike mounted to a Wahoo Kickr Core 2. The video game features and the party piece 'tilt' really elevate the experience. This "gamification" really turns what is a chore for me into a fun and far more engaging experience.
There are also a lot of other nice features, which others offer but not consistently. It's surprisingly stable for a smart bike, and the level fit adjustment is closer to those used by professionals in shops. As I mentioned, there is no hiding from the price; at nearly double the cost of the Wattbike Atom, it's hard to justify over something as good as the Atom is.
- Read our full Muov Bikes Road smart indoor bike review
Best for gradient simulation
If you’re after a realistic ride feel from your smart trainer, then the Kickr won’t disappoint. We loved the physical grade changes, the simulated shifter and the customizable gearing ratios, all of which make the Kickr feel a lot more like your regular road bike. The 5-point fit adjustment doesn’t hurt either.
The real-time gradient changes can simulate climbs up to 20% as well simulating descents of -15%. Both are made possible by the Kickr's ability to tip backwards and forward. As for the gear ratios you can choose from Shimano, Sram or Campagnolo cassette ratios, allowing you to configure the bike to match the gearing on your actual bike(s).
We appreciate the option to be able to add regular components to the Kickr too, meaning you can fit your favoured stem length, saddle or handlebars to make you feel more at home.
- Read our full Wahoo Kickr Bike review
Spec Table
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Connectivity | Weight | Resistance | Adjustment | Max Power Output (Wh) | Max Simulated Grade (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tacx Neo Bike | BLE/ANT+ | 50kg | Electromagnetic | Automatic/manual | 2200wh | 25% |
Zwift Ride with Wahoo Kickr Core | BLE/ANT+ | 35.5kg | Electromagnetic | Automatic | 1800wh | 16% |
Wattbike Atom Next Gen | BLE/ANT+ | 44kg | Electromagnetic | Automatic/manual | 2500wh | 25% |
Wahoo Kickr Bike | BLE/ANT+/WiFi | 42kg | Electromagnetic and enhanced motor | Automatic | 2500wh | 20% |
Wattbike Proton | Any ANT+FEC Bluetooth FTMS enabled app | 48kg | Electromagnetic | Automatic | 1800wh | 25% |
How we test
The Cycling Weekly team has ridden hundreds of virtual kilometres on all the smart bikes featured in this guide. Our reviews and scores are based on a variety of areas, including ease of setup, app connectivity, specification, and usability
All of the smart bikes were tested across multiple sessions. This allows us to find the base and test the bike’'s ability to accurately replicate sessions and data. These findings are then cross-checked against a power meter or other forms of home trainer.
While most of our testing is completed on Zwift, allowing us repeatable reference points, we also check compatibility with other third-party indoor cycling apps where possible.
Perhaps most importantly and although subjective, we try to relay the concept of 'ride feel' - that is what pedalling feels like on the bike during a variety of different efforts. This perhaps more than anything else, dictates how enjoyable it is to use.
If you would like to know more about how the Cycling Weekly team puts the best biking products to the test, why not visit our How We Test page?
How to choose the best indoor smart bike
What is the difference between a smart bike and an exercise bike?
First, in recent years, we have seen the best exercise bikes become more connected with third-party apps, which blur the lines between the two. Traditionally, smart bikes are far more advanced, featuring built-in power meters, automated resistance, advanced adjustability, and a better fit. They cater well for cycling enthusiasts with dedicated training plans.
Exercise bikes tend to be much simpler, with manual resistance aimed at supplementing other sporting endeavours by providing crosstraining and basic cardio. While some exercise bikes are catching up with smart bikes, with increasing connectivity and overall peak outputs, smart bikes have been advancing their user experience, too. Many smart bikes now offer customisable virtual gearing options. Some even go as far as having arcade-style controllers that let you take charge of your on-screen avatar.
What is better: A smart trainer or a smart bike?
There are a couple of considerations when choosing between a smart trainer and a smart bike. The first of which is the available space you plan to train in and storage possibilities. If space is at a premium, this is where one of the best smart indoor trainers shines, allowing you to pack your setup away when it is not in use. The trade-off here is that the peak performance can be limited due to the compact nature of the units. Smart bikes will need a dedicated space, but tend to be far sturdier when putting in big efforts. Turbo trainer manufacturers have worked hard on this, with brands such as Wahoo and Tacx achieving outputs of up to 2000 watts and simulating gradients of up to 20%, similar to those found on smart bikes.
Comfort and attention levels heavily influence the decision-making process. Smart trainers now offer fantastic levels of fit adjustability and continue to improve all the time. They will never 100% replicate your bike fit, and this is where turbo trainers, which combine with a real bike, have the edge. On the flip side of that coin, smart bikes offer a wider range of integrated connectivity options, with built-in screens and interactive features such as avatar control now commonplace.
What are the features of a smart bike?
Characterised by several performance-orientated features, smart bikes should include accurate metric readings for power, cadence, speed and distance. This data is important so you know your effort is matching the numbers required in your training plan. It can also make a big difference when using a third-party indoor cycling app.
A fully adjustable fit is imperative, it’s a feature we look for on every smart bike we test. How this is achieved differs from model to model, with the ultimate goal of offering greater rider comfort and realism. Working in tandem with the resistance, many smart bikes now feature virtual gearing options, increasing the realism of your indoor cycling experience and allowing you to measure your effort more effectively. Many models will also offer a wide range of gradient simulations. A smart bike should feature somewhere between a 15-25% incline and a 5-15% decline, so you can tick off all those virtual cols.
You may also need...
Aside from a bike to ride there isn't much more needed to get going with indoor smart bike training. If you are going to invest in your setup then here is nine ways to make your indoor cycling experience more enjoyable. My top recommendations from this list are definitely a good fan and finishing with a cake.
Unless you already have a set training plan, maybe one from a coach or team, then one of the many third-party cycling apps is recommended. They are great at keeping the monotony at bay and a great way connect with the wider cycling community.
Last but not least, cycling indoors is hot, even if its freezing outside. Having cycling kit designed specifically for indoor use that helps disperse the additional heat and has high wicking properties, makes indoor cycling a far more comfortable experience.
Frequently asked questions about indoor smart bikes
How do indoor smart bikes work?
All of the smart bikes we have tested feature an electromagnetic resistance system. In layman's terms these work by increasing the electrical current to a coil of metal, which in turn grows its magnetic field. This magnetic field when in near contact with another magnetic material like a flywheel, forms what is called an eddy current. It is this current that creates the resistance.
These systems are fantastic for smart bikes and turbo trainers, as resistance can be increased or decreased with a near-instant effect. Resistance can also be completely removed allowing simulation of descents alongside ascents.
Do indoor bikes help you lose weight?
The benefits of cycling are well documented be it indoors or braving the elements outside. Indoor cycling is fantastic for eliminating variables from your training effort. Most will think about the weather, but terrain plays a big part too. Indoor training provides consistent parcours, giving you a repeatable base that allows you to focus on the specific effort required in your training plan. This could be the ‘fat-burning’ zones’, for example. So, it is possible to lose weight using a smart bike, but only as a helpful tool within a wider, healthy weight loss regime.
We have a fantastic guide by Dr Eimar Dolan which outlines 6 simple ways of losing weight by cycling but without sacrificing performance.
Is a Peloton bike a smart bike?
We consider the Peloton Bike to be one of the best exercise bikes, rather than a smart bike. The reason for this is that Peloton still features manual resistance adjustment, which is really the key defining feature between smart and exercise bikes. However, it is also Peloton's overall fitness ecosystem that puts it more into a general all-around fitness platform and less of a dedicated bicycle training tool.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Zwift?
There are many excellent apps available, whether you're a Zwifter or not. We cover this topic in more detail in our guide to the best indoor training apps for cycling. However, if you're seeking a more budget-friendly option, consider MyWhoosh. This completely free, ad-supported platform offers features very similar to those of Zwift or Rouvy.