The 8 Best Bike Trainers

Best Overall

Wahoo Fitness Kickr Smart Trainer

View On REI $1,300 View On Backcountry.com $595

Wahoo’s Fitness Kickr earns our best overall pick thanks to its accuracy, ease of use, and quietness.

It’s compatible with numerous training apps, like Zwift and TrainerRoad, and has Bluetooth, ANT+, FEC, and Wi-Fi connectivity for quick and reliable data transfer. Setting up the Kickr is quick and straightforward, and the automatic calibration and firmware updates keep the trainer accurate.

With a quiet yet very powerful belt motor drivetrain, the Kickr offers a smooth and virtually silent ride with a realistic road feel. The axis feet let the unit and rider have a 5-degree side-to-side movement, mimicking the outdoor cycling experience.

The Kickr is constructed with heavy-duty, durable steel, so it stays in place, even during all-out sprints, and can stand up to years of heavy use. At 47 pounds, it’s heavy compared to the competition, but the legs fold up, so the trainer is easy to store or carry with the well-placed handle.

One downside is the Kickr’s lack of resistance when not connected to power. Although you can spin on it without being plugged in, the resistance only goes up to about 120 watts. However, with full power, it has a max of 2,200 watts of resistance and is accurate within plus or minus 1 percentage point. If you’re a serious rider who wants a smart trainer with superb performance and accuracy, the Kickr is definitely worth considering. Just note that you'll need to purchase a cassette separately (which will enable you to switch gears while riding).

Best Budget

Alpcour Fluid Bike Trainer Stand

View On Amazon $190

For cyclists on a budget, Alpcour’s Fluid Bike Trainer Stand offers a lot of the convenience and quality features of higher-end trainers without a huge price tag. Designed to accommodate mountain and road bikes, it attaches to your back tire to create friction via a fluid flywheel mechanism. The friction progressively increases the faster you pedal, replicating a real cycling experience.

Constructed with durable, heavy-duty stainless steel, the stand is very stable and has anti-slip rubber pads on the bottom to prevent movement. The driver also has a wide base and low stance, providing a low center of gravity that’s especially helpful for beginners. The Alpcour’s built-in noise reduction helps to eliminate whirring and humming, making this trainer a nice option if you’re worried about disturbing your household or neighbors.

To mount or dismount your bike, it’s simple and fast to just click the quick-release lever. Even better, the trainer folds down quickly and can be stored and transported in the included bag, making it easier to take on vacation or for race-day warm-ups. With such a budget-friendly price, this trainer doesn’t offer any app connectivity, but we still think it’s a great value.

Best Smart Control

Garmin Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer

View On Amazon $1,400 View On REI $1,400

If you’re a serious cyclist looking for a top-of-the-line trainer, Garmin’s Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer provides a smooth, vibration-free ride as well as a realistic road feel. Its powerful motor generates up to 2,200 watts for very high resistance, yet its design reduces noise from air displacement and vibration, making it one of the quietest trainers on the market.

Unlike other trainers, the Neo 2T requires zero calibration, as its sensors can accurately measure your power and cadence within 1%. Plus, it generates its own electricity, meaning you can use it if there’s no power outlet nearby. And we like that it comes with a library of training software and structured rides.

When you’re riding on virtual platforms, it vibrates to accurately simulate various surfaces, including gravel, cobblestone, and paved roads. All that performance and quality require some serious weight, and the Neo 2T is one of the heavier trainers on the market (and on our list). However, if you have dedicated space to set it up, that shouldn’t be an issue. Additionally, it comes with a premium price, but if you’re looking to take your training to the next level, we think it’s well worth the investment.

Best Direct Drive

Saris H3 Direct Drive

View On Amazon $649 View On Walmart $650 View On Dick's $1,100

The Saris H3 Direct Drive packs in a lot of features and performance at a lower price than many of its direct-drive smart trainer competitors. Quiet and easy to use, it’s compatible with a wide range of bikes and can be seamlessly integrated with indoor cycling apps, such as Zwift and Rouvy,

The H3 is designed to handle up to 2,000 watts and simulate a 20% climbing grade, which means it’s powerful enough for cranking through the hardest sprints and steepest hills. It also provides power feedback within plus or minus 2% accuracy, as well as smooth, reliable changes in resistance. It's worth noting, however, that the H3 requires periodic calibration to remain accurate.

Additionally, the H3’s simple yet versatile design is a huge selling point. The trainer is compact, set low, and has foldable legs that expand its base for better balance and stability. The H3’s flywheel and components are fully encased and protected, making it a safe choice for riders with small children or pets. 

At almost 50 pounds, the trainer is heavy, but an integrated carrying handle makes it easy to carry for storage or race day warm-ups. If you’re looking for a direct-drive smart trainer that’s durable and performs well but is priced well under the competition, we think it’s an excellent value.

Best Tire Drive

Kinetic Road Machine Control

View On Amazon $478

Kinetic’s Road Machine Control has the convenience and affordability of a tire-drive trainer while still providing the stellar performance of a smart trainer. Compatible with virtually all bikes, it’s quick and easy to set up and start using. It can take up to 1,800 watts, and a 10% climbing grade is just steep enough for a solid workout.

The trainer’s electronic interactive resistance allows training apps—including Zwift, TrainerRoad, Sufferfest, and more—to automatically control the level of difficulty while simulating climbs and descents changes on virtual courses.

One drawback is that power measurements are only accurate to about plus or minus 3%, which is decent for this type of trainer but not as spot-on as the premium direct-drive trainers. However, the Road Machine Control allows for a consistent, smooth ride, even at max speed, and the wide base with rubberized feet keeps everything stable and balanced. If you’d like a smart trainer but don’t want to splurge on a pricey direct-drive one, we think this one’s a solid choice.

Best for Beginners

Sportneer Bike Trainer Stand

View On Amazon $92

If you’re new to cycling or using an indoor bike trainer, you may not be ready to invest a lot in a high-end model. The Sportneer Bike Trainer Stand is a budget-friendly, compact option that’s surprisingly quiet and comes with some features you’d expect only in a higher-priced trainer. It’s designed to fit any road or mountain bike with a 29-inch or 700c wheel and with a rear wheel axle between 4.92 to 6.57 inches.

Assembling the trainer is very straightforward, as is attaching and disengaging your bike, which requires using the press-down lever to lock or unlock it. A handlebar-mounted remote lets you switch between six resistance settings to simulate all cycling conditions. The wide stand and its adjustable feet with rubber pads help to minimize shaking and increase stability.

To reduce noise, the trainer has a specialized sound-reduction wheel that reduces friction. However, that can also wear your tire down over time. If your indoor cycling habit takes off and you start doing very long indoor rides, you will want to opt for a higher-end direct-drive trainer for less wear and tear on your bike.

Easiest Setup

Saris Fluid2

View On Amazon $248

If you want a hassle-free setup, the Saris Fluid2 is a straightforward trainer that’s super easy to assemble and start using. It’s a wheel-on trainer, so you don’t have to remove your tire or disassemble your bike. Plus, it’s very lightweight and foldable, so it’s easy to move around, store, and transport.

Although it’s very quiet and offers a fairly realistic road feel for a tire-drive trainer, like other products in that class, the Saris Fluid2 still can’t match the road feel and power measurement accuracy of a direct-drive trainer. And the basic model doesn’t offer connectivity, so you’ll have to pay a little bit more if you want a smart-equipped version that can pair with indoor cycling apps such as Zwift.

The Saris Fluid2 trainer also features a patented fan design to keep the unit cool and performing better for longer. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-use, natural-feeling tire-drive trainer, it’s definitely worth considering.