Elliptical vs Exercise Bike
An exercise bike takes less floor than most home ellipticals on the pages read: 50.8 to 54.6 in long for two upright bikes, against 53.8 to 73 in for six ellipticals. Harvard Health's 2021 table lists more calories for an elliptical than a stationary bike at moderate effort. Ask a clinician first if you have pain or an injury.
This page compares the two machine types on space, noise, impact, cost and the workout each gives, using maker pages read on stated dates. The site did not test any machine. MudderElla dates every figure. To compare ellipticals with each other first, start with the hub guide, best elliptical for home.
Space
Elliptical figures were read on 2026-11-07 and bike figures on 2026-11-02.
| Machine (maker's page) | Assembled L x W x H (in) | Machine weight |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny SF-E905SMART (elliptical) | 40.7 x 26.4 x 59.8 | 62.8 lb |
| Schwinn 411 (elliptical) | 53.8 x 24 x 62.5 | 100 lb |
| Sole E20 (elliptical) | 65 x 22 x 64 | 133 (unit not printed) |
| Horizon EX-59 (elliptical) | 73 x 24 x 66 | 145 lb |
| Sunny SF-B1805SMART (upright bike) | 50.8 x 23.4 x 47.6 | 125.7 lb |
| Schwinn IC4 (upright bike) | 54.6 x 30.7 x 51.8 | 113.6 lb |
| XTERRA FB180 (folding bike) | set-up 31.7 x 18.1 x 42.7; folded 18 x 18 x 51 | not on the page |
The two upright bikes are 50.8 and 54.6 in long, similar to the shorter ellipticals. The Sole E20 and Horizon EX-59 are longer, at 65 and 73 in. Bikes are also lower, 47.6 and 51.8 in tall against 59.8 to 66 in. The only machine in either group with a stated folded size is the XTERRA bike. No folding elliptical was found, and Horizon's page says "Non-Folding". For compact bikes see best folding exercise bikes, and for compact ellipticals best compact elliptical.
Noise
No page read for either machine gives a decibel figure; makers use adjectives. Schwinn's IC4 page says "incredibly smooth, quiet ride" and Sunny's bike page says "nearly silent". Sunny's SF-E905SMART page says "ultra-quiet magnetic belt drive", and Sole's E20 page says "smooth, quiet, low-impact cardio". The Horizon EX-59 page claims smooth motion and makes no noise statement, and the Schwinn 411 page has none. Because every claim is marketing wording, this page cannot rank the two types by noise.
Impact on the body
No named medical page read for this site states that an elliptical or a bike is easier on joints. The makers do. Sole's E20 page uses "low-impact", and Sunny's SF-E905SMART description says it provides "the benefits of running without knee strain". Both are maker claims. This site makes no joint claim of its own for either type. NHS guidance on osteoarthritis (last reviewed 20 March 2023) says exercise is one of the most important treatments and warns that doing too much too quickly, or the wrong sort, may damage your joints; it names neither machine. If you have joint, back or hip trouble, ask a clinician or physiotherapist which machine suits you.
Cost
Prices are what each maker's page showed on the read date and may change.
- Ellipticals (read 2026-11-07). Sunny shows the SF-E905SMART at $299.99, Schwinn shows the 411 at $699.00, Sole shows the E20 at $999.99, and Horizon shows the EX-59 at $799.00 and lists $999.00. Sole's top model read, the E35, is shown at $1,799.99.
- Bikes (read 2026-11-02). Sunny shows the SF-B1805SMART at $699.99, with a free app. Schwinn shows the IC4 at $899.00 and lists $999.00; its JRNY app lists $11.99 a month or $99 a year after a free trial, and the page says connected apps need a separate subscription. XTERRA's FB180 page shows both $249.99 and $179.99, and does not make clear whether the lower figure needs a code.
The two types overlap on these pages: the Sunny elliptical at $299.99 and the XTERRA bike at $249.99 sit close together, while the ellipticals reach higher, $1,799.99 for the Sole E35 against $899.00 for the IC4. The sources do not support a general claim that one type costs less, so check the model.
The workout each gives
Harvard Health's table, dated March 8, 2021 and read on 2026-11-07, gives 30 minutes of "Elliptical Trainer: general" as 270, 324 and 378 calories at 125, 155 and 185 lb. For "Bicycling, Stationary: moderate" it gives 210, 252 and 294 at the same weights. At 155 lb that is 72 more for the elliptical, by this page's arithmetic. The table defines only body weight and 30 minutes and cites other calculators as its sources; its "general" and "moderate" labels have no stated intensity, so the two rows may not be like for like. This page leaves out the table's vigorous-cycling row because one of its cells looks like a typo.
The CDC page dated Dec. 20, 2023 recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 vigorous, plus muscle-strengthening on 2 days a week. It does not name either machine. Mayo Clinic (Aug. 26, 2023) says the more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. Neither source says which machine to pick. The elliptical machine benefits page covers what the sources say about ellipticals and their limits.
Which one fits which home
- A bike suits someone who wants a seated machine with a low frame and a smaller height. See best exercise bike for home for upright, recumbent and folding bikes.
- An elliptical suits someone who wants a standing machine, accepts a taller frame and has the floor length for it.
- Neither is a fit for everyone. Elliptical vs treadmill adds a third machine, and rowing machine vs exercise bike covers a different pair. For all types see best cardio machines for home. Bowflex's Max Trainer is another standing option; its page describes the motion as combining "the low impact benefits of an elliptical and high intensity movements of a stepper", and our Bowflex Max Trainer review reports what that page states.
FAQ
Is an elliptical or an exercise bike better for small spaces?
On the pages read, the upright bikes (50.8 and 54.6 in long) take about the same length as the shorter ellipticals, and are lower. The Sunny SF-E905SMART elliptical is 40.7 in long. Only the XTERRA bike states a folded size.
Which is quieter?
The pages cannot say. Neither type has a decibel figure, and the makers use adjectives such as "quiet" and "nearly silent".
Which uses more calories?
Harvard Health's 2021 table lists more for the elliptical (324) than for moderate stationary cycling (252) at 155 lb for 30 minutes, but it defines no intensity. Treat both as rough figures.
Is either easier on the joints?
No named medical page read states so. The makers call their machines low impact in their own wording. Ask a clinician if you have joint pain.
Should I see a clinician before starting?
If you have pain, an injury, a heart condition, balance concerns or have been inactive, ask a clinician before starting any exercise program. This page gives equipment facts only, not medical advice.