Peloton vs. SoulCycle: Which at-home cycling experience is right for you?

This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.

In the realm of at-home fitness, Peloton and SoulCycle have become synonymous with high-intensity cycling workouts. But with both offering some of the best smart exercise bikes, motivating instructors and immersive experiences, which one reigns supreme?

We assessed the premium Peloton Bike+ and the SoulCycle At-Home Bike along with their platforms. We reviewed them in terms of pricing, build quality, user experience, features and more to help you decide which should ride into your home gym for the best exercise.

Peloton Bike+ vs. SoulCycle At-Home Bike at a glance

Quick specs comparison

** We included the Peloton Bike for comparison, but this review focuses on the premium Peloton Bike+ versus the SoulCycle At-Home Bike.

Peloton’s upfront and ongoing costs will be steeper

Regardless of the cycling ecosystem you opt for, it’s good to understand the economics of your financial investment. First, there is the upfront cost for the bike (price of the bikes include delivery and setup but not tax), followed by ongoing membership fees. That’s table stakes. Layer on cycling shoes, likely a bike mat to protect your floor from wear and tear (or sweat!), a heart-rate monitor to optimize data feedback and potentially dumbbells, and the fees start to add up. If you frequent classes in the studio, you can expect to break even sometime in the first year, depending upon your consistency of workouts.

Overall, the Peloton Bike+ is more costly. It is the more premium of Peloton’s two options and costs $2,495 (versus the more basic Peloton Bike at $1,445). A subscription is an additional $44 per month for each model. You’ll likely want to layer on additional must-have Peloton accessories too. Peloton offers the option to purchase a toe cage if you’d like to use your regular workout shoes instead of getting compatible Delta cleats. (Note: While this post focuses on the Peloton Bike+, there was a recall on the basic Peloton Bike requiring you to swap out the pedals.)

The SoulCycle bike is $1,500 and requires a $40-per-month annual subscription ($480 total). If you are already a member of Equinox, you will not need to factor in this cost, as you’ll already have access to the app. Then you’ll need to either already own or purchase Delta or SPD-style cleats. They also have their own branded cleats if desired. It’s also recommended to have a pair of hand weights and a bike mat, both of which they sell separately, or you can purchase your own.

All the bikes have a 30-day trial period and a comparable warranty at five years for the bike frame and one year for the screen and components.

Both bikes offer tremendous ride experiences

The Peloton Bike+ is a sturdy, well-designed piece of equipment with a comfortable seat and adjustable handlebars. The frame is made from welded steel, electrophoretic deposition (ED) and powder coated, making it more resistant to corrosion. The Bike+ features magnetic resistance with digital adjustment, which will automatically change to the instructors’ recommended resistance if desired. This is a step up from the more basic bike, which requires mechanical adjustment.

We found in our test rides that the pedals and flywheel move smoothly and don’t make much noise. The handlebars have solid gribs, even when coated with globs of sweat. Adjusting the bike is easy, and both my husband and I, with nearly a foot between us, could readily adjust it suitably for our heights.

SoulCycle bikes are sleek and offer a comfortable ride experience. The bike itself is also relatively sturdy and well made, though we did note on particularly grueling, faster-paced sprints the bike did shake a bit. The handlebars and bike seat are relatively comfortable (is there any saddle cushion that wows in this department?!), though we wish the resistance knob were more conveniently located.

SoulCycle has an additional point of adjustability beyond height, depth and handlebar height, allowing you to move the handlebars forward and backward as well. This was helpful for me since my torso is shorter than my husband’s, and I was able to find a more comfortable position with this adjustment.

We also appreciate that the SoulCycle bike can accommodate riders from 4 foot 10 inches to 6 foot 10 inches, which is a notably larger range than Peloton’s bikes. The weight capacity for the SoulCycle is also more inclusive, accommodating riders up to 350 pounds compared to Peloton’s 297 pounds. The SoulCycle bike offers flexibility in cleat style as well, with double-sided pedals that can work with Delta or SPD (Shimano Pedaling Dynamics) cleats.

Peloton user experience is top notch, though each caters to different riders

Peloton’s bikes are known for their smooth, quiet rides and large, high-definition screens. The Peloton Bike+ has a host of features to make the user experience more enjoyable, including a responsive touchscreen that can rotate 360 degrees around (great for off-the-bike workouts), a built-in USB-C charging port for your devices, a built-in four digital array microphone and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with a privacy cover. The camera enables you to video chat with a training friend during the ride, adding to the immersive quality of the experience. We found the touch screen offered intuitive navigation and a clear view of workout stats. All that sounds impressive, and in practice, it didn’t disappoint.

Peloton is known for its diverse class library, featuring thousands of cycling workouts ranging from beginner rides to FTP (Functional Threshold Power) tests. You can have instructors guide you through scenic virtual landscapes, keeping you motivated with upbeat music and coaching cues. You can readily browse classes, sorting by things like length, difficulty, class type, music or instructor. The bike and app make it easy to adjust settings and track your progress.

The classes feature a diverse lineup of over 50 instructors across 13 class types, including barre, Bike bootcamp, cardio, cycling, meditation, Pilates, outdoor running, treadmill running, strength, stretching, Tread bootcamp, walking and yoga. You can filter classes by whether you want dumbbells or not, or even find classes by target muscle groups. One of my favorite features is their Stacked Classes feature, where you can custom-build your workout and line up classes for a workout. Think packing your favorite warm-up before a spin, then layering a stretch or yoga class to a workout routine.

In general, Peloton’s classes have a more traditional cycling approach than SoulCycle, with a focus on form and metrics. For those training for competitive events, this is likely more suitable for preparation.

Before your first ride on your SoulCycle bike, you’re guided through a setup to optimize the bike positioning for your body. The screen size is slightly smaller than Peloton’s, but the interface is user-friendly and lets you control the ride and view key metrics. You can filter prerecorded classes by duration, intensity, music genre or instructor, or opt for one of their daily live-recorded classes to hone in on your ideal workout. SoulCycle still has a smaller on-demand library compared to Peloton’s, though it’s constantly growing.

Plus, you get access to all the Equinox+ app classes, including boxing, cycling, HIIT, meditation, running, sculpt, strength, stretch and recovery, walking, and yoga. You can also stream Netflix or Disney shows on your bike if that’s your thing.

What SoulCycle brings to each class is the signature studio experience into your home. Their classes capture the high-energy vibe of their in-person studios, complete with signature SoulCycle music and instructors known for their motivational spirit and inspirational mantras.? Dimmed lighting, curated playlists, and instructor guidance create an immersive experience that is focal to the experience and goes beyond just the physical workout. It feels like a cross between a dance party and a cycling workout.

In general, SoulCycle offers a stronger sense of community through virtual high-fives and shoutouts during live classes. It is designed to offer a more social and motivating atmosphere. If you decide to, you can also do Freestyle mode and ride to your own music.

Peloton wins for advanced stats tracking, SoulCycle for simplicity

Both bikes boast impressive tracking features, but Peloton is a tech titan with a built-in touch screen that displays real-time metrics, thanks to its seamless integration with its heart rate monitor and bike sensors. Details on output (how much energy you’re expending), cadence (how fast you’re pedaling measured in revolutions per minute, or rpm), heart rate, distance, resistance (amount of tension from the magnet controlling the flywheel) and more can help you with a data-driven approach to tracking your progress over time. You can see details on your streaks, personal bests or goals achieved; compete with friends; or personalize your workout intensity. Your total energy expenditure, or “output” is what determines your place on the leaderboard, something that is beloved by type-A, competitive personalities. My personal preference is to hide this.

SoulCycle lacks the extensive metrics displayed by Peloton, focusing on just cadence, power and distance on your screen. You’ll need a separate heart rate monitor and rhythm sensor to track certain stats like cadence. The goal isn’t to “win” in a SoulCycle class; it’s to optimize your own ride. You are encouraged to match the music’s rhythm and follow the teacher-led choreography, including tap-backs and chest presses. That’s why there is intentionally no leaderboard. You’ll get a “Beatmatch” score at the end of each ride, which due to my lack of choreography-matching skills, was never my cup of tea. A lot of the classes feature extensive stretches out of the saddle, which is beloved for some and begrudged by others.

Peloton shines beyond the bike

Peloton’s extensive library offers thousands of on-demand rides catering to various durations, difficulty levels and music genres. You’ll find themed rides and scenic journeys. You’ll also find thousands of strength training, yoga, meditation, running and even prenatal classes, making it a versatile fitness platform.

SoulCycle keeps the focus more narrowly on cycling, offering a limited selection of barre and meditation classes to complement your rides. That said, as you have access to the entire Equinox+ app, you can supplement non-SoulCycle classes that include cycling, running, barre, Pilates, yoga, boxing and more.

Bottom line

For those who crave the energy and inspiration of a boutique studio experience, both bikes will bring the magic right to your living room.

For me, Peloton edges out the SoulCycle bike because of its ability to offer a variety of workouts and the ability to personalize my experience. The data-driven rider will love all the detailed performance metrics on the touch screen. I’m a numbers person who thrives on progress and likes the ability to track output, cadence and heart rate in real time.

I also enjoy the consistency of Peloton-owned massive content library on the device, from varied cycling and running experiences to strength training, meditation and other fitness activities. Its large screen with robust integrated audio allows for a fully immersive experience like in the studio. Plus, you’ll find a vast array of instructors, each with their own unique coaching style, ensuring you find someone who motivates you to reach your fitness goals.

That said, choosing between Peloton and SoulCycle depends on your fitness goals and preferences. SoulCycle is optimal for those who are SoulCycle devotees and want to replicate that studio experience at home. You get a high-energy cycling workout with a motivating instructor and can enjoy the signature SoulCycle music.

SoulCycle does a great job of fostering a strong sense of community through virtual high-fives and shout-outs during live classes, making it a very social and motivating environment for those who thrive on shared experiences. The focus here is on feeling the rhythm, pushing your limits and connecting with the music and the instructor’s motivational spirit. For some, this is most important. It’s also great for those who are on a slightly tighter budget or who are looking for a more size-inclusive bike, as it allows for greater height and weight accessibility.

Ultimately, both Peloton and SoulCycle offer excellent at-home cycling experiences, just with different styles. Consider your workout preferences and desired features to determine which one reigns supreme for you.