Under Desk Elliptical vs Bike: A Physio Explains Which One Is Best

If you work from home and feel like your desk chair is slowly becoming part of your butt, welcome to the club!

My knees started aching not long after I made the switch to remote work. My neck and hips also like to join the party from time to time.

As a physical therapist turned remote worker, I’ve spent a lot of time digging into tools that make long hours at a desk less punishing.

Two options come up again and again: under-desk ellipticals and mini pedal bikes (or under-desk bikes).

They might seem interchangeable, but picking the right one depends on way more than just price.

Your height, desk setup, joint sensitivity, and even how much patience you have for maintenance can all make or break your experience.

In this post, I’ll break down how these machines compare – from a PT’s perspective – so you can find the best fit for your body, workspace, and day-to-day reality.

Because the best movement tool is the one you’ll actually use (and not leave to gather dust next to that abandoned foam roller).

Which one to get: under-desk elliptical or bike?

Both machines get your legs moving, which is the whole point. But they do feel different once you actually use them day after day.

Here’s the short version:

Go for an under-desk elliptical if you have knee pain, you’re tall, and/or if you want something comfortable enough to use barefoot or in socks. These are some excellent models:

• Cubii JR1. This one is popular for a reason. It’s smooth, sturdy, quiet, and built for everyday use. If you know you’re ready to commit, this is the one to get.

• Stamina in Motion 1000. A budget-friendly alternative to the Cubii. It’s also sturdy, quiet, and reliable plus you can use it standing up. 

• ANCHEER Under Desk Elliptical. Not as popular as the previous two, but a bit cheaper and still an excellent pick with heaps of positive reviews. Plus, it comes in different colors!

Pick a mini pedal bike if you don’t have knee pain, if you prefer a classic cycling motion, and want something that can double as a light arm exerciser. These are some great under-desk bikes:

• Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Under-Desk Bike. The best under desk bike out there, comes with a resistance band for full body workouts. It gives you great movement without a major investment, plus has an app to measure your progress.

• DeskCycle Under Desk Bike. Best if you only want to use it for the lower body, it’s specifically designed to be used in workspaces, so it’s as quiet as they come. 

• Pooboo Under Desk Bike. A budget-friendly alternative to the Sunny bike (it’s on a deal right now!), also comes with resistance bands for upper body strength and a mat to keep the bike in place.

Now let’s look at the details you should consider before making a final decision:

Under-Desk Elliptical

An under-desk elliptical looks like a compact, flat set of pedals that move in an oval path instead of a full circle.

Typical cost: $100–$250. Price mostly depends on sturdiness, how quiet it runs, the resistance settings, display to track time and distance, and connectivity (some have bluetooth!).

Personally, I’d pick an under-desk elliptical every time, especially if you don’t have the space (or budget) for a treadmill. Here’s why:

• It’s genuinely mindless to use. The motion feels smooth and balanced enough that you can pedal away while typing or answering emails without having to “think about your form.”

• The pedals fully support your feet. Which means no awkward ankle angles or slipping off mid-Zoom call.

• It’s quiet and stable. The better models barely make a sound and stay put on both carpet and hardwood, which is essential if you share a space or just hate distractions.

• Use it barefoot or in socks. Sounds weird, but this low barrier of entry is key to making sure you use it even on days when you don’t want to move.

• It’s easier on non-cyclists. If you’re not used to biking (like me, I literally never learned), the movement feels way more natural and less clunky.

• It looks nicer under a desk. Call it superficial, but when your desk setup doubles as your workspace and living space, aesthetics matter.

Ease of use in a home office

Good ellipticals stay low to the ground, so your knees glide forward instead of bumping the underside of your desk. 

You shouldn’t need to raise your desk or sit awkwardly just to make it work, unlike some mini pedals. 

They’re also quiet. The motion tends to be smooth and low-impact, with no clunky chains or squeaky pedals. 

A decent model stays put on the floor without sliding and usually works fine on both carpet and hardwood. So, you shouldn’t need to purchase something extra (like a mat) to keep it in place. 

Also, some models include stoppers for your chair’s wheels! You won’t roll out of place while pedalling, that would look very awkward in the middle of a Zoom call.

And a big pro for me is that shoes are optional. I don’t like wearing shoes at home (only crocs, mostly socks), so anything where I don’t have to put them on is an instant win. 

Joint impact and exercise value

The elliptical motion is one of the best for cranky knees and hips. Your feet travel in a gentle oval, so there’s no sharp bending at the knee.

This makes it excellent for joint lubrication and circulation, perfect for those with knee pain wanting to move more without triggering a flare-up. 

It’s also great for tall users because your knees don’t lift as high as they would on a bike, so no bumping your knees under the desk on every cycle. 

Muscles worked – glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Think of it as the “grease the joints” kind of movement, not the “sweat through your shirt” kind.

And if you want to vary things up a bit, you can play around with your feet positioning to feel different leg muscles working. The pedals are big enough for that!

Maintenance and longevity

Ellipticals tend to need almost no upkeep. Wipe them down once in a while, maybe oil the moving parts every few months if the manual says so.

There are no belts to realign, and the internal resistance systems (usually magnetic) hold up well over time. I’ve seen reviews of people raving on their 10-year-old under desk elliptical!

They’re heavier than mini bikes, but also more stable too, which also means fewer annoying shifts or rattles while you pedal.

If you want something that will quietly last for years with minimal babysitting, this is the safer bet.

Under-Desk Bike

Mini pedal bikes work just like small stationary bikes: two pedals connected by a central crank that spins in a circle. 

They’re usually lighter and cheaper than ellipticals, typically $80–$200, depending on resistance and build quality.

They’re great for moderate use and can even double as a mini arm exerciser if you place them on a table. That’s especially useful if you deal with chronic shoulder or neck stiffness and want a gentle way to get your upper body moving.

It’s also widely used in rehab because it’s quite cheap and easy to move around! So if you want something you can take from the home office to the couch without much effort, this is a good choice.

Ease of use in a home office

Under-desk bikes are simple to set up, but they do raise your knees higher than ellipticals. 

If your desk isn’t adjustable, you’ll either hit your knees or have to sit farther back, which forces you to use a different posture than you’re used to and can lead to more joint pain.

They’re lighter and easier to move around, which is a plus. But that also means they can slide on hard floors if you don’t use a mat, so you’d have to purchase one if you don’t already have one.

Some are very quiet, others not so much. Magnetic resistance systems tend to be smoother and quieter than friction ones.

You’ll have to wear shoes as well. The pedals are smaller and can be rough on bare feet or socks. 

It’s not a good option for those with a shoe size above 9-10 either. There’s often limited heel clearance, so you might hit your heel on the floor when pedalling. 

Joint impact and exercise value

A mini bike feels more like traditional cycling, working mostly with your quads and hip flexors. It also gives you more freedom of movement on the ankles.

This isn’t bad at all, but just know it’s a tighter motion, your knees will bend more sharply, and you’ll have to work a bit more to stabilize your ankles.

For people with healthy knees and ankles, that’s fine. But if you already deal with stiffness or pain, that motion can aggravate things.

It’s a bit more of a workout compared to an elliptical. But not a full-blown cardio session, it’s more like a gentle spin-class, not a Tour De France.

Now, back when I worked as a physio, I noticed most of my patients were divided about the pedal strap:

• Some hated it. They told me it was uncomfortable, they wanted a bit more freedom to reposition their feet as they wanted while cycling. 
• Others loved it. They felt safer and like they could pedal for longer without issue. 

It’s impossible to know whether you’ll love or hate the strap until you use a mini bike. But it’s something to keep in mind. You wouldn’t have that issue with an elliptical, though.

Maintenance and longevity

Pedal bikes usually need a bit more attention, depending on the model. The chain or tension system may need occasional adjustment, and the pedals or bands can wear faster.

They’re fine for daily light use, but cheaper ones can get noisy over time. 

You might need to tighten bolts or lubricate parts every few months. Nothing complicated, just more attention than ellipticals usually require.