What is a freehold? When buying a property some of the terms can feel overwhelming if you don’t understand the implications of what they mean.

There are two main ways of ownership when buying a house (‘property’ meaning the land and the buildings on that land) in England and Wales – freehold and leasehold. We ask a team of experts to share property advice to clearly outline exactly what it means to buy a freehold on a property.

What is freehold property?

‘Freehold is the ‘senior’ or ‘superior’ title simply because the freeholder owns the property absolutely (e.g. there is no time limit on their ownership),’ explains Jane Lonergan, Partner and Head of Property, Wilsons Solicitors LLP.

‘All property has a freehold but the freeholder can lease the property to a tenant, giving them a right to occupy the property for a period of time (‘the term’). For a set amount (a one off payment – ‘the purchase price’ and/or a periodic payment called ‘the rent’) and on certain conditions (all set out in a document called ‘the lease’). The tenant then has a leasehold interest in the property.’

‘A freehold property is essentially homeownership in the truest sense of the word,’ explains Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr.

Image credit: Future

How do I know if a property is freehold?

‘If you are getting a short residential lease, it’s easy – you will be given a lease (called a tenancy agreement),’ advises Jane Lonergan. ‘It is a little harder to tell with a long residential lease. The Land Registry maintains definitive land ownership records in England and Wales. The entries on the Land Register for the property will clearly say whether you are dealing with the freehold or leasehold to a property.’

Jane goes on to explain: ‘Flats are almost invariably leasehold – each flat owner owns the leasehold to their flat within a larger freehold ‘block’. A common arrangement is for the freehold to be owned by a limited company whose shareholders are the flat owners. With leasehold houses, a more cautious approach is advised. There may be good reasons for a house to be leasehold (e.g. to ensure common areas are maintained) but watch out for the ground rent! It may start deceptively low but leases sometimes provide for it to be multiplied at intervals, meaning it rapidly becomes ridiculously high!’

If you have any concerns at all about your leasehold house, it is worth visiting a solicitor as there is legislation in place which could offer you the opportunity to buy the freehold. Factor in solicitor fees for buying a house.

Does freehold mean you own the land?

‘You outright own the building as well as the land it sits on and it is your name logged with the Land Registry and the freeholder’ states Marc von Grundherr. ‘There’s also no time limit or expiry date, so the land and everything on it is yours until such a point that you decide to sell. ‘

What is the benefit of owning a freehold?

Image credit: Future/ Emma Lewis

‘The complete ownership of this land and the fact there is no ticking clock is probably the largest draw of buying a freehold home,’ says Marc von Grundherr. ‘All too often homeowners get caught out by their lease running low and this can be an expensive issue to remedy when looking to extend it.

‘What’s more, there are no service charges or ground rent, so a leasehold home is unlikely to present any financial surprises. There is also a far greater sense of control in the sense that you can undertake any maintenance as and when required rather than waiting on the freeholder to do so in a leasehold home.’

One immediate benefit of owning a share of the freehold, on a flat for instance, is having control over what you pay as ground rent. Ground rent is a cost that every lease holder has to pay in order to upkeep the building etc – consider if a savings pot for any repairs that might need to be carried out. But some landlords might charge high costs for ground rent and you’re never in control of where that money gets spent.

Owning a freehold means you have complete control over the property. Even if it’s a shared stake in a freehold, when a property is divided into several flats the freehold will be split equally between the three separate residential dwellings inside.

Is it safe to buy freehold property?

‘A thorough survey of any property during the purchasing process should raise any issues around the safety of a building,’ advises Marc von Grundherr. ‘Of course, as the freeholder it’s your responsibility to remedy any issues. And so the big things to look out for are issues such as subsidence or even Japanese Knotweed. As these can cause serious structural issues that can be dangerous in the long run.’

He goes on to warn. ‘The state of the gas and electrics is also an area to focus on as these can be potentially dangerous if not in order.’

What are the disadvantages of owning a freehold?

Image credit: Future/ Colin Poole

‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you are the freeholder you can let your property and the land it sits on fall into disrepair,’ warns Managing Director of StripeHomes, James Forrester.

‘You have a responsibility to maintain the core fabric of the building such as the external walls and roof, as well as the land itself.’ This applies to whether you live in the property yourself or rent it out. Because this will be your responsibility as freeholder.

‘So when buying a freehold it’s important to consider these additional costs on an annual basis. The best way to do so is to follow the 1% rule. Essentially, if you tuck away a budget equal to 1% of the purchase price of your property, you should easily be able to afford to maintain your home appropriately.’

This is effectively what the cost of paying a ground rent charge on a flat equates to. It’s the insurance that any potential costs are covered, for any roof repairs or structural alterations that need to be made.

The post What is freehold property? All you need to know about buying a freehold appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you’ve recently moved into an older property or the time has come to update your old central heating system in your current house, then chances are relocating the boiler to a more practical position has sprung to mind. But how much does moving a boiler cost?

The central heating’s boiler furnace is the main vessel in which fluid is heated and dispersed into radiators and water points around the home. It’s the beating heart that keeps your house warm in winter and creates a constant supply of hot water all year round.

However, even though it’s necessity, it’s not exactly an attractive appliance to have on display. In recent years, new technology and innovative design has made boilers smaller, sleeker and quieter. That being said, most homeowners still prefer to install boilers in an inconspicuous location.

How much does moving a boiler cost?

Image credit: Worcester Bosch

If you do decide to move your boiler, you’ll need to contract an experienced and qualified tradesperson for the project. Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register are legally qualified to install, repair or move a central heating boiler. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal so always check the tradesperson’s Gas Safe Register ID card to ensure they are have the right qualifications for the job.

Because moving the boiler requires a professional, the burning question is – how much does moving the boiler cost?

With the help of industry experts, we’ve got the lowdown on how much moving the boiler will cost. Including how this is calculated, if it’s worth it and what’s involved.

The price of moving your boiler can vary vastly. Moving an existing boiler just a few metres can cost from as little as £300 plus labour. Or, should you need to upgrade to a different system and relocate it to a different floor in your home, you could be quoted thousands for materials and a week’s worth of labour. Checkatrade estimates the average cost of moving an existing boiler is £750*.

Why move a boiler?

Before you move your existing boiler you need to consider if it will be worth the cost in the long run. Firstly, think about why you think your boiler needs to be moved? Is it in the way, unsightly and loud? Could the space where it’s currently located be utilised better?

Moving the boiler to a more practical position may be cost-effective in the long run, as it could increase hot water speed and use less energy than in its original position. Worcester Bosch’s Head of Technical Communication and Product Management, Martyn Bridges, explains: ‘A boiler move isn’t very common. However, if a room is being repurposed or if a kitchen extension is being built and the flue needs relocating then it makes practical and economical sense.’

Relocating your boiler has more benefits than just aesthetics. It can free up valuable storage space and be make your home more energy efficient. This will bring down energy bills and your carbon footprint. Win win!

Image credit: Worcester Bosch

Can you relocate an existing boiler?

If your boiler is no longer covered under warranty, is not compliant with latest regulations or is more than approximately 10 years old then it may be time to replace it as well as move it.

There are three main  boiler systems:

• Combination (combi boilers) are best suited to small homes. Hot water is generated from the mains when required. Combi boilers are the easiest to move due to only having one component.
• System boilers have a separate hot water tank, which meets the demands of larger houses that have more than one bathroom and so higher heating and hot water demand.
• Regular / Standard or Open Vent boilers require both a hot water storage cylinder and cold water tank. These systems are best suited to homes with multiple bathrooms that are often being used at the same time.

It is possible to move an existing boiler but consider whether waiting until it’s your boiler is due an upgrade before moving the current one. So you can do both jobs at the same time, ultimately saving you money. Some companies will only agree to relocate new models, so that they can be sure they can source the correct parts.

‘Check that the flue components and accessories that you require for this new position are still available and on sale,’ Martyn continues. ‘A Gas Safe Engineer (for gas fed boilers) or OFTEC registered technician will need to comply to the manufacturer instructions, making sure the new flue position is in accordance with all the requirements.’

How hard is it to relocate a boiler?

‘For example, system boilers require a large water storage cylinder, which is typically housed in an airing cupboard. Regular boilers have both a boiler unit, a storage cylinder and expansion tank, which must be kept in the attic as it needs to be above the boiler to function.’

Where is the best place to put a boiler?

image credit: Future

In theory, a boiler can be moved anywhere in the home as long as it adheres to regulations. It should be in a convenient yet discreet location that is easily accessible. Kitchens, utility rooms, airing cupboards and easy-to-access lofts are common positions.

‘Ideally, the best place to put a boiler in your home is where it will be heating most of your property’s water e.g., in or near the kitchen or bathroom. However, there are building regulations your boiler installer will need to abide by,’ says Ben Mars at Heatably. 

‘For instance, both the flue and the waste pipe will have to run outside. And your boiler must be a suitable distance away from any doors or windows for this reason. Your boiler will also need to be located either on, or next to, an outside wall.’

Can you move a boiler from upstairs to downstairs?

Moving your boiler between floors is the most expensive option. Weigh up the project’s pros and cons: will the extra building works, installation and associated costs be worth the move?

A spokesperson from Checkatrade.com explains: ‘It is possible to move a boiler from upstairs to downstairs. But the further a boiler moves, the greater the cost. Checkatrade suggests that the cost of moving a boiler from upstairs to downstairs is approximately £950* due to additional pipework needed to make the boiler connect with existing pipework along with labour costs. The move will require lots of additional pipeline, floorboards to be lifted and furniture to be moved as well.’

Image credit: Homeserve

Can you move boiler to loft?

Moving the boiler to the loft is a popular choice. Keeping this unattractive necessity hidden from view and reducing and obtrusive noises. However, there are issues to consider before the big lift.

Your boiler needs to be in an accessible location. You need to have easy passage to check and alter pressure and a tradesperson will need workspace when servicing. Plus the loft may require modification to bear extra weight and follow regulations.

*At time of publication.

The post How much does moving a boiler cost? An expert breakdown on what to budget appeared first on Ideal Home.

Black Friday stand mixer deals are always a firm favourite. Perhaps it’s because the best stand mixers make such excellent Christmas presents, or perhaps it’s because the applications for next year’s Great British Bake Off are now open, but no matter the reason, you can save some serious cash when you buy a stand mixer right now. We’ve found amazing Black Friday stand mixer deals on the KitchenAid Artisan and the Kenwood kMix, both of which sit at the top of our stand mixer rankings.

Related: Black Friday deals 2021

Although Black Friday doesn’t officially take place until November the 26th, the deals certainly aren’t waiting. We’re seeing some excellent savings at Amazon, Curry’s, and John Lewis and Partners, so if you’re shopping for a Black Friday KitchenAid deal, now is the time to act before the sellouts start! We’ll be keeping this page updated with all the best savings as and when they happen, so shop our quick links below to find exactly what you’re after, or take a look at our hand-selected Black Friday stand mixer deals with a quick scroll.

Where to find Black Friday stand mixer deals

• Curry’s deals: all the top brands in one place
• Amazon deals: save on Kenwood and Russell Hobbs
• John Lewis deals: top options from Sage and KitchenAid
• AO.com deals: next day delivery and big £££ off
• Robert Dyas deals: save on Tower and Swan
• Argos deals: affordable stand mixers with impressive savings

Today’s best Black Friday stand mixer deals

KITCHENAID Artisan 5KSM125BMH Stand Mixer: was £499, now £399 at Currys
Currys is showing up early with the Black Friday savings, and we’re particularly impressed by this £100 discount on the KitchenAid Artisan in a classic milkshake shade. It’s hard enough to find the Artisan in-stock once Black Friday gets started, so finding it with a £100 discount is pretty special.

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Kenwood kMix KMX760.GD kitchen machine rose gold: was £499, NOW £329, Currys
Save an impressive £170 on this super-stylish rose gold Kenwood stand mixer.Check out the six speed  levels, including a unique fold function for ultra-light cakes and soufflés.

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Kenwood kMix KMX750 stand mixer in red: was £369, NOW £269, John Lewis & Partners
This powerful Kenwood stand mixer in cool red now has £100 off. It’s sure to complement any kitchen scheme!

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What do I look for in a good stand mixer?

Stand mixers typically come with a bowl, whisk, dough hook and beater. The dough hook and beater can usually go in the dishwasher, but the whisk doesn’t always, so you’ll have to read our stand mixer reviews to learn more about the post-bake cleanup. Spending more doesn’t necessarily get you extra attachments, but your machine should last. Signs of quality include a stainless-mixer bowl or glass blender jug as opposed to plastic ones, metal casing, a powerful but quiet induction motor and a long guarantee.

Looks are obviously important, which is why you’ll find a stand mixer in Nigella’s kitchen or on the counters of the Great British Bake Off, but the most stylish mixers are not always the most powerful. The KitchenAid Artisan, for example, only has a fraction of the wattage of the Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker. That doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t handle your cupcake recipes or sourdough loaves, but it may struggle with extra-large batches or unusual mixes.

Noise is another thing to consider, because while some only intend to use their new stand mixer about once a week, if you plan on using it every day, you may get sick of having to shout over the noise of your bread kneading. We’ve ranked all stand mixers for noise in our reviews, but found that the quietest models come from Sage and Kenwood.

Black Friday Kenwood stand mixer deals

The Kenwood name is synonymous with quality stand mixers. We’ve reviewed many of Kenwood’s most popular stand mixers, so you can peruse our Kenwood kMix review, our Kenwood Prospero review, or our Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker review for specific thoughts about the different options on the market. Grab yourself a bargain with these tempting Black Friday stand mixer deals.

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Black Friday KitchenAid stand mixer deals

Image credit: KitchenAid

The Great British Bake Off contestants, Lorraine Pascale, Nigella Lawson… everyone loves the Artisan. It’s hardly changed from its launch in 1919 and is still built like a classic car, from the sturdy levers that slide into place with a satisfying clunk, to the stunning paint job. A must-have piece of kit in any baker’s kitchen, it is admittedly rare to find the KitchenAid on sale. If it’s on promotion, our handy widgets will pull through the best prices.

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Black Friday Bosch stand mixer deals

When you think of Bosch, you might think of washing machines and power tools, but did you know the quality brand makes some pretty nifty stand mixers? Take a look at our Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer review for more info on why it’s so great. Our widget is pulling through the best deals you can buy right now.

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Black Friday Russell Hobbs stand mixer deals

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

With a fun polka-dot design, the Russell Hobbs stand mixer is one of our new favourites. We tried it in our Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater stand mixer review, and found that it’s a great value stand mixer.

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Black Friday SMEG stand mixer deals

We’ve reviewed the Smeg stand mixer ourselves and it really wowed us with its retro design and fun colour range. It’s not the cheapest stand mixer on the market, so you can save a lot of money if you do find a Smeg Black Friday stand mixer deal.

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What’s the difference between a stand mixer and a food processor?

Stand mixers are made for keen cooks, and not surprisingly, prioritise mixing. They’ll outperform most processors in this depratment, hands down, mainly because they have a wider range of speeds – use the lower ones for kneading bread and folding cake mixtures, and speed up when whipping meringues.

Food processors can mix things, too, but they also feature circular blades, graters and choppers for slicing, dicing and grinding, and some have juicer and blender jug attachments that make use of their powerful motors.

Hybrid stand mixers like Kenwood’s Chef machines, are a favourite of top chefs. They have multiple power outlets that can be used with optional attachments such as food processors, blenders and even ice cream makers, but they’ll tend to cost more.

Does the KitchenAid ever go on sale?

Luckily for all of us, they certainly do. On Amazon Prime Day, you could pick up a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, Aqua Sky for £349.99. Usually a budget-busting £579, it was hard to ignore that whopping 40% saving. And we anticipate we’ll see more brilliant discounts in the coming weeks.

Why are KitchenAid stand mixers so expensive?

KitchenAid’s first household egg beater has a history, believe it or not, dating back to 1919. It’s moved on considerably since then, but the retro look, tempting colours and sturdy design of the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, make it an ever-popular choice.

But why are they so expensive? Well, KitchenAids have never been cheap. Even when the first mixers were launched in America in the 1920s, they would have set you back around $200. Which, with inflation, equates to around £2,000 in 2020. So the fact that you can pick up the most basic model, the Classic tilt-head mixer, for around £250, means you’ve made quite the saving.

KitchenAids are built like a classic car. There are little-to-no plastic parts – save for attachments like the included shield to keep flour from flying up in your face. Instead they are made from sturdy die-cast zinc and in a wide range of enamelled colours. The planetary motor runs at 10 different speeds. The mixing bowl is stainless steel as standard, but some models come with glass bowls. All of which contributes to the price.

You are also paying for convenience and adaptability. A wire whisk, dough hook and a flat beater are included, but you can upgrade even old machines with optional extras, such as a sausage maker, ice cream maker and a coffee grinder.

Related: Best Black Friday air fryer deals

Keep this page bookmarked for more amazing Black Friday stand mixer deals between now and the end of the month.

The post Black Friday stand mixer deals 2021: shop early savings appeared first on Ideal Home.

Investing in a cheap exercise bike over Black Friday? Want to get a kick-start on your new exercise routine ahead of the new year? Owning an exercise bike at home will prove to be handy, especially during winter. No having to leave your home and face the cold to visit your gym, no waiting around until an exercise bike becomes free and best of all: no monthly membership! Need we really say any more?

Buy a cheap exercise bike once and it ought to last you for years of use. Whether that’s inside your living room, spare bedroom or garage is your choice. A choice we can help you with is deciding on an exercise bike for your needs. Yes, our experts have been trying and testing exercise bikes at home, throughout lockdown and even afterwards, but most importantly, these exercise bikes are all less than £500. Though we’re calling them “cheap exercise bikes” this definitely doesn’t recipricate when it comes to their features. We’ve listed foldable exercise bikes and even app-compatible models in our list, too. These exercise bikes are great for daily use, and for those who are on a budget.

Related: Best yoga mat – our favourite buys for home workouts

Exercise bikes are an extremely popular piece of home gym equipment – and for good reason since they can make your heart rate rise fast. Since we are recommending affordable exercise bikes, it should go without us saying that you will get what you pay for. We would recommend choosing a bike with programmes, though this is not essential, but it will make your workout easier. Don’t forget to check out the flywheel weight of each bike listed below, as the heavier it is, the tougher it is to ride. This should give you a good indication on what to buy based on your fitness level.

See our comprehensive exercise bike guide to get sweaty from home. This way you can squeeze in a quick 15 in your lunch hour, cycle in front of the TV or workout before work. We’ll list Black Friday exercise bike deals here, as they come in, from now until the 26th of November.

What is the best exercise bike?

Our overall best exercise bike for home use, especially if you are looking for something to use daily, is the Viavito Satori exercise bike. We’ve tried it, tested it and we love it. It’s sturdy, easy to use, it has a 9kg flywheel, 32 resistance levels and a whopping 12 pre-set programmes. Plus more – but you’ll have to read the rest below.

Best exercise bikes 2021

1. Viavito Satori

The best cheap exercise bike for home use

Image credit: Viavito

Flywheel: 9kg
Resistance: 32 levels
Programmes: 12

The Viavito Satori exercise bike is great for anyone, whether you are a beginner or a pro. It’s also compact and it’s on wheels for easy moving around your home. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a number of months now and we love it for daily use – whether for 15 minutes of intense exercise or 30 minutes of light cycling.

Though not foldable, this Viavito bike still manages to be quite small when tucked into a corner. It weighs 31kg in total, and in terms of size, it measures 130cm, 100cm long and 54cm in depth. It has an impressive maximum user weight of 140kg.

This bike has a whopping 32 levels of resistance while boasting a heavy 9kg flywheel for an intense workout. You can, of course, control the resistance to suit your fitness level by using the round button on the console. Its handlebars also feature pulse sensors. There are 12 programmes on this bike, all of which are varied, and you can tailor each one to suit your preferences – from time to distance and calories. Your stats will show on the console, and you can use this console to view your progress throughout. There are four user programmes so each member of your family can use this bike, while it’s impressively quiet while in use.

We think this exercise is great value for £350 – it’s something you can use on a daily basis while watching TV, or even if the kids are in bed. Thanks to its heavy flywheel it can suit everyone, no matter how experienced they may or may not be, while it’s sturdy and completely adjustable. The only thing we aren’t too keen on is that it doesn’t have a smartphone or tablet holder. Other than that, we love it.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Reebok ZJET 460 Bluetooth Exercise Bike

The best cheap exercise bike with Bluetooth

Image credit: Reebok

Flywheel: 9kg
Resistance: 24
Programmes: 19

This Reebok exercise bike doesn’t just look the part but it connects via Bluetooth to the Reebok Fitness App to enhance your workout. It’s similar to our top pick, the Viavito Satori, but it’s slightly less bulky and with the added bonus of the app compatibility, you can plan, track and analyse your workouts with ease. You can also sync it with an Apple watch.

In terms of size, this exercise bike clearly isn’t foldable, but it is quite small at 140cm high, 41cm wide and 109cm deep. With a maximum user weight of 120kg and a total weight of 35.5kg, it’s even on wheels for moving it from room to room.

With an easy to read console and 19 user programmes, this bike has a 9kg flywheel so that even pros can use this bike, and 24 resistance levels make it easy to adapt it to suit your needs. It’s completely adjustable with strap pedals, and there are handgrip pulse sensors on the handlebars. It has suction-cupped feet to keep the bike firmly on the floor no matter how fast you are pedalling.

Overall, this exercise bike is a great pick for those who are willing to spend a tad more money in order to properly track their workouts and analyse their progress. It’s best for daily use, whether that be five times a week or seven times a week.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

3. JOROTO X2 Exercise Bike

The best luxury exercise bike on a budget

Image credit: JOROTO

If you want to buy something that’s impressive and also under the £500 mark, then this is the exercise bike for you. It’s pretty sizeable and looks similar to a spin bike, in our opinion. This means that it is not foldable or compact – but rest assured it will make a decent addition to a home gym. Smooth in motion, quiet when in operation and sleek in looks, this sturdy bike is made with a 50mm thickened frame tube and it has 7 levels of magnetic resistance.

In terms of actual size, it’s fully adjustable to suit a range of users. Plus, it has an extra-wide seat to ensure comfort when using for long periods. It can sit at any height from 150cm to 195cm and in total, it weighs 42.6kg with a 136kg maximum weight limit. With caged toe pedals and adjustable straps, your feet will stay exactly where you need them to be for the entirety of your workout. The best part? It sits on wheels to make it easy to move around your home or room.

With a 16kg flywheel behind it, this bike ought to provide a tough home workout. You can track your stats as you sweat thanks to its digital monitor. Refer to this for your speed, time, calories and distance.  a dual groove multi-use holder to support things that you need for exercise (such as a tablet, mobile phone, water bottle, weights, and other things), 2 transportation wheels to move easily, and multi-grips handlebar to fulfill different workout position.

Other features we love include its multi-use holder for carrying your phone, water or even some weights. It also has an emergency stop button for safety purposes that’s within easy reach while you are pedalling. Just make sure that you have enough space inside your home to store it. This is, without a doubt, our best luxury pick for those who don’t want to spend more than £500 on an exercise bike.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. Ultrasport F-Bike and F-Rider

The best cheap exercise bike under £200

Image credit: Ultrasport

Flywheel: 1.5kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

The Ultrasport F-Bike is feature-packed yet foldable. It’s also affordable and great for smaller spaces. It comes in a range of colour options to suit your home decor, too. We’ve been using this exercise bike for a few months now, and so far we’re enjoying it. It’s definitely best for beginners, but it’s undeniably great for those who are short on storage space – and on a budget.

Foldable and lightweight, this Ultrasport bike weighs 15.5kg and when folded it measures 131cm high and 45cm wide. It’s worth noting that this bike is not on wheels, and it has a maximum user weight of 100kg. It’s pretty easy to move around your home, though, and it can slot neatly behind or under furniture.

With eight levels of adjustable resistance and a 1.5kg flywheel, this bike is better suited for beginners – or those who will be using it for a light to medium-paced workout. Whether you choose to work your way up to resistance eight or work at this level for your entire workout is up to you. Saying that, resistance can easily be tailored to you by spinning the dial in between your legs. The bike’s seat is adjustable from 78cm to 86cm. Though be aware that at this price point you can’t expect the seat to be comfortable. After around 30 minutes it may start to become a tad hard. It also has an LCD display so that you can see your time, distance, speed, calories burned and heart rate. We found this display to sometimes be inaccurate, but we always use our trusty Fitbit to track our exercise.  There are hand pulse sensors to check your heart rate, and these always seem to be bang-on.

At just over the £100 mark, this exercise bike is a bargain. It has all of the features a beginner needs, and it’s foldable so it’s great for smaller spaces. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

5. JLL JF100 Exercise Bike

The best cheap exercise bike that’s compact

Flywheel: 4kg
Resistance: 10 levels
Programmes: 0

The JLL JF100 is affordable, compact and it’s great for all fitness levels – though it’s not the best option for those who love a spin class as you shouldn’t stand up on it. Makers of some of the best home gym equipment out there, rest assured that JLL products will last.

Compact in size although not foldable, this exercise bike is on wheels to make it easier to move around the home. With a max user weight of 100kg and a total weight of 18.1kg, an adjustable seat and pedals. 

Offering 10 levels of magnetic resistance for total control of how hard you work, this belt-driven bike has a 4kg two-way flywheel. Ideal for use by pros and beginners alike, just don’t stand up on this upright model. It has a six-function monitor so you can see stats such as time, speed, pulse, distance and odometer.

Price-wise, this exercise bike is a great investment when you consider its features and that it can be used by all fitness levels. It’s also definitely worth the money if you have a small home yet don’t want a foldable option.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. Pro Fitness FEB2000 Folding Exercise Bike

The best cheap foldable exercise bike

Image credit: Pro Fitness

Flywheel: 3kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

This Pro Fitness exercise bike is without a doubt our best foldable option for those who have little to no floor space in their home to store an exercise bike inside. It’s also from Argso so that you can click and collect or get it delivered to your front door, while it comes in at a really reasonable price tag considering its features.

Foldable and compact when both upright or splayed out, this exercise bike is also on wheels – a big bonus when it comes to wheeling it into a cupboard for safe-keeping once you are finished sweating. It weighs a total of 16kgs with a 100kg weight limit. It also has an adjustable seat and self-levelling pedals. Those with an eager eye will have noticed that this bike seat comes complete with a back, for extra support when you need it the most. This means it can be used by anyone, at any age.

It also has a total of 8 levels of resistance and an impressive 3kg flywheel – this is double the weight of the Ultrasport F bike, making this bike a better option for those looking to push themselves a little harder. It’s still meant for beginners and occasional use, though you’ll probably be able to get more use out of this bike as you gain strength and get used to it. You can use this Pro Fitness bike to track your progress with help from its compact console. Here you can see everything from your workout time to distance, calories, speed and more. It also has sensors to monitor your heart rate as you work out.

In terms of price tag, this bike is only a tad more expensive than the other foldable options on our list. Something to think about if you’re tight on space and a tad more flexible with your budget. Similar to other foldable exercise bikes, we wouldn’t recommend them for everyday use but it’s undeniably perfect for occasional exercise and light use.

7. Opti Folding Magnetic Exercise Bike

The most affordable exercise bike that’s worth your money

Flywheel: 1.6kg
Resistance: 8
Programmes: 0

If you are a beginner and you don’t want to feel too overwhelmed by an exercise bike, then this Opti bike is the best option for you. 

Foldable to a very small size and also lightweight at 13.1kg, this exercise bike really is a smart buy for smaller spaces. Despite its small size and lightweight, it still has a maximum user weight of 100kg. Though it’s not on wheels…

Boasting a magnetic resistance system that can be controlled with a knob, it has a light 1.6kg flywheel. With pedal straps to keep your feet in place, as well as an adjustable seat and handlebars, it even has pulse sensors on the handles, too. A console sits in your eye line while working out, to tell you everything from your speed to the number of calories you have burned, the distance you have travelled and more.

There’s no doubt that this Opti exercise bike is worth every penny. At under £80, it’s even worth buying for sporadic use or just until gyms open again.

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Black Friday exercise bike deals

If you’ve been waiting for Black Friday to invest in an exercise bike, then we can help you do so – and help you find one that’s worth your money. Whether it’s something for daily use or a bike for the entire family – perhaps you’re only planning on using it once a week? Here are the lowest priced exercise bikes on the web right now. Black Friday deals will be coming soon…

What should I consider before buying an exercise bike?

There are several things to consider before buying an exercise bike:

• Think about the size of the exercise bike before you buy, as well as how much space you will ideally need to use it at home. Some exercise bikes are foldable for when it comes to storing.
• Another thing to be mindful of is the exercise bike’s resistance. This is usually manual or electric. Ensure this can be adjusted by you so that the bike can be used by all fitness levels.
• Also have a look at how easy it is to change resistance, and where this can be done. Some exercise bikes will have a control on their console, while others may have a knob that will sit in between your legs.
• Consider the maximum user weight of each bike to ensure that everyone in your household can use it before you buy.
• All exercise bikes all have a flywheel – the heavier this wheel, the harder the bike will be to use. Beginner? You may want to choose a bike with a lighter flywheel.
• It’s worth noting if your new exercise bike is adjustable – we’re talking about its seat height and handlebars, as well as the pedals in some cases.
• Heart rate monitoring is another feature to look out for when choosing a bike. Some models have built-in sensors on the handlebars.
• Finding a bike that is on wheels will prove handy if you are going to be moving it back into a cupboard or corner of a room after use.
• The majority of exercise bikes have a display console so that you can see your stats while riding. If you have a fitness tracker, then you may not need this. Otherwise, this is handy as they usually sit in your eye line.

Where to buy a cheap exercise bike?

Where else to buy cheap exercise bikes? See below and click through to shop exercise bikes from low to high prices. You’ll be sure to find something to suit your budget.

• Argos cheap exercise bikes
• Amazon cheap exercise bikes
• eBay cheap exercise bikes
• Sweatband cheap exercise bikes
• John Lewis & Partners cheap exercise bikes
• Aosom cheap exercise bikes
• Decaathlon cheap exercise bikes
• OnBuy cheap exercise bikes
• Sports Direct cheap exercise bikes
• Powerhouse Fitness cheap exercise bikes

Read our exercise bike guide above to find the best option for you.

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