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The Nautilus R616 and R618 are similar models but there are some differences. Find out in what situations you could consider each option.
Some of the main differences between the Nautilus R616 and R618 are that the Nautilus R618 has a slightly higher weight limit, seat handle resistance control buttons, a gel seat, a tiltable screen, and a longer frame warranty.
On the flip side, the Nautilus R616 has a lighter weight and a price that is a good amount more budget-friendly.
The Nautilus R618 should offer more convenient exercise sessions due to the seat handle resistance control buttons and tiltable screen. Especially if you are a tall individual.
If you really value these features, you could consider investing a bit more into the Nautilus R618.
That being said, the Nautilus R616 is more than good enough too for many people. Choosing this option can save you a nice amount of money.
Most important differences Nautilus R616 vs R618
As their names imply, the Nautilus R616 and Nautilus R618 are very similar recumbent bikes. That being said, they still have a few differences that will make one or the other the best for your personal situation.
At the same time, some differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are most likely to play a role in your decision.
| Feature | Nautilus R616 | Nautilus R618 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 300 Pounds (136 kg) | 325 Pounds (147.4 kg) |
| Seat Handle Resistance Control | No | Yes |
| Seat Type | Padded Seat With Ventilated Back | Nautilus Gel Seat With Ventilated Back |
| Weight | 91.9 lbs (41.7 kg) | 107 lbs (48.5 kg) |
| Screen Mobility | Static | Can Tilt |
| Warranties* | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Mechanical Parts And Electronics Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty | 15 Years Frame Warranty, 3 Years Mechanical Parts And Electronics Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Price Category** | $$ | $$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category difference at the time of writing
Other features Nautilus R616 and R618
Before deciding on either the Nautilus R616 or R618 you may also want to know about the smaller differences and common features.
| Feature | Nautilus R616 | Nautilus R618 |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Weight | 13.1 Pounds (5.9 kg) (According To Customer Support Rep) | 13.1 Pounds (5.9 kg) (According To Customer Support Rep) |
| Resistance Type | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Resistance Levels | 25 Levels | 25 Levels |
| Dimensions | 65.3″ L x 28.3″ W x 49.6″ H | 67.3″ L x 26.4″ W x 48.8″ H |
| User Height Range | 54 to 78 Inches (137.2 cm to 198 cm) | 54 to 78 Inches (137.2 cm to 198 cm) |
| Adjustable Seat | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Handles | Yes | Yes |
| Screen | Backlit LCD console | Backlit LCD console |
| Workout Programs | 29 Workout Programs | 29 Workout Programs |
| Number Of Screen Users | 4 Users | 4 Users |
| Device Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Contact & Telemetry Enabled | Contact & Telemetry Enabled (Heart Strap Included) |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Nautilus R616 vs R618 explained in detail
If you are somewhat experienced with recumbent bike features and know what you want in them, the table of differences and a quick look at the prices could be enough to decide between the Nautilus R616 and R618.
On the other hand, you may still be somewhat unsure about what certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent they should influence your decision.
In a situation like that, some of the more detailed explanations below can help you make a better decision.
Weight limit
The weight limit of an exercise bike sounds and is a relatively straightforward detail but this feature matters in more ways than one.
Before going into more detail, the Nautilus R616 has a weight limit of 300 Pounds (136 kg). The Nautilus R618 is slightly sturdier with a weight limit of 325 pounds (147.4 kg).
The main reason why you want to stay below these numbers is that your recumbent bike can simply break down if you do so.
However, even if it doesn’t, going over the weight limit can speed up wear and tear and void your warranties.
Additionally, the weight limit of a recumbent bike is somewhat of an indication of how sturdy the materials and construction of the model are.
That means you can expect the Nautilus R618 to be slightly sturdier than the Nautilus R616. This also shows up in the longer frame warranty.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Seat handle resistance control
A feature difference that is not always clear at first sight is that the Nautilus R618 has resistance control buttons on the handles of the seat. The Nautilus R616 does not have these buttons.
As the name implies, the point of a recumbent exercise bike is leaning back while pedaling. The seat handle resistance control buttons allow you to stay in this position during your workout.
When using the Nautilus R616, you may have to bend forward to adjust the resistance. Especially if you are a relatively tall individual.
Whether this is important to you and to what extent depends on your personal preferences, how easy it is for you to move forward, and your size.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Seat type
Another subtle difference between the Nautilus R616 and R618 is that they come with different seats.
The Nautilus R616 comes with a regular padded seat with a ventilated back. The Nautilus R618 also comes with a ventilated back but uses a Nautilus gel seat.
This gel seat is meant to make your seat more comfortable. If you want to make sure you are comfortable during your workouts, this can be a nice addition.
On the other hand, you could also get a separate gel seat for the Nautilus R616 if it turns out to be uncomfortable.
So this feature difference is definitely not something that will completely influence your decision in one way. However, it is a nice addition to the Nautilus R618.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Weight
The weight of a stationary bike is a relatively straightforward detail but it is not always clear how this influences the experience of the machine.
First of all, there are some cases where people have a limited floor weight capacity. In a situation like that, you definitely want to check the weights of the Nautilus R616 and R618.
However, most people will care more about this detail because of how it influences moving the recumbent bikes around.
It will be a bit easier to move the 91.9 lbs (41.7 kg) of the Nautilus R616 compared to the 91.9 lbs (41.7 kg) of the Nautilus R618.
Fitter individuals may not care about this difference, especially if they plan to put their bike in one place and leave it there.
However, recumbent bikes are a popular choice for people with limited mobility. For these people, the weight difference in favor of the Nautilus R616 is something to keep in mind.
Winner: Nautilus R616
Screen mobility
The Nautilus R616 and R618 both come with built-in LCD consoles and device holders.
You can use these to follow the pre-programmed workouts, do scenic rides with the Explore The World App, or watch entertainment on your device.
Besides negligibly different designs, these two recumbent bikes from Nautilus vary in that the screen and device holder of the Nautilus R618 can be tilted slightly. These components are static in the Nautilus R616.
This is another feature that will likely not completely influence your decision. However, for very short and very tall individuals, it definitely is a nice addition that can make many workouts just a bit more comfortable.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Warranties
Warranties are how long a brand is willing to replace certain parts if they get damaged during normal use.
Both of these Nautilus recumbent bikes have 3 years of mechanical parts and electronics warranty and 1 year labor warranty.
However, the Nautilus R616 has a 10 years frame warranty. The Nautilus R618 has a 15 years frame warranty.
Even if you will never use these warranties, they are some indication of how much Nautilus stands behind each recumbent bike. You can also see this difference in the weight limits.
How important the extra years of frame warranty are depends on things like how long you plan to use your recumbent bikes and how risk-tolerant you are.
Winner: Nautilus R618
Price
So far, the Nautilus R618 has the upper hand over the Nautilus R616 in a few areas. However, when choosing a stationary bike, the price often matters too.
Exactly how much each machine costs depends on where you get them and can change over time. However, at the time of writing, the Nautilus R616 is a good amount more budget-friendly than the Nautilus R618.
Winner: Nautilus R616
User reviews
When comparing two recumbent bikes from the same brand and product lines like the Nautilus R616 and R618, the feature and price differences generally give you a good idea about what option the best is for you.
Even so, customer feedback sometimes uncovers unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues. In the case of the Nautilus R616 and R618, the reviews are very similar.
There are a few mentions from people who initially got faulty parts or experienced fast wear and tear. These cases are generally resolved with customer support but this could be unpleasant anyway.
Additionally, some individuals would prefer seats that are more comfortable and speakers with more functionality.
That being said, these things seem to be the exception, not the rule. Overall, customers are still happy with both the Nautilus R616 and R618.
Is the Nautilus R616 or R618 better for you?
In short, the Nautilus R618 has a slightly higher weight limit, seat handle resistance control buttons, a gel seat, a tiltable screen, and a longer frame warranty.
On the other side, the Nautilus R616 has a lighter weight and a price that is a good amount more budget-friendly.
The seat handle resistance control buttons and the tiltable screen will make your exercise sessions more convenient. People who really value these things can consider the Nautilus R618.
That being said, for most people the Nautilus R616 will be more than good enough. Choosing this model can help these people save a nice amount of money.
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