The Best Elliptical Machines For Home, According To Fitness Experts

Dimensions: 49.2 x 30.5 x 65.1 inches | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Stride length: N/A | Warranty: 3 years | Stats tracked: Time, calories burned, heart rate, resistance and distance

We love the Bowflex’s Max Trainer series because it combines qualities of an elliptical and stair stepper. The result is a machine with 20 levels of resistance that delivers full-body, low-impact exercise with an intense calorie-burning workout. Because the M9 is vertical rather than horizontal, it also takes up less space—an extra plus for people with smaller home gyms.

We also like the 10-inch color HD touchscreen as most ellipticals offer a smaller, less vivid screen. It keeps you informed about your exercise progress and is compatible with the JRNY app—that’s Bowflex’s own subscription service for personalized exercises. You get a free two-month trial with your purchase—and up to four users can work out with their own profile and progress metrics. We also like the matching workout mat, a must for protecting your floors and adding stability to your workouts.

What our experts say: “There’s a lot to love about the Max Trainer M9, but it’s versatility is a big selling point. With 20 resistance levels, four handlebar grip positions and a 10-inch display, there’s plenty of opportunity to focus on progression,” says gear editor Cam Vigliotta. “Kick things off with light resistance and tune into your favorite show if you’re starting your fitness journey from scratch, and increase the intensity while following a dedicated fitness class as you get stronger. Over time, you’ll find different ways to engage with the M9, ensuring it serves you for years to come.”

Pros:

• Smaller footprint for easy storing
• Cross between an elliptical and a stair stepper
• Includes a large 10-inch HD touchscreen to follow fitness journey

Cons:

• Can be loud at higher speeds

Dimensions: 28 x 17 x 57 inches | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Stride length: 11 inches | Warranty: 3 years | Stats tracked: Time, speed, distance, calories burned, RPM and pulse rate

If you’re shopping on a budget, we recommend taking a look at the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic. Currently priced at $300, the portable SF-E905 shows that good quality doesn’t always come with an expensive price tag. This magnetic elliptical enables you to adjust the resistance up to eight levels by simply twisting the controller to customize your workout. The easy-to-read digital monitor lets you keep on top of your effort by displaying the duration, speed, distance, calories and your pulse via the hand sensors on the machine’s arms. 

We appreciate how the large, anti-slip pedals, paired with stabilizers on the base, add a level of safety, while wheels enable you to effortlessly move the elliptical around with a simple tilt and roll. No need for any heavy lifting whether you’re storing it away or breaking it out for another sweat session.

What our experts say: “Ellipticals like the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic are a great way to sneak in a quick workout and promote daily movement,” says Vigliotta. “Its simplicity and compact size make it a great option for small spaces or casual exercise if you’re feeling a bit stagnant.”

Pros:

• Includes safety features like anti-slip pedals
• Lightweight and easy to move
• Makes little to no noise when in use

Cons:

• Compact stride length
• Very light on performance features; not recommended for cardio pro’s

Dimensions: 48.8 x 26.8 x 61 inches | Weight capacity: 285 pounds | Stride length: 12.6 inches | Warranty: 2 years (parts and labor), 3 years (metallic frame) | Stats tracked: Calories burned, distance, time, speed, heart rate and cadence

We like the fuss-free EL500 Smart Elliptical from Decathlon for beginners who need to focus on basic, daily movement. The EL500’s screen displays for your calories burned, time, distance, speed, heart rate and cadence. Cycle through nine training programs with 18 total levels, six of which are designed to burn calories, another six for getting in shape and a final six for improving endurance. At the end of the day, that’s really all you get in the way of features, but for a beginner-friendly elliptical, that’s all you really need.

Decathlon is the Ikea of the outdoors and fitness world, so while the EL500 requires some assembly, it comes with a detailed guide and video that helps you put it together on your own in less than 30 minutes. The 15.5-pound flywheel delivers a smooth pedal stroke, and the elliptical features wheels on the front that make it easier to move from one room to the next.

What our experts say: “Complete with a simple display, nine training programs and the ability to keep track of six personal health metrics, the Decathlon EL500 provides a basic feature set without the bells and whistles,” says Vigliotta. “The French company is better known overseas for its assortment of great products at wallet-friendly prices, and I only wish the US market was quicker to catch on. Priced accordingly at less than $500, you’re not selling the farm to maintain your fitness.”

Pros:

• Wallet-friendly price
• Basic functionality that’s great for beginners

Cons:

• Squeaks
• Requires some assembly

Dimensions: 82 x 31 x 71 inches | Weight capacity: 375 pounds | Stride length: 20 inches | Warranty: 5 years (electronics and parts), lifetime (frame) | Stats tracked: Distance, time, level, incline, calories burned, pace and pulse

The Sole Fitness E35 has a feature not a lot of other ellipticals can claim: Foot pedals designed in collaboration with physical therapists. The oversized pedals have adjustable foot beds and a two-degree inward slope that reduces ankle and knee stress—a fairly common complaint among other ellipticals. The overall design of the E35 eliminates strain on your knee, hip and ankle joints, turning an ordinarily low-impact workout into essentially a no-impact workout, regardless of which of the 20 resistance levels you choose.

The 7.5-inch display has built-in Bluetooth speakers for connecting your phone or tablet (which has its own handy mount), along with a USB port for powering or charging your device while you workout.

What the reviews say: “I am in love,” raves a reviewer. “I’ve been using the elliptical regularly, 30 minutes twice a day (hoping to build up until I can do an hour in one go). It is very stable and the ride is extraordinarily smooth. The stability is really key for me as I’m over 60 and pretty sedentary, plus I work in front of a computer all day. After using the Sole Fitness E35, I think my balance is even improving.”

Pros:

• Reduces ankle and knee stress
• Extra low-impact workout; great for seniors

Cons:

• Bare-bones display
• Pricier option than others on this list

Dimensions: 24.5 x 17 x 12 inches | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Stride length: N/A | Warranty: 1 year (frame), 90 days (parts) | Stats tracked: Time, total strides and calories burned

For those looking to increase their activity level while working, this lightweight and compact elliptical is great whether you’re standing or sitting. A dial on the front of the elliptical enables you to increase or decrease the resistance level. A small LCD display shows your total strides, number of striders per minute, calories burned and exercise time so you can pat yourself on the back at the end of your workday (and workout).

The non-slip pedals operate in both a forward and reverse direction to target different muscle groups in your lower body. Available in five different colors, the under-desk elliptical includes free access to müüv, the smart audio coaching app, and you can usually find it on sale.

What the reviews say: “I spend much of my day at a standing desk, so I wanted the option to have a standing machine with an occasional seated option. I am very impressed with the Stamina Inmotion elliptical,” says one buyer. “It’s not whisper quiet—it does sound a little like, well, an elliptical. But it’s not an issue in my closed office.”

Pros:

• Lightweight and highly portable
• Can be used while sitting or standing
• Affordable

Cons:

• Can take awhile to catch your balance when standing
• Some reviewers mention it can get noisy

Dimensions: 29 x 52 x 66 inches | Weight capacity: 325 pounds | Stride length: 10 inches vertical, 5 inches horizontal | Warranty: 10 years (frame), 2 years (parts) | Stats tracked: Time, speed, calories burned, RPM and resistance

If you are looking for a compact and versatile cardio machine that can give you a full-body workout, you might want to check out the ProForm Pro HIIT H14. We like that this machine is a hybrid of an elliptical and a stepper, which is great for working your upper and lower body simultaneously.

The machine features a 14-inch smart HD touchscreen (the largest on our list) that lets you access iFIT, a subscription-based service that offers thousands of interactive workouts led by professional trainers. You can also swivel the screen to follow along with floor exercises or yoga.

The elliptical machine has 26 resistance levels and a 30-pound flywheel that provide smooth and quiet operation. The Pro HIIT H14 is designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which can help you burn more calories and improve your cardiovascular fitness in less time. However, we don’t think this machine is ideal for casual or leisurely workouts, as it requires a lot of effort and coordination. 

What the reviews say: “When you use the H14, it’s shockingly quiet,” says one reviewer. “If you’re looking for a machine that can be used in a shared space without disturbing others, this is a great option.”

Pros:

• Compact and easy to move
• Works your entire body
• Immersive and varied training options
• Preprogrammed workouts available with WiFi connection
• Sturdy and durable

Cons:

• Assembly is reportedly difficult
• Not for casual workouts
• Subscription required for full functionality