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FACT CHECKEDMore and more people are switching from treadmills to elliptical machines, largely in part because of the advantage of the virtually no-impact workout, incorporation of the upper body, and an overall gentler on the joints but effective workout.
If you are looking for the best elliptical machine for your home gym, we’ve got you covered.
From a bare-bones elliptical machine, to something that can be set up in your living room then taken apart right after, to a top-of-the-line model that boasts Bluetooth connectivity, adjustable stride length, device holders, and guided workouts, our list of the 8 best home gym elliptical machines will help guide you.
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Choosing the best elliptical machine involved assessing factors like stride length, ergonomic design, versatile resistance levels, user-friendly consoles, durability, stability, and quietness during use.
Customer reviews, expert recommendations, and warranties also heavily contributed to our decisions. We, of course, tested each of the elliptical machines ourselves too.
By doing a comprehensive evaluation like this, we are able to confidently present to you our choices for the top elliptical machines. Moreover, we are sure that the best elliptical machine is the Evolve 5 Elliptical...
The Evolve 5 Elliptical trainer from Horizon Fitness tops our list for the best overall elliptical. With its simple assembly, setting up this cardio machine can be done relatively easy without professional assistance. The one step hydraulic FeatherLight™ folding system paired with its rear folding design make storing this elliptical trainer easy. The stored length only takes up 3 and 1/2 feet of space while not in use!
The Certified Six-Star Frame is built to keep you in the correct body position, ensuring your workouts are comfortable and efficient. The Six-Star aspects are:
Coupled with a best-in-class lifetime warranty, this elliptical is built to last.
A hefty 23 lb flywheel provides a stable and quiet workout, along with the advanced pulley system that keeps consistent, buttery smooth movement. The Evolve 5 boasts a 20" stride length which provides a comfortable stride for users of all heights. Along with two pairs of handles, one pair stationary, and the other, a full range that matches your strides.
The 6.25" blue backlit LCD screen can tell you how many calories burned, distance traveled, your heart rate, levels of resistance, RPM, current speed, time elapsed, and watts generated. Your heart rate can be taken either through the sensors on the static grips or through your personal wireless heart rate monitor.
Choose from several programs provided such as Calorie, Distance, Intervals (for the increasingly popular HIIT workouts), Manual, Performance, Step, and even the ability to create your own custom workout.
With 20 levels of resistance, having as an intense workout as you want is as easy as a touch of a button. If you are someone that likes to monitor your progress, this high-quality machine has ViaFit™ connectivity, allowing you to track your data without having to manually enter it.
This machine has a 300 lb weight capacity which makes it appealing to users of all sizes.
The compact elliptical trainer also has a tablet rack to put your device to stream whatever entertainment you'd like to have on during your workout. There is an audio jack to be able to utilize the built-in speakers so you don't have to worry about wearing headphones during your training.
Patented front-drive folding frame and simple, three-step setup means you’ll be working out in no time. Innovative frame design promotes ideal body positioning for a natural-feeling and smooth workout. Heavier flywheel for smooth motion...
This budget compact elliptical from Sunny Health Fitness is a completely self-powered piece of equipment. This air walk-style trainer has non-slip foot pedals designed to keep sure footing while you are using it.
This piece of cardio fitness equipment has a massive 30" stride length. The single pair of moving handles sport rubber grips, giving your hands a comfortable surface to hold onto during your full-body workout. Sunny Health also has included an adjustable abdominal pad so that you can get the support where you need it.
The Sunny Health Fitness SF-E902 comes equipped with an LCD monitor that displays time elapsed, stride count, calories burned, and distance traveled. The air walker elliptical provides a no-impact workout, making it ideal for people that may suffer from painful joint issues.
Weighing in at only 35 pounds and being able to fold into half of its length, this super compact elliptical can easily be moved and stored in a closet or somewhere else out of the way. This machine does have a 220-pound weight capacity, which is understandable given its small stature.
Sunny Health also offers the SunnyFit app for your smart devices which provides free on-demand workouts, as well as a scheduler to keep yourself accountable.
The air walker exercise machine targets muscles in your arms as well as your legs. When you maintain an upright posture on the machine...
The Bowflex Max Total 16 is on the cutting edge of workout technology. Only available at Bowflex, this max trainer comes with a one-year JRNY® membership with purchase. The JRNY® experience includes daily adaptive workouts, on-demand classes with certified personal trainers and elite coaches, over 200 videos of real-world places, streaming entertainment (memberships to those services not included), and all-in-one tracking (to keep a record of all of your workout metrics), and unlimited household accounts.
The Bowflex Max Trainer comes equipped with a huge 16" interactive adjustable HD touchscreen. To take advantage of the screen a Wi-Fi connection is required. If you decide you would prefer to use your own device, there is a built-in device holder that can be used along with the Bluetooth® speakers.
Included is a Bluetooth® heart rate armband to help you keep an eye on your ideal pulse range. The built-in water bottle holder will help make sure you can keep hydrated during your workouts.
This home elliptical has 20 resistance levels that can be easily adjusted via the steel resistance dial located conveniently in front of the user. The six grip handlebars provide options to find your perfect hand placement. The dual rail design helps provide a smooth glide while eliminating any side-to-side motion, keeping you stable for a solid cardio workout.
The oversized foot pedals are textured to keep you on a steady base during your most grueling high-intensity interval training sessions.
Exclusively available from Bowflex. Built-in JRNY® experience. 1-year JRNY membership ($149 value) included with purchase...
The Schwinn Fitness 430 Elliptical is a space-saving elliptical cross trainer designed to give you a full-body workout. Equipped with a high inertia drive system, it is easy to get this machine moving at high speed while keeping the noise down. The ergonomically designed handlebars allow you the option the keep your arms stationary or incorporate them into your work out with the moving handlebars.
A set up of dual LCD screens display your programs as well as takes advantage of the Goal Track capability. Goal Track allows you to keep a record of your previous time, distance, and calories to make sure you are improving with every workout.
There are twenty-two preset workouts including nine profiles, two fitness tests, eight heart rate control, and one quick start for when you want to just jump right into a workout. The 20 levels of computer-controlled resistance offer plenty of options for intensity selection.
Offering a 20" stride length, the Precision Path technology simulates a natural running gait, leading to a more comfortable workout. The Schwinn also comes with cushioned foot plates for a comfortable elliptical experience.
Goal Track capability enables users to set individual exercise goals. 22 preset workout programs: 9 profile, 8 heart rate control, 2 fitness test, 1 quick start. High speed, high inertia drive...
Similar to the Evolve 5, the Evolve 3 is a collapsible elliptical cross trainer is a breeze to set up for your home gym or another workout area, including your living room. With the rear folding hydraulic FeatherLight system, this space-saving beast is one of the top compact ellipticals on the market.
The Evolve 3 utilizes a sturdy 18 lb flywheel and pulley system to keep your momentum consistent without having to worry about any performance hiccups.
This home elliptical boasts the Certified Six-Star Frame, just the same as its big brother, and also has the best-in-class lifetime frame warranty, which should alleviate any concerns about your investment in this machine.
Equipped with static and full motion handlebars, this trainer offers a full body workout that will help give you an intense calorie burn.
This machine is also Passport™ ready, so you can connect to the Passport™ peripheral (not included) and be immersed in locations worldwide. Another feature supported is the ViaFit™ mobile app to help you track your workout data and keep you motivated to keep improving.
You will receive instant workout feedback on the 5.5" yellow-green LCD screen, from calories burned, distance traveled, current heart rate (can be taken by using the sensors on the static handlebars), resistance level, RPM, speed, time elapsed, and watts generated. There are seven different workout modes including a custom option to really personalize your exercise program.
The Evolve has a tablet rack for your personal devices, as well as a 3.5mm input jack that connects to the built-in speakers, eliminating the need to have headphones on during your workout.
With a 300 lb maximum, user weight capacity and a 20" stride length, this machine is a viable option for almost anyone.
This revolutionary folding frame makes it easy to stow your elliptical between workouts. Gently raise the platform and the hydraulic FeatherLight system kicks in to do the lifting...
The 7.0 AE Elliptical is an absolute beast of an elliptical cross trainer. With a Certified Six-Star Frame and a heavy 23 lb flywheel, this machine is made to give you a great elliptical workout keeping your strides consistent and your body in the ideal position.
You don't have to be afraid to push yourself during your workouts with the lifetime frame and brake warranty. The rugged frame coupled with the 325 lb weight capacity ensures this machine will stand up to whatever you give it.
The adjustable incline helps target different muscle groups that other ellipticals don't offer, targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Changing incline and resistance levels is as easy as one touch on the control unit, or you could utilize the built-in handlebar controls to find your desired level of magnetic resistance. This home elliptical has a 20" stride length giving your low-impact workout a natural feeling step motion.
Monitoring your metrics while working out is simple with the 16-digit alphanumeric LED display that will give you instant feedback on your calories, distance, heart rate, incline percentage, speed, and time.
There is also a 7" LCD screen that you can monitor your progress through one of the eight included programs which consist of 5k, Calorie, Distance, Fat Burn, Hill Climb, Manual, Target HRT (Heart Rate Target), and the option for a Custom workout. The free app that comes with this machine will push your workout data to your preferred fitness apps, so you can act as your own personal trainer.
The 7.0 AE Elliptical comes with Bluetooth connectivity to connect your wireless devices for audio through the built-in speakers. If you prefer to watch something during your workout, the device holder can easily accommodate a tablet or your phone for a hands-free entertainment experience.
The included rapid-charge USB port will keep your device powered up so your entertainment won't quit on you. The onboard fan and water bottle holder makes sure you can stay hydrated and cool during your workout.
Get enhanced workout variety and target your glutes, hamstrings and calves with up to 20 levels of resistance. Adjust the resistance and incline effortlessly...
The EX-59 Elliptical is one of the most straightforward to setup machines on our list. Boasting a setup time of 30 minutes or less, you could spend less time putting it together than your first workout will take. This no-nonsense machine makes it easy to set up and get started.
With two easy-to-read displays, you can monitor your calories, distance, heart rate, program level, speed, time, and watts generated. The EX-59 also comes with five built-in programs: Calorie, Distance, Intervals (for high-intensity interval training), Manual, and Weight Loss. There are ten levels of magnetic resistance that can be quickly chosen with the press of a button.
The Six-Star Frame provides a tight Q factor for less ankle and knee stress, as well as less stress on the hip and back. The 14.3 lb flywheel and 18" stride length are a bit smaller than its big brother the 7.0 AE, but still provide a smooth, comfortable gait. The oversize foot pedals provide a safe and secure area while exercising. Even though it may be a bit smaller than the 7.0, it still has a 300 lb weight capacity.
Included on this machine is a secure device holder to keep your smartphone, tablet or other device while it's connected to the Bluetooth speakers integrated in the console. Whether you get a good workout by listening to music, watching your favorite streaming service, or following along in a virtual class, you can lose weight and be entertained at the same time.
Ergonomic Six-Star Frame encourages ideal body position and movement for a more efficient and comfortable workout. Achieve better muscle tone and burn more calories with advanced power incline...
The Niceday Elliptical comes from a newer brand with the aim of making setup and use as easy as possible. With the elliptical coming about 90% already assembled, it should take most people 30 minutes or less to complete the assembly and start using it. We think beginners will appreciate that.
With a user height range between 4'9" and 6'2", this elliptical will be able to provide a workout for nearly everyone and any fitness level, including a household with multiple users of all different sizes.
The oversize 15" x 5" pedals can accommodate almost any shoe size and provide a safe and secure place for your feet. The dynamic and static handles provide an elliptical experience close to what you may find in your local gym.
The 16 lb flywheel comes with 16 resistance levels, tuned to a high gear ratio giving an ultra-smooth performance. The drive system is a magnetic, hyper-quiet, piece of engineering. Boasting a sound cap of 20dB (which is the equivalent of whispering to someone five feet away), this machine allows you to get a great workout in without disturbing the people around you.
The Niceday Elliptical Machine has a heavy-duty frame made from an extra thick 8.5cm steel pipe, giving it our list's highest weight capacity at 400 pounds. The sturdy design is built to keep you exercising for as long as you want without having to worry about it breaking down on you.
Niceday promises a life-long service, covering the cost of all replacement parts in the unlikely event one malfunctions. With their online customer service and a guarantee that your message will get a response within 24 hours, your time off of your machine will be minimized.
The Niceday has an ergonomic 15.5" stride length, which most people will find to be a comfortable distance. Taller users might feel that the steps are a little tight.
There is a digital monitor on the center console that displays time elapsed, speed, distance traveled, calories burned, and your pulse when your hands are on the sensors on the static handles. Also on the console is a device holder, where you can put your smartphone, tablet, or other electrical devices for entertainment during your workout. The twelve-sided stabilizers on the rear base tube help keep this machine from rocking and throwing off your balance.
One of the biggest highlights of this machine that other ellipticals don't have is the fact that it is completely electricity free. No power cord is needed while using this machine. You can use the convenient transport wheels on the front base tube to move your equipment wherever you want in your room. No need to be in proximity of an electrical outlet.
Equipped with bigger pedals, physical handlebar, and the 15.5” stride, workout experience is almost equivalent to a light commercial-grade ellipticals. All family members can join in...
You'll find a chart below that highlights the similarities and differences between our picks for the best elliptical machines on the market. Have a look to see which elliptical models would be the perfect fit for your needs.
Product Name |
Price ($-$$$$) |
Dimension |
Warranty |
Weight Capacity |
Features |
Average Rating |
$$$ |
Assembled 69” (L) 28”(W) 69”(H) Folded 41”(L) 28”(W) 69”(H) |
Frame - Lifetime Brake and Parts - 3 years Labor - 1 year |
300 lb |
Compact folding design ViaFit connectivity Passport Ready 23lb flywheel |
27 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.8
|
|
$ |
Assembled 25”(L) 19”(W) 57”(H) Folded 15”(L) 19”(W) 61.5”(H) |
Frame - 1 year Parts - 90 days |
220 lb |
Extended stride Non-slip pedals Foldable design |
8,949 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.2 |
|
$$$$ |
49.3”(L) 30.8”(W) 65.7”(H) |
Frame and Parts - 3 year Electronics - 1 year Labor - 90 days |
300 lb |
1 year of JRNY membership included 16” adjustable touchscreen Bluetooth enabled |
102 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.8
|
|
$$ |
70.1”(L) 28.2”(W) 63.2”(H) |
Frame - 10 years Mechanical Parts - 2 years Electronics - 1 year Labor - 90 days |
300 lb |
Goal Track technology Dual LCD screens 22 preset workout programs |
1,396 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.3 |
|
$$$ |
Assembled 69” (L) 28”(W) 69”(H) Folded 41”(L) 28”(W) 69”(H) |
Frame - Lifetime Brake and Parts - 3 years Labor - 1 year |
300 lb |
ViaFit connectivity Passport Ready |
31 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.5 |
|
$ |
76”(L) 24”(W) 65.5”(H) |
Frame and Brake - Lifetime Flywheel - 1 year Parts - 3 years Labor -1 year |
325lbs |
Adjustable incline 20 levels magnetic resistance Bluetooth connectivity |
204 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.4
|
|
$ |
74”(L) 25”(W) 64.5”(H) |
Frame - Lifetime Brake, Parts, Labor - 1 year |
300 lb |
Super quick setup Bluetooth Connectivity |
440 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.6 |
|
$$ |
48”(L) 25”(W) 62”(H) |
Lifelong “service” |
400 lb |
High weight limit Easy assembly |
1,054 Reviews ✩✩✩✩.4 |
When shopping for an elliptical machine there a few aspects that need to be considered so you end up with the perfect model. Check out some of the different factors to take into account before you part with your hard-earned cash.
One of the first things to figure out is where this machine is going. You need to keep in mind how big your room is that this machine will be in. Someone with limited space probably should steer clear of the larger machines, unless they plan on making it the focus of the room.
Another element to factor in is figuring out is what the ceiling clearance is. Some ellipticals have lower step-on heights which may lend themselves better to places with low ceilings.
Figuring out what materials you want to see in your machine will greatly affect your choice in purchasing a machine. If you're someone that is extremely heavy, then something with a thick steel frame and high weight capacity should be at the top of your list. Figuring out how important flywheel weight is to you might determine picking one machine over the other.
You also may look into other build characteristics such as the grips used on the handlebars, the tread on the foot pedals, if it has padded foot pedals, magnetic vs electronic resistance levels, how to adjust the resistance levels, just to name a few.
Figuring out what features on the elliptical you want the most will narrow the field down. If you're someone that lacks space, then the machine being foldable or collapsible might be the biggest thing you're looking for.
Someone that is taller, say 6' or above might be more concerned with stride length more than anything. And if that person is planning on sharing the machine with someone considerably smaller, finding a machine with adjustable stride length might be an important feature to have.
Ergonomics of a piece of cardio equipment is very important too. If it's not a comfortable machine to workout on, then you're likely not going to use it as much as you might like to. The Q-Factor (closeness of the pedals) is something to pay attention to.
If you're on the cutting edge of technology, then features like Bluetooth support, a HD touchscreen, and subscription services for guided workouts will constrict your choices down considerably. On the other side of that, more companies are implementing guided workouts through apps that can be accessed on your personal tablet, eliminating the need for an onboard screen.
You need to figure out what your goals are with the machine. Someone that is using it for rehab from an injury is going to have different needs that someone who is training for a competition.
A casual user in a small apartment that works out twice a week is most likely going to choose a different machine than someone with a dedicated home gym that is in there five days a week.
This falls in with all the previous categories. If you want just the absolute bare-bones, that is going to put you at the opposite spectrum of a machine with all the bells and whistles. Figuring what the most important aspects are for you should give you an idea of how much money you would need to spend for the right match for you. You could spend $500-$1000 and get a great machine but it all depends on what you're looking for and how much disposable cash you have.
No matter what your budget is, you should be able to find a machine that works, you just may have to sacrifice some items off your want list and stick to just your needs.
Finding out honest opinions on the machines, both good and bad are vital to making sure you avoid buyers remorse. Thinking critically while reading the reviews is important to do as well. If someone gives the product a 1-star review because the box got damaged in shipping, that's not really the manufacturers fault, but a shipping issue. And if something did arrive broken, did they replace it in a timely fashion? The 5-star reviews should be carefully read to make sure the product is worth the rating given.
Ellipticals have become a more common sight at gyms around the world due to their low-impact cardio workout. Using an elliptical helps build your stamina and cardio capacity, which not only helps in the gym for any other type of workout but also in your everyday life.
Ellipticals are a great way to burn calories and are gaining favor in the gym due to the low-impact nature of the exercise. Giving your joints a break from the pounding they would receive on a treadmill helps keep you healthy and working out. Not only do ellipticals help get rid of excess calories, like in these elliptical workouts for weight loss, but they also are being used more and more to torch fat. HIIT workouts are considerably easier on your joints on the elliptical while providing the benefits that come with intervals.
Another benefit of an elliptical is the ability to hit multiple muscle groups at the same time. When looking at elliptical muscles worked, the exercise equipment activates both the upper and lower body. The dynamic handlebars that come on most machines are a great way to incorporate upper body work into your cardio session. If you are on a machine that has a power incline, you can target the muscles on the back side of your body like the glutes and hamstrings. The ability to reverse motion on one of these machines also will hit different muscles.
Using an elliptical improves balance and strengthens your core due to the nature of the movement. People that are recovering from injuries also find that using an elliptical helps get a cardiovascular workout in with a lessened chance further injury.
Learn more about the benefits of elliptical machines.
Using an elliptical provides a low impact workout that is easy on the joints, which could be great for someone that has issues running for whatever reason. With the advances in the onboard programs, a variety of workouts are available.
Check out the article above to get a sense of which ellipticals fit your criteria. Our pick for the best elliptical machine to buy consider all of the judging criteria above is the Evolve 5 Elliptical. Being the most expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit for your personal needs.
Some of the top recognized brands of ellipticals include Bowflex and Horizon Fitness, which we have described in detail above. Other notable brands are Life Fitness and NordicTrack.
Any type of elliptical is great for weight loss. The workout performed on the elliptical is going to be the deciding factor in how quickly you shed the weight. HIIT training tops the list as the most effective way to torch body fat.
If you do a comparison minute by minute, then an elliptical burns more calories than just walking. The low-impact workout you get from an elliptical is also easier on the joints than walking.
In general, no piece of exercise equipment is good to use every day. Rest days should be worked into everyone's training schedule to avoid overtraining and the risk of injury.
As long as you follow the safety protocols provided, there should be minimal chance of injury.
If you're looking for a low-impact, high-results piece of equipment, then an elliptical may be the machine you want to look into investing in. Whether you want a high-tech top-of-the-line machine like the Bowflex Max Total 16, or something more basic like the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902, there is a machine out there that will fit your needs.
After reviewing our list of the best elliptical cardio machines, we hope you'll be able to take your cardio workouts to the next level.
As a final recap, here are our top picks for the best elliptical machines:
More Best Equipment Roundups:
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Tyler DiGiovanni
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