The best elliptical machines for home are a game changer when it comes to completing effective workouts. They decrease your rate of perceived exertion and take unwanted stress off your joints, all while allowing you to work out from the comfort of your own space. Luckily, ellipticals have evolved significantly since they first hit the market in the late 90s: More comfortable and durable materials, improved tracking systems and bigger screens have all turned what was once a newfangled machine into a state-of-the-art cardio powerhouse.
We crowned the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 the best elliptical machine for home use because of its ... [+] versatility, compact size and 20 levels of resistance. Grey Hammertone Plate
But like with any piece of home gym equipment, there are basic factors to consider first such as size, portability and price range. (If you’ve already got a fair amount of equipment in your home gym, footprint is especially important to consider.) Our gear experts took all of these points into consideration and researched dozens of options to find the best ellipticals for your home. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s an option on this list for everyone, including budget-friendly machines and an under-desk pick for remote workers.
Dimensions: 49.2 x 30.5 x 65.1 inches | Maximum user capacity: 300 pounds | Stride length: N/A
Bowflex’s Max Trainer series is what you get when you cross an elliptical with a 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. Bowflex says that lets you burn more calories in less time for more efficient workouts, and the company cites a study that asserts the M9’s unique motion provides greater upper body muscle activation than traditional ellipticals. Because the M9 is vertical rather than horizontal, it also takes up less space.
The 10-inch color HD touchscreen 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. And don’t forget the matching workout mat, a must for protecting your floors and adding stability to your workouts.
What the reviews say: For those looking to get the most out of their home workouts, the Bowflex comes highly recommended. “I’m 54 and I bought the Bowflex to help me gain strength—as we get older of course, we lose our strength if we don't put our muscles to use. With the Bowflex, I can do a 10-minute workout in the morning and feel great afterwards.”
Dimensions: 28 x 17 x 57 inches | Maximum user capacity: 220 pounds | Stride length: 11 inches
Currently priced under $200, the portable SF-E905 from Sunny Health & Fitness 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.
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 the reviews say: “Overall, this elliptical is exactly what I wanted,” writes one reviewer. “You are getting what you pay for—I just needed a simple, inexpensive and easy to move elliptical to use a few minutes a day and I love this thing. What I love about it most, this machine is silent and makes no noise while I’m using it.”
Dimensions: 82 x 31 x 71 inches | Maximum user capacity: 375 pounds | Stride length: 20 inches
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.”
Dimensions: 24.5 x 17 x 12 inches | Maximum user capacity: 250 pounds | Stride length: N/A
The Stamina Inmotion elliptical provides any easy way to sneak in a low impact workout anytime, anywhere. This lightweight and ultra portable elliptical works while you’re standing or sitting, meaning you can burn calories, tone lower body muscles and improve cardiovascular health while sitting at your desk or on the couch.
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.”
Over the years, our editors and writers have written dozens of health and wellness articles, including a series of fitness-focused stories. We've found some of the best equipment for building out your home gym, whether you need weightlifting gear or a go-to cardio machine. Contributor and co-authory Korin Miller is a well-established writer and researcher who’s covered topics such as wellness, home and lifestyle trends. Deputy editor Dave Johnson, the primary author, has written and edited a slew of exercise-related articles across the Forbes Vetted site.
We regularly update this article to ensure we provide the most relevant information and up-to-date pricing. We last edited this article in October 2023 to update our list based on product availability; the Decathlon EL520, NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i and the Decathlon EL120 are currently unavailable. (The EL520 and NordicTrack SpaceSaver have been discontinued and will soon be replaced by upgraded models.)
When selecting elliptical machines for this list, we looked at overall specs and value to offer the best options for readers across the board. In particular, we looked at incline and resistance adjustability, connectivity, customizable training modes, size and even noise level to determine which ellipticals should make the cut.
We also pored over hundreds of ratings and reviews; while the picks we included are from top-rated brands, positive customer feedback was also a prerequisite for inclusion. Whether for tech savvy, budget-conscious or accomplished fitness fanatics, we incorporated elliptical machines to suit every exercise style. For instance, for those who work from home or need to move during the workday, the Stamina Inmotion elliptical is a perfect under-desk solution. If you have sensitive joints and need something with a bit less impact, the Sole Fitness E35 is especially smooth to use.
All ellipticals provide a low-impact cardio workout, but the right one for you depends on your size, fitness level and home gym space. You’ll want to consider additional features, too. Some ellipticals come with large, Wi-Fi connected touchscreens that let you follow along with a personal trainer, while others skip those bells and whistles. Here’s what to consider when the time comes to invest in one of the best ellipticals.
Be sure to consider your fitness and experience level—not to mention how you plan to use it—before purchasing an elliptical machine. For instance, if you want to be challenged for a long time to come, consider an elliptical that offers a lot of resistance levels (20 or more), and daily users should forego the budget picks. There’s nothing wrong with many budget-priced ellipticals, but they simply can’t stand up to daily use in the same way a sturdy, premium model can.
If you’re a beginner looking to try one out without making a huge financial commitment, there are several user-friendly machines under $1,000 that offer just enough features to get you started. For occasional or casual users, a lower-cost elliptical—or an under-desk unit that lets you move while you work—will get the blood flowing.
A “home gym” means something different to anyone you ask—everything from a corner of the living room to an entire finished basement qualifies as a home gym. If you’ve got a dedicated space for exercise equipment, then a high-tech, heavy-duty machine may be the way to go. But if you lack square footage, check out compact or foldable ellipticals that can collapse and roll out of sight when they’re not in use.
The stride length of an elliptical machine is an under-appreciated spec that has a substantial impact on your comfort level while using it. Specifically, stride length is relative to height: Shorter users are generally more comfortable with a shorter stride length, but it can make tall users feel restricted. According to Sunny Health & Fitness, as a general rule, users between five foot and five-foot-three should aim for a 14- to 16-inch stride length, while those closer to six feet tall should seek machines with a 20-inch stride length. Even so, it all comes down to personal preference. If you want some flexibility, look for an elliptical machine that features an adjustable stride length.
Ellipticals are excellent cardio machines for people of all fitness levels. Heavier users looking to begin or continue their workout journey should be aware of weight maximums so they can safely work out and preserve the longevity of their machine.
Just like any modern exercise machine, you can find “dumb” elliptical models that don’t have much tech built in as well as smart machines that have big color screens, internet connections, Bluetooth, sensors and more.
If an immersive experience will drive your motivation, look for an elliptical machine with a big, built-in screen that’ll let you stream workouts or your favorite shows while you work up a sweat. And keep in mind that some built-in screens are only compatible with subscription-based services, while others support a whole range of apps, including Hulu and Netflix. Or, maybe you’d rather save some cash and get a model with a deck and charging port where you can secure your own iPad for entertainment while you exercise.
Like with most workout equipment, elliptical machines vary in price. While you can find options under $1,000, they likely won’t have advanced features or many features at all: These models tend to be more bare bones. This may work for you if you’re a beginner or are operating on a tight budget, but for folks looking for a mid-range machine with a decent amount of features, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. High-end, commercial-grade ellipticals usually go for at least $2,000, but can cost up to $5,000.
The best elliptical machine for home use is the one that works best for you, meaning its size, features and price point match the criteria you’re looking for. Our overall pick is the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 because it’s incredibly versatile, offers a great value and has a small footprint. While everyone has different needs, most people do well with a compact elliptical that offers a decent variety of resistance levels and adjustability.
As a solid means of building up your aerobic system, ellipticals can help you lose weight since they provide an effective form of cardiovascular exercise. Ellipticals also provide a decent full-body workout since they work your arms and lower body. However, losing weight is about more than just the exercise you’re doing. Cardio is a great way to burn calories, but you also have to make sure you’re eating in a caloric deficit. If you’re eating in a caloric surplus, the calories you burn on an elliptical (or any other machine) won’t help you lose weight.
It’s important to consider your personal needs—and limitations—when making this decision. If high-impact exercise is tough on your joints, an elliptical may be more your speed. Ditto if you want to mix up your indoor workouts from what you’d typically do outdoors. However, if you like to pound the pavement and want the option to flip between indoor runs and walks, a treadmill could be a better option.
Gym Barbell Rod The large, industrious ellipticals you find in commercial gyms are designed for consistent use, day in and day out. They feature durable materials and sturdy designs that can withstand sweat, impact, abuse and more. Brands such as NordicTrack, Bowflex, Reebok and ProForm make up a majority of commercial ellipticals. There’s a good chance you won’t need a commercial-grade elliptical at home, but you might consider one if you have a large family that’s using it often.