There are benefits to exercising at home. No membership fees, no crowded parking lots, and no crowds. There are many excellent options for home gym equipment, and we’ve spoken with experts to learn more about what makes the greatest stationary bikes, dumbbells, treadmills, indoor rowers, and more. However, for whom is an elliptical a suitable home gym option?
We talked to fitness professionals about why ellipticals can be a better option for you than other exercise equipment and how to choose one. Based on their recommendations, we have also put together a list of the best ellipticals for you to think about.
GO Ahead and SkipWhich ellipticals are the best? How can I choose one? Why should I trust NBC Select?
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Best overallSole E35 Elliptical
$undefined$1,499.99Amazon
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Best budget pickSunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical
$249.99$299.99Sunny Health & Fitness
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Best for small spacesProForm Trainer H7
$undefined$1,299.00Walmart
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The best elliptical machines in 2025
With a primary focus on ellipticals under $2,000, we used our professional advice to locate highly regarded items from reputable names in the fitness industry. We record important details for every machine, such as resistance settings, flywheel weight, and weight capacity.
Best overall elliptical:
Sole Fitness E35
Sole E35 Elliptical
- High weight capacity
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Large and heavy; difficult to move
Some of the best ellipticals under $2,000 are manufactured by Sole. According to the company, the E35 is one of their mid-tier models that provides both novices and aficionados with an excellent experience.
You can choose exercises, change the resistance between 20 levels, or use the Bluetooth speaker to play music with the built-in monitor. It also features inner and outer handlebars, a 4.4-star average rating based on 761 reviews on Amazon, and a variety of hand-hold configurations.
Weight capacity: 375 lbs; dimensions: 82 L by 31 W by 71 H; stride length: 20 L; resistance: 25 lbs flywheel; integrated monitor: 7.5-inch LCD; membership: free trial of the Studio app; warranty: lifetime frame, five years components, two years labor
Most versatile elliptical:
NordicTrack FS10i Elliptical
NordicTrack FS10i Elliptical
- 26 resistance levels
- Mimics other cardio machines
- Pricier option
According to the makers, the NordicTrack FS10i is a hybrid trainer that can replicate the motions of an elliptical, stair-stepper, and treadmill because of its extended stride length, 24 resistance levels, and adjustable slope. Due to its many settings, the machine is an excellent choice for customers who want diversity and adaptability in their exercises, which can help you stay motivated.
It is also an excellent choice for people who enjoy taking classes because, in addition to tracking your statistics, you can watch iFIT fitness training and programming on the built-in screen. After a 30-day free trial, you can purchase it for $15 per month.
Specifications: 58.5 L x 29.5 W x 74 H; Weight capacity: 375 lbs; Length of stride: 32; Resistance: 20 lbs flywheel; Integrated monitor: 10-inch touchscreen; Free trial of iFIT Membership; Warranty: 10 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor
Best budget elliptical:
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical
- Great for fitness beginners
- Affordably priced
- Very basic, no-frills features
One of the best-rated and most reasonably priced ellipticals on the market is this one from Sunny Health & Fitness. Although it is far less sophisticated than our other suggestions, it nevertheless features eight resistance levels, several handholds, and a simple built-in monitor. According to the makers, it’s also incredibly portable because to its wheels on the bottom. Additionally, it has 19,132 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.1 stars.
Measurements: 28 L by 17 W by 57 H; Weight capacity: 220 lbs; Length of stride: 11; Resistance: Magnetic; Internal monitor: Yes; Membership: N/A; Warranty: Three years for the frame and 180 days for the parts
Best elliptical for streaming:
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
- Plenty of options for handhold positions
- Free app membership
- Very basic LCD display
Bowflex’s Max Trainer series has a fairly vertical form since it combines elements of an elliptical with a stair-stepper. It can perform both elliptical and stair-stepper tasks because it has a wide variety of hand-hold settings. In contrast to our other suggestions, the Max Trainer M6 includes a one-year subscription to Bowflex’s JRNY training app. According to the manufacturer, you can watch lessons while stacking your tablet or smartphone on the M6’s magnetic media rack.
Dimensions: 46 (L) x 26 (W) x 64.2 (H) | Weight capacity: 300 lbs | Length of stride: 16 | Resistance: Magnetic | Inbuilt monitor: Yes | Membership: included for one year with JRNY | Warranty: 90 days labor, two years for frame and parts
Best splurge elliptical:
Octane Q37Xi
Octane Q37Xi
- Professional, gym-level quality
- Detailed features and workout programs
- Most expensive option
For a polished, gym-quality feel that gives the finest experience for mimicking jogging, Zachary Moxham, a certified personal trainer at Physical Equilibrium in New York City, suggests this Octane model. He points to the brand’s genuine running motion as the primary distinction, which effectively offers a running sensation with little joint stress. One of Octane’s best-selling models, the Q37Xi has a comprehensive built-in screen, several hand holds, and choices for interval training, cross-training, and other features.
Size: 65 L by 30 W; Weight capacity: 300 lbs; Length of stride: 20.5; Resistance: Magnetic; Inbuilt monitor: Yes; Membership: N/A; Warranty: Lifetime frame, five years for parts, one year for labor
Best elliptical for comfort:
Schwinn 470
Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical
- Plenty of variety in pre-loaded workouts
- Front transport wheels
- Extensive assembly
According to Schwinn, this elliptical has a motorized adjustable ramp and 25 resistance levels, allowing you to alter the incline and intensity of your workout. It features a 20-inch stride length, is constructed of a black alloy steel, and has distance and heart rate sensors. Along with a user-friendly LCD display that has 29 different fitness programs pre-loaded, this device also has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to pair and track their progress on app-based trackers.
Dimensions: 28.2 (D) x 63.2 (W) x 70.1 (H) | Weight capacity: 300 lbs | Length of stride: 20 | Resistance: Flywheel | Inbuilt monitor: Yes | Membership: N/A | Warranty: 90 days labor, two years components, and ten years frame
Best under desk elliptical:
Cubii JR1 Under Desk Elliptical
Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
- Size allows it to fit almost anywhere
- Easy portability
- Less intensive workout than other machines
The Cubii JR1 is one of the best tiny ellipticals for usage at a desk, as suggested by our guide to under-desk ellipticals. Its greatest strength is its portability and light weight, which allow it to fit practically anyplace. Eight resistance levels are available, and the integrated LCD monitor shows basic statistics.
Measurements: 22.52 L x 13.39 W x 11.1 H | Capacity to support 250 lbs | Length of stride: 6″ | Resistance: Magnetic | Inbuilt monitor: Yes | Membership: N/A | Warranty: One year or two years (if registered online)
Best elliptical for small spaces:
ProForm Trainer H7
ProForm Trainer H7
- Can fit into smaller spaces
- Very quiet
- No tablet stand
- Have to unplug to turn off
Because of its vertical shape, the elliptical is a fantastic choice for people who live in apartments or smaller residences. According to the company, it functions similarly to a stairclimber, but in addition to the standard forward and backward motions, the stride also goes up and down, which helps you target your hamstrings and glutes more effectively. Along with measuring heart rate, calories, duration, and pace, it also offers the option of an iFit membership, which offers workouts with guidance so you can monitor your progress.
Size: 52 L by 29.25 W by 66 H; Weight capacity: 325 lbs; Length of stride: 10 vertical, 5 horizontal; Resistance: Magnetic; Inbuilt monitor: Yes; Membership: iFit; Warranty: 10 years for the frame, 2 years for the parts, and 1 year for labor
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How to shop for an elliptical
Moxham advises checking out as many ellipticals as possible before deciding to buy one. He advises taking a look around your neighborhood gym and trying out as many as they have. Every elliptical has a different swing, unlike treadmills and stationary cycles. Some feel like you’re flying, while others feel like your normal jogging style. Your first and foremost goal should be to make sure your elliptical is comfortable for you.
Here are some more, more technical aspects to consider in addition to feel.
Flywheel vs magnetic resistance
An internal magnetic system or a flywheel offer resistance when utilizing an elliptical.
The more conventional flywheels use friction to raise and lower resistance. A heavier flywheel generally creates a more stable machine, which is why our experts advise aiming for a flywheel around 20 pounds. Compared to a magnetic system, flywheel ellipticals usually demand a quicker cycling pace to maintain resistance.
Electromagnets close to a flywheel are used in magnetic systems to modify resistance levels. They are quieter and less costly to maintain, but are typically more expensive than flywheel ellipticals, according to Moxham.
Metric tracking
Most ellipticals will have some form of progress tracking. Many have built-in programs or classes you can select to give yourself more workout guidance. Some require a subscription to use these programs. You can, of course, forgo the built-in routines in favor of your favoritefitness app.
Frequently asked questions
Ellipticals vary in cost depending on brand and included features, with higher-end models going up to as high as around $5,000 or more. However, Moxam says that depending on what you re looking for, you can find a good elliptical machine for your home in the $1,500 range.
According to Moxam, the average elliptical weighs around 250 pounds.
The average elliptical stride length is around 20 inches, and most allow you to adjust the length of your stride as well. Because of that, Moxam says stride length isn t something to get too hung up on. Measuring gait and stride length should not be a concern unless instructed by a medical professional, says Moxam. To make your ride more comfortable, he suggests adjusting your foot position as you use the machine instead.
When it comes to fitness equipment, our experts say ellipticals are uniquely low-impact, full-body workout machines. They offer a full-body [exercise] experience with very little load, says Moxham. While ellipticals are commonly associated with cardio, they are also excellent for total body warm-ups, to increase stamina or even HIIT (high-intensity interval training), according to our experts.
Clair Mason, the owner of Elliptica Studio in Westport, Connecticut, says that ellipticals are especially useful for people with hip, knee or lower-back issues or injuries. [They] are able to push to a higher level of cardio on an elliptical due to it being low (zero) impact, she says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Clair Mason
is the owner ofElliptica Studio
in Westport, Connecticut.
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Zachary Moxham
is a certified personal trainer atPhysical Equilibrium
in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
Hannah Horvath, Lauren Levy andHarry Rabinowitzare experienced writers and reporters covering shopping and ecommerce.Ashley Morrisis an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering stories like the bestthermal underwearand thebest sales each week. For this piece, they interviewed fitness experts and researched top-rated elliptical machines on the market.
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