AmazingBuyz is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The best elliptical machines for home give you a full-body, low-impact cardio workout without leaving the house, which makes them a popular buy heading into winter and New Year’s resolutions. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews to pick 9 ellipticals, from compact budget trainers under $500 to Sole and NordicTrack machines with power incline and heavy flywheels.
Quick picks
Price ranges: $ under $500, $$ $500 to $1,200, $$$ $1,200 to $2,500, $$$$ $2,500 and up.
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack AirGlide 16 | Best overall | $$$$ | See price |
| Sole E35 | Smooth, heavy-duty ride | $$$ | See price |
| Sole E25 | Incline workouts | $$$ | See price |
| Horizon Fitness EX-59 | Best value | $$ | See price |
| Schwinn 470 Elliptical | Power incline under $1,200 | $$ | See price |
| Schwinn 430 Elliptical | Simple, long stride | $$ | See price |
| BowFlex Max Trainer M6 | Small spaces and HIIT | $$$ | See price |
| Niceday Elliptical Machine (CT11) | Quiet budget pick | $$ | See price |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 | Budget and beginners | $ | See price |
1. NordicTrack AirGlide 16: Best Elliptical Machine Overall
Garage Gym Reviews named the AirGlide 16 its best overall elliptical, and the spec sheet shows why: a 32-pound flywheel, 26 resistance levels, an auto-adjusting 19-inch stride and power incline that also goes into decline. Testers found it stable and secure, and the 16-inch touchscreen streams iFIT classes that make workouts more engaging than manual mode.
Key specs
- Stride: 19 inches, auto-adjustable
- Resistance: 26 levels; flywheel: 32 lb
- Incline: power, -5% to 15%
- Max user weight: 300 lb
- Screen: 16-inch HD touchscreen with iFIT (subscription extra)
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Buyers who use the iFIT classes say they work out more often; the subscription cost and size are the most common hesitations.
2. Sole E35: Best Heavy-Duty Elliptical
The Sole E35 is built around a 25-pound front-mounted flywheel that testers described as smooth and quiet, plus a 20-inch stride, power incline and adjustable pedals. It carries a lifetime frame and flywheel warranty. It is tall and bulky, and assembly is involved enough that professional setup is worth considering.
Key specs
- Stride: 20 inches, fixed
- Resistance: 20 levels; flywheel: 25 lb
- Incline: power, 20 levels
- Max user weight: 350 lb
- Console: 10.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Sole+ app
- Warranty: lifetime frame and flywheel
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners describe it as rock solid and quiet; complaints center on tough assembly and occasional pedal noise.
3. Sole E25: Best for Incline Workouts
Garage Gym Reviews picked the E25 as its best elliptical with incline. It offers power incline up to 20%, a 20-pound flywheel, a 20-inch stride and a chest-strap heart rate monitor in the box, plus the same lifetime frame and flywheel coverage as the E35. Fortune found the resistance realistic but noticed some wobble.
Key specs
- Stride: 20 inches
- Resistance: 20 levels; flywheel: 20 lb
- Incline: power, 1% to 20%
- Max user weight: 350 lb
- Extras: Bluetooth speakers, USB charging, chest strap included
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Reviewers like the realistic resistance and incline variety; assembly difficulty is the most repeated warning.
4. Horizon Fitness EX-59: Best Value Elliptical
The EX-59 is Garage Gym Reviews’ best budget-overall pick and a favorite for seniors. It has an 18-inch stride, 10 magnetic resistance levels and Bluetooth speakers, and Horizon says it assembles in under 30 minutes. It skips incline and touchscreens, but testers found it stable for the price, with a lifetime frame warranty.
Key specs
- Stride: 18 inches
- Resistance: 10 magnetic levels; flywheel: about 14 lb
- Incline: none
- Max user weight: 300 lb
- Console: 4.5-inch LCD, 5 programs, Bluetooth speakers
- Warranty: lifetime frame, 1-year parts and labor
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners praise the smooth ride and price; some report damaged deliveries and slow customer service.
5. Schwinn 470 Elliptical: Best Power Incline Under $1,200
Schwinn’s top home elliptical adds power incline you control from the console, 25 resistance levels and Bluetooth syncing to apps like MyFitnessPal and Apple Health. Its 20-inch stride suits most adults, and it is sold through Amazon rather than Schwinn’s own site.
Key specs
- Stride: 20 inches
- Resistance: 25 magnetic levels
- Incline: power, up to 10 degrees
- Max user weight: 300 lb
- Console: 29 programs, 4 user profiles, Bluetooth
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year electronics, 90-day labor
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Buyers like getting power incline and a long stride without a subscription; the short labor warranty is a common concern.
6. Schwinn 430 Elliptical: Best Simple Elliptical
The 430 shares the 470’s 20-inch stride and frame but swaps power incline for a manual adjustment you set while off the machine, and it drops Bluetooth. Garage Gym Reviews called it simple yet effective, a good match for people who just want to get on and go.
Key specs
- Stride: 20 inches
- Resistance: 20 magnetic levels; flywheel: about 13.2 lb
- Incline: manual, 6 positions up to 10 degrees
- Max user weight: 300 lb
- Console: 22 programs, 2 user profiles
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners appreciate the simplicity and stride length; some notice more noise during hard intervals.
7. BowFlex Max Trainer M6: Best for Small Spaces
The Max Trainer is a hybrid of an elliptical and a stair stepper, with a short, vertical motion that is well suited to quick, high-intensity intervals. Its footprint is about 46 by 26 inches, much smaller than a full elliptical. Fortune said it didn’t shake even at higher speeds, and Garage Gym Reviews rated it highly for comfort. It works with the JRNY app.
Key specs
- Motion: short, stepper-style stride
- Resistance: 16 levels
- Max user weight: 300 lb
- Size: about 46 x 26 x 64 inches
- Console: backlit LCD, JRNY app compatible
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Fans love how hard a short session feels; people expecting a traditional long-stride elliptical are sometimes surprised by the motion.
8. Niceday Elliptical Machine (CT11): Best Quiet Budget Pick
Garage Gym Reviews’ tester called the Niceday one of the quietest machines she had used, and it arrives mostly pre-assembled. A 16-pound flywheel and 16 magnetic levels are generous at this price, and the battery-powered console means you can put it anywhere. The 15.5-inch stride is short for taller users.
Key specs
- Stride: 15.5 inches
- Resistance: 16 magnetic levels; flywheel: 16 lb
- Incline: none
- Recommended user height: about 4’9″ to 6’2″
- Console: battery-powered LCD, tablet holder
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners like the quiet, simple operation and value; the short stride and limited tech are the main complaints.
9. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912: Best Budget Elliptical
Garage Gym Reviews named this Sunny model its best budget elliptical and best for beginners. It has 16 electromagnetic resistance levels, 24 built-in programs and both fixed and moving handles, and testers found it smooth, stable and quiet. Like the Niceday, its 15.5-inch stride is better for shorter users.
Key specs
- Stride: 15.5 inches
- Resistance: 16 electromagnetic levels; flywheel: 13 lb
- Max user weight: 330 lb
- Size: about 55 x 23 x 64.5 inches
- Console: backlit LCD, 24 programs, hand pulse sensors
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Buyers praise its sturdiness and compact size for the money; frustrating assembly and pedals that start squeaking after a few months are common complaints.
How to choose an elliptical machine for home
- Stride length. This is the biggest comfort factor. Most adults of average height are comfortable with an 18 to 20 inch stride; taller users should look for 20 inches or more or an adjustable stride. Compact 15.5-inch strides suit shorter users.
- Flywheel and resistance. A heavier flywheel generally gives a smoother, quieter motion. More resistance levels give you room to progress.
- Incline. Power incline changes which muscles you target and adds variety. Manual incline is cheaper but less convenient.
- Footprint and ceiling height. Full-size ellipticals are around 70 inches long. Check the step-up height too, since your head rises when you stand on the pedals.
- User weight capacity. Choose a machine whose max user weight comfortably exceeds yours for stability and longevity.
- Tech and subscriptions. Touchscreens with iFIT or JRNY classes keep some people motivated but add a monthly cost. Simple consoles work without any subscription.
- Warranty and assembly. Look for long frame and flywheel coverage, and budget for professional assembly on heavier machines.
FAQ
Is an elliptical better than a treadmill?
Neither is better for everyone. Ellipticals are low-impact because your feet never leave the pedals, and moving handles work your upper body too. Treadmills suit people training for runs or races and offer weight-bearing exercise. Pick the one you’ll actually use consistently.
What stride length do I need for my height?
As a general guide from manufacturers, users around 5’4″ to 5’8″ tend to be comfortable with 16 to 20 inches, those 5’9″ to 6’0″ with 18 to 20 inches, and taller users with 20 inches or more. If several people of different heights will share the machine, an adjustable stride helps.
How many calories does an elliptical burn?
Harvard Health estimates that 30 minutes of general elliptical exercise burns roughly 270 calories for a 125-pound person, 324 for a 155-pound person and 378 for a 185-pound person. Your actual burn depends on intensity, resistance and body weight.
Is an elliptical good for your knees?
Ellipticals are generally considered gentler on the joints than running because your feet stay on the pedals. If you have knee pain or a joint condition, talk with your doctor or physical therapist before starting a new routine, and follow the manufacturer’s weight and usage limits.
Related guides
- The Best Treadmills for Home
- The Best Exercise Bikes for Home
- The Best Rowing Machines
- The Best Walking Pads
Sources
Garage Gym Reviews: The Best Ellipticals; Garage Gym Reviews: Best Budget Elliptical; Fortune: The Best Ellipticals; Garage Gym Reviews: Schwinn 430 vs 470; Garage Gym Reviews: Sole E35 review; Sole: Elliptical stride length by height; Harvard Health: Calories burned in 30 minutes. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.