The Best Ellipticals for Home in 2023

Your chances of getting fit quickly and keeping your weight in check increase dramatically if you have exercise equipment at home.

An elliptical machine is the perfect way to keep your upper and lower body toned and trim. If you're ready to make a dramatic change, purchasing a quality elliptical machine is one of the best places to start.

Why? What's an elliptical? How does it help with weight loss? Which machines are best? Learn the answers to all of these questions and more in this informative article. 

What Is an Elliptical?

An elliptical is a piece of exercise equipment similar to a treadmill, but vastly different in that it will save your joints a lot of pain (Read Elliptical vs. Treadmill). The machine has two platforms, one for each foot, and too handles for your hands. All of these pieces move independently. Most elliptical also offer some automatic workout options. 

The design of an elliptical is such that it allows the user to move in a walking or running motion without ever lifting their feet from the machine. This means that there's minimal impact on the joints. 

What about other benefits? 

In addition to giving you a cardio workout, the elliptical adds challenge to your core by forcing you to constantly balance yourself on the machine. In addition, you use your upper body by pushing and pulling the handles back and forth.

Ellipticals offer a number of benefits, including:

• Low-impact exercise, which is easy on your joints
• A full-body workout that works your arms, legs, and core
• A variety of resistance levels to challenge you at your own fitness level
• A quiet workout that is great for apartments or other shared spaces
• A convenient way to get a workout at home

Top 7 Elliptical Machines Review

If you don't want to waste time heading to the gym everyday, you'll have to purchase your own elliptical machine for regular use. This will help you achieve your exercise and fitness goals. But, with all of the options out there, which one should you purchase?

Here are our reviews of the top 7 best elliptical machines for home use

1. Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine

This full-sized elliptical offers you adjustability for maximum comfort, even if people of different heights will be using the machine. In addition, you can make use of pre-programmed workouts that will run automatically, allowing you to enjoy a great workout.

Keep track of your progress using the screen that also monitors your heart rate. With Sole Fitness's E35, you'll get a professional experience similar to elliptical machines at the gym! Here's what you can expect if you purchase this product:

What We Like:

• A wide range of adjustability in the stride so that people of different heights can use the machine comfortably.
• Adjustable ramp that allows you to climb up to 30 degrees. 
• Standard programs come included.
• Large, sturdy elliptical that recreates that gym experience.
• Heart-rate monitoring available on the hand grabs.
• Built in fan so that you can stay cool during your workouts.
• Mostly positive reviews.
• Warranty that covers electronics and parts for five years and labor for two years.

What We Don't Like:

• High price tag: $1979.97 at the time of this writing.
• Although standard programs are included, there are only 6 of them.
• The most common complaints include: The machine makes a strange noise, Design issues, Trouble dealing with the manufacturer
• However, the complaints are a small percentage of reviews.

2. Schwinn 430 Elliptical

Made by the trusted name, Schwinn, this elliptical machine packs in the value with a large number of workout programs so you can find one that meets you right at your level.

In addition, the Schwinn allows you to climb through your workout with it's incline function. Overall, you'll get a great range of features without blowing your budget. 

What We Like:

• 22 workout programs gives you great variety when exercising.
• A variety of incline options are available.
• Heart rate monitors are available on the handlebars.
• #7 bestseller on Amazon for elliptical trainers, which is impressive.
• Reasonable cost: $449 at the time of this writing.

What We Don't Like: 

• Mixed bag of reviews from customers.
• The step size is not adjustable. 
• Some of the most common complaints include that the machine makes too much noise/strange noises, while others claim that the customer service to solve issues was terrible. 

3. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical Peddler Exerciser-SF-E3872

The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical is a great option for people who are looking for a low-impact way to get a cardio workout. It is compact and portable, making it easy to store under a desk or in a closet when not in use.

The elliptical has 8 levels of resistance, so you can adjust the intensity of your workout as you get stronger. The digital monitor tracks your time, speed, calories burned, and distance traveled.

One of the best things about this elliptical is that it is very quiet. This makes it a great option for people who live in apartments or other shared spaces. The elliptical is also very easy to assemble. The instructions are clear and concise, and the entire assembly process only takes about 15 minutes.

Overall, the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical is a great option for people who are looking for a compact, quiet, and easy-to-use elliptical machine. It is a great way to get a cardio workout without putting too much stress on your joints.

What We Like:

• Compact and portable.
• There are 8 resistance levels, allowing you to adjust your workout to your needs.
• Quiet operation and Easy to assemble.
• Most reviews are positive, 90% are 4 stars or greater.
• Reasonable price: around $120 at the time of this writing.

What We Don't Like:

• Stride length is only 7 inches
• Monitor is not backlit
• No heart rate monitor

4. NordicTrack C 7.5 Elliptical

NordicTrack offers a sturdy, high functioning elliptical machine for a reasonable cost. At a hefty 200 plus pounds, this machine is solid and built to handle heavy-duty working out. Here's what we love, and what could be better, about this machine:

What We Like:

• Includes plenty of workout options. The machine has 26 built-in workouts and you can also use iFit or Google Maps Training Routes for virtual and more personalized training. 
• Adjustable incline is included to help you adjust the difficulty of your workouts. Twenty-two different resistance levels are also included.
• You can adjust your stride easily at the touch of a button.
• The elliptical comes with a 1 year labor warranty and a 2 year parts warranty.
• Heart-rate grips are included on the handlebars.
• Reasonable cost: $500 at the time of this writing.

What We Don't Like:

• Mixed bag of reviews from customers.
• Customers complain that customer service through NordicTrack isn't very good.
• Some customers report that the elliptical is made poorly.

5. ProForm Cardio HIIT Elliptical Trainer 

Looking for an elliptical that will help you take maximum advantage of your workouts? HIIT style workouts are one of the most effective forms of exercise, since you can exercise for less time but still enjoy the maximum benefits of exercising. ProForm's Elliptical Trainer helps you get there with its quality equipment and workout plans.

What We Like:

• 32 workout apps to use, giving you a variety of workout options.
• A big resistance range is available with 24 different levels.
• Heart rate monitor on the handles.
• Fan included to keep you comfortable by working out.
• A warranty is included: 3-year for parts and 1-year for labor.
• Emphasis on stepping/climbing stairs motion that gives you a great workout.
• Compact footprint, making it piece of workout equipment that will fit easily in your home. 
• #11 Bestseller on Amazon for elliptical trainers. This is a great rating!
• Reasonable cost: $899 at the time of this writing.

What We Don't Like:

• The step size is not adjustable, meaning you can't change it to meet your step length comfort needs.
• Customers report having trouble with the customer service.
• Mixed bag of reviews from customers.
• Some customers expressed frustration that a workout app is promoted on the machine, making it seem like you can only use the machine with the app. However, there is a way to use the machine without signing up for any apps or signing up for a subscription.

6. Stamina In-Motion Elliptical Trainer

This incredibly economical elliptical machine is popular with good reason. It's tiny, it's cheap and you can use it sitting or standing. While it's not full of bells and whistles, this elliptical includes enough basic functions and resistance options for you to get a solid workout. If you're looking for an elliptical you can shove in your closet when it's not in use, the Stamina In-Motion is an excellent choice. 

What We Like:

• Can be used while sitting or standing.
• Involves a great core workout when standing since there are no hand supports.
• Tiny and lightweight! It can fit under your desk or in your closet easily.
• Most customers gave positive reviews.
• Very cheap: $86.87 at the time of the writing.

What We Don’t Like:

• The resistance adjustment is manual. 
• No big screen, although basic facts about your workout are available. 
• One common complaint is that the elliptical machine becomes squeaky.

7. Niceday Elliptical Machine, Cross Trainer with Hyper

The Niceday Elliptical Machine is a great option for people who are looking for a quiet, low-impact way to get a cardio workout at home.

It has a 16-level magnetic resistance system that allows you to adjust the intensity of your workout, and the digital monitor tracks your time, speed, distance, calories burned, and pulse.

One of the best things about this elliptical is that it is very quiet. This makes it a great option for people who live in apartments or other shared spaces.

The elliptical is also very easy to assemble. The instructions are clear and concise, and the entire assembly process only takes about 30 minutes.

The Niceday Elliptical Machine is a great value for the price. It is well-made and sturdy, and it offers a variety of features that make it a great option for people of all fitness levels.

What We Like:

• Quiet operation
• Easy to assemble
• Variety of resistance levels
• Digital monitor with tracking features
• Affordable

What We Don’t Like:

• Stride length is only 13 inches
• No heart rate monitor
• Not as durable as some higher-end ellipticals

Buying Guide for Elliptical Trainers

Now you've ready our take on these popular top elliptical machines in 2020, how can you decide which one is right for you? Here are some considerations you should keep in mind:

Size: Most elliptical trainer machines are large. Determine how much space you have and check the footprint of the machines you're interested in before purchasing.

An important aspect to note is that ellipticals may put you pretty far off the ground, so ceiling height is also important, depending on your height.

Stride length: Stride length is also an important consideration. The taller you are, the greater your stride will likely be.

The stride length is the distance between your feet as you pedal. If you are tall, you will need a longer stride length. A good stride length for most people is 16-20 inches.

Optimal Elliptical Stride Length for Your Height Chart:

Resistance levels: The resistance levels control how hard it is to pedal. You will want a machine with a variety of resistance levels so you can challenge yourself as you get stronger. Most ellipticals have 10-20 resistance levels.

Features: Some ellipticals come with features such as heart rate monitors, built-in workouts, and entertainment systems. Consider which features are important to you before you buy.

Warranty: Most ellipticals come with a warranty. The length of the warranty will vary depending on the brand and model.

Budget: Think about how much money you have to spend on this piece of exercise equipment. Then, compare a few machines that are within your budget constraints before purchasing.

Your Exercise Needs: What do you need in an elliptical trainer? Make sure that there are enough exercise programs, resistance levels and incline levels to meet your needs.

If you're a die-hard iFit fan, make sure you'll be able to use these sorts of programs with your elliptical machine.

Reviews: Have confidence in your purchase by choosing a machine with mostly positive reviews. However, to remember that there will always be some negative reviews, and those leaving a bad review are sometimes the most motivated - they want to vent!

So don't be disheartened about buying your dream elliptical due to a few bad reviews.

FAQs About Ellipticals

Final Recommendation

The best elliptical machine for one person may not be the best for another person. It all depends on the space, budget and needs you have. We hope that this list of the top elliptical machines in 2020 will help you as you search for your new piece of workout equipment. 

With a quality machine at home, you'll work quickly to achieve your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, get toned or boost your endurance, an elliptical is a practical, low-impact, and effective way to bring your fitness goals to life!

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