Best Ellipticals (2025) | BarBend

Ellipticals may lessen impact on your joints, but they’ll have a big impact on your overall fitness.

When it comes to low-impact cardio training, ellipticals can be tough to beat. Serving as one of the best cardio machines, these units can be ideal for taking some stress off your joints while also facilitating worthwhile caloric burn in a full-body movement. (1) The best ellipticals for your home gym come in a wide range of styles and sizes, with plenty of options to match your training experience and interests.

If you’re considering an elliptical trainer for your training space, you’ll first want to think about how much actual space you can sacrifice for a new machine, as ellipticals aren’t the most compact pieces of fitness equipment. In addition, you’ll need to think through your preferred resistance, how tech-heavy you want your machine to be, and (of course) how much you’re willing to pay. We’ve gone ahead and done some of the heavy lifting for you, though, by using our proprietary, multi-step equipment testing methods on over 20 ellipticals from top brands and consulting with experts to land on our favorites.

Join BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, as he hops on some of our favorite ellipticals for home gyms, beginners, and those stuck at a desk all day.

With 26 levels of resistance, incline and decline capabilities, and an adjustable stride length that toggles to your personal preferences, the AirGlide 14i is one of the most tech-savvy and feature-rich ellipticals on the market. Plus, like other NordicTrack machines, this elliptical is compatible with iFIT, unlocking over 17,000 live and on-demand workout programs for a fresh sense of training each time you hop on for a session.

Thanks to its range of resistances and inclines along with its compatibility with iFIT — one of the best workout apps for engaging, trainer-led programs — the AirGlide 14i from NordicTrack earns our praise as the best elliptical on the market today. The 14-inch HD touchscreen provides a great visual experience perfect for taking in your favorite streams, and the smooth ergonomics and adjustments create a comfortable workout experience, according to our tester, a certified personal trainer.

“There’s a lot to like about the feel of this machine,” our tester adds in reference to their 5-out-of-5 ergonomics rating. “From the oversized, cushioned foot pedals to the multiple handlebars, adjustable stride, and more, I could easily see this fitting a lot of fitness needs.”

Like the best NordicTrack treadmills and exercise bikes, the AirGlide 14i is compatible with iFIT — an online workout program loaded with over 16,000 on-demand workouts catering to a range of fitness disciplines. Additionally, we rate the available tech at 5 out of 5 given iFIT’s recent update to support streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime Video. These entertainment services can be great for when you just want to cruise through a session while also catching up on your favorite shows and albums.

In terms of getting this high-quality elliptical set up in your space, our tester recommends taking advantage of NordicTrack’s professional assembly service, which costs an additional $299 ($399 if you opt for disposal of old fitness equipment). “It’s a lengthy process that can take hours, especially if you don’t have a helping hand to assist with holding heavier components in place,” they say in reference to their 3-out-of-5 setup rating. “With these notes in mind, it may be best to let the professionals handle getting your home gym set up with your new machine.”

Read our full NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Review.

Tight on space but still want to experience the low-impact benefits of elliptical training? The Bowflex M6 Max Trainer boasts a vertical orientation that shrinks the overall footprint to 8.31 square feet, yet the plane of motion can still be ideal for comfortable training with a heightened sense of muscle-boosting potential, especially across your posterior chain and legs.

Arranging your home gym in tight quarters can be a headache in itself, so you’ll want to focus on ellipticals that make the most of your available space via compact dimensions and smaller footprints. Taking up just 8.32 square feet of space — nearly half the footprint of your standard loveseat (15.31 square feet) — the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 can be a great choice for athletes training in small spaces. (3)

We scored this compact elliptical at 4.5 out of 5 for its footprint, which is made possible through its vertical orientation. “I also like that the machine is lightweight and easy to maneuver,” notes our tester, a certified personal trainer. “The 136-pound weight is manageable for most, and the front transport wheels do enhance the profile’s portability.”

Unlike other silhouettes in the Max Trainer family, such as the Bowflex Max Total 16, the M6 profile uses an LCD display as opposed to an HD touchscreen, despite this, our tester notes that the available tech is effective enough for high-intensity training. “I think the preset programs are challenging enough, but you still have the option to connect to the JRNY app for more engaging, trainer-led cardio workouts, too,” they add. As such, we rate the programming at 4.8 out of 5.

If you are adamant about having a built-in touchscreen for your elliptical, we recommend opting for a different Max Trainer such as the aforementioned Max Total 16 or Max Trainer M9. Other brands also feature touchscreen-enabled ellipticals, such as the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 carries a price tag of roughly $1,299, which isn’t an unreasonable figure when compared to other elliptical machines. However, we rate the overall value at 3.5 out of 5 given its less-than-stellar warranty package. The brand only covers the frame and mechanical parts for 2 years, which is less coverage than offerings we’ve seen with other silhouettes from different brands.

Read our full Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Review.

The E25 is a high-quality, no-frills elliptical. It features a budget-friendly price tag, a 350-pound weight limit, and a 20-pound flywheel.

If you’re looking for a low-impact machine that’s easy on your knees, ellipticals are a solid bet. The Sole E25 is our favorite elliptical for folks with knee pain thanks to the machine’s low-impact design, approachable price tag, as well as its ability to deliver high-quality workouts regardless of your fitness level.

This impressive machine also earns its moniker of “Best Elliptical for Home Gyms” thanks to its quiet operation. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, says the Whisper-Quiet Drive System purred seamlessly through the available resistance and incline levels. “I could easily focus on training modules or my TV program without the elliptical drowning out the audio.”

Additionally, the value at hand with the E25 is top notch. We rated this Sole offering a 5 out of 5 for the approachable $1,199.99 price tag, as well as the robust warranty package (another 5-out-of-5 grade). Sole supports this machine with lifetime coverage for the frame and flywheel — two components prone to wear and tear — as well as 2-year coverage for parts and wear items, 1-year coverage for labor, and 90-day support for cosmetic items.

We also liked this elliptical for home workouts because of the integrated tablet holder. “This can be a convenient feature for streaming enthusiasts, since the LCD display doesn’t support such programs,” adds our tester. Still, though, we rate the E25 at 4.3 out of 5 for its tech capabilities thanks to its seamless toggling through the available ranges.

While this Sole E25 can be great for a variety of home gyms, we still recommend breaking out the tape measure before ordering a unit for yourself. You’ll need 11.67 square feet to house this machine, and there aren’t any foldable features for more convenient storage. Examples of the best compact ellipticals include the Sunny Health and Fitness Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine as well as the Bowflex Max Trainer M6.

Read our full Sole E25 Elliptical Review.

The Horizon EX-59 Elliptical can be a great starter machine thanks to its approachable price tag, intuitive controls, and dual-handlebar design. Its 18-inch stride length and 300-pound weight capacity can also make it accessible for many athletes.

Beginner athletes don’t always need the latest and greatest machines to curate a worthwhile training setup. Oftentimes, a cheaper unit can be just as effective (and much less intimidating) when it comes to getting your feet wet in fitness. For athletes on the brink of their fitness journey, we recommend the EX-59 from Horizon Fitness. Rather than overload you with a plethora of workouts and settings, this machine keeps things simple with an intuitive display, five preset workouts, and an affordable yet high-quality design.

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rates the EX-59’s value at 4 out of 5. “I think this is a really good elliptical for what the device offers,” they note. “The programs are a little basic for more experienced individuals, but I still feel they have some merit, especially for those just getting started in home gym training.”

What the EX-59 lacks in tech features and dynamic programming, it makes up for with built-in conveniences. We rate the elliptical at 4 out of 5 for the category thanks to its integrated Bluetooth speakers, tablet holder, water bottle holder, and USB port for charging your device mid-workout.

The functionality also extends to the different handlebar pairs at the top of the machine. Our tester appreciates the inclusion of fixed handles, which can make it easier to get onto and off the machine. “I do recommend opting for your best heart rate monitor with Bluetooth connectivity if you want to track your pulse during training, though,” they add. “While the EX-59 does house pulse sensors, the accuracy can be way off-target.”

Lastly, this machine does offer a warranty for certain components, including lifetime coverage for the frame itself. However, there is no support for the flywheel, so we rate the warranty coverage at 4.5 out of 5. For coverage of this vital component, we suggest looking at the Sole E25 which offers lifetime support for the frame and flywheel along with 2-year coverage for part and wear items, 1-year for labor, and 90 days for cosmetic items.

Read our full Horizon EX-59 Elliptical Review.

This 3-in-1 profile from NordicTrack can mimic a treadmill, elliptical machine, and stepper thanks to its free-stride design. Plus, the X16 Elliptical is compatible with iFIT unlocking over 16,000 trainer-led workouts along with entertainment streaming possibilities and automatic trainer control.

There’s a reason that the best home gyms often feature built-in touchscreens compatible with streaming services. Studies report that following along to video-driven exercise instruction can result in positive confidence levels surrounding training. (9) For achieving a stream-ready setup, we recommend the new X16 Elliptical from NordicTrack.

While we’ve yet to personally test this particular elliptical cross-trainer—the brand states that the free-striding nature of the pedals can support elliptical, treadmill, and stepper machine movements—we have tested similar profiles like the NordicTrack FS10i. In reference to the FS10i trials, our tester, a certified personal trainer, states, “I like the ergonomics of this gliding motion, but I do recommend taking it slow when getting used to the movements. Plus, I’d reserve this for elliptical or stepper workouts, since I associate treadmill running with actually leaving the platform. To me, the experience is too dissimilar to call it a true 3-in-1 machine.”

Of course, though, the big selling point of this X16 Elliptical is its compatibility with iFIT. This digital training service offers over 16,000 trainer-led workout programs across different disciplines like HIIT, yoga, strength, and (of course) cardio. There are also updated streaming capabilities for your favorite entertainment platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

“I also really enjoy the automatic trainer control feature available through the app,” adds our tester in reference to the iFIT programming. “You can focus on your progress as the machine automatically toggles your resistance and incline.” As such, we score the dynamic programming at 5 out of 5.

The NordicTrack X16 Elliptical weighs in at 289 pounds, which limits its portability. While we score this elliptical trainer at 2 out of 5 for portability, we do praise its durability. The X16 Elliptical earns a 4.5-out-of-5 durability score thanks to its steel construction and 375-pound user weight capacity. Be mindful, though, that this resiliency does come at a cost — the near-$2,500 price tag makes the X16 Elliptical one of the most expensive profiles in this guide (not counting the additional subscription fee for iFIT).

This machine is both a strider and a climber. You can climb to a vertical height of nine inches and stride a horizontal distance of five inches. You can choose from eight levels of magnetic resistance, and track your heart rate on the grip monitors.

We get it — exercise equipment isn’t always the most wallet-friendly topic of discussion. While most ellipticals will run you around $1,200, there are some units that fall below that market yet can still fill your space with worthwhile, low-impact training potential. The Sunny Health and Fitness Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine is one such machine (and one of our favorites amongst the best budget home gym equipment), coming in at nearly $400 — less than half the average cost.

This sleek, compact machine can be ideal for athletes paying close attention to their finances, but the available workouts are also great for a slew of training-focused individuals, too. There are eight levels of magnetic resistance to choose from, and the stepper-like plane of motion can also be an efficient way to improve knee strength, according to studies. (6) I’ve previously used this machine and feel that you’re plenty capable of generating some sweat-inducing workouts with the available resistance range. I rate the workout experience at 4 out of 5.

I also appreciate how Sunny Health & Fitness kept this machine’s footprint to a minimum through the vertical orientation, rating it 4.5 out of 5 for the category. This unit takes up just 7.64 square feet of space — a sliver of the average 12- to 13-square-foot profile of other ellipticals — and the 95-pound wheeled frame is easy to move in and out of position before and after training. “I’ve stored this machine in a corner of my living room with no real issues,” notes our one expert tester.

That said, however, you will need to make some sacrifices in some key areas like durability to achieve such a minimalist, lightweight design. The Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical can only support athletes up to 260 pounds, which falls shy of the average 300-pound weight capacity. We rate the durability at 3.5 out of 5 and suggest different profiles such as the Sole E25 or NordicTrack AirGlide 14i for larger athletes.

Read our full Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Review.

The Cubii Move can be a great solution for athletes that want a way to stay active from the confines of their home office. The sleek, 17.6-pound frame fits easily under a desk, giving you access to low-impact resistance training as you power through your daily step counts, email responsibilities, and Zoom calls.

If you’re crunched for time and space, the best under-desk ellipticals can allow you to train while tackling work endeavors like emails, digital meetings, and more. The Cubii Move is one of our favorites from the category thanks to its lightweight design, available resistance levels, and quiet demeanor.

Our tester, a CrossFit Level-1 instructor, scores the overall experience at 3.79 out of 5. “Naturally, you’re not going to get the full-body engagement of other muscle groups with this pedal-centric profile,” they note, “But for some midday training, you simply can’t beat it.”

The Cubii Move is lightweight at just 17.9 pounds, making setup a breeze before logging onto your Zoom meetings. Plus, our tester notes that there’s virtually no assembly process outside of opening up the packaging and removing the elliptical trainer from its shipping box. As such, we score this under-desk silhouette at 5 out of 5 for both setup and portability.

Tech is limited with this elliptical given the small dimensions, but the Cubii Move does have a small LCD display across its face. “I liked the six levels of manual resistance, and the LCD monitor is a nice way to keep tabs on your calories burned and mileage,” adds our tester. However, there’s no way to view the stats outside of creaking your neck to look under your desk. Other under-desk ellipticals like the DeskCycle2 feature a detachable display for easier viewing.

We also rate the value of this under-desk elliptical at 3.75 out of 5. The Move is definitely a fun way to stay active throughout the day, but some may not want to spend nearly $160 on a machine that’s more of a novelty than a home gym staple. Plus, the 1-year warranty is shorter than the 10-year average we’ve found in other ellipticals, but what can you expect from such a small device?

Read our full Cubii Move Review.

While our round-up list features all our favorite ellipticals, there are plenty others that we tested. Here are a few others we tried and some of our testers’ thoughts.

Looking for a quick reference point for key specs and stats across the best elliptical machines? Use this handy chart to compare price, dimensions, resistance ranges, and more for each elliptical featured in this guide.

The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the best elliptical machines available today, we got hands-on with 23 different ellipticals from top brands, using a multi-point methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to determine our top picks. Below are some of the categories and components we looked at to come up with our findings.

According to Amanda Capritto, a certified personal trainer, “Ellipticals are a wonderful option for individuals who want to increase their cardio exercise volume but need a low-impact way to do it.” As such, there are a few benefits that can be had from adding one of these machines to your home gym. Below are a few of our favorite perks associated with elliptical trainers.

Like the best exercise bikes, there isn’t a singular silhouette tied to high-quality elliptical machines. Below is a brief rundown of the common types of ellipticals available today and how you can differentiate between the profiles as you round out your personal elliptical buying guide.

When you’re thinking about buying an elliptical machine, there are a few factors to consider outside of your available space and budget. Naturally, these components are still important, but below are some additional items that should be top of mind before confirming your order.

The stride length of your elliptical can determine how lengthy your gait is in a given revolution. According to Sunny Health and Fitness, the average athlete standing between 5 feet 3 inches and 6 feet should fit comfortably in a 20-inch stride. (5) Of course, not every elliptical will offer such measurements, especially those with a more vertical orientation that combines the aesthetics of an elliptical with a stair climber.

When thinking about your machine’s stride length, take your height into consideration. If you’re taller than 6 feet, it may be best to err on the side of caution and shoot for an elliptical with a longer range of motion. Athletes shorter than 6 feet can have more accommodating options, but in the end, your personal comfort is the best indication of a proper fit.

“People interested in an elliptical for home use will be pleased to find that ellipticals come in a wide range of sizes and styles,” says BarBend expert contributor and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto. On average, an elliptical trainer takes up between 12 and 13 feet of space. These measurements can vary, though, so it’s important to break out your tape measure and confirm your available space before deciding on a machine.

Your machine’s footprint can also dictate its overall balance during workouts. The best compact exercise equipment can certainly be space-saving, but is that perk worth it if your full-body workouts have you swaying uneasily with each stride? As such, it’s best to seek out an exercise machine that’s compact enough for your needs yet sturdy enough to support your frame and exercise intensity without fail.

It can also be wise to search for an elliptical with portable conveniences like a wheeled base or rear handle for enhanced maneuverability. This can be especially vital if you plan to use your given area for multiple scenarios — an elliptical in the living room is fine, but are you really going to be happy with your setup if you can’t move your machine out of the way when not in a training mindset?

Your elliptical machine’s durability should also be top of mind when going through the purchasing process. Rather than doing a deep dive into each material used across the build, one of the easier ways to determine your pick’s structural integrity is by looking at the listed weight capacity. Capritto notes, “Budget-friendly ellipticals are likely to have a lower weight capacity, while luxury options may have a weight capacity of 350 to 400 pounds.”

As a general rule of thumb, it can be wise to seek out an elliptical that can comfortably support your body weight. If you’re unable to find a profile with a listed weight capacity to your liking, the best ellipticals for heavy people could be a potential solution.

While there’s nothing wrong with hopping onto an elliptical and going about a manual workout, every now and again, we all need to revamp our training routine. This can be accomplished through preset workouts built into the console of your elliptical, or by access to a digital platform loaded down with streamable sessions and classes. Be sure to look for an elliptical that supports your training needs and wants in either of these methods.

If you opt for an elliptical with streaming capabilities, you should also consider any extra fees or subscription costs associated with the digital platforms. On average, the best online workout programs operate on a monthly billing cycle with prices ranging between $20 and $50. Don’t forget to account for this added expense when thinking through your budget.

Like other pieces of cardio equipment, ellipticals can vary in prices. Some budget-conscious profiles can cost $500 or less, while other, more feature-rich designs can come close to $2,000. In our research, we’ve found that the average cost of a high-quality elliptical sits around $1,200, so this can be a good starting point for your purchase journey. Naturally, though, be sure to be mindful of your budget throughout the process and opt for a machine that fits your space and your wallet comfortably.

Different ellipticals offer different resistance levels. If you’re an athlete who loves a high-intensity workout and are looking to build strength, you’d probably benefit most from an elliptical with many resistance levels. For those who simply want a low-impact cardio machine that won’t get daily use, you can opt for a simpler elliptical.

Determining the best elliptical is a subjective ordeal, but in our opinion, the NordicTrack AirGlide 14i reigns supreme thanks to its iFIT compatibility, impressive resistance and incline ranges of 26 and -5 to 15%, respectively, as well as its auto-adjusting stride length that ensures every revolution is as comfortable and performance-laden as the last.

Ellipticals can vary by price, much like every other piece of home gym equipment, but on average, you can expect to pay roughly $1,200. More budget-friendly options can come in around $500 or less, while tech-heavy luxury options can push the price tag closer to $2,000. In the end, however, the best elliptical for your needs is the one that fits most comfortably within your budget.

Elliptical training does tend to focus mainly on the lower body, hamstrings, and posterior chain, given your strides throughout a session, but these machines also commonly feature moving handles that allow you to move your arms and upper body as well. This full-body experience is still a low-impact workout, meaning despite all components getting some room to roam, the constant contact with the machine itself leaves less room for gravity to create a shock across your joints, like you’d experience when landing your feet during a running stride.

Yes, ellipticals can be great workout tools for cardio enthusiasts since the movements required are more low-impact than what you’d experience on a treadmill or outdoor run. (1)(7) Additionally, studies report that a 30-minute elliptical workout can burn a comparable amount of calories to a treadmill session at a 12-minute-per-mile pace. (8)