9 of the best ellipticals for your home gym

Want one that's super quiet? How about one that folds? These are our top picks.
By Dylan Haas  on 
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Overview

Best Incline Options

Sole Fitness E35

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Most Ergonomic

Nautilus E616

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Best Seated Elliptical

Cubii Pro Under Desk Elliptical

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Best For Versatility

ProForm Hybrid Trainer

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Best Long-lasting Elliptical

Keiser M5i Strider

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For those looking to work out at home, elliptical machines are the top choice for many fitness fanatics who prefer to keep the gym as close to them as possible — AKA their home.

Most ellipticals don’t take up that much space, and they provide really comprehensive cardio workouts for even the most dedicated gym rats. But for some reason, ellipticals aren’t as well-respected as other cardio-based workout machines — we presume that’s because not everyone fully understands the benefits of using one. (More of a yoga person? Try this.)

Clair Mason, a co-founder of elliptical-based gym Elliptica, prefers the Keiser elliptical because it’s well-made and really easy to maintain. But at more than $2,000, it might not be the most practical buy for most home gyms.

The benefits of using an elliptical machine

Mason told us in an interview that there are some pretty clear benefits to an elliptical workout:

“You can get the same kind of cardio workout from a treadmill, or running outdoors, or a stationary bike — but the good thing about the elliptical [is that] you’re in the body’s natural position,” Mason says.

“You’re not hunching down like you are on a bike, you’re not pounding like you are on a treadmill or out on the road… it’s just the way the body is. It simulates a natural body movement.”

High-impact exercises can do a ton of damage to your joints over time, so sticking with low-impact workouts (like with an elliptical machine) is the way to go. That’s not the only benefit of using an elliptical machine, though.

Close up of an elliptical screen
Credit: Bowflex

“The engineering of the equipment is based on a push/pull movement that syncs the arms and legs of the user simultaneously, maximizing a dual-action movement,” said Josh Grimm, a certified personal trainer and fitness expert with Zeamo, an app that helps you find a gym while traveling.

“Keep in mind, you can also reverse pedal, which works in the hamstrings and the calves.”

Ellipticals vs treadmills

Ultimately, either an elliptical or a treadmill will be a good purchase, and you'll be able to get in great cardio workouts by using either of them, but there are a few key differences between the two that you'll want to know before making your final decision. 

Ellipticals are going to be best for those who want to incorporate an upper-body workout into their cardio session, as well as keep their joints in great shape, like we mentioned before (ellipticals involve less impact compared to treadmills, where your feet slam on the belt continuously). Injury-prone gym goers should definitely look for an elliptical.

While treadmills are high-impact and are harder on your joints, they offer more control, opportunities to build leg strength, and it's a faster way to burn calories. You can't go wrong with either one if you're looking to improve your cardiac health — just buy the one that's more in tune with your body and preferences. (For this article, we'll just be focusing on ellipticals, though.)

Why are elliptical machines so expensive?

Your eyes might roll into the back of your head when you see some of these prices, but unfortunately, they are pretty standard for quality gym equipment. If you want something that will rival your local gym, you're going to need to make it an investment. But don't worry, as long as you use the equipment you buy consistently (and not just for gym selfies), they'll eventually pay for themselves with all the money you're saving by breaking up with your gym membership. 

There are also low-budget options for ellipticals, but even those will cost you some serious cash, so we say go for quality first. Many brands offer payment plans for their equipment, too, so be sure to look into those if you're not in the place to pay everything upfront.

What to consider when buying a home elliptical machine

When shopping for an elliptical machine for your own home gym, there are a few different things you should be aware of before making a purchase. After all, there are a ton of options, and they range in price from less than $150 to nearly $3,000.

Here's what to consider:

  • Size: Most ellipticals will take up quite a bit of space, but not all of them are totally gigantic. Take stock of the space you're planning on turning into your home gym and pick an elliptical that you don't foresee yourself tripping over all the time.

  • Resistance settings: If you're looking for an intense cardio workout, you'll want to pick up an elliptical with a wide range of resistance settings so you can also build strength during your stride. Most of the time, this information is super easy to find in product listings.

  • Bluetooth capabilities: Most quality ellipticals will have some sort of Bluetooth functionality, whether it's being able to connect headphones, companion tracking apps, and more. We think it's worth making sure you'll get this benefit, as it can really enhance your overall fitness experience.

  • Workout programs: Some ellipticals will feature live and/or on-demand workout classes within their built-in screens for extra guidance during your workouts. If you're newer to using an elliptical or just want to feel like you're working out with other people, we recommend making sure your elliptical of choice has this feature.

  • Heart rate monitors: Ellipticals with built-in heart rate monitors can better track your burned calories and even adjust resistance automatically based on your BPM. It's not essential, but it's a nice benefit to have, for sure.

  • Delivery, returns, and warranties: Finally, you'll want to make sure the brand you buy from has good delivery, return, and warranty policies. You might be dropping a few grand on one of these things, so the extra reassurance is welcome.

What are the best elliptical machines for your home gym?

We spoke to a range of fitness experts while coming up with this list, and the overwhelming winners based on our research were the machines from Sole Fitness and NordicTrack. Read on to see all our top picks for the best elliptical machines you can buy online and get some buying tips on how to choose the best elliptical for you.

A slight upgrade from the E35, the Sole Fitness E95 elliptical machine is our favorite for a few reasons. Like most cardio machines, the E95 has a built-in navigation screen so you can choose workouts, change incline levels, up the intensity, and more. This elliptical also includes an integrated tablet holder, in case you want to stream some Netflix while you work up a sweat.

As for options, the machine allows for 20 different resistance levels and adjustable foot pedals for enhanced comfort, allowing for almost anyone to find their sweet spot. Throw in a pair of Bluetooth speakers, a USB charging port, and whisper-quiet usage, and you've got a great elliptical machine. The Sole Fitness E95 is a favorite amongst gym goers, and taking one home is a no-brainer if the elliptical is your cardio machine of choice. 

Sole now offers a monthly membership called Studio, which connects to your Sole fitness equipment and features on-demand workout classes. Launched in Oct. 2021, the fitness platform hosts over three thousand pre-recorded classes with new ones aired daily — all for $39 per month. When you purchase a Sole Fitness E95 elliptical, you can opt into a free 30 day trial membership to give the workouts a go.

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In an email interview with Mashable, personal trainer and nutrition counselor Josh Grimm lauded the Sole Fitness E35 elliptical's effectiveness during his travels;

"It was a star cardio piece in my hotel in Dubai and, with its quiet sound, adjustable stride length, super stable construction and incline adjustable to 30 degrees, I would easily say this was my favorite elliptical piece I’ve shredded some calories on."

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this machine is its versatility. The pedals, stride length, incline, and more are all adjustable to your liking. Its quiet drive system keeps noise levels to a minimum and makes for a smooth session every time. The incline system is higher than most elliptical machines: the Sole Fitness E35 can be adjusted to 30 degrees, where others usually only go up to 20. The machine has 10 programmed workouts, and a built-in fan, sound system, and minimalistic LCD screen.

The E35 is very similar to ellipticals that you might find in your neighborhood gym, making this a superior option for at-home workouts and a really great price. It also gives you access to Sole's new on-demand membership program, Studio, should you want to try out some trainer-led workout classes.

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The Nautilus E616 is all about creating a comfortable workout experience for its users — you're already putting such a huge strain on your body, so why make it worse? 

The padded handlebars are designed to be ergonomic and provide optimal comfort throughout the duration of your cardio sessions. It has a multitude of intensity options, a 20-inch path stride, and 29 programs.

The high speed, high inertia drive system makes for easy start-up and smooth, consistent workouts. It's also compatible with the RunSocial app, has intuitive fitness tracking on its LCD display, and has an MP3 port so you can enjoy your favorite workout playlists during your sessions. The retail price on this model is $1,499, but we regularly see it discounted to under $1,000.

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“The NordicTrack SpaceSaver is perfect for individuals [who] want a total body workout, all from the convenience of their home," iFit trainer Mecayla Froerer told Mashable via email. "Its design folds the machine, making it great for those looking for a great sweat in a smaller living area.”

Right out of the box, the SpaceSaver is a cinch to assemble — getting you to your workouts that much faster. You can adjust resistance at the touch of a button between 24 different levels for a higher calorie burn. The built-in heart rate sensors and chest strap are incredibly accurate and Bluetooth enabled — pair with your favorite health-based app on your smart device. The LED smart touchscreen is loaded with 30 workout apps as well. 

As you might've guessed from the name, the biggest benefit of going with the NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i is the ability to fold the entire machine — making it a breeze to stow away or simply create more space. It will be in your home, after all, so not taking up too much real estate is more important than you may initially think. With purchase, you'll also get a 30 day iFit trial for free to test out live and on-demand workouts.

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The cheapest option on our list, the Sunny Health elliptical is a magnetic trainer, meaning it uses magnets to create resistance during your workouts. This makes it harder to adjust, but it keeps it at a really reasonable price since it lacks many of the advanced features of more expensive models. 

This elliptical still has some cool specs though, like a pulse monitor and digital screen. It's also very lightweight and can be folded down small enough to fit in a closet. For all the things that the Sunny Health doesn't have, it makes up for it in a smooth, low-impact, quality cardiovascular workout.

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One of the hardest aspects of working out is actually finding the time to do it. It's not always possible for people with busy professional and personal lives, but the Cubii Pro under desk elliptical makes it a bit easier.

While it doesn't feature the standard stride of ellipticals (the Cubii acts more like a stationary bike in practice), this compact elliptical machine will enable you to get your cardio in for the day while you multitask with work or whatever else you're occupied with. 

There's also the handy Cubii mobile app which can connect to your personal elliptical via Bluetooth and track your progress, including how many calories you've burned, distance pedaled, and more. You'll even get access to live exercise classes.

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The ProForm Hybrid elliptical earned its spot on this list because of its versatile, 2-in-1 design. In seconds, you can convert the ProForm from your standard elliptical machine to a stationary bike, and then back again. That's two completely different low-impact workouts for you to choose from whenever you want, meaning you can easily switch up your workout without having to buy an entirely different piece of equipment.

Also boasting a fair price for what you're getting, the ProForm includes Bluetooth and iFit capability, 16 total resistance levels, and an adjustable bike seat. 

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Another elliptical from ProForm, this machine focuses on HIIT, also known as high-intensity interval training. This technique involves repetitively giving maximum effort for a set amount of time followed by short recovery periods, which helps keep your heart rate up throughout your workout to burn more calories and build strength. It's tough, but efficient — and this elliptical was made specifically for this type of training. 

Opting for a vertical stride rather than the standard horizontal, the ProForm elliptical simulates walking briskly up a long flight of stairs — but without the joint-damaging impact. It combines its unique elliptical path with upper body movements as well, giving you a well-rounded workout that's smooth but challenging. When you use the HIIT trainer, you'll be activating your calves, hamstrings, quads, glutes, biceps, and triceps all at once.

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Sleek black elliptical

Keiser M5i Strider

Best Long-lasting Elliptical

Clair Mason, co-founder of elliptical-based gym Elliptica, told Mashable in an interview that she uses Keiser machines in her gym due to their superb, long-lasting quality. 

Though pricey, the Keiser M5i Strider exudes the professional-grade quality that you would expect to find in a gym that prides itself on its elliptical workout programs. These machines use magnetic resistance, are whisper quiet, and nearly maintenance-free. The familiar data tracking included with many ellipticals can be seen here as well when connected to the Keiser M Series app. It will also come fully assembled if you get it delivered. 

Yes, the price is steep, but with the Keiser brand, you know you're getting an elliptical that's going to last you a long time.

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author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].


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