Best Elliptical Machines 2022

Dimensions: 73 L x 27 W x 66.9 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 350 pounds | Stride length: 22 inches

If you want an elliptical machine that’s rugged, versatile and features great ergonomics, the Nautilus E618 Elliptical Trainer is a solid choice. It features 25 levels of resistance, a 10-degree motorized incline and a generous 22-inch stride. The padded foot pedals are adjustable so you can set it up to perfectly fit your natural movement, and the system tracks metrics like time, distance and calories on the LCD display. Granted, the LCD display is nothing to write home about, but if you’re mainly looking to keep track of your workouts, it’ll get the job done.

The E618 works best in conjunction with Nautilus’s Explore the World app, which lets you cycle through beautiful courses around the world (you’ll need to pay a subscription for certain features). If you want to follow along as you work out, you can connect your own tablet via Bluetooth.

Pros:

• Lots of resistance
• Large stride length

Cons:

• LCD display is simplistic

Dimensions: 46.1 L x 23 W x 60.6 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 220 pounds | Stride length: 12.2 inches

The no-frills EL100 Essential Elliptical from Decathlon is perfect for beginners as all you have to think about during your workout is striding, plus the machine comes at a great price so you don’t make a huge investment before you decide if you actually enjoy it. A large, four-function LCD display shows your calories burned, time, distance and speed. The manual turn dial on the front of the elliptical offers seven levels of resistance to vary your workout. And that’s really all there is to this simplistic machine.

Decathlon is the IKEA of the fitness machine world so while the elliptical requires some assembly, it comes with a detailed guide and video so you can do it yourself in less than 30 minutes. The 6.6-pound flywheel, while on the lighter side, still delivers a smooth pedal stroke.

Pros:

• Low price
• Basic functionality is great for beginners

Cons:

• Shorter stride length than some
• Requires some assembly

Dimensions: 49.2 L x 30.5 W x 65.1 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 300 pounds | Stride length: N/A

Bowflex’s Max Trainer series is what you get when you cross an elliptical with a stair stepper. The result is a machine with 20 levels of resistance that delivers full-body, low-impact exercise with an intense calorie-burning workout. Bowflex says that lets you burn more calories in less time for more efficient workouts, and the company cites a study that asserts the M9’s unique motion provides greater upper body muscle activation than traditional ellipticals. Because the M9 is vertical rather than horizontal, it also takes up less space.

The 10-inch color HD touchscreen keeps you informed about your exercise progress and is compatible with the JRNY app—that’s Bowflex’s own subscription service for personalized exercises. You get a free two-month trial with your purchase—and up to four users can work out with their own profile and progress metrics. And don’t forget the matching workout mat, a must for protecting your floors and adding stability to your workouts.

Pros:

• Smaller footprint
• Free workout mat

Cons:

• Can be loud at higher speeds

Dimensions: 80 L x 32 W x 67 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 325 pounds | Stride length: 18 inches

It’s right there in the name. The NordicTrack SE9i is called the SpaceSaver, and it gets that title by folding up like a transformer, storing away vertically when it’s not in use. In other words, it can easily stand unobtrusively in a corner instead of taking up half the room.

But there’s a lot more to this elliptical than just easy storage. Thoughtful ergonomic touches include padded foot pedals that lower the impact of your workout as well as an integrated fan. You get 24 resistance levels and 10 degrees of adjustable incline as well. The seven-inch HD touchscreen is compatible with iFit software, so with a subscription, you can take advantage of live coaches and trainers, and jog your way through courses that take you to gorgeous real-world locations. Meanwhile, the SE9i can automatically change incline and resistance levels based on your route and workout.

Pros:

• Folds up easily
• Good ergonomics

Cons:

• Stride too short for some users

Dimensions: 28 L x 17 W x 57 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 220 pounds | Stride length: 11 inches

Currently priced at less than $200, the portable SF-E905 from Sunny Health & Fitness shows that good quality doesn’t always come with an expensive price tag. This magnetic elliptical enables you to adjust the resistance up to eight levels by simply twisting the controller to customize your workout. The easy-to-read digital monitor lets you keep on top of your effort by displaying the duration, speed, distance, calories and your pulse via the hand sensors on the machine’s arms. 

Large, anti-slip pedals, paired with stabilizers on the base, add a level of safety, while wheels enable you to effortlessly move the elliptical around with a simple tilt and roll. No need for any heavy lifting whether you’re storing it away or breaking it out for another sweat session.

Pros:

• Great price
• Eight resistance levels

Cons:

• Compact stride length
• Very light on features

Dimensions: 83 L x 27 W x 58 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 375 pounds | Stride length: 20 inches

The Sole Fitness E35 has a feature not a lot of other ellipticals can claim: Foot pedals designed in collaboration with physical therapists. The oversized pedals have adjustable foot beds and a two-degree inward slope that reduces ankle and knee stress—a fairly common complaint among other ellipticals. The overall design of the E35 eliminates strain on your knee, hip and ankle joints, turning an ordinarily low-impact workout into essentially a no-impact workout, regardless of which of the 20 resistance levels you choose.

The 7.5-inch display has built-in Bluetooth speakers for connecting your phone or tablet (which has its own handy mount), along with a USB port for powering or charging your device while you workout.

Pros:

• Reduces ankle and knee stress
• Extra low-impact workout

Cons:

Dimensions: 24.5 L x 17 W x 11.38 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 250 pounds | Stride length: N/A

The Stamina Inmotion Elliptical provides any easy way to sneak in a low impact workout anytime, anywhere. This lightweight and ultra portable elliptical works while you’re standing or sitting, meaning you can burn calories, tone lower body muscles and improve cardiovascular health while sitting at your desk or on the couch. 

A dial on the front of the elliptical enables you to increase or decrease the resistance level. A small LCD display shows your total strides, number of striders per minute, calories burned and exercise time so you can pat yourself on the back at the end of your workday (and workout). The non-slip pedals operate in both a forward and reverse direction to target different muscle groups in your lower body. Available in five different colors, the under-desk elliptical includes free access to müüv, the smart audio coaching app, and you can usually find it on sale.

Pros:

• Highly portable
• Can be used while sitting or standing

Cons:

• Takes awhile to catch your balance when standing

Dimensions: 57.5 L x 24.8 W x 62.6 H inches | Maximum user capacity: 285 pounds | Stride length: 15.35 inches

No more tripping over cords or facing your elliptical towards a wall in order to reach the power outlet. The EL520 from Decathlon is self-powered, meaning you can place it wherever you want in the house. Time to enjoy that beautiful view out the window or work up a sweat in the garage away from all the family raucous.

The elliptical tracks six key health metrics—time, distance, speed, calories, cadence and heart rate—via the hand pulse sensors. With nine training programs to add variety to your workouts and a whopping 15 levels of resistance, you won’t miss the main power supply one bit. 

The smart console connects to a variety of fitness apps, and includes a secure pocket for phones and tablets as well as a water bottle holder to keep you hydrated.

Pros:

• Smart connection with phone or tablet
• No outlet or power source required

Cons:

• You create your own resistance

Featuring a heavy-duty steel base, 16 resistance levels and a quiet magnetic drive system, Niceday’s elliptical machine is a rather impressive addition to any home gym, especially when you consider the fact that it’s $279 off. Just be sure to save an extra $80 by clicking the on-page coupon before you checkout.

Before you spend the next few months on the couch, consider picking up Sunny Health & Fitness’ indoor exercise bike. It features an adjustable frame, a 40-pound flywheel and turn-dial resistance to crank up the intensity.

Schwinn’s 810 treadmill is currently 11{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} off, which means you can pick up a treadmill that features 16 workout programs, 10{7b6cc35713332e03d34197859d8d439e4802eb556451407ffda280a51e3c41ac} incline and a top speed of 10 miles per hour, all while saving a little over $100.

Beyond the 4.5/5-star rating and 800-plus reviews, Yosuda’s Magnetic Rowing Machine assembles in minutes and supports up to 350 pounds. The magnetic resistance system eliminates unwanted noise while eight levels of resistance offer plenty of opportunity to boost your cardio.

If you can’t commit to just one workout machine, consider this cardio-boosting combo that pairs the elevated resistance of a stair stepper with the low-impact movements of an elliptical. It’s heavy-duty frame stays planted while pulse-sensing grips monitor key performance metrics.