9 Best Ellipticals for Your Home in 2024

Whether you’re brand new to exercise or a dedicated athlete, the best elliptical machines can be some of the most versatile pieces of home gym equipment you can buy. You can adjust the resistance to handle both lower-intensity workouts and hard-core training sessions. Many of the best ellipticals also let you change up the stride and incline, making the machine more comfortable to use and allowing it to target different muscle groups. Some ellipticals come with handles to get your upper body in on the action too.

Even better is that no matter how intense you make the workout, ellipticals let you exercise with ease. Because your feet stay on the pedals the entire time, you’re not putting as much pressure on your joints as you would on a treadmill, where your feet are constantly pounding the ground. “An elliptical is a nice low-impact option to cross-train or for those who have injuries or bad knees,” certified fitness trainer Lauren Collins, cofounder of SissFit, tells SELF.

But just like with treadmills, exercise bikes, or any other home fitness equipment, this is a big purchase that you don't want to rush into. In addition to consulting a handful of personal trainers and physical therapists to get the lowdown on how to find the best elliptical for you, our team of testers tried out the machines to learn firsthand how they perform and what they actually feel like to use. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking to invest in low-impact cardio at home.

Our top picks for the best elliptical

• Best Elliptical Overall: ProForm Carbon EL
• Best Low-Impact Elliptical: NordicTrack AirGlide 14i
• Best Elliptical for Knee Pain: Teeter Freestep LT1
• Best Value Elliptical: Sole E35 Elliptical
• Best Budget Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Machine
• Best Multi-Use Elliptical: NordicTrack FS10i
• Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro FlexStride Plus Under Desk Elliptical
• Best Elliptical for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59
• Best Elliptical for Smaller Spaces: Bowflex Max Trainer M6

How we tested these elliptical machines

You can browse websites selling the best ellipticals until your eyes lose focus and still not know how well these machines actually perform. To make sure we’re only recommending the absolute best elliptical machines, our team of testers tries out tons of the most popular models so you don’t have to. They consider durability, ergonomics, value, and more. Check out our full fitness-testing methodology for a detailed breakdown of everything they take into account.

Also in this article

• Shop the best ellipticals
• What are the benefits of an elliptical?
• What to look for when shopping for an elliptical
• Ellipticals versus treadmills
• Choosing the right resistance level on an elliptical
• FAQs

• Features up to 20 degrees of incline
• Has an adjustable stride
• Is under $800
• Auto-adjusts during trainer-led workouts

• Requires your phone or tablet to stream iFit classes
• Difficult to assemble, according to reviewers
• No heart rate monitoring

Why we picked it: We’re guessing you work hard for your money, so if you’re putting your cash toward one of the best ellipticals, you want each dollar to go as far as possible. In terms of function and value, it’s hard to beat the ProForm Carbon EL. It brings you low-impact workouts you can rely on and top-tier machine customizations for less than $800.

Our fave features: You’ve got plenty of options to adjust the stride, resistance, and incline levels. And if you don’t want to bother the neighbors or wake sleeping children at home, don’t worry: Our testers say this machine barely makes a sound. Though the flywheel (the large rotating wheel that controls the elliptical’s resistance level) is on the lighter side at 15 pounds, our testers didn’t feel unbalanced or unstable but rather found the ride to be smooth as butter.

Just so you know: ProForm can pull all this off at a lower price point because the machine doesn’t include a fancy built-in touchscreen. Instead, the console has a shelf to hold your phone and tablet, which you can connect via Bluetooth to stream iFit workouts. When you then follow along with an iFit trainer, the Carbon EL adjusts your resistance automatically. Just be aware that you’ll need to purchase an iFit subscription (from $15 per month) after your 30-day free trial runs out in order to take advantage of this feature.

Dimensions: 68.5"L x 25"W x 67.75"H | Resistance levels: 18 | Stride length: 19" adjustable | Weight capacity: 275 lb. | Warranty: 10-year frame, 1-year parts and labor

Best Low-Impact Elliptical: NordicTrack AirGlide 14i

• Has decline as well as incline options
• Features a large tilt-and-pivot touchscreen
• Auto-adjusts during trainer-led workouts
• Sturdy, according to reviewers

• On the more expensive side
• Doesn’t have a shelf for your phone or tablet
• Noisy when changing incline
• Has a larger footprint

Why we picked it: Although all ellipticals give you a low-impact workout, this one allows you to tailor the settings to your exact preferred levels so the path of the pedals feels good on your body, even if your knees or hips are a little creaky. You can adjust the incline up to 15% and down to -5%—a rare feature on ellipticals—and stride length from 17.5 inches to 18. 5 inches. You can also choose from a whopping 26 different resistance levels to get the intensity just right for your home workout.

Our fave features: You can take advantage of iFit’s interactive programming on the 14-inch touchscreen. An iFit membership (starting from $15 per month after a 30-day trial) grants you access to trainer-led classes—and the machine will auto-adjust the settings for you during the workout. We also especially love the Google Maps integration, which allows you to virtually take your workout to a particular destination, and the incline will adjust with the terrain changes while your screen shows the street view.

It might seem like a small detail, but one worth calling out: Justin C. Lin, DPT, CSCS, medical director at Rehab and Revive Pain and Wellness Center in California, tells SELF he prefers ellipticals like this one with pedals that have a lip behind the feet “so you can dig your heels in.” This can help you really fire up that whole posterior chain in the backs of your legs.

Just so you know: This machine is on the pricier side (particularly when you factor in the cost of iFit), and it takes up almost six feet of floor space. But our testers found that with a robust 32-pound flywheel and stabilizing steel frame, this home elliptical offers gym-worthy durability. In testing, it stayed sturdy and smooth, no matter how wild our workouts got.

Dimensions: 69"L x 25"W x 71"H | Resistance levels: 26 | Stride length: 17.5–18.5" | Weight capacity: 300 lb. | Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor

Best Elliptical for Knee Pain: Teeter Freestep LT1

• Handles rotate, so you can target various upper body muscles
• Includes access to trainer-led workouts on free Teeter Move app
• Comfortable for a variety of body types, according to reviews
• Users report it’s easy to assemble

• Console can be hard to read in low lighting, according to reviews
• Doesn’t include a heart rate monitor
• Can get noisy

Why we picked it: If you need to take pressure off your knee joints, you might want to check out this seated option from Teeter. For a full-body workout, you can use the machine’s handles to pump your arms while you pedal—and you can rotate their positioning to target different muscles. Dr. Lin says this type of seated elliptical machine can be a solid option if you want to “get the blood moving” with some light, easy exercise.

Our fave features: This elliptical comes with access to the Teeter Move app, which offers trainer-led workouts designed specifically for this machine. A well-placed media rack makes it easy to set up your phone or tablet to follow along.

Just so you know: We think the Teeter’s console is pretty basic and some reviewers say it can be difficult to read in low light—but that’s not a problem if you’re streaming a workout on your personal device.

Who it’s for: While the machine can certainly get your heart pumping, Lin points out you won’t get quite as powerful of a workout as you would on an upright elliptical. But it’s a great alternative if you experience knee pain, have certain mobility issues, or if standing isn’t a good option for you. As Caleb Kinney-Woods, a personal trainer for Life Time fitness clubs, tells SELF, “any movement is good movement.”

Dimensions: 55.3"L x 38"W x 52.5"H | Resistance levels: 13 | Stride length: 18" | Weight capacity: 300 lb. | Warranty: 2-year structural, 1-year mechanical/electrical parts

Best Value Elliptical: Sole E35 Elliptical

• Has ergonomically angled pedals
• Features 20 incline and 20 resistance levels
• Rides smooth and quiet
• Includes a lifetime frame and flywheel warranty

• Has a large footprint
• Can’t adjust the stride length
• Heavy, relative to other options
• Difficult to assemble, according to reviewers

Why we picked it: Although the Sole E35 costs more than a number of other ellipticals we’re tested, we believe you’re truly getting a good value for your money (if you’re working with a bigger budget). The hefty 25-pound flywheel gives the machine an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride, and our testers say they felt stable on it. But that’s just the beginning of why we think it offers bang for your buck.

Who it’s for: A physical therapist collaborated with Sole to design the pedals, which have a two-degree inward slope to make your workout as ergonomic as possible by removing some stress on the ankles and knees. And users with extra-long legs will appreciate the generous 20-inch stride. “People who are a little bit taller, they want a higher stride length,” Kinney-Woods points out.

Our fave features: Aside from the solid machinery, you also get plenty of “extras” that make your workout more fun (and pleasant): a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Wi-Fi, built-in Bluetooth-connected speakers, a wireless charger to easily keep your devices juiced up, a cooling fan, and a water bottle holder. The E35 also comes with access to the free Sole+ App, which offers hundreds of workouts to follow.

Just so you know: You’ll want to have a dedicated area at home for this big boy to live. It takes up nearly six feet of floor space, and at 211 pounds, you won’t want to be dragging it from room to room regularly. But if you’ve got the spot and budget for it, the E35 and its fancy features will make you feel like you’re sweating it out at a fancy fitness club. All that’s missing is the eucalyptus-scented towel.

Dimensions: 70"L x 31"W x 70"H | Resistance levels: 20 | Stride length: 20" | Weight capacity: 350 lb. | Warranty: Lifetime frame and flywheel, 2-year parts and wear, 1-year labor

Best Budget Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Machine

• Under $400
• Heart rate monitors on handles
• Quiet, according to testers
• Lightweight but sturdy

• Reviewers say it’s difficult to assemble
• Low max weight limit
• No touchscreen or included workouts

Why we picked it: You don’t need to fork over your life savings to get one of the best elliptical machines for your home. This cordless option from Sunny Health & Fitness brings low-impact cardio right into your home gym for less than $400.

Our fave features: This machine ticks the boxes of what you really need to get in a good workout: Our testers found that it’s plenty stable and stays quiet no matter how high you crank up the intensity (you get eight resistance levels to choose from, which are easy to change via a knob on the front). Plus, with transport wheels and a relatively light weight of 86.5 pounds, it’s easy to scooch it into a corner when you’re not using it.

Just so you know: With this budget-friendly elliptical, you don’t get bells and whistles like a touchscreen or built-in workouts. Although there is a spot to stash your phone or tablet, there isn’t even a water bottle holder. The fanciest feature is the heart rate monitor on the handles (though some reviewers question its accuracy).

Dimensions: 58"L x 22"W x 68"H | Resistance levels: 8 | Stride length: 18" | Weight capacity: 220 lb. | Warranty: 3-year frame, 180-day parts

Best Multi-Use Elliptical: NordicTrack FS10i

• An extra-long 32-inch stride and 0 to 10% incline can mimic running or stair climbing
• Has an HD touchscreen
• Compatible with iFit
• Incline and resistance auto-adjust during workouts

• At 284 pounds, it’s not easy to move
• Expensive
• You have to press buttons hard for them to respond

Why we picked it: You’re not alone if the thought of ellipticals trigger memories of monotonous gym visits. Being able to mix things up can make your workouts way more engaging, and this versatile trainer from NordicTrack has you covered, whether you’re looking for endurance, interval training, or stairs.

Who it’s for: Capable of a super-long 32-inch stride, even the tallest member of your family will be able to open up and feel like they’re running (just with low-impact landings, of course—you don’t actually take your feet off the pedals). Or, if you’re training for a big hike, you can adjust the incline up to 10% to turn the machine into more of a stair stepper. Want to switch between HIIT and zone 2 cardio? Well, you’ve got 24 resistance levels to make sure that intensity’s exactly where you want it.

Our fave features: This machine comes with a 10-inch touchscreen, which can stream thousands of iFit workouts. (Though you have to pay extra for an iFit subscription, which starts at $15 per month). The FS10i auto-adjusts the intensity and incline for you during those workouts so you don’t have to think about anything but putting in the work.

Just so you know: Our testers did find this machine to be a little clunky when they were switching from longer strides to more vertical hikes; it takes a little while for the pedals to catch up with what you’re trying to do. But once you get in a groove, it eventually gets the memo and lets you change workouts without needing to switch machines.

Dimensions: 58.5"L x 29.5"W x 74"H | Resistance levels: 24 | Stride length: 32" (adjustable) | Weight capacity: 375 lb. | Warranty: 10-year frame

Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro FlexStride Plus Under Desk Elliptical

• Short enough to fit under a desk
• Reviewers report it’s notably sturdy
• Has a lifetime warranty
• Features Bluetooth connectivity

• At 26.5 pounds, can be hard for those with mobility issues to move
• Some reviewers report difficulty with assembly
• Can get noisy over time

Why we picked it: If you want to sneak in some strides during never-ending Zoom meetings, consider the FlexStride Plus your secret weapon; it can get your legs pumping without your coworkers knowing a thing. This under-desk elliptical is generally pretty quiet according to reviewers. And even though you’re sitting, it offers eight levels of resistance, so you can challenge yourself to an interval workout or simply to pedal as hard and fast as you can handle.

Who it’s for: Since you can use this elliptical while seated, it’s ideal for people with mobility issues looking for gentle, accessible ways to get their legs moving and raise their heart rate. Although pedaling your legs underneath your desk while you multitask won’t give you as much of a challenge as a dedicated workout on an upright elliptical, “it's great to do something,” Collins says. “If that is all you feel like you can commit to, then absolutely go for it.”

Our fave features: According to reviewers, the FlexStride Plus is an incredibly sturdy machine that doesn’t bounce around under your feet. It even comes with a floor mat to make sure it doesn’t slip. While you pedal, the LCD display in the center of the machine shows your strides and distance, and you can also use its Bluetooth connectivity to track your workouts on a third-party app on your phone.

Just so you know: Some reviewers report that the FlexStride Plus may start to squeak after lots of use. Thankfully, it comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can get a replacement if it’s malfunctioning.

Dimensions: 22.7"L × 18.5"W × 12.9"H | Resistance levels: 8 | Stride length: 18" | Weight capacity: 350 lb. | Warranty: Lifetime

Best Elliptical for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59

• Stable
• USB-charging port
• Bluetooth-connected speakers
• Lifetime frame warranty

• Can’t adjust incline
• No touchscreen
• Light 14-pound flywheel

Why we picked it: When you’re a newbie to elliptical workouts, you don’t want to hop on the machine and feel it jerking and wobbling around with every stride. The Horizon Fitness EX-59 surprised our testers by how sturdy it felt, given the budget-friendly price point and relatively light 14-pound flywheel. It’s also designed to let you easily stream workouts (or Love Island—we don’t judge) from your own tablet or phone, thanks to a convenient device-holder with a USB-charging port and Bluetooth-connected speakers.

Our fave features: Testers say the 18-inch stride is comfortable, even for folks with longer legs. While the console itself isn’t super fancy, it does offer five preset programs and one-touch buttons to easily change the resistance.

Just so you know: You can’t change the incline on this elliptical to shake up the muscles you’re targeting. You also don’t get a touchscreen here, but we don’t think that’s shocking (or a deal-breaker), given the price.

Dimensions: 74"L x 25"W x 64.5"H | Resistance levels: 10 | Stride length: 18" | Weight capacity: 300 lb. | Warranty: Lifetime (frame), 1-year (brake, parts, labor)

Best Elliptical for Smaller Spaces: Bowflex Max Trainer M6

• Has a compact footprint
• Upright design mimics climbing stairs
• Features 16 levels of resistance
• Comes with access to some JRNY workouts (Bowflex’s digital fitness platform)

• Doesn’t have a touchscreen
• Not ideal for low-intensity cardio
• Warranty only covers two years

Why we picked it: If you don’t have a ton of space for a cardio machine at home, but you still want to build out your home gym, you need to know about this compact wonder. At less than four feet long, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is more vertical than horizontal.

Who it’s for: Because of its upright-leaning construction, you may feel more like you’re using a stair stepper than something meant to resemble a typical running stride—which is great for anyone jonesing for higher-intensity elliptical workouts. One of our testers says she was out of breath in every single workout she did on the machine.

As SELF previously reported, stair climbing gives you a major cardiovascular challenge while strengthening your lower body. “You're going to work more of that posterior chain—your deep calf muscles, your hamstrings, your glutes,” Dr. Lin says. He says this is ideal, since most of us are quad-dominant with weaker hamstrings and glutes thanks to all the time we spend sitting.

Just so you know: There’s no high-tech touchscreen on this machine, so you’ll need your own tablet or phone to use the connected JRNY workouts. And while Bowflex offers access to the “essential” workouts on the JRNY app, you’ll need to spring for a subscription ($99 a year) for the full library.

Dimensions: 46"L x 26"W x 64.2"H | Resistance levels: 16 | Weight capacity: 300 lb. | Warranty: 2 years

As nearly any trainer will tell you, elliptical workouts are a great alternative to running and other high-impact activities: They increase your heart rate without aggravating injuries or putting stress on your knees. “You can get a lot of the same benefits that you can get from running on the elliptical as long as you’re doing the correct workouts and challenging yourself in the right ways,” Collins says.

Plus, the elliptical can be surprisingly versatile. You can work muscle groups in your lower body and upper body at the same time if you use the handlebars as much as the foot pedals. “It's a full-body workout—great for your legs, good for your arms, core, all of it,” Collins says.

To really make the most of an elliptical workout, Collins recommends cranking up the resistance and speed for an interval training session. That way, even though it’s low impact, you can use the elliptical to hit high intensities. “Intervals are going to be the best way to challenge yourself,” she says.

So how can you make sure your home elliptical doesn’t end up becoming an expensive clothes hanger? Experts have tips:

For starters, you’ll want to consider your space. Executive vice president of marketing and branding at Crunch Fitness Chad Waetzig tells SELF shoppers to make sure there’s extra room around your machine of choice, in case its moving parts swing out past its footprint.

You can also take features like incline, resistance, and stride length range into consideration—some models are more adjustable than others. And those who have housemates or live in apartments may need to find an elliptical that's on the quieter side. Details like fans and water bottle holders can also make for a more comfortable workout.

Fyt personal trainer Carla Baccio recommends making a list of your must-have features before shopping—and we’d recommend perusing our full elliptical buying guide too.

As far as preloaded workout programs go, Waetzig says a good elliptical should have hills, intervals, and a manual setting, at the very least. Baccio notes that it’s also nice to have a machine that tracks your steps and offers heart rate monitoring.

Collins recommends considering the handles. Stationary ones make it easier to get on and off the machine safely, while moveable handles can help you get in a more full-body workout if you really focus on pushing and pulling them.

Waetzig says ellipticals for home use don’t necessarily need many bells and whistles. When you have access to Netflix and the rest of your home streaming services, you might not need an elliptical with internet connectivity and a huge LCD display, he says as an example. But if you are interested in smart home gym equipment, Waetzig says to seek out machines that are compatible with your fitness tracker. “Finding equipment that can connect to your Apple Watch or Fitbit is a great motivator. Seeing the numbers displayed without breaking your stride really can be an encouraging thing,” he says.

Although you can get a great workout on either a treadmill or an elliptical, the latter will put less stress on your joints since you never take your feet off of the pedals. “Personally, I invested in an elliptical before a treadmill because of the option for low-impact cross-training,” Collins says. “It's a lot easier to get outside to run or find a hill in your neighborhood or jump on a track.”

Dr. Lin also points out that even though you can walk or run on a treadmill, the mechanics of the belt moving below you don’t exactly mimic what it takes to walk or run outside. “You're taking that belt underneath your foot and pulling it, whereas when you're on land, you're pushing the ground instead of pulling. [It’s] a little different action,” he says. However, most ellipticals require you to push the pedals, which gets the glutes and hamstrings firing in a healthy way.

To simulate a running motion on an elliptical even more, Collins recommends letting go of the handles (as long as you feel safe enough), and swinging your arms like you would when you’re running. “It's a little bit more natural,” she says, adding that this option can be especially useful for runners who “are trying to use it for cross-training or are injured and really want to focus on keeping their running motion going.”

It can be tough to figure out the exact resistance to use on an elliptical since the levels vary from machine to machine—Collins points out that you can’t just plug in 8 miles an hour and know the exact intensity like you would on a treadmill. Instead, you have to carefully tune in to your effort level.

The “right resistance” ultimately depends on the kind of cardio workout you’re after. For general aerobic conditioning, Dr. Lin suggests aiming for an effort level that’s around a moderate four or five on a scale of one to 10. For a HIIT workout, Collins recommends alternating between one minute hard and one minute easy, 10 times. During the hard minute, try to hit what she calls your “work pace” (”feel like you're pushing yourself, but it's not an all-out sprint,” she says), then during the easy minute, decrease the resistance and your speed enough to let your body recover and get your breath back under control.

We have answers to some of the most common questions about picking the best elliptical for your home.

The prices of ellipticals range widely. Some budget-friendly options, like the Sunny Health and Fitness Elliptical Trainer, are less than $400. But if you want a high-end, commercial-grade elliptical with top-notch technology, you’ll be paying closer to $2,000.

The exact muscles that get worked when you’re training on an elliptical depends somewhat on the design and settings on the machine, such as the stride length, resistance, and incline, and whether it includes moving handles, which will engage your upper body. But generally, Collins says the calves, quads, hamstrings, and glutes are activated. “When you're really grinding through a hard interval, I would say you’re engaging your core,” she adds. And if you’re pushing handles, your biceps, shoulders, and chest can get a workout too.

Although Dr. Lin says cycling is a great way to get your heart rate up, an elliptical can give you more functional fitness that better translates to daily life for many folks, since you stand on it upright. “Most of us sit for a living, right?” Kinney-Woods adds, pointing out that on a bike, folks who spend their days at a desk can end up remaining in that hunched-shoulders, flexed lower back position during their workouts. Switching to an upright posture, if it's accessible to you, can help reduce back and neck pain and improve your balance over time. It’s also easier to hit more muscle groups on an elliptical. “You're getting that full body instead of just working your lower body,” Collins says. (Though of course you could always add dumbbells to a cycling workout.)

If you’re someone who doesn’t walk or stand and you are able to cycle, it’s a great option for aerobic activity.

The best ellipticals can give you a great workout. But Kinney-Woods warns against relying on this machine as your only form of exercise. “If I have a client who uses the elliptical as their primary form of cardio, that’s great—it allows you to work different zones that you might not be able to do when you‘re walking or running,” he says. “But I want to make sure that there is still at least a day where they're getting out there and getting some true impact exercise to make sure that they’re keeping the integrity of their muscular and skeletal structure.” If you’re not sure how to switch things up outside elliptical training, check out a free fitness app for coached workouts.

An elliptical machine will put less strain on your joints than walking because your feet stay on the pedals the entire time. Even so, Kinney-Woods recommends getting in regular walks too. “Even for someone who wants to have low impact and may use the elliptical as their mainstay, they still want to get out and do some walking,” he says. Not only does science show that higher impact exercise can help keep our bones healthy, but also walking is simply an essential skill to maintain for our day-to-day life.

With reporting from Sara Coughlin.