Elliptical trainers have become extremely popular and in many gyms, there will be queues for their use.
The reason for this is that unlike standard treadmills they can target upper and lower body muscle groups and most importantly they do so with very low impact to leg joints. That is why we recommend them as the ideal training equipment for home use.
Dependent on your personal goals and the layout of your home there are several factors that you need to consider before you make a purchase decision.
The below information will help you make just that decision for buying the best elliptical for home use and will focus your attention on the most important features.
Best Elliptical Machine for Home Use Reviews
1. Best Overall -SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer
Pros
- Coated with a rust-resistant paint finish
- Relatively lightweight compared with others
- Two sets of handlebars
- Designed to support individuals with up to 265 pounds
- The pedals are large enough to accommodate shoes of all sizes
- Side guards on the pedals for additional foot stability
Cons
- Once it has been assembled it does not fold and needs to be carried as a whole
This elliptical machine was released in 2019 and is the best overall. It has an automatic resistance system and features a durable steel frame that is made of thick tubing.
Unlike the elliptical machines released before the SNODE E20i, it is lightweight and has a fully-assembled frame. The machine weighs 77.2 pounds and does not occupy much space making it suitable for both home workouts and gyms.
Its frame is coated with a rust-resistant layer of paint to promote its durability. It has two sets of handlebars, one, which is fixed on the machine, and a second set, which is mobile. The fixed handlebars are attached to the upper part of the machine while the second is connected to the pedals. Despite their lightweight, they are designed to support individuals with up to 265 pounds.
2. Best Compact -Schwinn Elliptical Machine for Home
Pros
- Created in a space-saving design to make it suitable for home use
- Support users with up to 300 pounds
- The pedals are attached to heavy-duty steel bars, which promotes their durability
- Coated with a corrosion-resistant paint to promote its lifespan
- Equipped with stabilizers for the front and rear base bars
Cons
- It does not have an incline system
- Placing a tablet on its tablet holder will cover the console display
This is the best compact elliptical machine. It is designed in a space-saving design with internal elements and a vertical setup. The machine is equipped with a small footprint when compared to other elliptical machines. Its structure is made of steel tubing and corrosion-resistant paint.
The machine weighs approximately 100 pounds, which is more than enough to promote its stability during exercise. It has adjustable stabilizers on both its front and rear base bars. It has two set of handlebars, a mobile, and a fixed pair. This elliptical machine features large pedals that are made of durable ABS material. Its elliptical path is horizontal, which will provide you with a natural motion without the feeling of going upwards or downwards a hill.
3. Best Budget -Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Home Elliptical
Pros
- Support users with up to 220 pounds
- Large foot pedals that can accommodate most feet sizes
- Anti-slip foot pedals, that prevents you from slipping off the machine and makes them safe to use
- A heartbeat monitoring system
- Two sets of handlebars
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The magnetic resistance system makes it slightly heavier than other elliptical machines
This is the best budget elliptical machine with magnetic resistance, which is preferred by many people when compared to air-based resistance. It is a reliable elliptical machine with eight resistance levels, a micro tension controller, and an advanced LCD tracking display.
The elliptical machine has large anti-slip foot pedals that ensure that even individuals with large shoe fittings can comfortably use the machine. It features two sets of handlebars and a heartbeat monitoring system. Plus, it is easy to assemble and can take you approximately two hours to assemble it completely. Note that it has some heavy parts, making it more practical to be assembled by two people.
4. Best Folding -Experpeutic Folding Magnetic Elliptical Trainer
Pros
- Different resistance levels
- Pulse feature
- Easy to assemble within two hours
- It has a weight capacity of 300 pounds making it suitable for a wide range of people
- The handle on the bike is fitted with sensors that allow you to monitor both your pulse and other metrics like calories burned and distance covered
Cons
- Consumers below 5ft 3inches often complain about the seat being too big and uncomfortable for their bodies
This folding magnetic exercise bike is 46’ tall and 31’ long. It weighs 39 pounds and supports a weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is more than most stationary bikes manage. You can easily get on and off the bike. It comes with eight different resistance levels, which can be adjusted with the help of a tension knob, placed directly under the handlebar.
You can easily transition between the resistance levels without noticing any noticeable changes in the machine’s stability. The bike uses a v-belt to connect the pedals instead of a chain drive, which provides a smooth and noise-free workout and ensures that you can enjoy the extra grip on different resistance training levels. The bikes come equipped with a big padded seat that can accommodate most people regardless of their body weight.
5. Best Stepper -Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper
Pros
- Effective cardio workout
- Suitable for people who do not have a lot of space for exercise equipment
- Made with a solid steel material that makes it durable
- Affordable price
Cons
- It does not provide you with a wide range of exercising techniques that would involve all the muscles
This is a piece of compact lightweight exercise equipment that is portable and can fit in your closet or under your desk. It is a great option for home workouts because of its size, convenience, and portability. Additionally, It is a great choice for people who want a cardiovascular workout, but do not have the funds or space to invest or place a traditional elliptical machine.
It allows you to practice different twist actions that promote your stability, while at the same time offering you effective cardiovascular exercise. The material used to create it is heavy-duty steel, which provides years of durability. It has variable resistance and a monitor that displays basic workout statistics. Its resistance options allow you to increase the intensity of your workouts as you become more flexible, while the display monitor makes it easy for you to track your progress and goal setting.
6. Best Powerful -Schwinn 430 Home Elliptical Machine
Pros
- Variation of pre-programmed workouts
- Maximum weight is 300 pounds
- Water bottle holder to ensure the user stays hydrated
- Large cushioned footplates
- USB charging ports keep phones or tablets powered up
- Two fitness test programs for beginners
- It has a goal achievement feature, which enables users to set individual exercise goals by tracking time, distance and calories to compare with previous training sessions
Cons
- It occupies a larger space than other elliptical machines
This is the best powerful elliptical machine and is suitable for individuals with different exercise needs. It has a computer option that includes a dual display, heart rate monitoring system, pre-programmed workouts, and different speed features. It has a high inertia drive system that promotes easy start-up and smooth, quiet workouts.
This elliptical machine has ergonomically situated handlebars for the utmost comfort during exercise. It has 22 programs, which include nine workout profiles, eight heart rate controls, two custom user-defined profiles, two fitness tests, and a quick start. The large padded footplates offer comfort during exercise. Additionally, the machine also features a water bottle holder to ensure that you remain hydrated during your exercise.
7. Best Front Drive -ProForm 520E Elliptical for Home
Pros
- Good for aerobic exercise
- Height adjustment lever to adjust the step height
- Large slip-resistant footplates
- Removable exercise bands
Cons
- A bit expensive
It has a front-drive design. It moves up and down with side-to-side action with the Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper. Our Twister Stepper has an adjustable height control to work your deep muscles without putting extreme pressure on bones and joints. Display monitors total count, time, calories, scan, and count. Adjustable resistance gives you a custom workout.
Heavy-duty steel construction ensures years of use. It has a portable, easy-to-read LCD computer that adds convenience. The exercise bands add an upper-body workout. It has slip-resistant footplates that provide a secure grip. It gives you a great workout without putting a lot of pressure on your bones and joints. Overall, it is a great workout tool for people with different exercise needs.
8. Best for Cardio HIIT -ProFrom Cardio Elliptical Trainer
Pros
- High-intensity interval training
- Multiple HIIT applications programmed into the console to help vary your routines while exercising
- Sturdy and high-quality construction
- Ten-year warranty
Cons
- It does not have padded footplates like other elliptical machines
This elliptical machine is the best for cardio exercises because it enables you to perform high-intensity interval training without the risk of damaging knees and other joints through intensive exercises.
Some people refer to it as the next generation machine because of its efficiency in offering you more comfortable exercise plans that are suitable even for people with injuries. It requires partial assembly after purchase. It has frictional silent magnetic brakes that make it less noisy during exercise. Plus, it moves the trainee through boxing-like motions to amplify their calorie burn.
Benefits of Elliptical Machines
Elliptical machines are great for a low-impact cardio workout, which can be used efficiently for an individual recovering from an injury.
1. Effective for Weight Loss
Individuals interested in losing weight can prolong the time they spend on their elliptical machines to ensure that they burn more calories. Depending on your weight, elliptical machines can help you burn approximately 300 calories within 30 minutes. Individuals who weigh more are likely to burn more calories. Due to their ability to burn calories, elliptical machines can help you lose a specific amount of your body fat and gain muscle mass.
2. Improve Coordination and Balance
If you stand up straight on the elliptical machine and let go of the handles while working out, you will improve your coordination and balance, while at the same time targeting your core muscles.
Maintain fitness: If you cannot participate in heavy lifting exercises for health reasons, you can use an elliptical machine to maintain fitness.
They are also good for stamina development because they build your cardio capacity. When you are involved in aerobic exercise, your lungs and heart work harder to ensure that your muscles receive more oxygen. Elliptical machines allow you to perform aerobic exercises, which can strengthen your lungs and heart muscles and reduce your risks of cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure and stroke.
3. Great for Runners
They put less strain on your joints making them effective for runners suffering from injuries since the foot does not lift from the pedal during exercises. This also makes them effective for athletes who suffered from injuries before and recovered well but cannot get involved in exercises that would strain the muscles where the injury occurred.
They allow you to exercise both your upper and lower body by ensuring that you distribute your weight and resistance evenly while using it. When used well, these machines can target your triceps, core muscles, glutes, hamstrings, chest, quads, and back.
By including an elliptical machine in your fitness routine, you will be able to target different muscles during your workout sessions, while at the same time ensuring that you also participate in your aerobic exercises. Elliptical machines are also great options for people suffering from joint pain or injuries that limit their ability to participate in physical exercises normally.
It can help you strengthen your heart and lungs muscles, thereby reducing your risks of heart diseases, while at the same time boosting your stamina and improving your balance and coordination. While an elliptical machine can offer you a full-body workout, it is important to incorporate other forms of exercises in your routine.
Tips For Choosing Best Elliptical Machine For Home
1. Available Floor Space
The first thing you have to take into account is the layout of your home and especially the room where you will most likely be using your cross-trainer.
Check the available floor space in that room and take some measurements to find out how much available space there is.
Then when you check through different product reviews and specifications filter out those that would not fit on the designated floor space.
You should also allow for space to maneuver and possibly fold away the unit, so make sure you allow for a little more space.
Schwinn 430 is a hot-selling elliptical machine for space-saving, if you like this type of elliptical, see the reviews and price below:
Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine- Under $800
Dual track two LCD window, 22 programs, 2 user settings and goal tracking, 20 levels of resistance aligned, with a high-speed high inertia perimeter weighted flywheel make every workout smooth and quiet.
2. Folded Dimensions
This is extremely important if you intend to store the cross trainer under a bed or in closet space.
If you have a designated room or a garage where this exercise equipment will be permanently assembled then foldability and folded size will not be such important factors.
All product specifications will come with details of the device will fold and what its folded size will be. Make sure you measure the storage space exactly to make sure that it will fit.
There is nothing worse than having a large elliptical machine in a small living space and not able to store it.
The Bestseller elliptical Exerpeutic Folding Elliptical with a stationary handlebar, click for more details of features most people care about:
Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Elliptical Trainer
If you want to see more elliptical trainers, you can go >> Choose Different Elliptical Trainers For Cardio Needs <<
3. Vertical Vs Horizontal Storage
Make sure you check the product specifications about the exact storage instructions. Not all machines will be suitable for vertical storage in a closet and this can be a big disappointment.
The reason is that for vertical storage you will want to see safe handles and ideally wheels that will allow you to easily maneuver the equipment.
Elliptical trainers can be quite heavy so you will need to be sure that it is suitable for your storage space.
4. Weight Of Equipment
The more features you want and the larger the equipment the heavier it will be.
There are some advanced models available specifically for home use that utilize lightweight materials, but these can become very expensive.
The total weight of the equipment is important for you to be able to easily move the device while not in use.
A heavier and bulkier model will be very difficult for an individual to fold and store without the help of another person.
Here you can see the most compact elliptical machines collection: Buy Best Compact Home Ellipticals
5. Weight Capacity
This is something many people completely forget to check before making a purchase.
All exercise equipment will come with certain user weight limits and exceeding this can cause permanent damage to the equipment and also void the warranty.
The total capacity will always be specified by the manufacturer and it is prudent to allow for extra pounds to the upside.
The reason for this is that your weight can fluctuate and especially if you are gaining muscle and losing fat you will actually be gaining weight.
Most of the ellipticals can hold user weight about 200LB ~ 250LB, if you need more the Schwinn 230 may fit you need, it’s user maximum weight is 300 LB.  And there are 350LB weight capacity ProForm Hybrid Trainer and the over 1,000 sales Gazelle Edge elliptical glider for your reference.
ProForm Best Hybrid Elliptical Machine for Home UseÂ
6. Fitness Goals
Deciding what your personal fitness goals are is very important when you check out product reviews.
If you just want something to stay fit during the winter months and only use it a couple of times a week then you likely not need all the added extra features and advanced functionality available.
However, if you have a very specific fitness goal and want to keep detailed track of your progress then it is likely going to be worth investing a bit extra.
In that case, you will want to focus on the control panel and the different types of presets and whether training data is stored for multiple sessions.
Here we select top-rated fitness elliptical machines for you:
7. Exercise Programs
Most devices these days come with at least a couple of exercise programs that essentially are preset intensity modes and training times.
If you need more advanced program modes and the ability to specify your own training intensity, intervals and times, then it is worth investing in some more advanced models available.
At the very high end, you will also find connectivity to heart monitors which will keep detailed data of your training progress over weeks and months.
This data will show how you are improving over time which is a very good motivational factor.
With the above information, you will be much better placed to choose the right elliptical machine for your personal fitness goals and available space at home.
Make sure you keep these in mind when going through product reviews. Let’s see the Top reviewed SNODE Elliptical Machine and Sunny Health & Fitness twister stepper:
SNODE Best Elliptical Machine for Home With Cross Crank
It provides a full-body, low-impact, cardio workout; Forward or backward motion with adjustable resistance; LCD screen displays Speed, Time, Distance, and Calories Burned.
Sunny Health & Fitness Twister Stepper
Compact, surprisingly versatile home fitness device, is essentially a portable elliptical machine with built-in resistance training.
For price and reviews of the top ellipticals, keep reading >>
