The 10 Best Ellipticals for Low-Impact Cardio Workouts at Home
With the weather getting colder, we have indoor cardio workouts in our minds. So unless you’re an avid winter runner, it’s about time you look into the best ellipticals on the market right now (after perusing our guide to the best treadmills, of course). Widely regarded as an essential piece of home fitness equipment, a high-quality elliptical can provide you with a low-impact workout that you can adjust to your desired level of resistance and difficulty. That makes it a great addition to your home gym, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned exerciser. But, as is the case with treadmills, exercise bikes, and other major cardio machines, this is a big purchase that you don't want to rush into—so we consulted personal trainers and fitness experts to get the low down on finding the best elliptical machine for you.
What are the benefits of using an elliptical?
As SELF has previously reported, elliptical workouts are a great alternative to running and high-impact activities: They get your heart rate up without aggravating any injuries or putting stress on your knees. Plus, they can be surprisingly versatile. For example, 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.
Some elliptical models emulate the feel of a stair-stepper, if you really want to give your glutes a workout. And most ellipticals come with an interval training setting, for those who love a quick HIIT session. In short, it’s a great piece of exercise equipment if you want to mix up your home workouts and challenge yourself.
What should you look for in an elliptical?
Fyt personal trainer Carla Baccio, and executive vice president of marketing and branding at Crunch Fitness Chad Waetzig, tell SELF shoppers that they should prioritize their budget and space when looking for a home elliptical. Waetzig says to make sure there’s extra room around your machine of choice, in case its moving parts swing out past its footprint. 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.
Beyond those details, Waetzig says ellipticals for home use don't necessarily need many more 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 with streaming capabilities, 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 activity 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.
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. Baccio recommends making a list of your must-have features before shopping—and we’d recommend perusing our full elliptical buying guide too.
With all that in mind, we’ve highlighted our top picks for the best ellipticals you can order right now from major brands and retailers like Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Schwinn, Sole, Proform, and more. Not only did we consult our experts on their favorites, but we also looked at models that consistently sell and garner glowing reviews from cardio fans like yourself.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1Bowflex Max Total 16
For a high-end option that offers plenty of helpful metrics and live instructor-led classes, Baccio likes the Bowflex Max Total 16. “My favorite feature is that Bowflex includes a heart rate armband with Bluetooth,” she explains, adding that this feature provides real-time heart rate monitoring. Baccio points out that this model functions similarly to a step machine, which will give you a great workout overall.
2Bowflex Max Trainer M6
If you want some of the same elements as the above Max Total 16 at a lower price point, give the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 a try. It's extremely well-reviewed, comes with a one-year membership to JRNY's classes and workouts, has a tablet holder for your devices, and boasts 16 levels of resistance.
3Niceday Elliptical Machine
Baccio points to Niceday's magnetic resistance elliptical as a particularly budget-friendly option, especially if you don't want a machine with smart capabilities or Bluetooth connectivity. “If you are more self-motivated to work out and don't need any extra features, all you need is [a] Niceday Elliptical, a good podcast or video, and you can get a great workout while saving some extra money,” she says.
4Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical
Baccio considers Schwinn to be the maker of some of the best home ellipticals (meaning, well-made ellipticals that don't cost an arm and a leg). She specifically shouts out the ergonomic design of its models, and the 470 elliptical, featured here, is a great example of the brand's high-quality construction. It has 25 levels of resistance and, with an Explore the World subscription ($10 a month or $60 a year), you can stream over 50 global routes on its LCD screen.
5Schwinn 411 Elliptical Machine
Those living in small spaces will love this compact elliptical from Schwinn. It has a streamlined display with the option to enable interval training, it tracks heart rate through handlebar sensors, and it comes with an all-important water bottle holder.
6Cubii JR1 Under Desk Elliptical
We've previously recommended this under-desk elliptical for an easy home workout you can do during the workday. It's whisper-quiet and allows you to watch your progress through its built-in LCD tracker. You also have the option of using the corresponding Cubii app, or even connecting your Fitbit or Apple Health app to the machine.
7Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Portable Under Desk Elliptical Machine
If you like the idea of an under desk exerciser but want to save a little cash, this model from Sunny Health & Fitness is a great choice. Lightweight, low-profile, and equipped with spacious non-slip foot pedals, it's a low-maintenance option for quick weekday workouts.
8Cybex 750A Lower Body Arc Trainer
Waetzig also likes Arc trainers for a twist on the usual elliptical, explaining that they “have a similar feel to the elliptical strides with the addition of incline resistance that you can really feel in that booty.” While this model is designed to target the lower body with the functionality of a climber machine, you can find machines that'll provide a true full-body workout, too.
9Sole E25 Elliptical
With its Bluetooth speakers and USB port, prepare to plug in and tune out all distractions with this popular elliptical from Sole. You'll enjoy a smooth, natural stride on this machine, which features pedals designed by a physical therapist to prevent undue stress on your ankles and knees.
10ProForm Carbon E10 Elliptical
Not only will you get an adjustable stride length, HD touchscreen, and cushioned pedals with this elliptical trainer, but you'll also enjoy a 30-day iFit membership, with access to immersive workouts and training sessions right on your machine. In fact, with iFit, your trainer can control your machine for you and automatically set its resistance for your workout of choice.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
