The 11 Best Elliptical Machines, Tested and Reviewed

Dimensions: 15.04″ W x 41.54″ L x 23.82″ H | Resistance: 16 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: No | Bluetooth connectivity: No | Additional membership required: No

Calling all low(er) maintenance mover and peeps on the market for an easy-to-use machine, you should check out the Niceday Classic Elliptical Machine. This moderately-priced, no-fuss option has an incredibly intuitive display and a monitor that requires no learning curve. To use it, you simply step onto the ergonomically designed footpads and get moving, which means you can spend more time fitnessing and less time fiddling with buttons. Sure, it may not have the same high-tech capabilities of other ellipticals, but it does have 16 different resistance levels, two different grip options (one movable, one stagnant), and is incredibly quiet. With a 400-pound weight limit, it can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Dimensions: 30.5″ W x 49.2″ L x 65.1″ H | Resistance: 20 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: No

If you get bored doing the same ol’ thing day after day, the BowFlex Max Trainer M9 is here to your rescue. This high-end elliptical is able to offer a wide range of workouts through its built-in JRNY platform, which provides personalized coaching and an extensive library of digital workouts and classes. Simply hook the machine up to wi-fi, browse the workout library, then select which climbing, interval, strength, or floor workout you want to do. During workouts that involve moving between the 20 different resistance levels, you’ll love the dial resistance knob which allows you to increase or decrease the challenge without pressing an arrow button one million times.

Dimensions: 29.25″ W x 52″ L x 66.7″ H | Resistance: 24 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes, over 50 | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: After 3 years, yes

If you’re looking for a way to marry your love of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with the low-impact elliptical, the Perform Plus Carbon HIIT H10 should be your pick. Each time you hop on our gold medalist, you’ll select a class led by an iFit trainer where you’ll be led through a 10 to 60 minute workout straight from the built-in 10-inch touchscreen. Once your “studio” class is underway, the machine will automatically adjust its resistance level (there are 24 options total) to align with the instructor’s cues, which means you can spend more time getting your burn on, and less time fiddling with buttons. (Pro tip for the hikers reading this: Try a hiking class, which allows you to climb mountains virtually). Notably for people living in small spaces, this elliptical is shorter than most of the other options on this list making it ideal for apartment-owners. 

Dimensions: 30.5″ W x 46.9″ L x 65.2″ H | Resistance: 16 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: No

The love-child of a stair climber and elliptical, the BowFlex Max Trainer SE is here to help you reach new fitness heights without taking up too much space. Just 49 inches long, you do not stride on this machine, so much as you climb on it. However, you can perform a wide variety of high-intensity workouts through the JRNY platform, which can be accessed through a phone app. You can also hit a lower-intensity or recovery movement session on this machine—simply prop your phone or Kindle up on the sturdy device stand, and opt for an easier resistance level (there are 16 resistance options total). 

Dimensions: 23.5” W x 50” L x 62” H | Resistance: 8 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: No | Bluetooth connectivity: No | Additional membership required: No

Ringing up one-tenth the price of most ellipticals, The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine is a great option for exercisers a budget, as well as anyone who wants to make sure they’ll actually use an elliptical at home before investing in a pricier model. In addition to being cost-effective, this elliptical is compact, durable and can reliably facilitate a serious sweat. The combination of movable arms and 8 resistance level options allow you to get in a full-body workout right from home. Notably, unlike pricier ellipticals which allow you to stream workout classes or Bluetooth connect to your music, the simple monitor on this device only shows calories burned, speed, distance traveled, time, and pulse. 

Dimensions: 23.2” W x 40” L x 60.8” H | Resistance: 8 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: No

The Sunny Health & Fitness Performance Interactive Series Elliptical is as friendly on your wallet as it is on your joints. Unlike other affordable ellipticals on the market which can feel janky and stinky, this machine allows you to stride naturally and smoothly. The machine offers 8 different resistance levels which range from easy to intermediate, making it a sound choice for beginners as well as individuals who don’t foresee themselves wanting to slog through more-strenuous climbs. Notably, this compact cardio machine is lighter-weight (just 100 pounds) and has built in wheels. This allows you to easily move the machine around your living space, which is ideal for people whose home gym doubles as an office, bedroom, or all of the above.

Dimensions: 31″ W x 70″ L x 70″ H | Resistance: 20 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes, 10 | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: No

If you like to get your workout in when your newborn is napping, or you live in an apartment complex where quiet is key, the SOLE E35 should be your pick. The quiet and smooth operation of this device makes it a great choice for parents as well as those living with roommates or in thin-walled condo complexes. The machine allows you to adjust both the incline and resistance levels, which allows you to challenge different muscle groups, as well as keep your body or brain from getting bored. 

Dimensions: 30.8″ W x 49.3″ L x 65.7″ H | Resistance: 20 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: No

The Bowflex Max Total 16 is as close as you’ll get to a Peloton on the elliptical. Thanks to the built-in JRNY integration, you can stream trainer-led workouts to the 16-inch touchscreen. The workout library contains hundreds of classes designed specifically for the machine, which gives you the boutique trainer vibe right from home. On days you’re craving a slow-and-go, steady-state cardio flow, you can also hook your Netflix or Hulu account up to the screen. Trust, nothing will distract you from the burn of heavy resistance quite like watching Love Is Blind or The Bear. 

Dimensions: 25″ W x 69″ L x 71″ H | Resistance: 22 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: No | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: Yes

The NordicTrack AirGlide 7i Elliptical is smoother than your skin after an Everything Shower. No matter which of the 22 resistance levels or iFit on demand workouts you enjoy, you’ll be able to slide and glide with your natural stride. Best, the iFIT workouts call on AutoAdjust™ technology, which enables your AirGlide Elliptical to adjust speed and incline automatically throughout the trainer-led workouts so you don’t have to stop and blunder with bottoms. Oh, and the pedals are cushioned and oversized which helps support the health and longevity of your joints. 

Dimensions: 33.9″ W x 58.1″ L x 68″ H | Resistance: 25 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: Yes | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: Yes

The Schwinn® 490 Elliptical can effectively target and strengthen every muscle in your lower and upper body. Not only does this compact machine offer 25 resistance options, it also allows you to select between 15 degrees of incline and 5 degrees of decline options. On days you’re craving a go-go-go cardio workout keep your incline neutral and resistance under 10, while on days you’re looking to blast your lower-body muscles you can ramp up the resistance and climb your way towards glute gains. In addition to leading yourself through a workout, you can also select one of the 13 different pre- programmed hill and interval workouts. Or, you can power the JRNY app up on your phone or tablet and get access to a library of trainer-led workouts on and off the machine. 

Dimensions: 25″ W x 69″ L x 71″ H | Resistance: 22 levels | Pre-programmed workouts: No | Bluetooth connectivity: Yes | Additional membership required: Yes

Fact: You’re not going to use an exercise machine that feels janky and awkward to use. Ergonomically designed with your natural movement patterns in mind, The NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical is as comfortable a machine as you’ll find—which means you’ll actually want to use it. The machine features movable handles that you can hold anywhere along their length for a full-body workout,  as well as stagnant grips you can grab when your arms fatigue, or when lower-body is your focus. Further, you can adjust the ramp between a negative five degree decline and 15 degree incline, as well as choose between 22 different resistance levels. When you take a trainer-led class through the iFit streaming platform (membership required), the machine will automatically adjust these controls based on the trainers cues so you can spend more time sweating and less time switching levels.