Elliptical machines burn tons of calories, reduce stress on joints and increase stamina, which is why many people want one for their home. Choosing the best elliptical machine for home use can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered. We looked at thousands of reviews for over 100 elliptical models to come up with 5 of our favorite elliptical machines for home use. When selecting our top 5 picks we took into account size, noise level, features, price and durability.
Use the guide below to find a top rated elliptical machine that fits the requirements of your home, the needs of your workout plan and the size of your budget. In the list below we start with the most luxurious elliptical model and finish with the most budget friendly.
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Best Elliptical Machines for Home
Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine
The Sole Fitness E35 is a luxury elliptical machine. It has all the features you want and probably some that you didn’t know you wanted (but will love). This is a serious elliptical machine, built to last, supporting up to 375 lbs. The E35 Elliptical operates smoothly on four rollers (which also makes it more stable) and is relatively quiet. It features two different heart rate monitors (grip and chest strap) and comes with a built in sound system, fan and water bottle holder.
The E35 comes with a 7.5 inch LCD display that shows you all of the data points you could ever want and has both power incline and stride with conveniently located adjustment buttons. There are 6 standard workout programs and you can also set 2 custom programs. You can’t go wrong with the E35 Elliptical. It has everything.
| Things we like |
| Durable and Solid Lifetime Warranty on Frame Five Year Warranty on Electronics Supports up to 375 LBS Dual Heart Rate Monitors Over-sized Pedals Built In Speakers and Fan Smooth and Quiet |
| Things we don’t like |
| Somewhat Expensive Assembly Required Heavy |
Schwinn 470 Compact Elliptical Machine
The Schwinn 470 Compact Elliptical is a full featured machine, offering almost everything you would expect on a commercial machine, in a compact form factor that is perfect for home use. Schwinn makes high quality products that stand the test of time. One of the coolest features of the Schwinn 470 is the workout programs it offers. Sync your Schwinn 470 with the free Run Social App and run alongside real people from all over the world in real-time. An adjustable fan keeps you cool while built-in speakers allow you to play your favorite audio via Bluetooth connection.
This is a fun elliptical machine. The interactivity and training programs are highly motivational – and the social aspect is incredibly cool. There are 29 workout programs in total, and the machine provides 25 levels of resistance so you can continue to push yourself as you advance. The Dual-LCD display is awesome, providing all the data points you need with separate push button controls below so you can change things up at your leisure. The Schwinn 470 Elliptical is a fantastic option for home use.
| Things we like |
| Extremely Quiet Fun to Use Smooth Operation Motorized Incline Bluetooth Speakers Built in Fan 29 Workout Programs Dual LCD Displays 25 Resistance Levels |
| Things we don’t like |
| Small LCD Assembly Required Relatively Heavy |
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
The Schwinn 411 is a simplified version of the higher end Schwinn models. It’s still a high quality elliptical that operates smoothly and quietly. Although this model does not have power incline, it requires much less floor space and still offers 18 inches of stride with 16 levels of resistance. It tracks all of the essentials, including heart rate, speed, time, distance and calories.
If you’re looking for a high quality elliptical workout experience in your home but space is a key consideration – the Schwinn 411 Elliptical offers a fantastic balance of features and space saving size. The machine comes in a large box and does require assembly. Elliptical machines are notorious for taking a couple hours to assemble – so if you don’t feel like spending that kind of time putting it together, we highly recommend paying the extra fee to have it assembled.
| Things we like |
| Competitively Priced Compact Design Saves Space Quiet Operation Push Button Resistance Change |
| Things we don’t like |
| No Power Incline Assembly Can Be Time Consuming |
Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Machine
The Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical is a compact and sturdy machine that is budget priced. The digital monitor tracks speed, distance, pulse, time and calories. If you are trying to add an elliptical machine to your home gym setup without breaking the bank or taking up too much space – the Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical is a great option.
In spite of its budget price, the Ancheer offers 8 levels of resistance adjustment with smooth and quiet operation. One of the advantages of this machine over some of the heavier duty models is – you can actually move it. It also has wheels for easier portability should you need to move it. The Ancher Magnetic Elliptical supports users up to 350 LBS and features large, non-slip pedals so your feet don’t come off when you’re working out. Overall, a great addition to any home gym at a fraction of the price of other Elliptical models.
| Things we like |
| Quiet Compact 8 Levels of Adjustment Easily Movable |
| Things we don’t like |
| No Power Incline Shorter Stride Than Larger Models |
Doufit Elliptical Machine
The Doufit Elliptical is a very basic elliptical that offers reliable, low-impact striding for users up to 264 LBS. It tracks all the essentials with a small digital display. (speed, time, heart rate, distance and calories). It has a relatively small footprint, making it a good option for rooms with limited space. With 8 levels of resistance adjustment, it offers a great range of resistance while cutting some of the more expensive features such as power incline, to achieve a much lower price tag.
This is an affordable, compact Elliptical that is built well and gets great reviews. It operates quietly and doesn’t take up a lot of space. The machine is also relatively light and comes with wheels to make moving it a breeze. It’s soft on the knees and pocketbook. A great choice for any home.
| Things we like |
| Quiet Compact 8 Levels of Adjustment Easily Movable Sleek Design |
| Things we don’t like |
| No Power Incline Shorter Stride Than Larger Models |
What to Look for When Buying an Elliptical Machine for Your Home
When buying a rowing machine for your home, here are some key factors to consider:
Features
If you’re used to using a commercial grade elliptical at the gym, you’ll want to carefully consider the features of an elliptical for your home. Higher end models are usually very comparable what you would find at the gym, offering power incline, all pertinent tracking options and a long stride.
Size / Floor Footprint
Depending on the size of your living space – you’ll want to consider that Elliptical Machines take up a large amount of floor space and generally do not fold up. If you’ve got space to spare, go wild – but if you’re working with limited floor space, consider the amount of space it will consume in your home. Additionally, when dealing with compact elliptical models, be sure to check the stride length, as many compact models have reduced stride length.
Noise Level
Most elliptical machines operate very quietly, but it’s still good to know what typically makes for a quiet operating machine. The ones that tend to operate the quietest are belt driven, magnetic resistance elliptical machines. Some of the older models that utilize fans and other resistance mechanisms can be loud, but most newer models are quiet. If silent operation is a necessity, avoid “Fan Ellipticals”.
Adjustability
Equally as important as durability is your elliptical machine’s ability to grow with you. Some models don’t offer any resistance, and they are often referred to as “gliders”. If you’re looking for a machine that can offer an ever increasing workout difficulty, make sure the one you choose provides plenty of room for increasing resistance as desired.
Interactivity
Part of why people go to the gym is to exercise with other people. It’s motivational. Many Elliptical Machines can give you that same feeling of interactivity in the comfort of your own home. If this is important to you, make sure your machine can interface with the Run Social mobile app, which will allow you to run alongside others in real-time. Some machines even allow you to run through virtual settings and chart your course on a map. You no longer have to feel alone when you’re working out at home!
Stride Length
This typically goes hand in hand with the size of the machine. If you like to take long strides, or you’re a taller person – you’ll want to consider the stride length of the elliptical machine you choose. To avoid disappointment, make sure the machine you purchase offers sufficient stride length, especially if you are over 6 feet tall. If you’re on the shorter side, you’ll want to make sure that the stride isn’t too long for you, and a compact model might be a good option.
Final Thoughts
Elliptical machines are great to have at home. Even when the weather outside is fantastic, it’s difficult to beat the low impact workout you get from an elliptical. Compared to running, an elliptical is so much easier on the joints. Burn calories and sweat your way to a leaner figure in the comfort of your home, wearing whatever you want – with zero judgement.