Elliptical machines range in price from around $100 to well over $2000.  As you can imagine, you will be getting a different quality elliptical at those extremes and everywhere in between.  To help guide you, we’ve listed our favorites from what we feel are the best elliptical machines by price below.

Here are our 5 Top Picks for Best Elliptical for 2023:

PRICE RANGE: $80-$200:

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic SF-905 Elliptical Trainer – (check on Amazon) – $149 – 9,569 Reviews

Body Rider BRD2000 Elliptical Trainer with Seat – (check on Amazon) – $198 – 2,532  Reviews

PRICE RANGE: $200-$800:

Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced SF-E320002 Elliptical Machine Trainer – (check on Amazon) – $449 – 1,707 Reviews

Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine – (check on Amazon) – $499 – 1,029 Reviews

Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine – (check on Amazon) – $699 – 822 Reviews

PRICE RANGE: $800-$1200:

Bowflex M3 Max Trainer – (check on Amazon) – $999 – 1,566 Reviews

Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine – (check Amazon) – $899 – 1,812 Reviews

NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE7i Elliptical Trainer – (check on Nordictrack.com) – $1,099 – 123 Reviews

PRICE RANGE: $1200-$2000:

Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical – (check Amazon) – $1,200 – 1,418 Reviews

NordicTrack C 9.9 Elliptical Machine – (check Nordictrack.com) – $1,299

PRICE RANGE: $2000 and up:

NordicTrack C 14.9 Elliptical Machine – (check Nordictrack.com) – $1,999

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i – (check Nordictrack.com) – $2,499 – 451 Reviews

Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine – $2,699 – 307 Reviews

Our Top Elliptical Machine Picks

Because the prices and features on elliptical machines range so greatly, we’ll offer our top picks from a few price ranges.  You can click the buttons for more in depth elliptical reviews.

#1.  NordicTrack C 9.9 Elliptical

The “C” in the NordicTrack C 9.9 Elliptical stands for “commercial”, but don’t let that scare you. All that means is this elliptical machine is tough enough (solid steel construction, 350lb user capacity) and challenging enough (see workouts etc. below) to withstand the beatings and demand of commercial gym goers – while at the same time being a machine perfectly suited for private home use. As one NordicTrack reviewer put it, the C 9.9 Elliptical “kicks my butt daily”.

The NordicTrack C 9.9 elliptical machine comes with more features than most other ellipticals on the market. The 7″ Smart HD Touchscreen and iFit membership (1-year free included with purchase) opens the doors to a dynamic world of workouts with virtual scenery from around the globe, interactive training with elite coaches, real-time tracking of all your workout stats, and even total-body workouts on and off the elliptical. On-demand studio elliptical training sessions feature the trainers’ ability increase and decrease your machine’s digital resistance and incline levels in real time. This “personal trainer’s touch” basically allows them to be right there with you guiding you through every minute your workout.

The NordicTrack 9.9 Elliptical (NTEL79820) features 0-20% digital incline control, 22 levels of silent, magnetic resistance, a 25lb intertia-enhanced flywheel, and auto-adjustable stride from 17.5″ to 18.7″. You get two speakers, Bluetooth capability, an Autobreeze workout fan, One Touch Controls, Soft Touch grips, and oversized cushioned pedals. NordicTrack’s gone the distance to ensure you’re getting an ergonomic, comfortable, exciting workout with limitless options that keep you coming back for more.  Click below to see the latest price on NordicTrack.com:

See the C 9.9 Elliptical Trainer on NordicTrack.com

#2.  Sunny Health & Fitness SF-905 Elliptical 

Sunny Health & Fitness is consistently rated one of the most popular brands for affordable, solid exercise equipment, and with the Sunny SF-905 Elliptical they don’t disappoint. An elliptical cross-trainer with 8 levels of magnetic resistance and a digital monitor, the SF-905 has everything you need to get a great workout at a super affordable price.

This compact elliptical machine has pulse sensors on the workout arms so you can track your heart rate. It also has anti-slip handlebars, floor stabilizers, and transportation wheels for storing when not in use. Overall, this is a winner and makes a great addition to any home gym. To see the latest price of the Sunny SF-905 Elliptical on Amazon click here:

See Price on Amazon

#3. Bowflex M3 Max Trainer

The Bowflex M3 Max Trainer is an interesting and effective combination of a elliptical trainer and a stair-stepper. This 2-in-1 elliptical machine offers the ability to get a serious calorie burning cardio workout with the muscle-building aspects of a stair-master.  Bowflex is a respected brand name in the exercise equipment market and they know how to create a quality piece of fitness machinery.

The Bowflex M3 Max Trainer’s interactive backlit display features multiple workout programs and eight resistance levels. The burn rate display shows how many calories you’re burning and helps set activity level targets. Click here or the button below to see the best price of the Bowflex M3 Max Trainer on Amazon:

See Price on Amazon

 

Best Elliptical Machines for the Home?

People are increasingly looking to elliptical workouts as a safe way to get fantastic cardio exercise, to help reduce excess weight, and to tone up the entire body overall. At the gym, these machines are usually filled up around peak hours, so a lot of people are making the leap and purchasing one for the home. With our in-depth elliptical reviews, we hope to guide you to finding the right machine that fits your lifestyle.  In order to hit your ideal fitness level, the goal is to get you exercising consistently.  It isn’t always going to be easy, but buying the right elliptical machine is a big step in that direction.

Elliptical Machine Features to Consider

An elliptical is an excellent piece of equipment to invest in, but before you buy, you want to make sure you are aware of all the features that make up a great machine. We’ll cover all the key bases below to get you on track:

Stability

As with any piece of equipment, stability is crucial. During a workout you want to be able to concentrate on your session with the machine being almost an afterthought. In fact, the best machines are the ones that seem to disappear because of their stability and ability to fit to you, not the other way around. On average, a heavier elliptical will be more stable. However, with the higher-end elliptical machines, better design trumps weight and can provide ample stability.

Tension Resistance Levels and Types of Resistance

With more resistance levels, you are able to increase the challenge of your workout more incrementally. Lower increments of resistance levels means you’re forced to make a jump in the workout challenge that you might not be ready for.  As far as types of resistance, there are two main styles:

1. Fan Wheel Resistance

Fan wheels can provide a smooth ride and tend to be employed on lower-cost ellipticals.

2. Magnetic Resistance

Magnetic resistance can provide the quietest, most consistent, and most natural feeling workout.

Want to know even more about resistance? Then consider checking our blog – High Resistance Elliptical. 

Elliptical Computers

Not all ellipticals come with a computer, but if they do or you want one, here’s what to look for:

1. Display

The display should easy to read. Backlighting is a plus.

2. Data Provided

The best elliptical computers will give you a range of data including distance, stride speed, time of session, and heart rate if you have the necessary adapter or if it’s included.  Some elliptical trainers feature the ability to upload your data to external devices or websites for tracking progress.

You might also be interested in our blog – Can You Use an Elliptical Without Power?

Pre-programmed Workouts

If the elliptical includes a computer, which most do, they will ideally include programs that give you workout options geared toward weight loss, intervals, cardio, etc.

Incline Adjustment

The ability to change the degree of your incline is at the core of working out on an elliptical. Easy-to-use power incline controls are preferable to manual incline adjustment. The best elliptical trainers have the ability to greatly vary positions for a diverse and challenging workout.

Stride Length

Elliptical stride length varies from machine to machine and matters more for some people than others.  A 15″ length may be fine for some users.  And if you’re tall, a longer stride length is a good feature and common on a lot of machines.  A 20” stride length allows the natural stride almost anyone would have while walking quickly.

Adjustable Foot Pedals

Adjustable articulating/pivoting foot pedals are helpful for replicating a natural stride motion and avoiding injury. Additionally, large pedal surface space allows for users of any foot size to comfortably fit their feet in the pedal. Sole Fitness has addressed this and features a two-degree inward slope on their ellipticals that they claim reduces stress on your knees and ankles.

Flywheel

As on indoor exercise cycles and Spin bikes, the flywheel helps create a fluid and natural momentum that keeps your elliptical workout from being jerky and jarring. It helps mimic actual motion. Dual Direction Flywheels – Dual direction is a nice feature that allows for switching your rotation for a workout of the opposite muscles.

Hybrid Trainers

Machines like the ProForm Hybrid Trainer combine elliptical machines with recumbent bikes or exercise bikes. With this type of dual trainer, you’re getting a two-for-one (or even three-in-one) piece of equipment.  These trainers feature a seat that is more upright like an exercise bike or reclined like a recumbent bike.  This style of elliptical can be a good option, but be sure to do your research to ensure the quality is there.

Other Considerations:

• Transportation Wheels
• Ease of Assembly
• Fans
• Power supply (external or batteries required)
• Step-on height
• Water bottle holder
• Speakers with inputs
• Tablet/book holder
• USB Port for Charging and Data Transfer
• Warranties

Benefits of Ellipticals and How They Work

Elliptical machines mimic a motion and muscle use that is similar but not identical to cross-country skiing. That’s where the comparison ends, however, as modern ellipticals are high-tech powerhouses of exercise equipment.  You’re going to be getting an incredible cardio workout as well as hitting most of your major muscle groups.

The incline of your machine dictates which muscle groups you will be engaging the most. Higher incline and stride length targets your hamstrings and glutes, while lower incline focuses on giving your quads and calves a great workout. While your legs are pumping away, the long upright handles engage your upper body muscles including pecs, arms, shoulders and back. Also, the upright pole grips give you something to hold onto while you’re swinging your legs front to back. This offers key stability since a good workout is going to be challenging your leg muscles and you may feel a bit of a wobble from muscle fatigue after a 20 minute workout.

Full Body Workout

It’s important to note that ellipticals provide an excellent full-body workout. When using an elliptical machine, you’re working your legs, back, glutes, abs, arms – just about every major muscle group. And with the best ellipticals, you can tailor the workout to your desired challenge level by increasing the resistance, adjusting the incline, and moving your arms and legs faster or slower.  With on-board computers that supply all the data you could ever want, you’re going to be able to track your progress.  This is very motivating whether you’re slimming down, toning up, or just getting your heart rate up and looking to sweat out some calories.

Other Elliptical Machine Considerations

Home Elliptical Workout

The best elliptical machines generally include just about everything you’ll need to have a challenging yet comfortable workout at home. Normal running shoes will be fine for striding on the foot pads. Also, while working out at home, a nice benefit is that you can place the elliptical in front of your TV to be able to watch workout DVDs, workouts on Youtube (see below) or enjoy your shows and movies while losing the extra pounds.

Elliptical Maintenance

Since there are a lot of moving parts some machines will need some maintenance such as lubrication from time to time. Squeaky parts and uncooperative resistance levels should be fixable with a quick call to the manufacturer. And the best ellipticals have solid warranties incase anything goes wrong.

Wipe it Down to Keep it Up

This goes along with the previous suggestion, but it’s worth mentioning that after a sweat-inducing workout, you want to wipe down the elliptical.  Sweat can corrode the elliptical machine’s parts and reduce its lifespan.  A quick wipe with a towel to get the moisture should do it.  Then from time to time, wiping with a damp cloth will keep your elliptical looking great.

Workout Clothes

It’s important to wear appropriate clothes when working out on an elliptical.  Baggy clothing can get caught in the machines moving parts, so wear tighter-fitting clothes if possible.  And always wear rubber-bottom, close-toe sneakers or running shoes while exercising.

Final Word on Elliptical Trainers

The most important things to consider when looking at elliptical machines for the home, is if you are going to get a comfortable, stable, low-impact, and challenging workout. Elliptical machines such as the NordicTrack C 9.9 and the Sunny SF-905 are among the best low-impact, high-intensity pieces of exercise equipment you can buy.  And the latest generation of ellipticals like the NordicTrack C 14.9 are incorporating the most cutting-edge technology like ultra-ergonomic support and fully interactive touchscreens with on-demand workouts.  Hopefully this overview helped finding the elliptical machine that works best for you.

Note:  We keep this overview and our reviews updated with the latest information, so be sure to keep this site bookmarked and check back in periodically for the latest on the best ellipticals.