Best Ellipticals for Home Use in 2024

Elliptical Reviews editor using NordicTrack 14.9 Elliptical

EllipticalReviews.com fitness expert Jessica Jones explores the 26 digital resistance levels on the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 elliptical trainer, one of last year’s top picks. Photo by: Oleksandr Kosheliev/EllipticalReviews.com

Which elliptical is best for home use? Below you’ll find our five top-ranked elliptical trainers for home use in 2024.

Why You Should Trust This Review Of Best Ellipticals for Home Use in 2024

At EllipticalReviews.com, we bring you comprehensive reviews of ellipticals so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the machines we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every elliptical we review extremely well.

Every elliptical we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. We have tried each of the ellipticals in this comparison and we give an honest review of each of them, to help you make a buying decision.

 

 

Our reviewers are fitness experts. Fitness Expert Brian Boyce (CPT) the author of this review, is an experienced competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He uses ellipticals as part of his weekly workout routine. As a fitness expert, you can trust his opinion on all of the ellipticals he reviews.

 

Top by Category

Best Overall Elliptical for Home Use: Sole E95
Runner-up: Nordictrack AirGlide 14i
Best Budget Elliptical: Horizon 7.0 AE
Best Elliptical Full-Body Workout: Bowflex Max Trainer M9
Best Elliptical For Small Spaces: Sole E25

Everyone’s workout needs, fitness goals, budget, and home gym spaces are different. Years ago I started building out my own home gym and never looked back. Personalizing your workout space is not only effective, but in my experience, a lot of fun. Below you’ll find our buying guide for home ellipticals which features expert advice on how to compare the huge selection of cardio machines on the market so you can find your perfect match. Once you’ve learned what to look out for when browsing the best elliptical machines on the market, you can start to compare models by pricebrand, or type of machine here on our site.

I’m never surprised at how frequently physical therapists recommend ellipticals for their clients. Studies have shown they provide a safe training alternative to machines like treadmills, particularly in terms of impact. Those with joint pain or who are recovering from issues like strokes have shown to improve in endurance, balance, and overall functional mobility. Not all ellipticals are created equal. In creating this guide, we took a deep dive into the features, specifications, and respective prices of the top ellipticals available on the market today and ranked the top contenders based on our years of extensive research in the category.

Need some more help getting started? Have a look at our comprehensive buying guide for home elliptical trainers.

The Best Ellipticals for Home Training

The best elliptical trainer for any home must fit the space and, most importantly, the user. Most shoppers prefer home ellipticals that aren’t as large as club versions yet don’t skimp on durability. Let’s face it, if I’m the only one using the machine, it will be up to me to move it around the house all by myself. Bigger isn’t always better. The best home ellipticals allow full-size strides with enough resistance to challenge every user. What I like about ellipticals is the fact that they’ve never failed to exhaust me. No matter how fit you think you are, a good elliptical will prove you wrong in a hurry.

Here we rate ellipticals in terms of size, stride length, resistance, warranty, and more.

 

1. Best Overall Elliptical for Home — Sole E95

The Sole E95 Elliptical delivers the goods to justify its hefty price tag of $2,099 MSRP, with online offerings even lower yet. I’m a big fan the Sole brand across many machines. This model is consistently one of our “Best Buy” recommendations for front-drive elliptical trainers and is now better than ever with enhancements for the 2024 model year. This elliptical trainer provides one of the smoothest rides in the industry and supports all skill levels. Key specs include an impressive 27-pound flywheel, 20 resistance levels, and 20 incline levels for targeted muscle toning. It even has moving arm bars for total body training and stationary handles with heart rate sensors. The new E95 features a 13.3” touchscreen, 10 workout programs, 12 user defined, and a Bluetooth connection to share exercise stats with third party fitness apps such as iHealth and MyFitnessPal. In my experience, this is a great sized screen for most users as it’s about the same as a tablet. The Bluetooth connection also allows users to incorporate their own tablet or smartphone as an alternative program monitor. Just like health club ellipticals, the Sole E95 boasts extra features to enhance comfort and motivation including two cooling fans, a water bottle holder, an integrated tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speakers, and a USB charging port.

Sole ellipticals are known for supporting fluid, natural motion. Since the E95 has one of the heaviest elliptical flywheels available, the ride is smoother than Snoop Dogg’s voice. This machine operates almost silently thanks to magnetic resistance and top-notch construction. The automated incline offers additional resistance and can diversify workouts with 20 elliptical paths. Using the incline is an excellent way to target muscles in the legs and, of course, the glutes. For upper body training, the Sole E95 Elliptical has movable arm bars with molded hand grips. When using this machine, I’m reminded of skiing. Controls for the machine’s resistance and incline are conveniently built into the handles, making interval training styles like HIIT a breeze. Stationary handlebars with pulse sensors are provided too, and, for wireless heart monitoring, the E95 is shipped with a chest strap. To read our full review of the Sole E95, continue here.

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Pros Cons
  • 27-pound flywheel
  • Bluetooth Audio and Heart Rate Monitoring
  • Good Incline Range
  • Top Notch Warranty
  • Limited Workout Variety
  • Weaker Built-in Speakers

Key Specs

Flywheel 27 lbs
Incline 20 degrees (adjusted in 1-degree increments)
Stride Length 20 inches power adjustable
Folding No
Fans Yes
Weight Capacity 400 LBS
Dimensions 83″ L x 34″ W x 70″ H
Screen 13.3″ Touchscreen
Warranty Lifetime Frame and flywheel; 3 Years Electronics & Parts; 1 Year Labor

2. Best Runner Up Elliptical for Home — NordicTrack AirGlide 14i

It’s all in the name. When I’m riding on an AirGlide, I know why they reference the air. The new NordicTrack AirGlide 14i elliptical trainer is built with commercial-grade parts while offering advanced options that are typically only found on exercise equipment at the gym. But for just about $1,599, it’s also fairly affordable. Equipped with one of the heaviest flywheels on the market, the 14i is driven by a 32-pound flywheel. Match this super-heavy flywheel with the Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR), and you have a supremely smooth and natural stride. The flywheel is probably one of the most essential features of an elliptical trainer, because it points to the durability and overall feel of the trainer. A heavy flywheel is a very good thing in terms of stability, particularly if you’re a heavier person.

This powerful drive system supports 26 digital resistance levels, a 17.5-18.7-inch auto adjustable stride, and a power adjustable incline range of 0-20 degrees. What I love about this machine is it offers both a -5% decline and 15% incline. The fact there are so many ways to use this trainer with the ability to vary the stride length, height, and intensity makes it a very versatile machine for both training and comfort. You can target specific muscle groups at once, focus on an intense cardio workout, and get an all-over total body workout.

Every good piece of workout equipment needs a reliable, modern console to keep you up-to-date on your workout stats, motivated, and entertained. This model provides just that with a 14-inch Smart HD touchscreen display that is iFit-enabled and equipped to work with the wireless heart rate monitor. Additionally, the unit features dual CardioGrip heart rate monitoring sensors, which I’ve found to be extremely consistent in their metrics. Now, the iFit workout app happens to be one of my favorites, and it does bring it with automatic trainer control, meaning the machine can adjust itself to match the workout. The downside is, the screen really only works with that app. So if you’re not interested in continuing the $39 per month membership fee, you’ll have a great machine and a screen that simply works in manual mode.

Audio options include iPod compatibility and two 2-inch speakers The console area features a single water bottle holder, Autobreeze auto adjustable workout fan, and one-touch controls for both incline and resistance. There are even in-handle controls on the stationary handlebars so you can make fast, efficient changes to incline and resistance.

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Pros Cons
  • Great Value at $1,599
  • Large 14″ HD Touchscreen
  • Heavy 32-pound Flywheel
  • Interactive Training Through iFit
  • Shorter Warranty of 10 years
  • Without iFit the screen loses value

Key Specs

Flywheel 32 lbs
Incline 20%
Stride Length 17.5″ – 18.7″ auto adjustable
Folding No
Fans Yes
Weight Capacity 300 LBS
Dimensions 69″ L x 25″ W x 71″ H
Screen 14-inch HD Touchscreen
Warranty 10 Years Frame; 2 Years Electronics & Parts; 1 Year Labor

3. Best Budget Elliptical for Home — Horizon 7.0AE

Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical in a black and gray metal frame with 2 sets of hand grips plus a blue water bottle holder. A centerpiece console for the speed control.In my experience over the years, it’s hard to beat Horizon for the combination of low-cost and high quality. The Horizon 7.0 AE Elliptical is a terrific example priced at only $999. The 7.0 AE Elliptical has a heavy, 194-pound frame, as well as a 23-pound flywheel, making it sturdy, smooth, and quiet. I range anywhere from 170 to 200 pounds between bodybuilding contests and have no trouble with this machine’s stability. This sturdiness comes in handy when I’m working through 20 levels of resistance training and 20 levels of incline. This is enough to satisfy about any level of athlete, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced fitness enthusiast. The stride length of 20” and over-sized pedals (rubberized inside) make it comfortable for those between 5’3 – 6’5. It’s also equipped to accommodate users up to 325 pounds. Having this high weight capacity in conjunction with its resistance and incline levels are a testament to its sturdy construction. It’s built to handle heavier users and the increased force that comes with more intense workouts. The machine is built with a 10.75″ step-up height, so factor that into the decision when placing the unit in a home. I’d recommend a minimum of 8′ ceilings, especially if you’re a taller user.

One of the smarter moves by Horizon was the addition of available 0% financing on their treadmills and ellipticals. Available on terms of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months, financing your new gym equipment will make life a little easier as you kickstart your new fitness routine. Bluetooth connectivity allows the use of various apps for Apple and Android. You can augment your workout with the free AFG Pro App (tablet or smartphone), Record by Under Armor, and FitBit. Or, just enjoy your favorite movie on Netflix on your phone or tablet, which you can rest on the device holder while you train. As I’ve written before, people either like big flashy high-definition touchscreens, or they prefer to bring their own device. This is definitely an example of the latter. It also features integrated speakers so you can listen without headphones. Read our full review of the Horizon 7.0 AE read here.

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Pros Cons
  • Great Overall Value at $999
  • Good Resistance Range With 20 Levels
  • 7″ LCD Screen
  • 8 Built-in Workout Programs
  • Lifetime frame and brake warranty
  • This machine does not fold
  • Assembly might be complicated

Key Specs

Flywheel 23 lbs
Incline 20 %
Stride Length 20 inches
Folding No
Fans Yes
Weight Capacity 325 LBS
Dimensions 76″ L x 24″ W x 65.5″ H
Screen 7-inch LCD
Warranty Lifetime Frame; 3 Years Electronics & Parts; 1 Year Labor and Flywheel

4. Best Full-Body Workout— Bowflex Max Trainer M9

I like the Bowflex Max Trainer series and have since its inception. Combining the low-impact motion of an elliptical while adding the resistance of a stair-stepper, theBowflex Max Trainer M9 Bowflex Max Trainer M9 provides an effective way to achieve a full-body workout without excessive stress on the joints. And let’s face it, one of the reasons we’re shopping for ellipticals is lower impact on the joints. Users can work up through 20 resistance levels to customize workouts in a nearly unlimited number of ways. In my experience, workout variety helps stave off boredom, which is the chief enemy to all exercise. To make things even more exciting, Bowflex has designed their machines to work with the popular JRNY Digital Fitness Platform. Using the 10-inch HD Touchscreen, you can explore trainer-led workouts, personalized assessments, and virtual coaching in the comfort of home. You can even stream Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, making long workouts go by much faster. Heart rate training can be incorporated through sensors in the grips as well as the Bluetooth heart rate arm band. Whether you prefer regimented training using detailed metrics and trainer-managed cues or just like to disassociate and go, the Max Trainer M9 has you covered. All this can be yours for $1,599, and Bowflex will even set everything up in the room of your choice for an extra $189.

Some of our favorite features of the Bowflex Max Trainer M9 include the oversized and textured foot pedals, Bluetooth speakers, premium media rack, and four-grip handlebars. Best of all, its compact size allows you to add this multifunctional machine to your home gym without dominating your floor space. To read our full review of the Bowflex Max Trainer M9, read here.

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Pros Cons
  • 10-inch touchscreen
  • Bluetooth Speakers
  • Bluetooth heart rate training
  • JRNY Digital Fitness Platform
  • 20 resistance levels
  • Home assembly comes with fee
  • No fan

Key Specs

Flywheel Magnetic and fan-based
Incline n/a
Stride Length n/a
Folding No
Fans No
Weight Capacity 300 LBS
Dimensions 49.2″ L x 30.5″ W x 65.1″ H
Screen 10″ touchscreen
Warranty 3 Years Frame; 3 Years Mechanical Parts; 1 Year Electronics & Touchscreen; 90 Days Labor

5. Best Small/Compact Elliptical for Home — Sole E25

Compact but capable, the Sole E25 Elliptical is ideal for shoppers with small workout areas and high standards. Priced at just $1,199.99, the company offers financing as low as $108 per month. I’ve come to really like the Sole brand in terms of bang for the buck. They certainly make these units to last. This model has the smallest footprint of any Sole elliptical trainer at 70″ x 24″ x 70″. Despite its size, it has an impressive 350-pound weight capacity. Equipped with many of Sole’s best performance components for home ellipticals, the unit comes with digital upgrades including an improved display screen with adjustable angle, Bluetooth connection for use with the Sole Fitness App, an integrated tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speakers, and a USB port. Most importantly, like all Sole ellipticals, the E52 has excellent ergonomics from the pedals to arm bars. For extra motivation, the E55 has music speakers and a secure tablet holder. Personal cooling fans, and a water bottle holder further promote overall comfort and convenience. The online sale price of $1,199.99 ($1,799 MSRP) offers an excellent value, especially considering the product’s long warranty. Purchased directly from Sole Fitness, the price includes delivery and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

A favorite feature on the E25 and other Sole ellipticals this year is 20 levels of incline up to 20°. The automated incline makes this machine especially effective for targeted muscle toning. In effect, you get 20 elliptical paths instead of just one. For convenience, Sole ellipticals have incline controls built into the arm bars.

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Pros Cons
  • High-Quality Parts
  • Built-in Fans
  • Good Incline Range of 20%
  • Top Notch Lifetime Frame and Flywheel Warranty
  • Assembly costs between $199 to $350
  • Weaker Built-in Speakers

Key Specs

Flywheel 20 lbs
Incline 20 degrees (adjusted in 1-degree increments)
Stride Length 20 inches
Folding No
Fans Yes
Weight Capacity 350 LBS
Dimensions 70″ L x 24″ W x 70″ H
Screen 7.5″ LCD
Warranty Lifetime Frame and Flywheel; 2 Years Electronics & Parts; 1 Year Labor

Buying Guide for Home Elliptical Trainers

How much should you spend on an elliptical machine? When I’m shopping for home exercise equipment, price definitely matters. The quality of home elliptical trainers varies widely, and their cost often dictates quality. With ellipticals, I’ve found that screen size and resistance levels are big factors in price. You can typically get a low-quality elliptical machine for less than $500, while the best home ellipticals can set you back thousands. In a nutshell, you get what you pay for. That said, just how much do you really need. When exercising alone, I find a completely different level of need as opposed to when I’m training clients. Here are some pointers on elliptical machine features to help you make a smart purchase.

See best ellipticals by price.

Performance

The best home ellipticals perform like health club fitness machines but take up less space. Here are some performance essentials to keep in mind when shopping for a new elliptical.

Resistance: Look for units which offer multiple levels of resistance to challenge trainees, whether in peak physical condition or just starting out. Although a heavier flywheel makes an elliptical machine more expensive, it makes a big difference in the performance quality of the machine. I like to think of the flywheel like a ship’s anchor. The heavier it is, the more stable. Look for a flywheel weight of at least 20 pounds if you want your machine to carry you beyond the beginner’s level or if you are a heavier individual. Otherwise, the elliptical motion might not feel so smooth. When I’m weighing closer to 200 pounds, I can definitely feel the wobble associated with lighter flywheels.

Stride Length: The best home ellipticals have stride length settings for every intended user. In some households, one size fits all. An adjustable stride elliptical, which is usually available on mid-range and high-end models, can accommodate a more diverse range of needs. I’m 5’10” tall, which is pretty average. For those folks 6’4″ and up, you’ll definitely want to check out the stride length.

Upper Body Training: Many home ellipticals have moving arm bars. The best elliptical handlebars are angled to comfortably fit people with different “wingspans” and should also offer natural-feeling coordination between the upper body and lower body motion. If you opt for a cheaper machine, the movements might not feel as synchronized. Much like stride length, users over 6’4″ might see a difference. In my experience, folks between 5’5″ and 6’3″ don’t have too much issue.

Durability

What influences an elliptical machine’s durability? In many cases, more you spend, the more you can expect from the electronic features along with long-lasting mechanical performance. Here are some of the most important factors contributing to elliptical durability.

Maximum User Weight: Maximum user weight is a great clue to an elliptical’s durability expectations. The best home elliptical trainers have user weight capacities of at least 300 pounds. I’ve seen this myself in machines with lower weight maximums. I use the max user weight as indicator of overall sturdiness.

Metal vs. Plastic: Durable elliptical machines have more metal and tough resin parts as opposed to plastic. Higher-quality materials reduce the chance of breakdowns, and heavier components make exercise machines more stable during workouts.

Rear Drive Design: Rear drive ellipticals are generally associated with fewer maintenance needs. Still, durable ellipticals with center drives and front drives are easy to find here on our review site. An advantage of center drive and front drive ellipticals is that they’re more compact. Also, front drive ellipticals tend to cost less (assuming stride length, flywheel weight, and other factors are equal).

Warranty: Definitely read the product warranty to get an idea about durability. The best residential elliptical deals include standard parts/electronics warranties of at least two years. Much like the user weight maximum, I use warranty terms as an indicator of the machine’s overall quality. Lifetime guarantees carry a lot of weight in my book.

Features

The best elliptical cross trainers for home use have just the right amount of features to keep you motivated like workout program menus and interactive training capability. Here are some of the most popular features available for 2024.

Adjustable Incline: Some ellipticals have adjustable incline to bring your workouts to the next level. Adjusting the incline lets you simulate climbing at different angles for muscle toning and rapid calorie burn. In general, the incline options expand as price increases. Some of the most popular ellipticals pair incline training with interactive video so you actually feel the rise and fall of a terrain you are virtually exploring. It can do wonders in increasing the challenge of a low-impact workout routine. Check out iFit and Passport media player if this is something you think you would benefit from.

Customized Programs: The quality and variety of exercise programming makes quite an impact on the overall cost of a cross trainer. The best home ellipticals support multiple user profiles, have excellent preset program variety, and can also supply personalized workout programs.

Heart Rate Control: The best home ellipticals have chest straps for wireless heart rate monitoring along with programs for heart rate control. These ellipticals automatically adjust their resistance to help users work within target heart rate zones. I’m a big fan of heart rate training. Whether Bluetooth or the built-in sensors, it’s a good way to monitor your performance.

HD Video: Premium home ellipticals have touchscreens that support high-definition video so you can immerse yourself in live and on-demand workouts and easily track your workout data. A common screen width on home ellipticals for 2024 is around 7-10”.

Sounds Systems: These days, most home ellipticals have a sound system so you can plug in your phone or tablet and stream your workout playlists through built-in speakers. High-end ellipticals have higher-quality speakers and sometimes offer on-screen controls for mobile devices. Secure holders, sometimes with charging ports, are also built into the machines so you can dock your devices safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best elliptical machine for home use?

The answer really depends on a number of factors involving the individual's needs. Our review here provides the specs including stride length, footprint, and style of programming, so people can choose the elliptical which best suits their needs.

Are home ellipticals worth it?

Absolutely. When factoring the cost of a gym membership and travel time, there's no doubt having an elliptical at home is a good move. These machines provide cardio and strength training for the whole body.

Do ellipticals help lose belly fat?

They certainly do. With between 350-450 calories burned per hour on the elliptical, it's among the best machines around for overall weight loss. Meanwhile, the cross-body movement is also great to tighten up the core muscles.

Are elliptical machines bad for joints and knees?

No, quite the opposite. These machines are specifically designed to be easy on the joints, particularly the knees, hence the gliding motion.

Which brand makes the best quality ellipticals?

We feel each of the brands ranked here offer a "Best" in terms of a specific goal or individual need.

What muscles do elliptical machines work?

In addition to the hamstrings, glutes, quads, calves, and core, these machines also provide a series of upper body movements as well.