Best Elliptical Machines of 2025, Reviewed by Fitness Experts

Elliptical machines have come a long way, with major developments in specs and technology. Their ergonomic design maximizes the quality and intensity of your workout, incorporating both upper and lower body muscles. This provides you with a full-body workout to enhance your cardio fitness while maintaining the structural integrity of your joints. We consider that an all-around win.

If you are on the hunt for the best elliptical of 2025 but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best elliptical machines and a comprehensive guide on what to consider before you make your purchase.

Our Picks for the Best Ellipticals of 2025:

Best Overall Elliptical: NordicTrack FS10i

The NordicTrack FS10i isn’t your average elliptical—it combines a treadmill, elliptical, and stair stepper all into one machine designed to give you the flexibility to switch up your cardio. The 32-inch adjustable stride adjusts based on your leg movements. In other words, if you use the FS10i as a stair stepper, your legs move up and down, but your stride goes back and forth in elliptical mode.

You can follow an iFIT class (with a $39/month subscription) on the 10-inch HD touchscreen, which tracks key stats such as time elapsed, speed, distance, and calories burned. Trainers can digitally adjust your incline up to 10 percent or tap into the 24 resistance levels based on the workout. If you’re working out manually, you can make these adjustments yourself via one-touch buttons next to the touchscreen.

Best Elliptical for Weight Loss: Sole Fitness E95

If you’re on a fitness journey, a weight-loss diet and exercise are essential to achieving your goals. If you already have a favorite weight-loss program or weight-loss app, an elliptical can help you knock out your daily sweat session. While any elliptical will help you work toward your goal, the E95 stands out thanks to its free fitness app and integrated streaming services, perfect for when you need more motivation to get moving. Unlike some of the other ellipticals on our list, the E95’s companion app, Sole+, is free with your new machine. Sole+ includes more than 3,000 trainer-led workouts and classes for on and off your elliptical. For even more entertainment while you work out, the E95 is integrated with several streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more.

The Sole E95’s cushioned foot pedals are designed to keep your knees and ankles from feeling the brunt of an extended workout. The pedals adjust to fit your gait, but default to a two-degree inward angle. The Sole E95’s 20 resistance levels let you challenge yourself and can be easily switched via buttons on the handles. Sole’s drive system is engineered to stay quiet, but if you want to listen to your class or music on its built-in speakers, simply plug in your smart device and prop it up in the inserted tablet holder.

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Best Elliptical for Joint Pain: Sole Fitness E35

The Sole E35 Elliptical is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, simple elliptical with a smooth ride for joint comfort. It’s easy to set up and use and has everything you need to start working out in the comfort of your own home—no gym membership required.

The Sole E35’s ramp-like design allows users to simply step on and start moving. With this elliptical, you can get a full-body workout without having to worry about straining your back or joints. It is equipped with 20 different levels of resistance so users can adjust their workouts according to their fitness levels and goals. With 10 preloaded workout programs plus free access to the Sole+ fitness app, even beginners can start their training immediately. Even though it’s not as heavy-duty as other ellipticals, the  Sole E35 works for users up to 300 pounds.

And while it comes with all the features you’d expect from an elliptical, it also has some great extras that we love: built-in fans keep you cool during workouts, and a user-friendly, fully adjustable console ensures a comfortable workout.

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Best Elliptical Machine for Small Spaces: Bowflex Max Trainer M6

If you’re short on space but looking to up your cardio workout with an elliptical, take a look at the Bowflex Max Trainer M6. Bringing together form and function, the M6 stamps out a footprint measuring just 46 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 64.2 inches high—quite a bit smaller than your average treadmill or other cardio machine. Its 15-inch stride length may not be a great fit for taller individuals, but it still supports a user weight of up to 300 pounds.

The M6 offers a great workout with 16 levels of resistance, a USB charging port, a water bottle holder, Bluetooth heart rate compatibility, and multi-grip moving handles with pulse contact grips to measure heart rate. It’s also equipped with a unique burn rate display to track how many calories you burn per minute and allows you to set activity level targets throughout the workout.

If interactive programming is your jam, you’re in luck. The JRNY digital fitness platform for Bowflex products houses tailored workouts, on-demand classes, real-time coaching, and personalized programming. Purchasing the M6 gives you a free membership to JRNY. Download the workout app, place your device in the magnetic media, and get pedaling.

Bowflex offers in-home assembly for an additional fee, which we recommend because assembly takes a few hours (according to reviewers). The warranty is a bit disappointing, offering only two years on the frame and parts. Most competitors cover the frame with a 10-year warranty, so you’ll want to make sure your Bowflex is assembled correctly.

Best Under Desk Elliptical: Cubii Go

The little elliptical that could, the Cubii Go provides an elliptical experience for a fraction of the space and price. This portable elliptical fits seamlessly underneath your desk and can be taken on the go with its built-in wheels and retractable handle.

Unlike under-desk treadmills, you don’t have to stand to work out with the Cubii Go. Instead, you can stay seated and pedal during a meeting or while watching TV. Its large flywheel lets you go up to ten resistance levels while an illuminated display projects your stats back to you. Use the Cubii app to keep track of the details of your workout plus. The Cubii Go is also easy to take with you, thanks to built-in wheels and a double telescoping handle.

This compact elliptical currently has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Cubii website. Out of 238 reviews, only five give the Cubii Go one star. Negative ratings include criticism of the machine’s stability and design. Four-star reviews praise the Cubii Go as effective and easy to use.

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Most Comfortable Elliptical: Niceday Smart Elliptical CT11

If you’re a first-time elliptical buyer who’s feeling a little intimidated by the whole process, you might find the Niceday Smart Elliptical CT11 a comfortable option. Equipped with large pedals and constructed with steel, the Niceday Elliptical trainer can support users up to 400 pounds. It’s also designed to fit users between 4’9″ and 6’4″ tall, although it’s worth noting that the 15.5-inch stride length may feel restrictive to people on the taller end of that range. This elliptical also comes 90 percent pre-assembled, a feature sure to appeal to those less mechanically inclined. If you find quiet workouts comfortable, you’ll appreciate the Smart Elliptical CT11’s magnetic drive system. It’s designed to reduce noise and keep the sound of the machine below 20 decibels—about the same amount of noise as rustling leaves.

This elliptical trainer offers 16 levels of resistance, so you can use it for anything from light workouts to more intense leg and glute exercises. It’s also compatible with Kinomap and digitally records stats including speed, distance, calories, and heart rate.

The Niceday Smart Elliptical CT11 has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon with nearly 3,000 reviews. While most Amazon feedback is complimentary about the machine’s performance, criticisms include noise level and suitability for taller users.

Who Should Buy an Elliptical?

Elliptical machines are an excellent choice for people looking for a low-impact, total-body cardio workout of any intensity. “You’re using both your arms and your legs to propel yourself, and you can adjust the resistance based on what works for you,” says Samantha April, P.T., D.P.T., U.S.A.-W. They’re also great for people with balance issues. “Someone may use an elliptical over a treadmill if they’re looking for something that’s a little more controlled and they want to move with the machine and keep their feet stationary versus a treadmill where they’re required to move,” says April.

However, elliptical machines are not ideal for people with small home gym spaces. “If space is a concern inside of your home gym, ellipticals take up a pretty fair amount of space, so it’s important that you’ll actually have the space to accommodate that,” April says.

How to Use an Elliptical

Users can do a variety of workouts on an elliptical trainer, from slow, easy walks to fast and intense interval sessions.

Getting Started

Don’t forget to warm up with some deep breaths and stretching. When you’re ready, place your feet on the pedals and grab the handles. Begin moving your feet forward in a general walking motion.

Basic Workouts

Although you’re free to go at your own pace, a good baseline for elliptical workouts is 15-20 minutes. As you get more comfortable and build your endurance, you can increase your speed, resistance, and incline (if your machine has variable incline settings).

Interval Workouts

We asked Matt Petrillo, C.S.C.S., director of adult fitness at The Annex Sports Performance in Passaic, N.J., how to get a great workout on the elliptical.

“My clients utilize ellipticals through low-intensity interval training. To do this, choose a work interval ranging from 30-90 seconds and a rest interval between 30-60 seconds, making sure your work period is longer than your rest,” Petrillo says.

Work Intervals

He says when you are in your work period, you want to begin each round with your heart rate as close to 120 beats per minute as possible. By the end of your work period, you want your heart rate to be between 150-160 beats per minute.

Rest Intervals

“During your rest period, the goal is to drop your heart rate to as close to 120 beats per minute as possible,” says Petrillo. Don’t have a heart rate monitor? That’s OK, too. “Simply go at the fastest sustainable pace you can while only breathing through your nose during your work periods,” Petrillo says.

Depending on fitness level and time constraints, go through the work/rest process for 15-30 rounds. “This type of workout helps build our aerobic system, which can greatly improve our cardiovascular and overall health,” Petrillo says.

How We Chose the Best Ellipticals

To help you choose the best elliptical for your needs and goals, we evaluated dozens of machines and looked at several factors, including:

• Size and functionality. Covering ellipticals with different dimensions and designs, from full-size trainers to under-desk models
• Available workouts. Built-in routines and interactive or programmed workouts accessible online
• Features. From tech (wireless compatibility and stats monitoring) to comfort and convenience (cushioned pedals, bottle and device holders)
• Setup. How much assembly is required and whether in-home setup is offered
• Price. Ranging from budget-friendly machines to more expensive elliptical trainers
• User reviews and online ratings. Evaluating user experiences with equipment and manufacturers

What to Look For When Choosing an Elliptical Machine

Flywheel

The flywheel is the heavy, rotating wheel inside your machine. It provides stability and momentum while you pedal. A heavier flywheel offers a better, smoother ride and is generally more expensive.

Resistance

A range of resistance levels is important for workout intensity variability and training progression. Ellipticals function on a fixed track, so increasing speed is limited.

You’ll want an elliptical with enough resistance options for challenging workouts as your physical fitness improves.

Incline

Incline ranges on an elliptical are more of an added bonus than a must-have. They can add a level of variability to training. By increasing or decreasing the slope, you activate different muscle groups and change the intensity of the workout without necessarily changing speed or resistance. As the slope increases, more output is required from the user to generate speed, which will increase heart rate. It’s similar to walking up a hill versus walking on flat ground.

Stride Length

Stride length refers to how far apart the pedals move from one another when in use. The stride length most affects how comfortable and natural the stride feels for you. A short stride length will feel cramped to anyone with longer legs or particularly long strides. Conversely, a large stride length may feel awkward and clunky to someone with short legs. There is no universal best stride length since it’s highly dependent on your leg length and overall height. Most ellipticals feature a 20-inch stride length, which works for the vast majority of users.

Size

If you live in a small apartment or are equipping a tiny home gym space, you’ll want a compact elliptical that occupies minimal real estate. Measure out the space where you plan to use your elliptical before you start your search.

Tech and Features

If you’re a sucker for technology and place a premium on programming with top-of-the-line features and conveniences, make sure you find an elliptical that checks off all your boxes. Write out a list of your must-have technology specifications and features before you begin your search. This will help you narrow down your focus and streamline the process.

Cost

This may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing your budget is imperative when buying any type of home exercise equipment. Ellipticals come at a variety of price points, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Final Thoughts

Elliptical cross trainers are a great way to improve your cardio fitness and strength. The combination of the resistance from the pedals and handlebars provides you with a full-body workout. 

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