Get a full-body cardio workout without stepping out of your home with the best home ellipticals of 2025.Get a full-body cardio workout without stepping out of your home with the best home ellipticals of 2025. Get a full-body cardio workout without stepping out of your home with the best home ellipticals of 2025.
There’s no need to commute to a gym or take a fitness class to get those muscles working. If you have the space, there are at-home machines to help you get effective full-body workouts. If you like cardio, an elliptical is a reliable option for all fitness levels, whether you prefer an under-desk model or a compact design. We tested the best elliptical machines to meet your fitness goals from the comfort of your own home, from intense workouts to light, low-impact workouts.
With an elliptical machine and the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity as a guideline, you can improve your cardiovascular fitness and strengthen your chest, back, biceps, triceps, core muscles, glutes and hamstrings. It’s not easy to pick a good elliptical given the number of options on the market. To help you, our fitness experts thoroughly tested the following models and used our methodology to evaluate them, focusing specifically on functionality, features, software, assembly and warranty.
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What is the best elliptical overall?
Our top pick for the best elliptical is the BowFlex Max Total 16. This is the most technologically advanced model on our list. Its standout features include the option to stream your favorite shows from apps including Hulu and Netflix. The screen is 6 inches bigger than its predecessor and your fitness experience is personalized through real-time coaching that automatically adjusts the intensity of your workouts based on the machine’s assessment of your output. It’s also small-space friendly, so you won’t have to worry about it taking up too much room in your home.
Editors’ note, June 10: BowFlex is now owned by Johnson Health Tech, which also owns Horizon Fitness and Matrix. You can still buy BowFlex products through its website and via retailers such as Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Editor’s note, Jan. 3: We are currently testing new ellipticals and the list will be updated accordingly.
Best ellipticals of 2025
8.8
The BowFlex Max Total 16 is the only elliptical on the list that has all the bells and whistles. We recommended its predecessor, the BowFlex Max M9, and this is a slightly improved version. The machine is sturdy and still has the same stepper motion as the BowFlex Max M9, although it requires a little breaking in. The handlebars on the BowFlex Max Total 16 have six grips instead of the original four, making it easier to change hand positioning. The resistance dial is still conveniently placed in the center and has over 20 resistance levels.
Compared with the BowFlex Max M9, the touchscreen is bigger, measuring 16 inches instead of 10 inches. It’s still Bluetooth compatible, so you can connect your heart rate band or other compatible device, and it requires a Wi-Fi connection as well as a membership to the BowFlex program, JRNY. The good thing is you’ll get two months free of JRNY, so you can take full advantage of the elliptical. After your trial is over, it’s $149 for the year or $20 a month.
Another great feature is that you can personalize your fitness experience through real-time coaching that automatically adjusts the intensity of your workouts as you get stronger. You can also connect to your favorite streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney Plus and more. This is a nice option for when you just want to binge your favorite show and get a quick workout in.
If the BowFlex Max Total 16’s price is a bit steep for your taste, the BowFlex Max M9 is still a good pick since you get most of the same features for less money.
5.6
Ellipticals are one of the lowest-impact cardio machines, but they can still be too much for anyone with joint pain, healing injuries or mobility issues. That’s where the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical comes in. Similar to a recumbent bike, because of its reclined and seated position, the Teeter FreeStep eliminates stress on your joints and takes the load off your back, so you can get a great workout without too much stress on the body.
In addition to being easy on the joints, this elliptical cross machine is also simple to use. The console is the most straightforward of the bunch, so you don’t need to be tech-savvy to get it going. It has one button you can press to toggle between time, distance, speed and calories. An adjustable knob right under the seat can be used to change your sitting position, and you can move the angle of the seat for a more customized position.
One warning: Because you’re sitting back instead of standing up, it’s tempting to lean back and give the minimal effort required to check “work out” off your to-do list, but if you stay mindful of that and keep the adjustable resistance as high as you can, you’ll get a great workout with almost zero impact.
6.8
Unlike other ellipticals that can take up a lot of space in your home gym, the ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 has a vertical design that makes this elliptical better suited for smaller spaces. It’s more reminiscent of a stair climber than a traditional elliptical.
The 10-inch vertical and 5-inch horizontal elliptical path was intentionally combined to give you a better workout intensity and calorie burn. The strides help you feel the movement more in your glutes and hamstrings, similar to the way a stair climber functions. Another thing that makes this ProForm elliptical machine stand out is that it’s quiet. That’s because it uses silent magnetic resistance, a trademarked form of resistance that is smoother and quieter compared with air resistance used in other machines. It was also stable, without any rocking or shaking, even at high speeds.
This machine comes equipped with iFit, offering the option to be guided through your workout by a professional. The 7-inch HD touchscreen on the console made the iFit experience hyper-realistic and easy to navigate. One downside of the ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 was that there was no place to put a tablet. This isn’t a big deal, especially if you’re using iFit, but it would be a nice touch for those who have other fitness memberships. We also didn’t like the fact that there’s no power button. The manual says the machine has auto shut-off, but it never kicked in. We had to unplug it to turn it off, which is inconvenient for a high-end machine.
6.8
If you want an elliptical that reminds you of the classic ones you find in the gym, then you’ll like the Nautilus E618. This machine offers a smooth ride, and the footplate uses a suspension-adjust performance-cushioning system, which lets you adjust the angle from 0 to 10 degrees for customized heel support. The stride rails are also designed to create a balanced, stable experience. Assembling this machine took longer than expected, so we recommend purchasing the in-home assembly option or having someone assist you if you plan on putting this machine together yourself. During testing, the stride felt natural and effortless. It was mostly quiet except for a couple of squeaks here and there.
This elliptical can hold up to 350 pounds, which makes it versatile for people of different weights and heights. Although the interface looks like a standard elliptical, it offers 29 different training programs that you can follow. If you want a change of scenery, you can download the Nautilus Explore the World app, which lets you exercise virtually in 19 different locations. You have the option to sign up for $10 a month or $60 for the year, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. The machine can be paired with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, so you can save and share your fitness journey.
The multi-position handlebars are also a nice touch because you can control the incline and resistance with the click of a button, and you have the option of different hand grips. Similar to the Schwinn 470, the Nautilus E618 has a blue display screen that appears outdated. This isn’t a big deal if all you’re looking for is a dependable, durable elliptical that lets you use it as a standalone device.
8
The Schwinn 470 is a comfortable yet intuitive elliptical. This was one of the easier machines to assemble on our own because the manual provided clear instructions with illustrations. The design of this machine is also less bulky than expected, although it’s larger than the Schwinn 411 (the Schwinn elliptical we previously recommended).
When in use, the machine is sturdy and doesn’t wobble, which indicates that it can support people of different weights and heights. The pedals have large footplates and are smooth and comfortable with each stride. This machine’s stride length is 20 inches, so it should be suitable for people over 6 feet tall. The pedaling was quiet, which isn’t always the case when it comes to exercise equipment. The digital monitor is outdated and has a simple display like most elliptical machines. It only uses letters and numbers and can be difficult to read due to the blue light background.
Despite not having a more modern design, the Schwinn 470 makes up for it by offering 25 levels of resistance, 29 workout programs and the option to set up separate profiles for up to four family members. Although this machine doesn’t have Wi-Fi, it does have Bluetooth and lets you connect to your favorite apps such as MyFitnessPal, Apple Health and MapMyRun/Ride.
Editor’s note January 3: The Schwinn 490 elliptical is currently being considered for testing.