5 Best elliptical machines for 2026, tested and reviewed

Dimensions: 73″ x 24″ x 66″ | # Resistance levels: 10 | Stride length: 18″ | Integrated workouts: 5 | Warranty: Lifetime warranty on frame; 1-year on brake, flywheel, parts and labor | Weight capacity: 300 lbs. | Standout features: Bluetooth, bottle holder, fan, tablet rack

When it comes to value, this solidly-built elliptical machine from Horizon left its competition in the dust. Granted, this isn’t a super high-tech option (we have other picks if you’re looking for a touchscreen and integrated workouts), but if you want a quality piece of equipment that’s intuitive to use, provides a solid workout experience and can easily connect with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, all for under $1,000? The EX-59 Elliptical is going to be hard to beat.

According to our tester, there’s a lot to love about this elliptical. For instance, its smooth movement (no jerkiness when changing levels or while working at higher intensities), wide-comfortable pedals and intuitive control panel. In fact, she found no need to dive into the user manual to get started with a workout, although she notes that while it looks like you can select from the pre-set workouts by pressing them as buttons on the panel, you actually have to navigate between them using the up/down buttons. A minor hiccup in the grand scheme of things.

One of the best features is the elliptical’s silent operation. “If you’re listening to music or watching TV, you can’t hear it at all,” says our tester. That also means if you need to set it up in a shared living space, you don’t have to worry about the machine’s noise disrupting those around you. Our user also appreciated how easy it was to connect her phone or tablet to the elliptical’s Bluetooth, noting that the process was seamless and the speakers were solid. While you won’t find much integrated tech here, it’s easy to use your own device to stream shows or workouts without paying a premium for the machine itself.

Of course, with a sales price sitting at roughly $800, you’re not getting lots of bells and whistles here. The EX-59 has just five integrated workout programs, 10 intensity levels and no incline or decline options. Our tester felt the workouts were sufficient, challenging and varied enough, and that the machine was built to last, but if you’re looking for more variety, you may want to consider a different option. You’ll also want to factor the cost of shipping into the price — standard shipping starts at $200 and goes up to $350 if you want in-room assembly and trash haul-away included (a service our tester appreciated).

Dimensions: 53.8″ L x 24″ W x 62.5″ H | # Resistance levels: 16 | Stride length: 18″ | Integrated workouts: Yes | Warranty: 10 years | Weight capacity: 300 lbs. | Standout features: Phone tray, cup holders, wide pedals

The Schwinn 411 is a space-efficient machine that fits well in various settings. With a length of just under 54 inches, it delivers an impressive 18-inch stride. Additionally, it operates quietly enough to use without disturbing a sleeping partner.

The machine and its control panel are admittedly basic. “You simply turn it on and then adjust the resistance level or choose a preset program,” our tester says. “The panel itself uses push buttons and looks a little older.” But that simple construction can be an asset if you don’t want to fiddle with tech or just want to get on the machine and go. Plus, it makes the machine more affordable — a great option if you want to exercise at home without taking out a second mortgage to fund a high-tech machine with all the bells and whistles. 

The Schwinn 411 has several built-in programs, including intervals and plateaus, and it shows simple statistics like distance, time and calories burned. “The resistance levels can get tough after a while, allowing you to get a challenging workout,” our tester notes. “The transitions are also smooth.” The elliptical also has a small shelf for a phone or tablet, along with a water bottle holder.

Our tester reports, “The machine feels well-made, although you can also tell that it’s a ‘value’ machine due to its lack of tech.” They add, “It’s not as fancy as a lot of other ellipticals with higher price tags.” Still, it’s held up well to more than two years of use. “It’s a great machine,” our tester concludes.

Amazon reviewers also approve. “Quality! Many good things to say about it!” notes one 5-star review. “This machine really gives you an insane workout! I was a professional fitness guru and used to serve in the military (I was a corpsman), so I do know how to work out.” 

A solid balance of size, performance and price, the Schwinn 411 caters to those who value efficiency over flashy features. However, some users note that there have been issues with customer service and the warranty. These aren’t issues we came across in our testing, but they’re worth keeping in mind.

Dimensions: 58.1″ L x 33.9″ W x 68″ H | # Resistance levels: 25 | Stride length: 20″ | Integrated workouts: 13 integrated; more available through the JRNY app (with subscription) | Warranty: 10 years frame; 2 years parts; 1 year electronics; 90 days labor | Weight capacity: 330 lbs. | Standout features: -5% to 15% decline and incline; 2 month subscription to JRNY included; Bluetooth enabled; integrated heart rate monitor; USB charging port

When you’re looking for the Goldilocks of elliptical trainers, the Schwinn 490 just might hit the sweet spot.. It’s not the most expensive product on the market, but it’s not the least expensive either. It doesn’t have every bell and whistle or tech feature you might enjoy, but it’s not a bare bones model. It offers high-quality construction and a smooth workout that our tester says “does what it’s supposed to do,” adding that you can “make it what you want in terms of using it manually or connecting to an app, using programs or tracking and sharing workouts on Strava.”

A few standout features that are worth noting — it provides 13 integrated workout programs, up to 25 resistance levels and incline and decline settings ranging from -5 to 15%. You can also use the machine’s fixed or moveable arms, depending on whether you want a full-body workout or you want to focus on your lower body. All of these factors together provide for a wide variety of workout experiences that can help keep your routine challenging and engaging. You also receive two months free of the JRNY app ($20/month value). This app includes a continually-growing number of on-demand classes and virtual outdoor routes that integrate with the machine to provide auto-adjustments of the resistance and incline/decline settings during workouts. While there’s no extra-large touchscreen interface or additional entertainment apps (like Netflix or Amazon Prime) integrated with the elliptical, you can use your own device to stream your favorites.

While our tester specifically noted that the Schwinn 490 has the look, feel and experience of machines you might find at a commercial gym, they added that if you have the machine on a hard-surface floor (like wood or tile), it “can be a little noisy and shimmies with some movement.” Putting a mat down helped with this, and they chalked up the experience to the machine featuring rubber feet on the front (helping prevent some of the motion), but not on the back.

Sitting at just under $1,700, it costs about $1,000 more than our budget and overall picks, but still comes in about $800 less than our favorite high-tech option, landing it squarely in that mid-range “sweet spot” that might make it an ideal choice for many households and needs.

Dimensions: 58.5″ x 29.5″ x 74″ | # Resistance levels: 26 | Stride length: Up to 32″ | Integrated workouts: No — just a manual or “quick start” option; thousands of workouts available to stream with iFit membership | Warranty: 10-year frame; 2-year parts; 1-year tablet, labor and repairs | Weight capacity: 375 lbs. | Standout features: Incline and decline settings, 16-inch integrated touchscreen with workout and entertainment options, SmartAdjust automatically changes intensity and incline to match streaming workout on iFit, 1 month iFit membership included, integrated fan, USB-C charging port, on-handle adjustment levels

In a world where flashy home fitness equipment is becoming the norm, NordicTrack is one brand getting the technology right. Our tester has tried three different NordicTrack products (a recumbent bike, an incline treadmill and this elliptical) and she shares that she finds the integrated touchscreen, entertainment options and iFit workouts easy to access and use. “The iFit membership, while an extra expense, is worth it when using it in conjunction with NordicTrack’s equipment. Unlike some integrated programs I’ve tried, the brand’s SmartAdjust technology that auto-adjusts intensity and incline with the workout you’re streaming is a really nice feature that keep your routine engaging and challenging,” she says. The touchscreen is also responsive, the speakers high-quality and it’s easy to set up Bluetooth to integrate with your headphones, smart watch or heart rate monitor, as desired.

In terms of the machine itself, our tester (who is 6’0″), points out that having the 32-inch adjustable stride is particularly nice. “While most home ellipticals fix the stride length at a maximum of 20-inches, I find that often feels too short if I’m really trying to mimic my running stride,” she says, adding, “It can feel a bit awkward to adjust stride length as you go (you definitely want to hold the handles as you make adjustments), but once you find the right length, it feels surprisingly natural.” That, plus the option to change incline and decline settings and choose between using the moveable or fixed handles means you can target your muscles in a wide variety of ways for a full-body workout that’s truly effective. “I started using this elliptical during the second trimester of my current pregnancy as an alternative to walking or jogging, and I really feel like it’s delivered a fantastic, low-impact workout.”

Of course, the price is something to consider. At $2,500 on sale, plus the expense of the $39/month iFit membership, it’s an investment, to say the least. If you don’t think you’ll use the extra tech, integrated screen or workouts, the premium price is steep. You may want to consider the lower-tech, but solid Horizon model that made our top pick or the Schwinn 490 that offers some of the added workout options (like incline and decline settings) but without an integrated touchscreen or the need for an ongoing subscription.

The added cost of in-room delivery and assembly is also something to consider. While standard shipping is free (dropping off the box outside your home), the machine is heavy, clocking in at almost 300 pounds. Getting it inside and set up isn’t a small task, so if you’ll want white-glove, in-room delivery and set up, you’ll need to be prepared to spend an extra $350. And if you want an older piece of equipment hauled away at the same time? That’ll cost you an extra $50, bringing the total to $400.

Dimensions: 36″ L x 36″ W x 54″ H | # Resistance levels: 40 | Stride length: 12-15″ | Integrated workouts: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime | Weight capacity: 300 lbs. | Standout features: Recumbent position, tablet holder, water bottle storage

The Inspire Fitness CS3.1 Cardio Strider leads the field as the best elliptical for knee or joint pain due to its thoughtful design that prioritizes comfort. The recumbent seat provides crucial back support while reducing pressure on the knees, making it an excellent choice for individuals with joint pain, arthritis or lower-body mobility challenges. It’s supported position may also be more appropriate for those with chronic low back pain. Its adjustable handles and seat allow you to tailor your workout and find the perfect position.

This machine offers an impressive 40 resistance levels, along with 10 preset programs, giving users plenty of options. The Cardio Strider has a Bluetooth connection to sync to the Inspire Fitness mobile app for extra workouts. Our tester found that it provides a gentler workout than some high-end machines, making it a good fit for older adults, those with mobility issues or people new to exercise. “I have some mobility issues in one of my legs, so this was a game-changer for me,” our tester says.

This machine has plenty of perks to help keep exercisers comfortable, including an adjustable seat height and three-point back tilt, water bottle storage and a tablet holder.

Overall, our tester says the machine feels stable and safe. “I found that I was able to zone out and be like, ‘Oh! it’s been 30 minutes already,'” she says. “The seated aspect of it allowed me to get into the zone. “

“Great machine,” says one Amazon review. “Just got this and have only used it for two days but already love it. Works very smoothly and is whisper quiet. No problem listening to music or talking to my wife.” However, while many users appreciate the Cardio Strider’s thoughtful design and joint-friendly features, some have noted that the seat may not be ideal for everyone. Specifically, larger users have reported that the seat feels too small or lacks sufficient cushioning for extended workouts. 

Also, it’s impossible to ignore the price. At $2,800 this is the most expensive elliptical on our list (when accounting for typical sales prices). Given that there’s not much high-tech integration like built-in touchscreen entertainment panels with instructor-led workouts, it’s a pretty penny to pay.