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7 top-rated affordable ellipticals under $500

The home gym has become a staple in many of our workout regimens. Here are some affordable and top-rated ellipticals to consider adding to yours.
Illustration of two ellipticals
Looking for an affordable elliptical to add to your home gym? These are the top-rated options from Schwinn, Body Power, Sunny Health & Fitness and more.Amazon

Although gyms are now open, many people have spent the past few years perfecting their home gyms by adding treadmills, stationary bikes, indoor rowers and more to their exercise regimen. If you’re a beginner looking for an at-home cardio workout and aren’t sure which machine to buy — or you already have the machines mentioned and you want to add to your collection — you may want to consider an elliptical. Experts told us these machines offer a low-impact workout that puts less stress on your bones compared to other workout machines.

Higher-end ellipticals can offer a variety of key features that range from different resistance levels and customizable training modes to heart rate monitors and high-tech displays. But an affordable elliptical can still deliver a great workout, and the experts we spoke to said meeting your fitness goals should have more to do with your determination and consistency than with an expensive machine. That’s why we looked into a handful of well-rated affordable options under $500 without the bells and whistles of more expensive machines.

How to shop for an affordable elliptical

If you’re shopping for a more affordable elliptical, some more advanced features may not be available as they would be in a pricier machine, including magnetic resistance (which uses an electromagnet near the flywheel to set the resistance), class memberships and smart features like metric tracking. Our experts noted that some aspects of an affordable model you should consider include the quality and durability of the equipment, whether it fits your body type and any built-in programs.

When shopping for an elliptical, experts told us it’s important to consider the size and style that’ll fit your home and body. Affordable ellipticals will usually include a flywheel (which creates resistance using friction) that’s at least 20 pounds, and the location of the flywheel distinguishes between the two styles: Front-drive ellipticals and rear-drive ellipticals.

Front-drive ellipticals

This style of elliptical has the flywheel located in the front and simulates a slight climbing motion. Front-drive ellipticals tend to be less expensive and smaller than other elliptical trainers, allowing them to fit in tight, power outlet-accessible spaces around your home. They are the noisier option, however, which could be a major downside for apartment dwellers or or those in shared living spaces.

Because they’re more compact, front-drive ellipticals also tend to have a shorter stride, meaning it has a shorter distance between the two pedals at their furthest point and can make the user feel cramped and uncomfortable. “[A shorter stride] may force you into an unnatural stride motion,” Eric Ridings, a Chicago-based certified personal trainer, previously told us.

Rear-drive ellipticals

These ellipticals have the flywheel located in the back and are generally bulkier, heavier and much more expensive than front-drive ellipticals, which makes them less common for home gym users. Unlike front-drive options, these tend to be a lot quieter and offer a smoother workout.

Top-rated ellipticals for under $500

Based on the input from experts we previously consulted, we compiled highly rated ellipticals under $500 for your home gym that won’t break the bank. To guide your shopping in line with our experts’ guidance, we highlighted the weight capacity, flywheel weight (where relevant), resistance levels, any built-in programs and warranty.

Decathlon Domyos EL500 Exercise Fitness Elliptical

  • Weight capacity: 285 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: 15.5 pounds
  • Resistance levels: 6
  • Built-in training programs: 9
  • Warranty: 2 years (parts and labor); 5 years (metallic pieces)

If you’re hoping to track your workouts and progress while using your elliptical, the Domyos EL500 Exercise Fitness Elliptical from Decathlon is a worthwhile option — the elliptical is compatible with the Domyos E Connected app, which the brand says can track your individual stats and weekly goals, including calories burned, workout time and speed. The machine is compact with an almost 13-inch stride — which is the longest distance between the two pedals — and offers six functions, including calories, distance, workout time, speed, heart rate using hand sensors and cadence. The elliptical also comes with nine training programs with varying levels to customize your workout and it contains adjustable pedals and ergonomic handlebars to prioritize your comfort, according to the brand. It has a 4.5-star average rating from upwards of 2,000 reviews at Decathlon.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer

  • Weight capacity: 220 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: 8
  • Built-in training programs: N/A
  • Warranty: 3 years (structural frame); 180 days (other parts and components)

This portable elliptical from Sunny Health & Fitness is priced at under $200 and has a 4.1-star average rating from more than 17,300 reviews. Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin said she loves that this elliptical is “small and quiet, so it’s great for small spaces like apartments.” She also noted it’s very intuitive to use and provides multiple resistance levels, which Malin likes because it means she’s getting “a killer workout.”

The elliptical contains eight resistance levels — which the brand says can help build up to a more challenging workout routine with continuous use — and pulse sensors on the handlebars to simplify monitoring target heart rate, which can help meet fitness goals and improve cardiovascular health. It is also equipped with a performance monitor that helps you keep track of your time, speed, distance, calories and pulse.

Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine

  • Weight capacity: 250 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: 8
  • Built-in training programs: N/A
  • Warranty: 1 year, with a 1-year extension if product registered online

To help you sneak in some more physical activity during the work day, this quiet mini elliptical weighs under 20 pounds and can sit below your desk, making it a portable option to move around your home and store away, according to the brand. It offers eight resistance levels, an 18-inch stride and an LCD monitor that tracks calories burned, distance traveled and strides pedaled. The under-desk elliptical also boasts a 4.6-star average rating from over 15,500 reviews on Amazon.

Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine

  • Weight capacity: 300 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: 16
  • Built-in training programs: 13
  • Warranty: 10 years (structural frame); 2 years (other parts and components)

Though the Schwinn is technically $550, it’s worth mentioning for those building a home gym with limited space. The brand says that the machine is a fraction of the size of other ellipticals, offering an 18-inch stride and 16 levels of adjustable resistance. Schwinn says its 411 Elliptical is also equipped with moving and fixed handlebars, which include contact grip heart rate sensors to monitor heart rate, and a console that displays time, calories, speed and distance. It has a 4.2-star average rating from over 1,800 reviews on Amazon.

Body Rider Elliptical Trainer and Exercise Bike

  • Weight capacity: 250 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: 8
  • Built-in training programs: N/A
  • Warranty: 1 year (structural frame); 90 days (other parts and components)

This Body Rider Elliptical Trainer and Exercise Bike, gives you two staple pieces of home exercise equipment in one: a front-drive elliptical and a stationary exercise bike. While it’s not as durable as higher-end exercise machines (the instruction manual tells users to secure both pedal hinge bolts every 30 days, for example), it’s a low-cost, low-impact option for beginners, according to the brand. The adjustable seat moves horizontally and vertically to fit different heights and body types, and the brand says the device provides a gentle workout without putting stress on the joints, legs or hips. This elliptical has a 4-star average rating from over 3,700 reviews on Amazon.

Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical

  • Weight capacity: 250 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: Manual adjustment dial
  • Built-in training programs: N/A
  • Warranty: 1 year (structural frame); 90 days (other parts and components)

This compact, lightweight elliptical by home fitness brand Stamina lets you pedal while sitting at your desk, according to the brand. The device includes an adjustable dial that controls resistance levels (but keep in mind there are no specific numbers dedicated to a certain resistance level). It also includes a display that keeps track of exercise time, calories burned and number of strides per minute, and it comes with a . It has a 4.4-star average rating from over 13,400 reviews on Amazon

Body Power 3-in-1 Exercise Machine

  • Weight capacity: 250 pounds
  • Flywheel weight: N/A
  • Resistance levels: 8
  • Built-in training programs: 3
  • Warranty: 1 year (structural frame); 90 days (other parts and components)

The Body Power Exercise Machine can serve as an elliptical, an upright stationary bike or a recumbent bike for a varied cardio workout, according to the brand. There are three integrated handlebar options to use based on the exercise method you choose: U-shaped with a built-in heart rate monitor system, moving elliptical style and a wraparound style for a reclined seat. In order to transition to more challenging workouts, the resistance level can be adjusted using a dial knob without having to dismount, the brand says. The elliptical has a 4.1-star average rating from around 1,200 customer reviews.

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