Ellipticals are a strategic addition to any busy professional’s home gym—they tend to have a smaller footprint, are low-impact, and can help burn calories quickly. In under 30 minutes, you can get your heart rate up with intervals and increase your resistance to make your workout even more challenging. In short, there’s a lot to love about an elliptical if you’re someone looking to maximize the efficiency of your workout time.
We tested four ellipticals to select our favorite three options. Our testers included elite runners and cardio lovers alike. Testers considered aspects such as stride length, ergonomics, intervals, incline/decline, durability and construction, portability, and value. Each tester spent a minimum of 10 minutes on the elliptical, testing the resistance levels, interval training, stride variation, incline options, and other adjustable features.
Our Top Pick
After testing four ellipticals, our team found the NordicTrack X16 Elliptical to be the best overall.
Best Ellipticals of 2026
- Best Elliptical Overall: NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
- Best Elliptical for Small Spaces: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
- Best Commercial Elliptical: Sole E25 Elliptical
Best Ellipticals Comparison Table
Best Elliptical Overall: NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
| Fortune score | 4/5 |
at NordicTrack
- Our thoughts: We like this machine’s sleek and minimalist design
- Who it’s for: Folks who want a premium and quiet elliptical
- What makes it different: It has a customizable stride range and 26 levels of resistance
Pros
- Very stable and durable; similar to commercial gym machines
- Has a 16-inch HD touchscreen
- Can be used as an elliptical, stepper, or treadmill
Cons
- No onboard programming, requires iFIT subscription
- Costs more than other home ellipticals
Our Thoughts on NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
The NordicTrack X16 Elliptical is our pick for the best overall elliptical because of its high-quality construction and durability. It also has a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design that we think would look great in your home. This machine has 3-in-1 capabilities: you can use it as a traditional elliptical, treadmill, or stepper. Additionally, it has a decline of -10% and an incline of up to 10%, making it versatile for customization.
Paige tested the X16—she works out five to six days a week. She rated her overall experience with this machine a 4 out of 5. “This machine becomes more comfortable with time; once you get into a rhythm with the different movements of the pedals and can balance between stride and classic elliptical motion,” she said. “This machine is extremely smooth, one of the smoothest ellipticals I have been on. It almost felt like I was floating. It’s also extremely quiet, and I could barely hear it while in use. I think the X16 would be great in a household and would not disturb other people in the house.”
This is also the first elliptical machine that Paige has used with an incline, and she felt that it increased the intensity and burn of the workout. “The only comment I have about the incline is that it could be smoother while changing settings; the incline did skip several times,” she said.
Our tester was very pleased with the construction and durability of the X16, rating it a 5 out of 5 and noting: “The construction is very impressive and compact. I didn’t notice any shaking, wobbling, or weird clicking noises during my workouts. The machine was almost silent at all resistance and incline levels, too!”
Paige felt that the floor stabilizers surrounding the entire machine did their job well, both while moving the machine and exercising. “There are buttons for incline and resistance on the handles, and on the display, too.” she said. “The quality of the handles and grip are sturdy and comfortable.”
When it comes to portability, Paige rated this machine a 3 out of 5. “There are wheels on the back of the machine and handles to move it around. It is on the heavier side and may require multiple people (depending on the user) to move the machine to prevent injury,” she said. “This machine can be moved on hardwood floor and carpet.”
Specs
- Weight Capacity: 375 pounds
- Stride Length: 32-inch auto-adjustable stride
- Programs: No preset programs; iFIT library has 10,000+
- Resistance Levels: 26
Best Elliptical for Small Spaces: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
| Fortune score | 3.75/5 |
at Bowflex
- Our thoughts: Our tester found the middle-to-high resistance levels challenging enough for interval training
- Who it’s for: Folks who want a machine with a relatively small footprint
- What makes it different: This elliptical only weighs 136 pounds when set up; our tester said it is easy to move
Pros
- Very easy to move
- Doesn’t shake or wobble with use
- Great range of resistance levels
Cons
- Stride and length is very condensed
- Interface is not super user-friendly
- No built-in programming
Our Thoughts on Bowflex Max Trainer M6
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is our pick for the best elliptical for small spaces because it has a small footprint and is easy to move. At 46 inches long by 26 inches wide by 64.2 inches tall, we think this elliptical is great for city condos or a garage gym setup. When fully assembled, the machine weighs 136 pounds and has wheels on the front, so it’s simple to move from one room to the next.
Charlotte tested the Bowflex Max Trainer M6. She works out four to five times a week with a cardio focus. She rated her overall experience with this machine a 3.75 out of 5. While she didn’t love the stride and length, Charlotte enjoyed the range of resistance levels (16) and said that the M6 handled higher speeds well. “It has a short stride and feels compact, but there is durability and stability as I was using this. This elliptical is quieter but does run by a fan. As you increase your speed, the sound doesn’t increase by much,” she said.
She rated the construction and durability a 4 out of 5. “This machine is durable and easy to start. It remains durable as you are going through your workout—it didn’t shake or wobble at all, even at higher speeds. The floor stabilizers also helped a lot,” Charlotte said. While the M6 doesn’t include buttons on the handles, the buttons are located right in front of you while operating the machine.
Charlotte thinks this elliptical is very easy to maneuver, ideal for someone who needs to free up space post-workout. “It’s lightweight and has two wheels on the front, making it easier to move,” she said, rating portability a 4 out of 5. When it comes to aesthetics, Charlotte thinks this model “looks more modern and would fit perfectly into a residential space! It has a fan system at the bottom, which makes it look different from other machines, and the interface looks a lot different from other ellipticals,” she said.
Specs
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Stride Length: N/A
- Programs: 14-minute intervals, calorie burn, fat burn, stairs, and manual
- Resistance Levels: 16 levels
Best Commercial Elliptical: Sole E25 Elliptical
Sole E25
| Fortune score | 3.5/5 |
at Sole
- Our thoughts: Our tester liked the resistance levels
- Who it’s for: Great for petite people and folks who want an at-home workout
- What makes it different: Has a 20-inch stride and a 20-pound flywheel, plus simple tech
Pros
- Resistance feels good and realistic, per our tester
- Levels and incline can be changed via buttons on the handles
- Interface is user-friendly
Cons
- Stability is weak
- Middle of the road construction quality
- No streaming available
Our Thoughts on Sole E25 Elliptical
The Sole E25 Elliptical is our pick for the best commercial-like elliptical because it is an at-home machine that utilizes some commercial features. This machine has a 20-pound flywheel, 20 levels of resistance, and includes 10 built-in programs.
Charlotte tested this machine, rating her overall experience a 3.5 out of 5. “The resistance felt good and realistic, and it was easy to change with the buttons on the handle,” she said. “I did notice wobbling a bit, which made me not feel the best. But overall, it was pretty smooth for your average elliptical.”
In terms of stride length, Charlotte noticed the machine felt good for her height and leg length. “The stride length feels appropriate for me at 5 foot, 9 inches,” she described. “Running backwards was a little award and did not feel easy, but going forward felt super natural.”
She rated construction and durability a 3 out of 5. “The overall construction is very middle of the road,” Charlotte mentioned. “I didn’t notice any weird noises or shaking, but it did wobble at the top. However, I didn’t notice any potential weaknesses or defects,” she said. When it comes to ergonomics, Charlotte liked that there are levels and incline buttons on the handles. “The buttons on the handles were super convenient, though the incline didn’t work, so that was hard to test. I did like where the buttons were placed,” she said.
While Charlotte did say this machine was pretty heavy for the average person to move (pretty common for commercial-level exercise machines), she enjoyed the tech features. This machine had a heart rate sensor which was relatively on par with her Apple watch readings during the workout. Plus, she found the touchscreen and overall machine very easy to use and operate.
“It’s the normal Soul workout machine database,” she explained. “There are no coach streaming workouts. Overall, I prefer this because I don’t typically enjoy the coaching that is offered, so this is just giving you your stats, like distance, calories burned, plus your heart rate and that’s it.”
Specs
- Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
- Stride Length: 20 inches, fixed
- Programs: 10, including manual, hills, fat burn, HIIT, cardio, and more
- Resistance Levels: 20 levels
Why the Right Fitness Equipment Matters to Professionals
Using an elliptical can be a great way to move your body after sitting for a long period of time while working. Interval training on an elliptical will raise your heart rate and burn calories in a short period of time. Ellipticals also work both your upper and lower body, which is great for busy leaders who want to optimize their exercise time.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Ellipticals
We tested the best ellipticals by considering aspects such as stride length, ergonomics, intervals, incline/decline, durability and construction, portability, and value. Each tester spent a minimum of 10 minutes on the elliptical, testing the resistance levels, interval training, stride variation, incline options, and other adjustable features.
Stride Length
Testers examined how the stride of the ellipticals felt—could they pedal forward and backward with ease? Did it feel like traditional running and gliding? And was the stride length appropriate? Some stride lengths can be adjusted, while others are fixed.
Ergonomics
When testing the ergonomics of ellipticals, testers checked the quality of the handles and grips. They also considered if the machines had conveniences in places like the buttons on the handles, and if those buttons were easy to use. Depending on our testers’ various heights, they also considered if the handle buttons were located conveniently.
Durability and Construction
Testers provided their impression of the overall construction of the elliptical. They also shared if they noticed potential weaknesses or defects.
When it comes to durability, testers paid close attention to any shaking, wobbling, or weird clicking noises coming from the ellipticals during their workout. They checked for shaking and wobbling at higher speeds and higher resistance levels, as well.
Portability
Testers considered if they could easily move the machine around. Did it have wheels, and if so, does the elliptical easily roll on carpet?
Value
Testers rate the overall value prop of the ellipticals they’ve tested, considering both the cost and features. They then explain if the ellipticals offer good value for the price, or not.
Benefits of Elliptical Machines
Elliptical machines have several advantages when used at home. Here are some of the benefits.
- Low impact exercise: Since your feet stay on the pedals of an elliptical, these types of machines may put less stress on your joints than a treadmill or running on pavement
- Offers a full-body workout: Ellipticals engage both your upper and lower body
- May improve heart health: Aerobic exercise may help strengthen your heart and improve your cardiovascular endurance
- Excellent fat burn: Using an elliptical may burn more calories than simply walking on a treadmill, and you can burn those calories much more quickly, since an elliptical is low impact
How to Find the Best Ellipticals for You
Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for the best elliptical for you.
Size and Your Space
It’s best to measure the space where you’d like to ideally place your elliptical before purchasing. Then, check the boxed weight and the item weight of the elliptical. This way, you can have some idea if the machine will be easy or more difficult to move. Check for wheels, too. Most fitness equipment brands have extensive specs available on their product pages, which describe footprint, in-box dimensions, in-box product weight, and weight capacity as well.
Customization
Review the elliptical’s total incline capability (both decline and incline), smoothness when adjusting, stride length, and any jerky movements or small stops while using.
Technology
Consider if you’d like a separate screen to stream shows or connect to other apps while using. Some elliptical machines can also sync with wearable fitness trackers, too.
Programming
Check to see if the elliptical has built-in programming. You may see manual options, intervals, hills, fat burn, custom, target heart rate, and more. Some ellipticals require purchase of a program library (or a subscription) for use, so be sure to keep that in mind when considering the programming as well.
Fortune’s Final Thoughts
Our testers found that purchasing an elliptical for at-home use can be a mixed experience. While ellipticals can offer resistance and joint-friendly movement, there can sometimes be tradeoffs in stability, quality, and interface design.
If you’re a professional considering an at-home elliptical, value generally comes down to how frequently you’ll use it and if the build quality and features can support you.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand is best for an elliptical machine?
Our team selected the NordicTrack X16 Elliptical as our best overall pick because it’s easy to use and set up. Adjusting the stride length is simple and the construction is stable and durable, making it suitable for most folks.
Does an elliptical strengthen the hamstrings?
Per a 2011 study, using an elliptical may activate your quadriceps and hamstrings more than using a treadmill or stationary bike.
What is the best elliptical to buy for home use?
We recommend the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 for home use, as it has a small footprint, has wheels, and is easy to move—it weighs only 136 pounds.
