Skip the Gym: 4 Best Home Elliptical Machines

Tired of forking over your hard-earned cash for a monthly gym membership only to have to wait in line to use the elliptical? An easy solution is to purchase a home elliptical machine. With your own elliptical machine at home, you get the same intense, full-body workout that you’ve come to appreciate from the gym’s equipment—targeting muscles in your legs, back, chest and arms—all without the commute, the wait, and (dare we say) the icky sweat and potentially dangerous germs of previous users.

If you’re ready to ramp up your heart rate while burning some serious calories, the following rundown of some of the best home ellipticals on the market is a good jumping-off point.

Best Overall Elliptical Machine: Nautilus E618

The Nautilus E618 has a lot of user-friendly bells and whistles that make it a standout in what has become a sea of home elliptical options. Large, comfortable, smooth-gliding pedals are adjustable, allowing users to pitch their stance to target specific muscle groups. Incline and resistance at the handles are also controllable, so you can quicken your pace on the fly. An app called Explore the World allows for a more integrated experience, viewable from the on-board display or your choice of device.

Best Compact Elliptical Machine: ProForm Carbon HIIT H7

If you live in a small home, apartment or dorm room where square footage is at a premium, then the ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 may be the machine for you. Many people are intimidated by the size of an elliptical because of space concerns, but this machine makes use of horizontal instead of vertical space, so it takes up around half the amount of vertical real estate altogether. Its compact design combines a 5-inch horizontal and 10-inch vertical path, giving your thighs and glutes a fiery, no-impact workout. It pairs with iFit (because the makers of NordicTrack also make ProForm equipment) for pro guidance on its 7-inch HD touchscreen.

Best Low-Impact Elliptical: Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical

In general, all ellipticals provide low-impact cardio exercise. But some are better than others for users with chronic knee or joint pain, users who are healing from injuries or surgery, and folks with mobility issues. Part elliptical, part cross trainer, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer, and Elliptical is both easy on the body and easy to use in both its seated and reclined positions. The controls are minimal—just toggle a button to view workout stats—making it a wonderful option for people with less-than-average tech abilities.

Best Budget-Friendly Elliptical: Schwinn 411

If you’re on a budget but still want a great at-home workout machine, think about getting your hands on a Schwinn 411. It is a bit more compact than most ellipticals, but its 18-inch stride length is nothing to scoff at and gives you a full range of workout motions. Work out along 27 routes and 19 locations without leaving the comfortable confines of your home when you pair the Schwinn 411 with the Explore the World App.