September 2023

Elliptical Trainers: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of elliptical trainers rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2023.

Summary

On 3 Sep 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 79 elliptical trainer endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

50 elliptical trainers were endorsed in total, only 16 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 3 Sep 2023, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed elliptical trainer with 5 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 5 recommended it as the '#1 elliptical trainer' this month.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking elliptical trainers start at $109.66 (Stamina InMotion E1000) and go up to $2755 (NordicTrack Commercial 14.9). Median elliptical trainer costs $829 (Teeter FreeStep LT3).
$109.66
$2755

At a glance - September Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Elliptical Trainer
money.com
Woman's World
CNET
Treadmill Review Guru
Forbes
Chicago Tribune
TopTenReviews
NBC News
Byrdie
T3
1
- Check price
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Trainer is a budget-friendly and compact option with adjustable resistance levels, a front-drive design, and a solid construction, making it suitable for those looking for a reliable and noise-free workout experience.
2
1
-
-
4
-
-
3
2
-
2
- $1100
Schwinn 470
The Schwinn 470 Elliptical Trainer is a versatile and feature-rich machine that offers a wide range of workout options, comfortable design, and advanced tracking features, making it a reliable choice for users of different fitness levels and goals.
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-
4
-
-
1
8
-
1
-
3
- $2499
NordicTrack FS14i
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-
-
1
-
-
-
-
3
1
4
- $1000
Sole Fitness E35
The Sole Fitness E35 elliptical trainer is a highly praised and versatile workout machine that offers a range of features, comfort, and durability for individuals looking to improve their fitness levels.
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-
-
-
5
-
-
1
7
5
5
- $900
Sole Fitness E25
The Sole Fitness E25 elliptical trainer offers a range of workout features, including adjustable resistance and incline options, heart rate monitoring, and a durable build, making it suitable for various fitness goals and preferences.
1
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
7
6
- Check price
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a compact and space-saving elliptical trainer that offers a challenging and efficient workout, with 16 levels of resistance, a fixed stride length, and a range of tracking features.
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8
-
9
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3
-
4
-
-
7
- Check price
Bowflex Max Trainer M9
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-
-
1
-
-
-
-
2
8
- $2755
NordicTrack Commercial 14.9
The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 Elliptical Trainer is a versatile and feature-rich machine suitable for individuals looking to improve cardiovascular health, tone muscles, and enjoy a comfortable and effective workout, with its adjustable stride length, multiple resistance levels, and trainer-led classes through the built-in iFit program.
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1
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
- $2739
NordicTrack FreeStrider FS10i
The NordicTrack FreeStrider FS10i elliptical trainer is a versatile and feature-rich machine that offers a comfortable and immersive workout experience, but its large size may not be suitable for those with limited space.
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6
-
8
-
-
-
2
-
-
10
- Check price
Nautilus E618
The Nautilus E618 Elliptical Trainer is a versatile and durable exercise machine that offers customizable workouts, comfort features, and advanced tracking capabilities, making it suitable for individuals who want a challenging and enjoyable workout experience.
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5
-
-
-
6
-
8
-
11
- Check price
ProForm Carbon HIIT H7
The ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 elliptical trainer is a versatile and compact machine that offers a challenging full-body workout with adjustable resistance levels and a unique climbing stride length, while also providing tracking features and a durable construction.
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2
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2
-
-
-
12
- $395
Sunny Fitness SF-E3912
The Sunny Fitness SF-E3912 Elliptical Trainer is a versatile and compact exercise machine that offers a customizable and comfortable workout experience, making it ideal for home use in smaller spaces.
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2
4
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-
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14
- $110
Stamina InMotion E1000
4
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-
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6
-
-
-
-
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15
- Check price
Bowflex Max Total 16
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-
6
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
- $710
Horizon Fitness EX 59
The Horizon Fitness EX 59 Elliptical Trainer is a highly recommended machine for its stability, smoothness, and comfort, offering 10 resistance levels, a compact size, and a durable build.
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-
-
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5
-
10
-
17
- Check price
Cubii JR1
The Cubii JR1 elliptical trainer is a compact and user-friendly exercise machine that offers a seated workout option, eight resistance levels, a front-drive system for low-impact workouts, a small LCD display screen, basic tracking features, noise reduction capabilities, and a durable construction.
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5
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11
-

; ; ;
#14 $109.66 Stamina InMotion E1000
#17 $169.99 Cubii JR1
#12 $394.78 Sunny Fitness SF-E3912
#16 $709.51 Horizon Fitness EX 59
#5 $899.99 Sole Fitness E25
#4 $999.99 Sole Fitness E35
#2 $1099.99 Schwinn 470
#3 $2499 NordicTrack FS14i
#9 $2739 NordicTrack FreeStrider FS10i
#8 $2755 NordicTrack Commercial 14.9

We ranked Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 #1 in September 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Best for Low Prices

Built-in wheels for easy transportation and storage.

Doesn’t have a reversible stride.

Go to ranking

Woman's World

Best Elliptical Under $200

8 levels of magnetic resistance
Compact
Digital display measures time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Budget Elliptical

Great price
Eight resistance levels

Compact stride length
Very light on features

Go to ranking

NBC News

Most affordable: Sunny Health & Fitness

Go to ranking

Byrdie

Best Budget

Budget-friendly
Digital display
Pulse sensors

Low weight capacity

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We ranked Schwinn 470 #2 in September 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Schwinn 470 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Most comfortable elliptical

Comfortable and intuitive to use
Ideal for people of all heights and weights

Lacks modern touch screen
No Wi-Fi connection
Not good for small spaces

Go to ranking

Chicago Tribune

Best of the Best

Has 25 different levels of resistance. The LCD screen shows you each workout and how high the resistance will get during the program. Has a time, distance, and calorie tracker. Designed to simulate natural strides. The handlebars can be adjusted.

The Bluetooth doesn't allow to sync music.

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TopTenReviews

Best Elliptical Machine For A Varied Workout

29-item program menu
Smooth striding
User-friendly LCD

Short labor warranty

Go to ranking

Byrdie

Best Overall

Syncs with multiple apps
Acoustic speakers
USB charging port
Ergonomic design

Repair support could be improved

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend elliptical trainers.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of elliptical trainers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for September 2023 ranking

We ranked NordicTrack FS14i #3 in September 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked NordicTrack FS14i as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Treadmill Review Guru

Best Elliptical Overall

The 3 in 1 functionality lets you use this machine multiple different ways.
It declines to -10% and inclines to 10% to add even more challenge to your workouts.
In addition to getting your heart rate up, it also provides a low impact exercise that is forgiving on your joints.
The 14” touch screen is excellent for viewing iFit classes and it’s easy to use.
The fan is surprisingly effective and comes with multiple air output settings.
The magnetic resistance is quiet no matter what level you’re using.
The flywheel is centered which promotes an upright posture and gives extra back support.

It is a compact machine, but it requires more space in front and behind for the pedals when it’s in use.
iFit has a monthly subscription cost after the first 30 days.

Go to ranking

Byrdie

Best Splurge:

Smart HD touchscreen
Bluetooth connectivity
On-demand workouts

Expensive
Requires monthly membership

Go to ranking

T3

Best elliptical trainer overall

Full-body workout that’s easy on the joints
Auto-adjusting stride is fun/easy to engage
Built-in fan and at-your-fingertips incline/resistance controls

Monthly iFit membership required (30-day trial included)
Tricky to move once assembled

Go to ranking

We ranked Sole Fitness E35 #4 in September 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sole Fitness E35 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Elliptical Machine For Sensitive Joints

Reduces ankle and knee stress
Extra low-impact workout

Bare-bones display
Pricey

Go to ranking

NBC News

Best overall: Sole

Go to ranking

Byrdie

Best for Comfort

Foot pedals encourage natural running motion
Power incline
Quiet operation

Assembly could be easier

Go to ranking

T3

Best full-size elliptical trainer

Sleek, compact, and quiet
Designed to be easy on the joints
Compatible with the STUDIO app, which offers 50+ elliptical-targeted classes

No built-in video screen

Go to ranking

We ranked Sole Fitness E25 #5 in September 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sole Fitness E25 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Editor's Pick

Warranty lasts lifetime on frame and 3 years for parts.

Limited preset workout programs compared to other models.

Go to ranking

TopTenReviews

Best Home Elliptical Machine Under $1,000

Industry-leading warranty
Oversized foot pedals for a comfy workout
Wireless heart rate monitoring

Stride length isn’t adjustable

Go to ranking

T3

Best elliptical trainer for durability

Lifetime guarantee
Gym-like spec

More expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowflex Max Trainer M6 #6 in September 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Woman's World

Best Elliptical Worth Splurging On

Includes free 2-month trial of the BowFlex JRNY™ App
Magnetic media rack for tablet or smartphone
Bluetooth heart rate compatible
16 levels of resistance

Go to ranking

Treadmill Review Guru

Best Compact Elliptical

Compact size with lots of features!
Low impact workout safely in your own home
Upgraded console is now easier to see and use
Handlebars and pedals sync for coordinated motion

Bowflex app has a subscription cost after the first year
Less extensive warranty than comparable machines

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Chicago Tribune

Feature-Packed

Has 16 different levels of resistance, offering a harder workout for those who want it.
This machine is equipped with a variety of exercise programs to help you progress your strength over time.
Comes equipped with a phone charger and Bluetooth heart monitor capabilities.

Some users noticed that it can be a bit loud on higher resistance settings.

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NBC News

For small spaces: Bowflex

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We ranked Bowflex Max Trainer M9 #7 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bowflex Max Trainer M9 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Elliptical Machine Overall

Smaller footprint
Free workout mat

Can be loud at higher speeds

Go to ranking

T3

Best money-no-object elliptical trainer

Many helpful features to combat subcutaneous fat
Dual-mode LCD/LED screens
Takes up half as much space as traditional ellipticals
Short workouts ideal for time-poor people

Limited stride length

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We ranked NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 #8 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Best Elliptical Overall

Modern design
Smooth stride
Has an iFit program option

It's big
The iFit membership comes at additional cost

Go to ranking

Treadmill Review Guru

Best Front-Drive Elliptical

The 32 lb flywheel is heavy and front-mounted to give extra stability to the console and overall construction of the machine.
The pedals are well-cushioned and oversized for support and can be adjusted to work for a large variety of users.
The price point is reasonable considering the overall high quality.
The 14” touch screen is clear and displays thousands of workouts filmed all around the world with an iFit membership.
The handles offer training for total body training and for isolating your lower body.
The stride length is comfortable and long enough for a wide range of heights.

Taller users might be limited with the pedal range when the elliptical is fully inclined.
The incline function is a little noisy, however, the resistance and pedals are quiet.

Go to ranking

We ranked NordicTrack FreeStrider FS10i #9 in September 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Woman's World

Best NordicTrack elliptical

Automatic trainer control
24 resistance levels
Comes with a 1-year iFit membership

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Treadmill Review Guru

Best Hybrid Elliptical

Both resistance and incline offer hearty training variables that will kick that heart rate up!
Smooth quiet motor is centered under the user’s body weight
Quick touch controls on the console make it easy to choose resistance or incline levels
iFit is included free for one year so you can evaluate the content to see great trainers and classes
Comfortable foot pedals are cushioned underfoot
Transport wheels enable you to move or slide the machine gently when needed

The FS10i does take up a bit of space since the pedals extend quite a ways both forward and back
There is a monthly subscription cost for iFit after the first year

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NBC News

Most versatile: NordicTrack

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We ranked Nautilus E618 #10 in September 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Most classic elliptical

Sturdy
Smooth stride
Mostly quiet

Outdated display screen
Bluetooth technology is limited
No Wi-Fi

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TopTenReviews

Best Elliptical Machine For Guided Workouts

Comfortably cushioned footplates
Power incline up to 15 percent
Wireless heart rate monitoring

Fixed 22" stride length

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Byrdie

Best App-Based

Syncs to apps with Bluetooth connectivity
Smooth acceleration
Padded handlebars boast integrated resistance controls

Repair support could be improved

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We ranked ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 #11 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Best Elliptical for Smaller Spaces

Ideal for small spaces
Quiet
Has iFit membership option

Turning it off can be a challenge
Lacks space for a tablet or other streaming device

Go to ranking

TopTenReviews

Best Elliptical Machine For Small Spaces

Total-body training
30lb flywheel
Compact

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We ranked Sunny Fitness SF-E3912 #12 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Chicago Tribune

Best Bang for the Buck

Has 24 built-in programs designed to target resistance and strength. Electro-magnetic resistance system contains 16 resistance levels. Device holder supports listening or streaming appliances. Foot pedal made with non-slip textures. Floor stabilizers add further safety on uneven or wooden floors.

Some users complain that the machine makes a clunking sound while working.

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TopTenReviews

Best affordable elliptical machine

High weight capacity
Full-motion arm exercisers
24 unique workout modes

Short 14-inch stride length

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We ranked Stamina InMotion E1000 #13 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
money.com

Best Under-Desk Elliptical

Very light, portable and easy to store.

No upper-body workout.

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Under-Desk Elliptical Machine

Highly portable
Can be used while sitting or standing

Takes awhile to catch your balance when standing

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We ranked Bowflex Max Total 16 #14 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Best elliptical to stream your favorite shows

Fits in most spaces
Has a big HD touchscreen
Lets you stream Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services
Personalizes your workout experience

Heavier than Bowflex Max M9, which can be a hassle to move
Expensive
Can't use without a JRNY membership

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Treadmill Review Guru

Best Elliptical For Netflix, Hulu, Etc

High-intensity training in a compact design.
Textured pedals and multi-grip handles work your entire body.
Free subscription on the 16” touch screen to never get bored while working out.
20 different levels of resistance to adjust and choose from.

The warranty is less than what other brands offer.
A subscription to JRNY is required to access the content on the touch screen.

Go to ranking

We ranked Horizon Fitness EX 59 #15 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TopTenReviews

Best Elliptical Machine For Beginners

Low price
iPod-compatible
30-day money-back guarantee

Small 14lb flywheel

Go to ranking

Byrdie

Best for Low Ceilings

Low pedals
Bluetooth speakers
Rapid-charge USB port

Short strides

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We ranked Cubii JR1 #16 in September 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best elliptical trainers” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Chicago Tribune

Best for Small Spaces

Choose between the 8 resilience levels for personal preference.
Miniature LCD screen displays progress in calories, strides, and distance.
Compact design allows users to transport it to work or different areas in the house.
Includes live exercise classes led by professional trainers.

Heavy, so it may not be easy to change locations on a regular basis.

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Byrdie

Best Under-Desk

Compact
Non-slip mat included
Quiet operation

Low weight capacity

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