The 7 Best Ellipticals Under $1,000 in 2024

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Buying cardio machines for your home gym can easily add up in cost, but these investments for your health don’t have to be expensive. If you love exercising on an elliptical trainer for the many health benefits or the low-impact workouts, there are numerous high-quality elliptical machines on the market that you can purchase for your home gym for $1,000 or less. Investing in an elliptical trainer comes with numerous perks: these cardio workouts can promote weight loss, boost your stamina, strengthen your leg muscles and even help you recover from injury.

If you’re considering adding an elliptical to your home gym without breaking the bank, our best elliptical under $1,000 guide will share our favorite budget-friendly buys of 2024 and what makes them worthy of a spot on our list. We’ll dive into their features, capabilities, design and more to help you find an elliptical trainer that meets your needs, and most importantly, your budget.

Our Picks for the Best Ellipticals Under $1,000 in 2024:

• Best Elliptical Under $1,000 Overall: Sole E20
• Best Interactive Elliptical Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon EL
• Best Compact Elliptical Under $1,000: Schwinn 411 Elliptical
• Best Elliptical under $1,000 for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59
• Best Elliptical under $1,000 for Performance: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Elliptical
• Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro FlexStride Elliptical
• Best Full-Body Workout Elliptical under $1,000: Cubii Total Body+

Best Elliptical Under $1,000 Overall: Sole E20

Specs:

• Price: $799.99
• One-touch controls for incline
• Six preset workout programs
• Oversized foot pedals
• Built-in heart rate monitors on hand grips

There are numerous budget-friendly elliptical machines deserving of a spot in your home gym, but our best elliptical machine under $1,000 overall is the Sole E20. This cost-effective piece of fitness equipment offers a smooth and effective workout, six preset exercise programs and built-in heart rate monitors on the hand grips to track your pulse as you exercise. However, it’s also compatible with any standard wireless chest strap if you want to use your own heart rate monitor. With its oversized foot pedals and long stride length, this machine provides a natural glide and low-impact workout that you can easily switch from light to more challenging.

For more intense workouts, you can increase your incline level all the way up to 10, which you can control directly from the elliptical trainer’s console with one-touch controls for each level. The console also includes a USB port to charge your devices, a water bottle holder and a tablet holder. In addition, it has a five-and-a-half-inch LED display that tracks workout metrics like distance, calories, time and more.

Plus, it’s hard to beat the fair price point: for just under $800, this elliptical trainer has everything you need for interval training and an overall good workout. While a subscription to Sole Fitness’ Studio fitness program isn’t necessary, you have the option of enrolling for $19.99 per month to access trainer-led classes to use alongside this machine.

Pros:

• Larger foot pedals and stride length
• Suitable for all fitness levels
• Lifetime warranty on frame
• Bluetooth compatible

Cons:

• Studio subscription required for trainer-led classes
• Some customers complain of difficult assembly instructions

Best Interactive Elliptical Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon EL

Specs:

• Price: $799
• SmartAdjust technology auto-adjusts resistance
• 18 QuickSpeed digital resistance buttons on console
• Front-mounted transport wheels for easy moving
• Silent magnetic resistance for quiet workouts

While it may be true that many ellipticals with interactive features tend to be higher-end (and, therefore, more expensive) buys, ProForm Carbon EL proves otherwise. This front-drive elliptical from ProForm is packed with interactive technology that helps keep your workouts entertaining and fun. You’ll need an iFIT membership to access most of these features, but this elliptical trainer still offers an interactive experience with or without a subscription to the fitness program; otherwise, it costs $15 per month for live and on-demand fitness classes.

Here’s what you can get with iFIT. Buying a subscription for ProForm Carbon EL will net you interactive training sessions that use SmartAdjust technology to auto-adjust your resistance alongside the program. You can also stream global and studio class workouts, which include guided classes in scenic locations. Lastly, iFIT will unlock access to connected fitness tracking, which auto records and adjusts fitness plans based on your fitness level. Still, there’s plenty that this elliptical trainer offers without iFIT. It has an impressive 18 levels of resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, an inertia-enhanced flywheel for smooth gliding and a 19-inch power adjustable stride. Therefore, you can easily use this machine as a cross trainer for different muscle groups or for HIIT workouts, thanks to its wide range of resistance and adjustable features.

Pros:

• 18 levels of resistance are good for HIIT workouts or cross-training
• 19-inch adjustable stride and adjustable ramp up to 20 degrees
• Convenient built-in device holder and water bottle holder
• Connected fitness tracking tailors workouts to your fitness level

Cons:

• iFIT membership required for all interactive features
• Users report difficult assembly

Best Compact Elliptical Under $1,000: Schwinn 411 Elliptical

Specs:

• Price: $599
• Includes both moving and fixed handlebars
• Built-in pulse sensors on hand grips
• 18-inch stride helps save space
• Three built-in workout programs

Schwinn is well-known for their indoor and outdoor exercise bikes, but the popular fitness brand makes a great range of elliptical machines as well. Schwinn 411 is the entry-level elliptical model, followed by the Schwinn 430 and 470. At just $599, Schwinn 411 is much smaller than most elliptical machines, making it our best compact elliptical on our list. Still, despite its smaller footprint of just 24 inches wide, this elliptical trainer doesn’t skimp on features or functionality. It offers an 18-inch stride, contact and wireless heart rate monitors, moving and fixed handlebars (which give you different upper body workout options), and 16 levels of resistance. This machine can also be used with the mixed-reality app Explore the World, which allows you to exercise in 19 locations around the world that include 27 routes, while tracking your pace and distance.

Although the console isn’t backlit, it shows all of your important workout metrics, like time, speed, distance, calories and heart rate. There’s also a built-in media tray and bottle holder to help you keep all of your essential items around you while you exercise. Schwinn 411 comes with three built-in workout programs that include manual, interval and challenge, so you can easily tailor your exercise from light and simple, to challenging and more high-intensity. For the ultra-low price range, this machine delivers everything you need for a variety of cardio workouts.

Pros:

• 18-inch stride offers space-saving solution
• Easy assembly and instructions
• Streamlined console with user-friendly interface
• Higher user weight capacity of 300 pounds

Cons:

• Some customers say lowest level of resistance is still challenging
• Handles may be too far out for shorter users
• Console isn’t backlit

Best Elliptical Under $1,000 for Beginners: Horizon Fitness EX-59

Specs:

• Price: $999
• Rapid-charge USB port
• Bluetooth speakers and connectivity
• Setup takes 30 minutes or less
• One-touch keys for resistance changes

If you’re a new elliptical user (or new to working out in general), this beginner-friendly machine can help you achieve your fitness goals and steadily increase your fitness level. Horizon Fitness EX-59 is our favorite elliptical under $1,000 for beginners because it’s designed to promote proper form, has a tighter distance between pedals for less stress on your hips and back and includes 10 levels of magnetic resistance that you can easily change via one-touch keys on the console. Learning proper form is essential to preventing injury, so this elliptical is designed with an ergonomic frame that encourages your body to go into the ideal position for elliptical training. This can help keep you in good form, but it also makes exercising much more comfortable.

In addition to being beginner-friendly, we love this machine for its connectivity features. Not only does it have Bluetooth speakers that can sync to your devices, but it also has a rapid-charge USB port so you don’t have to worry about your tablet running out of battery in the middle of streaming classes on your favorite fitness apps. The four-and-a-half-inch LCD display also keeps track of metrics like calories, distance, heart rate, speed and more. Beginners can enjoy five built-in workout programs that include weight loss, interval training and distance, among others, so you can easily change up your workout until you find a program that you like.

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty on frame
• Ergonomic design promotes proper exercise form
• Five built-in and beginner-friendly workout programs
• Easy on hips and back

Cons:

• 10 levels of resistance may not be challenging enough for advanced users
• Some ongoing backorder issues

Best Elliptical Under $1,000 for Performance: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Elliptical

Specs:

• Price: $999
• Advanced power incline helps burn more calories
• 20 levels of resistance and incline
• Eight unique preset workout programs
• Free app sends workout data to fitness apps

The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Elliptical is another budget-friendly Horizon Fitness elliptical we love, which is several steps above and more advanced than the Horizon Fitness EX-59 model. As our top pick for performance, this elliptical trainer comes with several unique features that can help elevate your workout. First, it has an advanced power incline designed to let you target and tone your lower body, with 20 levels of adjustable incline. It’s also built with a 23-pound heavy flywheel that creates a smooth motion as you exercise, in addition to a similar frame as the EX-59 model that encourages your body to go into proper form when using the machine.

On the console are one-touch keys for resistance and incline, making this elliptical trainer a great choice for high-intensity interval workouts. Similar to the Horizon Fitness EX-59 model, it also has a rapid-charge USB port and integrated Bluetooth speakers and connectivity so you can connect to and stream your favorite music or content. However, a unique feature of this model is a free app included with your purchase that allows you to control your workout and push data to external fitness apps. A cooling fan is also built-in to keep you comfortable.

Pros:

• 20 levels of adjustable incline
• Longer 20-inch stride length
• Lifetime warranty on frame and brakes
• Heavy flywheel for smoother workouts

Cons:

• Customer service can be slow to respond
• Additional charge for delivery and/or assembly

Best Under-Desk Elliptical: LifePro Elliptical

Specs:

• Price: $299.99
• Portable with a built-in handle
• Eight levels of adjustable tension
• Includes resistance band and mat
• Powered by two AAA batteries

Rather than purchasing a full-sized elliptical machine, there are numerous under-desk ellipticals that are small enough to fit comfortably under your workspace—and help you get in some physical activity as you work. Our favorite under-desk elliptical is LifePro Elliptical, a compact and mini piece of fitness equipment that weighs just 26.5 pounds and measures 18.5 inches across. This elliptical trainer–which includes two foot pedals and an LCD screen that displays your metrics–has eight levels of adjustable tension and a non-slip rubber surface to help keep your feet secure. It’s also portable with a built-in handle, so you can easily take it from your desk to your couch to keep your physical activity going all day long, no matter where you are.

As the most cost-effective buy on our list, this under-desk elliptical costs just under $300 and also comes with a handful of accessories, including a yoga resistance band and an exercise mat. It’s powered by two AAA batteries, so you don’t have to worry about plugging this machine in. Plus, LifePro offers a lifetime warranty on this product, which can help you feel confident in your purchase. While this mini elliptical can only support up to 110 pounds per foot pedal (or 220 pounds total), it supports significantly more weight than many comparable under-desk ellipticals.

Pros:

• Allows for seated workouts
• Easy dial knob for tension control
• Non-slip rubber surface for added safety
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Lower user weight capacity than full-sized machines
• No handlebars for upper body training

Best Full-Body Workout Elliptical Under $1,000: Cubii Total Body+

Specs:

• Price: $449
• Includes arm pulleys for rowing workout
• 12 remotely adjustable levels of resistance
• Bluetooth compatible
• Activates six muscle groups

Cubii Total Body+ is an innovative machine that offers an upgraded take on traditional under-desk ellipticals. This mini compact machine generates a full-body exercise, while remaining small enough to tuck under your workspace (or, really, anywhere in your home). Like LifePro Elliptical, it features a base with two pedals, but what makes this machine different is its pulley system for your arms that recreates a rowing workout. You can choose to use these features together, or individually for just rowing or elliptical only. This machine also comes with 12 remotely adjustable levels of resistance that you can control directly from the Cubii App.

Like many under-desk ellipticals, this trainer is battery-powered for anytime use. It weighs 19.3 pounds and includes both a handle and wheels for easy transport. While this compact elliptical is close in price to some of the lower-priced, full-sized models on our list, it can be a worthwhile investment for those who want to use an elliptical trainer for under-desk purposes, or individuals with injuries or mobility concerns who have a hard time standing on a machine. Cubii promises this little device can burn around 150 calories per hour, and that 85 percent of its daily users reported improved joint range of motion and flexibility, according to an independent survey.

Pros:

• Full-body workout that targets arms and legs
• Resistance can be controlled via Cubii app
• Can be helpful for rehabilitation
• Weighs less than 20 pounds

Cons:

• Higher price point for miniature machine
• Requires charging batteries

Benefits of an Elliptical

Exercising on an elliptical comes with a host of physical and mental health benefits. Here’s what you can expect an elliptical machine to do for your health, wellness and fitness level.

Boost Cardiovascular Health

A regular exercise routine that can include elliptical training can have tremendous benefits for the heart. Physical activity can lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and slow your heart rate. It can also increase HDL, or “good” cholesterol, and reduce stress hormones that can negatively impact the heart. In addition, exercise can help prevent your heart from working too hard. If you’re seeking out the heart-healthy benefits of cardio workouts, an elliptical trainer is an excellent machine to consider adding to your home gym.

Low-Impact Workouts

Exercising on an elliptical machine is one of the best low-impact workouts that you can do. Since your feet are essentially gliding forwards and backwards, you aren’t actively taking steps like you would on a treadmill, or pounding pavement as you would by running outside. This low-impact workout puts less stress on your joints, making it a great option for people of all fitness levels and many people with injuries or mobility issues. Another great low-impact machine to consider is a stair stepper, which while challenging, puts less stress on joints. A handful of ellipticals also come in a stair stepper-like design that blends both workouts.

Increase Your Calorie Burn

Exercising on an elliptical can be an effective way to increase your calorie burn. 30-minute elliptical workouts can burn anywhere from 270–378 calories, while walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes burns only 135–150 calories (these numbers, of course, depend on your weight and how hard you exercise). However, if you’re looking to maximize your calorie burn, an elliptical trainer should be one of your top cardio machines of choice to purchase for home gym use.

Lose Weight

If you have weight loss goals, investing in an elliptical trainer can help you lose weight. Aerobic exercise like elliptical workouts can be an effective way to shed pounds, and studies show that 10 months of regular aerobic exercise promoted significant weight loss in both men and women.

Reduce Your Stress

Studies have long proven that exercise can be a key component to fighting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Research shows that moderate physical activity, including working out on an elliptical, can reduce depression risk amongst young adults. A review of studies done over the last 20-plus years also determined that exercise is just as effective as standard antidepressant treatments. This review also found that every study, with the exception of one, discovered that patients who were using exercise as part of their treatment for depression showed a significant improvement in symptoms after exercising. So, if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, hopping on an elliptical machine can boost your brain’s production of endorphins, or feel-good hormones.

Improve Sleep

In addition to reducing stress, physical activity like exercising on an elliptical machine can actually help you get more shut-eye. 29 studies found that exercise improved sleep quality or duration, or how long you sleep for. While you may have heard that exercising at night is bad, which some believe can lead to poor sleep, newer research shows that evening exercise before bed does just the opposite and can actually help you fall asleep faster and for longer, as long as the exercise isn’t done within one hour of bedtime.

How We Chose the Best Elliptical Under $1,000

We chose the machines that made our best elliptical under $1,000 list based on a number of factors. While price was a key driving factor, we looked at much more than just cost. Our choices were determined by overall construction and build, machine durability, features, functionality, Bluetooth capabilities, resistance range and customer reviews. We carefully assessed what each machine included–and didn’t include–before making a decision.

How to Choose the Best Elliptical Under $1,000 for You

There are many important factors to consider in order to find a machine that best fits your needs, workout space, budget and interests. Here’s how to choose the right elliptical trainer.

Resistance

An elliptical trainer’s resistance range will determine how light or challenging you can make your workouts. A higher resistance range will allow you to crank up the difficulty, and it will also make it easier to do high-intensity interval training that requires quickly changing your workout from easy to hard. Some machines even offer auto-adjusting resistance that changes your resistance to match your workout program, but this feature is usually part of a paid fitness subscription.

Size

Elliptical machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on the size of your home gym and how much space you can afford to give to an elliptical machine, it’s important to find a product that won’t overcrowd your workout area. A safe rule of thumb is to have five feet to each side of you to guarantee that you have enough space to comfortably exercise; remember that elliptical strides move horizontally, so the area behind your machine is especially important to consider. For a more space-saving solution, you can also consider mini or under desk ellipticals.

Stride length

Stride length is a surprising factor that makes a big difference in your elliptical experience, so be sure not to overlook this important detail. A longer stride length will essentially put more distance between your feet as you glide on the elliptical; this can create more burn and a more challenging workout. A shorter stride length, on the other hand, is easier on your legs and takes some of the stress off of your back, hips and knees. Consider your overall fitness level and how challenging you want your workouts to be. If you’re not sure or if you want to bounce between a longer and shorter stride length, you can also look for a machine with adjustable stride length.

Build and quality

Build and quality matters, especially when you’re investing hard-earned money into an elliptical trainer. Whether you’re paying $300 or $3,000 for cardio equipment, you want a machine that’s designed to last and won’t break down on you in a couple of months. While a lower-priced purchase runs the risk of being made with lower-quality materials, you can avoid these issues with a bit of careful research. Most product pages include specs that tell what their machines are made out of. Look for products built with steel or aluminum, as these are more durable. Machines that contain plastic products or parts may run the risk of breaking, and this can cause issues down the line since most elliptical trainer warranties include just one year for parts.

In addition, consider the overall build style and shape of the elliptical machine. For a more traditional experience, you can seek out a standard elliptical machine with or without moveable handrails (stationary handrails won’t offer an upper-body workout, so keep this in mind). Older adults or individuals with mobility issues or injuries can also try recumbent elliptical machines, which are seated, or under desk ellipticals that can be used at a workspace or on a couch.

Cost

With any major fitness investment, cost is arguably the most important factor behind a decision. Be sure to consider your budget from several different directions. First and foremost, how much you’re willing and able to pay for the elliptical machine alone. Then, factor in any additional shipping, delivery or installation costs. Lastly, add up costs for any further investments, like training shoes, fitness accessories, subscriptions to fitness apps or pre-workout supplements. To get the best price, we always recommend checking both the brand website and Amazon for any deals, although you might find the deepest discounts on official sites during sale seasons.

Extra Features

If a standard elliptical trainer without any bells and whistles is all you need to achieve a good workout, then you may not need extra features. However, if you’re looking for a more interactive experience, Bluetooth connectivity or certain accessories, it’s important to seek out a machine that covers most of these bases. Determine what will make your workout more enjoyable and effective–perhaps that might be integrated accessory holders, like media racks, or a cooling fan to keep you comfortable. While it may not be possible to get every extra feature you’re looking for in a budget-friendly purchase, a machine that meets most of your needs is worth trying.

FAQs

Here’s everything else you need to know about elliptical trainers.

How much does a good elliptical machine cost?

A good elliptical doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive buy. Most standard ellipticals start around $500, but keep in mind these machines likely won’t have any high-end features or bells and whistles. Instead, you’ll get a basic workout and a machine that gets the job done. For a more interactive experience or additional features, like Bluetooth connectivity or touchscreens, ellipticals can easily get into the thousands range, with the most expensive models costing upwards of $6,000 or more. However, don’t be put off by this price range. You can buy an excellent elliptical for less than $1,000, while still getting an interactive experience.

Can you find high-tech features on an elliptical under $1,000?

Yes, you can find a number of high-tech features on an elliptical that costs less than $1,000—and if you don’t believe us, just check out our list. Many elliptical machines on our best elliptical under $1,000 guide come loaded with features like scenic workouts, pulse grips, auto-adjusting resistance and integrated fitness apps. Some machines require a subscription to paid fitness platforms to access all features, but others include them with the machine at no extra cost.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason elliptical machines are a favorite choice for cardio amongst the fitness community. These machines offer numerous health benefits such as weight loss, stamina boost, strengthening of leg muscles and injury recovery. While it’s true that cardio machines tend to be some of the most expensive buys for a home gym, purchasing a high-quality elliptical trainer doesn’t have to be a major investment. Our best elliptical machine under $1,000 guide proves that more budget-friendly elliptical trainers can be worth the purchase, and you don’t have to lose out on high-tech features in exchange for a lower price point. Before making a purchase, be sure to consult our list to learn which models are available and what features they offer.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.