6 products tested & ranked

We Tested 6 Ellipticals — Here's What's Actually Worth It

Low-impact cardio machines tested for smooth stride and joint-friendly workouts

Featuring:

Sole E95 Elliptical·

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i·

Bowflex Max Trainer M9·

Schwinn 470 Elliptical·

ProForm Carbon EL+1 more

Helping 12,000+ professionals choose the right tools

Quick Answer

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

See all reviews

Best Overall

8.7

Sole E95 Elliptical

$1,900

A heavy-duty front-drive elliptical with a 27-lb flywheel, 20-inch stride, power adjustable incline, and a 400 lb weight capacity for serious home cardio.

Check Price at Sole

Best for Small Teams

8.5

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i

$1,999

A 3-in-1 connected fitness machine that combines elliptical, stepper, and treadmill movements with a 10-inch iFIT touchscreen and auto-adjusting resistance.

Check Price at NordicTrack

Best Value

8.0

Bowflex Max Trainer M9

$1,999

A compact stair-stepper/elliptical hybrid designed for high-intensity interval training with 20 resistance levels, a 10-inch screen, and JRNY integration.

Check Price at Bowflex

Elliptical trainers offer one of the most joint-friendly cardio workouts available, making them ideal for anyone recovering from injury, managing joint pain, or simply wanting effective cardio without the impact of running. Our team has tested ellipticals from the leading brands, evaluating stride length and feel, resistance smoothness, stability during intense workouts, and the quality of built-in programs. From compact models for small apartments to commercial-grade machines with powered incline, our reviews help you find the right elliptical for your fitness goals and living space.

0Products Tested

0+Hours of Testing

0+Years Experience

0Expert Reviewers

Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through links on this site. This never influences our ratings or recommendations. Our reviews are based on independent, hands-on testing. We believe in full transparency about how we make money. Read our full disclosure →

Our Top Picks

#1 Top Pick

Sole E95 Elliptical

Best Overall

8.7

Very Good

Check Price at Sole

#2 Runner Up

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i

Most Versatile

8.5

Very Good

Check Price at NordicTrack

#3 Also Great

Bowflex Max Trainer M9

Best for HIIT

8.0

Very Good

Check Price at Bowflex

#1 Our Top Pick$1,900

Sole E95 Elliptical

Serious home cardio enthusiasts who want a tank-like elliptical with commercial-grade build quality and no subscription fees

Read Full Review →

Very Good

Ease of Use8.0

Noise Level8.5

Performance9.0

Build Quality9.5

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Sole E95 Elliptical8.7/10	NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i8.5/10	Bowflex Max Trainer M98.0/10	Schwinn 470 Elliptical7.8/10	ProForm Carbon EL7.3/10	Horizon EX-59 Elliptical7.0/10
Starting Price	$1,900	$1,999	$1,999	$999	$799	$599
Price Range	$1,900	$1,999	$1,999	$999	$799	$599
Drive Type	Front-drive	Front-drive	Hybrid (stepper/elliptical)	Front-drive	Front-drive	Center-drive
Stride Length	20 inches	0-32 inches (auto-adjustable)	Vertical stepping motion	20 inches	Up to 19 inches	18 inches
Built-in Screen
Adjustable Incline
Max User Weight	400 lbs	375 lbs	300 lbs	300 lbs	300 lbs	300 lbs
	Check Price at Sole	Check Price at NordicTrack	Check Price at Bowflex	Check Price at Schwinn	Check Price at ProForm	Check Price at Horizon

Detailed Reviews

Very Good

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i

Most VersatileVersatile cardio enthusiasts who want multiple workout types from one machine with iFIT guided programming

Ease of Use8.5

Noise Level8.5

Performance9.0

Build Quality8.5

Pros

3-in-1 machine replaces elliptical, stepper, and treadmill
Auto-adjustable stride up to 32 inches suits all body types
Decline and incline options target different muscle groups
iFIT auto-adjusting resistance creates hands-free workouts
375 lb weight capacity accommodates most users

Cons

Requires iFIT subscription for full functionality ($39/month)
Very heavy at 284 lbs making placement a one-time decision
10-inch screen is smaller than competitors like Hydrow or Peloton
Large footprint needs significant floor space

Pricing: $1,999

A 3-in-1 connected fitness machine that combines elliptical, stepper, and treadmill movements with a 10-inch iFIT touchscreen and auto-adjusting resistance.

Read Full Review →

Very Good

Bowflex Max Trainer M9

Best for HIITHIIT enthusiasts and apartment dwellers who want maximum calorie burn from a compact machine and enjoy guided workout programming

Ease of Use8.5

Noise Level7.5

Performance8.5

Build Quality7.5

Pros

Ultra-compact footprint fits in the smallest spaces
Unique HIIT-focused design burns more calories per minute
Full-body workout engaging upper and lower body simultaneously
JRNY app provides personalized adaptive workouts

Cons

Stepping motion is intense and may not suit recovery days
JRNY subscription ($19.99/month) needed for guided features
Not a traditional elliptical — different movement pattern
Some users find the motion stresses the knees more than a standard elliptical

Pricing: $1,999

A compact stair-stepper/elliptical hybrid designed for high-intensity interval training with 20 resistance levels, a 10-inch screen, and JRNY integration.

Read Full Review →

Good

Schwinn 470 Elliptical

Best ValueBudget-conscious buyers who want a feature-rich elliptical with good stride length and incline without paying premium prices

Ease of Use8.0

Noise Level8.0

Performance8.0

Build Quality7.5

Pros

Excellent value under $1,000 with features of pricier machines
25 resistance levels and motorized incline for progressive training
29 built-in programs work without any subscription
20-inch stride accommodates most user heights
Bluetooth connectivity and JRNY app integration

Cons

Only 6 incline levels compared to 20+ on premium machines
300 lb weight capacity limits heavier users
Dual LCD screens are functional but outdated looking
Some users report occasional squeaking after extended use

Pricing: $999

A mid-range elliptical with 25 resistance levels, 20-inch stride, power incline, and Bluetooth connectivity at an affordable price point under $1,000.

Read Full Review →

Good

ProForm Carbon EL

Best BudgetBudget shoppers who want a capable elliptical with incline and iFIT connectivity without breaking the bank

Ease of Use7.5

Noise Level8.5

Performance7.5

Build Quality6.8

Pros

Affordable price under $800 with incline and iFIT connectivity
20-degree incline is impressive for the price range
Quiet magnetic resistance suitable for apartments
Compact design fits in smaller workout spaces

Cons

No built-in screen — requires your own tablet or phone
15-lb flywheel is lighter than industry standard (16-20 lbs)
19-inch max stride may feel short for taller users
Best iFIT features require $39/month subscription

Pricing: $799

A compact, quiet elliptical under $800 with 18 resistance levels, adjustable stride, 20-degree incline, and iFIT Bluetooth connectivity.

Read Full Review →

Good

Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

Best for BeginnersBudget-conscious beginners who want a reliable, quiet elliptical for light-to-moderate home cardio without tech complexity

Ease of Use8.5

Noise Level8.5

Performance6.8

Build Quality7.0

Pros

Best Buy award winner at just $599
No subscription, no apps, no complexity — just exercise
Quiet magnetic resistance perfect for apartments
Lifetime frame warranty is exceptional at this price
Easy assembly in under an hour

Cons

18-inch stride is short for taller users over 5 feet 10
Only 10 resistance levels limits progression for experienced users
No incline adjustment at all
14-lb flywheel can feel slightly choppy at very low speeds

Pricing: $599

An award-winning budget elliptical with a 14-lb flywheel, 18-inch stride, 10 resistance levels, and 5 preset programs for beginners seeking value.

Read Full Review →

Our Testing Methodology

Each elliptical is tested through 25+ hours of use across multiple testers of different heights. We evaluate stride smoothness and natural feel, measure noise levels at various resistance settings, test the accuracy of heart rate monitors and calorie counters, and assess the stability of the frame during high-intensity intervals. Pedal spacing (Q-factor) is measured to ensure ergonomic alignment, and we review the console interface and program variety.

Our Top 3 Picks at a Glance

Our Top Picks

Sole E95 Elliptical

Head-to-Head Comparison

Detailed Reviews

NordicTrack FreeStride Trainer FS10i

Pros

Cons

Bowflex Max Trainer M9

Pros

Cons

Schwinn 470 Elliptical

Pros

Cons

ProForm Carbon EL

Pros

Cons

Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

Pros

Cons

Our Testing Methodology

You Might Also Like

Never Miss a Review Update