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Ellipticals give a low-impact, full-body cardio workout: your feet never leave the pedals, which spares knees and hips compared with running. Stride length (18–20 in. suits most adults), resistance range, incline, stability and warranty separate good machines from wobbly ones.
NordicTrack AirGlide 14i
Incline and decline, 26 resistance levels and auto-adjusting stride; iFIT is an extra monthly cost.
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
NordicTrack AirGlide 14i
NordicTrack
Incline and decline, 26 resistance levels and auto-adjusting stride; iFIT is an extra monthly cost.
- 26 resistance levels
- -5% to 15% incline
- 300 lb capacity
- 32 lb flywheel
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Sole E25
Sole
Lifetime frame and flywheel warranty with a long 20 in. stride and up to 20% incline.
- 20 resistance levels
- 20 in. stride
- 350 lb capacity
- Lifetime frame, 2-yr parts, 1-yr labor
Where to buy: Amazon
NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
NordicTrack
Free-stride 3-in-1 motion with a big touchscreen and a 375 lb capacity.
- 26 resistance levels
- -10% to 10% incline
- 0-32 in. adjustable stride
- 375 lb capacity
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Bowflex
Vertical stepper-elliptical hybrid with a small footprint; shorter warranty.
- 16 resistance levels
- 300 lb capacity
- 46 x 26 x 64.2 in.
- 2-yr frame/mechanical warranty
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Horizon EX-59
Horizon Fitness
Simple, light and affordable, with fixed and moving handles; no incline.
- 10 resistance levels
- 18 in. stride
- 300 lb capacity
- Lifetime frame warranty
Where to buy: Amazon
Sole E35
Sole
Heavier-duty Sole with a bigger flywheel and adjustable incline.
- 20 resistance levels
- 20 in. stride, 25 lb flywheel
- 350 lb capacity
- Lifetime frame, 2-yr parts, 1-yr labor
Where to buy: Amazon
Schwinn 470 Elliptical
Schwinn
Motorized incline and many preset programs at a mid-range price.
- 25 resistance levels
- 20 in. stride
- 0-10 deg motorized incline
- 300 lb capacity
- 10-yr frame, 2-yr parts
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
YOSUDA EM1 Long-Stride Magnetic Elliptical
Yosuda
Compact machine with a longer stride than most budget units.
- 16 magnetic levels
- Up to 20.09 in. stride (Glide Select)
- 15.4 lb flywheel
Where to buy: Amazon
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Magnetic Elliptical
Sunny Health & Fitness
Very compact and cheap, but a short 11 in. stride and 220 lb limit suit lighter, shorter users.
- 8 magnetic resistance levels
- 11 in. stride
- 220 lb max user weight
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart, Target
ProForm Carbon EL
ProForm
Entry iFIT-compatible elliptical with power-adjustable incline.
- 18 resistance levels
- 19 in. adjustable stride
- 5 in. LCD
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Comparison table
| # | Product | Price tier | Key specs | Warranty | Spec status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordicTrack AirGlide 14i | — | 26 resistance levels; -5% to 15% incline; 300 lb capacity; 32 lb flywheel | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 2 | Sole E25 | $ Budget | 20 resistance levels; 20 in. stride; 350 lb capacity; Lifetime frame, 2-yr parts, 1-yr labor | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 3 | NordicTrack X16 Elliptical | $$$ Premium | 26 resistance levels; -10% to 10% incline; 0-32 in. adjustable stride; 375 lb capacity | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 4 | Bowflex Max Trainer M6 | — | 16 resistance levels; 300 lb capacity; 46 x 26 x 64.2 in. | 2-yr frame/mechanical warranty | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 5 | Horizon EX-59 | $ Budget | 10 resistance levels; 18 in. stride; 300 lb capacity | Lifetime frame warranty | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 6 | Sole E35 | — | 20 resistance levels; 20 in. stride, 25 lb flywheel; 350 lb capacity; Lifetime frame, 2-yr parts, 1-yr labor | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 7 | Schwinn 470 Elliptical | — | 25 resistance levels; 20 in. stride; 0-10 deg motorized incline; 300 lb capacity; 10-yr frame, 2-yr parts | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 8 | YOSUDA EM1 Long-Stride Magnetic Elliptical | $ Budget | 16 magnetic levels; Up to 20.09 in. stride (Glide Select); 15.4 lb flywheel | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 9 | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Magnetic Elliptical | $ Budget | 8 magnetic resistance levels; 11 in. stride; 220 lb max user weight | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
| 10 | ProForm Carbon EL | $ Budget | 18 resistance levels; 19 in. adjustable stride; 5 in. LCD | Not listed | Checked on maker/retailer page |
Specs come from maker/retailer listings where shown; "—" or "Not listed" means we haven't confirmed a value. Price tier appears only when a pick is clearly budget or premium. Always check the seller's page before buying.
How we ranked ellipticals
Ranked on build and stability, weight capacity, adjustability, footprint, warranty, independent test reviews (BarBend, Garage Gym Reviews, FitRated) and value. We have not hands-on tested these units; numeric specs come from makers or published tests and should be confirmed on the maker's page before you buy.
Follow the manufacturer's installation and weight-limit instructions. Consider professional installation for wall and ceiling mounts. Read our Equipment Safety Notice.
