Best Elliptical Trainer Machine Reviews of 2020

In the last few decades, the market for at home fitness solutions has been in a steady state of growth. People are becoming aware that, for the price of a gym membership, they can exercise in the comfort of their own home.

One aspect of this is that the market for at home treadmills has exploded. But, not everyone feels they are suited for, or interested in, purchasing a treadmill. This has led to the market for at home elliptical machines to grow substantially as well.

Elliptical machines are common with exercise enthusiasts from all age groups and at all fitness levels. They provide a simple but effective way of getting an all-over body workout without putting excessive strain on the body.

This guide aims to help in purchasing the best option for you. In doing this, we will be examining the reviews currently available on the market, as well as the best home ellipticals within their brand offerings, and price brackets.

First, take a quick look at our current most popular elliptical reviews and recommendations:

🏆Top 3 Best Elliptical Trainers

🍏Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine

The Sole Fitness E35 is the winner in this guide from the beginning. This top rated product is a high quality option for people with some money to spend.

What we love about the Sole Fitness E35 is the oversized foot pedals. They were designed with the help to a physical therapist to slope inward by two degrees. This slight slope means that there is less stress on the ankle and knees, which can be a common problem. These foot pedals also give users enough room to move, and position their feet according to their own comfort.

But that’s not the only place where the Sole E35 performs. Let’s have a look now at some of the other areas where this top rated product outshines the competition.

Variety for Comfort and Efficiency: The Sole Fitness E35 provides adjustable options for user comfort and workout efficiency. Firstly, it has an adjustable stride length between 20 and 22 inches. This makes it perfect for taller people with a longer stride. It also makes it suited to being used by more than one individual user. The Sole E35 also has adjustable pedals and incline. This provides users with the ability to make changes to the power, and their own workout.

Technologically Modern: The Sole Fitness E35 offers users a range of entertainment while they exercise. Along with six standard workout programs, it provides two custom programs and two heart rate programs. These ensure that the user can enjoy some variety in their workout. Programs are a great way to inspire users to workout more, by challenging them with new goals. The Sole Fitness E35 also offers a built in sound system, so users can enjoy their own music.

📌Potential Issues

The Sole Fitness E35 has been consistently top rated. However, there are a few things that buyers should be aware of. The first is that, although the Sole Fitness E35 has been designed to be quiet and smooth, it must be properly assembled. Buyers should be very careful if they’re assembling it themselves, or they should hire a professional. Improper assembly may lead to issues with its smoothness and noise levels. Another issue that a number of men have reported is that, although the Sole Fitness E35 does have adjustable incline and resistance, it does not challenge a fit male user. This one is more suitable for those building fitness from nothing, or maintaining a normal fitness level.

Other than that, users will likely find the Sole Fitness E35 a high quality elliptical that is enjoyable to use. Its higher price point is justified by its top level of user features and exercising experiencing, making it one of our favorites based on the reviews.

🍏Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine

The Schwinn 430 has proved itself to be the best selling elliptical model in the online marketplace. This high quality product has a solid reputation for comfort and ease of use, with a reasonable price tag.

Retailing at less than $1000, the Schwinn 430 is a great example of the kind of fitness experience that users can expect from a reputable brand like Schwinn.

What we love about the Schwinn 430 is that it offers two LCD displays. These allow users to monitor as many as 13 different feedbacks. The SchwinnDualTrack™ system means that users can see everything that is happening during their workout, as it occurs. This data is useful in assuring that you’re reaching your fitness goals.

But that’s not all you will love about the Schwinn 430. Let’s have a quick look at some of its many other benefits.

Programs and Tech: The Schwinn 430 offers an enormous 22 different programs, as well as two user settings, and goal tracking. All of these aim to give users the most workout variation. These programs, and the tracking, allow users to undertake different workouts everyday, keeping their interest in fitness up. The Schwinn 430 also has a USB data exchange built in which allows users to download their workout data, and upload it to the SchwinnConnect website. Here, users can get weekly, monthly and yearly tracking of their fitness, to help them reach their goals.

Incline and Resistance: The Schwinn 430 offers a 10-degree manual ramp range in six incline positions. This means that users have six potential options when it comes to choosing their incline, all of which are key in an all-over body workout. The Schwinn 430 also has 20 levels of resistance. This is more than enough for most users to experience a fitness increase over time, while being consistently challenged.

📌Potential Issues

One of the most important things to consider before purchasing the Schwinn 430 is that this is big. With a shipping weight of around 200 pounds, the Schwinn 430 is not a space-saving model, and it will not fold for storage. One aspect of this is that the Schwinn 430 is a challenge to put together. It is best done with two people, or by a professional installer.

But despite these issues, users overall have rated the Schwinn 430 much higher than other ones on the market. Their satisfaction with the performance, quality and experience using it is great, and the positive elliptical reviews makes the Schwinn 430 a recommended buy.

🍏Gazelle Edge Elliptical

For buyers with a very low budget looking for a no-frills option, the Gazelle Edge is a clear winner. Retailing at under $150, this exercise glider is a minimalist take on the traditional choice. Certainly, for buyers who are more worried about cost than about having a high-tech gadget, the Gazelle Edge is the perfect solution.

What we love most about the Gazelle Edge is although it is very basic, it still provide options to monitor your workout. A simple, easy-to-use, workout computer tracks your speed, distance and time, as well as estimating the calories burning. This means that, even at that budget price, users are still able to estimate and track their fitness levels over time.

But there are so many other things to love about the Gazelle Edge. It has a range of benefits, some of which we’re going to look at now.

Space Saving: For at home fitness lovers without space to spare, the Gazelle Edge is a perfect solution. This is foldable, and when tucked away the Gazelle Edge measures just 10 inches in width. This makes it ideal for smaller apartments, or spaces where the user doesn’t want the equipment to dominate.

Smooth and Easy: The Gazelle Edge is able to provide users with a very smooth workout, at the same time as offering resistance through user weight. The Gazelle Edge has a dual-action split suspension system that allows users to have a full range of movement, and the freedom to stride as far as they need. This means it is ideal for a range of users, from those looking for low impact exercise, to those seeking cardio.

📌Potential Issues

Obviously, there are some things to consider before buying the Gazelle Edge. As an exercise glider, the Gazelle Edge may not be as durable as a traditional treadmill. Its simple construction means that it is likely to wear down through consistent use over a period of years. For users wanting a product that will last for several years, this may not be the best option. Another common issues with the Gazelle Edge is that it does not offer a high level of resistance. Many users have countered this without issue using resistance bands, so it isn’t a deal breaker. Your own resistance needs will depend on your own fitness levels.

But despite these issues, the Gazelle Edge remains the best option elliptical on the market at such an affordable price. For just over $100 users can bring fitness into their lives every day, without clogging up their houses, or emptying their bank accounts. In that way along, the Gazelle Edge is highly recommended.

How to Choose: What To Consider When Buying

There are always a few different things to think about when you’re looking at making a purchase. For ellipticals, these considerations are an important part of ensuring that you get the best option for you.

📌Stride Length

The first thing that elliptical buyers should be looking at is stride length. Most models have slightly different stride lengths, and it’s important to know what lengths will make it uncomfortable to use. An ideal stride length is between 17-inches and 21-inches, for people of average height. Anything less or more than this will only be suited if you are above or below average height. There are a growing number of options offering an adjustable stride length, so keep an eye out for these. This is especially true if it will be used by more than one person.

📌User Experience

It is important that your choice is both quiet and smooth during use. This can be hard to ascertain if you’re purchasing online, and it does pay to read some user reviews. A high quality product shouldn’t feel jerky, or make excessive motor noise during use. As well as reading reviews, buyers can also look into the features of it to see if the manufacturer has taken steps to ensure the trainer is both smooth and quiet.

📌Resistance and Incline

To get the most out of your machine, you’ll want to be able to make adjustments. One of the most common kinds of adjustments is adjustable resistance and incline. Both resistance and incline allow users to add more variation into their workout, and provide more opportunities to improve fitness. Of course, both are not a necessity. But at the very least your choice should provide a few resistance levels to allow you to build fitness.

📌Reverse Capabilities

Running an elliptical machine in a forward motion has a number of accepted muscular fitness benefits. However, we now know that there are just as many benefits to running it in reverse. By working the muscles from the opposite direction, users are able to tone and build on muscles in the legs that are not as targeted by the forward motion. If you are interested in testing this theory on yourself, you’ll need to look for one that is capable of reversing. This is a common features, but some budget choices do not allow for it.

📌Height

One of the most often overlooked aspects of buying an elliptical is taking into account its height. By this we mean the maximum height that a user will reach while standing on the peak of the elliptical. In general, these are much taller than treadmills, and when you’re at the peak of the cycle, you could be an extra foot or two off the ground. You should check the maximum height of the treadmill against the height of the room you’ll be using it in. This will ensure you won’t be hitting your head on the ceiling.

📌Cost

Cost will always be the biggest factor in which product you will end up with. Obviously you will have a set idea of your budget from the beginning. What you’ll need to do through the process of looking for the right one for you is to see what that cost will get you in terms of quality and features. When it comes to elliptical machines, as is true with most fitness equipment, you will get what you pay for. If your budget is very low, you will end up with a low quality machine. That being said, a growing elliptical market means that brands are often trying to beat their competition by offering items at discount. This can result in you owning a very high quality product at a much reduced price.

🏆Top ProForm Ellipticals

ProForm has been a recognized and reputable fitness brand for decades, and is a smart option when making your purchase. The company offers a wide range of options, with a number of price brackets to suit all users. Of the ProForms currently on the market, the best is the ProForm Hybrid Trainer.

The ProForm Hybrid Trainer is not actually just an elliptical trainer. It’s a hybrid machine that melds an elliptical trainer and seated bike into one, high-performing machine. Retailing at around $800, there’s a lot to love about the ProForm Hybrid Trainer. As well as coming from a great brand, the ProForm Hybrid Trainer offers a unique user experience that has seen it become a best selling ProForm model.

The hybrid is a 2-in-1 Machine — it gives users the option of using the machine as either a recumbent bike or an elliptical. To see more about this machine and other ProForm products, visit our ProForm Elliptical Reviews page.

🏆Top Schwinn Ellipticals

Schwinn has been an iconic part of fitness in America for more than a century. At first, this well-known brand made its name through bicycles, before starting to make home exercise equipment in 1965. In the years that have followed, Schwinn has made a name for themselves in the fitness industry for everything from recumbent bikes to ellipticals.

Schwinn’s best choice is the Schwinn 430. This high quality product has already made our list as the top rated model currently available on the market. It’s also one of the best machines that you can purchase for less than $1000.

Users interested in purchasing the Schwinn 430 will enjoy some patented Schwinn technology with their workouts. As well as the Schwinn DualTrack system, which offers two LCD screens to monitor your workout, the Schwinn 430 has SchwinnConnect functionality. SchwinnConnect is an online fitness tracking system that allows users to download their workout data, and upload it to get more detailed workout information.

You can read a full review of the Schwinn 430 and other Schwinns in our Schwinn Elliptical Reviews page.

🏆Top Octane Ellipticals

Octane may not have been on the market as long as some other fitness brands, but they have more than made up for that with their quality products. They are the only fitness company dedicated exclusively to zero-impact cardio machines, that are easier on users regardless of their fitness level.

The Octane Fitness Q35x is a perfect example of the Octane brand. An entry level model for Octane, the Octane Fitness Q35x brings together all the best features, with Octanes patented design and software. Octane machines are designed by the best fitness scientists to be as close to a real running motion as possible while eliminating all impact issues. The close spacing of the pedals reduces strain on the lower back, while the handlebars have a low pivot point to increase calorie burning. The Octane Fitness Q35x has been consistently high rated for performance and user experience.

See more Octane recommendations and reviews in our guide on the Octane Elliptical Reviews.

🏆Top Rated Elliptical Trainer under $1000

If the name of the Schwinn 430 seems familiar, it definitely should be. This high quality machine already made the top three in this guide as the best rated elliptical machine on the market, as well as the best machine from Schwinn. Retailing at less than $1000, the Schwinn 430 is a steal for buyers looking for a machine with all the bells and whistles. Much cheaper than our winning Sole Fitness elliptical model, the Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine still offers a range of great features that users will love.

Along with some of the features we’ve already mentioned in our full review above, users can expect a fantastic warranty. The Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine comes with a full 10-year guarantee on the elliptical frame, two-year mechanical coverage, one-year electrical and 90-days labour coverage.

🏆Top Rated Elliptical Machine under $500

As you will likely remember, the Gazelle Edge already came in the top three in our guide as one of the best budget elliptical machines on the market. With a retail price under $200, the Gazelle Edge is by far the cheapest elliptical machine on the market. A simple model with a minimalist design, the Gazelle Edge offers users all the basic features that are needed to have a daily exercise routine, without the frills and without the cost.

Users of this machine laud its price above all else, yet warn others that it comes with basically no features. Although there is a small battery powered computer, it is labled “inadequate” and “inaccurate.” If you’re looking for more you’ll have to pay more. That said, one very large advantage for many users is that it does fold up flat (relatively), and weighs under 50lbs. If you’re worried about space that may be a huge advantage. As always, do your research, but if you’re on a budget – this may be perfect.

💡Final Thoughts

It can be a challenge to choose a fitness machine that works for you. In this guide we’ve tried to show you the best elliptical machines that are currently available on the market, from a range of brands and price brackets. Of course, after reading through this guide you may not be sure an elliptical machine is the right fit for you. If you are, don’t worry, there are so many other options for you to look at.

Treadmills are a solid option, and there are a growing number on the market, see our Guide to the Best Treadmills and other home workout options at fitnessequipmentslab.com. Reputable brands like ProForm, Welso, Lifespan and Horizon are all worth considering in this regard.