If you’re looking for a low impact but aerobically challenging machine to incorporate into your cardio routine, elliptical trainers are a great option.
Elliptical machines have become increasingly popular over the years due to their ability to provide a full-body workout with little to no stress to your joints.
A budget-friendly elliptical is an excellent choice for those who want to increase their cardio routine without breaking the bank.
There are countless options for exercising at home, just as with every other piece of exercise equipment. For example, you can shop for the most expensive items or for home gym equipment that doesn’t cost a lot.
If you’re out of shape, an elliptical under $1000 can help you get back in shape. The features and prices of elliptical machines can vary greatly from model to model.
The number of fitness machines available can make finding the right one for your needs incredibly overwhelming.
There are many types of home gym options you can choose from, including treadmills or bikes, stair machines, rowing machines, or other options.
Products | Price |
---|---|
Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer | |
Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical | |
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical | |
Bowflex Max Trainer Series | |
Nautilus Elliptical Series E616 |
1. Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer

On the surface, the Teeter FreeStep does not belong on our list of premium ellipticals. The Teeter FreeStep recumbent elliptical machine is the least expensive one on the market. The price of “recumbent ellipticals” is quite high.
This is mostly due to supply and demand imbalances. Recumbent ellipticals, in contrast to seated ellipticals, have a single purpose. In addition, the form is different from that of regular ellipticals.
A Teeter FreeStep would be perfect for you if you need a recumbent elliptical. Additionally, it has a compact footprint and a quiet flywheel.
2. Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical

In addition to its high price, the Schwinn 470 has some really wonderful features that provide it with the appearance of being even more expensive. There are close to 30 different programs on this elliptical machine, and you can even save the profiles for four different users.
Despite the Schwinn 470’s 300-pound weight limit, heavy users may wish to look for a machine that can handle a greater weight capacity.
Although it is heavy, it is easier to move around than most elliptical machines since it weighs less than 170 pounds.
3. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical

It’s difficult to find an elliptical machine that’s affordable and impressive, but the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic SF E3912 ticks both boxes.
There are 24 different workout options available on this sturdy elliptical, along with 16 levels of silent magnetic resistance, making it ideal for most cardio needs. Compared to other products in this price range, users say the resistance is very strong.
The Sunny Health Magnetic SF E3912 does not have Bluetooth connectivity or a larger LCD display, but it has a place for your tablet or smartphone so you can stay entertained while gliding back and forth.
As a result of its shorter stride length, this elliptical machine is not ideal for users over 6 feet 5 inches (those over 6 feet 5 inches tall), but most users will find it adequate.
At this price point, we believe the Sunny Health Magnetic SF E39012 is the best elliptical for the price, build quality and integrated features.
4. Bowflex Max Trainer Series

We have ranked the M3, Max trainer as the most compact elliptical on the list. It requires only 4 feet x 2.5 feet of space.
Additionally, it features modern features such as a touch screen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and highly optimized workout programs. Despite looking like a stair stepper, the M3 is designed to work like an elliptical machine.
The M3’s Bluetooth heart rate monitor feature is very useful. With this feature, you can connect the pooler H7 HRM. Typically, this feature is only available in more expensive trainers.
A professional who does not have enough time or space to train at home would benefit from the M3 Max trainer. The Bowflex trainer takes 14 minutes to complete a full cardio exercise.
5. Nautilus Elliptical Series E616

Fitness equipment manufacturer Nautilus has a reputation for producing high-quality equipment. You can count on Nautilus equipment to give you premium features for your money. This is the case with the Nautilus E616.
Despite its size, it is sturdy and durable. It comes with a 10-year warranty. Among its outstanding features are a motorized incline and 25 levels of resistance.
There are 29 programs on the DualTrack console. You get the feeling of training with a personal trainer thanks to the pre-loaded 12 workout profiles. These workouts promise to burn plenty of calories.
Things to Consider Before Buying
Incline
There is an elliptical trainer feature that lifts up the foot by an angle. Users experience the feeling of climbing an uphill road through an incline. With incline training, the user loses more calories in a shorter period of time.
By adjusting your incline, you can target specific muscle groups and add variety to your workouts as well as burn more calories. Inclines can be either automatic or manual. You should always buy ellipticals with automatic incline controls.
Weight Limit
Make sure the machine can handle your weight if you are heavy set. This list includes elliptical machines with weight limits ranging from about 250 to 375 pounds.
The higher weight limit corresponds to a better quality machine, so be sure to check even if your weight doesn’t require a high weight limit.
Long-lasting
It is imperative that you consider the elliptical trainer’s quality of design and sturdiness before you purchase one for your home.
Making a long-term investment will ensure that you’ve made a good one. Find frames that are covered by lifetime warranties. There is at least a 10-year warranty on all of the ellipticals mentioned above.
Track performance
In order to maintain a fitness schedule, tracking features are vital. A device that includes a tracking system allows you to track not only your heart rate but also the number of calories burned. Downloading the data is possible using Bluetooth connectivity and USB connectivity.
Heavy flywheel
The flywheel on an elliptical trainer is the drive system. Your feet press on the pedals in order to move the flywheel. Resistance levels are also controlled by this.
This determines how smoothly your trainer will move and how loud your device will be. A heavier flywheel means an even quieter device. A longer lifespan also comes with a heavier flywheel.
Adjustable Stride
Electronic and mechanical adjustments are available on good trainers. Consider a system that allows resistance changes in a simple way. You can easily integrate interval training sessions into your training as a result.