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Last Updated: April 13, 2022
If you’re looking for a total-body, low-impact workout, then you’ve come to the right place! Ellipticals have been popular since the ‘90’s, and are a great addition to your home gym. How do you determine which one is best for you? That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled this list of best ellipticals that we recommend for home use to help you take home one that you’ll love.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team here at Treadmill Review Guru specializes in testing fitness equipment, including ellipticals. We take a look at how their stride feels, the flywheel, overall construction and stability, as well how much space they take up and their content.
All of these components are big factors to consider when buying an elliptical for your home. We want you to feel empowered in your purchasing decision and to know what to look out for in a home elliptical.
Our Picks For Best Ellipticals of 2022
1. NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer
We’ve named the NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer as our best overall elliptical, because it has a bit of everything for everyone. It has a large 14” touch screen to stream iFit from, it has an adjustable 32” stride length, and it performs as three different machines. Plus, it has a large 375 lb weight capacity which should work well for most users.
The FS14i functions as an elliptical when you extend the pedals all the way forward and back, and when you shorten the stride a bit, it works like you’re walking or hiking on a treadmill. The pedals can even shorten to move just up and down to really work those glutes in a stair-stepper motion. You’ll really get a sweaty, full-body workout with this trainer.
To add to the burn factor, the FS14i FreeStride Trainer also inclines up to 10% and declines to -10%. This, on top of 26 levels of quiet magnetic resistance, and moveable handlebars, provides you with a versatile cardio workout at home.
On top of all of these high-quality features, iFit really enhances this machine. Take elliptical, hiking, walking, and even running classes on your NordicTrack FS14i Freestride Trainer, and never get bored with your workouts again. iFit adds live classes regularly, and has plenty of content off the machine as well.
We love all that you get with this compact, sturdy hybrid elliptical trainer.
You can read the full review of the NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer here.
Elliptical FeaturesSpecifications
- 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
The flywheel provides a smooth, fluid pedal stroke. It is centered and the weight of it helps keep the machine in place.
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
This magnetic resistance from NordicTrack has little to no friction and noise output. This keeps the needed maintenance limited.
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips And Oversized Cushion Pedals
The handlebars are moveable and have plenty of grip for different sized users. The oversized cushion pedals work in conjunction with the handlebars to work the entire body. The pedals work with any type of athletic shoe.
- Steel Frame and 375 Lb. User Capacity
The 375lb weight capacity makes this trainer great for most users. The steel frame is solid and adds to the quality of this machine. We love the overall construction and hearty design.
- Transport Wheels And Oversized Levelers
The transportation wheels allow you to move the FS14i if needed. There is also a handle on the front for easy moving. The oversized leveling feet keep the FS14i planted to the floor to eliminate any rocking while in use.
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
The 14” touchscreen is the perfect size to stream iFit content. You’ll enjoy the beautiful landscapes in the outdoor classes, and be able to see your workout metrics well. iFit also comes free for the first month, so you can try it out and see how you like it.
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
We appreciate the workout fan. It has a nice breeze and multiple settings to help keep you cool.
- 26 Digital Resistance Levels
The 26 resistance levels give you a lot of options for tension in your workouts.
- 10% Incline And -10% Decline
The FS14i also inclines AND declines so you’ll get even more resistance in your training.
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
The 10-year warranty backs up the hearty construction and durability of this trainer.
Construction
- 58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H Footprint
- 375 Lb. User Capacity
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Center Drive
- 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- Oversized Levelers
- Transport Wheels
Console:
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Auxiliary Music Port
- Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Water Bottle Holder
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
Functionality:
- Includes 30 day NordicTrack iFit® membership
- 32″ Auto-Adjustable Stride
- 26 Digital Resistance Levels
- Power Adjustable -10% Decline – 10% Incline
Warranty:
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
Pros
- The 3 in 1 functionality lets you use this machine multiple different ways.
- It declines to -10% and inclines to 10% to add even more challenge to your workouts.
- In addition to getting your heart rate up, it also provides a low impact exercise that is forgiving on your joints.
- The 14” touch screen is excellent for viewing iFit classes and it’s easy to use.
- The fan is surprisingly effective and comes with multiple air output settings.
- The magnetic resistance is quiet no matter what level you’re using.
- The flywheel is centered which promotes an upright posture and gives extra back support.
Cons
- It is a compact machine, but it requires more space in front and behind for the pedals when it’s in use.
- iFit has a monthly subscription cost after the first 30 days.
Recommendation
We recommend the NordicTrack FS14i Freestride Trainer to users who want a versatile, total body workout on a quiet machine. The oversized pedals and long stride length make it perfect for all sized users, and we love that you can target certain muscle groups by changing your stride length. With iFit on the large, crisp touch screen, you’re sure to get a lot out of the FS14i.
2. Sole E95 Elliptical
The Sole E95 Elliptical is one of Sole’s most popular ellipticals with high quality components at a great price. We love the solid design and sleek pedal movement.
Sole’s E95 Elliptical is highly rated elliptical designed for home use, but it’s solid design rivals commercial equipment found in fitness centers. It’s quiet drive system is one of our favorite features; you get a smooth forward and reverse pedal motion that creates hardly any noise. The E95 has a heavy 27 pound flywheel, which makes the motion even throughout the pedal stroke. There is no heaviness on the backend since you are gently propelled by the flywheel.
The 20-inch maximum stride length is sufficient for most users. Oversized foot pedals are foam cushioned for comfort. Sometimes ellipticals can cause a bit of numbness in the toes since your foot stays in one position with no toe-off as in running. The cushioned pedals on the E95 are supportive underfoot with no discomfort or numbness after a long workout.
This elliptical weighs 236 pounds but will support a whopping 400 pounds! Power-adjustable incline with 20 levels and 20 levels of resistance combine to give you one heck of a challenging workout! Currently the E95 only has 10 preloaded programs and no additional content via a subscription option. But we love the feel and design of this quality machine!
Check out our full review of the Sole E95 here.
Elliptical FeaturesSpecifications
- 27lb flywheel
This heavy flywheel makes all the difference. When combined with Sole’s front drive system, you get a powerful machine that is smooth and comfortable to use.
- Whisper Quiet Front Drive System
The front drive system maintains stability and functionality throughout the pedal motion. It is quiet so you can use at home at any time of day.
- Forward and reverse functionality
Foot pedals rotate both forward and backwards so you can activate different muscle groups and mix up your routine.
- Cushioned Foot pedals with 3 pedal positions
Foot pedals are comfortable and offer different positions for various users.
- Max user weight: 375lbs
This is an impressive weight capacity and reflects Sole’s commitment to quality and durability!
- Workout Display: 10″ LCD White Back-lit
While the workout display isn’t as fancy as some, it is large and easy to see. A few preloaded programs will keep most users engaged.
- Power adjustable incline 1-20 levels
Enhance that workout with additional incline! Up to 20 levels of incline stimulates greater calorie burn and will kick up that heart rate!
- 20” Max stride length
The E95 offers plenty of stride length so you get full extension, and full benefit when using.
- Chest Strap Included
The chest strap will sync with the display to run calibrated HR programs. EKG grips on the handlebars also pair with the display.
- Lifetime Frame
Once again, Sole stands behind their products with an extensive lifetime warranty.
Construction
- Footprint: 71” H x 82” L x 31” W
- Step-up height: 14”
- 27lb flywheel
- Whisper Quiet Front Drive System
- Forward and reverse functionality
- Steel frame
- Cushioned Foot pedals with 3 pedal positions
- Max user weight: 400lbs
Console:
- Cooling Fans
- Workout Display: 10″ LCD White Back-lit
- Water Bottle Holder
- Bluetooth Audio Speakers
- USB Port so you can charge your devices while working out
- Integrated Tablet Holder
Functionality:
- Power adjustable incline 1-20 levels
- 20” Max stride length
- ECB resistance
- Standard Programs: 6
- Custom Programs: 2
- Heart Programs: 2
- Pulse Grips & Chest Strap Compatible
- Chest Strap Included
Warranty:
- Lifetime Frame
- 5 Years Electronics
- 5 Years Parts
- 2 Years Labor
Pros
- Foot pedals designed by physical therapists are cushioned and comfortable
- Smooth pedal motion eliminates strain on knee, hip, and ankle joints
- Power incline targets lower areas of the body other ellipticals miss
- Perfect elliptical for the home
- Multiple programs for all different levels of fitness
Cons
- LCD Display isn’t color
- There is no additional subscription content for the machine
Final Recommendation
The Sole E95 is a solid and smooth elliptical with both resistance and incline to target those hard to reach places! The front drive design is quiet and we love the easy pedal motion! An included heart rate strap syncs with the console so you can get targeted training at home! The E95 elliptical as a great option for your fitness journey.
3. ProForm Pro HIIT H14
The Pro HIIT H14 is the top elliptical in ProForm’s line up.
We are impressed with the multi-grip handlebars and the vertical and horizontal reach of the pedal strides. When using this machine you’ll get a 10” up and down pedal stroke, as well as a 5”l forward motion that works like an elliptical. All together, the Pro HIIT H14 is designed to target muscles in your upper and lower body.
The smooth, magnetic resistance with 26 different levels to choose from is also low impact so you’ll avoid putting strain on your joints. We also appreciate the 325 lb weight capacity and 30 lb flywheel. On top of this, it has a smaller footprint than your standard elliptical to fit well in your home.
The 14” HD touch screen streams iFit’s entire library of classes when you subscribe after the initial free 30 day trial. iFit has over 16,000 trainer led classes that you can take live and on demand. There’s also plenty of options for classes on the mat, too. We love iFit’s outdoor content that let us explore remote locations all around the world.
iFit definitely adds even more value to this functional elliptical. The automatic trainer control adjusts the resistance as you go, too. Burn calories and work your muscles with the ProForm Pro HIIT H14 in the comfort of your own home.
Elliptical FeaturesSpec Overview
- 30 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
We are impressed with this heavy flywheel. It’s inertia-enhanced to provide a fluid pedal motion.
- 26 Resistance Levels with SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
The magnetic resistance is smooth and quiet. The 26 resistance levels are plenty to get in a good workout and work your muscles effectively.
- Multi-Function Handlebars
The handlebars have a lot of grip options to target different muscles in your upper body. The stationary handles also let you focus on isolating muscles in your lower body.
- 325 Lb. Weight Capacity
The Pro HIIT H14 has a nice 325 lb weight capacity, which indicates that it has solid construction.
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels And Oversized Leveling Feet
The front-mounted transport wheels let you move the Pro HIIT H14 where you need to. The leveling feet are adjustable so you can make it level and keep the machine in place.
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen Is iFit Enabled
Enjoy your first month free with iFit. iFit has over 16,000 classes and definitely adds value to your workouts and this machine. The 14” touchscreen is the perfect size to see all that iFit has to offer!
- CoolAire Fan
The fan has 2 settings for airflow to use while exercising.
- 26 Digital Resistance Levels
The 26 levels of resistance can be manually changed by you or through the AutoAdjust feature on iFit. The magnetic resistance is quiet as well.
- 10” Vertical And 5” Horizontal Stride
The pedals move in a vertical and horizontal motion to help target more muscles.
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
We like this warranty on the ProForm Pro HIIT H14.
Construction
- Oversized, Cushion Pedals
- 30 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- Multi-Function Handlebars
- 20 Lb. Effective Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
- 26 Resistance Levels with SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- Oversized Leveling Feet
- 325 Lb. Weight Capacity
- Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
- 66″ L x 29″ W x 52″ H Footprint
Console:
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Dual 2” Bluetooth Speakers
- Bluetooth Headphone Compatible
- CoolAire Fan
- Water Bottle Holder
Functionality:
- 10” Vertical, 5” Horizontal Stride Length
- Includes 30 Days Of iFit Free
- 26 Resistance Levels With SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance
Warranty:
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
Pros
- The unique pedal motion moves up and down 10” and forward and back 5” to work more muscle groups.
- The handles offer plenty of grip options to work for you. Plus, the stationary handles let you just focus on your lower body.
- It has a compact footprint, especially compared to other elliptical machines.
- iFit is free for the 1st month and offers thousands of classes both on and off the machine.
Cons
- iFit requires a monthly subscription after the first 30 days.
- The pedal motion is a bit more like a stair-stepper than an elliptical.
Recommendation
If you want a full body workout check out the Pro HIIT H14. It’s perfect for high intensity interval training, and you’ll really target your posterior muscles with the vertical pedal stride and horizontal moving handlebars. Enjoy iFit from the large screen with the first 30 days free, too!
4. NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i
The NordicTrack SE9i is a folding rear-drive elliptical at the top-end of NordicTrack’s SpaceSaver Series. It features the most advanced components you will find on a folding treadmill. The upgraded SE9i has a 14” touchscreen to showcase the iFit database of classes and content. iFit adds extensive functionality to the SE9i, since you will never run out of new training options. In addition to the touchscreen, the SE9i includes a tablet shelf so you can use or watch your personal device while exercising.
While open, the SE9i does have a longer footprint, in large part due to the rear-flywheel placement, but since you can fold it up when you are finished, the footprint is only an issue when in use. The longer footprint provides better balance and added back support. With 24 resistance levels and power incline up to 10%, the SE9i gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Featuring a stride-length of 18 inches, the SE9i may be slightly limited for tall users and the lighter flywheel is best suited for lighter athletes. But in all, this is a great foldable elliptical with ergonomic pedals, added length for balance, and a cushioned feel underfoot. Look into the NordicTrack SE9i today!
Check out our full review of the NordicTrack SE9i Elliptical here.
FeaturesSpecifications
- 18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
While not as heavy as some, the 18lb flywheel does offer nice motion to the SE9i. Cushioned pedals feel nice underfoot so you can glide through your workouts with ease
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
Silent magnetic resistance doesn’t create heat or friction, so it extends the life of internal components and doesn’t make noise when in use.
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
This is a hearty machine for one that folds up! We are impressed with the SE9i construction and engineering.
- 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
A max user weight over 300lbs is impressive for folding exercise equipment. The SE9i sits solid and stable on the floor with reinforced steel frame that holds users up off the floor.
- Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
Since this is a folding machine, it’s nice to have wheels on the bottom that allow you to slide it out of the way or into a corner when you are finished with your workout.
- Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
We love this feature! Ellipticals tend to be large and heavy. It is so nice that the SE9i will fold up when not in use!
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
The touchscreen is clear and full color so you can choose a preloaded workout or watch an iFit video easily right on the screen.
- Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls
Control resistance, incline via the hand controls. This enables users to keep their hands safely on the handlebars while still making adjustments as necessary.
- Includes 30-day NordicTrack iFit membership**
iFit is NordicTrack’s database of workouts and classes led by personal trainers that you can watch right on your elliptical. These classes are fun and keep you motivated throughout your workout without getting bored!
- 0 – 10° Power Adjustable Incline
Incline lifts the pedals so you are working up a simulated hill. This increases the difficulty and by extension, enables you to get more out of your exercise routine.
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
There’s no shortage of resistance on the SE9i. With 24 levels, there’s an option for everyone at all conditioning levels.
- 30 Preset Workout Apps
For those who don’t want to use iFit, 30 preloaded programs give you plenty of training options that come already built-into the console.
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
Once again, an extensive warranty reflects NordicTrack’s commitment to quality construction.
Construction
- Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
- Rear Drive
- 18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- Commercial Solid Steel Construction
- 325 Lb. User Weight Capacity
- Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
- Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
- Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
- 78.7″ L x 31.9″ W x 66.4″ H Footprint
Console:
- 14” Smart HD Touchscreen
- Integrated Tablet Holder
- Auxiliary Music Port
- Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls
- AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
- One Touch® Controls
- EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
Functionality:
- Includes 30-day NordicTrack iFit membership**
- 0 – 10° Power Adjustable Incline
- 24 Digital Resistance Levels
- 10% Power Adjustable Incline
- Automatic Trainer Control
- EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
- iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
- 30 Preset Workout Apps
- Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
Warranty:
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty