The art of true living in this world is more like a wrestler’s than a dancer’s practice.
Marcus Aurelius
What Is The Best Elliptical Machine For Home Use
Elliptical machines, known as elliptical trainers, are among the most popular forms of exercise today. With the increased search for elliptical machines by individuals – with the recent lockdowns playing a massive role – we decided to do our research, see which are the best elliptical trainers available in the market, and bring you our honest review.
For that, I went to different gyms in my local area to learn which machines they have and the opinions of the people who worked there. Then, I thoroughly researched elliptical machines and read clients’ reviews on the brands’ websites and Amazon.
So, what is the best elliptical machine for home use? Unfortunately, there isn’t a redundant answer since there are many things to consider, such as budget, space, goals, and personal health.
Another fact to consider is that nowadays, multiple brands offer excellent trainers for all types of purses, with slight differences between them, so it’s safe to say that you have a couple of good options to choose from under a specific value.
To help you cope with that task, we provide our ultimate guide to finding the best option for your needs. Here, you will find the best options at different prices, ranging from under 200$ to a couple of thousand dollars. In that way, I assure you of viable options despite your intentions.
Do you want to learn more about elliptical workouts, their benefits, risks, and how well they perform compared to similar exercise modalities? If so, you can check our article here on the subject.
So, without further ado, let’s see the best elliptical machine for home use in 2021.
Under 200$ – SF-E3908 Compact Stand Up Elliptical
Under the 200$ mark, you’ll have difficulty finding a better option than the SF-E3908 Compact Stand Up Elliptical by Sunny Health & Fitness.
With a 1-year warranty on the structural frame and a 180-day warranty on other parts and components, the SF-E3908 is an excellent option if you’re short on budget and space.
Concerning space, noise, and gains while working out, buyers seem happy with the elliptical machine. So again, if you’re on a short budget, lack space, or are taking your first elliptical steps, the SF-E3908 Compact Stand Up Elliptical might be what you’re looking for.
Under 500$ – SF-E3981 Carbon Pro Magnetic Elliptical
Next on our list, in the under $500$ category, we have another piece of equipment made by Sunny Health & Fitness. This time, we bring you the SF-E3981 Carbon Pro Magnetic Elliptical. The SF-E3981 has a 3-year warranty on the structural frame and a 180-day warranty on other parts and components.
One reason this elliptical machine made our list is that it currently costs much less than when it first hit the market. Another reason is that Sunny Health & Fitness elliptical trainers are less expensive than most other brands, with the most costly machines costing a bit over one thousand dollars. This means SH&F produces excellent products at a certain value.
Once again, I stress that this elliptical machine originally cost way more (around 800$) than the actual price. For how long will the current price remain? I don’t know, but as far as it remains at the present value, the SF-E3981 will be our top choice under 500$.
Under 800$ – SF-E3865 Magnetic Elliptical
The third time is a charm. Our third choice, now under $800$, is another Sunny Health & Fitness elliptical machine, this time the SF-E3865 Magnetic Elliptical.
Once again, the main reason for choosing an SH&F is that initially, this model was way more expensive (around 1,140$) than it currently is, being, at the time, the most costly and complete elliptical machine provided by SH&F.
Therefore, under its value, the SF-E3865 Magnetic Elliptical is one of the best elliptical machines on the market. Below, you’ll have the SF-E3865 Magnetic Elliptical’s description.
It is fair to say that the SF-E3865 Magnetic Elliptical is worth over 800$, but considering its quality and the previous price, we decided to include it on our list as long as the price remains the same.
Under 1000$ – Schwinn 470 Elliptical
Now, we have reached the four digits, and the elliptical machine of our choice under 1000$ is the Schwinn 470 Elliptical.
The Schwinn 470 Elliptical is a very reliable elliptical machine with twenty-nine programs, twenty-five levels of resistance, large footplates, ergonomically placed moving handlebars, and more.
Aside from that, the main pros of this elliptical are:
- Easy to assemble.
- User-friendly software with up to four user profiles.
- The elliptical is very quiet and smooth.
If you’re starting or a seasoned practitioner under 1000$, the Schwinn 470 Elliptical will not disappoint you.
Under 1300$ – Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial
The Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial elliptical machine has coverage of a 10-year warranty on the structural frame, two years on parts & electronics, and one year on labor.
Although the price might be prohibitive for some purses, the Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial delivers in every aspect: aesthetics, performance, durability, and sturdiness. It also comes with a streaming training system (one-month free trial).
NordicTrack is one of, if not the most successful, brands globally regarding elliptical machines, so there are enough reviews online to understand how well or how poorly the Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial performs.
One of the most common criticisms I came across online is that the Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial, in some aspects, fails to be a commercial elliptical trainer. But, aside from that, all the reviews were quite positive, which made me choose the Nordictrack 9.9 Commercial as the best elliptical machine for under 1300$.
Under 1500$ – Nautilus E618 Elliptical
Under $1500$, our choice falls on the Nautilus E618 Elliptical, and there are plenty of reasons for that.
With a 15-year warranty on the structural frame, five years on parts and electronics, and two years labor, a heavy flywheel (30 lbs), cushioned pedals, wireless heart rate with one chest strap included, and many more, the Nautilus E618 Elliptical is one of the best options you can get.
If you’re a seasoned athlete looking for an elliptical machine for the long run under $1500, the E618 Elliptical Trainer is an option to consider!
Under 2000$ – E3i+ Elliptical Cross Trainer
If you’re feeling like spending a good chunk of cash on an elliptical machine for home use that stands for life, the E3i+ Elliptical Cross Trainer by LifeSpan Fitness is a serious candidate for your hard-earned bucks.
With a lifetime warranty on the frame, 5-years on parts and electronics, and 2-years on labor, the E3i+ Elliptical Cross Trainer is one of the best elliptical machines in its series, made by one of the best and most innovative brands on the market.
LifeSpan Fitness doesn’t have the recognition of other household names within the industry, like Precor or NordicTrack. Still, they are top-notch in what they do, with several award-winning machines -mostly on their treadmills.
If you’re serious about elliptical training and want to make a once-in-the-life investment that will fit your needs – despite which they are – the E3i+ Elliptical Cross Trainer is a serious contender for your hard-earned money!
Premium – E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer
Do you want the best that money can buy and make it last for eternity, but without overspending (if that’s logical)? If that’s the case, I present the E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer, brought to us again by LifeSpan Fitness.
The E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer has the same warranty model as the previous E3i+ and even more features than the former. If you’re looking for the cream of the crop two steps away from your bed, the E5i Commercial Elliptical Trainer must be in your equation!
My Two Cents
I want to remind you that this list is just our opinion. If you’re starting your elliptical journey, please do your research, check different sources, and pay attention to what other customers have to say about a specific product.
I decided to summarise and highlight features from the different trainers instead of giving you the complete and detailed information available – which is a lot – because it might be overwhelming and make you fall down the rabbit hole.
For more detailed information, you can always check the brands’ websites, marketplaces, and authority websites within the fitness industry.
There you have it guys, our list of what is the best elliptical machine for home use.
Do you think I missed something? Do you want to add something or just give me your thoughts on the subject? Don’t hesitate to drop me a message in the comment section below, and I’ll gladly reply!
Before you go, if you arrived at this part of the article, I’d like to THANK YOU for reading another of our posts and giving us your feedback to help us improve our work continuously! It means a lot to me!
If you like our content, please consider following us everywhere – not on the street, that’s weird – and I’ll catch you in our next post; until then, stay strong and keep on moving! Amor Fati! : )
Pompeu Pedrosa,
Founder of Against the Ropes.