Best Budget Elliptical (2024): 6 Options to Stride for Less

I love to find a good deal, don’t you? Going to thrift stores and buying a lamp for $1 or using a coupon I got in the mail gives me a rush of serotonin that not much else will—I just really like saving money. 

If you’re reading this roundup of the best budget ellipticals, I assume you would like to know what’s the best elliptical for the price too! Hi, fellow bargain shopper! Below, I’ll guide you through some of the best ellipticals on the market that are budget-friendly and tell you exactly why our team recommends them.

We have tested more than 30 machines, both expensive and inexpensive. Using our in-depth equipment testing methodology, we rate ellipticals on a scale of 1 to 5 on factors such as:

• Value: Is this machine priced appropriately? Do you get your money’s worth?
• Workout performance: How does this elliptical function? Is it user-friendly?
• Programming: Do you have options for built-in workouts?
• Durability: Is this elliptical sturdy? Is it built to last?

Our team at Garage Gym Reviews has done all the leg work for you (pun definitely intended) when it comes to finding the best budget ellipticals on the market. As certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and competitive athletes, we know how important it is to get the right equipment. Plus, we’re a thrifty bunch (we’re writers after all, not stock brokers) and are always looking to help you spend wisely to meet your fitness goals.  

6 Best Budget Ellipticals

• Best Budget Elliptical Overall: Horizon Fitness EX-59
• Best Budget Elliptical With Incline: Sole E25
• Best Value Elliptical: ProForm Carbon E7
• Best Quiet Budget Elliptical: Niceday Elliptical Machine
• Best Budget Elliptical for Beginners: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical
• Best Elliptical Under $500: Merach E19 Classic Smart Elliptical

Best Budget Elliptical Video Review

Best Budget Elliptical Overall: Horizon Fitness EX-59

Good for: Someone looking to get the most out of an elliptical at a reasonable price

Best Budget Elliptical Overall

Horizon EX-59 Elliptical

GGR Score: 4

Check Price On sale for $350 with code HALFOFF for Black Friday

Product Highlights

• Elliptical with Bluetooth connectivity
• 18-inch stride length
• 14-pound flywheel
• 10 levels of magnetic resistance 
• 300-pound max user weight capacity 
• Has a built-in device holder and USB port 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Price
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 18-inch stride length
• Lifetime frame warranty
• 5 preset programs
• Textured foot pedals
• 10 resistance levels
• Bluetooth speakers

Cons

• Lighter flywheel
• User weight capacity is on the lighter side
• No touchscreen display
• 10-inch step-up is high
• No incline options
• No flywheel warranty

Bottom Line

The Horizon EX-59 is a budget-friendly elliptical with an 18-inch stride length and five preset programs to choose from. What it lacks in tech capabilities (mostly just the Bluetooth speakers) it makes up for in stability. This elliptical has a locked-down feel for a budget price-point.

Horizon Fitness is an industry leader when it comes to making budget fitness equipment. Up until October 2023, the brand held the top spot on this page with the 7.0 AE, which has been discontinued. After using and testing the Horizon EX-59, our team is confident it is the best budget elliptical for most homeowners.

Priced at around $700, the EX-59 scored 4 or higher in a number of categories from our product tester Lindsay Scheele, the lead reviewer for our YouTube Channel, GGR Everything. She gave the elliptical high marks in durability, portability, ergonomics, conveniences, and overall value.

Lindsay personally did one of the four workout programs (weight loss, distance, intervals, and calories) that come standard on the EX-59. She noted that there was no shifting during use, and transitions in resistance were smooth.

When it comes to the extras, the EX-59 offers a decent number of features, especially at this price point. You’ll find built-in speakers, an audio jack for headphones, a USB charging port, three water bottle holders (in case you’re EXTRA thirsty), and a shelf for a media device. The foot pedals are “large enough for people with big feet,” Lindsay says. She found the textured handles extremely comfortable.

Speaking of handles, the EX-59 has both fixed and moving handlebars, which means you can get a full-body workout on this machine.

Despite all this, Lindsay only rated her actual workout experience a 3 out of 5. She says that it’s a very basic machine with basic programming. Yes, it gets the job done, but there isn’t any interactive programming, and essentially “nothing special.”

For example, the display on the EX-59 is quite simple, featuring three LED windows that spit out your workout metrics. There are buttons numbered 1 through 10, each corresponding with a resistance level so you can simply push one button instead of pushing an up or down arrow over and over.

At 145 pounds, the EX-59 is right around where we would expect an elliptical like this to weigh. Super budget ellipticals may drop under 100 pounds, but a machine like this with a motor will typically run you around 150 pounds or more. Lindsay personally propped this machine up on its front transport wheels to move it around our testing facility. “One person can easily move it,” she says.

For more, check out our in-depth Horizon EX-59 elliptical review.

Best Budget Elliptical With Incline: Sole E25

Good for: A sturdy, stable elliptical that has incline options for intense workouts

Best Budget Elliptical With Incline

Sole E25

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Budget friendly and under $1,200
• Lifetime warranty on the frame
• User capacity of up to 350 pounds
• Large footprint at 71” H x 70” L x 24” W

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Under $1,200
• 20 levels of resistance
• 350-pound weight capacity
• Heart rate chest strap included
• High-quality heavy-duty steel frame

Cons

• Difficult assembly with unclear instructions
• Heavy at over 212 pounds
• 20-inch stride length does not adjust

Bottom Line

The SOLE E25 Elliptical provides effective workouts through its use of comfort and natural feel. The quiet front drive system, inward foot pedal design, and heavy duty steel frame all create a smooth, effective workout.

The Sole E25 would have been our top pick on this page if the brand hadn’t increased its price by about $300 over the last few years. This is the most expensive machine on our budget list, as it’s priced around $1,200. However, it’s also the only machine on this list that offers incline, and that’s a feature we think you should consider.

Kate Meier, GGR’s senior director of content, and Lindsay Scheele, lead reviewer on our YouTube channel GGR Everything, both used this machine and attest to its intense workout capabilities. “You can pedal forward and backward on inclines that get pretty steep,” Kate says. Both testers gave this a 4 out of 5 for their overall experience on the machine.

One callout both Kate and Lindsay had is that at this price, you get a significant number of high-end features such as cooling fans and Bluetooth speakers that Kate said “work really well and have a good, clear sound.” There is also a media shelf where a tablet or a phone rests snugly, as well as a USB charging port for your device.

RELATED: Sole F65 Treadmill Review

Kate noticed some shaking and wobbling when she was kicking it into higher speeds on higher inclines, and there are no floor stabilizers on this machine. She deducted half a point and gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for durability because otherwise, the E25 has a 350-pound weight capacity, great construction, and a 20-pound flywheel.

The display on the E25 is basic. At this price range, you might find ellipticals that have touchscreens (for just a few hundred dollars more, the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 has a 7-inch touchscreen that streams iFIT workouts). However, if that doesn’t matter to you, save money and stick with the Sole.

Kate personally assembled the Sole E25 by herself and said it took her more than two hours. She said the instructions aren’t great, and she had an easier time assembling large, complicated machines like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. You can opt to pay $350 for professional assembly, but Kate feels that’s too expensive unless you aren’t capable of putting the machine together.

For more, check out our full Sole E25 review.

Best Value Elliptical: ProForm Carbon EL

Good for: People who want an affordable treadmill that has streaming workouts

Best Value

ProForm Carbon E7 Elliptical

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Product Highlights

* Comes with 3 years of iFIT Pro membership * Footprint: 25” W x 66.5” D x 66.5” H * 24 digital resistance levels * 7-inch full-color display

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent warranty
• Front-mounted transport wheels for moving
• 19-inch power adjustable stride
• Adjustable, cushioned pedals
• CoolAire workout fan and Bluetooth speakers

Cons

• Weight capacity is only 275 lbs
• Doesn’t include accessories, like dumbbells for cross-training
• Doesn’t fold

Bottom Line

The ProForm E7 Elliptical is a bargain at under $1,500, considering you get a compact machine with 24 digital resistance levels, a 19-inch stride, and 3 years of iFIT programming included with your purchase. The E7 also features a 7-inch full-color touchscreen that displays your training metrics and workouts.

Priced at around $1,400 as of November 2024, the ProForm Carbon E7 may not seem like a very budget-friendly pick. However, it’s still less expensive than several other models and has a lot to offer people looking for the price. First, and perhaps most significantly, it syncs with iFIT, which is interactive, streaming programming featuring personal trainers. They lead you through thousands of workouts you can do on the Carbon E7, as well as off-machine workouts like yoga, Pilates, and strength training.

We should also note that we haven’t yet tested this specific model, but we’ve tested several ProForm ellipticals, including the now-discontinued ProForm Carbon EL. Based on our research, there are only a few differences between the Carbon EL and the Carbon E7, so we feel confident in our assessment of the latest model.

When it comes to ergonomics, we give the Carbon E7 a 4 out of 5 for a few reasons. First, it has fixed and moving handles, so you can adjust your grip and your workout as you go. There is a 19-inch adjustable stride, which you can adjust manually to better suit your body. A 19-inch stride is just under the 20 inches we like to see to accommodate tall people, though it should still suit most users. The elliptical also has cushioned foot pedals that offer three adjustable positions.

The Carbon E7 features an impressive 20-degree incline ramp if you want to kick your workout up a notch, as well as 24 levels of resistance.

You should be aware that the Carbon E7 weighs more than 200 pounds, so we give it a 2.5 out of 5 for portability. If it’s anything like the Carbon EL, it won’t be easy to move. Our testers were able to tilt the Carbon EL onto the front rollers and move it, but they were on hard ground. It may be a little more challenging to roll the Carbon E7 around on something like carpeting. Make sure you assemble it where you plan to use it.

RELATED: ProForm Elliptical Reviews

Best Quiet Budget Elliptical: Niceday Elliptical Machine

Good for: Individuals in shared spaces or who need very quiet exercise equipment

Best Quiet Budget Elliptical

Niceday Elliptical Machine

GGR Score: 3.53

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Product Highlights

• Designed with 90% pre-assembled pieces makes installation simple
• 16-lb flywheel offers 16 levels of smooth resistance with a high gear ratio
• Extra-thick steel frame is exceptionally sturdy and able to hold weights up to 400 pounds
• Fits individuals 4’9” inches to 6’2”
• Minimal noise emission measuring only 20dB

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Simple assembly
• 16 levels of resistance
• No electrical source required
• Stable
• High user weight capacity

Cons

• Short stride of 15.5 inches
• Circular stride versus oval may feel awkward
• Basic display reportedly breaks easily

Bottom Line

With eight levels of magnetic resistance, a sturdy frame, and 400-pound user weight capacity, the Niceday Elliptical Trainer may be a good choice for those needing higher weight limits.

There’s a good reason I referred to the Niceday Elliptical Machine as “quiet as a church mouse”—it’s virtually noiseless. GGR senior director of content Kate Meier tested this elliptical, and she said, “This is one of the quietest machines I’ve ever been on.” Why is it silent? There is no motor and no electricity that runs to the Niceday.

If you want to get a quick workout on the best quiet elliptical while others are sleeping, this is an excellent option. Plus, the machine doesn’t need to be plugged in to work, so you can move it to any corner of your house that suits you without worrying about finding an outlet. 

I’m a huge fan of the lifetime parts warranty, which is uncommon on budget machines. The brand promises to send you a replacement part for your Niceday Elliptical whenever anything breaks or stops working. 

And there’s more to love—the Niceday Elliptical has oversized pedals to fit a variety of foot sizes, and there are 16 levels of resistance to choose from. 

“When I turned the resistance to the hardest level, it felt like I was getting a good workout,” Kate says, giving this a 3.5 out of 5 overall for her workout experience. “I did a 15-minute interval workout, rotating through all the resistance settings, pedaling forward, pedaling backward. This is a machine that is largely just okay, but it’s excellent if you want a basic and very quiet elliptical.”

Kate did note that the handles were a bit wobbly the higher the resistance got. Although the brand brags about the 400-pound weight capacity, we’re a little skeptical of these claims. 

“I’m well under half the max weight and felt some play in the structure while using it,” Kate explained.

Take a look at our full Niceday Elliptical Machine review.

Best Budget Elliptical for Beginners: Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical

Good for: People who need an easy way to get a full-body workout 

Best for Beginners

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

• Just 105 pounds and easy to move
• Supports up to 330 pounds
• Fixed and moving handles for upper body workout
• 24 built-in workouts

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy-to-follow built-in workouts
• Under $600
• Machine is smooth and doesn’t shake
• 16 levels of resistance

Cons

• Warranty is below the industry standard
• Unclear assembly instructions
• Short stride length of just 15.5 inches

Bottom Line

Pack a cardio workout in the comfort of your home with the SF-E3912 Pre-Programmed Elliptical Trainer by Sunny Health & Fitness. Stride 15.

New to working out and don’t know where to start? Consider picking up (not literally, unless you need to) the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 magnetic elliptical. This cardio machine is ideal for beginners because it has 24 built-in workouts. Kate Meier, GGR senior director of content and certified personal trainer, tested this elliptical and said that it’s what you would expect for a compact, budget elliptical.

Best of all, it’s easy to use. Simply just select one of the available options and stride away! No complicated mumbo jumbo that makes working out harder than it needs to be. Plus, this machine has a user weight capacity of 330 pounds, which is above the industry standard of 275 to 300 pounds. Despite this, tall people may find this machine a bit too compact for them—with a 15.5-inch stride length, it’s not meant for vertically gifted people, earning it a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5 in the ergonomics category.  

When you’re ready to kick things up a notch, the Sunny elliptical has 16 different resistance options that can easily be utilized via the display. 

A few things I don’t love? The complicated assembly and the subpar warranty. I would definitely recommend grabbing a friend and a Phillips head screwdriver to make the process a little easier. Kate says she did this on her own, and the instructions given aren’t very clear. She says that while the needed tools are provided, using your own screwdriver makes things quicker. This earned it a 3.5-out-of-5 in our delivery and assembly category.

Let’s talk about the warranty—with just three years on the frame and only 180 days for all other pieces, I am concerned about the long-term durability of this machine. Although we didn’t experience any issues, we haven’t used the SF-E3912 for three years and can’t speak to long-term sturdiness. 

Take a look at our full Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical review. 

Best Elliptical Under $500: Merach E19 Classic Smart Elliptical

Good for: Those who want tech features for less

Best Under $500

Merach E19 Classic Smart Resistance Elliptical

GGR Score: 3.4

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Product Highlights

• Smart elliptical with free MERACH fitness app 
• 4 training modes: walking mode, HIIT Training, sculpting mode, and butt training mode 
• Heart rate tracking and Bluetooth connectivity 
• 16 levels of magnetic resistance 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 330-lb user weight capacity
• Free MERACH fitness app with games and training courses
• Included resistance bands for use with or without elliptical
• Free shipping
• Quiet at less than 20 decibels
• Heart rate tracking
• Auto adjusting resistance synchronized with courses

Cons

• Very limited product reviews
• Stationary handrails
• MERACH app reviewed poorly; customers found it glitchy

Bottom Line

The MERACH E19 Classic Smart Resistance Elliptical has a compact design with 16 levels of magnetic resistance. When paired with the MERACH app and workouts, the elliptical will automatically adjust resistance. There are extremely limited reviews on the elliptical; however, the app has poor reviews and complaints from customers about being glitchy.

The Merach E19 checks a lot of the boxes when it comes to a solid elliptical under $1,000: a 330-pound weight capacity, a compact 2-feet-by-3.33-feet footprint, an 18-inch stride length, and 16 levels of magnetic resistance.

However, what brings the value with this machine is its tech capabilities, which we’re giving a 5-out-of-5 rating. By connecting via Bluetooth to the free Merach app, you can utilize the dynamic programming, plus the auto-adjust technology, which will change the resistance for you during your workout to follow along with the trainer. You rarely see these types of features on a budget machine. Getting them on a budget elliptical is even rarer—we’re impressed. 

RELATED: Elliptical vs Bike

The E19 also features adjustable armrests and attached resistance bands, allowing you to further customize your workout. The armrests don’t move, however—something to note if you were looking for an elliptical with that feature. All of this for under $400 provides really solid value, especially for someone working out in a small space. 

Other Budget Ellipticals We Researched

Stamina Inmotion Elliptical: While I like the idea of this $120 machine, I hesitate to even call it an elliptical. It’s supposed to mainly be used while sitting down—an under-desk elliptical if you will—but there is a stock photo of a woman standing on it with zero support. Sounds like a recipe for a broken bone or two if you ask me.

Schwinn Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical Machine: Although I love the 18-inch stride length and strong warranty, the Schwinn 411 is apparently difficult to use. Multiple purchasers of various fitness levels complained about the resistance levels being too hard, even at the lowest level.

Decathlon-Domyos EL500 Elliptical: Preset programs are a great way for beginners to get started, and the EL500 has quite a few options to choose from. However, the stride length is a measly 12.59 inches, which is well below the industry standard. Tall folks will have major difficulty comfortably using this machine.  

Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical: This inexpensive elliptical will get the job done for around $300, but everyone in your neighborhood will probably hear you working out. The Exerpeutic elliptical squeaks to the high heavens!

How We Picked and Tested the Best Budget Ellipticals

At Garage Gym Reviews, we take our testing and reviewing very seriously. Hours of research and exercising go into us evaluating each piece of equipment on our site. When determining which ellipticals would make it into this roundup, we examined the following:

Benefits of Budget Ellipticals

Why the heck should you spend your hard-earned money on an elliptical or cross-trainer? I’m glad you asked! Check out Garage Gym Reviews staff writer and NASM certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly’s thoughts.

Low-Impact Exercise

Ellipticals are a perfect choice for those recovering from injury or those who have sensitive joints. “Because your feet aren’t crashing down with every stride, like they are during outdoor running or on a treadmill, your knees and ankles don’t take as much impact,” he says. “This can also lead to longer cardio workout sessions, which in turn could lead to increased caloric expenditure.” 

Saves You Time

Because you’re simultaneously using your upper- and lower-body muscles, you can get a total-body workout in a shorter amount of time.

Improved Cardiovascular Fitness

“One of the main reasons to invest in an elliptical machine is it helps get your heart rate pumping, which leads to improved stamina and overall cardio performance,” Anthony says. “This has been shown to decrease the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and improve multiple health markers from insulin resistance to lowering your resting heart rate.” 

Buying Guide: What to Look For in a Budget Elliptical

Everyone is looking for different things when it comes to purchasing an elliptical for home use. However, here are some of the most common factors to keep in mind when you’re thinking about adding an exercise machine to your home gym.

Budget Elliptical FAQs

Caroline Lubinsky, CF-L1

Caroline is a former NCAA D1 Women’s College Soccer player who also played in the WPSL, the second highest level of professional women’s soccer in the United States. Although soccer was her first love, Caroline eats, sleeps, and breathes all things fitness. She credits her high school’s football coach, Jason Estep, with teaching her how to properly use a barbell at 15 years old and inspiring an enduring love for strength training. Caroline is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. Content wise, Caroline has a background in Public Relations and previously worked in the Communication department at Appalachian State University. When Caroline isn’t writing or working out, she works with dachshund rescue groups and listens to way too many true crime podcasts.

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