Top 5 Best Compact Elliptical for Home Use

Best compact ellipticals

With the best compact ellipticals for home, you never have to worry about space. These cardio machines come with space-saving designs that ensure they can easily fit into a corner or any other small space. Those in apartments, condos, or limited by space can comfortably use these machines. Besides, these elliptical machines come with transport wheels. Move them in and out of the room before or after your workout to save on space.

 

To come up with this list of the best compact ellipticals for home use, we considered factors such as; front-drive mechanism. That is, the resistance wheel placed at the front takes up less space. In addition, we also considered factors such as resistance levels. Even though compact, a quality elliptical machine should deliver a good cardio workout. Finally, we reviewed customer reviews and ratings to ensure that these were as described. Use this list to save on time and for the best quality ellipticals for home use.

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.

 

If you’re curious or in a hurry:

 

Best compact elliptical for home use

• SCHWINN Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
• Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer
• Bowflex Max Trainer Series
• SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer
• Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical
• Doufit Elliptical Machine

1. SCHWINN Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical Machine

Promising review; “I chose this elliptical because it doesn’t take up too much room, and the price was right.”

Specifications;

• 16 resistance levels.
• 13 Preset programs.
• 18-inch stride.
• Bluetooth connectivity.

What we love;

• Easy to move around
• Reasonably priced.
• Compact
• Smooth motion and stride pattern.
• Quiet when in use.

What we didn’t like;

• Doesn’t incline.

With SCHWINN Fitness 411 Compact Elliptical Machine, you get a low-impact workout machine half the size of other cardio machines. It’s well-made and heavy enough for extended use t home.  It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for fitness equipment with a small footprint yet delivers an effective cardio workout. As the resistance wheel is at the front rather than the back its size is compact.  Assembly instructions are clear and well-written. However, it does take a while to put this elliptical together as it comes with lots of parts.

 

The stride feels good, and taller users can comfortably exercise without feeling limited. Its wide range of resistance levels offers challenging workouts. Be warned, even at the lowest setting, the resistance is quite high. In addition, it comes with an impressive library of preset workout programs. There are two pairs of handlebars. One is moveable to workout your upper body as you pedal. The fixed arm comes with pulse sensors that accurately track your heart rate. A built-in media rack and water bottle holder are also on this elliptical machine.

2. Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer

Promising review; “10/10 would recommend. It doesn’t take up too much space.”

Specifications;

• 220 lbs max weight capacity.
• 8-levels of magnetic resistance.
• 8.5-inch vertical climb.
• 5-inch horizontal climb.

What we love;

• Affordable price.
• Climbing stride.

What we didn’t like;

• Horizontal stride is limited.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Cross Trainer is a hybrid machine that combines the benefits and advantages of an elliptical machine with that of a stepper machine. It’s a great addition to any home gym as users of all ages can use it. Use it in the cold winter months or hot summer days when exercising outdoors is no longer an option. With its compact design, you never have to worry about space as it barely takes up space. Besides, it comes with front wheels to use to move it around.

 

Packaging is well thought out, and the hardware is vacuum-sealed. Assembly is straightforward and all tools needed are included. The motion is very smooth and almost completely silent. Those in top-floor apartments can comfortably use it without fear of causing a disturbance. While the resistance levels are up to 8-levels, the workouts are intense. Adjust the resistance with a simple turn on the knob to increase it from easy to difficult. Expect to feel the heat on your legs, hips, and thighs after each workout on this elliptical.

3. Bowflex Max Trainer Series

Promising review; “High-quality body blaster worth the price – so far very satisfied!.”

Specifications;

• 300 lbs max weight capacity.
• 8-levels of magnetic resistance.
• Built-in programs
• Interactive display.

What we love;

• Compact
• Solid and well-built
• Smooth exercise motion
• Climbing stride.

What we didn’t like;

• No backlight on the LCD screen.
• Only 2-programs included

Bowflex Max Trainer Series combines the benefits of a low-impact elliptical machine with that of a calorie-blasting stepper to bring you this hybrid fitness machine. If your goal is to get an intense workout at home in less than 15-minutes, this is the machine for you.  It arrives well-packaged and secure. A helping hand will make the assembly process easy. It comes with 8-levels of adjustable resistance with intense workouts at every level. Expect to take a good while to get from level  1 – 8. Even seasoned fitness enthusiasts will find themselves struggling to get past 15-minutes on this elliptical machine. You will feel the burn on your lower muscles after each workout. With the Bowflex Max Trainer series, you can push your personal fitness limits. Overall, this is a fun machine that’s easy to use for a decent workout.

4. SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer

Promising review: “This is a great little elliptical for the price and how small it is, it doesn’t take that much space..”

• 220 lbs max weight capacity
• 8-resistance levels.
• 11-inch stride length.

Reasons to buy;

• Compact
• Reasonably priced.
• Easy to assemble.
• Space-saving design.

Reasons to avoid;

• The range of motion is lacking.
• Arm and leg strides are short.

The SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer delivers a perfect cardio workout in the comfort of your own home. With this elliptical machine, you get no fancy bells and whistles. However, it will have you sweating in no time. Assembly takes quite a while, expect to have it put together in 2-hours or less. Its compact size means that you can use it in any room without having to worry about space. Besides, it’s light enough to wheel whenever you need to.

 

The resistance ranges from 1 – 8, more than enough for an easy or vigorous workout. Change in resistance levels is noticeable, and beginners might find it hard to get past level 2 without dripping in sweat. Pedal in reverse for a more challenging workout. The motion is smooth and almost silent on this elliptical machine. Use it without fear of disturbing neighbors or roommates. The LCD monitor while basic, keeps track of your time, calories, and distance.

5. Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical

Promising review; “Great compact at-Work exercise, this machine was a life-changer for me. .”

Specifications;

• Adjustable tension.
• Forward/reverse motion.
• For home and office use.

What we love;

• Small footprint.
• Budget price
• Sturdy and solid.

What we didn’t like;

• Heavy to carry around.

The Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical is a versatile and convenient fitness machine that allows you to work as you work, play video games, or you watch Tv. It’s an ideal choice for anyone struggling to add more activity to an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. Set up is a breeze, it can be done in less than 15-minutes and doesn’t require any tools or skills. This mini elliptical machine is completely silent. Use it at the office without anyone noticing.

 

While the resistance is adjustable, medium intensity is best if you want to exercise for longer without breaking a sweat at the office. Besides, it’s compact and portable. Take it with you wherever you go. While it doesn’t replace the need to get active, it will help you get your 10000 steps done throughout the day. As a mini elliptical, this works best with an adjustable desk. This way, you have enough clearance to exercise without hitting your knees.

6. Doufit Elliptical Machine

Promising review; “ Great for anyone looking for a smaller form factor elliptical on a budget.”

Specifications

• Recommend for user heights of 5ft to 5.9ft.
• 250 lbs max user weight capacity.
• 8-levels of magnetic resistance.

What we love;

• Simple to use
• Compact
• Sturdy and stable
• Bluetooth-enabled.

What we didn’t like;

• The stride is not long enough.
• Not for taller users.

Doufit Elliptical Machine is good for improving your cardio endurance, stretching your muscles, and toning your body without putting extra strain on your knees, joints and hips. It’s an ideal choice for anyone working with a small space, it can easily fit in a corner. Besides, it comes with wheels at the front. Move it to another room to exercise and move it back into storage after. Its simple white design looks great with most spaces. While the instructions are well-written, the assembly process is challenging. Won’t take longer than 1-hour to put it together.

 

Resistance ranges from 1 – 8 on this elliptical. Choose a leisurely or intense workout. It’s a whisper-quiet in use, exercise early in the morning before the kids awake. The display is clear and easy to use to check your workout metrics. Overall, the Doufit Elliptical Machine is a great buy for beginners who wants to get in shape!

Best compact elliptical for home use