These small ellipticals come in various sizes, from the big commercial ellipticals found in gyms to the compact elliptical machines and portable trainers designed for home use.
- What Makes a Good, Affordable Elliptical under $500
- Overview of the Best Elliptical Under 500
- My Top 10 Best Elliptical Under $500 Dollars
- 1) Sunny Healthy & Fitness
- 2) Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical
- 3) Fitness Reality E5500 XL Magenetic Elliptical Trainer
- 4) Snode Elliptical Machine for Home Use
- 5) Sunny Health & Fitness with Climbing Motion – SF-E3911
- 6) Ancheer Elliptical Machine Magnetic Elliptical
- 7) Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical
- 8) Plasma Fit Elliptical 2-in-1 Exercise Cardio
- 9) Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
- 10) Exerpeutic Magnetic Flywheel Elliptical Trainer
- Things to Consider for the Best Elliptical Under 500 Dollars
- Best Elliptical Under 500 dollars Final Verdict
What Makes a Good, Affordable Elliptical under $500
If you are questioning how to choose the best elliptical under 500 and that you can fit in small spaces, you are in the right place.
Elliptical trainers are fast becoming the go-to machines for low-impact cardio workouts and for very good reasons.
A portable elliptical is fantastic for aerobic exercise and low-impact leg workouts that target your glutes, quads, core, and hamstrings without putting strain on your knees, hips, and ankles thus preventing lower-body injuries.
Most ellipticals come with full-motion handlebars which simultaneously work your upper body and every movement engages your traps, biceps, triceps, pectoral and cardiovascular muscles.
The movements of an elliptical imitate walking, climbing, or running—depending on your speed and incline—and as you work your muscles with an elliptical, you also burn calories in the process which makes it perfect for weight loss and full-body muscle toning.
Finding the best elliptical for small spaces and doing your workout at home can be quite a challenge because the options are almost endless.
However, I’ve done a great deal of digging including testing some trainers myself, and here I’ll share with you the best affordable ellipticals for a standard aerobic workout at home plus a buying guide for choosing the perfect choice for you.
Overview of the Best Elliptical Under 500
Ellipticals are generally not one-size-fits-all machines and the perfect one for you will depend solely on what you want from your trainer. However, I selected the best budget ellipticals based on build quality, performance, and workout intensity.
| ELLIPTICAL | FEATURES | MAX WEIGHT CAPACITY | RESISTANCE LEVEL | CHECK PRICE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Sunny Healthy & Fitness | Full arm motions to engage upper body | Monitor for pulse, heart rate, distance, cal burned | 330 lbs | 16 Adjustable magnetic resistance level | |
  | Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical | Best Small compact elliptical that offers the benefits of a large equipment | 300 lbs | 16 levels of motorized magnetic resistance | |
  | Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical | Provides 18" long stride which provides a challenge workout | 270 lbs | 24 levels of smooth magnetic tension resistance | |
  | SNODE Elliptical Machine | Equipped with automatic magnetic resistance system | Small elliptical | 265 lbs | 8 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance | |
  | Sunny Performance Cross Trainer with Climbing Motion | Comes with fluid-climbing motion that engages a full body workout | 220 lbs | 8 adjustable resistance levels | |
  | ANCHEER Magnetic Elliptical with Pulse Rate | With full-motion handlebars, it is great for a full body workout | Pulse grips | 350 lbs | 8 levels of magnetic resistance | |
  | Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical | Great for under-desk low intensity leg and cardio workout and improve circulation | N/A | Comes with adjustable dial to increase intensity | |
  | Plasma Fit Elliptical 2-in-1 elliptical + bike equipment | This is a combo machine with elliptical + bike | Comes with hear rate and pulse monitor | 220 lbs | Adjustable resistance levels that enable customized workout | |
  | Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer | Hybrid machine that combines elliptical and stepper | 250 lbs | 8 levels of magnetic resistance | |
  | Exerpeutic Magnetic Flywheels Elliptical Trainer | With precision balanced flywheels provides a quite and smooth operation | 275 lbs | 16 levels of magnetic resistance |
My Top 10 Best Elliptical Under $500 Dollars
1) Sunny Healthy & Fitness
This Sunny Healthy & Fitness pre-programmed elliptical trainer is designed to give you the best cardio workout with heart-rate targeted workout programs, 16 levels of programmable magnetic resistance, and full arm motions to engage muscles of the upper body for a simultaneous full-body workout. It’s complete with a performance monitor measuring your pulse, heart rate, distance traveled, fat burned and all the metrics you need to stay motivated towards hitting your fitness target.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: this small elliptical comes with 16 adjustable magnetic resistance levels and each level of resistance works your muscles harder and pushes you towards your fitness goal. It also works manually when not plugged in.
WORKOUT: there are 21 built-in workout programs to get you started. With 15.5 inches stride length and full-motion handlebars, every stride you take engages your glutes, thighs, hamstring, traps, biceps, and pectoral muscles for a full-body workout.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: it’s designed to take up to 330 lb weight capacity.
STORAGE: designed for home use, this portable elliptical has a small footprint and front wheels that make for easy transportation. And it’s equipped with floor stabilizers to prevent rocking, tipping, and swaying motion when placed on an uneven surface.
MATERIAL: The Sunny Health and fitness elliptical is made with sturdy steel tubing with a black and metallic gray finish.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: you can monitor how you’re doing by measuring your heart rate, pulse, rotations per minute, distance traveled, calories burned, etc. The console has an LCD for monitoring your performance.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| It’s the ideal size for a home gym with a small footprint. The front wheels make it easy to tilt and roll around, so no need for any heavy lifting. | Assembling this elliptical isn’t very easy, and you will have to be careful to ensure you correctly identify all the bolts and washers |
| The console has a simple LCD that provides you with adequate information about your workout | It makes some squeaking sound with every stride, and it can be negative if you intend to exercise while enjoying your favorite TV show |
| It has about 24 pre-programmed workouts, which is a big help and an easy start for beginners |
EXPERT VERDICT: If you want a sturdily built elliptical that will help you achieve your fitness goals without spending a fortune, then you should give this small elliptical more than a casual thought. This is the best elliptical under 500 dollars for your home gym and will last you for a decent number of years.
2) Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical
The Schwinn 411 is a small compact elliptical trainer that offers the full benefits of large ellipticals. It’s designed to deliver enough resistance to push your muscles with every stride you take and is great for a low-impact workout, high-intensity interval training, stamina building, and weight loss.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: This compact elliptical features 16 levels of motorized magnetic resistance which can be adjusted from the console. Even the lowest resistance setting offers a great leg workout and will probably get your heart rate up.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: This compact elliptical is solid enough to support users up to 300 lbs.
WORKOUT: despite the compact design, each stride is 18 inches long and gives you an excellent lower body workout. While the full-motion handlebars provide sufficient upper body workout. This compact elliptical is great for low-impact to intense cardio and aerobic workout.
STORAGE: This compact elliptical is designed for home use and has a small footprint. Transportation is easy as it has a set of front wheels for easy relocation.
MATERIAL: This compact elliptical machine looks sturdy and well-built, its structural frame is made of sturdy steel tubing.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: It has a 5.5’ LCD console with a pre-programmed workout and performance monitor for measuring distance, speed, RPM, calories, and pulse. The console also has Bluetooth connectivity for connecting to other devices.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great small elliptical for an amazing full-body workout | The lowest resistance is difficult and may not be ideal for a beginner |
| This elliptical is made of very sturdy material and works very smoothly | The console is not very reliable |
| It comes with an impressive number of pre-programmed workouts to give you a great start | This elliptical tends to moan and squeak while in use |
| Fairly easy to assemble it | |
| Compact elliptical and great for small space |
EXPERT VERDICT: This is an impressive compact elliptical that will compliment your home gym. It may be compact, but it does pack a punch and every workout session will leave your heart racing. With daily usage, expect to start seeing results in a few weeks.
3) Fitness Reality E5500 XL Magenetic Elliptical Trainer
The Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical trainer provides an 18’ long stride and 24 levels of magnetic resistance which is enough to challenge even the most experienced fitness freak. This elliptical with compact size is excellent for home use and the fine-tuning workout it offers is not enough to supplement your gym sessions.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: This affordable elliptical machine has 24 levels of smooth magnetic tension resistance and an 18-inch smooth elliptical stride length. It comes with one pair of static handlebars and a pair of full-motion handlebars for working out the upper body.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: Elliptical machine designed to accommodate no more than 270 lbs.
WORKOUT: It features 21 preset workout programs and 3 computer goal programs for helping you achieve your fitness goals fast. Each resistance level and stride provides a range of full-body workouts without hurting your knees. It targets the muscles of your lower body including the glutes, hamstrings, and thighs while the full motion handlebars will exercise your biceps, traps, and pecs.
STORAGE: This affordable elliptical is about 2 feet wide and 5 feet long, and it has wheels for easy transportation to any section of your home.
MATERIAL: Strong and durable metal frame with a beautiful metallic gray and silver finish.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: Track your performance with the backlit LCD computer display which measures your distance, time, RPM, calories burned, speed, pulse, odometer, and Watts. You can also see your heart rate evaluation after a workout.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| This small elliptical is fairly easy to assemble with detailed instructions | This small elliptical doesn’t have an incline, but the resistance levels provide enough challenge |
| It has a solid build quality and smooth operation; no squeaks or moans | The bottle holder is somewhat too low on the machine, and if you are tall your knees may hit it while you exercise |
| Compact elliptical machine and lightweight, designed for home use and require small storage space | |
| This small elliptical offers a great workout, even at the lowest resistance level | |
| Very affordable elliptical and comes at a great price |
EXPERT VERDICT: This is an elliptical for both beginners and gym rats, it has enough resistance and every stride will push you to go further. It is a great affordable elliptical machine at a reasonable price, and you can expect to see some pretty good results over time.
4) Snode Elliptical Machine for Home Use
The SNODE E20i is a compact elliptical machine built for home use. It’s equipped with an automatic magnetic resistance system with 8 adjustable levels to enable you to customize your workout and an LCD console for tracking your performance. It’s great for low-impact cardio, stamina building, interval training, and weight loss.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: Snode elliptical has 8 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance, and you can easily intensify your workout by turning a knob. And each level provides enough resistance to challenge your muscles.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: Can take up to 265lbs.
WORKOUT: Each stride is comfortable and provides a low-impact workout that won’t hurt your knees and ankles. You can simultaneously target the muscles of your lower and upper body with the full-motion handlebars that swing with every stride. You can adjust the horizontal stabilizers to ensure the machine is always stable.
STORAGE: This budget elliptical is compact and can be easily moved around, thanks to the transportation wheels.
MATERIAL: It is constructed out of durable and high-quality metal with a beautiful and shiny finish.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: Keep tabs on your performance with real-time measurement of your pulse rate, speed, distance, calories burned, etc. via an LCD screen, with this you can calculate your progress and stay motivated.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| This small elliptical works great for cardio and full-body workout | This small elliptical has no adjustable inclines |
| It is a compact and sturdy elliptical machine and has a small footprint which makes it a great elliptical for small space | It may squeak a bit with continual usage, so make sure you tighten the screws and lubricate often |
| The console is easy to use and intuitive | |
| This is a very affordable elliptical |
EXPERT VERDICT: This great budget elliptical is perfect if you’re space-conscious, and it’s a very good piece of equipment for your home gym. It offers great value for money and will certainly help you work your muscles and stay fit.
5) Sunny Health & Fitness with Climbing Motion – SF-E3911
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3911 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer with a fluid-climbing motion that engages the whole body. With 8 levels of resistance, you can fine-tune the intensity of your workout and get more out of every exercise session. And with an ergonomic bottle holder, you can hydrate while you exercise. This is an elliptical for a simple and effective cardio workout.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: This portable elliptical has 8 adjustable resistance levels and fluid climbing motion for total body fitness.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: It supports a maximum weight of 220 lbs.
WORKOUT: Every stride targets your quads, glutes, and hamstrings while the swinging arm motion and upper body movements provide a complete body workout for burning calories and fine-tuning your upper body muscles.
STORAGE: This elliptical is compact and maneuverable. A set of transportation wheels makes it easy to tilt and roll.
MATERIAL: It’s made of durable steel and comes with a 3-year warranty
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: You can monitor your heart rate with the hand pulse sensors and use the backlit console to keep track of your speed, distance, calorie burned, rotations per minute, etc. The device holder enables you to follow along with your favorite workout videos for an extended session.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| This elliptical is easy to assemble, instructions are clear and straightforward, and assembly takes about 30-min. | With constant use, this elliptical will develop a loud squeaking sound, so you may have to lubricate as often as possible |
| It runs smoothly, and it is great for a full-body workout, even at the lowest setting | 9 inches stride length seems too short to be truly smooth |
| This compact elliptical is space-efficient and optimal for small spaces | |
| This is a great option for a budget elliptical |
EXPERT VERDICT: This is a great compact elliptical for beginners who want to crank up their home fitness. It comes at a good price and has all the features you need to customize your workout session. To keep it running smoothly, you may need to occasionally check and tighten the bolts every few weeks, and lubricate the machine to prevent squeaking sounds.
6) Ancheer Elliptical Machine Magnetic Elliptical
The Ancheer elliptical machine is a great option for regular and effective home workouts, it weighs 79lbs with a 12lbs built-in flywheel and 13’ stride length. The full-motion handlebars are great for exercising the upper body while you stride, and you can track your heart rate with the “pulse grips”.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: Ancheer elliptical comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance, and you easily switch levels via a convenient tension knob to fine-tune your workout.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: Ancheer elliptical is designed to handle up to 350lbs.
WORKOUT: 13-inch stride length and two sets of handlebars provide you with a smooth and comfortable stride, the cushioned foot pedals ensure the comfort of your legs while you put your quads, hamstrings, and glutes to work. The full-motion handlebars also target the upper body with every swing. The smooth movements are natural and don’t stress your knees and ankles.
STORAGE: This elliptical is compact enough to fit into a small space, and transportation is easy with the wheels, just tilt, and roll.
MATERIAL: it’s made with durable steel tubing with a shiny black finish. The foot pedals are large and cushioned, and the machine doesn’t shake when in use.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: it comes with a digital monitor screen which helps you better track your progress during a workout. The LCD screen displays distance, speed, time, calories burned, and heart rate.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Ancheer elliptical is very compact and lightweight | 13 inches stride length seems too short for tall people |
| The cushioned non-slip foot pedals are comfortable and prevent slippage | The 8 different resistance levels don’t vary very much |
| This portable elliptical is fairly easy to assemble with clear instructions | |
| The transportation wheels make for easy relocation | |
| It offers great value for the price |
EXPERT VERDICT: This is an excellent elliptical machine for aerobic exercises to improve cardio fitness, stamina development, and weight loss. It’s compact enough for your home gym and the price is also great.
7) Stamina 55-1602 Inmotion Elliptical
The Stamina 55-1602 is an “under-desk” elliptical for low-intensity leg exercises that help you burn calories and stay fit while working at your office desk, watching television, or reading a book. This elliptical is compact enough to snugly fit under your work desk for comfortable and non-distracting leg movement that improves circulation.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: Vary the intensity of your workout by turning the adjustable dial while you stride.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: Not specified.
WORKOUT: The Stamina InMotion Strider can be used sitting or standing, and you can pedal in reverse motion. You can also control the intensity of your workout by adjusting a tension knob, the foot pedals are comfortable and target different muscles with forward and reverse motions.
STORAGE: It weighs less than 30lbs and the compact design makes for easy storage and a portable workout, making it the best elliptical for small spaces.
MATERIAL: It’s mostly metal with sturdy steel construction.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: A multi-functional monitor tracks the exercise time, total strides, rotations per minute, and calories burned, and the metrics are displayed on the monitor screen. The stats help you track your performance and monitor your progress.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| This under-desk elliptical can be used while sitting or standing, and since there are no handlebars it works your core also | There is no handlebar for a full-body workout, it only focuses on legs, core, and cardio |
| This elliptical go both, forward or backward to target different muscles | |
| Assembly is easy and the compact design makes it very a very portable elliptical |
EXPERT VERDICT: Regularly exercising with the Stamina InMotion compact strider will certainly tone your lower body, burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. To keep your trainer from making annoying squeaking sounds, you will have to occasionally lubricate the wheels with a grease-like lubricant. This is the best elliptical for small spaces and it is very affordable.
8) Plasma Fit Elliptical 2-in-1 Exercise Cardio
The Plasma Fit 2-in-1 cardio machine is an elliptical bike combo that engages your core, upper and lower body muscles all at once. It’s an excellent choice for muscle-building and calorie-burning low-impact workouts without straining or hurting your joints.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: Adjustable resistance levels enable you to create customized workouts tailored to any fitness level. You can vary your resistance levels using an adjustable tension knob.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: Can take a maximum weight of 220 lbs
WORKOUT: The 11” stride length and 21” arm extension are perfect for both low-impact workouts that target your glutes and leg muscles, and high-cardio fitness targeting your cardiovascular muscles, core, and upper body. The height of the full-form seat and handles are adjustable for extra comfort.
STORAGE: This portable elliptical has a small footprint and doesn’t take up a lot of space, and front roll-away wheels ensure easy transportation.
MATERIAL: The Plasma Fit is constructed with sturdy steel tubing for durability.
ELETRONIC FEATURES: You can monitor your pulse, heart rate, distance, speed, calories burned, etc., on the LCD screen of the battery-operated console.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| The assembly is fairly easy, and it comes with everything you need to put it together | It makes a small squeaking sound |
| This elliptical monitors your pulse and heart rate while your exercise | It makes a small squeaking sound 11-inch stride length may not be natural if you are above 5″‘7″ |
| This elliptical is very portable and it is great for small spaces | |
| This elliptical is very affordable |
EXPERT VERDICT: This hybrid bike+elliptical is compact enough to snugly fit in a corner in your bedroom or home office, and you can jump on it at your convenience to supplement your gym workout. It’s a great piece of equipment for keeping fit at home and one of the best ellipticals for small spaces.
9) Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
The Body Power 2-in-1 elliptical stepper is a hybrid machine that combines an elliptical and stepper and merges the workout benefits of both into one fine fitness machine. Its pedaling motion is slightly different from a standard elliptical machine and delivers low to intense cardio and leg workouts.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: The Body Power 2-in1 elliptical comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance which can easily be adjusted to customize your workout and the heavy-weight flywheel makes for smooth and quiet operation.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: The max. user weight capacity is rated 250 lbs.
WORKOUT: This portable elliptical is great for a full indoor high-intensity interval training that targets a wide range of muscles. You can use it to build muscle power, improve stamina, improve cardiovascular and resistance training, burn calories and lose weight.
STORAGE: This is a portable elliptical with a small footprint. And it has front wheels for easy relocation.
MATERIAL: Body Power 2-in-1 elliptical is made with a durable steel frame while the pedals are made of solid ABS material.
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: This portable elliptical comes with an LCD console that measures your total distance, speed, RPM, pulse, calories burned, etc. The console is battery-powered and the batteries are included.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| This elliptical has a bi-directional flywheel that allows for both front and reverses pedaling for more impact | This elliptical is not easy to assemble, and not tightening the screws properly will be wobbly and make a squeaking sound during a workout |
| It features an adjustable incline that combines the motion of a stepper to target more muscles | The instructions on the manual are not very clear, and a YouTube video explains the assembly process better |
| This elliptical machine works smoothly and will get your heart rate up | |
| The front base has a pair of transportation wheels for easy mobility |
EXPERT VERDICT: This small elliptical is an excellent machine for light to intense cardio workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. To get the best workout out of the machine you need to tilt a bit forward as if you’re walking up the stairs. It’s comfortable and effective for low-impact stepper ellipticals.
10) Exerpeutic Magnetic Flywheel Elliptical Trainer
The Exerpeutic Magnetic Flywheel Elliptical is a simple trainer built for home use and effective for working your muscles and staying fit. It has 16 levels of magnetic resistance levels and 24 preset workout programs to get you started on your fitness journey. With a backlit LCD console, you can track your progress and stay on track to achieving your goals.
Features on this Best Elliptical under 500 dollars:
RESISTANCE LEVEL: This elliptical has 16 levels of magnetic resistance which you can easily adjust to suit your workout needs.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY: It takes a maximum weight of 275 lbs.
WORKOUT: 24 preset workout programs help you get started on your fitness journey. 13” stride length and padded full swing handlebars provide great full-body cardio and aerobic workout. Every stride works your calves, hips, shoulders, and core muscles.
STORAGE: This is one of the best ellipticals for small spaces and requires very small storage space and transportation wheels ensure easy relocation.
MATERIAL: The frame is made of heavy-duty steel for durability
ELECTRONIC FEATURES: This small elliptical comes with a backlit LCD screen for monitoring your progress. The console will measure distance, time and calories burned, pulse, and heart rate while you exercise.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| The precision-balanced flywheel provides a quiet and smooth operation, and you can exercise while binging on your favorite TV show | Assembling this elliptical isn’t very easy and the instructions are somewhat difficult to follow |
| This elliptical is reasonably priced and provides great value | If you are used to taking large steps, then 13″stride length may be too small and unnatural for you |
| This is a well-built elliptical and works quietly & smoothly | Continuous use will cause creaking sounds, but you use grease to promote smoother operation |
| This elliptical doesn’t have a bottle holder either a tablet holder |
EXPERT VERDICT: The Exerpeutic 1000XL is designed to work your cardiovascular muscles, and tone your upper and lower body muscles without putting stress on your joints and tendons. This is a good option if you are looking for a simple but effective trainer for your home gym. This is one of the best ellipticals for small spaces.
Things to Consider for the Best Elliptical Under 500 Dollars
Flywheel and Resistance
This is the right place to start understanding what to look for in the best elliptical under 500. Elliptical machines with magnetic resistance tend to be the smoothest, and the heavier the flywheel the smoother the motion. Therefore, pay attention to the weight of the flywheel and magnetic resistance levels, including the number of levels and how easily you can switch from one level to another. It’s always better if the flywheel weighs at least 15lbs because this is an indication that the trainer will probably be more stable and work smoothly.
Stride Length
The stride length of an elliptical is more important than you may imagine. To properly engage your muscles without straining your joints and tendons, you need an elliptical with a stride length that is comfortable and naturally fits you. And since this small elliptical rarely comes with adjustable stride length, you have to be extra careful when picking the best elliptical for you.
Generally, tall people tend to have longer strides, and short or people with average height have shorter strides. If you’re just about 5’ or 5’3” tall, your ideal elliptical should have a stride length of 13-16” while individuals who are up to 6’ or taller will need an elliptical with no less than 20” stride length’ especially if they have long legs.
Console and Smart Features
A console is an important part of your small elliptical because it gives you real-time updates on the progress of your workout. Ellipticals come with consoles that display vital information such as pulse rate, heartbeat, distance covered, speed, calories burned, etc on LCD screens.
Some consoles also include preset workout programs which will help direct your workout. Bluetooth and internet connectivity is a feature included in some consoles for staying entertained while exercising, or you can connect to your favorite workout app or find some inspiring YouTube exercise video.
With these features, you will get the best workout each time and your progress will be phenomenal!
Customizable Features
Some ellipticals are designed to have easily customizable features to provide you with a variety of options for targeting specific muscles and improving your workout. For instance, some will have adjustable stride length or pedal, adjustable incline to vary your workout or adjustable seat for hybrid trainers. Although this is a great feature in an elliptical, it’s also not an outright deal-breaker as there are many excellent trainers without customizable features.
Durability
Even with tons of useful features, a poorly-made elliptical will prove useless by constantly developing different problems, which will mess with your fitness goals and motivation.
Most elliptical trainers have metal frames and some plastic parts, the plastic should be durable PVC or ABS that will hold well for external impact. Also make sure you go through the reviews of each individual product you’re considering to see what users are saying about it, as this will give you insights into the performance and durability of the trainer.
Portability
Even with tons of useful features, a poorly-made elliptical will prove useless by constantly developing different problems, which will mess with your fitness goals and motivation.
Most elliptical trainers have metal frames and some plastic parts, the plastic should be durable PVC or ABS that will hold well for external impact. Also make sure you go through the reviews of each individual product you’re considering to see what users are saying about it, as this will give you insights into the performance and durability of the trainer.
Pricing
The price of a small elliptical is certainly of the major factors that will determine whether or not you will purchase it. While you’ll certainly go for an elliptical within your budget, remember that you will most likely get what you pay for and tailor your needs and expectations to match your budget.
There are decent ellipticals within $200-$300, but you can’t expect them to match the performance and build-quality of ellipticals of $2000 and above. The good news is that you can find some of the best ellipticals for under 500 dollars.
Warranty and Return Policy
Elliptical machines from reputable brands will usually have a decent warranty and hassle-free return policy. Since ellipticals are machines and can develop a fault or break down at any time, it’s important that you get an elliptical with a good warranty from a brand with excellent customer service because warranties don’t mean much if they ignore their customers.
Also remember that the wearable parts of the machine are usually not included in the warranty, which emphasizes the importance of getting a high-quality and sturdily built trainer.
Best Elliptical Under 500 dollars Final Verdict
I hope you know by now, what is the best elliptical under 500 dollars for you.
Whether you’re taking your first baby steps into the world of fitness or you’re retiring your old elliptical and want something new and solid to replace it, or maybe you want a reliable portable elliptical to help you shed some extra pounds.
Either way, one of my top picks may be the best elliptical for small spaces for you.
If you just want to stay fit or shed a few pounds, I recommend the Sunny Health and Fitness Performance Cardio Climber or the Fitness Reality E5500XL.
If you are looking for great equipment but you don’t have much space, the best elliptical for a small space is Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical.
And if you’re already fit and want a trainer that will keep you in shape, my top recommendation is the Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer to incorporate HIIT workout or the Plasma Fit Elliptical 2-in-1 to incorporate bike cardio also.
This review has been done by an expert and professional athlete, who actually understands, and owns an elliptical machine. You can trust that here you can find the best options for a small elliptical for your home workout in the market today and that you have all the guidance to purchase the equipment that suits you perfectly.
If you have any additional questions, suggestions, or recommendations, please leave a comment below. I always answer my readers, and I love hearing from you.
Be fit everyone!
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