Best Small Elliptical Machines in 2024

A clear LCD monitor displays time, speed, distance, and calories burned. You can even read your pulse on it by gripping the handles which are equipped with sensors. A tablet holder secures your device so you can watch Netflix or listen to music while you work out. The manufacturer does not specify whether you can read on the tablet, but we imagine it's possible if you let go of the handles when you need to scroll or turn a page. The holder positions the device right in the center of the console.

An adjustable belt driven flywheel provides the resistance to build your strength and stamina. Moving the Efitment is a breeze, thanks to its installed wheels and lightweight. There are 8 levels of magnetic resistance, and oversized textured non-slip foot plates to help you stay in place even during fast or intense workouts. One possible drawback, for taller fitness buffs, is the fixed 13-inch stride length.

Magnetic resistance provides the tension for this small elliptical machine. The standard 8 tension levels are included. The Sunny EF-905 also features large anti-slip footplates for safety and stability. You can grasp the handlebars for pulse data. The bars move, too, so you can use them to incorporate a dynamic upper body workout.

The ride on this elliptical is exceptionally smooth, especially for such a low priced unit. The onboard computer and LCD readout keep track of distance, calories, speed, and elapsed time in addition to heart rate. The elliptical weighs 68 pounds, making it portable inside your home although harder to use for travel. The Sunny EF-905 is rated for users up to 280 pounds.

The compact elliptical is five feet tall, 26.6" wide, and 37.8" long, just over three feet. It does not fold for transport. It assembles quickly, with the tools provided by Sunny. The Sunny EF-905 does not include any workout programs to help users along, which is unusual for a compact elliptical machine. Sunny does not provide a warranty, either. But despite these shortcomings, we think the EF-905 offers great bang for your buck and will provide you with many hours of cardio workouts.

It also comes with a very reasonable price and can give you a surprisingly effective workout for a machine so few features. Other than the bands, the hydraulic powered foot steppers and mounting frame are it. Movement is smooth, but the range of motion is somewhat restricted. The Sunny Mini Stepper does have a height adjustment knob to vary step height. The bands are padded for a more comfortable grip. Since they are bands and don't move with the step component, you can perform different exercises by pulling the bands in different directions.

There is an LCD screen, which is a nice touch for an elliptical that costs less than fifty dollars. The screen will tell you calories, time, speed, step count and scan. The rustproof frame is made of industrial strength steel. Assembly is a snap-connect the bands to the frame, and you are ready. At just 16 pounds, the Sunny Mini Stepper can come with you almost anywhere you go without much trouble.

The Stamina In Motion lends itself to being placed under a desk and slid out when it's time to burn off some steam or help yourself wake up and finish your workday. Attached resistance cords add more variety, and tension is adjustable with a hand knob. You can even walk backward with this one. Cords are also good for helping with balance since there are no metal bars to hold onto. Showing its DNA as a commuter elliptical, the Stamina in Motion even has a carry handle.

Another plus for the Stamina in Motion is its wide availability. You can find at retailers like Target or WalMart. And you can use it while sitting, to help counteract the problems that being sedentary for eight hours a day can cause. The unit does include a bare-bones LCD screen for tracking your progress.

The Stamina in Motion is not the least expensive elliptical we found. Also, some reviewers found issues with the unit's durability. It is well worth talking with a few owners and users of the unit before making a purchase decision.

The Cubii started as a Kickstarter campaign, with the goal of making "the world's first under-desk compact elliptical trainer." This may not be technically true, but the success of the Kickstarter campaign and the numerous articles and reviews online prove that the people behind Cubii succeeded in getting their product financed and noticed.

One very special thing about the Cubii is that it is both a mini elliptical and a Smart Trainer. It has the unique ability to sync up with Cubii's free mobile app using Bluetooth. This means you can store and analyze your speed and other data to track your progress over time. The Cubii works with Fitbit and a host of other fitness apps as well. Ergonomic design helps you maintain posture while also giving your muscles optimal engagement. A generous eight levels of resistance let you switch up the intensity of your workout throughout the day.

The Cubii Under Desk compact elliptical trainer is portable and even has a handle, but its 27-pound weight might make this more challenging on longer trips. Taller users may have problems with their knees hitting the bottom of their desk if the desk is not high up enough to give them room for their legs. The battery life is especially good, which will be a welcome perk for many users.

For starters, there are 16 resistance levels instead of the typical 13. The unit allows an 18-inch stride, where some of the smaller ellipticals on our list offer as little as a 13-inch stride. 18 inches is the stride length you would find in a commercial gym elliptical, and typically those machines start near the thousands and go up.

You can also use RunSocial, a mobile app, for virtual running with friends and for syncing your distance and other data provided by the Schwinn 411. RunSocial's biggest draw is its virtual reality running experience, and you can do that with this compact elliptical. The unit offers 27 routes, spread out among 19 locations, so your runs don't have to get stale or boring.

Heart rate sensors are in the handlebars, which can be stationary or can move along with your stride. The high contrast 5.5 inch LCD is streamlined for quick and efficient use.

While it is expensive, the Schwinn 411 elliptical machine is also convenient, with robust features and settings, creating an effective, challenging, and even fun workout. Schwinn portable elliptical stands behind this compact elliptical, offering a three-year warranty for the frame and 90 days on the other components.

If you are not sure about purchasing this product, check out the Schwinn 430 review, you might like that model more.

Scoring points for space saving, the Sunny is 18 inches long and weighs just 20 pounds. The user weight limit is 250 pounds. While typical elliptical machines offer only up and down movement, the Sunny Twist Stepper lets you twist from side to side as you walk, working out the thigh and glute muscles in a way other ellipticals don't do. The supplied bands help you work your arms and back, and with adjustable resistance, you can make your workout more or less intense as your goals require. The compact elliptical does include a basic LCD screen with your speed and other information, although no heart rate.

The Sunny Twist Stepper offers the oversized, slip-resistant footpads as most other elliptical machines now do. Steel construction helps with durability, and the Sunny is quite reasonably priced, putting it in the reach of most any home gym enthusiast. If you would like it out of the way when not in use, you can fold the unit and stow it in a closet or other out of the way place. And you will be able to take the Twist Stepper on even longer trips, so you can exercise on the go.

Simple assembly and an included 90-day warranty round out the plus column of the Sunny Twist Stepper.

The advantages of the Sunny SF-E902 include its space saving capability, its quiet operation, and an abdominal support pad. The support pad is a cushion, similar to the headrests you would find on machines at the gym, held in place on the abdomen by a rigid metal pole. The abdominal pad helps prevent falls by aiding with balance. The airwalk trainer does have movable poles and an LCD display to keep track of your vital data and progress. The unit also has heart rate capability. It is appropriate for users of all fitness levels, with a 220-pound weight capacity.

One thing making the Sunny SF-E902 stand out is that it comes with custom program capability. The stride length starts at 15", but can be adjusted higher. The EF-902 is non-powered, so you can use it during a power outage if you should ever need to. The unit comes with a 90-day warranty and is available at many retailers. The price is reasonable for something with moving handlebars and extra abdominal protection.

The range of motion here is impressive and will be a big draw for users. You are able to warm up with an easy walk, then sprint and do interval training. Or you could do endurance training until you get tired of it, then recover with a walk. Your choices are the same ones you would have if you ran outside, and the Gazelle stepper is a lower impact than running on a hard surface.

The frame is rolled steel and gives you a secure foundation. The look of the Gazelle is different from that of other ellipticals because it is technically an air strider. This means no flywheel. Instead, the resistance comes from you and how hard you push yourself to move. Although the frame has a narrow, tubular look to it, the Gazelle stepper can still handle users up to 250 pounds.

The Gazelle is a great option if you or a loved one suffer from joint pain. For this reason, seniors may enjoy having one. In addition, you can adjust the compact elliptical for several different exercises that will each target a different muscle group.

This is probably not the best option if you'd like a compact elliptical. At 51 pounds, you can carry it, but the handlebars and actual squirrel cage flywheel would present challenges. You can't exactly throw it under your arm and walk around with it, either.

Although it looks old school, the flywheel uses magnetic resistance to adjust the intensity of your workout. You can stride either forwards or backward. It also makes for quiet operation, so the Exerpeutic Aero Air is another smart choice for late night workouts.

User weight rating is 250 pounds. The fixed 12" stride length may be a deal breaker for some. There are 8 levels of intensity, par for the course compared to other budget-friendly ellipticals. The LCD will tell you speed, calories, time, and distance. There is no heart rate capability. Exerpeutic offers a one year warranty on the frame and 90 days for the rest of the unit.

Assembling the unit will be a little harder than assembling an under the desk compact elliptical. But reviewers report that they received tools and excellent full-color manuals that took them through the assembly one step at a time.