7 Best Affordable Ellipticals – Reviews Of Budget Machines

Budget Elliptical Machines Compared

7 Best Affordable Elliptical Machines Reviewed

Now that we are familiar with the benefits and what to look for before purchasing the machine, let’s dive into our list of the best affordable ellipticals.

Keep reading on or check out our YouTube video below that reviews the top 3 budget models!

1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3862

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I don’t think that the Sunny Health & Fitness brand needs a special introduction.

They have been on the market for over a decade now, and they're well-known for their treadmills, bikes, and most importantly, elliptical trainers. 

The elliptical SF-E3862 is one of the best that you can find in terms of quality to price ratio. It's not the cheapest model I'll cover here, but it’s definitely a good value for your money option.

The first reason I say that is while many other ellipticals at this price point have only 8 tension levels, this one uses electro-magnetic resistance with 16 tension levels. 

I personally love the elliptical's console. It holds a large backlit display that tracks your progress, and it even tells you your target heart rate based on the workout intensity.

It also includes 7 different workout modes, 24 exercise presets, and a BMI calculator. 

In terms of other features, this elliptical comes with transportation wheels, a device (tablet, cellphone) holder, and bottle holder.

It can support up to 265 pounds, which is slightly above average for budget ellipticals.

Because the machine is 63" x 21" x 66", it's definitely not the most compact, so I suggest confirming that you have enough space before you buy. 

2. Doufit EM-01

The elliptical machine manufactured by Doufit deserves a spot on this list mainly because of the combination of functionality and affordability.

The machine comes in an attractive modern design with white and black coloring, and the frame is made of heavy-duty steel, thus making it stable and sturdy.

The pedals (pads) are large enough to accommodate any feet (so that they don't go numb!), and I really like that they are textured with anti-slip material.

The elliptical arms are a bit odd if you ask me; they point straight up into the air and don't have the usual curved design of other elliptical arms.

However, this doesn't affect the machine's arm movement, so it's not necessarily a bad thing. 

As with most ellipticals on this list, the Doufit uses magnetic resistance with 8 different tension levels. It comes with a simple LCD monitor and is equipped with transportation wheels for convenient portability.

There are pulse sensors located on the stationary handles for tracking heart rate, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's very accurate (this isn't always the norm for cheaper machines). 

The dimensions are 50 x 20.5 x 62 inches and the maximum supported weight is 250 pounds.

If you struggle with stability, you've got the option to get the same elliptical with a seat attachment - an excellent choice for seniors on a budget. 

My main complaint is that the monitor tracks distance in kilometers, not miles, and there's no way to change it.

Also, if you're a tall individual, let's say over 6'3", the stride might be too short for you. I personally didn't find it short at all, but I'm average when it comes to height.

3. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3607

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Third on the list of best affordable ellipticals (and second from the Sunny Health & Fitness brand) is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3607.

This model has a lot of similarities to the SF-3862 previously reviewed, but it’s the cheaper option, and therefore a better choice for anyone on a budget.  

Even with its affordable price tag, the SF-E3607 elliptical has a lot to offer, like smooth magnetic resistance and a rear-driven flywheel system that’s easy on the knees and ankles. 

The best feature, though, is the fact that this model costs less than $300, so there’s no need to break the bank.  

In addition to magnetic resistance, this Sunny Health elliptical is designed with 8 adjustable tension levels to cater to different fitness levels.

The LCD is basic, but it displays all you need to know for each workout, including time, distance, calories, odometer, and pulse - that’s right, the E3607 allows for heart rate monitoring. 

I have just two complaints about this elliptical. The first is the short stride length of just 12 inches; this isn’t ideal for tall individuals or anyone with a naturally long stride, so keep that in mind before purchasing.

On the flip side, the short stride allows for a compact footprint, and at only 39 inches long, this is one of the smallest ellipticals on this list. 

Secondly, the weight limit is rather low at just 220 pounds, so in addition to not being ideal for tall people, it’s also not ideal for large users.

If you’re short and lightweight, though, the E3607 is a great choice for sticking to a budget. 

4. Body Champ 3-in-1 Trio

The list of the best affordable elliptical machines continues with a trainer manufactured by Body Champ. This machine is different from all the rest thanks to its 3-in-1 design.

That means it can be used as an elliptical trainer, recumbent bike, and upright bike. The great thing about this fella is that the transition is smooth without requiring you to dismount or readjust anything. 

There are 3 handle bars to choose from: U-shaped with a heart rate monitor, dual action (for elliptical training), and wraparound for riding in the recumbent style.

Even though it's not the cheapest elliptical out there, the Body Champ 3-in-1 comes with a bigger-than-average LCD display and 21 programs preset into the console, so the value for money is definitely there. 

It is a magnetic-resistance machine with good adjustability and a quality motor drive. The maximum support weight is 250 pounds, which is about average.

My only critique is that the many users have reported having to retighten the knobs every now and then, but I'd imagine this depends on how often you're using the machine. 

5. Schwinn 411