7 Best Ellipticals Under $500: Reviewed, Rated & Compared

Elliptical Machines Under $500 Compared

What To Expect From An Affordable Elliptical

For less than $500, you can expect to be able to pick up an entry model elliptical, perfect for light use 2-3 times per week.

For that reason, these affordable ellipticals are perfect for those new to home fitness, those recovering from an injury and using it for rehabilitation, or older users.

If you plan on using your elliptical frequently or plan on sharing it with others in your household, it probably makes sense to invest a little more up-front to get a model that will last a bit longer. Nevertheless, a budget elliptical is a great way to kickstart your fitness journey.

Here are some of the things you can expect in this price range:

One trade-off you can expect to make is on the warranty. Cheaper models will often offer shorter warranties than more expensive models.

How To Find A Quality Elliptical Under $500

Type of Ellipticals

Elliptical Size vs. Space at Home

How much space you have in your home will dictate the type of elliptical you can purchase. For a regular machine, you should allow for 8 feet height by 4 feet width.

Performance Features

Safety Features

It goes without saying that before you ever step foot on your elliptical, you should ensure it is stable by placing it on a flat surface where it will not move around. If you have no other option than to put your elliptical on a carpeted area, there are some simple tips you can follow to ensure your elliptical remains stable when in use.

Extra Features

Warranty

As we already mentioned, entry-level models tend to offer shorter warranties, simply because they are not designed to be used for decades. Still, with proper care and maintenance, this shouldn't be an issue.

Most ellipticals will come with a one year warranty as standard, usually only covering any manufacturing defects. Check the specifics before you buy for peace of mind.

1. Schwinn 411

Best Elliptical Under $500

If you're looking for an elliptical that does it all, except breaking the bank, you can't go wrong with this beautiful elliptical from Schwinn.

The first thing to understand is that this is a compact machine. This makes it the perfect choice if you're short on space at home. Despite this, it doesn't cut any corners when it comes to the features it offers.

One of the things that makes this a real game-changer is the Explore the World app, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in real-life locations, helping to keep you motivated on your workout. While the app does come with some free courses to pick from, some of the better options are reserved for the app's paid version.

The Schwinn comes with 16 different resistance levels to allow you to completely customize your routine, handlebar heart rate sensors, and a water bottle holder to offer a comfortable workout.

One of the downsides is the lack of backlight in the console, making viewing the detail difficult in direct sunlight; it also lacks an incline for adding intensity.

Drawbacks aside, the Schwinn is an impressive elliptical at such an affordable price point - definitely one you wouldn't want to pass up.

2. Exerpeutic 1000XL

Runner Up

Runner up in our list of affordable ellipticals is the 1000XL from Exerpeutic, and trust us when we say it was close!

The Exerpeutic is a stylish looking machine in a silver finish and would look great in any home gym or garage. It comes with an easy-to-read display to keep track of your workout and is compact enough to fit into tight spaces. The LCD display can help you to keep track of distance, calories burned, and time.

At just 76lbs, it's also considerably lighter than the Schwinn, so it's ideal if you live in an apartment with no lift or anticipate moving the elliptical regularly. The built-in transport wheels make maneuvering light work.

It unfortunately missed out on our top spot due to the stride length of just 13 inches, which some taller individuals may find a little uncomfortable to use. It also only offers eight resistance levels (compared to Schwinn's 16). Still, it comes in a little cheaper, which would make it an ideal choice if you're on a strict budget.

We did find assembly a little tricky, so it's worth clearing an afternoon to make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to put everything together.

We see this model as an ideal choice for a small home/apartment owner looking for a simple, no-frills machine for infrequent use.

3. EFITMENT E006

Best Compact Elliptical Under $500

Next up is this very affordable machine from EFITMENT, perfect for compact spaces (and users!)

The EFITMENT comes with a small footprint, meaning it won't take up much room at all. This compactness does come with trade-offs, as it can only comfortably support users up to 220lbs. If you're on the heavier side, you would be better off looking at some of the other models on the list.

The EFITMENT boasts of a total body workout thanks to its moving handlebars and footpads, with eight resistance levels and built-in pulse monitoring built directly into the handlebars. It's also one of the quieter models we tested, making it perfect for those who live with family or housemates.

As with most other models, the EFITMENT comes with an intuitive LED display that delivers vital feedback details to the user in real-time, helping you increase your workout's effectiveness. Unfortunately, the LED doesn't come with a backlight, which can reduce visibility.

If we had one criticism, it would be that the EFITMENT isn't one of the more aesthetically pleasing models we looked at, but for the price, we are prepared to look past that.

4. Cubii Pro

Best Under Desk Elliptical Under $500

If you're always on the lookout for ways to become more productive, we are pretty sure you are going to love the Cubii Pro. This elliptical is pretty unique. Instead of the full unit of handlebars and a flywheel, this compact machine is designed to fit your desk neatly.

Why would you want one for under your desk, you may ask? Well, aside from the apparent storage benefits, having an elliptical under your desk means you can get in some exercise while working or studying, helping to multi-task and maximize your waking hours.

One of the most significant benefits of the Cubii Pro is that it syncs with your fitness devices, including Apple Watch and Fitbit, helping you easily track your workouts. Cubii Pro owners can also join live workouts on Facebook exclusive to the Cubii community and catch up on recorded sessions at your convenience.

The size of the Cubii also means it's incredibly portable. At such an accessible price point, there's no reason why you can't pick one up for home and the office.

Now given the angle you'll be using the Cubii at, you're going to need to invest in a high-quality anti-slip mat to ensure the machine doesn't slide all over the floor, but these can be picked up relatively inexpensively.

Our one criticism is that you don't get the benefit of working out your arms simultaneously with a lack of handlebars.

5. Elifine Magnetic Elliptical

Best Rated Elliptical Under $500 

Fans of the Elifine adore the magnetic elliptical for its sturdy build, stylish appearance, and accessible price point. For these reasons (and many more), the Elifine is one of the best rated elliptical machines available on Amazon today.

To put it simply, the Elifine does precisely what you expect an elliptical to do. It enables you to achieve a low impact workout from the comfort of your own home, and with such a small footprint, it requires very little space.

It comes with eight levels to support various levels of resistance, which can be cycled between from the comfort of your handlebar. It's also incredibly quiet, ideal for a busy home where you only get the opportunity to exercise in the late evening or early morning.

While the machine doesn't come with an incline, you can still achieve a fantastic workout session by cranking the intensity up. It would have been nice if Elifine had added a shelf for a tablet or phone to enable you to watch a show or listen to your music while working out. But this is a very small price to pay for what is otherwise an excellent at-home workout machine.

6. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912

Best Home Elliptical Under $500

You only have to look at the Sunny Health & Fitness device to understand why it made it onto our list. The SF-E3912 is one of the most well built and durable machines we tested.

Big and bulky, this machine is guaranteed to put up with whatever you can throw at it. It can also accommodate heavier users, as this machine comes with a weight capacity of up to 330 lbs. That being said, its size does have a disadvantage in that you will need a bit more room in your home to accommodate it.

This machine boasts an impressive 16 levels of resistance, as well as an incredible performance monitor to help track your workouts. Better still, the SF-E3912 comes with a device storage shelf, bottle holders, and pulse sensor. In other words, Sunny Health & Fitness has thought of everything to make your workout much more comfortable.

The machine also comes with 24 different workout modes, each targeted towards a specific fitness goal such as losing weight or increasing stamina.

While it's not the cheapest on the list, it packs an incredible performance level for such a low price and would make a worthy addition to any home gym.

7. Body Power 2-in-1

Best 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Under $500

The Body Power 2-in-1 is perfect for those who want the versatility of two exercise machines in one compact device.

One of Body Power's most significant selling points is the curve crank technology, which, as the name suggests, is a curve in the crank of the elliptical helping to deliver a dead-zone-free rotation as you step. This effectively removes any impact on your joints, which could lead to injury. But it doesn't stop there. As well as its ergonomic design, it's also space-saving with a small footprint.

You'll have no trouble maneuvering this machine around thanks to its built-in wheels. Still, it may be worth investing in a heavy-duty mat or flooring to ensure its stability, as some users complain that it can rock a little when in use.

With eight levels of resistance and an easy to use LCD monitor, you can strive towards smashing your fitness goals for less than the cost of a few months gym membership.

How To Use Elliptical Machines To Lose Weight

Are Ellipticals Good For Losing Belly Fat?

Is 30 Minutes On The Elliptical Enough?

This depends on your goals. If your goal is to lose weight, then the most important thing you need to understand is that you need to be in a calorie deficit.

To put it simply, a calorie deficit is when your body is burning more calories than you are consuming. Various online calculators can help you calculate your calorie deficit. Still, you'll also need to spend some time tracking your food intake to ensure you are eating less than you are using.

The good news is, a 30-minute workout on an elliptical can burn around 335 calories. Based on your calculations, you should determine whether 30 minutes is sufficient or whether you may need to spend a little longer working out.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What accessories do I need for my at home elliptical machine?

How much weight can I lose on an elliptical in a month?

While results may not be evident immediately, consistency is key. Most people find that with regular exercise consisting of 30 minutes to an hour each day, they can lose 1 to 2 pounds in a week.

How do I calculate the calories burned?

Calculating exactly how many calories you have burned during a particular activity is pretty tricky. For that reason, if you're motivated to lose weight or improve your fitness, a fitness tracker is an excellent investment, as it takes much of the hard work out of the equation.

If you're keen to understand the numbers behind the calculation, check out this detailed article.

What are the most popular and recommended elliptical brands?

Some of the most popular brands on the market today are Schwinn, Cubii, Exerpeutic, EFITMENT, Stamina-in-motion, and ElliptiGO.

Are ellipticals safe to use every day?

While there are no safety concerns from using your machine daily, it's unwise to do so. It's important to let your body rest between exercises for at least one day every week.

Overtraining can cause long-term health concerns, but it can leave you exhausted and less likely to be consistent with your routine in the short term.

How does an elliptical compare to a treadmill?

Physically speaking, treadmills consist of a moving belt, while with an elliptical, your feet move around in a circle.

Ellipticals are generally favored by those who may have joint problems, particularly in the knees, as they are low impact and much easier on the joints.

What maintenance is required to keep these machines in good condition?

Where can I find the top elliptical machines under 500 dollars?

When it comes to affordable ellipticals, you can't go wrong with Amazon. Not only do they have a vast range of machines, but they offer fast (and often free) delivery, excellent customer services, and in some cases, you can pay someone to assemble your new machine for you.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking to lose weight, maintain your current fitness levels, or rehabilitate after an injury or surgery, an elliptical is a great, low-impact way to get in a workout.

Unlike treadmills, which can cause impact injuries, ellipticals are a great alternative that still allows you to fit in high-intensity exercise.