The Most Compact Ellipticals Reviewed For 2022
Considering the exhausting work schedule that we all go through, stealing even an hour for a workout seems to be difficult. Fitness goals are turning out to be dreams that you wish to make a reality while keeping your work on check. Well, not anymore! Now you can easily achieve your fitness goals without having to worry about spending an hour at the gym.
Technological invasion in the space of health and fitness has brought about a revolutionary change. You have all the liberty to visit a gym and go for a thorough workout. But, does your schedule allow you to do that? Probably not. The sole reason why most of you are beginning to wonder about your health. Hence, technology comes to your rescue like in everything else!
As the world moves faster each day by becoming more digitally equipped, so should you. Fellows, it’s not just work from home for you anymore but workout at home as well. Technological developments in achieving fitness goals has already proved to be quite efficient and effective. You have modern treadmills, stable bikes with digital displays and a lot more. But here it goes another step ahead.
It takes the joy to present you with digitally equipped portable compact ellipticals that you can easily use at home. These space saving elliptical machines come in various sizes but are compact in nature and are considered to be the best compact elliptical for home use purposes. Which means that you can effectively schedule your time between work and fitness goals to lead a healthy life!
If you were not willing to own a compact cross trainer for use at home, these elliptical benefits would surely drive your will towards it. So, listed below are the best compact ellipticals that would suit your needs and serve you in the best possible way.
My Compact Elliptical Choice For Small Homes!
My colleagues at BEMH have already picked the best compact ellipticals for small spaces and homes that can provide effective elliptical machine workouts. Their detailed comparison table, elliptical review and buying guide can be found in this article down below.
However, because new top value compact elliptical machines become available on a daily basis in the market, I created the Editor’s Choice. It’s where I regularly update and search the market to pick the best space-saving home cross trainer.
And if you are wondering what is the best space saving elliptical for this month, it is the Body Solid E300. This home-use elliptical has a large monitor, ergonomic design, and durable structure. Additionally, it has many fun built-in programs and 20 levels of smart electromagnetic resistance to satisfy every level of athlete.
Best Compact Ellipticals Comparison Tablet
| NAME | STRIDE | PROGRAMS | CONNECTIVITY | RESISTANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowflex Max8 Elliptical Trainer Series | 5" Fixed | 7 | Bluetooth | 20 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Octane Fitness Q47 xi Elliptical Machine | 18" to 26" Adjustable | Multiple | Bluetooth and ANT+ | 20 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Nautilus Elliptical E618 Runner Elliptical | 22" Fixed | 29 | Bluetooth | 25 Levels Electromagnetic |
| ProForm Cardio HIIT Cross Trainer Pro | 5" Fixed | 34 | Bluetooth | 26 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Schwinn 470 Adjustable Stride Elliptical | 24" Fixed | 29 | Bluetooth | 25 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Bowflex Max3 Compact Cross Trainer Series | 5" Fixed | 2 | N/A | 8 Levels Electromagnetic |
| ProForm PFEL55916 Endurance 520E Elliptical | 19" Fixed | 18 | Bluetooth | 18 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Elliptical | 7" Fixed | N/A | N/A | 8 Levels Manually Adjustable |
| Sunny Health SF-E3912 Elliptical Cross Trainer | 15.5" Fixed | 24 | N/A | 16 Levels Electromagnetic |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Compact Elliptical | 11" Fixed | N/A | N/A | 8 Levels Manually Adjustable |
BEMH Recommends: Here is the Best Compact Ellipticals
- Bowflex Max8 Elliptical Trainer Series
- Octane Fitness Q47 xi Elliptical Machine
- Nautilus E618 Series Runner Elliptical
- ProForm Cardio HIIT Cross Trainer Pro
- Schwinn Fitness 470 Compact Elliptical
- Bowflex Max3 Compact Cross Trainer Series
- ProForm PFEL55916 Endurance 520E Elliptical
- Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Elliptical
- Sunny Fitness Small Elliptical Cross Trainer
- Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Compact Elliptical
1. Bowflex Max8 Trainer Series
3 used from $1,452.07
The Bowflex Fitness M8 Max Trainer has stacked itself right at the top within the range of top compact elliptical machines under $5000. It’s an excellent elliptical for small spaces and all kinds of users – from beginners to advance. The machine is built with a combination of an elliptical and stair stepper that provides for efficient low impact work out. You’ll be able to wisely use your time with a short workout session yet have effective results of calorie burn and muscle toning.
The compact cross-trainer has 20 levels of resistance that indicates an extensive range of challenging workouts and has 4 workout profiles. The reason why this space saver elliptical machine suits all kinds of fitness enthusiasts. It also proves to be a one-time investment as it would serve for years on end with each increasing level of your fitness goal. Additionally, the Max Intelligence App with AI customization promises to provide you with a motivational and fun workout wherein, it’ll automatically assess your run while suggesting upgrades in your difficulty levels. You can also have an instructor led on-demand video lessons with a simple subscription. There are around 17 videos on the app that you can avail for free and 12 more with the paid version. The subscription cost though is not added to the product cost but you can purchase an annual subscription for $149 or a monthly subscription at $14.95.
The compact elliptical Max 8 trainer comes with multi-grip handles which allows you to perform a comfortable full-body workout. You can also observe the heart rate monitoring through the integrated contact grips. Moreover, you can read your stats and progress on the enhanced LCD/LED dual-mode screens.
2. Octane Fitness Q47 xi Elliptical Machine
The Octane Fitness Q47 compact elliptical trainer presents converging handlebars that allows the user to undergo intense workout without compromising physical comfort. One of the best compact elliptical cross trainer for performing a powerful workout right at your home. The converging handlebars will contribute to boost your heart rate faster than working out on a machine with straight handlebars. And, it doesn’t affect your body adversely.
The machine is lightweight and is considered as one of the best elliptical for small apartments. It has the ability to adjust your stride length and match with your pace of workout for walking, jogging or extensive running. You can easily customize your stride length as well using the manual option for the same. The best part about the product is that you can easily perform any kind of workout without having to leave the pedals.
The ergonomics of the compact Octane Q47 are quite impressive which has resulted in its in-demand service for both gyms and home use purposes. The machine comes with a MMA feature that allows the user to experience martial arts training as well. It has around 74 workout programming features that allow the user to choose from a diverse range of programs. Make sure to take a look at some of the used ellipticals by this brand, they might surprise you!
3. Nautilus E618 Series Elliptical Machine with Small Footprint
1 used from $899.00
The latest model of Nautilus elliptical machines, the E618 is another great small elliptical trainer to own at home. A model newer than the Nautilus E616 elliptical, the E618 is extremely body friendly causing the minimum impact to joints. The compact elliptical trainer is considered to be the best alternative for treadmills. It suspends the whole body and obliterates any possibility of harsh impact to the body that is often observed when running on treadmills.
Thanks to its adjustable incline and decline system, the Nautilus E618 elliptical machine works as a stair stepper as well. The key points that contribute to the high functionality of the machine are comfort, efficiency and versatility. The ergonomics of this portable elliptical stepper includes innovative pedal design where it supports a realistic running experience. You can easily stride, run, climb or glide in the E618 compact home elliptical.
This particular model is also loaded with preset workouts and two sets of well-designed handlebars (moving and stationary) for fun and enhanced complete body training. It is a great machine to work on the calorie-burning goals that prompt you for strength and resistance training with your arms as well.
4. ProForm Cardio HIIT Trainer Pro with Compact Design
Ranked 4th in our compact elliptical reviews, the Cardio HIIT Pro by ProForm is one of the best alternatives for ellipticals and stepping machines. This elliptical trainer has really been an effective choice for many. The complete body trainer elliptical for home use minimizes any possible risk for harsh impact and reduces strain.
It is considered to be one of the best “joint-friendly” elliptical trainer that one can own even within a compact space in their homes. The machine comes with a 10” touchscreen and offers several training advantages.
If you’re looking for a compact elliptical machine for home yet excellent, this may be just what you need for performing any kind of workout. Not on the U.S. but it’s also one of the best ellipticals in Canada.
5. Schwinn Fitness 470 Compact Elliptical Trainer
I used the 470 model a couple of times and it’s one of the best Schwinn Fitness elliptical machines out there. The Schwinn 470 elliptical is the improved version of the Schwinn 430 and comes with enough features to justify the extra $200. It comes within an impressive affordable price and takes very little floor space and great for at-home exercises.
The elliptical trainer is regarded as the best purchase for small apartments with moderate space and is perfect for use at home. Although you can’t choose between the stride lengths because it is fixed at 20-inches, I admit it’s comfortable for most average-height users.
The compact elliptical machine is considered to be a good buy by the majority and we confirm it. Its whisper-quiet magnetic resistance allows you for a quiet workout and so you can go for a tiny exercise session at any point of time in a day. The moving handlebars give just the right comfort while you work on your upper body or lower body or focus on a complete body workout.
6. Bowflex Max3 Compact Cross Trainer Series
2 used from $959.40
Another good alternative for long ellipticals. The Bowflex Max 3 elliptical trainer allows you to perform effective lower body and upper body workout with its zero impact feature.
The lower body exercise is more of an elliptical training and stair-stepping while the upper body exercise includes the moving arms. You can easily go for a short 14 minutes workout which is 80% effective in burning calories and toning your muscles.
Its zero impact feature provides a natural motion in your workout. The trainer comes with 8 resistance levels that allow the user to access a diverse range of workouts. Just so we are on the same page, any compact elliptical machine beyond this model wouldn’t be my primary pick.
7. ProForm Endurance 520E Elliptical
The iFit enabled elliptical is considered to be one of the best training machine for home use. Its combination of effective features with an impressive price range is what makes it worth and an in-demand elliptical training machine.
The ProForm 520 E elliptical trainer has a powerful stride length feature that is adjustable up to 19” and has an inclination feature that can be customized from 0-20 degrees on the basis of your requirement. Although the machine has a 15 lbs flywheel, it can boost your workout with its inclination feature. The incline helps you tone your muscles and gives you a scope for intensive workout.
The 520 E elliptical machine offers an iFit enabled console with a 5” backlit LCD display. The console has an adjustable tablet holder as well. It has 18 pre-programmed workout apps that enhance your workout and you can also adjust your pedal resistance for a comfortable exercise. Overall, this one by ProForm is one of the best ellipticals under $1000.
8. Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Elliptical SF – E3919
1 used from $394.05
The elliptical stepper by Sunny Health and Fitness is not exactly the best elliptical machine but is useful for casual to moderate-intensity workouts. The elliptical training machine is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance of 8 workout levels with a durable, oversized set of pedals.
The pedals has inner guards that provides for extra foot stability. Also, the console has the feature of tracking all the required workout metrics for you. The stepper has a stride length of 7” and helps you tone your muscles to a certain extent. The elliptical stepper also has a pulse reading function.
It is considerably not the best compact elliptical but if you wish to go for a casual or moderate workout, it’s worth the choice and money.
9. Sunny SF-E3912 Small Elliptical Cross Trainer
2 used from $303.30
The SF-E3912 elliptical trainer is an affordable option and it’s pretty compact but compared to other Nautilus E618 and Schwinn 470 it has less to offer. There is no Bluetooth or iFit to allow you to stream additional workouts, and compete with personalized training applications. However, this compact elliptical has a rich library of weight loss training programs with 24 pre-programmed workouts and comes with 16 electronic magnetic (like all the other compact ellipticals I mentioned above) levels of resistance.
The elliptical cross trainer is best for use in small apartments or homes and fits within minimal space. Which makes it come across as a compact elliptical. The trainer is equipped with an inertia-enhanced flywheel of 15.5 lbs. It helps your workout to be more efficient and intense. It allows you to work simultaneously on your upper body and lower body without disturbing your workout motion.
The machine has an okay LCD display, it’s nothing especial but the good thing is that it’s blue backlit so easy to track stats and it allows you to punch your workout programs in the dark if you don’t want to bother other with the light. Overall it does have enough features to justify the price but if you can afford to spend a little more, I would say go for the Schwinn 470 because has a better monitor, sturdier built and incline and decline system. But if budget is the main factor, you can rest assured you are getting one of the best value ellipticals for under $500 on the market in 2022.
10. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Compact Elliptical
3 used from $220.12
The elliptical trainer is quite suitable for users of all ages and is another best choice for owning a budget compact elliptical machine at home. The trainer comes with a range of diverse features that one can easily workout with. It provides a seamless and noiseless workout.
The elliptical trainer has a dual handle which allows a range of diversified workout and comfort during intense exercise. The movable grip focuses on a whole body workout while the fixed grip can track the heart rate besides carrying out an aerobic sprint training. The compact elliptical trainer has an eight level resistance that conveniently allows the user to choose from a range of workout difficulty levels.
This elliptical for small apartment has a pulse grip sensor that monitors the user’s heart rate and is an effective tool to comprehend the stats of your workout. With all the features aside, the SF-E905 is not for intense elliptical exercise.
FAQs When Buying a Compact Elliptical
What is an elliptical cross trainer?
An elliptical cross trainer provides both upper body and lower body workout simultaneously through various exercises.
Why should I buy compact ellipticals?
Compact ellipticals are space saving and provide low-impact workouts. It helps you to have a better workout and stay energized throughout the workout within the small space of your home or apartment.
Should I buy an elliptical with a heavy flywheel?
The smoothness of the pedaling motion is directly affected by the weight of the flywheel. The heavier it is, the better the inertia. Higher inertia keeps the drive system turning, hence, it’s a yes.
Why is the stride length important?
The stride length gives you the variations in workout such as a glide or a stair climbing effect. It can be fixed or adjustable. Buyers are always suggested to go for 18” stride length for rear drive ellipticals and 20” for front drive ellipticals.
Which elliptical should I buy – front drive or rear drive?
Rear drive ellipticals are great in a way that they provide a smoother feel to the pedals although they’re somewhat expensive. Front drive ellipticals give a little rougher experience but are readily affordable. Hence, it completely depends on the buyer’s preferences and budget.
Are ellipticals better than treadmills?
Ellipticals provide low impact or zero impact workout than treadmills. They’re easily accessible and you can perform different kinds of exercises in a single machine with no strain to your joints.
Buying Guide
There are quite a few things to know when buying an elliptical machine but if you live in a small house or apartment, compact ellipticals are the best choice. These are space-saving, cost-effective, and meet low-maintenance criteria. Also, small elliptical for home are easy to assemble and are safe with kids or older people.
Most compact elliptical trainers can be used by almost all members of the family and of all ages with the variety of workout profiles programmed in them. These are digitally superior with advanced features to give you an effective workout within a short time span and are worth for long run purposes. They provide low or zero impact workouts besides a range of resistance levels to suit your comfort.
You can easily work out on your upper body and lower body simultaneously, effectively burn calories and lead a healthy life. Most ellipticals come within a warranty period of three years for their frame while many have a lifetime frame-warranty as well. The warranty for labor ranges from a 90-days period to 1-year or at times 3-years as well.
Final Verdict
It’s quite a serious decision to make when you’re planning to buy the best compact cross trainer for your gym at home. If you’re looking for one that comes within your budget and easily fits within the small space of your home or apartment, compact elliptical trainers are by far the best that would suit your purpose. They are compact although comes in varying sizes and are perfect for working out at home even for a short period of time. The best portable elliptical machines provide a range of workout profiles that are great for family workout sessions as well and are an all-in-one solution to achieving your fitness goals.
Most of these space-saving ellipticals come with an adjustable stride length for a better exercise session and a range of resistance levels. You can perform diverse workouts from walking to stair climbing with low or zero impact to your joints. An overall view of the ellipticals passes these training machines as worth buying for exercise purposes at home. These come with great warranty periods on frame, parts and labor, survives well on low maintenance and are great for people of any age to go for an intensive or casual workout at home. Now that you know the benefits and your elliptical options for this year, it’s your turn to read our compact elliptical trainer reviews and pick one that suits your needs. If you still need our support to help you buy the best elliptical for small spaces, leave a comment below or send us an email.
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
