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Last year taught us the importance of valuing our time and health. And if you have decided that it’s time to start investing in your health, we know how to get affordable, compact, and high-quality indoor exercise options right now.
In this article, you will find recommendations from 3,400 users and advice from market experts. We tested several dozen ellipticals and selected top-5 under $500.
5 best budget ellipticals
What is this review about?
Choosing an elliptical is like buying a car. Do you need a minimum — to get from point A to point B? Do you want your trips to be comfortable? Should your car be the quietest and safest or the fastest?
Did you know, for example, that many manufacturers specifically do not indicate if their ellipticals have adjustable seats? After all, not every model will suit every person, especially those with a height of 4’11” and 6’2”.
Therefore, we have compiled recommendations based on the significant factors when choosing an elliptical. In this review, we do not compare models based on how many batteries they need to function or on factors that are not of much importance.
Unlike other articles that rate budget ellipticals (under $500), we will not consider models that are twice more expensive.
We have interviewed many users and consulted with technical experts, so you can find the elliptical best suited for your requirements.
How to find the best budget elliptical?
We started by studying the experience of real users and determining the parameters that are important when choosing an elliptical.
You will use the gym trainer at home or in the office (and not in a gym or garage), therefore, it should be silent and compact. So that it can be easily put in front of the TV to combine a pleasant pastime with a useful one. Even if you rent a room or part of a house, you can still get a cardio workout at home or just strengthen your muscles with a short, and light workout.
A detailed review of the best budget elliptical models
In this review, we found different models that you can effectively use at home for a good home workout without having to break the bank with gym membership fees. You can use these ellipticals from the comfort of your home at any time of day.
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical SF-E3912

The elliptical has 24 built-in programs and 16 resistance levels, so you can fine-tune the intensity and type of workout to better suit your fitness level. Increasing the load will also be smoother for you with this machine.
Sunny Health & Fitness Cross Trainer SF-E905

The model has an 8-Level adjustable resistance so it can be used by your grandparents for short walking (light mode for 5-10 mins) OR it can give you strong cardio and resistance would be enough even if you train for 30+ mins a day.
ANCHEER Elliptical Trainer

It has 8 resistance levels to manage the intensity level.
This model is designed in such a way that it is convenient for people of both short and medium height.
It is compact enough to fit in a small room.
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper BST800 StepTrac

The BST800 StepTrac has 8 levels of resistance control with a quiet and smooth heavy-weight flywheel.
It сombines 2 exercise machine movements in the Elliptical Trainer + Stepper Machine eliminating the need to calculate your stride length before purchasing.
Cubii JR1 Under Desk

Equipped with 8 resistance levels to increase desk exercise as you gain strength.
Experienced users who have worked on different under-desk ellipticals have rated this model as one of the most convenient.
It is designed in a way preventing your heels from touching the floor and your knees from touching the table (which is a problem for some competitor models).
Since this is a compact model, you will not need to spend two hours assembling it (it is delivered assembled).
Also, in this case, you do not need to calculate the stride length, this model is suitable for people of any height.
What else you need to have with an elliptical
Depending on which model you choose, some additional accessories may come in handy. Their purchase does not affect the functionality of the elliptical, but they can make your workouts more comfortable.
To make the whole construction more stable and to protect the floor surface, we recommend purchasing a mat. You can choose a model that is best suited for the size of your elliptical.
📌 Be sure to use it if you want to place the elliptical on wood floors or tiles.
We also recommend using a smaller anti-slip mat or special pad under the lighter, more compact under-desk elliptical trainer.
Not all budget models are equipped with large cup holders. Even if the model you have already has a built-in cup holder, you may benefit from an added one.
For just a few dollars, you can get a cup holder that you can position in the most convenient place (side of the elliptical and optimal height). This will allow you to minimize the risk of back injury while exercising.
You can also buy additional holders for your phone, tablet, or laptop. If you are working remotely, try standing up for a while exercising at the same time.
This will be beneficial for the back muscles, which are usually tense after prolonged work at the computer.
In this case, we recommend using an elliptical, not a treadmill, because during gym it is not so comfortable to catch up with your laptop.
Summary
Choosing an elliptical should not be taken lightly. If you want to buy a budget elliptical, it is very important to study the models in detail, so you can get the best value for your money.
In any case, if you buy a stationary standard model, you will need to spend a couple of hours assembling. Our selected models are accompanied by clear printed and video instructions.
For just $500, you can choose an exercise machine that can provide you with a cardio workout or replace a walk on a cloudy day.
All models from the article
FAQs
💲What is the best budget elliptical machine for the money?
- Sunny Health & Fitness Cross Trainer SF-E905.
- Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine SF-E3912.
- ANCHEER Elliptical Trainer.
- Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper BST800 StepTrac.
- Cubii JR1 Under Desk.
🔘 Is an elliptical worth buying?
Any elliptical can become a headache if you buy a low-quality product or choose the wrong model. If you want to buy an elliptical that will help you lose weight, improve your physical shape, then choose reputable models like the Sunny Health & Fitness Cross Trainer SF-E905
🔸What are good elliptical models?
- Best silent elliptical — hybrid model Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper BST800 StepTrac.
- Best price elliptical (under $500) — Sunny Health & Fitness Cross Trainer SF-E905.
- Best compact elliptical — Cubii JR1 Under Desk.
- Best elliptical for beginners — ANCHEER Elliptical Trainer
- Best budget elliptical — Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine SF-E3912
👀 What should I look for when buying an elliptical?
- Sturdiness and durability.
- Easy assembling process.
- The compactness of the model.
- Natural movement.
- Adjustable resistance.
- Quiet operation.
✔️ Where is the best place to buy an elliptical machine?
We recommend that you buy an elliptical from trusted retailers that can provide you with an extensive warranty in shipment and the product itself. Even if the manufacturer cannot quickly resolve your problem, you can easily return it with a guarantee (like the A-to-Z Amazon warranty).