There’s no need to head to the gym for a full body workout when you can get one at home with a compact elliptical! These machines are small and lightweight, but still provide a challenging cardio session. They are more portable than traditional ellipticals, making them a great choice in case you don’t have a lot of space. So, if you need a quality full body workout, an elliptical is a great choice. But not all ellipticals are created equal – some are much more compact and portable than others.
If space is at a premium in your home, or you want to take your workout on the go, so our team spent hundreds of hours researching and testing all these ellipticals personally to leave no loophole. We considered some important features like size, warranty details, resistance levels, stride length, and more to help you make a wise decision. There is also a detailed guide provided at the end so that you can know how to buy a compact elliptical machine for home.
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Best Compact Ellipticals of 2023 | Experts Picks
Best Compact Ellipticals of 2023 | An In-Depth Review
Here are some of the best super space-saving elliptical machines for you. Have a look at the list and choose the best one for you.
1. Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine
| Model Name | Schwinn 430 Elliptical Machine |
| Brand | Schwinn Fitness |
| Color | Black |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 70.1 x 28.2 x 63.2 inches |
| Material | Steel |
Schwinn is known to provide high-quality material to users at reasonable prices. The company has been in the business for a long time and produces all kinds of equipment. Here we have mentioned Schwinn 430 compact elliptical from this brand. This best compact elliptical is a versatile one on our list. It is a front-drive elliptical and has 20 levels of resistance to provide the user with a comfortable workout session at your home. It is a compact elliptical that you can keep when you can have a small space apartment. Look at all the exclusive features of this elliptical below.
Exclusive Features
- You will get twenty levels of resistance on this small elliptical. With each level of resistance, the difficulty can increase. So, you can adjust the resistance level according to your workout routines.
- Also, it comes up with a 20-pound flywheel so that you can have an intense workout session on this compact elliptical machine. It has a front-drive system, so you will have to push against the resistance when you walk.
- Other than this, you will get 6 different inclination levels, and you can incline it up to 9 degrees. With the help of the high-speed drive, the ride becomes a lot more smooth.
- You will get different features in this space-saving elliptical machine. There is an LCD provided so that you can track all the real-time data, and also, you can connect it with Bluetooth to transfer your stats.
2. EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine
| Brand | EFITMENT |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 50 x 23.5 x 62 inches |
| Resistance Mechanism | Magnetic |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 220 Pounds |
| Screen Size | 11 Inches |
Well, now this one is an affordable space saver elliptical that you can use to have a workout session. Also, it is the smallest elliptical machine on this list as it weighs only 63 pounds making it super-lightweight equipment. This small elliptical is great to use for full-body workout sessions. It uses a rear-drive system and provides you with a better posture while working out. Other important features are provided to the user to make this small elliptical worth its cost. Let’s discuss them below.
Exclusive Features
- This is a small elliptical suitable for small spaces like small rooms, apartments, condos, and studios. Also, it is suitable to have a full-body workout. It will help you lose weight, prevent your knees, and use your upper body movement.
- Other than this, there is a digital display provided to keep track of all the real-time data like the time, distance, speed, pulse rate, calories burned, and a lot more.
- Also, this space saver elliptical is easily portable. It has transportation wheels and is lightweight so that you can move it from one place to another without much effort. It makes it easy to store this small elliptical when you are not using it.
- There is a phone holder provided to keep yourself entertained while you are working out. With the help of oversized footplates, everybody can use them, increasing security.
3. Bowflex Max Trainer Series
| Model Name | Bowflex M8 Max Trainer |
| Brand | Bowflex |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Metal |
| Resistance Mechanism | Magnetic |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 46 x 29 x 22.5 inches |
| Suggested Users | Unisex |
The next one on the list is a mix of elliptical and stair climber. This is a great machine when you have to work out at your home, and you are ready to spend some money on the elliptical. It has 20 levels of resistance, and also, you can adjust the resistance levels according to the workout session that you need to have. This small elliptical comes up with both magnetic resistance and fan-based elliptical. The Bowflex max trainer elliptical is great for rigorous workout sessions and you are going to get both movable and stable handlebars. Below we have mentioned all the exclusive features of this small elliptical.
Exclusive Features
- It has an interactive display on which you get 7 workout sessions. Also, there are connectivity options for up to 4 users. Everybody can customize their workout session according to that.
- You are also allowed to customize the time and intensity of the workout session according to yourself. It is designed so that you can surely lose a lot more weight on the machine in less time.
- It has a compact size, and you can move it from one place to another easily with the help of the transportation wheels provided. You will also get 20 levels of resistance so that you can customize your workout level according to your choice.
- Lastly, multi-grip and dynamic handles are provided to help you make the workout more comfortable for you. You will get sports performance pedals for better stability and grip. You will also get a tablet and smartphone holder with it.
4. Sunny Health and Fitness SF- E3919 Elliptical
| Model Name | Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Cardio Climber – SF-E3919 |
| Brand | Sunny Health & Fitness |
| Color | Black |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 44 x 25 x 64 inches |
| Material | Steel |
| Suggested Users | Unisex-adult |
This is a mid-ranged compact elliptical that you can buy. You will get 8 levels of magnetic resistance provided, but you will have to control them manually. We like this super space saving elliptical because it makes no noise when you are running on it despite being a manual elliptical. Also, this is a lightweight elliptical that weighs around 95 pounds only. With the help of the bidirectional flywheel, you can have a better degree of a workout session. Other features are also provided, like the LCD, warranty, stabilizers, device holder, etc. Have a look at all the features of this space saving elliptical machine.
Exclusive Features
- This space saving elliptical is made up of high-duty material to make it durable and worth the money you are spending on it. Also, it has a steel climber frame that can handle a weight of 260 pounds.
- Other than this, this is a versatile compact elliptical machine so that the machine can have a smooth operation. You will get 14 pounds flywheel to have a challenging workout session on the machine.
- You will get an LCD to keep track of all the real-time data. It can help you to keep track of the distance, RPM, speed, pulse, and calories that you have burned.
- There are 8 levels of resistance available on the machine so that you can customize your workout session. Also, with the change in the resistance level, you can intensify the workout level. You will also get transportation wheels to port the elliptical easily.
5. Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Elliptical
| Model Name | Stamina InMotion Elliptical Trainer |
| Brand | Stamina |
| Color | Black/Green |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 24.5 x 17 x 12 inches |
| Suggested Users | Indoor Sports|Cardio|Ellipticals |
| Warranty Description | 1-year frame; 90 days parts |
This is the most affordable and portable elliptical machine on this list. It is an under-desk model making it easier for you to have a workout session even when you are working. This is a very lightweight elliptical that weighs around 24 pounds only. This best compact elliptical is designed to provide you with all the features to have a high-intensity workout at a very reasonable price. You will also get a warranty for the parts and the frame of this space saving elliptical. Now, have a look at all the features of this compact elliptical.
Exclusive Features
- Starting with the build of this compact elliptical, it is made up of a steel frame, and it is extremely lightweight. You can easily port it from one location to another because of the compact size.
- Other than this, you will also get different movement options. You can use the compact strider in both standing and sitting modes. With the help of bidirectional movement, you can pedal both sides to target different muscles.
- There are three color options available to customize this super-saving elliptical machine according to your choice. This elliptical is also suitable for gamers so that you can have low attention exercise.
- Lastly, there is an LCD provided to help you track all the real-time stats to improve your workout routine. It will help you to know what and how you should improve.
How to Choose the Best Compact Ellipticals | Buyer’s Guide
Below we have provided you with a guide to help you choose the best compact elliptical machine for yourself. Have a look.
Use
The first thing you will have to consider while buying the best compact elliptical for yourself is the use. There are different benefits of an elliptical, and it is much better than many types of equipment available on the market. You will have to first decide the reasons for which you are going to buy a compact elliptical for yourself. On an elliptical, you can have a full-body workout, and also, you can lose a lot of weight. So, if you know why you are buying an elliptical for you, you can buy the best pick.
Performance
The next thing you need to consider while buying a compact elliptical machine is performance. You will get a lot of options in every price range, but you must not compromise on the elliptical performance. There are chances that you get better performance in the low-cost elliptical than in the high-cost one.
Durability
When you are spending hundreds of dollars on a machine, you expect the machine’s durability. You must look for a compact elliptical machine that is durable enough to make it worth your money. Look for the small elliptical made up of high-quality material that requires less maintenance. To determine the durability of the small elliptical, you can look for the drive design and the maximum weight capacity.
Warranty
The other factor that can contribute to the durability of the small elliptical is the warranty. You should look for an elliptical that will provide you with enough warranty that makes it worth it. Usually, you will have to look for a warranty for at least 2 to 5 years. Also, a warranty should be available for the frame and parts of the elliptical.
Incline
You must be able to incline the elliptical according to your need. In most compact ellipticals, you can get an inclination of 20, but you may get other different options. You will find the incline option in many hybrid and elliptical. There is a one-touch inclination provided to make the process easy for you. Also, you may get programs that you can pair up with the programs to have a customized workout session.
Resistance
For the smooth functioning of the compact elliptical, you need to have a higher degree of resistance. You will have to look for a heavy flywheel to have a higher resistance. Different other factors also contribute to the resistance levels of an elliptical, but with the weight of the flywheel, it is easier to determine the resistance levels. Other than this, any beginner can be satisfied with a lighter flywheel, but for an advanced user, you may need a heavier flywheel.
Additional Features
For some people, a simple space saving elliptical will do, but some people may look for some additional features in the compact elliptical. You may have to buy a compact elliptical that you can fold when you are not using it or one that has an LCD so that you can keep track of the real-time stats and also have an interactive workout session. These days different ellipticals are available on which you can get application integration to let it connect it with your device and more.
FAQ’s
1. Is it good for seniors to use ellipticals?
Yes, ellipticals can be the best if a senior has to stay active. But, when looking for an elliptical for seniors, you will have to look for an elliptical with a stable frame. Ensure that the elliptical does not wobble and you can balance easily.
2. Is it enough to spend 30 minutes on an elliptical to lose weight?
The more calories you will burn, the more you will lose weight. It is estimated that when you use an elliptical for 30 minutes, you can lose up to 335 calories. Other than this, the weight loss also depends on the intensity of the workout and your medical conditions.
3. Which is better: Walking or Elliptical?
You will surely lose much more calories on the elliptical than on walking. You can burn up to 459 calories on an elliptical and 145 in walking for about 45 minutes. If you have any joint pain or underlying condition, you can go for the elliptical.
4. Is it worth buying a compact elliptical?
It is surely worth buying a compact elliptical when you have less space at your home. Look for the ones you can fold and keep them anywhere when you are not using the elliptical.
Some Last Words
When you have a small apartment and need a piece of workout equipment, you can surely go for a compact elliptical to have a full-body workout. You can look for folding ellipticals so that you can fold them and easily store them when you are not using the elliptical. These best compact ellipticals are easy to port and can be used anywhere.
In our opinion, if you want an affordable compact elliptical machine, then go for the Stamina InMotion E1000 compact elliptical. You can easily port it from one place to another and use it even when you are at the office. But if you are looking for a high-quality compact elliptical, you can go for the Bowflex series. It is a bit pricey but worth the price that you will pay.
