Folding ellipticals are a great option for those looking to get in shape while managing their fitness space. These machines are designed to be compact and portable & easily foldable for convenient storage when not in use. But despite their small size, folding ellipticals offer the same great workout benefits as bigger, more traditional models. They feature comfortable pedals that move in an elliptical motion, providing a low-impact and joint-friendly way to burn calories and tone your muscles. What’s more, this advanced technology means that these machines still deliver all the benefits of traditional ellipticals, such as improved cardiovascular health and increased muscle tone.

Many of these models also offer additional features such as built-in screens and preset programs to make your workouts more interactive and engaging. So if you’re looking for a reliable way to stay fit on a tight budget or limited space, then a folding elliptical is the perfect choice for you! With a little research and plenty of patience, you can find a machine that will deliver all of the features you need in a comfortable yet advanced design that fits right into any home gym setup. To make your lives easier, our team tested, reviewed and came up with the best Folding Ellipticals For Fitness.

Our Picks for Best Folding Ellipticals

Editor’s Choice









Sunny Health and Fitness E905



  • 220 Pounds Capacity
  • Steel
  • L 28 x W 17 x H 57 in
Value For Money







Body Power Elliptical Stepper



  • 250 Pounds Capacity
  • Steel
  • L 42 x W 24 x H 62 in
Premium Pick







Bowflex Max Trainer M8



  • 300 Pounds Capacity
  • Metal
  • L 46 x W 29 x H 22.5 in

 

In-Depth Review of Best Folding Ellipticals

Here, we have mentioned the best folding ellipticals that you can purchase by considering the cost, type, material, and features. We have tested each of these folding ellipticals and tried to provide you with an accurate and unbiased review.

1. Sunny Health and Fitness E905

Sunny health and fitness E905 elliptical trainer

Color Gray, White
Item Dimensions 28 x 17 x 57 in
Material Steel
Weight ‎69 Pounds
Weight capacity 220 Pounds

 

In case you want to make your exercise more fun, this is the elliptical you can go for. The first folding elliptical on this list is from Sunny health and fitness. If you get bored with your daily exercise, this can make your routine effective and fun at the same time.

Adjust the resistance according to you and use the elliptical machine for almost all kinds of workouts. This machine is not going to disappoint you. It is the only folding elliptical machine under $200 and offers you the features that you expect from folding ellipticals.

Features:
  • Starting with the resistance levels, this elliptical offers you 8 levels of resistance. You can adjust it according to the level of workout that you need to have or according to the level you want to challenge yourself.
  • You will also get a digital monitor in this folding elliptical so you can easily track the real-time stats to know how hard you are working. It will keep a track of your pulse also. This will keep you engaged while working out and achieving your goals in better ways.
  • With the help of anti-slip handlebars, you can have a stable and secure workout session on the machine. It will also provide you with stabilizers so that you can have an even and smooth movement on the machine.
  • It has a very compact size, so, you can easily store it at your place. Besides the compact size, there is enough space for you to workout. Also, it has transportation wheels so that you can move the machine from one room to another. It can help you to store the bike easily when you are not using it.

Pros

  • The elliptical is very lightweight
  • The pulse monitor can help you to track your heart rate
  • It is very compact in size and offers you an effective workout

Cons

  • Only offers 8 levels of resistance

Check On Amazon

2. Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper

Body power 2-in-1 elliptical stepper

Color Gray
Item Dimensions 42 x 24 x 62 in
Material Steel
Weight 97 Pounds
Weight Capacity 250 Pounds

 

With this folding elliptical, enhance the workout session and achieve your goals in a fun and easy way. The machine is designed in a way to provide the user with a better and more efficient cardio session. It is up to you to decide the resistance level according to the workout level that you are going to have.

Also, it will offer you different features like an LCD screen, crank, 2-in-1 motion machine. This machine is best when you expect more than one thing from your folding elliptical at a very reasonable price. Go through all the exclusive features of this folding elliptical.

Features:
  • With the help of a curved crank, the tension is applied to both X and Y axes so that you can have a 2-in-1 rotation. It will help you to have a smooth and effective movement on the machine. The machine can handle a weight of 250 lbs.
  • Also, the crank of this fold-up elliptical is ergonomically designed so that you can easily adjust the level of resistance according to tour workout level. It will help you to have a high-intensity workout at your home only and challenge yourself.
  • The machine has synchronized handlebars and also, a steeper movement so that you can have a full-body movement on the elliptical. The stepper and handlebars have a great grip to provide you with the stability that you need.
  • Also, the elliptical has transport rollers to help you to move the machine from one room to another or store it easily when you are not using it. The LCD will help you to keep track of all the real-time data so that you can keep a track of the workout session and know how hard you are working out.

Pros

  • The machine is quite easy to use and quiet
  • It provides you with the option for 2-in-1 machine movements
  • You can easily assemble the bike on your own in a little time

Cons

  • The machine could have been more sturdy and stable

Check On Amazon

3. Bowflex Max Trainer M8 Cardio Machine

Bowflex Max Trainer M7 cardio machine

Color Black
Item Dimensions ‎46 x 29 x 22.5 in
Material Metal
Weight 148 Pounds
Weight Capacity 300 Pounds

 

This is one of the best folding ellipticals available in the market. This elliptical has a very stylish and trendy design that will surely make you want it at your home. Many people have found the fold-up elliptical smooth and efficient for use. As compared to the NordicTrack folding elliptical, you can have a smooth function with the help of 20 levels of resistance levels to keep you motivated.

It is one of the costliest folding ellipticals on our list comparable to treadmills with screen but it is worth the penny that you will have to pay. Having an oversized and dual backlit LCD, it looks very appealing to the eyes. Let us get you through all the features of this compact folding elliptical below.

Features:
  •  It will help you to track the real-time data to track your workout. Also, there are 7 workout programs available so that you can have different kinds of workouts.
  • Also, there are 20 levels of computer-controlled resistance so that you can adjust the resistance level according to the type of workout that you are going to have.
  • There are moving handles of this folding elliptical to offer the user a better degree of stability and effectiveness while working out. It will help you to have a better workout than other normal ellipticals.
  • The handle grips are ergonomically designed to provide stability when you are working out. With the help of its compact size, the folding elliptical is very easy to store. It will take very little space and you can keep it aside when you are not using it.

Pros

  • The machine has a very attractive design
  • It’ll help you to have a zero-impact workout to protect your joints
  • With the help of this machine, you can have a full-body workout

Cons

  • Assembling is a bit challenging

Check On Amazon

4. Nautilus Elliptical E616

Nautilus Elliptical series

Color Black
Item Dimensions 70 x 28 x 71 in
Material Steel
Weight 173 Pounds
Weight Capacity 310 Pounds

 

Now, this is one of the oldest and most reliable brands providing users with high-quality products. On this list, we’ll be talking about the Nautilus elliptical series folding ellipticals. If you are looking for an elliptical folding under 1500, this is the one.

It has everything that you need to work out at home easily. It is designed in a way to provides maximum comfort and stability to the rider. This elliptical can offer you digital connectivity so that you can have an application base tracking your workout data. Go through all the features of the nautilus elliptical series below.

Features:
  • Starting with the frame of the folding elliptical, it has a steel frame to make the machine stable. It won’t wobble when you are working out. The elliptical has a 20” precision path stride for the workout session.
  • There is also an LCD provided so that you can track the real-time stats. It will motivate you to work better and improve your health. You can also connect the device using Bluetooth technology if you want to customize your workout sessions.
  • This machine has ergonomically designed handlebars to make it very easy to use. The finger controls make sure that you do not have to stop working out when you have to adjust the resistance level in the machine.
  • You can also track the real-time data with the help of different applications if you want and there are different pre-installed workout sessions available to help you work out in a better way. It will help you challenge yourself and get in shape in much less time.

Pros

  • It has a heart rate sensor on the handlebars
  • You will also get a USB port to charge your mobile
  • The elliptical provides you with a solid workout platform

Cons

  • It can be difficult for beginners to get used to the machine

Check On Amazon

5. MaxiClimber XL-2000 Vertical Climber

MaxiClimber XL-2000 vertical climber

Color Red
Dimensions  ‎56 x 11.2 x 8.6 in
Material Aluminum
Weight 53 Pounds
Maximum Weight Capacity (Recommended) 300 Pounds

 

This is an affordable folding elliptical available on the market. It is very simple to use and yet it is one of the most sophisticated fold up ellipticals you will get on the market. You are going to get all the high-end features in this folding elliptical at very reasonable prices. On this folding elliptical, it is fun as well as efficient to have a workout.

It is suitable for having a workout for both the upper body and lower body. It emphasizes providing you with a comfortable workout session that is also easy on the joints of the user. Have a look at all the features of this folding elliptical.

Features:
  • The elliptical folding frame is made up of aluminum. It has a long-lasting roller mechanism so that you can have an intense workout session on the machine. The machine is very quiet to use so you do not have to worry about disturbing the neighbours.
  • Also, this elliptical is very lightweight and durable. Being made of aluminum it is rust-resistance and you can use it for a long time. The rollers will help you to shift the machine from one room to another very easily.
  • Other than this, the folding elliptical is designed in a way that you burn more calories on this machine than you would on other machines. Many users have experienced up to 40 calories burned in this machine.
  • On this machine, you are going to get a mobile holder so that you can keep yourself when you are working out. With the help of the bidirectional resistance level, it can be used for a full-body workout.

Pros

  • The price is very reasonable
  • It does not use a motor, reducing the risk of breakdown
  • It works without electricity making it easy to put it anywhere

Cons

  • The warranty is only offered for one year
  • There is no programming used, it’ll work according to you

Check On Amazon

Read Also: Best Compact Ellipticals For Full Body Workout

How to get the Best Folding Elliptical? (Buyer’s Guide)

You need to choose a folding elliptical that is gentle to your joints but is also sturdy enough that you can burn a lot of calories on the machine. After all, that is all we need. There are different options available in the market and choosing the right one can be difficult for you. But, there are some factors that you will have to consider while buying the folding elliptical so that you can choose the right one for you.

1: Need

Start with considering the need for the folding elliptical. You can not just buy a folding elliptical. You will have to decide the type of fold-up elliptical that you need and for what exercises you are looking for an elliptical. Other than that, you will have to decide the amount that you are willing to pay for the folding elliptical.

It is better to first decide the budget and then only look for the elliptical. There are times when budget restrictions can be a bit demotivating for some people. So, it is good to choose the best that you are going to get in your budget.

2: Flywheel

For the better functioning of the folding elliptical, you will need to have a good quality flywheel. It is important to check the resistance, flywheels, and brakes of the device so that you can get an idea of how the elliptical is going to work. For the braking system, you can go for the electromagnetic braking system. It is because it is easy to use and it is smooth.

It is said that the heavier the flywheel, the better resistance. Well, that is true. Usually, you will get a flywheel of 15 pounds but when you will go for the professional fold-up elliptical, you are going to get a flywheel of around 17 pounds.

3: Space

Space is a major factor to choose a folding elliptical for yourself. You need to look for the elliptical that will suit your home and will fit in easily. If you have a small apartment, you can look for a compact folding elliptical so that you can store it easily when not in use. You will also have to consider a suitable location where you will have to keep the elliptical. If it needs electricity, you will have to place it near a socket. You may not want to keep it in the basement.

4: LCD

There are a lot of folding ellipticals available that will provide you with the console. It will help you to track the real-time data in a better way. The larger the console, the better. You should look for a console that is easy to use and you can read the data easily.

It is up to you if you want to connect the console with the device. There are different consoles available that you can connect to using Bluetooth. Other than this, most people prefer having a device holder. It will help you to keep yourself motivated when you are working out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is it worth using a compact elliptical?

Yes, it can be effective depending upon the location and needs of the user. It is generally said that with a longer stride, you can burn even more calories. But when it comes to using the folding elliptical at your apartment, a compact one can also be helpful for you.

Q2. Can you fold elliptical?

Yes, there are different folding ellipticals available in the market. You can use the folding elliptical when you have little space and you will have to store it when you are not using it.

Q3. Which is better: elliptical or treadmill?

In case you have any injury or you have a musculoskeletal condition, we will suggest you use the elliptical only. But when you want to burn more amount of calories and you want to focus on leg strength, you can go for the treadmill.

Q4. Can I use the elliptical daily?

Yes, it is okay to use the elliptical daily but you will have to decide the amount of time that you will contribute to it. We will not suggest you do a lot in very little time.

Final Thoughts

The folding elliptical is best when you want to have a full-body workout at your home. It will help you to burn more calories while staying at home only. Hopefully, this article provided you with all the necessary information that you need to know before buying a folding elliptical for yourself.

Author

I am Alina, O.bike’s longest-serving technical writer and specialises in the technical side of cycling. Before joining O.bike, I was a successful road racer, competing in many international races worldwide. I am one of O.bike’s lead testers and knows how to push the products to their limit to review the best bike having excellent money value.