Are you looking for the very best elliptical under 500?
To continue our series on setting up an affordable home gym during these unprecedented, unclear, times — let’s jump into elliptical trainers to make your fitness fantasy, a fitness reality. Only the best elliptical machines make the list!
Best Home Elliptical
Best Portable Elliptical
As far as the top ellipticals goes, here are a few of the best ellipticals under $500 to peruse and give you an idea of what might be the best elliptical machine for YOU.
But first, to help you choose better, we categorized all of the products from the lineup.
Top Ellipticals Under 500 Based on Categories
Here’s a quick look at the top ellipticals under 500 for each category…
Top Pick
Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainers
Comes with Qiber training programs and has a number of resistance settings to help you achieve your fitness goals at home.
Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainers
The Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainer wins for the top cross trainer elliptical on the market and is still under $500.
The availability of Qiber training programs, number of resistance settings, and its reputation amongst consumers make it my #1 choice for home elliptical machines.
Editor’s Choice
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
A unit that primarily boasts quality materials, build, and support from the company for an affordable price and streamlined design to fit into your home space.
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
Schwinn wins this category without doubt. It is a little over the $500 price range, but with good reasons.
The Schwinn 411 Compact elliptical Machine offers the best stride length, most comprehensive (and engaging) workout app for exercise programming, a sleek look, and overall durability and reliability.
NOTE
If your pocketbook can handle going a little over the $500 mark, the Schwinn elliptical will not disappoint for at-home elliptical performance.
Best Value
Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer
A great elliptical, at a great price. It’s well built, comes with great features, and sturdy enough to stand your workout.
Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer
If you are super budget conscious, this machine is right for you.
It is far under the $500 mark and it offers great features that will keep you elliptical-ing happily.
Best Home Elliptical
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
A 2-in-1 elliptical machine that gives you a well-rounded, total body workout by getting your arms involved.
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer
I do love this machine. It’s under the $500 limit and it’s basically a 2-for-1 deal as it doubles as an elliptical and stair stepper machine. Glorious!
The stair climbing action coupled with the short elliptical stroke is a sure fire way to train your lower body, build some booty, use those hamstrings and get your heart rate up.
Having that two in one feature is a great deal too, especially because buying a stair climber isn’t cheap and the stair climber is a tricky machine to keep in working condition.
With an at home machine, the less you need a specialized technician for — the better!
TIP
If you are partial to the stepper or stair climber at the gym, this elliptical version is right for you!
Best Compact Elliptical
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
A trainer that primarily boasts quality materials, build, and support from the company for an affordable price and streamlined design to fit into your home space.
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
Well ladies, it’s right in the name — COMPACT.
The Schwinn 411 is a small elliptical machine that has a minimalist design and doesn’t take a lot of floor space. It’s also not loud at all.
Your neighbors in your apartment building won’t know how you got so lean and fit!
It will give the full elliptical experience, meaning that you will still be upright and jogging along using your whole body with the handlebar feature.
It’s an excellent workout that will take you around the globe with the app and its video workouts.
Best Portable Elliptical
Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
If you’re stuck at your desk most of the time this is a fun machine to add to your office accessories.
Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
Never thought I’d say this because the Cubii is such a small and niche machine, but I’d definitely go for the Cubii Pro on this one.
While it could double as a great option for small spaces too, it really is the best portable machine under $500 because you could easily take it to work with you, to your living room for your fave shows, or — heck! — bring it to breakfast.
The other options can be wheeled around for storage, but they definitely won’t be leaving the general location you decide without major breakdown.
With the Cubii, no matter where you are or what your schedule is, it will keep your feet and legs moving.
Best For Taller Users
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
A trainer that primarily boasts quality materials, build, and support from the company for an affordable price and streamlined design to fit into your home space.
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
Obviously, the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical is the best machine for taller cardio queens.
Though tiny the Schwinn is mighty! Can’t beat the 20 inch stride length that the Schwinn’s got.
Ellipticals Under 500 Full Review
Here are the full reviews of all the ellipticals under 500 from our lineup…
Top Pick
Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainers
Comes with Qiber training programs and has a number of resistance settings to help you achieve your fitness goals at home.
Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainers
Up first on the list is the Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainer.
The Ancheer Elliptical is a mid-range under $500 machine, and a popular one at that, which gives you a lot of options for one of the best ellipticals under 500.
The Ancheer Elliptical machine provides you with 10 resistance levels to make your workout your own.
Resistance
The resistance is generated from a magnetic tension system called the Magnetron Car — essentially it’s an 18 pound flywheel, like you’d see on a stationary spin bike, with a magnet next to it.
The resistance is easy to adjust with a dial on the front console.
With its heart rate control pulse grips on the handles, you will easily know when to kick your intensity up a notch or when to bring it back to that sweet fat burning zone.
Connectivity
One of the best features of this magnetic elliptical machine is its connection with the Qiber app. You’ll have access to a variety of workout programs that guide you through resistance and speed challenges for absolutely free.
Using a training program in tandem with your elliptical machine is an incredible way to get after your fitness goals at home.
Durability
By and large, the Ancheer elliptical machine is a sturdy built home elliptical trainer. However, though it advertises that a user weight of 390 pounds is the capacity,
I would say that’s a stretch. It’s a residential, inexpensive machine. I’d tap out past 200 pounds.
Specs
- Dimensions: 24 x 47 x 60 inches
- Stride length: 12 to 15 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 10 levels of magnetic resistance
- Display Screen: LCD display screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes — on the handlebars
- Preset Workout Programs: Qiber App syncs with the elliptical trainer
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 390 pounds, as advertised
- Portable: Yes, attachable transportation wheels for your convenience
Pros
- Quality for price.
- Well loved by consumers and boasts “best at home gym elliptical.
- The Qiber App will keep you interested in your workouts. It’s not just for steady state anymore.
- Variable stride lengths for multiple heights.
Cons
- Wary about the weight limit.
Best Home Elliptical
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper
A 2-in-1 elliptical machine that gives you a well-rounded, total body workout by getting your arms involved.
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper
Honestly, I am personally excited about this one.
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer is an elliptical machine under 500$ that is ALMOST like a stair stepper.
Can we say, “Booty-licious?”
It makes the best ellipticals under $500 list because… y’all know, I am ABOUT the booty gains.
Function
The “StepTrac,” which Body Power terms the 2-in-1 action, gives you a well-rounded, total body workout by getting your arms involved with the mobile handlebars too.
You can adjust the curve-crank to set the machine to more of an elliptical motion or a stepper motion.
It’s up to you depending on your fitness reality and what your workout needs might be that day.
The manual dial controls the machine’s 8 levels of resistance and the LCD display screen and computer keep your metrics like duration, distance, speed, heart rate, and calories in your periphery.
Compact
Because of it’s vertical climber nature it’s very compact — a perfect fit for small homes or rooms.
It’s also less than 100 pounds so it’s easy to move around the house or put away for storage.
While this might come out to be my personal favorite, the Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer is not a particularly sturdy machine and tends to break easily. Most often, the metal under the foot pedals bends or breaks.
So, if you go this route, take good care of the machine AND hope you’re handy.
Specs
- Dimensions: 42 x 24 x 62 inches
- Stride length: Short
- Levels of Resistance: 8 levels of resistance
- Display Screen: LCD display screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes — on the handlebars
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Portable: Yes, light frame with transportation wheels
Pros
- Dual motion with elliptical and/ or stepper options.
- Low price
Cons
- Not well-made to withstand the tests of time.
- Parts are hard to assemble and fix.
- Short stride length.
Best Portable Elliptical
Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
If you’re stuck at your desk most of the time this is a fun machine to add activity to your routine.
Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
First things first on this one, are you stuck at your desk day in and day out?
If the answer to that is a resounding YES, this might be a fun machine to add to your office accessories.
Function
The Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine is best for extra work day movement and individuals who might need a little extra support to complete their workouts (elderly, sick, or injured).
It’s also excellent for multitaskers who want to watch TV or read a book while keeping moving.
Build
The Cubii is less of an elliptical and more of a small bike.
The pedal motions makes it safe and stable for any level of fitness.
It’s super quiet, so even in a big office setting, your colleagues won’t know that you are burning calories, increasing circulation, and gaining energy all while you stare at Excel docs or, like me, furiously type away to clients.
Nothing super fancy about this elliptical machine trainer, but it is a very niche workout machine with a premium price range tag for the product.
Specs
- Dimensions: 23.15 x 17.56 x 10 inches
- Stride length: Short like a bike
- Levels of Resistance: No
- Display Screen: No
- Heart Rate Monitor: No
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
Pros
- If you are going for N.E.A.T. (non-exercise activity tracking), this will definitely get in some sneaky movement which equals more calories burned.
- If you’re trapped seated at a desk all day, this is a good way to get activity in.
- If you have any injuries, illnesses, or other conditions, this is a low impact, seated way to add more activity in your day and stay focused on wellness.
Cons
- Not meant for high intensity exercise or major calorie burn.
- High price for the under desk machine.
Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical
The dual action workout arms, dual directional flywheel, and 8 level magnetic resistance system make this elliptical machine a superb choice for home gyms and your workout routine.
Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical
The Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical machine means it when they say “heavy duty.
Build
This elliptical machine is capable of holding up to 300 pounds and Exerpeutic prides itself on the construction of their machines.
The dual action workout arms, dual directional flywheel, and 8 level magnetic resistance system make these elliptical machines a superb choice for home gyms and your workout routine.
LCD
The LCD console displays distance, calories burned, time, speed, and your pulse.
The handrails offer a heart rate sensor to find your pulse and target your cardio goals.
While there is not an exercise routine or preset programming that comes with this elliptical machine, it would be a good machine to perform elliptical programs on.
I like to find those types of workout routines that change resistance and speed for time on Pinterest or YouTube.
Specs
- Dimensions: 23" W x 54" L x 76" H”
- Stride length: 13 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 8 level magnetic resistance system
- Display Screen: LCD screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Portable: Yes
Pros
- The durability for a home elliptical is second to none.
- It’s got all the necessary functions needed — enough resistance to keep you building stamina and durability to keep up with your regular routine.
Cons
- It is a larger machine.
- Stride is good for shorter users (under 5’5”)
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E3912
A durable elliptical with lots of features. It can hold up to 330 pounds and it has floor stabilizers to make it safe.
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E3912
If you want the best elliptical machine money can buy, but still stay on budget?
The Sunny Health & Fitness slightly higher price point at $450 but with good reason.
It should top every elliptical machine list ever for one of the best elliptical under 500 for home use.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E3912 is a machine making it more like an elliptical trainer that you might be familiar with at a gym.
Durability
For starters, the durability and stability are way up from other options. Sunny Healthy & Fitness claims that this elliptical machine holds up to 330 pounds and the floor stabilizers make it safer than ever.
LCD
In its table of contents in the LCD and LED console, you will be able to decide what kind of workout program you desire.
These range from manual workouts, pre-programmed, watt power workouts, burning body fat, to heart rate training.
Quality
All this elliptical is missing is a motorized incline to make it a really great machine.
However, that would come at a higher cost.
For about $500, the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer SF-E3912 takes a step up for home ellipticals and might be one of the best elliptical machines in this price range to achieve fitness goals.
Specs
- Dimensions: 23" W x 54" L x 76" H
- Stride length: 15.5 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 8 level magnetic resistance system
- Display Screen: LCD screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
- Portable: Yes, it has wheels
Pros
- Heavy duty home elliptical trainer.
- Full body workout programming.
- Average stride length.
Cons
- Price could be a little much for some.
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine SF-E3810
This magnetic elliptical is a knock out because of its performance monitoring display, clear LCD display with your workout metrics list shown there, pulse sensors, and tablet holder.
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine SF-E3810
Another good one from Sunny Health and Fitness. Probably one of the best elliptical trainers out there for home use and super affordable too as it is under $400!
Features
This magnetic elliptical unit is a knock out because of its performance monitoring display, clear LCD display with your workout metrics list shown there, pulse sensors, and tablet holder.
You are able to use the magnetic resistance system with the elliptical machine plugged in to electricity or use it manually.
That might just be the best thing about ellipticals — even if your power went out, you could still workout. No excuses!
Resistance
Moreover, this machine has SIXTEEN resistance levels — the most we have seen from the machines listed so far.
If you are an avid gym goer or cardio queen, the 16 levels accessible with these machines will definitely provide a spectrum of challenges for steady state, manual, or interval workouts.
That might be too much for some of you and the price is a touch heftier.
But if you are serious about your workouts, this is the best elliptical machine for you.
Specs
- Dimensions: 58 x 22 x 68 inches
- Stride length: 18 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 8 levels of magnetic resistance system
- Display Screen: LCD screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 265 pounds
- Portable: Yes
Pros
- Great, entry level price point.
- Long enough stride for most heights.
Cons
- Price: Under $400
Editor’s Choice
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
A unit that primarily boasts quality materials, build, and support from the company for an affordable price and streamlined design to fit into your home space.
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine
A little over the 500$ mark — the brand known mostly for road and indoor bicycles, has delved into the world of cardio equipment machines.
Schwinn is a shoe in for elliptical machines because they’re familiar with gears, flywheels, and resistance levels necessary for great workouts.
Build
The Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine is a unit that primarily boasts quality materials, build, and support from the company for an affordable price and streamlined design to fit into your home space.
Like the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine, the Schwinn comes with a whopping 16 resistance levels too — making the Schwinn 411 top the list as a best elliptical machine with all the features desired for an awesome cardio sesh.
Workout App
In addition, the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine comes with their “Travel the Globe – Explore the World” app to enhance your workouts with intensity as well as pretty views through video. It has a 5.5” high contrast LCD screen for your viewing pleasure.
You’ll also be able to track your workout metrics there too.
The 18-inch stride will have you feeling like a gazelle running swiftly and comfortably through your workout.
Sound
A potential annoyance you might encounter using the machine is that it’s not super quiet. There’s a little bit of clicking that can occur while you pedal — but honestly, most commercial elliptical machines will do that too.
Specs
- Dimensions: 70.1 x 28.1 x 63.1 inches
- Stride length: 20 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 16 levels of magnetic resistance system
- Display Screen: LCD screen
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: Yes, with the Explore the World app. There are 3 free courses.
- Water Bottle Holder: Yes
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Portable: Yes, it has transportation wheels
Pros
- A long stride length for taller users or more glute and hamstring activation.
- All the standard elliptical features with excellent stride length, 12 levels of resistance, and top-notch workout programs with this reasonable elliptical machine trainer.
Cons
- The slight clicking from the pedals tracking.
- Fewer workout programs come with the elliptical machine than other ellipticals.
Best Value
Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer
A great elliptical, at a great price. It’s well built, comes with great features, and sturdy enough to stand your workout.
Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer
This very budget friendly elliptical machine won’t break your bank or your home.
Build
The Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer is a great elliptical, at a great price.
It’s well built and sturdy enough to stand the tests of your workout.
Similar to most other options, the display screen recounts your time, speed, heart rate, and calories burned.
The standard 18-inch stride will make sure your legs are working in a full range of motion — moving quickly and easily on the foot pedals.
Workout Programs
The Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer also provides a surprising amount (13 to be exact) of workout programs at your fingertips which is super handy to keep yourself challenged while working out at home.
The flywheel offers a magnetic resistance system with 16 resistance levels to further challenge and improve your fitness.
Assembly
While the final product will give you a solid workout, the most challenging part of the Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer is the assembly.
Make sure to gather your patience first and have the assembly instruction list nearby.
Specs
- Dimensions: 50.8” x 24” x 63”
- Stride length: 14 inches
- Levels of Resistance: 16 magnetic resistance levels
- Display Screen: Large LCD console
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: Yes, 13 programs with 2 heart rate control programs, 1 user-defined program, and a manual option
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Portable: Yes, it has wheels
Pros
- Low price
- A good range of workout programs available with the machine.
Cons
- Difficult to put together.
- Warranty does not include repairs.
- Short stride length.
SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical Machine
These exercise machines are well built, quiet, and a smooth ride. It will also help you keep track of your workout goals with its real-time workout data
SNODE E20i Magnetic Elliptical Machine
Build
The SNODE exercise machines are well built, quiet, and a smooth ride.
One drawback to the SNODE elliptical cross trainer machine is it’s stride length of just 13.78 inches.
That works well for shorter ladies but not so much if you are over 5’5”.
Nonetheless, the SNODE Magnetic Elliptical machine is a superb cross trainer with 16 magnetic resistance levels.
Workout Tracker
It will also help you keep track of your workout goals with its real-time workout data on the computer display screen.
Overall, a solid machine but nothing too special for the higher price.
Specs
- Dimensions: 61.8 x 20 x 38.1 inches
- Stride Length: 13.78 inch
- Levels of Resistance: 16 magnetic resistance levels
- Display Screen: LCD computer display
- Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
- Preset Workout Programs: No
- Water Bottle Holder: No
- Weight Capacity: 265 pounds
- Portable: Yes, it has wheels
Pros
- Well-built with quality parts.
- Does the job.
Cons
- Only a 14 inch stride length.
- More expensive for very few features.
Why Buy an Elliptical Machine?
An elliptical machine offers a total body cardio workout.
Ellipticals are one of the best AND low-impact ways to get an upper and lower body workout in and take your heart rate up.
What is an Elliptical?
Ellipticals are an awesome cross trainer that target your calves, quads, hammies, glutes, lats, and arm muscles – getting your whole body involved for an efficient, effective workout.
If you are someone that works out hard with weights or runs, ellipticals are a nice option to save some pressure to your joints.
Similarly, if you have pre-existing joint issues, ellipticals are an amazing way to still take care of your heart health and maintain cardio stamina.
Things to Consider When Buying an Elliptical
When you start looking at the best elliptical under $500, there are a few key features that you’ll definitely want to check out.
Your best elliptical experience is defined by you. Although there are some standard features in the under $500 ellipticals category, that’d I’d recommend to anyone at any fitness level.
Resistance Levels
The first feature is the levels of resistance.
Most ellipticals offer a range of with to sixteen resistance levels.
These days the majority of elliptical machines increase their resistance based on a magnet near a flywheel.
NOTE
Depending on your level of fitness, you may want to consider the maximum resistance offered by the elliptical machines as a primary feature you use to make your selection.
Importance of Resistance
Resistance is essential to getting a good work out.
The heavier the resistance, the more the muscle strength used to push the pedals.
Also, increasing resistance will take your heart rate up a notch because you are exerting more effort.
Muscle strength and stamina + heart strength and stamina is THE combo for great fitness!
Flywheel
A flywheel is just a fancy term for a mechanical disc that is connected to the pedals on your elliptical (or more commonly seen in stationary spin bikes) and allows the rotational movement.
The flywheel is metal and so placing a magnet near it will increase the tension or “drag” as you pedal, therefore creating more resistance to challenge you through the workout.
Incline
It is my opinion that the next most important features on an elliptical is the availability of incline settings.
A higher step tends to target more of the glutes and hamstrings. Having an incline setting available makes it easier to vary your workouts and challenge yourself to new heights (pun intended).
Pricepoint
That said, with the ellipticals under $500, it’s a hard feature to find.
With higher priced or commercial ellipticals you’d see at the gym, the incline is an automated feature that requires more high tech parts and technology programming.
The ellipticals reviewed will be more similar to a stationary bike.
You can definitely get a good workout by adding resistance and pushing your own pace.
Pre-programmed Workout Programs
Cardio workout program features are a game changer.
When a lot of people think about cardio machines they immediately think of steady state cardio – i.e. endless boring hours per week spent atop your cardio equipment keeping exactly the same pace for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time.
If you are anything like me – when you think about the same old, same old cardio time – you’re like, “I’d rather clean toilets at the nearest gas station.” – But that doesn’t have to be the case.
Numbers of Programs
A lot of cardio equipment and elliptical machines come pre-packed with multiple features, challenging programs to increase your fitness level and your engagement in the full body workout.
I’d recommend choosing an elliptical one one that has features that fit this criteria.
Even if you don’t use it all the time and enjoy steady state cardio, it’s a nice option to kick it up when you need a little more heart rate and calorie burn.
How Long on Elliptical?
If you are wondering how long to stay on the elliptical for a workout, my best advice is to start small and build based on your ability and fitness level.
In general for steady state cardio (keeping your heart rate at about 60% its maximum).
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended to start with 15 minutes as a beginner and work your way to 30 minutes or more over time so you don’t over-do it, or injure yourself.
Transport Wheels for Your Convenience
Transportation wheels make it easier to tow around your elliptical — whether you need to change the scenery for your workout and store it away for a family get together.
The transportation wheels are a lifesaver should you need to move the elliptical.
While the home elliptical trainers aren’t too heavy anyhow — you probably won’t want to break it down and put it together every time or try to macho-man, heave it around your home.
Switching it up
While you and I both like to watch the Bachelor during workouts, others in your home might not love the living room to double as a cardio floor 24/7 for 365.
You know what I’m saying?
Be kind to others and your home aesthetic.
Get a transportable elliptical with wheels.
Lucky for you, that’s pretty much par for the course on the ellipticals we’ll look at here.
Stride Length
Stride length basically has to do with your height and how long of a step you will take with each step on the elliptical.
The average stride length on ellipticals is about an 18 inch stride length. Going below 16 inch stride length is not recommended for anyone.
If you are taller than 5’8”, it’s ideal to seek out a 20 inch stride length or more, but an 18 inch stride length won’t kill ya.
Secondary Features are a Luxury
A few other niceties for ellipticals to have which might tip your scale for best elliptical machine at home are:
Pulse rate monitors to track your heart rate through your workout
An LCD display screen with LED console that lights up your time on the machine, distance you’ve pedaled, your heart rate, and calories burned.
A water bottle holder to have your hydration at the ready.
A tablet holder is also clutch.
Nice To Have
Whether you want to watch shows or view your online cardio workout program, it’s nice for the elliptical to have a tablet holder perched on the LCD console so your devices can rest there while you sweat it out.
Why Buy an Elliptical?
Convenience
Buy an elliptical to increase your chances and opportunities to keep your cardio routine going — no matter what your schedule and life throw at you.
There is always time to get in a good workout. Having cardio equipment at home makes it that much easier!
Also if your gym is still closed or you are worried about the current global pandemic, having some equipment at home to stay in shape is super handy. For me, it really helps “burn some of the crazy off.” You know what I mean?
Low-Impact Workouts
Ellipticals are also a great option to give yourself a rest from pounding the pavement outside your house.
While you can go running at no cost, ellipticals are a nice option to give your body a break. They are low-impact. Your joints will thank you.
On your “off days” from other workouts, you’ll be glad to have the option to still be active.
Stepping Out
If you’re still wondering which is the best elliptical machine under 500 to purchase, here are my main recommendations:
Best Home Elliptical
Best Portable Elliptical
Top Pick
The Top Pick for elliptical under 500 goes to the Ancheer Magnetic Elliptical Trainer.
It is a tried and true machine amongst avid worker-outers.
A shorter stride on this guy, but overall a quality and robust machine in combination with the Qiber app workouts.
Best Value
The Best Value elliptical under 500 option is the Xterra Fitness FS1.5 Elliptical Machine Trainer.
You will get the bare minimum requirements for a home elliptical — as in the machine works exactly how it should.
No frills, but you will be able to get your cardio on.
Editor’s Choice
The Editor’s Choice for elliptical under 500 is the Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine. The price was previously under $500 but have increased a little over the years.
It will definitely check all the boxes for needs, desires, price range, and goals with an elliptical.
It is the highest priced elliptical here being a little over 500. However, it will suit all body types and heights and workout goals, while fitting well in your home and offering a sleek look to exercise equipment.
Nonetheless, if you’d rather read and do your own research about equipment under $500 (I can appreciate the due diligence), check out these articles to take a deeper dive:
- Best Manual Treadmills
- Best Treadmill Under 500
- Best Vertical Climber
- Best Rowers Under $500
- Best Compact Home Gyms
Let’s keep the conversation going…
If you’d like to chat more about the elliptical machines, other fitness equipment, and workouts, I’d love to hear from you.
Have a good workout!
