Top 5 Best Ellipticals Under $1000 for Home Gym

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Are you looking for a versatile and budget elliptical machine for under $1000? If yes, then you are in the right place.

Choosing an affordable elliptical machine among the multitudes thriving in the market will never be a trivial task. So you should make sure you list your priorities and research well before making your purchase.

This review presents a comparison of the top 5 budget elliptical machines for under $1000 to ease your shopping process greatly.

What Are the Best Ellipticals Under $1000?

How to Choose the Best Ellipticals Under $1000

There are quite a large number of ellipticals thriving in the market. With this, it is easy for anyone to get fussed up while searching for the most suitable one. Does the statement mimic your situation?

If yes, then don’t worry; we are here to help! Just ponder over the following points to decide on the model that fits you the best.

#1. Design

The main component of an elliptical is two large pedals and four handles working in conjunction with the flywheel.

The flywheel’s quality, size, and weight decide the level of comfort and the noise associated with the movement.

Generally, the greater the weight of the flywheel, the smoother the operation will be. Other sets of design factors to be considered are the size and ease of transportation.

These elements are particularly essential if you plan to fit the machine in a relatively compact area and wish to relocate it quite often.

Additionally, when it comes to design, you can even opt to choose an elliptical that offers you a provision to tailor-set the seat and handle positions, just as in the case of Teeter FreeStep.

#2. Stride Length

Stride length is an essential factor to be considered while choosing an elliptical as it directly impacts the peddling comfort and the amplitude of your leg movement.

Long stride length ensures maximum stretching of legs, while a short one means restricted, often strained, movements.

In fact, the desired stride length of your elliptical heavily relies on your height. In general, if you measure beyond 6’, then you can consider going for an elliptical with a 22″ stride length, while an 18-inch stride elliptical would suffice if your height is average (5′ – 6′).

However, if you are looking for a fast ‘running’ like experience and share this machine with your family members, then you can consider choosing an elliptical machine with an adjustable stride length.

Your HeightIdeal Elliptical Stride Length
Under 5’14"-16"
5’-5’516"-18"
5’5-6’18"-20"
6’ and up20"-22"

#3. Resistance

The greater the resistance offered, the higher the effort required. That is, as the resistance increases, you will be required to gear up the intensity of your workout, which in turn aggravates the rate of calorie burn.

In fact, it is necessary to change the resistance levels as you progress along your fitness chart to overcome the fitness plateau.

So, the more the number of resistance levels offered, the better the elliptical machine. Nonetheless, it is also vital to check out the mode in which the resistance can be changed.

Frankly speaking, automatic electronic adjustment control ellipticals working on the principle of magnetic resistance are preferable over those that require manual adjustment.

Because, in the former machine, you can change the resistance on the go smoothly while the latter ones interrupt your workout schedule.

#4. Incline

Inclination, similar to resistance, is a feature that directly influences the intensity of your workout. The higher the degree of inclination, the greater the resistance offered.

This gradient effect forces you to exert more force and spend more energy, thereby leading to greater fitness.

Having understood, it must now be clear that you should look for the elliptical that offers a wide range of inclination levels.

Nevertheless, even in this case, automatic maneuvering systems gain preference over the manual ones.

Why? Because controlling the ramp through a click or knob while you perform is far more convenient than gearing it up with hands!

#5. Control Module

The ease with which you can control your elliptical is an important factor that must be paid attention to. Generally, the higher the cost, the easier and more intuitive the controls will be.

Most of the time, the ellipticals falling within $1000 offer a combined console wherein some of the features are controlled manually while the others can be operated at the fingertips.

Smoother is the transition, and better will be elliptical. Thus, it is better to choose a machine that offers more electronic controls than manual adjustments.

Actually, all the control parameters like degree or percentage of inclination, resistance, speed, calories burnt, distance, and step count are usually displayed on an LCD panel provided as a built-in feature.

#6. Secondary Features

Additional add-ons always increase the level of comfort.

Some of the mid-range ellipticals’ attractive secondary features that make you feel worthy of every penny spent include built-in speakers, speed cooling fans, USB charging ports, and placeholders for water bottles and tablets.

While you might overlook a few of these hardware elements, you can never look down on certain software supplements like customizable goal settings and preloaded workout programs dealing with heart rate, calorie burn, and fitness tests.

Besides, you might even look for a machine that offers Bluetooth connectivity to sync your data with the commonly used nutrition apps run over Android or iOS sets.

Top 5 Best Budget-Friendly Elliptical Machines Under $1000

#1. Schwinn 470 Affordable Elliptical Machine

Schwinn Fitness 470 Elliptical

Schwinn 470 is a front-drive elliptical with a stride length of 20″ and about 164 pounds. It offers smooth and efficient operation as it comprises a high-inertia motor, 17lb flywheel, and 3-speed fan.

Schwinn 470 imbibes 25 levels of resistance and 29 different workout programs, including heart rate controls and fitness tests.

The elliptical is highly user-friendly as it is equipped with a dual-track LCD interface and a set of quick keys that facilitate on-the-fly setting of motorized incline and work-out intensity.

Besides, it even offers you a provision to get integrated with mobile apps like RunSocial, MyFitnessPal, and Schwinn’s free Trainer 2 via Bluetooth.

Pros

  • Compact size, efficient operation
  • User-friendly with on-the-fly adjustments
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Run smoothly and silently

Cons

  • Noisy operation
  • Inaccurate console metrics
  • It May be difficult to assembly
  • Not good for tall people

#2. Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer

Nautilus E614 Elliptical Trainer (Discontinued)

Nautilus E614 is a 20″ stride length front-drive elliptical weighing around 167 pounds. It offers 20 diverse levels of resistance to vary the intensity level of your workouts.

There are 6 different positions of incline that can be set in through manual adjustment. It is characterized by a perimeter-weighted flywheel to ensure a smooth transition and high momentum.

Nautilus E614 is preloaded with 22 programs, including dealing with fat burn, heart rate controls, and fitness tests.

Nautilus E614 is featured by a dual-track LCD panel, in-built MP3 speakers, 3-speed cooling fan, a media tray, and a USB port that can work in conjunction with apps like Nautilus Trainer 2 and Goal Track.

Pros

  • Sturdy design
  • Almost noise-free
  • Smooth operation

Cons

  • LCD is not backlit
  • Manual ramp adjustment

#3. Teeter FreeStep

Teeter FreeStep LT1 - Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical (LT1)

Teeter FreeStep is an elliptical featured by tunable levels of magnetic brake resistance. This heavy-duty, quiet-operating elliptical machine suits the best if you aim at performing stress-free, medium-intensity, zero-impact cardiovascular workouts.

This transport-friendly cross-trainer weighs around 110 lbs and is equipped with a non-programmable LCD console to aid you in tracking your workout parameters like time, speed, and calories burnt.

In Teeter FreeStep, you can adjust the seat position into 3 different reclined positions to best suit your height.

The level of comfort can further be enhanced by fine-tuning the positions of its multi-grip handles.

Pros

  • Tunable design features
  • Whisper quiet functionality
  • Imparts physiotherapy kind of action

Cons

  • Lacks online connectivity
  • Does not offer preloaded workout programs

#4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Machine w/ Tablet

SF-E3865 is a 20″ stride elliptical manufactured by Sunny Health and Fitness. It performs smoothly with the help of a 44lb flywheel and offers 16 varied levels of resistance.

It is preloaded with 12 workout programs and offers 7 various modes to bring you into shape! Front-mounted transportation wheels complemented by large rear handles make this 144lbs elliptical machine transport-friendly.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3865 potentially tracks your time, rpm, speed, etc., and displays them on an LCD screen.

It even offers extra spaces to keep your water bottle and mobile device in place while you shed those extra calories.

Pros

  • Easily portable
  • Smooth, efficient operation
  • The multitude of workout programs
  • Super quiet
  • Solid & stable
  • Good arm motion and a pretty good leg stride

Cons

  • Comparatively lower media offerings
  • Lacks the feature of inclination adjustment
  • Doesn’t fold up
  • Bluetooth unavailable, no wireless connections

#5. Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Elliptical

Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE Elliptical Trainer Exercise Machine for Home

Horizon Fitness 7.0 AE is an elliptical machine that comes 20″ stride length and features a 23lb flywheel, cooling fan, and built-in speakers. Its weight is 194lbs, but it can bear a maximum user weight of 325 lbs.

It offers 20 different levels of resistance and motorized inclines. This heavy-duty elliptical has oversized pedals and is the best if you measure beyond 6 feet.

Horizon 7.0 AE provides a user-friendly interface to facilitate the act of changing the controls right while performing.

The machine imbibes numerous pre-programmed workout packages dealing with fat burn and heart rate.

Furthermore, this elliptical can easily connect with fitness applications like AFG and MyFitnessPal, either via Bluetooth or USB port.

Pros

  • Heavy, sturdy frame
  • Noise-free operation
  • Good connectivity

Cons

  • Comparatively smaller display
  • Relatively higher cost

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