Here at Garage Gym Reviews, our team has tested countless pieces of fitness equipment, including dozens of the best ellipticals. We spend plenty of time using each elliptical to understand precisely what sort of workout experience it provides and what it’s capable of.
However, our testers aren’t simply taking these machines for a quick spin to see how they feel. We carefully analyze every aspect of the elliptical, assessing its construction, portability, resistance profile, ergonomics, and more. This helps us calculate an unbiased review score based on our objective testing methodology, allowing us to recommend the best ellipticals to those looking to upgrade their home gym.
Our team of expert testers, including endurance athletes, CrossFit enthusiasts, and an Olympian, has tested more than 25 of the most popular ellipticals on the market. Last year, we helped over 1,300 people find their ideal elliptical, and we’re here to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Our Values
To provide an accurate review, we rely on our team’s expertise. Our testers and editorial staff have decades of experience in the health and fitness industry, and we’re a team made of certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, registered dietitians, gym owners, and more.
We also consult with experts outside the Garage Gym Reviews team, including athletes, professional strength coaches, medical professionals, and others, always ensuring we provide up-to-date recommendations that align with current industry standards.
Our Process
Our testing process is meant to replicate the exact experience someone would have when ordering an elliptical for their home, including the purchasing process, delivery, assembly, and long-term use. We test as many ellipticals as we can get our hands on, and we continually test the latest models.
After spending time with each elliptical, we use our comprehensive methodology to rate the product, assigning a score of 1 (well below average) to 5 (exceptionally good) to 12 different testing categories.
We use these 12 scores to calculate an average, which becomes our final rating for each product. When writing our elliptical buying guides, we try to include only products that have scored well above average. Our team regularly reviews these guides, adding and removing products as needed to ensure our recommendations remain up to date.
Additionally, we compare each elliptical to the average elliptical we’ve tested. The table below shows the average values of each elliptical we’ve tested for the most important categories.
| Category | Average Elliptical We Test |
| Price | $1,299.00 |
| Product Weight | 179 lbs |
| Flywheel Weight | 19 lbs |
| Dimensions | 62″ L x 27″ W x 67.5″ H |
| Weight Capacity | 330 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years |
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Elliptical Performance Testing
Scoring an elliptical isn’t as simple as using it for a few minutes and sharing our thoughts. Here’s a detailed look at the individual categories we use, as well as what we need to see to assign a score of 3 out of 5 or higher.
Footprint and Portability
This category is based on how much floor space an elliptical takes up and how easy it is to move around. We know that many home gym owners work with limited space, so our footprint and portability score considers total weight, foldability, transport wheels, whether an elliptical needs to be plugged into a wall, and more.
To earn at least 3 out of 5 stars, one or two people should be able to easily move the machine around if needed, though it may be somewhat large and heavy. Higher scores are given to those that are very light and easy to move, even by yourself.
Durability
While we spend as much time as we can using each elliptical, we know that many owners will regularly use them for years. As such, we do our best to assess the durability, which reflects how long we think the machine will last.
To get a 3 out of 5, we need to see little to no shifting during the workout, a weight capacity of at least 275 pounds, and a 16- to 20-pound flywheel. An elliptical can receive higher durability scores if it has a higher weight capacity, experiences no shaking, and feels like a commercial-grade machine.
Customizations
For customizations, we look at how many settings and adjustments are offered. To get a 3-out-of-5 rating, we want to see at least 12 levels of resistance.
Higher scores are given to ellipticals with more customization options, such as incline and decline settings or adjustable pedal settings.
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Adjustability and Ergonomics
For adjustability and ergonomics, we’re rating an elliptical on how comfortable it is to use. To get a 3 out of 5 or higher, an elliptical should have both fixed and moving handlebars, oversized pedals that can fit most feet, a stride length of 18 to 20 inches, and soft grips on the aforementioned handles.
Some of the best ellipticals with incline settings allow you to adjust the angle for a steeper climb, which can provide an even greater challenge while boosting the adjustability score.
Tech Capabilities
Since ellipticals are available at a variety of price points, tech capabilities are where higher-end machines really shine. We look for features such as Bluetooth heart rate monitoring, touchscreens, Wi-Fi-enabled consoles, built-in speakers, streaming classes, and more.
To earn a 3-out-of-5 score, we want to see a basic screen that shows your workout stats, heart rate monitoring via contact sensors, and some sort of workout animation, even if it’s just bars that reflect resistance levels. The more tech features an elliptical has, the higher its tech capabilities score will be.
Conveniences
Conveniences are nice-to-have, but not exactly “necessary” features. This category looks for upgrades such as water bottle holders, phone/tablet holders, adjustable cooling fans, or additional safety features.
To earn an average score of 3 out of 5, we look for, at least, one water bottle holder, a media shelf for viewing (not just holding) your phone, a safety stop, and an elliptical that’s not loud enough to be disruptive. Higher scores are awarded to ellipticals with even better available upgrades.
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Dynamic Programming
Most ellipticals have at least a few built-in workouts you can follow, though the quantity and quality can vary greatly.
To get a 3-out-of-5-star rating, ellipticals should have a handful of built-in workouts that can be easily started with just a few button pushes.
Ellipticals earn higher ratings if they have modalities like streamable video classes or a large library of built-in, preset programs.
Value
For the value, we’re looking at what you’re getting for your money. This doesn’t simply look at the total cost, but considers whether we think the price makes sense for what you’re getting.
To earn a 3 out of 5, we think an elliptical is fairly priced, but you’re not getting any above-average features for the price point. Higher scores are given to ellipticals that offer features well beyond what we’d expect to see at a given price.
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Customer Experience Testing
In addition to testing the features, we also look at the customer experience. In other words, we want to help our readers understand what they can expect from the ordering process, shipping, customer service, and more.
Delivery and Setup
Since ellipticals can be pretty bulky, our delivery and setup score considers what’s involved in getting the elliptical inside your home or garage.
To get at least 3 out of 5 stars, we want to see threshold delivery—where the company drops it at your doorstep (not at the end of your driveway on a pallet)—and for two people to be able to build the elliptical in no more than two hours.
For higher scores, we consider additional factors such as free shipping, optional assembly services, and any other noteworthy things we encounter in our testing.
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Financing, Warranty, and Returns
For this category, we assign 3-out-of-5-star ratings to ellipticals that meet the industry standard for financing, warranty, and return policies.
This means a company should offer 0% financing to qualified buyers, warranties should be at least three years, and we want to see at least a 30-day return policy, though you may have to pay for return shipping.
Some companies offer lifetime warranties or free return shipping, which earns them higher scores.
Customer Service
We also request that our testers reach out to customer service departments, asking a few questions we’d expect a typical buyer to have. We assess how pleasant and helpful the interaction is, as well as how easy it is to reach a company.
An average 3-out-of-5-star rating is given to companies that can be reached via phone, email, or contact form with generally helpful support. Higher scores are awarded to companies that offer exceptional service or features such as live chat support on their websites.
Customer Reviews
This number is taken directly from real customer reviews. We look at the average score on the company website as well as third-party retailers like Amazon, when applicable.
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Overall Score
After assigning a score to each individual category, we’re able to calculate a final product score by taking an average of all the ratings, as shown in the sample ratings chart below.
