7 Best Compact Elliptical Machines in 2023 | Full Buying Guide and Reviews

What to Consider When Choosing Compact Elliptical Machines

Here are some factors to consider when looking for the best overall elliptical machine with compact dimensions.

While these factors can apply to any other piece of exercise equipment, they will help you choose the right elliptical trainer in particular and get the most out of every total body workout:

User Fitness Level

Physical fitness is more of a journey than a destination. Your exercise machines should match your fitness level and allow you to grow beyond it.

This means choosing the right machine for your level:

• If you’re starting slow or just need to meet your daily cardio needs, you can choose a LIGHTER, entry-level elliptical with fewer features that takes up less space or even folds out of the way.
• If you’re a more frequent user, however, you may want to invest in a HEAVIER-DUTY elliptical that has access to fitness apps like iFit, which will allow you to avail of adaptive workout programs.

Construction

Regardless of your budget, you should choose a sturdy elliptical with strong metal components. It should support your weight without becoming rickety or unstable.

You should also consider what kind of electronics are included. Does it come with an HD touchscreen? Are there integrated speakers? Are there heart-rate monitors embedded in the handles?

Since you’re likely working with a limited floor area, it’s also best to choose an elliptical with a COMPACT FOOTPRINT that doesn’t take up too much space and conveniently moves out of the way.

Levels of Resistance

Like rowing machines, treadmills, and other cardio machines, a good compact elliptical offers MULTIPLE LEVELS of magnetic resistance, allowing for more relaxed or intense movements.

The higher your model goes up in price, the more resistance it offers. The more you’ll be able to challenge yourself and feel like you’re climbing up a mountain every workout session.

Stride Length

The elliptical motion is a hybrid between walking and cycling. This means that your knees shouldn’t bend too sharply on the upward motion or hyperextend on the downward motion.

Many models have an adjustable stride length that allows you to set how far your legs go in a single pedal. Most ellipticals, however, have a standard stride length that fits most users.

User Weight Capacity

Health is wealth, and losing weight is one of the main reasons why you should get an elliptical. Fortunately, compact elliptical trainers have a high maximum user weight.

While cheaper, lighter models often have a maximum weight capacity of 220 lbs for lower-intensity workouts, superior models can sustain 350-400 lb users for long periods.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Users who prioritize weight loss shouldn’t just look at the weight capacity of their machines. They should also look at its heart-rate monitoring and data-gathering abilities.

This will allow them to push themselves by elevating their heart rates, building their cardio endurance, and speeding up their metabolism.

Incline

The best ellipticals don’t just have varying resistant levels. They also offer multiple incline levels as well. This makes workouts even MORE CHALLENGING and pushes users beyond their current fitness standing.

If you’re investing in your fitness, consider ellipticals with adjustable incline levels for the best workout experience possible.

Power System

While the higher-end models are powered by your house’s electricity when plugged in, other ellipticals are entirely powered by your kinetic energy. Even their electronics only turn on when you start rolling.

The cheapest models have no electronics to run and are entirely powered by your motion.

Drive

Elliptical machines are divided into front and rear drive ellipticals. This determines where the flywheels are located. A compact elliptical is normally a front drive as it reduces the amount of space needed.

Floor Space

Compact ellipticals should be a fraction of the size of exercise bikes, treadmills, and even ordinary ellipticals. They should have a small footprint and can fit where you need them to.

Most of these ellipticals will come with transport wheels that make them easy to roll around and cart away when you need to use the floor for your bodyweight exercises or lifts.

Step-up Height

Another thing to consider is that you’ll need to step up off the ground and climb into position when using an elliptical. If you’re short, you’ll need to go for lower machines.

This means considering how high you have to step up and test the machine, if possible, to see if it’s easy for you to get on or off after a particularly taxing cardio workout.

Storage/Moveability

Space is a big consideration when choosing a compact elliptical. Fortunately, even the heavier-duty models are designed to eat up as little space as possible and should be easy to roll away with their transport wheels.

If space is a concern, you can choose a lower-profile elliptical that folds easily for storage purposes. It won’t hit the ceiling even with you on it and will allow you to lift it with minimal effort.

Flywheel

The flywheel is the system that spins as you pedal, creating your resistance. The MOST ADVANCED models offer silent magnetic resistance, while cheaper designs often create sloshing or grinding sounds.

If you want a more pleasant, quiet workout experience, it’s best to invest in heavier flywheels for a smoother experience. A 20-lb flywheel should give you the smoothest experience without being too heavy.

Preset Workout Programs

Higher-end models allow you to combine adjustable levels of resistance with workout programs built into your machine’s computer. All you need to do is press or tap a few buttons, and viola.

You now have a workout that changes in INTENSITY and SPEED without needing to press anything. You just need to focus on surviving your workout.

Warranty

Your machine is bound to wear down and need maintenance or repairs every few years. This is why you must choose a model that comes with a LONG WARRANTY PERIOD for its frame, labor, and electronics.

Make sure to read through the details of your machine to get the longest possible warranty coverage. The best brands offer 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor warranties.

Cost

Budget and price are some of the most limiting factors when it comes to buying exercise equipment. That said, you can find folding, portable ellipticals for less than $200.

Still, you get what you pay for when it comes to ellipticals. If health is a major priority and you see yourself spending hours on end on the machine, then INVEST in a higher-quality one.

While they can get expensive at almost $1500, their features and build quality make them worth every penny.

Customer Service

You shouldn’t just look at the top fitness machine brands because their machines are made to last and have all the possible features. You should also see if they’re receptive to your needs and concerns.

You should choose an elliptical that’s made by a company that CARES and wants to see you succeed at every stage of your journey, from installation to yearly maintenance.

Your chosen brand should be quick to respond to queries, willing and eager to serve, and able to replace defective parts or machines when required.

User Comfort and Other Features

An elliptical is useless if you can’t see yourself using it for long periods. This is why user comfort is so important. Higher-end machines have EVERYTHING, from a water bottle holder to Bluetooth connectivity.

The best ones even come with an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen or tablet holder that you can interact with directly when adjusting settings, viewing iFit classes, or even watching movies to keep your mind occupied.

You’re sure to have the most enjoyable workouts possible when you combine these add-ons with comfortable grips and wear the best shoes for elliptical trainers.

Compact Elliptical FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

This type of elliptical often has its own requirements and considerations separate from those of a traditional elliptical machine.

That’s why knowing all you can before buying a compact elliptical trainer is important.

Here are the answers to a few more important questions you may have when it comes to buying compound ellipticals:

Are Compact Ellipticals Better Compared to Regular Ellipticals?

Compact ellipticals outclass regular ellipticals when it comes to storage, mobility, portability, and transport. This is because they take up less floor area and are often shorter than traditional ellipticals in height.

Many compact ellipticals nowadays share the SAME FEATURES and technology as regular ellipticals, which means that even those without space issues may prefer a lighter compact elliptical.

Compact ellipticals are for you if you’re looking for similar features as those in regular ellipticals but need to save space or bring your machine with you when traveling.

Are Compact Ellipticals Bad for Your Knees?

Plenty of people hate performing cardio because of the joint pain that comes when their feet pound the ground. Compact ellipticals are perfect because they’re more gentle on the knees.

Compact ellipticals allow them to develop the skeletal muscle groups around their knees WITHOUT wearing them down, as the circular motion and pedal movement help protect a user’s joints.

As far as users with weak joints and knees are concerned, compact ellipticals are a great option that they should consider.

Does an Elliptical Machine Burn Belly Fat?

An elliptical machine is designed to help you lose weight and burn belly fat by INCREASING your cardiovascular activity and endurance. When used consistently, an elliptical can shave inches off your waistline.

That said, you must be willing to commit to LONGER or MORE INTENSE sessions, as ellipticals are lower intensity due to the type of motion they produce. You will need to focus more on HIIT workouts.

If you stick to your workout plan, train as often and as intensely as possible, and pair your workouts with a healthy diet, then your elliptical should get you shredded in no time.

Do Ellipticals Offer a Full-Body Workout?

While an elliptical trainer may look like a leg-only workout machine, you’ll learn that the swinging arm handles aren’t just a fun gimmick. They help tone your arms and upper body as well.

When used properly, an elliptical allows you to build your endurance and sculpt your shoulders, arms, hips, legs, glutes, calves, and every other muscle group in between.

If you push yourself, you can get the best full-body workout possible using an elliptical.

Are Compact Ellipticals Worth It?

While the best compact ellipticals on the market can cost a pretty penny, you can get a folding elliptical for an EXTREMELY CHEAP price, around $200 or less.

That said, you get what you pay for with a compact elliptical. If you’re looking for machines with ALL the bells, whistles, comfort, and connectivity features, you’ll need to spend over $1000.I can say from personal experience that spending on a higher-quality, durable elliptical is worth every penny when you see how much weight you lose.