9 Best Compact Ellipticals For Small Spaces (Review & Best Picks)
When it comes to elliptical machines, you want one that's ideal for cardio, strength and stamina building, and won't clutter up your space. But we all know that choosing one of the best compact ellipticals for small spaces is easier said than done, right?
With more fitness brands emerging, you have more options than before. But here's where it gets complicated - each brand claims to be better than the other. So, choosing the "best" elliptical trainer is not exactly easy.
If you are looking for the best compact elliptical on the shelves, you don't have to hassle yourself.
I've done all the hard work for you, bringing you the nine best compact ellipticals for small spaces.
If you're in a hurry and can't read the full review, check out the comparison table and best pick box below.
Model | Machine Weight | Stride Size | Resistance | Weight Capacity | Dimension | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Best Low-Budget | 60.8 lb | 11'' | 8 | 220 lb | 28''L x 17''W x 57''H | ||
Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical | 100 lb | 18'' | 16 | 300 lb | 53.8" L x 24" W x 62.5" H | ||
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Best for Beginners | 35 lb | 30'' | None | 220 lb | 25L x 19W x 57H | ||
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Underdesk | 25 lb | 8'' | 7 | 220 lb | 24L x 19W x 11H | ||
Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced Best Overall | 104.8 lb | 15.5'' | 16 | 330 lb | 49.4L x 23.4W x 63.4H | ||
Doufit magnetic Elliptical Machine | 58.4 lb | 12'' | 8 | 250 lb | 36″L x 20″W x 62″H | ||
Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper | 98 lb | n/a | 8 | 250 lb | 42''L x 24''W x 62''H | ||
EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine | 63 lb | 11" | 8 | 220 lb | 41''L x 26''W x 59.5''H | ||
ANCHEER Elliptical Machine | 79 lb | 11 | 8 | 350lbs |
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And based on our research, we've picked the 3 best ellipticals for small spaces that fit your specific needs.
3 best ellipticals for small spaces quick overview
Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical
Overall Rating: 4.1
Summary
With a high resistance of 16 and a weight capacity of 330 lb, this elliptical is designed for a variety of users. It also comes with 24 preset programs that makes working versatile and easy. It's also highly durable as it comes with a heavy-duty frame. Ticks all the right boxes.
Pros
Cons
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer
Overall Rating: 4.0
Summary
For less than $160, it is one of the best low-budget elliptical machines you can get on the market. Comes with anti-slip handlebars and footpads for a comfortable workout. Has an adjustable resistance of 8, stride length of 11 and weighs just 61 lb. For less than $160, it's a steal.
Pros
Cons
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Air Walk Trainer Elliptical
Overall Rating: 4.1
Summary
With a stride length of 30'', it makes it easy for users new to elliptical machines to move their legs back and forth with ease. Weighing 37 lb, it's very compact and can fold into two. Offers little resistance while exercising, making it easy for beginners to use.
Pros
Cons
Best Compact Ellipticals For Small Spaces Full Review
The first on our best compact ellipticals for spaces list is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer. This machine is a favorite for many fitness experts and enthusiasts for many reasons. This gym machine is brilliantly designed with anti-slip handlebars and footpads for a comfortable workout.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer comes with a digital monitor that helps users track their heart rate while exercising. It is super compact and can be used in small spaces in the house, such as corners.
This gym machine comes with adjustable resistance, data screen, heart rate monitor, two padded handlebars, two pedals (equipped with a non-slip grip that keeps you in place while exercising), and an LCD screen (that displays all the information you need (including how far you've gone, the number of calories you've burned and your current speed).
It has a maximum weight limit of 220 lb and weighs just 61 lb, making it easy to move without needing extra hands. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine Cross Trainer is the perfect gym machine for you if you want a full-body workout without spending hundreds of dollars on an elliptical.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
The Sunny Magnetic Elliptical Trainer is worth buying considering the many benefits the machine offers for such a great price. I highly recommend this gym machine if you want a full-body workout without burning a hole through your wallet.
The Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer is one of the market's hottest machines. Thanks to its compact design (it weighs just 100 lb), this machine is perfect for use in small spaces. It is the most affordable compact elliptical from Schwinn and comes with some great features that will make working out a breeze for you.
This gym machine is especially great for starters, so if you are new to elliptical machines, you may want to try out the Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer.
The machine offers 16 different resistance levels, making it ideal for beginners, intermediates and professionals. The Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer comes with a streamlined console that gives users information such as time spent, amount of calories burned, heart rate, distance, and speed.
The machine's innovative design features a handy media shelf in the console's middle, which allows users to place their phones or tablets on the machine while working out.
The Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer machine is compatible with the RunSocial App, allowing users to explore 27 different routes in 19 world locations while tracking pace and distance.
The Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer is a front-drive machine, so the flywheel is located in front of the pedals. The machine is also designed with moving and stationary armbars.
Honestly, I think this is an excellent innovation because when you need to rest your arms while working out, these stationary arm bars will do the trick. In that aspect, the Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer is a winner for me.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
The Schwinn 411 Elliptical Trainer is without doubt one of the best compact ellipticals for small spaces you can buy if you want a machine that will give you value for your money. It is super compact, easy to use, and offers a pretty good full-body workout.
The Sunny Air Walk Trainer is another Sunny Health and Fitness elliptical that made our best compact ellipticals for small spaces list. It is highly versatile, efficient, and affordable. But what I find the most fascinating about this gym machine is the ease of use.
The machine is ingeniously designed to support users' needs regardless of their fitness level. The Sunny Air Walk Trainer is built to help you improve cardiovascular fitness. It comes with both resistance and incline, which are excellent for exercising both the upper and lower body, thus giving you a full-body workout.
If you are looking to tone your muscles, burn some calories or improve stamina, the Sunny Air Walker Trainer fits the bill. Many users swear that using this elliptical trainer regularly results in stronger bones and may prevent osteoporosis. (Now, that's awesome!)
The Sunny Air Walker Trainer weighs just 37lb, making it super light and easy to move around. It has a maximum weight capacity of 220 lb, which is quite impressive for a lightweight machine.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
Undoubtedly, the Sunny Air Walk Trainer ticks all the right boxes for most users, especially beginners. However, the absence of resistance setting and the machine's lightweight may be a problem for pros.
Overall, this gym machine is ideal for people who are new to elliptical trainers or intermediate users. However, it may not be suitable for experts. I love that this machine comes with both resistance and incline. For me, the Sunny Air Walk Trainer is worth considering if you want value for your bucks.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical is another hotshot in the fitness community. Although, this gym machine is a light-capacity elliptical trainer, it is ideal for both seated and standing workout sessions.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical measures 25.2''L x 18''W x 10.6''H and weighs 25.4 lb.
This machine has 7 inches (17.7 cm) stride length and supports users who weigh up to 220 lb. It also comes with a smooth belt-drive system that ensures there's minimal noise whenever you're working out. With its non-slip foot pedal, you're also sure your feet are steady while exercising.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Underdesk Elliptical comes with eight resistance levels and features a fitness meter that helps you keep track of time, speed, distance, and calories.
You get a one-year warranty on the frame and 180 days warranty on parts. This isn't exactly the best warranty deal, but considering the excellent quality of this machine, you most likely won't be needing it.
The best part is that this machine comes fully assembled and is highly portable. And when not in use, you can use its built-in handle to lift and move it for storage.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
This Sunny Health & Fitness elliptical is a durable and efficient under-desk elliptical. It comes with eight resistance levels and a set of large pedals with silicone wheels. It's quiet belt drive makes it one of the quietest elliptical on the market. This machine is ideal for you if you want to burn some calories or tone your muscles while sitting or working at a desk.
The Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical is in a class of its own. This gym machine offers 15.5 inches in stride length, which is one of the longest stride length on this list. It comes with 16 levels of resistance and 24 preset programs to make working out easier for you.
The Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical feature a device holder that can help you integrate your favorite workout video or song into your routine. The fixed and stationary handlebars come with pulse sensors that monitor your heart rate during exercise.
One of the things I love about this machine is that it has an accessories tray where you can store your items while working out. Feeling thirsty during your routine? You can quickly grab a bottle of water from the bottle holder designed with the machine. It comes with a non-slip foot pedal to keep your feet in place during exercise and a performance monitor to track your fitness journey and activities.
Once assembled, the Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical measures 49.4''L x 23.4''W x 63.4''H and weighs 104.8 lb.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
This machine is perfect if you want more stride length and more resistance levels. With its preset exercise programs, working out is more comfortable and convenient for many users. One of the best compact ellipticals for small spaces on the shelves, the Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical is for you if you're up for an intense workout experience.
The Doufit Magnetic Elliptical Machine is probably one of the most affordable machines on this list. The machine features a manual magnetic resistance system but does not come with an incline system.
When assembled, the machine measures 36″L x 20″W x 62″H and weighs 58.4 lb (26.5 kg). Users who weigh up to 250 lb (113 kg) can conveniently use this machine. The Doufit Magnetic Elliptical Machine offers users an impressive 12 inches (30 cm) stride length, which is more than the length most elliptical trainers offer.
This machine comes with an exercise meter to help users tell the speed, pulse, goals, scan, distance, time, and calories. It also comes with a device holder and a bottle holder to make working out more comfortable and convenient.
I love that the Doufit Magnetic Elliptical Machine comes with a frame made of steel tubing. This makes it an exceptionally sturdy machine worth every cent (that's excellent value for your money). While this Doufit elliptical trainer is not foldable, it is portable enough to fit into small spaces, so you don't have to worry about it taking up too much space.
Due to its small size, the machine only offers a stride of 12″ (30 cm). This machine is not ideal for users taller than 5'9″ (175 cm).
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
if you want an elliptical trainer to offer you light to medium-intensity muscle toning, cardio workout, strength training, or weight loss. In that case, the Doufit Magnetic Elliptical Machine is just right for you. With an impressive weight capacity of 250 lb, a manual magnetic resistance system with eight levels of difficulty, a set of large pedals, and a console can help you track pulse, calories, speed, total distance, and time, this machine is a worthy buy.
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer is a favorite for many fitness experts and enthusiasts. If you are looking for a great elliptical trainer, experts will most likely recommend this elliptical to you.
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer gives you the power of two - an elliptical trainer and a stepper all-in-one fitness machine - making it one of the best compact ellipticals for small spaces you can buy. This is why its pedaling motion is slightly different from other elliptical trainers out there. This machine is excellent for getting a full-body, low-impact workout.
When fully assembled, the Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer measures 42L x 24W x 62H inches (107L x 61W x 157H cm) and weighs 88 lbs (40 kg). Like most elliptical trainers, it can support users who weigh as much as 250 lbs (113 kg), so it's not exactly the best machine for heavier users. It also comes with a belt drive system for smooth and quiet operation during use.
This machine is built with pretty sturdy construction - the frame is made from solid steel, which enhances its durability during use. The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer comes with a manual magnetic system with eight resistance levels.
It also features a console that tracks pulse, calories, speed, RPM, odometer, distance, and time. It comes with both fixed and moving handlebars that are great for exercising the upper body.
On the downside, this machine doesn't come with an incline system. So, you can't play around with your resistance levels. For accessories, this machine only comes with a tablet holder.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer gives you the best of both worlds - an elliptical trainer and a stepper. This machine allows you to perform both standing and seated exercises. This gym machine has got you covered whether you are looking for a light to medium intense cardio exercise or muscle toning.
According to manufacturers, the Efitment elliptical machine is a great deal if you want an affordable gym machine. But, is it that great? I'll tell you all you need to know about the eighth machine on our best compact ellipticals for small spaces list.
This machine is very compact, but its portability only offers users an 11-inches stride length (which is pretty short). The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer comes with front-transportation wheels, making it easy to move the machine from one point to the other.
It comes with eight magnetic resistance system levels and includes an LCD that tracks scan and pulse rate, calories burned, distance, speed, and time. You can easily monitor your pulse rate with the pulse monitor fixed to the handlebars.
The EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer features oversized non-slip pedals, making it suitable for a wide range of foot sizes.
The machine can support users who weigh up to 220 lb (99.8 kg), and when assembled, the dimensions are 41''L x 26''W x 59.5''H. This gym machine also comes with a phone/tablet holder, which allows you to watch videos or exercise tutorials while working out.
Overall, this machine is lightweight as it weighs only 63 lb, so you can conveniently move your EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer without help.
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
Overall, the EFITMENT Magnetic Elliptical Machine Trainer is an excellent choice if you are big on affordability. While the machine does require improvements in more areas than one, it is worth considering if you want a gym machine that will last longer.
In most cases, the better an elliptical machine, the more expensive it is. I used to think that was true until I came across the Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer. The Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer gives you optimal workout experiences while maximizing comfort and efficiency, all at an affordable price.
This machine is designed to offer users all the features and tools they need to spruce up their workout routines with ease. It is highly portable, so working out in small spaces with this elliptical is pretty straightforward.
With a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds, this machine provides excellent support and stability during exercise. It is also effortless to use, so it may be the right machine for you if you are new to elliptical trainers.
When assembled, the Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer's dimensions are 40.9''L x 18.9''W x 63''H, weighing approximately 79 lb. This machine comes with fixed and mobile handlebars with a pulse sensor, large pedals suitable for a broad range of foot sizes, a very detailed console, and a heavy-duty V-belt, which ensures that you make zero noise while exercising.
The Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer comes with a resistance adjustment system with eight different adjustable levels.
The Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer does not come with any workout programs. Also, its LCD monitor is not back-lit, making it difficult for some users to see if too much light reflects on the screen.
The phone holder overlaps with the monitor, so if you place your phone on the machine, you literally can't see the monitor. Oh - and it doesn't come with a water bottle (so, there's that too.)
Pros
Cons
Takeaway
The Ancheer Elliptical Machine Trainer is an impressive gym machine with many innovative features that most elliptical machines within its price range don't offer.
Final Thoughts
That's it! The 9 best compact ellipticals for small spaces you can have in your home gym!
Now you have to understand that every elliptical, even the very best, has one or two flaws. And that is why we combed through thousands of genuine customer reviews to get you the pros and cons of every elliptical that made this list.
Can't afford to pay through the nose but want an elliptical that's durable and gets the job done? The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-E905 is what you want. It's compact, light, easy to carry, and has adequate stride length and resistance.
If you are physically inactive and have never used an elliptical, the Sunny Health and Fitness Air Walk Elliptical is the perfect machine. It's designed for beginners to get their workout sessions into full swing with minimal effort. You can burn calories, shed weight, and even tone your muscles without too much exertion. Its ergonomic handlebars and abdominal cushion also make working out comfy.
In the Sunny Health and Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical, you've got everything people look for in an elliptical. Advanced features such as the preset programs, high weight capacity, excellent stride length, and high durability ensured this machine is the best overall.
If you've got a question for us, let us know in the comment section below.
