For low-impact training needs, the best ellipticals can be excellent home gym additions thanks to their smooth, ergonomic operation and ability to get both your upper body and lower body moving in one fell swoop. That said, these exercise machines can have quite the footprint, leaving you with little room to operate around your space. The best compact ellipticals, on the other hand, shrink down the dimensions without sacrificing quality and exercise performance.
Using our fitness equipment testing methodology, our team of experts tested over 20 different space-saving ellipticals to curate this guide. In order to craft our findings, we focused on a plethora of different factors, including:
- Footprint and portability: Do the product dimensions justify a “compact” classification?
- Available programming: Does the elliptical machine offer workout modules to support engaging cardio workouts?
- Added conveniences: Does the machine include helpful add-ons like storage bins, media shelves, and water bottle holders?
- Value: Does the performance and quality justify the elliptical machine’s price tag?
The BarBend team has helped connect over 400,000 athletes with conditioning exercise equipment suitable for their needs and preferences. If you’re on the hunt for a compact elliptical for your training space, we’re confident that the following details can lend a helping hand in your search.
The 7 Best Compact Ellipticals of 2025
- Best Compact Elliptical Overall: NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer
- Best Compact Elliptical with a High Weight Capacity: Sole Fitness E25
- Best Compact Elliptical for Streaming: BowFlex Max Total 16
- Best Folding Compact Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902S
- Best Quiet Compact Elliptical: FitNation Flex Elliptical Trainer
- Best Budget Compact Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine
- Best Adjustable Compact Elliptical: NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
Best Compact Elliptical Overall: NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer
The FS10i features a 10-inch touchscreen monitor, and can serve as a stepper, elliptical, and treadmill by simply changing your natural movement.
Specs
- Price: $1,999
- Weight Capacity: 375lbs
- Stride Length: 32”
- Levels of Resistance: 26
- Product Dimensions: 58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H
Why We Like It
If you’re looking for a high-quality compact elliptical that can accommodate your personal stride, the NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer is tough to beat. Not only does this machine feature a max 32-inch stride length — well beyond the 16- to 20-inch industry standard — but the independent legs allow you to find the perfect gait for your step, as well. According to the brand, the FS10i is a “3-in-1 cross trainer” machine capable of supporting vertical climbs, elliptical-like gliding, and even running.
While this versatility can be great for HIIT workouts and mixing up your sessions now and again, our tester, a CrossFit Level-1 instructor, rates the ergonomics at 4 out of 5. “Switching between stride types mid-workout can be a bit of a challenge for beginners, but you do eventually get the hang of it.”
“Also, while I appreciate the longer strides and the ‘running’ aspect of this machine, I wouldn’t say it matches my treadmill experience perfectly,” they add. “After all, you’re still keeping your feet on the foot pedals at all times, so there’s less impact than what you’d feel while actually running.”
Like the best NordicTrack treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowing machines, the FS10i is compatible with the iFIT platform. This workout platform, aside from the 17,000 on-demand workouts, also gives you access to the brand’s SmartAdjust technology. Our tester rates this tech at 5 out of 5, stating, “I enjoy the fact that the machine toggles the adjustable resistance for you rather than you pausing your workouts to make any required changes. It allows me to focus more on my progress than worrying about what my settings are.”
However, you’ll need to sign up for the iFIT subscription if you want to take advantage of this feature. The service is available at $39 monthly, although multi-year agreements can give you a better price in the long run.
Read our full NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer Review.
Best Compact Elliptical with a High Weight Capacity: Sole Fitness E25
The E25 elliptical features an impressive 350-pound user weight capacity along with a range of built-in workout programs for more streamlined training. Plus, Sole covers this home gym machine with a lifetime warranty for the frame and flywheel, so there's little worry about future mishaps or wear and tear.
Specs
- Price: $1,199.99
- Weight Capacity: 350lbs
- Stride Length: 20”
- Levels of Resistance: 20
- Product Dimensions: 70″ L x 24″ W x 70″ H
Why We Like It
Larger athletes looking for a compact elliptical should opt for machines with durable frames and high weight capacities, similar to what you’d look for in the best treadmills for heavy people. The Sole E25 features a weight rating of 350 pounds, which is higher than other compact machines we’ve tested. Plus, we also appreciate the durable steel frame and impressive warranty coverage that protects your investment if things do go awry.
“This elliptical’s durability is on par with more expensive machines I’ve trialed in the past,” notes our tester, a certified personal trainer, who rates the E25 at 4.5 out of 5 for the category. “Getting this sturdy of a profile for less than $1,200 is quite the steal, in my opinion.”
However, we have found that assembling this rugged silhouette takes some doing. We rate the process at 3 out of 5 since the included instructions are hard to follow and feature multiple components in each step. “You’re essentially building multiple components at once, and the descriptions aren’t the greatest. I’d recommend clearing your afternoon if you’re taking on this setup on your own,” our tester adds.
The Sole E25 features a 7.5-inch backlit LCD screen loaded with nine available workout programs, two of which are customizable. While this may be underwhelming for those wanting a more immersive on-machine experience for their home workouts, we do appreciate that the E25 comes equipped with a tablet holder for DIY streaming setups. We also score the available tech at 4.3 out of 5 thanks to the Bluetooth speakers.
You also receive a free chest strap heart rate monitor for more informed data tracking. We’ve come to prefer this heart rate monitoring style over the traditional pulse grips as the data can be more accurate.
Another reason we recommend this compact elliptical is Sole’s impressive warranty coverage, which we rate at 5 out of 5. This bundle includes lifetime service for the frame and flywheel as well as 2-year support for parts and wear items, 1-year coverage for labor, and 90-day support for cosmetic items.
Read our full Sole Fitness E25 Review.
Best Compact Elliptical for Streaming: BowFlex Max Total 16
This state-of-the-art elliptical offers personalized workouts based on your current fitness level that adapt over time and features automatic adjustments to the 20 levels of magnetic resistance.
Specs
- Price: $2,499
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Stride Length: N/A
- Levels of Resistance: 20
- Product Dimensions: 49.3″ L x 30.8″ W x 65.7″ H
Best Folding Compact Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902S
The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-E902S features a compact frame that can fold up easily for convenient storage post-workout. This glider-like elliptical also features a listed stride length of 31.5 inches, which should be accommodating enough for both short and tall athletes.
Specs
- Price: $169.99
- Weight Capacity: 220lbs
- Stride Length: 31.5”
- Levels of Resistance: 0
- Product Dimensions: 27.2” L x 20.1” W x 56.7” H
Best Quiet Compact Elliptical: FitNation Flex Elliptical Trainer
The Flex Elliptical Trainer from FitNation takes up just 5.14 square feet of space yet offers an impressive eight various resistance levels. The magnetic flywheel also helps keep workouts quiet and peaceful, which can be ideal for athletes training in a shared space.
Specs
- Price: $249.99
- Weight Capacity: 260lbs
- Stride Length: 18”
- Levels of Resistance: 8
- Product Dimensions: 37″ L x 20″ W x 55.9″ H
Best Budget Compact Elliptical: Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine
This machine is both a strider and a climber. You can climb to a vertical height of nine inches and stride a horizontal distance of five inches. You can choose from eight levels of magnetic resistance, and track your heart rate on the grip monitors.
Specs
- Price: $399.99
- Weight Capacity: 260lbs
- Stride Length: 9” vertical, 5” horizontal
- Levels of Resistance: 8
- Product Dimensions: 44″ L x 25″ W x 64″ H
Best Adjustable Compact Elliptical: NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
This 3-in-1 profile from NordicTrack can mimic a treadmill, elliptical machine, and stepper thanks to its free-stride design. Plus, the X16 Elliptical is compatible with iFIT unlocking over 16,000 trainer-led workouts along with entertainment streaming possibilities and automatic trainer control.
Specs
- Price: $2,499
- Weight Capacity: 375lbs
- Stride Length: 32”
- Levels of Resistance: 26
- Product Dimensions: 58.5” L x 29.5” W x 74” H
How We Tested and Chose the Best Compact Ellipticals
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the best compact elliptical machines available today, we got hands-on with 23 different ellipticals from top brands, using a multi-point methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to determine our top picks. Below are some of the categories and components we looked at to come up with our findings.
- Product Dimensions: Ellipticals typically measure 72 inches long by 32 inches wide, which equates to 15 square feet, per our testing experience. So, we sought out the best ellipticals for small spaces featuring a smaller footprint, typically ranging from 3.30 square to 11.67 square feet.
- Foldability: Compact ellipticals are, well, compact by default, but some profiles can enhance their space-saving qualities with foldable frames for easier storage. We’ve included some picks offering such conveniences, which can be best for those looking to regain some floor space in-between their workouts each day.
- Portability: Portability and other storage features were also considered when compiling this round-up. We highlighted which profiles featured conveniences such as foldable frames and front transport wheels in our findings below.
- Durability and Weight Capacity: There’s no sense in purchasing machines that will break or become damaged after the first session. In our testing, we experienced a good range of weight capacities across compact ellipticals, with many of the top-performing profiles capable of supporting loads between 220 and 375 pounds. We also prioritized ellipticals for small spaces constructed from durable materials, furthering the notion that these machines can withstand regular use.
- Resistance Levels: According to Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer, “If you want something that can provide you with a way to do high-intensity interval training and slow, steady cardio, look for models with more resistance and incline levels. If you only intend to do steady-state cardio, you can get away with fewer of each.” We’ve included a mix of resistance-heavy ellipticals and bare bones silhouettes to cater to a wider range of athletes.
- Stride Length: In testing, we found that ellipticals featuring a 20-inch stride length were the most accommodating for individuals. (1) As such, we understand that stride length correlates to height — shorter individuals have shorter strides, and vice versa.
- Available Programming: Capritto notes, “Many ellipticals integrate with fitness programming, too. If you don’t want to pay for a fitness subscription, you may want to look for an elliptical that has built-in workouts.”
- Warranty and Pricing: Compact ellipticals can typically be cheaper than their standard-sized counterparts, but we still prioritized the best elliptical machines with affordable price tags near the average $1,280. Warranty-wise, we highlighted profiles boasting comprehensive coverage, but it was not a make-or-break factor. As Capritto states, “Budget equipment is unlikely to come with an extensive warranty.”
Benefits of Compact Ellipticals
Compact ellipticals share plenty of the same elliptical benefits as larger machines. Dr. Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT states, “The benefits of using cardiovascular exercise equipment like a treadmill, exercise bike, rower or elliptical is primarily for the heart and respiratory system or cardiovascular system. Any repetitive exercise will work the heart muscle and blood vessels to improve circulation.” (4) That said, there is merit to choosing a smaller profile over the larger silhouettes. Here are a few more perks we’ve come to associate with these small-yet-mighty workout tools.
- Space-Saving Dimensions: Naturally, a smaller machine is going to take up less space making them optimal picks for those training in tighter quarters. Some compact ellipticals even feature foldable frames for easier storage in-between workouts.
- Low-Impact Training: Like their larger counterparts, compact ellipticals have the same low-impact perks that make regular ellipticals a popular fitness option for home use. Dr. Wu notes, “An elliptical simulates running without the high intensity impact. When using the arm attachments, the pecs and triceps are used to push the attachment forward and the rhomboids and biceps are used to pull the attachment backward. When ‘running’ on the elliptical, pushing down through the pedal and pulling the leg back will target the glutes while pushing through the foot and forcing a heel to toe push off will emphasize the calves.”
- Cost Effectiveness: Compact ellipticals can also be a good option for budget-minded athletes. You can often find these machines at lower price points because they don’t take as much material to make and don’t have as much space available for costly bells and whistles.
What to Consider Before Buying A Compact Elliptical
Buying a compact elliptical is more involved than finding a machine that fits within your available space. Below are a handful of factors to consider when adding a profile to your cart.
Elliptical Footprint
As you can expect, compact ellipticals are smaller than your traditional elliptical, making them excellent examples of the best compact exercise equipment available today. That said, you can still find “compact” profiles that are too big for your space. When looking for an ideal machine for your needs, be sure to break out the tape measure and determine how much square footage you have at your disposal.
According to Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer, “This is a good place to start, because you’ll be really frustrated if you buy an elliptical that doesn’t fit in your intended space or, if you need to be flexible with your space, isn’t easy to move.” Compact ellipticals can typically require roughly 3 to 12 square feet of space.
We also recommend leaving a few inches at the front and sides of your available floor space, as this can make it easier to get on and off the machine for training. This extra wiggle room can also alleviate any potential problems or hemmed-in feelings across the machine’s range of motion — no bumping into furniture or other structures with each completed revolution.
Storage and Portability
Compact ellipticals also have a tendency to be lighter than their larger counterparts, which can be great for moving your machine from room to room. If you prefer to mix up your surroundings with each training session, be sure to look for a profile with a listed weight you can comfortably tote around your house — likely 45 pounds and below. It can also be helpful to look for profiles with added front wheels or built-in handles for easier maneuvering, especially if the machine weight is higher than what you can comfortably handle.
If you’re really looking to save space when you’re between workouts, you can also look for a compact elliptical that folds up for more convenient storage. Like the best folding treadmills, these silhouettes can be effective tools for athletes living in apartments, too, as they can be tucked away while not in use, leaving your training space freed up for more daily activities.
Resistance Levels
Dr. Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT states, “Ellipticals are great for simulating running without the high impact forces. The arm attachments allow for a whole body workout, too, which can burn more calories.” When looking for a compact elliptical for your needs, make sure to take your fitness goals into account and look for a profile that can support your intended training intensity. Some athletes may prefer a large range — think 20 and above — that pushes their sessions with plenty of challenging resistance, while others can get by on willpower alone with more simplified structures.
Weight Capacity
In training, you’re going to be placing your entire body weight on your machine, so it’s vital that you opt for a compact treadmill that can support your body without failure. Look at your elliptical’s listed weight capacity and contrast that to your weight. Most compact ellipticals can support loads between 220 and 375 pounds with the industry standard hovering around 300 pounds, according to Capritto.
It’s important to note, though, that the best ellipticals for heavy people are typically heavier machines, in general. This can limit their portability significantly, so if you need a machine that moves easily around your abode, you may want to consider a less bulky profile.
Stride Length
Your stride length refers to how long your machine’s range of motion is. Your personal stride length is dictated by your height — shorter athletes take shorter steps, while taller athletes have longer gaits. When searching for your perfect compact treadmill, make sure that the stride length is long enough to create a comfortable range of motion during training.
While there’s no gold standard for stride lengths among machines, you can typically get by with profiles featuring a 20-inch range of motion. This can be ideal for most athletes between 5’3” and 6’0”. (1) If you’re taller than 6’0”, you may want to consider a longer stride length often featured on the best ellipticals for tall people, while shorter athletes may prefer a range between 11 and 16 inches. (1)
Price
Typically, compact ellipticals will be cheaper than larger devices, given their smaller footprint and less tech-heavy designs. That said, you’re still capable of finding luxe profiles offering sturdy frames and tons of features. We’ve seen compact ellipticals as cheap as $160 and as expensive as $2,500, for example.
When it comes to determining your optimal compact elliptical, make sure your budget matches your chosen machine. If your elliptical is integrated with an online workout program, it’s also wise to calculate that extra subscription into your purchase. These services can range in price, likely $25 to $40 per month or more, so make sure you’re capable of keeping up with membership dues to help you get the most out of your new fitness equipment.
How Much Do Compact Ellipticals Cost?
Understanding how much ellipticals cost can be a tricky endeavor, especially when looking at compact elliptical machines versus regular-sized exercise equipment. Given their smaller stature, you can likely save a few hundred dollars on smaller ellipticals than their larger brethren. On average, you can expect to pay roughly $1,280 for a high-quality compact elliptical. Read below to see the price comparisons of each profile featured in this round-up.
| Best Compact Elliptical Overall | NordicTrack FS10i Freestride Trainer | $1,999 |
| Best Compact Elliptical with a High Weight Capacity | Sole Fitness E25 | $1,199.99 |
| Best Compact Elliptical for Streaming | BowFlex Max Total 16 | $2,499 |
| Best Folding Compact Elliptical | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902S | $169.99 |
| Best Quiet Compact Elliptical | FitNation Flex Elliptical Trainer | $249.99 |
| Best Budget Compact Elliptical | Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine | $399.99 |
| Best Adjustable Compact Elliptical | NordicTrack X16 Elliptical | $2,499 |
Compact Elliptical FAQs
Are compact ellipticals effective?
Yes, compact ellipticals can be just as effective as regular ellipticals. They still can deliver low-impact workouts, just with a smaller equipment footprint. You can also find compact ellipticals with a handful of available resistance levels, which can be excellent for facilitating progressive overload in your training regimen.
What is the best compact elliptical?
The best compact elliptical for your training needs can depend on your available space, budget, and other workout preferences. In our opinion, we like the FS10i from NordicTrack given its impressive weight capacity, available levels of resistance, and compatibility with the iFIT training platform of over 17,000 on-demand, trainer-led courses.
How much do compact ellipticals cost?
On average, you can expect to pay roughly $1,280 for compact ellipticals. This price can vary, though, depending on add-on features such as fitness app subscriptions, integrated tech, and more. Be sure to always think through your finances before beginning your search for home gym equipment and take into consideration any outside costs beyond the machine itself.
Can you lose weight with a compact elliptical?
Compact ellipticals can be great for burning calories. According to studies, a 155-pound athlete can burn up to 324 calories in a 30-minute training session. (2) Combining this workout potential with a well-rounded diet can help you maintain a caloric deficit, which has been shown to be an effective method for weight loss and weight maintenance. (3)
References
- Bueckert, S. (2021, May 19). What is the ideal elliptical stride length to best fit you?. Sunny Health and Fitness. https://sunnyhealthfitness.com/blogs/products/best-elliptical-stride-length
- Calories burned in 30 minutes of leisure and routine activities. Harvard Health. (2021, March 8). https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
- Kim, J. Y. (2021). Optimal Diet Strategies for weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome, 30(1), 20–31.
- Bosch, A. N., Flanagan, K. C., Eken, M. M., Withers, A., Burger, J., & Lamberts, R. P. (2021). Physiological and metabolic responses to exercise on treadmill, elliptical trainer, and Stepper: Practical implications for training. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 31(2), 135–142. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33477112/
