11 Best Compact Elliptical for Small Spaces (Review) In 2023

The elliptical machines are better than many other options to perform cardio workouts. They have the upper hand over other equipment.

Most of the cardio exercises utilize smaller muscle groups like calf muscle more, they often fail to engage the core and not as effective on the glutes, hams, or quads. When you exercise on the elliptical, you not only engage the lower body and core but also work on your upper body muscle. Moreover impact on the joint is also less compared to other exercises.

Ellipticals are great exercise machines but they occupy far too much space and it might not be feasible to fit the commercial size elliptical in your basement gym.

To tackle this issue, many leading sports equipment manufacturing companies have introduced compact space saver elliptical machines. These machines offer the full functionality of big commercial-grade ellipticals but consume very small floor space.

If you are in the market to buy one such space saver ellipticals, keep reading this buying guide, it will help you to buy the right machine for your requirement and in the process, you will learn everything you should know about an elliptical before buying it for your home gym.

Best Compact Elliptical for Small Spaces

Among the many compact ellipticals for small spaces, we have picked the top ones on basis of performance, durability, and effectiveness. Go through the description, features, pros, and cons of each one of them to understand which one suits your requirement the best.

Bowflex M5 Max Trainer

If there is one thing that can be called a perfect compact elliptical machine then it would be M5 max trainer from Bowflex. The machine is not only a space saver but also a time saver one, you can complete your interval training goal in as little as 14 minutes using this machine.

The pedaling motion of this compact elliptical is a combination of a conventional elliptical machine and a power stepper. You can get the benefits of low impact elliptical motion and burn rate as fast as a stepper machine.

The interactive, analog plus digital, backlit console of the machine has multiple built programs. It has Bluetooth connectivity and can sync with mobile fitness apps, making it easier for you to set fitness goals and track your progress.

With advanced features like a built-in HR sensor, burn rate indicator with burn rate zone marked, one-touch programs, and the ability to deliver low-impact high-intensity workout, this machine can be a great addition to your home gym.

Pros:

• Interactive backlit display
• Fitness app connectivity
• Heart rate chest strap and contact pulse sensor
• Offers low impact high-intensity workout
• Requires little floor space
• Strong and durable construction
• Easy to store and move around

Cons:

• May generate knocking noise

The machine only generates a knocking sound when the washers are torn after prolonged use. You can replace these little plastic pieces and the elliptical will work without the unnecessary noise.

NordicTrack Spacesaver SE7i Elliptical

The slick elliptical from NordicTrack along with low impact exercise platform offers a great range of interactive workout programs powered by iFit. The iFit connectivity provides you with many trainer lead workouts that you can follow from the comfort of your home. To sweeten the deal further, a 1-month iFit membership is free with this space saver elliptical machine.

This machine is loaded with advanced features. It has 22 levels of magnetic resistance that can be auto-adjusted in trainer-led workouts. The power ramp can be adjusted to set the incline. Even the stride length can be altered to let all the family members use the machine at their natural stride length.

The SE7i offers full-body workout with its elliptical motion pedals and upper body exerciser handles. It consumes very little floor space when in use and can even be folded to a smaller size for storage when not in use.

Pros:

• Can be folded for compact virtual storage
• iFit compatibility
• Offers silent low impact workout
• Autobreeze fan to keep you cool
• Adjustable stride length
• Device holder
• Auto adjustable resistance

Cons:

• A little heavy to move around

The machine is little heavy as it is designed to last long even under intense use. But it won’t be an issue as it has transport wheels to help you move it around.

Bowflex M3 Max Trainer

This is another great space saving elliptical machine from Bowflex. Along with a smaller footprint, the M3 max trainer can offer low impact motion with a higher calorie burn rate. It has on-board workout programs and easily adjustable 8 levels of resistance to make your workout more fun and efficient.

The large size burn rate indicator shows the real-time calorie burn rate. It can be a source of motivation for you to push harder. You set the workout goals around the burn rate as it is one of the indicators of workout intensity.

Pros:

• Offers silent low impact workout
• Easy to move around
• Burn rate display to motivate you to push harder
• Easy to assemble
• Wide and anti-slip pedals
• Easy to adjust the resistance with a click of the dial

Cons:

• No handgrip pulse sensor

The task of handgrip pulse sensor can be handled by a more accurate chest strap which is included in the package.

Schwinn 411 Compact Elliptical Machine

With the compatibility to Explore the World and the ability to hold a large display device, the Schwinn 411 can virtually take to the real terrains around the world.

Even with the compact size of the overall equipment, it offers elliptically moving pedals with a long stride length of 18 inches. This combined with the long moving handles and 16 levels of magnetic resistance makes it a contender for one of the best full-body exercise machines.

Pros:

• Long stride length
• Contact heart rate monitor
• Connectivity with Explore the World App
• Wide range of workout resistance
• Built-in display device holder

Cons:

• Resistance feels a little higher at the lowest setting

A little higher resistance won’t be much of an issue as you get used to working out on the machine.

Sunny Health & Fitness Advanced Programmed Elliptical Machine Trainer SF-E320002 

With built-in programs and the ability to accommodate user programs, SF-E320002 is a mini version of a commercial-grade elliptical at your gym club. It is small in size, in functionality, it has everything you need.

The belt drive mechanism and noiseless flywheel of this mini elliptical make your workout smooth and silent.

Pros:

• Large size performance monitor
• Textured non-slip large foot pedals
• Device holder and bottle holder
• Full motions upper body handlebars
• Stable footing with floor stabilizers

Cons:

• A little difficult to assemble

You have the option of getting it assembled by an expert to get rid of your assembly woes altogether.

Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Trainer

The unique curve crank system on the Body Power mini elliptical stepper provides you dead-zone free smooth motion throughout.

This space saving elliptical trainer can work as a full-body shaping elliptical trainer and as a vertical stepper. It is one of the best options for those who frequently perform HIIT training as it allows you to safely adjust the resistance while running.

Pros:

• Unique dead-zone free cranking system
• Combines the goodness of stepper and elliptical
• Easy to adjust resistance while pedaling
• Easy to move around

Cons:

• Pedals are angled downwards with open back

Even with angled pedals, there is very little possibility of slipping off them, as the surface is textured well for grip.

Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Cardio Climber Stepping Elliptical Machine SF-E3919

This perfect combination of stepping and striding machine from Sunny Health and Fitness offers you a workout as low impact as an elliptical machine and the calorie burn rate as fast as a stepper machine.

With 8 levels of easily adjustable magnetic resistance and full-motion arm exerciser, you can do a full-body workout on this space saver elliptical.

Pros:

• Offers zero-impact high-intensity workout
• Built with heavy-duty steel
• Performance monitor with BMI calculator
• Synchronized full motion handlebars
• Small footprint and easy to move

Cons:

• A little noisy
• Display isn’t backlit

A little machine that can offer a high-intensity workout is ought to make a slight noise, and you can live without the display being backlit as the umbers displayed are big enough.

Marcy Magnetic Elliptical Trainer Cardio Workout Machine

The petite magnetic elliptical machine from Marcy can support user weight as high as 300 pounds. This machine can be used for stimulating slow walk or an intense run along with full motion arm exercising.

With a small functional display that can show your speed, time, distance, and calories burned, you can easily set and track some workout goals.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design
• Functional display
• Full motion arm exercisers
• Durable strong construction
• Easy to adjust resistance

Cons:

• No HR monitor
• No bottle holder

This is one of the best compact ellipticals for small spaces. This elliptical is made for those who are looking for low-intensity workouts and don’t want to monitor heart rate using built-in sensors.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 Elliptical Machine

The SF-E905 from Sunny Health and Fitness is the most compact fully functional elliptical machine. It has no fancy features but has everything needed to get a low-impact full-body workout.

The machine has adjustable resistance, arm exercisers, and stabilizers to achieve perfect leveling on the floor.

Pros:

• Efficient and smooth motion
• Floor stabilizers to level the machine on uneven floor
• Offers low impact cardio workout
• Very compact in size

Cons:

• Small stride length
• Won’t endure intense workouts for a long time

This machine takes as little space as few dumbbells. it is best suited for beginners and users of average or lower than average height.

Exerpeutic Heavy Duty Magnetic Elliptical

This small but strong elliptical machine can support the user weight up to 300 pounds. With a footprint of approximately 2 by 4.5 feet, you can easily store it in any corner of your home or garage.

With arm exercisers, elliptical motion pedals of 13 inches stride, and a digital display showing your workout metrics, you can perform full-body workouts with an option to set and track exercise goals on this machine.

Pros:

• Easy to read large LCD
• Easily adjustable magnetic resistance
• Dual direction flywheels
• Easy to move and store

Cons:

• Not so durable
• Little shaky when used at high intensity

If you are looking for a small size full-body exercise machine for some light workouts, this one is made for you. It also comes with 3 years warranty on the frame.

Doufit Elliptical Machine

Even among the compact ellipticals, this machine from Doufit is the smallest and lightest of them all.

At 58 pounds of machine weight, it can support user weight up to 250 pounds. This aesthetic little machine can be used by any user up to 5’9” of height.

Pros:

• Aesthetic looks
• Very easy to assemble
• Device holder

Cons:

• Not suitable for tall people
• Makes some noise in operation

It is made for people with small stature for performing low-intensity exercises like speed walking, and it delivers what it is made for.

Don’t miss:

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10 Best Budget Elliptical Trainer

What To Look For When Buying A Compact Elliptical For Small Spaces

There are many fitness equipment manufacturers that make elliptical machines and most of them have one or more compact ellipticals to offer. It would be difficult for you to choose the right one for your requirement if you don’t know what to look for.

Let us make this easy for you by describing what you should look for in a compact elliptical for small spaces before deciding to buy it.

• Weight capacity: The machine should be strong enough to support the user weight more than your actual weight.
• Stride length: The stride length of the machine should be long enough that you can comfortably replicate your natural walking or pedaling motion on the machine.
• Dimensions: You are looking for a compact elliptical. Thus, it becomes important to check the footprint and height required to keep the machine while in use and for storage.
• Resistance levels: Your workout intensity and the possibility of changing it depends on the resistance levels, type, and adjustability. You should be looking for a machine with the maximum number of easily adjustable resistance levels.
• Arm exerciser motion: One of the reasons for choosing an elliptical over a treadmill or spin bike is the option of arm exercisers. You should check whether the arm exercisers are long enough for you to reach and perform full arm motion.