Best of
Best Ellipticals of 2027: 10 Home Picks Ranked by Stride, Incline, and Build
The best home ellipticals ranked on stride length, power incline, flywheel weight, capacity, ceiling needs, and whether the console demands a subscription.
Our top picks at a glance
Sole E35 Elliptical
Most home users who want a heavy, quiet front-drive machine and no membership gate on the console.
Sole E25 Elliptical
Buyers who want Sole build quality and a full 20 inch stride without paying for the top console.
Sole E95 Elliptical
Heavier users and high-mileage households that will run the machine daily for years.
The short answer
For most homes, the Sole E35 is the elliptical to buy: full 20 inch stride, power incline, a heavy flywheel, and no subscription standing between you and a workout. On a tighter budget, the Sole E25 keeps the same stride and incline for less. Step up to the Sole E95 if you need the 400 lb capacity or plan to ride daily for years.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Stride length | Incline | Flywheel | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole E35 EllipticalBest Overall | 20 in | 20 power levels | 25 lb | 350 lb | Check price |
| Sole E25 EllipticalBest Value | 20 in | 20 power levels | 20 lb | 350 lb | Check price |
| Sole E95 EllipticalBest Heavy-Duty | 20 in | 20 power levels | 27 lb | 400 lb | Check price |
| NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride TrainerMost Versatile | Up to 32 in, auto-adjusting | -10% to 10% | 20 lb effective | 375 lb | Check price |
| NordicTrack AirGlide 14i EllipticalBest for Classes | 17.8 to 18.5 in, auto-adjustable | -5% to 15% | 32 lb effective inertia-enhanced | 300 lb | Check price |
| BowFlex Max Trainer M9Best for Short Workouts | Hybrid step-glide, not a fixed stride | None (step angle is fixed) | Magnetic resistance, 20 levels | 300 lb | Check price |
| Schwinn 490 EllipticalBest Mid-Range Alternative | 20 in | Motorized ramp, up to 15% (check exact version) | Perimeter-weighted, drive system rated for 25 resistance levels | 300 lb | Check price |
| ProForm Carbon E10 EllipticalBest iFIT Value | 19 in | 0 to 15% power (check exact version) | 25 lb effective inertia-enhanced | 300 lb | Check price |
| ProForm Carbon EL EllipticalBest Budget iFIT | 19 in | Power ramp, range varies by version | About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced | 300 lb | Check price |
| Sole E20 EllipticalBest Budget Sole | 18 in | Manual or none, varies by model year | About 14 lb | 300 lb (current version) | Check price |
Best Overall
Sole E35 Elliptical
20 inch stride, 25 lb flywheel, and power incline without a required subscription.
- 20 in
- Stride length
- 20 power levels
- Incline
- 25 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- 25 lb flywheel and a heavy steel frame give it the planted feel owners describe again and again
- Power incline across 20 levels, adjusted from the console or moving handles
- Adjustable cushioned pedals with an inward tilt, a detail rivals at this tier skip
Limitations
- It is a big, heavy machine that does not fold; plan the room around it
- Touchscreen and entertainment features trail the iFIT machines here
| Stride length | 20 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | 20 power levels |
| Flywheel | 25 lb |
| Footprint | 70 x 31 x 70 in (current version; earlier versions 82 in long) |
| Capacity | 350 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Smooth, quiet glide even at higher resistance
- Feels like health club equipment rather than home equipment
- Incline changes the workout more than resistance alone
Common complaints
- Assembly is a long, two-person job
- Foot numbness on long sessions if pedal angle is left in the wrong position
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E35 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Most home users who want a heavy, quiet front-drive machine and no membership gate on the console.
Skip if: Your ceiling is low. A roughly 14 inch step-up height on a machine this tall rules out many basements.
Best Value
Sole E25 Elliptical
The E35 formula with a lighter flywheel and a smaller console, for less.
- 20 in
- Stride length
- 20 power levels
- Incline
- 20 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Same 20 inch stride and 20 level power incline as the E35
- Narrower 24 inch width fits rooms the E35 crowds
- Simple LCD console with built-in programs and no subscription
Limitations
- 20 lb flywheel is a step down in glide feel from the E35
- Pedals are cushioned but not angle-adjustable like the E35
| Stride length | 20 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | 20 power levels |
| Flywheel | 20 lb |
| Footprint | 70 x 24 x 71 in |
| Capacity | 350 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Quiet enough for early morning use in a shared house
- Console is simple and starts fast
- Frame feels far sturdier than budget ellipticals
Common complaints
- Assembly instructions could be clearer around the handlebar wiring
- Fan and speakers are token features
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E25 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who want Sole build quality and a full 20 inch stride without paying for the top console.
Skip if: You want the heaviest flywheel in the line; the E35 and E95 both carry more.
Best Heavy-Duty
Sole E95 Elliptical
The heaviest flywheel and highest capacity in the Sole home line.
- 20 in
- Stride length
- 20 power levels
- Incline
- 27 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- 27 lb flywheel, the smoothest glide Sole sells for the home
- 400 lb capacity covers users the rest of this guide excludes
- Large touchscreen console with built-in programs, no membership required
Limitations
- Long 82 inch footprint needs a dedicated spot
- Weight of the machine itself makes delivery and placement a project
| Stride length | 20 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | 20 power levels |
| Flywheel | 27 lb |
| Footprint | 82 x 31 x 71 in |
| Capacity | 400 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Rock solid at full effort, no rocking or flex
- Glide stays smooth at low cadence where lighter flywheels stutter
- Warranty support experiences are generally positive
Common complaints
- Price overlaps subscription machines with bigger screens
- Moving it after assembly is genuinely difficult
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E95 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Heavier users and high-mileage households that will run the machine daily for years.
Skip if: Your space or ceiling is tight; this is the largest footprint in the Sole trio.
NordicTrackMost Versatile
NordicTrack FS14i FreeStride Trainer
Center-drive hybrid that floats the stride: step, glide, or run the path.
- Up to 32 in, auto-adjusting
- Stride length
- -10% to 10%
- Incline
- 20 lb effective
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Stride adjusts automatically up to 32 in based on your motion, unique in this guide
- Center-drive design keeps the footprint shorter than its stride suggests
- Incline and decline from -10% to 10% with trainer-led iFIT workouts
Limitations
- Heaviest machine here at about 287 lb, and it feels every pound on delivery day
- Full console value depends on an ongoing iFIT membership
| Stride length | Up to 32 in, auto-adjusting |
|---|---|
| Incline | -10% to 10% |
| Flywheel | 20 lb effective |
| Footprint | 58.5 x 29.5 x 74 in |
| Capacity | 375 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- One machine genuinely replaces a stepper and an elliptical for variety
- Low step-up and smooth center-drive motion
- Big screen makes long sessions pass faster
Common complaints
- iFIT subscription cost after the trial is a recurring gripe
- Complex drive system means more to service than a simple front-drive
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: NordicTrack FS14i product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Users who get bored: the floating stride adapts from short steps to long glides on the same machine.
Skip if: You dislike subscriptions. The 14 inch touchscreen is built around iFIT membership content.
Best for Classes
NordicTrack AirGlide 14i Elliptical
Front-drive iFIT machine with decline as well as incline.
- 17.8 to 18.5 in, auto-adjustable
- Stride length
- -5% to 15%
- Incline
- 32 lb effective inertia-enhanced
- Flywheel
Strengths
- -5% decline to 15% incline, a wider grade range than most rivals
- 32 lb effective flywheel and 26 resistance levels
- 14 inch touchscreen with automatic trainer control through iFIT
Limitations
- Stride range of 17.8 to 18.5 in is short for a premium machine
- 300 lb capacity is the lowest among the premium picks
| Stride length | 17.8 to 18.5 in, auto-adjustable |
|---|---|
| Incline | -5% to 15% |
| Flywheel | 32 lb effective inertia-enhanced |
| Footprint | 69 x 25 x 71 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Classes that change incline automatically keep sessions honest
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Cushioned pedals with angle adjustment reduce foot soreness
Common complaints
- Screen sits low for taller users
- Membership effectively required to use the console as intended
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: NordicTrack AirGlide 14i product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Screen-first buyers who want trainer-led classes that drive the resistance and incline for them.
Skip if: You are tall and stride-sensitive; the auto-adjustable stride tops out under 19 inches.
Best for Short Workouts
BowFlex Max Trainer M9
Stepper-elliptical hybrid built for short, hard interval sessions.
- Hybrid step-glide, not a fixed stride
- Stride length
- None (step angle is fixed)
- Incline
- Magnetic resistance, 20 levels
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Hybrid motion burns through short workouts in a footprint under 50 inches long
- 10 inch console with the JRNY adaptive program library
- 20 resistance levels and oversized dynamic pedals
Limitations
- The stepping bias is hard on calves until you adapt
- JRNY membership gates the adaptive programming after trial
| Stride length | Hybrid step-glide, not a fixed stride |
|---|---|
| Incline | None (step angle is fixed) |
| Flywheel | Magnetic resistance, 20 levels |
| Footprint | 49.3 x 30.5 x 65.1 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Short workouts feel disproportionately effective
- Takes far less floor than a full elliptical
- Smooth, quiet drive for a hybrid
Common complaints
- Not comfortable for long easy sessions
- Subscription pitch is persistent on the console
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: BowFlex Max Trainer M9 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Time-poor users who train in 10 to 20 minute intervals and want a compact footprint.
Skip if: You want long, relaxed steady-state glides; the Max Trainer motion is a climb, not a cruise.
Best Mid-Range Alternative
Schwinn 490 Elliptical
20 inch stride and motorized incline from a brand with real parts support.
- 20 in
- Stride length
- Motorized ramp, up to 15% (check exact version)
- Incline
- Perimeter-weighted, drive system rated for 25 resistance levels
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Full 20 inch stride with motorized incline from decline to climb on current versions
- 25 resistance levels and a long program list without a required membership
- Bluetooth pairing to the Explore the World app and common trackers
Limitations
- Console design feels a generation behind the touchscreen class
- Assembly is lengthy, like every big front-drive here
| Stride length | 20 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | Motorized ramp, up to 15% (check exact version) |
| Flywheel | Perimeter-weighted, drive system rated for 25 resistance levels |
| Footprint | About 67 x 29 x 70 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Quiet, smooth stride at moderate resistance
- Good value when discounted, which is often
- Sturdy feel once assembled
Common complaints
- App experience is basic compared with iFIT or JRNY
- Display visibility in bright rooms could be better
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Schwinn 490 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who want Sole-class geometry with a terrain-mode console and Bluetooth app pairing.
Skip if: You want a big touchscreen; the 490 uses a backlit LCD and your own device for media.
Best iFIT Value
ProForm Carbon E10 Elliptical
iFIT front-drive with a 19 inch stride and a tilting 10 inch screen.
- 19 in
- Stride length
- 0 to 15% power (check exact version)
- Incline
- 25 lb effective inertia-enhanced
- Flywheel
Strengths
- 19 inch stride sits between the short-stride budget class and full 20 inch machines
- Power incline pairs with iFIT automatic trainer control
- 10 inch tilting touchscreen is easier to watch than fixed small displays
Limitations
- Membership needed for the workout library the screen exists for
- Assembly and software setup take longer than a basic LCD machine
| Stride length | 19 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | 0 to 15% power (check exact version) |
| Flywheel | 25 lb effective inertia-enhanced |
| Footprint | About 68.5 x 25 x 68 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Smooth for the price when bought on sale
- Incline range makes hill workouts feel distinct
- Screen size is a sweet spot for a spare room
Common complaints
- iFIT account setup and updates draw complaints
- Some owners report console lag compared with a phone or tablet
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: ProForm Carbon E10 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who want the iFIT ecosystem at a mid tier rather than NordicTrack money.
Skip if: You want a subscription-free console; like its NordicTrack cousins, this one is iFIT-first.
Best Budget iFIT
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical
The simpler Carbon: 19 inch stride, basic display, iFIT via your own device.
- 19 in
- Stride length
- Power ramp, range varies by version
- Incline
- About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced
- Flywheel
Strengths
- 19 inch stride at a price where 18 inch is common
- Front-drive layout with power ramp on many versions
- Device shelf keeps the cost down for tablet owners
Limitations
- No built-in screen experience; your tablet is the console
- Build feel is lighter than the Sole E25 at a similar street tier
| Stride length | 19 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | Power ramp, range varies by version |
| Flywheel | About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced |
| Footprint | About 67 x 25 x 69 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Stride length for the money is the headline
- Works fine without paying for content if you use your own apps
- Compact front-drive footprint
Common complaints
- Basic console feels dated next to touchscreen rivals
- Some wobble reported at high cadence by heavier users
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: ProForm Carbon EL product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who will bring their own tablet and want a real stride length at the budget tier.
Skip if: You want a built-in touchscreen; this console is a basic display with a device shelf.
Best Budget Sole
Sole E20 Elliptical
Sole's entry model: 18 inch stride, basic console, lighter flywheel.
- 18 in
- Stride length
- Manual or none, varies by model year
- Incline
- About 14 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Lowest entry point into a steel-frame Sole
- Simple LED console with built-in programs and nothing to subscribe to
- Inward-sloped cushioned pedals carry over from the bigger models
Limitations
- 18 inch stride and a flywheel around 14 lb feel a class below the E25
- Specifications vary by model year, including incline; check the exact listing
| Stride length | 18 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | Manual or none, varies by model year |
| Flywheel | About 14 lb |
| Footprint | About 65 x 24 x 65 in, varies by version |
| Capacity | 300 lb (current version) |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Good first elliptical for the money
- Compact by full-size elliptical standards
- Quiet magnetic resistance
Common complaints
- Stride feels short for users near 6 ft
- Console features are bare compared with the rest of the line
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E20 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Shorter users and beginners who want the Sole name at the lowest tier in the line.
Skip if: You are tall. The 18 inch stride will shorten your gait, and current versions drop power incline.
How we chose
01 · Stride length against height
We treated 20 inches as the adult default, rewarded the FS14i's adaptive stride, and marked down premium machines whose stride stops under 19 inches, because a short stride changes the exercise itself, not just the comfort.
02 · Ceiling math, not just footprint
Every pick was checked for step-up height. A machine that fits the floor but puts your head through a basement ceiling is a failed pick, so pedal height plus user height plus clearance is part of the ranking.
03 · Flywheel and frame honesty
Heavier flywheels and heavier frames track closely with the smooth, planted feel owners praise and the absence of wobble complaints. Paper resistance levels counted for little; mass counted for a lot.
04 · Console total cost
Touchscreen machines were judged with their membership in mind. A console that needs a monthly payment to show its value is a different purchase from one with built-in programs, and the ranking says so.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
What stride length do I need for my height?
As a working rule: 18 inches suits users under about 5 ft 4 in, 20 inches covers most adults up to roughly 6 ft 2 in, and taller users should look at adaptive stride machines like the FS14i or accept that most fixed-stride home ellipticals will feel short.
How much ceiling height does an elliptical need?
Add the machine's maximum pedal height to your height, then add 6 to 8 inches of clearance. On the big Sole models that means many users need ceilings around 8 ft or more. Measure before ordering; this is the most common reason for returns in the category.
Is power incline worth it?
For most users, yes. Incline shifts work toward the glutes and changes the session without raising impact, and power adjustment from the handles means you will actually use it mid-workout, unlike manual ramps that require dismounting.
Do I need a subscription for a touchscreen elliptical?
On iFIT and JRNY machines, the library and automatic trainer control sit behind membership after any trial. The Sole and Schwinn picks in this guide run their built-in programs with no ongoing payment.