Best Elliptical Under 400—Reviews and Buy Guide

Finding the best elliptical on a limited budget is a challenge for most fitness enthusiasts.  It’s difficult because there are tons of them in the market and very little information on their specs. This makes buying one seem more of a gamble than a surety. We use, review and sell a wide range of fitness products so we know what’s really good, and what’s not. To help, in this piece, we will explore the best elliptical under 400 dollars.

If you are looking for a strategy to burn calories fast, then adding an elliptical machine to your home gym would make this convenient. To put it into perspective, using an elliptical, you can burn upwards of 700 calories in just thirty minutes. The elliptical trainer is, therefore, one of the best workout equipment that you should consider having as part of your home gym.

Why Should I Get an Elliptical Machine Under 400?

Having an elliptical machine in your office or home gym significantly inspires you to shed off calories. The machine allows you to conveniently perform full body workouts without having to leave your home or office.

Elliptical machines also have ergonomic handles which provide a comfortable, firm grip, enhancing your safety so that you focus on what matters most; burning calories.

Unlike most workout devices, ellipticals effectively target your glutes, chest, back, hamstrings, core muscles, biceps, and triceps.

In this post, we review the best ellipticals under $400, and the factors to consider when making a purchase. 

Buyer’s Guide—What to Consider When Choosing an Elliptical

There are plenty of features you need to consider when buying an elliptical. Here are some essential factors to consider:

1. Resistance

The ideal elliptical should have adjustable resistance with a broad range. This allows the user to make minor adjustments to change the intensity of the workouts. This way, you can make your exercise more challenging and fruitful.

2. Warranty

Warranty is a crucial factor to consider when buying an elliptical machine. Manufacturers put confidence in their products by putting at least a few months’ warranties behind them. Generally, avoid fitness machines that do not have a 2-year warranty on parts and 1 year on labor.

3. Smooth and quiet motion

Exercising on your elliptical should not come at the expense of the comfort of those around you. Choosing an elliptical with smooth and quiet motion is the right thing to do. In addition, the elliptical should give you a natural feel in both forward and backward motion. We have selected some of the best noise-free ellipticals in the market for you to choose from.

4. Electronic features

The right elliptical should have the most advanced features for convenience and effectiveness. A digital screen that displays data on calories, pulse rate, and time are what you need. Moreover, the elliptical should be compatible with the best fitness apps and other software. A built-in music player would also be a plus.

The Best Elliptical Under 400 On Amazon

1. Stamina InMotion Compact Strider with Cords-Most Affordable

Sale
Stamina InMotion Compact Strider - Seated Elliptical with Smart Workout App - Foot Pedal Exerciser for Home Workout - Up to 250 lbs Weight Capacity
  • COMPACT FOOT PEDAL EXERCISER - Our InMotion Compact Strider with Cords is a compact exercise peddler that provides effective, efficient cardio and muscle-toning workout. Even while gaming or watching TV, make cardio easy with our pedal exerciser.
  • UPPER BODY FITNESS - This Pedal Exerciser includes upper body resistance tubes with handles that allow you to work on your arms, back, shoulders, and chest. These bands are designed with padded handles for a comfortable, total-body home workout routine.
  • SITTING AND STANDING CARDIO TRAINING - This compact and lightweight mini strider can be used while sitting or standing. Pedal in forward or in reverse to target different muscles with low-attention leg exercise movements that can help improve circulation.
  • COMFORTABLE, ADJUSTABLE DESIGN - This desk foot pedal exerciser is designed with adjustable tension dial and large non-slip pedals that hold your feet in place. It has a built-in carrying handle for easy transport and storage.

Stamina InMotion Compact Strider is another great pick among the best elliptical under 400 since it provides great comfort to make your workout worth looking forward to. The heavy steel construction is sturdy so the equipment can be used for a lifetime without feeling the need to replace parts or frames. It has a unique set of non-slip pedals which ensure safety during workouts. The reverse motion pedals enable you to exercise your lower body in more ways than most of its peers do. It is perfect for the home gym since it supports weights up to 250 lbs.

This elliptical has a convenient handle for easy portability and lets you tone both your upper and lower body while increasing your cardiovascular endurance. You have the freedom to use it at a desk or under a table so you can get some work done while working out.

Unlike most options under 400, Stamina InMotion Compact Strider is easy to move and assemble. However, you have to be cautious with the resistance tubes that contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions on sensitive skins. It also has an adjustable tension that lets you control the intensity of your workout. You’ll enjoy your workout session more with the LCD monitor that displays the number of strides, distance, exercise time, and calories burnt.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Easily portable
  • Effortless to use

Cons

  • Has no warranty

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2.     Stamina in Motion E1000 Compact Strider 55-1602

Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider - Seated Ellipticalwith Smart Workout App - Foot Pedal Exerciser for Home Workout - Up to 250 lbs Weight Capacity - Black Orange
  • FOOT PEDAL EXERCISER - Our Desk Pedal Exerciser is a compact exercise peddler that provides effective, efficient cardio and muscle-toning workout. Even while gaming or watching TV, make cardio easy with our seated elliptical.
  • SITTING AND STANDING CARDIO TRAINING - This compact and lightweight mini strider can be used while sitting or standing. Pedal in forward or in reverse to target different muscles with low-attention leg exercise movements that can help improve circulation.
  • COMFORTABLE, COMPACT DESIGN - This desk foot pedal exerciser is designed with textured non-slip end caps that hold your feet in place and gives you a low-impact routine that is gentle to your back, knees, hips, and ankles.
  • SPACE SAVING DESIGN - This durable, lightweight seated pedal exerciser is designed for easy storage and is ideal for users with limited space and provides high-quality cardiovascular and lower-body workouts in the comfort of your home.

Enjoy a full cardio exercise in the comfort of your home with the Stamina in Motion E1000 trainer from Stamina Products. Unlike other elliptical machines, this model does not have a front console. It is ideal for foot pedals with a perfect size to store in a closet.

With the multifunctional monitor to track your progress, you will stay motivated to continue pedaling. You can see your workout stats while on the go: speed, exercise time, calories burned, and the number of strides.

What makes this model the best elliptical under 400 is the adjustable tension. This allows you to vary the intensity of your workout by pressing the adjustable dial as you train. You can move your machine quickly to any part of your gym office; it is lightweight and has a compact design that occupies minimal space.

Stamina InMotion E1000 compact strider blends perfectly with almost any decor; it comes in orange, green, and silver color options. This elliptical is the best choice for all trainers as it offers multiple movement options. You can exercise while standing or sitting and allows you to pedal in different directions targeting different muscle groups.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Great value for money
  • Highly durable

Cons

  • Some users complain that this elliptical does not have a giant stride

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3.  Sunny Health & Fitness Portable Stand Up Elliptical – SF-E3988

Sunny Health & Fitness’ Portable Stand-up Elliptical is another great elliptical under 400 on our list. This machine is easy to store thanks to its space-saving design. You can also easily lift it from one corner to another with the help of a firmly built-in carry handle.

It is effortless to use and does not need any assembly so you only have to put it in place and start your exercise. The principle behind its functioning is a durable belt drive system that keeps your strides smooth, consistent, and quiet during workouts. It is comfortable to use with the full textured footplate to keep your feet secure and safe at all times.

The elliptical has a user weight limit of 220 lb and allows you to feel confident while standing or sitting on the machine. The magnetic resistance lets you control your workout intensity with the ease of operating by merely turning the resistance dial. The magnetic system reduces shear or tear. This elliptical comes with a small monitor that helps you track your activity progress. The console display provides such information as speed, time, distance, pulse, and the number of calories burnt.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Does not need any assembly
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Has no warranty

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4. DeskCycle Ellipse: Under Desk Elliptical Machine – Mini Seated Exercise EquipmentBest for physical therapy and rehabilitation

DeskCycle Ellipse Under Desk Elliptical Machine - Get Fit While You Work with Our Compact Mini Seated Elliptical Machine - Burn Calories, Boost Energy, Tone Muscles, and Increase Productivity
  • MULTI-TASK: Our premium quality under desk elliptical machine can help you burn calories, boost your energy level, increase productivity and reduce stress as you work
  • MAGNETIC RESISTANCE: This compact elliptical exercise machine has ultra-smooth magnetic resistance, a superior flywheel and a sturdy base. It's whisper quiet, so you'll never bother those around you
  • EASY TO USE: Large 6-Function LCD display tracks revolutions, RPM, time, calories burned and more; For easy reading, remove the display from under the desk and set it up on your table with the included display stand.
  • BUILD UP STRENGTH: Choose from 8 different resistance levels, from very easy to really hard! This seated elliptical machine is the perfect leg exercise bike for seniors, physical therapy, or anyone who wants to get more active.

DeskCycle brand is popular. It’s known for a wide range of workout machines with advanced features like unique, high-quality LCD monitors that show metrics for speed, distance, time, and calories burnt during the exercise. DeskCycle Ellipse’s ability to offer discrete performance at any level through the magnetic system gives it a place in our list of the best ellipticals under 400.

This elliptical was vigorously tested during production to ensure users can achieve their fitness goals at home with minimal effort. You will find the ultra-smooth pedal movement very comfortable to use, and it allows you to exercise in silence without disrupting your colleagues or family.

The significant advantages of this elliptical make it ideal for burning calories, increasing productivity, and reducing stress. The 8 calibrated settings make it suitable for the elderly, for physical therapy, and users with disabilities.

Pros

  • The dual-track feature gives you the extra smooth exercise
  • Easy to assemble
  • Has a magnetic control to reduce noise
  • Easily portable
  • Has a mobile stand to allow you to enjoy entertainment while working out

Cons

  • Has no warranty

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5. Fit Desk under Desk Elliptical Trainer – Elliptical Bike Pedal Machine for Home Use or Office

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FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical Trainer - Elliptical Bike Pedal Machine for Home Use or Office
  • WORKS WITH LOW DESKS - Lowest pedal rotation height available; only 8 inches, Can work with desks as low as 25 inches
  • SMOOTH & QUIET - 8 position magnetic resistance and balanced high velocity flywheel keep the pedal motion smooth and whisper quiet
  • HANDS-FREE ADJUSTMENTS - No reach easy foot shifter allows for hands-free tension adjustment
  • 6-FUNCTION DISPLAY - Desk stand included for easy access to 6 function display

Fit Desk is one of the best elliptical trainers under 400, offering great value for money. It comes with a heavy flywheel coupled with magnetic resistance to give you a smooth and whisper-quiet exercise. The magnetic resistance comes in various intensity levels to allow you to choose what is ideal for your strength.

This elliptical has large ergonomic pedals which are simple to set up under desks when not in use. Its low pedal rotation height is perfect for all desk sizes and users.

You can also keep in touch with your workout’s progress with the digital meter that helps you stay in touch with the speed, distance, and amount of burned calories. This elliptical also features a rolling chair wheel lock and a desk stand to keep it stable.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Very quiet
  • Easy to use
  • Highly durable

Cons

  • Some users complain that the wheel starts to produce some noise after prolonged use 

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6. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical Foot Pedal Exerciser

    

Sunny Health & Fitness– SF-E3872 elliptical has a robust and high-end frame while maintaining a simple, elegant look. It is comfortable to use, with textured foot pedals large enough to accommodate all sizes and extra grip for safe footing during vigorous exercise.

The elliptical comes with a digital monitor to help you keep track of your workout progress. You can keep track of your time, distance, speed, and the amount of burned calories.

Sunny Health & Fitness uses a belt drive magnetic system to give you low maintenance and whispers silent magnetic resistance. You can vary over 8 levels using the tension knob to provide higher levels of intensity to your workout. The magnetic system means that there is very little wear and tear because there is no contact between the moving parts of the elliptical.

The compact size of the machine gives you the freedom to exercise in your favorite environments because it will fit under most desks and chairs in your office. The centrally placed handle is comfortable to wrap your arms for transport.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Has a guiding user manual
  • Low maintenance cost
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Has no warranty
  • Sometimes the LCD battery needs a replacement

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7. Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Standing Elliptical – SF-E3988-Best for users of all sizes

Sunny SF-E3988 elliptical can accommodate users of almost all weights and heights. It is the perfect equipment to get your family involved in fitness. The built-in digital monitor helps you to keep track of your progress, displaying the distance covered and the time taken.

You will find this elliptical comfortable to use thanks to the non-slip textured pedals that accommodate all sizes and keeps your feet moving safely. The 2-way adjustable handlebars are smooth to wrap your arm around to maintain a firm grip. Sunny SF-E3988 perfectly fits trainers regardless of their weight or height.

What makes this machine a favorite among the best elliptical under 400 is the smooth glide wheels for low to high impact workouts, effectively stretching every muscle in your lower body. It is straightforward to use and move—simply tilt and roll the transportation wheels for convenient storage. You can vary the intensity of your exercise with the 8 magnetic resistance levels. The magnetic system reduces the likelihood of abrasion or rust on the moving parts of the elliptical.

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Space economical
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • No negative reviews of this product have been received

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Frequently Asked Questions on Ellipticals

1. What are the main differences between cheap and expensive ellipticals?

The prices of ellipticals typically range between $100 to $10,000. The more expensive ellipticals usually have additional features such as built-in Bluetooth speakers, cooling fans, larger displays, and more advanced software.

They also have a greater weight capacity. However, for persons who are reading this article (and are on a tight budget), ignore the bells and whistles. The ellipticals under 400 on our list are perfect for your fitness needs without costing a fortune.

2. Do ellipticals help lose belly fat?

Ellipticals, without a doubt, are effective for persons intending to reduce belly fat, and the results come as quickly as 10 days if used together with dietary measures. Ellipticals also confer full-body workouts targeting the glutes, hamstrings, calf muscles, and arms.

3. Where is the best place to buy the most affordable elliptical machines?

The best ellipticals under 400 are sold on Amazon. The best brands sell on Amazon and have amazing offers that you will love. Additionally, reliable warranties accompany all these products.

Conclusion

The best Ellipticals under $400 reviewed in this post will help you achieve your fitness goals. They are safe, smooth, and efficient workout platforms. These machines come with user-friendly features that make them suitable for both beginners and aces. We hope you find one that will serve your needs sufficiently. Best of luck as you choose one today!

# Best Elliptical Under 400

Also, check out the best budget elliptical trainers.

Last update on 2023-05-10 at 11:18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API