Elliptical Trainer Reviews

Updated December 2012

An elliptical trainer gives users a great cardio workout without the joint stress of pounding on a treadmill. ConsumerSearch editors compare seven expert reviews and hundreds of user ratings to find the most comfortable, reliable machines.

Sole E95

Best Elliptical Trainer

*Est. $1,600

Estimated Price

The Sole Fitness E95's 40-degree incline ramp combined with its sturdy frame and extensive warranty make it hard to beat as a quality elliptical. Equipped with a 34-pound flywheel and eddy current brake system that uses magnets to create resistance, the E95 is a solid elliptical trainer with a super-smooth ride.

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NordicTrack E 15.0

Home Elliptical Trainer

*Est. $1,500

Estimated Price

Don't let the small footprint of the NordicTrack E 15.0 fool you. It's packed with great features and handlebar controls, plus an innovative iFit tablet on its console. When users map out real-life routes on the tablet, the E 15.0 will imitate the terrain while iFit tracks progress.

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Schwinn 420

Cheap Elliptical Trainer

*Est. $600

Estimated Price

This low-cost elliptical is smooth and quiet, and offers 16 resistance levels. It may be budget-friendly, but it isn't feature-rich. It has none of the bells and whistles that make cardio equipment performance ready; there's no interactive heart-rate programs or incline, and reviewers say it has a difficult-to-read display and a short stride length. However, they seem to look past these shortcomings because of the price.

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Precor EFX 5.33

Club-quality elliptical trainer

*Est. $4,300

Estimated Price

While many heavy-duty ellipticals draw criticism for their high cost, the Precor EFX 5.33 collects several awards from respected fitness reviewers. One expert says this machine uses the same frame, and many of the same components, as the commercial-grade Precor elliptical trainers you'd see in the gym. The 5.33's warranty is as solid as its reputation, with 10 years of coverage for parts and wear items. Downsides include its heft, and the lack of fancy features like built-in speakers and cooling fans, although we saw no user complaints about this. Perhaps buyers are more interested in the machine's proven durability and comfortable operation.

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