Best Elliptical Under $400

The elliptical workout is getting more popular at great speed which makes elliptical machines more popular. So, there are tons of home ellipticals on the market priced from $100 to $2000. If you do not want to invest in an expensive elliptical, there is no problem. The reason is you will even find the best elliptical for under 400 dollars.

Bear in mind that your budget is limited, so you need to be more careful to choose the right elliptical that value your money. In this article, I will talk about the top 7 best ellipticals under 400.

Let’s have a deeper look –

Top 7 Best Ellipticals Under 400:

1. Sunny SF-E3912 Magnetic Elliptical

The Sunny Health SF-E3912 elliptical is a suitable machine for beginners or those on a budget. This Sunny elliptical has some of the features that you can find in this price range. There are 8 levels of magnetic resistance to choose from -very light to extremely hard. This budget elliptical comes with 6 workout programs that are great for beginners to keep track of their progress. Even if you are an advanced user, the programs are still helpful in tracking your workouts. Additionally, there is a decent console that offers multiple windows to display statistics without any disturbances.

The downside of this elliptical is it is relatively small which can make it difficult for taller users. Though pedals are not super comfortable, it is not bad at all. Also, this model does not have adjustable stride length, as you can only adjust the angle of the incline.

Additionally, some users complain that their SF-E3912 elliptical arrives with a few pieces broken or assembled incorrectly. However, issues like these are usually fixed by contacting the company for warranty service.

Overall, this elliptical has a lot to offer for the price. It is a good machine for beginner or intermediate users. If you are looking for a solid workout in a short amount of time without having to spend too much money, the Sunny SF- E3912 might be worth considering.

2. Cubii Pro Under Desk Elliptical

Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical is one of the best under desk ellipticals that will help you strengthen your leg muscles while sitting.

You can use this mini elliptical while working at home or even in an office. It has eight resistance levels for different fitness levels. Its weight is 12 pounds which makes it super easy to move. So you can put it anywhere in the house. Cubii Pro comes with a 5-inch stride length and a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs. So, your weight and height are not an issue. This elliptical also comes with a heart rate monitor strap which you can easily attach to your body to track your heart rate. You can download a free Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical app from the android store. This app comes with three pre-defined workout programs to help you get started with ease. This top-rated under-desk elliptical has 12 built-in workouts that will keep you engaged as well as encourage you to set personal goals. It will make your exercise more fun.

The Cubii Pro helps you to burn fat, increase leg strength, and tone muscles. It also reduces the risk of getting type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease. This small elliptical works by allowing you to exercise your legs while seated at your desk or even when you are just watching TV.

Cuibii Pro Under Desk Elliptical is quite popular among office workers who typically sit behind their desks for most of the day and spend very little time on physical activity. You can fold this elliptical in half to take up very little space when not in use. Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical is one of the best budget-friendly desk ellipticals to hit the market. It’s sturdy, flexible, and easy to use.

3. ANCHEER Mini Elliptical

I recommend ANCHEER Mini elliptical for people who desire light exercise but want to be productive while they work.

This compact elliptical machine would fit under any desk. It’s a great elliptical for both tall and short people. It’s not suitable for running or jogging, but it’s perfect for that light cardio burst you get from walking. So, you can improve your heart health and circulation with this foldable elliptical.

This portable elliptical is quiet enough for use in an open space, even one shared with other people. The stride length and resistance levels are adjustable to suit all fitness levels. Another good thing about this budget elliptical is it has a built-in rail to hold onto if you need it.

I really like the ANCHEER Mini elliptical, but I don’t think you should use it if you are already fit and just trying to burn off extra calories at your desk job. In this regard, I recommend something more intense, like the Schwinn 430 elliptical. If you’re not sure how much exercise you should be doing to start with, I would suggest talking to your doctor first.

I think this is an ideal piece of equipment for office workers who can’t really squeeze in time for a lunch break, though. Just half an hour at lunchtime has been shown to improve cardiovascular health and concentration during the afternoon. So why not do that while you’re also getting work done?

4. Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical

The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical is affordable fitness equipment that can help users to achieve their fitness goals. It has a sleek, simple design without too many bells and whistles. The elliptical machine is made primarily for low-impact workouts that burn calories while strengthening muscles. Many people use this 2-in-1 elliptical as part of cardio and weight loss programs. This elliptical machine is quite sturdy and will not shake or tip over. Even if the user weighs more than average there is no issue with this elliptical. It has a maximum user weight capacity of 220 pounds. While it is not advertised as an anti-fatigue mat, it does have some cushioning that allows the feet to rest comfortably as they move.

The foot pedals on this elliptical trainer are quite large, which makes it very stable. If you’re over 5 feet tall, you will likely have enough leg length to use this elliptical machine comfortably. That said, if you are taller than six feet, this may not be the most appropriate choice because of issues with knee height. The foot pedals are not adjustable, so if you have longer legs, they may strike the bottom of the handlebars. This could cause discomfort for some people after prolonged use.

The resistance levels on this elliptical machine are not adjustable except by increasing or decreasing the incline level. To be very honest you hardly find this in this price category. There are four basic modes to choose from manual, quick start, interval training, and manual resistance. A quick start is a great option for beginner or less experienced users who want to get their workout started quickly. It immediately starts at the easiest level of resistance. Interval training is an effective technique that can be used on this machine. One problem is that there is no specific LCD display to show how many calories have been burned, the distance traveled, or any other relevant information.

There are several drawbacks to this elliptical trainer. The first is that while using it, users can easily see how much resistance they are putting on their muscles. Because the handlebars move back and forth slightly whenever a person’s feet hit them. This can cause problems for those who are trying to keep the handlebars still to focus only on the lower body. You can easily move this 2-in-1 elliptical from place to place. But it does not have a transport wheel, so this causes some difficulty when moving it up or down any flights of stairs.

5. Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine

The Body Champ 3-in-1 Elliptical Machine is gym equipment that functions as a stepper, elliptical, and recumbent bike. This combination makes it an effective workout tool. It allows you to work out various muscle groups simultaneously. The resistance of the pedals can be altered according to your need providing a better experience. The three adjustable incline positions allow you to target different muscle groups.

The Body Champ 3-in-1 Exercise Machine is designed for your home use. You can easily fold this elliptical. This budget elliptical has a maximum user weight of 220 pounds. So it’s not the best elliptical for really heavy people. The pedals are fitted with adjustable Velcro straps which provide comfort while working out. This foldable elliptical has a water bottle holder as well. It is very convenient for those who work out regularly. Body Champ 3 in 1 elliptical offers a wide range of benefits from improving cardiovascular fitness to strengthening your muscles and burning calories.

Finally, this trio elliptical machine does not have a reading rack. Therefore, it can be a drawback for those who like to read or watch TV as part of their cardio workout.

6. Fitness Reality E5500XL Elliptical

The Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical helps you get the perfect workout without worrying about any kind of maintenance. This magnetic elliptical trainer has 14 pre-set workout programs that take your fitness to another level. You can target maximum body parts with maximum speed through these programs. It comes with transport wheels so you can shift it from one place to another easily. With a weight of 65 pounds, this elliptical trainer is not too heavy and won’t take up much space in your house either.

Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical has a decent monitor with backlighting ability. So, you can view the data even during nighttime. The display allows you to monitor time, distance, speed, and calories burnt. You can also program the machine to your desired settings through different modes like manual, target heart rate control, and quick start.

Some users said that It gives a loud sound when in use, so you cannot use it while others are sleeping or watching television. But I would suggest if it happens, you should lubricate your equipment. The good news is how to lubricate an elliptical is not so difficult task.

The machine only has six magnetic resistance settings that do not go any higher than level six. So, if you want a more challenging workout, you should invest in a little bit of expensive elliptical. You’ll get some best ellipticals under $1000 that give you maximum resistance levels.

Fitness Reality E5500XL Magnetic Elliptical is the perfect workout equipment for people living in apartments. It’s very easy to assemble and you don’t need a lot of space to store it away when not in use. You can track your fitness levels through its monitor. The 14 pre-set programs are available to help you target different body parts and lose weight faster.

7. Xterra Fitness FS2.5 Elliptical

The Xterra Fitness FS2.5 elliptical machine is a quality, extremely effective, and affordable option for those looking at getting an elliptical trainer. As with any fitness equipment purchase, you must consider your specific needs before making the investment. But overall this is one elliptical that will suit most users well.

There are two models available for this machine, the FS2.5, and the FS4.0. The FS2.5 has a larger flywheel weight at 22lbs and the FS4.0 has 13lbs. The console also differs slightly with a calorie counter being available on both. But heart rate measuring only being possible with an additional monitor on the FS4.0.

The Xterra elliptical has a solid steel frame construction. It is equipped with an adjustable foot pedal stride length of 18-20″ for comfort and stability. There are 8 different resistance levels. They are adjusted through an enclosed drive system that will be both smooth and quiet. So, you can easily avoid distracting your workout or disturbing any family members around you.

The machine has a weight capacity of 300lbs and measures 60″ L x 22 1/2″ W x 65″ H. So it is best suited to users from around 5’6″- 6’4″. There is also a cooling fan mounted in the console to keep you cool as you work out.

Overall this elliptical trainer offers a lot for the price and should make a welcome addition to any home gym.

Best elliptical under 400 – Buying Guide

Ellipticals are without a doubt one of the most favorite pieces of cardio equipment in any commercial or home gym. That’s why, if you’re just starting out working out or want to complete your home gym, then you should consider an affordable elliptical trainer.

However, not all ellipticals are made the same way, some are big and bulky, and others are small and best suited to be space-saving.

As far as ellipticals go for $400 or less, almost all of them will be compact. You can still find some full-sized models around the price range. Different types of conventional ellipticals use a belt drive system. The back wheel of such types of elliptical is attached to a belt on the machine’s flywheel. On the other hand, ellipticals with a front-drive system have their flywheel in front of the machine. You can step on instead of being at the back.

Best ellipticals under 400 prices usually range from about $300 to $500 and below. But some models might be more expensive if they come with additional features such as a built-in fan, MP3/iPod compatible speakers, or a USB charging port.

What to look for in an elliptical under 400?

It goes without saying that you should consider the price first and foremost before making a purchase. However, there are a few key aspects that will make your workout more enjoyable and efficient. I researched and compiled a list of factors to consider when buying an elliptical for under $400. I’m sure it will be useful for you as well:

Stride length

The stride length is crucial as it affects the total distance that your legs move during an exercise session. So it’s best to go with something long enough to mimic the movement of running. Most ellipticals that cost less than $400 will have a stride length of between 18 and 22 inches, but some can go as low as 12 inches for really compact models.

Weight capacity

Weight capacity is also important for anyone who’s on the heavier side. Especially if it’s just you and your kids using the elliptical. The weight capacity usually goes hand-in-hand with the frame quality. But some sub-$400 models might be able to support up to 300 lbs.

Resistance/ incline

Most lower-range ellipticals will have either manual or no resistance at all. It means that you’ll need to work harder to keep your intensity level up and improve your workout. If you want to make things a little bit more challenging, then you can go with an elliptical that offers adjustable or preset levels of resistance. You should also look for incline/ decline options that will increase the total number of workouts available.

Also worth mentioning is that type of resistance determines what type of noise the machine will make.

Programs

Having at least a few workout programs is important for someone who’s not sure they know what kind of workouts they need. But most ellipticals under $400 don’t have more than 10 or 12 which is somewhat limiting. However, if your goal is to lose weight or improve your cardiovascular condition then you can go with a model that has a user-defined mode. Because you can set the time, distance, and resistance yourself with the mode.

Cardio equipment

ellipticals are great for low-impact cardio sessions as it’s not as taxing on your knees and joints as running is. But some models also offer upper body exercises such as handgrip bars or chest press stations. Although not all models with such equipment will be under $400, the ones that do fit into that price range might be more expensive than regular ellipticals.

Warranty

The warranty is an important aspect as well especially if you’re spending quite a bit of money on something. There aren’t too many manufacturers offering warranties for their sub-$400 models. For the most part, they have either a one or two-year warranty on their parts which is about what you can expect, but some might last longer if the manufacturer is confident that they’re making quality products.

Final Verdict

You’re now at the last portion of this piece of writing on the best elliptical under 400. I think now you know more than enough to choose the best elliptical within this price tag. Lastly, I would remind you that you should focus on your purpose and your physical condition first, then choose an elliptical. It will surely help you pick the best one for you.