Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer
I’m a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness myths. On my spare time I enjoy cooking new recipes, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or binge-watching many TV shows at once. I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. I’ve had my wellness and lifestyle content published in various online publications such as: Women’s Health, Shape, Healthline, Popsugar and more.
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Lindsay Boyers CNET Contributor
Lindsay Boyers is a certified nutritionist and published book author who writes articles and product reviews for CNET’s health and wellness section. Her work also appears on mindbodygreen, Healthline, Verywell Health and The Spruce. When she’s not actively searching for the best products at the best prices, she’s most likely creating new recipes, reading in her hammock or trying to force her cats to love her.
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Best elliptical for knee pain
Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer and Elliptical
The best way to have an effective cardio workout is with an elliptical. It’s a great option if you want a full-body and low-impact workout at home. Moreover, if you’re returning to exercise after an injury or prefer a workout that doesn’t involve a treadmill, stationary bike or rowing machine, this is a reliable machine to use.
Many popular brands, like Bowflex and Nautilus, have their own ellipticals, and there are many others that can benefit you on your journey to better health. We tested various elliptical machines to help you decide which is the best fit for your lifestyle and space. There was more than one CNET expert involved in testing ellipticals to determine our top picks. We looked at the comfort, functionality and price of each of these ellipticals to help you choose the one that’s best for your lifestyle. Check out our list below. (If you’re new to using an elliptical, we’ve provided some helpful tips to get you started. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly ellipticals, these are some of our favorites.)
Read more: 6 Best Peloton Alternatives: Great Indoor Exercise Bikes
What is the best elliptical overall?
Our top pick for best elliptical goes to the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9. Not only does it provide a smooth ride, it’s also one of the most technologically advanced machines. Standout features like the hands-free auto-adjust function that changes the incline and resistance during an iFit class is something the other ellipticals lack. The commercial size can pose a challenge if you don’t have a lot of room, but it’s the best option if you’re looking for an elliptical of the same caliber as the ones you’ll find at your local gym — if not better.
Best ellipticals of 2023
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The NordicTrack Commercial 14.9 really has it all — an adjustable stride length, a 14-inch color touchscreen, oversize cushioned pedals, auto-adjustment capabilities and Bluetooth connectivity. At 32 pounds, this elliptical machine also has one of the heaviest flywheels on the market. When you combine that with magnetic resistance, the end result is an impressively quiet machine with smooth movement.
One thing that makes this machine stand out is that it’s fully integrated with iFit, an immersive training experience that gives you access to elite personal trainers and structured, guided workouts to help you achieve your fitness goal. When you choose a workout through iFit, you’re taken through a simulated workout that automatically adjusts both incline and resistance on your machine as you go. You get one month of the iFit family membership for free with the NordicTrack Commercial 14.9, and then it’s $39 a month. You also have the option to skip iFit and run the machine manually, but the iFit experience takes this elliptical trainer machine from good to great.
The only real negative of this fitness equipment is that it’s big. Because this elliptical exercise machine was technically designed for commercial gym equipment use, it takes up a lot of space in a home gym, both horizontally and vertically. If you like all of the features of the 14.9, but want something that’s just a little bit smaller (and a little bit less expensive) the NordicTrack Commercial 12.9 is almost the same thing — it does have a smaller screen and a lighter flywheel — in a more compact size.
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Unlike other ellipticals that can take up a lot of space in your home gym, the ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 has a vertical design that makes this elliptical better suited for smaller spaces. It is more reminiscent of a stair climber, rather than a traditional elliptical.
The 10-inch vertical and 5-inch horizontal elliptical path was intentionally combined to give you a better workout intensity and a higher calorie burn. The strides help you feel the movement more in your glutes and hamstrings, similar to the way a stair climber functions. Another thing that made this ProForm elliptical machine stand out is that it’s quiet. That’s because it uses silent magnetic resistance (SMR), a trademarked form of resistance that is smoother and quieter, compared to air resistance used in other machines. It was also stable, without any rocking or shaking, even at high speeds on the cardio machine.
This machine comes equipped with iFit, offering the option to be guided through your workout by a professional elliptical trainer. The 7-inch HD touchscreen on the console made the iFit experience hyper-realistic and easy to navigate. One downside of the ProForm Carbon HIIT H7 was that there’s no place to put a tablet. This isn’t a big deal, especially if you’re using iFit, but it would be a nice additional touch for those who have other fitness memberships. We also didn’t like the fact that there’s no power button. The manual says the machine has auto shut-off, but it never kicked in. We had to unplug it to turn it off– something that was inconvenient for a high-end machine.
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