Best Elliptical Machines Under $2,500 of 2024
Editor's Choice
Ellipticals priced from $2,000 to $2,499 are impressive overall. You could spend more, but a good machine from this price range can meet the needs of an advanced trainee or a whole family of home gym users. Its drive is especially heavy for ultra-smooth motion, and its other components are robust for durability. Often these units have five-year parts warranties.
In this price class two special features promote especially healthy muscle tone. First, some of these ellipticals have uncommonly generous auto-adjustable stride. Their pedaling paths aren’t fixed at around 20” but are adjustable during workout sessions. The adjustability ensures that the machine can fit anyone’s natural gait... plus you benefit from a wide variety of muscle-sculpting elliptical paths for the lower body. Second, these machines tend to have premium multi-grip handlebars. By taking different grip positions, you can work your upper body in different ways.
Five of the best ellipticals under $2,500 this year are highlighted on the chart below. For an in-depth review you can click on any elliptical photo.
Top 5 Best Rated Elliptical Machines Under $2,500
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Model |  Sole E95S |  NordicTrack FS10i |  Life Fitness |  Octane Fitness Q35 |  Matrix E30 |
| Rating |  Rating: 93.9 % | Rating: 92 % |  Rating: 88.3 % | Rating: 87.8 % | Rating: 87.8 % |
| Resistance | 15 Levels | 24 Levels | 20 Levels | 20 resistance levels | 20 Levels |
| Stride Length | 18" - 24" | 0" - 32" | 20-inches | fixed at 20.5" | 20" |
| Programs | 10 | 35 | 12 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Flywheel | 30 lbs | 20 lbs. | Undisclosed | n/a | 23.1 lbs |
| MSRP | $4,199 | $2,499 | $2,199 | $2,199 | $3,399 |
| Pricing | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price | See Best Price |
Elliptical Machines Under $2,500 Buying Guide
The elliptical machine comparison chart above shows five of the best ellipticals with sale prices from $2,000 to $2,499. Knowing their features can help you set standards for shopping in this price class. For example, these elliptical machines all have user weight capacities of at least 300 pounds and stride lengths that suit the natural gait of almost any user. They have the resistance to challenge trainees at all ability levels and have wireless heart rate receivers to help trainees stay on track. Here are some details about qualities you can expect on the best elliptical trainers under $2,500, from the essentials to the extras.
Resistance
Smooth pedaling is an elliptical machine’s main attraction, and ellipticals priced from $2,000 to $2,499 tend to feature even smoother motion than those in a more moderate price class. A key reason is that flywheels on the better machines can generate more inertia. Generally this is because they’re heavier, with weights of 25 pounds and up being common. Some manufacturers advertise Watts instead of flywheel weight. Precor, the industry’s leader, offers settings of 10 to 550 Watts for ellipticals costing around $2,500.
Stride and Incline
Shoppers can also expect ample stride length and stride variety. Ellipticals in this price range don’t compromise on stride length, unlike some cheaper ellipticals that have choppy footpaths. For $2,000 to $2,499 you can get an elliptical with a stride fixed to your ideal length or choose an adjustable stride elliptical that fits different users and gives you more workout variety. Shown on our top five ellipticals comparison chart are some options with particularly generous stride length ranges.
Also available in this price class are ellipticals with automated inclines. These let the user choose from differently angled elliptical paths to isolate different muscle groups and rev up calorie burn.
Total Body Training
Most elliptical machines are total body trainers that synchronize lower body pedaling with the pushing and pulling of arm bars. Arm bars on the best ellipticals under $2,500 are designed to be comfortably gripped in different positions. (Different grip positions allow a focus on different muscles in the back, arms and core.) On our favorite machines, controls for the machine’s resistance and incline are conveniently built in near the grips.
Electronics and Extras
On ellipticals priced $2,000 to $2,499 many fitness equipment brands include their top-of-the-line electronics. Many brands include extensive workout program variety, and with some brands this goes beyond classic training programs to include immersive video training with virtual reality effects.
Console screens 7″ wide or larger are typical in this price class. Some are touch screens and some have wireless capability for data tracking and downloading new workouts. Ellipticals in all price categories nowadays have tablet holders and iPod compatibility. Some of the best ellipticals under $2,500 give the option of high definition TV too.