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For most homes the NordicTrack AirGlide 16 is the elliptical to buy: a 48.3 cm stride, 26 levels, an incline ramp and a 10-year frame warranty. Taller users should look at the NordicTrack X16's longer adjustable stride, and users over 170 kg at the Life Fitness E1 Go, rated for 181 kg. On a budget, the ProForm Carbon EL and Sport share the lowest list price of the picks.
Our picks
- 1Best overall
NordicTrack AirGlide 16 Elliptical
48.3 cm auto-adjustable stride, 26 levels, a -5 to 15 degree incline and a 16-inch tilting touchscreen. Sold by NordicTrack in the UK, Australia and the US.
- 2Best for a long stride
NordicTrack X16 Elliptical
An auto-adjustable stride up to 81.3 cm, a -10% to 10% ramp and a 170 kg user limit, the highest of the NordicTrack picks.
- 3Best for heavier users
Life Fitness E1 Elliptical Cross-Trainer with Go Console
Rated for 181 kg with a fixed 51 cm stride and 20 levels. A simple Go console with no subscription. Sold in Australia and the US.
- 4Best budget
ProForm Sport Elliptical
The lowest list price here in the UK, and joint lowest with the Carbon EL in the US, with 20 levels, a 7.3 kg flywheel and a 150 cm footprint.
- 5Best budget for a longer stride
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical
Same US price as the Sport but with a longer 45.7 cm stride, a 125 kg user limit and a 10-year frame warranty.
| Model | NordicTrackNordicTrack AirGlide 16 Elliptical | NordicTrackNordicTrack X16 Elliptical | Life FitnessLife Fitness E1 Elliptical Cross-Trainer with Go Console | ProFormProForm Sport Elliptical | ProFormProForm Carbon EL Elliptical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stride | 48.3 cm | 81.3 cm | 51 cm | 40.6 cm | 45.7 cm |
| Levels | 26 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
| Max user | 136 kg | 170 kg | 181 kg | 113 kg | 125 kg |
| Length | 178.3 cm | 148.6 cm | 209 cm | 150.1 cm | — |
| Height | 171.2 cm | 188 cm | 150 cm | 156 cm | — |
How to choose a home elliptical
- Stride length. This is how far the pedals travel front to back. The picks run from 40.6 cm (16 in, ProForm Sport) to 81.3 cm (32 in, NordicTrack X16, adjustable). A short stride can feel choppy for tall users, so if you are tall, favour 45 cm (18 in) and up.
- Resistance levels. More levels means finer steps, not a harder top end. The picks offer 18 to 26.
- Flywheel weight. A heavier flywheel usually feels smoother. Only ProForm states it (7.3 kg on both of its picks); NordicTrack and Life Fitness do not publish one for these models.
- User limit. A safety rating. It runs from 113 kg (ProForm Sport) to 181 kg (Life Fitness E1).
- Footprint and height. Ellipticals are tall. The X16 stands 188 cm and the AirGlide 16 171.2 cm before you step on, so check the ceiling against your own height plus the highest pedal position.
- Screens. The NordicTrack and ProForm models run iFIT classes; a paid plan unlocks trainer-controlled resistance. The Life Fitness E1 Go has a basic console and no wireless connection.
NordicTrack AirGlide 16: best overall
The AirGlide 16 has a 48.3 cm auto-adjustable stride, 26 digital levels and a ramp that moves from -5 to 15 degrees. It has a 16-inch tilting touchscreen for iFIT, holds users up to 136 kg and measures 178.3 cm long, 62.5 cm wide and 171.2 cm tall. NordicTrack gives it a 10-year frame and 2-year parts warranty.
Pros
- Auto-adjustable 48.3 cm stride
- Incline and decline ramp for variety
- 10-year frame warranty
- Sold by NordicTrack in the UK, Australia and the US
Cons
- 136 kg user limit
- Trainer-controlled resistance needs paid iFIT
- NordicTrack does not publish the flywheel weight
NordicTrack X16: best for a long stride
The X16 is for users who want a longer stride or more incline. NordicTrack lists an auto-adjustable stride up to 81.3 cm, 26 levels and a -10% to 10% ramp, with a 170 kg user limit. It is shorter than the AirGlide at 148.6 cm long but taller at 188 cm, which matters in rooms with low ceilings. It has a higher list price than the AirGlide 16 in every market where both are sold.
Pros
- Longest stride of the picks
- 170 kg user limit
- Shortest footprint of the NordicTrack picks at 148.6 cm
Cons
- 188 cm tall, so check your ceiling
- Highest list price of the picks
- 131 kg boxed, so plan the delivery
Life Fitness E1 Go: best for heavier users
Life Fitness makes commercial gym equipment, and the E1 is its home cross trainer. The Go console version has 20 resistance levels, a fixed 51 cm stride, contact heart-rate sensors and no wireless link. It holds users up to 181 kg, weighs 96 kg and measures 209 x 77 x 150 cm. Life Fitness Australia gives it a 3-year warranty and charges freight separately.
Pros
- 181 kg user limit, the highest here
- No subscription or app needed
- Lower standing height (150 cm) than the NordicTrack picks
Cons
- Fixed stride, no incline
- 209 cm long, the longest pick
- Freight is extra in Australia
ProForm Sport and Carbon EL: best budget
The ProForm Sport has 20 levels, a 40.6 cm stride and a 7.3 kg flywheel, and holds users up to 113 kg. It measures 150.1 cm long and 156 cm tall, the smallest footprint here. It has a 5-year frame warranty. The Carbon EL has the same list price and a longer 45.7 cm stride, 18 levels, a 125 kg limit and a 10-year frame warranty, so it is the better buy for taller or heavier users.
Pros
- Lowest prices in this guide
- Smallest footprint (Sport)
- Stated 7.3 kg flywheel on both
Cons
- Short 40.6 cm stride on the Sport
- Lower user limits (113 kg Sport, 125 kg Carbon EL)
- ProForm does not publish the Carbon EL's assembled dimensions
What is the difference between an elliptical and a cross trainer?
Nothing. Elliptical is the usual name in the US; cross trainer is the usual name in the UK and Australia.
What stride length do I need?
Makers rarely publish a height-to-stride chart, so use the numbers as a guide: the shortest pick here is 40.6 cm (16 in) and the longest 81.3 cm (32 in). Taller users usually prefer 45 cm (18 in) or more. An auto-adjustable stride, as on the NordicTrack models, changes with your movement.
What is the best elliptical for a small space?
The ProForm Sport has the smallest footprint here at 150.1 cm long and 64.8 cm wide. The NordicTrack X16 is slightly shorter at 148.6 cm but wider at 74.9 cm and 188 cm tall, so check your ceiling.
Do I need an iFIT subscription?
Not to use the machine. You can set the resistance by hand. A paid iFIT plan adds trainer-led classes that change the resistance and incline for you. The Life Fitness E1 Go has no app at all.
What is the best elliptical for heavy people?
The Life Fitness E1 Go, rated for 181 kg (about 400 lb). The NordicTrack X16 is rated for 170 kg. Check the limit against your weight before you buy, because it is a safety rating.
How we chose
We have not tested these machines. We compared the makers' published stride lengths, resistance levels, user limits, dimensions, warranties and list prices in each country, and kept only models the maker sells new in that market. Where a maker does not publish a figure, such as flywheel weight, we leave it blank.
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