What Are The Best Elliptical Machines Under $1000?

A simple summary of the best elliptical exercise machines available below $1000.

It's hard to be brief when reviewing a subject with so many details. What you will find below are short descriptions which highlight the major points, e.g. price, positive and negative qualities.
I have provided links for further investigation, should you be interested in any one of the ellipticals below.

Major Tip: When looking for an elliptical on a limited budget, remember that the lower priced machines will not be as sturdy and functional as the higher priced ones. Also, machines under $1000 tend to be suitable only for moderate use and limited user weight capacity. Another point to note is that ellipticals in the lower price range have a very limited warranty, usually around 90 days. These machines are better for occasional exercise or for those who are still in the experimental stage of an exercise regimen.

The following is based on a cross-section of the more popular and trustworthy review sites across the internet:

Under $400:

Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 HR/A
Price: approx. $300.00 - 379.00
Positive: Good for beginners and those not sure if they want to do the "elliptical thing" seriously. For the price this has some pretty good qualities

• 8 resistance levels and different programs to work
• Forward and backward motion for good range of muscle group workout
• One year warranty.

User weight capacity: 275lbs.
Negative: Short stride - 15 inches. Light weight - not for heavy weight user.
Fitness Quest Eclipse 1100 on sale here
If out of stock at above link, you may also find some new or used ones on sale if you scoot over to Elliptical Live.

Between $400-$1000

ProForm 900 Space Saver Elliptical
Price: approx. $599
Positive: For the price there are a good many features:

• Handlebars for upper body workout
• Ten exercise programs
• Cooling fan set in the console
• Adjustable stride up to 18 inches.

User weight capacity: 250lbs
Negative: 90 day warranty. Light weight - not for heavy user. Assembly required.

Proform 20.0
Price: approx. $799
Positive:

• 18 inch stride
• 12 workout programs
• Console has ability to play video games controlled by hand grips

User Weight Capacity: 250lbs
Negative: 90 day warranty

Elliptical - Spirit ZE110

Price: approx. $999


Positive:

• 13 workout programs
• 18 inch stride length
• Lifetime warranty on frame, 3yrs parts and electronics

User weight capacity: 300lbs
Negative: Spirit brand of ellipticals are not distributed widely and may be difficult to find locally

Of course, you can always find a deal online, so if you're game and are up for grabbing a bargain, why not start at Elliptical Live.

Happy elliptical shopping!

This is an addendum to the above...
As I was writing my next entry for best ellipticals between $1000 and $2000 I found that my first pick, normally priced at $1175 is on sale for $999...
Here are the details:
Sole E25 Elliptical Trainer

Price: normally approx. $1175 but at the moment $899
Positive:

• 20 inch stride length
• Reputation: Sole machines used in the Hilton hotel chain
• Lifetime frame warranty
• Quiet running
  

Negative: At this price, it's hard to find a negative, but if it counts as a neg, there are only 6 workout programs on this elliptical (most people only use 2 or 3 anyway). Oh well, it's up to you....

Best Ellipticals Between $3000 and $4000

Now we are in the club quality ellipticals. These machines are for those who are really serious about staying in shape and dedicated to their elliptical workout. Of course, some people will buy these expensive models and barely use them, but that's their prerogative. If that's the case, they usually end up on eBay or CraigsList when the owner is sick of looking at them and needs the space, and that could be to your advantage, but be careful. A few tips to follow when buying used ellipticals:

• try to buy from a fitness center or service shop
• warranties are sometimes still in effect, depending on how old the machine is. If so, you will need it
  
• make sure you get the manual
• research online for durability record
• know the strengths and weaknesses of the machine

Of course, to avoid this you can just buy a brand new one.


Precor EFX 5.21i Elliptical
Price: approx. $3799
Positive:

• Six programs
• 20 resistance levels
• Quiet Operation- no motor
• Low Maintenance - Quality components and superior construction promote years of trouble-free use
• Space-Efficient - Designed to take up minimal floor space while providing exceptional stability-even during vigorous workouts
• Easy to move. Fits through most standard doorways
• Weight: 197 lbs (89kg)
  
• Stride Length: 19 inches
  
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, 10 years parts, 1 year service

Negative: Hard to find any negs on this machine except for the size and weight which makes it hard to relocate once you have it set up. However, if you are willing to purchase this amount of machine, I'm sure it won't be going in the living room of a one bedroom apartment, so size isn't going to be an issue to most folks. Also various complaints were someone had a problem with magazine display; another person mentioned that the monitor only shows your workout in stride amount and not distance traveled.


Precor EFX 5.33 Elliptical

Price: $3899
Positive:

• 14 programs
• 20 resistance levels
• Handgrip heartrate sensors
• Quiet Operation
• Low Maintenance - Quality components and superior construction promote years of trouble-free use
• Weight: 197 lbs (89kg)
  
• Stride Length: 19 inches
  
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, 10 years parts, 1 year service
• Virtually unlimited user weight capacity

Negative: Ramp is fixed at 20 degrees which may be a problem for some

Best Ellipticals Between $2000 and $3000

Moving into the high end of the elliptical market now, these elliptical machines have more features and are a higher grade than the lower priced ones (kind of stating the obvious there...), but these are getting into the "club quality" that many people are looking for.

The prices quoted below are the approximate price. Of course, you can always find a deal online, especially at places like eBay. Even though they are an "auction" many quality stores use eBay to move their products because of the its popularity. If you are curious, try Elliptical Live. It has the current eBay listings for ellipticals.

OK. Back to our best ellipticals between $2000 to $3000.


Smooth Fitness CE Plus
Price: approx. $2799
(Shopzilla's Fitness Equipment
Department)
Positive:

• 19inch oval stride
• Choice of heart rate monitors - either hand grip or chest strap
• Whole body workout
• Small size-great if you're limited for space-55 inch footprint
• 48 programs; 75 resistance levels
• Lifetime warranty on frame and braking system; 5 yrs on parts; 1yr service
  

User weight capacity: 330lbs
Negative: Some may be put off by the price, but you can always try to find a lower price online. Elliptical Live has all the current eBay elliptical listings.


Precor EFX 5.17i Elliptical




Price: approx. $2799
Positive:

• Stride length 19 inches
• 4 programs and 20 resistance levels
• Adjustable incline: 12 to 25 degrees
• Prevention magazine rate it as one of the most durable on the market
• Lifetime warranty on frame and welds; 10 yrs on parts and wear; 1 yr labor
  

User weight capacity: No limit
Negative: This model does not have an upper body workout. Instead it has the adjustable incline. If you want the upper body workout in a Precor, then see the Precor EFX 5.19 below. With Precor machines they either have the adjustable incline or upper body workout, so you would have to choose. You have to add an optional heart monitor if you want one. Precor machines tend to be large and heavy, but this is why they are one of the more stable machines today. Bear in mind that Precor makes the most respected and highly rated ellipticals around right now, hence the higher price range. As they say, you get what you pay for...

Precor EFX 5.19 Elliptical




Price: approx. $2799
Positive:

• Fixed ramp at 20 degree incline
• Full body workout
  
• Forward and reverse striding
• 4 courses to work: hill climb, manual, weight loss and optional heart rate control
• Lifetime warranty on frame and welds; 10 yrs on parts and wear; 1 yr labor

User weight capacity: no limits
Negative: Possibly because it's large and heavy, but remember, it's the weight and dimension that make it one of the more stable ellipticals. Make sure you have enough space if you decide on a Precor. This particular model's dimensions are: Length 80ins; Height 61ins; Width 32ins; Weight 197lbs. And again, you will need to add the heart rate monitor if you want one.

Best Ellipticals Between $1000 and $2000

Continuing on from the best ellipticals under $1000...

Of course, these elliptical machines are going to be of better quality than the ones priced under $1000. This is a fact of life no matter what we are buying, in most cases anyway.

And you can always find some kind of deal on the internet. It's just a matter of looking around. If you are an eBay fan then you will probably enjoy Elliptical Live.

Anyway, back to the best ellipticals between $1000 and $2000:

Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer
Price: approx. $1299
Positive:

• 16 resistance levels and programs
• EKG grip handles plus separate hands free heart rate chest strap
• 20 inch stride
• Upper body workout
• Lifetime warranty on frame, 5 yrs on parts/electronics
• Sole has great customer service
  

User weight capacity: 300lbs
Negative: Lack of availability in retail stores for those who want to try them out before buying. The only places you can find them currently is either Dick's Sporting Goods or a Hilton Hotel.

Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer
Price: approx. $1499.00
Positive:

• Stride length 20 inches
• 10 programs - includes 2 custom and 2 heart rate
• 16 resistance levels
• Lifetime warranty on frame; 5yrs parts/electronics;2yrs labor

User weight capacity: 350lbs
Negative: Maybe the fact that the Sole name is still fairly new to the elliptical market is the reason it is difficult to find any glaring or repetitive complaints. Apart from whatever is mentioned in the other Sole reviews, can't really find anything about this one.


Sole E95 Elliptical Trainer
Price: approx. $1899.00
Positive:

• 20 resistance levels and 10 programs
• Stride length 20 inches
• EKG grip handles plus separate hands free heart rate chest strap
• Plastic shroud on back roller for additional stability
• Lifetime warranty on frame, 5yrs on parts/electrical, labor 2yrs
  

User weight capacity: 400lbs
Negative: Some customers have mentioned difficulty with assembly; console fan inferior (i.e. you can't feel it); also some problems with parts breaking during/after assembly.

Smooth CE 7.4 Elliptical
Price: approx. $1999
Positive:

• Stride length 19 inches
• Upper and lower body workout
• Electromagnetic braking system
• Wireless heart rate control
• Lifetime warranty on frame and electromagnetic brake; 3yrs on parts/electronics

User weight capacity: 350lbs
Negative: Not for small people who will have a problem with the span and/or size of the foot pedals.

Stay tuned for the next episode: Best Ellipticals between $2000 and $3000.