Elliptical machines are a great way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness and help you manage weight. For many people, switching from running outside to an indoor elliptical machine can be too jarring a change. A budget elliptical under $300 can provide a great way to ease into the transition.
When you do your shopping and research to find the best elliptical for your budget, pay attention to several things. You’ll want to look for a machine with adjustable resistance so that you can increase or decrease the effort needed for any particular workout. You should also look at the elliptical’s console and make sure it is easy to use.
Some ellipticals have consoles that are more difficult than others, so it’s important to find one that works well for you.
Best Elliptical Machine Under $300
This list of the best ellipticals under $300 will help you narrow down your choices of this type of equipment and ensure that you get a great value on features as well as quality construction for your money.
1. Body Champ BR2117
The BR2117 from Body Champ comes with all the essential features you might require from a good-quality elliptical. Thanks to the Magnetic Adjustable Resistance incorporated into the unit, the machine’s intensity level can be modified and personalized.
Users can choose the one that suits the best from 8 different strength ranges or 16 preset routines thanks to the advanced built-in technologies. An LCD screen, an integrated handlebar system that monitors heart rate and an exercise DVD are also included.
While the Body Champ Magnetic Elliptical Trainer appears to be lightweight, it is enormous, weighing 250 pounds. It does, however, come with a set of transport wheels that allow you to slide it around rather than dragging it. It also has a primary step-through interface that makes it easy to use.
A compliant AC power adapter is also included for added convenience. Furthermore, two U-shaped ergonomic handlebars are fixed in front of the machine to provide optimum flexibility during the exercise sessions.
This trainer has a built-in media shelf that allows you to hold your tablets, books, and other belongings in front of you, in addition to its incredible functionality.
Features:
- Comes with transporting wheels for moving
- Ergonomic handle bar
- Bi-directional foot pedals
- Media shelf for audio and video
Pros
- Compact design
- Built-in exercise programs
- Strongly attached handle bars
- Available with warranty
Cons
- A little hard to install
Customer Review:
A lot of the users found it to be the best value for money. One of the buyers said that the display is easy to use and the machine is tranquil. Another user liked the programs very much. One user said that the screws need to be tightened often.
2. Stamina In-Motion E1000
This Elliptical Trainer from Stamina allows you to fit a workout schedule into your hectic schedule. This trainer is light and easy to use, and you can even use it while sitting on your desk. This makes it perfect for people who don’t have enough time for exercises during a hectic schedule.
The In-Motion elliptical trainer has several advantages. The standing posture encourages the person to stabilize the region by engaging the heart and maintaining balance. Furthermore, the forward and reverse motions target various leg muscles.
This Compact Strider is built for comfort and portability. It’s small and light enough to carry along with you, so you can easily blend a cardio exercise into your everyday routine. You will enjoy the low-impact, joint-friendly workout while your mind is fixed on work.
Features:
- Several options to set movement
- Paddles can move both backwards and forwards
- Low impact design
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Stable paddles’
- Perfect for gamers
- Can be used to exercise at work
Cons
- Not for people with extra weight
- There is no workout for upper body
Customer Review:
A lot of the customers love it for its low price rate, compact size, and portability. Although some customers have complained about the durability, most users found the machine to be a good choice overall.
3. EFITMENT Elliptical
The belt-driven Magnetic Elliptical from EFITMENT offers a smooth and effective exercise for both the lower and upper body. This machine is perfect for someone who needs to reap the rewards of running while still working on their upper body.
The belt drive and flywheel are calibrated to be silent and low-maintenance. A stable heart rhythm can be obtained and tracked using the hand pulse sensors on the stationary bars. The fact that this unit has eight degrees of magnetic resistance is one reason it is so flexible for all.
Users can achieve their health goals by adjusting the resistance. The LCD screen shows time, distance, level of resistance, calories burned, and pulse rate to help you achieve your fitness goals. The footplates have oversize frames and non-slip foot pads, allowing them to fit people of all ages while maintaining grip.
Features:
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- Heart rate monitor
- LCD monitor shows speed, distance, and time
Pros
- Can take up to 220 lbs.
- Easy to assemble
- Durable pedals
- Operates silently
Cons
- Absence of LED backlight on console
Customer Review:
Users have stated that it’s effortless to set. It’s perfect for tall people, according to a customer who has a height of 6 feet. Although it has left many users satisfied, one user complained that it started making a bit of noise after using it for a few months.
4. Marcy Magnetic Elliptical
The Marcy Magnetic Elliptical trainer comes in a decent starting point for those interested in using an elliptical trainer at home. It is affordable and simple to use, but it lacks some of the costlier machines’ extra features. It’s lightweight enough to fit in even the tiniest corner of the house but strong enough to support up to 300 pounds.
Since this is a manual elliptical machine, it does not provide access to an electrical socket. It does have a battery-powered LCD monitor, so you’ll see all of the things from your exercise that you will be able to see on an electric-powered unit, such as time, speed, and so on.
Comfort, portability, and durability within a tight budget are quite hard to get. This elliptical is an excellent addition to this list that comes with all these features. Overall, for those new to elliptical exercise, this is a convenient and affordable option.
Features:
- The display is battery powered
- Comes with 8 levels of resistance
- Large pedals
- Easy to move due to the quality wheels
Pros
- Comfortable handles with good grip
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use
Cons
- Makes squeaky noises over time
Customer Review:
Most of the users are satisfied with the quality it offers. They say that it is a suitable replacement for the expensive gym equipment. One of the users with bad knees said it is working quite well for him. Some users have pointed out that although it makes no noise during its initial days, it starts to make squeaky noises over time.
5. Body Rider Elliptical BRD2000
The Body Rider 2000 is a stylish dual-exercise machine. Its goal is to offer the best alternative for people who want a good elliptical within a fixed budget. The unit is designed for beginners and provides effective results in just 20 minutes a day of use.
Its fan blades, which travel in tandem with the chord, offer a gentle breeze to the user as they exercise. Sweating and fatigue are two factors that contribute to people’s disinterest in the rig, but the wind keeps them in control.
It has an adjustable stress knob that allows the users to set their own difficulty level based on their needs. It has a weight capacity of 250 lbs. and comes with 1-year warranty.
Features:
- Two-in-one machine
- Fan blades provide with light breeze
- Knobs are easily adjustable
- One year warranty for the frame
Pros
- Perfect for any height
- Doesn’t make much noise
- Durable and long-lasting
- Works on both arms and legs
Cons
- The seat could be more comfortable
- Slightly complicated instructions
Customer Review:
Most of the users like the fact that it is extremely easy to put together. Some stated that it provides a good value for money. The two modes it comes with have amazed a lot of the users. A user said that it might not be perfect for short people
What To Look When Buying An Elliptical Trainer
Let’s examine some of the features that you should look for when you are trying to find the perfect elliptical trainer for your home or gym.
- How much weight can you get on the machine?
Some elliptical trainers have a maximum weight capacity that is set by the manufacturer. You should not be able to put more than this amount of weight on the machine because it could result in damage to the machine. In order to find the maximum weight capacity on the machine, you should check out the specifications and user reviews.
- How much space does it take up in your home?
The size of elliptical trainer is one of the most important considerations that you should take into account when you are choosing a machine. You need to know how much space is available in your house to make sure that it will fit in your home or office. You also have to know the purpose of using a machine.
- How easy is it to assemble the machine?
When going to buy an elliptical trainer, your first thought will be how easy it is to assemble. Believe us when we say that this is probably the most important thing to look at when buying a new machine. Not only will you want one that is easy to put together, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run and ensure that it has been installed properly so that it works properly.
- How quiet is it?
Another important factor when you are looking for a new elliptical trainer is how quiet it is. You’ll want to buy a machine that has the smoothest operation so that your workout session is not interrupted by any distracting noises that could cause you to lose focus or concentration.
- How long is the warranty?
How long the warranty is will often determine how good a product is, and when purchasing an elliptical machine, you want to make sure that it has a long warrenty. You’ll want to look for the length of the warranty as well as who provides it. It is also important to understand what your warranty covers, especially if you are prepared to spend money on a new machine.
- What is the reading display?
The best elliptical trainers come with a variety of different types of displays. Some machines have displays that are specific to the user, such as one that tracks calorie consumption or heart rate. Some machines will have LED or LCD displays and these often have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to track your progress as you work out.
Conclusion
There are many different brands and models available on the market. With so many different machines to choose from, you will need to have all of your bases covered in order to ensure that you are making the best possible decision. When you know what is important to you, then it will be easier for you to choose an elliptical trainer that suits your specific needs and requirements. In order to make sure that you are making the right choice, make sure that you research a wide variety of elliptical trainers before settling on one in particular. This way, you can be sure that the machine that is bought will meet all of your expectations or surpass them.
