Best Elliptical Machines under $2000 – In-depth Review

There is an extremely wide range of elliptical machines on the fitness equipment market today – each one with its own unique qualities. Although they are generally built for similar functions, they have distinguishing features. In the world of using elliptical machines for fitness training, it is not only a matter of “getting there.” The manner through which you achieve your fitness goals with the equipment you use also matters a lot.

As expected, a major distinguishing feature of ellipticals is the price point. With every fitness equipment, the money that you have to spend usually reflects the quality of the product that you’re buying – although there are exceptions. It is a standard scenario of ‘getting what you pay for.” With this in mind, it is naturally expected that the best elliptical trainer on the market should also be one of the most expensive.

This does not necessarily mean that cheap equipment is low quality and previous articles that we have written on elliptical machines under $300 and elliptical machines under $1000 support this fact. There are good elliptical machines that are very affordable. However, if you are looking for a high-end trainer with luxury features, you will find your best elliptical between $1000 and $2000.

This article focuses on figuring out the best elliptical 2018 has produced so far. Which is the best elliptical under $2000? We shortlisted five high-end home ellipticals to answer this question, and they are:

Best Elliptical Machines Under $2000 – Comparison Table

Top 5 Ellipticals Under $2000 Comparison and Reviews

Bowflex Max Trainer M5(Editor Choice)

The Bowflex Max Trainer M5 is simply a pioneer in the elliptical market – an absolute game changer! To be honest, it is more than an elliptical. It does the job of an elliptical and a treadmill, and more.

The skill set of the Max Trainer is a rare one. It offers excellent total body training, burns calories almost twice as fast as any elliptical or treadmill that we have seen, and it does all these while keeping the level of harsh impact as close to zero as possible.

We are not suggesting that training on the Max Trainer M5 is very easy, by any means. No effective workout session should leave you feeling like you did nothing, so you do have to put in a good amount of work. However, the results of your workout come twice as fast as they would on your basic elliptical machines, simply because the impact of the Max Trainer on your joints is kept at a minimal level.

Feature-wise, the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 come switch with eight training programs and two user profiles. Data is displayed on a backlit screen, and there is a Bluetooth connection for syncing with fitness apps.

You can keep track of your heart rate with the included chest strap, or the contact grip sensors placed on the handlebars. A bottle holder and a media shelf are some of the other basic features present in this product. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

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Hybrid trainers can be viewed as awkward sometimes, but the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 dispels all these thoughts. It is almost too good to be true and the results of workouts with the product are definitely some of the best we’ve seen.

ProForm Smart Strider 735 Elliptical Trainer

The ProForm 735 elliptical has arguably the best price-to-features ratio on the market. It is a mid-level trainer from ProForm’s SpaceSaver compact rear-drive series, and it offers great adjustable features and a fairly advanced console.

The product’s power adjustable incline makes it easy to work the lower body, and it also offers adjustable oversized foot pedals. The ProForm 735 is built to be compact (hence the term “SpaceSaver”), so it can be used in small spaces, and can easily be folded and transported to different spaces – there are transport wheels for this.

The product has an 18″ stride length, a 300-pound weight limit, and an 18-pound flywheel. There is a 5-inch, backlit LCD screen that comes equipped with 22 different workout programs, and a simple tap on a console button will let you switch between 20 resistance levels as well. The addition of iFit compatibility means that you get an even wider range of workout programs to choose from, although the trainer does not come with the module or iFit subscription by default.

Like most commercial elliptical machines, this ProForm is built with a durable steel frame and Silent Magnetic Technology (SMT). It also comes with an iPod compatible music port with two speakers, meaning that you can listen to your favorite music while you workout. Here are the major pros and cons:

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For the price, the ProForm Smart Strider 735 sure packs a lot of features. It is durable and effective. If the slightly noisier experience caused by the flywheel is not a deal-breaker for you, then this is a great product to consider!

Bowflex BXE216 Elliptical

The first thing that one really notices in the Bowflex BXE216 is that Bowflex seems to have placed focus on exercise guidance and progress tracking with this one. There are up to four user profiles to choose from, with 11 inbuilt workout programs. The product is compatible with a good number of fitness apps, making it easier to track fitness data long-term. There is a Bluetooth option that lets you share your fitness data with these compatible apps.

We found that this model handles lower body training wonderfully well, with the aid of its power incline, and it does not do badly at all with the upper body workout either. A part of the overall cost for the product is the heart rate monitoring chest strap that it ships with (costs about $50 on its own) and this addition ensures that the heart rate information that you get is as accurate as can be.

The Bowflex BXE216 looks like an extremely promising product for the under $2000 category, and it could be a revolutionary product with the way it approaches data tracking.
The 15 levels of power incline is an added advantage, judging by the fact that incline training enhances cardio, helps you to boost your metabolism rate, and also helps you to target specific muscle groups during your workouts. Here are the major pros and cons

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Great for stat lovers, and users that generally love to keep track of as much fitness information as possible. The Bowflex BXE216 seems destined for success in the under $2000 category, and it is a quality product with minimal weak points.

Sole E95 Elliptical

Quite possibly the best elliptical that we have reviewed so far in this article, the Sole E95 is just about the most versatile elliptical trainer on the market. It has almost everything that you could possibly need in a quality elliptical, and it is great value for money.

A 30-pound drive with 20 resistance levels offers a great challenge for people with different ability levels. It also gives you a sign of things to come with this one. Apart from the adjustable resistance, you can also adjust the incline, console, and pedals on this product. Just like the Bowflex, there is the option for a Bluetooth connection to fitness apps for data sharing.

An adjustable 20″ to 22″ stride length and the 20″ incline to contribute to greater muscle targeting and toning.

The Sole E95 has a large 10.1″ console screen, and ships with 10 workout programs. There are two cooling fans, a tablet holder, a water bottle holder, and an iPod compatible port that you can connect your device to.

A heavier flywheel usually means a quieter workout and the 27lbs. The flywheel on the Sole E95 ensures that it is one of the most silent elliptical machines on the market. Oversized, cushioned foot pedals encourage maximum comfort while you workout. Another similarity with the Bowflex is the addition of a chest strap for heart rate monitoring, and you can rest assured that the information that the heart rate monitor displays will be accurate.

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The Sole E95 is undoubtedly a top-notch product, and definitely up there with some of the best elliptical machines on the market. If you can afford it, you cannot go wrong with it, and it sure to serve you well for years to come.

Precor EFX 221

Of all the elliptical machines under the Precor manufacturer’s line, the EFX 221 is one of the most basic models. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as this model still functions very well. In fact, it may be a better option for users that are looking to purchase a machine that is straightforward and easy to use.

Despite the fact that there are newer, more expensive models under Precor, the EFX 221 still manages to hold its own among them, packing some similar, useful features such as varying ramp angles and stride lengths.

The machine features a high contrast LCD screen with manual console controls. There are different options for exercise programs and two customizable user profiles. You can monitor heart rate changes and calories burnt on the display screen while you switch through these exercise programs to find the one that suits you best.

The EFX 221 also features stationary handlebars that target the lower half of your body during workouts. It has a reputation for helping the user to build cardio endurance while keeping the muscles tight and properly toned.

The Precor EFX 221 is a great product, but it is not without its flaws. Here’s a brief overview of the major pros and cons:

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Commercial-grade ellipticals are usually not exactly “affordable,” but they are valued for money when quality is guaranteed. The Precor EFX 221 asserts this fact and it is a great product for the price.

Conclusion

A pioneer, and undoubtedly the best product on this list. It’ll be interesting to see if other manufacturers make similar attempts with their own products, starting a new generation of hybrid trainers. Definitely, a must buy if you can afford it.

Each elliptical machine on this list has its own major strength. Some offer a large number of workout programs, while some offer incredible data monitoring features. Some offer all these major features at once – the Sole E95 and the Bowflex ellipticals are examples. However, for the mere fact that the Bowflex Max Trainer M5 works almost twice as fast as any other elliptical on this list, it takes the cake as the best home elliptical under $2000. Be your own judge and pick the one that suits you, and let us know how it turns out!

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