When is a cheap elliptical machine a reliable deal or just a waste of your money? There are definitely some cheap elliptical trainers available. However, there are some in the AKA low price range ($100-$300) and also in the budget price level ($1000 and under) that could be a full featured sound machine.

$100-$300 Low Cost Cost Tier

Of special mention at this level of cheap elliptical trainer is Tony Little’s Gazelle. More comparable to a glider than an elliptical, you train by moving your arms and legs back and forth. Consumers enjoy this unit because of the tremendous workouts they get and the great price of $199 for the Freestyle model. Also available in Tony Little models are the slightly more expensive Power Plus, priced at $299, and the less expensive Edge model, priced at $100.

Another good and cheap elliptical trainer is the Stamina. This is the same manufacturer that makes the Tony Little line of machines. The Stamina model, called the Fitness Silent Magnetic Resistance Cross Trainer Elliptical, sells for $240. That is an attractive price for customers, and the quality is not unfavorable. Features include; 6 programs, 8 stages of resistivity and pulse rate monitoring on grip sensors. One negative is the 14″ stride length, plus this is an advantageous unit that doesn’t hurt your wallet.

Weslo is also in this budget elliptical market with two models, the 610 and 620. Both are under $180, which lands squarely in the budget-machine cost bracket. Although, the stride length is short on both units (12″ and 13″), so you need to be a small adult to use this unit comfortably.

Budget less than $1000

Ellipticals Ellipticals Getting into the budget price range of ellipticals, the Eclipse, built by Fitness Quest of Ohio, sells 2 models, the 1100 for $395 and the 2100 for $495. The Eclipse 4100 HRA is another serious machine in their lineup and is priced at $550.

If you are looking for an inexpensive elliptical and require that it provide a space saving feature, check out Proform’s line of elliptical trainers which are priced from $550-$800 (shipping included!)

Also an extraordinary producer of cheap elliptical models is the Horizon line. With a front flywheel and priced from $600 to $1000, top-of-the-line ellipticals are commercial grade. While the Horizon EX76 is your sweet spot for an incline elliptical under $1000. Featuring an adaptable 18″-19″ stride, 16 resistance levels, 16 programs, and a 14.3lb industrial flywheel, up to 16% power incline, and the same incline motor Horizon uses in its treadmills. This unit is tough, robust and reliable!

small cost vs. Comfort?

A very prominent factor when deciding whether or not to buy a unit has to be how comfortable you feel when exercising with it. All the features and benefits mean nothing if your stride length is too short to be comfortable, or if you’re too big and the machine too small to shift. When shopping for well-priced elliptical trainers, make price and comfort your first prerequisites, not features.