Elliptical machines provide a low impact workout, which will help you burn more calories while putting less stress on your joints, knees, and lower back.
In today’s market, there’s a whole variety of ellipticals, from affordable entry-level models to pricier models that offer more stability and support as well as built-in programs for strength training.
In today’s article, we are listing down the best elliptical machine for bad knees with a brief overview of their features.
Here are our top picks of the best home elliptical for bad knees: |
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1. Nautilus E618 Elliptical 2. Sole E55 Elliptical 3. NordicTrack Elite 10.9 4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 5. NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i 6. Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical Machine 7. Sunny Health & Fitness Motorized Elliptical Machine Trainer |
Let’s get right into today’s article !
What is The Best Elliptical Machine For Bad Knees?

We have summed up the best elliptical machines for people with knee issues among the hundreds of options to choose from.
1. Nautilus E618 Elliptical
Nautilus E618 Elliptical is a smooth and quiet machine. It comes with a low-impact design which makes it perfect for almost anyone who is looking to get into an elliptical workout.
It also has an incredible range of features that are sure to keep you and your family active.
The elliptical flywheel is constructed from aluminum that provides smooth operation and reduces the impact of each stroke, and the belt is made from polyurethane.
These materials ensure durability and smooth operation, even under heavy use.
The Nautilus E618 also features a heavy-duty base that is sturdy and stable enough to support the elliptical even when it’s being used heavily.
The Nautilus Elliptical makes absolutely a budget-friendly machine that is perfect for home use. It features a 22-inch console with a 22-inch stride length.
The console is easy to read with a large, easy-to-use display and 29 built-in workout programs for heart rate training, interval training, and weight loss as well as customizable training options.
The elliptical comes with a multi-function console that shows your current speed, distance, time, calories burned, and watts burned. The console also has a built-in heart rate monitor that allows you to set target zones for your workout.
The elliptical has adjustable 22-inch stride lengths of 0-10 degrees at the touch of a button to help you get the right workout intensity.
2. Sole E55 Elliptical
Sole E55 is a heavy-duty machine that can handle your heavy use and provide you with years of good service.
This is an all-terrain elliptical made for those who want a machine that can handle heavy use, extreme weather, and heavy users –all while providing the safest workout experience for the user.
The Sole E55 offers a practical design that comes with a sturdy, heavy-duty frame and a low-maintenance belt system.
The frame comes with a lifetime WARRANTY. It has been made from heavy-gauge steel and has been built to withstand extreme use and to stand up to heavy use.
The belt system is made from synthetic rubber that has been designed to provide low friction and low wear to reduce maintenance.

This elliptical has a user-friendly design that comes with a large, easy-to-read console. The console has a large Vibrant 7.5-inch blue LCD display that is easy to read, and it also has an easy-to-use program selector and a program memory function.
The console also has a built-in heart rate monitor that allows you to set target zones for your workout.
The Sole E55 elliptical has 10 program-selectable workout profiles. The profiles include a beginner profile, an advanced profile, a fitness program, a speed program, and 3 low-impact programs for those who want to increase their fitness level gradually.
The Sole E55 elliptical also has a heavy-duty frame that is built to withstand heavy use. Its heavy-duty steel frame is strong enough to handle even the heaviest users with a user weight capacity of 375 pounds.
The elliptical also has a low center of gravity that makes it easy to move around and store.
The elliptical also has a comfortable, oversized seat that has been designed to reduce pressure on your joints, and a soft roll-back design that promotes easy, comfortable use.
The Sole E55 elliptical also has an easily adjustable console that provides a smooth adjustment between levels, and a heavy-duty hydraulics system that allows you to adjust the tension on the cables quickly.
3. NordicTrack Elite 10.9
If you are looking for the best elliptical machine under $500, the NordicTrack Elite 10.9 is an excellent choice. It has a lot of great features for a low price tag.
The Elite 10.9 has a 20-inch stride length that is longer than most ellipticals in this price range and a 13.5-inch width that is slightly wider than most models. All of these features allow for a more natural movement that is good for trainers.
The Elite 10.9 has 16 preset workout programs that you can create your own custom routine on, And 1-month IFIT individual membership included.
The machine also has a built-in heart rate monitor which lets you track your heart rate while you are working out. This is a great feature if you are interested in keeping track of your progress and creating your own home gym routines.
The NordicTrack Elite 10.9 provides 24 Digital Resistance Levels to help you find the optimum resistance you need.
This is absolutely one of the best elliptical machines to consider if you are dealing with arthritis or some knee issues.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905
If you’re looking for a smooth and quiet elliptical that is easy on your joints, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 is a great choice.
It has a 9-inch flywheel that delivers a smooth, quiet ride, and it’s also very durable that is going to last for a lifetime.
This elliptical also has a quiet operation that keeps it from being bothersome while you’re using it, and it’s very portable thanks to its foldable design.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E905 uses magnetic resistance and provides 8 different levels of resistance to choose from.
This machine is very affordable and also has a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
This elliptical is ideal for those who want a highly effective yet safe elliptical at an affordable price.
5. NordicTrack SpaceSaver SE9i
NordicTrack SE9i elliptical machine is a low-impact elliptical designed for quick workouts and effective cross-training.
This machine comes with a heavy-duty frame, a low-impact drive system, and a heavy-duty belt system.
The drive system has been designed to keep users comfortable and reduce the risk of injury. It has been designed to provide smooth operation, minimal vibration, and reduced impact.
The belt system is a heavy-duty belt that has been designed to provide low friction and long lasting performance.
The machine has a 10-year warranty and has been built to withstand heavy use and extreme weather.
The NordicTrack SE9i elliptical has a user-friendly design that comes with a large, easy-to-read console.
The console has a large display that is easy to read, and it also has an easy-to-use program selector and a program memory function. The console also has a built-in heart rate monitor that allows you to set target zones for your workout.
6. Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical Machine
Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical Machine is a high-end model that offers a smooth, quiet ride and that’s also very durable.
It has a heavy 19-pound flywheel that delivers a smooth, quiet ride, and it also comes with a free weight set up.
This model has an adjustable resistance knob for you to fine tune your workout. With this elliptical, you can adjust the speed of the flywheel too, so you can get the most out of it with your workout.
The Sole Fitness E25 model is a great pick for those who want to be able to workout anywhere at any time because it’s very portable and easy to fold up after your workout.
This Sole unit features a 10-inch stride length, which makes it ideal for those who like to lean back and really work out hard on this machine.
The Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical is highly affordable, too, so you can use it without having any worries about spending much money on this one yet still getting one of the best ellipticals in the market today.
7. Sunny Health & Fitness Motorized Elliptical Machine Trainer
With The Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Trainer, you can get your heart rate up and start working out at the comfort of your own home.
This is a high-quality compact elliptical that offers an impressive 19.5 inches stride length making absolutely the best compact ellipticals you can get in today’s market.
You can spend your entire workout without unnecessary strain on your joints or back.
This machine is easy to use and set up, with a non-slip handle to provide firm grip when your hands start getting sweaty.
Sunny Health and Fitness also has a built-in device holder that allows you to watch Netflix shows or keep up with your fitness program while exercising.
The transportation wheels make it easy to move from room to room or from the garage to the living room without even feeling that 189 pounds of the machine.
This elliptical can produce up to 16 levels of electromagnetic resistance which will help you achieve your fitness goals in absolutely no time.
Final Thoughts
With the diverse options on the market, it’s very difficult to narrow down your search when trying to get the best elliptical machine for bad knees that is going to suit your needs.
Fortunately, in this article, we have carefully reviewed elliptical machines from different brands in hope that you will find something suitable for your needs and within your budget.
FAQ
Are ellipticals OK for bad knees?
Using an elliptical machine is generally considered as a low-impact activity, it shouldn’t cause knee pain if you use the machine correctly.
Is elliptical better than treadmill for knees?
Elliptical machines are often used to prevent knee arthritis and other health issues, as they are considered a low impact cardio equipment.