Best Quiet Elliptical Machine of 2023 To Use at Home

The best quiet elliptical on the market will always come with a magnetic resistance system. Why? Because magnetic resistance is frictionless, this keeps the noise to a minimum and helps keep everything smooth. The magnets never make any contact with the flywheel, so you have a consistent, almost silent resistance.

And there are a few other things to look out for, rails with actual wheels that keep the pedals gliding smoothly and straight are also important, and it’s a good idea to get hold of a rubber floor mat because a mat will help absorb a lot of the vibrations from your workouts, especially important for apartments.

High Quality Parts Make All The Difference

But perhaps what’s most important when looking for a quiet elliptical is the build. You need high-quality parts for the elliptical to function efficiently and smoothly. It’s all about the quality of the materials used. Cheap ellipticals break down often, the motion is jerky because the flywheels are too light, and overall it’s just a bad experience.

So we’re going to stay away from the cheap ellipticals in this guide and focus on the 7 Best Quiet Ellipticals around the $1k mark; these are mid-level ellipticals that have the build quality, they boast the essentials like a decent stride length and heavy flywheel, and they’re still affordable for most.

Best Quiet Elliptical Comparison Table

Reviews

 1. Sole E25 Elliptical

I’ve always liked Sole Fitness because these guys really focus on the design and the essentials of their ellipticals. They dont waste too much time or budget on the techy stuff. Yeah, you dont get the HD touchscreens of the NordicTrack ellipticals, but you get the best build quality, warranties, and a company that stands behind its products.

What sells the E25 is its build, this thing is heavy for a mid-level machine, and it tells me it is made from quality materials.

Also, it’s the only elliptical in this price bracket to feature the dual rails with actual wheels for the pedals.

The dual rails prevent the pedals from any sideway movement, and the four wheels keep the pedals gliding smoothly across the rails. And it’s these extra little touches from Sole that sets their ellipticals apart from the rest.

Smoothest Elliptical Motion In Its Price Range

With the E25, you get 20 levels of magnetic resistance, a belt drive system, and a 20lb flywheel, and when you combine all of these features, including those dual rails and wheels, not only do you have the smoothest elliptical motion in this price bracket, but you also have the quietest.

And best of all, it comes with the desirable 20″ stride. This is the same length stride as you’ll find on commercial machines in your local gyms. And the reason its the desirable length is because it suits most people’s heights from 5ft to 6’3″.

However, not everything is perfect; the monitor isn’t as good as some of the ellipticals in this price range, you dont get a nice color touchscreen, and there aren’t tons of built-in workout programs.

Still, I like the monitor because it’s easy to use with large one-touch buttons for the power incline and resistance levels. The monitor also includes Bluetooth with wireless heart rate monitoring, an essential feature for those who love to train in their chosen heart rate zone. Plus, Sole Fitnes throw in the HR chest strap for free, saving you a few bucks.

Overall the Sole E25 is a sturdy elliptical with an extra smooth elliptical motion. The dual rails and wheels, the heavy flywheel, the frictionless resistance system, and the belt drive system will ensure this machine is whisper quiet when in use.

Our Full Review: Sole E25 Elliptical

2. NordicTrack Commerical 9.9 Elliptical

I’ve been reviewing ellipticals for many years, and what I’ve found with NordicTrack is that it’s kind of hit and miss with their products; some of their products are well below par for the price point, while others excel.

And the 9.9 elliptical is one of those products that outshines nearly everything in the price range. When NordicTrack gets it right, they are really impressive, and I have to admit the 9.9 commercial is excellent for an $1100 elliptical.

What stands out most about this elliptical from NordicTrack is its weight because, just like the Sole E25, the 9.9 is heavy for the price bracket. This machine weighs 220lb assembled, which is excellent for a mid-level elliptical; it’s a solid elliptical, so when you’re pedaling, it’s not going to move around. It will feel like a high-quality machine which is what you want.

25lb Flywheel Keeps Everyhting Smooth

And most importantly, it’s very quiet, users praised how quiet this elliptical is, and that’s because you have all the features you need to keep the elliptical motion smooth.

This thing boasts a hefty 25lb flywheel, a belt drive system, and the all-important frictionless resistance system, all vital features that keep the motion smooth and almost silent.

Plus, with that 25lb flywheel, the resistance in the upper levels is strong with this elliptical because not only does the weight of a flywheel help keep the elliptical motion smooth, but it also determines how strong the resistance is in the upper levels. So this isn’t an elliptical you will outgrow any time soon.

You also have an adjustable stride length with the 9.9 elliptical, something you dont usually see in this price range; it’s a cool feature because it allows the user to adjust the stride to suit their size. Still, the max stride length is slightly shorter than the Sole E25, so you’re looking at a max height for this elliptical of  6″1′.

So we know the build quality is there with this elliptical, and so too are all the essentials, but what about the tech? This is where NordicTrack outdoes everybody. No one else offers HD smart touchscreens with their ellipticals in this price bracket other than NordicTrack.

With the Commercial 9.9 elliptical, you have a 7″ smart HD touchscreen, which includes a free month of their iFit app and wireless heart rate monitoring, but they dont supply the HR chest strap.

The monitor also includes a ten-level 0-20% power adjustable incline, one-touch buttons for resistance and incline, a cooling fan, Bluetooth speakers, and bottle holder.

I wanted to talk about iFit, and all that it includes but this review is already too long. I’ll just mention my favorite feature of iFit and thats the automatic trainer control. This is where you can allow the trainers of iFit to adjust resistance and incline for you depending on the terrain you’re running on or the studio class you have chosen. Nice.

Even without iFit, the NordicTrack Commercial 9.9 elliptical is impressive. It’s a quiet elliptical and one of the best ellipticals I’ve seen from NordicTrack in a long time.

Our Full Review: NordicTrack 9.9 Elliptical

3. Nautilus E618 Elliptical

Nautilus also own Schwinn, so you might have noticed their ellipticals are very similar. Still, there’s one important difference, and thats Nautilus, for some unknown reason, update its line of ellipticals more often, so if you want the latest elliptical from the Nautilus brand, which carries the same price tag as the Schwinn ellipticals, always choose one from Nautilus.

So the E618 is the top of the line elliptical from Nautilus, but even though it’s their top line elliptical, it’s still a mid-level elliptical that costs around $1000.

It’s impressive for the price point; it weighs 205lb, so there’s enough weight there to keep things stable, and we know the quality of materials is high, it’s not a cheaply made lightweight machine.

While it’s not as impressive as the Sole or the NordicTrack ellipticals, as you only have a 17lb flywheel with the E618 and just a 10-degree power incline, what you do have is the largest stride length out of all the ellipticals in this price range; boasting a 22″ stride which is great news for taller users.

And the monitor is pretty good too, it comes with 25 magnetic resistance levels, 29 built-in workout programs, Bluetooth, and wireless heart rate monitoring with an HR chest strap included. Plus, you get access to the Explore The World app, where you can try some of the free global routes.

I’ve always liked the monitors from Nautilus because they’re so easy to use, and they actually give you a ton of built-in workout programs, so you don’t have to rely on a subscription app to keep you challenged and entertained.

It’s a shame these guys didn’t use a slightly heavier flywheel, but everything else is there. The monitor has many features, and the stride length is impressive for the price point. If you’re 6’3″ or over, the E618 is your best choice in this price bracket; however, because the stride length isnt adjustable, the minimum height for this machine will be higher than the other top two in this review.

5’4″ would be the absolute minimum for a 22″ stride.

Our Full Review: Nautilus E618 Elliptical

4. Schwinn 470 Elliptical

The Schwinn 470, although not updated as often as the E618 from Nautilus, still deserves to be in this guide; as for the price bracket, it’s still a lot better than most ellipticals on the market.

Just like the Nautilus, it’s a heavy well made machine. It includes the Explore The Word app and an easy to use monitor with 25 magnetic resistance levels and 29 workout programs. In fact, the monitor is almost identical to the E618, except the Nautilus monitor is slightly larger, and Nautilus gives you a free HR chest strap where Schwinn dont.

What the Schwinn 470 does offer is the desirable 20″ stride which is always good to see. And you have a power adjustable incline. Again an important feature if you want to burn more calories and build and strengthen your posterior muscles like your glutes and hamstrings.

Before Nautilus took over Schwinn, this elliptical was updated more often, and it was always in the top 2 in this quiet elliptical guide, but for now, it seems slightly dated, and it’s a shame.

Still, if you want a Schwinn badge, this is the best elliptical they offer right now. While it may not have been updated lately, it still easily rivals most ellipticals on the market and delivers a smooth, quiet elliptical motion.

5. NiceDay CT-11 Elliptical (Best Under $700)

An excellent entry-level elliptical from the guys over at NiceDay. It’s not often you come across a budget elliptical that outperforms many mid-priced machines.

NiceDay have got all the essentials right with this machine. It has a hyper quite 15lb flywheel, magnetic resistance system, and a 15.5″ stride.

A 15lb flywheel and 16 levels of magnetic resistance is impressive for a budget machine, and when coupled with its belt drive system, this elliptical will be almost silent in operation.  At just 20DB, this elliptical is whisper quiet.

But it’s not just the quiet operation of this elliptical that impresses me; it also supports a surprisingly long stride length for a budget elliptical.

15’5″ is one of the longest strides I’ve seen in this price bracket. Most entry level machines only provide a stride length of 12″, which sadley limits their max user height to just 5’7″

The 15.5″ stride of the NiceDay elliptical will allow users up to 6ft to active a full stride at pace.

We have to remember this is a budget-priced elliptical, so it’s not going to have the reistnace strength of higher-end machines. Still, it’s perfect for light workouts, calorie loss, and improving your cardio fitness.

The NiceDay CT-11 is smaller than the other ellipticals in this review, so it’s perfect for a small apartment or anyone who doesn’t have the space to house a large commercial-grade elliptical.

The only real negative I can find with withe NiecDay elliptical is its basic monitor. Basic monitors are common with most entry-level machines. There are no built-in fitness apps or workout programs. It’s a simple, easy-to-use monitor that tracks all your usual workout data such as time and distance, etc.

Thankfully the monitor does include heart rate monitoring with the pulse sensors built into the fixed handlebars. Another positive of a basic monitor is that it doesn’t require power from the grid, so no annoying cables to deal with.

Overall an extremely quiet elliptical at just 20DB and an elliptical that gets all the essentials right. If you can live with a basic monitor, it’s hard to see why anyone would be disappointed with the newly released NiceDay CB-11.

6. Schwinn 411 Elliptical

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see another elliptical built by Schwinn in our reviews. Schwinn are the company to beat when to comes to quality and price, and we just had to include the 411 as it’s one of the best compact ellipticals on the market.

The 411 is Schwinn’s compact elliptical machine. It boasts all the advanced features of its other machines but has a much smaller footprint.

And what’s most impressive is Schwinn has managed to produce a compact elliptical yet keep a long stride length, something you will not see on other compact ellipticals.

This is an elliptical perfect for apartments. Its small footprint makes it easy to store and move, plus it’s equipped with a heavy flywheel, an excellent magnetic resistance system, and a belt drive all of which will help keep noise to a minimum.

The monitor is surprisingly good for the price point. It includes wireless heart rate monitoring, BlueTooth, 16 levels of resistance, their Run Social app, and a ton of workout programs to help keep away the monotony of long cardio sessions.

If you’ve been looking for a quiet compact elliptical built by a company with a great reputation, the Schwinn 411 is certainly worth some serious consideration.

7. Exerpeutic 6000 QF Elliptical

Exerpeutic are well known for build high-quality affordable cardio gear for our homes, and the 6000 QF Elliptical is no expectation. This machine hasn’t been out long, but it’s starting to become very popular.

I like this company because although their cardio gear is fairly cheap, the build quality of their machines doesn’t suffer. They achieve this by providing fairly basic monitors and using the build money on important stuff such as heavy-duty frames and high-grade drive systems.

And what’s nice about this machine is that it includes two flywheels one for each pedal, this results in an even smoother elliptical motion which thankfully means this machine is extremely quite when in use.

We also have a belt drive system and 24 levels of magnetic resistance, again helping keep the noise to a minimum perfect if you dont want to disturb others around you with the sound of your workouts.

The Exerpeutic is another compact machine, so it’s great for apartment living and comes with built-in transport wheels, so it’s easy to move from room to room.

I mentioned the monitor is fairly basic, but it’s still much better than similarly priced ellipticals. We have 24 workouts programs, 24 levels of magnetic resistance and BlueTooth with access to Exerpeutiocs Free version of MyCloudFitness. Heart rate monitoring is achieved through the pulse sensors built into the handlebars.

What I like most about this machine is its impressive stride length of 18″, one of only three machines in this bracket to boast such an impressive stride length and suitable for users up to 6’1″.

Exerpeutic 6000 QF Elliptical has it all at a very good price indeed and deserves the high ratings it receives. One of my favorite affordable ellipticals built by a company with decades of experience.

Elliptical buying Tips General Info

We’ve already touched on the best features you should consider when choosing a quiet elliptical, but there are still many other things to think about before purchasing an elliptical. Here is a quick list of the most important.

The most important feature you should think about before buying any elliptical is its stride length. The stride length is the measurement between the toe of the front pedal and the rear pedal’s heel. This measurement is so important as it will determine how naturally you will be able to stride.

Most budget ellipticals have a stride length of between 11″-13″. This length stride is suitable for users up to 5’6″ to run at pace. Taller users can use machines with shorter strides, but they will not be able to run on the machines because faster-paced workouts require longer strides.

Mid-Level elliptical typically can have stride lengths anywhere from 15″ – 20. If you’re paying mid-level prices, look for an elliptical with at least an 18″ stride.

There many mid-level ellipticals with short strides ‘avoid these.’ Do your research first, as there are some great mid-level ellipticals out there, and a few even boast 20″ strides, such as the ProForm 520E.

Elliptical costing over $1k should ideally have stride lengths of 20,” and more, usually high-end ellipticals are equipped with stride lengths between 20-22″. This stride length is what you’d find on commercial ellipticals in your local gym.

If more than one person will be using the elliptical at home and your heights vary significantly, then it’s best to choose an elliptical with an adjustable stride length—this way, each user can set the right stride length for their needs.

Ellipticals with adjustable stride lengths are the most expensive. Still, ProForm and NordicTrack have seasonal sales on some of their high-end ellipticals, sometimes up to $500 off, so best to check there first if you need an adjustable stride.

Weight/Stability

Something people often forget to consider when choosing an elliptical is the weight of the machine. And the weight is more important than you think.

The weight is a good sign of the quality of materials used in the build, and when it comes to fitness gear, especially ellipticals, the heavier, the better is always the case.

Also, heavy ellipticals are going to feel sturdy. The extra weight will help keep the elliptical planted to the floor.

You can feel the quality when you’re exercising on a heavy, well-built elliptical. You want to get as close as you can to the feel of a commercial elliptical within your budget range. You dont want to end up with a cheaply built lightweight machine. This type of elliptical will not last and will feel unstable when in use.

Bonus Features

This is the fun part of your machine; bonus features can include water bottle holders, tablet holders, fun workout apps, wi-fi, pre-programmed workouts, and heart rate monitoring. While some are more useful than others, remember not to go too crazy here. The more features you choose, the more money you’ll need to spend.

While still not essential to your cardio fitness, work programs, and heart rate monitoring are two features I feel are worth spending a few extra bucks on.

Workouts programs are excellent for setting new challenges and keeping your interest, especially for long cardio workouts sessions. Heart rate monitoring is extremely useful for those of you who wish to exercise in their target heart rate zones.

Benefits of Ellipticals

1. Boost your stamina and cardio capacity – Aerobic exercise is a vital part of any balanced exercise routine. Aerobic exercise demands your heart and lungs to work harder; thus, in doing so, making them stronger.

Elliptical allows for an excellent aerobic workout ellipticals work both your upper and lower body, strengthening your muscles, heart and lungs continued use will help build your stamina and endurance

2. Low Impact – Elliptical reduce the stress and strain on your legs through an elliptical motion. Your feet never leave the pedals; it is like walking in mid-air. In comparison, when you walk or run on a treadmill, every step causes a jolt to your body.

3. Burn A Lot of Calories – Depending on how much you weigh. An elliptical can burn 230-350 calories in 30 minutes. Burning more calories than you consume can really help you to lose weight. If you want to give a significant boost to your calorie burn, try increasing the intensity of the workout on your elliptical.

4. Dual-action workout – One of the benefits you are going to like about elliptical machines is the combined upper and lower body workout. This is why elliptical are sometimes called cross-trainers! When we use the elliptical properly, the elliptical trainer can strengthen and tone the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, chest, back, triceps, and biceps.

5. Weight Bearing – Unlike an exercise bike, an elliptical provides a weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercises help slow down and prevent osteoporosis.

6. Improve Balance -We know weight-bearing exercising can help to strengthen our bones, but did you know they can also help you improve your balance. If you stand up straight on an elliptical and let go of the fixed set of handlebars, you not only target your core muscles, but you also improve your balance.

To Sum Up

The Top 2 ellipticals in this guide are not just the best 2 Quiet Ellipticals for around $1000. They are the best two ellipticals on the market in this price bracket. They have the build quality, both boast all the essentials you need to deliver that extra smooth elliptical motion, and because of that, the noise levels are kept to a minimum.

But if I had to choose between the Sole E25 and NordicTrack Commerical, I’d go with the E25. Why? It has the dual rails with wheels and high-ratio gears, giving the E25 a slight edge, and you have an extra year on parts with the Sole E25 warranty, which is a bonus.

So while you may not have the HD color screen with the Sole E25, you have, without a doubt, the best elliptical with the smoothest elliptical motion.

#Lastly, remember to take your time assembling an elliptical because it can be tricky; one of the main reasons ellipticals break down is because they haven’t been assembled correctly. Always look on youtube for the manufacturers’ assembly videos.

Best Quiet Elliptical FAQS

Are Ellipticals Quiet Enough For Appartments?

Ellipticals are one of the best choices of cardio gear for apartments because they are low-impact. Your feet aren’t making any contact with the floor because the pedals are off the ground, so making very little sound or vibrations. Also, most ellipticals use a magnetic resistance system and a belt drive system; both are very quiet when in motion, so you won’t disturb others around you with the sound of your workouts.

What Fitness Levels Should Use an Elliptical?

There are ellipticals designed for all fitness levels. Low-cost ellipticals under $500 are usually designed for beginners and intermediates. More expansive ellipticals with heavier flywheels have stronger resistance, and these ellipticals are the best choice for advanced users who need that extra strength in the resistance. Whatever level of fitness you are, you should be able to find an elliptical to suit your needs.

Are Ellipticals Quieter Than Treadmills?

Yes, ellipticals are much quieter than treadmills. Running is a high-impact sport, so every time your foot hits the running belt of a treadmill, it makes a loud sound, especially when running at pace. With ellipticals, your feet never touch the ground because your feet are on the pedals, so you’ll make little to no sound when pedaling. Ellipticals are low-impact machines, whereas treadmills are high-impact.