Last Updated on: October 30, 2026
Disclosure: Elliptical Reviews is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from brands such as Sole, NordicTrack and Horizon, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change our ratings. How we test and make money
Updated Oct 30, 2026. Prices are the price at time of writing on each brand’s site.
Short on space? Before you buy, measure your floor area and your ceiling. Pedals raise you off the floor, so add your height plus the step-up height and leave some headroom. Where a brand publishes the footprint, we list it below. All figures were checked on brand sites on Oct 30, 2026.
What to look for
- Length: front- and center-drive designs vary a lot in length, so compare the footprint numbers.
- Width: leave clearance on each side for getting on and off.
- Ceiling height: tall users in rooms with low ceilings should check the step-up height.
Compact picks at a glance
| Model |
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026) |
Key specs (from brand site) |
|
| NordicTrack X16 Elliptical |
$2,299.99
list $2,999.99 |
16″ tilting HD touchscreen; 26 resistance levels; -10% to 10% incline; 3-in-1: elliptical, stepper, treadmill motion |
Check price at NordicTrack |
| NordicTrack AirGlide 16 |
$1,999.99
list $2,799.99 |
16″ tilting HD touchscreen; 26 resistance levels; -5° to 15° incline; iFIT compatible |
Check price at NordicTrack |
| SOLE E25 |
$1,199.99
list $1,299.99 |
Front drive; 20″ stride; 20 lb flywheel; 20 resistance levels (ECB); 20-level power incline; 350 lb max user; Lifetime frame warranty |
Check price at Sole |
| SOLE E20 |
$899.99
list $999.99 |
Front drive; 18″ stride; 14.3 lb flywheel; 20 levels ECB magnetic resistance; 300 lb max user; Lifetime frame warranty |
Check price at Sole |
| Horizon EX-59 |
$799.00
list $999.00 |
14.3 lb flywheel; LED console with device holder; Bluetooth speakers; 5 built-in programs; Ergonomic Six-Star Frame |
Check price at Horizon |
Reviews
1. NordicTrack X16 Elliptical — Shortest footprint we verified
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $2,299.99 (list $2,999.99)
- 16″ tilting HD touchscreen
- 26 resistance levels
- -10% to 10% incline
- 3-in-1: elliptical, stepper, treadmill motion
- Footprint: 58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H (per NordicTrack)
Pros
- Incline and decline training
- Three workout motions in one machine
Cons
- Premium price
- An iFIT membership is needed for the full class experience
See the NordicTrack X16 Elliptical at NordicTrack
2. NordicTrack AirGlide 16 — Narrowest NordicTrack
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $1,999.99 (list $2,799.99)
- 16″ tilting HD touchscreen
- 26 resistance levels
- -5° to 15° incline
- iFIT compatible
- Footprint: 70.2″ L x 24.6″ W x 67.4″ H (per NordicTrack)
Pros
- Wide incline range
- Large touchscreen for iFIT classes
Cons
- An iFIT membership is needed for the full class experience
See the NordicTrack AirGlide 16 at NordicTrack
3. SOLE E25 — Best value Sole
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $1,199.99 (list $1,299.99)
- Front drive
- 20″ stride
- 20 lb flywheel
- 20 resistance levels (ECB)
- 20-level power incline
- 350 lb max user
- Lifetime frame warranty
- Setup dimensions: 70″ x 24″ x 70″ (per Sole)
Pros
- Full 20″ stride and power incline for about $1,200
- Handlebar incline and resistance controls
Cons
- White LED display instead of a touchscreen
See the SOLE E25 at Sole
4. SOLE E20 — Best budget Sole
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $899.99 (list $999.99)
- Front drive
- 18″ stride
- 14.3 lb flywheel
- 20 levels ECB magnetic resistance
- 300 lb max user
- Lifetime frame warranty
Pros
- Lowest-priced Sole elliptical
- Bluetooth speaker and USB-C charging
Cons
- Shorter 18″ stride than the E25/E35
- No power incline listed
See the SOLE E20 at Sole
5. Horizon EX-59 — Cheapest
Price at time of writing (Oct 30, 2026): $799.00 (list $999.00)
- 14.3 lb flywheel
- LED console with device holder
- Bluetooth speakers
- 5 built-in programs
- Ergonomic Six-Star Frame
Pros
- Cheapest elliptical on this site’s 2026 list
- Sets up in 30 minutes or less (per Horizon)
Cons
- Horizon doesn’t list stride length or user weight on the product page
See the Horizon EX-59 at Horizon
Sole doesn’t publish a footprint for the E20, and Horizon doesn’t publish one for the EX-59. Check the product page before you buy.
Sources: official brand product pages, checked Oct 30, 2026.
