See our top rated bang for buck apartment elliptical on amazon by clicking here

That's why today, to save you your time and wallet, I'll be walking you through the best quiet ellipticals for apartments that you can pick up for an affordable price.

Which One Did I End up Getting for Myself?

I went with the Schwinn 470 for my apartment for a couple reasons. Although it is not the best of the best when it comes to features, it is the most affordable quality elliptical that was also the most quiet during use. 

Back this with the high amount of reviews that it has on amazon and it became a no brainer for me even after testing a few more loaded and more expensive ones.

You can see the reviews and the exact model that I got on amazon by clicking here.

I'll be covering the ins and outs that play into the makings of a good elliptical, giving you my personal top picks as well as providing you with a comprehensive buyers checklist of things you need to keep in mind while you shop.

So, if you're ready to get started with noise-free full-body workouts and could use some tips on picking out the best elliptical for your apartment - let's get right into the article!

What Makes A Good Apartment Elliptical?

Before I dive into covering my personal top picks for the best suited ellipticals, let's take a brief minute to discuss what makes a good apartment elliptical machine in the first place.

There are a number of features that play into the makings of a good elliptical machine. Below, I've listed out the most essential of these, that I personally look for now when shopping for a new quiet elliptical machine for my home.

The Size & Weight Of The Machine

As it stands, apartments aren't the most spacious dwellings out there.

And with the modern apartment frequently being limited to only several hundred square feet of space - you'll want to make sure that your brand new elliptical will actually fit in your limited space, and allow you enough room to exercise comfortably as well. 

If you're setting up an apartment gym, then you'll need all the space you can get.  

First and foremost, you should make sure that the elliptical's height leaves enough ceiling-clearance for you to be on it. In most modern flats this shouldn't pose much of a problem if you're around 6-feet or shorter. 

However, if you're anything above this, or all you have is a low-ceiling basement gym, investing in a compact low profile elliptical, low profile treadmill, or even a rowing machine might just be the way to go.

In addition to this, it's important that you keep the actual dimensions of the machine in mind as well. Depending on how the arm-grips are set up, ellipticals can get quite long and fairly wide.

And if you end up buying one only to find yourself cramped between your wall and couch, that wouldn't do your fitness any good.

When you're exercising on the elliptical, the arms will need enough space to move, and you'll need a few feet of room around you to work out comfortably.

It's also a good idea to keep the weight of the machine in mind as well.

After all, if you live in an apartment, there will eventually be a situation in which you need to move it. And if it weighs half a ton, that may become a little challenging to pull off, to say the least.

The Build Quality & Durable Materials

Let's face it - not all products out there are made equally. Some are engineered better than others, and some use superior materials to make sure that the product's life-cycle is problem-less and long lived.

And unfortunately, in the commercial age of consumerism - it's not uncommon to find manufacturers cutting corners here and there to keep their customers coming to market every few years.

Now, when it comes to buying an elliptical, it's definitely not an investment that you want to make again and again every odd year, is it?

That's why making sure you're buying a machine that's properly engineered and built with the highest-quality materials available is your best bet, especially if you're fond of doing full body workouts often.

In particular, the majority of this has to do with the frame of the elliptical, which should be made out of a durable metal compound.

And in addition to this, I strongly recommend that you get an elliptical that's backed by a decent warranty period from the manufacturer. That way, even if by some fringe chance, something goes wrong with your machine - you'll always be able to keep your investment safe and sound.

Low Noise Output Levels - Must Be Quiet

While all of the other factors are pretty straight forward, this is one of the most common criteria that I see people skim over when shopping for an apartment elliptical.

Unless you're living in a building where every unit has its own layer of total sound-isolation, you're going to be dealing with lots of noise. Noise from the street, noise from your appliances, and of course, noise from your lovely neighbors.

So why would you want to add more noise into the mix?

Picking out a quiet elliptical will reduce the noise levels in your apartment, keep your neighbors from getting annoyed, and ultimately allow you to work out in peace, to your heart's content.

The Performance & Available Programs

First and foremost, having a quiet but entirely ineffective elliptical machine would be entirely useless. That's why it's essential that you consider how well the machine performs.

This includes the various workout programs it offers, how comfortable you are with the design, the level of resistance it offers as well as other factors like the weight capacity and whether or not it connects to various mobile apps and heart rate trackers that you might use during your workouts.

The Best Ellipticals For Apartments

While there are definitely more factors that we could cover when it comes to picking out a good elliptical in general - let's take a look at some of the best possible ellipticals for your apartment in today's day and age.

Each of my top picks that I'll cover below meets every one of the criteria that we set out in the previous section.

And each of these ellipticals will be absolutely fantastic when it comes to reducing excess noise pollution to keep your home nice and peaceful while you exercise.

1. Schwinn 470

The Best All-Around Quiet Elliptical For Your Apartment

Schwinn 470 Review

The 470 sits at the higher end of Schwinn's affordable elliptical lineup. However, this didn't stop the company from putting their all into making sure that this was a best-seller. And a best-seller it definitely is!

It boasts a tonne of features, excellent engineering, and smart design, all alongside every standardized bell and whistle that you could wish for.

My Verdict

If you want the best in all departments, without breaking the bank or going over budget - the Schwinn 470 is likely going to be your absolute best bet.

It's my favorite elliptical and the one that I still use at home to this day.

2. Sunny Health E3865

The Quietest Tested Elliptical

Sunny Health E3865 Review

Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the leading exporters of fitness equipment from Taiwanese and Chinese markets. They are incredibly competitive with their pricing while maintaining a steady focus on the quality and effectiveness of each product in their lineup.

The SF-E3865 is one of the mid-range elliptical models in their extensive lineup. It's incredibly sturdy for total stability, features plenty of comfort features, and is incredibly effective when it comes to ensuring your fitness.

My Verdict

If getting an elliptical that's near-silent is at the top of your priority list - then this is likely the best model for you. The magnetic resistance system is incredibly quiet, and thanks to its stability, the noise levels are reduced even further.

All in all, this is definitely the quietest elliptical that I've had the pleasure of trying out, and I would recommend it for anyone that's trying to reduce the noise pollution around their home.

3. Sole E35

The Best For Roomy Apartments

Sole E35 Review

The Sole Fitness E35 is incredibly well known across the fitness industry as an elliptical that easily outperforms practically anything else in its price category.                                      

With a lightened flywheel to reduce the noise output, a sturdy lengthened base, and all of the fancy technology you can imagine packed into one awesome machine, this is arguably one of the best ellipticals to put on your shopping shortlist. But only if you've got the extra space!

My Verdict

If you're not as space-constrained as some of us, and you're willing to shell out a few extra bucks to get something that will truly last you a lifetime - the Sole E35 could just be the way to go.

This is a home elliptical built to the high standard and toughness of a commercial elliptical.

This is one of the best ellipticals available, period.

And it's definitely going to be worth the investment if you can spare the space.

4. Exerpeutic 1000XL

Best Elliptical For Portability

Exerpeutic 1000XL Review

When it comes to entry-level cardio equipment, you've always got to be wary of junk. And while Exerpeutic is a lesser-known brand on the market, they've definitely managed to prove themselves over the last few years.

The 1000XL is one of their lower-price-bracket models. It's fair to say that it's a decent competitor to many mid-range models from leading brands.

This is because Exerpeutic really didn't skim on quality when designing this elliptical. The machine combines excellent portability and a compact size with the technology and functionality of many upper-end machines.

All while being available at an incredibly affordable price.

My Verdict

At the end of the day, if your budget is constrained and you're not willing to settle for a totally bare-bone model - the Exerpeutic 1000XL is probably the machine for you.

It's durable, reliable, quiet, portable, and features a fair bit of basic tech to enhance your workouts.

5. The Bowflex Max Trainer M8

Best For Cross-Training

The Bowflex Max Trainer M8 Review

While most people look at an elliptical as a sound alternative to the treadmill, other fitness enthusiasts actively use these machines for a well-rounded full-body workout thanks to their amazing cross-training capabilities.

If you fall into that category yourself, and if you're willing to do away with the traditional aesthetics of the common elliptical - the Bowflex Max Trainer M8 could just be the machine for you.

This unit is designed to combine all the amazing things that an elliptical has to offer with the benefits of a stair stepper. This means more impact, more calorie burn, and far more effective workouts. However, it also implies a higher price tag.

My Verdict

If you lean more towards the cross-training use case when shopping around for an elliptical, and if you're willing to spend a little more money on a unit - the Max Trainer M8 is the absolute best option.    

It provides for a fantastic workout to keep up your muscle tone, lose weight, and work out your core. And the digital connectivity that it boasts is absolutely awesome for staying on track with your fitness goals as it suggests your next workouts based on your performance across sessions.

6. Teeter FreeStep

Best Recumbent Elliptical Bike

Teeter FreeStep Recumbent Cross Trainer Review

If you're looking for the best cross between an effective elliptical and a seated cardio machine - the Teeter FreeStep recumbent elliptical bike should definitely be on your radar.

I have personally owned this machine for just over a year now and can say without a doubt that this thing is a freaking beast. It is one of the most popular elliptical trainers ever to be sold and is one of, if not the highest rated machine you will find. 

You can find my full Teeter Freestep Recumbent Cross Trainer Review here.

It provides an incredibly effective cardio workout, without the impact-stress on your joints. This makes it perfect for people nursing an injury as well as for those of us who just prefer a more relaxed workout.

My Verdict

All in all, there aren't all that many recumbent ellipticals on the market these days.

Thankfully, Teeter manages to combine the best elements of a traditional elliptical such as extreme durability and an effective workout with the low-impact intensity of a seated machine.

The FreeStep stands tall and proud above competitor models in this category thanks to smart engineering and impeccable build quality as well as an effective configuration of features delivered at a fairly affordable price.

7. Sunny Health E902

The Best For Affordability

Sunny Health E902 Review

If you're willing to sacrifice a lot of the technological advancements of the modern age in favor of really narrowing down your budget, Sunny Health & Fitness definitely has you covered!

The SF-E902 air walk elliptical machine is the stripped-down little-brother to the E3865, which I covered above. It gets rid of most of the "technical bulk" of the machine, making it incredibly easy to fit into your apartment, and as a consequence, that much quieter as well.

However, in typical Sunny Health & Fitness fashion, they've managed to keep the quality and efficacy of this elliptical superb despite the bare-bone design and low-low price tag.

My Verdict

All in all, when it comes to ultimate affordability, this is probably the only option that you should consider in the tighter budget lineup!

Maybe it doesn't look as fancy, but it does the job perfectly, fits almost anywhere, and costs a fraction of what you'd pay for other competitor models. All without sacrificing the quality that this brand's products are so well-known for in the fitness world.

Choosing An Apartment Elliptical

Buyers Checklist

Now that we've gone through my 7 top picks for the best quiet elliptical for apartments and small living spaces - let's take a look at some of the general considerations that you'll want to keep in mind when shopping around.

These could serve as fantastic anchor-points for guided shopping, to help you pick out the best elliptical for you and your dwelling.

Low Noise Output

The ones that I have put together in my list above I specifically picked because of how quiet and compact they are. 

But if you are going to try and find a different one outside of this list then you must know, when it comes to picking out the perfect elliptical for your apartment, one of the first criteria that comes to mind is the noise output.

Obviously, these machines are quite large. As such, they can make quite a bit of noise.

However, in recent years, many brands have caught on to the fact that a lot of people don't have a detached unit or spacious sound-proof basement for their elliptical and they're actively taking steps to make sure their machines emit the least possible amount of noise.

And if this is a primary criterion for you, any of the machines that I recommended above would be a perfect fit. I've tested dozens of different models and they are the quietest ellipticals that I've ever come across!

Your Budget & The Cost Of The Machine

When we're shopping around, it's often tempting to throw down a wad of cash and go for the best of the best. However, as with many things in life - price doesn't always reflect quality.

After all, you should definitely be aiming to get the best bang for your buck elliptical, right?

So, before you head out shopping, it's important that you establish a budget for yourself to work within and choose the best fitting option within that.

The apartment ellipticals I recommended earlier were all hand-picked for their cost-effectiveness.

Simply put, they deliver the best value for your hard-earned money, compared to what's available on the market in today's day and age.

A Solid Warranty Policy

Unfortunately, as much as we hate it, things just break every so often. And your brand-spanking-new elliptical is no exception to this.

That's why it's important to make sure that your financial investment is backed by a solid warranty policy. That way, if anything should go wrong, you know that the money you've put into the machine is safe and sound.

Good Brand Reputation

There are dozens of new brands and elliptical machines entering the market almost on a daily basis. However, it's no secret that there are several tried and true brands that have led the industry for decades on end.

These would be your best bet when you're shopping around as not only do they have lots of market experience, but they've also got very extensive public reputations backed by effective and high-quality products.

And if you're worried that going for a top brand may push you out of your budget - don't be. The options that I recommended above are entirely affordable and are "top of the line" when it comes to the reliability, effectiveness, and quality.

The Top Elliptical Brands Out There

While all elliptical machines have something fantastic to offer to your health and well-being - there are some brands that are undeniably quite a bit better than their competition.

I'm talking about brands that lead the market with consistently awesome products year after year. These are brands with lengthy, established histories, a solid reputation among their customers, and a range of well-designed products that are sure to meet your needs.

Let's go through and get acquainted with some of them!

Schwinn

Ever since Schwinn dove into the fitness equipment market some decades back, they've upheld a steady reputation of making world-class exercise equipment.

Their products can be seen all across the fitness world from top gyms to cross-training spaces and even home gyms.

Today, they produce all sorts of cardio machines - from incline treadmills to exercise bikes and ellipticals, they focus on staying ahead of the technological curve when it comes to smart fitness solutions for the everyday person.

When it comes to their ellipticals, Schwinn models are known for their fantastically reliable performance. They're incredibly durable, very technologically advanced, and the smart engineering on Schwinn's part makes them perfectly suited for easy use at both commercial big gyms and smaller apartment home gyms alike.

Sole Fitness

Unlike the century-and-a-half-old Schwinn, Sole Fitness is a relatively new kid on the block when it comes to comparing cardio equipment manufacturers.

However, their relatively young age as a company didn't stop them from quickly establishing themselves as a strong and reliable leader in the fitness tech space.

Known mostly for their high quality professional treadmills, Sole Fitness has recently been focusing more and more of their attention on bringing effective and affordable fitness equipment for both a household and a commercial setting.

And of course, this initiative includes their awesome ellipticals.

You can expect Sole Fitness treadmills to feature excellent build quality, comfortable ergonomics thanks to intelligent design, and all of the latest technological bells and whistles to help you stay connected to your health.

Sunny Health & Fitness

Known for the reliable quality of their products and an impeccable customer support policy, Sunny Health & Fitness is another brand leading the elliptical market into the future.

This Chinese-American company brings together innovative craftsmanship and industry-leading advancements to create some of the best full-body workout machines and fitness equipment for millions of home users and commercial clients.

Sunny Health & Fitness is a great, affordable company that is increasing in quality enough to run with the big dogs.

In fact, these guys actually produce some of the best cushioned treadmills, for those who have bad knees and need a more cushioned deck - they do it better than the other big treadmill brands.

In addition to the superb quality of their ellipticals, they are also one of the more financially approachable brands for those on a tighter budget. However, this affordability comes without any sort of sacrifice in the durability and effectiveness department.

Another great thing about this company is the fact that the treadmill they create are known to have a smaller footprint which makes these treadmills perfect for apartment living situations.

The Benefits Of Having An Elliptical

In today's day and age, whether you're exercising at your local gym or in the comfort of your own dwelling - an elliptical is one of the best exercise machines available.

If you're like me and enjoy getting in some cardio in the outdoors, elliptical bikes like StreetStrider or Elliptigo get the job done when throwing in a touch of fun, too.

My personal favorite is the Elliptigo 8C, I can't get enough of it out there, at least as long as the weather is playing nice. 

Related Reading; Elliptigo Sub Review – The Most Fun Outdoor Stand Up Bike

However, while the whole "improved cardio" part is pretty obvious, an elliptical trainer actually boasts quite a number of huge benefits that many people aren't aware of.

So, to give you the complete picture of why an elliptical may be right for you, let's take a look at some of the benefits that you stand to gain from getting an elliptical for your apartment.

1. Improve Your Endurance & Cardio

Doing any sort of aerobic exercise is a huge boost to your general fitness. Not only are you burning excess calories and improving your cardiovascular function, but you're actually increasing the output your body has.

This means you can exercise for longer, go through more intensive workouts with less effort, and ultimately you'll be getting a lot more out of the exercise you do.

Better yet, with improved muscle growth, stamina and endurance, you will also be able to do a whole lot better in sports.

An elliptical is one of the best cardio machines out there. They give you a nice full-body workout while strengthening your heart.

So whether you want to get your blood pumping a little or even go through a course of HIT (high-intensity interval training) exercises - the elliptical should quickly become your best friend.

2. Expedite Your Weight Loss

One of the key reasons that people get into cardio workouts is to burn calories and lose weight.

Among all of the different cardio machines out there, an elliptical is one of the best when it comes to the number of calories you burn as you work out.

If you're on the machine for around 30 minutes, you can expect to burn anywhere between 270 and 400 calories.

The exact number depends on the intensity of your workout, the style of exercise you're doing as well as various personal dynamics such as your body type and weight.

3. Avoid Excessive Stress On Your Joints

It's no secret that bikes and treadmills can put quite a bit of pressure on your joints. And while it may seem negligible in the near term, over several years, that stress can build up and result in health issues when you're older. 

That's not to say you shouldn't add exercise bikes to your workout arsenal. Of course, there are exercise bikes and treadmills built for comfort, from recumbent exercise bikes to specific treadmills for seniors.

A study was done at the Lerner Sports Center in 2014 where researchers compared the amount of stress you can expect from exercising on asphalt, treadmills, and ellipticals.

Surprisingly, it was shown that ellipticals put far less of your body weight on your joints than the other alternatives.

This effectively makes them far safer to use, as they reduce the natural bodily wear and tear that comes with intensive exercises.

4. Work Out Your Entire Body In One Go

While a treadmill or exercise bike is fantastic for getting a lower-body workout, ellipticals are one of the only options you've got if you want to exercise your entire body all at once.

As you use the elliptical, you will naturally tend to distribute your weight and resistance. This means you'll be pumping your arms just as fast as your legs are moving. 

Effectively, an elliptical can help you target your chest, back, core, leg muscles, biceps and triceps all in one go. 

Related Reading; 7 Best Arm Exercise Bikes - Reviewed & Rated

5. Improve Your Balance & Aid Injury Recovery

There are very few workouts that help you train your balance. And for many of us, staying planted on our feet at all times isn't exactly a strong suit. Especially as you age.

However, if you let go of the grips while you use the elliptical, your body will naturally start to adjust to the reduction in stability, which will improve your balance over time.

The key here is making sure that you set the resistance and incline to a level where you feel entirely safe about working out without holding the handles.

Additionally, the fact that using an elliptical is a relatively low-impact exercise means it's great for nursing an injury. An elliptical can help you stay fit and even recover faster, without the risk of potentially making the injury worse.

Which Apartment Elliptical To Buy?

My Recommendation

When it comes to staying fit without having to leave the comfort of your home - ellipticals are one of the best options available out there.

And in today's noise-polluted world, the last thing you'd want is loud and intrusive exercise equipment disturbing the peace and quiet of your home.

However, if choosing the perfect elliptical for yourself wasn't already complicated enough, trying to find one that fits like a charm in your apartment and doesn't emit too much noise while you exercise can complicate the decision that much more.

And that's why today, I've put in my absolute best to give you the low down on the best quiet ellipticals for apartments that you can buy right now.

I've covered the essential factors that play into a great apartment elliptical. I've also given you my recommendations on the best machines available on the market.

And I've even provided you with a complete and comprehensive checklist of what you'll need to look out for while you're shopping around for an elliptical of your own.

I hope that my guide has helped you learn something new that will help you pick out the best possible option for yourself and your apartment.

With that, it's now my turn to hear back from you. What are some of the quiet ellipticals that you've been looking into, that I haven't covered in this article? Let me know in the comments down below!

Related Reading;

• Space Saver Exercise Bikes
• Reverse Hyper Machines - My Top Picks
• Home Gym Equipment For Small Space
• Best Place to Buy Dumbbells & Weights
• Best Incline Treadmills - Top Bang For Buck Auto Incline Trainers
• The Best Exercise Bikes With Virtual Courses & Training

Sources:

1. https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4982838
2. https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=7903054
3. https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/can-elliptical-trainers-replace-running-for-cardio.445942/