We tested different types of under-desk ellipticals for exercise range, ergonomics, and convenience, and found the best for different users’ needs
Using an under-desk elliptical may not be as effective as taking a walk outside, but it’s a convenient way to add light cardio to an otherwise sedentary activity, like sitting at a desk.
By Justin Krajeski
Under-desk ellipticals are slimmed-down versions of full-sized ellipticals, minus the tall frame, handlebars, and heft. But while traditional elliptical machines are built solely for calorie-burning workouts, these miniaturized versions serve two distinct purposes.
Types of Under-Desk Ellipticals
In our ratings, we divide under-desk ellipticals into two categories: Manual and motorized.
Manual under-desk ellipticals are typically best for calorie-burning workouts. They require the user to pedal, and you can adjust the resistance to make the workout more challenging. Think of them as an alternative to under-desk treadmills, which have grown popular in recent years. They’re meant for able-bodied users looking to squeeze in some light seated cardio.
Motorized under-desk ellipticals typically do a lot of the work for you. They’re often marketed to people with limited mobility or even those recovering from an injury (check with your doctor and/or physical therapist before using one, especially in the case of recovering from an injury). Manufacturers sometimes claim these models improve circulation or stretch the lower extremities. Because you simply rest your feet on the pedals, which turn automatically, they may not provide the same calorie-burning cardio as a manual model. Some don’t provide variable resistance, either, but you can control the speed on the machine or with a separate remote.
A small number of motorized models—including two of our top-rated options—split the difference by offering motor-assisted pedaling while still letting the user dial up the intensity for a more challenging workout. These models provide a workout more akin to a manual under-desk elliptical, so we’ve included them alongside other manual under-desk ellipticals below.
Only one of the under-desk ellipticals in our ratings claims to be safe for standing use, but proceed with caution. There’s nothing to grab onto when you stand on an under-desk elliptical.
In general, there are plenty of good reasons to opt for an elliptical over a treadmill. While the pounding of your feet on a treadmill can be hard on your joints, elliptical machines and under-desk ellipticals mimic the motion of running without the impact that can damage them.
Keep in mind that if your primary goal is to burn calories, “an under-desk elliptical does not replace the energy output of walking,” says Dr. Christopher McMullen, an associate professor of clinical practice at the University of Washington Medicine. Nor does it replace the social benefits of walking outdoors, he adds.
But it’s a convenient way to add light cardio to an otherwise sedentary activity—that is, sitting at your desk. In a 2013 study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, researchers found that participants burned a median of 179 calories per hour while using a manual under-desk elliptical at home. That’s a median of 88 more calories per hour than participants who sat still.
CR’s testers assessed under-desk ellipticals in our labs to evaluate the range of exercises they offer, how comfortable, easy, and secure they are to use, and how well they are expected to fit in your workspace.
We evaluated models priced between $57 and $250. Our market analyst chose popular under-desk ellipticals for evaluation based on Amazon sales volume and overall search interest. These models include a mix of manual and motorized options.
Best Under-Desk Ellipticals For Cardio
The models below are ideal if you’re looking to add exercise to an otherwise stationary activity, like working at a desk or watching TV. Because these options are manually powered (or motor-assisted), we expect them to provide a more challenging workout than what you might get from a fully motorized under-desk elliptical.
Tousains Electric Under Desk Elliptical Machine
The Tousains Electric Under Desk Elliptical Machine receives very good scores for exercise range and ergonomics, and a top score for convenience. Whether we wore socks or shoes, our feet stayed in place on the motorized unit’s pedals, and its front lip helped keep them from sliding forward as the pedals moved. It offers a nonslip mat for additional stability, but we didn’t find slipping to be an issue in our tests. It also features pedal assist, which combines manual and motorized operation to adjust the level of assistance you receive. Its screen—which displays time, speed, calories, and distance—is positioned far enough back on the machine to be readable from under a desk, and its settings can be adjusted via the remote or the base. It can be used with or without a power source, so you can enjoy a fully motorized workout, or, if you don’t want any help, you don’t even have to plug it in.
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Motorized Under Desk Mini Elliptical
The motorized Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Motorized Under Desk Mini Elliptical receives a fantastic ergonomics score, meaning it’s comfortable and secure to use, and it has very good scores across exercise range and convenience. The machine always stayed in place when we used it, though the pedals lack front lips, so your feet could slide forward and off the machine as you pedal. It also features pedal assist, which combines manual and motorized operation to adjust the level of assistance you receive. The display is easy to read, but it shows only time and speed, omitting key information such as distance traveled, calories burned, and the number of steps taken. Settings can be changed from the remote or the base. The wide spacing between pedals may feel awkward for some users during longer sessions. It’s heavier and bulkier than other under-desk ellipticals we tested, and we found it difficult to move.
Cubii Move Under Desk Elliptical
The manual Cubii Move Under Desk Elliptical receives a satisfactory score for exercise range, a respectable score for ergonomics, and a top score for convenience. It features wide pedals with lips to help keep your feet from sliding off the machine during use. We had no issues keeping our feet on the elliptical, and the machine didn’t move. The Cubii move reports strides, calories, distance, speed, and time on its display, but it doesn’t include a remote, so every adjustment you want to make must be made using the base controls. That can be an issue if you don’t want to bend down beneath your desk to adjust the resistance. It doesn’t have a handle or wheels, so it may be awkward to move.
Cubii Go Under Desk Elliptical
The Cubii Go Under Desk Elliptical is a manual under-desk elliptical with no motorized features that receives a passable exercise range, a strong ergonomics score, and an impressive convenience score. We had no issues when we tested this model with shoes on, but with socks on our feet slipped off the pedals. Consider wearing footwear for a steadier ride. (The machine stayed in place while pedaling, though.) There’s no remote, and all adjustments had to be made on the Cubii Go’s base. Assembly required effort, and it’s bulkier and heavier than other models, too. That said, its extending luggage handle and wheels should make repositioning the machine easier.
Best Under-Desk Elliptical For Circulation and Stretching
The model below is motor-driven. Because the motor drives the pedals, we expect that using this machine will burn fewer calories than you might burn with the manually powered or motor-assisted models above.
Merach Under Desk Elliptical
The Merach Under Desk Elliptical is an under-desk elliptical that receives an excellent score for exercise range, and very good scores for ergonomics and convenience. The Merach is the only model we recommend that’s fully motorized, making it better suited to lighter-intensity work (like circulation gains or daily movement) rather than anything more intense. Its pedals have thick front lips to keep your feet from slipping off the machine while it’s in use. Like some of our other top-rated models, the Merarch’s screen remains visible beneath a desk so you can monitor time, distance, speed, step count, and calories without interrupting your workout. Settings can be changed from either the remote or the base, too. It’s very light and easy to move, too.
Pro-tip: Register the Merach Under Desk Elliptical within 14 days of purchase to add a second year of warranty coverage.
How CR Tests Under-Desk Ellipticals
Each of the under-desk ellipticals we tested underwent a hands-on observational session focused on how the machine actually moves and fits a user at a real desk.
To evaluate the exercise range and resistance settings for under-desk elliptical, we determined whether the model offers a broader range of exercise options and better fits different users and workout preferences by pedaling on each machine. We also considered how smooth each machine’s stride felt, and whether it offered real resistance or only changed speed. A top-scoring under-desk elliptical should accommodate a wide range of users and offer multiple positions, adjustable resistance or speed levels, preset programs, and a comfortable stride length.
To assess ergonomics, we considered whether an under-desk elliptical was comfortable and secure to use by testing it while wearing socks and then with socks and shoes. We considered whether your toes might get caught in the elliptical’s pedals while exercising, whether your heels might hit the back lip when seated, and whether the pedals offered lip protection or a non-slip surface (like a mat). We prefer under-desk ellipticals with spacious, non-slip foot pedals and features that help keep your feet in place and the machine stable during use.
To assess convenience, we evaluated how easy the under-desk elliptical was to use and how well it fit in a workspace by sitting with it under a desk. We checked each under-desk elliptical’s display for readability from that position. The machine’s controls and readouts were evaluated, too. We also considered how easy each machine was to adjust during use. Portability and ease of storage were noted, as were any smart and safety features. We also considered how quiet each machine was during use. For the under-desk ellipticals that claim to support both sitting and standing, we used them in both positions multiple times. A good under-desk elliptical should offer simple setup, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, and features that make it easy to monitor and adjust your workout.
What’s Better: an Under-Desk Elliptical or an Under-Desk Treadmill?
This question of what’s better, an under-desk elliptical or an under-desk treadmill, largely comes down to personal preference.
The under-desk ellipticals we tested cost $57 to $250, while the under-desk treadmills cost $150 to $1,400, making treadmills the costlier option.
Under-desk ellipticals can be used at a standard seated desk, while under-desk treadmills require a standing desk or a tall table.
While using an under-desk elliptical, your upper body can remain still, making it easier to complete tasks that require stability. Your use of an under-desk elliptical can more easily go unnoticed when you hop on a video call, too, because you aren’t moving around. Plus, they’re much quieter relative to under-desk treadmills. While using an under-desk treadmill, you’re continuously walking. It’s more difficult to perform tasks that require stability or a steady hand, and that movement makes you more easily spotted by coworkers on a video call. They’re noisy, too. You may need to slow down or pause your treadmill for more important tasks or situations.
Under-desk ellipticals and under-desk treadmills expend a similar amount of energy (when walking on the treadmill at 1 to 2 mph). That being said, McMullen says that using a treadmill “where there is the ability to stand and walk, rather than sit, is likely to be more beneficial.” Standing and walking will activate more muscle groups and may provide beneficial vascular effects from being upright, he explains.
Under-desk ellipticals have a smaller footprint than under-desk treadmills. The under-desk ellipticals we’ve tested can be as large as 23 inches long by 17.5 inches wide and weigh between 7.6 and 26.6 pounds. By comparison, the under-desk treadmills we’ve tested can be as long as 60 inches and as wide as 28 inches, and weigh between 40 and nearly 100 pounds.
Safety Concerns Around Under-Desk Ellipticals
While some under-desk treadmills we tested had potential safety issues, including an incident report filed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, we haven’t seen the same concerns with under-desk ellipticals.
None of the under-desk ellipticals we tested included straps or stirrups to secure your feet to the machine’s pedals, which helps prevent slippage and adds support. If you want to add feet straps or stirrups for additional security, you can buy them separately at retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
While most of the machines we tested are rated only for sitting use, the Stamina inMotion E1000 Compact Strider is advertised for standing use as well. However, we don’t think standing on your under-desk elliptical is a good idea. “Standing on under-desk ellipticals will not work for everyone,” says Sarah Bogdan, who leads CR’s under-desk ellipticals testing. “People’s experiences differ related to their height.” If you aren’t very balanced or coordinated, your risk of falling is considerably higher, she adds. If you’re considering purchasing an under-desk elliptical to stand on, try it in the store beforehand.
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