Looking For The Best Under Desk Elliptical? We Have 13 Recommendations

Best Rated Under Desk Elliptical At A Glance

Elliptical machines are my favorite form of cardio. They combine the benefits of running, a lesser version of rowing (sort of), and are low-impact so you don’t get knee and ankle pain the way you can from running.  

Given the known health risks of sitting down throughout the day, there’s been growing interest in replacing sitting with standing or steady-state cardio which can be performed while working– hence the recent popularity of standing desks, treadmill desks, and more recently, bicycle desks.

More recently, several companies have come out with under-desk elliptical machines. Under the desk elliptical machines include only the foot pedal portion of a full elliptical machine and restrict the range of motion to easily fit under a desk for use while seated. One advantage is that, unlike a treadmill desk or bicycle desk, they’re separate from the desk itself and can be placed under any normal desk.  

With that said, let’s get a better sense of how well under-desk ellipticals work. Then, we’ll give you our researched, detailed recommendations for the top rated under desk ellipticals.

How We Found The Best Under Desk Elliptical

There are several factors we considered when selecting products for our review to ensure that you get the most out of the under-desk elliptical you choose.

Digital Display

Each model includes some form of a digital display that tracks your performance. Parameters tracked generally include speed, time, and calories burned. Even if you only use your under-desk elliptical a few times a week, it can be helpful and fun to keep track of your progress.

One thing to mention is that some of the models on our list pair with their respective mobile apps for this feature, rather than rely on a standard digital display, which can be more convenient to use and easier to read as most phone screens are larger than the digital display found on an under-desk elliptical.

Resistance Levels

Even if you’re a beginner, it’s still helpful to have several options for resistance levels so that you can adjust your training intensity when you want a challenge. Each elliptical on our list comes with several options for resistance, with most machines having at least 8 options, and others having as many as 18.

Non-Slip Pedals

In order to get in the best workout possible, it’s essential to have large enough pedals that are anti-slip. All options on our list have this feature to promote safety and ease of use. Some options even have pedals with massage texture which makes it easy for individuals to use the machine with or without shoes.

High Weight Capacity

You’ll want to make sure that the under-desk elliptical you choose provides adequate support for anyone in your household that wants to use it and is extremely stable. Thus, we included as many options with a 220 lbs+ weight capacity that we could find. In fact, some of our options support up to 350 lbs and a few have no limit.

Product Weight And Dimensions

Chances are you’re buying an under-desk elliptical not only because of its convenience but also due to its portability and compact size. As such, we’ve found as many products as possible that are under 30 lbs and comfortably fit under your desk or table. Several options are under 24 lbs and can be used and moved by individuals of all ages without hassle, which is a major plus for older adults or those who are rehabbing an injury.

Affordability

Although some of the models we included on our list are more on the high-end, over half of them are under $200, with some as low as $119. We realize that some people don’t mind the higher price point for a premium under desk elliptical, but others may want the most affordable option out there that has all of the basic features they need, minus the bells and whistles.

Warranty

Although we’ve included the most durable and highly rated under desk ellipticals in our review, there’s still a small chance that the product you receive may have defects or run into issues later on. That’s why we selected as many products we could find that came with a warranty and most provide coverage for up to a year should you run into any problems.

Authenticity

In addition to the above criteria, we’re extremely cautious when reviewing Amazon products because we frequently find fake and substandard products on the platform. Before recommending a product, we use ReviewMeta to verify it. Basically, ReviewMeta is a website that scans product reviews for credibility and identifies any fake accounts or spam reviews. You can read more about ReviewMeta and how we review our products here.

Our Reviews For The Best Under Desk Elliptical

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The Cubii Pro under desk elliptical machine has several features which make it an incredible option and close second for the best under desk elliptical machine. 

The first thing that’s likely to jump out at you is the form factor: sleek, sporty, with an attractive black and red color scheme, carry handle, and an LCD display.  

Under the hood though, it has several capabilities which make it a highly versatile and effective elliptical.  First, the resistance level is highly adjustable– you can start it out high to quickly get your heart rate up, then lower it to maintain a steady pace.  Second, it integrates with fitness trackers such as FitBit and the Apple Watch to track your progress.

Add to that the light weight and near-noiselessness, and the Cubii Pro is the best under desk elliptical with Bluetooth connectivity.

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Cubii recently released its most portable under desk elliptical yet. It features a retractable handle and built-in wheels so that it’s easy to roll along and can be moved with little effort.

It’s also made with glass-filled nylon and only weighs 19.4 lbs, making it lighter than the Cubii Go and Cubii Pro.

Finally, it has a ZeroGravitii Flywheel that allows it to be the smoothest, lowest-impact under desk elliptical model from Cubii.

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This elliptical is great for those who are rehabbing an injury or want a more controlled stride as it comes with adjustable foot straps. Just like Cubii’s other models, this under-desk elliptical comes with 8 levels of resistance, a built-in LCD display, as well as a handle for easy transport.

This model from Cubii is most popular among older adults, however, it can be used by people of all ages.

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This elliptical has an extremely high weight capacity of 350 lbs, making it a great option for individuals from all health backgrounds.

It features both auto and manual modes, a multi-function LCD monitor, and large anti-slip pedals.

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This under-desk elliptical comes with a large 6-function LCD display that tracks parameters including revolutions, RPM, time, and calories burned. The display can be removed from the machine and placed at eye level with its included stand.

Other key features include 8 resistance levels, a magnetic precision flywheel for quiet performance, and extra long and wide pedals.

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This elliptical is by far the lightest option on our list, weighing in at only 14 lbs! It features 8 levels of resistance, a carry handle, and a digital display that tracks calories burned, distance, speed, and time.

Additionally, it comes with fluid motion and large pedals that are comfortable for anyone to use.

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The Cubii Jr elliptical is the more bare-bones version of the Cubii Pro.  It has the same overall size and shape, and a nearly-as-good black and blue color scheme.  It has adjustable resistance and LCD display and is similarly quiet.

What it lacks is the ability to integrate with fitness trackers– the Cubii Jr. Provides no help in tracking your workouts.  It’s a more economical choice for people who don’t own a fitness tracker and aren’t interested in recording their workouts.

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The LifePro under desk elliptical is somewhat cheaper and less sleek than the Cubii ellipticals but features the same range of motion and adjustable resistance.  It does not have the ability to integrate with fitness trackers and uses a much simpler display that provides less information and is harder to see. 

On the plus side, it’s a few pounds lighter and very easy to carry. It even comes with a roller mat and chair wheel stoppers to make it the perfect fit for an office setting.

The other, less obvious difference is that the pedals on the LifePro under-desk elliptical change their angle to a greater degree as they move.  That makes it more ergonomic if you’re sitting in a position where your feet are far forward of your body, but less ergonomic if your feet are only slightly forward of, and mostly under, your body.

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This is, simply put, the low-cost option from Sunny Health & Fitness.  This under-desk elliptical machine eschews fancy features in favor of low cost and simplicity.  Resistance is adjusted with a simple dial, and the display is bare-bones and not illuminated. 

It’s lighter than each of the previous ellipticals and only weighs 25 pounds, making it easier for more people to carry. The pedals are larger than other models, which potentially could be helpful for people with very large feet. 

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This elliptical features large anti-slip pedals that are comfortable enough to use without shoes. It also supports sitting and standing, forward or reverse motions, and pedaling or running.

It comes with a built-in monitor to track your training parameters as well as adjustable resistance that’s easy to change.

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If you’re looking for the most affordable under desk elliptical out there, then this is the product for you.

This machine comes with a multi-function monitor that tracks parameters including the number of strides per minute, total strides, exercise time, and calories burned.

Additionally, you can control the intensity of your session by adjusting the tension knob and the machine is compatible with müüv which is an all-in-one smart audio coaching app.

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This is a slightly more affordable option from Stamina that comes with a pair of resistance bands. It’s incredibly similar to the Stamina Inmotion Elliptical – the only major differences include a slightly greater width and height.

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Videos To Watch Before Using Your Under Desk Elliptical

5 Min Cubii And Stretching Routine For The Office

This routine is great for warming up prior to a more intense training session, but can also be used as a first-time session with your under-desk elliptical to gain familiarity with your device. This video is best suited for older adults who need more stretching and rest intervals included in their session. However, if you need extra time warming up prior to cranking up the intensity, then this video can help you out as well.

15 Min Under Desk Elliptical Workout For Beginners

When first starting out you might be clueless as to how to create the perfect mini-workout for your under desk elliptical session. This video from Sunny Health & Fitness provides a great approach for beginners as the workout is short and includes a small warmup, multiple intervals and rest periods, and a cooldown followed by stretching. Once you’ve completed this workout, you’ll have a much better idea of how to create future training sessions with your under-desk elliptical.

Cubii Full Body Workout With Resistance Bands

Finally, if you’re more experienced with cardio machines and want more of a challenge, then we encourage you to try this 50-minute fully body workout featured by Cubii. It incorporates resistance band training along with additional movements so that you’re targeting more than just the lower body during your workout.

Under Desk Ellipticals FAQ

Do Under Desk Ellipticals Work?

According to one study, low-speed seated pedaling burns around twice as many calories as sitting, and 50% more than standing. The “pedal desks” used in the study aren’t exactly the same as an under-desk elliptical, but in practice, they’re closer to that than to an exercise bike, involve the same amount of muscles, and likely burn about the same amount of calories.

In other words, yes, under-desk ellipticals work. Like any other form of physical activity, they have to burn calories– and as it happens, they’re sustainable for a long period of time, so that seemingly modest increase in caloric expenditure adds up.

That said, the best workouts are full-body, so if you want to maximize your results you should add some upper body work to complement your under the desk elliptical. A few sets of pushups throughout the day would significantly improve the quality of the workout, burning more calories while allowing for some muscle growth.    

What Makes Under Desk Ellipticals Different From Full-Size Ellipticals?

Under-desk elliptical machines are like smaller, stripped-down versions of full-sized ellipticals.

First off, they only include the lower-body portion of an elliptical machine – no arm handles here.

Second, the range of motion is shorter – they mimic taking short steps, not big strides.

That said, they otherwise work the same way as a normal elliptical, mimicking the motion of running without subjecting the joints of your leg to impact forces.  

And on the plus side, they’re small– small enough to pick up and carry around. And unlike a treadmill desk, they’re entirely separate from your desk, and therefore portable from one desk to another.

In short, they trade intensity for the duration – and they work quite well, as long as you take advantage of that.

Under Desk Ellipticals For Weight Loss

Regular elliptical machines burn substantially more calories than treadmill walking– around 400 calories per hour above resting energy expenditure.  This would equate to losing half a pound a week if you used an elliptical for an hour, 5 days a week.

Of course, under desk elliptical machines don’t involve the upper body, use a shorter range of motion, and are designed to be used at a slower pace while working on a computer. As such, they’re probably on par with treadmill walking, maybe even a little bit less effective since you’re sitting down.

That said, the advantage here, as with a treadmill desk, is the sheer amount of time you can spend. Since you can exercise while you work, it’s entirely possible to use your under desk elliptical for 2-4 hours a day. Even at a slow pace, you might burn enough calories to lose a pound a week. 

Under Desk Elliptical Vs. Bike

Exercise bikes can’t fit under your desk, and bicycle desks are rare and take up a lot of space.  

That said, bicycles offer a wider range of motion, so they’re probably a better workout.  The wider range of motion will make them more disruptive to working however if you even try to work while riding an exercise bike – there’s a reason they’re so much less common than treadmill desks.

Under desk ellipticals offer a lower quality workout, but one you can do for much longer, and one you can easily perform while working.  It’s a tradeoff between quality/intensity on one side and duration/usability on the other side.

Overall, a bike is a better option for a “workout” – one where your whole attention is on the exercise. Under-desk ellipticals, however, are a far more practical option for getting some exercise while working at your job.

Studies And Research Related To Under Desk Elliptical Machine Training

• Adverse Effects of Prolonged Sitting Behavior on the General Health of Office Workers (Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 2017)
• Comparison of energy expenditure on a treadmill vs. an elliptical device at a self-selected exercise intensity (The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2010)
• Changing the way we work: elevating energy expenditure with workstation alternatives (International Journal of Obesity, 2014)

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Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.

Photo by Cubii