Elliptical vs Treadmill: Which Should You Buy?

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The short answer

Choose a treadmill if you run, want to train for races, or need the most natural walking motion; the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and Sole F80 are our top picks. Choose an elliptical if you want low-impact cardio that’s easy on knees, hips and back, with upper-body involvement; the Sole E35 is a durable, well-rounded choice, and the NordicTrack FS10i FreeStride blends elliptical, stepper and treadmill-like motion.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Type	Impact	Best for	Amazon
Best treadmill	NordicTrack Commercial 1750	Folding treadmill	Moderate to high	Runners, guided training	Check price
Best no-subscription treadmill	Sole F80	Folding treadmill	Moderate to high	Daily runners	Check price
Best elliptical	Sole E35	Front-drive elliptical	Low	Joint-friendly cardio	Check price
Best hybrid	NordicTrack FS10i FreeStride	Adjustable-stride trainer	Low	Variety, incline work	Check price

Treadmill vs elliptical side by side

Factor	Treadmill	Elliptical
Impact	Moderate to high when running	Low; feet stay on the pedals
Best for	Running, race prep, incline walking	Joint-friendly cardio, long steady sessions
Upper body	Minimal	Moving handles engage the arms
Footprint	Long deck; many models fold	Shorter but taller; most don’t fold
Noise	Motor plus footfall	Usually quieter
Maintenance	Belt lubrication, motor and deck wear	Fewer wear parts

How we compared

We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews and published reviews from established fitness outlets, and considered general exercise guidance on impact and calorie burn; we did not test these machines ourselves. The key questions are what kind of training you want to do, how your joints respond to impact, how much space you have, and what you’ll realistically use consistently.

Impact and joints

The biggest difference is impact. On a treadmill, each stride lands with force, just as it does outdoors, though a cushioned deck softens it somewhat. On an elliptical, your feet stay on the pedals the whole time, so there’s no landing at all. That makes ellipticals popular with people returning from injury, heavier beginners and anyone whose knees or hips complain after running.

Some impact isn’t bad: weight-bearing exercise like running and walking is widely recommended for bone health. If you’re unsure which is right for you, especially with a joint condition or a heart condition, talk to your doctor.

Calorie burn and workout intensity

Both machines can deliver a hard workout. At similar perceived effort, running on a treadmill tends to burn slightly more calories than an elliptical, mostly because it’s harder to “coast.” Ellipticals make it easy to keep moving at a low effort, which is great for long, steady sessions but less effective if you don’t push the resistance.

Incline makes a big difference on both. A treadmill at a steep incline turns walking into a demanding workout, and many ellipticals offer power incline to shift emphasis to the glutes and hamstrings.

Training specificity

If you run outdoors or train for a race, a treadmill is the clear choice: it trains the exact movement. An elliptical builds aerobic fitness that carries over, but it won’t prepare your legs and feet for the impact of running. For general fitness and weight management, consistency matters more than the machine; pick the one you enjoy.

Space, noise and maintenance

Treadmills need a long footprint plus safety space behind the deck, though many fold up. Ellipticals are shorter but taller, and you’ll need extra ceiling height because the pedals lift you several inches off the floor. Our home gym space guide lists typical measurements.

Ellipticals are generally quieter, which matters in apartments and upstairs rooms. Treadmills have more wear parts: the belt and deck need regular lubrication and the motor eventually needs service.

Cost of ownership

Quality treadmills and ellipticals sit in similar price tiers, from the under-$1,500 class up to premium connected machines. The bigger long-term costs are subscriptions and maintenance. Connected machines from NordicTrack and Peloton rely on monthly memberships for their best features, so add a few years of fees to the sticker price when comparing them with no-subscription models like Sole.

On the maintenance side, treadmills need periodic belt lubrication and tension checks, and eventually a belt or motor service. Ellipticals have fewer moving parts under stress, but bearings and pedal linkages still benefit from occasional inspection. Whichever you buy, check the frame, motor and parts warranty carefully; it’s often the best signal of how long the manufacturer expects the machine to last.

Put either machine on a firm rubber mat to protect the floor and reduce noise; our flooring guide covers the options.

1. NordicTrack Commercial 1750 — Best treadmill

The 1750 is our top treadmill for most homes. It offers a 22 x 60-inch deck, incline and decline, and a pivoting touchscreen for iFIT classes. It folds for storage. For more options, see our full best treadmills guide.

Good to know: the best features depend on an iFIT membership.

Check the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 on Amazon → →

2. Sole F80 — Best treadmill without a subscription

If you want a heavy, stable folding treadmill with no screen subscription, the Sole F80 is a long-time favorite. It has a 22 x 60-inch deck and 15 levels of power incline, and Sole lists a 375-lb user capacity.

Good to know: it’s heavy, and the console is simple.

Check the Sole F80 on Amazon → →

3. Sole E35 — Best elliptical

The Sole E35 is a front-drive elliptical with a solid, gym-like feel. This listing names a 10-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, power incline and adjustable pedals. Sole’s ellipticals are known for durable frames and angled pedals designed to reduce strain on knees and ankles.

Good to know: it’s a large, heavy machine that doesn’t fold. Check ceiling height, because the pedals raise you off the floor.

Check the Sole E35 on Amazon → →

4. NordicTrack FS10i FreeStride — Best hybrid

The FreeStride trainer adjusts its stride length automatically, so it can feel like a short stepper, a classic elliptical or a long, walking-style stride. NordicTrack pairs it with a 10-inch HD touchscreen and iFIT classes that control incline and resistance.

Good to know: the FreeStride motion takes a few sessions to get used to, and the most useful features require iFIT.

Check the NordicTrack FS10i on Amazon → →

The verdict

Choose a treadmill if you run or want to start running, you’re preparing for a race or hike, you want the most natural walking workout, or you plan to use incline walking as your main cardio.
Choose an elliptical if you want low-impact cardio, your knees, hips or back don’t tolerate running well, you want your arms involved, or you need a quieter machine.

Still undecided? An exercise bike or a rowing machine is also low impact and takes less floor space than either.

FAQ

Is an elliptical better than a treadmill for bad knees?

Ellipticals are lower impact because your feet never leave the pedals, so many people with sensitive knees find them more comfortable. If you have a joint condition, talk to your doctor or physical therapist before starting.

Which burns more calories, a treadmill or an elliptical?

At similar effort, running on a treadmill tends to burn slightly more calories. The difference is small, and the machine you’ll use consistently matters more.

Does an elliptical work the upper body?

Yes, if it has moving handles and you push and pull them actively. The legs still do most of the work.

Which takes up less space?

Ellipticals usually have a shorter footprint but need more ceiling height. Many treadmills fold, which can make them easier to store when not in use.

Can an elliptical help with running fitness?

It builds aerobic fitness that carries over to running, but it doesn’t train the impact and stride of running. Runners usually use ellipticals as a cross-training tool rather than a replacement.