The Best Under-Desk Ellipticals, According to Experts

If you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk, it’s important to find ways to incorporate movement. A number of studies have shown that prolonged sedentary behavior increases the risk of developing a number of health problems, including heart problems, diabetes and even cancer. The good news: You can easily add movement to your day with an under-desk elliptical trainer.

As the name suggests, this compact machine fits neatly under a desk and has pedals that you can push while typing. They can also complement other physical activities you do throughout the day, says Bryan Wright, a physical therapist and owner of Wright Physical Therapy in Idaho.

To help you shop, I asked fitness experts what to look for in an under-desk elliptical trainer and got their recommendations on the best ones to buy.

How I Chose the Best Under Desk Elliptical Trainers

I asked fitness professionals about what to keep in mind when purchasing an under-desk elliptical trainer. Here’s what they say to focus on:

• Resistance Levels: A model with adjustable resistance levels lets you choose the intensity of your elliptical session, says Wright. When you’re actively working, you may want a lower resistance. But if you’re taking a break, you may want to increase the resistance.
• Noise level: If you use an under-desk elliptical in the office or when working from home, you’ll need a relatively quiet machine so it doesn’t distract yourself or your coworkers, Wright says.
• Stability: Look for an under-desk elliptical trainer that will stay in place when you place it under your desk. If it wobbles while you are using it, it will be uncomfortable and annoying. A heavier model will remain, but will also be difficult to move. You can also look for models with rubber treads that prevent slipping, according to Wright.

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The best elliptical trainers under the desk

To select the best under-desk elliptical trainers, I used expert advice to round up some highly rated options.

Best overall

Cubii is one of the biggest brands of under-desk ellipticals because of its ergonomic design, Wright says. This version has a built-in LCD screen, which displays your calories burned, distance traveled, rotations per minute and other metrics. Eight resistance levels help you vary your workouts, and Cubii also offers various home workout videos led by personal trainers on its Facebook page.

Ideal for low desks

“I prefer sleeker styles because they tend to be easier to store,” says Karisa Karmali, personal trainer and founder of Self-Love and Fitness. This option has a smaller footprint than most of the other models on this list: the elliptical can fit under desks as low as 24 inches, depending on the brand. It also features a quiet flywheel and eight intensity levels, from warm-up to intense intervals.

Best Quiet Option

Although it’s one of the larger models on our list, it has eight resistance levels to customize your workout and an LCD screen to track your health and workout metrics, according to the brand. It has non-slip pedals and the magnetic belt works quietly, so it won’t distract you or others. The Under Desk Elliptical is also highly rated, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 13,200 reviews on Amazon.

The most versatile

Unlike other models on this list, you can use this elliptical while sitting or standing. You can also pedal forward and backward, which can help you target different muscles. The LCD screen also allows you to monitor your strides per minute, exercise duration and calories burned.

Best portable option

This Ancheer seated elliptical trainer has a remote control to adjust settings instead of the traditional resistance knob, so you don’t have to reach under your desk to adjust it. You can also use it while unplugged or plugged in, making it more portable than other options on the market. Like the other options on our list, the pedal positions are textured to add grip, and the machine tracks time, speed, calories, and distance.

Best budget choice

At less than $60, this is the most affordable under desk elliptical on the list. It has 12 speed levels and you can pedal forward or reverse. You can control the settings manually or using the included remote control. Rubber bands at the bottom keep it in place, according to the brand.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Bryan Wright is a physical therapist and owner of Wright Physical Therapy in Idaho.
• Karisa Karmali is a personal trainer and founder of Self-Love and Fitness.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m an NBC Select contributor and reporter who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, I interviewed two fitness experts about the benefits of under-desk elliptical trainers and how to buy one.