Looking for the best elliptical cross trainers under £300? We review budget-friendly options that offer solid value, realistic expectations, and practical home fitness performance.
What You Can and Can’t Expect Under £300
Let’s get one thing out of the way early, £300 does not buy you a gym-grade elliptical. What it does buy, however, is access to some surprisingly decent, cheap-and-cheerful cross trainers that can absolutely earn their keep in a home setup.
This guide focuses on value, not hype. All of the machines featured were under £300 at the time of our review, and while some product descriptions promise the moon, we approach those claims with a raised eyebrow and a pinch of salt.
Budget-Friendly Doesn’t Mean Useless
Most budget ellipticals are built with lighter flywheels, simpler resistance systems, and more compact frames. That is not automatically a bad thing. For beginners, casual users, or anyone wanting low-impact cardio without pounding their joints, these machines can be more than enough.
Established Names and Unknown Brands
You will see a mix here. Some recognisable brands offering entry-level models, alongside lesser-known manufacturers competing hard on price. In many cases, the lesser-known options offer impressive features on paper but build quality and longevity can vary.
Not the Best, But the Best Under £300
These are not elite performers, and we are not pretending they are. What they are is the top performers within a strict budget, chosen for usability, customer feedback, realistic performance, and overall value for money. If you want a smooth stride, quiet workouts, and something that fits in a spare room without bankrupting you, you are in the right place. Just bring realistic expectations, and these machines can still deliver real results.
Best 7 Elliptical Cross Trainers Under £300
#1, MERACH Elliptical Trainer
If your budget is closer to takeaway money than gym-membership money, the MERACH E07 makes a strong case for itself. Usually landing somewhere between £150 and £200, this is very much a value-first elliptical, and it knows it.
The standout feature here is how quiet and compact it is. The magnetic resistance system keeps noise to a minimum, which makes it a solid choice for flats, shared homes, or anyone exercising while others sleep. The movement is smooth enough for steady cardio sessions, though seasoned users will notice the lighter flywheel fairly quickly. Sixteen resistance levels sound impressive, and while the higher levels do add challenge, this is not a machine built for elite intensity. It is best suited to beginners, light-to-moderate fitness routines, or anyone focusing on consistency rather than max effort.
The LCD screen covers the basics: time, distance, calories, speed, and heart rate via hand pulse sensors. The MERACH app adds a bit of fun with guided sessions and gamified workouts, although app features should be viewed as a bonus rather than a training revolution.
Build quality is respectable for the price, with a 120 kg weight limit and a surprisingly sturdy feel for such a compact frame. Just do not expect gym-level stride length or heavy resistance. Bottom line - affordable, quiet, and beginner-friendly. Not powerful, not fancy, but excellent value for what you pay.
#2, JLL Smart 2-in-1 Upright Elliptical Cross Trainer
The JLL Smart 2-in-1 sits at the higher end of the under-£300 bracket, and it feels like it knows it. This is a more upright-style elliptical, somewhere between a traditional cross trainer and a compact cardio machine, making it ideal for users who want movement without taking over the entire room.
JLL has a solid reputation in the UK budget fitness space, and that reliability shows here. The 5 kg flywheel and belt-driven magnetic resistance deliver a smoother and more stable ride than cheaper ultra-compact machines. Eight resistance levels keep things simple, and while they will not turn your legs to jelly, they are more than enough for daily cardio and steady progression.
The bidirectional stride is a nice touch, letting you shift focus between muscle groups without changing machines. Stride length is modest, so taller users may feel slightly constrained, but for most average-height users it remains comfortable. The LCD console covers all the essentials, including steps per minute and heart rate. Bluetooth connectivity with the SunnyFit app adds guided workouts and scenic routes, without forcing a subscription, which is a genuine plus at this price point.
It is quiet, stable, easy to move, and fits well into smaller homes. Just remember, this is low-impact cardio, not a full-scale commercial elliptical replacement. Bottom line - dependable, well-balanced, and sensible. A strong all-rounder for home users who value comfort, brand trust, and practicality over extreme resistance.
#3, Dripex Elliptical Cross Trainer
The Dripex Elliptical Cross Trainer sits firmly in the “cheap and cheerful, but usable” category, and that is not a bad place to be if your expectations are realistic. Usually priced between £150 and £200, it offers a surprisingly decent setup for the money, as long as you remember this is not a gym-grade machine.
The 6 kg flywheel gives it a smoother feel than many ultra-budget ellipticals, especially at lower and mid resistance levels. There are 8 resistance settings, controlled via a simple tension knob. They provide enough variation for beginners and light-to-moderate users, but stronger or heavier athletes will likely max it out fairly quickly.
Noise levels are impressively low. Dripex claims whisper-quiet performance, and while marketing always pushes that line, in real-world terms it is genuinely quiet enough for flats and evening workouts without annoying others.
The LCD monitor covers the basics, time, distance, speed, calories, pulse, and odometer. Heart rate sensors are built into the fixed handles, though accuracy should be taken as guidance rather than medical-grade truth. The device holder is a welcome addition and probably gets more use than the display itself. Build quality feels solid enough for the price, with a stated 120 kg capacity and large non-slip pedals. Assembly takes a bit of patience, but nothing out of the ordinary for budget fitness gear.
#4, THERUN Elliptical Cross Trainer
The THERUN Elliptical Cross Trainer is, in many ways, a close cousin to the Dripex. Similar size, similar price, similar feature set, and aimed squarely at home users who want affordable, low-impact cardio without unnecessary bells and whistles. It uses a magnetic resistance system with 8 adjustable levels and a 6 kg flywheel, delivering a smooth and controlled motion that feels stable for steady-paced workouts. Like most ellipticals in this price range, resistance is best suited to beginners and intermediate users rather than those chasing intense training sessions.
Noise control is one of its strongest selling points. In practice, it runs quietly enough to be used early in the morning or late at night, making it well suited for shared living spaces. The dual-handlebar setup allows both upper- and lower-body engagement, while the fixed handles include pulse sensors for heart rate tracking. As always with grip sensors, treat readings as approximate rather than precise.
The LCD console displays all expected metrics and includes a device holder, which again is likely to be one of the most-used features. Pedals are large, textured, and stable, helping the machine feel secure despite its budget price tag. THERUN also scores points for usability, with transport wheels and a bottle holder, small touches that make daily use easier. Bottom line - very good value for money if you want a quiet, stable, and straightforward elliptical. It does not try to be fancy, and that is exactly why it works for many homes.
#5, Neezee Elliptical Cross Trainer
The Neezee Elliptical Cross Trainer is one of the more substantial machines you will find under £300, and it feels like it. Usually priced between £250 and £300, it sits right at the top of the budget category and offers a noticeable step up from the ultra-compact ellipticals.
The standout feature here is the 8 kg flywheel combined with 16 resistance levels. This gives you far more room to progress than most budget models. Lower levels are smooth and joint-friendly, while the higher settings finally start to feel challenging, even for fitter users. Claims of “gym-standard resistance” should still be taken with a pinch of salt, but compared to cheaper units, this one does push back a bit more convincingly.
Stride length is another plus. At 16.5 inches, it feels more natural than the short, choppy strides common at this price point. Taller users will appreciate this, as will anyone planning longer sessions. Noise levels are impressively low. It runs smoothly and quietly enough for evening workouts without rattling the house. Bluetooth app compatibility with Kinomap and Zwift is included, although as always, treat app integration as a nice bonus rather than a core reason to buy.
Build quality feels solid, with a generous 150 kg user weight limit, making this a good option for heavier users who often struggle with budget machines.
#6, Reebok FR30 Elliptical Cross Trainer
Best for structured training, app users and those who caught it on offer. The Reebok FR30 is a bit of an outlier on this list. Normally, it lives above the £300 mark, but due to promotional pricing it slipped under that threshold at the time of review, earning it a place here.
This is the most “gym-like” elliptical in the lineup. The 9 kg flywheel delivers smooth, controlled movement, and the 32 levels of electronic resistance offer far more fine-tuning than manual systems. Resistance changes are precise and consistent, making interval training far easier to manage.
Where the FR30 really stands out is its console and programme variety. With 18 preset workouts, target modes, heart-rate control, and Kinomap compatibility, it feels far more structured than most budget cross trainers. The multi-window LED display clearly shows performance data, including watts and RPM, which fitness-focused users will appreciate.
That said, it is not perfect. The 15-inch stride length is slightly shorter than expected for a machine of this size, and while build quality is strong, the 120 kg weight limit is lower than the Neezee above. It is also heavier and bulkier, so this is not one you will casually move around after every session.
Bottom line - excellent value if you catch it under £300. More advanced, more programmable, but only worth it at the discounted price.
#7, Sunny Health & Fitness 2-in-1 Elliptical Cross Trainer
Best for compact spaces, light cardio, arm and leg movement rather than power training. The Sunny Health & Fitness 2-in-1 Elliptical is a bit different from most machines on this list. Sitting around the £250 to £300 mark, it is not trying to compete with larger, heavier ellipticals, instead it focuses on compact design, simplicity, and low-impact movement.
The first thing to note is the flywheel size. At just 3 kg, this is very much a light-duty machine. Sunny’s descriptions talk about “intense cardio”, but in reality this is more suited to steady movement, rehabilitation-style workouts, or gentle daily activity rather than sweat-soaked HIIT sessions. Resistance is limited to 8 magnetic levels, which are smooth and quiet, but will not challenge experienced users.
Stride length is short at 28 cm, reinforcing its role as a compact exerciser rather than a full-stride elliptical. That said, for smaller users, seniors, or anyone short on space, this can actually be a benefit. It feels controlled, stable, and very easy on the joints. Build quality is solid for its size, and Sunny Health & Fitness has a decent reputation for reliability. The optional SunnyFit app adds some structure and motivation, although, as with all free apps, expectations should be realistic.
Noise levels are excellent, storage is easy, and it works well in flats or shared spaces where silence matters. Bottom line - not a powerhouse, but a well-made, compact elliptical for light, consistent movement rather than performance training.
Conclusion - Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Let’s be honest. Under £300, no elliptical here is going to replicate a commercial gym machine. Many of the product descriptions promise more than the hardware can realistically deliver, so expectations matter just as much as price. Here is how to choose sensibly…
Best all-round value - The Neezee Elliptical stands out for most people. Heavier flywheel, longer stride, higher weight limit, and enough resistance to grow into. If you want one machine that feels closest to “proper gym equipment” under £300, this is it.
Best if you want programmes and structure - The Reebok FR30, but only if you catch it under £300. At full price it is a harder sell, but discounted, it offers the most advanced console and resistance control in this list.
Best cheap and cheerful options - The Dripex and THERUN models are ideal if budget is tight and expectations are realistic. They are quiet, compact, and fine for casual home cardio, but they are not built for aggressive training.
Best for small spaces or gentle daily movement - The Sunny Health & Fitness 2-in-1 works well for lighter users, rehab-style workouts, or those prioritising silence and storage over intensity.
Final Word
If you are new to ellipticals or simply want to move more at home without spending a fortune, this list proves there are decent options available. Just remember, at this price point you are buying value, not miracles. Set it up properly, use it consistently, and it will do its job.
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