Best elliptical trainers for home use

Top pick: Sole E25. It's the one I'd buy for a home gym — a sturdy, quiet magnetic elliptical with power incline, a heart-rate monitor and Sole's reputation for long-lived frames. It's the best balance of build and price here.

Who the others suit:

• Schwinn 411 — the safe, simple choice if you want a well-known brand with a big console and no fuss.
• Bowflex Max Trainer M6 — if you want short, hard interval workouts rather than long steady sessions.
• NordicTrack FS10i — if you're tall or heavy (rated to 375 lb) and want a longer, more adjustable stride.
• Sunny Health & Fitness — a light, compact magnetic machine for a small space or a second cardio option.
• Sole E35 — the step up if you want more resistance levels and a longer warranty.
• Bowflex Max Total 16 — the premium interval trainer with the smallest footprint.

Skip the Rockvale cross trainer: its 130 lb max load rules out most adults.