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Best cross trainers for home in the UK
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
A cross trainer, also called an elliptical, gives you a running-style workout without the pounding. Your feet stay on the pedals throughout, and the moving handlebars bring your arms into play, so you work the whole body with very little impact on knees, hips and ankles. That makes it a popular choice for beginners, people coming back from injury and anyone who finds treadmill running uncomfortable.
The specs that matter most are stride length, flywheel weight and the resistance system, because together they decide how smooth and natural the movement feels. Our seven picks run from compact budget machines to touchscreen and commercial-grade models, with a clear award for each so you can go straight to the one that suits your space, height and budget.
How we chose
We have not physically tested these cross trainers. We shortlisted them by comparing published specifications such as stride length, flywheel weight, resistance levels and incline, along with features, price band and the retailer's own product information, across the full range of ellipticals our retailer partners sell. Where a figure like maximum user weight or footprint isn't published, we point out what to check rather than guess.
1. Best overall
Spirit Fitness XE 195 Elliptical Cross Trainer
£945.00 at Sweatband · best for most households wanting a smooth, well-specified machine
The Spirit Fitness XE 195 gets the fundamentals right. A 51cm stride suits a wide range of heights, the 11kg flywheel helps keep the motion smooth, and a narrow 5cm Q-factor keeps your feet close together for a more natural, hip-friendly position. Resistance is electromagnetic (ECB) across 20 levels, and the 7.5-inch LCD offers 14 onboard workouts. Bluetooth links it to the SPIRIT+ and Kinomap apps, with a reading rack for a tablet. It sits in the upper mid-range band, which is where most people get the best balance of build and value.
✓ Pros
- Long 51cm stride suits taller users
- Narrow 5cm Q-factor for a natural foot position
- 20 levels of electromagnetic resistance
- SPIRIT+ and Kinomap support via Bluetooth
✕ Cons
- No powered incline
- Costs more than entry-level ellipticals
2. Best budget
Spirit Fitness DRE40 Elliptical Cross Trainer
£349.00 at Sweatband · best for beginners and shorter users on a tight budget
The Spirit Fitness DRE40 is the lowest-priced machine in our shortlist and still offers 32 levels of digitally controlled magnetic resistance, which is more fine control than many budget ellipticals. The 5.5-inch backlit LCD shows live feedback, there are 9 onboard workouts and a tablet holder for entertainment. The listing quotes a heavy flywheel for the price, which should help smoothness. The 41cm stride is on the short side, so it suits shorter users and steady sessions better than tall users looking for a long, running-style stride.
✓ Pros
- 32 resistance levels at a budget price
- Backlit 5.5-inch display with 9 workouts
- Integrated tablet holder
- Magnetic resistance is quiet
✕ Cons
- 41cm stride may feel short for tall users
- No app connectivity mentioned
3. Best for Zwift and Kinomap
Viavito SE1 Elliptical Cross Trainer
£449.00 at Sweatband · best for app users who want interactive training on a budget
The Viavito SE1 is a budget elliptical built around app training. Bluetooth and a tablet holder let you use both Kinomap and Zwift, which is unusual at this price, so you can follow virtual routes and structured workouts. Its 48cm stride is longer than many machines in the same band, and the 16 levels of computer-controlled magnetic resistance are adjusted with an LED turning knob. The 6kg flywheel is light compared with pricier models, so if smoothness at slow speeds matters most, look further up the range.
✓ Pros
- Works with Zwift and Kinomap
- 48cm stride is generous for the price
- Simple turning-knob controls
- Quiet magnetic resistance
✕ Cons
- Light 6kg flywheel
- Only 16 resistance levels
- App content usually needs a paid subscription
4. Best for tall users
DKN XC-190 Elliptical Cross Trainer
£599.00 at Sweatband · best for taller users and households sharing one machine
The DKN XC-190 has the longest stride of any mid-range machine in our shortlist at 54cm, which is the key spec if you're tall and find shorter ellipticals cramped. It is a dual-rail design with a 10kg flywheel and 32 digital resistance levels. A very narrow 5cm Q-factor keeps your stance natural, and 4 user profiles store age, gender, weight and height, which is handy if more than one person in the house will use it. There are 16 programmes, though no Bluetooth or app support is mentioned.
✓ Pros
- Long 54cm stride
- Narrow 5cm Q-factor
- 4 user profiles for shared homes
- 32 resistance levels and 16 programmes
✕ Cons
- No app connectivity mentioned
- Basic LCD console with no tablet holder listed
5. Best with incline
adidas X-21FD Bluetooth Elliptical Cross Trainer
£999.00 at Sweatband · best for people who want to vary which muscles they target
Incline changes the shape of the elliptical path and shifts more of the work onto your glutes and hamstrings, and the adidas X-21FD Bluetooth is the most affordable pick here with an incline setting, offering 5 levels. It pairs that with a 12kg flywheel, a 46cm stride and 24 levels of computer-controlled magnetic resistance. Cushioned NRG Tech footplates are adjustable, there are 15 programmes, and Bluetooth speakers plus Kinomap support add entertainment. It is a good step up for someone who has outgrown a basic machine.
✓ Pros
- 5 incline levels for more variety
- 12kg flywheel and 24 resistance levels
- Adjustable cushioned footplates
- Kinomap support and Bluetooth speakers
✕ Cons
- Incline is set in levels, not a wide powered range
- 46cm stride is mid-length, not long
6. Best premium
Spirit Fitness XE395 ENT Elliptical Cross Trainer
£1799.00 at Sweatband · best for home users who want a touchscreen and powered incline
The Spirit Fitness XE395 ENT is the machine to look at if you want a built-in screen rather than propping up a tablet. Its 10.1-inch touchscreen supports screen mirroring and comes with pre-loaded streaming, social and news apps, alongside Bluetooth audio, SPIRIT+ and Kinomap. Underneath, it has a 14kg flywheel, a 51cm stride, 20 levels of ECB resistance and 20 levels of electric incline, plus 28 onboard workouts. That combination of long stride and wide incline range is what you're paying the premium for.
✓ Pros
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with streaming apps
- 20 levels of electric incline
- 14kg flywheel and 51cm stride
- 28 onboard workouts
✕ Cons
- Premium price band
- Touchscreen features add complexity some users won't need
Stride length: the spec to check first
Stride length is how far the pedals travel from front to back. Too short and the motion feels choppy, like shuffling rather than striding. As a rough guide, around 40cm suits shorter users and gentle sessions, 45 to 50cm suits most adults, and 50cm or more is better for anyone tall or anyone who wants a running-like motion.
Machines in this guide range from 38cm on some entry-level models up to 54cm on the DKN XC-190. If several people of different heights will share the machine, lean towards a longer stride, because a shorter user can cope with a long stride more easily than a tall user can with a short one.
Flywheel weight and resistance type
The flywheel stores momentum and smooths out the motion between pushes. In general, a heavier flywheel gives a steadier, less jerky ride, especially at slow speeds and high resistance. Light flywheels of around 6kg work, but you may notice the motion is less fluid than on models with 10kg or more.
Most home cross trainers use magnetic resistance, which is quiet and low maintenance. Manual models use a dial, while computer-controlled models let programmes change the resistance for you. Electromagnetic (ECB) systems, found on the Spirit XE and CE ranges, adjust more precisely and can offer a wider range. More levels doesn't always mean harder; it often just means finer steps between settings.
Q-factor, footplates and comfort
Q-factor is the distance between the pedals. A narrow Q-factor, like the 5cm figure quoted for the Spirit XE 195 and DKN XC-190, keeps your feet closer to hip width, which is closer to how you naturally walk. A wide stance can put extra strain on hips and knees over long sessions.
Also look at footplates. Large, cushioned or adjustable plates help with foot numbness, which is a common complaint on cheaper ellipticals. Hand pulse sensors give a rough heart rate reading, but a chest strap is more accurate if you train to heart rate zones.
Space, user weight and power
Cross trainers are long and tall. Check the assembled length and width on the product page, then allow extra room behind the pedals and to the sides for the moving handles. Remember the pedals lift you up, so in a room with a low ceiling, measure from the highest pedal position to make sure your head clears.
Maximum user weight is a useful sign of frame strength and isn't always in the summary, so check the full specification. Most ellipticals with powered consoles need a nearby plug socket, though some models generate their own power from your pedalling. If the machine is going in a garage or a room without a handy socket, confirm this before you buy.
FAQs
Is a cross trainer better than a treadmill?
It depends on your goals. A cross trainer is lower impact and works your arms as well as your legs, which suits people with joint problems or those new to exercise. A treadmill is better if you are training for running events, because it trains the exact movement you'll use outdoors.
What stride length do I need on a cross trainer?
Most adults are comfortable with a stride between 45cm and 50cm. If you're over about six foot, look for 50cm or longer. Shorter users can manage on around 40cm, but a longer stride is the safer choice if several people will share the machine.
Do cross trainers help with weight loss?
They can be a good tool, because they let you exercise for longer with less joint stress, and using the handles brings more muscle into each session. Results still depend on diet and how consistently you train, so pick a machine you'll enjoy using regularly.
How much space does a cross trainer need?
More than most people expect. Check the assembled dimensions on the product page and add clearance behind and to the sides for the moving parts. Also check ceiling height, since you stand several centimetres off the floor on the pedals.
Are cheap cross trainers worth buying?
A budget machine is fine for steady, moderate sessions, especially for shorter users. The usual compromises are a shorter stride, a lighter flywheel and fewer features. If you're tall or plan to train hard several times a week, it is usually worth moving up to a mid-range model.
Do cross trainers need to be plugged in?
Many do, because computer-controlled resistance and consoles need power. Some models are self-powered and generate electricity as you pedal. Check the product page if you plan to use it away from a plug socket.
Want to see everything? Browse all cardio or read our other buying guides.
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