The 2 Best Under-Desk Ellipticals of 2025
Top pick
A quiet, comfortable under-desk elliptical that’s easy to adjust, this model is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their legs moving without leaving their desk.
The manual Cubii JR1 elliptical machine ranked best in our tests by virtue of being nearly silent, the most comfortable model to use, and the easiest to adjust of all those we tested. Because its low pedal height keeps its footpads at a gentle angle, testers didn’t feel any strain in their ankles, calves, or knees. And most testers agreed that this model’s pedaling motion felt more natural in comparison with other manual under-desk ellipticals.
The large resistance knob makes it simple to fine-tune your workout difficulty, with smooth steps and a range that encompasses both lighter exercise and more intense use. Plus, this elliptical is compact enough to fit under most standard-size desks, and in our tests it easily gripped every surface we used it on.
It’s the most comfortable to use. Most of our testers said the walking motion of the JR1 felt the most natural of all the manual under-desk ellipticals they tested. And while other models with steeper footpads caused some testers to experience discomfort in their knees, the JR1 did not.
That’s because the crank of the JR1 is closer to the ground than those on most of the other models we tested. As a result, the footpads are at a lower angle, and our ankles or calves didn’t feel strained when the pedals were at the highest and lowest positions.
It’s the quietest model we tested. Nearly all the models we tested, especially the electric ones, made some kind of noise while in use. Even when we used the JR1 in a quiet room, it barely made any noise at all.
It has plenty of tension settings. Adjusting the tension settings on the JR1 is fast and easy, thanks to a large, clearly marked knob on the top of the machine. Turning the knob counterclockwise lessens resistance, while twisting it clockwise increases the difficulty.
During tests, we found the steps of resistance subtle enough that we never felt like one setting was too easy while the next was too challenging. And unlike other models, which were either too hard at the easiest setting or too easy at the highest, the JR1 felt comfortable for testers with limited lower-body strength yet still challenged physically active testers.
It doesn’t take up too much space. The JR1 was one of the smallest manual under-desk ellipticals we tested. It was easily able to fit under an average-size standing desk (42 by 30 inches) while allowing enough space for us to tuck into the desk fully, without our chair hitting the machine.
If you have a larger desk, however, and want to save about $70, you may want to consider a larger elliptical, such as the Sunny Health and Fitness model.
It doesn’t slide around on the floor. The height of the user changes the way pressure is exerted on an elliptical machine, and some models we tested had trouble staying in place for shorter or taller testers.
The JR1 did not. Regardless of how testers used the JR1, it stayed firmly in place. And it was as grippy on hardwood as it was on concrete. “It’s not going anywhere,” one tester said when asked to try to move it.
It has a solid warranty plan. Cubii covers the JR1 with a one-year warranty if you register it, or for six months without registration. That’s considerably better coverage than you get with most of the under-desk ellipticals we considered, which have basic 14-day return policies.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s clumsy to move around. You’ll find no handle or hand hook on the JR1, so if you need to move it, you must grab it by the body. That can be especially tricky for people with smaller hands or those who have dexterity or hand-strength issues. And since there’s no way to lock the footpads in place, you have to be careful in how you grab it. The machine’s extra-grippy feet make pulling or pushing it into place a challenge, too.
