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The best under-desk ellipticals

Written by The CardioTested test teamUpdated November 5, 2026

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The Cubii JR2 is the under-desk elliptical we'd buy: its pedals are designed to move in a low arc that stays clear of most desks, it has 8 resistance levels, and it typically costs $199 to $299. It won't replace a walk or work up a sweat, but it keeps your legs moving through a long day at the computer.

Our top picks

Ratings from specs · stock photos
  1. Best overall
    Cubii JR2
    4.0
    from $199
    Check price
  2. Best Cubii alternative
    Yawza Under Desk Elliptical
    3.3
    from $199
    Check price
  3. Best for tight budgets
    ObiTrek Elliptical
    3.3
    from $199
    Check price

What we looked for

  • Quiet at a steady pedal
  • Stays put on a hard floor
  • Clears the desk at the top of the stroke
  • Resistance you can feel change
How we rate

You use it sitting down, so the questions are different from a full elliptical: how quiet it is, whether it creeps across a hard floor, and whether your knees hit the desk at the top of each stroke. The Yawza and ObiTrek list for $199 against the Cubii's $299, and we'll check whether they stay put on hardwood.

Our picks, in detail

Best overallCubii
A man seated at a home desk
Stride
—
Flywheel
—
Max user
250 lb
Floor space
23 × 17.5 in

Cubii JR2

4.0Our rating · from specs
$199 to $299
Typical price

It won't replace a walk, but it's designed to be the one bit of cardio you can do on a call without anyone noticing.

Best for

  • Desk workers who sit through meetings
  • People in recovery or with limited mobility
  • Anyone who needs near silence

Skip it if

  • Anyone expecting a real workout
  • Tall users whose knees hit the desk
  • Chairs with wheels, unless you wedge them
Read our review

Product photos are representative stock images, not the exact models, until our own test photos replace them.

Compare them side by side

Prices are typical ranges, not today's. Tap a column heading to sort.

Model
Cubii JR2Cubii · 4.0/5$199–299250 lb23 × 17.5 inNot yet tested
Yawza Under Desk EllipticalYawza · 3.3/5$199250 lb—Not yet tested
ObiTrek EllipticalObiTrek · 3.3/5$199250 lb—Not yet tested

Tap a column to sort. Ratings come from published specs until we bench test a machine; specs are the manufacturer's unless a review says we measured them. Noise shows once we've measured that machine.

Frequently asked questions

Do under-desk ellipticals actually work?

For burning calories, only a little. For keeping your legs moving and breaking up a long stretch of sitting, yes, and that's the main reason to own one. People who stick with them tend to use them during calls and reading, when they'd otherwise sit still.

How much knee clearance do I need?

Measure from the floor to the underside of your desk. The Cubii stands 10 inches tall, and your knees rise as each pedal comes up, so tall people at low desks are the ones who bump. Sit in your chair and lift a foot to that height before you buy. A standing desk raised a little solves it.