Your budget is one important consideration when buying an elliptical machine. The trainers are expensive, participants assessed how much they liked four different models of elliptical machines, and the rankings corresponded directly with how much each machine cost.
The most expensive was perceived to have the best quality, and the least expensive was the least popular. If you're not ready to spend a lot of money for a machine, one alternative is to join a gym, where top-quality elliptical machines usually are available. A higher-impact but less expensive option is to jog on an indoor track or around your neighborhood for your cardio workout.
It's helpful to think about your personal fitness style before you buy an elliptical. If doing the same exercise often bores you and you seek variety in a routine, an elliptical likely isn't right for you. However, if you have trouble finding motivation for exercise and feel that having a machine in your home would help you stay fit, the purchase might be worth it.