Adding incline to an elliptical changes the movement from a gliding run to more of a climb, which shifts work toward your glutes and hamstrings and raises your heart rate without adding impact. It also adds variety, so long sessions feel less repetitive.
We compared ellipticals with incline on how the incline works (power ramp, fixed incline, climber mode or adjustable pedals), stride, flywheel, capacity and ratings on Amazon, with prices checked in October 2026 for our 2027 guide. For home gym picks, see ellipticals for home gyms; for stair-style machines, see compact stair climbers.
Top 3 Ellipticals With Incline
- 20-inch stride, 25 lb flywheel
- 20 eddy-current resistance levels
- 20-level power incline
- Adjustable articulating pedals
- 26 digital resistance levels
- 15% incline to -5% decline ramp
- 375 lb max user, 246 lb
- 16″ tilting HD touchscreen
- 20-inch stride, 20 lb flywheel
- 20 resistance levels + power incline
- 350 lb max user
- Inward-sloped pedals
Incline Ellipticals Compared
| Elliptical | Best For | Key Specs | Amazon Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. SOLE E35 | Best Elliptical With Incline | 20-inch stride, 25 lb flywheel; 20 eddy-current resistance levels; 20-level power incline | New listing | Check Price |
| 2. NordicTrack AirGlide 16 | Best Incline and Decline Range | 26 digital resistance levels; 15% incline to -5% decline ramp; 375 lb max user, 246 lb | 4.2/5 | Check Price |
| 3. SOLE E25 | Best Value Power Incline | 20-inch stride, 20 lb flywheel; 20 resistance levels + power incline; 350 lb max user | 4.0/5 | Check Price |
| 4. YOSUDA EM5 Incline | Best Budget Built-In Incline | 12° incline front drive; 18.5-inch stride, 18 lb flywheel; 500 lb max user | 4.3/5 | Check Price |
| 5. YOSUDA DSJ-01 3-in-1 Incline | Best Steep Climber Mode | Elliptical, stepper and climber modes; 12° and 45° incline settings; 300 lb max user | 4.3/5 | Check Price |
| 6. Acezoe E10 Incline Pedals | Best Adjustable Pedal Incline | 3-level adjustable pedal incline; 15.5-inch stride, 16 levels; 300 lb max user | 4.9/5 | Check Price |
| 7. YOSUDA E03 Foldable Elliptical | Best Foldable Incline Elliptical | 15-inch stride, 16 magnetic levels; Folds to about 2 sq ft; 350 lb max user, 66 lb | 4.4/5 | Check Price |
1. SOLE E35 – Best Elliptical With Incline
- 20-inch stride, 25 lb flywheel
- 20 eddy-current resistance levels
- 20-level power incline
- Adjustable articulating pedals
Pros
- ✓ Heaviest flywheel here (25 lb) for a smooth stride
- ✓ Power incline changes muscle focus
- ✓ SOLE’s long warranty reputation
Cons
- ✗ New 2026 listing with no ratings
- ✗ About $1,700
- ✗ Large footprint
Incline is what turns an elliptical into a glute and hamstring builder, and the SOLE E35 has one of the most useful systems in its class: a motorized power incline with 20 levels that you can change mid-workout without stopping. It pairs that with a 25 lb flywheel, a natural 20-inch stride, 20 levels of eddy-current resistance and adjustable articulating pedals.
The 2026 listing has no Amazon ratings yet and it costs about $1,700, but for incline-focused training it is the most complete machine here.
Best for: Users who want power incline as a core feature.
May not fit: Tight budgets or review-first buyers.
2. NordicTrack AirGlide 16 – Best Incline and Decline Range
- 26 digital resistance levels
- 15% incline to -5% decline ramp
- 375 lb max user, 246 lb
- 16″ tilting HD touchscreen
Pros
- ✓ Incline and decline ramp
- ✓ Big touchscreen with iFIT classes
- ✓ 375 lb rating
Cons
- ✗ iFIT Pro ($39/month) needed for most features
- ✗ About $2,000
- ✗ Only about 5 ratings
NordicTrack’s AirGlide 16 ramp goes from 15% incline to -5% decline, and iFIT trainers can adjust it automatically.
iFIT costs $39 per month; about $2,000.
Best for: Guided incline workouts.
May not fit: Subscription-averse buyers.
3. SOLE E25 – Best Value Power Incline
- 20-inch stride, 20 lb flywheel
- 20 resistance levels + power incline
- 350 lb max user
- Inward-sloped pedals
Pros
- ✓ Full 20-inch stride and power incline
- ✓ Patented pedals reduce knee and ankle stress
- ✓ About $500 less than the E35
Cons
- ✗ Only 2 ratings
- ✗ About $1,200
- ✗ Large footprint
SOLE’s E25 offers power incline from 0 to 20, a 20-inch stride and comfort pedals for about $1,200.
Only 2 ratings.
Best for: Power incline for less.
May not fit: Review-first buyers.
4. YOSUDA EM5 Incline – Best Budget Built-In Incline
- 12° incline front drive
- 18.5-inch stride, 18 lb flywheel
- 500 lb max user
- 41″L x 22″W
Pros
- ✓ 500 lb rating
- ✓ Built-in incline for stair-stepper intensity
- ✓ Long 18.5-inch stride in a short frame
Cons
- ✗ About $600
- ✗ Shares ratings with other YOSUDA models
- ✗ Basic console
YOSUDA’s EM5 has a fixed 12° front-drive incline, 18.5-inch stride and 500 lb rating for about $600.
Incline is not adjustable.
Best for: Stair-stepper intensity on a budget.
May not fit: Adjustable incline seekers.
5. YOSUDA DSJ-01 3-in-1 Incline – Best Steep Climber Mode
- Elliptical, stepper and climber modes
- 12° and 45° incline settings
- 300 lb max user
- 38″L x 21″W (5.4 sq ft)
Pros
- ✓ Steep climber mode for glutes
- ✓ Compact 5.4 sq ft footprint
- ✓ 827 ratings
Cons
- ✗ Short stride
- ✗ 300 lb limit
- ✗ About $500
YOSUDA’s DSJ-01 switches between 12° elliptical and 45° climber angles, with 827 ratings.
Short stride.
Best for: Glute-focused climbing.
May not fit: Tall users.
6. Acezoe E10 Incline Pedals – Best Adjustable Pedal Incline
- 3-level adjustable pedal incline
- 15.5-inch stride, 16 levels
- 300 lb max user
- 43.3″L x 23.2″W
Pros
- ✓ Adjustable pedal incline at a budget price
- ✓ 90% pre-assembled
- ✓ 4.9 stars
Cons
- ✗ Only about 19 ratings
- ✗ 300 lb limit
- ✗ Short stride
Acezoe’s E10 lets you set three pedal incline angles for about $350.
About 19 ratings.
Best for: Budget variety.
May not fit: Heavy users.
7. YOSUDA E03 Foldable Elliptical – Best Foldable Incline Elliptical
- 15-inch stride, 16 magnetic levels
- Folds to about 2 sq ft
- 350 lb max user, 66 lb
- 47.6″L x 22.7″W
Pros
- ✓ Folds to about 2 sq ft against a wall
- ✓ Light 66 lb frame is easy to move
- ✓ About $265
Cons
- ✗ Designed for users up to about 5’9″
- ✗ Only about 81 ratings
- ✗ Short stride
YOSUDA’s E03 combines an incline design with a fold-to-2-sq-ft frame for about $265.
Fits users up to about 5 ft 9 in.
Best for: Small spaces.
May not fit: Tall users.
Types of Elliptical Incline
Power incline
Motorized ramps (SOLE E35, E25, NordicTrack AirGlide) change angle with a button, even mid-workout.
Incline and decline
Some machines also decline, which shifts work toward quads.
Fixed incline
Front-drive designs like the YOSUDA EM5 have a built-in incline angle that does not change.
Climber modes
Machines like the YOSUDA DSJ-01 switch to a steep climber angle for stair-style work.
Adjustable pedals
Budget models (Acezoe) tilt the pedals rather than the ramp, adding variety at low cost.
FAQ
Is incline on an elliptical worth it?
Yes, if you want more glute and hamstring work and variety in your workouts.
What is the difference between power and manual incline?
Power incline adjusts with a motor at the push of a button; manual or fixed incline requires stopping or cannot change.
Does incline burn more calories?
Higher incline usually raises effort and heart rate, so it can increase calorie burn.
Do I need a power outlet for incline?
Yes, power incline models need to be plugged in.
Final Verdict
The SOLE E35 is the best elliptical with incline for serious training, with a 20-level power ramp, heavy flywheel and 20-inch stride. The NordicTrack AirGlide 16 is the pick for incline plus decline with iFIT classes.
On a budget, the YOSUDA EM5 offers built-in incline and a 500 lb rating for about $600.
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