Schwinn and Nautilus are the undisputed kingpins when it comes to moderately priced ellipticals for the home use market. The two most popular offerings in the entry/midline price range are the Schwinn 470 and the Nautilus E616. Interestingly, both Nautilus and Schwinn are brands under the Nautilus company umbrella. So, it’s hardly surprising that the two machines are very similar in the features they provide. But which one is best?
In this article, we put the Schwinn 470 and the Nautilus E616 side by side in a match up to help you decide which is best for you.
At a Glance
The Schwinn 470 Elliptical Trainer is the most popular in the Schwinn range of ellipticals. It provides you with a backlit console, a 20-inch stride length, a motorized incline, a front-drive and cushioned articulated foot pedals. It also provides you with reverse stride. Neither the Schwinn 470 nor the Nautilus E616 are wifi enabled. The E616 provides all of the mentioned features of the Schwinn 470, except for reverse stride, though there are some slight differences.
The Nautilus E616 has a slightly better warranty, provides a headphone jack and is a little thinner. The E616 was released in 2017, with the Schwinn 470 coming out in 2013. However, we believe that, based on its reverse stride capability, the Schwinn 470 represents the better option.
Comparing Features and Specs
Nautilus E616 | Schwinn 470 |
|---|---|
 |  |
Dimensions: 1.8 m x 68 cm x 1.6 m | Dimensions: 1.8 m x 72 cm x 1.6 m |
Weight Limit: 300 lbs | Weight Limit: 300 lbs |
Included Workout Programs: | Included Workout Programs: |
Apps: Nautilus Trainer app | Apps: Schwinn Trainer app |
Incline / Decline: | Incline / Decline: |
Warranty: 10 years frame; 3 years parts/electronics; 1 year labor | Warranty: 10 years frame; 2 years mechanical; 1 year electrical; 90 days labor |
Build Quality: Excellent | Build Quality: Excellent |
Price: $$ | Price: $$$ |
Dimensions
Both of these ellipticals are very similar in their footprint. Neither of them are foldable. Here are how the dimensions compare:
- Nautilus E616: 1.8 m x 68 cm x 1.6 m
- Schwinn 470: 1.8 m x 72 cm x 1.6 m
From this, we can see that the Schwinn machine is slightly wider than the Nautilus E616. This may make the E616 a better option if you are working with a tightly confined workout space.
Weight Limit
The weight limit on both of these machines is 300 pounds (136 kg). While standard for ellipticals in the $1000 and above price range, that is pretty impressive for machines in this price range.
Included Workout Programs
Both ellipticals provide you with 29 built-in workout programs. The Nautilus E616 gives you the following programs: 12 profile, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 recovery test, 1 quick start. The Schwinn 470 gives you 12 profiles, 9 heart rate control, 4 custom, 2 fitness test, 1 quick start. As you can see, these are virtually identical.
Apps
Both machines have their own branded training app. The E616 provides you access to the Nautilus Trainer app, while the Schwinn 470 delivers their Schwinn Trainer app. The E616 also provides the ‘Explore the World’ app, which allows you to virtually travel the globe and train on the best courses in the world. Nautilus adds new destinations every month to keep you inspired. This app also allows you to track your distance, speed, pace, calories, time and heart rate, map your workouts and share your results.
The same app is offered on the Schwinn 470. Both ellipticals also provide you with access to such other apps as MyFitnessPal and RunSocial.
Incline / Decline
Both the Schwinn 470 and the Nautilus E616 provide you with an automatic incline function. The maximum achievable incline on each machine is 10 degrees. Neither of these ellipticals has a decline function.
Warranty
The warranties on these machines are very similar, with the Nautilus E616 having the edge in one key area. Here is how they compare:
- Nautilus E616: 10 years frame; 3 years parts/electronics; 1 year labor
- Schwinn 470: 10 years frame; 2 years mechanical; 1 year electrical; 90 days labor
As we can see from the above, the Nautilus E616 has it all over the Schwinn 470 in the critical area of labor costs – 12 months compared with just 90 days.
Build Quality
Both of these machines are constructed with solid, sturdy and reliable frames. They are both front-wheel drive ellipticals, which are easier to mount and have a better balance than rear-wheel drive ellipticals. Both provide you with both movable and stationary handles to provide a full-body workout. Neither machine is built with an adjustable stride length.
Price
Both of these ellipticals are in the under $1000 category. The Nautilus E616 is about a hundred dollars cheaper than the Schwinn 470.
What Others Are Saying
Both the Schwinn 470 and the Nautilus E616 are extremely popular machines. There are plenty of online reviews from verified buyers, with most of them being positive. When it comes to the Schwinn 470, many people make mention of the easy assembly, the quiet, smooth operation, and the user-friendly console. A few people have mentioned that the pedals do not incline when you automatically incline the treadmill. This is not very ergonomic.
When it comes to the Nautilus E616, reviewers love the solid build of the machine along with the impressive price point. A couple of people mentioned that the pedals were squeaky, however.
FAQ:
How high does my ceiling need to be for the Nautilus E616 Elliptical?
This will depend on your height but in general you will need at least 12 inches of space relative to your height. As an example, if you are 6ft tall then you would want at least a 7ft ceiling. You can work out the required height for both of these machines from the maximum height of the machine from the floor:
- Nautilus E616: 1.6m
- Schwinn 470: 1.6m
Is the Schwinn 470 stable during workouts?
Yes, it is very stable and does not wobble like some cheaper ellipticals during exercise.
Final Thoughts:
As we have seen from the above comparison, the Nautilus E616 and the Schwinn 470 are very similar in their design and features. They also look very similar. While there are some slight differences in terms of dimensions and console features, the main differentiator is that the Schwinn 470 offers reverse stride capability, which you do not get on the Nautilus E616. That provides you with more training options and is the reason that we recommend the Schwinn 470 over the Nautilus E616.