Putnen Under Desk Elliptical Review: quiet powered leg movement for lazy days and bad knees

I got the Putnen under desk elliptical because I work from home, sit all day, and my legs were starting to feel like concrete. I also have a parent in their 70s with knee issues, so I wanted something that both of us could actually use without needing a full-size machine in the living room. I picked this one mainly because it’s electric, fairly compact, and had a lot of solid reviews from people in similar situations.

Out of the box, it’s literally plug-and-play: no assembly, just plug it in, drop in batteries for the remote (not included), and you’re moving. I used it under my desk during calls, and my parent used it in front of the TV. We both used it daily for about two weeks before I sat down to write this. So this is not a lab test, just normal everyday use from a regular person who sits too much.

The main idea with this thing is simple: you sit on a chair, put your feet on the pedals, and let the machine move your legs in an elliptical motion. You can either let it run in auto mode where the motor does most of the work, or switch to manual mode where you do the pedaling yourself. It’s more about light movement and circulation than hardcore cardio.

Overall, it does what it promises: keeps your legs moving without thinking too much about it. It’s not perfect, and it’s not going to replace going for a walk, but as a way to avoid being completely still for hours, it’s actually pretty solid. I’ll break down what worked for me and what annoyed me a bit in the next sections.

In terms of value, I’d say this Putnen under desk elliptical is good bang for the buck if you fit the right profile. You’re paying for an electric, low-impact device that you can literally use while doing something else – working, watching TV, reading. It’s not cheap like a basic non-motorized pedal exerciser, but you’re getting the powered motion, the remote, and quieter operation. For seniors or people with mobility issues, that powered feature alone justifies the price more than a simple mechanical unit.

Compared to cheaper manual-only under desk bikes I’ve tried before, this one is definitely easier for older people to use. They don’t have to constantly push to keep it spinning; they can let the motor assist or even do almost all the work. Also, the noise level is lower than the budget models I’ve used, which often start to squeak after a while. So if the goal is comfort and regular use, this is a step up.

On the flip side, if you’re fairly active and want something that really challenges you, I don’t think this is the best use of your money. You’d probably be better off with a regular stationary bike or a full-size elliptical. This Putnen model is more about "moving instead of sitting completely still" than about hardcore training. Also, the short power cord and missing battery for the remote feel a bit cheap for a product that clearly targets older users who might not want to deal with extra accessories.

For what it offers – quiet operation, powered assistance, multiple speeds and programs, and a compact footprint – I think the price is fair. Not a crazy bargain, but solid value if your main goal is circulation, joint mobility, and getting some easy movement into your day without going to a gym or stepping outside.

Design-wise, it’s pretty straightforward. The shape is low and wide, which helps it stay stable when you’re moving your feet. The orange accents are a bit loud, but at least it doesn’t look like medical equipment. It’s not tiny, but it tucks under a desk or next to a chair without dominating the room. I usually just slide it to the side when I’m not using it instead of putting it away completely.

The power cord placement is a bit odd: it comes out from the top front of the machine. It looks strange at first, but in actual use it didn’t bother me. The bigger issue is the cord length – it’s short. In my case, unless the outlet was right behind the chair, I needed an extension cord. Not a deal-breaker, but just assume you’ll probably end up using an extension if your outlets are not close to where you sit.

The control panel on the unit itself is simple: a basic LCD and a few buttons. You can control everything from there if the remote goes missing, which is good. The remote is small, light, and easy to misplace, so I’d suggest sticking some Velcro on the back and parking it on the side of the table or arm of the chair. Also, no battery included for the remote, which is a bit cheap, but once you pop one in, it works fine.

Underneath, the feet grip well. On my hardwood floor, it stayed put without sliding. On a thin rug, same thing: no drifting. The pedals are wide enough for bigger feet and have a textured surface, so you don’t feel like your foot will slip off. Overall, the design is more focused on practicality than looks, and for this type of product, that’s exactly what I want. A couple of small design annoyances, but nothing that kills the experience.

This isn’t battery-powered; it’s corded electric, and that’s both good and slightly annoying. Good because you don’t have to worry about recharging or batteries for the main unit – you just plug it in and it’s ready every time. Annoying because the power cord is short, so unless your outlet is right next to your chair or desk, you’ll likely need an extension cord. I ended up just leaving an extension plugged in permanently where I use it the most.

The remote control does need a battery (not included), which feels a bit cheap for the price point, but once you pop one in, the remote works reliably. Range is fine: I could point it roughly in the direction of the unit from a normal sitting position and it responded. This matters a lot if you have back or hip issues and don’t want to bend down every time you start or stop a session. If the remote ever dies, the buttons on the device cover all the same functions anyway.

As for noise and vibration, this is one of its strongest points. The machine is genuinely quiet. I tried it on hardwood and on a thin carpet, and in both cases there was no annoying rattling or knocking. Just a low motor sound that disappears into background noise. The base is stable enough that it doesn’t walk forward on the floor, which is important if you’re using it under a desk and don’t want to constantly reposition it.

In day-to-day use, I basically leave it plugged in near my main work chair. When I sit down for calls or TV, I just drag it in front of my feet, hit the remote, and let it go. No warm-up, no complex setup. From a practicality standpoint, apart from the cable length, it’s very easy to integrate into a routine, which is kind of the whole point of this type of product.

From a comfort standpoint, this thing is pretty easy to live with. The motion is smooth, and the elliptical path feels natural enough that you don’t have to think about it. I used it mainly in a regular office chair and a simple armchair. In both cases, once I found the right distance between the seat and the machine, I could keep going for 20–30 minutes without feeling awkward in my hips or knees.

The big plus: it’s quiet. People online mentioned it, and I agree. During Zoom calls, nobody heard it, and in the evening I could use it in an apartment without feeling like I was bothering the neighbors below. There’s a faint mechanical hum if you really listen, but nothing that cuts through TV or normal conversation. For a shared home or small apartment, that matters a lot.

For seniors or people with leg issues, the powered motion in Auto mode is actually very helpful. My parent could just rest their feet on the pedals and let the machine move their legs gently. That passive movement already helped with stiffness. When they felt a bit more energetic, they pushed lightly against the motion. On my side, when I used Manual mode and actually worked against the resistance, I got a light burn in my thighs after 20 minutes at higher speed levels – nothing crazy, but at least I felt something.

The only comfort downside is chair and desk setup. If your desk is very low or your chair doesn’t adjust, your knees might get close to the underside of the desk at higher speeds. I had to lower my chair a bit and move the unit slightly forward. Once dialed in, it was fine, but expect a bit of fiddling the first day. Overall, for sitting and moving your legs while doing other stuff, it’s quite comfortable and doesn’t feel like a chore to use.

The frame is alloy steel, and it actually feels more solid than I expected for a compact unit. There’s no creaking when you’re using it, and the pedals don’t feel flimsy or bendy, even when pushing a bit harder. The weight rating is listed at up to 500 pounds, which sounds high, but in practice what matters is that it doesn’t feel like it’s straining when a heavier person uses it. My parent is on the heavier side and had no issue with wobbling or instability.

The moving parts – mainly the pedals and internal mechanism – feel smooth. After about two weeks of daily use (roughly 30–60 minutes per day between two people), there was no grinding noise or play developing in the pedals. It still felt the same as day one. Obviously, I can’t speak for years of use yet, but first impression is that it’s not cheaply thrown together. The 2-year manufacturer warranty and the advertised lifetime after-sales support are reassuring, even if I haven’t had to test them.

The outer plastic casing is decent. It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t feel like it’s going to crack if you bump it against a table leg while moving it. I did accidentally knock it on a door frame once while carrying it to another room, and it only left a tiny scuff, nothing serious. The pedal surface grips well and hasn’t worn down or smoothed out so far.

One thing I’d keep an eye on long-term is the power cord connection point at the front. Because the cable sticks out from the top front, if someone trips on the cord or yanks it, I could see that being a weak spot over time. So I’d recommend routing the cable in a way that it doesn’t cross a walking path. Overall, though, for the price and the category, it feels sturdy and built to handle daily use, not just occasional sessions.

In terms of performance, I’d describe it as great for circulation and light activity, average for real fitness. On Auto mode, it’s honestly more like a passive movement device. The machine does most of the work, and you’re just along for the ride. That’s perfect for older people or anyone recovering from issues who just need movement without effort. For me, on days when I felt lazy or had back-to-back meetings, I let Auto mode run for 20–30 minutes and at least felt less stiff afterward.

On Manual mode with higher speeds, you can get a bit of a workout if you actually push. There are 12 levels, and around level 5–8 I started to feel some effort, especially if I kept my core upright and didn’t just slouch. Don’t expect to be drenched in sweat, but my legs felt like they’d done something. It’s more like walking at a brisk pace than running. For people who are quite sedentary, this is already a decent step up from doing nothing.

The programs (P1–P3) automatically change speed and direction, which keeps things from getting boring. The direction change (forward and backward) is also good for the knees, because you don’t keep stressing the same angle the whole time. I liked using Auto P2 while reading or watching something because I didn’t have to touch the controls every few minutes. The 20–30 minute auto shutoff is handy: it stops on its own and you can just restart if you want more.

One thing I don’t fully trust is the calorie counter. It felt a bit generous compared to what my Apple Watch showed. I’d treat the numbers more as a rough indicator of activity rather than an accurate measurement. Still, the main performance goal here – keep legs moving, improve blood flow, avoid feeling like a statue – is clearly met. As a pure training machine, it’s mild; as a daily movement tool, it does the job well.

In practice, this Putnen machine is a powered under-desk elliptical that you use only while sitting. No standing on it, no full-body workout, just legs. It’s about 16.3" long, 12.4" wide, and 9.6" high, so it fits under a normal desk or in front of a couch without being in the way too much. At around 13–14 pounds, it’s light enough to move with one hand, but heavy enough that it doesn’t slide all over the floor when you’re using it.

The machine runs on a corded electric motor. You’ve got two main modes: Auto and Manual. Auto mode has three preset programs (P1–P3) that change speed and direction for you. Manual mode lets you pick from 12 speed levels, and you either let the motor move your legs or you push against it more actively. The pedals can go forward or backward, which is good to change the muscle groups a bit, especially if your knees are sensitive in one direction.

There’s a simple LCD screen on the unit showing speed, distance, time, count, and estimated calories. Don’t expect super-accurate fitness-tracker-level data, but it’s enough to have a rough idea of how long you’ve been at it. The remote control is honestly the key feature for seniors or people with back issues, because you don’t have to bend down to start/stop or change programs. Just know you’ll need to buy a battery for the remote yourself.

Important point: this is low-impact, low-intensity gear. It’s meant for seniors, office workers, or people in rehab who just need blood flow and gentle movement. If you’re fit and looking for a sweat-dripping workout, this will feel like a warm-up at best. But if your legs get stiff from sitting or you can’t walk far, it’s closer to a daily-use mobility tool than a pure "fitness machine".