If you really want a machete, get a machete. Lots of people classify the gladius as a machete, but I don't think it is because it is doubled edged and designed primarily for thrusting. The machete is single edged and designed primarily for chopping. If you're interested in a home/self defense weapon, the gladius is superior to the machete. There have been many discussions for a long time over what the best home defense sword is, and it always ends up coming down to the fact that you're fighting in small spaces like narrow hallways and doorways. Short swords, scimitars, cutlasses, etc, were designed to work in tight spaces. With an unknown attacker, you're trying to keep distance and attack before they close in, so a sword is better than a knife. From a distance, and in tight spots, you'll be using thrusts more than chops. If you end up getting closer, the gladius gives you two sharp edges. From what I can tell, the three gladii that are in competition right now for "good and actually useable but inexpensive" are the Zombie Go Boom, the United Cutlery Combat Commander Gladiator Sword, and The Cold Steel Gladius Machete. Those three are modern high tech "tactical" versions of the gladius pattern. There are lots of other high quality replica gladii out there that are more authentic, but some of them can get very expensive and will not necessarily perform better than these in real combat situations.
Of these three, the one that seems to consistently get better reviews, even if only by a small margin, is the United Cutlery Combat Commander Gladiator Sword. Most people prefer the weight, the balance, the scabbard design, the feel of the handle, the shape and length of the blade, the blade material - 1065, and the price. None of these three gladii are very attractive, but they are all extremely functional and hold up well under pretty aggressive use and testing. They may not look pretty, but they do look pretty mean.
If you are concerned about looks as well, and you are willing to spend the extra bucks, you can also get more deluxe versions of these "tactical" gladii like the United Cutlery Honshu Midnight Forge Gladiator Sword or the United Cutlery USMC Desert Ops Gladius Sword
