When you want to get some heart-healthy cardio in without causing undue pain to your joints1, elliptical training is a good option. And yes—they can still provide an intense workout, as evidenced by these elliptical HIIT workouts from our trainers.
We’ve tested all of the best ellipticals, and one that impresses our testers time and time again is the SOLE E25. The SOLE E25 is the base model of five elliptical trainers offered by Sole. In this SOLE E25 elliptical review, our testers provide the lowdown on the features, workout experience, and overall value.
Our SOLE E25 Elliptical Review, Summarized
Three GGR product testers agree: The SOLE E25 is a solid budget-friendly elliptical machine. Compared to many high-end ellipticals, the E25 is affordable, yet it maintains many commercial-grade features, like 20 levels of incline, 20 levels of resistance, and a weighty 20-pound flywheel. It’s not the flashiest cardio machine, but it gets the job done well at a good price.
How We Test Ellipticals
Our durability rating is based on how well we expect an elliptical to hold up over time, drawing from both hands-on testing and construction quality. A machine earns a 3-out-of-5 score if it remains stable during workouts, supports at least 275 pounds, and includes a flywheel weighing between 16 and 20 pounds. Ellipticals that offer exceptional sturdiness, higher-than-average weight capacities, or particularly solid performance during use receive stronger ratings.
Many ellipticals come equipped with preset workout options, though the number and quality of these programs can differ significantly. To receive a 3-out-of-5 score, an elliptical should provide a reasonable selection of built-in workouts that are simple to access and launch. Higher scores go to models that expand training options through features such as on-demand workout videos, live classes, and interactive programming.
Our ergonomics score reflects how comfortable and user-friendly an elliptical feels during exercise. We evaluate factors such as handlebar design, pedal size, and stride length. A 3-out-of-5 rating requires both stationary and moving handlebars, spacious pedals that accommodate most users, a stride length between 18 and 20 inches, and cushioned grips for added comfort. Machines with adjustable incline settings can earn higher marks because they provide greater workout variety and challenge.
We thoroughly test every elliptical before assigning ratings. Once testing is complete, each elliptical is graded using our standardized elliptical testing methodology. This framework allows us to score machines on a 1-to-5 scale across multiple categories, including technology features, space requirements, customization options, and durability.
Our testing team includes certified personal trainers, endurance athletes, strength-training enthusiasts, CrossFit athletes, gym owners, and other experienced fitness professionals. Collectively, we have decades of experience in product testing, not to mention decades of experience using fitness equipment as trainers and athletes ourselves.
The SOLE E25 Elliptical provides effective workouts through its use of comfort and natural feel. The quiet front drive system, inward foot pedal design, and heavy duty steel frame all create a smooth, effective workout.
What our tester says:
“I appreciate that the footbeds are adjustable, since not everyone steps in the same fashion. While the handlebars are stationary, I didn’t feel any discomfort while using this elliptical.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The Sole E25 has been updated since our most recent testing. The newest model features some specification differences, which we’ll note throughout this review when our hands-on testing experience differs from the current model.
- This elliptical doesn’t feature a built-in touchscreen display like the best commercial ellipticals do. However, it does have a rack where you can place a tablet to stream entertainment or fitness classes.
- This isn’t a small machine—make sure you have the space for it and consider opting for in-room delivery if you don’t have anyone to help you bring the package inside.
Sole E25 Elliptical Video Review
Is the Sole E25 Elliptical Worth It?
GGR founder and product tester Cooper Mitchell puts it best: “Although I love a well-priced piece of equipment, I care more about the overall value of the product. It is important to me to invest in the best cardio machines that are high-quality, and at about $1,300, I feel the E25 provides a lot of value for cost.”
Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, and GGR product testing expert also tested this front-drive elliptical and adds, “You have great built-in workouts, as well as a place to hold a tablet if you want to watch something. Conveniences like a fan and Bluetooth speakers are amazing.”
Ahead, we cover the specs and our workout experience with the Sole E25 so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home gym.
Sole E25 Elliptical: Key Features & Specs
| Price (Original MSRP) | $1,299.99 |
| Footprint | 70″ L x 24″ W x 70″ H |
| Weight | 209 lbs (231 lbs in box) |
| Resistance Levels | 20 |
| Incline Levels | 20 |
| Flywheel | 20 lbs |
| Display | 7.5” backlit LCD |
| Programming | 7 built-in workouts, plus SOLE+ app |
| Stride Length | Undisclosed |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, lifetime flywheel, 2-year parts, 2-year wear, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic |
Workout Experience: Using the Sole E25 Elliptical
The SOLE E25 isn’t the flashiest elliptical we’ve tested, but after having three testers spend time on it, we’ve determined that it’s one of the best ellipticals for under $1,500.
RELATED: Best Budget Ellipticals
Assembly was a challenge due to poorly laid out instructions, but after getting over that initial hurdle, all of our testers agreed that the SOLE E25 is a great value for the price.
Getting started is easy, thanks to the simple console layout and easily accessible controls on the handlebars and display. During workouts, our testers appreciated being able to adjust resistance and incline without breaking their stride.
The programming is relatively basic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Coop enjoyed the handful of simple onboard workouts, which include hill climbs, intervals, and fat-burning workouts, and Lindsay appreciated the option to use the free SOLE+ app to stream instructor-led sessions.
The SOLE E25 elliptical checks all the boxes for those looking for a no-frills elliptical. If your main reason for going to the gym is to get low-impact cardio, it’s an easy ‘yes’ to SOLE if you have the space and budget for this machine.
Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC, GGR Senior Staff Writer
Sole E25 Elliptical Rating
Footprint & Portability
With a footprint of 70 inches long by 24 inches wide by 70 inches high, the E25 is a large elliptical. If you’re looking for a compact elliptical for your apartment, this isn’t it.
“Not only is it heavy for one person at 209 pounds, but it’s an awkward shape and hard to get a good grasp of,” says Coop. “There are included transport wheels to help move the machine, but you’ll probably still need extra help unless you’re particularly strong.”
Also, the E25 does require an outlet to work, so that is something to keep in mind when deciding where to put your elliptical. Altogether, our testers rated the footprint and portability of this elliptical machine at a 3.5 out of 5.
Delivery & Setup
SOLE offers curbside shipping for $50 or $100, depending on the product. The company used to offer free shipping on all products, but now you’ll have to monitor the website for free shipping deals on specific products. You’ll also have to fork out a bit more for “room of choice” delivery ($200) or white-glove delivery and assembly ($350).
If you can help it, Coop does not recommend putting this elliptical together yourself. The instructions are confusing, he says, and each step actually involves multiple tasks. The tools and pieces are not labeled well and you’ll need to use your own socket wrench and a screwdriver with a magnetic tip.
RELATED: Elliptical Benefits
Our other testers agree that there should have been more instruction provided to help follow the order of operations. The entire process took Coop two frustrating hours, so we suggest opting for in-home assembly if you can. All of this led to the E25’s lower score of 3 out of 5 for delivery and assembly.
Kate echoes that frustration, saying, “The instructions are so bad. They have one picture that shows what they call one step but is really like 30 steps, so it’s hard to see what’s what. This is definitely one to opt for professional assembly if/when possible.”
Durability
The E25 has a user weight capacity of 350 pounds, which is on par with more expensive ellipticals and lends itself to the E25’s 4.5-out-of-5 durability rating.
However, Coop notes, “I did notice it moved ever so slightly when I used it, even though I don’t come close to the weight limit. I think this is probably because there are no included floor stabilizers. For the price, I’m not surprised there are none included, but it would have been nice.”
RELATED: Best Ellipticals Under $1,000
Still, former GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele considers durability one of the E25’s strongest selling points, particularly because the steel construction and strong warranty are uncommon at this price.
“For one, the construction is a steel frame which just makes it incredibly durable,” she says in her video review of the E25. “So if you are looking for an elliptical to last you a very long time, this is one to look at for sure.”
Customizations
The SOLE E25 earns a 4.5-out-of-5 rating for customizations thanks to its 20 levels of magnetic resistance and 20 incline levels. That’s not the largest range we’ve seen on an elliptical, but it’s on the higher end and is more than sufficient for most people. Plus, it’s easy to change the levels, per Coop: “Simply hit the up or down arrow on the console to change either the resistance or incline,” he says.
Coop also notes that the buttons on the console of the E25 are easy to see and use. “There isn’t a lot of confusing technology, so if you prefer things simple and to the point, you’ll appreciate the uncomplicated nature of the elliptical,” he says.
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We’re big fans of the dual handlebars: There’s one set of stationary handles and one set of moving handles, so you can choose whether or not you want to work your upper body. The moving handles have pulse grips for tracking your heart rate.
Adjustability and Ergonomics
Comfort is key to an enjoyable workout. Although it’s great to push yourself, you don’t want the machine itself to get in the way. The foot pedals on this elliptical were designed to minimize joint impact. SOLE previously stated on their website that physical therapists designed the pedals to have a 2-degree inward slope to reduce ankle and knee pain. Since we haven’t yet tested the newest model, we can’t be sure that’s still the case, but we can imagine SOLE used the same care in designing the new E25.
One thing to note is that, according to the product specifications online, the newest SOLE E25 does not feature adjustable pedals. In our original review, Coop stated, “It is nice to have the ability to make adjustments because everyone doesn’t step the same way.” But it doesn’t appear that’s still an option. The E25 also no longer features an adjustable stride, per the product listing online.
Tech Capabilities
Although not the most technologically advanced elliptical we’ve ever seen, the E25 does have a few nice extras. There’s no massive touchscreen display, but there is a USB charging port, a tablet holder, and Bluetooth speakers—that’s everything you need to stream entertainment and/or workout classes, which led our testers to score the E25 with 4.5 out of 5 points for technology. Coop used these features and confirmed he was able to play his own music while working out on this machine.
You can also take advantage of the SOLE+ app, which features more than 3,000 workout videos ranging from beginner to advanced. It has a library of elliptical workouts that you can stream while using the E25, and it’s totally free. No subscription required.
The handlebars feature onboard pulse sensors if you’re interested in tracking your heart rate while you work out.
Conveniences
A few of the things you can expect to see on the E25 include a tablet holder, water bottle holder, USB charging port, and a cooling fan, which led to a perfect score for conveniences. That said, the fan could be better. Coop says, “Although I like the idea of the cooling fan, I didn’t find it to be super powerful. It didn’t tilt down enough to really feel like it was getting the job done during my workout.”
Another positive to this machine is how quiet it is due to the whisper-quiet drive system. This is a great option for people trying exercise without disturbing others early in the morning or late at night.
Dynamic Programming
The SOLE E25 features seven onboard workouts, plus two user-created presets. These options, plus the ability to connect to SOLE+ (the free SOLE fitness app)and stream workouts on your smart device, earned the E25 a 4-out-of-5 rating for dynamic programming.
“I used this elliptical multiple times and determined that the fat-burning elliptical workout program was my personal favorite,” says Coop. “I like that the LCD display shows animations through the workout intensity graph to let you know when the difficulty is about to change.”
Value
All three of our testers—Lindsay, Coop, and Kate—consistently harp on the value of this elliptical. “”For $1,200, this is a very budget-friendly elliptical that comes with a lot of good features,” says Lindsay. “It’s not high-tech and there’s nothing flashy about it, but it is a decent elliptical that’s going to offer you a lot of movement and help you work on your fitness.”
It may not be the fanciest elliptical out there, but for its list price of about $1,300, our testers all agree that it earns a 5-point score for value.
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Customer Experience
Don’t want to pay for the elliptical in one go? You’re in luck! Through Shop Pay, you can finance your purchase at 0% APR if you qualify. You can find out your plan options at checkout. If you have an HSA or FSA, you may be able to purchase the E25 with those funds. Make sure to check with your account administrator first.
SOLE doesn’t have the most up-to-date methods in terms of customer service. On the website, there is no option to do a live chat in order to get quick answers to questions. You either have to call 866-780-7653 or email info@soletreadmills.com. There is also an option to send in a query via an online contact form. If you contact the company via email or the form, expect to wait a few business days for a reply.
The warranty for the SOLE E25 is impressive. You get a lifetime frame warranty, a 3-year warranty for the parts, and a 1-year warranty for the labor. This is equal to or better than more expensive machines like the Bowflex M6 or the NordicTrack Airglide 14i elliptical.
SOLE offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your purchase. You will be responsible for a fee of $300 plus 10% for return shipping and restocking charges. This is unfortunate, but is not totally out of line when it comes to large items like an elliptical machine.
Customer Reviews
Overall, customers had favorable things to say about the E25. There were a variety of comments about how quiet the elliptical is, positive things about the price, and praise for the overall durability. On the other hand, there were complaints about how confusing the assembly instructions are and that the initial Bluetooth setup can be clunky. Others didn’t appreciate how difficult it was to get in touch with customer service if they needed assistance or a replacement part.
SOLE E25 Vs
Naturally, if you’re looking at the SOLE E25, it makes sense to compare it to its bigger sibling, the E35. For $400 more, you get several additional tech features, including WiFi capabilities and an onboard touchscreen display, on which you can stream third-party apps. It also supports screen mirroring, Bluetooth audio, heart rate monitoring, and wireless device charging. And it has the same great conveniences, like the cup holder, device rack, and fan. Our SOLE E35 elliptical review has more details.
A good choice if you’re on a stricter budget is the YOSUDA EM1 elliptical. Even at under $1,000, it boasts a 400-pound weight capacity (more than the E24 and E35), a 15-pound flywheel, heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth connectivity, an LCD display, and a tablet holder. However, the warranty is paltry at just one year, and it doesn’t come with any preset workouts. You can subscribe to the FED Fitness app for workout streaming (the elliptical comes with one year free) or use your preferred app with your smart device on the rack.
| Model | Sole E25 | Sole E35 | YOSUDA EM1 |
| Price (Original MSRP) | $1,299.99 | $1,699.99 | $899.99 |
| Footprint | 70″ L x 24″ W x 70″ H | 74″ L x 31″ W x 70″ H | 62.45” L x 24.43” W x 49.64” H |
| Weight | 209 lbs (231 lbs in box) | 211 lbs (242 lbs in box) | Not listed |
| Resistance Levels | 20 | 20 | Not listed |
| Incline Levels | 20 | 20 | Not listed |
| Flywheel | 20 lbs | 25 lbs | 15 lbs |
| Display | 7.5” backlit LCD | 10.1” touchscreen | LCD |
| Programming | 7 built-in workouts, plus SOLE+ app | 10 built-in workouts, 12 user presets, SOLE+ app | FED Fitness app |
| Stride Length | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | 18.91” |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, lifetime flywheel, 2-year parts, 2-year wear, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic | Lifetime frame, lifetime flywheel, 2-year parts, 2-year wear, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic | 1 year |
Final Verdict of Our Sole E25 Elliptical Review
Overall, the Sole E25 is one of the best ellipticals for the price. It doesn’t have crazy technology but it is a solid piece of equipment built to last. I would recommend this elliptical for most people. Our testers’ main takeaways include:
- The SOLE E25 is a great value at under $1,300.
- It does have difficult assembly with confusing instructions, but it’s not impossible to set up. We recommend white-glove delivery if you can afford it.
- The 20 levels of resistance and 20 incline levels make this elliptical useful for a wide range of fitness abilities.
Sole E25 Elliptical Review: FAQs
Is the Sole E25 quiet?
The Sole E25 is a well-built, ultra-quiet elliptical. Our testers found it to be quiet enough that it wouldn’t disturb other household members if you wanted to exercise early in the morning or at night.
How heavy is the Sole E25 Elliptical?
The Sole E25 weighs 209 pounds and its weight capacity is 350 pounds.
How long does it take to assemble the Sole E25 Elliptical?
The Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical comes with step-by-step assembly instructions, but our testers all had a bit of frustration with the process. All in all, it should take about two hours to put everything together.
How long will Sole E25 last?
The lifespan of this piece of exercise equipment all depends on how you take care of and use it, just like any other piece of exercise equipment. With a lifetime warranty on the frame, one may expect a minimum of 10 years of trouble-free service assuming proper maintenance is performed.
References
- He MY, Lo HP, Chen WH. Effects of Stationary Bikes and Elliptical Machines on Knee Joint Kinematics during Exercise. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024;60(3):498. Published 2024 Mar 18. doi:10.3390/medicina60030498
