Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Ellipticals Under $1000

Horizon EX-59 vs Sole E25

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sole E25 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want the most durable, stable elliptical near $1000 and don't care about a built-in touchscreen, bought on its ~$899 sale. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Horizon EX-59
Ranked #3 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000
Horizon EX-59
3 sources2 derived$999as of Sep 28

The Horizon EX-59 is the stability-first budget pick, named Garage Gym Reviews' top budget elliptical and a BarBend favorite for beginners. At around $699 it trades features for a locked-down, stable feel that reviewers say beats pricier machines on steadiness. The trade-offs are real: no incline, just 10 resistance levels, a shorter 18 in stride, and only 5 basic programs. It suits beginners who value a solid, simple machine.

Strengths
  • — Garage Gym Reviews' top budget elliptical pick, with a locked-down, stable feel
  • — Bluetooth speakers and app compatibility
  • — 18 in stride with 10 resistance levels, simple and beginner-friendly
Watch-outs
  • — No incline at all, the only machine here without it
  • — Only 10 resistance levels and 5 basic programs
  • — 18 in stride is shorter than the 20 in rivals
Sole E25
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000
Sole E25
3 sources2 derived

The Sole E25 is the most solidly built elliptical you can get near $1000, provided you buy it on its frequent ~$899 sale rather than the $1,199 list price. BarBend and Garage Gym Reviews both score it around 4.2/5, praising the heavy, stable frame, 20 in stride, and 20 levels of resistance and incline. Flashy tech is not its thing. Durability and a 350 lb capacity make it the value pick for serious low-impact cardio.

Strengths
  • — Heaviest and most stable build in the class at around 212 lb
  • — Full 20 in stride length suits taller users
  • — 20 levels each of magnetic resistance and power incline
Watch-outs
  • — Lists at $1,199; you need the frequent ~$899 sale to stay under budget
  • — Basic tech; no large touchscreen, just an LCD and Bluetooth
  • — Heavy and bulky to assemble and move

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Horizon EX-59

Simpler than the iFIT-equipped ProForm Carbon EL and lighter-spec than the heavy-duty Sole E25.

Sole E25

It skips the iFIT touchscreen tech of the ProForm Carbon EL and the lighter footprint of the Horizon EX-59 in favor of a heavier, more durable frame.

Specs side-by-side

SpecHorizon EX-59Sole E25
Stride Length18 in20 in
Resistance10 levels (magnetic)20 levels (magnetic)
InclineNone20 levels (power)
Flywheel14.3 lb20 lb
Weight Capacity300 lb350 lb
Programs5 presets10 (incl. HIIT, Hill, Fat Burn)
Machine Weight~145 lb~212 lb
WarrantyLifetime frame, 1-year parts/laborLifetime frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
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