Head-to-head · Best Ellipticals Under $1000

ProForm Carbon EL 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.

The short answer

Sole E25 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 4.3). 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.

Ranked #2 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

ProForm Carbon EL

4.0

$799as of Jun 7

The ProForm Carbon EL is the connected-fitness pick under $1000, the most affordable iFIT-enabled elliptical with an adjustable stride and incline. BarBend and Garage Gym Reviews both score it 4/5, calling it a high-value budget elliptical at just under $1000. The trade-offs are a 275 lb capacity, a manually-set incline, and reliance on a paid iFIT subscription for the full class library after the trial.

Strengths

— iFIT-enabled with auto-adjusting trainer-led classes
— Adjustable 19 in stride plus up to 20 levels of incline, rare at this price
— 18 levels of silent magnetic resistance for quiet operation

Watch-outs

— Incline is adjusted manually, not during a workout
— 275 lb weight capacity is the lowest in this group
— Full experience needs a paid iFIT subscription after the trial

$799 · Buy at proform.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

Sole E25

4.3

$1,300as of Jun 8

The Sole E25 is the most solidly built elliptical you can get near $1000, as long as 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. It is low on flashy tech, but the durability and 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

$1,300 · Buy at soletreadmills.com Full review →

How they stack up

ProForm Carbon EL

The connected-fitness option versus the screen-light Sole E25, Schwinn 470, and Schwinn 430. It offers iFIT and an adjustable stride the Schwinns and Horizon EX-59 lack, but its 275 lb capacity and lighter build trail the Sole E25, and its incline must be set manually unlike the Schwinn 470's motorized incline.

Sole E25

The most stable and highest-capacity machine here, ahead of the Schwinn 470 and Schwinn 430 on build and weight rating. 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

Spec	ProForm Carbon EL	Sole E25
Stride Length	19 in (adjustable)	20 in
Resistance	18 levels (silent magnetic)	20 levels (magnetic)
Incline	Up to 20 levels (manual)	20 levels (power)
Weight Capacity	275 lb	350 lb
Programs	iFIT (membership required)	10 (incl. HIIT, Hill, Fat Burn)
Display	iFIT-compatible console	—
Warranty	10-year frame, 1-year parts/labor	Lifetime frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
Flywheel	—	20 lb
Machine Weight	—	~212 lb

← See the full ranking of best ellipticals under $1000