The Sole E25 Is a Quality Elliptical with a Budget-Friendly Price (2024 Update)
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Sole E25 Specs:
- High-quality, budget-friendly, entry-level elliptical
- Features 20 levels of power incline with variable positioned ramp angles, 20 levels of resistance and a 20-pound flywheel
- Uses ECB (eddy current braking system) resistance which results in a quiet, responsive and smooth ride
- Conveniences include Bluetooth compatible speakers, device holder, USB charge port, cooling fans, included heart rate monitor chest strap, water bottle holder and 10 onboard workouts
When it comes to cardio equipment, Sole Fitness is one of the more reputable manufacturers in the business. With machines that are high-quality, durable and economical, Sole’s lineup of cardio equipment can be found in many commercial and home gyms. Even its entry-level machines offer components more often reserved for higher-end ones. That is very much seen on the Sole E25 Elliptical.
Do not let the notion of the E25 being entry-level fool you into thinking it is anything less than impressive. As with most ellipticals, the E25 offers fantastic, high-intensity, varied, efficient and low-impact cardio sessions for anyone ready to put in the work. Similar to exercise bikes, the benefits of using ellipticals are myriad but, to name a few, they promote increased cardio endurance, recruit both upper and lower muscle groups, burn calories and provide a variety of training options all while minimizing joint stress.
The Sole E25 offers all of those benefits at an affordable price. So, being on a budget does not mean you need to sacrifice quality for cost. If you are wondering if the Sole E25 is the right elliptical for your home gym, read on to find out more about its pros, cons and noteworthy features.
What Is the Sole E25 Elliptical?
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The Sole E25 Elliptical is Sole’s entry-level elliptical in the brand’s impressive line of cardio machines. Offering a 350-pound user weight capacity, 20-inch stride and an affordable price tag, the Sole E25 will accommodate most users seeking a budget-friendly, but high-quality machine. While the E25 lacks the added accessories found on Sole’s higher-end models, it comes equipped with all the features a cardio enthusiast needs to get a killer low-impact workout.
This powerhouse of a machine is a front drive elliptical with a 20-pound flywheel which utilizes ECB technology to offer 20 levels of power incline and resistance. In addition, the E25 works with both a forward and backward pedal motion which adds variability to any workout while also targeting different muscle groups. Combined with the fluid motion of the moving handlebars, the E25 works the upper and lower body while reducing stress on joints.
Sole E25 Construction
Sole engineers teamed up with leading physical therapists in the industry to design unique foot pedals with a two-degree inward slope. This design can be found on all Sole ellipticals. According to Sole, this slight angle reduces ankle and knee strain sometimes associated with ellipticals. These 15-inch cushioned pedals come with four wheels that ride on the E25’s heavy duty rails producing a fluid and stable motion.
The E25, has some handy conveniences. A console fan and water bottle holder are designed to keep you cool and hydrated during your next sweat sesh. (However, according to some reviewers, the fan is weak so don’t expect too much here.)
When it comes to an actual workout, the E25 comes with 10 onboard programs which, while more basic, are efficient and easy-to-use. Bluetooth compatible speakers along with a USB charge port and tablet holder make it possible to stay connected while using the machine.
If you are looking for interactive programming, Sole makes that possible with its Studio App-a membership based fitness platform that houses thousands of workouts that vary by type, length and intensity. Customers receive a 90-day free membership when buying the E25. Beyond that, it costs $19.99 per month.
The E25’s LCD display measures just 6.5 inches and does not connect to the Studio App so it’s not the immersive experience that some seek. If you do want more than the E25’s ten basic workouts, it is easy to situate your phone/tablet securely in the holder to view and follow along with Studio workouts.
A heart rate monitor chest strap is included in the purchase of the E25, which is great for athletes looking to get an accurate read on workout intensity. Studies show heart rate straps are just as accurate, or even more so, when compared to pulse or wrist-worn sensors. If you prefer not to wear it, the machine also has pulse sensors located on both the moving and stationary handlebars of the E25. In addition to your heart rate, you will be able to view your basic fitness metrics like calories burned, heart rate and elapsed time on the display during any workout.
The E25 is built to last with an all-steel frame that weighs a solid 212 pounds. Like the vast majority of ellipticals, the overall shape of the E25 is bulky, which makes it cumbersome to move. Although it comes with transport wheels, you will want a dedicated spot to keep the E25 given its large footprint, weight and overall shape.
As with all of Sole’s products, the E25 is backed by a remarkable warranty— a lifetime warranty on the frame, three-years on electronics and parts and one-year on labor.
How the Sole E25 Elliptical Works
The Sole E25 is an especially easy-to-use machine. Seriously, you simply plug it in, get on and choose a program to get moving.
To that end, the console has buttons for each of the workout options which include six standard, two custom and two heart rate programs. You will also find arrow buttons to change both the power incline and resistance levels. This allows you to adjust the intensity during any program.
The Sole E25 is a front-drive system, so its 20-pound flywheel is housed under the front hood. The oversized and cushioned foot pedals extend behind the flywheel and move with a stride length of 20 inches. A 20-inch stride should work for most users, but it should be noted that this length is not adjustable.
The Pros of the Sole E25 Elliptical
- Budget-friendly with a quality design
- 20-levels of power incline and resistance allows for variability in training
- High user weight capacity of 350-pounds
- All steel-frame is sturdy
- Heart-rate strap included
- Warranty
- 90-day free trial to Studio
- Incredibly easy to set up
The Cons of the Sole E25 Elliptical
- Stride is not adjustable
- Large footprint
- Reportedly difficult to assemble
- Display could be more engaging
Who the Sole E25 Elliptical Is Best For
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The Sole E25 Elliptical is best for anyone who prioritizes top-of-the-line components, construction and simplicity. Its affordable price tag also makes it a good option for anyone looking to keep costs down. Thanks to the 20 levels of both resistance and incline, the E25 is an attractive addition to the home gym of both new and experienced customers alike.
Who the Sole E25 Elliptical Is Not Best For
There is a lot of demand for interactive training options as people are opting to work out from home rather than trekking to the gym. If you are someone who prefers doing workouts that are guided by a trainer and viewing them on large, high-definition and touchscreen displays, the E25 will likely disappoint.
Although the front drive system theoretically makes this machine more compact than ellipticals with rear-drive systems, the Sole E25 still eats up a good chunk of floor space. And despite it having transport wheels, its weight and overall build makes it cumbersome to move. So, if you are equipping a smaller space with a cardio machine, the Sole E25 may not be for you.
What Reviewers Say About the Sole E25 Elliptical
The reviews for the Sole E25 are generally very positive with users emphasizing its sturdy construction, ease-of-use and quiet functioning. One customer on Amazon stated “anyone would be lucky to have this in their home ready to use whenever they feel the urge.” Customers also appreciated the high weight capacity which makes it possible for multiple people to use the E25.
However, the one common complaint focused on assembly. According to several reviews, the directions were not the easiest to understand and assembly took over two hours. In addition, the console fan is reportedly weak and disappointing.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Sole E25
Size and Design
The Sole E25 measures 71 inches high, 70 inches long and 24 inches wide. But users should be aware that they’ll likely need more space to use the machine, especially vertically—as a general rule of thumb, you should add 12 inches to the height of your tallest user to make sure your ceiling is high enough. The E25 weighs 212 pounds, so you will want a dedicated space for its use as it is not easily moved around.
The overall design is common on front drive ellipticals. It includes both moving and stationary handlebars. The moving handlebars are connected to the foot pedals which creates a smooth motion for both the upper and lower body.
Modes and Features
The Sole E25 features a 6.5-inch LCD white back-lit display on its adjustable console. The console is equipped with Bluetooth speakers, a tablet/phone holder, USB charge port, a cooling fan and water bottle holder. The durability of the Sole E25’s build is where this machine stands out compared to similarly priced options on the market. It has a 20-pound flywheel, 20-inch stride length, 350-pound user weight capacity, 15-inch pedals and 20 levels of power incline and decline.
Training Programs
There are ten workout options on the E25 which are somewhat of the staple workouts offered on entry-level ellipticals. There are six standard programs—manual, fat burn, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength and hill. Additionally, the E25 offers two custom and two heart rate programs.
Subscription
There is no required subscription to use the Sole E25. But, Sole has its own fitness app, calledStudio, which users can opt into. Studio is a subscription-based platform that costs $19.99 per month or $199 annually. You receive 90-days free when you purchase this machine which means you have plenty of time to see if it is for you. Membership unlocks access to thousands of workouts that vary in length, type and intensity. Additionally, you are able utilize the popular leaderboards as well as new workouts released daily, metric monitoring and some well-liked playlists. However, you will need to use your own smartphone or tablet to access Studio, since the built-in display does not connect to the app.
Price
At the time of this publishing, Sole has the E25 priced at $1,099.99 which includes a free 90-day trial to Studio. There are also financing options estimated to cost $59 per month.
Warranty
You will be hard pressed to find another manufacturer who offers as good of a warranty as does Sole. The E25 comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, three-years on electronics and parts and one-year on labor.
Shipping and Return Policy
There are three options for shipping and delivery. Curbside delivery is included with the overall cost of the machine. For $199, Sole will deliver the E25 unassembled to a room of your choice. You can also opt to pay an additional $299 to have the machine fully assembled in your room of choice. Sole offers a 30-day guarantee on all of its products. Should you need to cash in on the 30-day policy, Sole will pick up the unit in the same method which it was delivered.
How the Sole E25 Stacks Up Against Other Products
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Sole E25 vs Sole E35
The Sole E35 is a step up from the E25. Both the E35 and the E25 come equipped with 20 levels of power incline and a high gear ratio providing a range of variable resistance to increase or decrease the intensity of your training. The resistance on the E25 may not feel as aggressive as on the E35 as the flywheel weighs about five-pounds less than the flywheel on the E35.
Beyond that, the E35 and the E25 share a lot of features. Both come with built-in Bluetooth audio speakers, an integrated tablet holder, 20-inch stride length, a USB charging port, water bottle holder, built-in cooling fan and oversized pedals with a two-degree inward slope that move both forward and in reverse. Both elliptical trainers have stationary and moving handles with pulse grips to monitor heart rate. Both the E25 and E35 can be synced up with included heart rate chest strap to measure heart rate.
For more in-depth information on the Sole E35, check out our Sole E35 elliptical review.
The Sole E25 and E35 both come with basic displays. The E25 has an 6.5-inch LCD white backlit display while the E35’s measures 7.5 inches. Another difference is the max user weight which differs by 25-pounds-the E35 has a 375-pound weight capacity compared to the E25’s 350-pound capacity. The overall footprint is slightly more compact on the E25, but not so much as to make a huge difference in the space required to house it.
There are small variances in the warranties. While both come with a lifetime warranty on frames, the E25 has three years on parts and electronics and one-year for labor. Thehe E35 has five-years on parts and electronics and two-years for labor.
Sole E25 vs E55
The Sole E25 has less in common when compared to the Sole E55.. The main differences are the monitor size, pedal adjustability and overall footprint. The E55 features a nine-inch white backlit LCD monitor similar to those offered on commercial ellipticals. Like the E25, the E55 has 10 onboard workout options and, for an extra monthly membership, users can access classes via the Studios app.
Unlike the E25, the pedals on the E55 use a dial adjustment to change the angle so that each user can determine a position that feels most natural. According to Sole, this heel-to-toe adjustment is designed to reduce the numb toe effects and sore Achilles tendons sometimes associated with regular elliptical use.
Both Sole elliptical models share similar conveniences and specs including an integrated tablet holder, water bottle holder, built-in cooling fans, built-in Bluetooth audio speakers, 20 levels of power adjustable incline, forward and reverse pedal motion, stationary and static handlebars, pulse monitors, included chest strap heart rate monitors and a high gear ratio. Interestingly, the flywheel weighs the same on both the E55 and E25.
Both models are backed by a lifetime warranty on the frame. However, the E55 offers a five-year warranty on electronics and parts and two-years on labor.
Sole E25 vs E95
The E95 is a middle-of-the road to higher-end elliptical. While it is not the most expensive model in Sole’s line, it is more costly than the E25 and offers few more extras. However, both the E25 and the E95 share some features that are fundamental to Sole’s quality construction. Both models have the following features: built-in cooling fan, a dial-adjustable pedal angle, water bottle holder, built-in audio speakers, a whisper-quiet drive system, moving and stationary handlebars, 20 levels of power incline, forward and reverse motion functionality, built-in pulse sensors, an included heart rate chest strap and 10 preprogrammed workouts in addition to the optional Studio membership.
That is where their similarities end. The E95 comes with a noticeably larger 10.1-inch display. The E95’s flywheel is heavier as well weighing 27-pounds which generally translates to more challenging resistance. Unlike the E25, the E95 allows for quick adjustments with incline and resistance controls located on the handlebars. The E95 is backed by the same lifetime warranty on the frame as the E25, a five-year warranty on electronics and parts and a two-year warranty on handlebars.
FAQs
Does the Sole E25 have power incline?
Yes, the Sole E25 has 20 levels of power incline.
How much does the Sole E25 weigh?
The Sole E25 weighs 212 pounds.
Is the stride adjustable on the Sole E25?
The Sole E25 does not have an adjustable stride length. The stride length measures 20 inches which should be enough for most users.
Is the Sole E25 worth it?
Knowing whether or not the Sole E25 is worth it depends on what you want in an elliptical. If you are looking for a lot of workout options and high-tech features, the Sole E25 will not be worth the investment for your training ideals. However, we feel the Sole E25 is worth it for anyone on a budget looking for a dependable, efficient and high-quality machine built by a reputable company.
Final Thoughts
The Sole E25 is a solid choice for anyone looking to snag a quality elliptical at a reasonable price. Its high user weight capacity, heavy 20-pound flywheel, 20-inch stride length and impressive 20 levels of power incline and resistance really makes the Sole E25 stand out among contenders on the similarly priced market. Engineered by one of the most reputable cardio names in the business and backed by a remarkable warranty, the E25 makes for quite the value purchase.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
