Sole E25 Elliptical Review 2023

In-depth Review of Sole E25 Elliptical

Preprogrammed Workouts and Apps

The Sole E25 Elliptical includes a straightforward console that comes with standard workout programs. If you’re looking for an elliptical with built-in entertainment and a touch screen, we recommend checking out the Sole E35 and E95 ellipticals, but for those who want the option to have structured workouts and the ability to stream your own content without worrying about wifi, the E25 is where it’s at.

There are 10 onboard workout modes available to use on the Sole E25.

These are clearly labeled below the screen with different buttons. The modes include manual, hill, fat burn, cardio, strength, and HIIT. There are also 2 user settings for more customization and 2 heart rate training modes when you pair the E25 with your Garmin Watch or compatible heart rate monitor.

Manual mode is where you can adjust the elliptical as you go. The other workout modes have preset speeds, times, and incline levels that the E25 automatically adjusts to the preset levels. These are available to customize a bit to work better for you, too. Workout metrics like your resistance, incline, distance, time, calories, pace, pulse, and heart rate percentage are shown on the screen.

The programs and metrics tracking are all pretty standard. What’s nice for more options on the E25, is that the console will pair with the Sole+ App to save your workout history. The Sole+ App also now offers some trainer-led studio classes on different equipment, including ellipticals. When you have the app paired your metrics on the E25 are displayed in real-time, and when you stop and start a class in the app on your device, your workout stops and starts on the elliptical. There isn’t a way to adjust your resistance and incline levels in the app, however.

The workout classes in the Sole+ App are of pretty good quality and include music built-in.

For a free app, these are appreciated. You can also stream whatever content you want from your device on the E25, read a book, or place the elliptical in front of your TV. This is the kind of elliptical that doesn’t lock you into using its programming and gives you options when it comes to how you want to use it.

Console

The console has a 7.5” white backlit LCD display. It is really clear to see and of a good size. The whole console tilts up and down. I’m 5’1” and it is a good height for me, taller users over 6’ or so will have to look down at the console some, but this is pretty typical for most ellipticals.

When you’re using the Sole E25, the screen and buttons are all within good reach.

I like all of the buttons on the E25, it makes this elliptical functional and easy to use. Along with the start and stop buttons, there are arrowed buttons for the incline (left) and resistance to change on the console. There are also adjustment buttons on each handle which are convenient and within good reach, too. I like the option of using both. The buttons do beep when you press them, but you can silence them by referring to the manual.

The fan above the screen has one setting that you can turn on and off with the button on the console.

It can be adjusted by angling the vents to position the direction of the airflow where you want it to go. This isn’t the most powerful fan, but I’ve used weaker ones. I could feel it slightly on my face while using the E25. If you really like to work up a sweat and need to cool down though, you’ll probably want to use your own fan.

The speakers, on the other hand, are weak. I really like that they’re Bluetooth-enabled so I can pair them with the Sole+ App to listen to the instructor and music in the available workout classes or play whatever content on my phone through them, but the volume doesn’t go very high. Your best bet is to use your own speaker. Even the speaker on my iPhone goes much louder.

As far as storage, the Sole E25 has a large, oversized cupholder below the console and buttons for your water or whatever else you might need nearby.

When you want to stream content from your phone or tablet, you have two options. Sole includes their standard adjustable device rack that comes on all of their equipment clipped at the top of the console. There is a ledge below the screen to put your phone, tablet, or book, too. I actually prefer the lower device rack, personally.

Construction

Now let’s get into the overall construction of the Sole E25 Elliptical. This elliptical isn’t only budget-friendly, but it has a great build. Sole includes a lifetime frame and brake warranty with the purchase of the E25, which really helps to back up the construction. The 350 lb weight limit also indicates that this is a well-built elliptical.

Frame

The steel frame is the same design as the higher-end Sole E35 and E95 models.

There are 3 floor stabilizers that extend to the width of the machine. The overall footprint of the E25 is narrower than the E35, but in testing both side by side, the compact design of the E25 doesn’t sacrifice any of the quality or sturdiness of the elliptical.

Under each stabilizer are 2 leveling feet that the E25 rests on. The rear 4 are adjustable with a wrench to help prevent rocking. We wish the front 2 were adjustable too, but the E25 should be stable and sturdy to use on level floor surfaces. We didn’t have any problems with shaking or rocking and found the E25 to be really solid while using.

Pedals

The pedals are oversized and textured to work for most people.

They’re 15” long and 8” wide. They don’t have foam padding like NordicTrack Ellipticals that we’ve tested like the AirGlide. The padding makes for a little more cushion underfoot, but even without the padding the E25 is still pretty comfortable, but firm to stand on. The texture under your feet and the ridge around the front of each pedal help keep your feet from sliding off, too.

The angle of the pedals doesn’t adjust like the AirGlide or other Sole Ellipticals, but they’re designed to have a 2-degree inward slope. This slight angle downward of the front of the pedals helps to reduce foot numbness. I find the pedals to be comfortable at this angle, but if you prefer a sharper slope, you might want to consider the Sole E95 which allows you to adjust the pedals by 10 degrees.

The pedals have a 20” stride length that isn’t adjustable.

Each pedal has two rollers that glide over the dual-rail system that is positioned below each. This helps make the pedals feel really balanced, sturdy, and smooth. The pedals move primarily horizontally, with some vertical movement. This makes for a standard elliptical experience.

Handles

To provide a full-body workout, the upper handles on the E25 move with the pedals. The handles move primarily horizontally like the pedals to be like typical ellipticals, too. Although these handles don’t offer as many options to grip from as higher-end models from Sole and the ProForm Pro HIIT H14, I really like them. They’re fairly slim so I can comfortably wrap my hands around them. They also have a nice spongy texture that feels comfortable without getting sticky or slippery.

I can also grip the handles on the lower, middle, and upper parts, despite being pretty short.

The inner, lower handles are stationary for targeted training when you want to really isolate your glutes and legs. These have pulse grips that read your heart rate when you hold them. I like the option to use these handles and they are helpful when you’re getting on and off the E25. The pedals move even when it’s unplugged, so having a non-moving piece to hold while getting on and off makes the E25 safer for more people.

Flywheel

The Sole E25 has a front-mounted 20 lb flywheel. This is on the lower end of weight that we like to see from ellipticals, but I have to say that the flywheel makes the E25 feel really smooth and stable. This is one of Sole’s smaller ellipticals so this flywheel seems appropriate for its size, while still contributing well to the overall quality.

Because this is a front-drive elliptical, this means that the majority of the weight is centered under the console at the front of the machine.

I personally prefer ellipticals with this design because it makes each component such as the console, handles, and pedals feel stable. It also helps to cut down on the overall footprint, compared to rear-drive ellipticals.

Incline

A unique ability that more and more home ellipticals are including is an incline mechanism. Just like more premium models from Sole, the E25 inclines from level 1 up to level 20. The incline is a way to help vary your training by providing a bit more variety than ellipticals that only offer resistance.

The incline positions you so you can target more of your posterior muscles, especially in your legs.

As with any elliptical with an incline, you just want to factor in the step-up height when inclined as well as your height to make sure your ceiling is tall enough to use this feature. When I measured the step-up height (height of the lowest pedal to the floor) it measured 14” high at incline level 1 and 16” high at incline level 20.

Resistance

The E25 uses adjustable magnetic resistance. Magnets move closer and farther away from the flywheel to create different amounts of drag that translate as resistance felt while pedaling. There are 20 levels of resistance. This is the same amount as the E95 and E35. The 20 levels make for a good variety when using the E25. It isn’t the most amount of resistance I’ve felt on an elliptical, especially when I refer to my time using commercial ellipticals at the gym, but it is great for cardio exercise.

The resistance is also really quiet so the E25 can work in most homes. The incline can be heard slightly when it is adjusting up and down, but this elliptical is still very quiet overall.

Performance & Functionality

Overall we really like the Sole E25. Considering its price point, construction quality, and features, this makes for a really great elliptical. It definitely comes with a lot of value for the price.

As for who we recommend it for, the E25 can work well for most homes because of how quiet it is. It also helps that the footprint is a little narrower and shorter than other home ellipticals. For performance, those who don’t want to have to worry about a Wi-Fi connection and just hop on and go should appreciate the simplicity of the E25. It also doesn’t sacrifice functionality and performance even though it’s a little more forgiving on the wallet.

With its well-built construction, it should handle a good amount of use and I’d say other users in your household should be comfortable using the E25, too.

I will say that as a smaller person of just 5’1” in height, I find the E25 to be more comfortable, for me, than the much larger E95 Elliptical. They both have the same 20” stride length, but the narrower width of the E25 makes the pedal stroke feel more comfortable for my height. Also, the slimmer, narrower handles feel more proportional to my body.

Larger users might prefer the larger E35 and E95, but considering the E25 has a 350 lb weight limit, it can handle larger folks just fine. The 20” stride is also good for average and taller users, as well as shorter people like me, on the E25.

The Sole E25 doesn’t fold up and it’s pretty heavy at 209 lbs.

It can be moved when you need to move it though. There are front transport wheels on the front stabilizer and a built-in rear handle to tip up the back to engage the wheels. With its size and weight, it’s a good idea to dedicate a spot for the E25 in your home and avoid having to move it very often.

Warranty

We love Sole’s warranties. The brand includes a lifetime warranty for the frame and brake, a 2-year warranty for components, a 1-year warranty for labor, and a 90-day warranty for cosmetic items. With the size and weight of the E25, it is best to have at least 2 people for set up.