Best Reviewed
Elliptical Trainers
- Best home elliptical trainer Sole E35 *Est. $1300
- Best-value elliptical trainer NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro *Est. $1000
- Basic elliptical trainer Schwinn 420 *Est. $675
- Club-quality elliptical trainer Precor EFX 5.25 *Est. $3000
Get info about new reports and updates
Best home elliptical trainer
- Sturdy and well built
- Long stride length
- Automated incline
- Built-in speakers
- Two-year labor warranty
- Time-consuming assembly
- Finicky heart-rate monitor
- Some reports of poor customer service
Expert reviewers say the Sole E35 elliptical trainer is one of the best values in this price range. With a 20-inch stride length, it's an especially good choice for taller individuals. It includes moving arms for an upper-body workout, plus 20 resistance levels and eight workout programs. Reviewers also praise the automated incline, which helps users target different muscle groups while they exercise. Other popular features include built-in speakers for an MP3 player and wireless heart-rate monitoring. Reviewers say the Sole E35 elliptical machine is sturdy and runs smoothly. The control panel is intuitive as well. However, assembly can be challenging, and most users say it takes several hours to put together. We also saw a few complaints that Sole's customer service can be slow or unresponsive. The Sole elliptical trainer comes with a long warranty: lifetime on the frame, five years on parts and electronics, and two years on labor. For those on a budget, the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 Pro (*Est. $1,000) has excellent features for the money, according to reviewers. On the other hand, reviews for its durability are mixed.
The best expert reviews of the Sole E35 elliptical trainer come from TreadmillDoctor.com and ConsumerReports.org, which contribute balanced and justified ratings. TreadmillDoctor.com has a particularly useful system of rating models according to how well they perform in specific areas -- warranty and ergonomics, for example -- and awarding an overall score based on a weighted combination of these factors. Fred Waters at Fitness-Equipment-Source.com also has a relatively detailed professional review. For user feedback, Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com have a good number of reviews.
| Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer (2011 Model) | |
(68 reviews) Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $99.99 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
TreadmillDoctor.com says the Sole E35 is "consistently a heck of a value." Editors say the quality is good, and the elliptical includes a good number of features for the price. However, the Sole E35 gets lower ratings for adjustability because the stride length is not adjustable.
Review: Sole E35 Elliptical Review, Editors of TreadmillDoctor.com
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests 29 ellipticals in its latest review, including the Sole E35. The elliptical is rated on ergonomics, exercise range, ease of use, construction and user safety. Full details are available to subscribers.
Review: Elliptical Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Fitness-Equipment-Source.com has a detailed review of the Sole E35, which reviewer Fred Waters says "stand(s) out as a good value." Waters says his tests of the Sole E35 show it to be smooth and quiet for a model in its price range. He also commends the generous warranty and Sole's customer service.
Review: Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer Review, Fred Waters
4. Amazon.com
The 2009-2010 model of the Sole E35 earns an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars in more than 60 individual reviews. Owners say the Sole E35 is a solid, easy-to-assemble machine at a reasonable price. However, if something goes wrong, several owners say Sole's customer service is unresponsive.
Review: Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer, Contributors to Amazon.com
5. Amazon.com
The 2011 model of the Sole E35 gets far fewer reviews at Amazon.com, but Sole has not made any significant changes from the previous model year. Most reviewers are pleased with the elliptical and say it offers a lot of bang for the buck, but several owners complain about the assembly process.
Review: Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer (2011 Model), Contributors to Amazon.com
In nearly 80 owner-written reviews compiled by Buzzillions.com, the Sole E35 gets high marks for ease of use and quiet operation. Several owners complain about the assembly process, however.
Review: Sole E35 Elliptical, Contributors to Buzzillions.com
7. About.com
Paige Waehner, About.com's guide to exercise, lists her top five elliptical trainer picks, ranking the Sole E35 fifth. The author likes the pivoting pedals and wireless heart-rate control, and calls the five-year parts warranty "a pretty good deal." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 5 Top Elliptical Trainers, Paige Waehner, Jan. 24, 2007
AllEllipticals.com has a short review of the Sole E35 elliptical trainer, saying it is a basic machine with a few extra features that "make this seem like a much more expensive piece of equipment." The reviewer especially likes the sloped foot pedals for reducing ankle and knee strain.
Review: The Sole E35 Elliptical Trainer -- Impressive Features for $1300, Editors of AllEllipticals.com
Elliptical Trainers Runners Up:
3 picks including: Amazon.com, TreadmillDoctor.com…
3 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Building Muscle101.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
