If you’re looking for a way to get a great workout that will tone your arms and legs, you might consider jogging or using a treadmill. If, however, you want a workout that can do those things but is also low-impact, an elliptical machine might be the best solution for you. These machines use pedals to guide your feet in a motion that mimics running, but without the shock each step puts on your joints. Most also have handles attached to bars that move and have variable resistance, giving your arms a workout as well. Ellipticals are available for as little as $200 and as much as over $3000. Maybe you’re in the market for an entry-level machine, but if you want a high-quality, full-featured elliptical you can use every day for years to come, the Sole E20 Elliptical could be the machine for you.
What is the Sole E20?
Sole fitness makes seven different models of elliptical trainer, with the E20 being designed as an economical model. It lacks some of the high-end features of Sole’s more expensive machines, but it’s still well-constructed and easy to use. Sole began its life as a company manufacturing exercise equipment for commercial use, such as in hotels, so their machines can stand up to years of daily use by experienced and inexperienced users alike.
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The E20 features 10 built-in workout programs as well as 20 levels of incline and 20 levels of resistance, and a 20-inch stride length that should be comfortable for most users. In addition to these workout features, the E20 has a magazine rack to hold your reading material, be it a book, magazine, or tablet. It also has a fan embedded in its center console to keep you cool while you work out. Finally, the E20’s 5.5-inch LCD screen is large and clear, making it easy to read your workout statistics like time remaining, distance traveled, and calories burned. The only trouble here is that, should you want to read or watch something, your media will block your view of the screen due to the positioning of the magazine rack.
Product Specs
The E20, at 189 pounds, is lighter than many ellipticals at this price point but can still hold a significant weight, with a maximum user weight of 325 pounds. It’s 70 inches long and 23 inches wide, and you’ll need extra room for safety wherever you decide to place it. Its 21-pound flywheel is heavy enough for the machine to run smoothly and quietly, with none of the noise or wobbling you might find in much cheaper machines. It also features an mp3 player hookup port so you can listen to your favorite music while you work out, but it lacks the Bluetooth connectivity some machines in this price range offer.
Pricing
The Sole E20 is available on Amazon for around $2100, which places it as a mid-level machine.
How it Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
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Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer System
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NordicTrack Elite 10.9 Elliptical
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Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine
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Sole E20
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Sole E20 Elliptical
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Price
As mentioned above the Sole E20 is available on Amazon for around $2100.
Ease of Use
Sole’s background in commercial-grade exercise equipment shines through in how easy the E20 is to use. Once it’s assembled, it’s simple to navigate its menus and get the hang of its stride length. The biggest drawback here is its lack of Bluetooth connectivity, which makes saving your workout data a much bigger headache.
Assembly
Assembling any elliptical machine is always going to be a difficult task due to their weight and wealth of moving parts, and the E20 is no different. You can pay a fee for professional assembly though, which many customers do. Once it’s assembled, the actual construction of the E20 is top-notch: it’s sturdy and durable without being so heavy that two people can’t move it around.
Design Quality
The E20’s 20 resistance levels and incline settings provide a lot of variety, and the heavy flywheel and fan give users a premium feeling to their workout. The biggest points against the E20 here are its meager 10 pre-programmed workouts and lack of Bluetooth functionality. Both are disappointing for a machine that costs over $2000.
Warranty
Sole offers one of the best warranties in the fitness equipment business. You’ll get lifetime coverage on the frame, 3 years for parts and electronics, and 1 year for labor.
Pros
- High-quality, durable construction
- 20 resistance and incline settings
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- No Bluetooth functionality
- Only 10 pre-programmed workouts
Sole E55
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The Sole E55 was initially built with compact design in mind, but the E20 actually outstrips in that regard. The E55 is slightly larger at 74.5 inches long and 30.5 inches wide, with a weight of 240 pounds. The tradeoff to this is the machine’s 375 pound user weight limit. In addition, the E55 features Bluetooth functionality, making it easy to transfer your workout data to your favorite smart device so you can track your improvements. Like the E20, it has 20 levels of both resistance and incline, but only 10 pre-programmed workouts.
Sole E55 Elliptical Trainer System
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Price
The E55 retails for around $1500 on Amazon.
Ease of Use
Just like its cousin the E20, the E55 benefits from Sole’s commercial fitness background. It’s easy and comfortable to use, with its 20-inch stride length feeling natural for most users. It edges the E20 here thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it easy to save your workout data to your favorite smart device.
Assembly
Self-assembly will be even harder with the E55 than the E20 thanks to the added weight. Once again, professional assembly is available for a modest fee from Amazon. The construction itself is as sturdy as you’d expect from Sole, and the machine’s ride is smooth and quiet.
Design Quality
Ergonomically, the E55 is a joy to use. Its stride length is natural and its foot pedals comfortable. The 9-inch screen is larger and more readable than the E20’s, and the whole package is capped off with great features like a built-in fan and speakers that can blast your favorite tunes over Bluetooth.
Warranty
Sole’s great warranty offerings are present again, even better this time: lifetime coverage for the frame, 5 years for parts and electronics and 2 years for labor.
Pros
- Quality construction provides a smooth, stable ride
- Bluetooth functionality
- Excellent warranty
- Great price
Cons
- Bigger and heavier than the E20
- Only 10 pre-programmed workouts
NordicTrack
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The NordicTrack Elite 10.9 comes from a well-known and long-lived home fitness company and has the sturdiness and durability you would expect from a trusted brand. It has a 20-pound flywheel for smooth, quiet performance, 20 degrees of incline, and an adjustable 20-inch stride that all combine to provide an excellent workout experience. It also has a 7-inch touchscreen display, cooling fan built into the center console, water bottle holder, and a port for your mp3 devices.
NordicTrack Elite 10.9 Elliptical
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Price
The NordicTrack Elite 10.9 is available on Amazon for around $1000.
Ease of Use
The 10.9 comes from a long-lived line of home fitness equipment that has been designed over time to be easy to use in-home. It’s designed for comfort, particularly due to its power-adjustable stride length, which is a rare feature in an elliptical with such a low price. The only drawback here is that it only logs your workouts using the iFit app, which requires a paid membership to use.
Assembly
Like the other machines on this list, the 10.9 is tough to put together. This is a heavy machine, weighing in at 226 pounds, so if you decide to put it together yourself, be sure to have a helper alongside you. It is worth noting that Amazon offers professional assembly for free. The construction of the machine is of high quality; its sturdy base and heavy flywheel ensure a smooth, quiet workout.
Design Quality
The adjustable stride length, 20 levels of incline, and massive 32 pre-loaded workouts make the 10.9 an extremely versatile machine that should appeal to workout warriors of all stripes. Additions like a touch-enabled screen and fan add up to a premium experience at an entry-level price. The only downside is the lack of Bluetooth functionality, but that is forgivable at this price.
Warranty
NordicTrack’s warranty consists of lifetime coverage on the frame, 3 years for parts and electronics, and 1 year for labor. It’s not as great as Sole’s best warranty, but it’s still excellent.
Pros
- 32 pre-loaded workouts
- Power-adjustable stride length up to 20 inches
- Touchscreen display
Cons
- No Bluetooth functionality
- Must pay for iFit tracking
Schwinn 470
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The Schwinn 470 is an entry-level elliptical machine that’s full-featured despite its low price. It features 29 programs, 25 resistance settings, automated incline up to 10 degrees, a fixed 20-inch stride length, and two back-lit LCD displays. That means you can cover one with a book or tablet and still see your workout data on the other. It even has Bluetooth connectivity to sync with your favorite fitness apps.
Schwinn 470 Elliptical Machine
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Price
The Schwinn 470 sells for around $800 on Amazon, but normally retails for around $1300.
Ease of Use
Just like the other machines on this list, the Schwinn 470 is easy to get the hang of. The Bluetooth connectivity makes logging your workout data a breeze, and the machine’s wealth of programs and resistance options makes finding the right workout for you easy. The only downside here is the fixed stride length, which won’t be an issue for most.
Assembly
With its moving parts, the 470 is difficult to assemble on your own. Luckily, it’s the lightest machine on this list, at 164 pounds despite its sturdy and durable design. Amazon offers expert assembly for free with purchase if you’d rather not go through the hassle yourself.
Design Quality
With Bluetooth functionality, 29 pre-programmed workouts, and 25 resistance settings, the 470 offers high-end options at a bargain price. The construction is solid, and the flywheel is reasonably heavy, resulting in a smooth and quiet ride. The only big detriment against the 470’s design is the limited degree of incline. It only goes up to 10 degrees, which means you’ll miss out on some of the muscle groups that machines with more range can work.
Warranty
Schwinn’s warranty can’t stack up to the competition: 10 years for the frame, 2 years for mechanical parts, 1 year for electrical, and just 90 days for labor.
Pros
- Great price
- 29 pre-set workouts
- Bluetooth capability
Cons
- Limited incline
- Inferior warranty
Conclusion
Which elliptical machine is right for you will all depend on what kind of experience you want. If you’re looking for versatility in your workout, with tons of pre-set routines and settings, the NordicTrack Elite 10.9 might be the one for you. If you want sturdy construction and technological bells and whistles like Bluetooth functionality, the Sole E55 or the Schwinn 470 might be your best choice.
The trouble with the E20 is that it doesn’t offer anything these other machines don’t have, and it’s priced far higher than them. Its low number of pre-loaded workout programs and lack of Bluetooth functionality might not seem like major drawbacks, but with Sole’s own E55 offering Bluetooth functionality at over $500 less than the cost of the E20, why not choose the less expensive machine? Sole’s machines are all high quality and you won’t be disappointed, but if you want sturdy construction, smooth, quiet motion, and the other benefits of Sole’s products, you can get them for far less by purchasing a Sole E55. You’ll even get Bluetooth and a bigger screen out of it. There’s nothing hugely wrong with the Sole E20, but it’s difficult to recommend when it comes at a much higher cost than its direct competitors. We suggest the E55 or the NordicTrack Elite 10.9 over the E20.
3 out of 5 stars