3 Best Ellipticals for Short Stride: Price, Features & Reviews

Key Takeaways

• For a short stride, three SOLE ellipticals stand out: the E95S ($2,299.99), the E25 ($1,199.99), and the E98 ($2,499.99).
• The E95S is the top pick for a true short stride, with a power-adjustable 18-to-24-inch range set from the console, solving height mismatches in shared homes.
• The E25 is the most affordable short-stride option. Its fixed 20-inch stride, compact footprint, and 20-lb flywheel suit shorter users wanting a simple machine.
• The E98 carries the same 20-inch stride on a heavier, commercial-grade frame. Its 32-lb flywheel, the heaviest in the line, suits shorter users who prioritize durability over stride adjustment.
• SOLE keeps its non-adjustable ellipticals at a 20-inch stride, shorter than most full-size machines, and reserves true power-adjustable stride for the E95S, so shorter users can find a workable fit at several price points rather than just one.

Finding the Right SOLE Elliptical for Your Height 

For a genuinely short stride, the SOLE E95S is the top choice, since its power-adjustable stride shortens to 18 inches, the lowest setting SOLE makes. The compact E25 comes next at $1,199.99 with a fixed 20-inch stride, and the commercial-grade E98 holds that same 20-inch stride on a heavier frame at $2,499.99.

Stride length matters most for users under about 5 feet 4 inches. When the stride runs longer than your natural step, your legs have to overreach with every rotation, which strains the hips and knees and makes the motion feel unnatural. Matching the stride to your height is what keeps the workout comfortable.

Across all three ellipticals, SOLE backs each purchase with free shipping, a lifetime frame warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The 3 Best SOLE Ellipticals for Short Stride

1. SOLE E95S Elliptical (Best for an Adjustable Short Stride)

The SOLE E95S Elliptical offers an adjustable 18–24 inch stride, ideal for shorter users sharing one machine.

The E95S is the only SOLE elliptical that shortens to an 18-inch stride, and you can adjust the length using the machine’s console or the handgrips. This single feature puts it ahead of every other SOLE model for shorter users, and it solves the height mismatch in homes where two people share one machine.

Features

A 30-pound flywheel keeps the motion smooth and quiet, paired with 20 levels of eddy-current resistance and an 18- to 24-inch power-adjustable stride. The 13.3-inch touchscreen connects to WiFi, supports screen mirroring, and pairs with the free SOLE+ app, while a built-in wireless charger keeps your phone powered while you work out. 

You also get 10 preset and 12 user-defined programs, multi-position rubber-coated grips, dual short-track glide rails, and a 400-pound weight capacity. This model skips the incline, since adjusting the stride changes the motion instead. The frame and flywheel carry a lifetime warranty, with three years on parts.

Price

The E95S sells for $2,299.99, down from $2,699.99 on the SOLE site, which places it among the premium E9X series.

Reviews

Shorter users give the E95S the best feedback, since they can match the stride to their gait rather than settle for one fixed length. The quiet drive and the large touchscreen also come up often as reasons people enjoy daily use. The trade-off owners point to is size: the machine is 84 inches long and weighs 265 pounds once assembled, so it needs a dedicated spot.

Users valuing quiet operation and a large touchscreen tend to rate the E95S elliptical most favorably.

2. SOLE E25 Elliptical 

At $1,199.99, the SOLE E25 pairs a space-saving footprint with a 20-inch stride, the most affordable short-stride option SOLE makes.

The E25 is the smallest and most affordable elliptical on the SOLE lineup, with a fixed 20-inch stride. It fits shorter users who want a simple, reliable machine without a large footprint or a premium price tag.

Features

This model runs a 20-pound flywheel with 20 levels of quiet ECB magnetic resistance, plus a 20-level power incline that lets you change the muscle focus with a button. The white LED display tracks your stats, and built-in Bluetooth connects to the SOLE+ app for guided sessions. 

Hand pulse sensors, a built-in Bluetooth heart rate receiver, a cup holder, and a Bluetooth speaker round out the console. The pedals stay fixed rather than adjustable, which is part of how SOLE keeps the price down.

Price

At $1,199.99, down from the original pricing of $1,299.99, the E25 is the lowest-priced elliptical on the SOLE site. It is the sensible starting point for quality on a tighter budget.

Reviews

Owners describe the E25 as smooth and quiet for an entry-level machine. Shorter users find the 20-inch stride workable, and most people consider the simpler LED console a fair trade-off for the lower price, especially as a first home elliptical.

3. SOLE E98 Elliptical

The SOLE E98 carries the same 20-inch stride as the E25 on a light-commercial frame, suiting shorter users who want maximum durability.

The E98 shares the 20-inch fixed stride of the E25 but rides on a heavier, commercial-grade frame. It is the pick for shorter users who want the most durable SOLE elliptical and don't need stride adjustment.

Features

At 32 pounds, the E98's flywheel is the heaviest in SOLE's elliptical range, giving the machine a steady, fluid feel that holds up even under heavier loads. Its touchscreen console runs WiFi, Bluetooth, and SOLE+ integration, and the frame supports users up to 400 pounds.

That build is why SOLE rates the E98 for light commercial use, earning it a place in hotel and apartment gyms rather than home setups alone. The one thing it doesn't do is adjust: the stride stays fixed at 20 inches, in line with SOLE's other non-adjustable models.

Price

The E98 tops the elliptical lineup at $2,499.99, reduced from $2,899.99. The cost reflects the heavier flywheel and the light commercial warranty, not stride flexibility.

Reviews

Buyers describe the E98 as gym-quality and exceptionally smooth, with the heavy flywheel drawing the most consistent praise. Because it shares the same 20-inch stride as the E25, shorter users report nearly identical fit feedback between the two models. The main reasons casual users step down to a lighter machine are its size and price. 

SOLE Short Stride Ellipticals Compared

Choose Your SOLE Elliptical With Confidence

Whichever model fits your height, the goal is the same: a stride that feels natural so you actually keep training. The E95S adjusts down to 18 inches for the closest fit, while the E25 and E98 offer a comfortable fixed 20-inch stride at opposite ends of the budget. Any of the three puts a workable short stride within reach.

What sets SOLE apart is that the experience holds up across the whole range. Every machine runs on a whisper-quiet eddy-current resistance, a sturdy steel-frame construction, and free SOLE+ app workouts to guide each session. Because stride feel is hard to judge from a spec sheet alone, our 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test the motion at home risk-free. Compare current pricing on the SOLE ellipticals page and choose the stride that matches your height.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What stride length should short users look for in a SOLE elliptical?

For users under about 5 feet 4 inches, a stride near 18 inches keeps the pedal reach short and the motion natural. Among SOLE ellipticals, only the SOLE E95S reaches that length, since its power-adjustable stride starts at 18 inches and extends to 24 inches for taller users.

Which SOLE elliptical has the shortest stride?

The SOLE E95S has the shortest stride in the SOLE lineup at its low setting of 18 inches, and it adjusts up to 24 inches. Every other SOLE elliptical, including the SOLE E25 and SOLE E98, uses a fixed 20-inch stride that cannot be shortened.

Is the 20-inch stride on the SOLE E25 too long for a short person?

For most people, the SOLE E25's 20-inch stride works well, as it suits users from roughly 5 feet 4 inches and up, and many shorter users still find it comfortable. If you are under about 5 feet 3 inches and want the most natural feel, the SOLE E95S at 18 inches is the better match.

Do SOLE short-stride ellipticals give a good workout?

Yes. On any SOLE elliptical, stride length affects comfort and fit, not workout quality. Resistance level, flywheel weight, and your own effort drive the calorie burn and muscle engagement. A well-fitted shorter stride often lets you train longer on a SOLE machine, because the motion stays easy on your joints.

What makes SOLE ellipticals a good choice for shorter users?

SOLE ellipticals run on smooth, low-impact motion, and the SOLE E95S carries the only power-adjustable stride in its class, reaching down to 18 inches. Every SOLE machine also includes free shipping, free SOLE+ app workouts, a lifetime frame warranty, and a 30-day risk-free trial.

 

*Disclaimer: Products and prices mentioned in this article are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Please visit the official SOLE website for the most current information.