3 Best Ellipticals Under $2,500 in 2026: Specs, Price and Features Compared

Key Takeaways

• The SOLE E25 at $1,299.99 is the most accessible elliptical under $2,500, delivering a 20-inch stride, 20 resistance levels, 20 power incline levels, a 20-pound flywheel, and the FREE SOLE+ App at the lowest price in SOLE's elliptical lineup.
• The SOLE E35 at $1,699.99 adds a 10.1-inch touchscreen with 12 built-in streaming apps, a heavier 25-pound flywheel, and 3-position adjustable pedals that reduce ankle and knee strain, at $400 more than the E25.
• The SOLE E95 at $1,999.99 delivers the premium under-$2,500 package with a 13.3-inch touchscreen with screen mirroring, wireless charging, a 27-pound flywheel, adjustable pedals with a 2-degree inward slope, and 400-pound weight capacity.
• All three ellipticals move in both forward and reverse directions, include 20 power incline levels and 20 resistance levels, and come with the FREE SOLE+ App permanently at no subscription cost.
• All three carry a lifetime frame and flywheel warranty, making each a long-term investment regardless of which price tier fits your budget.

Which Elliptical Under $2,500 Is Best?

The SOLE E95 at $1,999.99 is the best overall elliptical under $2,500, combining a 13.3-inch touchscreen with screen mirroring, wireless charging, a 27-pound flywheel, and a 400-pound weight capacity alongside the FREE SOLE+ App at no subscription cost. The SOLE E35 at $1,699.99 is the strongest mid-range pick, adding a 10.1-inch touchscreen and adjustable pedals over the E25 at $300 less than the E95. 

The SOLE E25 at $1,299.99 covers every essential elliptical specification at the most accessible price in the range. This article compares the specs, price, and features of all three to identify which fits different budgets and training goals. 

1. SOLE E25: Best Value Elliptical Under $2,500

The E25 delivers a full 20-inch stride and 20 power incline levels at the lowest price in SOLE's lineup. 

Specs

The E25 is the narrowest full-stride elliptical in SOLE's range at 24 inches wide, making it the natural pick for tighter spaces. Its 20-pound flywheel produces smooth, quiet resistance across all 20 levels, and the 20 power incline levels shift the muscle emphasis of each session without requiring the user to stop and adjust manually. 

The 7.5-inch LCD tracks speed, time, distance, calories, and heart rate. A tablet holder positions a device for following FREE SOLE+ App workouts. The machine moves in both forward and reverse directions, adding a distinct second training stimulus. At 350-pound weight capacity and 209 pounds machine weight, the E25 occupies a footprint of 70 inches long by 24 inches wide.

Price

The E25 is priced at $1,299.99. HSA and FSA funding applies through Truemed for qualifying purchases. Check current availability at soletreadmills.com.

Features

The most practical advantage of the E25 for daily users is the combination of forward and reverse motion. Reversing direction shifts the primary muscle load from the posterior chain to the quads and calves, turning a single machine into two different training stimuli within the same session. 

The FREE SOLE+ App included permanently provides guided workouts that give structure to sessions without the subscription cost that most competitors attach to equivalent programming content.

2. SOLE E35: Best Mid-Range Elliptical Under $2,500

The E35 adds a 10.1-inch touchscreen, heavier flywheel, and adjustable pedals over the E25 at $400 more. 

Specs

The E35's 25-pound flywheel over the E25's 20-pound produces noticeably smoother stride momentum, particularly at higher resistance settings where flywheel weight has the most impact on consistency. The 10.1-inch touchscreen streams Netflix, YouTube, and ten other built-in apps directly without a paired device. 

The 3-position adjustable pedals allow the foot platform angle to be set to reduce ankle and knee stress during sustained sessions. Twenty resistance levels and 20 power incline levels cover the full training range. At 350-pound weight capacity and 211 pounds machine weight, the E35 occupies 70 inches long by 31 inches wide.

Price

The E35 is priced at $1,699.99. HSA and FSA funding applies through Truemed. Check current availability at soletreadmills.com.

Features

The step from E25 to E35 delivers two upgrades that matter for everyday use. The built-in touchscreen removes the need for a phone mount or tablet stand, turning the machine into a connected entertainment platform from the moment you step on. 

The 3-position pedal adjustment tackles one of the most common long-term complaints about elliptical use: foot and ankle discomfort from a fixed pedal angle. Being able to set the platform to match your foot structure makes a noticeable difference across the accumulated hours of daily sessions. Both upgrades justify the $400 price difference for users who plan to train regularly.

3. SOLE E95: Best Premium Elliptical Under $2,500

The E95 tops the under-$2,500 category with a 13.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a 27-pound flywheel. 

Specs

The E95's 27-pound flywheel is the heaviest in this comparison, producing the smoothest and most consistent stride across all three machines. The 13.3-inch touchscreen supports screen mirroring from compatible iOS devices, runs built-in third-party apps, and connects via WiFi without a paired phone. 

A 2-amp wireless charging pad on the console keeps devices powered through sessions of any length. The adjustable pedals use a worm-drive dial mechanism to fine-tune the foot angle precisely rather than choosing from fixed positions, with a standard 2-degree inward slope that reduces ankle and knee stress. A built-in cooling fan manages heat during longer sessions. At 400-pound weight capacity, the E95 is the most capable machine in this comparison.

Price

The E95 is priced at $1,999.99, a saving of $100 from its regular $2,099.99. HSA and FSA funding applies through Truemed. Citizens Pay financing is available at checkout.

Features

Screen mirroring is the E95's most practical daily feature over the E35. It displays any iOS device's content on the 13.3-inch console, expanding content options beyond what any built-in app library alone provides. A runner following a specific coaching platform, virtual route app, or streaming service that is not pre-installed can mirror it directly without a separate screen or mount. 

The precision worm-drive pedal adjustment goes beyond the E35's three fixed positions, letting users dial in the exact foot angle their stride requires. The cooling fan addresses heat management during sessions that run past 45 minutes, where body temperature becomes a meaningful comfort factor.

How Do the Three Ellipticals Compare?

Which Under-$2,500 Elliptical Is Right for You?

The E25 at $1,299.99 is the right pick for buyers who want a full-capability elliptical without paying for display technology they do not need. Every mechanical specification that determines workout quality, the 20-inch stride, 20-pound flywheel, 20 resistance levels, and 20 power incline levels, is present at this price point. The $400 step up to the E35 is worth it for users who plan to spend 45 to 60 minutes on the machine daily and want built-in on-screen entertainment alongside the adjustable pedals that make longer sessions more comfortable on the joints.

For the most complete elliptical the under-$2,500 budget allows, the SOLE E95 at $1,999.99 delivers a 27-pound flywheel for the smoothest stride of the three, a 13.3-inch touchscreen with screen mirroring and wireless charging, precision worm-drive pedal adjustment, a built-in cooling fan, and a 400-pound weight capacity.

Shop the SOLE elliptical collection today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a 20-inch stride length enough for most adults? 

Yes. A 20-inch stride accommodates most adults between approximately 5'3" and 6'3" without forcing a shortened or unnatural gait. Users below 5'3" may find a shorter stride more comfortable, while users above 6'3" may want to test a 20-inch machine before committing. All three SOLE ellipticals here use a fixed 20-inch stride, which covers the range of most home gym users.

What is the difference between resistance levels and incline levels on an elliptical? 

Resistance levels control how hard the pedals are to push, similar to a gear on a bike. Higher resistance increases the effort required per stride. Incline levels change the angle of the stride path, shifting which muscles are primarily worked. Higher incline engages the glutes and hamstrings more, while lower incline emphasises the quads and calves. Having 20 levels of each on all three machines here gives meaningful training variation across every session.

Do ellipticals build muscle or just burn calories? 

Both, though the effect is more accurately described as muscular endurance development rather than hypertrophy. The combination of 20 resistance levels and 20 incline levels across all three machines allows users to load the lower body meaningfully. Forward and reverse motion variation adds a separate stimulus targeting different muscle groups, making elliptical training a more complete lower-body workout tool than is sometimes assumed.

Is an elliptical better than a treadmill for joint health? 

Ellipticals produce significantly less joint impact than treadmills because the foot never leaves the pedal surface, eliminating the landing impact that running and brisk walking generate. For users with knee, hip, or lower back sensitivities, or those returning from injury, the elliptical is generally the preferred daily cardio choice.

Do SOLE ellipticals require a subscription to use their workout content? 

No. All three ellipticals include the FREE SOLE+ App permanently with purchase. There are no trial periods that convert to paid subscriptions, no premium tiers requiring additional payment, and no features locked behind paywalls. The full guided workout library is included from day one at no ongoing cost.

 

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.