Sole E25 vs E35 Elliptical

The Sole Fitness Company makes high-end consumer-grade & light commercial elliptical trainers, ideal for home gyms as well as hotels & offices etc. In this article, we have an in-depth look at two of their most popular higher-end models, the Sole E25 vs E35.

If you’re in the market for an elliptical trainer to use at home, there are a number of factors to consider, including these:

  • Physical size of the machine (Elliptical trainers are quite bulky)
  • Number of built-in workout programs
  • Number of resistance levels
  • Size & technology of the display
  • Extra features (e.g. heart rate monitoring)
  • Warranty length

How well do these two ellipticals address these factors, and which one is the best for you? Read on to find out…

 

Quick Summary

Both machines look very similar at first glance. The Sole E35 Elliptical is significantly more expensive, but offers several advantages over the E25:

  • Heavier flywheel
  • Higher maximum user capacity
  • Adjustable pedals
  • Larger LCD console
  • Included chest strap heart rate monitor
  • More comprehensive warranty

Sole E25 vs E35 – Specifications

Sole E25Sole E35
Sole E25 Elliptical
Sole E35 Elliptical Machine
TypeElliptical TrainerElliptical Trainer
MethodFront-drive flywheelFront-drive flywheel
Flywheel Weight20lbs25lbs
Resistance Levels88
Incline Range0-20 degrees0-20 degrees
Incline AdjustmentPoweredPowered
Display6.5" Backlit LCD Console7.5" Backlit LCD Console
USB Charging PortYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Heart RateYes (Handles)
Chest strap compatible
Yes (Handles)
Chest strap included
Workout Programs1010
Max User Weight350lbs375lbs
Machine Weight212lbs231lbs
Dimensions70"L x 24"W x 64"H82"L x 31"W x 67"H
Tablet / Book HolderYesYes
Stride Length20"20"
Built-in FanYesYes
Built-in SpeakersYesYes
Water Bottle HolderYesYes
Adjustable PedalsNoYes
User ProfilesN/AN/A
Warranty (Frame)LifetimeLifetime
Warranty (Mechanical)3 Years5 Years
Warranty (Electronics)3 Years5 Years
Warranty (Labor)1 Year2 Years
Cost (amazon.com)Check PriceCheck Price

Sole E25 vs E35 – Similarities

These are both Elliptical Trainers, using the Magnetic Resistance principle

  • An elliptical trainer (also known as a cross-trainer) is a stationary exercise machine. It can be used to simulate stair climbing, walking, or running, and offers a lower-impact method of carrying out these exercises.
  • Elliptical machines can provide both a lower body and upper body workout, targeting all the major muscle groups.
  • The resistance is adjusted using magnetism (see this article for a technical description).

The Sole E25 and E35 both have the same number of resistance levels

  • Both the Sole E35 and E25 elliptical have 8 user-adjustable resistance levels.

Both ellipticals offer an incline range of 0-20 degrees

  • Other ellipticals are available with a wider range of inclines (e.g. some NordicTrack models offer -10 to 20 degrees), but a range of 0-20 degrees should be enough for all but the most extreme training regimes.

Both machines offer power incline adjustment

  • Unlike some other ellipticals, you will not need to stop your exercise routine adjust the incline manually – you can make as many changes as you want using the console.

Both ellipticals have 10 workout programs built in

  • More built-in programs may help alleviate boredom & switch things up.

Both feature a built-in LCD console display

  • Some lower-end ellipticals don’t have any built-in display, while at the higher end of the market, ellipticals are available with the latest touch-screen technology.

The Sole E25 and E35 both have USB charging ports

  • This allows you to plug in your smartphone or tablet, and recharge them while you exercise. Please note that these ports are for charging only, not data transfer.

Both ellipticals have included heart rate monitors

  • The Sole E25 and E35 both have the ability to measure your heart rate, though the execution is different in both cases (see differences below)

You can connect your smart device to both ellipticals using Bluetooth

  • Each Sole elliptical machine is compatible with the Sole app, however at the time of writing (March 2020) they are not compatible with other popular apps such as Explore the World, MyFitnessPal, UA Record or MapMyRun.

A tablet or book holder is included in both cases

  • Ideal if you want to watch a video, catch up with your emails, or immerse yourself in the latest novel, to take your mind off the “pain” side of the “no pain, no gain” equation.

Both ellipticals have a 20 inch stride length

  • 18″-20″ is recommended for most people, though if you’re short or tall in stature, you may need either a shorter or longer stride length, in which case you should look at another model.

Both feature a built-in fan

  • The fan keeps you cool while you exercise – not to be confused with fan-style exercise bikes & rowing machines, which use a large fan to create resistance.

The Sole E25 and E35 elliptical machine both have built-in speakers & a water bottle holder

  • The built-in speakers allow you to play music or video sound from your smart device via Bluetooth.

Sole E25 vs E35 – Differences

The Sole E25 elliptical has a 20lb flywheel, while the E35 has a 25lb version

  • The heavier the flywheel on your elliptical, the smoother it will feel in operation.

The E35 elliptical has a higher user weight capacity

  • The maximum user weight is 350lb for the E25 elliptical, and 375lb for the E35. If your body weight is over 350lb, you should consider the E35 elliptical.

The E35 has adjustable pedals, while the E25 pedals are fixed

  • Both models feature Sole Fitness’s unique foot pedals with a 2-degree inward slope, however, only the E35 allows you to adjust the pedals in the front-to-rear direction.

The E35 has a slightly larger LCD console than the E25

  • The backlit consoles of both models are similar, however, the 7.5″ screen on the E35 elliptical is larger than the 6.5″ version the E25 elliptical has.

The Sole E35 comes with a chest strap heart rate monitor, but you’ll need to rely on external devices (such as a smartwatch) to record your heart rate with the E25

  • Both devices can measure your heart rate using sensors built into the handles, but only the E35 elliptical machine comes with a heart rate monitor chest strap, which allows you to store a record of your heart rate over time.

The E35 elliptical has a better warranty

  • Each Sole elliptical machine comes with a lifetime frame warranty, however, the E35 has a more generous 5 years on the other components, while the E25 elliptical only comes with a 3-year component warranty. The E35 also has longer coverage for labor costs – 2 years vs 1-year.

Conclusion

The Sole E35 elliptical costs significantly more than the E25 elliptical (often around 50% more, but prices change). For the extra money, it offers quite a few advantages over the E25:

  • Heavier flywheel = smoother operation
  • Higher maximum user capacity
  • Adjustable pedals
  • Larger LCD console
  • Included chest strap heart rate monitor
  • More comprehensive warranty

It’s up to you to decide if these additional features are worth paying the extra money for.