Price-tier focus: this guide discusses the under-1000 tier as a category and what it includes, without quoting individual prices, which move with sales.
Best Ellipticals Under $1000 (2027): What the Lower Tier Actually Buys
Ellipticals in the under-1000 tier compared on what survives the price cut: stride, flywheel, incline, and frame weight. Price-tier guidance only.
Our top picks at a glance
Sole E20 Elliptical
Shorter users and beginners who want the Sole name at the lowest tier in the line.
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical
Buyers who will bring their own tablet and want a real stride length at the budget tier.
Sole E25 Elliptical
Buyers who want Sole build quality and a full 20 inch stride without paying for the top console.
The short answer
In the under-1000 tier you choose your compromise: the Sole E20 for build, the ProForm Carbon EL for stride. If a sale brings the Sole E25 within reach, it removes most of the compromise and is the value pick of the whole category.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Stride length | Flywheel | Incline | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole E20 EllipticalBest in Tier: Build | 18 in | About 14 lb | Manual or none, varies by model year | 300 lb (current version) | Check price |
| ProForm Carbon EL EllipticalBest in Tier: Stride | 19 in | About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced | Power ramp, range varies by version | 300 lb | Check price |
| Sole E25 EllipticalBest Step-Up Value | 20 in | 20 lb | 20 power levels | 350 lb | Check price |
Best in Tier: Build
Sole E20 Elliptical
Sole's entry model: 18 inch stride, basic console, lighter flywheel.
- 18 in
- Stride length
- Manual or none, varies by model year
- Incline
- About 14 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Lowest entry point into a steel-frame Sole
- Simple LED console with built-in programs and nothing to subscribe to
- Inward-sloped cushioned pedals carry over from the bigger models
Limitations
- 18 inch stride and a flywheel around 14 lb feel a class below the E25
- Specifications vary by model year, including incline; check the exact listing
| Stride length | 18 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | Manual or none, varies by model year |
| Flywheel | About 14 lb |
| Footprint | About 65 x 24 x 65 in, varies by version |
| Capacity | 300 lb (current version) |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Good first elliptical for the money
- Compact by full-size elliptical standards
- Quiet magnetic resistance
Common complaints
- Stride feels short for users near 6 ft
- Console features are bare compared with the rest of the line
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E20 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Shorter users and beginners who want the Sole name at the lowest tier in the line.
Skip if: You are tall. The 18 inch stride will shorten your gait, and current versions drop power incline.
Best in Tier: Stride
ProForm Carbon EL Elliptical
The simpler Carbon: 19 inch stride, basic display, iFIT via your own device.
- 19 in
- Stride length
- Power ramp, range varies by version
- Incline
- About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced
- Flywheel
Strengths
- 19 inch stride at a price where 18 inch is common
- Front-drive layout with power ramp on many versions
- Device shelf keeps the cost down for tablet owners
Limitations
- No built-in screen experience; your tablet is the console
- Build feel is lighter than the Sole E25 at a similar street tier
| Stride length | 19 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | Power ramp, range varies by version |
| Flywheel | About 18 lb effective inertia-enhanced |
| Footprint | About 67 x 25 x 69 in |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Stride length for the money is the headline
- Works fine without paying for content if you use your own apps
- Compact front-drive footprint
Common complaints
- Basic console feels dated next to touchscreen rivals
- Some wobble reported at high cadence by heavier users
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: ProForm Carbon EL product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who will bring their own tablet and want a real stride length at the budget tier.
Skip if: You want a built-in touchscreen; this console is a basic display with a device shelf.
Best Step-Up Value
Sole E25 Elliptical
The E35 formula with a lighter flywheel and a smaller console, for less.
- 20 in
- Stride length
- 20 power levels
- Incline
- 20 lb
- Flywheel
Strengths
- Same 20 inch stride and 20 level power incline as the E35
- Narrower 24 inch width fits rooms the E35 crowds
- Simple LCD console with built-in programs and no subscription
Limitations
- 20 lb flywheel is a step down in glide feel from the E35
- Pedals are cushioned but not angle-adjustable like the E35
| Stride length | 20 in |
|---|---|
| Incline | 20 power levels |
| Flywheel | 20 lb |
| Footprint | 70 x 24 x 71 in |
| Capacity | 350 lb |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Quiet enough for early morning use in a shared house
- Console is simple and starts fast
- Frame feels far sturdier than budget ellipticals
Common complaints
- Assembly instructions could be clearer around the handlebar wiring
- Fan and speakers are token features
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sole E25 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who want Sole build quality and a full 20 inch stride without paying for the top console.
Skip if: You want the heaviest flywheel in the line; the E35 and E95 both carry more.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
What do I give up under this tier?
Typically some combination of stride length, flywheel weight, power incline, and console. The frame also gets lighter, which shows up as wobble at high cadence in owner reports of the cheapest models.
Is a used commercial elliptical a better buy?
It can be, if you can move it and service it. Commercial machines are far heavier, warranties rarely transfer, and parts support varies. For most homes a new mid-tier machine is the lower-risk route.