The Sole E25 Elliptical 2008 Review – Still the best elliptical under $1000

This past month, the Treadmill Sensei has been able to track down a few of the 2008 Sole ellipticals and treadmills. The units are cosmetically a little different than models from the previous years, and some key components have been upgraded, but overall they are still essentially the same best buy award winning units from years past.

Today I want to talk about the 2008 Sole E25 Elliptical. For over three years now, the Sole E25 Elliptical has been one of the best performing, highest quality elliptical priced at under $1000. This year, Sole has done some nice upgrades to the machine while keeping it at the same fantastic price and allowing new elliptical shoppers a chance to purchase on of the smoothest, most natural feeling ellipticals on the market.

I’m going to start with the only thing that could even remotely being considered a downside to the Sole E25 elliptical: the lack of heart rate control programs. Aside from wanting to differentiate this unit from the Sole E35, I don’t really know why Sole didn’t decide to make the upgrade to heart rate contol on the Sole E25 – you’re talking about a fairly simply electronic component. However, 95% of elliptical owners never actually use heart rate contol during their workouts, so it is a very minor little quibble.

Assembling the 2008 Sole E25 is almost identical to models from previous years. The precision machining Sole uses means putting it together should be a snap. If you can get someone to assist you, it might take 30-45 minutes and comes with almost no frustration involved. If you’re looking for more frustration in your ellipticals, I’d suggest a unit from Proform, Bodyguard or Spirit. If you want something easy and unannoying, then stick with the Sole.

UPDATE: This is an old review. Follow this link for the latest version: New Sole E25 Elliptical Review

Aside from the lack of heart rate control, the Sole E25 is nearly a perfect elliptical machine. This year Sole has added slightly thicker tubing to give the already stable e25 elliptical even more solidity and sturdiness. Normally you’ll feel a wobbly, side-to-side shake on most budget ellipticals, such as those from Proform or Spirit, but with the addition of the heavier supports and a nearly 200 pound unit weight, the Sole E25 will hold up to the heavier workouts that go on with those of us who are trying to lose those extra pounds gained over the holidays. When you factor in the heavy flywheel – listed at 23 pounds but identical to the flywheels on the more expensive Sole ellipticals like the E35 or E55 – and Sole’s patented 2% inward incline on the pedals, the solid construction of the Sole E25 provides one of the most natural feeling elliptical workouts on the market.

Sole has done an excellent job with the 2008 upgrade of the Sole E25. This year, in addition to the heavier frame, the Sole E25 now features 20 levels of resistance and 10 programs – that’s up from 16 resistance levels and 6 programs on the 2006/2007 version of the E25. It’s nice to see an elliptical manufacturer actually coming through with a worthwhile upgrade.

For continuing to be one of our favorite budget best buy ellipticals under $1000, the Treadmill Sensei gives the 2008 Sole E25 Elliptical 5 out of 5 golden buddahs.

As still one of the best budget ellipticals and best buy ellipticals under $1000, the Sole E25 comes through once more with 5 gold buddahs.

We have found the lowest price online for the Sole E25.

2008 Sole E25 Elliptical Specifications
Stride Length: 20 inches
Flywheel: 23lbs
Articulating Foot Pedals: Yes
Resistance Levels: 20
Display: Blue LCD
Readouts: Time, Distance, Calories, Levels
Programs: 10
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes
Heart Rate Control: No
Fans: Yes
Max Weight Capacity: 325 lbs.
Unit weight: 190lbs
Price: Under $1000