Sole E35 Elliptical Review

The Sole E35 elliptical is a step above the brand’s entry level, and thanks to improved specs it is equally well set up to accommodate both novice an intermediate users. Offered at a manufacturer suggested retail price of $2,799.99, the Sole E35 goes on sale quite regularly, bringing its entry price down a significant amount. Updated for 2019, the Sole E35 has more built-in tech than previous models, with a host of features including Bluetooth connectivity for mobile fitness apps and music playback, as well as a USB charging port. Key specs include a front drive design with 25-pound wheel, a natural 20” stride with forward/reverse motion, and a power-adjustable ramp with 30 levels of incline for targeted muscle toning. Upper-body workout variety is supported with multi-position grips on the moving handlebars.

As we’ve learned throughout several of our Sole elliptical reviews, excellent ergonomics are always a big selling point for the brand’s machines. There are a few key elements to the design of the Sole E35 elliptical that play into this, including a two-degree inward slope if its pedals (as recommended by physical therapists), a reasonable amount of pedal cushioning, and the choice of three pedal angles to support differing natural gaits.

The Sole E35 is a relatively compact machine overall, thanks to its front-drive configuration. It’s not a folding unit, so you’ll still have to accommodate its 82″ x 31″ footprint in your home gym, but it’s far from being the largest elliptical on the market right now. The machine, like many other pieces of fitness equipment, has integrated transport wheels. These will allow you to roll the machine into a corner of the room when not in uses, in order to free up a bit of extra space. The use of whisper-quiet magnetic resistance also makes the Sole E35 elliptical very well suited for home gym use. It won’t take up too much space, nor will it wake up your pets/neighbors during use.

All told, 10 different workout programs are built into the Sole E35’s console. They are displayed via a fairly bare-bones 7.5″ backlit LCD display screen. As a nice bonus, programming can also run through a user’s tablet/iPad if preferred. Trainees can choose from manual mode, two heart programs, and a set of other training programs focused around calorie burn, muscle toning, and other fitness aspects. The machine is also capable of saving a pair of customized workout programs, should users opt to build out their own resistance/time/incline training regimen on the Sole E35 elliptical. Users are also able to record and save their training data for export to MyFitnessPal, FitBit, and countless other mobile apps. Given the rise of fitness tracking in recent years, the addition of this feature to the Sole E35 was a smart move.

The new Sole E35 Elliptical has a very respectable warranty, and one that is a decent amount longer than what they offer on the entry-level E25. Its $2,599 price tag includes five years of coverage on its parts and electronics, as well as a lifetime warranty on its frame. By comparison the E25 is only covered for three years. It’s also worth noting that the Sole E35 is often marked down significantly from that full retail price, with discounts often dropping its price a good ways under $2,000. Be sure to check out the brand’s website for current sale prices and potential offers of free shipping.

Our Favorite Features

• 20″ stride with 30 incline levels
• Adjustable pedals with three positions
• Quiet magnetic resistance
• Resistance controls built into handlebars
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Wireless and touch heart rate monitors
• Syncs with mobile apps
• Tablet computer holder
• Transport wheels
• Integrated tablet holder
• Bluetooth audio speakers
• USB charging port

Sole E35 Elliptical - Notable Specs:

Our Least Favorite Features

• Not a foldable elliptical machine
• Stride isn’t adjustable

The Bottom Line

Smooth and durable, the Sole E35 Elliptical earns “Best Buy” awards year after year. Now updated for 2019 with new technology and sold at a lower price, it’s a top option in its price class for newcomers to elliptical training as well as people with more experience. It’s not at the same level as more expensive units that feature large HD touchscreen displays, but with this type of training, having that sort of interactivity isn’t necessarily a feature that’s worth blowing the bank on. At its full retail price it still delivers a good number of features, but if you catch it on sale you could save over $1,000, making the Sole E35 elliptical a serious bargain overall.