Best for small rooms and programs
Schwinn 411
FitScore for Elliptical Under $1,000
- InclineNo incline
- ResistanceMagnetic, 16 levels
- Max user weight300 lb
- Warranty10 year frame, 2 year pa…
Choose it if you want a 53.8-inch frame, 13 programs and moving handlebars, and a 10-year frame warranty is enough.
Best for frame warranty
Sole E20
FitScore for Elliptical Under $1,000
- InclineNo incline
- ResistanceElectromagnetic, 20 levels
- Max user weight300 lb
- Warrantylifetime frame, 1 year p…
Choose it if you want electromagnetic resistance, a 14.3-lb flywheel and a lifetime frame warranty, and have room for 64 inches.
Overall winner for ellipticals under $1,000: Schwinn 411, by 2.8 points (58.9 against 56.1) with the weights of our best elliptical under $1,000 guide. It leads on comfort, practicality, features and affordability. The Sole E20 leads on performance and durability.
Schwinn 411 wins 3 rounds- Sole E20 wins 2 rounds
Product photos from Amazon. FitScore weights are explained below.
Schwinn 411 vs Sole E20: both have an 18-inch stride, no incline and a 300-lb rating. The Schwinn is a shorter compact frame with 16 magnetic levels and 13 programs; the Sole is a rear-drive machine with 20 electromagnetic levels and a lifetime frame warranty. Our FitScore favors the Schwinn under $1,000.
Head-to-Head Specs
Here are the two side by side. A check mark shows the stronger spec on each line. Check both warranties before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, which steady elliptical sessions count toward. Harvard Health Publishing lists about 324 calories in 30 minutes of general elliptical exercise for a 155 lb person.
| Specification | Schwinn 411FitScore 58.9 | Sole E20FitScore 56.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Compact (standing) | Rear-drive (standing) |
| Stride length | 18 in | 18 in |
| Resistance | Magnetic, 16 levels | Electromagnetic, 20 levels✓ |
| Flywheel | Not stated | 14.3 lb✓ |
| Incline | No incline | No incline |
| Step-on height | Not stated | Not stated |
| Max user weight | 300 lb | 300 lb |
| Size (length × width) | 53.8 × 24 in | 64 × 22 in |
| Product weight | 100 lb✓ | 133 lb |
| Handlebars | Moving handlebars (arms work) | Not stated |
| Console and programs | 13 programs✓ | Basic LCD console (programs not stated) |
| Bluetooth and apps | Bluetooth | No Bluetooth or app listed |
| Heart rate | Pulse grips | Pulse grips |
| Membership | Optional (extra classes) | None needed |
| Storage and moving | No transport wheels listed, 100 lb | No transport wheels listed, 133 lb |
| Warranty | 10 year frame, 2 year parts | lifetime frame, 1 year parts✓ |
| Specs won | 2 of 16 | 3 of 16 |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
FitScore Duel
Both scores use the weights of our best elliptical under $1,000 guide (how we score). Performance (30%) counts most, then durability (25%), comfort (15%) and practicality, features and affordability (10% each). The Schwinn 411 ranks #1 in that guide. The Sole E20 ranks #2 in that guide.
Key Differences
- Type: Compact (standing) on the Schwinn 411; Rear-drive (standing) on the Sole E20.
- Resistance: Magnetic, 16 levels on the Schwinn 411; Electromagnetic, 20 levels on the Sole E20.
- Flywheel: not stated on the Schwinn 411; 14.3 lb on the Sole E20.
- Size (length × width): 53.8 × 24 in on the Schwinn 411; 64 × 22 in on the Sole E20.
- Product weight: 100 lb on the Schwinn 411; 133 lb on the Sole E20.
- Handlebars: Moving handlebars (arms work) on the Schwinn 411; not stated on the Sole E20.
- Console and programs: 13 programs on the Schwinn 411; Basic LCD console (programs not stated) on the Sole E20.
- Bluetooth and apps: Bluetooth on the Schwinn 411; No Bluetooth or app listed on the Sole E20.
Round 1 of 5
Schwinn 411 vs Sole E20: Stride and Resistance
Sole E20 wins this round
Stride length: both list 18 in.
Resistance: Magnetic, 16 levels on the Schwinn 411, Electromagnetic, 20 levels on the Sole E20.
Flywheel: 14.3 lb on the Sole E20; not stated on the Schwinn 411.
Performance score in this comparison: Schwinn 411 47, Sole E20 64.
Round 2 of 5
Capacity, Build and Warranty
Sole E20 wins this round
Max user weight: both list 300 lb.
Warranty: 10 year frame, 2 year parts on the Schwinn 411, lifetime frame, 1 year parts on the Sole E20.
Frame warranties differ: lifetime on the Sole E20, 10 years on the Schwinn 411; parts coverage is 1 year on the Sole and 2 years on the Schwinn.
Durability score in this comparison: Schwinn 411 74.6, Sole E20 81.38.
Round 3 of 5
Comfort and Fit
Schwinn 411 wins this round
Comfort comes down to fit and how you sit or stand.
Type: Compact (standing) on the Schwinn 411, Rear-drive (standing) on the Sole E20.
Handlebars: Moving handlebars (arms work) on the Schwinn 411; not stated on the Sole E20.
Comfort score in this comparison: Schwinn 411 54, Sole E20 34.
Round 4 of 5
Size, Weight and Storage
Schwinn 411 wins this round
Size (length × width): 53.8 × 24 in on the Schwinn 411, 64 × 22 in on the Sole E20.
Product weight: 100 lb on the Schwinn 411, 133 lb on the Sole E20.
Storage and moving: No transport wheels listed, 100 lb on the Schwinn 411, No transport wheels listed, 133 lb on the Sole E20.
Practicality score in this comparison: Schwinn 411 45, Sole E20 33.
Round 5 of 5
Console and Extras
Schwinn 411 wins this round
Console and programs: 13 programs on the Schwinn 411, Basic LCD console (programs not stated) on the Sole E20.
Bluetooth and apps: Bluetooth on the Schwinn 411, No Bluetooth or app listed on the Sole E20.
Heart rate: both list pulse grips.
Features score in this comparison: Schwinn 411 65, Sole E20 25.
Who Should Buy Each
Smaller rooms and program users
Pick the Schwinn 411 if space is tight and you like guided programs; reviewers note a smooth ride, though the lowest resistance level can feel strong.
Long-term owners
Pick the Sole E20 if you plan to keep the machine for years and value the lifetime frame warranty and 20 resistance levels over console programs.
Consider Instead
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3889SMART
If neither fits, look at the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3889SMART: it offers a higher performance and comfort score than the Schwinn 411. It ranks #3 in our best elliptical under $1,000 guide.
Final Verdict
Overall winner for ellipticals under $1,000: Schwinn 411. Pick the Schwinn 411 for the shorter frame and programs; pick the Sole E20 for electromagnetic resistance, a weighted flywheel and the lifetime frame warranty.
Schwinn 411 vs Sole E20 FAQ
With the weights of our best elliptical under $1,000 guide, the Schwinn 411 scores higher: 58.9 against 56.1. It leads on comfort, practicality, features and affordability, while the Sole E20 leads on performance and durability.
The Sole E20 covers the frame for life and parts for 1 year; the Schwinn 411 covers the frame for 10 years and parts for 2 years.
No. Neither has an incline, and both have an 18-inch stride.
Explore More Elliptical Guides
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