This Sole E98 review covers a rear-drive elliptical rated for 400 lb, with a 20-inch stride, a power incline and a 32-lb flywheel.
The Sole E98 ranks #1 in our best elliptical for heavy people guide and makes the top 5 of 2 more.
Sole E98 Review: The Short Answer
Our verdict
FitScore 69.1/100
Sole E98
Buy it if you have the room and want a long stride, a heavy flywheel and a high weight rating. Skip it if space is tight, you need to move it often or you want Bluetooth on the console.
- Rear-drive (standing), 20 in stride
- Rated for 400 lb, 83 x 34 in footprint
- 246 lb
Best Usage
- Climbing intervals on the power incline
- Long, steady sessions on a 20-inch stride
- Full-body work with the moving handles
Best For
- Tall users who need a long, natural stride
- Heavier users who want a 400-lb rating
- Households with a permanent spot for a big machine
Not For
- People with a small room or a low ceiling
- Anyone who moves their equipment often
- Shoppers who want app-led classes on the console
Key Specs
- Type: Rear-drive (standing)
- Stride: 20 in
- Resistance: Electromagnetic, 20 levels
- Max user weight: 400 lb
- Footprint: 83 x 34 in
- Warranty: lifetime frame, 2 yr parts
Pros
- Rated for 400 lb
- Heavy 32-lb flywheel
- Lifetime frame warranty
Cons
- Very large and heavy
- No Bluetooth listed
- Step-on height not stated
Sole E98 Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Sole E98 | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rear-drive (standing) | A rear-drive standing elliptical: the flywheel sits behind you, which gives a flatter, more natural stride path. |
| Stride length | 20 in | A long stride that suits tall users as well as average ones. |
| Resistance | Electromagnetic, 20 levels | Electromagnetic resistance in 20 levels, set from the console. |
| Flywheel | 32 lb | A heavy flywheel, which smooths each stride and keeps it quiet. |
| Incline | Power incline | A power incline, so the ramp changes at the touch of a button. |
| Step-on height | Not stated | No step-on height is stated; measure the pedal height against your own mobility. |
| Max user weight | 400 lb | A high rating for a home elliptical, which suits a heavier user. |
| Size (length × width) | 83 × 34 in | A very big machine: measure the room and the ceiling before you order. |
| Product weight | 246 lb | Very heavy; plan on two people to place it. |
| Handlebars | Moving handlebars (arms work) | Moving handlebars add an arm workout to the leg stride. |
| Console and programs | 13.3 in screen | A large console screen; the program count is not stated. |
| Bluetooth and apps | No Bluetooth or app listed | No Bluetooth or companion app is listed for this console. |
| Heart rate | Pulse grips | Pulse grips on the handles read your heart rate. |
| Membership | None needed | None needed: the console works on its own. |
| Storage and moving | No transport wheels listed, 246 lb | No fold, so choose a permanent spot. |
| Warranty | lifetime frame, 2 year parts | A lifetime frame term, two years on parts and one year on labor. |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Check the warranty terms 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.
Sole E98 FitScore
FitScore rates each elliptical on its published specs, weighted for one buying intent (how we score). This review uses the weights of our best elliptical for home guide, where the Sole E98 ranks #1 with the same score. Performance (30%) counts most, then durability and comfort (20% each) and practicality, features and affordability (10% each). A buyer who wants one elliptical for the whole household needs the machine to perform first, then to last, with comfort behind.
FitScore for Most Homes
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines 6 category scores using the weights of the buying intent above.
- Performance (97): a 20 in stride, electromagnetic resistance in 20 levels, a 32 lb flywheel and power incline.
- Durability (95.78): rated for 400 lb, warranty: lifetime frame, 2 yr parts and a 246 lb frame.
- Comfort (62): rear-drive (standing) design, step-on height not stated, moving handlebars (arms work) and a 20 in stride.
- Features (50): 13.3 in screen, no Bluetooth, no membership needed and pulse grips.
- Practicality (16): 83 x 34 in footprint, 246 lb, does not fold and no transport wheels listed.
- Affordability (18): an internal Amazon price tier, never shown on the page.
Stride, Build and Capacity
The E98 is a rear-drive elliptical with a 20-inch stride, a 400-lb rating and a lifetime frame warranty. It measures 83 by 34 inches and stands 70 inches tall.
An independent review, which drew on the related E25 for build feel, describes a sturdy frame with a heavy flywheel and a fixed stride.
Bottom line: a long, steady stride built for size.
Resistance, Incline and Moving Handles
Resistance has 20 electromagnetic levels on a 32-lb flywheel, and the power incline shifts the work between legs and glutes. The moving handlebars add an upper-body workout.
The same review reports that the sibling model ran quieter than expected for its size.
Bottom line: a wide range and a heavy, quiet drive.
Console and Features
A large console screen and pulse grips give basic feedback, but no Bluetooth or app is listed, so guided classes need your own tablet or TV.
The reviewer calls the technology basic for a machine of this class.
Bottom line: basic tech on a serious frame.
Size, Assembly and Warranty
The machine weighs 246 lb, does not fold and has no transport wheels listed. Frame cover is for life, with two years on parts and one year on labor.
Reviewers describe assembly as difficult and the machine as hard to move once built.
Bottom line: well covered, but big and slow to set up.
Sole E98 vs Rivals
Here is how the Sole E98 compares with three other ellipticals from our best elliptical for home guide, using the same FitScore weights.
| Comparehead to head | THIS REVIEW | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Rear-drive (standing) | Rear-drive (standing) | Compact (standing) | Standing |
| Stride length | 20 in | 20 in | 18 in | 18 in |
| Resistance | Electromagnetic, 20 levels | Electromagnetic, 20 levels | Magnetic, 16 levels | Electromagnetic, 16 levels |
| Max user weight | 400 lb | 350 lb | 300 lb | 265 lb |
| Size (length × width) | 83 × 34 in | 70 × 31 in | 53.8 × 24 in | 68.3 × 24.2 in |
| Warranty | lifetime frame, 2 year parts | lifetime frame, 2 year parts | 10 year frame, 2 year parts | 3 year frame, 6 months parts |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alternatives to the Sole E98
Smaller footprint: Choose the Sole E35 if you want a machine 70 in long against 83 in and a 220 lb frame against 246 lb. It ranks #2 in our best elliptical for home guide.
Lighter to move: Choose the Schwinn 411 if you want a 100 lb frame against 246 lb and 13 built-in programs. It ranks #3 in our best elliptical for home guide.
More programs: Choose the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3889SMART if you want 12 built-in programs and Bluetooth for ride-tracking apps. It ranks #4 in our best elliptical for home guide.
Final Verdict
The Sole E98 is a full-size elliptical rated for 400 lb, with a 20-inch stride, a 32-lb flywheel and a lifetime frame warranty. Its build and stride are the draw; the trade-offs are an 83-inch length, a 246-lb weight and no Bluetooth. If you would rather have a machine 70 in long against 83 in, the Sole E35 is the closer fit.
Sole E98 FAQ
It ranks in 3 of our elliptical guides: #1 in best elliptical for heavy people, #1 in best elliptical for tall people, #1 in best elliptical for home. With the weights of our best elliptical for home guide it scores 69.1 out of 100, with performance 97, durability 95.78, comfort 62, practicality 16, features 50.
It is rated for users up to 400 lb. The machine itself weighs 246 lb.
It has a 20 in stride.
About 83 by 34 inches of floor space; leave room around it to get on and off.
An independent review found the related E25 quieter than expected for its size, and the E98 shares the heavy-flywheel design; a mat under the feet helps on hard floors.
About 83 by 34 inches of floor space and 70 inches of height, plus room to step on.
It has a lifetime frame term, two years on parts and one year on labor.
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Best Elliptical for Tall People (2026): 5 Long-Stride Picks
Best Compact Elliptical (2026): 5 Small-Space Picks Ranked
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