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Whether you are an avid elliptical user or plan to share it with family, the E98 Elliptical makes a really solid residential elliptical that can also be used in light commercial settings. Check out this review of the Sole E98 Elliptical to learn more.
Updated: December 12, 2023
For most elliptical users, the Sole E95 is just great, but if you are looking for an elliptical that can stand up to really high levels of use, the E98 is the upgrade you need. The Sole E98 is great for residential and light commercial use. It has smart features and a sturdy build. It’s also a great elliptical for larger users who want a really sturdy and supportive machine. The E98 is a pricey machine, but it does not require a subscription. Sole actually offers free training content through the Sole Plus app. This review of the E98 will take a close look at the E98 to help you determine if it is right for you.
As Sole’s burliest and most durable elliptical, one of the E98’s notable features is its quality frame and construction. The frame is very solid and durable, weighing 246 lbs. It can support a user weight of up to 400 lbs. The frame is also covered by a lifetime warranty for residential and commercial use. This makes the E98 an excellent choice for spaces that see daily use by more than one user but see less use than a gym setting.
The Sole E98’s flywheel is 32 lbs. This is the heaviest flywheel Sole offers on an elliptical and should increase the elliptical’s stability and smooth movement during use. The resistance is magnetic instead of friction. These magnets move closer to the flywheel to increase the level of resistance. There are 20 resistance levels.
The E98 has moving and stationary handles. The moving handles are looped and provide plenty of grip options. The wide variety of grips makes the E98 more comfortable for a wide range of user statures.
The E98 has oversized, cushioned, and textured pedals. These pedals are not adjustable, but I have been happy with the ergonomic position of the Sole’s other elliptical pedals. If you are more prone to foot numbness or soreness, I recommend using cushioned shoes with a lifted heel.
The Sole E98 has a 20-inch stride. I have not tested the E98 for myself, but I have tested the very similar E95. A 20-inch stride length on these wider machines feels a little more difficult for a shorter user like myself (5’4”) to use, but it is manageable. The E98 may feel most comfortable to taller users. The pedals are a bit wider than the E25 and E35 pedals. This pedal positioning should be better for exercisers’ knees.
The E98 has an incline range of 20 levels. The incline does not add resistance, but it does target the glutes and quads more. The incline can also make the elliptical easier for small users to use, because it lifts you closer to the moving arms and makes the elliptical track more vertical.
The Sole E98’s features and accessories are on par with the Sole E95. The main difference between the Sole E95 and E98 is found in the construction. Yet, if you need a more durable construction like the E98, you will be happy to know that you still get many of the same training and entertainment features.
The E98’s console is dominated by its touchscreen display, but it does have a few buttons off of the screen. These are essentials like the start and stop buttons, the fan button, and the button that toggles the display. There are also incline and resistance controls on the moving handles for your convenience. The only other button I wish the E98 had is for the volume.
The 13.3-inch touchscreen display is a great size for viewing and navigating the built-in content. I prefer this screen size to the 10.1-inch screen of the E35. You don’t need a subscription to use the E98’s built-in content. As far as home ellipticals go, the E98 and other Sole ellipticals have some of the best free entertainment and training options at no additional cost.
The E98 has a couple of storage options. There is a tablet rack at the top of the elliptical’s console. There is also a cup holder at the bottom of the console. The last storage option is a tray along the bottom of the console. This tray pairs with the next feature I want to discuss.
The E98 has a wireless charging pad that can hold your smartphone in its landscape position. The wireless charging pad is a great way to keep your phone charged during your training session. The storage tray is also wide enough to hold a few other items if necessary.
The fan is one of the E98’s most underwhelming features if it follows in the footprints of Sole’s other cardio equipment. The brand as a whole could really improve on the strength of the built-in fans. I recommend using a ceiling or floor fan to keep cool during a workout.
While the built-in apps provide great entertainment and training options, the E98’s screen mirroring capabilities are really sweet. The E98 can mirror any content from your Apple or Android device. While iPhone users can use the built-in screen mirroring features, Android users will need to download the Anplus app created by Sunrise Technology.
You have a few different options for audio on the E98. The speakers are loud enough when using the onscreen content. You can also connect your phone to the speakers via Bluetooth. This is particularly helpful when screen mirroring. Lastly, you can pair headphones with the E98 to listen to onscreen content quietly.
The stationary handles have EKG pulse grips on the handles. You can also pair a heart rate monitor with the E98. Any Bluetooth monitor should be compatible. Sole ellipticals are particularly compatible with Garmin watches, but you may have to connect the elliptical to your watch as if it were a phone.
While I have not had the opportunity to test out the E98, I am very familiar with Sole ellipticals. I most recently tested the very similar E95. I expect the E98 to be an even hardier version of the E95. Sole ellipticals offer challenging resistance for new and advanced users alike. I prefer to increase the resistance for a harder workout as opposed to adopting a higher cadence. The E98 will work best for larger users or a household with a wide range of heights. For ellipticals that are more suited to smaller users, consider the Sole E25 or E35.
You don’t need a subscription to use the Sole E98. There are third-party apps that may require their own subscription. These include entertainment apps from Netflix, Max, and more. The E98 has the Kinomap app, a virtual training app. There are a few free training options through Kinomap, but most features will require a subscription. Your content options are practically limitless with the screen mirroring feature. However, users looking for fully integrated trainer-led content may not like the E98 as much as a ProForm or NordicTrack elliptical.
If you prefer a simpler workout, try one of the onboard workouts. You can also set up your own interval workout or save previous activities as a template for future workouts. The Sole E98 has 10 different programs.
The Sole E98 is a light commercial and residential elliptical. It is perfect for households with multiple daily users. It could also be a good fit for a small community gym or personal training studio. The Sole E98 has excellent training and content options through its touchscreen display. Third-party entertainment apps, screen mirroring, and wireless charging are just a few highlights of the E98’s feature list. The magnetic resistance should be challenging for any level of user, but the construction of the E98 may be best for larger exercisers. This durable machine is covered by a lifetime warranty for light commercial and residential use.
