Head-to-head · Best Ellipticals Under $1000

Horizon EX-59 vs ProForm Carbon EL

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

ProForm Carbon EL comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want iFIT guided classes and an adjustable stride for under $1000 and don't mind the subscription or the lower weight capacity. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

Horizon EX-59

4.0

3 sources2 derived$799as of Jun 7

The Horizon EX-59 is the stability-first budget pick, named Garage Gym Reviews' top budget elliptical and a BarBend favorite for beginners. At around $699 it trades features for a locked-down, stable feel that reviewers say beats pricier machines on steadiness. The trade-offs are real: no incline, just 10 resistance levels, a shorter 18 in stride, and only 5 basic programs. It suits beginners who value a solid, simple machine.

Strengths

— Garage Gym Reviews' top budget elliptical pick, with a locked-down, stable feel
— Bluetooth speakers and app compatibility
— 18 in stride with 10 resistance levels, simple and beginner-friendly

Watch-outs

— No incline at all, the only machine here without it
— Only 10 resistance levels and 5 basic programs
— 18 in stride is shorter than the 20 in rivals

$799 · Buy at horizonfitness.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

ProForm Carbon EL

4.2

4 sources2 derived$799as of Jun 7

The ProForm Carbon EL is the connected-fitness pick under $1000, the most affordable iFIT-enabled elliptical with an adjustable stride and incline. BarBend and Garage Gym Reviews both score it 4/5, calling it a high-value budget elliptical at just under $1000. Weigh that against a 275 lb capacity, a manually-set incline, and reliance on a paid iFIT subscription for the full class library once the trial ends.

Strengths

— iFIT-enabled with auto-adjusting trainer-led classes
— Adjustable 19 in stride plus up to 20 levels of incline, rare at this price
— 18 levels of silent magnetic resistance for quiet operation

Watch-outs

— Incline is adjusted manually, not during a workout
— 275 lb weight capacity is the lowest in this group
— Full experience needs a paid iFIT subscription after the trial

$799 · Buy at proform.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Horizon EX-59

The stability-first budget option versus the feature-rich Schwinn 470 and Schwinn 430, which both offer incline and more resistance levels but, per reviewers, less locked-down stability per dollar. Simpler than the iFIT-equipped ProForm Carbon EL and lighter-spec than the heavy-duty Sole E25.

ProForm Carbon EL

The connected-fitness option versus the screen-light Sole E25, Schwinn 470, and Schwinn 430. It offers iFIT and an adjustable stride the Schwinns and Horizon EX-59 lack, but its 275 lb capacity and lighter build trail the Sole E25, and its incline must be set manually unlike the Schwinn 470's motorized incline.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Horizon EX-59	ProForm Carbon EL
Stride Length	18 in	19 in (adjustable)
Resistance	10 levels (magnetic)	18 levels (silent magnetic)
Incline	None	Up to 20 levels (manual)
Flywheel	14.3 lb	—
Weight Capacity	300 lb	275 lb
Programs	5 presets	iFIT (membership required)
Machine Weight	~145 lb	—
Warranty	Lifetime frame, 1-year parts/labor	10-year frame, 1-year parts/labor
Display	—	iFIT-compatible console

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