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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.

The short answer

Horizon EX-59 and ProForm Carbon EL score essentially the same (4.0 vs 4.0). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Horizon EX-59
Ranked #3 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000
Horizon EX-59
$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 is the choice for 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.comFull review →
ProForm Carbon EL
Ranked #2 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000
ProForm Carbon EL
$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. The trade-offs are a 275 lb capacity, a manually-set incline, and reliance on a paid iFIT subscription for the full class library after the trial.

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.comFull review →

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

SpecHorizon EX-59ProForm Carbon EL
Stride Length18 in19 in (adjustable)
Resistance10 levels (magnetic)18 levels (silent magnetic)
InclineNoneUp to 20 levels (manual)
Flywheel14.3 lb—
Weight Capacity300 lb275 lb
Programs5 presetsiFIT (membership required)
Machine Weight~145 lb—
WarrantyLifetime frame, 1-year parts/labor10-year frame, 1-year parts/labor
Display—iFIT-compatible console
← See the full ranking of best ellipticals under $1000