Head-to-head · Best Ellipticals Under $1000

ProForm Carbon EL vs Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Magnetic Elliptical

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

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

ProForm Carbon EL comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). ProForm Carbon EL is best for: 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.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

ProForm Carbon EL

4.5

1 source$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 scores it 4/5. 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
— Full experience needs a paid iFIT subscription after the trial

$799 · Buy at proform.com Full review →

Ranked #1 in Best Ellipticals Under $1000

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Magnetic Elliptical

4.1

1 source$699.99as of Oct 16

Sunny Health & Fitness's SF-E3912 is a basic rear-drive magnetic elliptical with 16 resistance levels, 24 built-in programs and a 330-pound capacity. Garage Gym Reviews rated it 4.1 of 5 as a beginner-friendly budget machine that stays smooth and does not shake, and BarBend named it the best rear-drive elliptical overall, scoring its durability 5 of 5. Both flag the short 15.5-inch stride for taller users, and Garage Gym Reviews calls the warranty below industry standard.

Strengths

— Smooth and stable: Garage Gym Reviews felt no shaking moving forwards, backwards or adding resistance, and BarBend's tester reported the same
— BarBend scored durability 5 of 5
— 24 built-in programs and 16 resistance levels, simple to start from the console, per Garage Gym Reviews

Watch-outs

— Short 15.5-inch stride that both outlets say does not suit taller users
— Warranty (3 years frame, 180 days other parts) is below the industry standard, per Garage Gym Reviews
— Assembly instructions are unclear; BarBend's tester took about 1.5 hours alone and scored assembly 3.8 of 5

$699.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

ProForm Carbon EL

It offers iFIT and an adjustable stride the Sunny SF-E3912 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 Sole E25's power incline.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Magnetic Elliptical

Its 15.5-inch stride is shorter than the Horizon EX-59 (18 in), the ProForm Carbon EL (19 in, adjustable) and the Sole E25 (20 in). Like the EX-59 it has no incline. Its 330-pound capacity is above the ProForm (275 lb), the Horizon (300 lb), and below the Sole E25 (350 lb). It has 24 built-in programs and no interactive classes, where the ProForm uses iFIT.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ProForm Carbon EL	Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E3912 Magnetic Elliptical
Stride Length	19 in (adjustable)	15.5 in
Resistance	18 levels (silent magnetic)	16 levels (magnetic)
Incline	Up to 20 levels (manual)	None
Weight Capacity	275 lb	330 lb
Programs	iFIT (membership required)	24 built-in
Display	iFIT-compatible console	—
Warranty	10-year frame, 1-year parts/labor	3-year structural frame, 180 days other parts and components
Model	—	SF-E3912
Drive	—	Rear drive
Machine Weight	—	104.8 lb
Dimensions	—	55 L x 23 W x 64.5 H in

← See the full ranking of best ellipticals under $1000