Sole E55 vs Nordictrack 14.9 Elliptical – Which is Best for You?

February 23, 2022August 18, 2022 BestEllipticalBlog 0 Comments Comparisons

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Click Here to read our full affiliate disclosure.

Trying to decide between the Sole E55 vs Nordictrack 14.9 elliptical trainers?

Wondering which is best for you?

sole e55 elliptical trainer review — Sole E55 Elliptical

Both trainers are higher-end, solid, stable, front- drive trainers with some excellent perks.

Both trainers give you 20 levels of incline so you can change the angle of your running path and work different muscle groups. This can help you get a more effective workout overall.

Both machines also give you curved, multi-position handlebars for better upper body training – along with stationary handlebars to rest your arms.

nordictrack 14.9 vs sole e55 — Nordictrack 14.9 Elliptical

So how are they different?

This post will break down some of the key differences between the Sole E55 vs Nordictrack 14.9 elliptical trainers – so you can make a more informed decision as to which one is right for you.

Sole E55 vs Nordictrack 14.9: Price

As of this writing, the Sole E55 elliptical has the edge here, coming in at a lower price. You can get it for around $1699 + Shipping direct from the Manufacturer here.

The Nordictrack Commercial 14.9 trainer comes in a bit higher. You can get it for around $1999 with Free Shipping direct from the Manufacturer here.

So if you’re on a budget then the Sole E55 is the more attractive option here.

Nordictrack 14.9 vs Sole E55: Console

The consoles are where you’ll see a huge difference between these two machines. The Sole E55 console is backlit, dual color and not touch-screen.

The layout itself is a bit more cluttered than the Nordictrack – but still pretty easy to use:

The Nordictrack 14.9 comes with a larger, full-color, HD touch-screen console as seen below:

You can use this screen to see your workout stats in full color with a swipe of your finger.

Or connect online to iFit, Nordictrack’s streaming service, and run trails all over the world or even take a fitness class from your own home.

So the console on the Nordictrack is more advanced, a lot more fun to watch and more streamlined.

It’s also larger at 14 inches – vs 9 inches on the Sole E55.

However, it should be noted that the Sole console does come with a tablet holder above the console.

So you can attach your tablet and surf the net or watch videos as you workout – which is a nice option. You don’t have a tablet holder on the Nordictrack (unless you add one yourself).

Sole E55 or Nordictrack 14.9: Flywheel

All things being equal, a heavier flywheel helps to give you a smoother-feeling elliptical ride, without the jerky, stops-and-starts of cheaper machines.

The Sole E55 comes with a 20-pound flywheel – which is pretty good.

But the Nordictrack 14.9 outdoes it with a whopping 32-pound flywheel, which is excellent. So overall, it should give you a smoother, more stable feeling ride.

Stride Length Differences

The stride is the furthest distance between the two elliptical pedals. Most high-end elliptical trainers will give you an 18-20 inch stride (anything less than that and you might feel a little cramped when you pick up the pace).

The Sole E55 comes with a 20-inch stride, which is fine for most people. However shorter users under 5 foot 4 inches might feel it’s a bit of a stretch for them.

The Nordictrack 14.9 comes with an 18-inch stride – which is fine for most people. However taller users over 6 feet might feel it’s a bit short for them.

Nordictrack 14.9 or Sole E55: Entertainment

Entertainment may not seem like something you care about when comparing the Nordictrack 14.9 vs Sole E55.

But it will be important for you since sometimes workouts can be well, boring. You want something that’s going to keep you challenged and entertained, or even programs that can push you further.

Each elliptical has it’s own options here. The Sole E55 is a bit simpler. You have 10 built-in workout programs as well as the tablet holder, as mentioned above.

So you can use the tablet holder with your phone or tablet and provide your own entertainment – go online or watch Youtube or Netflix as you workout.

The Nordictrack takes a different approach with iFit.

iFit is their online streaming service. You can connect through the console screen and from there do all sorts of fun things.

For example, you can run famous trails around the world – from Paris to the Swiss Alps – and watch the scenery pass you by in the console screen for some virtual reality fun.

You can also stream fitness classes – a new one to your elliptical every day. The class instructor can even control the incline or resistance on your machine for you – for a more interactive experience.

So overall, iFit is built to give you a more immersive experience. And it’s very cool.

However, it’s also a subscription service (there’s a free version you can try out, you don’t actually need the subscription – unless you want it).

So if you’re not really into the whole immersive exercise experience, iFit might not be right for you. You might prefer the simplicity and DIY route of the Sole E55.

But if you need motivation or challenge, you might prefer the iFit studio workouts, world trails and goal-setting options on the Nordictrack.

Handlebar Control Differences

The Sole E55 has handlebar resistance and incline controls on the moving arm bars. This is a handy feature since you can make fast changes on the fly – without having to reach up to the console to do it.

The Nordictrack 14.9 elliptical doesn’t have this option.