A solid, comfortable daily trainer with a well-balanced Fresh Foam X ride at a competitive price point, but it doesn't clearly differentiate itself from existing New Balance options like the 880 or 1080. Both reviewers found it pleasant but unremarkable, questioning whether New Balance needed another shoe in this space. — The Run Testers
An accessible daily trainer-meets-lifestyle shoe that surprised the reviewers; solid performance, great value at $145, and a strong casual crossover, earning a green light overall.
Best for: Runner-lifestyle crossover — daily easy to moderate runs plus all-day casual wear at an accessible price.
An exceptionally comfortable, stylish, and affordable daily trainer that excels at easy everyday miles but isn't built for speed.
Best for: Beginner-friendly affordable daily trainer for comfortable easy miles, with strong lifestyle appeal
Best for: Easy recovery runs and slow paces for runners wanting maximum comfort
The most affordable and softest of the three New Balance neutral trainers, the Ellipse offers a compliant cushioned ride ideal for easy runs and walking, though it lacks the responsiveness and durability of the 1080 or the structure of the 880.
Best for: Runners wanting a soft, affordable easy day shoe or casual walking shoe
A comfortable, competent Fresh Foam X daily trainer that essentially recycles the 1080 v14 ride and leans heavily on New Balance's fashion appeal; performance-focused runners have better options at the same price.
Best for: Younger Gen Z runners wanting a crossover daily trainer that also works as a lifestyle shoe.
A pleasant, accessible daily trainer that evokes the old Fresh Foam X 1080 at a lower price, though it lacks modern rocker geometry and may feel a bit rough on the body at faster paces.
Best for: Versatile, accessible daily trainer for neutral heel/midfoot strikers who liked older Fresh Foam X 1080s and want a stylish everyday shoe at a lower price.
A solid, comfortable daily trainer with a well-balanced Fresh Foam X ride at a competitive price point, but it doesn't clearly differentiate itself from existing New Balance options like the 880 or 1080. Both reviewers found it pleasant but unremarkable, questioning whether New Balance needed another shoe in this space.
Best for: Easy and long runs for runners seeking comfortable, affordable daily training mileage
A solid, comfortable but unexceptional cushioned daily trainer that lives in a crowded segment and struggles to stand out even within New Balance's own lineup.
Best for: Relaxed easy miles and casual daily training at a lower price, with crossover lifestyle styling.
A comfortable, stable pure-cushion daily trainer tuned for easy miles and lifestyle wear; protective and reliable but conservative and not versatile enough for faster running.
Best for: Easy and long runs at comfortable paces, new or general runners wanting a cushioned workhorse with crossover lifestyle appeal.
A solid, reliable but unremarkable cushioned daily trainer that handles easy miles well at an attractive price, but feels old-school and less versatile than the 1080 V15.
Best for: Budget-conscious beginners and casual runners wanting a stable, cushioned shoe for easy daily miles and running-lifestyle crossover.
Reviewers note: Runs a bit narrow in the midfoot and forefoot; runners who prefer a roomier fit or find New Balance shoes snug should consider going half a size up. Two reviewers: one suggests half size up, the other found normal size fine.
Per The Run Testers.
The New Balance Ellipse weighs about 261g (men's 9), has a 37.0mm heel stack and a 8.0mm heel-toe drop.
Reviewers compare the New Balance Ellipse to New Balance 1080 v15, New Balance 880 v15, New Balance FuelCell Rebel, Saucony Endorphin Azura.
Per The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Kofuzi, Ben Is Running, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run.
Next Pair aggregates 11 expert reviews of the New Balance Ellipse, including The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Kofuzi.
Per The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS, Kofuzi.
Compared to other road daily trainer in the same lane.
