If you design the header, footer and templates in Elementor Pro's Theme Builder, use a light theme such as Elementor's own Hello theme, because it adds almost no styling of its own to fight with. If you want the theme to keep handling the header, blog layout and WooCommerce pages, a well-maintained Elementor-compatible theme such as Astra, GeneratePress, Kadence or OceanWP is the better base.
Two ways to build
- Elementor does everything. Hello theme plus Theme Builder templates for header, footer, single and archive. Most control, least conflict.
- Theme does the frame. A configurable theme handles header, footer and blog; Elementor builds the content of key pages. Fewer templates to make, more settings in two places.
What to look for in any theme
- Updated in the last few months and compatible with your WordPress version.
- Light: no bundled sliders or page builders of its own.
- WooCommerce support if you sell online.
- From WordPress.org or the developer's own site. Never a nulled premium theme.
Switching later
Pages built with Elementor survive a theme change, because the content lives in Elementor. Headers, footers and menus set in the old theme's customiser do not, so plan the switch: build Theme Builder templates first, then change the theme. More in the Theme Builder guide.
Sources
Prices and features change. Check the source before you buy; we update this guide when they do.