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Treadmills are a great way to walk and jog to better health from the comfort and privacy of your home. But not all of them are on level footing. There are all kinds of treadmills on the market today. They come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes, and they boast a varying array of features. All treadmills have pros and cons depending on your fitness level, health goals, personal preferences, space in your home and other factors. Some treadmills are smaller and perfect for walkers, but they can’t withstand the wear and tear that a marathon runner would deliver. Other treadmills are large and look a lot like models you’d see in the gym, but they might not be the best fit for someone with limited space.
Basically, there’s no shortage of treadmill models to choose from if you want to purchase one for your home gym. Taking the time to learn about what’s available is likely to increase your chances of selecting the treadmill that’s right for you. Dive in and buy a home treadmill without enough time looking around and you might just miss out on a better deal on a treadmill better suited to your needs and tastes.
To help you find the perfect fit, we’ve done the leg work for you. We’ve reviewed and made our picks for the best treadmills for home use.
First across the finish line is the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill, a highly-rated machine with some high-tech bells and whistles. In addition to providing a smooth and durable running surface, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 features iFIT on a HD touchscreen, making it the perfect addition to your smart home gym. Thanks to the inclusion of this crisp 14” display, you can actually follow along as trainers guide you on your workouts, adjusting your incline and speed along the way.
Other stand-out features that earned this machine the top spot on our list include a handy Bluetooth-powered heart monitor, which can help you stay in your desired heart rate zone, customizable adjustment settings and built-in cooling fans. At more than 300 pounds, the only real drawback of the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is its size and weight—though very durable, it can be a difficult machine to maneuver around a smaller space by yourself.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill ($1,899, amazon.com)
The Sole F63 treadmill is a well-rounded home workout machine perfect for anyone just starting a fitness journey. But it’s also built to offer (and withstand) the kind of exercise that more advanced users want—with a running track that’s 60 inches long, 20 inches wide, shock absorbing and built on a durable steel frame. In fact, it might be one of the highest quality folding treadmills we’ve seen at this price. It has a top speed of 12 mph and an incline range up 15%, making it ideal for high intensity interval training. Overall, the Sole F63 is very versatile: It can fold up when not in use, offers 10 preset cardio workout programs on its 6.5-inch LCD console to accommodate walkers and runners of all levels, and comes with modern features like Bluetooth speakers and wireless chest strap connections for heart rate monitoring. And on the warranty front, the Sole F63 comes with a lifetime warranty on its motor and frame and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Sole F63 Treadmill ($1,527; amazon.com)
If you’re looking for a more straightforward treadmill that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but still delivers reliable home exercise, check out the Sunny Health & Fitness manual incline treadmill. At its relatively low price point compared to some of the other treadmills on our list, we are surprised at just how many features it offers. Its console houses an LCD display that tracks all important exercise metrics like speed and distance, and it has a built-in tablet holder. It’s also a quiet-running treadmill, which is notable because a lot of treadmills under $500 tend to be a little noisy. It’s on the smaller side which is a plus for space-savers, but maybe not so much for fast runners looking for a longer and wider track. What’s nice about the Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill are the “extra mile” touches to its design, like handrails designed to be slip-resistant and built-in transportation wheels. You can tell the treadmill wasn’t slapped together, but thoughtfully designed to provide a great treadmill at a really good price.
Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill w/ LCD ($799.99; sunnyhealthfitness.com)
You can still make the most of your home workout, even if you’re working with limited space. The LifePro Pacer Folding treadmill reaches a top speed of just under 10 mph, is capable of 12 levels of automatic incline and features no less than 45 training programs. The screen on this treadmill is very large and Bluetooth-enabled, so it can pair with your fitness app and belt out music and other content through its built-in Bluetooth speakers. Its 1.75 CHP motor is powerful but still quiet and its hydraulic mechanism makes folding and unfolding quick and painless—mainly because there’s no danger of dropping the track on the floor (or your foot). You won’t find many high-end treadmills like this under $800.
LifePro Pacer Folding Treadmill ($749.99; amazon.com)
TrueForm calls its curved Runner treadmill “The smoothest and most quiet treadmill in the world.” It does indeed make for a very smooth—and quiet—run. That’s because, like other curved treadmills, the TrueForm Runner is motor-less. You provide the momentum to activate muscles and burn calories, which means the TrueForm Runner is for the hardcore runners out there. We compared the TrueForm Runner to other curved treadmills on the market and we found that it by far had the shallowest curve. And as for its claim that its run is smooth, we can verify that it outperforms other curved treadmills in that arena as well. This is important because both a shallow curve and a smooth belt are essential to a balanced and healthy gait. With a 500 pound max user weight capacity, the Runner’s frame is constructed entirely from metal and hand-welded together, giving it a bottom-heavy feel and contributing to the smooth ride. The market for the TrueForm Runner is very specific and this treadmill is geared toward and designed with those runners in mind.
TrueForm Runner Curved Treadmill ($6,899; roguefitness.com)
Moving away from curved treadmills, the Echelon Stride treadmill takes us to the opposite end of the workout spectrum. This model is meant for easy storage and convenience. After a walk or run, you can hop off the Echelon, press a pedal with your foot and watch as its console and handrails automatically fold down onto the track. Then you just raise the slim and compact design off the floor and against the wall. When in use, the Echelon reaches a top speed of 12 mph and has 12 incline levels. But the other stand-out feature that earned the Echelon a spot on this list is its membership content feature. You can choose between eight programmable cardio workouts on its console or access any one of Echelon’s 3,000 on-demand treadmill workouts and 40+ daily classes from your smart device (with a membership). Typically, treadmills that are this slim forgo certain features like a shock-absorbing running deck, which is important for bone and muscular health. However, Echelon designed a treadmill that provides plenty of cushion and support without sacrificing its compact design.
Echelon Stride Compact Treadmill ($1,299.99; amazon.com)
The ProForm Pro 9000 blurs the line between a commercial-grade treadmill and a treadmill suited for your home. You would think in its attempt to be “gym quality but for your home” workout equipment, it would risk falling short in both categories. Somehow, it offers all the benefits of both without making any serious compromises. For starters, its 3.6 CHP motor packs a punch that you just don’t find in very many home treadmill models. And when you reach its top speed of 12 mph, the treadmill remains sturdy. Some treadmills advertising 12 mph speeds can wobble to the point you might start to sweat for reasons other than your workout. But there are plenty of other reasons why we declared the ProForm Pro 9000 the best treadmill for running. The belt is 20 inches wide and 60 inches long, so you have plenty of room. And sitting below its 22-inch HD touchscreen display are “quick speed” buttons that let you instantly adjust speed and incline (up to 12%, by the way). The ProForm Pro 9000 also features a patented shock absorption cushion that minimizes stress on feet, ankles, knees and hips. It even comes with a 30-day iFIT family membership, so you’ll have access to studio classes, interactive training and scenic locations for your workouts.
ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill ($2,896; amazon.com)
TrueForm designed its TrueForm Trainer to be a lighter version of the previously reviewed TrueForm Runner. Make no mistake, this is a curved treadmill and still very much for people serious about their exercise. But it’s constructed from lighter materials, which makes it easier to use. (It’s still heavy-duty commercial quality, mind you.) While runners can still get a great workout from the TrueForm Trainer, its lighter belt means even walkers can build and maintain momentum without the kind of resistance that only running can overcome. And to top it all off, the TrueForm Trainer comes with a lifetime limited warranty. So, if you’re serious about walking and want to burn more calories without running, take a look at the TrueForm Trainer.
TrueForm Trainer Curved Treadmill ($3,995; roguefitness.com)
Peloton is a fantastic piece of home workout equipment. But not everyone wants to invest in a Peloton treadmill to get the benefits of Peloton classes. Fortunately, the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT treadmill delivers performance on par with Peloton for a fraction of the price. Its powerful motor is highly responsive, so you don’t have to play catch-up with your fitness app or tracker while the motor shifts its speed and changes the track incline. While this treadmill doesn’t feature a tablet, its Bluetooth capabilities allow you to connect multiple devices at once. That means you can stream media through its integrated speakers while tracking and sharing your metrics with your fitness app. You can access topnotch apps like Zwift, attend streaming fitness classes from Peloton and get the full health benefit of both. You can even keep up with Peloton’s intense interval training classes. The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT also has a 60-inch running surface, which gives you plenty of space to run and its cushioned deck offers support for your legs. And when your workout is over, you can store it with one-step hydraulic folding.
Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill ($1,999; horizonfitness.com)
The Nautilus T616 Treadmill is almost more computer than treadmill and we say that because it’s a good thing for people who want options in their workouts. We knew we wanted dynamic programming as a review category because having a treadmill at home shouldn’t necessarily mean having to limit the things that a treadmill can do. The Nautilus T616 does a lot more. It comes with 26 programs, including the traditional manual/quick goal program, weight control, options for high-intensity interval training, endurance and customizable treadmill workouts. Through its Bluetooth functionality, you can share your metrics including time, distance and calories, with your fitness app to track how close you are to meeting your goals. You also have your pick of 19 locations with 27 routes in the Explore the World™ app, which lets you join fellow walkers and runners across the world in real time. And if you worry that Nautilus skipped on durability in favor of dynamic programming options, the T616 treadmill has a 300 pound user weight capacity.
Nautilus T616 Treadmill ($1,149; nautilus.com)
Are you less of a thrill-seeker and more of a bargain hunter? We all love the convenience and deals available on Amazon, but sometimes it can be hard to pin down what’s a good product at a great deal versus a “meh” product at an OK price. You won’t find other treadmills listed here on Amazon, but you’ll find the budget-friendly Weslo Cadence G 5.9i treadmill and it’s one of the best for under $500 that we’ve come across on the Amazon marketplace. It hits a top speed of 10 mph and has a smart device holder built into its console, so you can access your favorite workout videos or classes. You also get a free 30-day iFIT membership, so you can stream live and on-demand workouts. It has manually adjustable incline settings (two positions) and you can adjust your speed with the push of a button. Another great bonus about this treadmill is that its compact design makes it ideal for tight spaces. The treadmill’s running surface is a smidge on the small side compared to other treadmills on our list, at 16 inches wide and 50 inches long. So, runners may want to consider one of the other options we’ve already mentioned. But if you’re a walker or light jogger scouring Amazon and wondering what the best purchase is, look no further.
Weslo Cadence G 5.9i ($499; amazon.com)
Nothing beats being able to squeeze in a quick walk or run right in your living room without having to make the trek to the gym. Be it a matter of preferring a little privacy when you work out or you find yourself a little too crunched for time to commute to and from a gym, both are great reasons to invest in a treadmill for your home. And that’s not even considering how much you’d save in monthly gym membership fees. Sure, a home treadmill carries an upfront cost, but it has the potential to quickly save you time and money.
First and foremost, take some time to think about what it is you want out of a home treadmill. Are you a daily walker or a hardcore marathon trainer? Are you working with limited square footage and need to save space in your home where you can? Do you want a treadmill that’s straightforward and designed for an optimal workout, or do you prefer one with a large screen and Bluetooth functionality? What’s your budget? These are all things to consider.
Generally, the more compact a treadmill, the smaller its running deck is going to be. This isn’t a problem for people who plan to use their treadmill for walking or even light jogging. But if you’re a runner, taller person or like to do high-intensity interval training, you might want to think about the size of the running deck before you look at the overall size of the treadmill itself. A great running deck for runners spans around 20 inches wide and 60 inches long.
If you have a limited amount of space in your home for a treadmill, this is where portability comes into play for both runners and walkers alike. There are many folding treadmills on the market today, with several of them making our list, such as the LifePro Pacer Folding treadmill. Other treadmills that aren’t foldable are still designed to be wheeled out of the way in between your workouts. Of course, these still command a respectable portion of real estate. If you’re eyeing a folding treadmill, then you have plenty of options to choose from, like models with hydraulic release systems and one-touch folding.
A treadmill’s motor determines its maximum speed. A treadmill that reaches up to 12 mph will have more horsepower than a motor that reaches up to 8 mph, and the horsepower of a motor also determines responsiveness. Think of this as the number of seconds it takes for a treadmill to make your speed and incline position adjustments. If you suddenly wanted to jump up multiple speed and incline levels, how many seconds does it take for the motor to reach that speed and achieve that incline? A 3.6 CHP motor will take less time than a 1.75 CHP motor. If you’re attending Peloton classes or want to do high-intensity training, responsiveness is a must.
More than ever before, membership programs to on-demand classes and all sorts of streaming workouts are offered with a variety of treadmills. Some are also smart treadmills, with the ability to connect to your favorite apps and streaming services. Short of this, the tried-and-true workout programs are still available in most treadmills on the market—preset workouts for things like interval training, weight loss, time/distance and others. There’s no right or wrong answer here. Treadmills with access to membership-based classes aren’t necessarily better than ones with standard workout programs. What’s important is that you find a treadmill that provides the kinds of workout options you want.
Bluetooth is also becoming more common on treadmill spec lists everywhere, even in more affordable treadmill models. Treadmills can utilize Bluetooth in a couple of different ways. Some treadmills feature built-in Bluetooth speakers, so you can listen to music or other media. Others use Bluetooth to connect to and communicate with your fitness app, so it can carry your information back and forth and help you track your fitness goals.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.