Want to know what the most popular item of exercise equipment is in 2020? That’s right, it is the treadmill. Easy to use at any age and ability, this equipment is a firm family favorite that everyone can get some use out of – even the family dog! This popularity has spawned a massive market. There is a massive selection of models to choose from. If you are in the market for a treadmill selecting the correct model can be tough. We are here to help. We have sorted through all the offerings by price, use, and manufacturer to come up with the best options for you. Check out our treadmill reviews and make the right choice for your exercise needs.
Treadmill Reviews By Cost
Best Treadmills Under $500
$500 is not a lot of money to spend on a complex piece of exercise equipment. At this price mark, you can’t expect the durability, features, and functions of the higher cost models. You are going to struggle to find a machine an athlete can train on. But, if your needs are simple and straightforward and you are looking for something you can do some extra walking on or some very light occasional low paced jogging, then a $500 budget will probably get you a machine that will fulfill your needs.
Follow the link to check out some of the best models on the market for under $500. You will find some basic electric models as well as some easy to store manual treadmills that you can get some walking exercise done with.
Best Treadmills Under $1000
At a $1000 you can find some good quality, durable domestic treadmills that will give you good service and allow you to carry out a full range of running workouts. At this sort of price point, you expect a decent electric motor with several horsepower, various incline options, pre-programmed routines, much longer and wider running surfaces suitable for runners of all stride lengths and machine warranties of longer than 12 months. However, these are not the caliber of commercial gym machines – they are good domestic machines. A commercial machine may have to cover hundreds of km of use per day, every day regardless of user weights – these domestic treadmills are not built for that sort of use – they are built to be used daily by a reasonable club runner.
Check out the link to see the hottest models on the market for under $1000.
Reviews By Type
Best Manual Treadmills
Manual treadmills are ideal if you are looking for something small, lightweight, easy to store and inexpensive. If you want to jog these are not for you. These models are best for walking exercise. They are not easy to use and you often have to use side handles for balance whilst you power the machine. Having said that you can achieve a reasonable walking workout and improve your mobility. You will find that these machines come with a few extra functions and are very basic to keep the cost down. Keep your eye on max user weights and inclines as these can identify models that have good build quality and are likely to offer more variation with time.
We have selected five of the best for you to check out…..
Best Compact Treadmills
We are talking space savers here. You are looking for that magic combination of size and performance. This is almost the holy grail of treadmills! You need to really understand what you want this machine for. You are not going to be able to jog on the models with the smallest running decks so how you use it will define how small to go.
We have a mix of the best manual models as these are genuinely the smallest most compact models available, and the most compact electric models ideal for walking. We also cover the smallest model you can realistically get a jog on but let’s face it size is the ultimate limiter in what you can do……
Best Folding Treadmills
Size is important with many of us folk used to modern city living. A folding treadmill may open up options you hadn’t previously considered. In the past folding treadmills were considered too lightweight to be taken seriously but these days some of the best domestic treadmills on the market are folding treadmills.
If space is limited but you really want to hit the running deck and get a sweat on, then a quality fold-up treadmill may be for you. We have selected a range from different budgets to suit all pockets and achieve all your workout goals. Click the link to read some of our reviews on the top choice fold ups available today.
Best Home Treadmills For Running
Ok, you know what you want – you want to pound the miles out. You need a treadmill that can take the abuse. You need a decent cushioned deck of ample size, you need plenty of continuous horsepower from you motor, you need incline option and you want programs. We got the best models for you to check out.
Reviews By Manufacturer
Proform Treadmills
Interested in a Proform machine? Who could blame you? ProForm has been in the exercise equipment game for over 30 years. When it comes to treadmills they make robust, high quality, durable domestic machines. You won’t be able to get a budget model or a manual treadmill but they have a range of smart choices below the $1000 mark and even a couple of really high spec models at a higher price if you are edging towards commercial quality machines.
We like the Performance 600i with its 60-inch belt, heavy max user weight, and programs but to be honest it is hard to pick as most of ProForm’s offerings are quality. Check them out here.
Sole Treadmills
Sole has a reputation for solid well-built treadmills. Their range is not as wide as that of other manufacturers, but what they do offer is class. You’ll need a budget of between $1-2000 dollars for one of their six models, but as you would expect at this price range, you are dealing with feature-packed quality machines. The base model, F63, starts with a 3 CHP motor and 60-inch running belt plus Bluetooth connectivity and the remainder of the range improve from there. At the top of the range, you have the TT8 model with 15 levels of incline, 6 levels of decline and commercial grade rollers!
Find the right sole fitness model for you here.
Weslo Treadmills
If you are looking for a budget machine for under $500 then you could do a lot worse than checking out a Weslo treadmill. The Cadence G5.9 has been a firm favorite with users for a number of years offering a balanced budget offering. The deck comes in at 50 inches which may be too small for quicker, taller runners but for a gentle jog, it will be ideal for most.
Check out Weslo models here.
Life Fitness Treadmills
Life Fitness equals commercial quality – simple. Prices start at $2500 and go up from there, but we are dealing with commercial quality machines built to take constant everyday use from users of all sizes. Expect big running surfaces, big motors, big warranties and plenty of extras like fans, cup holders and programs. These machines look like they belong in a gym you would pay to visit.
Check out the range here.
Nordictrack Treadmills
Nordictrack offers a range of five models that could be classified as mid-range domestic models. This is not to do them a disservice, it just means the machines have motors with lower specifications and shorter running decks and correspondingly, lower prices than higher cost machines.
Of all the machines, the 6.5 s is highly recommended on sites such as Amazon with fantastic reviews for a machine with a mid-range price at the domestic level with many users describing the machine as the perfect home treadmill. This model features a 55-inch belt and 2.6 CHP motor. We personally like the C990, but we are a sucker for technology and programs.
Check out the Nordictrack range here.
Treadmill Buying Guide
Buying a treadmill can result in information overload! It is like every manufacturer has their own specification and variations and you have to guess which is best for you and in some way compare your choices when they don’t even match!
Do you go for a choice with a high top speed but a suspiciously weak-looking motor? Do you go for a short running deck to save yourself some space and make storage easy? Do incline, decline, and programs really matter?
The truth is, armed with a little knowledge and having a clear idea of how you intend to use your treadmill you can hack away a lot of the options and narrow the field of choice to a select few. Here are some pointers to give you the knowledge and make the process of choosing the right model for you easy.
Motor
If you are not on the lookout for a manual treadmill you are going to have to navigate your way through a load of motor choices.
Most treadmill motors are rated by horsepower or continuous horsepower (CHP). Continuous horsepower is usually the lower measure, but also the most important measure. Horsepower alone describes the one-off power on offer – the very best output for a limited timeframe. CHP tells you what horsepower the motor can maintain for a long duration.
More CHP generally means a quieter, stronger, and more reliable motor.
However, how you use the treadmill relates to how much chp you need – lower speed activities like walking needs less CHP, marathon running needs higher CHP. Additionally, bodyweight also affects things. Heavy people need more CHP to overcome extra belt friction.
As a rule of thumb, if you are looking to do some serious running, like regular jogging 3 times a week or more, you need to aim for a treadmill with at least 3.5chp. If walking is your thing you don’t need so much power, you need a treadmill motor with at least 1.5 CHP or more.
Just to make matters even more confusing, some manufacturers rate their treadmill motors in wattage rather than horses. To make things easier, remember that a 750 watts output equals 1 hp and probably 0.5-0.75 CHP.
Speed
Ah, the intoxication of speed! Faster is always better and all that. Well, hold on. If you are going to be walking you don’t need a 12mph treadmill! And let’s be honest, if your running and going at 12mph you are probably training for the Olympics!
Motorized treadmills can range in top speeds from 6 – 12 mph. Consider how you intend to use the treadmill and look for a correlation between speed and CHP. If you are looking to do a lot of running don’t go for a machine with a purported 12mph top speed and a chp of 2.0! It likely won’t last you too long. However, if you are planning on doing a lot of walking and go for a machine with decent top-end speed and 3 CHP you are probably going to end up with a decent machine for the task that is reasonably quiet and reliable as it won’t be overtaxed.
In terms of outright speed, if walking/light jogging is your thing then you might only need a top speed of 6-8mph. Many people walk at 3-4 mph in the real world and jog at 5-6 mph. Serious runners need up to 12mph or more if possible (5 minutes/mile or faster).
Obviously, if you are a serious runner training for marathons or other serious events, you want loads of power and plenty of top-end speed. Aim for the highest spec your budget can stretch to just to make sure you get a machine that lasts the distance.
Deck Length
It is too easy to be seduced by a shorter deck – prices are lower and storage is easier! But a short deck can really mess up and restrict your workout. The length of deck you go for should be influenced by how you intend to use the machine you choose and your overall height.
Generally speaking, an average height walker will need a deck that is about 50 inches long. An average height runner needs a deck that is minimum 55 inches long. A tall runner (6ft up) needs a deck 60 inch long for a comfortable stride length. Basically, the faster you intend to move, the longer your stride will be and the taller you are, the longer your stride is likely to be.
Just knowing about motors, speed, and deck length should already allow you to hack away a lot of choices on the market and start to pinpoint realistic options. Some of the next considerations are more minor in nature but will help you hone your choice.
Deck Width
Not much to say about deck width, but you will get quite a wide choice. Essentially, the faster you plan to move in your workout the more sideways movement you are going to create. Your gait will widen, your arms swing out and your shoulders bob about significantly more with added speed.
As a general rule of thumb aim for a deck width of at least 20 inches for walking and 22 inches wide for running. That should comfortably give you the space you need without feeling hemmed in.
Incline/decline
Incline and/or decline functions are not strictly necessary – you can always make a treadmill workout harder and more progressive by going further or going quicker. However, there is the school of thought that even a little incline can make the treadmill more like running outdoors. The moving ground provided by a treadmill seems to make things easier than in the real world where you get no help.
If you can, get a treadmill that offers at least some incline just to create a more realistic sensation. Just remember you don’t have to go for crazy multiples of incline as you can always run/walk faster or go further!
These days you can even get treadmills with a decline function. This is somewhat of a luxury, but it does test your quads more than working out on the level or on an incline. If you have the budget, this function makes a nice extra but again, non-essential!
Max User Weight
A treadmill takes a lot of pounding punishment over its life so it is essential you get a model that can take it. A big indicator is the manufacturer’s max user weight guidance. This will give you a good indication of the build quality of the machine as well as ensuring you big guys don’t buy a dud that you are going to bust over 100 miles!
Consider the max user weight in conjunction with motor performance, top speeds, and warranties. You want everything to make sense. You don’t want red flags like high max user weight, high top speed, and a weedy motor. Or everything looking good but just a poor set of warranties!
It is also worth considering that high max user weight might mean a heavy machine that is hard to move and store but then if you really want a treadmill this should be a secondary concern to reliability.
Consider that higher max user weight will often indicate a more robust build quality and then go from there.
Warranties
We touched on warranties and what they tell you. But take them as the definitive measure of what the manufacturer thinks of their product! Check online to see whether they actually honor their warranties in good time and in good grace.
Some manufacturers will offer lifetime frame warranty and short motor warranties (2 years), this is telling you all sorts of info. Go for the machines with the biggest warranties your budget will stretch to – you’re likely making a big investment and want the insurance a decent warranty can give you.
Programs
Do you want loads of programs? The majority of motorized treadmills will offer some sort of programs – because they are generally easy to offer and differentiate your product from the competition.
Interval training, gradient training, distance programs, take your pick. The more expensive the treadmill the more programs and features it tends to have.
If you are just walking or the occasional light jogger you should evaluate if programs are really that big a deal for you, after all, you can always workout longer or faster without a program.
Safety features
Not the most exciting consideration but important and often overlooked. What safety features does the treadmill you select offer?
You need safety features to prevent yourself from getting injured and also to prevent your kids from having an unsupervised accident or incident.
To that end look for a treadmill that has a magnetic safety key. This is a key that comes with a lanyard that you pin to yourself whilst training and the magnet key completes a switch circuit whilst stuck to the dashboard – if you stumble or fall during training the magnetic key comes away and the treadmill automatically stops. Additionally, if the key isn’t in place your kids can’t mess about and do themselves harm as the treadmill will not operate without the key in position.
Does the treadmill have safety grab handles if you stumble? Most do, but some under desk treadmills and fold flat options might come without such handles – are you happy enough with the risk of not having handles to steady yourself if necessary?
The best treadmills usually offer a progressive speed build up when you start out your workout or flip between programs – the treadmill gently accelerates to your working speed – you do not want all or nothing controls! Check the literature and make sure you get a nice smooth operating machine.
What about storage safety? Lots of people need to fold up treadmills due to space constraints but do they have a good safety record – once folded, do they stay folded? Are they childproof? Check reviews on the net before buying to make sure previous buyers haven’t had issues. Most these days are very smooth and safe to operate – but you want to know about sharp edges, finger trappers, or dangerous mechanisms.
Hopefully, these little insights can help you whittle down the choices in your budget range and get a “best fit” or perfect model for you that will serve you well. Good luck!