These 11 Treadmills Get the Trainer Stamp of Approval

June 28, 2024

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28 min reading time

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If it’s too hot, cold, or wet to run outdoors (or you just don’t feel like interacting with the outside world), having a treadmill at home can be the key to keeping your training plan on track, making it simple—if not easy—to hit the exact paces you want. And having a good tread isn’t just convenient, it can also help you add some variety to your running routine (hello, recovery walks, HIIT workouts, and hill runs). “As much as I’m an outdoor runner, I find treadmills valuable when the weather’s bad, or if you have kids and you just can’t leave the house,” Alli Felsenthal, a United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA)-certified running coach and V.DOT performance coach, tells SELF. She adds that treadmills can also be safer than running outside (especially after dark).

With so many options out there to choose from, we asked experts in the running industry what they consider the best treadmills for home use. Then our vetted testers did the, well, legwork to see how the machines perform mile after mile. They sweated over all the small stuff (like water bottle storage and control button responsiveness) to help you find the right treadmill for your home.

Top picks for the best treadmills

Best Treadmill Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Best Treadmill for Running: Sole F85 Treadmill
Best Folding Treadmill: NordicTrack EXP 10i
Best Compact Treadmill: Echelon Fitness Stride-8s
Best Treadmill Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon TLX
Best Budget Treadmill: Sole Fitness F63
Best Treadmill With Incline: NordicTrack X22i Treadmill
Best Under Desk Treadmill: WalkingPad A1 Pro
Best Treadmill for Home Gym: ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill
Best Commercial Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 2450
Best Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro

“Whether you’re a beginner or training indoors for your marathon, the NordicTrack 1750 will pass the time quickly and comfortably,” Laura Norris, NSCA-CPT, a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)–certified coach based in Boulder, Colorado, tells SELF. One of the best-rated treadmills by users, it has a quiet, shock-absorbing running deck that folds upright and a stabilizing, grippy belt that testers say helps to minimize any sliding around. It also features a 14-inch HD touchscreen display for you to watch virtual treadmill workouts streamed from iFit, a fitness service that offers trainer-led programs; and tracking metrics like speed and heart rate.

Corinne Fitzgerald, NSCA-CPT, an RRCA-certified coach based in New York City, says this tread is easy to use, with convenient one-tap controls on both the monitor and handlebars for speed and incline changes (which happen pretty quickly—one tester found it only took 15 seconds to go from zero to full incline). During iFit workouts, those settings change automatically based on the instructor’s cues, allowing you to stay focused in your workout rather than futzing with buttons.

Fitzgerald also likes that the streaming service offers classes for different workout modalities, from running to yoga to HIIT, so you have the option to add some cross-training to your routine, right on the console. Essentially, what makes the NordicTrack 1750 one of the best treadmills for home is that its high-quality features will serve nearly whatever workout intentions you have—like the Swiss Army Knife of machines. ”You get what you pay for with this treadmill because of the screen and the built-in programming,” one tester says. “There’s just a lot you can accomplish with this treadmill.”

Product specs

Best Treadmill for Running: Sole F85 Treadmill

Pros

Large 22-inch by 60-inch running surface
15 incline and 6 decline levels
Foldable design
Comes with free app to access coach-led classes

Cons

Big footprint at 82.5 inches long
Poor customer service, according to reviewers

Serious runners can get a serious workout on this do-it-all treadmill. With an impressive range of 15 incline and 6 decline levels, the F85 can match the hilly range of nearly any race course you’re training for. You can save up to 12 custom programs so you can quickly launch into your fave interval sessions or hill repeat workouts. And you can do it at a speed of up to 12 miles per hour (a 5-minute mile). The extra wide 22-inch belt helps you feel comfortable enough to really open up your stride while you’re at it.

Kai Ng, a USA Track & Field (USATF)– and RRCA–certified running coach based in New York City, tells SELF that runners should look for a treadmill with at least 3.0 horsepower (HP), and this motor has a remarkable 4.0 HP (the strongest engine you’ll find in any of Sole’s models).

This machine also has quite a few bells and whistles. There’s a wireless phone charger, a touchscreen that comes preloaded with apps like YouTube and Netflix, and free access to all the Sole+App classes (many of the best treadmill brands charge an extra membership fee for their streaming options). Plus, with upright folding and four wheels, you can move it out of the way after your cooldown.

Product specs

Best Folding Treadmill: NordicTrack EXP 10i

Pros

Foldable design
Stable frame
Adjustable cushioning
Lots of workout options through iFit

Cons

Loud
Motor is on the weaker side
WiFi required to access workouts

Not everyone has enough space at home to have a treadmill unfurled full-time. Fortunately, many of the best treadmills now fold up, and the EXP 10i makes the process of turning your “home gym” back into your bedroom exceptionally easy. With a gas shock, a mechanism that changes the felt weight of the tread, allowing for more gentle and smooth, opens and closes without requiring an additional workout on your part. Wheels on the bottom let you roll it up against a wall or into a closet—though if you’re going up or down stairs, you’ll want to ask for help since the machine clocks in at over 200 pounds.

Although the tester says the frame felt sturdy while she was running and notes that nothing seemed to be shaking, the tread was definitely not quiet: Whenever she changed the incline the gears were downright rowdy.

There are two cool features we absolutely love: If you’re trying to keep your heart rate in zone 2, meaning an easy aerobic effort that allows your body to take in enough oxygen to fuel your workout, you can turn on the ActivePulse tech to have the tread automatically adjust the speed and incline so your heart stays right where you want it. (Worth noting: This feature requires having a particular heart rate band that costs extra). The deck’s cushioning is also adjustable, so you can opt for a more shock-absorbing sesh on recovery days, or match the firmness of running on concrete to get ready for race day. Pretty neat, right?

Product specs

Best Compact Treadmill: Echelon Fitness Stride-8s

Pros

Easy-to-navigate touchscreen
Offers engaging built-in programming
Quiet

Cons

Handles feel loose
Not enough storage space for a large water bottle
Doesn’t auto-adjust during classes

Tight on space? Despite having a long 60-inch belt, the Stride-8s’s overall footprint is relatively small at only 66 by 32 inches (most treadmills are closer to 80 inches long). One tester says the wheels on the bottom make it easy to move around the room, and if you’re only using it every once in a while, you can fold it up flat by taking out just two screws. Even though it’s compact and portable, our tester says the frame feels perfectly stable; she only notes that the handles are a little wobbly.

This machine is a great option for someone who wants their treadmill to supply their workout with instructor-led classes, rather than designing their own routine. “It was hard to find just a quick-start option. It seems like they’re really pushing their programming,” the tester says. Not for nothing, she adds that the classes she tried were engaging and fun, and there were tons of options for every fitness level. She only wishes the treadmill’s speeds and inclines adjusted automatically along with the instructor’s cues, rather than leaving it up to the runner to manually change it up.

Aside from her struggle to find that “quick start,” function, our tester says the Stride-8s is incredibly user-friendly overall. It’s got an easy-to-navigate touchscreen with a readable font (even when you’re hitting your top speeds) and quick-to-respond heart-rate sensors right on the handles. Testers also appreciate the roller balls on the handles that you turn to change the speed or incline—they’re far more intuitive than pressing a button a dozen times to make a big change.

Product specs

Best Treadmill Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon TLX

Pros

Responsive, easy-to-use controls
Good shock-absorption
Foldable design
Lots of workout options through iFit

Cons

Requires a tablet or phone to use programming
Slow, loud incline adjustments

If you don’t mind using a tablet or phone to access workouts, this treadmill can save you major cash. Instead of a touchscreen on the console, it’s got a holder for your device and Bluetooth connectivity so you can access iFit classes that auto-adjust your speed and incline. Just know that there’s no charger, so you’ll need to check your battery life before streaming a workout.

The lack of built-in display is really the only notable sacrifice our tester noticed from this more-affordable treadmill option. “It doesn’t look cheap and it doesn’t feel cheap, either,” she says. Other wins include its sturdy design, responsive control buttons, and great traction on the belt. Even the fan is strong; it actually cooled our testers off, unlike other treadmills where this feature sometimes seems like it’s just for show.

If you’re planning to use the Carbon TLX for incline walking or hill repeats, however, beware that the adjustments are on the slower side. It takes 35 seconds to reach the maximum incline. And while this tread is generally quiet during runs, it creates a bit of a racket when moving up or down.

Product specs

Best Budget Treadmill: Sole Fitness F63

Pros

Easy-to-navigate console
Stable frame
Foldable design
Has an extra storage compartment

Cons

Slow incline adjustments
Minimal programming
It’s easy to kick or step on the hood

Ng says Sole often comes up when he’s talking to runners about their favorite treadmills. “A lot of people like the brand,” he says. The F63 makes it easy to see why. This durable workhorse might seem basic, with no touch screen or interactive classes, but if you’re looking for the best deals on treadmills and don’t want to fuss with fancy extras like WiFi connectivity or decline capabilities, it’s a solid option that requires no learning curve—you just hop on and run. The frame is stable, the deck is shock-absorbing, and all the buttons are easy to access. We just wish the incline adjustments were a little speedier; it takes up to 45 seconds to reach its full pitch.

The programming on this machine is pretty minimal, but you can add your own custom workouts to follow. There’s also a tablet holder so you can follow coach-led workouts on the free Sole+ App that comes with your purchase.

One thing our testers found frustrating: The hood (a.k.a. the front of the treadmill) got in the way of their stride sometimes. “Especially when I was holding onto the front handlebar, I felt like I kept kicking the hood or putting my foot on the hood instead of the tread,” one runner tells SELF. So if you’ve got a longer gait, consider another budget-friendly option, like the ProForm Carbon TLX, which has a console and handlebars that sit further back (putting more distance between you and the hood).

Product specs

Best Treadmill With Incline: NordicTrack X22i Treadmill

NordicTrack

X22i Treadmill

Pros

Inclines up to 40 percent
Decline capability
400-pound weight capacity
Quiet

Cons

Taller than most treadmills
Not foldable or portable
Assembly requires two people (or you can purchase pro assembly)

Trail runners, we’ve found your at-home training companion. The X22i is capable of a whopping 40% incline, rising more than twice as high as your standard treadmill. That’s not to mention its impressive 6% decline capability. Mountain legs, here we come. And you don’t even have to run to reap the benefits. You can just walk up.” One older study from 2013 found that walkers’ heart rates increased by more than 15% on a 7% incline compared to walking on a flat treadmill.

This high-end machine is also as sturdy as your quads will be once you start using it. It boasts a mighty 4.0 horsepower motor and can accommodate users up to 400 pounds. Whether the deck was tilted up or down, our testers didn’t notice anything shaking, making them feel like they could really push as hard as they wanted. And aside from the slightly noisy cooling fans, you can expect to feel at one with your thoughts while using this tread any which way.

You can access iFit programming through the treadmill’s massive 22-inch touchscreen, which tilts and pivots to make it easy to see on major climbs or when you’re following along with yoga and strength workouts next to the machine. To get in some cross-training on the tread, you can also take advantage of the unique sled push function, using the higher handlebars—even going just one mile per hour, your glutes and hamstrings will be screaming.

Product specs

Best Under Desk Treadmill: WalkingPad A1 Pro

Pros

Can detect your speed and auto-adjust
Stands up to heavy use
No assembly required
Foldable design

Cons

Warranty costs extra (starting at $45)
No incline capability
Speed maxes out at 3.72 mph

Not everyone wants a treadmill for running. “Walking treadmills that you use specifically for work-from-home situations [have] been pretty effective for a lot of people [to add in movement to their day],” Ng says. “If you want to mainly use your treadmill for walking, a lower cost, more budget-friendly machine with a lower horsepower and fewer features would be for you.” We particularly suggest this light, portable walking pad. It’s only 62 pounds, compared to the 200-pound weights of full-size treads), and folds up and wheels away for easy storage. (Just a heads up: It sits about 5 inches tall when folded, so if you plan on storing it underneath your couch, make sure you’ll have enough room for it to slide under.)

An easy-to-read LED display on the front keeps track of your steps, speed, and distance while you walk. You can change the pace with a remote control or through WalkingPad’s connected KS Fit app on your phone. Or, you can turn on automatic mode so that the deck will sense your foot strikes and speed up or slow down on its own.

The A1 Pro also gets solid points for durability. One tester says that after about a year-and-a-half of use, just about everything is still working as smoothly as the day she bought it. The remote did conk out after a year, so she switched to operating the belt through the app instead, which gets the job done just fine. If we could change anything, we’d just make the WalkingPad a little quieter—testers say it feels a little too loud to take a work call when you’re on it.

Product specs

Best Treadmill for Home Gym: ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill

Pros

High-quality touchscreen and built-in speakers
Foldable design
Decline capability
Lots of workout options through iFit

Cons

Large footprint
Assembly requires two people
Subpar customer service

At almost six-and-a-half feet long, this big boy is a hefty piece of equipment. But it makes for an excellent home gym machine that’s versatile enough for multiple members of the family to use. Serious runners will appreciate the substantial horsepower and the ability to decline as well as incline. But even those who don’t like running can take advantage of the iFit classes that stream directly from the 22-inch touchscreen with crisp audio coming out of the built-in speakers—yoga, Pilates, and strength-training workouts are available live or on-demand.

Also helpful: You don’t have to be a tech wiz to get the Pro 9000 to work. Our testers say the controls are super easy to navigate, and they especially appreciate the two rows of buttons beneath the touchscreen that allow you to select the exact speed and incline you want—a major bonus if you’re changing things up often during hill repeats or interval workouts.

Our testers’ biggest problem was connecting this treadmill to WiFi, which was a major bummer because that meant they couldn’t access the iFit programming. That’s something to keep in mind if you don’t have a strong internet connection at home—in which case you might consider the ProForm Carbon TLX instead, which uses your own phone or tablet to stream classes. Our “secret shoppers” also found ProForm’s customer service experience frustrating; it had an unhelpful online chat that didn’t answer their questions and instead directed buyers to a general FAQ website.

Product specs

Best Commercial Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 2450

NordicTrack

Commercial 2450

Pros

Quick incline adjustments
Tilt and pivot touchscreen
Decline capability
Foldable design
Lots of workout options through iFit

Cons

Loud
Manual start/stop buttons are not the most responsive
Difficult to assemble

Just because this machine has “commercial” in its name doesn’t mean it only works for big box gyms. “Don’t be afraid—’commercial grade’ doesn’t mean you can’t buy it for home,” Ng tells SELF. When you invest in a pro-level machine, you know it’ll be durable enough to stand up to heavy use, and the NordicTrack Commercial has a powerful motor (3.6 CHP) and high weight capacity (400 pounds).

One tester says this tread adjusted from zero to full incline surprisingly quickly, in just 15 seconds. She adds there wasn’t any lag when the speed or incline changed automatically during iFit workouts—the experience was super-smooth. More laudable features: The deck has solid shock absorption, and the high-quality touchscreen turns so you can easily take yoga and strength classes off the tread.

However, this hefty piece of equipment was not designed to be used near a sleeping baby. “I noticed right off the bat from just walking—it is not the quietest treadmill I’ve ever used,” our tester says. We’d suggest placing it away from any bedrooms or thin apartment walls (or opting for a quieter option, like the NordicTrack X22i or Echelon Fitness Stride-8s).

Product specs

Best Curved Treadmill: Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro

Assault Fitness

AssaultRunner Pro

Pros

No electricity required
Shock-absorbing
Sturdy
Unlimited speed capability

Cons

No storage space for a water bottle or tablet
Very basic console
Has wheels, but no folding option

Not every high-end treadmill is loaded up with techy features. This manual tread from Assault Runner takes a decidedly minimalist approach to indoor running. There’s no touchscreen, pre-programmed workouts, or even a water bottle holder. But it’s got everything you need to get in a tough workout. Since there’s no motor—it only moves in response to your foot strike pulling the belt down from the curved platform—it can literally go as fast as your legs can run. Yes, you’re the one powering the machine, and that takes extra effort. One 2017 study found that manual treadmills raise the heart rate and oxygen consumption more than motorized treads or outdoor running at the same pace (particularly among lighter runners).

Our tests showed the AssaultRunner Pro is durable enough for heavy running, and has solid shock-absorption to ease your aches even when you rack up the miles. If you’ve never run on a manual treadmill before, just know that you’ll want to give yourself extra time to get used to it. Our testers found that it took some practice to figure out exactly where to land on the belt to get it to rotate smoothly.

Product specs

How to find a treadmill that works for you

A treadmill is generally a significant investment (even the budget-friendlier models will cost a couple hundred bucks). To get an idea of how much it makes sense to spend and what features you really need, Ng suggests asking yourself what your goals are.

If you’re looking to get a solid cardio workout at home, Louis Serafini, a running coach and general manager at the running app Runna, suggests looking for an easy-to-use interface and space-saving design, like a smaller footprint or foldable construction. You should be able to find one that checks these boxes without costing a small fortune, he says.

But if you’re training for a big race, you might need to get pickier. You’ll want to look for models with a higher horsepower (at least 3.0), an incline range that somewhat resembles the course, and a max speed that can handle your sprint workouts. And if you plan to run longer than an hour, Ng says to make sure the machine doesn’t have a 60-minute time limit before it shuts off.

Either way, make sure the tread allows you to move freely while you’re running. It should have a long enough belt to accommodate your stride (at least 55 inches), and a suitable weight capacity. Ng adds that treadmills have varying levels of cushion, so before making the investment, he recommends bringing your running shoes to a showroom or buying a day pass to a gym where you can try out the treadmill in action to see how it feels under your feet.

If you still feel lost in a sea of options, narrow things down by deciding which type of treadmill is right for your space, budget, and workout style:

Types of treadmills

Smart treadmills: These luxury treads offer high-tech features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, with large HD touchscreens to stream workout classes and easy syncing to your Apple Watch or Android devices. “[Running on a] treadmill can be a little boring,” Felsenthal admits. If you’re concerned that a lack of motivation might keep you from actually using the machine, she suggests looking for a smart treadmill that offers pre-recorded routes or interactive workouts. Just know these machines are often priced to match their premium features.

Folding treadmills: Many of the best treadmills for home-use come with space-saving designs, like the option to fold the deck up toward the console and handlebars. Most folding treadmills also have wheels for easy portability, which comes in handy for anyone without enough room in their home to dedicate to a treadmill full-time.

Our tester folding up a ProForm treadmill.

Commercial treadmills: A commercial treadmill is a high-caliber machine created for a commercial gym. Essentially, they’re designed to handle a lot of traffic. Commercial treads tend to have a larger footprint and don’t always have folding options. While you can definitely get one to use at home, Dianne Clemente, equipment and projects manager at Crunch, tells SELF that these machines sometimes need a high-voltage outlet.

Manual treadmills: With manual treadmills, the runner’s stride causes the belt to move. “You’re basically the only one that is going to be pulling that belt back,” Ng says. “There is absolutely no motor to it.” That means these machines don’t need to be plugged in and can eventually feel more natural to run on, but they also make runs harder and can be tricky to maneuver. “I would leave those for more advanced runners,” Ng says.

Under-desk treadmills: These are your work-from-home ticket to a higher step count. Also called walking pads, they typically have lower horsepower and max speeds since they’re not designed for running. That also means they’re usually more affordable than your average full-size treadmill.

How we test treadmills

It’s impossible to judge a treadmill’s quality just by how it looks or what the marketing materials “promises.” To make sure we recommend the absolute best treadmills for home, our team of testers hops on popular treadmills to try them out firsthand so that you don’t have to. For a detailed breakdown of everything we consider, check out our full fitness-testing methodology. In the meantime, here are three treadmill-specific qualities our testers keep in mind as they log mile after mile:

Durability and ergonomics:

The only treads that make our cut have a strong motor and a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds. We also pay attention to how much shock absorption we feel under our feet, if the belt is long enough to feel safe when we open up our stride, and whether the frame shakes so much it causes an earthquake when we hit top speeds.

Features and programming:

We get it: Using a treadmill is not always the most scintillating activity. So we check out the workout classes and other programs each machine offers, scoring how user-friendly and engaging they are. We also test to see how well tech like Bluetooth and WiFi connections and auto-adjust features actually work in practice.

Speed and incline:

Waiting ages for a tread to adjust can seriously mess with a workout. So, in addition to looking for speed and incline capabilities that can accommodate a range of runners, our testers time exactly how long it takes to go from zero to full incline, and we monitor whether there’s any lag in the auto-adjustments made during classes.

Treadmill care and maintenance

According to some manufacturers, if you leave a treadmill in a garage or outside where the temperature dips below freezing or the humid air soaks into the machinery, it will stop functioning properly. Sure, it might seem more convenient to stash it out there than in your living room, but beware that most warranties will be voided if you do.

Wherever you keep your treadmill, know that you will need to give it some love every once in a while to keep it running smoothly. “The belts need lubricants every now and then, depending on how much they’re used,” Clemente says. (Check out the user manual to see what kind of lubricant is best for your model and the recommended time between grease-ups.) NordicTrack recommends wiping the sweat off after each workout so the moisture doesn’t damage the electrical components, and doing a deeper cleaning with a damp cloth and vacuum once a month to avoid any corrosion.

Also, anytime you feel like the belt is slipping a little, that’s a sign the hardware needs to be tightened. Dig out that user manual to find out how.

FAQs

TL;DR? We get that sometimes you just want fast facts to help you make a quick choice. To summarize some of the most important info about picking the best treadmill, we’ve shared some of the most frequently asked questions; if you skip everything else, read this:

What is the best treadmill to use at home?

We choose the ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill as the best treadmill for home gyms thanks to its powerful motor, nice range of incline options, and massive HD touchscreen that connects to iFit so you can stream workout classes in a bunch of different modalities. And even though it’s a high-caliber commercial-grade machine, it folds up so it doesn’t completely take over your living space.

What is the best treadmill brand?

Ng says that both NordicTrack and Sole stand out as two of the best treadmill brands. They both offer durable treads with strong horsepower, good incline capabilities, and useful details like water bottle holders and spots for a tablet or phone.

Is a cheap treadmill worth it?

If you buy a cheap treadmill, you might find the machine lacks power, durability, or the features that you’d want for a long run or complicated workout. But that might be okay if having a tread in your home makes it easy to run on days you would otherwise skip a workout. “It serves the purpose,” Felsenthal tells SELF. “If you don’t have the time to run outside, I’ve had people just get even a half hour done [on a treadmill].” Everyone has their own personal goals when they hop on a treadmill, and even a cheap machine will allow you to log a solid fitness sesh.

What is better: a treadmill or an elliptical?

While both treadmills and ellipticals can give you an aerobic workout, they do so in two very different ways. Which is best for you comes down to your goals, preferences, and what your body can handle. As SELF previously reported, an elliptical lets you move in one smooth, joint-friendly motion that avoids any of the pounding your joints get with each stride while running. That’s why Ng recommends them to athletes who have pain or discomfort when running. Yet Felsenthal points out that if you’re trying to become a better runner, and you can run without pain, you “could benefit from a treadmill a lot more.” It challenges the specific muscles required to run—like the calves and glutes—and typically, treads have more options to adjust the speed and incline to get in a harder workout.

How long do treadmills last?

Clemente says a quality treadmill can last 10 to 15 years, if you take care of it. Though that lifespan can be a double-edged sword. “They’re still working, they’re running, and they actually still look like they’re in good condition,” she says. “But they may not have all the newest [features] like digital screens.” Know that when you get a treadmill, you’re making a commitment for the long run.

With reporting from Sara Coughlin

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These 11 Treadmills Get the Trainer Stamp of Approval

Top picks for the best treadmills

In this article

Commercial 1750

Best Treadmill for Running: Sole F85 Treadmill

Best Folding Treadmill: NordicTrack EXP 10i

Best Compact Treadmill: Echelon Fitness Stride-8s

Best Treadmill Under $1,000: ProForm Carbon TLX

Best Budget Treadmill: Sole Fitness F63