Finding the right treadmill for you can be tricky business. Not only do they all come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages, but they’re also difficult to transport from the store to your home. However, they’re an essential component of any comprehensive home gym, and if you had to choose one piece of equipment to own, a treadmill is a great option. Cardio is of the utmost importance to maintaining positive health.
To make the selection process as simple as possible, we’ve written a comprehensive guide of the best treadmills on the market. And best of all, you don’t have to worry about getting it from the store to your home—once you’ve found a machine you like, simply click on the links below to order it online right to your doorstep!
So what treadmill is right for you? You’ll notice that we’ve given each treadmill a title of what it’s “best” for. However, this is really just meant to help you choose the right machine for your specific needs. Don’t think that you can’t buy the NordicTrack treadmill, for example, just because you’re not an “elite runner.”
All of these treadmills are great machines, and there’s many factors to consider such as price point, and speed at which you plan to run at. So to find the treadmill that suits you best, simply read through the descriptions of each treadmill and see if its specifications match what you’re looking for!
Best treadmill for distance runners and best treadmill for elite runners
NordicTrack T Series Treadmills (6.5S & 6.5Si Models)
The NordicTrack T Series treadmills are high caliber pieces of exercise equipment that are perfect for those who are serious about their fitness, professional athletes, or anyone looking to work their way up to a marathon. This treadmill is solidly built, durable for long-lasting use, reliable, and comes equipped with a number of extremely useful features that will help improve the effectiveness of your workout and keep you on track with your fitness goals.
These great built in workout routines include 20 programs that are specially designed by NordicTrack to ramp up your cardiovascular health and increase the amount of calories you burn.
Unfortunately, unlike the other NordicTrack Commercial Treadmill series that’s listed in this article, these T Series treadmills do not come with iFit included. Still, this treadmill is iFit compatible, so you can connect to the app through your tablet or phone.
This NordicTrack series of treadmills comes with a great 2.6 CHP motor for workouts that range from 0 to 10 MPH. It can support a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.
The easy lift technology and back two wheels that comes with this treadmill makes it extremely easy to raise, lower, and move when needed. Simply tilt the machine back onto it’s two wheels and cart it into the location you desire.
The screen on this treadmill is a traditional 5 inch backlit display. Another great feature of this treadmill is its intermix acoustic sound system, which is compatible with iPod and MP3.
The NordicTrack T series has a lifetime warranty for the frame, 25 year warranty for the treadmill’s motor, and finally, a 1-year warranty for any issues with its basic parts.
Features
- Durable and robust for long lasting use
- Includes 30 workout programs specifically designed to increase cardiovascular activity and ramp up calories burned.
- iFit compatible to be connected through tablet or smart phone.
- 2.6 CHP motor with a speed range of 0 – 10 MPH.
- Can support weights of up to 300 pounds.
- Includes easy lift technology to make it easy to lower or raise this machine.
- Comes with two back wheels that allow for the easy transportation of this treadmill around your home and workout space.
- Traditional 5 inch backlit display.
- Intermix acoustic sound system that is compatible with MP3 players and iPod.
- Lifetime warranty for the treadmill’s frame.
- 25 year warranty for the motor of the treadmill.
- 1-year warranty for parts and labour.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for walking and light jogging
Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Teadmill Series
If you’re looking for a very inexpensive treadmill, either for economic reasons, or because you’re simply looking to dip your toes into the water, the Welso Cadence G 5.9 treadmill is one of the best on the market.
This treadmill is particularly useful for those who do not need a bunch of built in technologies, but rather need something simple for walking or jogging. While this treadmill has the capacity to go from 0 to 10 MPH, it’s more recommended for speeds between 5-6 MPH. This has to do with the narrowness of the tread belt. Unless your form is impeccable, you may end up heal striking on this machine. This machine has a 16 inch by 50 inch treadmill deck.
If you are accustomed to running on treadmills and have good form, you can run at 10 MPH on this machine. With a 2.5 CHP motor, this treadmill is more than capable of supporting these speeds.
Other great features of this treadmill are its 2-position adjustable incline. It also comes with professionally designed workout apps (6 in total), which, while they can’t compete with something like the 20 built in advanced workouts of the NordicTrack machines, is still very impressive for the price point of this machine.
Overall, the Welso Cadence treadmill is a fantastic piece of equipment for the budget conscious shopper, for beginners, or for those who are not looking to push themselves much past a walk or light jog.
Features
- Supports speeds between 0 – 10 MPH (though between 5-6 MPH is recommended on this machine)
- The treadmill deck is 16 inch by 50 inch.
- Comes with a 2.5 CHP motor.
- 2-position adjustable incline.
- Comes equipped with 6 workout apps that were designed by a professional trainer.
- Fantastic value/low price.
- Recommended for walking and jogging (compared to high speed running).
- Comfortable cushioning.
- Comes with a heart rate monitor that can be accessed through the console’s pulse sensor.
- Small and compact, perfect for small home gyms or limited spaces.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for beginner runner
XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black
The XTERRA Fitness TR150 treadmill is another fantastic option for those looking for an affordable treadmill with a sturdy construction and overall solid functionality. If you’re looking for a treadmill around the $300 range or lower, this is a great option.
For the price, it’s pretty incredible that this machine offers a total of 12 console programs for a variety of workout options. This will keep your workouts fresh, and continue to challenge you and improve your technique. While this is less (naturally) than the more expensive treadmill models like the NordicTrack series, which offers 20 preset workout programs, it’s still double the amount of programs as other similarly priced treadmills like the Welso Cadence treadmill listed above.
The speed range of this treadmill is 0.5 – 10 MPH. It also comes with a total of three manual incline settings to add or reduce resistance and difficulty to your walking, jogging, or running routine. The screen on this treadmill is a large 5 inch LCD display, which provides information on calories burned, pulse, distance ran, time, incline and of course speed.
The weight capacity of this treadmill is a bit lower than most of the others on the list, as it can support up to 250 pounds (compared to 300 pounds).
One word of caution for this machine: it comes with a Prop 65 warning that this product can expose you to chemicals like Toluene and Acrylamide, which the State of California recognizes as cancer causing, and that could potentially lead to birth defects or reproductive harm. This is a bit of a shot to the heart for an otherwise spectacular machine for the price.
Features
- Comes with a total of 12 console programs for different workout routines.
- 5 inch LCD display that offers information on burned calories, pulse, distance, time, incline, and speed.
- Comes with a speed range of 0.5 – 10 MPH.
- 16 inch to 50 inch walking/running track.
- Great value/economical price.
- Weight capacity of up to 250 pounds
- Tablet holder
- Accessories holder.
- Lifetime warranty on frame.
- 1 year warranty on motor
- 90 day warranty for parts.
- 90 day warranty for labour.
- XTRASoft deck cushioning
- Unfortunately comes with a Prop 65 warning, which the State of California put in place to require businesses to provide warnings about products with potentially cancer causing or otherwise harmful chemicals.
What customers are saying
Best home treadmill for bad knees
Horizon Fitness T101 Series Treadmills
The Horizon Fitness T101 is a very well designed piece of machinery that comes at a fantastic price point. This treadmill is one of the best sellers for its price point. If you’re looking to do low-impact training such as walking—for example, throwing on the TV. and doing a long walk—or light jogging, this treadmill is a perfect piece of equipment. If, however, you’re looking to do serious training such as working yourself up to a half or full marathon, you may want to invest in something a little more advanced such as one of the NordicTrack models listed in this article.
This treadmill is durable and solidly built to last year-over-year. It also comes equipped with a number of great workout programs. In total, it has 40 workout programs, so you can always keep your workouts fresh. The Horizon Fitness T101 also comes with a very quiet and discrete 2.25 CHP motor that can withstand long exercise routines that sit within the 0.5 – 10 mph range. The incline on this treadmill also goes up to +10%, allowing you to increase the difficulty and resistance of your jogging routine. This is a feature that is not always available at such low price points.
The 3-zone Variable Response cushioning in this treadmill also makes it lower impact than running on the concrete or pavement, making it excellent for those with sensitive ankles or joints. While this cushioning can’t compare to some of the more advanced treadmills like the NordicTrack, it’s still excellent for the low cost of this machine.
Another great feature of this treadmill is the pulse grip heart rate sensors that allow you to test your heart rate. Last but not least, this treadmill even comes with a 1-year warranty on parts, cushioning and labour, and a lifetime warranty on its frame and motor.
If you’re looking for an affordable treadmill to use casually, this is a fantastic option for you.
Features
- Comes equipped with 3-Zone variable response cushioning
- Very light folding for easy transportation and storage
- Bluetooth capacity.
- Comes with a fan to keep you cool while you work out.
- Water bottle holder.
- Tablet rack
- Comes with 10 speed and 10 incline keys.
- Quick program keys.
- Low RPM 2.5 CHP motor so you can run this treadmill quietly.
- Folding FeatherLight technology.
- Monitor your heart rat with pulse-grip sensors on the treadmill’s handles.
- Weight capacity of up to 300 pounds.
- 1-year warranty on parts, cushioning and labour
- Lifetime warranty on its frame and motor.
- 40 Built in workout programs.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for athletes
NordicTrack Commercial Treadmill Series with 1 Year iFit Subscription (1750 and 2950 Models)
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill is a highly sophisticated piece of exercise equipment that comes complete with features like a 10 inch Smart HD touchscreen, iFit coach compatibility, Bluetooth audio functionality, and even a 1-Year iFit membership included for free (normally worth $396). It even comes equipt with AutoBreeze workout fans to keep your body temperature regulated—and to keep you feeling comfortable—while you’re pushing your limits and working up a sweat. While this treadmill is one of the more expensive on the list, it actually comes at a fantastic value if you consider all of the features that come included in this machine.
The NordicTrack 1750 has also been a best selling treadmill for a number of years.
If you were looking to train your way up to running half-marathons and full marathons, this is the treadmill you would want to buy. With the free 1-year iFit membership, this treadmill will keep you on track for your workout goals, maintain your motivation, and help you maximize your exercise routine.
This treadmill was constructed with top of the line, robust technologies such as a 3.75 CHP smart-response motor and 22 x 60 inch commercial tread belt, designed for high caliber workouts so you can push yourself without ever having to worry about overworking your treadmill.
This treadmill is rated for up to 300 pounds of user weight
Features
- Comes equipped with two auto-breeze workout fans to keep you cool as you workout.
- Includes a 1-year iFit membership (value of $396)
- Outfitted with a 10 Inch Smart HD touchscreen
- 3.75 CHP smart-response motor
- 22×60 inch commercial tread belt.
- This treadmill has a -3-15% incline and decline capacity
- Rated for users weighing up to 300 pounds.
- Best seller for a number of years
- SpaceSaver design so this treadmill can fit effortlessly into your home gym.
- Bluetooth audio capacity. 1
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for arthritic knees
ProForm 505 CST Treadmill
This is a lower to mid range treadmill with a solid build, durable construction, great features, and topped off with an impressive warranty. The ProForm 505 CST comes with an outstanding 15 programmed workouts to keep your workouts unique so that you never get bored, and so that you can constantly challenge yourself and improve your technique. This is only 5 less programmed workouts than the higher end NordicTrack T Series treadmill listed in this article, which is great, because this treadmill is a fraction of the cost.
The ProForm 505 CST Treadmill comes with a Space-Saver folding design. It’s also built with a “ProShox” surface to maximize cushioning, so you can be sure that this treadmill is easy on your joints, ankles and knees.
The ProForm also comes with iPod and MP3 compatibility and the ability to connect it with the iFit program where you can access virtually unlimited workouts.
As far as speed, the ProForm features a standard 0 – 10 MPH capability, and is constructed with a 2.5 CHP Mach Z motor. This treadmill can incline from 0 – 10% as well. It also includes pulse grips that you can use to monitor your heart rate. The maximum weight that can be used on this treadmill is 300 pounds.
Features
- Comes stock with 15 pre-programmed workouts.
- Constructed with space-saver folding design.
- Features a “ProShox” surface for ultimate cushioning.
- iPod and MP3 compatible.
- Can be connected with the iFit to access virtually unlimited workout programs.
- 0 – 10MPH speed capacity
- Built with a 2.5 CHP Mach Z motor.
- Incline of 0 – 10%.
- Pulse grips for monitoring heart rate.
- Maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.
- One of Amazon’s Choice picks
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for big and tall
Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Walk to Fitness Electric Treadmill, 400 lbs
The main purpose of this treadmill is to provide a piece of equipment that someone of any weight—particularly higher weights—can walk on. That’s why the Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra comes with a weight capacity of 400 pounds, higher than any other treadmill on this list.
Let us be clear: this treadmill is designed for walking, not running. That’s why the speed of this treadmill can only go up to 4 MPH compared to the normal 10 MPH of other treadmills. The speed that you can set are in 0.1MPH increments. The motor in this treadmill is 1.5 HP, as it does not need to power higher speeds.
The main purpose of this treadmill is for people who are overweight or obese to walk themselves into shape. Since a lot of the other treadmills only have weight capacities of 250 or 300 pounds, they may not work for much larger persons. Therefore, the Exerpeutic treadmill is somewhat of a stepping stone that can be used to get you down to a manageable weight, at which point you can start jogging, then running again.
This treadmill has a 20 inch by 40 inch track, and 18 inch safety handrails. This treadmill does not have programmed workout plans.
Features
- Supports weights up to 400 pounds.
- Speed goes from 0 – 4 MPH in 0.1 MPH increments
- 1.5 HP motor.
- 20 inch by 40 inch track
- 18 inch safety handrails
- Designed for very heavy or obese users who are looking to get back to a weight that is manageable for jogging and other regular exercises.
- 10 year warranty for the motor and frame (when purchased from manufacturer’s website).
- Five year warranty coverage for parts and labor (when purchased from manufacturer’s website).
- 90 day warranty on parts and labour when purchased elsewhere.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill app for apple watch
SereneLife Smart Digital Folding Exercise Machine
One of the main benefits of this treadmill is its low cost, and extreme portability. The SereneLife Smart Digital Folding treadmill does exactly what it purports to do: the part you run on folds up. You can think of it as a sort of Murphy bed of treadmills. If you’re trying to save space, have a small home gym, or a small space to put exercise equipment in, period, this may be the treadmill for you.
This treadmill comes with an ultra quiet 1HP motor, so you can use this treadmill in front of the TV without having to worry about cranking up the volume.
The maximum running speed of this treadmill is 6MPH, making it a better machine for joggers and walkers than those looking to run at high speeds. The SereneLife comes with a smart LCD display, and users have the ability to download the iFitShow workout app compatible with iOS and Android.
Another great feature of this treadmill is its easy assembly. It takes only 20 minutes out of the box to go from assembly, to jogging.
This treadmill is a great option for those on a budget or who live in a smaller space, who are just looking for something small and compact to jog on in front of the TV for the winter months.
Features
- Comes at a low price, great for those operating on a budget.
- Extremely compact fold-up design that makes this machine perfect for those who need a treadmill but have a limited space to work with
- Goes up to 6MPH, making this treadmill more suited for those looking to jog or walk.
- Comes with a smart LCD display.
- Users are able to download and connect to the iFitShow workout app.
- Quick 20 minutes assembly time.
- Easily transported.
- Extremely quiet 1HP motor so you can do late night jogs without disturbing others in your household.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for garage gym
GOPLUS Folding Treadmill Electric Motorized Power Fitness Running Machine
Just like the SereneLife treadmill, the main benefits of the GOPLUS is that it comes at an extremely reasonable price point, and folds up for easy storage. In fact, the GOPLUS comes at an even lower price than the SereneLife.
This treadmill is built with a heavy-duty construction, with a frame of high quality steel that can support up to 220 pounds. The running belt on this treadmill is 38.2 inches long and 14 inches wide. It comes designed with an iPad, and cell phone holder. And of course, this treadmill is built with an easily folded design to make it easy to store, as well as wheels that make for easy transport.
The GOPLUS features a multi-function LED display and handrails that allow you to scan and read your heart rate, view your speed, distance, time, and calories burned.
Last but not least, this treadmill comes with a three years warranty based on a 100% satisfaction guarantee. In other words, if you’re not satisfied with this treadmill after buying it, no problem—simply send it back and get your money back!
Features
- Comes at an extremely low price point, great for the budget conscious person.
- Super compact, easy fold up design that makes this treadmill perfect for smaller spaces.
- Heavy duty construction.
- Frame built with high quality steel.
- Supports weights of up to 220 pounds.
- Running belt on this treadmill is 38.2 inches long and 14 inches wide.
- Designed with a cell phone and iPad holder.
- Built with wheels that make this treadmill extremely easy to transport.
- Multi-function LED display to read heart rate, speed, time, burned calories, and distance.
- Heart rate scanner.
- Three-year warranty with 100% satisfaction guarantee.
What customers are saying
Best treadmill for elderly
Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill
The Sunny Health treadmill is another great machine for those looking for a more economical option, but want a treadmill that can still get up to faster speeds. Unlike some of the other less expensive models, this treadmill can go from 0.5 – 9 MPH. It also comes with 3 incline options, so you can manually adjust the incline from 0% to 2% to 4.37% . This treadmill also has an easy folding capacity so you can store it in smaller spaces.
Just like the GOPLUS treadmill, this machine has a weight capacity of 220 pounds. As far as the size of the track, this treadmill has a 48.8 inches long by 15.75 inches wide running surface. The track of this treadmill is also cushioned for less joint stress than running on harder surfaces like asphalt.
This treadmill also comes with 9 built-in workout programs, which is pretty impressive for its price. These programs will challenge you and keep your workout fresh and interesting. The LCD screen of this treadmill displays time, pulse, calories burned, distance, and speed. A cell phone and tablet holder is also included in the design of this treadmill.
Features
- Very economical treadmill, great for budget conscious consumers.
- Has a speed capacity of 0.5 – 9 MPH.
- Includes three different incline options (0%, 2%, and 4.37%)
- Includes an easy-fold function that makes this treadmill extremely easy to store, and makes it a good machine for those with limited workout spaces in their homes.
- Weight capacity of 220 pounds.
- Treadmill track of 48.8 inches long by 15.75 inches wide.
- Designed with 9 built in workout programs to optimize your workout.
- LCD screen for displaying burned calories, speed, distance ran, pulse, and time.
- Comes with a cell phone and tablet holder.
What customers are saying
Merax Easy Assembly Folding Electric Treadmill Motorized Running Machine
The Merax Easy treadmill is one of the most economical machines on the market, and its functionality is similar to the other low-cost, foldable treadmills on this list. Like the others, this treadmill is easily folded up for storage in smaller spaces. However, it does have some excellent functions and capabilities that really sets it apart.
One of the stand-out functions of this treadmill is that, unlike any of the other super low-cost treadmills on this list, the Merax has a total of 12 pre-installed workout programs. These workout programs allow you to test your limits, keep your workout routines fresh, and teaches you new ways to optimize your exercise.
This treadmill is also built with a premium vacuum motor to lower noisiness so you can easily use this treadmill while watching TV without needing to crank the volume. The speed capacity of the Merax treadmill is 0. 5- 6.2 MPH.
The Merax comes with a 5 inch LED display for tracking speed, heart rate, distance ran, and calories burnt. The track on this treadmill is 16 inches wide. It also comes with a tablet holder and two cup holderss, one on each side of the LED display. Finally, this treadmill has an MP3 and Audio Auxiliary port.
Features
- Highly economical treadmill that comes at a low cost.
- Easily folded up for storage in smaller spaces, such as apartments that don’t have enough room to support a comprehensive home gym.
- Comes equipped with 12 pre-installed workout programs.
- Speed capacity of 0. 5- 6.2 MPH.
- Built with a premium vacuum motor to lower noisiness.
- 5-inch LED display to track distance, speed, calories, and heart rate.
- 16 inch wide track.
- Cup holders on each side of the LED screen.
- MP3 and audio auxiliary ports.
- Tablet holder.
What customers are saying
Image Credit: “monzon_interaction4” by Sindy Monzon Aguilon is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0