Best Treadmills to Help You Keep Fit at Home [2020 Update]

Tired of running on hard concrete or being at the mercy of the weather? Or worrying about possible serial killers hiding out in the bushes? Well, you can definitely get rid of all those worries/problems/paranoia with a good treadmill. You can log miles within the safety of your own home, customize your “track,” and even help your running form. All that being said, it’s not so easy to find the right treadmill.

There are quite a lot of options being sold in the market today with a wide variety of features and prices to consider. Some have different features like integrating with a fitness app or app for personal trainers. And considering that the budget treadmills will cost you several hundred bucks, it’s pretty important that you make the right choice the first time around. That’s why we’re here to help! We’ve shopped around and compiled a list of the best treadmills that suit various types of preferences and lifestyles. Check out our top 10 picks below.

Top 10 Treadmills Of 2020 Reviewed

1. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black

Best Folding Treadmill

Whether you only want to want or run, the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill is the right machine for you. The surface is a massive 16 by 50 inches affair, which allows you to do virtually any activity you want. It comes with an easy-to-read 5-inch LCD display to help you keep track of your pulse, calories, distance, time, incline, and speed.

Talking about the incline settings, you can adjust it to three easy levels. In addition to that, the machine provides 12 preset programs to give you a wide variety of personalized workouts. You can also regulate the way you work out by adjusting the speed from 0.5 MPH to 10 MPH. Thus, you can start at a lower speed and keep increasing it and your fitness levels improve. It is for these and other reasons that we consider it the best folding treadmill on the market. Why would you want to buy anything else?

XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black

Pros:

  • Has an easy-to-read 5-inch LCD display
  • 3 manual inclined for more workout variety
  • Comes with 12 preset workout programs

Cons:

  • Possible exposure to harmful chemicals
  • Hard to move using wheels
  • May develop errors that impair it

2. NordicTrack T Series Treadmills

Best Smart Treadmill for Running

Even with a treadmill, a workout is supposed to be challenging enough to help you attain your fitness goals. That is exactly what you get with the NordicTrack T Series Treadmills. The product has a 10 percent automatic incline, which will make it look like you are going uphill. With a speed ranging from 0 MPH to 10 MPH, you can tune the machine for walking, jogging or running right there in your home. It comes with two EKP pulse sensors in the handles so that you know the state of your body.

The tread belt measures 20 by 55 inches, which is large enough to help you carry out any kind of workout. With a 10-inch HD touchscreen, this machine provides interactive personal training right inside your home. When you buy this machine, you will get a 1-year membership with Fit. That will avail studio as well as trainer-led workouts. No need to join the local gym.

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

Pros:

  • Has an HD touchscreen
  • Produces minimal motor noise
  • Comes with auto incline capabilities

Cons:

  • You have to register with iFit to use it
  • Has poor quality panel speakers
  • Reports of the machine dying abruptly

3. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill

Best Smart Treadmill for Running

The Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill is an entry-level machine for those who are new to running or ones who are limited to walking/light jogging. Many experts believe that good discount treadmills should cost around $800 minimum. However, for those who do not have the cash or space for higher-end machines, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 serves just as well.

It comes with a 2.25 HP motor, a top speed of 10 mph, and a track that’s 50″ long x 16″ wide. The blue-tinted LCD shows calories burned, speed, time, and distance. The machine also has preset workouts designed by a certified personal trainer.

Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill

Pros:

  • Very affordable
  • Compact
  • Heart rate monitor

Cons:

  • Has a smaller track than most models
  • Not ideal for runners
  • Some users have reported creaking or some sort of noise once you reach 6 mph or higher

4. ProForm Performance 800i Treadmill

Best Treadmill with Free Club Membership

The first thing you will notice about this treadmill is the 14-inch full-color touch display. Since it is iFit enabled, you will be able to connect with a personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness goals. You could be in a room inside your home and still receive workout instructions from a trainer at iFit. That is why this is considered the best treadmill with free club membership.

It comes with a sturdy 2.75-chip Mach Z tread belt, which is good enough for use in commercial settings. Measuring 18 by 60 inches, the belt is large enough to accommodate you. Overall, the machine is designed to carry a weight of up to 315 pounds. You can set the speed anywhere between 0 MPH and 12 MPH. two EKG heart rate monitors are situated on the handles to monitor your pulse as you keep working out.

ProForm Performance 800i Treadmill

Pros:

  • An iFit enabled touch screen
  • Speed of up to 12 MPH
  • Has a commercial tread belt

Cons:

  • Has a loud fan
  • Has poor quality built-in speakers
  • Complaints about iFit workouts

5. LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill

Best Smart Treadmill for Running

The LifeSpan TR1200i is a little more expensive than our previous pick but it’s loaded with a lot of additional features, giving you plenty of bang for your buck. The treadmill comes with 17 preset programs and two heart rate control programs. You can also add two customized programs of your own.

The machine also has 15 incline levels, a 20-inch x 56-inch track, a 2.5 CHP motor, a top speed of 11 mph, and the capability of storing your data in a USB.

LifeSpan TR1200i Folding Treadmill

Pros:

  • Lifetime warranty on motor and frame, three years on the parts, and a 1-year warranty on labor
  • Data storage
  • User-designed programs

Cons:

  • No fan
  • USB flash drive not included
  • Difficult to assemble

6. Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill

Best Smart Treadmill for Running

The Horizon T101 is another entry-level model, ideal for your average runner. It comes with a ton of features such as a speaker system, MP3 player port, 30 built-in programs (step-goal workouts, distance-based workouts, calorie-goal workouts, and interval workouts), an incline that reaches 10%, a dual grip heart rate monitoring system, and a cooling fan.

The treadmill can be easily folded with one hand for storage and it’s pretty stable compared to other budget-friendly options. The 2.25 CHP motor comes with a lifetime warranty (the frame does as well) while the parts have a 2-year warranty. Labor has a 1-year warranty.

Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill

Pros:

  • 30 built-in programs targeting various fitness goals
  • Lifetime warranty on motor and frame
  • Incline reaches 10%

Cons:

  • 20″ x 55″ tread belt is too short for some runners
  • 2.25 HP motor is not sufficient for hardcore runners
  • Some users reported shipping issues

7. ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

Treadmill With Decline

The ProForm PRO 2000 is just a couple of hundred dollars more than some of our budget picks but it is already miles away in terms of features and performance. The machine comes with a 3.5 CHP Mach Z Commercial Pro Motor (lifetime warranty), an electronic incline/decline that ranges from -3 to 15%, a 60″ long and 22″ wide track, a 7″ workout screen, and 32 built-in programs.

It’s iFit technology compatible though it does require an iFit subscription. The speed ranges from 0 to 12 mph and can easily be set using the QuickSpeed Control.

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

Pros:

  • QuickSpeed Control allows for interval training
  • Quiet motor
  • Smooth run

Cons:

  • Slow customer service
  • Some users reported that the heart rate monitor was inaccurate
  • Requires two people to assemble

8. 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill

Folding Treadmills For Runners

While 3G Cardio is a relatively new brand, they certainly have provided runners with a top-quality machine with the 80i Fold Flat Treadmill. It has a 3 HP motor, a running track that’s 18.5″ x 58″, a maximum speed of 11 mph, and a maximum incline of 15%. While the treadmill only has 8 built-in programs, some of them are customizable and they serve a variety of needs (i.e. heart rate, fat burning, and interval training).

What we really love about this treadmill is the unique folding design. You can fold it completely flat and store it under the bed or vertically in a closet or something similar (9.75 feet tall).

3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill

Pros:

  • Customizable programs
  • Unique folding design
  • 15% incline

Cons:

  • Small running area for its price
  • Basic console (no wireless heart rate monitoring option)
  • Small display

9. Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill

Cushioned Treadmill

The Sole F80 is one of the best treadmills for runners. It has a commercial 3.5 CHP motor, a 22″ x 60″ running track with 2-ply durability, a proprietary Cushion Flex Whisper Deck that reduces stress on your joints by up to 40%, Bluetooth connectivity, ten built-in workouts (two custom programs); a cooling fan, and an MP3-compatible sound system. The treadmill comes with a foldable frame for saving space.

Sole Fitness F80 Folding Treadmill

Pros:

  • A wide running surface
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Solid & quiet

Cons:

  • Only 10 built-in programs
  • Some users found the handrails a bit short
  • Poor customer service

10. Schwinn 830 Treadmill

Cushioned Treadmill

The Schwinn 830 Treadmill is one of our top picks because it offers some features only found in more expensive treadmills and some features that aren’t found anywhere else. The machine has a 2.75 CHP motor, an incline that ranges from 0 to 12%, and a speed ranging from 0 to 12 mph. While the track is smaller than what you’d find in most high-end treadmills, the fact that it can reach 12 mph and an incline of 12% at this price point is something to be celebrated.

In addition, the Schwinn 830 Treadmill comes with 22 built-in workouts with the option to download exercise data. You can connect to Schwinn Connect and MyFitnessPal using your machine. You also get a USB charging port and a 3-speed cooling fan.

Schwinn 830 Treadmill

Pros:

  • USB charging port
  • The maximum speed of 12 mph
  • Really quiet

Cons:

  • Assembly requires two people
  • Shock absorption quality is not good enough at this price point
  • Motor only has a 10-year warranty

Choosing The Best Treadmill for Running – The Ultimate Buying Guide

Walkers, joggers, and runners all would benefit from having a treadmill at home. Not only will you be able to customize your exercise (on some models only), this is a safer alternative to walking/jogging/running outside. However, picking out the right treadmill isn’t a simple matter.

Your choice will have to be based on several factors. And we’ve listed them all to help you find the perfect fit to help you reach your fitness goals.

How Much Space do You Have?

Before you can even look at features or motor power, you need to first consider space. Because you won’t even be able to use your treadmill if you can’t fit it inside your exercise room. If you only have a small space available, you might want to limit yourself to compact models such as the Weslo Cadence G 5.9. You’ll also need to consider storage space.

Some models such as the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill has a wider running surface compared to the Weslo but it also folds flat, enabling you to store it under your bed.

Are You A Walker, Jogger, or Runner?

Walkers and joggers often find that most low-cost treadmills will suffice. These usually have smaller running tracks (less than 20 by 60 inches) and less powerful motors (less than 3 HP).

Runners, on the other hand, require stronger motors such as the 3.5 CHP motor used in the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill. They also require larger running surfaces to accommodate their full running stride, especially if you’re a tall person.

Do You want Preset or Built-in Programs and/or Compatibility with Fitness Apps?

Running endlessly on a machine and getting nowhere can be boring for some people. Some newbie runners don’t even know how to fully utilize a treadmill to give them the workout they need. Thankfully, most treadmills nowadays offer built-in programs that are designed by certified personal trainers. Low-cost ones usually offer a small number of preset workouts.

Higher-end models offer over 40 programs, covering calorie burn, heart rate workouts, interval training, etc. There are some expensive models that also feature 10 or fewer programs such as the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill. However, they also offer customizable programs that most low-end models do not.

Will You be Assembling the Unit on Your Own?

Setting up your treadmill can be a challenge. Some more than others. In addition, most models weigh at least 200 pounds. Unless the delivery company helps you place the box inside your house, you might end up with an extremely heavy box right on your doorstep with no way to move it on your own.

Other considerations you might want to think about when choosing your treadmill are the display (easy to read), the controls (easy to use), heart rate monitoring (handgrip or wireless), the warranty, the customer service, and incline settings (to add even more versatility to your workout). One thing is clear. Whateveoption you decide to buy, use it. Don’t let it gather dust. Even the cheapest treadmill on our list will put you back several hundred dollars. You might as well make the most out of your investment, no matter how little it might be.

Conclusion

It is not enough to have a treadmill in your home. The unit you buy should be capable of providing you with everything you need for your workout. That’s why you should pay attention to key features when reading about the products we have reviewed in this write-up.

Importantly, check out the pros and cons which summarise the key facts about each of the products featured. Remember that the buying guide is meant to help narrow down to the precise treadmill for you. Now that you have an idea about the things you need to look for, go ahead and buy one. And, enjoy your workouts!

SHARE
Previous articleBest Essential Oil Diffusers For Everyday Use [2020 Update]
Next articleBest Kitchen Faucets For Your New And Modern Kitchen [2020 Update]
A blogger, personal finance enthusiast with slight “addiction” of planning and organizing whether it’s budget, business or just life in general. When you run into an article around the web you can clearly tell it’s Michael’s work,as it can never be mixed with anyone else's , because of his very unique own voice. Finances, real estate, budgeting, new technological solutions are not the only talking points, that he has his heart set on. Passionate about life he studies and writes about environmental changes, human rights and quality of life. Being a true humanist he draws inspiration from the simple thing as an everyday life and the matters one come across on daily bases doing his best and above to help everyone around.