The 8 Best Budget Treadmills (Spring 2023 Update) – Fitnessnacks

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Treadmills make for a great centerpiece in many home gyms, but they can also cost a pretty penny — especially for some of the higher-end models. They’re quite versatile, offering options for HIIT training, endurance training, and even some strength training (if you purchase one that can incline). Top rated treadmills sell for over $4,000, but you can find plenty of high-quality treadmills for far below that price tag.

We’ve compiled a list of the best budget treadmills on the market — most cost around $1,000, but they range in cost from as low as $350 to around $1,800. The lower the cost, the fewer features you’ll find on your treadmill. However, even the lowest-priced treadmill on this list offers high value for the money you’re spending. Whether you’re looking for a tread for walking or one that you can store under your bed, we have a pick for you on this list that won’t annihilate your bank account — just your legs and lungs. 

Best Budget Treadmills

Best Budget Treadmill Overall

Our top pick is durable, offers solid speed/incline adjustments, and has an affordable streaming service where you can take both live and on-demand classes.

Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill

To top the list of budget treadmills, a product has to be budget-friendly and feature-rich. The F63 ticks that box all around. The price is reasonable, especially for the features provided, at around $999, while the Studio™ streaming membership is only about $19.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. Both prices are about half of what many comparable options cost. The mechanical components are solid, with a powerful 3.0 HP motor to reach a top speed of 12 miles per hour and a top incline of up to 15 degrees with ease.

Sole F63 Treadmill

The Sole F63 is a high-quality, no-frills treadmill. The 3.0 HP motor can support up to 325 pounds, and the foldability is ideal for those tight on space. 

The Sole F63 tracks standard stats such as speed, incline, pace, pulse from the heart rate hand sensors, as well as time and distance traveled on a 6.5-inch white backlit display. If you want to follow along with streaming classes or other entertainment, you can place your smart device on the tablet holder. When you’ve finished your workout, you can take advantage of the easy-assist folding to store the F63.

Who Should Buy The Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill

• Runners who like the ability to either follow along with streaming classes or manually determine their workouts will like the options here.
• Athletes who perform interval training or spring workouts will appreciate the powerful motor’s quick speed and incline adjustments. 
• Anyone who wants a budget treadmill that doesn’t fall short when it comes to speed, comfort, and incline options. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The NordicTrack EXP 7i Treadmill

• Buyers who are interested in a touchscreen or integrated streaming display may want to check out other options. 
• People who want inclines that go up even higher or a treadmill with decline capabilities.

The Sole F63 is an all-around solid budget treadmill that doesn’t feel cheap and provides a host of comfort and performance features. The motor is solid, the machine itself is durable, and the price is particularly reasonable given the overall quality.

Read our full review of the Sole F63 Treadmill.

Best Budget Treadmill for Home

If you’re looking to build out a home gym, you’re likely spending money on other equipment as well. This treadmill offers everything you need for your home without going over the top, which can save you both space and cash to make other purchases.

Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

This treadmill comes with all the features you need for a solid at-home workout without anything extra. You can opt to use streaming platforms with your own tablet or handheld device (that you likely already have at home), rather than paying extra for a touchscreen display or purchasing a larger treadmill with a big touchscreen display console. You can even pair the sound from your device through this tread’s Bluetooth speakers.

Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is a durable, low-cost option for anyone looking for a quality treadmill without overspending. It features a strong motor, a wide range of speed and incline settings, and a unique three-zone cushion system. 

The Horizon 7.0 AT also has great shock absorption for long-distance running, a mobile app that can track your stats, and a sturdy deck to ensure that this treadmill lasts for years to come. If you’re looking for a no-frills machine that can fold up and out of your way when it’s not in use, you’ve found it — this is an all-around great home option. 

BarBend tests one of the top budget treadmills

Who Should Buy The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

• Athletes looking to reduce impact on their joints by 40 percent compared to outdoor running will appreciate the cushioning system here. 
• Buyers who are looking for a no-frills treadmill that will suit their home gym, but still leave space and money for other equipment.
• Anyone who wants the option to stream classes but doesn’t want to deal with (or pay for) a large touchscreen display. You can utilize the tablet holder on this machine and stream via your own device. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

• Athletes who want a solid number of preset workout programs will want to look elsewhere. 
• If you’re looking for a treadmill that can fold up and slide under your couch, this pick isn’t for you. While it does fold, it folds vertically at an angle, so it won’t save you as much space in your home as a tread that can fold flat to be stored on the ground. 

This treadmill is a great pick when it comes to durability, quality, and streaming compatibility, making it a functional choice for home gyms. Plus, it can fold up and save some room in your house when it’s not in use. 

Read our full review of the Horizon 7.0 AT.

Best Budget Treadmill for Streaming

If streaming live and on-demand fitness classes keeps you coming back for more on the treadmill, the ProForm Carbon T10 should be able to keep you hooked.

ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill

Though this treadmill is a little pricier than some of our other budget options on this list, you’ll be receiving a surprising amount of high-tech features with your purchase, including a 10-inch HD display for streaming iFit classes (which comes free for three years with this purchase — a huge cost-savings). Your money will only be worth your while if you thrive in a coached class, and an on-screen coach is a priority aspect of your training regimen.

ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill

This treadmill offers a 10-inch touchscreen display, and comes with a free month of iFit. You’ll also find incline up to 12 percent, speed up to 12mph, solid shock absorption, and foldability.

Otherwise, the rest of this treadmill is comparable to the less expensive options on this list that don’t include a touchscreen display — incline up to 12 percent, speed up to 12mph, solid shock absorption, and foldability. It’s worth noting that the running area here is only 55 inches long, while many treads offer 60 inches in length to accommodate taller athletes’ longer stride lengths. 

Who Should Buy The ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill

• Tech-obsessed runners who want a 10-inch touchscreen display to support all their streaming needs.
• If you’re looking to try out a new streaming platform, this tread comes with three free years of iFit. 
• Athletes who want a budget treadmill that reaches 12mph and 12 percent incline. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill

• People who are looking for a no-frills tread can find lower-tech options out there. 
• Taller users may want to look for a tread with a longer running area, as many treads offer 60 inches in length rather than this tread’s 55 inches. 

The ProForm Carbon T10 comes with three years of iFit, as well as a 10-inch touchscreen display that can provide access to over 16,000 live and on-demand classes. You may pay a little more than you would for more budget options on this list, but if you’re tech-obsessed, the cost may just be worth it.

Best Budget Treadmill for Running

Our pick from Sole Fitness comes with a powerful motor, solid inclines/speeds, and a tablet holder, making it a great choice for runners who are wanting to push their limits.

Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill

The Sole Fitness F63 has a solid 3.0 HP motor that can carry you through long endurance runs or daily HIIT work. It also boasts cushioning that can help reduce the impact on your joints by 40 percent. Its running area is 60 inches long and 20 inches wide, which provides ample room, even for taller runners.

Sole F63 Treadmill

The Sole F63 is a high-quality, no-frills treadmill. The 3.0 HP motor can support up to 325 pounds, and the foldability is ideal for those tight on space. 

It can take you up to 15 percent in incline and 12mph in speed — both of these maxes are above average for treadmills in this price range. And for those who want to stream fitness classes, the Sole F63 does have a tablet holder, but the machine itself is no-frills — this makes it a great option for runners who just want to get their miles in without the distraction of fancy in-console technology. 

Who Should Buy The Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill

• Runners who put in a lot of mileage will appreciate the solid motor and cushioning that can reduce the impact on your joints by 40 percent. 
• If you’re looking for top inclines and speeds on a budget treadmill, this one goes up to 12mph and 15 percent in incline. 
• Taller runners who need a longer running area will appreciate that this one is 60 inches long. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill

• While this motor is powerful, you can find more powerful 4.0 CHP motors at higher price points.
• Anyone who wants the latest and greatest technology in their console. 

This treadmill is a great choice for runners who just want to tack on miles without dealing with a fancy high-tech treadmill. The Sole F63 can reach the speeds and inclines they need without any of the other unnecessary frills. 

Best Budget Incline Treadmill

While this pick is the most expensive one you’ll find on this budget list, the price is still below $2,000, which is definitely in the budget range across the treadmill market. What makes the price tag worth it here? The incline and decline range. 

NordicTrack Commercial 1750

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is one of NordicTrack’s best-sellers for good reason. It comes at a very reasonable price and is one of the few treadmills on the market that offers both incline and decline. This machine can climb all the way up to 15 percent and all the way down to -3 percent.

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has a sturdy, updated build that allows for easy transitions in your interval training and adjustable cushioning to simulate outdoor runs. The 1750 is made for the tech-loving runner, with modern additions like iFit to help make your workout session complete. 

If you’re training for a trail race where you’ll be traversing all sorts of terrains, this can be a great feature. Plus, you’ll find a 10-inch touchscreen display that comes along with a free month of iFit. If you take an iFit class on this tread, the incline and decline will automatically adjust for you with your instructor’s cues to make your training even more seamless. 

BarBend tests the NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Who Should Buy The NordicTrack Commercial 1750

• Runners who want to work both inclines and declines will like the -3 to 15 percent range here. 
• Athletes who want to stream classes where the incline adjusts for them throughout the class, so they can just focus on their running. 
• Anyone who likes high-tech features will appreciate the 10-inch touchscreen display here. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The NordicTrack Commercial 1750

• Joggers who prefer to run flat and focus on speed do not need the incline and decline features here. 
• If you’re on a really tight budget, we have less expensive options for you on this list. 

The NordicTrack 1750 is definitely made for those who want to experiment with incline and decline. You may pay a little extra for its high-tech features, but we think it’s worth the extra cash, especially if you’re training for a hike or trail race. 

Read our full review of the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.

Best Budget Treadmill for Walking

If you don’t need to use your treadmill for running, you don’t need to pay for top speeds. There are plenty of treadmills on the market that hit all the walking speeds you’ll need, and lucky for you — they’re even less expensive. 

ProForm City L6 Treadmill

Though the ProForm City L6 is less expensive than most, that doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Your purchase includes a free 30-day iFit membership, and the treadmill comes with a tablet holder, so you can prop your device up and stream classes as you walk.

ProForm City L6 Treadmill

This walking treadmill comes with a free 30-day iFit membership, and a tablet holder, so you can prop your device up and stream classes as you walk. It hits speeds up to 8mph, which even offers you room to progress and test your running skills.

This tread hits speeds up to 8mph, which even offers you some room to progress if you want to test your running skills. However, it doesn’t offer any incline options, which could be a deterrent for some. It does fold completely flat, which makes it easy to store. But it’s worth noting that the walking area is a bit short at only 45 inches, which could be problematic for taller walkers who have a long stride. 

Who Should Buy The ProForm City L6 Treadmill

• Walkers who are looking for a basic treadmill that will help them get their steps in each day. 
• Anyone who just wants to focus on long endurance runs could also use this treadmill, as it does reach speeds up to 8mph. 
• If you’re tight on space, this tread folds flat for easy storage.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The ProForm City L6 Treadmill

• Someone who wants all the latest high-tech features on their treadmill.
• If you’re looking for incline or higher speed options, you’ll want to look elsewhere. 
• Taller walkers may find the walking area here to be a bit short at 45 inches long. 

If you’re searching for a tread to accommodate long walks indoors on rainy days, you’ve found it. This tread goes up to 8mph, and it costs about $500 less than most of the other treads on this list. 

Best Space-Saving Budget Treadmill

While a lot of treadmills fold up vertically to save space, this treadmill takes the space-saving factor one step further and folds flat, so you can easily slide it under a couch or bed for storage. 

Echelon Stride Treadmill

The Echelon Stride is made for apartment dwellers where every square foot matters. It folds flat so that it’s only 10 inches tall — this means you can slide it under furniture and tuck it out of the way when it’s not in use. You can also stand it vertically and tuck it against a wall without taking up extra room.

Echelon Stride Treadmill

This tread folds flat so that it’s only 10 inches tall. The speed can reach 12mph, and you get a free 30-day Echelon Premiere membership with your purchase, which provides access to over 3,000 live and on-demand classes.

The running area is a bit shorter at 55 inches long, which can save you some extra space, as well. Though the incline only goes to 10 percent, the speed can still reach 12mph. Plus, you get a free 30-day Echelon Premiere membership with your purchase, which provides access to over 3,000 live and on-demand classes, all of which you can watch on your tablet using the tread’s tablet holder.

Who Should Buy The Echelon Stride Treadmill

• Anyone who wants to save some space will like that this treadmill can fold completely flat, rather than at an angle like most treads. 
• Runners who want a foldable treadmill that can still hit high speeds for sprints — this tread goes all the way up to 12mph. 
• People who don’t want a large touchscreen display will appreciate that this tread only offers a tablet holder. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Echelon Stride Treadmill

• Consumers who want to hit inclines higher than 10 percent. 
• Taller users who may need a longer running area will want to look for a tread that is 60+ inches long.

Though the Echelon Stride doesn’t offer the fanciest technology or the highest incline on this list, it is one of the more compact treads on the market. Its running area is shorter than most and it folds completely flat, so you can store it vertically against a wall or even underneath your bed. 

Read our full review of the Echelon Stride Treadmill.

Best Budget Treadmill Under $500

Though all of the treadmills on this list are under $2,000 and considered to be below the average cost across a market where treads can cost up to $8,000, this treadmill is especially cost-effective, coming in at just over $350. 

Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

With the lower price here, you’re not going to get as many features as you would with the other budget treads on this list. However, you’ll still find speeds up to 9mph, and three manual incline levels (zero percent, two percent, and 4.37 percent). There’s a console that includes nine built-in workout programs with a large LCD display that shows your time, distance, speed, calories burned, and pulse.

Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

This machine offers speeds up to 9mph, and three manual incline levels (0 percent, two percent, and 4.37 percent). There’s a console that includes nine built-in workout programs with a large LCD display, and this tread provides a tablet holder for streaming fitness classes. 

Plus, it has a tablet holder, so if you still want to use a separate streaming platform to follow along to classes, you have that option, as well. The weight capacity is fairly low at 220 pounds though, so this tread is definitely not a one-size-fits-all option. Despite the few drawbacks this treadmill has, it’s a great option for an ultra-budget treadmill for certain consumers.

Who Should Buy The Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

• Buyers on a budget looking for a steal may find this to be one of the best deals on the market. 
• Walkers and joggers who don’t need to hit high speeds or inclines, as this tread only goes up to 9mph and 4.37 percent in incline. 
• If you still want to stream fitness classes, this pick has a tablet holder that can help you do so.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

• Runners who want to hit high speeds will want to find a tread that goes up to at least 12mph.
• People who want more incline options — this tread only has three. 
• Athletes who need a treadmill with a weight capacity greater than 220 pounds will want to choose another tread.

If you’re reading this list, you’re likely trying to stick to a budget. But if you’re looking for the best deal on the market, this tread is just over $350 and provides most of the features you need to conquer a solid run in the comfort of your home. 

How We Chose the Best Budget Treadmills

While we compiled this list to help you find the right tread for your home, a small part of us may have also done it to build a trustworthy guide for our own searches — who doesn’t want to save a few bucks, and find a high-quality treadmill for a steal of a price, right? These are the main things we considered when building this list. 

Price

The number one consideration when making the picks for this list was obviously price. There are countless treadmills on the market, and we wanted to be sure that you were not only seeing the best deals, but also the best value for these deals.

Image: Brian A Jackson / Shutterstock

While the prices on this list are generally below the market average, we made sure the quality didn’t fall below average for that price. You’ll see most of these picks falling somewhere around $1,000, and almost all of them falling under $2,000. Though you may not find the fanciest technology for this price range, rest assured that you are getting your money’s worth in the high-quality build of these treadmills. 

Special Features

Even with budget treadmills, you can still find a lot of great options that offer special features. Whether that’s a touchscreen display, free streaming services, or Bluetooth connectivity, we’ve included a wide variety of options on this list that are in the budget range, but still offer some perks that you’ll find on more high-tech treadmills. On the other hand, we’ve also included basic treads here for walkers and runners who don’t want to deal with the frills of touchscreens or coached virtual fitness classes.

Speed and Incline

Many budget treadmills come with lower speeds and inclines. Though that may be true for some of the lower-budget options on this list, we’ve included many picks that don’t skimp on the speed and incline levels. Most of our picks hit 12mph in speed and at least 12 percent in incline. And if they don’t, their price tag is much lower to account for that. 

Durability

If you’re purchasing a treadmill, you’re going to want to make it worthwhile even if the price is on the lower end of the market average. We’ve only included treadmills on this list that should last for around 10 years at least. In order for any purchase to last you that long, you will have to take care of it, but if you’re wiping off sweat and not stomping as hard as you can on the deck when you run, these treadmills all have pretty durable steel builds.

How Much Do Budget Treadmills Cost?

Studio or commercial-grade treadmills can cost several thousand dollars. If you don’t have that much to spend or simply don’t want to spend that much on a treadmill, then a budget treadmill may be the way to go. Many cost-effective treads nowadays come loaded with features and offer great value.

Some creature comforts and quality-of-life features (such as automatic adjustments or extra-large super high-definition screens) may not be quite as prevalent on some of these picks, but they can get the job done at a fraction of the cost in many cases. For a high-quality, yet budget-friendly treadmill you can expect to spend between $500 and $2,000.

What to Consider Before Buying a Budget Treadmill

Though these treadmills aren’t the most expensive ones you’ll find across the market, you’ll still want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, as some of them cost close to $2,000. Here are our tips on what to consider before making your purchase. 

Size and Foldability

Size is one of the biggest factors customers take into consideration when buying home gym equipment. There’s no way around it — treadmills aren’t small. While there are some that are smaller than others, any treadmill on this list is going to take up a decent chunk of space when it’s in use, so you will need to take your measurements and ensure you have the space to house this equipment.

Image via Shutterstock / Chiociolla

Not all treadmills fold, but most of the ones on this list do. Some of them even fold flat, which can be great for apartment dwellers who want to slide their tread under their bed when they’re done using it. Before hitting the market, you’ll want to weigh your measurements against the different folding options available to you. 

Fitness Goals

Treadmills can offer different benefits for you depending on your fitness goals. Some may use a treadmill as their main form of exercise, following along with virtual running classes on their touchscreen display or smart device daily. Others may use it as a way to get their steps in when the weather outside is less than ideal, while some may use it for speed work to supplement their strength training. 

You’ll want to look for different aspects of a treadmill depending on what you’re using it for. For example, if you’re using it for speed work, you don’t want to buy a tread that caps out at 8mph. And on the other hand, if you’re just using it for walking, you don’t need to invest in a machine that goes up to 12mph. 

Technology

Many treadmills offer advanced technology within the console, which can include a touchscreen display for streaming fitness classes, heart rate monitoring, and Bluetooth connectivity. Typically, the more technology on your treadmill, the more expensive it is, and the bigger the console. If you don’t plan on using, say, a touchscreen display, you likely don’t need to pay for it, or find the space to house the large console that accommodates it. Before deciding which treadmill to buy, consider what technological features you want it to include.

Final Word

Buying a treadmill is a big move, no matter what the price tag. Even though the picks on this list are more cost-effective than what you’ll find across the majority of the treadmill market, they’re all still fairly hefty purchases. Before buying a treadmill, you’ll want to be sure you are finding the machine that can best suit your needs, and make the most of the money you’re dishing out. 

You’ll likely be faced with deciding between a treadmill that offers high-tech features or a basic console, a treadmill that reaches high speeds and inclines or one that just allows for a good walk, or a treadmill that folds all the way flat or just folds up to an angle when not in use. Once you’ve made your measurements and set out your fitness goals, this list can help you sift through the rest to find the best option for your home.

FAQs

How much do budget treadmills cost?

Generally, treadmills will cost you over $2,000, and even all the way up to $8,000 for very advanced machines. A cost-effective treadmill should be less than $2,000, with very cost-effective machines falling under $1,000. You can even score some high-quality treadmills for as low as around $500 if you don’t need a bunch of technology, or bells and whistles.

How fast can budget treadmills go?

Many budget treadmills don’t fall short on speed. While you may find some that cap at solid run speeds of 8mph, you’ll find many that go all the way up to sprint speeds of 12mph.

Can budget treadmills fold to fit under the bed?

Some can. It depends on the build, and the way the treadmill lays, but there are definitely compact options on the market that fold flat, and can stow completely out of your way when not in use.

What’s the best budget treadmill?

The best budget treadmill depends on what you’re looking to achieve with it — whether you want to walk daily, train for a 5k or marathon, or use it occasionally when the weather outside isn’t conducive to running. That said, our favorite right now is the Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill. It’s packed with features you’d expect to find on a tread double the price and is a true workhorse with a solid build.

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