The 9 Best Treadmills For Home, Tested By Runners

Dimensions: 80 x 38 x 64 inches | Speed range: 0 to 12 mph | Incline range: -3% to 12% | Weight capacity: 400 pounds | Programs: iFIT | Warranty: 10 years for frame, 2 years for parts, 1 year for labor | Special features: Bluetooth headphone and heart rate connectivity, Google Maps integration

• What’s notable: The Commercial Series 1750 combines a sturdy build, comfortable deck, useful technology and powerful-yet-quiet motor to rival true commercial models found in gyms.
• What could be better: It’s a large piece of machinery that may be too much for all athletes and spaces, it doesn’t allow streaming of outside content and it’s pricey (especially when not on sale).

As athletes who spend hours each week running and walking on treadmills, we can confidently say that if you’re a serious competitor who logs a lot of miles—or a more casual gym goer who wants a high-quality machine that will last—you’ll appreciate the NordicTrack Commercial Series 1750. We love its powerful 3.5 continuous horsepower (CHP) motor, wide belt and generous 20 x 60-inch running deck, which accommodates even the longest strides. Though it is admittedly large, it’s also foldable when not in use and uses hydraulics to assist (luckily so, because this machine weighs over 300 pounds).

Competitive marathoner and triathlete Sheila Monaghan corroborates that the belt’s wideness lends to the machine’s overall stability, and makes using this equipment “feel more like running outside.” The range of inclines adds to this “real road”-like feel, simulating hilly terrain with its incline variability; the machine can go from a 12% grade to a -3% decline (a rare and notable feature), mimicking a more realistic running experience. No other treadmill on this list matches or bests this incline variety other than the BowFlex Treadmill 10, which can go from 15% to -5% decline.

This treadmill actually has entertainment features we wanted to use, too: Its impressive 14-inch touchscreen display swivels, allowing us to utilize the built-in iFIT workouts even when we stepped off the treadmill for some strength training or stretching. And the variety in the iFIT workouts caters to everyone—from beginners to elite runners—while the Google Maps street-view integration is a fantastic touch for an immersive experience.

While it’s definitely an investment machine, running you over $2,000 at full price, almost all the experts we spoke with recommended the 1750 for its quality and durability. Monaghan notes that “this treadmill is not flimsy or bouncy like some others [I tried],” an especially important quality to accommodate a variety of users and allow them stay stable for sessions of all lengths. In fact, this tread has a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds.

If you can get by without the fitness classes and technology, it might be worth saving money on a model like the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT, which offers similar power and incline figures. Likewise, the NordicTrack Commercial Series 1250 is also a little cheaper and shares a few of the same qualities as the 1750 in terms of foldability and iFIT technology, though its motor has a slightly less powerful 3.0 CHP. That said, if you value an extra-smooth ride with a bunch of added pluses and a solid warranty to boot, the Commercial 1750 is the way to go.

Dimensions: 76 x 35 x 67 inches | Speed range: 0.5 to 12 mph | Incline range: 0% to 15% | Weight capacity: 325 pounds | Programs: None | Warranty: Lifetime for both frame and motor, 3 years for parts, 1 year for labor | Special features: Bluetooth capability, intuitive thumb dials on handlebars

• What’s notable: This model doesn’t skimp on the features and is considerably more affordable than others on this list. It can fold in half with a hydraulic lift and can connect with training apps and stream classes and media via Bluetooth.
• What could be better: Taller individuals might find the belt too small for running at higher speeds, and there’s no built-in screen (just a simple digital display).

The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT packs in a ton of value for its under-$1,000 price tag. Measuring 76 x 35 x 66 inches, with a max weight capacity of 325 pounds, it’s a solid choice for most home gyms, and a hydraulic lift allows you to fold the machine in half when it’s not in use—a feature you won’t often find at this price point, and one we really appreciate. In addition to its decent speed and incline variability controlled by thumb dials, this treadmill’s Bluetooth connectivity is useful: It allows you to use a tablet or phone to follow classes on platforms like Peloton, connect to training apps like Zwift or simply play music or movies. The 7.0 AT’s basic digital display, meanwhile, keeps your progress and important stats front and center, and a fast-charging USB port supplies juice to your devices.

The feel of the treadmill is comfortable, too; in our testing, we found that our footfalls landed solidly on the flexible and appropriately cushioned deck, which measures a roomy 20 x 60 inches. This ample size is bested only by much more expensive models on this list, like the BowFlex Treadmill 10 and Sole Fitness F80. When chatting with experts for this guide, David Siik, founder of Precision Run at Equinox and author of The Ultimate Treadmill Workout, was quick to suggest similar; he added that Horizon manufactures their equipment at state-of-the-art factories, using quality components. This means that you likely won’t be sacrificing quality for the price, and you can expect this machine to last for years—the frame and motor are backed by a lifetime warranty, after all.

In person, we couldn’t help but notice the treadmill’s lack of a built-in screen, which you can find on some treadmill models in this general price range, like the NordicTrack Commercial Series 1250 ($1,599 and our pick for the best folding treadmill) and the ProForm Carbon TLX ($999, though not listed in this guide). And while we felt the size of the belt is sufficient for most athletes, some might find it a bit small, especially while running with lengthier strides at high speeds. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a treadmill that truly masters the basics with style, the Horizon 7.0 AT tops the list and doesn’t break the bank.

Dimensions: 82.5 x 39 x 15 inches | Speed range: 0.5 to 12 mph | Incline range: 0% to 15% | Weight capacity: 350 pounds | Programs: Sole+ | Warranty: Lifetime warranty on motor and frame, 3 years for deck, 3 years for parts, 1 year for labor | Special features: Android-powered touchscreen, built-in entertainment apps, wireless charging pad

• What’s notable: The wide and highly cushioned deck is great for long walks as well as bigger and taller people, and the incline variability is great for mimicking steep hikes.
• What could be better: There’s no decline option, and the built-in display is on the small side.

Dimensions: 50 x 20.8 x 40 inches | Speed range: 0 to 6.2 mph | Incline range: None | Weight capacity: 280 pounds | Programs: None (no screen) | Warranty: Eligible for return, refund or replacement within 30 days | Special features: Remote control changes the speed, converts to walking pad

• What’s notable: The Sperax is the most affordable model on our list, plus its lightweight and convertible design make it easy to move around.
• What could be better: There’s no incline or built-in screen, and because the speed caps out at 6.2 mph, you can’t run fast on this treadmill.

If you’re a walker and your number-one priority is affordability, we recommend the Sperax treadmill. While it’s certainly not the most feature-heavy option, its no-frills design is effective and easy to navigate, especially for beginner, walkers and light joggers. Unboxing and set-up took approximately 5 minutes, which is impressive considering other options can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to set up. The belt is on the smaller side, but we think it works fine for the average adult. 

You can operate it by pressing the buttons on the bar or via the remote control. (There is even a handy “3-to-6” button that allows you to toggle between 3 mph and 6 mph.) A bar at your feet displays the speed and the time elapsed, which takes some getting used to. And while the Sperax may lack more premium features like a built-in screen, we appreciate that it doesn’t cut corners on safety. It comes equipped with an emergency st