Sole F50 Review
Overview
For the first time in many years, at least since we started reviewing treadmills back in the early 2000s, Sole has introduced a new base model treadmill, the F50.
It takes the spot of the F63, which is now a step-up model in the ever-expanding folding series, which now consists of the F50, F63, F65, F80, F83 and F85.
As you move up the lineup, you get larger deck sizes, stronger motors and more advanced display, so it’s a matter of deciding what you’re actually looking for.
But if you’re just doing some very basic walking and don’t need a lot of bells and whistles, the new F50 is a great choice at just under $1,000 when it’s on sale.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | up to 10 mph |
| Motor | 2.0 HP |
| Incline | up to 12% |
| Decline | none |
| Console | white LED display |
| Mobile app | Sole+ with no subscription necessary |
| Belt | 20" x 55" |
| Maximum User Weight | 300 lbs |
| Warranty | Lifetime for motor and frame, 1 year parts and labor |
Sole F50 - Best Features
Great Features & Capabilities For The Price
Although it’s the most basic of the Sole treadmills, you still get a lot more than you typically get from other treadmills in this price range.
You get power incline up to 12mph, speeds up to 10mph, a more than decent display and a 300 lb. max weight capacity.
Add that to the Sole warranty and you’re in pretty good shape. It doesn’t feel as sturdy as some of the upper levels models but it’s perfectly sufficient for easy walking or jogging workouts.
Console Has Everything You Need
The new F50 doesn’t have a touch screen like the flagship F80 or higher level models, but it really gives you everything you need.
When we tested it out it was very similar to the F63 we recently reviewed, just a little more basic.
But you still have a tablet holder for your device, you get the quick speed and incline adjustment keys as well as knobs on the side of the frame, you get a fan, you have a clean display of your workout metrics and pulse grips to measure your heart rate.
Typically in this price range you’re not going to get all of that.
CushionFlex Deck Reduces Impact on Knees/Joints
The CushionFlex technology has been in place since we first started reviewing Sole treadmills, and you still get this advanced belt even on the base F50 model.
This helps reduce impact on the knees and joints so you can work out longer without the typical pain you might experience on other treadmills.
Note that the deck size is relatively small here, so if you are taller or if multiple people are planning to use it we would opt for the F63 or one of the other Sole treadmills with a larger running surface.
Very Solid Warranty
As you’ll find on all Sole treadmills, you get a lifetime warranty on frame and motor.
Horizon Fitness offers something similar on their treadmills, but otherwise it’s very hard to find this kind of coverage, especially on lower level models in a series.
Parts and labor are only covered for a year, but you should be fine if you use the F50 as its meant to be used, for light walking and jogging.
Is the Sole F50 Right For You?
Who Should Buy It
The Sole F50 is best suited to regular walkers, especially if you like to work hills into your routine. Its 12 levels of power incline give you room to make a brisk walk more challenging, and its belt is the same 20 inches wide as the ones on the F63, F65, and F80. The difference is length. At 55 inches, the F50 gives you five fewer inches front to back while keeping the same room side to side. For walking and the occasional short jog, that’s a reasonable trade for a $200 savings over the F63.
It’s also a good fit if you want a folding treadmill with a straightforward console. Both the F50 and F63 use a basic LED display, so stepping up to the F63 won’t change much about how you interact with the machine. If you already watch TV or use a tablet during workouts, the F50 covers the basics and lets you fold the deck up when you’re done.
Who Shouldn't Buy It
Regular runners should start with the F63. Its 60-inch belt gives you more room to settle into your stride, particularly during faster intervals or if you have a longer stride. It also has a 3.0 HP motor compared with the F50’s 2.0 HP motor. Those are the upgrades that matter most if the treadmill will see several runs a week or serve a household with both walkers and runners.
The F65 and F80 make sense for more specific reasons. If the F63’s 325-pound capacity is a concern, the F65 raises it to 350 pounds and bumps the motor up to 3.25 HP. The F80 pairs the same motor rating and belt dimensions as the F65 with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. If a built-in screen for streaming is high on your list, the F80 is the model to look at among these four.
Our Take on the Sole F50
For years, if you wanted the cheapest Sole treadmill, you bought the F63. It’s still in the lineup, but the new F50 is now the base model.
That’s worth pointing out because the F63 was a treadmill we felt pretty comfortable recommending at its price. We knew what to expect from it, and we’d seen how it held up over the years.
We’ll need some time with the F50 before we can say the same thing about it. A treadmill can feel great when it’s brand new. We’re more interested in how it feels after a year of getting used four or five days a week. Does the belt still run smoothly? Has it gotten louder? Those are the things we’d want to know if we were buying one ourselves.
So far, we like what Sole has done with the F50. You still have the strong warranty behind it and a lot of same features of the F63, just in a more simplified form.
For the price it’s definitely worth considering for your home gym.