How do you choose the best treadmill for your home?
Choosing the best treadmill really comes down to how you’re going to use it. Someone looking to walk a few miles a day doesn’t need the same machine as a serious runner, and someone with limited space may put folding capability much higher on the list than someone with a dedicated home gym.
Budget obviously plays a big role as well. You can get a very good treadmill without spending several thousand dollars, and some of our favorite models over the years have been right in the middle of the market. Spending more generally gets you a more substantial machine and additional capabilities, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the better choice for you.
That’s why we’ve broken our picks down by both price and type. If you already know how much you want to spend, start with one of our price categories. If you have a specific need, such as walking, running, incline training or a folding design, start there instead.
And don’t feel like you have to buy more treadmill than you need. We’d rather see someone spend $1,500 on a machine that’s a perfect fit than $3,000 on one loaded with features they’ll never use.
If you’re still not sure where to start, our treadmill buying guide walks you through everything you should consider before choosing a machine.
What brands should you be considering and why?
We’ve reviewed just about every major treadmill brand over the years, and although the models change all the time, there are a handful of companies that we consistently come back to.
NordicTrack remains one of our top choices if you’re looking for the latest technology and a more interactive workout experience. Their treadmills tend to have some of the best touchscreens and workout capabilities, and they’re also one of the first brands we’d look at if incline and decline training are important to you.
Sole takes a different approach. Their treadmills have traditionally been more about the machine itself, with solid construction, comfortable decks and very good warranties. They’ve added quite a bit of technology in recent years, but you still don’t have to be tied to a monthly subscription to get a lot out of the treadmill. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback on Sole over the years, and several of their models remain among our favorites.
Horizon is one of the brands we’d look at first if value is a priority. Their treadmills aren’t usually going to have the huge touchscreens or all of the bells and whistles you’ll find elsewhere, but that’s part of the appeal. You tend to get a lot of treadmill for your money, especially if you’re more interested in walking or running than having a built-in entertainment system.
At the higher end, Matrix and Life Fitness are two names we’ve liked for a long time. Both companies have extensive experience in the commercial fitness industry, and their home treadmills tend to have the solid, substantial feel you’d expect from brands that also build equipment for health clubs.
There are certainly other treadmill brands worth considering, and you’ll find plenty of them throughout our reviews. But if someone asked us where we’d start looking today, these are the brands that would be near the top of our list.
How We Choose Our Best Treadmills
We’ve been reviewing treadmills since 2008, so we’ve had a chance to watch many of these brands and models evolve over several generations. We’ve also spent a lot of time over the years actually using treadmills from most of the major brands, which gives us a pretty good idea of what to expect from each of them.
When choosing our Best Buy picks, we look at the entire treadmill rather than simply comparing specifications. Performance, build quality, comfort, features, warranty and price all factor into our decision, but we also consider what you’re actually getting for your money.
One thing we’ve learned is that treadmills within the same brand and series tend to share a lot of the same characteristics. Having used numerous Sole, NordicTrack, Horizon, Life Fitness and other treadmills over the years, we’re very familiar with how these machines typically feel and perform, even as individual models and features change.
We also don’t automatically favor the newest or most expensive treadmill. Some models have remained among our top picks for years because they’re still great machines and continue to offer better value than newer alternatives.
Whenever possible, we also factor in our own experience with the equipment along with feedback we’ve received from Run Reviews visitors and treadmill owners over the years. That long-term feedback can tell you things that aren’t always obvious from looking at a treadmill’s specifications.
Ultimately, our goal is pretty simple: recommend the treadmills we’d feel comfortable telling a friend or family member to buy.
