Best Cheap Treadmills - 2025
Here are the best cheap treadmills on the market today as selected by our panel of experts. They may not have all of the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive models have, but they will give you everything you need for an effective workout.
Please note that if you are going to do some serious running, or are very tall or on the heavier side, you would be much better served with a more advanced treadmill.
But for walking and light jogging, these should be just fine. They are all great low cost choices for your home gym.
What can you expect from the best cheap treadmills?
The better machines will have decent sized motors, a variety of workout programs, heart rate monitoring and cushioned decks, as well as a few extras depending on which model you choose.
Here is what you need to look for as far as the different components and capabilities:
1. The Motor – Look for at least a 1.6 CHP (continuous horsepower) motor, which will provide enough power for your walks and jogs. Anything less and the motor might be overworked, or insufficient to support your workout. So keep an eye on that number as you are going through the specs of each treadmill.
2. Incline Capability – Make sure the treadmill has at least a 10% incline (although some very cheap compact ones may not), which will allow you to change the angle and not only target different muscle groups in the legs, but also give you a better cardio workout. Although you don’t need incline, it’s a great way to reach your fitness goals quicker and make it more challenging, even if you’re just walking. All of the best cheap treadmills will have some incline capability.
3. Deck Size/Type – Look for a running deck of at least 45″ long and 17″ wide. This will give you ample space to walk or jog. (Note that the best treadmill for runners will have at least a 60″ deck to accommodate longer strides.) Also, make sure there is ample cushioning to absorb the shock and ensure minimal impact on your knees and joints. Our expert’s top choices all have good cushioning systems.
4. Workout Programs – This is something that only the best cheap treadmills will have…a diverse amount of built in workouts so you can change it up from one training session to the next. Look for intervals, distance, calorie, heart rate, hills and more, to add a little variety to your routine. Even if you are just walking, it’s helpful to vary your workouts to maximize your fitness results.
5. Warranty – The warranty is important, as it gives you a good indication as to the quality of the treadmill and whether or not it will last long and hold up to daily workouts. Look for at least 10 years on the frame, at least 2 years on parts and at least 1 year on labor. Anything less and you may just see some components breaking down over time.
These are the most important things to look for, but some of the better cheap treadmills also come with heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, tablet/water holders, easy folding capability and more. So make sure they have the things you need, as mentioned above, and then you can move onto other features that you want.
Which of the best cheap treadmills should you choose?
As we most things in life, it’s really a personal choice when it comes to selecting the right treadmill. We give you three great options to choose from, but when it comes down to it you have to pick the machine that has the features and capabilities you are looking for.
In some respects, choosing a cheap treadmill is an easier decision than buying a more advanced one, because a) there are less extras to take into account and b) there are fewer good ones on the market. By comparison, the $1000-$2000 price range is packed with good choices, because that is the most popular bracket. There are dozens of great treadmills in that range.
Below $1000, the selection is more limited, so it’s easier to pinpoint the standout machines like the ones we chose above.
ProForm, Horizon and Sole all have a great reputation, and they offer solid treadmills for every budget and fitness level. The ones featured above are their entry level models, but they have many of the same features and capabilities as their higher priced counterparts.
The Sole F63 probably has the most extras: easy folding, advanced cushioning, sound system, great incline, tablet holder, built in workouts, etc. So if you are looking for the best cheap treadmill with the most features the Sole F63 is going to be at the top.
The Horizon T101 is one of the best selling treadmills on the market today, and is also one of the least expensive of all of the top recommendations. It has great cushioning, easy folding capability, speakers, water bottle holder and an Energy Saver mode. It’s a well built machine and a great value.
The ProForm City L6 is the most basic of the entry level treadmills, also made by the same company that makes NordicTrack tredmills, ICON Fitness. It has a nice Power Display, good array of workouts, iFit, extremely compact design and good cushioning. The other two treadmills edge this one out however.
So we would probably lean towards the Sole F63, with the Horizon T101 a very close second. But all three of these best cheap treadmills are absolute winners and will be a welcome addition to your home gym.
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