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The best treadmill for home use depends on so many variables, but let’s be honest. Price is one of the biggest factors for many of us. You want the best treadmill for the money and we respect that. Each price bracket gives you a different range of features and we want you to see which is right for your budget and if going higher or lower is really worth it. Today we’ll be comparing the best treadmill under $1,000 vs $500 vs $300 to show you which is right for you.
Best Treadmill Under $300
There are treadmills under this price bracket (we cover a few at the bottom of this article if you’re interested), but this is where the good models really start.
Merax Electric Folding Treadmill with Speakers
This one is honestly a little over $300, but it’s so good we needed to include it. This treadmill assembles fast and has a folding design that allows you to save space and put it away when you’re done. Wheels on the bottom make it simple to transport. Want to track your performance? The LCD display tracks speed, distance, time ran, and calories burned.
The Merax treadmill speakers are great for pumping you up during a long run. You can connect your phone, tablet, or USB drive via the dock. Get your workout playlist going and see how far you can go. There are also shortcut buttons on the display for starting/stopping the treadmill, changing speeds, and accessing the different running programs. There are 12 programs to choose from.
The power 1.5HP motor goes from 0.5-7.5MPH or 0.8-12KM/H. Despite being so strong, the motor is quiet so you can do your run, jogs, or walks early in the morning or late at night without disturbing anyone. The belt has a high-density lawn texture that’s perfect for absorbing shock and being comfortable on your joints. The maximum weight is 240lbs.
SereneLife Smart Folding Treadmill with App and Bluetooth Connectivity
This is the best treadmill under $300 for those who want a balance of features and usefulness. This treadmill has all the basics covered along with some extras that you’ll love. It’s a compact treadmill that folds for easy storage. It comes with grip sensors to monitor your pulse.
The LCD display shows your time, speed, distance, and calories burned. You can easily switch between speeds from 0.6-6.0MPH and the maximum weight is 265lbs. Want to connect to FitShow to upload your fitness sessions? This can automatically connect with Android and iOS devices along with laptops, tablets, and desktops via Bluetooth. You can also choose from various training modes to make sure you sweat.
If you want a great treadmill that’s good for the cost, then the SereneLife treadmill is a fantastic choice.
Murtisol Folding Treadmill with Safe Handlebar
Here’s a compact treadmill that is simple to put together (assembly only lasts 20-30 minutes) and it folds for easy storage. There is also a safety handlebar to ensure you have something to grab if the belt is going too fast or you’re feeling off-center.
The bright LCD display makes it easy to change the speed and you can choose from different exercise presets. The maximum weight is 220lbs and the speed ranges from 0.5-6.0MPH or 0.8-120KM/H. This treadmill is recognized for being comfortable on the joins and back and the handlebar helps you keep your balance.
This is a good treadmill if you want something basic that ticks all the right checkboxes. It’s the most affordable model in this price range and is great for walking, running, or jogging.
Best Treadmill Under $500
Here’s a good middle ground for people who want great features without spending too much money.
Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Incline Treadmill and Device Holder
This is the best treadmill under $500 if you’re looking for an affordable and powerful unit. It has a strong 2.20HP motor with speeds between 0.5-9MPH. You can adjust the incline from 0% to either 2% or 4.37%. The maximum weight is 220lbs and the large 49”x15.5” belt ensures you can take long strides with ease.
The folding mechanism has a soft-drop system so you never have to worry about the treadmill dropping and making a loud noise. Plus, it’s easy to fold for convenient storage. There is a handrail to stabilize yourself and a bright LCD screen with many features. There are 9 workout programs and the display shows your time, speed, distance, calories burned and heart rate.
Want to watch movies or listen to music from your smartphone or tablet? There’s a convenient holder made just for them. Slide your device in and they’ll be there the whole time. This is a feature-rich and affordable treadmill perfect for any household.
Ancheer 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill with Bluetooth Speaker
Here’s a premium treadmill packed with features. As a 2-in-1 treadmill you can have the handrail up for the fastest speeds, or you can fold the handrail for a smaller profile. This treadmill supports up to 265lbs and the speed differs based on the handrail. When on, the speed is 1-12KM/H or 0.5-7.5MPH, while off it’s 1-4KM/H or 0.5-2.5MPH.
The strong 2.25HP motor not only provides good speeds, but it’s whisper-quiet. This treadmill has a strong steel frame that reduces shock, ensures safe running, and will last for a long time. The bright LED display lets you control speed while checking on your time, distance, and other health statistics. You also get a remote control to change speed when the handrail is down.
What about your favorite music? The 360-degree digital surround Bluetooth speakers sound great and will play your workout playlist with ease. Simply pair your device and start playing music, it’s that simple.
This is one of the best home treadmills and it can even go in your office or nearly anywhere else. If you love features, then this might be the right treadmill for you.
GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill with Bluetooth Speaker
Here’s another 2-in-1 treadmill. It’s very similar to the Ancheer model, but it has a different color. Since the price and features are similar, you’ll want to consider aesthetics when choosing between these two. The maximum weight here is 265lbs and the speeds range from 1-12KM/H or 0.5-7.5MPH when the handrail is up and 1-4KM/H or 0.5-2.5MPH when the handrail is folded down.
You get a remote control that can adjust the speed regardless of the handrail position. The whisper-quiet motor makes this an ideal treadmill for any location and the shock absorption makes this comfortable for running or walking. Use the LED display to check your time, speed, distance, and calories burned.
Want to listen to your workout playlist? The Bluetooth speakers easily pair with your device. Just connect your phone or tablet and start playing your favorite music. This is a simple treadmill to use and it’s great for the home, office, and anywhere else.
Best Treadmill Under $1000
Here’s the cream of the crop, the best treadmills for runners and walking. However, are they good enough to justify their price?
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Treadmill with Incline, Speakers, Bluetooth
This premium treadmill has plenty of features that will make anyone happy. Want to adjust the incline? This incline treadmill has buttons on the side for 12 different incline levels between 0-12%. The speed goes from 1-8MPH and the maximum weight is 250lbs. Speaking of weight, this has a BMI calculator accessible from the control panel.
There is a heart rate monitor and the digital display shows your time, speed, distance ran, and calories burned. The Bluetooth speakers can be accessed with any paired device, or you can connect the device directly and play MP3s with ease. There’s also a device holder to keep your phone or tablet safe.
You’ll find wheels underneath to easily move the treadmill and there are dual bottle holders for those long runs where you’re sweating buckets. If you’re serious about running and burning as many calories as possible, then this premium treadmill might be right for you.
Reebok Jet 100 Series Treadmill and Bluetooth
Reebok is known for making some of the finest shoes and they also make a fantastic treadmill. Do you use the Reebok Fitness app? This treadmill instantly connects with it to track your workouts. Not only that, but you can use the app to make custom programs and workouts. Your phone will instantly pair with the treadmill and there are 24 preset training programs to take advantage of.
There are buttons on the control panel for preset inclines and speeds, or you can manually go through them for the perfect angle and speed. This treadmill goes up to 10MPH or 16KM/H. It can also go up to 12% incline. Feeling sweaty? Need some cool air to keep you going? The Reebok 100 treadmill has a built-in fan! Just push the button and get the cool air that you need.
This treadmill uses Air Motion technology. This distributes your weight and gives you optimal support with every step, ensuring you feel comfortable for your entire run. You can also pair your device and have your favorite workout playlist booming through the speakers.
If you want a treadmill that really feels premium, then the Reebok 100 Series delivers.
Horizon T101 Go Series Treadmill
The Horizon treadmill is a beast of a machine with a strong 3.0CHP motor, 60-inch 3-zone cushioned deck for extremely comfortable runs, and a simple folding design complete with hydraulic folding so it never falls or is difficult on the arms. The treadmill is quiet so you can sweat and run even if it’s early in the morning.
Packed with Bluetooth speakers, you can effortlessly connect your device and play your workout playlist. There’s also a large device holder for both phones and tablets and a rapid-charging USB port to ensure your device’s battery stays in the green. The device holder is set at an angle for easy viewing if you want to watch shows, movies, or an instructor leading you on an intense run.
This is built for HIIT workouts. You can create custom intervals with ease to get the most out of your cardio time. Adjust the incline to burn even more calories going up to 10% incline. This is a strong treadmill that will get your heart pumping.
Best Treadmill on a Budget
Here are the cheapest treadmills we could find. While they don’t have as many features as the other ones, they might work if price is your main concern.
Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill
This compact treadmill for walking is easy to store and is suitable for either power walking or a light jog. The maximum weight is 220lbs and the LCD monitor can track speed, time, and steps. Plus, it can run without the use of electricity, which is ideal if there are no outlets around. If you want something to help you walk inside and burn calories, then this might be right for you.
Mokingtop Folding Treadmill with Incline
This surprisingly versatile cheap treadmill allows you to walk, jog, or run both forwards and backwards. It can fold for easy storage and has an LED screen that shows time, speed, distance, and calories burned. You can even set the treadmill at an incline to burn more calories.
HTNBO Manual Treadmill with Incline
No outlets? No problem! The HTNBO walking treadmill doesn’t need any electricity. It’s all foot-powered and goes as slow or fast as you want it to. Plus, the tread moves very quietly making this perfect for early morning or late night cardio. The shock absorption will keep your joints comfortable and you can adjust the incline manually through five different levels. There’s also a stand that holds your phone or tablet.
Treadmill Buying Guide
- Size: You want to buy a treadmill that is long enough for comfortable running, but not so long that it takes up too much space. You’ll want the belt to be around 1.5x your normal step. This allows you to run at higher speeds without falling off the treadmill.
- Speed: How fast do you want the treadmill to go? Most people start running around 6MPH, so this should be good enough for most people. If you’re training or want intense cardio workouts, then you might need higher speeds.
- Incline: Do you need an incline? Most premium treadmills come with this, but it can be harder to find with affordable treadmills. Consider if you need this feature and how much of an incline you want.
- Control Panel: Consider what the control panel offers and if it has enough features for you. Most allow you to control the speed, incline (if included), and to check your distance. Some also have pre-programmed workout programs to help you make the most of your cardio session.
- Speakers: This is great for hearing your favorite music. While you can always use headphones and listen to your phone or tablet, speakers make the run more enjoyable.
- Motor: How strong is the motor? You’ll often find motors between 2.0-3.0 CHP. Weaker motors are better for walking while stronger ones are better for running.
- Cushioning: Does the treadmill absorb shock and cushion your joints? You don’t want to hurt your knees or back while working out. This will keep you happy and healthy while working out.
- Weight Capacity: The weight capacity refers to the safest maximum weight for the treadmill. It’s best to choose a treadmill that’s about 50lbs more than your current weight so that you don’t stress the motor too much.