Other considerations included the noise level of each machine, ease of use, integrated technology, max speed, incline range, comfort features (like built-in fans and cup holders), and simple folding systems that made storing treadmills out of sight a headache-free process. We also considered price points for various budgets, as well as great warranties for peace of mind. For remote workers out there, we also included a few options for under-desk treadmills.
Types of Treadmills
You may want to choose one type of treadmill over another to match your aesthetic, exercise needs, and of course, space that you’re able to work with. A folding treadmill, for example, can be whipped out in the middle of your living room for a quick workout and stored away when you’re entertaining guests. A commercial treadmill, on the other hand, will likely come loaded with high-end, interactive features and a gleaming touchscreen that makes it the visual focal point of any home gym.
There is no one best treadmill for all. Instead, the best treadmill for you will depend on your lifestyle, budget, and workout preferences. When shopping around for a home treadmill, you’ll likely encounter the following categories of cardio machines. Here’s a quick breakdown of their pros, cons, and what to expect.
Commercial Treadmills
Your best bet for a larger household, commercial treadmills are designed to withstand regular use from multiple treadmill users. These are the types of treadmills you’ll typically find in gyms. Commercial treadmills tend to have a higher weight capacity, larger running surface, and more powerful motors (which is why they’re also a great choice for sprinters). Many also have a luxury feel with large touchscreens, streaming studio classes, and Bluetooth speakers. For that reason, they’re also more expensive, and may not be realistic for most budgets.
Residential Treadmills
Residential treadmills are a fancy name for your standard home treadmill. They may have a slightly less powerful motor and smaller footprint than commercial treadmills, but will still support the majority of walking and running needs. Many residential treadmills have space-saving folding decks and convenience features like media trays for a comfortable workout experience.
Folding Treadmills
Folding treadmills are treadmills that can be folded vertically or horizontally. Vertical-folding treadmills can be stored in a closet or up against a wall, while most under-desk treadmills fall into the horizontal folding category and can be slid under a couch or bed. Folding treadmills usually have some sort of lever or button that allows them to fold up, but you may want a second person to help out depending on the treadmill’s size and how easy it is to fold.
Walking Treadmills
Walking treadmills generally have a lower max speed and less powerful motor to support basic walking. Depending on the treadmill, you may find your machine tops out at anywhere from three-to-seven miles per hour. This is plenty fast enough for leisurely-to-brisk walks, but it’s important to keep in mind that the motors on these machines aren’t powerful enough to support running.
Manual Treadmills
Manual treadmills don’t require electricity or power. Instead, they’re powered by your movement. Many manual treadmills will have a curved running belt that promotes natural running form. These machines are best for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking for a challenging workout, but they might be too hard to use (at least regularly) for the average walker or runner.
What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Treadmill for Your Home
As we mentioned earlier, there’s no one best treadmill for everyone, but certain features can make a treadmill the right (or wrong) fit for your needs, lifestyle, and home design. Keep these considerations in mind as you determine which treadmill is the best fit for you.
Dimensions
We can’t hammer home enough how important it is to properly measure your planned treadmill space before choosing a machine. Be sure to measure horizontally, vertically, and the floor-to-ceiling height, especially if you plan to do incline walking or want to put a treadmill in an area like your basement that may naturally have lower ceilings. Ideally, you’ll want at least six feet of open space in each direction of the treadmill to avoid clutter or tripping hazards. If you’re unable to provide a dedicated space for your treadmill, a folding treadmill is a great alternative.
Aesthetic
Given its size and bulk, your eyes will naturally be drawn to your treadmill. For that reason, you don’t want your treadmill to become an eyesore. Choose a treadmill that blends nicely with your home design, and if you have other cardio equipment, you may want to consider a similar brand or style. Be sure to also arrange your treadmill in a way where it doesn’t affect natural pathways in your home (or, as we mentioned above, consider a folding treadmill that you don’t have to look at all day).
Auto vs. Manual
The majority of users will gravitate toward an auto—or motorized—treadmill, which is your standard treadmill with a moving running belt. Manual treadmills, on the other hand, don’t require power and are instead powered by your movement. An auto treadmill will offer a more traditional running or walking experience, but the nice part of having a manual treadmill is that you can place it just about anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about tripping over power cords.
Speed Range
If you don’t plan on using your treadmill for running purposes, speed range probably won’t matter much to you, since even the most basic under-desk treadmills can support power walking. Most runners will also find that a general max speed of 10 miles per hour is plenty fast enough for their needs, but all-out sprinters may want to buy a machine with a max speed of closer to 12 or 12.5 miles per hour.
Incline Range
An incline range can lend variability to your workouts and is a great feature to have on hand for interval training or steep hikes. “Treadmills vary in the amount of incline available, so do you need a treadmill just for running with a little incline available, or do you want to simulate hikes with higher inclines?” Lineberger suggests when considering your incline needs. If you’re looking for a truly diverse incline workout, Nastasi says to look for a treadmill with an incline range of -3–12%, which also means that you’ll be able to walk on a decline, or downhill.
Weight Capacity
Treadmills will come in all different weight capacities, with some as low as 200 pounds and others being able to support individuals who weigh up to 400 pounds. Usually, compact under-desk or residential treadmills will have a lower weight capacity than their commercial counterparts. If you’re the only person planning to use your treadmill, be sure to find a matching weight range with a bit of buffer room, otherwise those with larger households or multiple treadmill users will want to find a treadmill with a weight capacity that will support all individuals.
Technology
There are some who love technology-loaded treadmills and others who prefer a no-frills manual workout. Ask yourself these questions: Do you plan on hooking up Bluetooth headphones? Are you interested in following trainer-led studio classes? How about taking simulated scenic hikes? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, be sure to find a treadmill with the right technology features to match your needs. Still, keep in mind some (but not all) treadmills with smart features require a subscription to a paid fitness program to use them.
Screen
Similar to technology, there are those who love a treadmill with a large display or touchscreen, while others are totally fine with a simple LED or LCD display that tracks their metrics. If you plan on taking streaming studio classes, you’ll definitely want a treadmill with a larger screen to simulate that real-life class environment. A treadmill with a screen that tilts or pivots also lets you perform on-the-ground workouts, like yoga, right next to your treadmill. One downside of having a large screen, however, is that you’ll likely have a smaller media rack to hold a tablet or book.
Ease-of-Use
At the end of the day, some treadmills are simply easier to use than others. “Ease of use is crucial, so look for models with convenient adjustment options, such as handle-mounted controls,” Nastasi suggests. (These can include speed and incline controls.) “This prevents the hassle of fumbling with touching buttons with sweaty fingers on the screen mid-workout.”
Price
Luckily, there are treadmills for just about every price range on the market. Smaller, compact models or under-desk treadmills may cost a few hundred dollars, while luxury buys like the Peloton Tread+ will require a serious splurge of almost $6,000. These are just examples of both extremes. The majority of treadmills will cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,000, but expect to pay more for technology or high-end features. Be sure to budget in any paid fitness apps, like iFIT, which you may want to invest in to take advantage of everything your treadmill has to offer.
Workouts
Some treadmills have free built-in fitness programs, while others use paid apps like iFIT or JRNY to power their workout options. If you’re looking for interactive fitness programs, you’ll probably need a digital fitness subscription, otherwise those looking for more simple interval training or manual workouts will be just fine using a treadmill with built-in fitness programs.
Warranty
Most treadmills will last anywhere from 7–12 years with proper care. A strong warranty can help protect you in the event that your motor gives out, frame gets damaged, or parts come undone. Keep in mind that the average lifespan of a treadmill is around 10 years, so while a lifetime warranty may sound snazzy, it’s not much different than a 10-year warranty. Some brands will also offer extended warranty options that you can purchase for extra protection.
Best Treadmill Workouts to Get You Started
Whether you’re new to the treadmill game or a seasoned pro, our fitness experts have gathered up their favorite workouts to break a sweat, burn calories, and get your heart pumping.
20-Minute Incline Walk
“In this workout, you’ll simulate walking uphill by adjusting the incline setting,” Nastasi says. “I recommend starting with a 6% incline and gradually increasing it in future sessions. Incline treadmill workouts are excellent because they engage your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves more intensively than walking on a flat surface. This allows you to achieve a challenging workout without having to run.”
