The Ultimate Treadmill Buying Guide (2025)

There are immense benefits to physical movement¹, like improved cardiovascular health, bone density, and mental well-being, to name a few. The best treadmills offer a solution when we need to move and can’t get outside. You may even find that you prefer your treadmill over being out on the road or trail.

That said, looking for a treadmill can be tough in such a saturated market. What is continuous horsepower? What belt size do I need? Keep reading our treadmill buying guide, and you’ll find your answers (plus much more).

Why You Should Trust Us 

After testing and researching over 50 treadmills—including the best budget treadmills, folding treadmills, manual treadmills, and beyond—our team knows there is a treadmill out there for practically everyone. Whether sticking to strict budget, matching your small workout space to a compact machine, or going all in for every bell and whistle available, if you’ve got a treadmill in mind, odds are that we’ve tested it.

We have spent a significant amount of time reviewing what makes up a high-quality treadmill in terms of motor size, tread width, workout program options, construction, and weight capacity. Our teams consist of personal trainers, coaches, and other fitness professionals who know how to assess who would benefit from which features, and which are worth your hard-earned dollars. Furthermore, we know the industry, so we can tell you if a treadmill warranty is good or if it’s just straight-up garbage.

Why Should You Add a Treadmill to Your Home Gym?

There are plenty of treadmill benefits regardless of your fitness level. Whether it’s a 20-minute walk in the morning to get you up and moving, a run inside on a rainy day, or an intense HIIT treadmill workout to burn some fat, you can improve fitness and quality of life with a treadmill. 

And here’s the best part—it’s right in your house! Not to mention, treadmills offer the ability to precisely control your speed and incline, while outdoor running often involves hills, uneven terrain, and more.

RELATED: Treadmill vs Outside Running

Treadmill Types

There are various types of treadmills on the market today. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main categories:

Motorized Treadmills

Motorized treadmills, which are the type of treadmill you often see in commercial gyms, are exactly what they sound like: An electricity-powered motor powers the belt and controls your speed and incline settings. This allows the treadmill to work at a set speed that forces us, the users, to maintain specific paces. These features also open the door for the treadmill to have preset workouts, which can eliminate the need for special programming or writing your own workouts. 

On the other hand, the major drawback of motorized machines is the change in running mechanics. 

“Since the belt moves itself, we don’t use our backside mechanics to push ourselves forward as we do on flat ground,” explains Jacob Penner, personal trainer and former competitive track athlete. “There’s still a demand for front-side mechanics, like lifting the knees and stepping forward, but there’s an imbalance between front and back.” 

Therefore, treadmill running mechanics can make flat-ground running feel a bit different if you go back and forth between the two.

For the most part, unless you’re looking at cheaper treadmills, motorized pieces also tend to come with all the fancy treadmill features you may have seen, such as touchscreen displays, preset treadmill workouts, water bottle holders, and tablet holders. 

Hybrid Treadmills 

Hybrid treadmills are here to kill two birds with one stone. These are often a combination of a treadmill and an elliptical or other cardio piece. A major drawback, though, is that these machines just aren’t very common and often underperform for the cost, kind of like the whole, “Jack of all trades, master of none,” idea. On top of that, the movement pattern can feel foreign, which can take away from the training experience.

Foldable Treadmills

Folding treadmills have been a game-changer for the space-conscious crowd. They are meant to be easily folded up and stored wherever the layout of your space demands. Many folding treadmills don’t exactly fold in half, though. Instead, the lower deck may fold up to an angle.

For example, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill is foldable, but you’ll see when it’s folded that the deck still sits at an angle. Other treadmills that fold, like the Echelon Stride Treadmill, have handlebars that collapse so the machine is entirely flat. This means you can store it vertically against a wall or, in some cases, even under your bed.

One thing to think about with a foldable treadmill is how easy the folding process is—is it just the push of a button, or will you manually have to lift a heavy treadmill deck and lock it into place for optimal, secure storage? 

Non-Motorized Treadmills

Non-motorized treadmills, also referred to as manual treadmills, don’t have any power source for the belt—you are the motor in this scenario. As such, this can be the closest experience to a natural running form that you can get on a treadmill, especially if the belt is curved. Additionally, manual treadmills typically don’t have a cord (why would they, after all), meaning they can be placed anywhere space is available without concern for access to an outlet.

A downside to manual treadmills is that, for many people, they feel “harder” to run on than a motorized machine. They are also typically large and heavy, often taking up a considerable amount of space in your home without convenient folding capabilities. 

That said, some manual treadmills like the AssaultRunner Pro still have a comparable footprint to many popular motorized treadmills. We love the curved manual treadmills for their ability to force you into a more natural running gait (which might feel unnatural if you don’t have great form!). 

What to Look for When Buying a Treadmill

How do you know if you are getting the right treadmill? There are a few considerations to make:

Price

There’s a huge range of prices, from cheap, flat-belt manual treadmills for just $150 to commercial-grade products that can exceed $10,000. More often than not, you get what you pay for—I typically do not recommend looking for the cheapest treadmill you can find because it could mean you are looking for another treadmill in a year’s time when that “bargain” find ultimately breaks. 

The treadmill’s ability to meet your fitness needs is the No. 1 priority, and going for a cheap treadmill to save a few bucks now can cost you in the long run. That said, you don’t necessarily have to shell out a lot of cash to find something great thanks to many great budget-friendly options on the market.

Noise 

Noise is almost always a factor in product selection when you work out of a home gym. Some forms of cushioning can help with the shock absorption of each step you take, such as stall mats or other vibration-reducing flooring options. Treadmill mats are often sold from the same companies that you’d buy a machine from, sometimes in package deals, too!

However, you may find that when you’ve exhausted all the external solutions, the treadmill itself is just loud and shaky. If this is a big concern, curved belt treadmills such as the Tru Grit Runner match better with your gait cycle to eliminate the loud striking of your feet. On top of that, there is no loud motor to worry about.

Size Constraints 

Before buying any cardio machine, measure to see if you have enough space for it! Be sure to add a few extra inches to each dimension of the available space to account for the machine’s movement and your own comfort. 

If available space is a major concern, folding treadmills can be helpful if you need to use your training area when the treadmill is at rest. Remember, though, to give yourself enough space to maneuver around the machine when folding it up. You might also find some under-desk treadmills designed to be stowed under furniture or home office desks.

RELATED: How to Move a Treadmill

Warranty

Always read the warranty before buying, as many popular treadmills will void their warranty if used in a garage setting. That said, you can find premium coverage bundles, even with affordable treadmill profiles. Some machines, such as the Sole F63 Treadmill, offer a lifetime warranty on the frame, regardless of where it is used. 

At the end of the day, warranties come down to your comfort level. If the treadmill is going to get a ton of use, it can be wise to opt for a product with a longer coverage timeframe. The industry standard is about 10 to 15 years on the frame, and a few years on parts and labor.

Interactive Programming 

In recent years, it has become more popular to have interactive programming, such as iFIT, that accompanies the treadmill to create an engaging workout experience. This often comes at an additional cost or a monthly subscription and connects via Bluetooth or a direct line. 

RELATED: Best Smart Treadmills

These workouts can actually take you around the world—virtually, of course—through apps like Google Maps. You can “run” through mountains and along the beach if you want, with a “coach” who can even adjust your speed and incline as you go. Of course, there are also studio-style workouts that have you follow along to trainer-led instructions, all from the comfort of your home gym.

Before you buy, check which workouts are preset on the machine itself in case you forgo any additional interactive programming. Plenty of treadmills come with workouts that sync with a chest-strap heart rate monitor to enhance personalization, as well. They may also include interval training workouts (HIIT), which tend to have a potent effect on fat burning. 

Deck Length

Deck length is often overlooked, but it can be important if you’re a long-legged individual. 

“For example, I’m 6 foot, 3 inches with longer legs, and I’ve felt like I had to deliberately shorten my stride on several treadmills,” says Jacob Penner, NCSA, USAW-L2, CF-L1. “That’s not necessarily the worst thing, and sometimes improves running technique, but it’s something to consider.”

From our experience, a 60-inch running deck can accommodate just about everyone, including those who are 6 feet or taller. A 55-inch deck should fit most people, though taller runners may have to make adjustments. Anything less than that may not be great for running, unless you are on the shorter side and don’t take longer strides. 

If you are using the treadmill exclusively for walking, you can get away with a shorter deck size. Some, like the UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill, have a deck that is just 42.5 inches. While that sounds short, it simply indicates that it’s strictly for walking. Still, taller people (like me) may struggle with something that compact.

Horsepower 

In general, we want to look at continuous horsepower (CHP) when examining treadmill motors. This is the measurement of the horsepower a treadmill can maintain as continuous duty. For joggers, we look for at least 2.5 horsepower, and we suggest more than 3.0 CHP for dedicated runners. Having a quality motor means the machine can support the activity you want to do. Sure, you can save your money by getting a motor with less horsepower, but you risk wearing out the machine.

Speed Range and Acceleration

Depending on how you’ll use your treadmill, the speed range is one of the most important factors to consider. The average treadmill can reach 10 miles per hour, which should be plenty supportive for walking, jogging, or light runs. The best treadmills for running, though, can reach speeds north of 12 MPH—a definite must-have when aiming to tackle sprint intervals.

Acceleration should also be considered, as most electronic treadmills take a few seconds to reach the prescribed speed. For those who train at a steady pace, this is probably fine. However, if you need instant acceleration and deceleration for things like interval training, you may want to choose a manual treadmill, instead.

Weight Capacity 

Industry standards tend to showcase a minimum weight rating of 300 pounds, which you’ll find on just about any treadmill in the mid- to high-end—around $1,500 to $3,000. This is something to pay close attention to if you’re looking for a budget treadmill, as the structure may be less supportive and prone to quicker wear and tear. Make sure you get a machine that can support anyone who might be using it. 

Delivery and Assembly 

If you’re buying a treadmill, odds are it’s going to come in some big boxes. You may have to schedule the delivery, depending on the size of the parcels. When it comes to the assembly, be prepared to ask a friend for help—a few treadmills are easy to put together yourself, but some can be a real pain. 

Depending on the retailer, you may also be able to schedule expert assembly. I highly recommend this for the more advanced machines that require you to run wiring for the screens. Of course, this will likely cost extra, but it can save you a significant amount of work (and headache).

Buy a Treadmill Online

Buying a treadmill online can be a more economical and pain-free method compared to purchasing one in-store. For one, you’re likely to spend less money. You can check out all your options online and find the lowest price, or take advantage of online-only sales. You’ll be able to do all of this from the comfort of your couch, too, without having to run around from store to store.

RELATED: Treadmill Coupons

Secondly, shipping will likely be free or cheaper than arranging pick-up from your local store.  Some companies bake the cost of shipping into the purchase price, which is still less than what it would cost to get a 300-pound treadmill into a box truck and take it to your home.

Lastly, shopping online relieves most shopping anxiety you may feel when interacting with in-person salespeople. You’ll be able to make a level-headed decision of your own volition without the input of a pushy salesperson.

Other Treadmill Elements

If you want to be thorough with your buying process, be sure to check out the specs of the product for information on the following topics:

Treadmill Belt

Your treadmill belt will eventually wear out if you don’t keep it lubricated. Before you buy, check whether the company sells replacement belts or if the warranty covers them. They may even have a recommended lubricant or maintenance package for more efficient upkeep.

RELATED: How to Fix a Treadmill

Cushioning

Cushioning can affect how stressed the joints of the lower leg may feel after a treadmill workout. Unfortunately, there aren’t any consistent, objective measurements of cushioning across brands, so if it’s a concern, look for treadmills that advertise cushioning as a main feature. There are even machines that allow you to turn cushioning on and off, depending on whether you want that “real road” feel or not.

Incline

Treadmill incline is a simple way to up the intensity. Bumping up the incline can take a casual walk to a tough glute burn with just a press of a button. If that’s what you want, look for treadmills that go to at least a 5% incline. That tends to be where people start to notice the difference.

Safety Features

Motorized treadmills should have a fail-safe or safety key system. This is often clipped to your clothes or accessories and comes off the treadmill should you fall or go off the back of the treadmill belt without grabbing the handrails. The key triggers an emergency stop to ensure no further damage from the piece of equipment. 

If you opt for a folding treadmill, make sure you thoroughly examine the mechanism that locks the deck in place. There should be a safety feature to prevent children or pets from accidentally unlocking the deck, which can lead to crashes and potential injuries.

Final Thoughts 

We get it—this can be a lot to take in, especially if you’re just starting your treadmill purchase journey. At the end of the day, though, our goal is to help educate you on what to look for so that your cardio machine purchase is your best pick from the start. To sum it up, buying a treadmill should involve:

• Identifying your intended use for it
• Determining which features are most important for the performance you want out of your treadmill
• Selecting products that meet most or all of these features at a price you can afford, factoring in longevity and warranty

Treadmill Buying Guide: FAQs

References

1. Dhuli, K., Naureen, Z., Medori, M. C., Fioretti, F., Caruso, P., Perrone, M. A., Nodari, S., Manganotti, P., Xhufi, S., Bushati, M., Bozo, D., Connelly, S. T., Herbst, K. L., & Bertelli, M. (2022). Physical activity for health. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene, 63(2 Suppl 3), E150–E159. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2756