Looking to upgrade your cardio routine without breaking the bank? The Sole F63 treadmill offers an enticing combination of build quality and features for roughly $1,300, making it one of the best budget treadmills we’ve had in testing. Although it’s not the flashiest machine we’ve gotten our hands (and feet) on, it provides excellent bang for your hard-earned buck.
In this Sole F63 treadmill review, we’ll give you a thorough breakdown of its capabilities by highlighting its strengths (there are plenty!) while also touching upon its weaknesses (just a few). With a user-friendly design and a budget-friendly price point, this high-quality home treadmill can be a great option for both runners and walkers who want to improve their cardiovascular fitness at home.
So, without further adieu, let’s dive into the review so you can determine if the F63 is the right fit for you.
Our Sole F63 Treadmill Review, Summarized
The F63 earned high marks across the board, particularly for customizations, adjustability, ergonomics, and tech capabilities. Although we experienced some minor instability with sprinting, the machine can still provide a stable, comfortable training experience in most situations. We like that there are several built-in programs, too, plus the ability to utilize the Sole+ app for even more workout possibilities. Based on its $1,300 price point, the Sole F63 delivers rock-solid value for home gym owners looking for a budget-friendly cardio machine.
How We Test Treadmills
In addition to the dimensions, we assess how easy it is to move and store the machine, awarding higher scores to folding treadmills like the F63 that take up less space when not in use. To earn a rating of at least a 3 in this category, we require that one or two people are able to easily move the treadmill around. Larger, heavier machines that are difficult to move score lower on our scale.
Treadmills that offer an incline range of at least 10% and a top speed of 10 miles per hour meet our threshold for a 3-out-of-5 rating. We award higher scores for more robust speed and incline ranges, or if a treadmill offers decline training.
Does the treadmill have built-in programming for sufficient training variety, or is it compatible with apps and platforms like iFIT that provide structured workout programs? Treadmills earn a 3 in this category when they have at least a handful of built-in workouts you can easily access from the console or an app. Interactive, studio-style classes are even better, though this type of programming typically requires a subscription, which we factor into the treadmill’s overall value.
Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive treadmill testing methodology that uses a scale of 1 to 5 to score these cardio machines across categories such as tech capabilities, dynamic programming, customizations, and more.
The Garage Gym Reviews team includes certified personal trainers, marathoners, and recreational runners who have a keen sense of what separates the best treadmills from the rest of the pack. Our experts have personally tested more than 50 models, putting them through a variety of walking, jogging, and running workouts. In 2024 alone, we helped roughly 7,325 athletes find their ideal home treadmill, and we’re here to keep that trend rolling in 2026.
The Sole F63 Treadmill is an affordable option for people who want a powerful, reliable machine that folds. There is no built-in virtual programming, but it does have plenty of other conveniences, like water bottle holders, cooling fans, and Bluetooth speakers.
What our tester says:
“I feel like any new and beginner athlete who wants to get into more cardiovascular-based training would love this treadmill, especially if they had a little bit more money to spend on one.”
What to Know Before You Buy
- The F63 is HSA/FSA-eligible, meaning you can use pre-saved tax dollars to fund your purchase.
- This machine comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. Sole Fitness also offers three protection plan options: one year for $109, two years for $145.99, or three years for $184.99.
- You can select from two delivery upgrades at checkout. Delivery to your room of choice costs $200, or you can have the F63 assembled by a team of professionals for $350.
Sole F63 Treadmill Video Review
Is the Sole F63 Treadmill Worth It?
When we first received the F63 in 2021, it was priced at $999, immediately placing it amongst the best treadmills under $1,000. Since then, that number has slowly climbed to as high as $1,300. While this may place this cardio machine beyond certain budgets, we still think the cost is justified, especially when taking the treadmill’s durability and adjustability into account.
When the price of a treadmill dips significantly below $1,000, you’re likely to start seeing sacrifices in key areas like user weight capacity, durability, and warranty. While a sub-$1,000 tread could be fitting for wallet-minded athletes, there’s a greater chance of needing to forgo features such as a foldable running deck, built-in programming, and extended warranty coverage—all, of which, can be found in the F63 profile.
Still interested? Let’s dive into the key metrics, as well as our testing experience with the Sole F63.
Sole F63 Treadmill: Key Features & Specs
| Price | $1,299.99 |
| Dimensions | 67” H x 77” L x 35” W |
| Deck Size | 20” W x 60” L |
| Foldable? | Yes |
| Step-Up Height | 8” |
| Product Weight | 224 lbs |
| Weight Capacity | 325 lbs |
| Speed Range | 0.5-12 MPH |
| Incline Range | 0-15% |
| Motor | 3.0-HP motor |
| Display & Programming | 6.5” backlit LCD screen; 7 pre-programmed + 2 user-defined programs |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame and motor; 2 years deck, parts, wear items; 1 year labor |
Workout Experience with the Sole F63 Treadmill
Overall, I gave this machine a 4.5 out of 5 for my workout experience. It performs exactly as it should, minus some slight shakiness that I noticed when getting to top speeds at higher inclines. This isn’t any kind of shaking that made me feel like the treadmill wasn’t safe, but it was noticeable.
As we found in our testing, this treadmill is quieter than expected. You can absolutely hear the hum of the incline motor as the deck changes pitch, but it isn’t very loud. At distances of 5 to 10 feet, the F63 treadmill averages roughly 66-68 decibels (dB), which is about as loud as a dishwasher running in the next room. In other words: Noticeable, but not disruptive. Even standing just a few feet away, the decibel levels remained in the low 70s dB; comparable to a vacuum cleaner at a distance. Otherwise, the turning of the belt is on par with how most other treadmills sound.
Is this the best treadmill I’ve trained on? I wouldn’t go that far. However, if one of my friends was on the hunt for a budget-friendly option to upgrade their cardio routine, I’d feel confident in recommending the F63 based on my extensive experience.
“The F63 checks all the boxes a home gym owner should look for in a high-quality treadmill. It folds up for easy storage, has ample speed and incline settings, and includes all the conveniences you need for a streamlined workout experience—all at a budget-friendly price point.”
Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC
Sole F63 Treadmill Rating
Footprint and Portability
Make no mistake about it: The F63 is a rather large machine at 77 inches long by 35 inches wide by 67 inches tall. In other words, you won’t be able to store this under your bed. However, we still rate it at 4 out of 5 in this category for a few reasons.
First, compared to heavy-duty treadmills like the 311-pound NordicTrack Commercial 1750, the Sole F63 is much lighter. While the older version tipped the scales at 254 pounds, the current iteration only weighs 224 pounds. Coupled with the fact that this easy-assist folding treadmill has attached transport wheels, you shouldn’t have much trouble moving the F63 throughout your training space. The process of folding and unfolding this machine is a breeze, too:
To fold:
- Make sure the treadmill is at its lowest incline setting
- Lift the deck of the treadmill until the center gas shock locks securely in place
- Easily roll away to move or store
To unfold:
- With one hand, apply pressure on the running deck
- Pull down the lever to lower the deck to the floor until the running surface reaches waist height
- Once the deck reaches waist height, you can allow the gas shock to automatically lower the surface to its operating position
While we’re definite fans of the F63’s foldability, we do strongly recommend ensuring you take some pre-purchase measurements to confirm your home gym can accommodate this running treadmill. After all, while the storage-friendly perks are a benefit, they can be rendered useless if you can’t, in fact, unfold the machine for daily workouts.
Delivery and Setup
When ordering the Sole F63 treadmill, there are three different options to choose from in terms of delivery. The first option is free curbside delivery (which we chose). While the most wallet-friendly option available, be aware that the box is large and heavy weighing almost 300 pounds; it may be beneficial to have a helper at the ready once your machine arrives.
The other two options include room-of-choice delivery ($200) or full-scale professional assembly ($350). Based on those prices and our experience putting this treadmill together, we wouldn’t recommend paying for either of those services. Instead, we’d put those hard-earned dollars toward a new pair of running shoes to take full advantage of the F63.
Once the box itself is where you plan to have your treadmill, you may still need assistance to unbox the deck, which is the heaviest component. From there, the rest is fairly smooth sailing, based on my experience. The assembly took me about an hour and wasn’t overly complicated. You can find assembly instructions in the treadmill’s manual, which are also available online (in case you want to pre-read before your treadmill arrives).
The instructions were clear and had six steps to follow. The box also included useful tools such as two Allen wrenches, a screwdriver, socket screws, and a convenient bottle of treadmill lubricant. These were all clearly labeled and made assembly go off without a hitch. Overall, we rate the delivery and setup at a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5.
Durability
We gave the F63 a 4 out of 5 for durability because if you’re an avid runner, you should be aware that this treadmill shakes slightly at fast paces or aggressive inclines. However, some jostling is to be expected for the price; it definitely wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it is something to be aware of if that kind of thing bothers you.
The weight capacity of the Sole F63 is 325 pounds, as well, which is a good signal that the machine’s 3.0-HP motor and construction can support most folks. There are certainly more powerful treadmills with higher user weight limits out there, but those also typically come with higher price tags. So, if you can live with a little bit of shaking at high speeds, we still classify the F63 as one of the best treadmills for running.
Customizations
Earning a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 in this category, the F63 offers a max incline setting of 15%, which is on par with some of the best commercial treadmills. There are no options to go below 0% to simulate walking downhill, though, which may be to the dismay of athletes wanting to absolutely mimic common on-road conditions.
The F63 does not feature any “quick change” buttons on the handles like you’ll find on some other higher-priced machines. There are, however, quick change buttons on the console, so you can jump to inclines at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15% instead of having to keep pushing a “+” button. The deck does move up and down fairly quietly, as well; I did notice a slight hum of the motor, but nothing disturbing.
Meanwhile, the speed range for the F63 is between 0.5 and 12 MPH, which is just above the industry standard of 10 MPH. Like the incline range, you’ll also find some “quick change” speed toggles on the console, giving you the power to rapidly jump to 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 , or 12 MPH. In use, this process is pretty seamless, and none of us had any issues during our trials.
Adjustability and Ergonomics
Earning yet another 4.5-out-of-5 rating, the F63 has a standard-sized running deck that measures a spacious 60 inches long by 20 inches wide. From our experience, this should accommodate most users, including taller individuals. We had testers as tall as 6 feet on this machine, and they were able to run comfortably. That said, if you need a wider surface, you could consider the Sole F80, which has a 22-inch-wide running deck.
RELATED: Best Treadmill for Tall Runners
The belt on the F63 is two-ply, as well. Cheaper treadmill belts are usually one-ply, so this is an awesome upgrade for the price that can promote better shock absorption and mid-workout comfort. We did find that our workouts on the machine felt good, though I couldn’t really tell you if this was any more or less cushioned than other treadmills I have been on.
RELATED: Best Cushioned Treadmills
Tech Capabilities
Although it’s not the most tech-centric machine we’ve tested, the F63 still earns a 4.5 out of 5 in this category. Equipped with a 6.5-inch LCD monitor, the screen displays common metrics such as your pulse, time elapsed, calories burned, distance traveled, incline, decline, chosen program, and speed. It’s a pretty standard readout, with a quarter-mile track as well as a “peak-and-valley” LCD graph to visually show your progress during sessions.
Other tech features include:
- Bluetooth Speakers: I found these to pair seamlessly with my phone, and I could use my own playlist. I was impressed with how good the sound was.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: There are pulse grips to get a read on your heart rate. This can be particularly useful if you’re doing HIIT treadmill workouts, which have been shown to help improve aerobic endurance and anaerobic capacity1.
- USB Port: This can be used to charge your phone as you exercise.
Additionally, the F63 is compatible with the Sole+ app for digital workout modules. You’ll need to bring your own device for streaming setups, but this free (yes, free) platform can be beneficial in keeping your sessions fresh and engaging.
Conveniences
The F63 has a few extras that we enjoyed. Above the monitor, there are two fans that can be turned on and off using a switch in the middle. However, I should point out that the fan isn’t very strong. Also, I’m on the short side at 5-foot-4, and I felt the fan was positioned too high for it to have much of a relieving effect on me.
You’ll also find:
- A phone/tablet holder
- Two cup holders
- A conveniently large storage tray
Those conveniences can make for a streamlined, stress-free experience. Again, nothing overly fancy, but everything you need to get the job done.
Dynamic Programming
Included in the Sole F63 treadmill are seven pre-programmed workouts. The preset workouts can assist the user with cardio endurance, fat burn, calorie burn, and muscle toning. I personally did the hill climb workout and the HIIT workout; they were very standard treadmill workouts. There are preset speeds and inclines the machine adjusts to, but you can manually override those.
There are also options to add two separate user profiles and two heart rate programs. These can be useful if you don’t want to manually adjust your speed and incline during a session.
One feature we like is that all Sole Fitness equipment is compatible with the Sole+ app. This gives you access to hundreds of free fitness classes and thousands of hours of exercise content. You could also use your own device to stream Peloton workouts or iFIT workouts—two of our favorite workout apps for on-demand cardio training.
Overall, we rate the dynamic programming at a solid 4 out of 5.
Value
For roughly $1,300, you get a lot for your money with the Sole F63. This is a well-built machine that offers a rock-solid combination of conveniences and customizations in an affordable package. The built-in programming won’t exactly blow you away, but the free Sole+ app adds tremendous value for home gym owners who want more expansive workout options.
Based on its budget-friendly price point, it’s easy to see how you can get a great return on your investment. At $1,299.99, the cost-per-use drops quickly, even if you only use the F63 three times per week. That equates to a few dollars per session within your first year of ownership. If you keep it around for a few years, you’ll end up spending less than if you paid for a monthly gym membership, which can easily range between $30 and $50 per month. Overall, the F63 scores a 4.5 out of 5 for value.
RELATED: How Much Does a Home Gym Cost?
Customer Experience
With the F63, you have a free 30-day trial to make sure you’re completely satisfied with your purchase. The best part, though, is that Sole doesn’t make you pay shipping or a restocking fee for returning the treadmill. This is a huge deal compared to other big-name treadmill brands that usually put the shipping cost burden on the returner.
Shipping a treadmill is not cheap, so this can save you a few hundred dollars. This shows how confident Sole Fitness is in its products, which definitely makes me more willing to purchase other machines from the brand in the future.
Furthermore, the treadmill warranty policy on the F63 is excellent. You get a lifetime frame and motor warranty, plus two years of coverage for the deck, parts, and wear items. That should give you plenty of confidence about your investment and, as mentioned earlier, you can also add a one-, two-, or three-year extended protection plan for added peace of mind.
In addition to excellent warranty and return policies, we also appreciate that Sole offers financing options through Shop Pay. You can also use HSA/FSA funds to purchase this machine, leading to a stellar customer experience rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Customer Reviews
The F63 treadmill has earned an average rating of 4.3 stars based on 63 reviews on Sole’s website. Users routinely praise its sturdy build, smooth operation, and value for the price. While there are a few criticisms about mechanical problems and slower-than-expected response times from customer service, the majority of reviewers are pleased with their investment.
Sole F63 Vs
If you want to stay within the Sole Fitness family for your home treadmill needs, you have a few compelling options. The F63 is the most affordable of the bunch, giving you many of the same features as you’d experience with its more expensive cousin—the Sole F80. In fact, despite a $600 price difference, you get the same top speed (12 miles per hour) and incline range (up to 15%) in either treadmill.
That said, the F80 has a larger LCD display, a more powerful 3.5-HP motor, and a higher 350-pound user weight limit than its budget-friendly brethren. In our opinion, this F80 model can be better suited for heavier individuals or those who want a wider running deck; the F80 measures 22 inches wide compared to 20 inches on the F63.
RELATED: Sole F63 vs F80
You have other options from the F series in the F89, as well. Be warned, though: This is not a budget-friendly model in the least. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive treadmills we’ve tested with a list price of $3,099.99. However, you get some substantial upgrades in the form of a 21.5-inch touchscreen display, 4.0-HP motor, six decline levels, wireless charging, and built-in Wi-Fi.
For more insight on the more expensive members of the F series, check out our Sole F80 review, as well as our Sole F89 review.
|
|
|
|
|
| Sole F63 | Sole F80 | Sole F89 Treadmill | |
|
Rating
|
|||
| Speed Range | 0.5 – 12 mph | 0.5 – 12 mph | 0.5-12 mph |
| Incline Range | 15 levels | 15 levels | 15 incline levels, 6 decline levels |
| Deck Size | 60″ L x 20″ W | 60″ L x 22″ W | 60″ L x 22″ W |
| Foldable? | |||
| Display | 6.5″ backlit LCD | 10.1″ touchscreen | 21.5″ touchscreen |
Final Verdict of Our Sole F63 Treadmill Review
Overall, I was impressed with the Sole F63’s overall value. I think this can be a great option for beginners or those who want a no-frills machine that doesn’t require a massive investment. It offers sufficient speed and incline settings for different types of workouts, too, and comes with conveniences like cooling fans, dual cup holders, a tablet holder, and a large storage tray. It may not be a true top-of-the-line model, but it’s certainly one of the best options in this price range.
Our takeaways:
- Great budget option for around $1,300
- Can fold and be stored away with the attached transport wheels
- Heavy profile that can require some assistance during unboxing and assembly procedures
- Robust speed and incline capabilities for enhanced training variety
- Bluetooth connectivity for DIY streaming setups and data tracking
Sole F63 Treadmill Review: FAQs
Is the Sole F63 or F80 treadmill better?
The Sole F63 treadmill and the F80 are surprisingly similar, even with the almost $600 price discrepancy. They both share the same levels of incline, a top speed of 12 MPH, and a well-rounded library of available preset treadmill workouts.
The differences are fairly minor. The F80 features a more powerful 3.5-HP motor compared to the F63’s 3.0-HP motor. The F80 also has a 9-inch LCD display, as well as a running deck that’s two inches larger than that of the F63. I personally don’t think these minor adjustments make the F80 a better buy than the F63, but both are high-quality treadmills at comparatively reasonable prices.
What are the pros and cons of the F63 treadmill?
Some of the standout features we like about the F63 include its budget-friendly price point, sturdy design, modern conveniences, and reliable performance. A few noteworthy drawbacks include the expensive assembly fee (optional), its overall weight, and the lack of a built-in touchscreen.
Can you run on the Sole F63 treadmill?
Yes, you can run on the Sole F63 at speeds up to 12 MPH. The treadmill does shake slightly when running hard, so that is something to be aware of.
References
- Atakan, M. M., Li, Y., Koşar, Ş. N., Turnagöl, H. H., & Yan, X. (2021). Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(13), 7201. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137201
