The Best Treadmills of 2023

Feb 03, 2024

We tested the best treadmills of 2023 with options for every budget. Top picks include Nordic Track, Assault Fitness, and more.

A home treadmill can help you meet fitness goals without the hassle of leaving the house. However, buying a treadmill is not an easy task. For starters, all treadmills look virtually the same. And trying to decipher between makes and models can be daunting.

Digging into some of the specs requires nothing short of a degree in mechanical engineering, but we’ve got you covered. We’re confident our expert advice will help you find the best treadmill for your home.

To help sort through the options, we tested multiple treadmills, completed hours of research, and reached out to four experts for advice on what people should look for in a treadmill.

Our staff is stocked with experienced runners. We’ve collectively logged years running on treadmills and outside, garnering context and perspective in the category.

We know that the best treadmill for home use needs to fit your space, perform consistently, and stay within budget. And depending on your fitness goals and style, it’s important to find a treadmill with the proper speed, incline, and power.

The growing market of connected fitness has turned even ordinary treadmills into online fitness studios. While there isn’t a single treadmill that fits every user, we’ve broken this list into useful categories to help you find the best option.

We also included a comprehensive buyer’s guide and a comparison chart to help you narrow down the field. Scroll through all of our picks for the best treadmills of the year.

The track is 22 inches wide and 60 inches long, which is great for long striders like myself. It boasts a 3.6 continuous horsepower motor, heavy-duty balanced rollers, a 300-pound user weight, and a 2-year parts warranty.

At $2,999, the Commercial 2450 is reasonably priced, though still somewhat expensive. We think that given the slew of features, this is an excellent value, especially when paired with an iFit subscription. You’ll get a 30-day free trial with purchase, and you can continue your membership for $39/month thereafter, which is on par with many commercial gyms, and much cheaper than hiring your own personal trainer.

One of the particularly attractive features of this treadmill is the rotating screen. Paired with the subscription-based iFit, those of you with a dedicated at-home gym will be able to take advantage of the off-tread workouts available. Another cool feature is auto-adjust, which automatically adjusts the speed and incline during guided workouts with iFit.

While we like the 2450 enough to award it our top pick, it is important to note that our tester did experience one particularly annoying hiccup with this model. He occasionally experienced a noticeable lag time with the touch screen, an issue that can be compounded by sweaty hands.

Keep a towel handy to negate the issue, and you’ll have everything you need for the best treadmill workouts available.

For general use walking and running, the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si ($999) is our top choice for an affordable model. For starters, NordicTrack is among the most trusted brands in fitness equipment. Its parent company, ICON, is the largest producer of fitness equipment worldwide, making up 67% of all sales.

The T 6.5 Si has a 2.6-CHP (continuous horsepower) motor with NordicTrack’s Smart Delivery Drive System. This delivers plenty of power for smooth belt motion and a maximum speed of 10 mph. This is a lot of motor for the money and makes the T 6.5 Si a standout.

A great feature is the one-touch speed control. Instead of having to hold down the up or down speed button to adjust, you can quickly ramp up or down with the turn of a dial. This is a welcome feature when changing paces.

And in terms of connected fitness, NordicTrack’s iFit is hard to beat. With a Bluetooth connection and a 10-inch HD screen, you can stream tons of on-demand workouts, take live interactive cardio workouts from world-class trainers, and even map out custom street-view routes via Google Maps.

NordicTrack trainers can even auto-adjust your speed and incline during the classes. You get a one-year iFit membership included with the purchase; it’s $39 per month after that.

Designed for top commercial settings and athletic performance labs, the Woodway 4Front ($8,299) is the ultimate high-end treadmill. If you’re looking for the most premium experience you can have while running in place, this model is worth some serious consideration.

Woodway’s patented running surface is made from interlocking slats of vulcanized rubber instead of the typical single piece of material that other manufacturers use. The 4Front’s deck claims to hold up for up to 150,000 miles. While this treadmill is much more expensive than other options, you’ll probably never need to replace it.

Underfoot, the running surface is roomy at 22 inches wide and 68 inches long and reduces impact for comfortable running workouts.

The 4Front comes equipped with three different training modes including traditional, dynamic, and resistance. If you’re looking for something similar to NordicTrack’s iFit option, you’ll need to look further than the 4Front.

That being said, this unit does offer a number of pre-programmed workouts and the ability to create your own workouts, as well as an option to export data from your sessions. Woodway also offers an option of upgrading to a 19-inch LCD screen, which should allow users to incorporate fitness training like iFit, or even just watch sports or movies while on the run.

We think the Assault Runner Elite ($3,499) is a strong contender for the best overall treadmill. But, because these units tend to appeal to a niche user group, this model misses the mark for much of our target audience.

That being said, there is much to praise about the Assault Runner. Setup and maintenance are a breeze, and the dash unit is super simple, requiring four AA batteries, and displays workout metrics in several different units.

Non-motorized treadmills have been making more regular appearances in strength gyms and CrossFit boxes in recent years, and for good reason — they offer an experience unlike any standard motorized treadmill.

With a curved deck and heavy-duty tread, these units rely on the user to power “forward” movement, meaning that they need to assume a much more active role in their workout. As a result, your stride is much more similar to running outdoors and requires significantly more energy input (such as caloric expenditure). While manual treadmills certainly aren’t for everyone, those of you who run predominantly outdoors will likely enjoy them significantly more than a motorized unit.

It supports both Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. Users will find several workout options including intervals, targets (time, distance, etc.), and competition modes. The no-frills tray features two bottle holders and comfortable handles for balance. Perhaps my favorite feature of the Assault Runner is the shock-absorbing belt, which translates to almost zero impact, even when sprinting.

Another huge feature is that this unit doesn’t have a top speed, which makes it the best option for sprint work inside. While the Assault Runner Elite doesn’t feature the same training support or subscription-based guided workout (see NordicTrack), it’s still a standout in its field. Runners, especially those who run predominantly outdoors, should strongly consider this treadmill.

f simplicity is your jam, the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill ($1,999) is a nifty no-frills machine. In place of an in-console screen, the 7.8 AT has two humble storage shelves.

This design is based on the concept that a treadmill’s main purpose is to provide high-quality exercise — not screen-based entertainment. Plus, users can always set up their smartphone or tablet and follow along with a program of their own choice (like the Nike app or Zwift).

Overall, this is an extremely easy-to-use treadmill. There are quick-change buttons on both sides of the console to adjust speed and incline, plus buttons for controlling your music on the center of the console.

If you’re not inclined to wear an HRT, metal sensors in the handles keep tabs on your heart rate. Our tester found the speed and incline adjustment dials are almost too accessible — he occasionally made unintentional adjustments while running at a full clip and swinging his arms.

The platform is also extremely cushy (but not as sweet as the NordicTrack X32i), and the 4-horsepower motor was very quick to make speed and incline adjustments.

If you’re looking to spare no expense, the NordicTrack Commercial X32i ($4,500) is a great high-end model. Despite the lofty price tag, the bang lives up to the buck.

The X32i’s 32-inch interactive HD touchscreen is bright and responsive, which helps create a more immersive experience during “global” runs. These prerecorded workouts are a delight, taking you on guided runs and hikes anywhere from the Austrian Alps to the African savannah.

A 4.25-CHP motor offers a max speed of 12 mph, and the incline goes up to a whopping 40% (very handy for simulating the hike to Everest’s base camp). A 22-inch-wide deck is bolstered with Reflex cushioning, which kept runs feeling springy and responsive.

During workouts, the X32i automatically adjusted the speed and incline according to the workout specifications or to simulate the terrain. Simply put, this thing is loaded with numerous features and varied settings.

While the X32i’s hardware is impressive, NordicTrack’s iFIT software shined in testing. In addition to on-demand studio workouts, the programming includes simulated runs in beautiful locations all over the world as well as guide-led hikes through historical locations like Egyptian pyramids and “haunted” locations in Georgia. If virtual settings are a must for you, it doesn’t get much better.

With the purchase, you get a one-year membership to iFit. After the year ends, the membership costs $39 a month. It’s not the most budget-friendly treadmill on this list, but it’s an excellent choice if you can swing it.

Much like the Assault Runner Elite, the TrueForm ($3,995+) will give you a different kind of running workout. TrueForm claims you’ll burn 44% more calories than with a motorized treadmill. It’s no coincidence that the most durable treadmills also happen to be the ones without a motor.

As one user review aptly said, “It’s built like a tank.” Manual treadmills use a curved running belt, and the power of your feet moves the belt. This means fewer parts and less need for repair.

Similar to the Assault Runner, it uses replaceable batteries for its control panel but no power outlet is required, letting you put this unit anywhere. One big downside is the lack of programmability of workouts and no connected fitness experience. Aside from a Bluetooth-enabled heart-rate monitor, you’re on your own for workout programs.

At about $500 more than the Assault Runner, and with fewer connectivity and training options, the Trueform just misses out on the best of category for non-motorized treadmills. Regardless, it is still an excellent option for those of you interested in non-motorized treadmills.

Not everyone has enough space to dedicate solely to a treadmill. If that’s the case, a folding treadmill is a great option.

Unfortunately, folding treadmills often sacrifice frame stability for compactness. But not the Life Fitness F3 folding treadmill ($3,850). As one user review noted, “I’m beyond impressed with its sturdiness and how quiet it is.”

In terms of power, the F3 puts out 3 horsepower continuously with a peak of 6 horsepower, making it a great option for both walkers and runners. One downside is that the maximum speed tops out at 10 mph, which is a 6-minute-mile pace. This presents a limit for the fastest runners.

Life Fitness gives you the choice to pick between two consoles depending on how many preloaded and custom workouts you want. The more expensive one, Track Connect, will connect with a mobile device for real-time tracking.

Both consoles are clean and uncomplicated, making them very user-friendly. But if you’re looking for an HD screen and a fully featured connected experience, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

If participating in live classes led by fit, world-class instructors motivate you to put on your running shoes and get it done, and then check out the Peloton Tread ($3,495). More commonly known for its Peloton Bike, the company launched the Tread model to bring its connected-fitness concept to running.

Broadcast through a beautiful 32-inch 1080p HD screen, the Peloton model is one of the best-looking treadmills we found. Access to a full suite of live and archived classes is an additional $39 per month on top of the cost of the treadmill.

The hardware is less impressive. Of all the treadmills here, the Tread has the lowest horsepower rating at 2 horsepower. That’s below even our budget options, which cost a quarter of the price.

This raises some longevity and performance concerns for heavy-use runners, fast runners, and bigger runners. And if issues arise, Peloton’s limited warranty is the shortest of all the treadmills we researched (5 years on the frame and 1 year on parts and labor).

Still, plenty of runners have had a positive experience with the Peloton Tread. The content is fun and motivating — just know there are better-built treadmills out there for a fraction of the cost.

There’s always a risk of issues when buying anything budget-priced, especially things with moving parts. But the Schwinn 810 ($1,299) is one of the better price-to-reliability treadmills on the market.

Schwinn is part of the Nautilus and Bowflex family, so it has corporate support behind it. As an entry-level treadmill, it features a 2.6-CHP motor that maxes out at 10 mph. Serious runners may want more power and speed for some workouts.

It comes standard with 16 preloaded workouts in its built-in blue backlit LCD screen. For an additional $10 per month, you can gain access to the Nautilus Explore the World app.

Using a tablet or phone, you can virtually run routes anywhere in the world. And the Schwinn 810‘s integrated Bluetooth data streaming means you can connect to popular third-party apps — allowing you to ride or run with trainers from Peloton, for example. You can also interact, train, and compete against others on Zwift.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a solid, budget-friendly traditional treadmill for walking or jogging, this is a solid choice.

Our team is made up of fitness-focused folks, many of whom have limited time to stay on top of their fitness during the work week. Our experts put the time into reviewing the best selection of treadmills available, and then carefully evaluated each one to make recommendations to you.

We’re confident these are the best treadmills on the market today. If you’re stuck indoors or are navigating a very busy schedule, we also have a comprehensive round-up of the best bike trainers.

At the end of the day, our staff is looking for the same thing you are — value, performance, fit and finish, and ultimately the best product for your individual needs. Our team spends their time carefully evaluating new products so that you don’t have to, which translates to more time building fitness for you. We strive to create thorough, comprehensive, and helpful reviews to help you find the best gear for your individual needs.

Author Cory Smith is a professional running coach and founder of runyourpersonalbest.com. He’s helped runners carve out time in their busy lives to execute effective training plans and understands how important treadmills can be as a training tool.

Additionally, our fitness expert and co-contributor Paul Mandell is a strength and conditioning coach based in Bishop, CA. He’s no stranger to treadmills, having used and worked with countless brands, from budget and space-saving treadmills to top-of-line models while training his clients to be strong and healthy.

Before you consider specific products, you’ll want to have an understanding of how you’ll be using the treadmill. The main thing you need to know is whether you’ll be walking or running. Walking generates considerably less strain on the mechanical parts, allowing you to get away with more of an entry-level treadmill.

The faster the speed and heavier the use, you’ll need the higher-class treadmill to keep pace without the likelihood of having issues. If you have multiple people using the treadmill or are a larger-bodied user, you’ll want a higher-class treadmill to handle the additional load.

As they say, the best piece of fitness equipment is the one you use. When purchasing and setting up a treadmill, it’s essential to prioritize ease of use.

Before you choose a specific treadmill model, consider where you will put it. We recommend that you measure your available floor space. Treadmills come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and some will fit into your space better than others.

We recommend that you put your treadmill in a comfortable and well-lit area. Avoid dark and uninviting spaces such as unfinished basements and garages. Large windows and plentiful natural light are ideal.

In 2023, many treadmills are outfitted with plentiful technology and infinite program options. While tech features can be useful, some treadmill users simply don’t want (or need) them.

We recommend that you select a treadmill that feels approachable and inviting. Avoid models that feel overly complex or overwhelming.

Once you’re clear about how you’re going to use the treadmill, it’s time to dig into the ever-intimidating treadmill specs. Don’t worry — you don’t need to look at all of them, just a few key ones.

Entry-level treadmills that are more suited for walking will be on the lower range of the below specs, while runners and heavy users want to stay on the upper range.

We recommend going directly to the manufacturer’s website to find the weight capacity and other specs, rather than a middleman like Amazon or a distributor, to ensure that they are accurate.

This may seem obvious, but before you even start your research, make sure you measure out the entire space you have for your treadmill. Perhaps the biggest unknown when determining if a treadmill will fit is the head height from the ceiling.

In general, most runners will bounce around 5 inches above standing height when running, so ideally aim to have at least 8 to 12 inches of space between your head and the ceiling to be safe.

The motor powers the treadmill. Pretty much every treadmill expert we spoke with recommended a 3- to 4-horsepower motor for runners and at least 2.6 horsepower for walking only. Runners will start to see performance issues and premature mechanical problems on anything less than 3 horsepower.

Walkers can afford to be a tad under 3 horsepower, while heavy-use runners want to stay closer to 4. Make sure the horsepower rating is for continuous duty, not absolute horsepower, meaning the motor puts out the rated horsepower continuously versus at its peak.

If the specs don’t list horsepower in either CHP or HP continuous duty, odds are it’s not rated for continuous duty.

Rollers are what the belt is wrapped around on either end. Generally, the larger the roller, the better. A higher diameter means less tension is created. This results in a smoother, longer-lasting belt and motor.

The belt size determines your running surface, or how much ground you’ll have under you. Small belts can make your run feel cramped or even cause you to step off the belt.

Larger, taller people require wider and longer belt sizes because their strides are longer and wider. An average person’s foot stance width is roughly 16 inches, so choose a belt size no narrower than 20 inches.

Generally speaking, 20 x 55 inches is considered the entry-level ideal for walking and light jogging, with 22 x 60 inches being a standard size for average-height runners. Extra-tall runners with a long stride may need even more than 60 inches.

The speed range of a treadmill varies by brand and model. Typically, less expensive and lower-end models will top out at around 8 mph. While 8 or 10 mph may be plenty for speedwalking and jogging, it won’t be enough to fulfill every runner’s needs.

If you are looking to train for high-level races at high speeds, we recommend a mid or high-tier treadmill that can max out at 12 mph or more.

Most treadmills offer easy-to-adjust speed settings. Before you make a purchase, be sure to check out the speed settings to ensure that they are easy to use and appropriate for your needs.

Speed is not the only treadmill adjustment that can alter the difficulty of your workout. Many treadmills provide the option to change the incline angle of the platform. With a quick adjustment, you can shift between a flat, inclined, or even declined surface.

Walking or running on an incline can help you break through plateaus and stay motivated. Compared to flat terrain, an inclined treadmill can help increase your heart rate, burn more calories, and activate underdeveloped muscle groups.

Most treadmills offer settings that start at a 0% incline and adjust by 0.5% increments to a maximum incline of around 15%. If you are training for outdoor terrain with a varied grade, treadmill incline adjustment is an important feature.

Stick with the name brands. It’s not that smaller brands are necessarily bad — it’s just that larger brands offer more features and will be easier to repair if something breaks.

Two brands we recommend are NordicTrack and Nautilus. Others include Sole, Life Fitness, Precor, Spirit Fitness, Assault Fitness, and Landice.

Buying a used treadmill can be tempting due to the lower price, but in general, we would avoid buying used treadmills if possible.

Unlike a car, where the odometer identifies how often it’s been used, it’s not as clear to tell how much a treadmill has been used. Furthermore, manufacturers’ warranties are only valid to the original buyer — they don’t roll over.

A big trend in home fitness is a move toward a connected fitness experience — the ability to participate in coached workouts on a screen or virtually run routes all over the world.

In some cases, the treadmill speed and incline settings automatically adjust based on the virtual terrain, your workout, or a built-in heart-rate monitor.

Some treadmills have preloaded cardio workouts or courses in the console. But in most cases, access to the full content is an additional subscription fee on top of the purchase of the treadmill. Usually, the more expensive the treadmill is, the more you get bundled with the purchase price.

Nowadays, the virtually accessible content is pretty impressive — so much so that GearJunkie’s founder, a diehard outside trail runner, became a convert.

If you skimp on cost upfront, there’s a good chance you’ll spend more on repairs or end up with a shortened lifespan for your treadmill. Generally speaking, a quality entry-level treadmill will retail for around $800. And a higher-end treadmill will reach above $2,000.

Entry-level treadmills are most suited for light usage walking and light single-use jogging. As the treadmill gets used more or the pace run on it increases, the more you should spend on a treadmill.

We highly recommend buying your treadmill directly from the manufacturer to ensure that it doesn’t get broken in transit. Given the large size, weight, and number of mechanical parts, treadmills are not an easy item to ship and require special handling care.

Another thing to think about it is setting up the treadmill. Treadmills are extremely heavy and large, making them difficult to set up. Standard delivery in most cases means delivery to the front door, leaving you responsible to set up the treadmill.

For a small fee, most manufacturers offer “white-glove” delivery options wherein a certified delivery person will set up the treadmill for you. It’s worth paying a bit more for this service.

Treadmills take up a lot of space. While you’re actively using your machine, its large footprint is warranted. However, you’ll want to make a plan for storing your treadmill when not in use.

Depending on how long you will be storing the machine, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Folding treadmills take up less space overall, which makes them ideal for smaller living spaces such as condos and apartments.

Proper storage improves the performance and extends the lifespan of a treadmill. Always keep your treadmill on a level surface in a climate-controlled setting.

If your treadmill has been stored unused for more than a month, we recommend lubricating the belt with silicone before using it again.

Despite the rise in popularity of Peloton bikes, home treadmills still rule the personal fitness equipment universe. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, treadmill purchases accounted for 54% of all home fitness equipment sales in 2018.

On an instinctual level, this makes sense. As Colleen Logan, vice president of marketing at ICON Health & Fitness, explained, “Treadmills are a natural motion. We are human, we are upright, walking, jogging, and running. These are all-natural motions we do. Other fitness category equipment is great (i.e., rowing, cycling, elliptical), but it’s not how we walk down the street. Treadmills are the most popular for that reason.”

Moreover, in terms of accessible home fitness, running remains one of the highest calorie burners per hour.

Our selection for the best overall treadmill for home use is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. This treadmill offers standard yet reliable features and holds up well to regular use over the years.

We recommend all of the treadmills on this list. The best treadmill for at-home use is the one that perfectly fits your budget, training needs, and available space.

If an at-home treadmill can allow you to meet your training needs in a way that fits your lifestyle, it may be a worthwhile investment. That said, treadmills are not cheap.

So, it’s essential to be sure that a treadmill fits (both literally and figuratively) into your life. A good-quality treadmill is built to last for many years and can be considered a long-term investment.

A treadmill mat prevents dust from building up underneath the machine. Also, a treadmill mat protects your floor and helps reduce vibration and noise. Many people use a yoga mat for this purpose.

While a yoga mat may do a decent job as a treadmill mat in the short term, yoga mats are generally softer and thinner than treadmill mats and will flatten over time. Look for a treadmill mat that is around ¼-inch thick and large enough to accommodate the entire footprint of your machine.

While some treadmills are more likely to damage your floor than others, it’s always a good idea to use a treadmill mat between your floor and your machine to prevent damage. A treadmill mat is roughly ¼-inch thick and dense enough to protect your floor from scratches and dents.

Additionally, a treadmill should always be set up on a level surface. Use a level to ensure that your floor surface is level. An uneven surface can affect your running or walking form, and it can also lead to floor damage.

Running on a treadmill and indoor cycling each have their advantages. Before choosing one over the other, consider your budget, training goals, and physical ability.

The quality of the workout depends on the intention and intensity of the user. Both of these kinds of equipment can offer a great workout and help you burn lots of calories.

Spinning is much easier on the joints. Running creates more impact than spinning and may not be the best option for those who deal with joint pain. That said, spinning can harm your posture, and those who sit at a desk all day may want to be upright during their workouts.

In the end, neither is necessarily better. Both activities offer a great workout that can be done at home. The choice comes down to the needs of the user and personal preference.

A good-quality treadmill should last at least 7 or so years, even with very heavy use. Many users report owning treadmills that last well over 10 years. Before you buy, check the treadmill’s warranty.