- Adding a treadmill to your home gym setup allows you to get some cardio exercise from the comfort of your home, and is a great option for people of any fitness level.
- Most treadmills have a varying list of features depending on specific makes and models but the most important qualities to look for are power, reliability, and comfort.
- Our top pick, the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill, is great for racers and casual runners, offering workouts from iFit that stream to its 7-inch onboard monitor, a cushioned tread that reduces impact, and a convenient fold-up design.
Editor's note: Due to high demand, some of the selections are either limited in stock or back-ordered. We will update this piece with new picks or purchase options as best we can.
Few exercise machines have endured the changing landscape of at-home fitness quite like the treadmill. They're great for maintaining cardio fitness, preparing for road races like 2-milers or 5Ks, or serving as a complement to a weekly workout routine — especially for anyone who doesn't have time to run outside.
Treadmills are also incredibly simple to use. You just run or walk on the belt, and a motor moves it under your feet at whatever speed you select. Some even offer a variety of different features, including touchscreen displays and live-streamed classes, that'll help you gain exactly the kinds of training and health benefits you need.
As a frequent gym-goer (prior to the pandemic, of course) and current fitness editor, I've run my fair share of miles on treadmills advanced, basic, or otherwise. For every mile ran on something like Peloton's Tread or ProForm's Pro 2000, I've logged an equal amount (if not many more) on treadmills without an interactive screen attached to them and those a bit more typical of a standard fitness center or gym.
This experience proved vital when combing through and testing the allotment of treadmills currently available — and helped me better understand why someone may prefer a certain model over another. The following guide features a range of treadmill types at various price points in hopes of helping you find the best option for your fitness needs. At the end of this guide, I've also included some tips on how to shop for a treadmill as well as insight into the testing methodology used for deciding which made the cut.
Here are the best treadmills:
- Best treadmill overall: ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill
- Best treadmill for quiet workouts: 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill
- Best connected treadmill: Peloton Tread+
- Best budget treadmill: Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill
- Best shock-absorbing treadmill: LifeSpan TR3000i Folding Treadmill
- Best under desk treadmill: Cubii Pro
Updated on 1/11/2021 by Rick Stella: Updated the introduction for relevancy, included more testing feedback into each pick, updated the sections on how to shop for a treadmill and the testing methodology used, checked the availability of each recommended treadmill, and updated the prices and links where necessary.
Best treadmill overall
The ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill is a race-trainers dream that's versatile enough for the casual runner, too.
Pros: Good motor, large running belt of 22 by 60 inches, includes both an incline and a decline setting, offers good interval training features
Cons: Customer service may be disappointing if you have problems, very heavy treadmill
Runners looking for a treadmill with good all-around training capabilities and host of useful features will like the reasonably-priced ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill.
It has a 3.5-horsepower motor, which allows it to stand up to daily use, and it boasts a belt deck that measures 22 by 60 inches, which is perfect for most runners. When you're training for races with hills, you'll appreciate this treadmill's ability to reach a 15% incline and a 3% decline, which better simulates hills than most other treadmills — it's easy to adjust it both up and down, too, even while running.
The ProForm Pro 2000 also has a number of techy features, including a 7-inch screen that's compatible with iFit's wide-range of interactive workouts, a music port for iPods, and a built-in fan that works well to keep you somewhat cool while using it. Its tread features what the brand calls ProShox Cushioning, which is designed to lessen the impact on your feet and knees while running. Though a true, long-term test of this would better judge its viability, even a handful of runs on it showed that this made a difference (even if it was minimal).
What truly makes this treadmill stand out is its inclusion of the above-mentioned iFit workouts. Not only are these an excellent way to keep motivated, but the platform offers some genuinely unique workouts. One day you could be running through France and the next through Vietnam. The globe-spanning locales add a level of quality to the workouts you'd have a hard time finding elsewhere.
Another perk of the iFit workouts is how the trainers leading the runs entirely control the incline, decline, and speed, allowing you to focus strictly on running. This is something that's incredibly welcome as fumbling with a treadmill's controls while in a full stride isn't always the most fun (and can easily mess with your cadence). The ProForm Pro 2000 comes with one free year of iFit, too, so you won't have to worry about shelling out a monthly payment for at least 12 months.
Its price is also in the range of what you'd expect to pay for a full-featured treadmill. Most interactive workout machines run in the $2,000 range, and the fact this undercuts that average by a few hundred dollars, makes it an appealing choice for anyone looking to add a treadmill to their home gym. It can easily support any fitness routine, whether it's the centerpiece of your weekly workouts or a supplement to a more comprehensive plan.
Best treadmill for quiet workouts
The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers excellent performance and runs quieter than most treadmills.
Pros: Strong steel frame that will support a lot of weight, unit runs quieter than most treadmills, large treadmill belt area for tall runners, includes a large motor to compare favorably to gym treadmills
Cons: Extremely high price point, very heavy equipment that is difficult to move around
Few treadmills made for use at home will deliver the kind of quiet performance that the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers. It's made for tall or heavy runners looking a tough workout, but you'll pay more than $3,000 for the kind of quality that this 3G Cardio unit delivers.
It has an Ortho Flex Shock suspension system to minimize the stress of impact for runners, and the 22 by 62-inch platform is perfect for running.
The 3G Cardio comes with many pre-programmed workouts and a fitness level test. You have access to speed and elevation settings, heart rate control, and workout customization. This treadmill also has a 4.0 horsepower motor and 3-inch rollers for great performance.
As you would expect with a treadmill with such a high price point, the 3G Cardio Elite consists of thick steel tubing in the frame. It's also rather expensive, so this is really only for serious runners who want a treadmill that will last a lifetime.
Best connected treadmill
The Peloton Tread+ has a steep price tag but offers the same high-quality daily workout classes and a deep well of content fans of its popular stationary bike have come to expect.
Pros: Intuitive design, easy-to-use speed and incline dials, beautiful 32-inch touchscreen display with built-in soundbar, and access to Peloton's deep library of workout content
Cons: Expensive initial investment and recurring subscription fee
Peloton's made its name by peddling (and quite literally pedaling) its popular stationary bike and companion workout classes for the last several years. With the Tread+, the company used that same tried-and-true formula to deliver a high-quality treadmill experience.
Where the Tread+ differs from traditional treadmills is both with its intuitive design and built-in display. On either arm of the unit are two dials, one to increase or decrease speed and another to increase or decrease the incline angle. Each dial turns smoothly enough that you're able to easily adjust either metric with the speed or incline quickly following suit.
Peloton's thoughtful design also extends to its low-impact slat belt that works well to absorb shock while also not being terribly loud as you run. This also means that it allows for a much smoother and comfortable run experience.
A Peloton workout unit wouldn't be complete without a massive display sitting front and center, and the Tread+ is no different, sporting a gorgeous 32-inch touchscreen monitor. The display is where the Peloton magic happens, as it's able to stream the live and pre-recorded classes, shows your in-class stats such as time and distance ran, and is your navigation tool for Peloton's content library. There's even a 20-watt built-in soundbar that flanks the bottom of the screen capable of pumping out impressive quality sound.
Then there's the price. Starting at $4,295 for the basic package, the Tread+ is no drop in the bucket. Factor in the recurring $39 subscription package for access to Peloton's content and you end up with quite the investment. Still, if you're able to afford it, the quality of the Tread, as well as the benefit of its workout and wide range of content, make it one of our favorite treadmills on the market.
Best budget treadmill
Compared to other budget fold-up treadmills, the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill has nice features and good performance.
Pros: Very good price point for an entry-level treadmill, will save space with a fold-up design, runs quieter than most budget-priced treadmills, works better for walkers and light runners
Cons: Only a 55-inch belt length, not really made for high-end running workouts, longevity is questionable
Saving space with a fold-up treadmill is a great idea for a lot of people. However, most fold-up treadmills don't offer a lot of power.
With those natural limitations of fold-up treadmills in mind, you'll like the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill, which works well for walkers and anyone on a budget (and isn't really made for runners looking for high-end workouts). Think of it as like an entry-level treadmill, or something that can be a complement to a wider range of at-home equipment.
It has a 55-inch belt length, a maximum 10 mph speed, and a 2.25-horsepower motor. The T101-04 treadmill is easy to fold up for storage, which is great for anyone with minimal space in their home or apartment.
You can't beat the value, too. If you want something simple, straightforward, and cost-effective that has the basic features necessary for just running and walking, the T101-04 from Horizon Fitness is the treadmill you need.
Best shock-absorbing treadmill
The LifeSpan TR3000i uses an extensive shock absorption system to take some pressure off your joints while running.
Pros: Good price for a mid-range treadmill, unit folds up to save storage space, extensive shock absorption system, good feature set versus other models in this price range
Cons: Not really designed for high-end workouts, build quality of treadmill is questionable
Some people dislike working out on a treadmill because of the pressure it places on their joints. The LifeSpan TR3000i attempts to alleviate some of this pressure by using a shock absorption system in the treadmill's deck.
It has a 20 x 56-inch running surface, 15 incline levels, and a 6-inch LCD screen that shows your time, calories, distance covered, steps, heart rate, speed, and incline. The eight shock absorber elements in the deck ensure that it remains both stable and comfortable to run on. As mentioned on other models, long-term testing would be a better indicator of just how well the shock-absorbing works, but it's easy to notice the difference in the TR3000i compared to others. If you at all have foot, knee, or joint issues, you'll want to at least consider this one when shopping.
Beyond its shock-absorbing capabilities, the TR3000i has a number of fun features to give you variety in your workouts, too, including a tablet holder, a USB charging port, and compatibility with iPods. It also has built-in speakers, folds up for easy storage, and physical console buttons that are sometimes easier to use when making adjustments than only relying on the touchscreen.
Best under-desk treadmill
The Cubii Pro is an easy-to-use, under desk exercise machine that's more of an elliptical than a treadmill but still allows you to log some quality cardio no matter if you're sitting down for lunch or powering through a backlog of emails.
Though the Cubii Pro isn't exactly a treadmill in the traditional sense (and is more of an elliptical style machine than anything else), it's unobtrusive nature makes it a convenient addition to anyone's home gym. The machine simply sits on the floor, be it under a desk, next to a coffee table, or literally anywhere around the house, and lets you pedal away for as long as you like.
The machine delivers low impact cardio that may benefit those unable to run on a treadmill due to sore joints, and it's quiet operation even allows it to be used while watching TV, talking on the phone, or listening to music. With eight different levels of resistance, it affords as easy or as difficult a workout as you like, too.
A companion smartphone application lets you keep track of all your logged workouts and lets you set weekly and monthly goals or share your progress with friends. The app is also compatible with services like Fitbit or Apple HealthKit, so if you prefer the interface of those, all workout data can easily sync to them.
At $349, it's certainly not a drop in the bucket but it is far cheaper than even the budget model on this list. For convenient, low impact cardio exercise, the Cubii Pro is as versatile and easy-to-use as it gets.
Pros: Small, easy-to-use machine that delivers an effective cardio workout, has up to eight different resistance settings, offers companion app support
Cons: Not strictly a treadmill, might not be as intense for hardcore fitness buffs
How to shop for a treadmill
Types of treadmills
According to Consumer Reports, treadmills fit into three basic categories based on the type of workouts they handle.
Basic: The most basic type of treadmill only works for walkers. They will have simple tracking features, such as speed, distance, and time. Most basic units will have a short bed that works better for a walker's stride than for running. And you'll find limited shock absorption features here, which isn't great for runners. Such treadmills will fold up for easy storage (although some more expensive treadmills also can fold up for storage).
Mid-range: These treadmills will work for walkers or runners. For walkers, a mid-range treadmill should have longer support arms, allowing you to balance yourself easier. The belt bed will be a bit longer than the basic treadmill, but those with long running strides may still struggle. You'll see better tech features in this price range, including a heart rate monitor worn on the chest or pre-set training programs.
Top-end: The highest quality of treadmills will contain long belt beds with good shock absorption, making them perfect for runners. To gain these features, such treadmills rarely will fold up for storage, meaning they require a lot of free space. They will deliver greater maximum speed levels and greater levels of incline, too. These treadmills will consist of the highest-quality materials. You'll receive Wi-Fi connectivity and extensive pre-set exercise programs with these models.
Key treadmill features and terms
As treadmills evolved, companies began adding a suite of high-tech features. However, don't focus entirely on the bells and whistles of expensive treadmills. Pay attention to its physical parts, too, to find the best possible unit for your needs.
Exercise programs: Treadmills may have pre-programmed workouts that can help you with weight loss, cardiovascular performance, speed workouts, or hills training. These programs will allow you to set the length of exercise time, but they will automatically change the speed of the treadmill and the incline to match the parameters of the pre-programmed workout.
Horsepower: Any treadmill motor with a continuous duty measurement of at least 2.0 should be sufficient for most people, says Precor. Smaller motors will work better for walkers and larger motors work better for runners.
Incline and decline: To help with training for running on hills or for additional calorie burn, the treadmill needs to offer an incline. Most treadmills can reach at least a 12% incline grade. Some treadmills even give you a simulation of running downhill with a decline grade of around 3%.
Length: Runners need a treadmill belt bed of roughly 55-60 inches long, while walkers can use one closer to 45-50 inches long. Taller people will need an even longer belt bed. Remember that the length of the treadmill isn't the same as the length of the bed. The treadmill length (and width, for that matter) must accommodate the base portion of the unit that doesn't move, as well as the bed's motor housing at the front of the unit.
Safety line: Treadmills will contain a safety line that hooks into the unit. You'll clip the safety line to your shirt. Should you stumble, the safety line will disconnect from the treadmill, causing it to shut down immediately. This is a nice safety feature, and it prevents those common TV and movie gags where the person using the treadmill falls and gets launched into a wall. Trust us, this gag looks funny, but it also really, really hurts, so the safety line will save you some pain.
Speed: The speed with which the bed rotates on the treadmill is measured in miles per hour. Most people don't need anything over 10 mph, but those seeking heavy-duty interval workouts can find speeds up to 15 mph in a top-end treadmill.
Support rails: A treadmill made for walkers, especially elderly walkers, should have long support rails on the sides that you can grip while using the treadmill to steady yourself.
Touch screen controls: You should be able to adjust the incline, speed, and program in use through the touchscreen monitor. The screen also gives you information on the time elapsed, calories burned, distanced traveled, your heart rate, and more.
Weight limit: Based on the size of the motor and on the shock absorption capabilities, a treadmill may give you a maximum user weight recommendation.
Wi-Fi connection: Through a Wi-Fi connection, you can gain access to simulated video workouts. Or you can play streaming movies on the display screen, giving you some entertainment as you're workout out on the treadmill.
Width: A treadmill belt bed should be at least 22 inches wide for runners which provides plenty of space in case you have a misstep. Walkers can successfully use a narrower bed than runners, such as 18 or 20 inches.
How we test treadmills
Each treadmill featured in this guide went through a series of extensive tests (i.e. we ran on them — a lot) to see how well they compared across these four categories: Performance, features, quality, and value. Here's how each category specifically factored into which treadmills ended up making this guide:
Performance: How a treadmill performs comes down to a few basic aspects, including how comfortable it is to run on (and how shock absorbing it is), if it's able to avoid sounding like you're loudly pounding the ground with each step, what its tread feels like underfoot, and how wide the running area is. Though not all treadmills reliably check each of these boxes, a healthy combination of at least three of those often translates to high quality.
Features: Some modern treadmills, like those from Peloton or ProForm, feature a built-in interactive screen that streams workouts, tracks output metrics, and improves the treadmill's performance. For models that don't have a screen, we looked at how intuitive it was to increase and decrease the treadmill's speed and whether it offered an incline or decline mode. Even those that aren't decked out with the ability to stream workouts are still feature-heavy enough to warrant a spot in your home gym.
Quality: If used often, treadmills can take a consistent beating, mostly due to a runner pounding on it step after step after step. This means the best treadmills should feature a sturdy and durable tread, a high-quality design that won't become compromised even after a full year or more of use, and that feature an interface or series of buttons and dials that can avoid popping off or being unusable.
Value: The value of a treadmill is less about its sticker price and more so the combination of the three categories above compared to its initial (and sometimes recurring) investment. We factored in everything when selecting treadmills across each featured category and often feel that it's worth it to spend a little more money on a product that's designed to last than to spend less, more often on something inferior.