Buy a treadmill It’s a big commitment. Even the most affordable models are expensive. They take up a lot of space and if you’ve ever encountered a broken belt or a cracked screen, you know how frustrating they can be. That being said, having a cardiovascular machine at home that works makes exercising much more convenient. I definitely run more (and stick to my marathon training plans better) during the winter months due to several treadmills I’ve had at home over the years. They can also make interval training a little easier and help you practice hills if you don’t have access to very challenging inclines outside.
If you’re looking for one, you probably know that there are tons of options in all kinds of price ranges, and it can be hard to know what’s really worth splurging on. To help you narrow your search, we tested all the treads below and saw how they held up to countless long-distance runs, hill workouts, and sprint intervals. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping and our top picks for the best treadmills of 2024. Don’t see anything you like? Don’t forget to check out the rest of our buying guides, including the best action cameras and best sunglasses.
table of Contents
- How to choose a treadmill
- Better overall: NordicTrack 1750 Commercial
- Best for hill training: Bowflex 22 treadmill
- Best mid-range treadmill: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
- The best budget treadmill: Sunny Health & Fitness Automatic Incline Folding Treadmill
- The best streaming workouts: platoon stomp
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How to choose a treadmill
Of course, budget will probably be the most important factor. Beyond that, here are some other things you may want to consider in your search:
- How much space do you have? Most companies recommend leaving at least two feet of clearance on either side of the treadmill and six feet behind it, in case it goes flying while running at high speeds.
- What is the weight capacity of the machine?
- What metrics do you want to measure? Do you want to measure pace, distance or heart rate? Do you want a built-in screen or do you have your own wrist computer?
- Do you want integrated fitness programming or do you have your own training plan?
- Do you need a machine with which you can run at full speed or one that allows you to practice running on steep slopes and descents?
Better overall
In the voice of SNL’s Stefon: This treadmill has all. A solid 12 mph top speed (about a five-minute mile pace), incline and decline options, an elastic running deck, fans, a 16-inch rotating touchscreen that you can use to stream shows, and two bottle holders water. Not only is it a durable and well-built machine, but it also has some really cool features in terms of programming. NordicTrack uses iFIT, which has a library of 10,000 workouts, including running, walking, walking, and even off-tread activities like strength training and yoga. (You’ll need a subscription to access most workouts; there are two options for $15 or $40 a month.) You can follow a trainer through beautiful mountain and beach landscapes, and you can choose to have the treadmill automatically adjust your speed and incline throughout your workout.
Another feature, called Smart Fit, will adjust the speed and incline to match your fitness level over time, based on changes you made in your previous workouts. Using the free wearable monitor that comes with the tread, your machine can track your heart rate and Active Pulse can also automatically adjust the intensity of your workout to keep you in your ideal heart rate zones at all times. Even the fans can automatically adjust during workouts to give you more breeze when you’re really suffering. If you like exercise variety and following digital training, rather than doing your own workouts, you will get a lot out of this treadmill.
When I tried the 1750, I was following a training plan for the Kerlingarfjoll Ultraa trail series held in the Highlands region of Iceland, in which he ran the 22 km race. I did a lot of my training with this tread and it was also very suitable for manual training. I used it to do several interval sessions and appreciated how quickly it moved between speeds. You can change the speed and incline manually by using the up/down buttons on the front of the machine below the screen and by pressing the numbered buttons on the sides of the screen.
I would have loved to have the option of speed and incline dials for quicker and easier adjustment, but the buttons worked quite well. The fans are well placed. The 1750’s deck was also more bouncy underfoot than other treads I’ve tried (in a good way). I got good energy return without feeling unstable. It was also lighter and easier to fold and move than many of the other options I tried, although it still wasn’t exactly easy for me at 5’4”. The 1750 also looks and feels great, although it’s by no means the most expensive option out there. It’s where I wanted to go back to work out.
