The Best Budget Treadmills for Streaming, Walking, and More

Treadmills make for a great centerpiece in many home gyms, but they can also cost a pretty penny — especially for some of the higher-end models. They’re quite versatile, offering options for HIIT training, endurance training, and even some strength training (if you purchase one that can incline). Top-rated treadmills sell for over $4,000, but you can find plenty of high-quality treadmills for far below that price tag.

We’ve compiled a list of the best budget treadmills on the market — most cost around $1,000, but they range in cost from as low as $300 to around $2,400. The lower the cost, the fewer features you’ll find on your treadmill. However, even the lowest-priced treadmill on this list offers high value for the money you’re spending. Whether you’re looking for a tread for walking or one that you can store under your bed, we have a pick for you on this list that won’t annihilate your bank account — just your legs and lungs. 

Best Budget Treadmills

• Best Budget Treadmill Overall: Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill for Home: Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill for Streaming: ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill for Running: Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill
• Best Budget Incline Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
• Best Budget Treadmill for Walking: ProForm City L6 Treadmill
• Best Space-Saving Budget Treadmill: Echelon Stride Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

How We Tested and Chose the Best Budget Treadmills

While we compiled this list to help you find the right tread for your home, a small part of us may have also done it to build a trustworthy guide for our own searches — who doesn’t want to save a few bucks, and find a high-quality treadmill for a steal of a price, right? These are the main things we considered when building this list. 

Price

The number one consideration when making the picks for this list was obviously price. There are countless treadmills on the market, and we wanted to be sure that you were not only seeing the best deals, but also the best value for these deals.

While the prices on this list are generally below the market average, we made sure the quality didn’t fall below average for that price. You’ll see most of these picks falling somewhere around $1,000 and almost all of them falling under $2,000. Though you may not find the fanciest technology for this price range, rest assured that you are getting your money’s worth in the high-quality build of these treadmills. 

Special Features

Even with budget treadmills, you can still find a lot of great options that offer special features. Whether that’s a touchscreen display, free streaming services, or Bluetooth connectivity, we’ve included a wide variety of options on this list that are in the budget range, but still offer some perks that you’ll find on more high-tech treadmills. On the other hand, we’ve also included basic treads here for walkers and runners who don’t want to deal with the frills of touchscreens or coached virtual fitness classes.

Speed and Incline

Many budget treadmills come with lower speeds and inclines. Though that may be true for some of the lower-budget options on this list, we’ve included many picks that don’t skimp on the speed and incline levels. Most of our picks hit 12mph in speed and at least 12 percent in incline. And if they don’t, their price tag is much lower to account for that. 

Durability

If you’re purchasing a treadmill, you’re going to want to make it worthwhile even if the price is on the lower end of the market average. We’ve only included treadmills on this list that should last for around 10 years at least. In order for any purchase to last you that long, you will have to take care of it, but if you’re wiping off sweat and not stomping as hard as you can on the deck when you run, these treadmills all have pretty durable steel builds.

Best Budget Treadmill Overall: Sole Fitness F63 

Specs

• Price: $1,199
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: 0-15%
• Max User Capacity: 325lbs

Pros

• The streaming classes are perfect for people who want coaching or motivation.
• The 3.0 HP motor allows for quick speed and incline adjustments. 
• Despite its $1,200 price, this treadmill doesn’t fall short when it comes to speed, comfort, and incline options. 

Cons

• If you want a touchscreen or integrated streaming display, you may want to check out other options. 
• Hill runners may want a more aggressive max incline or decline options.

To top the list of budget treadmills, a product has to be budget-friendly and feature-rich. The F63 ticks those boxes all around. The price is reasonable, especially for the features provided, at around $1,199, while the Studio™ streaming membership is only about $19.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. Both prices are about half of what many comparable options cost. The mechanical components are solid, with a powerful 3.0 HP motor to reach a top speed of 12 miles per hour and a top incline of up to 15 degrees with ease.

The Sole F63 tracks standard stats such as speed, incline, pace, and pulse from the heart rate hand sensors, as well as time and distance traveled on a 6.5-inch white backlit display. If you want to follow along with streaming classes or other entertainment, you can place your smart device on the tablet holder. When you’ve finished your workout, you can take advantage of the easy-assist folding to store the F63.

Despite its low price, we were impressed with the tech on this treadmill, particularly the Bluetooth connectivity. “I was shocked at the quality of some of the tech because this is half as much in cost compared to other high-end treadmills,” our tester says. “I was easily able to connect my phone and use my own playlist.”

The Sole F63 is an all-around solid budget treadmill that doesn’t feel cheap and provides a host of comfort and performance features. The motor is solid, the machine itself is durable, and the price is particularly reasonable given the overall quality.

Read our full Sole F63 Treadmill Review.

Best Budget Treadmill for Home: Horizon 7.0 AT 

Specs

• Price: $999
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: 0-15%
• Max User Capacity: 325lbs

Pros

• The cushioning system here is designed to reduce joint impact by 40 percent. 
• This treadmill’s max speed of 12mph and max incline of 15 percent are comparable with much more expensive treadmills. 
• Instead of an onboard monitor, this treadmill has a tablet holder. This allows runners to stream content and classes on their own devices instead of paying more for an expensive monitor.

Cons

• People who want high-tech features like an HD touchscreen will want to check out other options. 
• If you’re looking for a treadmill that can fold up and slide under your couch, this pick isn’t for you. While it does fold, it folds vertically at an angle, so it won’t save you as much space in your home as a tread that can fold flat to be stored on the ground. 

This treadmill comes with all the features you need for a solid at-home workout without anything extra. You can opt to use streaming platforms with your own tablet or handheld device (that you likely already have at home) rather than paying extra for a touchscreen display or purchasing a larger treadmill with a big touchscreen display console. You can even pair the sound from your device through this tread’s Bluetooth speakers.

The Horizon 7.0 AT also has great shock absorption for long-distance running, a mobile app that can track your stats, and a sturdy deck to ensure that this treadmill lasts for years to come. If you’re looking for a no-frills machine that can fold up and out of your way when it’s not in use, you’ve found it — this is an all-around great home option. 

Our tester was a fan of the quick speed and incline adjustments, thanks to the adjustment wheels. “This treadmill offers quick dial adjustments, great for HIIT style workouts or customizing the treadmill for different users,” he says. If you’re a fan of sprint or hill intervals, this should be a huge selling point. 

This treadmill is a great pick when it comes to durability, quality, and streaming compatibility, making it a functional choice for home gyms. Plus, it can fold up and save some room in your house when it’s not in use. 

Read our full Horizon 7.0 AT Review.

Best Budget Treadmill for Streaming: ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill

Specs

• Price: $1,299
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: 0-12%
• Max User Capacity: 300lbs

Pros

• The 10-inch touchscreen display for streaming classes and content is a rarity among treadmills in this price range.
• This tread comes with a whopping three free years of iFit rather than the 30 to 90 days that other treadmills often offer. 
• Despite its low price, you’re still getting the 12mph max speed and 12 percent incline, which is what you get with treadmills that can cost hundreds more.

Cons

• People who are looking for a no-frills tread can find lower-tech options out there. 
• Taller users may want to look for a tread with a longer running area, as many treads offer 60 inches in length rather than this tread’s 55 inches. 

Though this treadmill is a little pricier than some of our other budget options on this list, you’ll be receiving a surprising amount of high-tech features with your purchase, including a 10-inch HD display for streaming iFit classes (which comes free for three years with this purchase — a huge cost-savings). Your money will only be worth your while if you thrive in a coached class, and an on-screen coach is a priority aspect of your training regimen.

Otherwise, the rest of this treadmill is comparable to the less expensive options on this list that don’t include a touchscreen display — incline up to 12 percent, speed up to 12mph, solid shock absorption, and foldability. It’s worth noting that the running area here is only 55 inches long, while many treads offer 60 inches in length to accommodate taller athletes’ longer stride lengths. 

The ProForm Carbon T10 comes with three years of iFit, as well as a 10-inch touchscreen display that can provide access to over 16,000 live and on-demand classes. “iFIT is stellar,” our tester says after using it on the Carbon T10. “I would recommend it over pretty much any other brand’s programming.” You may pay a little more than you would for more budget options on this list, but if you’re tech-obsessed, the cost may just be worth it.

Best Budget Treadmill for Running: Sole F63

Specs

• Price: $1,199
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: 0-15%
• Max User Capacity: 325lbs 

Pros

• The solid motor and cushioning that can reduce the impact on your joints by 40 percent are perfect for runners who put in a lot of mileage. 
• If you’re looking for top inclines and speeds on a budget treadmill, this one goes up to 12mph and 15 percent in incline. 
• This tread’s running area is 60 inches long, which is ideal for taller runners with longer strides. 

Cons

• While this motor is powerful, you can find more powerful 4.0 CHP motors at higher price points.
• The lack of an HD touchscreen may not be ideal for anyone who wants the latest and greatest technology in their console. 

The Sole Fitness F63 has a solid 3.0 HP motor that can carry you through long endurance runs or daily HIIT work. It also boasts cushioning that can help reduce the impact on your joints by 40 percent. Its running area is 60 inches long and 20 inches wide, which provides ample room, even for taller runners.

It can take you up to 15 percent in incline and 12mph in speed — both of these maxes are above average for treadmills in this price range. And for those who want to stream fitness classes, the Sole F63 does have a tablet holder, but the machine itself is no-frills — this makes it a great option for runners who just want to get their miles in without the distraction of fancy in-console technology. 

Despite its low-tech vibe, it does have one feature that our tester loved. “The console isn’t anything fancy,” our tester says. “But I’m a sucker for an LED track that shows me my progress.”

Our tester also reports that the F63 is great for runners who don’t want to disturb their housemates, thanks to its quiet operation. “The incline process is smooth, and the motor isn’t incredibly loud, even when the deck ramps up.” 

This treadmill is a great choice for runners who just want to tack on miles without dealing with a fancy high-tech treadmill. The Sole F63 can reach the speeds and inclines they need without any of the other unnecessary frills. 

Best Budget Incline Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Specs

• Price: $2,499
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: -3-12%
• Max User Capacity: 300lbs 

Pros

• The -3 to 12 percent incline range is ideal for runners who are training for hikes and hilly runs. 
• Automatic incline adjustment during streaming classes allows runners to focus on their running. 
• Runners who like high-tech features will appreciate the 10-inch touchscreen display here. 

Cons

• The incline and decline features here may not be necessary for runners who prefer to train on flat surfaces. 
• If you’re on a really tight budget, we have less expensive options for you on this list. 

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is one of NordicTrack’s best-sellers for good reason. It comes at a very reasonable price and is one of the few treadmills on the market that offers both incline and decline. This machine can climb all the way up to 12 percent and all the way down to -3 percent.

If you’re training for a trail race where you’ll be traversing all sorts of terrains, this can be a great feature. Plus, you’ll find a 10-inch touchscreen display that comes along with a free month of iFit. If you take an iFit class on this tread, the incline and decline will automatically adjust for you with your instructor’s cues to make your training even more seamless. Our tester was a huge fan of this feature during scenic runs.“It was cool to be watching myself running down a hill and then actually feel like I was running down a hill,” she says. 

The NordicTrack 1750 is definitely made for those who want to experiment with incline and decline. You may pay a little extra for its high-tech features, but we think it’s worth the extra cash, especially if you’re training for a hike or trail race. 

Read our full NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Review.

Best Budget Treadmill for Walking: ProForm City L6 Treadmill

Specs

• Price: $599
• Max Speed: 8mph
• Incline Range: None
• Max User Capacity: 250lbs 

Pros

• This basic treadmill is perfect for walkers who want to get their steps in each day. 
• Anyone who just wants to focus on long endurance runs could also use this treadmill, as it does reach speeds up to 8mph. 
• If you’re tight on space, this tread folds flat for easy storage.

Cons

• This is a low-tech treadmill. If you’re looking for HD touchscreens, this isn’t the one for you.
• There are no incline options here, so people who want to do hill work will be disappointed.
• Most treadmills have a running area of 55 to 65 inches. This has a 45-inch walking area, which may not work for taller walkers. 

If you don’t need to use your treadmill for running, you don’t need to pay for top speeds. There are plenty of treadmills on the market that hit all the walking speeds you’ll need, and lucky for you — they’re even less expensive. 

Though the ProForm City L6 is less expensive than most, that doesn’t mean it’s low quality. Your purchase includes a free 30-day iFit membership, and the treadmill comes with a tablet holder, so you can prop your device up and stream classes as you walk.

This tread hits speeds up to 8mph, which even offers you some room to progress if you want to test your running skills. However, it doesn’t offer any incline options, which could be a deterrent for some. It does fold completely flat, which makes it easy to store.

 But it’s worth noting that the walking area is a bit short at only 45 inches, which could be problematic for taller walkers who have a long stride. The length worked for our five-foot-three-inch-tall tester, but she can see issues for tall runners. “If you just wanted something to walk or casually jog on, and you are under approx 5’10″, it would work well,” she says. “It’s fine for me, but anyone even a bit taller than me might have problems.”

If you’re searching for a tread to accommodate long walks indoors on rainy days, you’ve found it. This tread goes up to 8mph, and it costs about $500 less than most of the other treads on this list. 

Best Space-Saving Budget Treadmill: Echelon Stride Treadmill

Specs

• Price: $1,299
• Max Speed: 12mph
• Incline Range: 0-10%
• Max User Capacity: 300lbs 

Pros

• This treadmill can fold completely flat, rather than at an angle like most treads. This makes it easy to slide under a bed or couch when not in use.
• With a top speed of 12mph, this treadmill is ideal for runners who want to include sprint work in their routines. 
• Large touchscreen displays tend to drive up a treadmill’s price. Runners on a budget will appreciate that this tread offers a tablet holder instead of an onboard monitor. 

Cons

• Consumers who want to hit steep inclines will be disappointed by this treadmill’s 10 percent max incline. 
• Runners who want an onboard touchscreen will want to check out other treadmills on this list.

The Echelon Stride is made for apartment dwellers where every square foot matters. It folds flat so that it’s only 10 inches tall — this means you can slide it under furniture and tuck it out of the way when it’s not in use. You can also stand it vertically and tuck it against a wall without taking up extra room.

Being able to fold a treadmill is handy for saving space, but it can compromise a treadmill’s stability. Not so with the Stride. “This treadmill doesn’t move at all, even when sprinting,” our tester says. “It’s a sturdy piece of equipment that does its job and holds up well.”

The running area is a bit shorter at 55 inches long, which can save you some extra space, as well. Though the incline only goes to 10 percent, the speed can still reach 12mph. Plus, you get a free 30-day Echelon Premiere membership with your purchase, which provides access to over 3,000 live and on-demand classes, all of which you can watch on your tablet using the tread’s tablet holder.

Though the Echelon Stride doesn’t offer the fanciest technology or the highest incline on this list, it is one of the more compact treads on the market. Its running area is shorter than most and it folds completely flat, so you can store it vertically against a wall or even underneath your bed. 

Read our full Echelon Stride Treadmill Review.

Best Budget Treadmill Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill

Specs

• Price: $299
• Max Speed: 9mph
• Incline Range: 0-4.37%
• Max User Capacity: 220lbs 

Pros

• The $299 price may be one of the best treadmill deals on the market. 
• With a top speed of 9mph and a 4.37 percent incline, this tread is ideal for runners who don’t hit high speeds or steep inclines. 
• This pick has a tablet holder for runners who want to stream fitness classes.

Cons

• Runners who do sprint work may be disappointed by the 9mph top speed.
• This tread only has a top incline of 4.37 percent, so dedicated hill runners might want to look elsewhere. 
• Athletes who need a treadmill with a weight capacity greater than 220 pounds will want to choose another tread.

Though all of the treadmills on this list are under $2,000 and considered to be below the average cost across a market where treads can cost up to $8,000, this treadmill is especially cost-effective, coming in at just under $300. 

With the lower price here, you’re not going to get as many features as you would with the other budget treads on this list. However, you’ll still find speeds up to 9mph, and three manual incline levels (zero percent, two percent, and 4.37 percent). There’s a console that includes nine built-in workout programs with a large LCD display that shows your time, distance, speed, calories burned, and pulse.

Plus, it has a tablet holder, so if you still want to use a separate streaming platform to follow along to classes, you have that option, as well. The weight capacity is fairly low at 220 pounds though, so this tread is definitely not a one-size-fits-all option. Despite the few drawbacks this treadmill has, it’s a great option for an ultra-budget treadmill for certain consumers.

Over 9,000 reviews on Amazon give this tread an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars, with most reviews praising how easy it is to use and how durable the treadmill is. “After eight months of use there is no noticeable wear,” one five-star review says. “And that’s despite even occasionally being used by my 220-pound partner, who reports that it feels extremely solid.”

How Much Do Budget Treadmills Cost?

Studio or commercial-grade treadmills can cost several thousand dollars. If you don’t have that much to spend or simply don’t want to spend that much on a treadmill, then a budget treadmill may be the way to go. Many cost-effective treads nowadays come loaded with features and offer great value.

Best Budget Treadmill Overall	Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill	$1,199
Best Budget Treadmill for Home	Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill	$999
Best Budget Treadmill for Streaming	ProForm Carbon T10 Treadmill	$1,299
Best Budget Treadmill for Running	Sole Fitness F63 Treadmill	$1,199
Best Budget Incline Treadmill	NordicTrack Commercial 1750	$2,499
Best Budget Treadmill for Walking	ProForm City L6 Treadmill	$599
Best Space-Saving Budget Treadmill	Echelon Stride Treadmill	$1,299
Best Budget Treadmill Under $500	Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Treadmill	$299

Some creature comforts and quality-of-life features (such as automatic adjustments or extra-large super high-definition screens) may not be quite as prevalent on some of these picks, but they can get the job done at a fraction of the cost in many cases. For a high-quality, yet budget-friendly treadmill you can expect to spend between $500 and $2,000.

What to Consider Before Buying a Budget Treadmill

Though these treadmills aren’t the most expensive ones you’ll find across the market, you’ll still want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, as some of them cost close to $2,000. Here are our tips on what to consider before making your purchase. 

Size and Foldability

Size is one of the biggest factors customers take into consideration when buying home gym equipment. There’s no way around it — treadmills aren’t small. While there are some that are smaller than others, any treadmill on this list is going to take up a decent chunk of space when it’s in use, so you will need to take your measurements and ensure you have the space to house this equipment.

Not all treadmills fold, but most of the ones on this list do. Some of them even fold flat, which can be great for apartment dwellers who want to slide their tread under their bed when they’re done using it. Before hitting the market, you’ll want to weigh your measurements against the different folding options available to you. 

Fitness Goals

Treadmills can offer different benefits for you depending on your fitness goals. Some may use a treadmill as their main form of exercise, following along with virtual running classes on their touchscreen display or smart device daily. Others may use it as a way to get their steps in when the weather outside is less than ideal, while some may use it for speed work to supplement their strength training. 

You’ll want to look for different aspects of a treadmill depending on what you’re using it for. For example, if you’re using it for speed work, you don’t want to buy a tread that caps out at 8mph. And on the other hand, if you’re just using it for walking, you don’t need to invest in a machine that goes up to 12mph. 

Technology

Many treadmills offer advanced technology within the console, which can include a touchscreen display for streaming fitness classes, heart rate monitoring, and Bluetooth connectivity. Typically, the more technology on your treadmill, the more expensive it is, and the bigger the console. If you don’t plan on using, say, a touchscreen display, you likely don’t need to pay for it, or find the space to house the large console that accommodates it. Before deciding which treadmill to buy, consider what technological features you want it to include.

Final Word

Buying a treadmill is a big move, no matter what the price tag. Even though the picks on this list are more cost-effective than what you’ll find across the majority of the treadmill market, they’re all still fairly hefty purchases. Before buying a treadmill, you’ll want to be sure you are finding the machine that can best suit your needs, and make the most of the money you’re dishing out. 

You’ll likely be faced with deciding between a treadmill that offers high-tech features or a basic console, a treadmill that reaches high speeds and inclines or one that just allows for a good walk, or a treadmill that folds all the way flat or just folds up to an angle when not in use. Once you’ve made your measurements and set out your fitness goals, this list can help you sift through the rest to find the best option for your home.

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