Best Treadmills of 2025

The Peloton Tread offers a vast array of workouts and other entertainment options on an impressive screen. Photo: iRunFar/Annie Behrend

When it comes to finding the best treadmill, even the savviest of shoppers can feel more than a little confused. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a piece of running equipment that elicits such a strong and varied array of opinions. Loved by some, maligned by many, the treadmill, or “dreadmill” depending on which camp you fall into, is a big investment. With so many options on the market, narrowing down the myriad choices to find the one that best fits your needs and budget can be difficult.

The team at iRunFar is no stranger to treadmill runs. Be it during long snowy winters, dark early mornings and evenings, poor air quality days, or times while babies sleep, we have spent many miles running in place when outside wasn’t an option. Unlike many of our buyer’s guides, directly testing dozens of treadmills to determine winning picks wasn’t a feasible option for this guide.

Instead, we polled our team and are sharing the iRunFar team’s favorite treadmills. We have been logging miles on these machines for years and can share what we love and don’t after hours of practical use.

iRunFar’s Choices for the Best Treadmills:

• Best Overall Treadmill: Peloton Tread
• Best Overall Treadmill — Runner-Up: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill: Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks takes full advantage of the incline on her treadmill while training for mountain races. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

Best Overall Treadmill: Peloton Tread ($3,000)

Pros:

• Extensive class options
• Good speed range

Cons:

• A monthly subscription to Peloton adds to the cost
• No decline mode

The Peloton Tread is a great all-around treadmill from a company best known for its stationary bikes. While pricy, it has a lot of extra features that can help you make the most of your time on it and pass the time more quickly. Equipped with a 59-inch textured running belt, this treadmill has a speed range of 0 to 12.5 miles per hour.

One user who bought this for home use found she liked the belt on it just as much as those on the higher-end machines she had previously used in fitness centers, and the speed range is plenty for nearly all scenarios. The treadmill can reach up to a 12.5% incline. While this isn’t as much as other more expensive options that can reach the 40% incline range and are better for training for steep mountain races, 12.5% is enough for most runners.

Peloton is known for the classes offered along with the treadmill, which sets it apart from other options. There are thousands of options for different classes to follow along with on the 24-inch touchscreen, and these classes can make it easier to train for a specific event, pass the time, or muster the motivation to get the miles in when treadmill running seems less than appealing. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay a $44 monthly fee for the Peloton app, which adds an extra cost to the treadmill.

One of the standout features of this treadmill is the auto-incline mode, which automatically adjusts the incline when doing a specific workout . If you’re doing your own workout and not following a class, you can adjust the speed and incline with knobs or a shortcut button on the touchscreen display. The Tread is compatible with Strava, and you can sync your Peloton account with Strava automatically after you’ve finished a run.

Unfortunately, this treadmill has no decline mode, making it less ideal if you’re training for a mountain race and want to get your legs used to the stresses of downhill running. This treadmill is expensive, but it’s a good value for what you receive. While you can definitely use it without a subscription to the Peloton app, having the classes at your disposal makes it easier to take full advantage of the machine.

Motor Size: 3.0 horsepower | Deck Size: 20 x 59 | Overall Size: 66 x 33 x 62 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Maximum Speed: 12.5 miles per hour | Incline: 0 to 12.5% | Warranty: 1 year (touchscreen and original components), 3 years (motor and walking belt), 5 years (tread frame)

Best Overall Treadmill — Runner-Up: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill ($2,100)

Pros:

• More affordable
• Good incline range
• Folding deck

Cons:

• No decline option

The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill is another highly recommended treadmill that received high marks from an iRunFar team member. It is a mid-range offering with a folding deck. The 20- by 60-inch deck is plenty large for running and has three different cushioning zones to optimize the running experience. A rapid sync motor that changes the treadmill speed smoothly and quickly powers the treadmill. The maximum speed of 12 miles per hour and maximum incline of 15% is in the same range as many similarly priced treadmills on the market. As with most mid-range treadmills, this one doesn’t have a declined option for downhill running.

Bluetooth connectivity allows you to share your data with your health and fitness apps or connect your streaming video sources to the speakers to watch a movie or television series. There are several program options to choose from, including a 5k run and a hill climb. Our users praised its high quality for a relatively affordable price and found it comparable to some commercial treadmills. Its small footprint and folding deck make it an excellent choice for smaller spaces.

Motor Size: Not listed | Deck Size: 20 x 60 inches | Overall Size: 76 x 35 x 66 inches | Weight Capacity: 325 pounds | Maximum Speed: 12 miles per hour | Incline: 0 to 15% | Warranty: 1 year (labor), 3 years (parts), lifetime (frame and motor)

Best Budget Treadmill: Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill ($1,700)

Pros:

• Folding deck
• Stable at high speeds

Cons:

• No class integration
• Potential for slippery deck when wet

The Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill is a solid, reliable mid-range treadmill with a folding deck. This is an excellent feature for those who don’t have a lot of space to house a large treadmill. Folded up, it has a footprint of 44 by 38 inches.

The treadmill features a 3.5-horsepower motor and a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour, on par with other options in this guide. The maximum incline is 15%, enough to sneak in some elevation when training for hilly races or looking to mix up your running. Our user found the 22-by-60-inch deck to be smooth and stable, with no bouncing or instability when running fast.

The 10-inch touchscreen monitor isn’t as big and glitzy as the Peloton Tread reviewed above, and there aren’t classes to follow along with, making this a much more basic option than the other two in this guide. That said, it comes in at a lower price point, and you can easily mirror your phone or tablet to the screen to watch a show or movie of your choice.

Our user found the screen to be functional, easy to use, and intuitive to navigate. There is also a wireless charging pad to keep your phone battery going while streaming. The lifetime warranty on the treadmill frame and motor gives some additional peace of mind when considering your purchase.

Our main gripe with this treadmill is that we found a risk of the deck becoming slippery if you are a heavy sweater or moisture otherwise gets onto the belt, so use caution there.

Motor Size: 3.5 horsepower | Deck Size: 22 x 60 inches | Overall Size: 82.5 x 38 x 66 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Maximum Speed: 12 miles per hour | Incline: 0 to 15% | Warranty: 1 year (labor), 3 years (parts), lifetime (frame and motor)

Comparing the Best Treadmills

How to Choose Between the Best Treadmills

There are many things to consider when choosing the best treadmill for your budget, space, and running needs. Each factor will weigh differently for each individual. While some people will want something that offers classes to run along with and many of the bells and whistles, others will want something much simpler and affordable.

The classes offered by the Peloton Tread can make running on the treadmill more engaging, but they come at the cost of a monthly subscription fee. On the other end of our spectrum is the Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill, which doesn’t integrate with any classes but provides a simple yet functional treadmill experience for a much lower cost.

Cost and Your Budget

Treadmills come in a vast array of price points. As with any product, you often get what you pay for. The most expensive treadmill in this guide, the Peloton Tread, comes with a fair number of extras, including easy integration with other fitness apps and access to thousands of classes. There are significantly more expensive treadmills on the market that have even more bells and whistles, but the Tread provides a solid value for the cost.

One thing to consider is that pricier treadmills are likely to last longer. While spending a bit more on a treadmill might be an initial investment, it will likely pay off in the long run, as you won’t have to replace it or pay for repairs.

That said, treadmills are pricey, so be sure to spend within your means and budget. There are treadmills for less than $1,000 that will get the job done, and you can save money by finding treadmills on sale.

Intended Use

Everyone has different requirements for a treadmill. Will you use it as your primary training method throughout the winter, or is it a worst-case scenario when the weather outside is truly atrocious? Do you want to do speed workouts on it, or will it just be a means to get base miles at a lower intensity? Are you training for a mountainous race with steep inclines?

The treadmills included in this guide are fast enough for nearly any speed workout, but none of them is particularly adept for steep mountain training with their 12% incline settings. While some members of the iRunFar team have used the NordicTrack Commercial X32i with its 40% incline setting in the past, it has unfortunately gone out of production.

Another thing to consider is whether you want access to running classes to use for your workouts. The Peloton Tread has enough classes to take and workouts to help entertain those struggling with treadmill motivation. If you just plan on using it to take easy runs and walks, you can probably get by with a treadmill that doesn’t have higher speeds and gradients. The Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill is an excellent middle-of-the-line option for a treadmill at a relatively affordable price.

Motor Power

Treadmill motors are measured in horsepower (HP), ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 HP. Generally speaking, the faster you plan on running on the treadmill, the more motor power you’ll want it to have. For example, if you plan on walking or jogging a few times a week on your treadmill, you can probably get by with a treadmill in the 1.5 to 2.0 HP range.

But if you plan on running on the treadmill frequently or doing interval and speed workouts, you’ll want something in the 3.5 or more HP range. And if you plan on doing a mix of walking and speed workouts, look for something in the middle. The Peloton Tread has a 3.0-horsepower motor, which is plenty to power it at 12.5 mph.

Running Surface Size

There are a few things to consider when considering the running surface size of your treadmill. First, like motor power and intended use, you’ll want to determine how you’ll use the treadmill. If you only plan on walking and jogging, you can get away with a shorter length. But if you’re doing speed and interval workouts, you’ll want a longer one to give you more space to move. Typically, the length of running surfaces on treadmills runs between 45 and 60 inches.

You’ll also want to consider the width, which mostly comes down to personal preference and body type. Treadmill widths typically range between 16 and 22 inches. You’ll want to consider how your body fits between the handles on the sides of the treadmill.

Some people hate feeling like they’re running in a confined space, while others aren’t bothered by the relatively confined space. Even the Peloton Tread, which had the smallest running surface size at 20 by 59 inches, felt big enough for our user.

Lastly, consider your space. If your home has limited space and you want to make your treadmill’s footprint as small as possible when not in use, consider getting one with a folding deck, like the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill. Folding treadmills are also an excellent option for people who only occasionally use them and don’t want to give them a lot of permanent floor space.

Incline and Decline

Most treadmills have a maximum incline of about 12%. Some will go up to 15% or higher, while others are more suited to flatter running. Most treadmills do not have a decline mode, but if you want to practice running downhills, you’ll have to spend significantly more money than you would on the treadmills in this guide. The Peloton Tread has the lowest incline in this guide at 12.5%, while the other two options both go up to 15%.

Maximum Speed

Most treadmills have a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour, or about a five-minute mile pace. For most runners, this will do. Those wanting a bit more speed will want to opt for a treadmill with a higher maximum speed, like the Peloton Tread, which reaches 12.5 miles per hour. Again, this comes down to your intended use. Do you plan on doing speed workouts or just walking and jogging? Treadmills with a lower maximum speed will cost less.

There are a variety of treadmills available, from high-end ones with bells and whistles to fairly standard options. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

Weight Capacity

The typical weight capacity for most treadmills is between 200 and 300 pounds. However, some will go up to 500 pounds. All the treadmills on our list have weight capacities between 300 and 350 pounds. The Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill has the highest weight capacity on our list at 350 pounds.

Noise

There’s no way around it; treadmills can be noisy, but you can do a few things to help reduce that noise. First, consider putting a mat underneath the treadmill, especially if you have downstairs neighbors or bedrooms. This will help damp the pounding from your feet.

Secondly, if you notice your treadmill getting louder over time, you can do some mechanical checks, like making sure the belts are properly tensioned and lubricated. It’s also worth checking the bearings for wear and tear.

Display and Features

Treadmills these days are not your parents’ treadmills. They have massive screens, connect to your favorite apps, and offer live or pre-recorded running and walking classes. The Peloton Tread is probably best known for its display, features, and classes, but other treadmills have similar extras.

All these features come at a price, though. If you want access to classes but don’t need the highest-end treadmill, consider the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill, which is compatible with the Peloton app. You can still take Peloton classes without the price tag of a fully integrated system.

Safety Features

Almost all treadmills these days will have a safety pull clip or panic button, and some have both. We don’t recommend purchasing a treadmill without one or both of these options. Even our most affordable option, the Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill, comes with this safety feature.

Space and Storage

Space and storage are among the most important things to consider when purchasing a treadmill. In addition to ensuring there is enough space for the length and width of your treadmill, consider the height of your ceilings. You’ll generally want to add around 15 inches to your height to ensure your ceiling is high enough to fit you running on your treadmill.

Most treadmills will fit into a room with an eight-foot ceiling. If you’re limited on space, you’ll want to choose a treadmill with a folding deck. The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill and the Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill have folding decks that allow them to take up less space when not in use.

Customer Support and Warranty

Always check the customer support and warranty options before purchasing your treadmill. Generally, you’ll get a year’s warranty for labor, three years for parts, and between a five-year and lifetime warranty for the actual frame and motor. The Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill and the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, allowing you more peace of mind when investing in it.

Why You Should Trust Us

iRunFar’s buyer’s guides rely on our pool of experienced testers to put various gear through its paces to determine the best gear recommendations for our readers. While we didn’t have the logistics or resources to gather and test dozens of treadmills to create this list of favorites, we relied on the same expertise of our team to come up with recommendations for choosing the best treadmill on the market.

We found out which treadmills our team members were using and got detailed feedback on their likes, dislikes, and user experience over the past several years. We compiled this, along with general treadmill research and our team’s buying experiences, into the treadmill buyer’s guide you read today.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Treadmills

What are the best treadmills?

There are countless options available for treadmills, and ultimately, you’ll have to consider a variety of factors — cost, features, size — when choosing the best treadmill for you. The three options we’ve listed above are the favorites of the iRunFar crew and ones we believe are among the best on the market.

Some nuances to each might make one better than the other for you. If you’re looking for a slightly faster speed or interactive training and classes, we recommend the Peloton Tread. And if you’re looking for a more affordable option that will very simply get the job done, go with the Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill.

Are treadmills better for walking, hiking, or running?

Treadmills are good for walking and running, and they can be decent for training for hiking. While you won’t get the different surface types you’d find on an actual trail, you can still reap the same aerobic gains walking on a treadmill as you would on a trail. You also likely won’t find the same steepness on trails unless you spend a lot of money to get a treadmill that offers a 40% incline.

In this guide, the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill and Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill both offer a 15% incline, while the Peloton Tread is slightly less.

How much incline does my treadmill need?

That depends on what sort of runs and races you plan on completing. If your planned races and runs include steep uphill sections, you might want to invest in a higher-end treadmill with high incline levels that can help you develop muscle memory and required fitness.

But if your runs and races do not include significant gradients, or you’re using a treadmill as a backup trainer to your typical outdoor runs, there’s probably no need to invest in a treadmill with steeper gradient options. Most treadmills, including the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill and Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill, will go up to about a 15% gradient, which is plenty for most situations.

How much should I budget for a good treadmill?

Treadmills are probably the most expensive piece of running equipment available for purchase, and choosing the best treadmill for your needs is important. That said, being able to run in your home instead of having to pay for a gym membership could soften the financial impact over time. You’ll generally want to budget a few thousand dollars for a good treadmill.

As you can see with our picks above, good treadmills will cost at least $1,000 and go up to $4,500 and more. We found that the Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill was a great treadmill at a more affordable price than others on our list.

Are the interactive technology features and subscriptions on treadmills, such as Peloton and iFit, worth it?

That depends on you and your motivations for running. Do you need an instructor in front of you to direct you? Do you get motivated by seeing yourself compared with others on a leaderboard? Or are you perfectly happy listening to music, listening to an audiobook on headphones, or just running with your thoughts in your head? Everyone values the extras on treadmills differently.

If you enjoy direction and structure, investing in the Peloton Tread could be worth it. Note that subscriptions to Peloton include more than just running classes; you gain access to the entire library of live and on-demand classes. For Peloton, that includes cycling, strength training, yoga, meditation, and other guided courses. These subscriptions do come at a not-insignificant monthly cost, though.

The belt on the Peloton Tread rivals that of much higher-end treadmills. Photo: iRunFar/Annie Behrend

Will a treadmill help with trail running training?

Is running on a treadmill exactly like running on a trail? No. But if having access to a treadmill will get you to run more frequently, whether due to time, location, or weather constraints, then there’s no doubt it can help your trail running fitness. A treadmill can be an efficient way to work out when you don’t have time for an outdoor run. It can also ensure that you can’t use bad outdoor weather as an excuse to skip a workout.

Consistency matters in all types of running, and if a treadmill helps you become more consistent in your workouts and training, it can improve your trail running training. The 15% incline offered by the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill and Sole Fitness F80 Treadmill can help mimic the elevation gain of running on trails.

Are treadmills accurate?

Treadmills measure distance by belt revolutions, meaning the belt is a certain length, and each time it completes a full rotation, it adds that distance. This makes treadmills reasonably reliable and accurate in measuring distance. However, as you continue to use your treadmill, the belt can stretch and warp, making the distance increasingly inaccurate.

But, generally, you should feel pretty confident in the distance measurement of a treadmill. We found that the belt on the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill felt very similar to that on more expensive commercial treadmills in gyms.

Other features, like calories burned, can be less accurate. There’s not much you can do to increase confidence about caloric data, but regularly recalibrating your treadmill can help keep the speed and incline percentages accurate.

Is it easier to run on a treadmill than to run outdoors?

Most believe running on a treadmill is easier on your body than running outside, even if running faster or longer on a treadmill feels more challenging. The speed of treadmill belts can help with leg turnover, and the softer surface is often easier on the joints than running on outside surfaces, especially asphalt. Running on a treadmill offers a smooth and consistent surface that trail runners don’t encounter all that often.

For those who mostly run on trails, training on a treadmill can help with leg turnover and general aerobic fitness. The three different cushioning zones of the Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill can make running on a treadmill even more comfortable and help protect joints.

Are treadmills bad for my knees?

In some cases, running on a treadmill is generally better for your knees than running outside. The hard surface of asphalt can lead to great impact forces on knees and other joints, and a softer treadmill can lessen that force. The Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill has three different cushioning zones on the deck to absorb the impact of running forces.

That said, running on the uneven surfaces of trails strengthens all of the small supporting muscles in the legs better than the repetitive motion of running on a treadmill, and it’s important to keep these small muscles strong if you want to build stamina and strength for trail running.

Call for Comments

• Do you regularly run on a treadmill?
• Do you prefer having a treadmill at home or just visiting a gym?
• What are your favorite treadmill features?