Cardio Cardio Machines The 9 Best Treadmills of 2021 Run towards wellness with these top picks By Alena Hall instagram Alena is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She writes about fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit. Learn about our editorial process Alena Hall Reviewed by Reviewed by John Honerkamp on November 26, 2019 twitter linkedin instagram John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF certified running coach, celebrity marathon pacer, and recognized leader in the New York City running community. Learn about our Review Board John Honerkamp Updated on February 08, 2021 Print More in Cardio Cardio Machines Interval Training Exercise for Weight Loss Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill at Amazon "You'll receive support and shock absorption with every step, and you can adjust the incline when you're up for a challenge." Best Budget: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill at Dick's "The budget-friendly pick goes up to 8 miles an hour and is plenty long for both runners and power walkers." Best Folding: Pro-Form Pro 2000 Treadmill at Proform.com "The deck is easily folded and put away when not in use and integrates with the iFit workout programming platform." Best for Small Spaces: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill at Amazon "Ideal for small spaces, it completes any treadmill desk setup so you can stay active throughout the workday." Best High-Tech: Peloton Tread Basics at Onepeloton.com "It features a wide touchscreen so you can follow along to live workouts and feel as though you’re with your favorite instructor." Best for Walkers: Sole F63 Treadmill at Soletreadmills.com "A top pick for walkers, the long belt ensures that you can walk comfortably no matter the length of your stride." Best for Advanced Runners: Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Studio Treadmill at Horizonfitness.com "Advanced runners will appreciate the LED display screen and adjustable speed and incline to switch up their routine." Best for Under Desk: InMovement Unsit Treadmill Desk at Inmovement.com "Upgrade your workday without taking up too much space with this quiet pick that promises not to disturb calls or colleagues." Best Natural Feel: Woodway 4Front Commercial Treadmill at Woodway.com "Made to mimic the feel of running outdoors while minimizing the impact on your joints, it's complete with three training modes." When it comes to outfitting your home gym, a treadmill is a trusted and versatile piece of equipment worth investing in. Treadmills make it so you never have to navigate inclement weather, high-traffic roads, unfriendly neighborhood dogs, and other unpleasant factors to get your aerobic exercise in each day. What’s more, many of them provide additional joint cushioning and stability features that feel better for your body as you age. With that said, a treadmill is an investment piece, so you want to shop smart and spend wisely. Learn about the most important elements of a treadmill, and see which options check all of your necessary boxes. What to Look for in a Treadmill Motor The power of the drive motor directly and significantly impacts the quality of the treadmill and how your workouts feel. If you plan on using your treadmill often, we recommend opting for a model featuring 2.5 to 3.0 continuous horsepower (CHP). This amount of power should also successfully support users of most weights. Belt Size Different treadmill workout styles require different belt lengths. For comfortable running, the belt needs to be at least 48 inches long and 18 inches wide, and walkers need an even longer belt to accompany a wider stride. What’s more, if you’re over 6 feet tall, it’s best to add about 6 inches to your ideal belt length to accommodate the longer stride that results from having longer legs. Stability The frame of your treadmill should stay put as you walk, jog, and run, avoiding any shaking or wobbling. What’s more, the belt itself shouldn’t slide with every foot strike, but rather provide you with effective shock absorption to lighten the load a bit for your joints. Stability is key. Speed and Incline If you’re planning on using your treadmill for running, you want an option that reaches a top speed of at least 10 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the incline should be able to reach at least 10% to mimic challenging hikes and provide variability for your workouts. Bonus points if the treadmill can also adjust to a decline position as well. Here are the best treadmills on the market. Best Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill Buy on Amazon Buy on Nordictrack.com Few do treadmills better than NordicTrack, especially when it comes to the Commercial 1750 design. The 60- by 22-inch running belt gives you plenty of room for every kind of workout, and the SMART-Response motor keeps it moving smoothly and consistently. Proprietary Runners Flex cushioning gives you the ideal amount of support and shock absorption with every step, and you can run up to 12 miles per hour, climb 15% inclines, and even coast on 3% downgrades, depending on what your workout entails. It has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, and OneTouch controls make it very user-friendly. Plus, users rave about the variety of workouts provided by the iFit platform, saying that the programming has invigorated their somewhat stale routine and made them look forward to their workouts. The Best Home Gym Equipment of 2021 Best Budget: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill Buy on Dick's Who says you can’t find a solid treadmill at an affordable price? This pick from Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the more lightweight options on the list, but its 2.2-horsepower motor will get you up to 8 miles an hour and hold steady for workout after workout. It can reach an incline of 12%, and while slightly narrow for smaller spaces, it is plenty long for both runners and power walkers to use comfortably. It can support a maximum capacity of 240 pounds, and it folds up and rolls away for easy storage when not in use. What’s more, its Bluetooth connectivity allows you to sync your smart devices for effective workout tracking and blast your favorite workout tunes straight from the treadmill’s built-in speakers. Best Folding: Pro-Form Pro 2000 Treadmill Buy on Proform.com If you’re set on finding a top-notch folding treadmill, you can’t do better than Pro-Form. The deck is easy to fold and stow away, thanks to the EasyLift Assist feature that uses the built-in, powerful shock absorption system to supplement your manual effort. Meanwhile, the treadmill is built to last with a 3.25-continuous horsepower motor and ReBound Pro belt cushioning. It can reach a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour, a maximum incline of 12%, and a decline of 3%. The belt size is perfect for any user, and the treadmill itself can safely support up to 300 pounds. Similar to the NordicTrack option, Pro-Form also integrates with the iFit workout programming platform, and you enjoy a complimentary one-year membership with the purchase of this treadmill. The 5 Best Folding Treadmills Best for Small Spaces: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill Buy on Amazon If space is a serious struggle for you and your home gym setup, consider this 2-in-1 folding treadmill option from Goplus. When the handlebar panel is in the folded position, you can walk on the treadmill up to 2.5 miles per hour, making it an excellent portion of a treadmill desk setup. Then, when the handlebar panel is up, you can run on the treadmill up to 7.5 miles an hour. Meanwhile, the 2.25-horsepower ensures that the shock-absorbing belt runs smoothly and very quietly, as to not disrupt any neighbors or others sharing your space with you. The belt is on the smaller side, but that’s to be expected from a compact model intended for limited spaces. Bluetooth connectivity also makes it easy to enjoy your music or watch your favorite show while you walk. The 10 Best Home Gyms of 2021 Best High-Tech: Peloton Tread Basics Buy on Onepeloton.com Just because you’re working out at home doesn’t mean you have to feel like you’re in your living room. Peloton’s treadmill features a massive 32-inch HD touchscreen for displaying the live and on-demand workouts you love, as well as a 20-watt soundbar with a USB port and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack so you can feel as though you’re right there in the room with your favorite instructor. Meanwhile, the treadmill itself can reach a top speed of 12.5 miles per hour and a peak incline of 15%. The belt is made of 59 individually mounted rubber-coated aluminum slats that roll on ball bearings, so it feels smooth underfoot, stays surprisingly quiet, and gives a solid amount of shock absorption. The treadmill is designed to support a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Best for Walkers: Sole F63 Treadmill Buy on Soletreadmills.com This high-quality folding treadmill is a top pick for walkers for several reasons. First, the 60-inch-long belt ensures that you can walk comfortably and safely, no matter the length of your stride. Meanwhile, the quiet 3-continuous horsepower motor keeps your walk smooth underfoot as you climb up to 15 levels of incline. (It can also reach 12 miles per hour easily for when you feel like running). The powder-coated steel frame holds steady throughout all movement, and the treadmill’s Cushion Flex Whisper deck minimizes joint pain by reducing excessive joint impact. The 6.5-inch LCD screen displays all the statistics you need to see, plus six preset workout programs to keep your walking routine interesting. Finally, it features an integrated tablet holder, Bluetooth audio speakers, a USB charging port, and a water bottle holder. The 12 Best Treadmill Accessories of 2021 Best for Advanced Runners: Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Studio Treadmill Buy on Horizonfitness.com For folks who aren’t new to the running game, there is the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Studio Treadmill. It keeps your indoor running routine interesting with its built-in 9.3-inch LED display screen—it’s super easy to read, and the tablet tray just above it makes it easy to sync with your favorite workout apps and get going. The quick-access controls feel intuitive as you adjust both speed and incline, and the impressive 4-continuous horsepower motor makes it ultra-responsive to these changes. Its speed tops out at 12 miles per hour and the incline peaks at 15%. The running deck is 60 inches long and 22 inches wide, giving taller and heavier runners plenty of room for a more comfortable stride. Its rugged frame is built for performance and durability, resulting in a truly great run. The Best Home Fitness Tech of 2021 Best for Under Desk: InMovement Unsit Treadmill Desk Buy on Inmovement.com This under-desk treadmill makes it easy to keep your body moving while you work. At 30 inches, the walking surface is super wide, allowing you to reach across your entire desk safely, and just 40 inches long to avoid taking up excess space in the middle of your office. With a maximum speed of 2 miles per hour, your stride will stay short enough to fit on the belt safely and comfortably. The treadmill is made with heavy-duty, commercial-grade materials, guaranteeing both stability and durability over time, and it has an impressive maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds. It’s also super quiet, so it won’t disrupt your train of thought, work calls, or nearby coworkers. What’s more, its automatic shutoff feature adds an important layer of safety, and its accompanying Bluetooth-syncing app enables you to track your steps, distance, calories, and more. The 6 Best Treadmill Desks of 2021 Best Natural Feel: Woodway 4Front Commercial Treadmill Buy on Woodway.com Prefer to run on a treadmill that gives you an outdoor feel? Consider this pick from Woodway. The 4Front was artfully designed to mimic the feel of running outdoors all while minimizing the impact on your joints as you move. It comes equipped with three different training modes: traditional, dynamic, and resistance. The 68-inch-long and 22-inch-wide running belt is made of numerous individual shock-absorbing slats, and the powerful motor supports a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour, a maximum incline of 15%—these numbers are for the base model and can be customized. The treadmill is rated for a lifetime of 150,000 miles and requires less maintenance and electricity, reducing overall operating costs associated with it. The 10 Best Treadmill Workout Videos of 2021 Final Verdict If we had to pick a single treadmill for our home gyms, we would go with the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill. Its high-quality construction, versatility, and workout programming integration make it well worth the mid-range price tag. But if we had to pick a machine at a more affordable price, we would feel good about purchasing the Sole F63 Treadmill as well. While the design is much more basic than most others on this list, Sole Fitness truly masters the basics when it comes to quality and durability. Why Trust Verywell Fit As a former personal trainer, seasoned health writer, and avid exerciser, Alena Hall understands how important it is to pick the right home gym equipment for you. She is always exploring the latest and greatest wellness tools, machines, and gadgets, but more importantly, Alena carefully considers the quality and various features that make these fitness products worthwhile investments. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit