How We Rated the Best Treadmills For The Money
If you’re looking for a treadmill so you can work out at home, you probably want the best deal…quality and performance for a good price. We tested dozens of treadmills with these qualities and more in mind . Then we narrowed the list down to the following select treadmills, all of which are value priced and full of great features and extras.
Our tester was a 170 pound male who ran four miles. We had him try the various programmed workouts, the incline feature, and the heart rate monitors on the various treadmills. Here’s what we learned:
Top Rated Treadmills For The Money
Sole Fitness S77 Non-Folding Treadmill
Shock Absorption
This is excellent shock absorption, with a spring-ey deck that made our tester’s joints very comfortable.
Noise & Motor
The motor was quiet, which is to be expected from a super-duty 3.5 CHP motor. It remained quiet even when our tester ran at full sprint.
Construction
Construction is excellent, with commercial-quality components. The result is a very stable platform.
Console & Features
The LED was large and very clear and easy to understand. Interface was simple and intuitive, so finding all the programs was a cinch. Lots of info is displayed, from the basics like speed and distance to pulse, calories, and a hill graph so you can visualize your run.
Warranty
Lifetime warranty on frame, motor and deck. Two years on Labor. Five years on electronics. In other words, fantastic warranty package.
Proform Performance 1450 Treadmill
Shock Absorption
The 2-ply commercial quality belt was far better than running on pavement and tester was comfortable during his workout. The belt should last a long time. ProShox Plus Cushioning is good. Our tester reported actually seeing the “shock absorbers” under the belt.
Noise & Motor
The strong 3.25 CHP motor delivers a smooth, quiet workout, even at top speeds when it’s working hard. The commercial-grade belt also makes for a quieter run.
Construction
This treadmill features quality construction that should last a long time. The commercial-level belt is 2-ply, heavy duty. Our tester reported a stable-feeling ride even though this is a folding treadmill.
Console & Features
Loaded, simply loaded with features on the console. You get Google Maps, iFit Live, training with Jillian Michaels and workouts are delivered wirelessly to the treadmill. There’s even a browser, so your treadmill is actually also a computer. Browse, watch videos, read email. The screen is a deluxe 10″ full color screen. Did we mention the 28 workout apps?
Warranty
Lifetime warranty on frame and motor, five years on parts and 2 years on labor. Great warranty package.
LifeSpan Fitness TR3000i Folding Treadmill
Shock Absorption
Super shock absorbers because this is meant to handle up to 350 pounds, more than many treadmills in this price range.
Noise & Motor
2.75 CHP motor offers quiet workout. Walking is always more quiet than running, and this machine is no exception. This is a great treadmill for buyers who will walk a lot.
Construction
Plastic siderails. 2-ply belt, which is good quality. The deck is shorter than most, at 56″. This treadmill folds up.
Console & Features
This is where this treadmill excels: heart rate monitoring is very advanced, with My Zone heart rate control program. It will keep your heart rate at a set level, if you stick to the program. Also handy are the speed and incline controls on the handlebars so you never have to let go to change your workout. Large keys, easy to use. There are speakers, headphone plug, and an extra large handlebar front and center. You can save your workout progress. There are lots of exercise programs to choose from…20 in all. You can set the speed and incline for each one, then save it for future workouts.
You get membership in LifeSpan Fitness Club, a way to mange your fitness goals and progress online.
Warranty
You get a lifetime warranty on frame and motor. You get 5 year warranty on parts and 1 year on labor.
Precor 9.27 Treadmill with Ground Effects Technology
Shock Absorption
The shock absorption on the Precor 9.27 is flawless. Their patented Ground Effects Impact Control Technology delivered a super-comfortable experience for our runner, who enjoyed the cushioned impact and the feeling of push-off with his rear foot.
Noise & Motor
The 3.0 CHP motor delivered a quiet, smooth ride. Even when set at 15% incline, which is the maximum, and running at 6.0 speed, the motor did not become overly noisy or annoying. Just kept delivering a quiet run.
Construction
The deck is quality and delivers a cushioned run. It is not reversible. The deck is 57″ long and 20″ wide, which is standard but not commercial size. This treadmill is solid and sturdy, since it does not fold up.
Console & Features
You can choose from touch or telemetry heart rate monitoring, and 10 programs. You have the ability to enter two User IDs so you can save your workouts and your progress, then access them by logging in when you begin your workout.
Warranty
Lifetime warranty on the frame and welds. Parts and wear items: 5 years. 1 year on labor.
Our Verdict
Choosing the best treadmill for the money is going to depend on what your fitness goals are. For buyers who will need extra motivation to stay with their workout regimen, the ProForm Performance 1450 is a great choice. Not only is it a quality treadmill, but we loved all the “extras” like iFit and all the workout apps that come with it.
For serious runners, the Sole Fitness S77 Non-Folding treadmill holds up very well. It will take a lot of abuse and still perform at top levels for years to come, thanks to the extra-strong motor.
For less athletic treadmill buyers, the LifeSpan Fitness TR3000i Folding Treadmill is a good value. The price is right and the motor is just what you need for walking, years to come. If you’re older or recovering from injury or just not a runner, this is a good treadmill for the money.
For runners with sensitive joints, or older fitness experts, the cushioning system in the Precor 9.27 Treadmill with Ground Effects Technology delivers the best value. Their innovation in the area of shock absorption for treadmills has yet to be surpassed, and makes this a top choice for those with troubled knees, hips or ankles.
