Best Treadmills Under $1,500 (2024): Great Value at a Low Price

If you’re in the market for the best treadmill for a home gym priced under $1,500, you’re in the right place. Many people believe that machines in this price range will have little to no technical capabilities. Others assume that the workout experience will be subpar at best and they won’t be able to comfortably meet their fitness goals. 

However, let me be the one to tell you that you can get a good treadmill for your home gym without spending $2,000 or more. On this list of the best treadmills under $1500, we’ve included some options from top brands that are known for producing high-quality, durable, and yet still affordable treadmills. We’re pretty confident that you’ll be able to identify one that fits your cardio needs at a price point you like. So, let’s get started! 

Our testers include personal trainers, competitive athletes, CrossFit-L1 trainers, and more. As you might imagine, these fitness gurus spend a lot of time trying out treadmills and have learned exactly what to look for. They know how to look past the marketing tactics and really dive into what makes a treadmill worth buying. Here are some of the top factors we look at when testing treadmills:

• Durability: Does it have a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds, have a strong and fast motor, and feel stable?
• Speed and Incline Range: Is it fast enough? Does it have incline abilities?
• Programming: Can it be used with fitness apps or have other built-in prograaming?
• Ergonomics: Does it feel comfortable while in use?
• Features: What special features does it have that other treadmills don’t?

In addition, their years of experience have taught them how to identify which treadmills would best meet a person’s needs. For instance, if you’re a tall runner, you likely would dread getting on a treadmill with a short running deck. Or if you’ve got limited space in your apartment, you probably would hate having a treadmill that you can’t fold and stow. Our experts consider these things to help you get what you need at the right price. 

The 6 Best Treadmills Under $1,500

• Best Treadmill Under $1,500 Overall: NordicTrack EXP 7i
• Best Cushioned Treadmill Under $1,500: Sole F63
• Best Treadmill Under $1,500 for Runners: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT
• Best Budget Treadmill Under $1,500: ProForm Carbon TLX
• Best Treadmill Under $1,500 for Walkers: WalkingPad
• Best Compact Treadmill Under $1,500: Echelon Stride 6s

Best Treadmill Under $1,500 Overall: NordicTrack EXP 7i

Good for: Runners who want a foldable machine equipped with a touchscreen display and adjustable deck cushioning 

Best Treadmill Under $1,500 Overall

NordicTrack EXP 7i

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Product Highlights

• 7-inch touchscreen display
• iFIT-enabled and comes with a free 30-day family membership
• 3.0 CHP motor suited for walking or running
• Speeds from 0 to 12 mph with incline ranges up to 12%
• Folding design
• 20-inch-by-60-inch cushioned running deck to reduce stress on joints and back
• Supports weights up to 300 pounds
• Conveniences include Bluetooth connectivity, a console fan, and tray for storage

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Interactive 7-inch screen allows for easy access to the iFIT library
• Folding design
• Large running surface for a folding treadmill
• Cushioned running deck
• One-month family membership to iFIT is included with purchase

Cons

• Small screen
• No tablet or phone holder
• Heavy

Bottom Line

True to the NordicTrack brand, the NordicTrack EXP 7i is a high-quality treadmill best suited for walkers, joggers, hikers, and the casual runner. With iFIT connectivity, you will have no shortage of motivation to stay on track towards your fitness goals.

It’s hard to think about treadmills without NordicTrack coming to mind. They’re a leader in the home treadmill space, and easily one of the top picks among beginners and experts alike. As you might imagine, the NordicTrack EXP 7i doesn’t disappoint either, which is why it’s our best treadmill under $1,500 overall.

Coming through with the quiet 2.6 CHP motor and 300-pound weight capacity, we’re scoring it a 5 out of 5 on durability.

One of this treadmill’s standout features is the Runner’s Flex cushioning, which allows you to adjust the treadmill deck’s firmness to your liking. However, to do this you need to fold the treadmill because the switch is under the deck. It also only has a top speed of 10 mph, which may not be fast enough for some runners, but it can go up to a 12% incline so we’ll give it a 4 out of 5 on customizations.

I like that it comes with a running deck suitable for runners at practically any height, as it is 60 inches long. Bluetooth connectivity comes in handy, too, especially if you don’t want to use the speakers. You can swiftly connect the instructor-led training to your Bluetooth headphones so you don’t wake the kids during your morning run.

Some reviewers noted that the machine gets a little noisy during changes. Also, the 7-inch touchscreen may feel very small on the large console. Overall, however, I’d say the NordicTrack EXP 7i would be a quality treadmill to add to your home gym. It offers many of the specs found in the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 but at a more affordable price point. 

For more, check out our full NordicTrack EXP 7i review.

Best Cushioned Treadmill Under $1,500: Sole F63

Good for: All walkers, joggers, and runners wanting an affordable, well-built treadmill with an extensive warranty 

Best Cushioned Treadmill

Sole F63

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Product Highlights

• Folding treadmill
• Costs around $1,000
• Heart rate chest strap included
• Bluetooth speakers, USB port, and cooling fan
• Powerful 3.0 HP motor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Financing is available
• Bluetooth speakers
• USB port
• Device holder
• 15 different levels of incline
• Cushioned deck
• 20" W x 60" L belt
• 325-lb weight capacity
• Lifetime frame and motor warranty

Cons

• Heavy machine
• No touchscreen

Bottom Line

The Sole F63 Treadmill is an affordable option for people who want a powerful, reliable machine without breaking their budget.

Although not decked out with technical features, the Sole F63 is still considered a high-quality treadmill. Why? Because it’s got a good build quality, which you don’t always see on the more affordable treadmills. Consider how their tread belt is 2-ply instead of 1-ply. A 2-ply tread belt is commercial grade, so you’re getting a thicker belt that’s also of better quality.

Advanced runners will appreciate speeds up to 12 mph, a max incline of 15%, and deck cushioning to protect the joints. It doesn’t offer decline training, but it’s still good enough to get a 4.5 out of 5 on customizations.

The Sole F63 treadmill is also packed with 2.5-inch rollers, which is what keeps the running belt turning. This matters because larger rollers will put less stress on the Sole’s 3.0 CHP motor and will help the tread belt last longer. It has a 325-pound weight capacity, so it earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for durability.

Did we also mention that it comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame? Knowing that Sole Fitness not only gives you quality parts but will also fix them for the lifespan of the treadmill makes this machine very attractive. 

Although the 6.5-inch display isn’t a touchscreen, it works for the Sole F63 treadmill. You’ll be able to easily see important data like distance traveled, speed, incline, calories burned, and more. (If you want a larger white backlit LCD display, consider the Sole F80.) 

Beginners will appreciate having a straightforward machine that more than gets the job done in the workout department. You can access the preset workouts if you’re unsure what to do, and the treadmill will adjust to the correct speed and incline accordingly. Sole Fitness is also an app you can download, and it’ll sync your treadmill data to the app. 

To learn more, check out our in-depth review on the Sole F63.

Best Treadmill Under $1,500 for Runners: Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT

Good for: Beginner and budget-conscious runners who aren’t pressed for tech features 

Best for Runners

Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill

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Product Highlights

• Priced under $1,000
• Spacious 60-inch running deck
• Bluetooth connectivity
• QuickDial controls for both the speed and incline

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 60” running surface
• 3.0 CHP motor
• Bluetooth connectivity with apps like Zwift, Peloton, and Nike Running Club
• 325 lb weight limit

Cons

• Heavy machine at over 250 lbs
• No included touchscreen
• 3-year parts warranty and 1-year labor warranties are less than the Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill

Bottom Line

For under $1,000, the Horizon 7.0 AT is a great option for people who want to use their treadmill to run.

The Horizon 7.0 AT might be the best treadmill under $1,000 because it can sync to most major fitness apps, has a durable 60-inch running deck, and a durable motor that quickly responds to incline and speed changes. Plus, it has a weight capacity of 325 pounds and a 3.0 CHP motor, enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 on durability. This is a treadmill that will hold up to daily runs.

The frame is built solid, and doesn’t wobble or make a lot of noise even when you’re running at full speed. The tread belt is thinner than what you’d find in similarly priced treadmills, which is bad because it will be harder on your joints but it also feels more like road running than most other treadmills.

Runners will appreciate the Horizon 7.0 AT’s powerful motor that transitions effortlessly when inclines and speeds change. Speaking of incline, this treadmill’s max incline is 15%, which is pretty significant. Most machines, including the expensive treadmills, tap out at 12%. This incline will give runners the ability to target different muscle groups and burn additional calories while simultaneously challenging themselves. With a top speed of 12 mph, we’re giving it a 5 out of 5 on customizations.

The Horizon 7.0 AT doesn’t come with its own interactive programming, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have choices. You can connect it to the Peloton App, Apple Fitness+, Zwift, and more. The treadmill also has some preset workout programs if you choose not to use third-party apps. You should be aware, though, that you’re not going to get automatic trainer control. However, the machine does have convenient QuickDial controls for quickly adjusting the speed and incline.

To learn more, check out Horizon 7.0 AT review.

Best Budget Treadmill Under $1,500: ProForm Carbon TLX

Good for: Runners willing to use their own device for iFIT programming 

ProForm TLX

ProForm Carbon TLX

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• Affordable folding treadmill
• 3.0 CHP motor
• 60" belt
• 0-12 mph speed range
• 12% incline
• 7-inch display
• iFIT-enabled

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Durable with a 3.0 CHP motor
• 300-lb weight capacity
• 60-inch belt length
• 12% incline
• Cushioned running deck
• iFIT-enabled
• Foldable

Cons

• Only a 1-year parts warranty
• No touchscreen display

Bottom Line

The ProForm Carbon TLX is an affordable folding treadmill that would be suitable for a small space. It's durable, with a 300-pound weight capacity and 3.0 CHP motor, plus it offers up to 12% incline.

The ProForm Carbon TLX is an excellent choice if you’re a budget-conscious buyer. The Carbon TLX is priced at $999 because it doesn’t feature a fancy touchscreen display. Instead, you’ll pair your own smart device to the treadmill using Bluetooth connectivity. 

While that may sound like a pain, GGR tester and ISSA-CPT, Lindsay Scheele assures us that syncing is a cinch. She even gives tech capabilities for the TLX a 4-out-of-5-star rating. “It’s really easy to sync the treadmill with your phone to follow iFIT programming on the app,” says Lindsay. 

You’ll not only be able to connect with iFIT for on-demand classes (on and off the treadmill) you’ll have a sturdy machine to power through treadmill speed training and intervals. The Carbon TLX can go up to 12 mph and 12% incline. 

Plus, the powerful 3.0 continuous horsepower motor and 300-pound user weight make this a stable and durable machine for the whole family to walk or run. “I didn’t experience any shaking even at higher speeds. Plus, the noise level on it wasn’t alarming or out of the ordinary,” says Lindsay. 

With a budget price point, you might think there’s a catch. But Lindsay thinks it’s a solid machine. “It’s sleek looking, easy to use, and super stable,” she says in her ProForm Carbon TLX review. 

Best Treadmill Under $1,500 for Walkers: WalkingPad

Good for: People who just want to walk, and want a compact indoor treadmill

Best Under $1,500 for Walkers

WalkingPad Folding Treadmill

GGR Score: 3.66

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Product Highlights

• Folds for easy storage
• Suitable for tall folks and long strides
• Comes assembled
• Compatible with KS Fit App
• Features foot-sensing controls

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Under $450
• Foldable
• Can be controlled by the app or a remote
• Has automatic foot control
• No assembly required

Cons

• Max user weight of 220 lbs
• No obvious warranty

Bottom Line

The WalkingPad is another great option for people who want a way to walk while doing another activity.

Although there are full-sized treadmills for walking, you can get a WalkingPad for a fraction of the cost and the size—this treadmill folds in half sandwich-style, allowing you to store it under your coach or mattress. At only 62 pounds, it’s easy to move around and gets a 5 out of 5 for footprint and portability from our testers.

Certified personal trainer and daily walker Nicole Davis says her WalkingPad has lasted more than a year, which is impressive considering it only has a 1 horsepower motor and a maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds. Nicole’s husband is closer to that mark and says the machine slows down a bit for him, and for that reason we’re rating its durability a 3 out of 5.

Nicole says her experience with it has been nothing but positive, aside from the remote breaking (it can also be controlled with your feet by stepping in certain speed zones or with an app)

“It still works fine,” Nicole says in her WalkingPad review. “I have absolutely gotten my money’s worth.”

If you didn’t guess, this is meant for walkers and not people who want to replicate on-road running. The 47-inch treadmill deck that should be good for most people, though super tall people may find it’s too short for their stride. It also only has a maximum speed of 3.75 mph, so we’re giving it a 3.5 out of 5 for customizations.

Best Compact Treadmill Under $1,500: Echelon Stride 6s

Good for: Users of all fitness levels who want an easy-to-use treadmill with auto-fold capabilities  

Best Compact Treadmill

Echelon Stride 6s

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Product Highlights

• Auto-fold feature
• 10-inch embedded touchscreen
• Cushioned running deck
• Horizontal and vertical transport wheels
• No assembly required

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Auto-folding feature
• Cushioned, impact-absorbing running deck
• No assembly required
• 3.0 CHP motor
• Horizontal and vertical transport wheels

Cons

• Small 10-inch screen

Bottom Line

The Echelon Stride 6s is a compact and impact-absorbing treadmill that's perfect for people of all fitness levels, and comes with a 10-inch touchscreen to watch live and on-demand fitness classes.

The Echelon brand may not be a household name for treadmills (yet), but we know them for making top-notch rowing machines and exercise bikes. 

The Stride is admittedly cleverly designed. When folded, it’s only 10 inches tall, so you might be able to place it under your bed when you’re not using it. That’s pretty neat if you’re in a tight space and need to make the most out of it. Moving it is made even easier by the horizontal and vertical transport wheels.  All of that earns it a 5 out of 5 on portability.

The running deck is 20.5 inches by 60 inches, which is a half-inch larger than the industry average (it sounds silly but that half-inch is noticeable). It goes up to 12.5 mph and has 12.5 incline levels, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 on customizations (we only give fives to treadmills that have decline training).

The 10-inch touchscreen display isn’t the biggest but it does allow you to stream Netflix and Hulu to your treadmill.

Other Treadmills Under $1,500 We Tested

The treadmills above made our best treadmill list, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other quality treadmills under $1,500. Here’s one that didn’t quite make the official cut, but that’s worth the mention. 

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400: Priced under $500 on Amazon, the Sunny treadmill performs well if you just want something for walking.

UREVO 2-In-1 Under Desk Treadmill: If you want to walk while you work, we love this machine. 

How We Picked and Tested

Our in-depth testing process begins with us conducting heavy research on treadmills priced under $1,500. If they meet specific criteria, we’ll move them to the next stage, which is actually testing them. Different members of our expert panel will try each treadmill to see how it performs while walking, jogging, and running. We assess the ease of use and evaluate who the machine best suits, as we recognize that every treadmill isn’t for everybody.

Every time we step foot on a treadmill, these are the criteria we’re considering: 

• Footprint: Does it take up a lot of space in a room, or is it more compact? 
• Foldability: If the machine folds, does it really save much space? Can it be stowed under a desk or bed when not in use?  Does it fold in half, or does it fold flat? How complicated is the process of folding? 
• Portability: Is the treadmill easy to move around or challenging to navigate around a room? Does it include transport wheels? 
• Assembly: Is it a one or two-person job? Is it challenging to assemble, and will you have to pay an expert to do it? 
• Roller Size: Do they feel cheap? Are they very small? Smaller ones place more wear and tear on the motor and track. 
• Speed/Incline/Decline: What’s the max speed and incline? Does it have a decline option? 
• Motor: What is the horsepower of the motor? Is the motor loud? Does it struggle to transition when the speed and incline change? 
• Display: What size is the display? Is it LCD, touchscreen, or something different? 
• Additional conveniences: Will you find a water bottle holder, heart monitor, USB port, or built-in tablet holder on the treadmill? 
• Interactive programming: If it includes it, is it live or on-demand? How much does the subscription cost every month/year? Do you receive a free trial? 
• Deck cushioning: Does the treadmill have deck cushioning? If so, can you adjust it? Does it actually make the activity more comfortable? 
• Max user weight: Will the treadmill accommodate a heavier individual? 
• Warranty: Is the warranty at least 15 years on the frame or motor? 

Benefits of Treadmills Under $1,500

Treadmills under $1,500 honestly give you the best of both worlds. You’re not spending an arm and a leg, yet you’re still getting a good quality machine. Machines at this price range will allow you to adequately work out 30 minutes per day, five days per week, as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.¹ Here are some of the benefits of treadmills under $1,500. 

Warranty That’s (Sometimes) Worth It

Treadmills around this price range often come with better warranty options. We look for lifetime warranties on the frame and years-long warranties on the motor and parts. 

Great Technology

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to get nice touchscreens, easy-to-use consoles, and Bluetooth speakers. You’ll find many machines on this list tout high-end features without the overwhelming price tag.

Incline and Speed Ranges

Most of the machines on our list offer a generous speed range of up to 12 MPH and great incline ranges to mix up your training. Super-budget treadmills won’t always give you that kind of versatility.

What to Look for in Treadmills Under $1,500

Can you expect much from a $1,500 treadmill? Of course! Once you get into this price range, you’re getting access to much better quality machines that offer various perks and conveniences. Here’s what you can expect: 

Greater Horsepower

Usually, treadmills in this price range have a motor that’s 3.0 CHP. Motors like that can better handle frequent runs at top speeds and incline/decline changes. However, anything lower than 3.0 horsepower is better suited for walking and jogging. 

Better Build Quality

When the price tag is around $1,500, you’re looking at treadmills that are built with better-quality parts. You may get bigger rollers, a 2-ply tread belt, and a solid frame. 

Additional Technological Options

Not all treadmills around this price range will be decked out with a 10-inch HD touchscreen display. However, many machines in this price range have LCD screens and Bluetooth connectivity. These convenient technical features allow you to take your workout to a new level. 

RELATED: History of Treadmills

FAQs About the Best Treadmills Under $1500

References:

1. How much cardio should you do? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-much-cardio-should-you-do#:~:text=The%20Physical%20Activity%20Guidelines%20issued,even%20the%20elderly%20and%20disabled. Published February 19, 2020. Accessed October 20, 2023.

Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC

Nicole is an editor at GGR. She's been a journalist for the last 12 years and a CPT/group fitness instructor for the last 7 years.She grew up playing tennis, became an avid runner in college, competed in a bikini competition in her mid-twenties, and even completed a triathlon. Her workout of choice nowadays is CrossFit, plus logging her daily steps. After her first daughter was born four years ago, she became especially passionate about prenatal and postnatal fitness, teaching stroller bootcamp classes and working with expecting moms as clients.Post-journalism school, Nicole worked in print media as a magazine editor for 8 years, then went freelance for a while, writing for fitness websites and manufacturers in the industry. Now, as the the Editor of GGR, she brings her expertise in fitness to writing and editing honest reviews on everything you might need for your home gym.

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