Best Cushioned Treadmill (2024): 8 Cloud-Like Options for Your Most Comfortable Workout Yet

With the Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill, you’ll have a comfortable run or walk thanks to the 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning. According to the Horizon website, the 3-Zone Cushioning refers to the “impact zone, transitional zone, and push-off zone.” Each of these zones requires a different type of cushioning for optimal usage––neutral, firm, and flexible. Horizon clearly put a lot of thought into the cushioning, which makes for a better user experience. It scores a 4.5 out of 5 in ergonomics and adjustability as far as we’re concerned. The only reason we took a half-point off is that some runners, including some of our testers, prefer a more pavement-like feeling when running on a treadmill.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 gives you the ability to turn the cushioning on/off to recreate the feeling of outdoor running. Read our NordicTrack Commercial 1750 review for our full thoughts.

For those of us who enjoy interactive programming, the 7.4 AT treadmill is a standout choice. You can connect various apps (and a free included heart rate monitor) to the 7.4 via Bluetooth. During your home workout, you’ll be able to view various metrics, see your heart rate, and hear programming through the dual speaker system. For this reason, we’re giving it 5 out of 5 stars in tech capabilities.

“The tech on this one is really good if that’s what you’re into,” says certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly.

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Garage Gym Reviews Writer and Editor Amanda Capritto initially tested the 7.4, and was pleased to note the sturdiness of the structure.

“Although there are a lot of plastic components, I feel confident in the durability of the 7.4,” Amanda explained. “The lifetime frame and motor warranty certainly don’t hurt either!” That and a 3.5 continuous horsepower (CHP) motor almost earned a perfect score on durability, but because there’s so much plastic we lowered the score to a 4.5 out of 5.

It is worth noting that you’ll need to use your own device to stream any programming or shows. This isn’t a big deal to me personally (especially since the included device holder is beefy), but it is good to know for those who really want a touchscreen.

Read all our thoughts in the Horizon 7.4 Studio Tread review.

As one of the best treadmills under $1,000, the Sole F63 (which fluctuates around that price) is a great value for individuals who want a machine with cushioning without an outrageous price attached. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the lifetime frame and motor warranty to help you feel secure in your purchase. It received a 4.5 out of 5 rating for the overall value, only losing a half-point because of the LCD monitor (though it can easily connect to a smartphone or tablet that can be placed on the handy device holder).

According to the Sole Fitness website, the F63 has a “Cushion Flex Whisper Deck,” which apparently “reduces joint impact by 40%.” I’m not entirely sure how Sole measured the joint impact and I cannot vouch for that percentage, but the cushioning is excellent from my firsthand experience. Overall, I’d rate my experience on this treadmill a 4.5 out of 5.

If you love being able to power walk uphill, you’ll enjoy the up to 15-percent-incline options on the F63. Plus, the F63 comes with a free heart rate monitoring strap, which can come in handy when you’re trying to see your pulse rate (maybe while calculating your VO2 Max).

Although there are six preset training programs on the F63, there isn’t an included touchscreen for interactive programming. However, there is a nice device holder above the small LCD screen for you to add your own phone or tablet. Programming wise, we’re giving this a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

For just a little more money, you can get the NordicTrack EXP 10i to get a well-cushioned treadmill that comes with an included touchscreen.

It is also worth noting that the Sole F63 does shake slightly at higher speeds. It isn’t a terrible shake, and doesn’t make the machine feel unstable, but something to be aware of. We still think it earns 4 out of 5 stars for durability.

See our full Sole F63 treadmill review.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 once topped this list thanks to the brand’s Flex Cushioning, however, after much testing we moved it down because other companies felt easier on the joints. It still has great cushioning and is one of the best folding treadmills on the market, as the deck lifts and locks into place and slowly unfolds using a hydraulics system, one of the reasons it received a 5 out of 5 on conveniences.

Like other treadmills from NordicTrack, the 1750 is compatible with iFIT, which means you have access to thousands of on-demand and live workouts that include running programs as well as off-machine routines. After thoroughly testing iFIT, our testers unanimously agreed it earned a 5 out of 5 for workout programming.

“I did an entire running series on iFIT in which the instructor took me all over Hawaii,” says Kate Meier, Garage Gym Reviews head of content and two-time marathon runner. “I love using the program’s automatic incline and speed controls so I don’t have to worry about pressing buttons during my workout.”

The 1750 has an impressive -3% decline and 15% incline, which means you can truly feel like you are running up and down hills. Also, the speed range of 0 to 12 MPH accommodates just about any kind of treadmill workout you plan on doing. As far as adjustability and ergonomics are concerned, this treadmill earns 5 out of 5 stars from us.

RELATED: Best NordicTrack Treadmills

Kate assembled the 1750 herself, and she says you should spring for the professional assembly if you can swing it. “This is a large, heavy machine that took me about an hour and a half to put together,” she says. “It’s certainly possible to do alone, but having a friend could help, and having someone else do it is even better!” Since it could be done alone, though we don’t recommend it, we rate it a 4.5 out of 5 for delivery and set up.

The Echelon Stride is one of the few treadmills we’ve tested that requires zero assembly, though you’ll have to sacrifice a built-in touchscreen.

For more, check out our NordicTrack Commercial 1750 review.

This top-of-the-line cardio machine has thick “ReBound Pro Cushioning” to enhance even your toughest workouts. Plus, the generously sized 22-inch touchscreen with compatible iFIT programming (membership sold separately) doesn’t hurt either. Even with the high price tag, we still think it earns a 4.5 out of 5 on value.

“This is a really nice treadmill that has a ton of tech capabilities and adjustability that make this a standout product,” says Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and GGR senior director of content. “It’s a modest price for treadmills especially considering what you’re getting with this one. I knocked it a half-point because of the issues with connecting to WiFi.”

iFIT has an extensive, on-demand class library with a variety of high-intensity runs and sprint sessions to choose from, so it gets a 5 out of 5 for workout programming. I also love the user-friendly jump buttons below the display. They make changing incline, decline, and speed simple with just a single button push. We give this a 5-out-of-5 rating for adjustability and ergonomics.

The Pro 9000 is an extremely stable machine. You won’t have to worry about it shaking during a flat run or a hill climb. However, this very stable machine comes with a very heavy weight (shocker, I know) of 263 pounds when it arrives at your doorstep. When it’s time to move this treadmill, I recommend grabbing a friend or two to make the process safer. As far as footprint and portability we think this earns a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1250 offers many of the same features at a similar price tag, but takes up slightly less room than the ProForm Pro 9000 when folded and in use.

Although a 10-year frame warranty isn’t terrible by any means, I’d expect slightly better for the almost $1,800 price. The industry standard for a frame warranty is 15 years to life on a nice treadmill, so perhaps ProForm will improve upon this guarantee in the future. For now, we are rating it 4.5 out of 5 for warranty, financing, and returns.

Check out our ProForm Pro 9000 treadmill review.

Echelon treadmills are known for their compact nature, and we really loved our experience on the OG Echelon Stride. One of Echelon’s latest models, the Echelon Stride-6s, has quite a bit to love about it as well, including an impact-absorbing running deck that not only reduces the shock to your joints, but also reduces noise for a comfortable and quiet walking experience. It received a perfect score for adjustability and ergonomics.

While we haven’t had the opportunity to test the Stride-6s, GGR senior director of content and certified personal trainer, Kate Meier, has used the original Echelon Stride consistently for about six months and has really enjoyed her experience.

“I love it because I don’t have the space for a large machine,” she says. When folded, the Stride-6s is slim enough that it will fit under most beds or behind furniture. It also has an innovative auto-fold feature, which makes storage even easier. For those reasons, we feel confident about giving it a 5 out of 5 for portability.

GGR founder and home gym equipment expert Coop Mitchell also tried out the original Echelon Stride and said that while it’s not the best cushioning on the market, it’s perfect if you’re just using it for getting your daily steps in.

The Horizon 7.4 treadmill has the best cushioning we’ve tested, and has many of the same features as the Echelon Stride.

The Echelon Stride-6s has a 3.0 CHP motor, which can easily handle long steady periods of walking. One of the great things about this treadmill is the quick adjustment wheels on the handlebars. These make it easy for you to adjust the speed, volume, and incline without having to fumble around with buttons. 

Although we consider this to be one of the best treadmills for walking, if you eventually decide to take your walking to the next level, it can easily accommodate running as well. The deck is 60 inches long, so even tall people or people with a long stride can both walk and run comfortably on it. You can get this treadmill for under $1,500, which is a pretty good deal considering all it has to offer. We’re rating it a 4 out of 5 in value.

Read our Echelon Stride review for more information on the original Stride model.

If you’re a beginner, we recommend the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Treadmill. “Once the belt is moving, you can adjust the speed easily,” says Nicole Davis, certified personal trainer and GGR head of content. She gave the workout experience a 4 out of 5, docking a point because she says the speeds feel slower than a typical treadmill. “Walking at 4 MPH feels slower than being on a gym treadmill,” she says.

You’ll want to stick to only walking on this treadmill but on the plus side, the price tag won’t break the bank. You can typically purchase it for under $400. In our testing, we found this treadmill best for those who are focused on getting more steps in at a casual pace. 

While we really like this walking pad, it truly is just for walking, and there are cheaper options on the market that cost less yet will serve the same purpose. For that reason, we give the WalkingPad P1 a rating of 3.5 out of 5 for value. 

As far as cushioning goes, Nicole says that although the deck of this treadmill is a bit slimmer than a regular tread, it still feels plenty comfortable to her. There’s an added EVA layer on the belt of this machine to help with comfort as well. Nicole rated the WalkingPad a 3 out of 5 for ergonomics. 

This treadmill does not have any preset workout programs, but this is probably just fine for true beginners who just want to move more throughout the day. There are also no buttons for you to press to get going on the machine itself; instead, it has a wireless remote with a display that you can use to speed up and down, start or stop, and switch the mode. This treadmill even has foot-sensing speed control when set to automatic mode, which means it goes only as fast as you want it to. 

We rate this compact treadmill a 4.5 out of 5 for portability as it’s extremely small when folded up completely, has transport wheels, and only weighs 62 pounds. You can easily move it around your house or gym and stow it away when it’s not in use. When folded, it’s only 32.5 inches long and 5 inches tall. 

People looking for an under-desk treadmill that goes a little faster can check out the UREVO 2-in-1 Under-Desk Treadmill, which goes up to 7.6 MPH. Like the WalkingPad, it doesn’t take up much space and can be folded and is slightly cheaper than the WalkingPad.

Nicole has used this treadmill regularly for over a year—and counting—and rated her overall experience a 4 out of 5. You can read more about our thoughts in our WalkingPad review. 

Even if you’re not looking to drop a wad of cash on a treadmill, you can still get a well-cushioned, budget treadmill for under $500. The Sunny Health and Fitness (SF-T4400) treadmill impresses with a shock-absorption deck, which helps eliminate excessive bounce back for users. This essentially means your run or walk will be more comfortable, because your feet won’t be pounding the deck with too much force that the treadmill can’t handle. We gave it a 4 out of 5 on value, with the one-point deduction coming from the lack of a touchscreen and because it only goes up to 9 MPH.

Plus, this machine is an excellent option for those in small spaces. The SF-T4400 can be folded almost flat for storage in a closet or up against a wall. Anthony thinks it might even fit into the back of a larger car when folded, earning it a 5 out of 5 on footprint and portability.

I think this is a solid machine for beginners––you won’t struggle with a difficult build and there are nine preset programs to give users some direction for their workouts. 

However, I don’t love the low weight capacity of just 220 pounds––80 pounds below the industry standard. I do understand it is a budget treadmill option and compromises have to be made to keep the price low, but this roadblock makes the SF-T4400 a less inclusive option. That said, Anthony — who weighs just about 220 pounds — said it worked just fine for him. Still, because there’s a lot of plastic we scored it a 3 out of 5 for durability.

For just a little more money, the ProForm Carbon TLX has great cushioning with a higher weight capacity.

Check out our Sunny Health And Fitness (SF-T4400) Treadmill review.

Whether you want to walk more frequently or become a long-distance runner, this sturdy and cushioned treadmill will aid you in reaching your goals. The super soft surface of this treadmill is constructed of 59 rubberized slats and gives you a total of 67 inches of cushioned running space. You even have the option to turn off the power and run on the soft surface in a manual fashion, and it has a 300-pound weight capacity. It earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for durability.

Feeling supported on a treadmill is a high priority for many users, and support you will feel on the Peloton Tread+. We expect the frame of this machine to be virtually unmoving while in use as the treadmill is also a weighty 455 pounds. We think this treadmill has earned a rating of 5 out of 5 for adjustability and ergonomics. 

The Peloton Tread+ is not exactly for runners on a budget. It will cost you around $6,000 (though there is financing available). While this is a large price tag, it’s to be expected as a Peloton product. Honestly, considering all of the quality features, we rate it a 4 out of 5 for value. You’ll get a running surface that will reduce impact, a 32-inch HD touchscreen you can access thousands of programs on, and awesome in-workout metrics. User reviews on the Peloton website have great things to say about the comfort of the treadmill. With one user saying, “I am heavy set … the tread is easy on the knees.” 

It’s worth noting that the Peloton membership is sold separately (at $44 per month) and you’re not able to get the true experience of the pricey treadmill without it. That being said, by utilizing interactive programming, you can hold yourself more accountable and level up your fitness without having in-person interaction with an instructor. 

GGR expert product tester Lindsay Scheele tried out the Peloton Tread, which doesn’t have all of the features that the Tread+ does, but she loved how user-friendly the screen and programming were, so we’re giving this one a 5 out of 5 for dynamic programming since it’s a similar (if not better) experience. 

If you don’t have a lot of extra space, this machine isn’t for you. The Peloton Tread+ doesn’t fold at all, and it isn’t simple to move since it’s so heavy. The footprint itself is large and in charge, which can be tough for people in smaller spaces looking for a compact treadmill. 

For a treadmill that feels just as heavy duty with a smaller price tag, check out the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.