Horizon vs NordicTrack Treadmills 2023

Horizon vs NordicTrack Treadmills Overview:

Horizon and NordicTrack both manufacture quality fitness equipment and treadmills. They each offer a solid lineup of various models to choose from depending on your needs and budget. Horizon’s treadmills overall are a bit more budget-friendly, however, NordicTrack’s have more tech features integrated into the consoles.

All of Horizon’s treadmills fold up and have motors that are quick to adjust. The lowest-end model is very budget-friendly and best for mainly walking, while the premium models are great for high-intensity training and intervals. All Horizon Treadmills have LCD consoles with standard onboard workout programs. To help instill extra confidence in the construction, all of Horizon’s treadmills come with lifetime frame and motor warranties.

NordicTrack’s treadmills have touch screens with optional training content to stream. They’re compatible with iFit which offers thousands of trainer-led workout classes to take on-demand. With a subscription to iFit, the treadmill will automatically adjust the incline and speed, no matter the model you choose. With the high-end Incline Trainers, you can incline up to 40% and decline to -6% for insane training options, you just need to make sure you have enough room in your home because they’re heavy and non-folding. All of the other treadmills from NordicTrack fold up to save space and offer an incline. The higher-end Commercial Series of treadmills decline to -3%, too.

Horizon Treadmills

NordicTrack Treadmills

In-Depth Comparison of Horizon vs NordicTrack Treadmills

Horizon vs NordicTrack Content

The content is where these brands really differ. Horizon’s included programming is more standard than NordicTrack’s. NordicTrack Treadmills gives you the option to stream subscription training content.

Horizon Content

Horizon Treadmills come with onboard workout programs that are included on the consoles. These are kind of like the workout programs that you’d find on treadmills at your local gym. Horizon’s treadmills have programs like intervals, fat burn, hill climb, distance, calorie, and manual mode. The higher-end models have more programs like 5k, custom settings, and the interval training program Sprint 8 integrated into the treadmills.

Horizon Treadmills also give you the option of streaming content from your device with the device rack.

They each come with a device rack to hold your phone or tablet, and some of the models pair to apps like Zwift and the Peloton App for different training options.

NordicTrack Content

The main aspect of NordicTrack’s content is iFit.

iFit is an interactive training platform that offers thousands of trainer-led workouts. The workouts are filmed in studios and outdoors in locations all over the world. You can take all kinds of treadmill workouts on NordicTrack’s treadmills like walking, jogging, interval training, running, hiking, and more. You can also take mat classes like yoga and strength training.

If you don’t want to follow along with an instructor, you can create your own routes in the Google Map feature. This lets you pick any location on the map to explore and Google Images pop up to show you the area on the screen as you workout. Also with iFit, each of NordicTrack’s treadmills automatically adjusts the speed and incline settings to match the format of the workout. This way you can have a hands-free training experience if you want to. iFit does require a monthly subscription to use and it comes free for the first month on all of NordicTrack’s models.

If you don’t want to subscribe to iFit, there is a free version where onboard workout programs and often a featured iFit workout are included with the treadmill. We do highly recommend checking out iFit on NordicTrack’s treadmills though. It makes for a very interactive training experience and the features are really thoughtful. NordicTrack also has a program called NordicTrack+ that allows you to get their participating treadmill in the program for free when you purchase a 4-year membership of iFit. This is something to consider if you love training content and are looking for a good deal.

Horizon vs NordicTrack Consoles

The consoles are where these treadmill brands really differ, too. Horizon Treadmills have simple consoles with LED and/or LCD screens, while all of NordicTrack’s treadmills come with touchscreens of different sizes.

Horizon Consoles

Horizon’s treadmill consoles have a bit of an “old school” feel to them. The screens are smaller to track your workout metrics and they have buttons to select from the different workout programs. They have good functionality though and come with numbered quick-adjusting buttons to hop back and forth between different speeds and inclines. They also each have roller adjustment knobs that make getting to specific increments really quick and easy.

For treadmills with less tech than NordicTrack’s, Horizon does a good job of making them intuitive and pretty easy to use.

It is nice that all of Horizon’s treadmills come with attached device racks so you can stream content from your device. This is great since there isn’t any subscription content available to stream directly from the treadmills. Along with this, each model comes with pulse grips, speakers, and fans. Some of the speakers and fans on certain models aren’t very powerful though so you might need to use your own.

NordicTrack Consoles

NordicTrack’s treadmills include treadmills that range from 7” up to 32” depending on the model. This allows you to stream iFit’s content directly from each treadmill. The touch screen is also where you can adjust the treadmill, use other features, and see your workout metrics. The layout of every NordicTrack Treadmill is really streamlined and intuitive to use. There aren’t many adjustment buttons, but the ones that are included make adjusting the treadmills really easy.

The numbered quick-adjusting buttons on these treadmills are on either side of the screen so they’re easy to see and reach.

There isn’t storage beyond 2 cupholders on each treadmill. The entry-level EXP Series has device racks so you can stream from your phone or tablet if you want to, all of the other treadmills don’t have these though. The Commercial Series screens are adjustable to pivot up and down and side to side to utilize iFit off of the treadmills. All of the models come with good speakers and fans, except the EXP 7i which doesn’t include a fan.

Construction Quality & Durability

As far as construction and quality, Horizon and NordicTrack make quality treadmills from their premium models to their entry-level models. Both brands include a pretty wide variety of treadmills to choose from. Horizon Treadmills overall are a bit more budget-friendly, especially the lower-end models. All of NordicTrack’s models include the same tech features on each model no matter the price.

Horizon vs NordicTrack Frames

Both brands of treadmills have steel frames. NordicTrack’s are a bit sleeker in comparison but we’ve found both brands to be really stable and solid. All of Horizon’s treadmills fold up. They each have a folding deck that folds up using a lift assist so you don’t have to lift the entire weights of the decks.

They lock into place and slowly lower to the floor when unlocked.

NordicTrack’s Commercial Series and EXP Series of treadmills feature folding decks.

These also have a lift assist that helps to lift the deck to fold it up and each deck slowly lowers when unlocked. The Incline Trainers are the only non-folding treadmills from NordicTrack. They’re also much larger and heavier than other treadmills from both NordicTrack and Horizon. So, make sure you have a designated space for the NordicTrack X22i and X32i.

Horizon vs NordicTrack Motors

Motors on Horizon and NordicTrack Treadmills are quiet and appropriate for most home spaces – at least ones that are appropriate for treadmills. Just like the models in each of their lineups, the motor sizes vary from treadmill to treadmill. Horizon’s treadmills range from 2.5 to 4.0 HP. Typically, we recommend treadmills with at least 3.0 HP for running. Under 3.0 is best for walking and jogging, while 3.5 to 4.0 HP is good for distance running. The entry-level Horizon T101 has a 2.5 HP motor that is best for primarily walking and some jogging. The premium Horizon 7.8 AT has a 4.0 HP motor that’s the most powerful in the brand’s lineup and we love this treadmill for running.

NordicTrack’s motor sizes range from 2.6 HP up to 4.25 HP. The entry-level EXP 7i has a 2.6 HP motor that’s best for mainly walking and jogging, while the premium NordicTrack X32i has a 4.25 HP motor that’s great for a lot of use. The budget lineup of EXP treadmills is best for lighter to moderate use that consists of walking and jogging, while the entire Commercial Series consisting of the 1250, 1750, and 2450, are all great for running.

NordicTrack and Horizon Treadmills go up to 10 and 12 mph, depending on the model. This speed range is pretty standard for most home treadmills. Horizon Treadmills only incline with a range from 10 to 15%.

The T101 inclines up to 10% (as seen here), while the Horizon T202 and T303 incline up to 12%.

All of the treadmills in the Studio Series consisting of the 7.0, 7.4, and 7.8 AT Treadmills incline up to 15%.

Most of NordicTrack’s treadmills incline and decline. The premium Incline Trainers (X32i and X22i) incline all the way up to 40%.

This is the highest incline range we’ve seen on treadmills.

These models decline to -6%, too. The Commercial Series (1250, 1750, and 2450) incline up to 12% and decline to -3% for great training options, too. The EXP Series incline only at up to 12%.

Horizon vs NordicTrack Decks

Horizon and NordicTrack’s treadmills have similar-sized decks. Every model supports all walking strides and jogging for most. The cheaper treadmills from each brand have smaller decks, just as they have smaller motors. The Horizon T101 and NordicTrack EXP Treadmills have 20” wide and 55” long decks. We recommend 60” long decks for running because this length supports pretty much all stride lengths. The 55” long decks on these treadmills are better for walking and jogging. Some people with shorter strides might be able to run on them too, though.

All of the other models from each brand have at least 60” long decks. All of Horizon’s treadmills have 60” long by 20” wide decks, except the Horizon 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT high-end models that have 22” wide and 60” long decks. The NordicTrack 1750, 2450, and 1250 have 20” wide and 60” long decks while the NordicTrack X22i has a 22” wide and 60” long deck. The X32 is by far the largest treadmill with a 22” wide and 65” long deck. Both Incline Trainers have large decks to support all strides, workout activities, and the full 40% incline comfortably.

As far as step-up heights, most of NordicTrack’s and all of Horizon’s have pretty low profiles of around 9-10” high. This makes these treadmills appropriate for most ceiling heights. The NordicTrack X32i and X22i have tall 15” step-up heights though. This paired with their high inclining decks requires them to be used in homes and gyms with higher ceilings.

Performance & Functionality

We recommend both brands of treadmills because they make high-quality equipment that performs well with great functionality and training options. The type of user we recommend each brand to differs a little bit because of what the treadmills from each offer. Horizon Treadmills have less tech on the consoles. They don’t have touch screens or the option to stream content directly from the treadmills, aside from the standard onboard workout programs. This makes them great for folks who want to hop on and go. Being Bluetooth-enabled to pair to your own device for streaming content is about as fancy as these treadmills get.

In our testing, we have found Horizon Treadmills to be very quick to adjust the speed and incline settings. This makes them ideal for interval training and HIIT workouts. These treadmills are also priced a little lower on average than NordicTrack Treadmills in comparison.

NordicTrack Treadmills have much more tech features integrated into each machine.

The features of using iFit are impressive and we appreciate being able to have access to the same features on all of NordicTrack’s models, no matter their class and price. As far as training options, NordicTrack’s treadmills vary more in the incline range and many of the models also decline which can really add a lot of value and variety to your training. The motors also adjust fairly quickly, but Horizon has a slight edge here.

Horizon’s treadmills also have higher weight limits ranging from 300 lbs up to 375 lbs from the lowest to highest-end models. All of NordicTrack’s treadmills have 300 lb weight limits. So, if you need a treadmill with a heavier limit you might want to consider the Horizon 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT Treadmills.

The deck cushioning is also where they differ a little bit.

Both brands include nice shock-absorbing cushioning, however, NordicTrack’s treadmills have more forgiving cushioning. The Incline Trainers have the softest cushioning, but even the entry-level models have more shock absorption than other models in their class from other brands. This makes all NordicTrack Treadmills great for people who have joint issues and sensitivity while running. Horizon’s treadmills are also well-cushioned but they have a slightly firmer feel underfoot, overall.

Since all of Horizon’s treadmills fold up, they’re a little bit easier to move as a whole. The largest treadmills which are the 7.8 AT and 7.4 AT are the heaviest so they’re a little harder to move. All of Horizon’s have two transportation wheels so you have to tip back the treadmills when folded to engage the wheels. Most of NordicTrack’s treadmills fold up and are relatively easy to move the same way as Horizon’s. It is just the NordicTrack Incline Trainers that weigh over 400 lbs (in the box) and don’t fold up, making them difficult to move. These models have two front transport wheels in case you need to move them though.

Warranties

We really like Horizon’s warranties. All of their treadmills come with lifetime frame and motor warranties. The parts and labor warranties range from 1-5 years depending on the model. All of NordicTrack’s treadmills come with standard 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year warranties.