Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Treadmill Comparison

Recommendation:

Horizon and Sole manufacture some of the best treadmills on the market. We’ve been testing models from both brands for years, and we recommend them for different reasons. Horizon’s treadmills have quick-adjusting motors. The Horizon 7.4 AT is made for HIIT training. Not only is the 3.5 HP motor ideal for heavy training, but it also adjusts quickly between the speed and incline levels. The blue roller dials and Sprint 8 workout programming pair well with the motor for interval training, too.

The Sole F80 is best for all-around training. The 3.5 HP motor adjusts more slowly than the Horizon, but it handles long-distance training as well as multiple users. If you’re looking for plenty of workout and streaming options, then the F80 is a good choice because it’s equipped with trainer-led workout videos, standard workout programs, and streaming apps like Netflix. You can also screen mirror content from your phone on the 10” touch screen.

Both of these midrange treadmills fold up and are quiet to work in most home spaces. We recommend both for home use, but it depends on what you prefer and what your goals are when determining if the Sole F80 or Horizon 7.4 AT is the better option for you.

In-Depth Comparison of the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmills

Dimensions/Storability

The Horizon 7.4 AT and Sole F80 are similar in size. The 7.4 AT is 76” L x 37” W x 63” H. The F80 is pretty much the same size, but a little longer in length. Its dimensions are 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H. These are the dimensions of each treadmill when the decks are unfolded. Both decks fold up which helps to cut down on the overall floor space they occupy. To fold each, lift the back end of the deck and push it up towards the console. The decks lock into place when folded.

To unfold the Horizon 7.4 AT, you’ll press your foot against the bar at the bottom of the deck. It folds and unfolds the same as the 7.8 AT, that’s pictured here.

The F80 has a yellow handle at the top of the deck to pull, instead. Once unlocked, both decks slowly lower to the floor on their own. You also get assistance in the decks when folding the decks up so you don’t have to lift their entire weight. This means that most people should be able to fold and unfold these treadmills.

Keep in mind that although they fold, they’re both pretty heavy at over 250 lbs each. It’s best to keep the 7.4 AT and F80 in a designated area where you plan on using them. When needed, they can be moved.

The Sole F80 has 4 transport wheels, so with the deck folded up, you can push it around.

The 7.4 AT is more challenging to move because it has 2 transport wheels. This means it requires being tipped back while folded to move it.

With any treadmill, we recommend factoring in the overall dimensions for floor space, as well as the ceiling height to ensure you can properly use it. For instance, if you’re a 6-foot tall runner, we recommend having an 8.5-foot tall ceiling height at a minimum to safely use the 7.4 AT and the F80.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Content

The content that comes included on a treadmill might not seem like a big factor, but it can significantly influence how often you use the treadmill. If you don’t enjoy the content or don’t find it to match your goals, you might not want to use the treadmill. When using a treadmill, the content can majorly impact the overall workout experience.

Here is what to expect from the content on these two treadmills.

Sole F80 Content

Out of the two, the Sole F80 comes with more content options and tech integration. The touch screen includes workout videos from the Sole+ App directly on the treadmill for streaming. There are several of these workouts which are all led by instructors and filmed in indoor studio settings. The quality of these workouts isn’t quite to the same level as other workout video platforms like iFIT and Peloton, but they’re free. This means you don’t need to pay an additional subscription fee to access them.

The F80 also comes with standard workout programs like hill, fat burn, 5k, and 10k. There is also a manual mode to do your own thing, as well as fitness tests to test your fitness level.

Along with these workout options, you can stream apps like Netflix and YouTube directly from the screen.

There are 12 included apps in total. These include Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Max, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, CNN, ESPN, Audible, and Kinomap. What’s nice about these apps is that you just need to log into your account for each of them to stream. There isn’t an additional subscription fee required to unlock them.

What’s more, is that if all of this isn’t enough, you can screen mirror content from your phone on the F80’s touch screen. So, if you want to take workouts from iFIT or Peloton, or stream from other apps, you can.

Overall, the Sole F80 has a lot of entertainment options to keep you from getting bored while you run or walk.

Horizon 7.4 AT Content

The Horizon 7.4 AT is a little more old-school, just like the 7.8 AT, here.

It doesn’t have a touch screen and streaming from 3rd party apps isn’t possible on the treadmill. Its design and content are more similar to using a commercial treadmill at your local gym.

Like the F80, the Horizon 7.4 AT includes standard workout programs like 5k, calorie, custom, distance, hill climb, as well as a manual mode. Sprint 8 is also built into the console to be included on the 7.4 AT. Sprint 8 is an interval training program with 20 levels of difficulty to choose from.

For entertainment, you can use training apps like Zwift and Peloton by streaming them from your phone or tablet. The 7.4 AT has a device rack to hold your device. You could also just park it in front of your TV if you want to watch something while you workout.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Console

Along with the varying content, the consoles vary, too. Some people like having touch screens that function like tablets on fitness equipment, while others prefer tactile buttons and a simpler design. Let’s break down the features of each treadmill’s console.

Sole F80 Console

The Sole F80 uses more technology features than the Horizon. For starters, the F80 has a 10.1” touch screen at the center of the console. It’s clear and easy to see while running. The screen doesn’t adjust, however, so it can be a little challenging to navigate while running. It isn’t the largest screen on a treadmill either, so keep this in mind. You might want to look into the Sole F85 or F89 if you prefer a larger touch screen.

To adjust the F80, there are numbered adjustment buttons on either side of the screen.

The right side adjusts the speed and the left adjusts the incline. I like having these buttons by the screen. They do skip some key levels like 6 mph, though. In order to adjust to more specific speeds and inclines, you have to use the switch buttons on the front handle.

The speakers below the touch screen project at you. They also offer a nice range of volume, so you can hear the workout videos and streaming apps well. They’re Bluetooth-enabled to pair with your headphones, as well as your device to play your own content through them. One thing to keep in mind is that you can only adjust the volume level of the speakers on the touch screen using the small icon on the top left of the screen. This is hard to do while running. We wish there was a physical volume button on the console.

There is a button for the fan on the console. Unfortunately, the air from the vents tends to point to the sides of the F80, rather than at you while using it. I recommend plugging in your own fan when using the Sole F80, to cool off.

Even with all of the content options to stream directly from the touch screen, there is a device rack at the very top of the console to place your phone or tablet on. It’s adjustable to fit different-sized devices. There is also a wireless charging pad below the touch screen. This works with compatible phones. I also like placing my phone here so it’s within reach. It is also handy when I’m screen mirroring content from my phone.

The two cupholders are shallow but hold a standard water bottle. There are also two smaller pockets for items like keys or earbuds. The layout overall has everything you need.

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Horizon 7.4 AT Console

The Horizon 7.4 AT console is functional but a little less streamlined than the F80. It has the same layout as Horizon 7.8 AT, which we have found to feel a little dated compared to other treadmills but, but still easy to use. It has an 8.25” LCD screen and LED windows to display your workout metrics and the treadmill’s workout programs. They’re backlit to be easy to see, even in lower lighting.

The 7.4 AT also has numbered adjustment buttons in the same spots as the 7.8 AT.

These are to the right and left sides of the console. They function the same as the Sole F80’s, but more metrics are included. You can use the black tactical buttons on the middle of the console to adjust to specific speed and incline levels. The blue roller adjustment dials also adjust to specific levels. These adjust quickly, you just roll them forward and backward. I prefer using the roller dials when adjusting Horizon’s Studio Series treadmills. They’re especially helpful for interval training, which is where this treadmill shines.

The 7.4 AT’s speakers are Bluetooth-compatible, so you can connect your device to play your own content through them. We anticipate that the volume range offered is plenty.

The fan looks to be the same as the Horizon 7.8 AT. On the 7.8 AT, it is positioned a little low for tall folks. The airflow isn’t that great either. You might want to use your own fan when using this treadmill, too.

For storage, there are two large pockets for your water. These hold other items, too. There are two device racks, as well. One is fixed above the screen, and the other is below it. I like using the lower device rack for your phone when I’m running on the 7.8 AT. With all of this storage, you can place pretty much anything you need, nearby. It’s nice to have the option to stream content directly from your device or to place the 7.4 AT in front of your TV.

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Build Quality

Now ‘dissect the overall build quality of each treadmill. The Sole F80 and Horizon 7.4 AT are midrange models with features similar if not the same as their premium versions. The F80 has a lot of the same construction as the Sole F85 and the 7.4 AT has some of the same features and construction as the Horizon 7.8 AT.

Both have good weight limits of 350 lbs. This means that they can handle weight up to that limit. Typically, treadmills with heavy weight limits, like these, have solid constructions. That is the case for the Sole F80. We assume the 7.4 AT is too, because we’ve spent a lot of time on the 7.8 AT, which is a very stable treadmill to use.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Frame

The overall design of the Sole F80 is sleeker than the 7.4 AT.

They both have steel frames that support the front part of the decks. From the steel frames on the floor, two steel uprights connect and extend up to hold the consoles and handles in place. The 7.4 AT also has a steel crossbar mounted between the uprights under the console. This helps to provide extra stability to the machine.

You shouldn’t experience any shaking while running on the 7.4 AT. We don’t experience any when running on the 7.8 AT.

Even though the F80 doesn’t have a crossbar, it doesn’t need one. The “Z-shaped” design, as Sole refers to it, has been proven to be just as stable in our testing.

Both treadmills have side handles that extend on the sides of the deck. These are within reach for balance. I prefer the front handle on the F80. It is one continuous horizontal piece that extends to either side of the treadmill. Pulse grips are built into it so that you can hold it to read your heart rate on the screen. You can also pair your Garmin Watch for more accurate heart rate tracking.

The 7.4 AT has pulse grips, too. These are built into the front handles that have the blue roller adjustment dials. The 7.4 AT also comes with a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate while using this treadmill.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Motor

Both of these treadmills have 3.5 HP motors. In our experience, 3.5-4.0 HP motors perform the best during heavy training. We consider heavy training to be 10+ miles of running per day, or use multiple times per day by different users. This means that both the Horizon 7.4 AT and the Sole F80 are great for those looking to log a lot of miles, for instance, training for a half marathon or marathon, and homes with multiple users.

In our testing, the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT have some of the quietest motors. They’re nondisruptive and great for most homes. We anticipate the 7.4 AT is just as quiet, especially considering the entry-level 7.0 AT is very quiet, too.

These treadmills have 12 mph max speeds. This is a 5-minute running pace, so it is plenty of speed for most. 12 mph is a standard max speed found on most home treadmills. They both incline, too. The Horizon offers a 15% incline and the F80 has 15 levels of incline.

When we measured the 7.8 AT’s 15% incline, it measured at 14.8%.

The Sole F80’s highest level of incline measured at 12.1%, in comparison.

This isn’t a huge difference, and you should have plenty of grades to work with on both machines.

The biggest aspect of these treadmills’ motors that differ, is the time they take to get up to speed. Horizon has some of the fastest adjusting motors that we’ve tested. The Horizon 7.8 AT takes just 19 seconds to go from 1 mph up to 12 mph. The Sole F80 takes around 40 seconds to go from 1 mph up to 12 mph. This means that the Horizon is better for interval training. You might want to just hop on the F80’s side rails during your rest intervals, rather than waiting for the motor to change the speed.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs Sole F80 Deck

The Sole F80 treadmill and Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill are ideal for most people. They have 22” wide and 60” long decks that support all running stride lengths. This is the largest deck size we’ve seen on folding treadmills. This also means that these models aren’t the most compact. They take up more space than comparable models from ProForm and NordicTrack.

These treadmills differ slightly in the deck cushioning. The cushioning is the amount of shock absorption on the deck. So, when each foot lands while running the impact is absorbed by the treadmills’ shocks. Some treadmills have more cushioning than others.

Horizon, in comparison, has softer deck cushioning than Sole treadmills.

Sole treadmills feel firmer to run on.

This isn’t great if you have joint issues or experience discomfort in your legs while running. It is ideal if you are looking for a treadmill that feels similar to running outdoors. Concrete outside doesn’t offer any shock absorption, so when you run on the F80 you can get a similar feel underfoot without experiencing as much impact on your joints as running outside.

The 7.4 AT has 3-zone cushioning. This means there are 3 different zones of cushioning in the deck to support your stride underfoot. You most likely won’t notice this while running on the 7.4 AT. We don’t really notice it on the 7.8 AT, however, this premium treadmill feels comfortable underfoot. The 7.4 AT should feel about the same to run on. The Horizon is the better option if you are concerned about deck cushioning and want a softer surface to run on.

Warranty

We really appreciate Horizon and Sole’s warranties. Each brand includes a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor for each treadmill. This coverage helps to instill confidence in the overall construction of both the Horizon 7.4 AT and the Sole F80. For set up, we recommend having at least 2 people, because these are large and heavy treadmills.

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BottomLine/Recommendation

Overall, the Horizon 7.4 AT, and Sole F80 are some of the best treadmills out there. We really enjoy using models from both of these brands. You can’t go wrong with either treadmill, but one will ultimately work better for you than the other. The Horizon 7.4 AT is designed for HIIT training. It has a quick-adjusting motor, roller adjustment dials, and Sprint 8 programming all packed into a functional design. The Sole F80 is more for all-around training and for those who want a lot of content options. The 10” touch screen is equipped with guided workout videos and streaming from apps like Netflix.

Both treadmills are made to handle a lot of use and they fold up to save space when you’re not using them. While we can’t quite pick a clear winner here because each treadmill has something different and convenient to offer, which is the right treadmill for you? Let us know in the comments.

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