Best Treadmills, 2024 — See Our Top Picks

What to Consider when Buying a Treadmill

Finding the best treadmill for your needs is a challenge. Most people assume finding a treadmill is easy, but this is far from the truth. To make this task of yours easier, our Treadmill Review Guru team has provided the main factors that one should consider while buying a treadmill below:

Do You Want to Run, Jog, Sprint, Cross-train, Or Do All 4?

We regularly see consumers purchase cheap treadmills, thinking they can sprint on them because a random Amazon review said so. Don’t fall for that trap – identify your needs and go from there. That’s why we’ve broken our treadmills into needs-based categories below.

Remember, budget treadmills are for walking, jogging, and light use – not training for your upcoming marathon.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Now that you know what your treadmill wants and needs are, the next step is to set your budget. But how much does a treadmill cost?

It’s easy to get carried away, but it’s also easy to not spend enough. What do we mean by that? Purchasing a more affordable treadmill that doesn’t match your intended training style will be a waste of money when you don’t (or can’t) use it. If you overspend, then you will create even more stress. That stress could be a detriment to your health.

Where Is the Treadmill Going to Go?

If you have a dedicated area and can leave the tread platform down 100% of the time, we recommend looking at a non-folding option, like the NordicTrack incline trainers. However, if you need to keep your treadmill in a small space or just like the idea of not having a 3’ x 6’ area dedicated to it, then a folding compact treadmill is your best bet.

Now that you have answered those initial questions, below are the key features to consider before purchasing your treadmill:

Running Surface Area

Running surface area is a feature to prioritize, especially if you are tall and have a long stride. Look for a treadmill with a large deck area (at least 55 inches long and 20 inches wide). The ideal size is 60 inches by 22 inches – many users could benefit from the extra 2” in width.

Motor Size

The more powerful the motor, the longer the treadmill will last and the better it will perform at high speeds. Choosing a treadmill with a better motor could prevent your motor from burning out prematurely. Long-distance runners and multi-user households should prioritize this feature.

Technology

A treadmill is an investment that you want to use routinely to get your money’s worth. Technology such as Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity, large touchscreens, USB ports, heart rate monitoring, enhanced running programs, and other features enhance your workout and push you to train harder.

Construction Quality, Durability, and Warranty

You want to purchase a treadmill that will last a long time. Look for a treadmill with a good weight capacity, which indicates how well-built the machine is. You also want a treadmill that won’t require out-of-pocket replacement parts too soon because it has a good warranty (1-2+ years for parts and honored by the manufacturer).

We recommend purchasing a treadmill online because you deal with the manufacturer directly instead of going through your local sporting goods store’s customer service if you have warranty issues.

Manufactures Quality and History

One of the first things you should consider when buying a treadmill is the manufacturer’s reputation for quality. How long has the company been making treadmills, and what do people say about their products?

Still trying to figure out how to pick the right treadmill? Check out our treadmill buying guide to find out how to choose the right machine.

We have selected the top treadmills of 2024 and ranked them accordingly, keeping all these factors in mind. You can check out our detailed review of every machine, highlighting the pros, cons, and top features. Our top recommended treadmills are generally in the $1,500 to $2,000 range because this price range allows you to get a well-built machine with a powerful performance, high-tech features, and a great warranty.

Still trying to figure out how to pick the right treadmill? Check out our treadmill buying guide to find out how to choose the right machine.

Types of Treadmills

There are two different types of treadmills: manual treadmills and motorized treadmills. The key difference is in the motor. Namely, a manual treadmill doesn’t have one, and motorized treadmills do. (Pretty simple, right?)

Curved Manual Treadmills

Instead of being powered by a motor, the belt on manual treadmills is turned by your movement. This means that manual treadmills can only go as fast as you do.

There are two types of manual treadmills: flat and curved belts. Flat belts are usually only for walking and jogging, while curved belts are for running. Because there’s no motor attached, flat-belt manual treadmills also tend to be smaller and lighter. That means that they take up less space and can be moved from room to room a little easier. Most flat-belt fold up for convenient storage, too. These kinds of manual treadmills are more affordable than motorized versions.

Curved belt manual treadmills, however, can be pretty heavy, are non-folding, and are more expensive than the smaller, flat-belted manual treadmills. Curved belt manual treadmills are best for promoting correct running form and training at higher speeds than most motorized treadmills allow.

Curved, non-motorized treadmills also require more energy output than treadmills with motors, as proven in this study. Therefore, you’ll burn more calories when running on a manual treadmill than on a motorized treadmill.

Flat-belt manual treadmills are used more for walking, and some offer incline options. Curved-belt treadmills don’t have an incline function. Motorized treadmills usually offer more tech options than manual treadmills.