Best Treadmills

The NordicTrack NTL19119 is massive, referring to the model's size, parameters, attributes, everything. The machine has been designed with commercial spaces and applications in mind, so the price and certain details might scare different customers. To begin with, its load capacity pushes 300 pounds, which is huge since that means that people with some considerable excess weight can use the machine too, so they do not have to lose weight before they can start losing weight.

At the same time, this treadmill also weighs ~350 pounds, so not something you want to be lugging between rooms, right? Size-wise, the machine's not very modest either, measuring 79.5 x 39.2 x 66.6 inches, not something that most living rooms can easily accommodate.

What we have here is a workhouse, pretty comfortable at that too. Its deck features considerable cushioning, engaging the dampeners and softening the impact on the joints. But you can also go with an opposite approach, disengaging the dampeners and simulating road-running experience.

Now, most treadmills come equipped with cushioning, even though most cannot let you choose between activating and deactivating it. Most 'mills will also enable you to run uphill, with somewhere between 0 and 10-15% incline options. But very few models have decline grade setting, which's unfortunate because running downhill is pretty important too as you're building different muscles than when running straight and uphill. Here, you can do that, although only between 0 and 3%.

As impressive as the monstrosity we have reviewed above is, even most running enthusiasts will find the machine too much. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515, on the other hand, is right on the money, not offering anything unnecessary but also not limiting most runners, even those who are serious about running.

First things first, the machine lets you run uphill, choosing anywhere between 0 and 12% incline. Because running inclines is an effective resistance training method too, building calves, quads, hamstrings, and glutes, as well as strengthening hip flexors ad Achilles' tendons, treadmills that do not enable hill running will always be lagging behind those that do.

On a less positive note (to some extent), at this moment, the model costs around $650, which is not even approaching the mid-range segment. With that budget models come certain limitations, including the maximum speed capping at 8 MPH. Is that bad? No, 8 MPH is an above-average running speed that will satisfy most runners but, because the machine does not provide anything above that, sprinting will not be an option.

What will be an option though are the 12 onboard workout programs that the machine's shipped with, manipulating time, speed, and incline. You can also select between 3 countdown modes, targeting separate workout goals and focusing on distance, time, or calories burned.

The Goplus Folding Treadmill is an interesting one. To get the ball rolling, the machine weighs around 70 pounds and measures just 49 x 27 x 42 inches, landing among the most compact treadmills. Nevertheless, its weight capacity reaches 265 pounds, which is pretty insane considering that most 'mills can seldom support twice what they weigh themselves and this one almost quadruples that. Plus, adding to the lightweight construction, the transportation wheels make the model quite portable, so moving this one between different rooms will not prove a considerable challenge.

Setting these numbers aside, as the "2-in-1" name suggests, this machine from Goplus lets you choose between 2 sport modes, folding the stand with the handrails and using the model as an under desk treadmill for walking or putting the stand back and using the machine the same way you usually use treadmills.

Its 2.25-HP motor is pretty quiet, reducing vibrations and not producing much noise, so you can even put this 'mill in an office without worrying about disturbing colleagues. However, because the machine is so lightweight, you need to make sure that the surface underneath it is 100% flat. Otherwise, the 'mill might wobble around.

The folding treadmill from Miageek is not much different from the one we have reviewed above. Sure, some specs are different, certain features are not quite alike, but the core principle remains about the same, the principle being that you can choose between using the machine like standard treadmills, elevating the small stand with the handrails and also folding them and hiding the 'mill underneath a standing desk, so you can mix working and working out.

In some ways, this machine is a little less impressive than its contemporary above, weighing five pounds more and peaking at 220 pounds from the maximum weight capacity angle. The last is quite unfortunate, but the model's not without its advantages too.

We can start with an ergonomic remote that lets you choose any speed between 0.4 and 7.5 MPH without reaching for the console, partially because the console is nonexistent here. What you have is this small LED screen on the bottom, displaying time, speed, distance, and calories burned. Even though the screen measures less than 6 inches, the metrics are visible without bending down, the font is large and noticeable, and the backlighting will make these metrics visible even in low-light conditions.

Not necessarily related but the machine comes fully assembled, so you can put this compact 'mill (measuring 49 x 27 x 42 inches) almost anywhere without sacrificing considerable space that most people want to conserve and start running basically straight from the box.

The Merax Folding Treadmill is a little basic/barebones compared to most non-convertible models. No, from certain angles, the machine's pretty good, even impressive at times. But its downsides are no less significant. From where we're standing, most are not that important but the limited maximum speed is something we will not let slide. Capping at 6.5 MPH, the machine will let you run, sure, but we're not talking about serious running, we're talking about something between what running enthusiasts classify as running and jogging.

Again, this is quite unfortunate because everything else here does not disappoint, starting with the anti-slip tread belt and its spacious, 15.7-inch running space. Measuring 15.7 inches wide, the belt lets you stretch out the strides, so you can jog and run feeling comfortable and unrestricted and not like you're walking a tight rope. Meanwhile, the anti-slip treatment features this grass pattern texture that ensures excellent friction, improving the grip and traction as you run.

Even though the maximum speed is somewhat limited, the 'mill still offers 12 pre-installed workout programs, manipulating workout intensity and creating different challenges.