The Best Treadmills Under $500, According to Personal Trainers
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A treadmill is the perfect device for reluctant runners prone to making excuses about the weather (too hot, too cold, too rainy, too nice, etc.) or the gym (too far, too busy, too expensive, too full of people recording their workouts for TikTok). And the growing treadmill market is big enough that there are lots of options at the less expensive end of the spectrum.
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But treadmills are also big, heavy, and technologically complicated — all of which makes them expensive. It’s easy to spend thousands on one, which is part of the reason why sub-$500 models are exciting. While there are some lemons out there in that price range, there are others that have earned their rightful place in home gyms.
The best treadmills under $500 are relatively small, lightweight machines that do what most people need a treadmill to do.
What the Experts Say
For this story, SPY spoke with Andrew White, a certified personal trainer and the co-founder of Garage Gym Pro; Caroline Grainger, an ISSA-certified personal trainer at FitnessTrainer.com; USATF-certified running coach William Baldwin; and Erik Brown, a UESCA-certified running coach and ACE trainer at Treadmill Express Plus, to help sort through the best treadmills under $500 available now.
Our sources say that there are treadmills that are worth buying at this low price point. “Finding a quality treadmill under $500 is a challenge, but not impossible,” says White. “It’s all about knowing what features and quality aspects are non-negotiable, even at this price point.”
First, it’s important to set expectations for the price range. Baldwin, for example, normally recommends models that cost between $4,000 and $10,000. Getting one for less than $500 means accepting that it won’t be able to do everything a high-end model can do. “Because the motor and structural materials are the most expensive part of a treadmill, low-cost treadmills tend to have weaker motors, smaller running beds, and lower weight limits,” Grainger explains.
For this reason, budget treadmills aren’t right for everyone, but if a lighter-weight treadmill fits your needs, our experts agree for the most part on what to look for. “Focus on the essentials: motor, frame, belt size, and cushioning,” White says.
In particular, White recommends a motor with 1.5 continuous horsepower as the bare minimum. Brown recommends 2.0 HP and adds that “the best-quality [treadmills] in the sub-$500 range have 2.5 CHP motors from reputed brands.”
Motors at this level won’t go as fast as beefier options, though. “It’s rare to see a treadmill that retails for under $500 that goes faster than 10 mph,” Baldwin said. “Some will go to 9 mp but most will go to 6 mph, which is a pace of 10 minutes per mile.”
The experts also agree that cushioning was important for both durability and impact absorption, the latter of which affects comfort and prevents injuries. Brown recommends looking for a multi-layer tread belt at least 1.2 mm thick for rigid models, in addition to flexible but tough 1.0 mm-thick belts for folding models.
The belt should also be big enough to use comfortably and safely, as models that are too small can limit physical movements. White says a platform at least 16 inches wide and 48 inches long is the minimum size to consider.
Of course, a safe treadmill is the only one worth buying, no matter the price. “Essential safety traits like an auto-stop in case of falls, an emergency stop clip, and speed and incline controls are must-haves,” according to Brown, along with a belt that’s big enough for safe operation.
Last but not least, there’s the warranty. With lots of, well, cheaper models, it’s important to have some kind of guarantee. “At this price, you might not find extensive warranties,” White says, “but look for at least six months to a year of coverage to protect your investment.”
BEST OVERALL
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603
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The most common recommendation from the experts was this feature-packed, spacious model from Sunny Health & Fitness. It’s a brand Baldwin calls “one of the best companies I’ve seen for treadmills at this price point.” White agrees, calling Sunny “well-regarded” in the budget category and this model “a solid choice for beginners or those primarily interested in walking and light jogging.”
Grainger agrees. “It has all of the basic features you want in a treadmill in a package that’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and easy to store,” he says. “Those features include a heart monitor, manual incline, an emergency stop clip, nine programs, and a simple but effective digital monitor screen. It weighs a tick over 103 pounds — by comparison, the Peloton Tread+ clocks in at 455 pounds — and has wheels that make it easy to roll into storage when not in use.
Given this feature set and ample 2.2 HP motor, the $426 price point feels just about right when compared to the market as a whole and models in the budget category.
BEST VALUE
Merax Electric Folding Treadmill
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White calls the Merax an “excellent option for those on a tight budget” because it does the fundamentals surprisingly well for the money.
The Merax comes with a 2.5-HP motor, which White calls “relatively powerful for its class.” A survey of the competition proves him right, and it’s remarkable how the most expensive and most important component of this treadmill is powerful but not pricey. Another cool feature? The walking pad is designed to feel like grass, for workouts with a pastoral edge.
A $270 treadmill should come with a lot more compromises than this one has. It’s not for serious training, but it’s a great value for most walkers and joggers.
BEST FOR TRACKING STATS
SereneLife SLFTRD18
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It’s understandable that most treadmills in this category skimp on tech bells and whistles, but that also makes it refreshing when there’s one that’s a bit closer to state of the art.
Brown likes the “wide deck surface coupled with sufficient motor torque” on this made-in-California treadmill, from a brand he calls “a rising name in the budget treadmill niche market.” It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a companion app loaded with programs that also allows for stat tracking and synchronization with Apple HealthKit.
The $260 price tag is still squarely in the bargain range, making this model the obvious choice for the tech-minded runner on a budget.
BEST FOR REAL RUNNING
Xterra Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
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Compared to jogging, treadmill running requires a larger pad and faster speed than many of the options under $500. The TR150 is an exception.
Brown calls Xterra a “reputed brand,” and certified strength and conditioning specialist Reda Elmardi of Activbuilt highlights the “spacious running surface” as the biggest draw of this particular model. Its surface is 16 by 50 inches, which is big enough to accommodate a variety of strides. It also has a top speed of 10 mph, which is meaningfully more than the 7.5 mph that’s typical of treadmills at this price point.
The TR150 offers a more robust running experience for $315, a price comparable to smaller, slower models.
BEST UNDER-DESK
FYC Under Desk Treadmill
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Under-desk treadmills are a good way for the otherwise sedentary to burn some calories while working, and this model is versatile enough for fitness-focused sessions, too.
Andrew Nasr, an orthopedic and sports physical therapist at Rudis, says that he’s had good experiences with this model, which has a beefy 3.5-HP motor, a svelte display panel that’s easy to store, and a remote control that allows adjustments while the bar is folded down so the treadmill can slide under a standing desk. And along with multitaskers, those recovering from injuries will appreciate it. Nasr says “it provides a gentle way to regain cardiovascular fitness and rebuild muscular endurance in the legs.”
The $360 price tag is a bit higher than some of the competition, but the 2-in-1 aspect of this treadmill (a walking pad for under-desk use and a running treadmill when the handrail is up) means it’s worth the additional cash.
Frequently Asked Questions About Treadmills Under $500
Is a treadmill under $500 a good idea for someone just getting into fitness?
It is! “Many of my clients have started their fitness journeys with budget treadmills,” says White. “The key is consistency and gradually progressing in your workouts. Even a less expensive treadmill can be a gateway to a healthier lifestyle.”
What do you give up when opting for a treadmill this cheap?
Treadmills in this level tend to be lighter, smaller, and slower than their counterparts at the other end of the spectrum. Those looking for a treadmill for intense running or serious training will have to spend more to get what they need.
Are there any treadmills I definitely shouldn’t buy?
Anything with a sub-1.5 HP motor or so small it’s uncomfortable pad can be eliminated quickly. And at these low prices, beware of shoddy options that don’t offer any kind of warranty — if the manufacturer won’t stand behind their product, you shouldn’t stand (or run) on it.
Why shouldn’t I just run outside? It’s free after all.
Cheap is almost as good as free, and a cheap treadmill means you won’t miss a workout the next time the entire eastern seaboard is blanketed in an unpleasant orange haze (or it rains).
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