When it’s too hot, cold, wet, or icey to jog outdoors (or you just don’t feel like interacting with the outside world), an at-home treadmill can help you keep up with your walking or running routine. Not only does a good tread give you options to fit in some cardio, it can also make it easier to add variety to your schedule (hello recovery walks, HIIT workouts, and hill runs). With so many machines on the market, we asked experts in the running industry what they consider the best treadmills for at-home use and how to find the right one for you and your fitness goals.
Our top picks
- Best All-Around: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
- Runner-Up: ProForm Pro 2000 Smart Treadmill
- Best Budget: Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill
- Best for Everyday Runs: Sole 580 Treadmill
- Best for Walking: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 Treadmill
- Best for Classes: Peloton Tread Smart Treadmill
- Best Under-Desk Treadmill: Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation Slim Treadmill
How to find a treadmill that works for you
Although you can certainly find a more budget-friendly treadmill, this piece of equipment is generally a significant investment for your home gym. You can get a better idea of how much it makes sense to spend and what additional features you really need based on how you plan to use it, Adrian Richardson, a NSCA-certified personal trainer and coach for Fitbit, tells SELF.
If you just want a solid cardio machine, look for models with a max speed and incline range that suit your goals, Louis Serafini, a running coach and community director at Tracksmith, tells SELF. For reference, a brisk walking pace is about three miles per hour, while an eight-minute mile would be about 7.5 mph. Serafini adds that an easy-to-use interface and space-saving design—like a smaller footprint or foldable construction—can be helpful too. You should be able to find one that checks these essential boxes without costing a small fortune, he says.
On the other hand, for people who prefer more high-tech features, there are pricier models that offer additional bells and whistles—like WiFi- and Bluetooth-connectivity, large display screens, access to on-demand, live, and even interactive exercise classes, or trackers for health metrics.
Whether you opt for a bare-bones or high-end tread, make sure its specs allow you to move freely while you’re running. It should have a long enough belt to accommodate your stride, and a suitable user weight capacity. The former should be at least 55 inches in length, while the latter usually ranges between 200 and 300 pounds, depending on the model (some higher-durability ones can have a maximum weight of 500 pounds).
The best treadmills
Check out our roundup of expert-recommended treadmills below, with picks for all types of runners and walkers. And if you want to read more about what to look for when shopping for a new treadmill, take a look at our extensive buying guide here.
