The Best Treadmills of 2023 – CNET

The Best Treadmills of 2023 - CNET

$2,800 at Nordictrack

Nordictrack commercial 2450 in CNET lab
NordicTrack Commercial 2450
Best overall treadmill
$2,000 at Bowflex

Bowflex Treadmill 10 in CNET lab
Bowflex Treadmill 10
Best heavy duty treadmill
$1,300 at Amazon

stride-lifestyle-treadmill-only-02
Echelon Stride
Best compact treadmill

$1,300 at Amazon

Price alerts on for Echelon Stride

$999 at Horizonfitness

The Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill in the CNET lab
Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill
Best budget treadmill
$3,495 at Onepeloton

peloton tread against gray backdrop
Peloton Tread
Best treadmill splurge

As someone who doesn’t particularly love outdoor running in the colder months, a treadmill fulfills my desire to run without dealing with the winter elements. Whether you’re a runner or simply enjoy walking, a treadmill is a helpful piece of exercise equipment to get some steps in the comfort of your home. 

A well-rounded workout routine includes a form of cardio, and a treadmill is a guaranteed way to get some cardio in. The treadmills available for home use have also become more technologically advanced than what you traditionally find at the gym. They vary based on whether they have a touchscreen, which workout programs are offered or even how practical the design of the treadmill is.

We tested different types of treadmills on the market to determine which are worth buying, who they are best for and what to consider before making a purchase. Take a look at our top picks below.

Best treadmills for 2023, compared

Treadmill Maximum speed Maximum incline Maximum user weight Price
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 12 mph 15% 300 pounds $2,799
Bowflex Treadmill 10 12 mph 15% 400 pounds $2,000
Echelon Stride 12 mph 10% 300 pounds $1,300
Horizon 7.0 AT 12 mph 15% 325 pounds $999
Peloton Tread 12.5 mph 12.5% 300 pounds $3,495

Read more: How to Beat Boredom on the Treadmill

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The Nordictrack Commercial 2450 is a treadmill that offers some fun features that anyone can enjoy.

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The Nordictrack Commercial 2450 is a treadmill that offers some fun features that anyone can enjoy.

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The Nordictrack Commercial 2450 is a treadmill that offers some fun features that anyone can enjoy.

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The Nordictrack Commercial 2450 is a treadmill that offers some fun features that anyone can enjoy.

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Nordictrack commercial 2450 in CNET lab

Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNET

NordicTrack has a reputation for being one of the leading brands in treadmills so it’s no surprise that our top overall pick is the NordicTrack Commercial 2450, NordicTrack’s newest addition to its commercial treadmill series. This treadmill is all black with a sleek design that would look good in a home gym space.

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The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is ideal for users of all weights, heights and sizes.

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The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is ideal for users of all weights, heights and sizes.

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The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is ideal for users of all weights, heights and sizes.

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The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is ideal for users of all weights, heights and sizes.

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Bowflex Treadmill 10 in CNET lab

Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNET

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is ideal for those looking for a heavy-duty treadmill. It has the highest weight capacity of all the treadmills on this list at 400 pounds — most cap out at around 300 pounds. It’s also the biggest one on the list, measuring 85 inches long by 39.6 inches wide and 65.3 inches tall. According to our technician, assembly took about three and a half hours and can be tedious because of the different pieces you have to install. Bowflex does offer shipping with assembly included for an additional $349.

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The Echelon Stride is the ideal treadmill if you have limited space in your home.

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The Echelon Stride is the ideal treadmill if you have limited space in your home.

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The Echelon Stride is the ideal treadmill if you have limited space in your home.

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stride-lifestyle-treadmill-only-02

Echelon

This compact but mighty treadmill is our top pick for small spaces. Unlike the rest of the treadmills on this list, the Echelon Stride was made with limited space in mind. It has an all black exterior and looks sleek so it will blend into any room. It only took our technician 15 minutes to set up, so it should be easy to assemble without taking up much of your time. This treadmill is best for someone on the shorter side since the spacing between the arms and treadmill feels more narrow compared to the Bowflex and NordicTrack treadmills. The belt is also shorter, measuring only 55 inches long. It has a 300-pound weight capacity, which is impressive considering its size. It could pass for a walking treadmill because of how slim it is, but during testing I was able to comfortably walk and run on it. The speed goes from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour and has a max 10% incline. The speed capabilities are in line with the bigger treadmills, however, the incline is not as high, and the Echelon Stride doesn’t have a decline option.

You’re receiving price alerts for Echelon Stride

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The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is the most affordable treadmill on this list.

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The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is the most affordable treadmill on this list.

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The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is the most affordable treadmill on this list.

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The Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill is the most affordable treadmill on this list.

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The Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill in the CNET lab

Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNET

The Horizon 7.0 AT treadmill looks like a commercial treadmill found at the gym without the bells and whistles. It’s also fairly priced and the only treadmill on this list under $1,000. This treadmill took our technician two hours to assemble, but you have the option of white glove delivery and assembly for an additional $269. You will need to make sure you measure out the space in your home since this treadmill is big, measuring 76.5 inches long and 36 inches wide. It’s not as big as the Bowflex or NordicTrack, but it still takes up space. It does fold up, but similar to some of the other treadmills on this list, you still need to make sure you have enough room to store it upright.

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The Peloton Tread is the ideal treadmill to splurge on if you love doing interval training.&nbsp;

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The Peloton Tread is the ideal treadmill to splurge on if you love doing interval training.&nbsp;

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The Peloton Tread is the ideal treadmill to splurge on if you love doing interval training.&nbsp;

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The Peloton Tread is the ideal treadmill to splurge on if you love doing interval training.&nbsp;

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peloton tread against gray backdrop

Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNET

If you’re familiar with Peloton’s exercise equipment, then you know it all shares the same black sleek exterior with touches of red. The Peloton Tread is no different, but its stand out feature is the 23.8-inch HD touchscreen. This makes it the treadmill with the biggest screen on this list. The Peloton Tread will require plenty of room since it is large and doesn’t fold up. It’s 59 inches long so it can appropriately fit people of all heights, and you can tell by the width and length of the belt that it can comfortably fit someone over 6 feet tall. It has a 300-pound weight capacity. The Peloton Tread can go up to 12.5 miles per hour with one mile per hour increments. It also has a maximum 12.5% incline, but no decline option. Its competitors NordicTrack and Bowflex have the ability to decline, so I was surprised that Peloton’s was lacking there.

Other treadmills we tested 

ProForm Pro 2000: Although ProForm and NordicTrack are manufactured by the same company, I found that the quality of the ProForm did not compare. During testing I was unable to connect my iFit account and the belt did not feel smooth when in use and kept making squeaking sounds — even after our technician adjusted it multiple times. 

Mobvoi Home Treadmill: Putting together this compact treadmill at home wasn’t too complicated, but I noticed some manufacturer defects in the alignment of the handles. Although this didn’t affect the ability to use the treadmill, I found this one was better off used for walking instead of higher-impact activities like running or jogging. While jogging on the treadmill I noticed it made loud thumping noises that can be a nuisance if you live in an apartment. The belt is also narrow, therefore I don’t think it would be an appropriate pick for taller or larger people. 

How we tested 

Design: We looked at the design of the treadmill and what it’s like to use, including screens, buttons, handles and more. We also observed noise volume and feel when in use.

Features: We took stock of each treadmill’s list of features, whether traditional or more advanced, in order to determine who it’d be best suited for. We looked at the max incline and decline settings the treadmill offers. We also looked at the speed ranges provided and if there’s enough variety for both running and walking.

Functionality: We tested each feature to see how well it does what it’s supposed to do. Does the machine lag or not connect the way it should? How does it handle changes in speed or higher-intensity exercise?

Price: We tested treadmills with various price points, from budget models to more expensive and high-end machines.

Size: We considered the size of the treadmill, what type of people it can accommodate and if it’s appropriate for home settings. We also looked at whether it can fold up partially or completely.

Factors to consider 

How to care for your treadmill

If you want your treadmill to last a long time, you’ll need to do some maintenance to keep it in good condition. You will need to clean your treadmill to keep it debris-free with a cleanser that’s appropriate for gym equipment. Sometimes the treadmill manufacturer will sell the best cleanser for their product on their website. Making sure the safety key (usually found on all treadmills) is fully functioning is also important to make sure your treadmill is still safe to use. And according to ProForm, you should check on a monthly basis that the tread belt still has tension and is properly aligned. Usually the instructional manual will include information on how to adjust your treadmill belt. Additionally, inspect the power cord for any potential damage and check that the bolts and screws on your treadmill are still screwed in tight. Over time and use, some of these pieces can come loose so they may need to be tightened up occasionally. 

Another aspect to look at is if the treadmill needs lubrication. When you purchase your treadmill, you’ll notice that your package probably came with a small tube of lubrication. This is to keep the treadmill belt in good condition since the lubrication can dry up over time. According to NordicTrack, if the treadmill isn’t properly lubricated it can affect the way it works by making the belt stick and can even cause it to overheat. For proper instructions on how to lubricate your treadmill, adhere to the instruction manual or call the manufacturer’s customer service number for assistance.

Finally, if you’ve done all the inspections required and notice that your treadmill belt is worse for wear, it may be time to replace it. Make sure you have the model number of your treadmill on hand before reordering a replacement belt. Follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s website or owner manual to make sure that you’re installing it correctly. 

Factors to consider

  • Overall function
    Consider how the treadmill will function in the home setting.
  • Design and size
    Research and decide what look you want your treadmill to have, special features and if you have enough floor space.
  • Incline and decline
    Decide how much incline and decline you’d like the treadmill to have.
  • Range of speeds
    Decide how fast and slow you want the treadmill to go.
  • Price
    Decide how much you’re willing to spend on a treadmill since they come in a wide variety of prices.

Treadmill FAQs

Which is better: A treadmill or elliptical?

This depends on your personal needs and goals. If you’re prone to injuries and need a low-impact option for cardio, the elliptical is a better option. However, if you’re training for a race or not prone to injuries, a treadmill is a good choice.

How do you lubricate a treadmill?

According to NordicTrack, you’ll need to buy a nonsilicone-based treadmill lubricant from the treadmill supplier. Follow its recommended steps to properly lubricate your treadmill.

How much do treadmills cost?

The cost of a treadmill will depend on the type and quality of treadmill you’re looking for. You can find treadmills under $1,000, but they may lack the sturdiness and capacity that a more expensive option provides. If you want a treadmill with special features you can expect to spend upwards of $1,000, with more expensive models ranging anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. 

How long do treadmills last?

Treadmills can last about 10 years or longer if they’re well-maintained and cared for.

Is a treadmill bad for your knees?

Running on a 0% incline or high incline can increase your chances of injuring your knee and shin splints or other issues. According to orthopedic surgeon Kevin D. Plancher, running at lower inclines is safer for the knees. He suggests running at a 1 to 3% incline to prevent unnatural movement patterns that normally occur at a 0% incline setting. This helps relieve pressure from the knees and instead ends up working more of your glutes and hamstrings.

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