Which Treadmill is Best For Home Use? (Full Guide)

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All treadmills are suitable for home use. They’re all designed to be able to give you a good residential workout. There are things to consider when choosing a treadmill though, what do you need to do on it? Do you need to walk, jog or run? You can get fit, healthy and lose weight on all of them. But some are better than others for certain exercise.

Quick summary

As I said before, all treadmills can be used in the home, even commercial ones. So which are the best? Here I’m going to give you a quick summary of the best home treadmills for walking, jogging and running. I’ve looked at every machine in detail and considered what they offer. I’ve picked 9 treadmills I think are good for home use, but first I’ll summarize those best.

Best home treadmill for walking: Horizon T101 Treadmill*

For walking treadmills they don’t get much better than the Horizon T101. This is Horizon’s best selling machine and the best at the price. This includes a 1 year labor warranty. The weight capacity means even heavy walkers can get a good workout and lose weight. You get great health benefits by walking and this treadmill is the first step.

Motor Power: 2.5 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Price: $599 (April 2020)

Best home treadmill for jogging: Nordictrack T 8.5 S Treadmill*

I like Nordictrack because they have the latest technologies. This is the same for this treadmill, you get a large touchscreen which is designed for studio classes. I’ve chosen this as the best for jogging because it ticks all the boxes when you investigate it. The motor is good, so is the cushioned deck and warranty. This is just right for the home.

Motor Power: 3.5 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Price: $1,499 (April 2020)

Best home treadmill for running: Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill*

The Nordictrack Commercial series of treadmills are really made for the home. They are great for runners which is why the 1750 is one of the best selling and well reviewed by owners and experts alike. The specs of the machine mean runners have everything to get a good workout. Whether you want to lose weight or get fit, the 1750 is the one.

Motor Power: 3.75 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Price: $1,799 (April 2020)

What to look for in a home use treadmill

The features you need in a home treadmill are different from the ones you find in gyms. In gyms they don’t need workout programs, they need to be simple to use but most of all, they need to be sturdy. A home treadmill isn’t going to be used for 8+ hours a day but it still needs to last. Here I go through exactly what features you do need.

Folding – This will depend on your home as to whether you want one that folds or not. Do you not have much space or there is not much room where you want to set up the treadmill? Then you’ll want one that folds. Make sure you get the dimensions of the machine when it’s folded and unfolded, just to be sure it fits.

You still want to be able to workout and you should have some room to get on and off the treadmill. Also think of the height with you on it running and your ceiling. If you have a big home and there is a room just for gym equipment then you may not need one that folds. There are advantages to having a non folding treadmill.

Non folding treadmills tend to squeak less and have less parts to go wrong. They tend to cost less because the maker hasn’t had to design and build the folding mechanism. For this reason assembly is easier if you do it yourself, although I always recommend you pay for professional assembly. It’s worth the extra cost for many reasons.

Motor power – Treadmill motors come in horsepower and you want to look for continuous horsepower (CHP). This is a number given to the motor to measure the motor’s ability to perform continuously. CHP are the best motors and what you find on every machine I’ve mentioned on this page for home use. The CHP number is the strength of the motor and the higher the better.

You may think you want the biggest number to get the best treadmill. The bigger number increases the cost and you don’t need a really powerful motor if all you’re going to do is walk. If you’re just going to walk then the size of the motor needs to be between, 2.0 CHP and 3.0 CHP. This will also cater to someone who is heavy.

For jogging I would advise a strength of motor to be around 3.0 to 3.5 CHP. For running I would go for higher than 3.5 CHP. The best home treadmill for running on my list has a 3.75 CHP motor. I often find 4.0 CHP is suitable for serious runners. A bigger number doesn’t mean a bigger motor by physical size but it is more powerful.

Weight capacity – This is something you don’t need to think about when you go to a gym or health club and use their treadmill. But it’s important to consider for a machine for the home. If you start looking at cheaper treadmills, the weight capacity starts getting low. The ones I’ve listed are quite high because they’re all good machines.

My best home treadmill for walking has a weight capacity of 300 lbs. While that is a lot for some people, if you’re looking to walk to lose weight then think about how much you weigh. While the capacity maybe 300, I would be apprehensive if you weigh close to that amount. Try swimming or other low impact exercise first if you weigh a very large amount.

Exercise surface area – There are quite a few variables you need to consider about the size of the surface and the exercise you want to do. By surface I mean the belt and deck you workout on. If you’re walking the surface doesn’t need to be very big as you won’t be doing long strides in comparison to running.

A lot also depends on your height as your stride tends to be longer, the taller you are. High end treadmills usually have a surface area of 22″ by 60″. For walking the surface should be 50″ or more in length. For jogging you need 55″ and for running I recommend 60″. Also for running you need a wider deck, so 22″ width is my advice.

The wider deck is good for your stability and confidence when running. All the home use treadmills I’ve featured have the right size surfaces for the exercise I recommend you do on them. While I’m referring to the belt and surface they do require regular maintenance. When buying a treadmill, buy the lubricant as well to take care of your new purchase.

Price – You need to pay a fair price for your treadmill. Buying a cheap one is not the best option. Pay a fair price and you’ll get a machine that will last. If you maintain them well they can last for 10 to 12 years and longer sometimes. A cheap one may need to be replaced regularly making it more expensive over time.

The treadmills I’ve featured are generally the minimum you should pay. If money is not a problem there are some amazing treadmills at a higher price. There is a lot of new technology out there and you could pay $5,000+ for some top quality equipment. I’ve always liked the Technogym line of equipment and they have a good range of treadmills available.

The Peloton Tread is a new treadmill that costs around $4,000 and has a 32″ inch screen to play classes you can run along with. However, treadmills all do the same thing in the end. If you want to walk on one then I would advise you pay up to $1,000. The Horizon T101 for $599 is exceptional at the price and why I think it’s the best for walking at home.

For jogging I think you should pay between $1,000 and $1,500, and for running at least $1,500. Overall you should pay as much as you can afford. All the treadmills I think are the best for home use have all fallen in this price range. If you’re just walking then you will be able to have a cheaper option because you don’t need a big motor and other features.

The last thing I want to mention are the hidden costs sometimes associated with buying a treadmill. The biggest one is often shipping. My recommended best for walking in the home has free shipping. So the machine is only $599 and that’s all you pay, which is amazing value. I always consider this cost when I look at a treadmill because it can make a real difference.

Best home walking treadmills

There could be many reasons for walking on a treadmill. Maybe you want to lose weight, maybe you live in a built up area and can’t exercise outside. What ever the reason, you can still get a good workout from walking. This is especially the case if you use the incline. Below I’ve reviewed 3 treadmills which are the best for walking in your home.

Winner for walking: Horizon T101 Treadmill*

This is the winner for walking and it wins easily. It happens to be one of the best-selling treadmills in America and has all the features and specs to make it ideal for walkers. The deck is big enough, the weight capacity is there and the motor is good. The console is clear and easy to use with your workout stats shown on 3 LED windows.

Motor Power: 2.5 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Walking Surface: 20″ x 55″
Price: $599 (April 2020)

The top speed is 10 mph so when you consider that the average walking speed is 3.1 mph, you have plenty of options on a walking treadmill. The incline is 10% and it’s motorized so you can change it on the fly. A simple button press while you’re exercising and the settings can alter. The weight capacity is 300 lbs which is the same as many high end treadmills.

The good thing about the T101 and most walking treadmills is they are light and portable. They tend to be smaller so you can move them around. This one’s folding so if you’re struggling for space it could still be good for you. You have built in speakers and it’s Bluetooth so you can have the machine play songs from your phone or tablet.

Good:
Warranty
30 workout programs
Top speed
Weight capacity
Speakers
Price
Free shipping

Bad
No LCD screen

Runner up for walking: Nordictrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill*

The stand out feature of this Nordictrack treadmill is the 10″ touchscreen. This can show studio classes using the free 1 year iFit membership. This is a great way of exercising as you have an instructor giving you encouragement as you workout. You don’t have to use the classes, the treadmill has everything you need to exercise without them.

Motor Power: 2.6 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Walking Surface: 20″ x 55″
Price: $1,299 (April 2020)

The motor is slightly more powerful than the T101 above and still good for walking. It’s folding and the surface is 55″ long so it won’t take up too much room in your home. You have 20 workout programs so you have a good variety of workouts available to you, or you can just get on and go. I personally always use the manual program on my treadmill.

Nordictrack have been making equipment for many years and have a good reputation. Reviews on the web are fantastic for their machines and this one has them too. It’s one of the more expensive walking treadmills and that’s due to the touchscreen and the classes. You have a good warranty and that’s why it’s runner up on my list for home use walking treadmills.

Good
10″ touchscreen
Small footprint
Studio classes
Workout programs
One touch controls
Free iFit membership

Bad
Price
Small speakers

3rd place for walking: Xterra TRX2500 Treadmill*

Xterra treadmills have a lot going for them and they’re an impressive company. The TRX2500 is ideal for walking in your home and sits at a nice price. You have the standard speed and incline controls on the console but you also have them on the handlebars. It’s a nice little feature. The motor is on the smaller side where power is concerned.

Motor Power: 2.25 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Walking Surface: 20″ x 55″
Price: $799 (April 2020)

It still deserves third place as the weight capacity is there as is the walking surface. The warranty is also good with the one year labor. I always look for one year for walking treadmills. There is a good graphical display on an LCD screen and not even my winner has one of those. The treadmill is substantial at 207 lbs and I like my equipment like that, big and sturdy.

The deck has special shock absorption so it’s kind for heavier walkers. It’s a simple machine and the stats are similar to the treadmills above, speed is 10 mph and the incline 10%. There is a custom program as well as 24 pre set programs. There’s even a cooling fan should you need it. Xterra look after every customer and this treadmill is very good for home use.

Good
Handlebar controls
2 ply belt
LCD screen
Warranty
Cooling fan
Free shipping

Bad
Smaller motor

Best home jogging treadmills

The good thing about a treadmill is that you can set your speed. This way you can go jogging speed which is around 4 to 5 mph. Any speed that’s just a bit quicker than walking, where you have to lift your feet. Jogging is good because you can do it for long periods, this means it’s great for losing weight. Plus you’ll get important health benefits.

Winner for jogging: Nordictrack T 8.5 S Treadmill*

Nordictrack T 8.5 S treadmill home use jogging

This is at the high end where price is concerned but I think it’s worth it. You pay for what you get and you get an awesome treadmill that’s ideal for jogging in the home. They have the latest technology with their screen and in home studio classes, although the screen is the same size as their cheaper unit in this T series.

Motor Power: 3.5 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Jogging Surface: 20″ x 60″
Price: $1,499 (April 2020)

The classes are streamed to the screen and come with the 1 year subscription included in the price. This is better than an LCD screen. We now have an increase in the incline as opposed to cheaper treadmills as we have 12% and there is 12 mph speed. This is more than enough for jogging and shows how good the motor is for the price.

This is good for home use as it folds up if space is tight. The motor is good enough for running if you need to but the deck doesn’t have the width for it. I like 22″ for running and you have 20″ here. You can connect your tablet or phone using Bluetooth if you want as there are built in speakers. Overall, there’s a lot to like about this treadmill.

Good
50 workout programs
Powerful motor
Incline and speed
Studio classes
Free iFit membership
Bluetooth
Deck size

Bad
No motor warranty

Runner up for jogging: Horizon T303 Treadmill*

This T303 was nearly the winner when you consider a treadmill for jogging is only $999. The speed goes up to 12 mph. This is the speed of most high end machines. I like the high incline as well which is 12%. These are good features for jogging and make your workouts more beneficial for your health. You will be able to achieve many fitness goals.

Motor Power: 3.0 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 325 lbs
Jogging Surface: 20″ x 60″
Price: $999 (April 2020)

The specifications perfectly match what you need in a treadmill for jogging. The most impressive feature of the Horizon treadmills are the workout programs. There’s only about 8 different ones but they have multiple levels of difficulty in each. This means the T303 is good for beginners and experienced joggers and you don’t find that elsewhere.

It folds like most on my list making it good for home use, you get some help with folding from the hydraulics, as it’s quite heavy. I always like substantial machines as they last longer. As it’s a Horizon treadmill there is free shipping in a jogging machine priced at less than a thousand dollars. Overall I like the T303 and although it’s my runner up, it’s a quality treadmill.

Good
Interval buttons
PriceSpeed
Free shipping
Weight capacity
Quiet motor

Bad
LCD screen could be bigger

3rd place for jogging: Proform Pro 2000 Treadmill*

Although this is 3rd place on my home use for jogging list, it’s a good treadmill in its own right and in this review you’ll see why. The size of the deck is exactly what I recommend for running and is the same as my running recommendations below. It has a small display screen but still offers studio classes with its free year of iFit membership.

Motor Power: 3.5 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Jogging Surface: 22″ x 60″
Price: $1,399 (April 2020)

Proform and Nordictrack are made by the same company and they have a history of making the best treadmills using the latest technologies. On screen studio classes are the big thing at the moment and Proform have featured that on this treadmill like their others. It’s called iFit and it’s free for the first year.

The stand out feature has to be the incline and decline. The incline is 15% which is very good but what is remarkable is a decline. This is not very common and is found on this Pro 2000. It enables you to replicate races or jogging routes perfectly in the home. I also like the 3″ Bluetooth speakers which is bigger than I’d normally expect. Overall, great for jogging.

Good
Jogging surface
Free iFit membership
Incline and decline
Large rollers
Studio classes
Deck cushioning

Bad
Small screen

Best home running treadmills

Even if you only plan to walk or jog on a treadmill, you may consider running at some point in the future. When you’ve lost enough weight or you’ve become fitter. Maybe there is someone else in the home that prefers running. I can imagine many will choose this kind of treadmill. Here I review the top 3 treadmills and they’re all the same reasonable price.

Winner for running: Nordictrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill*

As is the fashion these days, the Nordictrack 1750 comes with interactive personal training. This is done by elite instructors you see on the touchscreen. It’s a fun way of working out and encourages you to give your best. 1750 has excellent reviews across the web and is also one of the best-selling treadmills of its type.

Motor Power: 3.75 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Running Surface: 22″ x 60″
Price: $1,799 (April 2020)

The motor is powerful and can well handle running even at it’s maximum speed of 12 mph. You don’t need to be concerned about impact injuries because there is a specially cushioned deck. The incline is a high end equalling 15% and there’s a 3% decline. There are 2 good size speakers on either side of the console and 2 cooling fans.

The warranty could be a little better but there are no complaints about the workmanship of the machine. It’s designed to last and wouldn’t sell so well if it didn’t. The big deck makes running easier as there’s so much space. Fortunately the 1750 folds so the big deck doesn’t hurt your opportunity to have this treadmill in a smaller room in your home.

Good
Powerful motor
Incline and decline
Large cushioned deck
Studio classes
Free iFit membership
PriceFree shipping

Bad
Warranty could be better
300 lbs user capacity

Runner up for running: Horizon 7.8 AT Treadmill*

This treadmill is a bit special and was nearly the winner. The motor is more powerful than the winner and the user capacity is higher. But there is no touchscreen or on-demand classes. You can purchase apps at a discount that have these classes and the other specifications are excellent. It even has an editor’s choice award from Runner’s World magazine.

Motor Power: 4.0 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Running Surface: 22″ x 60″
Price: $1,799 (April 2020)

If you don’t use the classes then it’s the workout programs that stand out for me. They each have different levels of difficulty within them that go up to 10. So you can have an easy or difficult workout. These come in a range of options like “Hill Climb” and “Fat Burn”. Whatever your experience in running, this treadmill can cater to your needs.

There’s no decline unlike my winner but that’s no real loss. There are 2 things that make HIIT training ideal with this treadmill. You can change the settings 33% faster due to the motor. The quick dial controls also make quick changes possible. Runners usually exercise outside, but with the features on this treadmill, you’ll enjoy it in the home instead.

Good
Interval buttons
Weight capacity
Motor
Free shipping
0% finance
Full color display

Bad
No tablet
No touchscreen

3rd place for running: Proform Pro 9000 Treadmill*

This Proform treadmill has everything you need for running in the home. The deck is the equalled biggest on this list, so is the top speed of 12 mph and the incline of 15%. Not forgetting the decline too if you use it in your workouts. At 3rd place the Pro 9000 is still a good treadmill for home use and I’ll explain why in this review.

Motor Power: 4.0 CHP
Folding: Yes
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Running Surface: 22″ x 60″
Price: $1,799 (April 2020)

Although $1,799 is a fair price, you need to pay a bit more for a larger screen than 10″ and this is the same with the other treadmills on this running list. You still get studio classes included with the years free iFit membership, you may prefer to be guided by the instructors on a bigger screen. Don’t worry though, you can still see what’s going on.

The motor has a cooling fan built in. The faster you run the more the motor is cooled and the longer it will last and perform. There are one touch controls, instead of keeping your finger on the speed button to change it, you can go to the speed you want with one touch. With the Pro 9000, you have a lot to be impressed with. It’s place on this list is deserved.

Good
Running surface
Free iFit membership
On demand classes
HD touchscreen
Heart rate chest strap included
Audio port

Bad:
Warranty could be better

Summary

I’ve based the choice of treadmill being what exercise you want to do on it. I think most people base it on cost and go for the cheapest. I think you need to pay at least $1,500 for a good treadmill. By this list, they would be for runners only but you may be running over time when you’re a lot fitter. More expensive treadmills tend to have longer warranties.

You may see the same brands featured on my lists. These treadmill brands are the ones who tend to sell the most. This is the reason they have the latest technologies. They are able to invest in research and development to make a treadmill last longer and be more enjoyable using. They also have the best websites to promote their equipment.

When considering a home treadmill you need to think of the things that go with it like a treadmill mat. This will make the treadmill last longer and reduce the noise. When you buy the machine you’re also offered lubricant as well. My advice is to buy it as it will work for the exact treadmill you’re about to purchase.

A home treadmill is not just the cost of it and having it installed. Although that is a big part of it, you need to maintain it as well. I go on about this a lot on this website, but a well-maintained treadmill can last over 10 years. This makes the machine a great investment in getting healthy within your home and you will be able to afford a good one.

Thinking of buying a treadmill? Here’s my favorite, I always recommend it when asked*