Best Treadmills Between $500 – $700 of 2024

Last Update: September 8, 2023

You don’t have to be a serious runner to need a treadmill. Treadmills are a cardio solution for people of all fitness levels. For many people, the treadmill is the first or only addition to their home gym. They are accessible to many users, because they do not require intense training or learning to master. They can be added to a living room for a more productive binge-watching experience or to a strength athlete’s home gym for warming up and cooling down. This is all to say that treadmills can serve a variety of purposes while not being the center of attention. For these reasons and more, you might prefer a budget treadmill between $500 to $700 (or even less!) for walking or light running.

Here’s Our List Of The Best Treadmills Between $500 – $700 for 2024

• Best Treadmill Between $500 – $700: Horizon T101 Treadmill
• Best Folding Treadmill Between $500 – $700: XTERRA TRX1000 Treadmill
• Best Walking Treadmill Between $500 – $700: ProForm City L6 Treadmill
• Best Compact Treadmill Between $500 – $700: Sunny Health & Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill
• Best Budget Treadmill: XTERRA TR150 Treadmill
• Best Under Desk Treadmill Between $500 – $700: WalkingPad C2 Foldable Under Desk Treadmill

Best Treadmill Between $500 – $700: Horizon T101 Treadmill

The Horizon T101 Treadmill is our Best Treadmill between $500 and $700. It feels like a much more expensive product, and we are happy that Horizon continues creating affordable products. The T101 shines as a walking treadmill but can also handle some light, occasional running. The Horizon T101 is a great value treadmill.

The T101 has a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, which is nearly unheard of at this price point. Compared to other treadmills at this price, the T101 has a more powerful motor, generous speed and incline ranges, and a large deck size. The console is straightforward, so you can get moving faster. It is not as sturdy as the consoles found on Horizon’s pricier models, but it keeps your phone or tablet supported in the device rack and other belongings stable in the pockets. The deck has plenty of room for walking and is even spacious enough for some users to run intermittently.

Horizon is known for its fast speed and incline changes. Though the T101 is their most affordable treadmill, they did not skimp on this feature. The QuickDial controls let you speed up or crank up the incline at the turn of the wheel. I like how user-friendly and intuitive these controls are. The response to each adjustment is quiet and rapid, so your workout progresses smoothly. The motor sounds are moderate, so the treadmill is not overly disruptive if others are nearby while it is in use.

The Horizon T101 has a few basic program options built in. These include target distance and time programs, fat burn, intervals, and hill workouts. Within each program, you can also set a level from 1 to 10 (10 being the most intense). If you want to get going as fast as possible, you can bypass setting up a program by pressing ‘start.’ If you already have premium content, you can set it up on the device rack, pair with the Bluetooth speakers, and use the QuickDial controls to swiftly match the recommendations from your fitness app. No subscription is required to train with the T101, but it works well for users who prefer third-party content.

Read Our Full Review Of The Horizon T101 Treadmill Here

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Best Folding Treadmill Between $500 – $700: XTERRA TRX1000 Treadmill

The XTERRA TRX1000 Treadmill earns recognition as our best folding treadmill in this price range. It has a lifetime warranty on the frame, which is a nice plus for more affordable treadmills. It stores compactly and has transport wheels for easing relocation. It folds upright like traditional treadmills and saves you a lot of room with its compact design. The TRX1000 is a great entry-level machine that can frequently be found for an even lower cost than its listing price.

The XTERRA TRX1000 is an entry-level treadmill at an incredibly affordable price. XTERRA offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, a rarity for a machine that costs well below $1000. The TRX1000 does not have a hydraulic assist for folding, but it is so lightweight that most users should not have a problem positioning the deck upright or flat. The deck locks into place with a lock and pin mechanism when folded. I like to see this design, particularly on more affordable treadmills, because it reassures you the deck is stable while folded.

The TRX1000 is suitable for walking. Its smaller running surface and slim uprights are more appropriate for low impact. Keeping activities to walking speeds will improve this treadmill’s longevity. Its motor is only a 2.25 HP motor, further confirming this treadmill’s best use is for walking. Unlike other affordable walking treadmills, its larger console has storage, allowing you to keep water on hand for longer efforts. It also has a device rack for entertainment or training options to be viewed from your phone or tablet.

There are 12 programs on the TRX1000. They are readily displayed on the console, so you know exactly what type of workout you are selecting. These are all speed interval programs, as the incline is manual. The manual incline has three settings, which you will need to set before the onset of each activity. Thus, the TRX1000 is better suited for steady-state hill workouts as opposed to intervals. There are other basic features like pulse grips for detecting heart rate and quick speed adjustment buttons 1-9 mph. It is worth noting that the XTERRA TRX1000’s maximum speed is 10 mph despite not having a quick-adjust button for the setting. Overall, the TRX1000 is a basic treadmill that offers a few more amenities than walking treadmills with more basic consoles or flat-folding designs.

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Best Walking Treadmill Between $500 – $700: ProForm City L6 Treadmill

The ProForm City L6 is our pick for the Best Walking Treadmill. It is also one of the best budget treadmills for pairing with premium content. With the ProForm City L6, you can choose from hundreds of walking classes and control your treadmill from your smart device. Want to save even more money? Skip the premium content and enjoy the unrestricted simplicity of the ProForm City L6. When you are done walking, fold the City L6 flat and wheel it out of the way.

Walkers will find the ProForm City L6 a convenient and easy-to-use solution. The City L6 is a folding treadmill. The console folds down to the deck for flat storage. It could be stored beneath a high-clearance bed, couch, or table. The folded height is about 10” without the device rack attached and 13” with the rack attached. There are two transport wheels for improved portability. The treadmill weighs only 125 lbs, so many users will find the City L6 easy for regular relocation.

Stepping onto the ProForm City L6 is nice as the step-up height is very low, and the deck is decently cushioned. The belt is textured for a good underfoot grip. The deck is quite narrow and short, so I do not recommend it for running. That said, it is just fine for walking. The motor is a 1.6 CHP motor, which is fine for walking. The construction is sturdy enough for walking. There is a device rack for storing a phone or tablet. Either would stay put during low-impact activities. Overall, the City L6 is most suited to walking.

The ProForm City L6 does not have a smart display, but that does not prevent it from pairing with premium content. The iFIT platform works with the City L6. iFIT has hundreds of walking classes and thousands of other fitness classes. With one subscription, you earn access to all of iFIT’s content. On the L6, you gain control of your treadmill through the app. You can change the speed in manual activity mode or allow the treadmill to accelerate automatically to match the pace of one of the iFIT classes. The ProForm City L6 is great for walking with and without content.

Read Our Full Review Of The ProForm City L6 Treadmill Here

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Best Compact Treadmill Between $500 – $700: Sunny Health & Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill

The Sunny Health and Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill was made to fit in tight spaces. As such, it has a fantastically small footprint of 1548 square inches or just under 11 square feet while unfolded. It is only 5.5 inches tall when folded flat, which is great for under-bed storage. The Sunny Health and Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill is an obvious pick for our award of Best Compact Treadmill Between $500 – $700.

Though it can move up to 9 mph, the Sunny Health & Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill is best for walking. Its compact design makes it ideal for apartments or other small spaces. It could be used in a living room, bedroom, or home office. We like the Sunny Health & Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill for its storable design. It can go almost anywhere! When finished with your workout, simply tuck the Interactive Slim Treadmill beneath a bed, couch, or table.

The Interactive Slim Treadmill gets the first part of its name through compatibility with the SunnyFit App. This app can be used to track your performance day after day. The app also provides a second viewing option for your performance metrics. The digital monitor displays calories/distance, time, and speed/pulse. Pulse is read by the pulse sensors on the arms of the Interactive Slim. Keep in mind these heart rate readings are not as accurate as those found on most fitness trackers, but they can be a useful training guideline.

There are fifteen built-in programs for training on the Interactive Slim. As there is no option to incline the treadmill, these are speed interval and time/distance target programs. The heart rate data received by the sensors can be used to customize the present programs further with heart rate zone training. These are very simple programs, the likes of which can be found on most gym treadmills. The Slim Interactive is great for users looking for an uncomplicated walk and under-bed storage.

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Best Budget Treadmill: XTERRA TR150 Treadmill

The XTERRA TR150 Treadmill fits right into the $500 to $700 price range when purchased from the manufacturer. However, Amazon frequently lists this treadmill for under $500, making it our top choice for Best Budget Treadmill.

The XTERRA TR150 Treadmill has a 2.25 HP motor, double that of many treadmills found at its Amazon-listed price. The speed range is quite generous at a maximum speed of 10 mph. I caution those interested in this treadmill that it is better for walking. More affordable treadmills tend to perform better at 5 mph or less, and I agree with that guideline for the TR150. That said, the ability to take things up a notch will certainly appeal to users wanting to test this treadmill’s limits.

The basic design of the TR150 makes it easier to assemble than other treadmills. In fact, you could even do it on your own, unlike most treadmills. The treadmill is just under 100 lbs, so it’s very lightweight. If you require any help with your treadmill, XTERRA conveniently has the owner’s manual, assembly instructions, and more tutorials specifically for the TR150 online. Shockingly, this incredibly affordable treadmill is covered by a lifetime warranty on the frame.

The TR150 has a few basic training features. It has 12 preset programs for interval, target, or heart rate training. Pulse grips are embedded into the short treadmill arms for heart rate monitoring. These sensors are less reliable than most fitness trackers, but it is a useful training guideline. After a good workout, the treadmill can be folded and secured with a lock and pin mechanism. In conclusion, the TR150 is an excellent budget-friendly walking treadmill with hop-on-and-go features.

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Best Under Desk Treadmill Between $500 – $700: WalkingPad C2 Foldable Under Desk Treadmill

The WalkingPad C2 Foldable Walking Treadmill is great for under-desk use for its flat and folding belt design. The treadmill is great for the workplace as its brushless motor is very quiet–you won’t disturb your colleagues! The belt speed can be controlled via remote or from the KS Fit smartphone app.

WalkingPad is known for their sleek and modernized treadmills. The C2 is no exception, as it can be ordered in one of five colorways. These include white, black, blue, yellow, and red for U.S. buyers. While other under-desk treadmills don’t fold, the C2 does! The C2 is an unobtrusive addition to the home or office. The belt remains smooth underfoot after folding.

The speed is capped at 3.75 mph. This is more than enough. You may find other under-desk treadmills with higher speed allowances, but they rarely feel safe or large enough to accommodate a longer stride. No programs are built into the C2, but it excels at low-impact, steady-state activity, so you can continue multitasking at your desk.

The WalkingPad C2 Foldable Treadmill is only 55 lbs. It can be rolled on its two transport wheels for relocation. The unfolding process is as easy as lifting the top section and lowering it to the ground. The belt can get caught, in which case you simply need to apply a little pressure to get it flat to the ground. This doesn’t seem to cause any issues with performance. When you are done, it folds back up just as easily. Overall the WalkingPad C2 is one of the most compact treadmills, perfect for getting some exercise in while you are hard at work.

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What To Look For In A Budget Treadmill

Construction

Budget treadmills typically have less robust constructions than more expensive treadmills. More affordable treadmills may have slimmer uprights, thinner running boards, smaller running surfaces, and less cushioning. This can lead to lower weight capacities. Treadmills with a more economical design are typically more suited to walking than running, as high running forces can prematurely wear out the treadmill belt and motor. Running on these treadmills can feel unstable or unsafe. Budget treadmills can still be cost-effective exercise solutions when used properly. These types of constructions will not be best for athletes training hard daily, but light to moderate exercise is great!

Motors

All of the motors on this list are under 3.0 HP. This number is our threshold for considering a treadmill a true running treadmill. Lower horsepower ratings do not mean the treadmill is bad, but that its use is best for walking. Some motors are also listed as “brushless.” These motors are quieter than the alternative, making these types of treadmills good choices for apartments or office spaces where others might be disturbed.

Capabilities

Affordable treadmills require users to make some concessions when it comes to the treadmill’s capabilities. When additional features are included, they can be manual, such as a manual incline or manual folding. These limited capabilities are important to consider when looking at budget treadmills so your money is not only saved but put to the best use.

Storage/Portability

One of the advantages of budget treadmills is their low product weight and compact size. If you do not have the space to designate to a full-sized treadmill, these treadmills could be a good fit for you. Consider where you would like to use your treadmill and where you would like to store it. If storing the treadmill under the bed is best, consider how much clearance your bed has. Additionally, consider whether the treadmill needs to be stored flat or upright. Some flat folding treadmills cannot be stored upright, because it can damage their belts or motors.

Training Content

Subscription content is becoming increasingly popular. Yet, it is not restricted to use on high-end equipment. Budget treadmills can be a great way to save on the upfront cost of a treadmill while reserving room in your budget for a monthly subscription service. Treadmills like the ProForm City L6 even have hands-free features when used with subscription services, so you don’t have to worry about matching the in-class speed manually. Budget treadmills also allow you to use a subscription service of your choice while retaining all of the treadmill’s features. High-end treadmills often restrict you to their own app by foregoing device racks or limiting the screen’s viewing capabilities. With a budget treadmill, you don’t have to worry about wasted features if you decide to get your training content from a third party.

Warranties

Warranties can be a good indicator of the brand’s trust in its own products. Even at a low price point, some treadmills come with lifetime warranties on components like the frame and motor. Rather than just looking at the length of the warranty, it is also recommended to review what is covered by the warranty. Most budget treadmill warranties will not cover regular wear and tear.

When A Budget Treadmill Might Be Right For You

Apartment Treadmill

Exercisers looking for compact, portable, and quiet solutions for apartment living will find many options within this price range. Walking tends to be the more practical treadmill use for apartment living. Running will always create additional noise compared to walking. Noise reduction mats can help with both the sound of running and the treadmill motor.

Budget treadmills are also easier to assemble than other treadmills. They can be more easily carried up flights or stairs. Some will only need one user to assemble them. These treadmills are as practical as they are affordable.

Beginner Running Treadmill

Budget-friendly treadmills can be great solutions for new runners. If you are dabbling in running, trying for your first 5k, or struggling to keep a routine, a budget treadmill can be a low-commitment option. We understand that treadmills had a tendency to be turned into coat racks. If your running routine is not yet established, or you are worried a different type of cardio might be better for you, a budget treadmill is a great entry point for establishing an at-home routine. If you decide it isn’t right for you or want to upgrade further down the line, a budget treadmill can help you decide without as much monetary risk.

Budget Treadmill For Walking

Budget treadmills are great for walking. A budget treadmill is a great option if you are concerned with simple goals like reaching your daily step goal, hitting a weekly cardio time goal, or multitasking while watching TV. High-end treadmills can be overkill for goals like these. There’s certainly nothing wrong with wanting the best, but many more affordable treadmills can help you reach your goals just as well.

Budget Treadmill for Home

The treadmills on this list work great for home use, particularly those without large home gyms. Treadmills between $500 to $700 are more portable and small, so they can be used in rooms already dedicated to other uses. Their motors are quieter than their high-powered counterparts. They can fold more compactly and have smaller decks and consoles.

Bottom Line – Best Treadmills Between $500 – $700

Treadmills between $500 and $700 are great for walking primarily. They have straightforward designs for quick access to your next workout. They are more compact for tight and restricted spaces. Some concessions will have to be made when deciding on a budget treadmill over a more expensive treadmill, like smart features, incline and speed capabilities, and high-tech displays with content. Yet, budget treadmills are cost-effective and offer a lot of bang for your buck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good budget treadmill?

We certainly consider the treadmills on this list to be good budget treadmills, but there are other considerations to make. A good budget treadmill is typically the one that fits your budget and training needs. Ensure that the treadmill you pick is from a reputable manufacturer and has a sturdy build.

Do small treadmills work?

Small treadmills do work! Some may have reduced durability. This can be improved by using the treadmill for walking only. Small treadmills with speed ranges encompassing running don’t necessarily last as long if used for high-impact activities. Heavier users or dedicated runners might be happier with larger pieces of equipment. Small treadmills also work well for multitasking, like walking while watching TV or working at a desk.

What is a good treadmill for an apartment?

The treadmills on this list make good apartment treadmills. All but the Horizon T101 are lightweight. Their noise can be further reduced by purchasing a sound-reducing mat to be placed beneath the treadmill. The WalkingPad C2 or the Sunny Health and Fitness Interactive Slim Treadmill will be good picks if you have a studio apartment. The ProForm City L6 would be a great pick with excellent content for apartments with a little more space. If you are on the ground floor and have some more space, the Horizon T101 is our top pick!

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