Budget treadmills have stiff competition, as there are more treadmills which fall within the budget category than any other treadmill price range as many unknown treadmill manufacturers pump out cheap treadmills. The treadmills we review on Treadmill Reviews are generally not budget treadmills, as they are generally not of very good quality and are not ones we would recommend to our readers. However, there are some treadmills from reputable companies which have produced budget treadmills worth considering if you have a restricted budget for your new treadmill.
Two treadmills which are often held up for a brief comparison are the Horizon T101 and the NordicTrack C700. The short comparisons others may have made between these two treadmills have left people with more questions than answers. Through our in-depth comparison between these two treadmills, we hope to help answer those questions and help you determine which of these treadmills you prefer.
Horizon T101 & NordicTrack C700 General Spec Comparison
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$500-$800 price range |
$500-$800 price range |
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300 lbs |
300 lbs |
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30 |
20 |
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55” height, 70” length, 34” width |
67.5” height, 73” length, 36” width |
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20” wide by 55” long, 2-ply |
20” wide by 55” long, 2-ply |
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Yes |
Yes |
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2.25 CHP |
2.75 CHP |
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0% to 10% |
0% to 10% |
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10 mph |
10 mph |
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Yes |
Yes |
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Pulse Grip |
Pulse Grip |
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165 lbs |
202 lbs |
Cost – There is generally a clear price gap between the T101 and the C700, with the T101 priced at $700, while the C700 often is priced at $799. The reasons behind the nearly $100 price difference will become more apparent as we compare these two treadmills.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Weight Capacity – Both of these treadmills have the ability to accommodate the max weight of 300 lbs. For heavier users, we do not recommend stressing these treadmills and instead would recommend those users check out the various SOLE treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Available Programs – Users can find 30 different programs on the T101 treadmill. They fall into 5 different categories which are manual, steps, calories, distance, and interval. The basic screen will show a dot display to indicate what the workout will be like for the user. When it comes to the Nordictrack C700, there are only 20 workout programs, which include manual, incline, calorie, and speed workouts.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Dimensions – The T101 is a slim treadmill, as is common among budget treadmills. Measuring 55” in height, 70” long, and 34” wide, the T101 will fit well into homes with a restricted amount of space. The C700 has larger dimensions, measuring 67.5” tall, 73” in length, and 36” wide. While those measurements are still compact for a treadmill, the T101 is smaller yet still more functional.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Running Surface – Both the C700 and the T101 have the same 2-ply treadmill belt as well as identical running surface measurements, which are 20” wide and 55” long. The running surface may be too small if the user is taller than 6’2”, so keep that in mind if you are considering one of these treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Folding – These budget treadmills have light decks which are even easier to raise thanks to their hydraulic suspension system. Also, instead of needing to wrestle a heavy deck and spring pin to secure a treadmill deck, both of these treadmills’ decks will lock into an upright position once they are raised high enough.
Deck release can also be done hands-free, all the user needs to do is press the release lever and both of these treadmills can have their deck lowered without the user touching the deck. A key difference is the release lever position on these treadmills. The C700 release is located in the middle of the underside of the treadmill deck, while the T101 is located on the side, making it easier to reach and use.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Motor Size – A problem with many budget treadmills is that weak motors are commonly found in them. The T101 has a 2.25 CHP motor and the C700 has a 2.50 CHP motor. These motors run very quietly and should not disturb a user’s household. While the motors in the T101 and the C700 have decent motors, these treadmills are not meant for serious runners and would be best for walkers as well as the occasional jog.
Category Winner – C700
Incline Range – With identical incline ranges on both the C700 and T101, users can go from 0% to 10%. Both treadmills are stable at the highest end of their incline range, which isn’t always found in cheaper treadmills. This incline stability will make the incline range on these treadmills more useful to the average user.
Category Winner – Tied
Speed – A little lower on the speed range, the C700 and T101 both have a max speed of 10 MPH, with a base starting speed of 0.5. These treadmills generally are not built to take a pounding, so we don’t recommend users attempt to max out the top speed of these treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Fans – The fan on the T101 is loud and creates more noise than the running of the motor when using the fan while at a walking speed. Along with the loud sound, the T101 fan does not put out a strong breeze even at the max speed, making it less useful at any speed which goes beyond a walking speed.
On the C700, the treadmill fan also is a multispeed fan, yet this treadmill fan is much more effective than the T101. The sound output is a consistent hum and the breeze is strong enough to cool a jogger. Users can also allow the fan to go on auto which will allow the fan to automatically adjust to the user’s workout intensity.
Category Winner – C700
Heart Rate Monitoring – Both of these treadmills only have handlebar pulse grip sections. These grips are not very accurate, so we would not recommend users use these grips as their main form of heart rate monitoring.
Category Winner – Tied
Treadmill Weight – Weighing 202 lbs, the C700 is a heavier treadmill than the T101, which only weighs 165 lbs. While both treadmills are fairly light when it comes to a treadmill, the T101 is light and easy to move, thanks to its light weight.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Look and Feel Of The Treadmill
Materials – The materials used to construct these treadmills lean more towards the molded plastic than the commercial steel found on more expensive treadmills. The T101 in particular has completely plastic side rails and the console is made of a fairly thin plastic. While the top part of the C700 is plastic, the base rail is steel and the plastic around the console is thicker on the C700 than on the T101.
Category Winner – C700
Sturdiness – As budget treadmills, both are fairly sturdy. This sturdiness is not commonly found in budget treadmills but the bases of both of these treadmills are wide enough to keep the treadmill stable. Neither of these treadmills can handle rough treatment. So, while these treadmills will hold up fine under regular use, have care when moving them and try not to bump them into walls or other hard surfaces.
The T101 is the lighter treadmill but it is very solid underfoot. Even tested at its top incline level of 10% incline, the T101 remains steady.
Category Winner – C700
Moving the treadmill – Overall, the T101 is the easier treadmill to move. It’s a lightweight treadmill and short enough to be easily seen over as the user maneuvers the treadmill. The T101 is a tilt-and-roll treadmill and can easily be rolled away into a closet when it is not in use. While the C700 is also fairly light, it is a bit wider and tougher to navigate as the console is positioned higher on the C700.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Cushioning – The T101 comes with 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning, which type of cushioning comes with all Horizon treadmills. For walkers, the cushioning is decent, though we have not noticed a difference between the different zones on the treadmill. On the C700, users can take advantage of the FlexSelect cushioning. This cushioning from NordicTrack allows users to change the level of cushioning on their treadmill.
Category Winner – C700
Assembly – When assembling the C700, there are a few more steps to follow than when assembling the T101.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
User Interface
Speed and Incline Controls – Both treadmill consoles have speed and incline controls which are aligned on the sides of the console. The buttons are responsive and all the speed options, as well as incline levels, are available for selection. However, the T101 speed and incline buttons are more centrally located on the treadmill console and more easily accessible.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Fan Controls – On pure accessibility, the T101 has better fan controls. The buttons for the fan controls are conveniently positioned and are responsive to light touches. However, on the C700, the console is cluttered, making it difficult for users to quickly locate the fan controls. The controls on the C700 are responsive but they are smaller than the T101 controls, which may make it difficult to operate the fans.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Program Selection – Both treadmills rely on a certain amount of scrolling to reach the desired workout program. However, the T101 shows a display of what the programs will entail while there is no such feedback on the C700.
Category Winner – Horizon T101
Visual Display – The visual displays on the C700 and T101 are very different from each other and will appeal to different users. The C700 display rotates through various workout data points with three displayed at any one time. For more visual engagement, the T101 has a 4.5” LCD screen which will show a dot display for workout exertion levels.
Category Winner – Tied
Entertainment Features
Speakers – Neither treadmill has very strong speakers. Both sets of speakers are strong enough to be heard over the running of the treadmills but the sound degrades quickly as the volume goes up, creating tinny-sounding media.
Category Winner – Tied
USB Port – There are no USB ports on these treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Other Entertainment Features – No entertainment options are available on the T101 but the C700 has the ability to hold a tablet on the integrated tablet holder. This holder will allow a user to enjoy their tablet and potentially sync their C700 with iFit for more options.
Category Winner – C700
Data Tracking
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Data Display –
Category Winner – C700
Fitness Apps – While there are fitness apps available on other Horizon treadmills, the T101 is not one of their treadmills which can sync with the Horizon fitness apps. However, the C700 is able to sync with iFit for $39 per month for a family plan. Using iFit unlocks a multitude of treadmill workouts which can maximize the usefulness of the user’s treadmill.
Category Winner – C700
Horizon & NordicTrack Financing Options
NordicTrack Financing
- No money down purchases
- No interest if paid in full in 18 months.
- Standard APR of 29.99% after 18 months. Interest will be charged starting from the purchase date. After 18 months, interested is backdated to the purchase date and also charged from the current date on the remaining balance (+backdated interest).
- So this is a great option if you’re able to pay the treadmill off within the promo period (18 months). But you’ll get hit with outrageous interest fees if you do not pay the treadmill off within 18 months.
- You are required to make minimum payments each month. BUT the minimum payment is not calculated to pay off the treadmill in 18 months. You’ll need to make a higher payment than the minimum in order to avoid interest fees. This calculation will vary depending on the original purchase price.
- Subject to credit approval
Horizon Financing
- Go through third-party financing company called FuturePay.
- FuturePay charges a flat financing charge of $1.50/month for every $50 dollars in carried balance of $50 or more.
- No money down purchases
- Minimum payments can be as low as $25/month
- You can pay off the balance at any time
- Subject to credit approval
NordicTrack and Horizon Warranties
Horizon Warranty
- 30-day trial and return period. Full refund minus freight and assembly charges.
- Returns need to be authorized through customer service (877-700-8730) and your account will be credited upon receipt of the item.
- Lifetime warranty on frame, motor, 2-year parts, with 1-year cushioning and labor.
- Parts will be shipped to your home, with labor repair provided for free for the first year.
NordicTrack Warranty
- 30-day trial period. Full refund minus 10% restocking fee and shipping fees unless the machine is damaged or defective on arrival.
- Treadmill must be returned in good condition, including original packaging and paperwork. If these things are missing, you will also pay an additional 10% fee.
- Lifetime warranty on motor and frame, 5-year parts and electronics, 2 years labor
- Service can be performed in your home for a fee. You may also be asked to ship your treadmill for service, then being charged for the shipping.
Overall Favorite
Total Categories Compared: 28
Total Ties Between the 1750 and the T101: 8
Total NordicTrack Favored Categories: 9
Total Horizon Favored Categories: 11
When it comes to budget treadmills, the Horizon T101 is a good treadmill to consider. It does not have the entertainment and data options which are available on the C700, so if those are important to you, then you may want to consider the C700.
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