TreadmillReviews.com

The best treadmill reviews you can trust

NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill Review 2024

Reviewed by

Balancing price and features, the NordicTrack T 8.5 treadmill is a versatile treadmill that is designed for households with variable needs. Whether one person prefers to walk and another wants to run indoors a few times a week, the T 8.5 treadmill can accommodate these needs. And, when workouts get a little humdrum, scroll through the included iFit video workout library to shake things up.

View Sale Price

Features

9/10

Tech Specs

8/10

Build Quality

8/10

Treadmill Review

Last Updated: 9-9-2023

Blending affordability with cutting-edge fitness tech, the NordicTrack T8.5 S is a new treadmill that is sure to catch the eye. Not only does it come with a 10” high-definition touchscreen for easy navigation, but you can also access iFit for a free month of high-quality fitness programming. Also, this treadmill is designed for walkers and runners alike, making it a versatile choice for families with varying fitness levels.

While the T 8.5 S isn’t made for high-intensity training, overall, here at Treadmill Reviews, we would recommend this treadmill for most users interested in a quality treadmill with engaging fitness tech.

Price

While the price can vary, the T 8.5 S is usually priced at $1,299.

The T 8.5 S Is Built For Users who:

  • Have a range of fitness needs to be met - Walkers to runners can be accommodated on the T 8.5 S, which is especially useful if your family members have varying fitness levels and goals.
  • Are looking for an affordable, quality treadmill - While there are cheap treadmills out there, they are generally low-quality and will break in no time. The T 8.5 S balances affordability with a high-quality build. Also, with the financing available, the T 8.5 S can be more easily fit into a budget.
  • Want engaging fitness tech - From the free month of iFit access to the high-quality touchscreen, you can enjoy fitness tech that used to only be available on much more expensive equipment.

Why The T 8.5 S earned 4.2 out of 5 stars

While there were a couple of areas where the T 8.5 S lost points with us, we found this treadmill excelled in many ways.

  • Powerful features for an affordable price - With the T 8.5 S, you have a powerful 3.5 CHP commercial motor, as well as features like a 10” touchscreen and a free month iFit membership. Considering these features and others on the T 8.5 S, the price is great.
  • Smooth running and low on noise - An aspect that isn’t always accounted for but is important when you have a treadmill in your home is how smoothly the treadmill operates and how quietly it runs. Not only does the T 8.5 S run well, but it is also a surprisingly quiet machine for the strong motor in it.
  • A little low on incline range and belt space - A couple of areas where the T 8.5 S lost points was when we looked at the incline range and treadmill belt area, since the incline range only went up to 12% and the belt width wasn’t at 22”, which we’ve come to expect from NordicTrack in this price range.

Overall, the T 8.5 S is a good addition to the NordicTrack treadmill line and one that is worth your consideration.

Main Specs - 8/10

Specs “Quick Review”:

  • Motor Size: 3.5 CHP
  • Running Area: 20” W x 60” L
  • Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
  • Folding: Yes
  • Footprint In Use (W, L, H): 35.5” x 78.9” x 59.4”
  • Incline Range: 0-12%
  • Max Speed: 12 MPH
  • Treadmill Best For: Walkers, Joggers, Runners
  • Electrical Requirements: 120V

Motor Size - With a DurX Commercial motor, the 3.5 CHP treadmill drive in the T 8.5 S is plenty powerful enough from users ranging from walkers to runners.  

Running Area - The treadmill belt area of the T 8.5 S is 20” wide and 60” long. With this amount of space, most runners can use this treadmill comfortably. As for the belt itself, it is a commercial tread belt, which is more durable than a standard residential treadmill belt and can withstand years of workouts.

Weight Capacity - There is a max weight capacity of 300 lbs on the T 8.5 S. That should be plenty for most users, but for those who are over that weight limit, check out some of the SOLE treadmills, which are similar in price but have higher weight capacities.

Folding  - You can fold up the T 8.5 S and secure it with the hands-free locking system by lifting up the deck high enough for the lock to engage. The hydraulic system will allow you to release the deck and allow it to reach the ground without you lowering it.

Space / Footprint -  Measuring 35.5” wide, 78.9” long, and 59.4” tall, the T 8.5 S is a fairly standard-size treadmill.

Max Speed - Enjoy a speed range of 0.5-12 MPH on the T 8.5 S. You can change your speed by whole integers by selecting a number along the side of the console or go up or down in speed by 0.1 increments when you use the arrow keys.

Incline - You can adjust your incline range on the T 8.5 S from 0% up to 12%. By doing this, you can add more difficulty to your workouts and burn calories more quickly.

Features - 9/10

Features “Quick Review”

    • Display: 10” HD Touchscreen
    • PreInstalled Workout Apps: 50
    • Speakers: Yes
    • Fans: Yes
    • Heart Rate Monitoring: EKG Pulse Grip
    • USB port: No
    • Audio Jack: Yes
    • Water bottle cubbies: Yes
    • Device holder: No

    Workout Apps - Choose from 50 workout programs on the T 8.5 S, which is an impressive array for any treadmill. These programs are broken up in two different ways. First, you can choose what kind of workout you want, whether interval, heart rate, calorie burn or other emphases. From there, you can select a beginner, intermediate, or advanced program depending on your fitness level.

    Display - The display on the T 8.5 S is an impressive 10” HD touchscreen. With the high-quality screen, you can more easily check your workout data, navigate programs, and become immersed in the iFit workouts.

    Speakers - Bluetooth speakers are built into the T 8.5 S, allowing you to sync your smart device with your treadmill and stream your audio. There also is an audio jack if you don’t have a device you can stream from.

    Fans - A strong exercise fan is built into the T 8.5 S to help keep you cool during all but the toughest workouts. You may want to still crack open a window, so the room you are exercising in doesn’t become humid, but the fan has multiple speeds to help keep sweating at a minimum. Also, if you prefer, the fan can go on auto-speed, and it will change speeds according to your workout intensity.

    Heart Rate Monitoring - Use the EKG pulse grip handlebars to take a rough estimation of your heart rate. Handlebar heart rate monitors in general are not overly accurate, but you can have a rough estimate of where you are physically.

    Other Tech Features
    • Bluetooth sync
    • 30 day free iFit subscription
    • Emergency stop key

    Build Quality - 8/10

    T 9.5 S Review: Build Quality

    • Warranties - Lifetime frame & motor, 5-year parts, 2-year labor
    • Belt - 2-ply, commercial tread belt
    • Roller Size - 1.9” front and back
    • Cushioning - FlexSelect Cushioning
    • Customer Support - Email, phone, live chat
    • Return Policy - 30-Day Guarantee

    You have a 30-day return window when you purchase the T 8.5 S, and if you would like to return your treadmill, you will need to contact ICON customer service within the 30-day window. There will be a 10% restocking fee assessed from your return unless you are returning a defective or damaged machine.

    As for the build quality, the T 8.5 S comes with a commercial-quality treadmill belt, which should last far longer than a normal treadmill belt. It also comes with FlexSelect cushioning, so you can alter the deck to suit your desired level of cushioning.

    Bottom Line Review Of The NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill

    For a treadmill in this price range, the T 8.5 S offers an impressive range of features and engaging fitness technology. If you are looking for a versatile treadmill that doesn’t come with too high a price tag, then you may want to consider the T 8.5 S

    Best Place To Buy The NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill

    NordicTrack machines are often available through third-party retailers, but if you want to ensure you receive the current T 8.5 S and not an older or similar treadmill, it is best to buy through NordicTrack’s website. You can receive the best deal possible by catching a sale on their site and ensure that you will have your warranty honored.
MENU