Last Updated: 11-19-2020
You can gain a clear idea of what treadmills are worth buying by reading treadmill reviews. Yet, after creating a shortlist of treadmills you are interested, it can be tough to know which one is the best.
One pair of treadmills which are often compared is the SOLE F80 and the Horizon Elite T7. As these treadmills fall into the same price category and have several similar features, some potential buyers may become frustrated trying to decide between these treadmills.
Through our comprehensive comparison process, we determined that the F80 was the superior treadmill. It has a higher weight capacity, more durable frame, simpler console interface, and more. However, your opinion is what really matters, so if some of our points may make no difference to you. We encourage you to read through our treadmill comparison to determine which of these treadmills is right for you.
F80 & Elite T7 General Spec Comparison
| F80 | Elite T7 |
|---|---|
|
Cost $1,000-$1,500 price range |
Cost $1,000-$1,500 price range |
|
Weight Capacity 375 lbs |
Weight Capacity 350 lbs |
|
Available Programs 10 |
Available Programs 42 |
|
Dimensions 57” height, 82” length, 37” width |
Dimensions 60” height, 77” length, 35” width |
|
Running Surface 22” wide by 60” long, 2-ply non-stretch commercial belt |
Running Surface 20” wide by 60” long, 2-ply non-stretch commercial belt |
|
Folding Yes |
Folding Yes |
|
Motor Size 3.5 CHP |
Motor Size 3.0 CHP |
|
Incline Range 0% to 15% |
Incline Range 0% to 15% |
|
Max Speed 12 mph |
Max Speed 12 mph |
|
Fans Yes |
Fans Yes |
|
Heart Rate Monitoring Pulse grip and chest strap |
Heart Rate Monitoring Pulse grip and chest strap |
|
Treadmill Weight 278 lbs |
Treadmill Weight 227 lbs |
Cost – These treadmills generally cost under $1,500. Sometime the F80 will drop $100 lower than the Elite T7, depending on sales. But, for comparison’s sake, these treadmills have the same cost.
Category Winner – Tied
Weight Capacity – Both treadmills have a higher-than-average weight capacity. The Elite T7 able to accommodate a user weighing up to 350 lbs, and the F80 able to the max user weight of 375 lbs. By doing so, the F80 outdoes the Elite T7 by 25 lbs.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Available Programs – There are only 10 exercise programs available on the F80, which is standard for SOLE treadmills. The program variety extends to a manual setting, hill, fat burn, cardio, interval, and strength workouts. Two user-created workout program spots are also included with the F80.
In contrast, the Elite T7 has 42 exercise programs available for users. The types of workouts available are calorie burn, distance, performance, interval, steps, manual, and two user-created custom workout program spots.
Category Winner – Horizon Elite T7
Dimensions – The Elite T7 is a compact treadmill, with dimensions which measure 60” tall, 77” long, and 35” wide. With much larger dimensions, the F80 measurements are 57” tall, 82” long, and 37” wide. While the F80 is three inches shorter than the Elite T7, this height difference is not likely to make the same kind of space difference that the length and width measurements will make for a household with limited floor space for a treadmill.
Category Winner – Horizon Elite T7
Running Surface – Between the F80 and the Elite T7, there is no difference in their running surface quality. They both have 2-ply, commercial-quality non-stretch treadmill belts to help ensure users will not need to replace their belts often. However, there is a two-inch difference in the actual running area of these treadmills. The Elite T7 has a running area of 20” wide and 60” long, while the F80 has a running area which is 22” wide and 60” long.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Folding – Both of these treadmills have a folding mechanism which allows users to raise and lower the treadmill decks with a fraction of the effort older treadmills required. The treadmill decks will lock into place once raised high enough, with no need to fumble with a locking pin.
The release levers on these treadmills are different. On the Elite T7, the release latch is located under the treadmill deck. Users will need to lift the deck a little then depress the latch with their foot; otherwise, the lock will not disengage. On the F80, the release lever is located around eye level of the users and only requires a user to pull the lever to release the deck.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Motor Size – Under the hood of the Elite T7, there is a 3.0 CHP motor. A larger, 3.5 CHP motor, comes with the F80.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Incline Range – Equipped with identical incline ranges, the Elite T7 and the F80 can both go from 0% incline all the way up to 15% incline.
Category Winner – Tied
Speed – Both treadmills have a speed range of 0.5 MPH to 12 MPH.
Category Winner – Tied
Fans – The F80 and Elite T7 have built-in fans. Both treadmills’ fans have a weak output of air.
Category Winner – Tied
Heart Rate Monitoring – Users have two options when it comes to heart rate monitoring on the F80 and Elite T7. There are the pulse grip handlebars, which do not give an accurate reading on either machine. Or users can put on the wireless heart rate monitor which will sync with these treadmills via Bluetooth. The F80 includes a SOLE chest strap while the Elite T7 comes with a Polar chest strap.
A flaw when it comes to these chest straps is the inability to replace a dead battery in the Polar chest strap which comes with the Elite T7. There are guides online on how to jerry-rig the casing open, but this action may void the warranty on the chest strap and potentially the whole treadmill. On the F80 chest strap, there are four visible screws to undo for battery replacement, making the battery swap quick and easy.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Treadmill Weight – There is a significant weight difference between the two treadmills. The F80 weighs 278 lbs, and the Elite T7 weighs only 227 lbs, which is a 51-pound weight difference.
Category Winner – Horizon Elite T7
Look and Feel Of The Treadmill
Materials – The Elite T7 has more plastic parts than the F80, and the metal it does have is thinner than the commercial-gauge steel on the F80. Some key differences are:
- F80 metal side rails vs. Elite T7 plastic side rails
- F80 thick steel uprights vs. Elite T7 thin metal uprights
- F80 stabilizing crossbar tray vs. Elite T7 lack of a crossbar
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Sturdiness – There are several factors which makes the F80 a sturdier treadmill than the Elite T7. The F8 has a broader and longer base than the Elite T7, which adds stability to the treadmill. It is also heavier than the Elite T7 because its steel frame is thicker and more durable. The F80 also has a broader console so it can support users who lean on it better than users of the Elite T7.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Moving the treadmill – Both of these treadmills require the user to latch the deck in the upright position then tilt and roll the treadmill to move it. The Elite T7 is 51 lbs lighter than the F80 and much slimmer, making the Elite T7 significantly more managable to move than the F80.
Category Winner – Horizon Elite T7
Cushioning – Manufacturers’ patented cushioning comes with both of these treadmills. The Elite T7 comes with 3-Zone Variable Response cushioning, and the F80 comes with Cushion Whisper Flex Deck. There is no discernible comfort difference between these two treadmills.
Category Winner – Tied
Assembly – As both of these treadmills is over 200 lbs, it may be difficult to assemble these treadmills alone. To make sure nothing is damaged while assembling, try to make sure there are two people available to build the treadmill.
Also, both treadmills’ wires are prone to becoming caught as uprights and console arms are attached. Work these parts on carefully to avoid pinching or slicing the treadmill circuitry.
Category Winner – Tied
User Interface
Speed and Incline Controls – One of the minor complaints concerning the F80 is that its speed and incline controls are missing some of the integers. These missing numbers mean that users need to scroll with the speed and incline adjustment buttons the missing integers. The numbers missing differ depending on whether you are looking to adjust speed or incline.
Missing F80 incline integer buttons: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14
Missing F80 speed integer buttons: 1, 6, 8, 10, 11
While this isn’t the most convenient speed and incline control layout, the Elite T7 speed and incline control layout is potentially more difficult. There is a learning curve to programming the speed and incline controls.
Select the Elite T7 “Set Incline or Set Speed”
Input desired integers (example “3”, “0” to change the speed or incline to “3.0”)
Total buttons pressed to adjust speed/incline = 3
Which speed and incline control layouts are better is mostly a matter of personal preference as they both have their downsides.
Category Winner – Tied
Fan Controls – Both treadmills have a single fan button to turn their workout fans on or off. Situated at the top of both treadmills, neither the F80 or the Elite T7 fans have a strong output. Users are better off finding a different way to cool down and not rely on these fans.
Category Winner – Tied
Program Selection – Using the increment adjustment buttons, users can select an exercise program on the Elite T7. These programs require users to input some parameters such as the user’s preferred distance, max incline, top speed and more depending on the selected workout. Its a little odd not to have all of that information preset but the more considerable frustration is that users cannot go back and edit a previously set metric. The program has to be entirely exited out of then restart the process. There is space for two user information programs to be saved, but if there are more than two users, they will need to input their metrics every time.
The exercise program selection process is much simpler on the F80. There is a button on the console, labeled with each available exercise program. So, while there may not be many exercise programs on the F80, it is much easier to choose one.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Visual Display – Both treadmills come with an LCD screen. The F80 has a 9-inch backlit display, with dark blue letters on a light blue background. Similarly, the Elite T7 has an 8.5-inch backlit display screen, with white lettering on a dark blue background. The greater space on the F80 allows users to read the workout data more easily.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
Entertainment Features
Speakers – These treadmills put out decent sound quality and can maintain sound clarity several levels above the mid-volume point.
Category Winner – Tied
USB Port – The Elite T7 has a USB port while the F80 has none.
Category Winner- Horizon Elite T7
Other Entertainment Features – There is a small shelf on the F80 where a mobile device can be placed so the user can access their entertainment. The Elite T7 does not have a place for a mobile device but is Passport Ready.
Passport Ready means the Elite T7 can have a USB drive with scenery files on it plugged into the treadmill and have it cast to the user’s TV. That way, the Elite T7 user will feel like they are running outside. The Passport system is sold separately from the Elite T7.
Category Winner – Tied
Data Tracking
Data Display – While the Elite T7 and the F80 have different layouts for their workout data display, they will display the same workout metrics.
| F80 | Elite T7 |
|---|---|
|
Current Incline x |
Current Incline x |
|
Vertical Gain – |
Vertical Gain – |
|
Vertical Loss – |
Vertical Loss – |
|
Current Speed x |
Current Speed x |
|
Current Pace x |
Current Pace x |
|
Average Pace – |
Average Pace – |
|
Lap Time – |
Lap Time – |
|
Distance x |
Distance x |
|
Time Elapsed x |
Time Elapsed x |
|
Current Heart Rate x |
Current Heart Rate x |
|
Average Heart Rate – |
Average Heart Rate – |
|
Current Heart Rate Zone – |
Current Heart Rate Zone – |
|
Total Calories Burned x |
Total Calories Burned x |
|
Calories Burned per Hr – |
Calories Burned per Hr – |
|
Data Graph – |
Data Graph – |
Category Winner – Tied
Fitness Apps – On the Elite T7, users can sync their treadmill to the ViaFit app. This app allows for workout data to be transferred and shared with other health and fitness trackers as well as with family and friends.
With the SOLE Fitness app, users can also have their F80 workout data tracked and transferred to other health and fitness tracker. This app also allows users to control their treadmill from their mobile device directly and will enable users to create and implement custom user workouts. These custom workouts can be saved on the SOLE Fitness app to be used at a later date.
Category Winner – SOLE F80
SOLE & Horizon Financing Options
SOLE Financing
- Affirm – secondary financing; there is none available through SOLE directly.
- Make monthly payments using Affirm (3, 6, or 12 months plans available)
- Rates vary from 10 to 30% APR.
- For a $1399.99 purchase, you can expect to pay about $123.08 per month for 12 months at 10% APR.
- This plan seems like a good way to go if you’re financing the purchase. The monthly fees and interest applied to the purchase are all very upfront. However, assume there are major penalties for late payments like with most credit card purchases.
- 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 in a 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
Category Winner- Tied
Horizon and SOLE 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.
SOLE Warranty
- A 30-day trial period for a full refund (minus shipping and 8% restocking fee)
- Lifetime warranty on motor, deck, and frame; 5 years for parts; 2 years for labor.
- The warranty extends only to the original purchaser and will need to be registered.
- Owners will need to fill out a form to request service or parts.
Category Winner- Tied
Overall Favorite
The SOLE F80
__________
Total Categories Compared: 28
Total Ties Between the F80 and the Elite T7: 13
Total SOLE Favored Categories: 10
Total Horizon Favored Categories: 5
The SOLE F80 is a durable and straightforward treadmill which out-performed the Horizon Elite T7 in ten categories. This outperformance may be because the Elite T7 wanted to offer more of the bells and whistles which SOLE treadmills has never bothered with offering. Either way, if you are looking for a reliable and tough treadmill, you may want to consider the F80 over the Elite T7.
We have more treadmill comparisons, both for the $1,000-$1,500 price category as well as other price ranges. Feel free to check them out and see how the F80 compares to other treadmills in its price range.
Once you have found the right treadmill for your needs, be sure you use our exclusive treadmill coupons. The discounts vary depending on the treadmill brand, but you can count on some savings when you use Treadmill Reviews’ coupons.
