Updated: December 7, 2023
The Sole F80 and NordicTrack Commercial 1750 are both great treadmills for the runner who wants to train indoors daily. Our treadmill comparison is designed to help you choose between these two great machines. For all their similarities, the Sole F80 and the NordicTrack 1750 have many differences that will determine how you train and how running on the treadmill feels. There key differences are visible in performance, training content, and features. So let’s see how these treadmills stack up in this NordicTrack 1750 vs Sole F80 comparison.
NordicTrack 1750 Highlights
- The NordicTrack 1750 has a soft, cushioned treadmill deck.
- The 1750 has a clear 14-inch HD touchscreen display
- iFIT provides unmatched training content with automatic speed and incline adjustments.
- The 1750 has an incline range of -3% to 12% and adjusts quickly and smoothly.
- The console layout is easier to navigate and use while running.
- The AutoBreeze fan changes speeds as you increase or decrease your intensity level.
- The sound and video quality are very good.
Sole F80 Highlights
- The F80 has entertainment apps like Netflix, Hulu, Max, and more.
- No subscription is required to access the customizable training options.
- The Sole F80 has a lifetime warranty on its motor and frame.
- Four transport wheels make it easier to roll the F80 around.
- With a device rack and screen mirroring, the F80 lets you view any content you want.
- The Sole F80 has tons of features: connectivity with Garmin watches, wireless phone charging, and screen mirroring.
- The Sole F80 has a 350-lb user weight capacity which is over the 300-lb industry standard.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 64.7” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.5 CHP
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 340 lbs (in box)
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: -3% to 12%
- Cushioning: RunnersFlex Cushioning; soft
- Rollers: 1.9” precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
Sole F80 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 82.5” x 38” x 66”
- Deck Size: 22” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.5 HP
- Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Product Weight: 274 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: 0% to 15%
- Cushioning: Cushion Flex Whisper Deck; firm
- Rollers: 2.36”
- Warranty: lifetime frame and motor; 3-year parts; 1-year labor
Treadmill Comparison of The Sole F80 vs NordicTrack 1750
Build Quality
Frame
The Sole F80 and the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 both have steel frames. The z-shape design has taken over the home treadmill industry and influenced the designs of both of these treadmills. The F80 has longer handles, but the 1750’s handrails feel more textured, which is better for support if you get sweaty during your exercise. The step-up height is lower on the Sole F80, so users with mobility restrictions will have an easier time navigating its deck height than the NordicTrack 1750.
The Sole F80’s frame is covered by a lifetime warranty. NordicTrack falls short by offering only a 10-year warranty. The F80 can support a maximum user weight of 350 lbs, while the NordicTrack only supports 300 lbs. I have to declare the Sole F80 the better option in these regards.
Motor
These treadmills have the same motor power: 3.5 HP. The only difference is that the NordicTrack 1750’s rating represents continuous horsepower, whereas it is unclear if the Sole F80’s 3.5 HP rating is continuous or peak horsepower. Therefore, I will have to guess that the 1750’s motor is actually a bit better. If there is a difference, it is likely negligible in performance, as both treadmills should hold up to similar use for comparable amounts of time. The Sole F80 does come out firmly in the lead with a lifetime warranty on its motor, while the NordicTrack 1750’s motor falls under its 2-year parts warranty. As for noise level, neither treadmill is a bad choice, but the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is the winner.
Running Surface
The NordicTrack 1750 has a sufficiently large running surface that measures 20” x 60”. Yet, the Sole F80 has a belt size of 22” x 60”. It’s a subtle difference, but larger runners or walkers with wider step widths will appreciate that extra room. The belts are both textured, and I never had any trouble with losing traction or feeling unstable on either treadmill belt.
One of the biggest determinants of whether you go with the NordicTrack 1750 or the Sole F80 might be the cushioning. If more is better when it comes to cushioning, the NordicTrack 1750 is the clear winner. The 1750 has a very soft running deck while the F80 has a firm deck. Runners or walkers hoping to reduce the impact on their bodies or recover from harder workouts and injuries should definitely consider the 1750 over the F80. Runners with road races on the horizon might be better off with the F80. The firm deck better replicates the experience of training outdoors.
Folding/Storage
These treadmills are folding treadmills. The NordicTrack and the Sole F80 have decks that can softly lower to the ground without additional assistance once released from their upright positions. The Sole F80 releases with a hand lever whereas the NordicTrack 1750 uses a kick release arm. The Sole F80’s deck is harder to lift because of its weight. The NordicTrack 1750 is lighter, but both treadmills will require you to manually lift the deck with minimal assistance from the unfolding mechanism.
Both treadmills will require a dedicated space, because they are rather large and heavy. They can be moved around, but most users will find it much easier and more reasonable to fold and unfold them in a permanent location. Yet, the Sole F80 wins the battle on portability. It uses four transport wheels instead of two. Thus, you can push the Sole F80 around, whereas the NordicTrack 1750 has to be tilted onto its two transport wheels. The treadmills roll more easily on a hard surface than they do on soft flooring. We recommend placing either on a treadmill floor mat to protect the treadmill and floor.
Incline/Decline
The Sole F80 has fifteen levels of incline, but the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 inclines to 12% and declines to -3%. The option to decline the 1750 really wins me over. I like the option to train downhill as well as uphill, because it replicates the experience of running outdoors much better. The Sole F80’s incline adjustments are also much slower than the NordicTrack 1750’s. If you want to perform some quick hill intervals and maybe recover with a downhill segment, the 1750 is the clear victor.
Features & Accessories
NordicTrack and Sole have taken very different approaches when it comes to designing their treadmill features. The NordicTrack 1750 feels very much so designed to pair with the iFIT training platform. The Sole F80 takes a more maximalist approach and tries to offer every feature a runner or walker might want on their treadmill. The 1750 ends up with a very streamlined, aesthetically pleasing appearance while the F80 is sure to appease the shopper who wants a little bit of everything without a subscription service.
Console Overview
When it comes to console buttons, I am hands down team NordicTrack. The 1750 has a button for every level of speed and incline, which is essential for seamless training. The F80’s quick-adjust buttons jump all over the place, and I don’t like the speed and incline switches enough (they are slow) for them to make up for it. The NordicTrack 1750 also has volume control buttons on the screen and on the console, while the F80 only has onscreen volume controls. When you are running really fast, the physical buttons tend to be far easier to use than the touchscreen. While I really like the features that the Sole F80 has to offer, their horizontal organization makes the screen very difficult to reach; the 1750 does not have this problem.
Screen
My minimum preferred screen size for a treadmill is 10 inches. Both of these treadmills hit that mark. Unfortunately for the Sole F80, which just meets that minimum, the NordicTrack 1750 surpasses it with a screen size of 14 inches. Another point goes to the 1750 thanks to its tilt and pivot screen, which is great for viewing while off of the treadmill. In terms of viewing quality, I think the 1750 is still the better option. The graphics look a bit clearer, and I have had fewer issues with lagging on the 1750. The F80 does have more content available on the screen besides the native content, and it is hard to say whether this factors into the differences. The F80’s screen is certainly more versatile and will appeal to users who don’t want to subscribe to premium training content. We will dive more into the onscreen content later.
Speakers
Both treadmills have dual front-facing speakers. The sound is loud and even easy to hear over the motor and your foot noise. NordicTrack’s speaker quality may be slightly better than the Sole F80, but both get the job done just fine. I had no complaints about the audio quality on either machine.
Bluetooth Audio
The Sole F80 and NordicTrack 1750 are both Bluetooth-enabled. The NordicTrack 1750 and Sole F80 have Bluetooth speakers and audio. It is easier to connect a device to the 1750, but once you have done it one time on either machine, it isn’t hard.
Heart Rate
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 pairs with Bluetooth heart rate monitors. My Garmin Forerunner 245 connected very easily. The heart rate training capabilities of the 1750 are really awesome, because iFIT provides training content that automatically adjusts speed to keep you in the right heart rate zone. If you like to train via heart rate, this treadmill makes it super easy.
The Sole F80 pairs with Garmin watches and other Bluetooth heart rate monitors. I really like how easy it was to connect my Garmin Forerunner 245 to the Sole F80. Wrist heart rate monitors are one of the most popular heart rate monitors that runners and walkers use. I like that Sole integrates heart rate devices you may already own. The Sole F80 also has EKG pulse grips to check your heart rate if you do not have a monitor.
With all the different features and device compatibilities in mind, I think the NordicTrack 1750 is the winner. The ability to adjust the training programs to your heart rate zone (custom to you!) is really cool! Your decision will likely depend on which heart rate monitoring device you own or prefer to use.
Storage
Neither treadmill has a large storage tray. They both have two cup holders, but the Sole F80 has a few more options. It has a device rack for your tablet or smartphone above the screen and two small item compartments next to the cup holders. The Sole F80 is my pick in this category, because I love a treadmill with a tablet rack. The NordicTrack 1750 doesn’t provide a built-in way to view third-party content.
Fan
The Sole F80 has a built-in fan, but you wouldn’t know it. The fan points away from the deck and is very weak. It can’t compete with the powerful 1750 fan with its AutoBreeze technology. Seriously, the NordicTrack fan changes speed to match your training intensity. It’s way better.
Other Features
Sole offers a lot of features, and if you want more insight into all of them, I suggest checking out my complete written review of the Sole F80. The F80 connects to Garmin watches, has a wireless charging pad, and allows screen mirroring with iPhones. Sole has really surpassed the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 with the number of features it offers. The NordicTrack 1750 is one sleek machine with a more minimalistic treadmill design.
Performance
Both treadmills have a speed range of 0 to 12 mph. They have the same motor power. What makes them so different? The NordicTrack 1750’s fast speed and incline transitions as well as the soft running deck could be enough to persuade you. But there are plenty of reasons you might prefer the performance of the Sole F80. The firm deck feels more comparable to running outdoors, and runners who are used to that sort of training might feel a little unbalanced by the bounciness of the 1750’s deck. If you are working on running a certain speed to prepare for a race, you might not want the assistance that bounce gives you. The slower speed and incline transitions may feel smoother and safer to some users. If you are a walker who accidentally hits the 10 mph button, you will have much more time to step off of the belt or correct your mistake on the Sole F80. For walkers, the soft cushioning of the NordicTrack 1750 may be a lot less noticeable than for a runner.
As a runner who has used both treadmills, I like the Sole F80 and NordicTrack 1750 for different purposes. The Sole F80 would be my pick for daily training. On the F80, I feel more confident that my training will translate to outdoor events. The NordicTrack 1750 is ideal for recovery or building your mileage up. It is also great for interval workouts due to its faster speed and incline transitions.
Subscription & Content Options
NordicTrack 1750 iFIT Content
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 falls under the iFIT umbrella. iFIT is a subscription training platform with thousands of classes from over a hundred trainers. iFIT automatically adjusts the speed and incline settings for hands-free training. The video content shows routes and trails around the world. The incline adjusts to match the terrain shown on the screen. The speed adjustments are preset, but if you override the settings, iFIT will adjust the rest of your workout and future workouts to better match your fitness level.
iFIT also has a Google Maps integration. This feature allows you to create a route almost anywhere in the world. The incline will also adjust to match this terrain. It is a great way to practice running a future race route. The screen will display a slideshow of images from Google Street View. It’s not as immersive as the video content, but it is really fun to explore.
A few other features iFIT has include heart rate training with automatic speed adjustments, Feed.FM radio, and community challenges. iFIT is free for your first thirty days on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. To continue the service, you will need to renew monthly or yearly. iFIT is the only content source available for the NordicTrack 1750.
Sole F80 Content
The Sole F80 is on the other end of the spectrum when it comes to onscreen content. The Sole F80 has a great balance of entertainment and training content. The training content includes standard interval and hill workouts like you would find on just about any treadmill, military fitness test, and custom programs. You can also perform any workout you want and save that workout as a template to repeat in the future. The Sole F80 does allow users to subscribe to a built-in third-party app called Kinomap. This app allows users to train along virtual routes with automatic incline and speed adjustments, similar to iFIT but inferior in quality.
The F80 offers entertainment from apps like Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime, and Disney Plus. These apps will require a subscription to their individual services, but you do not have to subscribe to an additional service from Sole to access the apps. There are also entertainment options like Spotify, ESPN, CNN, and Audible. For an entirely free entertainment, there is YouTube. I really enjoy how many options the F80 provides.
As you can tell, the NordicTrack 1750 and the Sole F80 have very different offerings. The 1750 is better suited to the walker or runner who wants to continually subscribe to the iFIT training platform. iFIT is one of the best treadmill training platforms on the market, and it offers plenty of content for off of the treadmill and other cardio equipment. The Sole F80 has content available at no extra cost, and it allows you to access subscription content you may already have a membership to. The NordicTrack 1750 excels at training while the Sole F80 provides the best entertainment content. Which treadmill wins this category is really going to be up to your preferred training style. I have greatly enjoyed both options.
Bottom Line Review: Sole F80 vs NordicTrack 1750
The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and the Sole F80 are both powerful running treadmills. NordicTrack excels at smart training content and performance features. The soft cushioning and quick speed and incline transitions may be just what you need to take your training to the next level. The Sole F80 is more free form with practically unlimited content options with its third-party apps, screen mirroring feature, and device rack. The firm deck replicates training outdoors more readily and offers a more spacious platform. I recommend the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 for runners or walkers who want more guided training or prefer a cushioned deck. The Sole F80 is best for runners or walkers who want to avoid a subscription fee or prefer entertainment content to training content when exercising indoors. I wish it was as easy as picking a winner in this Sole F80 vs NordicTrack 1750 comparison, but the best treadmill is the one that fits your needs. I hope this comparison gives you more peace of mind when deciding between the two.