Updated: December 4, 2023
If you want to train for a marathon, share a treadmill among a household of exercisers, or view training content on a large touchscreen, the Sole F85 and the NordicTrack 2450 are sure to come up in your search. These powerful running treadmills offer excellent features and performance specs, but they are likely to appeal to two different crowds. This treadmill comparison of the Sole F85 vs the NordicTrack 2450 is designed to make your buying decision simple. I’ll break down the similarities and differences of each treadmill in a variety of build and performance categories. I’ll also compare what features each treadmill offers so you can find the treadmill that matches your training priorities.
Sole F85 Highlights
- The Sole F85 has third-party apps from Max, Prime, Spotify, and more.
- The Sole F85 does not require a subscription to access its native features.
- The F85 has 6 levels of decline and 15 levels of incline.
- The Sole F85 has a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame.
- The F85 has screen mirroring for iPhones, a tablet rack, and a wireless charging pad.
- The Sole F85 has 4 transport wheels.
- The F85 has a maximum user weight capacity of 375 lbs.
NordicTrack 2450 Highlights
- The NordicTrack 2450 has a soft and bouncy running deck.
- iFIT provides trainer-led content from global locations.
- The speed and incline adjustments are fast, smooth, and automatic with iFIT.
- The NordicTrack 2450 has a 22-inch touchscreen display.
- OneTouch buttons make controlling the speed and incline very easy.
- iFIT provides smart HR-based training with ActivePulse technology.
- The 2450’s fan and speakers are of great quality.
Sole F85 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 82.5” x 38” x 66”
- Deck Size: 22” x 60”
- Motor Size: 4.0 HP
- Weight Capacity: 375 lbs
- Product Weight: 319 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: -6% to 5%
- Cushioning: Cushion Flex Whisper Deck
- Rollers: 2.75” (front) 2.36” (rear)
- Warranty: lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 3-year deck, 3-year other components, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items
NordicTrack 2450 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 65” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.6 CHP; a sufficient motor for heavy use or multi-user households
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 303 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: -3% to 12%
- Cushioning: soft
- Rollers: 1.9 precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
Treadmill Comparison of The Sole F85 vs NordicTrack 2450
Build Quality
Frame
The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 and Sole F85 have sturdy steel frames. The Sole F85 feels more solid, because the frame beneath the deck is reinforced heavily. These differences can be seen in the large weight disparity between the two treadmills. The 2450 weighs under 300 lbs while the F85 weighs 319 lbs. A heavier treadmill can feel sturdier, but it also is harder to move. The F85 has a 375-lb user weight capacity compared to the NordicTrack 2450’s 300-lb maximum capacity. The 2450 and F85 have a similar z-shaped frame for a more modern treadmill look. The NordicTrack 2450 does look a bit sleeker with its all-black design. The Sole F85 has the better warranty with a lifetime warranty on the frame compared to the NordicTrack 2450’s 10-year warranty.
Motor
The Sole F85 has a 4.0 HP motor while the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a 3.6 CHP motor. It’s hard to judge which motor is better, because the Sole’s rating could represent its peak performance while the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 provides a continuous rating. It is hard to say if one is better than the other. Fortunately, both treadmills should perform similarly and have similar lifespans. These treadmills are both great for long-distance running and sharing among a household.
Running Surface
The Sole F85’s running surface measures 22” x 60” which is just wider than the NordicTrack 2450’s 20” x 60” running surface. Either belt should give most runners enough room to run comfortably. The Sole F85 will be more comfortable for larger users or exercisers with a wider step width. If you tend to move from side to side rather than staying centered on the belt, the F85 would also be the better option.
Surface area is not the only thing to consider when it comes to the running surface. The cushioning also matters a lot. In fact, for many users, it might determine which treadmill you pick. There’s no competition when it comes to which treadmill is softer. The NordicTrack 2450 is a very cushioned treadmill with some bounce to get you to your next step more easily. The Sole F85 is best for runners or walkers who don’t want as much assistance during their walk or run. The deck is much firmer and feels similar to running on the road.
Folding/Storage
Both treadmills use an assisted folding mechanism to allow the deck to softly lower to the ground once released from its upright position. The Sole F85’s deck is much harder to lift back into its folded position compared to the NordicTrack. The Sole F85 does have four transport wheels which allow the treadmill to be pushed rather than tilted onto two transport wheels like the NordicTrack 2450. I am declaring this one a tie, because the F85 and 2450 each have their own benefits.
Incline/Decline
The NordicTrack 2450 has an incline/decline range of -3% to 12%, which is really nice. The Sole F85 has 6 levels of decline and 15 levels of incline for a little more training variability. Both treadmills have great ranges and stable inclines, even when you are running hard. The NordicTrack 2450 is faster and quieter at making incline changes, but the Sole F85 earns my favor for the better range.
Features & Accessories
The Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 treadmills maximize their feature offerings but take very different approaches. The Sole F85 offers the best onscreen entertainment options while the NordicTrack 2450 really maximizes training features. Sole encourages walkers and runners to train any way they wish. NordicTrack narrowed down the best features to support virtual training with trainer-led content from iFIT. I’ll take a closer look at the individual features, so you can find what you are looking for.
Console Overview
NordicTrack has treadmill buttons figured out. The OneTouch buttons are awesome, because they are responsive and represent every incline and speed level. The Sole F85 could use some improvement in the button department, because the treadmill does not have buttons to represent its maximum incline, decline, or neutral grade. It makes navigating to three of the most popular incline levels way more difficult, and the speed and incline switches don’t make it up. For console layout and ease of navigation, I really have to give it to the NordicTrack Commercial 2450.
Screen
The Sole F85 has a 15.6-inch touchscreen display which is a great size but noticeably smaller than the NordicTrack 2450’s 22-inch touchscreen. The quality of both displays is nice, but NordicTrack also takes the lead here. The 2450’s 22-inch screen displays beautiful iFIT content well enough to make you feel like you are on location with your trainer. It’s much more of an immersive experience than what you get from the Sole F85. The 2450’s screen also tilts and pivots to allow you to use the off-treadmill iFIT training content.
Speakers
Both treadmills have front-facing speakers, which improves the sound quality. Again, I think NordicTrack takes the lead on audio quality. The 2450 sounds crisp whereas the F85 comes out a little muffled. Both treadmills have audio ranges that are sufficiently loud to drown out the motor and foot noise. You can even hear the audio a good distance away if you want to do any off-treadmill training with the onscreen content. The Sole F85 and the NordicTrack 2450 both connect to Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for quieter listening if you would prefer to listen quietly.
Heart Rate
The NordicTrack 2450 and the Sole F85 connected to my Garmin Forerunner 245 for heart rate-based training. The Sole F85 also has EKG pulse grip sensors for users who do not have a compatible Bluetooth heart rate monitor. NordicTrack’s heart rate training capabilities are very impressive. When you are training in an ActivePulse workout, the treadmill speed and incline will adjust to keep you in the right heart rate zone for the workout. With a subscription to iFIT, the 2450 wins, but without it, it’s too close to call.
Storage
The standard two cup holders can be found on both of these treadmills. The Sole F85 also has a tablet rack above the touchscreen display and two small item compartments next to the cup holders. The F85 wins because the 2450 does not provide a convenient way to view third-party content on your phone or tablet. This lack of a tablet rack is particularly restricting, because the touchscreen only shows iFIT content.
Fan
The 2450’s AutoBreeze fan automatically adjusts to your intensity level by increasing or decreasing its speed when you change speeds. The F85’s fan is ineffective and blows away from the walker or runner on the treadmill deck. The AutoBreeze fan has my vote, but the Sole F85’s lack can be easily remedied with a floor or ceiling fan.
Other Features
The Sole F85 has a few additional features that you won’t find on the NordicTrack 2450. In fact, you won’t find these features on many other treadmills in this price range. The F85 has screen mirroring for iPhones (hopefully the Android app will be updated to work in the future). There’s a wireless charging pad that doubles as a second storage area for your phone. These features are exciting and convenient.
Performance
These running treadmills are powerful and durable. They can handle your daily training with no problem or support a second user. The treadmills both have a speed range of 0 to 12 mph. The 2450 has faster speed and incline adjustments than the Sole F85. The Sole F85 has slower transitions that may feel safer for some. Both treadmills perform very well and should support anything from your shortest to longest runs.
I like the Sole F85 for daily running, especially if you plan to race outdoors. Because the running deck is firmer, your legs will be more prepared for the demands of running outdoors compared to running on a very soft treadmill. Getting used to the firmer surfaces can help ward off shin splints and foot soreness.
The NordicTrack 2450 is a great choice for runners who want to use the treadmill as a recovery tool, increase their mileage, or make running not feel so terrible. The 2450 is also great for anyone who wants to reduce the shock put on their body by each step while running. This treadmill is more in line with the premium underfoot feel many users will be expecting at this price point.
Subscription & Content Options
To put it succinctly, the NordicTrack 2450 is your go-to treadmill for smart, subscription-based training content, but the Sole F85 is the top choice for entertainment and subscription-less training.
NordicTrack 2450 Content
iFIT is a digital fitness platform with thousands of classes from over a hundred trainers. Treadmill classes are filmed in global destinations with beautiful trails and routes or in a studio setting. There are also race series, such as the Boston Marathon, where you can complete the entire course in virtual segments. It’s a fun preview of what to expect come race day. There are also training classes for off the treadmill and on other iFIT equipment, and you can create your own route via the Google Maps integration.
Sole F85 Content
The Sole F85 treadmill has training and entertainment content available on the console. The training programs from Sole are free and built into the console. There are interval and hill programs. You can also customize your own workout or save a workout you have already completed as a template for future runs and walks. If you prefer subscription training content, the Sole F85 has the Kinomap app. Kinomap provides content similar to iFIT: virtual running routes and structured workouts. Kinomap also offers a multiplayer mode to compete with other subscribers. The content is not quite on par with iFIT’s quality, but it is very good. The Sole F85 really shines when it comes to entertainment apps. It has multiple streaming apps like Hulu and Netflix. There’s also free entertainment available from the built-in YouTube app.
Bottom Line Review: Sole F85 vs NordicTrack 2450
Now that I have thoroughly compared both treadmills in this Sole F85 vs NordicTrack 2450 treadmill comparison, there should be a clear winner. But there’s not. And that is for a good reason! The right treadmill for you will have the features and specs that best fit you. The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 has a soft cushioned deck, a large touchscreen, and unbeatable training content. The Sole F85 treadmill has a large, firm running deck, a great incline/decline range, and awesome entertainment content. It’s up to you to decide which training style suits you best.