Best treadmill 2024: Jump Menu
00. The list in brief ↴
01. Best overall: NordicTrack 2950
02. Best value: JTX Sprint 3
03. Best premium: Life Fitness T3
04. Best for small spaces: Echelon Stride
05. Best for HIIT: Assault AirRunner
06. Best for classes: Peloton Tread
07: Best under-desk: Mobvoi Home
08. Best spec: ProForm Pro 1000
09. How we test the best treadmills
10. How to buy the best treadmill for you
11. FAQs
Having one of the best treadmills is an excellent way to keep fit from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re a keen runner or want to keep fit without stepping inside a gym, a treadmill can help. They are, however, an expensive purchase, so navigating which is best for you and your home is essential before making any decisions.
Space is one of the key things to consider when buying the best treadmill as they’re not the smallest pieces of home gym equipment. Some models can be bulky, while others with a wide incline variety require greater space. If you feel this is something that you’re lacking, then a folding treadmill may be a better option, or even an under-desk treadmill if you simply want to get some extra steps in. Speeds will vary on different models too, so make sure you take them into account. There’s nothing worse than training for a marathon but finding you can outrun your treadmill.
Below you'll find a range of treadmills that we’ve tried and tested taking speed, price, size, and functionality into consideration to help you make the right purchase. Whether you’re looking for something on a budget or want to splash the cash on a top-notch unit, we've (hopefully) found a treadmill that'll suit your running needs.
As someone who spends 95% of their time in the gym, I've been able to test and trial a variety of strength, functional and cardio equipment, so I know exactly what to look (and not to) when it comes to choosing your very own treadmill for your home; ideal for getting in your daily steps, improving your aerobic fitness levels and perfecting your running technique.
T3's top 3 treadmills
From the best for most people, to the best budget option, and the best premium pick, here's a quick rundown of the top three treadmills 2024, followed by more in-depth analysis of a fuller list for those who want a deep-dive with additional context on a per-device basis.
Best overall treadmill
If you’re looking for a treadmill that excels in all areas – such as running speed, incline capabilities and entertainment – then the NordicTrack 2950 should be a top contender. It delivers speeds up to 13.5 mph, has a 21.5” full-colour touch display screen, built-in speakers and Bluetooth. You will need a decent amount of room for it, as it is pretty bulky, and it’s definitely not the cheapest of treadmills. But, if neither of these are an issue, then it’s a treadmill that’ll last for life.
Best value treadmill
For those who’d prefer a more basic, affordable treadmill to do some cardio on, the JTX Sprint-3 is a cracking option. Unlike the NordicTrack, it doesn’t take up too much room, and the folding deck means you don’t have to sacrifice much space (it can even be stored in a cupboard). It may not have all the bells and whistles that some pricier models listed have, but it offers a great function workout and does exactly what it says on the tin. A great value-for-money option.
Best premium treadmill
Regular gym-goers will know Life Fitness provides top-notch equipment. This treadmill doesn’t disappoint either, although it is another model that’s a bit on the larger size and requires some decent setup space. For us, the standout feature is the FlexDeck Shock Absorption System, which reduces joint stress by up to 30% in comparison to other treadmills. It’s slightly slower than the NordicTrack, but has a brilliant 15% incline for those who want to push their training to the limit.
Best treadmills to buy right now
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
In our review, we gave the amazing Nordictrack 2950 four stars and said if you have serious amounts of cash to spend on a treadmill, then you should consider this one. This commercial-quality running machine excels in every category, whether it's running speed, incline capabilities, or entertainment.
The 4.25 CHP DurX Commercial Plus motor is built to deliver speeds up to 13.5 mph, plenty fast enough for most runners who might consider running on a treadmill. For comparison, Eliud Kipchoge's 2-hour barrier-smashing pace was 13.16 mph, so even if you can run that fast, the NordicTrack 2950 Treadmill will be able to keep up with you.
As for entertainment, most of the middle console is taken up by a massive 21.5” full-colour capacitive touch display. As well as that, the NordicTrack 2950 Treadmill also sports built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity so you can blast your music as well as listen to instructions coming from the iFit workouts streamed on the treadmill's gigantic screen. You'll also get a 1-year iFit Live subscription included in the price, and there are also 40 pre-programmed workouts on the treadmill.
The NordicTrack 2950 Treadmill is pretty bulky, mind, and as mentioned above, it's not too cheap either, but should you have the money and the space, this will be the last treadmill you'll ever have to buy.
Read our full NordicTrack 2950 Treadmill review.
Best value
For an entry-level model, the JTX Sprint 3 is a cracking machine. It's both robust and affordable, costing less than £700. It's suitable for most people and will provide an excellent cardio workout for those looking to get or stay fit from the comfort of their homes. The folding deck means you don’t have to sacrifice much space, and it can be easily stored away in a cupboard when not in use.
It may not have the luxurious Bluetooth connectivity, but this is not too much of an issue with the built-in speakers and a dedicated place to pop your device for an enjoyable heart-pumping workout. This is a high-quality machine that is built to last and has the bonus of a two-year warranty. There is not much to dislike with this treadmill as it’s functional and does exactly what it is meant to do. It will offer most runners a solid experience for a quality workout every single time.
Read our full JTX Sprint-3 review.
Best premium
A name that will be familiar to anyone who frequents the gym, Life Fitness produces top-quality equipment that can also be introduced to the home with minimum fuss. The standout feature of this model is the Track console, which easily connects to smartphones and tablets in order to harness the power of the excellent Life Fitness app. A powerful FlexDeck shock absorption system is said to reduce the impact on joints by 30 per cent. It's fairly expensive, but you get what you pay for. Oh, and you'll need a decent amount of room at home because this is, quite predictably, a big ol' unit.
Best for small spaces
The Echelon Stride is a solid running machine for most casual runners, offering a full-sized running area and enough speed for a solid workout. It's also easy to set-up and won't dominate too much space in your home as it folds down to just over 10 inches.
In terms of features, the Echelon Stride doesn't come with all the bells and whistles that some of the other treadmills in our guide have. There's no built-in touchscreen, but there is a dashboard that displays your speed, incline, calories, steps, etc and the handlebars also have integrated heart rate sensors. There's also a space to pop your tablet or phone, and it also benefits from Echelon United – a series of online classes that you can access via the app for a monthly fee.
Despite its slightly lower 10% incline and it's max 12mph speed, you get a steady and stable run on the Echelon Stride. While this may not be fast or steep enough for more serious runners, it'll definitely do for most.
Read our full Echelon Stride review.
Best for HIIT
The Assault AirRunner is different from your standard running machine and, according to Assualt Fitness, it can burn up to 30% more calories than your regular treadmill. It has a curved running deck and doesn't have a motor-powered belt like others. Instead, it feeds off user input to crank up the resistance and adapt with effort, giving you complete control over speed and output. It feels like running on air, while the slightly kicked-up design means there is no limit to how hard you can push yourself on it.
It's designed with intense cardio in mind (such as HIIT, CrossFit and Hyrox training) as it's excellent for cranking up the pace in a split second without waiting for a belt to catch up. It's a bit of a Marmite treadmill and if you haven't ever used one before it will take some getting used to. There are also no incline options (apart from the natural incline from its curved shape) and the small screen tracks distance, calories and speed. Plus, there are built-in training programmes.
Worried about parting with the dosh? Its steel frame and handrails, corrosion-resistant hardware and a slat belt running surface are built to last up to 150,000 miles of use, so, despite the higher asking price, the Assault AirRunner is an excellent value for money running machine – no wonder we gave it four stars in our Assault AirRunner review.
Best for classes
The Peloton Tread is packed with live and on-demand classes led by enthusiastic instructors, so if it's motivation you need during training, this is the treadmill for you. These classes go beyond just running though, as a subscription to the All-Access-Membership also offers strength training, HIIT, yoga, and stretching classes. The instructors walk you through the entire workout and, when testing, we found their constant chit-chat became a great distraction from the pain we experienced in our legs.
Despite its sleek design this treadmill is robust and can go up to a maximum speed of 12.5mph and an incline of 12.5%, so there’s no excuse not to work hard. These can also be quickly adjusted with the rotating dials on the handlebars, so you don't have to interrupt your flow by fiddling about with buttons.
There's no hiding from the fact that this treadmill is not cheap, but if you have the cash to splash, have a good internet connection, and want to do more than just running, it's a well-worth investment.
Best under-desk
For the space and budget-conscious who want a treadmill for gentle runs or easy walks, the Mobvoi Home Treadmill is a great option. This unit folds flat and can be slipped under the bed when not in use, so it's ideal for smaller spaces. It also fits perfectly under desks too, incase you want to walk while you work.
It has two modes: walking mode and running mode. For the latter, there's a handrail that you can lift up for extra support, with touchscreen buttons to control your speed, and there's a phone holder. There's also a Blutetooth remote to control the speed in walk mode and the illuminated screen on the front of the treadmill displays calories, distance, speed, duration, and heart rate. You can even connect it to your fitness tracker so that you can keep track of this data more closely.
This treadmill won't suit everyone though. The running area is slightly on the small side, there's no incline, and the max speed is only 12 km/h (7.46mph). It's perfect as an affordable home treadmill for light running and getting in some extra steps, but if you want to do high-intensity running, you're best opting for one of the larger models in this guide.
Read our full Mobvoi Home Treadmill review.
Best spec
The ProForm Pro 1000 isn't the cheapest machine on the list, but it is nowhere near the most expensive yet offers some extremely competitive features. These include a generous 12 per cent incline gradient, a built-in workout fan, 32 pre-set workout programmes and an LED display that offers all sorts of fitness metrics to suit various training regimes. Great for heavy use, the treadmill features a professional-grade motor built with high-grade components and dynamically spin-balanced assembly (whatever that means) to power the treadmill up to a top speed of 22kph/13.6mph. That might not be a full commercial gym sprint pace, but it's more than enough for a domestic jog.
How we test the best treadmills
Treadmills are some of the most complicated home gym equipment you can get; they are big, have many features and are often capable of producing various workout modes. Hence why we spend anything between 2-4 weeks with every machine before we decide where it fits in the current treadmill landscape. As well as testing the features, we look at how comfortable it is to run on the treadmill, how straightforward the user interface is, how easy it is to store and move the machine around, and whether it's a good value for money (or not). For more information on testing, we've put together a handy guide on how we test at T3.
How to buy the best treadmill for you
A treadmill is an investment so before you make your purchase you must consider a few things first...
Space: Treadmills are one of the biggest pieces of workout equipment, so space needs to be a key consideration before you hit that buy button. If you live in a flat or apartment a folding treadmill may be more suitable (or if you have small children), as you can keep them out of the way when not in use.
Price: The price range for treadmills can vary anywhere from under £700 up to over £3,000, so make sure you know your budget before you start browsing. More expensive treadmills will often come with more features and be better built. However, these days there are plenty of affordable options that still deliver a great workout experience.
Speed: Are you planning to use your treadmill for running, jogging, or just walks? Most of the treadmills in our guide go up to a top speed of 12mph, which is suitable for most runners. It’s worth noting that cheaper treadmills don't always have the widest speed variety, so make sure to check this out before you buy.
Incline: If you want to do more challenging hilly runs or even hikes, then you’ll want to think about the incline options. Again, more expensive treadmills often have more incline settings, as opposed to cheaper models.
Live classes: Despite what great playlist you may be listening to, running on a treadmill can get boring pretty quickly. Programmes and live classes are a great way to help you stay motivated and offer encouragement while training.
FAQs
Which treadmill is best for home use?
Of course, something like the LifeFitness Platinum Club Series sits at the top end of the budgetary scale – it's got the word 'platinum' in it, so what did you expect? – but that's not to say there aren't great choices to suit less extravagant tastes.
Prices range from around £160 / $200 for the basic, self-propelled models. Still, these tend to offer a very unrealistic running experience and fall apart after a couple of uses, so really, the sweet spot between performance and price starts at around £600 / $700.
A good, mains-powered treadmill is judged on its running deck, which has to absorb the impact of a run while simultaneously representing an outdoor surface, as well as keeping the amount of noise it produces to a minimum.
For everyday use (as in, not hardcore running training), we would recommend the JTX Sprint-5 Home Treadmill: it strikes a good balance between quality, ease of use and price, offering a good value for money for people not willing to remortgage a house to get a new running machine.
Are treadmills bad for your knees?
No, they aren't! As a matter of fact, they are probably better for the knees than running on hard surfaces (e.g. tarmac). Modern treadmills have cushioned running decks to make home workouts less noisy and reduce impact force as you run. It's a different story if you try to run fast, but that will affect your knee joints on any surface. If you're concerned about your knees, try running slower and should you feel any pain or discomfort, consult a medical professional.
What shoes are best for running on a treadmill?
If you're using a treadmill for running, then a pair of running shoes are you best bet. Although, you won't need a pair with as much cushioning as you would need if you were running outside. Choose a pair that are lightweight, breathable and provide good energy return, like the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13, or if you're in need something more affordable, you can't go wrong with the Nike Pegasus 40. Make sure you don't wear trail running shoes on the treadmill though, as the lugs could ruin the running belt.
