If you spend hours in the gym every week pounding the treadmill into submission, then maybe it’s time you considered buying one of your own. Unless you opt for an absolutely top-of-the-range machine you’ll make the money back on your purchase within a few years compared to a gym membership, and, best of all, you’ll finally be able to pick your own in-run entertainment. Imagine running to your favourite music or TV show, instead of being stuck watching ITV quiz shows with subtitles on while generic gym dance music assaults your ears – sounds good, doesn’t it?
When picking a treadmill it’s easy to overlook more affordable machines and start lusting after professional-looking machines that wouldn't look out of place at a gym, but you don't need a commercial-standard treadmill unless you’re planning on spending 16 hours a day on it. In this article you’ll find our four favourite sub-£1,000 options that cater for every level of walker or runner, as well as a couple of more fancy high-end picks for those of you who are you are set on recreating a gym-standard experience in your own home.
How to buy the best treadmill for you
How much do I need to spend?
If you want something that gets anywhere close to the quality of the treadmill you find in a gym you will need to splash out upwards of £1,000, but there are some great home-use options available between £500 and £1,000, while walkers and beginner runners can find a machine that suffices in the £200 to £500 range. We really wouldn’t be tempted to spend less, however: dipping below the £200 mark usually means a very limited feature set that even beginners will tire of quickly, not to mention questionable build quality.
How much room do I need?
Carefully check the dimensions of any treadmill you’re interested in. You’ll need at least a single bed’s worth of room when using the treadmill, and some clearance at the back to step on and off. It’s also worth considering what else you’ll want in the room with your treadmill, such as a TV to watch while running. Many models will fold up after use, which saves a little space, but there’s no such thing as a truly compact treadmill. In all honesty, you’re far better off reserving an ample amount of space for a treadmill and keeping it clear – that way you don’t have to spend precious running time setting it up each and every time you want to use it.
Do I need a treadmill capable of hitting a specific speed?
A major difference between most home and commercial treadmills is the top speed available. Gym treadmills will routinely go up to 19-22.5kph (12-14mph), but home use machines will often top out at 12-16kph (8-10mph) or even lower. Unless you want to end up frustrated, it pays to make sure that the treadmill you’re considering is able to keep up with you.
Buying a treadmill with variable incline settings is a sensible choice, too. It’s worth looking out for treadmills which can provide a maximum incline of around 10-15%, as this allows you to increase the difficulty of your run without needing as much speed. Last but by no means least, you’ll want to make sure that the treadmill belt is long enough to accommodate your running stride, and that you don’t exceed than the manufacturer’s maximum weight ratings. The latter is particularly important, as any warranties will be null and void in the event of an accident – and having a treadmill fall to bits half way through a run is less than ideal in any case.
What other features should I look out for?
One of the most useful features to keep an eye out for is whether a treadmill has a variety of pre-set workouts that you can follow on the treadmill, like hill and sprint sessions. The variety of different-sized screens available on treadmills is huge, too, ranging from simple monochrome displays right up to detailed colour LCD TV screens that connect to the internet for the best in-run entertainment. Other features to look out for are contact heart rate monitors, and whether the products provide connectivity to smartphones or fitness wearables for both tracking and uploading your workouts.
What should I look for in terms of build quality?
As a minimum you want a two-year warranty on a treadmill. After that, it’s worth finding out about individual parts, especially the motor. The horsepower of the motor is important – runners should look for a minimum of 2.5HP (continuous, rather than peak, so it lasts your whole workout), while walkers can get away with 1.5 or 2.0HP. Also, check the thickness of the running belt. Thicker, cushioned belts are more durable and comfortable to run on.
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The best treadmills to buy
1. Confidence Gtr Power Pro Motorised Treadmill: The best budget treadmill
Price when reviewed:£200
The feature set on this folding treadmill is akin to something you’d find on a mid-range machine, with a decent speed range and 12 pre-set workouts. However, it’s certainly a machine aimed at walkers and beginner runners, with a weak motor and manual incline settings (which means you have to get off and adjust it yourself). Spending too much time running near the modest top speed on the Confidence GTR Pro is also likely to result in a fair bit of rattling and squeaking.
That might seem like a lot of negatives, but if you’re looking to spend around £200 on a treadmill and only plan to walk or run at slow speeds, it will serve you well. It’s also a better option than a manual, non-motorised treadmill, which have very few features and are tough to use. Anyone who is more serious about their running will have to spend nearer £500 as a minimum.
Key specs – Size (LWH): 132 x 64 x 132cm; Speed Range: 1-12km/h; Incline Range: 3 levels; Motor: 1.5HP
2. JLL S300 Digital Folding Treadmill: The best compact treadmill
Price when reviewed:£383
If you’re looking for a cheap treadmill that packs plenty of features into a frame that won’t take up too much space, this might be your best bet. It has a good incline range that tops out at 12%, and a strong enough motor that it can handle longer runs near the top speed of 16km/h without issues. The JLL S300 comes with a two-year parts and labour warranty, and a five-year warranty for the motor.
There’s also a heart-rate sensor built into the handrails and you can plug in a phone or MP3 player to play through the speakers, although the sound quality isn’t incredible. The track is well-cushioned, although small and very short at 123 x 41cm (LW), so many runners will struggle to get beyond jogging pace – check your stride length if this a concern. As well as 15 running programmes the JLL S300 has three customisable options which you can set up to suit your preferences. It’s a solid all-round package for beginners.
Key specs – Size (LWH): 158 x 70 x 128cm; Speed Range: 0.3-16km/h; Incline Range: 0-12%; Motor: 2.5HP continuous, 4.5HP peak
3. Proform Endurance M7 Treadmill: The best treadmill under £600
Price when reviewed:£549
Many treadmills in this price range will skimp on the running area, which makes them better suited for walking than actual running, but the Proform Endurance M7 has a 51cm by 140cm deck that allows all but the tallest runners the space to hit their stride. It also boasts an clear LCD console, 18 workout programmes and a speed range that tops out at 18kph, powered by a 2.5HP continuous motor.
The warranty is generous (providing you register within 28 days of purchase) with two years parts and labour and five years on the motor. If you’re an experienced runner the M7 is about the cheapest machine you’re likely to find that will keep you satisfied for months or years, rather than giving up on it after a couple of weeks.
Key specs – Size (LWH): 186 x 92 x 149cm; Speed Range: 0-18kph; Incline Range: 0-10%; Motor: 2.5HP continuous, 3HP peak
4. JTX Sprint-7: The best treadmill under £1,000
Price when reviewed:£849
Beginner, intermediate and advanced runners alike will be well-served by this sturdy treadmill, which tops out at a speed of 20kph (12mph) and an incline of 15%. It’s as close to a commercial gym experience as you can get for less than £1,000. The Sprint-7 offers 24 preset workouts and will even link to Polar wearables to run automated workouts based on your heart rate.
JTX have a reputation for providing exceptional customer service and the Sprint-7 is no exception – it comes with a warranty that provides three years of in home servicing and repair, in addition to a ten year motor warranty. It’s a reliable machine that runs very smoothly, allowing you to clock up big miles at a decent clip without any fears that the machine will break down. The running area is 145cm long, which will be fine for any runner under 6ft, but if you want more space and Bluetooth connectivity, the JTX Sprint-9 is the next step up in the series at £1,199.
Key specs – Size (LWH): 196 x 93 x 153cm; Speed Range: 0-20kph; Incline Range: 0-15%; Motor: 3HP continuous, 6HP peak
5. NordicTrack X7i Incline Trainer: The best incline trainer
Price when reviewed:£1,600
You can bring the savage satisfaction of hill-training home with this incline trainer, that has a range of gradients that runs from -3% all the way up to a terrifying 40%. Running, or even walking, on a steep incline makes for a very efficient workout, as well as acting as the perfect preparation for any hilly races you might have signed up for.
The X7i is the cheapest option in NordicTrack’s incline range, with the main differences compared to the more expensive X9i being a slightly less powerful motor and a regular screen, rather than a touchscreen. You can attach a tablet to the X7i if you are craving a larger touchscreen for your entertainment, but its 7” screen is large enough to see your stats and guide you through the 38 preloaded workout apps. Although the 2.75HP motor is a little underpowered for the X7i’s price, this is a high-spec machine with a generous running area, making it a good choice even if you don't intend of taking advantage of the incline settings.
Key specs – Size (LWH): 176 x 100 x 183cm; Speed Range: 0-20kph; Incline Range: -3-40%; Motor: 2.75HP continuous, 4HP peak
6. Life Fitness T3 Go Console: The best gym-quality treadmill
Price when reviewed:£2,295
You can spend almost any amount of money on a treadmill, but there’s little need to look beyond the T3 unless you’re desperate for a football-pitch size running area or an in-built TV. The Life Fitness T3 is silky smooth to run on, even at the top speed of 12mph, and there are 14 well-developed exercise programmes to try. The 152cm-long track is large enough to allow even tall runners to really open out and sprint, and the FlexDeck cushioning is far gentler on the body than running on the pavement.
The T3 comes with either a “Go” or a “Track” console. The latter is slightly more expensive at £2,490 but boasts wireless connectivity to download more workouts or link with third-party apps like Apple Health and MyFitnessPal. There’s more than enough motivation to be found in the preset workouts on the Go Console, but if you crave connectivity then the Track might be worth the extra outlay.
Buy the Life Fitness T3 from John Lewis
Key specs – Size (LWH): 202 x 88 x 147cm; Speed Range: 0-19kph; Incline Range: 0-15%; Motor: 3HP continuous