Sports Magazine

The 6 Best Treadmills Under $2,000 – Tested and Reviewed

By Jessicashaw

Looking for an awesome treadmill machine for under $2,000? In this roundup we highlight the best treadmills for getting sweaty and burning fat without breaking the bank.

best treadmill under 2000 In this guide to the top treadmills under $2,000:  [hide]
  • The Best Treadmill Machines for Under $2,000
    • Bowflex Treadmill 10
    • NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill
    • Sole F85 Treadmill
    • Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill
    • Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill
    • ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill
  • Other Treadmills We’ve Tested and Reviewed
  • How to Choose the Perfect Treadmill Under $2,000 for You
    • Cost
    • Horsepower
    • Screen size
    • Foldability and Portability
    • Incline and decline options
    • Running Deck
    • Cushioning system
    • Safety features
    • Warranty
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Treadmills Under $2,000
    • Are treadmills under $2,000 worth investing in?

Treadmill machines are one of the best cardio machines for burning calories that you can being home.

Whether you walk or run, with the right treadmill you can melt fat, improve cardiovascular health, and exercise year-round no matter the weather outside.

While the cost of treadmills can vary widely—from as little as $179 for a manual walking treadmill all the way up to $15,000 for a commercial-grade treadmill machine—the sweet spot for the cost of a treadmill is in the neighborhood of $2,000.

At this price point, you get a ton of the functionality and durability of studio-grade treadmill machines, including touchscreens, power incline, and a large running deck without having to decimate your bank account. Other key features include durability, cushioned deck, and because you want to maximize space at home, space-saving features like foldability and a compact footprint.  

In this guide to the best treadmills under $2,000, we highlight the top options for every kind of user, from beginner to advanced athletes.

Whether you are looking for a treadmill with a screen for doing online classes or a simplified but heavy-duty treadmill for long runs and walks, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get started.

The Best Treadmill Machines for Under $2,000

BEST OVERALL

  • Bowflex Treadmill 10
  • Bowflex Treadmill 10
  • 4.7
  • $1,999
  • Shop Now @ Bowflex

BEST FOR iFIT

  • Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine
  • Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine
  • 4.6
  • $1,999
  • Shop Now @ NordicTrack

BEST STUDIO-GRADE

  • Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine
  • Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine
  • 4.5
  • $1,899
  • Shop Now @ Sole Fitness

BEST FOR A LARGE SCREEN

  • Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill
  • Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill
  • 4.4
  • $1,999
  • Shop @ Echelon

BEST FOR HIIT WORKOUTS

  • Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine
  • Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine
  • 4.6
  • $1,999
  • Shop Now @ Horizon Fitness

BUDGET-FRIENDLY

  • ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine
  • ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine
  • 4.6
  • $1,699
  • Shop Now @ ProForm

BEST OVERALL
Bowflex Treadmill 10
Bowflex Treadmill 10 4.7 $1,999 Shop Now @ Bowflex BEST FOR iFIT
Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine
Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine 4.6 $1,999 Shop Now @ NordicTrack BEST STUDIO-GRADE
Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine
Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine 4.5 $1,899 Shop Now @ Sole Fitness BEST FOR A LARGE SCREEN
Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill
Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill 4.4 $1,999 Shop @ Echelon BEST FOR HIIT WORKOUTS
Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine
Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine 4.6 $1,999 Shop Now @ Horizon Fitness BUDGET-FRIENDLY
ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine
ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine 4.6 $1,699 Shop Now @ ProForm

Bowflex Treadmill 10

⭐
Best overall treadmill under $2,000

Bowflex Treadmill 10 - best Treadmill under 2000

Key features:

  • Screen: 10” HD touchscreen
  • Weight capacity: 400lb
  • Incline: -5 to 15 degrees
  • Running deck: 22” x 60”

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is our top choice for the best treadmill under $2,000 thanks to a dizzying variety of factors, including the largest of range of incline/decline, a huge 10” HD touchscreen, and heavy-duty weight capacity.

Bowflex Treadmills are among the sturdiest available for home use, incorporating a high maximum user weight (at 400lbs, the Bowflex Treadmill 22 is one of the best treadmills for heavier users) and yet still able to be fully folded up to save space.

Bowflex Treadmill 10 - treadmills under 2000

For people who like incorporating hills and intervals into their running and walking workouts, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 has the widest range of incline and decline available for under $2,000.

The Treadmill 10 is super easy to fold up between workouts, has a large running deck (22” x 60”) suitable for taller runners and people with longer legs, and has a 10” high-definition touchscreen that you can use for online workouts or streaming your favorite shows via Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, etcetera.

Bowflex Treadmill 10 - JRNY

I also really appreciate that the online classes and programs—done through Bowflex’s app JRNY—is significantly less expensive compared to similar immersive programming by Peloton and iFit.

While I love the crisp display and advanced features of the Treadmill 10, the assembly was a bit prolonged (I’d highly recommend opting for the in-home assembly) and the machine itself is quite bulky compared to sleeker alternatives like the Sole F85 or NordicTrack 1250.

Additionally, the frame and motor are *only* warrantied for 15 years, which falls short of the industry-leading standard by Sole Fitness and Horizon Fitness, who back the frame and motor on their treadmills for life.

All that said, the Bowflex Treadmill 10 is my top choice for the best treadmill machine under $2,000 thanks to its superior range of training features, incline and decline options, sturdy design, pre-set workout plans, and quiet operation.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Huge range of incline/declineAssembly is more difficult

Heavy weight capacity (400lbs)A bit bulky

Easy to fold up between workouts 

Online programming is less expensive compared to competitors (12 months free included) 

Bowflex Treadmill 10
Bowflex Treadmill 10 4.7 $1,999 Shop Now @ Bowflex

NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill

⭐
Best treadmill under $2,000 for using iFit

NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill - Best Treadmills Under 2000

Key features:

  • Screen: 10” HD touchscreen
  • Weight capacity: 300lbs
  • Running deck: 22” x 60”
  • Incline: -3 to 12 degrees
  • Motor: 3.0 CHP

The NordicTrack 1250 Commercial Treadmill is the best treadmill under $2,000 for runners who plan on using iFit, the best online training platform for doing trainer-led workouts, “around the world” trails and courses, and workouts that can be done on and off the treadmill.

NrodicTrack is one of the big names when it comes to cardio machines for home use, making a wide range of treadmills, ellipticals, rowers, bikes, and strength training gear.

The Commercial 1250 is a mid-ranged NordicTrack treadmill, costing $1,999, striking a balance between hyper-functionality and price. (The X32i, NordicTrack’s most feature-rich treadmill, for example, costs $4,399.)

Key performance features include a large spectrum of motorized grade options, from a -3 decline to +12-degree incline. The treadmill folds up easily using NordicTrack’s SpaceSaver hydraulic folding system, and one-touch controls on the console make switching speeds and incline/decline using the 3.0 CHP motor a breeze.

NordicTrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill

Like the Bowflex Treadmill 10, the 1250 has a 10-inch touchscreen. But unlike the Bowflex option, you can pivot the screen on the 1250 to the side so that you can take full advantage of iFit’s huge library of workouts that include strength training, yoga, and more.

I love this feature as this is perfect for the person who wants more of an all-in-one training platform at home for maximum workout versatility. While I really like iFit, if you don’t plan on using it regularly, the subscription fees can mount quickly, so this is something to keep in mind when choosing between treadmills.

Additionally, the running deck (20” x 60”) on the NordicTrack 1250 is slightly smaller compared to the Bowflex Treadmill 10 (22” x 60”) and other treadmills under $2,000 like the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT (22” x 60”), which we will look at shortly. The weight capacity (300lbs) isn’t ideal for heavier users, either.

Ultimately, the NordicTrack 1250 Commercial treadmill is a good-looking treadmill that is best-suited for runners and walkers who want to take full advantage of the massive library of training content and trainer-led classes on iFit.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Best treadmill under $2,000 for doing iFitLow weight capacity compared to the competition

10” touchscreen twists sideways for off-treadmill workoutsOnly get one free month of iFit ($39 per month after that)

Incline and decline for added difficulty 

Streamlined and modern design 

Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine
Nordictrack Commercial 1250 Treadmill Machine 4.6 $1,999 Shop Now @ NordicTrack

Sole F85 Treadmill

⭐
Best for: people who want a studio-grade treadmill for under $2,000

Sole F85 Treadmill - best treadmill under 2000

Key features:

  • Screen: 15.6” touchscreen
  • Weight capacity: 375lb
  • Running deck: 22” x 60”
  • Incline/decline: -6 to 15 degrees
  • Motor: 4.0 CHP

Sole Fitness is one of the best treadmill brands on the planet, making extremely durable treadmills that have industry-leading warranties, high weight capacity,

Among Sole’s treadmills is the Sole F85, the best treadmill under $2,000 for runners who want a sturdy and studio-grade treadmill in the comfort of their home.

The F85 has a high weight capacity (385lbs), zoned cushioning on the deck to reduce the impact of heel strikes while running, and both power decline (-6 degrees) and incline (up to 15-degrees).

The Sole F85 Treadmill recently got a big design upgrade, moving from the old-school, bulky console to the sleek and minimalist Z-shaped frame. I love the updated look, not just in terms of aesthetics but also in terms of functionality.

Note: Sole updated the price on the Sole F85 when they upgraded the frame and screen. It used to be priced at $1,999, but with the new look and bigger screen the price went up. We decided to keep it in this list of the top treadmills under $2,000 despite this.

Sole also did a big overhaul on the display, giving the F85 a 15.1” high-definition touchscreen that you can use for streaming or doing online classes via Sole’s online training platform, STUDIO.

Sole F85 Treadmill

Sole treadmills tend to be quite heavy, which can be a positive and a negative; the added weight provides more stability but can also make it a little more difficult to move.

The Sole F85, weighing well over 300lbs, is more of a “set it and leave it” type of treadmill when it comes to portability. For people short on space, however, the F85 does fold up easily with a hydraulic lift kit, halving the footprint when folded up.

In addition, Sole backs the F85—and almost all of their treadmills—with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Updated screen and frameHeavy; will be hard to move for some people

High weight capacity—375lbs 

Studio-grade running experience at residential treadmill pricing 

Lifetime warranty on motor and frame 

Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine
Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill Machine 4.5 Shop Now @ Sole Fitness

Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill

⭐
Best treadmill under $2,000 with a big screen

Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill - best treadmill under 2000 with a big screen

Key features:

  • 24” high-definition touchscreen
  • 1.5 CHP AC motor (3.0 peak horsepower)
  • 22” x 60” running deck

The Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill is the best treadmill under $2,000 for people who want a big, beautiful screen when running.

With a 24” high-definition touchscreen, best safety features in the business, and one-touch adjustments for speed and incline, the Echelon Stride-5s is the best option in this price range for people looking for a treadmill with a screen.

The screen on the Stride-5s Smart, which is Echelon’s most feature-rich treadmill, can be swiveled to the side so that you can take advantage of Echelon’s huge online workout library. Echelon’s workout library includes over 17,000 workouts (both running and tons of cross-training workouts) and a large selection of daily live classes for that extra layer of accountability.

Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill  - 24 inch screen

When it comes to actually running on the Stride-5s Smart treadmill, there were some things that I really liked. For starters, it has a lower step-up height (6.5”) compared to most motorized treadmills (they average around 8”). The running deck is also a full-size 22” x 60”.

The max user weight is at the top of its class (400lbs), and 1.5 CHP AC motor runs exceptionally smoothly between speeds and incline (AC motors are also more efficient, requiring less power).

The safety features on the Stride-5s Smart are also excellent, with large safety arms (perfect for resting between all-out efforts or simply stabilizing yourself when mounting or dismounting the treadmill), and a safety kill-switch.

While I love the Stride-5s Smart, where it falls short is the warranty coverage, which is just 12-months of parts and labor coverage. Echelon offers additional coverage options for a fee, but in reality, in my opinion they really should be offering a longer warranty on what is otherwise a fantastic treadmill.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Big, beautiful 24” touchscreenLimited warranty coverage

Excellent safety features 

High max user weight capacity (400lbs) 

AC motor—more efficient and smoother speed/incline changes 

Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill
Echelon Stride-5s Smart Treadmill 4.4 Shop @ Echelon

Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill

⭐
Best treadmill under $2000 for doing HIIT workouts

Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill - Best Treadmills Under 2000

Key features:

  • Screen: 9” LCD
  • Weight capacity: 375lb
  • Running deck: 22” x 60”
  • Incline: 0-15mph
  • Machine weight: 330lb

The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT is the best treadmill under $2,000 for the runner who loves doing interval training. With one-touch controls, a no-subscription pricing model, and wide range of fitness app compatibility, the Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT is perfect for those HIIT treadmill workouts.

The Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill is the best in Horizon’s Studio line of treadmills, with three zone cushioning for reducing joint impact, lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and a price tag that comes just under $2,000.

Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill

It also has a large console (perfect for parking your smartphone or tablet, as we will discuss shortly), a motorized incline (up to 15-degrees), and an extra-large running deck (22” x 60”) which is perfect for larger users such as myself.

What I perhaps like most about the Horizon 7.8 AT is that the treadmill can be paired with a wide range of fitness apps, including Zwift and Peloton.

One of the complaints that I have about some treadmill brands is that they require subscriptions to use (Peloton, ahem) the screen and streaming features, locking you into one fitness app.

Horizon’s gotten ahead of this by unlocking the treadmill so that it can be paired with the fitness app of your choice via Bluetooth and your smartphone or tablet.

Horizon Fitness also has its own free training app (AtZone) that helps facilitate pairing your treadmill along with some workouts and training progams.

Like the Sole F85, the Horizon 7.8 AT is a beast, weighing over 300lbs, and Horizon backs the treadmill with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Can be paired with a variety of fitness apps300lb weight capacity—not ideal for heavier users

Large running deck – 22” x 60” 

Perfect for one-touch interval workouts 

Lifetime warranty on motor and frame 

Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine
Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill Machine 4.6 $1,999 Shop Now @ Horizon Fitness

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill

⭐
Best treadmill under $2,000 for saving a few bucks

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine - Best Treadmills Under 2000

Key features:

  • Screen: 22” touchscreen
  • Weight capacity: 300lb
  • Running deck: 20” x 60”
  • Incline: -3 to 12 degrees
  • Motor: 3.6 CHP

The ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill is a workhorse of a treadmill with a 3.6 CHP motor, a 10” screen for doing iFit classes, and a foldable design that shrinks the footprint of the treadmill to about half when not in use.

While the ProForm Pro 2000 is well below the $2,000 threshold—it retails for around $1,700—it’s got a lot of the features of pricier treadmills on our list, including a large running deck (22” x 60”) and respectable max user weight (300lbs). The thing I like most about the Pro 2000 is the decline and incline features.

Exercising on a decline treadmill is an excellent way to improve joint strength and mix up your running and walking workouts. The Pro 2000 allows for a decline grade of up to -3 degrees and can be adjusted easily from the console.

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine

The touchscreen is a decent size at 10”—obviously not nearly as big as the Echelon Stride-5s Smart treadmill—and if taking advantage of iFit’s huge library is your primary decision-maker, the ProForm Pro 9000 has a larger screen and a slightly more powerful motor compared to its little brother.

The ProForm Pro 2000 is a great little treadmill that nails the basics, especially landing under that $2,000 mark by a few hundred dollars.

✅
PROS
❌
CONS

Budget-friendly optionWarranty not as long as Sole and Bowflex

Both decline (-3%) and incline (12%) features 

3.6 CHP motor for sprinting and distance running 

Compatible with iFit 

ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine
ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill Machine 4.6 Shop Now @ ProForm

Other Treadmills We’ve Tested and Reviewed

The cost of a treadmill machine is no joke—they can quickly exceed $5,000 or more when looking at commercial and studio-grade models.

If $2,000 isn’t a hard ceiling for how much you want to spend, there are some smartly-priced treadmills for a little more than $2k that represent some big jumps in performance and features.

Some of the top treadmills that are priced slightly north of $2,000 include:

Bowflex Treadmill 22 ($2,699) – What do you get when you take the Bowflex Treadmill 10 and double the screen size? The Bowflex Treadmill 22, that’s what. It builds on the Treadmill 10 by increasing the screen size to 22” and extra five degrees of incline. While a big jump from under $2,000, that big screen size is awesome for people who really like doing classes.

ProForm Pro 9000 ($2,099) – The Pro 9000 is ProForm’s top-of-the-line treadmill, with a 22” touchscreen and a 3 CHP motor. It’s priced just north of $2,000, but I is a great choice for people who like the Pro 2000 but want a little more screen.

AssaultRunner Pro ($2,999) – Curved treadmills are an excellent type of treadmill for sprinting. The AssaultRunner Pro is not under $2,000—not even close at almost $3k—but it’s far the most budget-friendly curved treadmill on the market.

NordicTrack Commercial 2450 ($2,999) – The Commercial 2450 is the big brother to the Commercial 1250. It has a 22” touchscreen and the motor is 0.6 HP stronger than its little sibling.

In addition, there are some more “best” guides that cover every kind of treadmill need below. We’ve tested over 90+ treadmills over the years and have a lot of experience testing and reviewing them.

  • Best Treadmills with Incline (Burn More Calories, Faster)
  • Best Treadmills for Heavy People (Bye-Bye Calories)
  • The Best Treadmills for Sprinting (and How to Choose the Right One for You)
  • Best Cushioned Treadmills (for Comfort and Performance)
  • The Best Folding Treadmills for Small Spaces: Big Performance with a Small Footprint

How to Choose the Perfect Treadmill Under $2,000 for You

Investing in a treadmill is a big step and can be a costly one. In order to choose the right treadmill at $2,000 for you, here are the key things to look for.

Cost

Obviously, the price of the treadmill is crucial when shopping for a particular price point. The treadmills above are all under $2,000.

Added costs can include monthly subscription fees for immersive training programs (iFit, JRNY, and the Echelon app cost $20-$35 per month, for example) and slightly increased electricity bills due to treadmill operation so remember to factor these in when comparing.

Horsepower

The motor on the treadmill is crucial as it moves the belt around the rollers, changes speeds, powers the incline and decline, and delivers a quiet running or walking experience on the treadmill.

With treadmills that retails for around $2,000, you can get your hands on a strong motor. I recommend a continuous horsepower motor of 3.0 HP or higher for maximum durability and smooth belt velocity changes.

Screen size

One of the benefits of treadmills that cost $2,000 or less is that they all have high-definition screens.

Whether it’s streaming your favorite show, doing a trainer-led class, or doing one of the workouts in the library of fitness apps like JRNY, STUDIO, iFit, or Echelon, a screen takes the immersive experience and takes it to a new level.

Foldability and Portability

If you have limited space or need to move the treadmill frequently, consider its portability features. The best folding treadmills have options like foldability, transportation wheels, and compact design for easier storage and maneuverability.

Incline and decline options

Adjustable incline and decline levels simulate hill training and crank up the difficulty of your running and walking workouts. While every treadmill on this list has a power incline, ranging from 15 to 20-degrees, there are a handful that also feature a decline setting to simulate running downhill.

Running Deck

Treadmills in the 2k all feature large and extra-large running decks. A “standard” running deck is 18” x 50”, and all of the treadmills in this guide to the top treadmills under $2,000 have running decks of 20” or 22” x 50”. Taller runners in particular will want a little extra length on the deck to accommodate a longer stride.

Cushioning system

Look for a treadmill that features an effective cushioning system to minimize impact on your joints and provide a more comfortable running experience. One of the main benefits of treadmills is reducing impact on your joints.

A study (Kaplan et al) published in the scientific journal “Gait and Journal,” a publication that studies and publishes research on human locomotion, found that overground jogging generated a weight-bearing impact of 201% of the bodyweight of participants. A standard treadmill, on the other hand, generated just 175% in comparison.

Safety features

Treadmills, while generally safe, can be dangerous when not used properly. Safety features like extended safety arms, a kill switch, and a bungy cord attached to the machine that turns it off automatically when pulled out help ensure a safe running experience on your treadmill.

Warranty

The warranty coverage of treadmills varies widely by brand. Sole Fitness and Horizon Fitness offer the best warranties in the business, with lifetime coverage on the frame and motor of their treadmills. Look for warranty coverage of at least 5 years on the frame and motor for peace of mind when ordering.


Frequently Asked Questions About Treadmills Under $2,000

Are treadmills under $2,000 worth investing in?

Yes, treadmills at or under $2,000 are worth investing in as they have advanced features like large screens, interactive training, incline and decline settings, premium safety features, and multiple user profiles for tracking and storing workout data.

While there are plenty of cheap treadmills for home gyms costing less than $500 or $600, you lose a lot in terms of functionality.


More Treadmill Guides and Reviews

Sole ST90 Review – The Best Flat Slat Belt Treadmill? The Sole ST90 is a game-changer for runners looking for more comfort and faster running. Read on for a hands-on review of the Sole ST90, including pros, cons, the competition, and why it’s the best flat slat belt treadmill on the market.

How Much Do Treadmills Cost? (90 Different Treadmills Compared). The treadmill machine is a killer tool for better health and improved fitness. But knowing how much you should spend on a treadmill can be tough. Here’s your ultimate guide to how much treadmills cost and how much you should spend on one.


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