There are some key features that you should look out for when it comes to finding the best treadmill for home use. The best home-use treadmills should be under consideration of conveniently sized, powerful motors, and some valuable features like built-in workout programs, exercise data monitoring, and entertainment.
Depending on your needs, if you want to choose a treadmill for your family or home gym use, you should go for a versatile treadmill to meet all family members’ fitness needs yet quiet enough to operate without bothering anyone.
If you are on the hunt for a compact treadmill for an apartment, the noise level and the treadmill weight should be put into priority, as the apartment flooring is not as sturdy as your garage’s, and the sound insulation effect is not that good when the treadmill fits these two requirements, the more versatile the treadmill, the better, as long as the price is within your budget.
I will walk you through some of the best treadmills on the market and offer an in-depth buyer’s guide for you, considering the price, motor, deck height, incline, workout program, and other features.
I also included some treadmills for specific uses and occasions, such as the treadmill for sprinting, the treadmill for Zwift, etc. I have picked out the extraordinary treadmill in these specific categories to help you simplify your research and save time.
Read the guide to know more about buying the best treadmill under your budget.
How to Choose the Best Treadmills for Your Need?
There are some specific things you should take care of while choosing the best treadmill for home use. Space, track size, motor, incline, and weight capacities are some of the main things to look after while buying a treadmill.
Space/Size Consideration
Space is the primary consideration when buying a treadmill. You need ample room to accommodate it, as treadmills are large and can’t be squeezed into small areas. Their size is vital for stability during use. Expect every treadmill to require significant space.
Home treadmills vary in size, typically measuring between 34” x 70” x 55” and 37” x 83” x 57”. Even a small difference in size can impact whether it fits in your designated space. Therefore, accurately measure the available space in terms of length, width, and height using a measuring tape. Compare these measurements with the dimensions listed on the manufacturer’s website to ensure a good fit.
Allow for some extra space beyond the treadmill’s exact dimensions to accommodate any design features or unforeseen space needs. If you have a large enough area, you might opt for non-folding treadmills. These tend to last longer due to their robust, heavy-duty frames.
Folding treadmills, designed for smaller spaces, are lighter and often feature a hydraulic system for easy folding. These are suitable when space is limited or needs to be cleared after use.
Other considerations depend on your personal needs. For example, walkers might find a 20” wide belt adequate, whereas serious runners should look for extra-wide track treadmills (at least a 22” width). Generally, a standard home treadmill requires about 7 feet by 3 feet of space. Although there are smaller models, the size variation is usually minor.
Motor
Treadmill motors are rated in terms of Horsepower (HP) or Continuous Duty Horsepower (CHP). CHP is a more accurate indicator of motor strength over time, as it reflects the motor’s ability to maintain power during extended use.
Most home treadmills have motors ranging from 2.25 CHP to 4.25 CHP. You may also find treadmills with motors as low as 1.5 CHP or as high as 5 CHP. Understanding this range and the meaning of these units helps determine the necessary motor power for different activities, especially for a user weighing around 200 pounds.
For walking, a treadmill with at least 2.0 CHP is recommended. For jogging, a motor of 2.5 CHP or higher is suitable. For running, it’s advisable to choose a treadmill with 3.0 CHP or more.
If the user weighs more than 200 pounds, it’s advisable to choose a treadmill with an additional 0.5 CHP to the recommended motor power. This adjustment ensures the treadmill can adequately handle the increased load. For multiple users with varying fitness levels, a treadmill with a 3.0 CHP motor is a versatile choice.
Serious runners or those with high physical demands might prefer a treadmill with a 4.0 CHP motor. In high-traffic areas like health clubs or commercial settings, where the user’s weight and usage intensity vary widely, a treadmill with a 5.0 CHP motor is ideal, as it can accommodate a broader range of users.
Selecting a treadmill with the right motor power for your activities helps prevent rapid wear and tear, ensuring your treadmill remains functional and reliable for a longer period.
Cushioning
The deck cushioning in a low-impact treadmill plays a crucial role in minimizing impact and lowering the risk of injury, which in turn can enhance your stamina. This feature is particularly important because it absorbs the shock that would otherwise be transferred to your joints during exercise.
Advanced treadmills often feature differential cushioning, a sophisticated system that provides varying levels of support and cushioning. This type of cushioning offers firm support when you push off, which is essential for the propulsion phase of your stride. At the same time, it provides increased cushioning when your foot lands, softening the impact and further protecting your joints.
This dual approach in cushioning technology not only makes your workout more comfortable but also safer, especially for long-term joint health. It’s particularly beneficial for users who have existing joint issues or who are recovering from injuries, as well as for those looking to reduce the strain on their body during intense workouts.
Belt
The running belt holds the upper hand on how you enjoy your workout experience on the treadmill and decides how long the machine will last.
Normally, you should be looking out for a belt that’s self-lubricating or requires minimal lubrication, which means that you need to spend minimal time on treadmill maintenance.
Cheaper treadmills usually require frequent maintenance, and once you decide to buy an inexpensive model, be prepared to handle maintenance-related issues that crop up.
Another important point is belt thickness. The thicker the belt, the better the treadmill minimizes total wear and tear and the necessity to replace it. But changing the belt is not a difficult affair taking not more than 30 minutes when you have a high-quality treadmill in your home.
Incline
The incline feature of treadmills helps you burn your calories more quickly and effectively. Almost all treadmill tracks have the flexibility to incline them up to 12% and rare treadmills offer decline facilities.
Always choose a treadmill with motorized inclines because cheap treadmills need manual operation to incline the track.
It is inevitable to involve the deck height when we discuss the incline.
What is the deck height of the treadmill? The height between the floor and the running area of the treadmill is the deck height. Most treadmills have a deck height of 8″. If your treadmill inclines, then the deck height goes up an additional 4″-5″ from when your treadmill is fully inclined.
The deck height could be important when you pick a treadmill for a low ceiling room, and if it is this case, you should leave at least 6” (15.24 cm) space between your head and the ceilings to avoid knocking on the ceilings.
Built-in Programs
Running for a longer duration can help you burn excess fat. Treadmills are mostly used for weight loss, and in the present time, most treadmills come with a preset workout facility to help the user achieve their exercise goals.
Most of the treadmills have built-in programs in them to give the flexibility to work out. You can manually quick-start your exercise with the manual programs and set your speed and workout duration.
Weight Capacity
When you buy a heavy-duty treadmill for your home, you are not the only one to use it. The entire family can use the treadmill to stay fit. So, always take care of the machine’s weight capacity, not overload and affect its functioning.
Treadmill weight capacities typically lie below 400 pounds. But if you weigh more than this, then always go for an extra-pound weight capacity treadmill for your use. Getting a treadmill with high weight capacity is a concern as you may not find this feature in lower-quality treadmills.
Entertainment
If you look forward to more challenges, fun, or more motivation when running on the treadmills, it is a great idea to mix up running with some serious fun elements in the form of video games.
Bringing treadmill workout apps into your exercise routine is the easiest way to get coaches, group camaraderie, competition, and courses.
There are treadmill apps (Aaptiv, Fit Radio, iFit, Zwift, and more) to help you log standard data, such as miles, distance, burnt calories, heart rate, and time. With a great app, you would get a more enjoyable exercise experience.
You can use the iFit app with or without your treadmill and get access to thousands of interactive, at-home workouts, including HIIT, cardio, strength training, yoga, and indoor cycling.
Zwift is a virtual running game that can elevate your treadmill workout session to unimaginable levels of fun, competitiveness, and fitness.
Warranty
When we buy any running machine, we expect most of the parts to fall under warranty. It’s because we can save some bucks when the machine needs any maintenance. Likewise, when you are going to buy a treadmill for the home gym, always check whether you are getting warranty assurance or not.
A treadmill’s warranty covers its frame, parts, labor, and motor.
Frame
Frames fall under a lifetime warranty. Budget treadmills also come with a lifetime warranty for frames.
Parts
Most of the electronic parts of a treadmill come under a warranty period. Budget treadmills don’t offer a more extended time warranty, whereas if you are buying the best quality treadmill, you can expect a warranty for a minimum of 5 years or more. Some treadmills also offer a lifetime warranty on their machine parts.
Safety
Safety is a must when you are looking to buy a treadmill for seniors. Elderly people and their kids or pets may need an auto-stop facility in case of an emergency. When you buy a treadmill, always check if it has an auto-stop safety feature added to it or not.
Usually, auto-stops are controlled by a key attached to your body. In case you slip in between doing exercise, the key will turn off the treadmill. Please make sure to remove the key after you work out to avoid accidental activation.
Console and Control Panel
If you’re anything like the rest of us, keeping track of your vitals has helped you stay focused during your workout. Being able to keep track of things like calories and heart rate can help you stay on track with your workout. Here are some more things to consider for your treadmill’s control panel.
- Heart Rate Monitor: If you ever want to reduce weight, you must maintain your heart rate high.
- Preset Programs: If you want to put yourself to the test, invest in a treadmill with a range of training options.
- Data Tracking: To keep track of your progress over time, you may use an online health tracker to monitor your treadmill.
- Calorie Counter: Keep track of how many calories you burn when walking or jogging. Make sure it’s based on correct measurements of your weight and age.
- Additional Features: Some high-tech devices allow you to listen to music or watch movies on your own computer.
