Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Comparison: The Experts’ Pick

Dimensions/Storability

The Horizon 7.4 AT and Sole F80 are similar in size. The 7.4 AT is 76” L x 37” W x 63” H. The F80 is pretty much the same size but a little longer in length. Its dimensions are 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H. These are the dimensions of each treadmill when the decks are unfolded. Both decks fold up, which helps to cut down on the overall floor space they occupy.

To fold each, lift the back end of the deck and push it up towards the console. The decks lock into place when folded.

To unfold the Horizon 7.4 AT, you’ll press your foot against the bar at the bottom of the deck. It folds and unfolds the same as the 7.8 AT, which is pictured here.

The F80 has a yellow handle at the top of the deck to pull instead. Both decks slowly lower to the floor on their own when unlocked. You also get assistance in the decks when folding them up, so you don’t have to lift their entire weight. This means that most people should be able to fold and unfold these treadmills.

Keep in mind that although they fold, they’re both pretty heavy at over 250 lbs each. It’s best to keep the 7.4 AT and F80 in a designated area where you plan on using them. When needed, they can be moved.

The Sole F80 has multiple transport wheels, so with the deck folded up, you can push it around.

The 7.4 AT is more challenging to move because it has two transport wheels. This means it requires being tipped back while folded to move it.

With any treadmill, we recommend factoring in the overall dimensions for floor space and the ceiling height to ensure you can properly use it. For instance, if you’re a 6-foot-tall runner, we recommend having an 8.5-foot ceiling height at a minimum to safely use the 7.4 AT and the F80.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

The content included on a treadmill might not seem like a big factor, but it can significantly influence how often you use it. If you don’t enjoy the content or don’t find it to match your goals, you might not want to use the treadmill. The content can majorly impact the overall workout experience when using a treadmill.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Content

These treadmills have vastly different consoles. One has a touchscreen that includes training content and streaming apps, while the other one is more old-school and has less tech and more straightforward workout options.

Here is what to expect from the content on these two treadmills.

Sole F80 Content

Out of the two, the Sole F80 comes with more content options and tech integration. The touch screen includes workout videos from the Sole+ app that are directly on the treadmill for streaming.

Several of these workouts are all led by instructors and filmed in indoor studio settings. The quality of these workouts isn’t quite to the same level as other workout video platforms like iFIT and Peloton, but they’re free. This means you don’t need to pay an additional subscription fee to access them.

The F80 also comes with standard workout programs like Hill, Fat Burn, 5k, and 10k. There is also a manual mode to do your own thing, as well as fitness tests to test your fitness level.

Along with these workout options, you can stream apps like Netflix and YouTube directly from the screen.

There are 12 included apps in total. These include Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Max, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, CNN, ESPN, Audible, and Kinomap. What’s nice about these apps is that you just need to log into your account for each of them to stream. An additional subscription fee isn’t required to unlock them.

What’s more, if all of this isn’t enough, you can screen mirror content from your phone on the F80’s touch screen. So, if you want to take workouts from iFIT or Peloton or stream from other apps, you can do so.

Overall, the Sole F80 has many entertainment options to keep you from getting bored while you run or walk.

Horizon 7.4 AT Content

It doesn’t have a touch screen and streaming from 3rd party apps isn’t possible on the treadmill. Its design and content are more similar to using a commercial treadmill at your local gym.

The Horizon 7.4 AT is a little more old-school, just like the 7.8 AT, here.

Like the F80, the Horizon 7.4 AT includes standard workout programs like 5k, calorie, custom, distance, and hill climb, as well as a manual mode. Sprint 8 is also built into the console to be included on the 7.4 AT. Sprint 8 is an interval training program with 20 levels of difficulty to choose from.

For entertainment, you can use training apps like Zwift and Peloton by streaming them from your phone or tablet. The 7.4 AT has a device rack to hold your device. You could also just park it in front of your TV if you want to watch something while you exercise.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Console

Along with the varying content, the consoles vary, too. Some people like having touch screens that function like tablets on fitness equipment, while others prefer tactile buttons and a simpler design. Let’s break down the features of each treadmill’s console.

Sole F80 Console

The Sole F80 uses more technology features than the Horizon. For starters, the F80 has a 10.1” touch screen at the center of the console. It’s clear and easy to see while running. The screen doesn’t adjust, however, so it can be a little challenging to navigate while running. It isn’t the largest screen on a treadmill either, so keep this in mind. You might want to look into the Sole F85 or F89 if you prefer a larger touch screen.

There are numbered adjustment buttons on either side of the screen to adjust the F80 quickly.

The right side adjusts the speed, and the left adjusts the incline. I like having these buttons on the screen. They do skip some key levels, like six mph, though. In order to adjust to more specific speeds and inclines, you have to use the switch buttons on the front handle.

The speakers below the touchscreen project at you. They also offer a nice range of volume, so you can hear the workout videos and streaming apps well. They’re Bluetooth-enabled to pair with your headphones, as well as your device, to play your own content through them.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can only adjust the volume level of the speakers on the touch screen using the small icon on the top left of the screen. This is hard to do while running. We wish there was a physical volume button on the console.

There is a button for the fan on the console. Unfortunately, the air from the vents tends to point to the sides of the F80 rather than at you while using it. I recommend plugging in your own fan to cool off when using the Sole F80.

Even with all of the content options to stream directly from the touch screen, there is a device rack at the very top of the console to place your phone or tablet on. It’s adjustable to fit different-sized devices. There is also a wireless charging pad below the touchscreen. This works with compatible phones. I also like placing my phone here so it’s within reach. It is also handy when I’m screen mirroring content from my phone.

The two cup holders are shallow but hold a standard water bottle. Two smaller pockets hold items like keys or earbuds. Overall, the layout has everything you need.

Horizon 7.4 AT Console

The Horizon 7.4 AT console is functional but a little less streamlined than the F80. It has the same layout as Horizon 7.8 AT, which we have found to feel a little dated compared to other treadmills but, but still easy to use. It has an 8.25” LCD screen and LED windows to display your workout metrics and the treadmill’s workout programs. They’re backlit to be easy to see, even in lower lighting.

The 7.4 AT also has numbered adjustment buttons in the same spots as the 7.8 AT.

These are to the right and left sides of the console. They function the same as the Sole F80, but more metrics are included. You can use the black tactical buttons in the middle of the console to adjust to specific speed and incline levels. The blue roller adjustment dials also adjust to specific levels.

These adjust quickly; you just roll them forward and backward. I prefer using the roller dials when adjusting Horizon’s Studio Series treadmills. They’re especially helpful for interval training, which is where this treadmill shines.

The 7.4 AT’s speakers are Bluetooth-compatible, so you can connect your device to play your own content through them. We anticipate that the volume range offered is plenty.

The fan looks to be the same as the Horizon 7.8 AT. On the 7.8 AT, it is positioned a little low for tall folks. The airflow isn’t that great either. You might want to use your own fan when using this treadmill, too.

For storage, there are two large pockets for your water. These hold other items, too. There are two device racks, as well. One is fixed above the screen, and the other is below it. I like using the lower device rack for your phone when I’m running on the 7.8 AT.

With all of this storage, you can place pretty much anything you need nearby. It’s nice to have the option to stream content directly from your device or to place the 7.4 AT in front of your TV.

Build Quality

Now let’s dissect the overall build quality of each treadmill. The Sole F80 and Horizon 7.4 AT are midrange models with features similar if not the same as their premium versions. The F80 has a lot of the same construction as the Sole F85 and the 7.4 AT has some of the same features and construction as the Horizon 7.8 AT.

Both have good weight limits of 350 lbs, which means that they can handle weight up to that limit. Typically, treadmills with heavyweight limits, like these, have solid constructions. That is the case for the Sole F80. We assume the 7.4 AT is, too, because we’ve spent a lot of time on the 7.8 AT, which is a very stable treadmill to use.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Frame

They both have steel frames that support the front part of the decks. From the steel frames on the floor, two steel uprights connect and extend up to hold the consoles and handles in place. The 7.4 AT also has a steel crossbar mounted between the uprights under the console. This helps to provide extra stability to the machine.

The overall design of the Sole F80 is sleeker than the 7.4 AT.

Even though the F80 doesn’t have a crossbar, it doesn’t need one. The “Z-shaped” design, as Sole refers to it, has been proven to be just as stable in our testing.

Both treadmills have side handles that extend on the sides of the deck. These are within reach for balance. I prefer the front handle on the F80. It is one continuous horizontal piece that extends to either side of the treadmill. Pulse grips are built into it so that you can hold it to read your heart rate on the screen. You can also pair your Garmin Watch for more accurate heart rate tracking.

You shouldn’t experience any shaking while running on the 7.4 AT, and we don’t experience any when running on the 7.8 AT.

The 7.4 AT has pulse grips, too. These are built into the front handles that have the blue roller adjustment dials. The 7.4 AT also comes with a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate while using this treadmill.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Motor

Both of these treadmills have 3.5 HP motors. In our experience, 3.5-4.0 HP motors perform the best during heavy training. We consider heavy training to be 10+ miles of running per day or multiple uses per day by different users.

This means that both the Horizon 7.4 AT and the Sole F80 are great for those looking to log a lot of miles, for instance, training for a half marathon or marathon and homes with multiple users.

In our testing, the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT have some of the quietest motors. They’re nondisruptive and great for most homes. We anticipate the 7.4 AT is just as quiet, especially considering the entry-level 7.0 AT is very quiet, too.

These treadmills have max speeds of 12 mph. This is a 5-minute running pace, so it is plenty of speed for most. 12 mph is a standard max speed found on most home treadmills. They both incline, too. The Horizon offers a 15% incline, and the F80 has 15 levels of incline.

When we measured the 7.8 AT’s 15% incline, it measured at 14.8%.

The Sole F80’s highest level of incline was measured at 12.1%.

This isn’t a huge difference, and you should have plenty of grades to work with on both machines.

The biggest difference between these treadmills’ motors is the time it takes to get up to speed. Horizon has some of the fastest adjusting motors we’ve tested. The Horizon 7.8 AT takes just 19 seconds to go from 1 mph to 12 mph, while the Sole F80 takes around 40 seconds.

This means that the Horizon is better for interval training. During your rest intervals, you might want to hop on the F80’s side rails rather than wait for the motor to change speed.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Deck

The Sole F80 treadmill and Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill are ideal for most people. They have 22” wide and 60” long decks that support all running stride lengths. This is the largest deck size we’ve seen on folding treadmills. This also means that these models aren’t the most compact. They take up more space than comparable models from ProForm and NordicTrack.

These treadmills differ slightly in the deck cushioning. The cushioning is the amount of shock absorption on the deck. So, when each foot lands while running, the impact is absorbed by the treadmill’s shocks. Some treadmills have more cushioning than others.

Horizon, in comparison, has softer deck cushioning than Sole treadmills.

Sole treadmills feel firmer to run on.

This isn’t great if you have joint issues or experience discomfort in your legs while running. It is ideal if you are looking for a treadmill that feels similar to running outdoors. Concrete outside doesn’t offer any shock absorption, so when you run on the F80, you can get a similar feel underfoot without experiencing as much impact on your joints as running outside.

The 7.4 AT has 3-zone cushioning, which means the deck has three different zones of cushioning to support your stride underfoot. You most likely won’t notice this while running on the 7.4 AT.

We don’t really notice it on the 7.8 AT; however, this premium treadmill feels comfortable underfoot. The 7.4 AT should feel about the same. The Horizon is the better option if you are concerned about deck cushioning and want a softer surface to run on.

Warranty

We really appreciate Horizon and Sole’s warranties. Each brand includes a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor for each treadmill. This coverage helps to instill confidence in the overall construction of both the Horizon 7.4 AT and the Sole F80. For set up, we recommend having at least two people because these are large and heavy treadmills.

Should You Buy The Sole F63 or Horizon 7.0 AT?

Overall, the Horizon 7.4 AT and Sole F80 are some of the best treadmills out there. We really enjoy using models from both of these brands. You can’t go wrong with either treadmill, but one will ultimately work better for you than the other.

The Horizon 7.4 AT is designed for HIIT training. It has a quick-adjusting motor, roller adjustment dials, and Sprint 8 programming, all packed into a functional design. The Sole F80 is more for all-around training and for those who want a lot of content options. The 10” touch screen is equipped with guided workout videos and streaming from apps like Netflix.

Both treadmills are made to handle a lot of use and fold up to save space when not in use. While we can’t quite pick a clear winner here because each treadmill has something different and convenient to offer, which is the right treadmill for you? Let us know in the comments.

Horizon 7.4 AT vs. Sole F80 Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

Which is better, Horizon or Sole?

As far as quality, price, and features, both brands are excellent. They cover their treadmills with lifetime warranties, too. Sole treadmills have firmer deck cushioning and streaming options on the console on the higher-end models.

Horizon treadmills have simple tech but quick-adjusting motors, which make them ideal for interval training.

Is the Sole F80 loud?

The Sole F80 is one of the quietest treadmills we’ve tested. It sounds about as loud as household items like a box fan or dishwasher sound.

What is the top speed the Horizon 7.4 AT reaches?

The Horizon 7.4 AT goes up to 12 mph, as does the Sole F80.