Horizon T202 Treadmill Review – Pros & Cons (2024)

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Last Updated: January 31, 2024

The Horizon T202 Treadmill has 3-zone variable response cushioning for a soft landing and a stable push-off.

Horizon T202 Treadmill Review

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Star Rating: 4.5
MSRP: $1,299
Overall Rating: 62
Workout Experience 6
Specs / Features 5
Dimensions / Storability 9
On-Board Workouts & Apps 6
Build Quality 5

Dedicated walkers who occasionally pick up the pace for a jog will appreciate the quality yet affordable build of the Horizon T202.

Horizon T202 Treadmill Review: Bottom Line

If you would prefer a straightforward treadmill for walking or casual jogging, the Horizon T202 is a good option to consider. It has a compact size even when in use, and when you fold it up, the T202 can be easily tucked away. This treadmill should operate fairly quietly, allowing you to enjoy treadmill workouts without making a racket.

People who live in apartments or smaller homes can especially benefit from this machine, with its combination of low noise production and small size. However, if you are a regular runner, the T202 may not be up to that level of usage, as its motor and construction make it better for walkers and people who take slow jogs.

The Horizon T202 offers many helpful features in an affordable package. In fact, this treadmill has earned a spot on our Best Compact Treadmills list, as it is compact and of great quality. So, if you are considering a good walking or jogging treadmill, the T202 treadmill may be the right one for you.

Editor’s Note, 1/31/2024: This Horizon T202 review has been updated to reflect our latest treadmill review standards. Find our new comparison chart and more below.
What We Like
  • The Horizon T202 is a great treadmill for primarily walking and some jogging.
  • This treadmill comes with built-in Bluetooth speakers.
  • You get a lifetime warranty for the motor and frame.
  • FeatherLight folding ability is included with this treadmill.
  • Treadmill deck is cushioned to reduce the impact on your joints.
  • The Horizon T202 has a compact footprint.
  • There is plenty of space to work out on this treadmill.
  • A decent motor comes with the T202.
  • The ability to change the incline level is included.
Areas for Improvement
  • The console looks dated but is easy to use.
  • This treadmill is not meant for serious running.

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Over 100 Treadmills Tested and Reviewed Since 2010…

We are quickly approaching the 200 treadmill milestone of treadmills tested and reviewed here at Treadmill Review Guru. We use all kinds of treadmills, including models from Horizon.

In our testing, we’ve found that the Horizon T101 and Horizon 7.8 AT treadmills are some of the best that we recommend. From their quiet motors to their nice deck cushioning, we enjoy both the lowest and highest-end models from the brand.

The Horizon T202 is the model up from the T101, so by looking at the specs and referring to our experience using the cheaper model, we have a pretty good idea of how the T202 will perform. In this spec review of the Horizon T202 Treadmill, you can trust that we’ve drawn from our expertise in the several years we’ve spent testing treadmills, and our direct experience using Horizon treadmills.

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Horizon T202 vs Similar Treadmills

See how the T202 compares to other affordable walking and running treadmills below. Our experts curated the treadmills in this chart to make your treadmill research easier.

Treadmill Horizon T202 Sole F63 Horizon 7.0 AT ProForm Carbon TLX Horizon T101
Price (MSRP) $1,299

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$1,199

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$2,100

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$999

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$999

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Star Rating 4.5 4.5 4.6 4.4 4.4
Bottom Line This affordable and easy-to-use treadmill is ideal for dedicated walkers and the occasional jogger. An entry-level treadmill with a high-quality build, impressive training options, and an easy-to-use design all for an affordable price. A great budget treadmill for running that’s compact and easy to use with simple non-subscription workouts. This budget treadmill is great for running and allows you to use it with or without iFIT on your device. A treadmill made for walking and jogging with a simple design and folding deck all for a very budget-friendly price.
Ratings Horizon T202 Sole F63 Horizon 7.0 AT ProForm Carbon TLX Horizon T101
Overall Rating 62 64 68 68 64
Workout Experience 6 6 7 7 6
Specs / Features 5 6 6 6 5
Dimensions / Storability 9 8 8 8 10
On-Board Workouts
& Apps
6 6 7 6 6
Build Quality 5 6 6 6 5
Paid Programming – Cost N/A N/A N/A iFIT – $39/month N/A
# of Onboard Workouts 6 6 8 1 6
Netflix / 3rd Party Apps N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Display 7″ LCD Screen, 3 LED windows 6.5″ backlit LCD 7.25″ LCD screen, 4 LED windows 7″ high-contrast digital screen 3 LED windows
Dimensions (In Use) 76″ L x 34″ W x 57″ H 77″L x 35″W x 67″H 76″ L x 35″ W x 66″ H 74.3″ L x 35.1″ W x 59.1″ H 71″ L x 34″ W x 57″ H
Dimensions (Folded) 48″ L x 34″ W x 62″ H 50″L x 35″W x 72″H 44″ L x 35″ W x 68″ H Coming Soon! 46″ L x 34″ W x 61″ H
Treadmill Type Folding Folding Folding Folding Folding
Treadmill Weight 187 lbs 224 lbs 277 lbs 249 lbs (in box) 180 lbs
Weight Capacity 325 lbs 325 lbs 325 lbs 300 lbs 300 lbs
Running Surface 20″ x 60″ 20″ x 60″ 20″ x 60″ 20″ x 60″ 20″ x 55″
Deck Height (Step Up) 7.25″ 8″ 8.625″ 7.75″ 7.125″
Deck Height At Highest Incline Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon!
Ceiling Height Required(6’ Tall Runner) Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon! Coming Soon!
Motor Size 2.75 CHP 3.0 CHP 3.0 CHP 3.0 CHP 2.5 CHP
Incline/Decline 0 to 12% 15 incline levels 0 to 15% 0 to 12% 0 to 10%
Min / Max Speed 0 to 12 mph 0 to 12 mph 0 to 12 mph 0 to 12 mph 0 to 12 mph
Frame steel steel steel steel steel
Roller Size 46mm/42mm 1.8″ 60mm/46mm 1.9″ 46mm/42mm
Warranty lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 1-year parts, 1-year labor lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 2-year deck, 2-year parts, 2-year wear items, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 3-year parts, 1-year labor 10-year frame, 1-year parts, 1-year labor lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 1-year parts, 1-year labor
Connectivity Bluetooth speakers Bluetooth, Sole+ app Bluetooth, third-party apps (Peloton, Nike, Zwift, etc) Bluetooth Bluetooth speakers
Heart Rate Sensors EKG pulse grips, compatible with Bluetooth HR monitor EKG Pulse grips, compatible with Bluetooth HR monitors compatible with Bluetooth HR monitors, EKG pulse grips compatible with Bluetooth HR monitors EKG pulse grips
Additional Features audio jack, Bluetooth speakers, cup holders, energy saver mode, fan, EasyDial controls, device rack, USB charging, 3-zone cushioning Kick release folding, USB-A charging, Bluetooth speakers, device rack, reading rack, fan, cup holders, removable storage tray device racks, audio jack, Bluetooth speakers, interval keys, energy saver mode, fan, media controls, storage tray, QuickDial controls, USB charging, cup holders, 3-zone cushioning AutoAdjust, CoolAire fan, dual 2″ Bluetooth speakers, SpaceSaver Design, CoolAir fan, integrated cup holders, device rack audio jack, Bluetooth speakers, cup holders, energy saver mode, fan, EasyDial controls, device rack, USB charging, 3-zone cushioning

In-depth Horizon T202 Treadmill Review: Testing & Analysis


Workout Experience

While I have not had the opportunity to run on the T202, I am very familiar with the T101. It’s easy to jump right into a workout or set up one of the onboard programs. It offers the same programs as the T101. The T202’s 7-inch LCD screen makes it easier to track your progress through the workout.

While the workouts that come with the T202 are pretty simple, you can also follow along with other training programs on your phone or tablet. The T202 is an excellent choice for this type of training, because its EasyDial controls help you keep up with the trainer’s cues. The T202 also makes fast speed and incline adjustments so you never miss a beat.

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Dimensions/Storability

A significant benefit of the T202 is its ability to fold up easily. The deck of the T202 is light, and once you push the release latch, the deck will go back down from the folded position to land “featherlight” on its own.

Also, when this treadmill is folded up, it has a very compact footprint. The T202 measurements when folded up are 48” long, 34” wide, and 62” tall, which is pretty easy to fit into the corner of a room.

The unfolded dimensions are 76” long, 34” wide, and 57” high. The treadmill weighs 187 lbs, and it can be rolled around on its transport wheels easily compared to most home treadmills. Make sure that you have room around your treadmill deck for extra safety. You don’t want anything nearby that could be caught in the belt or impede your exit from the treadmill.

Additionally, consider your ceiling height. The Horizon T202 has a 7.25” step-up height. The minimum ceiling height requirement of 8’ for a walker or runner using the 12% incline.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Pre-programmed Workouts, Apps, & Features

Instead of doing the same old thing during your treadmill workout, you can try out one of the six workout programs that come with the T202. These exercise programs include calorie, distance, fat burn, hill climb, and intervals. If none of the programs are quite what you were looking for, then you can always use the manual setting to tailor a workout to your preferences. For a high-tech treadmill alternative, consider the NordicTrack EXP 7i. This treadmill uses iFIT to provide subscription-based training with trainer-led classes.

Console

The T202 comes with a 7” LCD screen embedded in the console of the treadmill. The screen is bright with good contrast, so it can be seen in low lighting..

With this screen and the 3 blue windowed LED displays below the device shelf, you can track your distance, time, speed, calorie burn, heart rate, and incline. By using these metrics, you can ensure that your treadmill workouts are on track to help you reach your ultimate health and fitness goals.

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Build Quality

Frame

One of the surprising things about the T202 is the weight limit. An individual who weighs up to 325 pounds can safely use this treadmill. With this weight limit, the T202 outstrips many far more expensive treadmills.

Motor

A good motor comes with the T202. While it is not a commercial motor, the 2.75 CHP motor is rated for continuous horsepower, which shows its staying power while under a load. This measurement means you can depend on the T202 motor to push you through your workouts without worrying that you will burn it up, though sticking to walking and jogging is a good rule with motors under 3.0 CHP.

On the T202, you can go from 0.5-12 MPH, with the motor easily transitioning between the various speeds. While it may not be good for the treadmill motor if you use the top speeds all that often, they are available if you want to do interval or speed training.

A helpful feature is the incline range. The T202 treadmill comes with an incline range that goes from 0% incline to 12% incline. With this range, you can make all your workouts more intense and allow you to burn more calories whether you are jogging or walking.

The motor is quite responsive so you can adjust your speed and incline quickly.

Deck

The treadmill belt is a little on the thin side of things. Normally, a good treadmill belt is a 2-ply belt, but the T202 treadmill belt is only 1.4 mm, which is 0.6 mm shy of a 2-ply belt. This lower ply means the T202 treadmill belt may wear out faster than a thicker belt or commercial belt.

However, if you primarily are using this treadmill for walking or just jogging, you likely won’t have much trouble with this treadmill belt thickness.

Warranty

There is a mixed length warranty covering the Horizon T202. You have lifetime coverage on the motor and on the frame of the T202 treadmill, and parts and labor come with a 1-year warranty. This length of the warranty is relatively generous, considering the price point for the T202.

Should You Buy the Horizon T202

There are a lot of little benefits that come with the Horizon T202, increasing its utility. For one thing, you can use the small shelf on this treadmill to prop up a smartphone or tablet so that you can keep yourself entertained as you exercise. As the number one complaint concerning treadmill use is boredom, if you can bust that boredom by streaming your favorite show to your smart device, you are far more likely to use your treadmill.

Another helpful feature is the energy-saver mode that is built into the T202. If you, like many people, leave your treadmill plugged in after you finish a workout, the energy-saver mode will keep it from becoming an energy drain. Trust me, you’ll appreciate that feature when it comes time to pay your power bill!

The fast speed and incline adjustments make this an excellent treadmill for interval workouts. The 2.75 HP motor is awesome for dedicated walkers. Horizon covers the frame and motor with lifetime warranties, which is surprising considering the T202’s very affordable price. All in all, it’s a great treadmill for the walker on a budget.

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Horizon T202 Treadmill Q&A / FAQ

What company makes Horizon treadmills?

Johnson Health Tech is Horizon’s parent company. They also have their own treadmill retailer, Johnson Fitness, which sells Horizon treadmills and other popular brands. Johnson Health Tech is a Taiwan-based company that started with a foundry making weight plates and expanded into manufacturing a range of health and fitness products.

How do I connect my Horizon T202 treadmill to Bluetooth?

The Horizon T202 is ready to pair to Bluetooth devices when it is turned on. Turn on your Bluetooth device and search for a new Bluetooth device. The Horizon T202 should be named as the Horizon T202 in the available Bluetooth devices.

How much horsepower does the Horizon T202 treadmill have?

The Horizon T202 treadmill has a 2.75 HP motor. This motor size is suitable for daily walking and light jogging.

Can you run on the Horizon T202 treadmill?

We recommend the T202 for walkers primarily, but some runners may be able to log a couple of miles per week on the T202. Its construction and motor size are not the most suitable for running, so we do not recommend regular running, especially for larger users. Consider the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill if you want to run regularly.

Is your Horizon T202 treadmill review a paid review?

No, our Horizon T202 review is not a paid review. Our reviews are conducted on products that we receive for free from brands but are not paid to review. Brands like Horizon are not involved in our review process beyond answering the occasional question we might have on a product’s construction and features. We developed our review standards independently. Because we review all major home treadmill manufacturers, we are impartial to which treadmill you pick. This keeps our reviews honest and sincere.

To keep the lights on, we do receive a commission when you purchase a treadmill through the affiliate links scattered throughout our reviews and other pages. Again, we are affiliated with most major home treadmill brands, so we want to ensure you pick the right treadmill for you. We keep our review process honest and transparent so we can continue to help you with any home fitness purchases you should make in the future.

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About the Author

Sydney Kaiser, ISSA-CPT, ISSA Nutritionist Certification
Sydney is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports nutritionist who combines her passion for fitness, health, and wellness with her passion for writing. After graduating from UC Riverside with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, she began teaching indoor cycling and Lagree Fitness group fitness classes to people of all ages and abilities. Raised in Central Michigan, Sydney grew up training and competing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit through both Regional and National levels in Dressage and Sport Horse classes. In college, Sydney went on to compete at the collegiate level as a Division 1 equestrian athlete. Here at TRG, Sydney relies on her extensive background in fitness when reviewing and recommending all kinds of fitness, recovery, and health-related products.

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