*TreadmillReviewGuru helps consumers find the best home fitness products. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.
Last Updated: May 8, 2023
Looking for an affordable treadmill from a quality fitness manufacturer? Well, the Horizon T202 may be the treadmill you have been searching for. Instead of gambling on a treadmill from some no-name mystery brand, Horizon is a respected fitness equipment manufacturer, and their Go Series treadmills are solid treadmills for those individuals looking to walk and do some indoor jogging safely.
The T202 comes with a simple-to-use console, allowing you to get right down to working out with minimal fuss. You can opt to just use this treadmill in manual mode, or if you like pre-programmed workouts, there are 6 different workout programs available for you to shake your routine up with when you feel the urge.
For the latest updates of the T202, the console has a sleek look that’s streamlined. The LCD display clearly displays the chosen workout program. Adjusting the treadmill is easy with the additional quick touch buttons below the speakers, as well as the roller adjustments on either side of the front handles.
Also, if you place a smart device on the shelf that covers up the LCD screen, you still have the LED windows below the ledge that allow you to keep up with your workout progress. From there, you can track your heart rate, calorie burn, incline level, distance, speed, and time. That way, you can stay on top of your treadmill workout and know when you are nearing the end.
However, if you are looking for a treadmill for intense running training such as training for a marathon, then the T202 may not be right for you. If you aren’t sure whether the T202 will suit your fitness needs, you can continue to read through this Treadmill Guru treadmill review so that you can make an informed decision.
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Horizon T202 Treadmill
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.
- 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.
- This treadmill is not meant for serious running.
- Does not include a heart rate monitoring chest strap.
- LCD Console Screen
The T202 comes with a 7” LCD screen embedded in the console of the treadmill. Horizon calls its backlighting “blacklit” as the lettering and workout progress is done in glowing black on a background of red.
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.
- Connectivity
While the T202 doesn’t have some of the advanced features other treadmills in its price range have, there are some excellent connectivity features that come with this treadmill. For one thing, you can connect your Bluetooth-enabled device with the T202 to stream your audio entertainment directly to the treadmill speakers. By streaming, you can enjoy better audio quality than if you plug your device in. There is a little device shelf to hold your device, so you can stream your favorite shows as you workout.
Also, in case you are worried that your tablet or smartphone won’t have the battery life to last throughout your workout, you can use the USB port built into the T202 to keep your device charged.
- Max Weight Limit
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.
- 2.75 CHP 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.
- 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.
- Workout Programs
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.
- Treadmill Belt
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.
- FeatherLight Folding
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.
- Treadmill Speed Range
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 if you use the top speeds all that often, they are available if you want to do interval or speed training.
- Incline Range
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 whether you are jogging or walking, more intense and allow you to burn more calories.
- Variable Response Cushioning
The T202 cushioning is called variable response cushioning because it was designed to provide three different zones of cushioning. The idea behind the variable response cushion is to offer the user of the T202 the right amount of cushion depending on where they are at in their stride. How effective the cushioning is can be hard to measure, but the cushioning should be comfortable enough for walking and jogging.
- Motor: 2.75 CHP
- Incline: 0% to 12%
- Speed: 0.5-12 MPH
- Dimensions: 76” L x 34” W x 57” H
- Folding: Yes
- Running Area: 20” W x 60” L
- Max User Weight: 325 lbs
- Treadmill Weight: 187 lbs
Benefits
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!
Final Verdict: Horizon T202 Treadmill
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.
What We Like
- Lit LCD screen
- Variety of workout programs
- USB port
- Bluetooth speakers
- Quiet treadmill motor
- Device shelf
- Cushioned treadmill deck
- Warranty coverage
- Good treadmill belt area
- Compact size
- Budget treadmill
What We Don’t Like
- Weak built-in fan
- Not meant for serious running
- Lack of tech like touchscreens and heart rate chest strap
Conclusion
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.
