Horizon vs. NordicTrack Treadmills | What Tech Do You Need?

Dimensions/Storability

Since all of Horizon’s treadmills fold up, they’re a bit easier to move. The largest treadmills, the 7.8 AT and 7.4 AT, are the heaviest, so they’re a little harder to move than the other Horizons. All Horizon’s treadmills have two transportation wheels, so you must tip back the treadmills when they are folded to engage the wheels.

Most NordicTrack’s treadmills fold up and are relatively easy to move, like Horizon’s. The NordicTrack Incline Trainers weigh over 400 lbs (in the box) and don’t fold, making them difficult to move. However, these models have two front transport wheels in case you need to move them.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

These brands differ in their content. Horizon’s included programming is more standard than NordicTrack’s. NordicTrack Treadmills allows you to stream subscription training content.

Horizon Content

Horizon Treadmills come with onboard workout programs included on the consoles, like the workout programs you’d find on treadmills at your local gym. Horizon’s treadmills have programs like intervals, fat burn, hill climb, distance, calorie, and manual mode. The higher-end models also have 5k, custom settings, and the interval training program Sprint 8.

Horizon Treadmills also give you the option of streaming content from your device with the device rack.

They each come with a device rack to hold your phone or tablet, and all but the Horizon T101 pair to apps like Zwift and the Peloton App for different training options.

NordicTrack Content

iFIT is an interactive training platform that offers thousands of trainer-led workouts. The workouts are filmed in studios and outdoors in locations all over the world. You can take all kinds of treadmill workouts on NordicTrack’s treadmills, such as walking, jogging, interval training, running, hiking, and more. You can also take mat classes like yoga and strength training.

The main aspect of NordicTrack’s content is iFIT.

Also, with iFIT, each of NordicTrack’s treadmills automatically adjusts the speed and incline settings to match the workout format. This way, you can have a hands-free training experience. iFIT requires a monthly subscription.

If you don’t want to follow along with an instructor, you can create routes using the Google Map feature. This lets you pick any location on the map to explore, and Google Images shows you the area on the screen as you work out. The “Create” tab also allows treadmill users to program target and interval programs with custom speed and incline settings.

You can access Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify on the NordicTrack treadmills. You need a subscription to access these apps, but many NordicTrack treadmill users will already have them. You can take an iFIT class and watch a TV show or movie at the same time.

If you don’t want to subscribe to iFIT, there is a free version where onboard workout programs and often a featured iFIT workout are included with the treadmill. However, we highly recommend checking out iFIT on NordicTrack’s treadmills. It makes for a very interactive training experience, and the features are thoughtful.

Horizon Consoles

Horizon’s treadmill consoles have an “old school” feel. These smaller screens track your workout metrics and have buttons to select a workout program. They have good functionality and have numbered quick-adjusting buttons to hop back and forth between speeds and incline levels. They also have roller adjustment knobs for quick and easy adjustments.

For treadmills with less tech than NordicTrack’s, Horizon does a good job of making them intuitive and pretty easy to use.

It is nice that Horizon’s treadmills have attached device racks for streaming content from your device. This is great since there isn’t any subscription content available to stream from the treadmills. Each model also comes with pulse grips, speakers, and fans. Some of the speakers and fans on certain models aren’t very powerful, though, so you might need to use your own.

NordicTrack Consoles

NordicTrack’s touchscreens range from 10″ to 24″, depending on the model. They allow you to stream iFIT’s content on each treadmill. The touchscreen is also where you can adjust the treadmill, use other features, and see your workout metrics.

The layout of every NordicTrack Treadmill is really streamlined and intuitive to use. There are only a few offscreen adjustment buttons.

The NordicTrack EXP 10i has NordicTrack’s smallest touchscreen.

Most NordicTracks only have cup holders, but the entry-level EXP Series has device racks, so you can stream from your phone or tablet if you want to. The Commercial Series screens are adjustable to pivot up and down and side to side to utilize iFIT off the treadmills. All the models come with good speakers and fans.

Build Quality

As far as construction and quality, Horizon and NordicTrack make quality treadmills from their premium to entry-level models. Both brands include a wide variety of treadmills to choose from. Horizon Treadmills overall are more budget-friendly, especially the lower-end models. NordicTrack’s models include the same tech features on each model regardless of price.

Horizon vs. NordicTrack Frames

Both brands of treadmills have steel frames. NordicTrack is a bit sleeker in comparison, but we’ve found both brands to be stable and solid. All of Horizon’s treadmills fold up. They each have a folding deck that folds up using a lift assist, so you don’t have to lift the entire weight of the deck.

They lock into place and slowly lower to the floor when unlocked.

NordicTrack’s Commercial Series and EXP Series of treadmills feature folding decks.

These also have a lift assist that helps lift the deck to fold it up, and each deck slowly lowers when unlocked. The Incline Trainers are the only non-folding treadmills from NordicTrack. They’re also much larger and heavier than other treadmills from both NordicTrack and Horizon. So, make sure you have a designated space for the NordicTrack X16 and X24.

Horizon vs. NordicTrack Motors

Motors on Horizon and NordicTrack Treadmills are quiet and appropriate for most home spaces—at least ones that are appropriate for treadmills. Just like the models in each of their lineups, the motor sizes vary from treadmill to treadmill. Horizon’s treadmills range from 2.5 to 4.0 HP.

Typically, we recommend treadmills with at least 3.0 HP for running. Under 3.0 HP is best for walking and jogging, while 3.5 to 4.0 HP is good for distance running. The entry-level Horizon T101 has a 2.5 HP motor that is best for walking and jogging. The premium Horizon 7.8 AT has a 4.0 HP motor, the most powerful in the brand’s lineup, and we love this treadmill for running.

NordicTrack’s motors range from 2.75 HP up to 4.25 HP. The entry-level EXP 10i has a 2.75 HP motor that’s best for mainly walking and jogging, while the premium NordicTrack X24 has a 4.25 HP motor that’s great for a lot of use. The budget lineup of EXP treadmills is best for lighter to moderate use, like walking and jogging, while the more powerful Commercial Series—the 1250, 1750, and 2450—are great for running.

NordicTrack and Horizon Treadmills go up to 10 and 12 mph, depending on the model. The one exception is the NordicTrack 2450 which has a maximum speed of 14 mph. This speed range is pretty standard for most home treadmills.

The T101 inclines up to 10% (as seen here), while the Horizon T202 inclines up to 12%.

Horizon Treadmills only incline with a range from 10 to 15%. All of the treadmills in the Studio Series consisting of the 7.0, 7.4, and 7.8 AT Treadmills incline up to 15%.

Most of NordicTrack’s treadmills incline and decline. The premium Incline Trainers (X16 and X24) incline up to 40%.

This is the highest incline range we’ve seen on treadmills.

These models decline to -6%, too. The Commercial Series (1250, 1750, and 2450) incline up to 12% and decline to -3% for great training options. The EXP Series incline only at up to 12%.

Horizon vs. NordicTrack Decks

Horizon and NordicTrack’s treadmills have similar-sized decks. The cheaper treadmills from each brand have smaller decks, just as they have smaller motors. The Horizon T101, 5.0 AT, and NordicTrack EXP Treadmills have 20″ wide and 55″ long decks.

We recommend 60″ long decks for running because this length supports pretty much all stride lengths. The 55″ long decks on these treadmills are better for walking and jogging. Some people with shorter strides might be able to run on them, too, though.

All the other models from each brand have at least 60″ long decks. The Horizon T202 and 7.0 AT have 60″ long by 20″ wide decks, except the Horizon 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT high-end models that have 22″ wide and 60″ long decks. The NordicTrack 1750, 2450, and 1250 have 22″ wide and 60″ long decks.

NordicTrack’s larger treadmills are the X16 and the X24. They have 22” x 60” cushioned running decks. Both Incline Trainers have large decks to support all strides, workout activities, and the full 40% incline comfortably.

As far as step-up heights, most of NordicTrack’s and all of Horizon’s have pretty low profiles of around 9-10″ high. This makes these treadmills appropriate for most ceiling heights. The NordicTrack X24 and X16 have higher step-up heights. This, paired with their high-inclining decks, requires them to be used in homes and gyms with higher ceilings.

Warranties

We love Horizon’s warranties. All of their treadmills come with a lifetime frame and motor warranty. The parts and labor warranties range from 1-5 years, depending on the model. NordicTrack’s treadmills come with standard 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year warranties. NordicTrack treadmills with 4.25 CHP motors have a lifetime motor warranty.

Should You Buy a Horizon or NordicTrack Treadmill?

Multiple treadmills from Horizon and NordicTrack alike are on our list of the best treadmills on the market. We like these brands for different reasons. Horizon offers all folding treadmills with quick-adjusting motors that are well-priced and simple to use. They don’t offer subscription training content, but you can use your device to stream while using them.

NordicTrack’s treadmills are high-tech in comparison. They have touchscreens with iFIT that allow users to access trainer-led workouts with a subscription. Most of NordicTrack’s treadmills fold up, but the high-end Incline Trainers are non-folding and heavy while offering an impressive -6% to 40% incline range.

The cushioning on NordicTrack’s models is very forgiving underfoot, while Horizon offers slightly firmer cushioning. NordicTrack is the way to go if you want a high-tech treadmill with interactive training features and great deck cushioning. Horizon is the one to consider if you want a simple-to-use treadmill that’s functional, efficient, and great for interval training.

Horizon vs. NordicTrack Q&A / FAQ

What treadmill is equivalent to NordicTrack?

NordicTrack makes home treadmills with soft cushioning, touchscreens loaded with subscription training content, and automatic speed and incline adjustments. ProForm is made by the same parent company, iFIT, and has similar features.

Who manufactures Horizon treadmills?

Johnson Health Tech manufactures horizon treadmills.

Does iFIT work with Horizon treadmills?

iFIT does not connect with Horizon treadmills, but you can pay for an app-only iFIT membership to watch iFIT training videos while using a Horizon treadmill. You can play the audio through the speakers.

Are Horizon treadmills quiet?

Yes, Horizon treadmills are reasonably quiet compared to other machines.