A treadmill is an investment in your health as well as in your wallet. Finding the best treadmill at a decent price isn’t impossible, but it’s important to know that treadmills vary pretty greatly in cost. We’ve tested and reviewed treadmills that are just a couple hundred dollars up to over $10,000. If we were to set the cheapest treadmill next to the most expensive that we’ve used, you’d see some very stark differences. Not all treadmills are created equal and that is why they all fall under different budgets.
But how much does a treadmill actually cost, or better yet, how much will the best treadmill for you cost? Let’s jump in and take a look at what factors contribute to the overall cost of a treadmill.
What Influences The Cost Of A Treadmill?
There are definitely some factors that you should consider when finding a quality treadmill that fits in your home, matches your goals, and aligns with your budget. The following are common contributors to a treadmill’s price.
Intended Use and Training Capabilities
What is the treadmill made to do? How the treadmill is intended to be used and the training options it features, are huge factors in the cost. For example, a treadmill that is meant to be used under a desk so you can walk while working is most likely going to cost a lot less than a large, non-folding treadmill that inclines, declines, and is built for running.
The size, quality, and training features of the Bowflex Treadmill 22 influence its price.
Of course, these treadmills are going to vary in their motor sizes, which is a factor that influences how much use the treadmill can handle. Typically treadmills meant for lighter use with motors under 3.0 HP or so are lower in price than those with 3.5 to 4.0 HP motors. The motor type also contributes to the cost. Most home treadmills have DC motors, however, some have AC motors which are commonly found on treadmills used in commercial settings. Treadmills with AC motors usually are priced higher.
The size of the treadmill is another factor that contributes to the treadmill’s intended use and training capabilities. For running, we like to see larger treadmills that have at least 60” long decks because this size can support pretty much all stride lengths. Walking treadmills that have 55” and shorter decks are usually lower in cost.
Build Quality
The overall quality of the treadmill is also a big aspect of the price. Build quality can affect the intended use and training features, too. Most often, premium models with the most amount of features and specs cost more than entry-level models from brands. The build quality is the overall construction and materials. Is the frame and design durable? Does it handle the amount of use it’s built for? We go over this in each treadmill review we compile because you often don’t know how well the treadmill is built until you use it.
Another part of the built quality is the warranty coverage. Does the brand stand by its treadmill by including good coverage for the frame and motor? Usually, warranties that are over 10 years for the frame are best and indicate a better-constructed treadmill than one that just comes with a 1-year warranty.
Treadmill Type
The curved, manual TrueForm Trainer falls into a different category than motorized treadmills because of its lack of a motor.
The treadmill type is a big factor in price. Tying into what the treadmill’s intended use is, what kind of treadmill is it? Is it an under-desk treadmill? Motorized treadmill? Folding treadmill? Commercial-grade treadmill? Manual treadmill? All of these different types factor into the price. Curved, manual treadmills are priced a lot higher than most under-desk treadmills and even many folding treadmills. More compact models with space-saving features like a folding deck or a collapsible console are more budget-friendly than large non-folding treadmills that are meant to be used in public gyms.
Brand
Finally, the treadmill’s brand usually has something to do with the price point. There are higher-end brands and more budget-friendly brands. NordicTrack and ProForm for example each sell a fairly wide range of treadmills, however, ProForm’s are on average lower in price than NordicTrack’s.
WalkingPad Treadmills, like the A1 Pro, are very compact and typically cost less.
If you were to compare a brand like WalkingPad to Life Fitness you would especially see price discrepancies. WalkingPad’s treadmills are very compact and most models are meant to only be used under your desk, so they’re a lot lower in price than ones from Life Fitness which are meant for running and are made for home and commercial settings.
What To Expect From Treadmill Prices
Unfortunately, with how much treadmills vary in price and with all of the different factors I mentioned that contribute to the cost of a treadmill, it can be hard to determine what to expect.
As a quick guide to the different costs of treadmills though, here is what we typically see in price points.
Home treadmills usually cost less than commercial treadmills. Commercial treadmills can be over $10,000 while most home treadmills are less than that. Some cheap treadmills are even under $1000. Check out our list of the best treadmills under $1000 and under $1500. You can also get a premium treadmill for $2000 and slightly under. Check out our best picks for treadmills under $2000, here.
Most home treadmills over $2000 are going to come with the most amount of features, training capabilities, and heavy-duty motors. A treadmill at this price point is probably going to be large and heavy, too.
How Much Does The Right Treadmill For You Cost?
Just like every treadmill, every person is different. Of course, you want to find a treadmill that aligns with your budget, but you also want to be sure it’s going to work for you and your home. You don’t want to get it home and have it end up as a clothing rack in your bedroom because you hate using it or can’t walk or run on it. Once you determine the type of treadmill you want and need, as well as what can be used in your home space, you can then start looking at the cost.
If you need help finding a treadmill, check out our treadmill buying guide. And if you’re ready to buy a treadmill, check out the top treadmills we recommend for home use.
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