NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill Review – 2023

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Last Updated: January 3, 2023

The EXP 14i is at the top of the pack for the EXP treadmills from NordicTrack. The EXP Series is the most affordable lineup of NordicTrack treadmills. We are pleased that this series offers a lot of the same features that the higher-end Commercial Series has, at a lower price point. I’m excited to dive into everything the NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill brings to the table in this review.

To give you a quick preview, the EXP 14i has a 14” touch screen for streaming iFit, which comes free for the first month. The 12% incline and -3% decline, pair well with the 12mph max speed to give you versatility in your training. Plus, the EXP 14i is easy to use with added quick-touch adjustment buttons. If you’re looking for a treadmill with enhanced training features that folds up, we suggest taking a look at the NordicTrack EXP 14i.

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Why You Should Trust Our Review Of NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill

In this NordicTrack EXP 14i treadmill review, we’ll give you a complete rundown of all you need to know. We have extensive experience with using treadmills and when we get in a new one, our team puts it through all kinds of testing. In every review we create, we give our honest experience with using the treadmill, or other types of fitness equipment, so you know what to expect when you order a treadmill online. You can trust that we’ve put in time on the deck and have tested out every feature.

Another part of our testing process is comparing to other models we have on hand. We have tested a wide range of treadmills from NordicTrack, so we pulled out the NordicTrack 1750 to compare to the EXP 14i. We also compared it to other models like the ProForm Pro 2000, Sole F80, and NordicTrack EXP 7i.

Our NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill Video Review

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In-depth Review of the NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill

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iFit App Subscription

Our team loves using iFit. The fitness subscription platform has literally thousands of classes led by world-class instructors and the library is added to daily. I’m constantly impressed with their outdoor classes. They film in locations all over the world. The trainer guides you through scenic locations and the camera pans to show the surrounding landscape.

Their indoor classes are filmed in professional studios and are of high quality too. I wish their music was incorporated into the classes rather than a background component, but with the wide range of stations they offer, you’re sure to find the music you like.

On top of getting guidance and exploring areas around the globe with top-notch trainers, iFit also has some tech features that we appreciate. Their AutoAdjust technology lets you follow along with the instructor throughout the class. So, when they give the cue to incline or are moving over a landscape that’s uphill, the treadmill will adjust to that grade. This makes it so you don’t have to worry about changing the levels yourself, you can simply focus on your workout.

You can of course bypass this and manually adjust the treadmill whenever you need to, too. This makes the NordicTrack EXP 14i treadmill very interactive just like the other iFit machines that we’ve tested.

We are a little disappointed that the SmartBeat Forearm heart rate monitor is sold separately, however, this is also the case with other NordicTrack treadmills. The ActivePulse heart rate training feature is designed to keep your heart rate at a certain level by adjusting the treadmill to match that intensity. Heart rate training is an effective tool to help avoid overtraining and add variety to your workouts. We wish that the monitor was included with the NordicTrack EXP 14i Treadmill.

In addition to classes on the treadmill, you can take cycling, rowing, strength, yoga, meditation, and more with iFit.

Console

The console on the EXP 14i features a 14” touchscreen. In our testing of the EXP 7i from NordicTrack, we found that the 7” screen is a little small and harder to see. The 14” touch screen on the NordicTrack 1750 is centered and easy to see. The screen on the EXP 14i has good visibility, but it doesn’t adjust like the 1750. The screen can be slightly tilted up and down, but it doesn’t pivot side to side for mat classes on iFit.

Although it might be too small for some users who are accustomed to huge screens, like on the x32i and x22i incline trainers, and the 2450 from NordicTrack.

The fan is positioned low on the console, but it provides a really nice airflow. The noise isn’t very loud and there are multiple settings for airflow. When I’m using the EXP 14i, the air hits my neck. I’m 5’1” for reference. Our taller reviewers weren’t impressed with the low positioning of the fan. The air hit them in their lower chest and abs. We wish it was adjustable up and down to change the direction of the airflow.

We like that NordicTrack includes the OneTouch quick adjustment buttons on their consoles.

These adjustment buttons are well-positioned on either side of the screen. They are really convenient for HIIT training and even just quickly changing your speed and grade levels. I like jumping around with my speed and inclines, so I use these buttons pretty frequently. The layout of these buttons is easier to navigate than on the ProForm Pro 2000.

There are two cup holders that fit my water bottle on either side of the console. The pockets are large enough to hold other items like phones, wallets, and keys, too. Plus, the storage tray under the console is spacious enough for items you might need nearby.

You can also place your phone/tablet on the ridge below the touch screen. This is convenient for when you want to stream content of your own. Something to make a note of is that there aren’t streaming options outside of iFit on the EXP 14i’s touch screen. So, you can’t watch Netflix or surf the internet on this treadmill.

Construction Quality/Durability

The 300 lb weight capacity is large, but we don’t recommend this treadmill for runners close to and over this limit. Alternatively, I would check out the Sole F80 and Sole F85, if you need a treadmill with a larger weight limit.

Frame

We like that EXP 14i has a steel frame and uprights. The steel uprights and crossbar fixed under the storage rack below the console keep the EXP 14i steady while running. We swear by this design, especially on budget treadmills because it adds stability and contributes to the overall quality.

The side handles are plastic but offer balance assistance. I would prefer a continuous front horizontal handle, but the fan separates it. All the handles are easy to reach when you need to grab them though.

Motor

The 3.5 CHP motor is ample to support all kinds of activities like walking, jogging, running, and sprinting. When using the EXP 14i, we found it capable of handling all of this and heavier use. The motor is quiet and consistent, too. It adjusts evenly with minimal sound. It’s not the quietest treadmill we’ve tested, but the noise output is actually pretty low.

The EXP 14i goes up to 12 mph, which is plenty of speed for most users. It also inclines up to 12% and declines to -3%. Most folding treadmills only offer an incline feature, so we appreciate this decline feature. The incline/decline feature is a little noisier than other treadmills we’ve tested, like the Sole F80. One thing we did notice is that the adjustable leveling feet on the back of the deck can make noise when inclining depending on the type of floor you’re using the treadmill on. As the deck inclines to higher levels the feet can make a slight noise as they move across the floor, depending on the type of floor you have.

Treadmill Deck

In our testing, we’ve determined that 60” is excellent for most users to run comfortably on. Some users might find the 20” wide running surface to be a little narrow, however. If you like a wider surface to run on, we suggest looking into models with 22” wide decks. All of our reviewers range in height from 5’1” up to 6’5” and we all have plenty of room on this deck to run and sprint.

The deck height is 9.5”. This makes the EXP 14i fairly easy to step up on. It’s a little higher than the NordicTrack EXP 7i, which is about 8”. You will have to factor in this height and the incline range, especially if you have a low ceiling.

Performance & Functionality

Overall, the NordicTrack EXP 14i is what we expect from a NordicTrack treadmill. Not only does it offer thoughtful features, but it’s comfortable and easy to use. If you’re looking for a more affordable treadmill that has the same capabilities as higher-end models, the EXP 14i is a great pick in our book.

We love NordicTrack’s cushioning, and the incline trainers are some of the softest we’ve used. The FlexSelect cushioning on the EXP 14i isn’t as soft as these or the Commercial Series, but it has plenty of shock absorption to protect your joints. Plus, the cushioning is adjustable so you can choose between soft or firm cushioning depending on how much shock absorption you prefer and your training goals.

When folded there are blue knobs to twist that say “soft” and “firm”. This is what adjusts the cushioning. Underfoot the difference between the two is pretty slight. Our reviewers don’t notice a huge difference, however, it is there.

The motor hood has a low profile, but the way the deck is positioned makes us slightly touch the motor hood when we’re walking or running and navigating the touch screen. This isn’t a huge deal and we think users will get used to it, but it is something we noticed when testing.

I love how easy to use it is. The buttons are clearly labeled, and the touch screen is intuitive to use. The motor is fairly quiet, too. The EXP 14i would make a great addition to any home. We recommend it for someone who is looking for a more affordable, yet quiet, treadmill to run on with subscription programming.

The deck folds up easily and locks into place using a hydraulic assist. In order to engage the wheels, the deck has to be folded and then tilted back. Being shorter, I appreciate the silver bar below the deck that can be used to tilt the treadmill back when moving. The EXP 14i feels similar to moving other treadmills of its size.

Warranty & Customer Service

NordicTrack offers a 10-year warranty for the frame, a 2-year warranty for parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor. The larger warranty on the frame typically speaks to the excellent build quality and durability of their treadmills.