It’s 2024, and the lines between fitness and technology are continually blurred. Every new product on the market has a touchscreen or an app with subscription content that brands want you to use. The added technology usually comes at a premium price, too.

Don’t get me wrong—treadmills with beautiful touchscreens and connected apps can be highly motivating. There are treadmills for people who want a “low-tech” option, but those can sometimes be accompanied by poor quality. Staying on top of your fitness routine is challenging enough; picking a new treadmill shouldn’t bring on additional stress.

Introducing the NordicTrack T 6.5 S treadmill, an affordable and low-tech machine that seamlessly integrates into your workout plan. What it lacks in updated tech, the T 6.5 S compensates with its high-quality performance. Read on to understand why over 33,000 people were compelled to leave an Amazon review and why you might be next.

NordicTrack T 6.5 S Treadmill Review: Bottom Line

Star Rating
PriceMSRP: $799
ManufacturerNordicTrack
TypeFolding

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The 6.5 S is an excellent buy for a compact folding treadmill.

Rating MetricOur Rating

Workout Experience
6
Specs / Features
5
Dimensions / Storability
9
On-Board Workouts & Apps
8
Build Quality
6

The NordicTrack T 6.5 S has been in NordicTrack’s treadmill lineup for over half a decade. Though it’s no longer available on the NordicTrack website, it has become a popular choice among Amazon treadmill shoppers. But why is this low-tech and somewhat dated treadmill still in demand?

The simplest answer is that it’s a no-frills treadmill that can get the job done. The console has no distractions, so you can bring whatever content or entertainment you’d like. The T 6.5 S is compact, and relatively affordable, coming in at less than $900.

There are definitely more exciting and more up-to-date treadmills available, especially from NordicTrack itself. But it’s an easy hop-on-and-go machine with comfortable cushioning. This can be a great companion to your workout, but read our full review to learn whether or not you’re going to want to take this treadmill home.

What We Like

Sturdy, compact treadmill for great price
Streamlined, easy-to-use console
Textured, 4” non-slip side rails
Cushioning in the deck can be turned on or off
Foldable with wheels in the base for easy moving
Great for walkers or light running
Bright LCD screen is easy to read
Does not require WiFi to run the 20 onboard programs, just plug in and go!
300lb user capacity
Lifetime Frame Warranty

Areas for Improvement

No touchscreen
No fans on console
Not meant for intense training
It is iFit compatible, but you have to have a compatible device

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Why You Should Trust Us

We have been testing treadmills for over a decade. We know what to look for and how to help you find the best machine for your needs. We want to help you focus on your health and fitness, but you can’t do that if you can’t find a treadmill that works.

We are a team of fitness experts, personal trainers, and ex-college athletes who want to help you find a reliable treadmill. After testing hundreds of treadmills over the years, we are confident that we can help you find the right machine!

Editor’s Note 6/27/2024: We’ve updated this review to include comparison data against similarly priced treadmills.

NordicTrack T 6.5 S vs Similar Treadmills

You want to make sure you can find the perfect machine, and you can’t do that without comparing against the competition. We’ve added our thoughts on what we think are the most comparable treadmills to the NordicTrack T 6.5 S.

	NordicTrack T 6.5 S	Horizon T101	Sole F63	ProForm Carbon TLX	Horizon 7.0 AT
Price (MSRP)		$2,299	$2,299		$2,499
Star Rating
Bottom Line	A low tech entry level machine that is compact enough to fit in most spaces. Don’t sleep on this tiny but mighty treadmill	The Horizon T101 is one of the best-selling models in its price range and is a great option if you are looking for a treadmill for walking or light jogging.	An entry-level treadmill with a high-quality build, impressive training options, and an easy-to-use design, all for an affordable price.	This budget treadmill is great for running and allows you to use it with or without iFIT on your device.	A compact, budget-friendly running treadmill with a foldable deck, simple design, and connectivity options.
Awards Earned
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Product	NordicTrack T 6.5 S	Horizon T101	Sole F63	ProForm Carbon TLX	Horizon 7.0 AT
Workout Experience	6	6	6	7	7
Specs / Features	5	5	6	6	6
Dimensions / Storability	9	10	8	8	8
On-Board Workouts & Apps	8	6	6	6	7
Build Quality	6	5	6	6	6
Overall Score	60	64	64	68	68
# of Onboard Workouts	20	6	6	1	8
Paid Programming - Cost	iFIT – $39/month	N/A	Free	iFIT – $39/month	N/A
Netflix / 3rd Party Apps	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Display	5″ Backlit Display	3 LED windows	6.5″ backlit LCD	7″ high-contrast digital screen	7.25″ LCD screen, 4 LED windows
Dimensions (In Use)	73.5” L x 36” W x 54” H	71″ L x 34″ W x 57″ H	77″L x 35″W x 67″H	74.3″ L x 35.1″ W x 59.1″	76″ L x 35″ W x 67″ H
Deck Size	20” x 55”	20“ x 55”	20″ x 60″	20″ x 60″	20″ x 60″
Treadmill Weight	203 lbs	180 lbs	224 lbs	249 lbs (in box)	277 lbs
Weight Capacity	300 lbs	300 lbs	325 lbs	300 lbs	325 lbs
Motor Size	2.6 CHP	2.5 HP	3.0 CHP	3.0 CHP	3.0 HP
Max Speed	10 MPH	10 MPH	12 mph	12 mph	12 mph
Incline/Decline	0 to 10% Incline	0% to 10%	15 incline levels	0 to 12%	0% to 15%
Warranty	10-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts Warranty, 1-Year Labor Warranty	lifetime frame & motor, 1-year parts & labor	lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 2-year deck, 2-year parts, 2-year wear items, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items	10-year frame, 1-year parts, 1-year labor	lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 3-year parts, 1-year labor
Additional Features	Auto Incline, QuickSpeed Controls, Dual 2-Inch Speakers	Bluetooth speakers, EasyDial controls, device rack	Bluetooth speakers, storage, USB-A charging	AutoAdjust, storage, Bluetooth	Bluetooth, Quick Dial controls, Gymkit Technology

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Dimensions/Storability

The NordicTrack T 6.5 S is 73.5” L x 36” W x 54” H. Making it a great treadmill for most spaces. This is a compact and quiet machine so it will work well in most homes, and even in apartments. You’ll need at least at 8 foot ceiling for this treadmill to work in your space.

Folding/Moving

The 6.5 S folds up to save space when not in use. Since the footprint is compact, the 6.5 Si is only 73” tall when folded in a vertical position. EasyLift assist makes folding it easy, and a hydraulic release system under the deck will gently lower the running platform back to the floor. It is a good option for those with limited space.

The 6.5 S folds easily. Folding it only requires one person (and maybe just one hand). Just grab the bar at the base of the deck and lift. There is no “release” lever to raise the deck. It latches securely in place when folded up and will stay locked until you press the foot release bar underneath. As the deck descends, the hydraulic system will engage to gently rest it on the floor; you don’t have to pull or push it down.

You can also roll your treadmill out of the way as needed. There are two wheels under the front so you can tip the treadmill towards yourself, rocking it back onto the wheels. It is then easy to roll or slide out of the room or into a closet.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

iFIT

iFit is sold as an additional option with the 6.5 S. It is not included and iFit will not display on the LCD screen, but you can login to iFit on a compatible tablet or phone and set it on the console. iFit offers over 16,000 different workouts that include not only running, but strength-training, combo classes, and even stretching.

Onboard Workouts

There are 20 onboard workout programs that provide many preset options for intervals, hills, calorie burn, fat burn, etc. A simple manual lap screen is also available. These programs do not have audio, so they are great for keeping track of your stats while you listen to music, a podcast, or even read a book.

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Build Quality

Frame

Built on the same frame as the 6.5 Si, the 6.5 S is sturdy but still light enough to fold up. The base is constructed of steel side and cross beams for stability. Powder-coated chrome rails support the handrails and console. The deck is composed of a composite material to keep the running platform durable and solid.

Handrails

The handrails extend from the back of the console forward alongside the deck. The rear part of the handrails is covered in black plastic molding, the same as the console. The front part of the handrail is coated with a soft, spongy grip material for a convenient hand-hold.

A horizontal handrail extends in front of the console. This grip has heart rate sensors for each hand.

The handrails are comfortable and easy to reach. They are conveniently placed alongside the side (foot) rails so you can grab them as needed.

Deck

Once again, NordicTrack doesn’t skimp on the 6.5 S. Similar to engineering found on more expensive treadmills; the 6.5 S features FlexSelect cushioning in the deck to increase comfort and reduce joint impact. Four orange dampeners under the deck support and moderate cushioning so users can turn it on or off as desired. This feature also helps reduce fatigue so you can work out longer without discomfort.

This is a good-sized running deck. Any longer, and the machine would be top-heavy when folded. The 20” x 55” belt allows for full stride length with just a little extra wiggle room along the sides.

The commercial grade belt on the 6.5 S is durable with a slightly textured surface. Compared to other treadmills in this price range, the 6.5 S belt is comfortable with just enough texture to keep your foot from slipping.

Motor

The 2.6 CHP motor adjusts incline and speed, so it controls much of your running experience. While the 6.5 S motor is not as powerful as some, it provides consistent speed and smooth incline adjustments. I tested the motor in several different settings, toggling through multiple inclines and adjusting speed as I ran.

The motor responded well, with no delay between adjustments. The 2.6 motor should support single users, light runners, and walkers without a problem. I would recommend looking at a slightly more powerful motor if you have multiple users in your family or plan to do heavy training.

Should You Buy the NordicTrack T 6.5 S?

If you need a compact and affordable treadmill from a reputable brand, then the answer is yes, you should buy this treadmill! The T 6.5 S is a reliable treadmill that can power your workouts and won’t take up too much space. It is lacking in some of the extra tech features that we see on treadmills today, but that allows you to take control of the content you watch while using the treadmill.

We love how compact and lightweight this treadmill is, all while providing enough power to fuel your workouts long term.

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Looking for more options? Take a look at our list of top-rated NordicTrack treadmills

NordicTrack T 6.5 S Q&A / FAQ

Can you run on the NordicTrack T 6.5 S?

Yes, you can run on the NordicTrack T 6.5 S treadmill. It has a 2.6 CHP motor, which is a little weak for long term running. But we still feel confident that you can walk and run with ease on this treadmill.

Can you use NordicTrack T 6.5 S without iFIT?

Yes, you can use the T 6.5 S without iFIT. There are 20 onboard programs, as well as manual mode. You can use all of these programs for free without iFIT on this treadmill.