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
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 great budget treadmill for running that’s compact and easy to use with simple non-subscription workouts. |
| 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 66″ H |
| Deck Size | 20” x 55” | 20“ x 55” | 20″ x 60″ | 20″ x 60″ | 20″ x 60″ |
| Folding? | |||||
| 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 CHP |
| 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, 3-zone cushioning |
I would like to get more information on your best Quility products that have wheels and fold up for space .
Todd,
Check out our list of Best Compact Treadmills, all of which fold and have wheels.
Is this model good for train 3hs with stop with pace 11km/mi? Or velocity 8km/mi
Gabriela,
If you plan to run for 3 hours straight we would highly recommend a more powerful treadmill. The 6.5s is great for walking and light jogging, but if you plan to do extended training we would recommend the Sole F85, ProForm 5000 or NordicTrack 2450. It sounds like you run long and fast, so you’ll need a treadmill motor that can keep up with you without overheating.
You’ve convinced me that this is the treadmill to buy in this price range. Thanks for the thorough review!
Does this treadmill allow iFit Instructors to control the speed and incline during training?
Yes it does
I’m unsure of what constitutes as “light jogging/running”… I jog every other day for about 20 minutes. I have a pretty small stride and run about 160 steps per minute. Would this treadmill be suitable for my jogging regimen or should I look for a better model?
Ashley,
We consider light jogging to be anything under 6mph or less than 30minutes of running. The 6.5 Si should work just fine for this amount of running.
How quiet is quiet? I have downstairs neighbours and I’m concerned. Do you have any recommendations for quieter options?
Maleeka,
That is a good question. We get questions about which treadmill is best for apartments/condos all the time. Check out our Quietest Treadmills page for a full list. A good option you could consider is the LifeSpan 5500i. This is a compact, folding treadmill that is remarkably quiet. Placing a treadmill mat underneath or putting your treadmill on carpet helps absorb some of the noise as well. Good luck!
Is this treadmill suitable for walking at a brisk pace 3 miles per hour ) for 30-40 minutes ? It sounds like it is
Carl,
Yes, the 6.5 S is great for walking for 30-40minutes.
Have acquired a used treadmill 6 series. Length of a lap?
Samantha,
Typically one lap is 1/4 of a mile.
I have a Nordictrack 6.5 S. Is there a display for pace per mile? Speed is nice but I like to know my pace per mile.
Barry,
Yes, you can toggle through different display options on the white metric bar at the top of the screen. Where it says “Speed” touch it with your finger and you should be able to scroll through: average speed, miles per hour and pace per mile.
Just curious, if I’m jogging 3-4 times a week somewhere between 4.5-5 mph for around 30-45 mins or so, and my husband walks or does some quick hiit intervals, would this be an appropriate treadmill for us?
Lori,
It should work okay. You could maybe consider a slightly larger, more cushioned treadmill since you have two users and plan to run 30+ minutes. The 6.5 Si will function just fine, but it may not be the most comfortable underfoot. You could consider the EXP 10i. It is $300 more but has a significantly larger motor and longer running belt.
Do you have to pay for Ifit to use this treadmill or can you use it without the monthly fees?
Thanks!
Luke,
You do not have to pay for iFit if you don’t want to – there are free programs and workouts available.