There is a lot that goes into buying the best treadmill for you. Not only do you want to purchase one that works well in your home, aligns with your training goals, is quiet, and is of great quality, but you want to be sure that it comes with a good warranty in case something happens. With moving parts and mechanical pieces on motorized treadmills, some components can break down. That is why treadmills usually come with warranties, but what makes a good treadmill warranty?
Our team here at TRG has been testing treadmills from several different manufacturers for years, so we’ve seen all kinds of warranty coverages. That’s why we’ve created this guide on what to look for in a good treadmill warranty.
What’s Included In A Treadmill Warranty?
Most treadmill brand warranties include varied coverage on the frame, parts, and labor. Some also include specific warranties for the motor, deck, and cushioning.
Frame
Frame warranties usually include the most amount of coverage, considering the frame makes up a large part of the overall build of a treadmill and supports the base. We’ve seen frame warranties range from lifetime to just 5 years or so, depending on the brand and model. The longer the frame warranty, the better. We like to see frame warranties be at least 10 years.
Motor
Motor warranties can range from lifetime to just 2 years. Like frame warranties, the more coverage the better. Motors have a lot of internal components that can break over time and are one of the most expensive parts of a treadmill to fix.
Parts
Parts warranties typically cover the other parts of the construction, including the console and mechanical pieces. If the deck, motor, and cushioning (deck suspension) aren’t specifically mentioned, apart from the frame and parts warranties, these components will fall under this category. A warranty for parts is typically much less than frame warranties. Usually, a parts warranty is only 1-2 years, however, we’ve seen closer to 10 years from some high-end treadmill brands.
Labor
Labor warranties are also pretty short at only about 1-2 years. They can also sometimes be only 90 days or so. Labor includes the time and work that the manufacturer’s technician(s) spend to physically fix your treadmill. A 1-year labor warranty is pretty common for most brands to include.
Best Treadmill Brand Warranties
Here’s a quick overview of what some of the most popular treadmill brands offer for warranties.
NordicTrack Treadmill Warranty
NordicTrack includes the same standard warranty for all of their treadmills. We like NordicTrack’s frame warranty but would like to see more coverage for the motors considering they fall under NordicTrack’s parts warranty.
- 10-year frame
- 2-year parts
- 1-year labor
ProForm Treadmill Warranty
ProForm’s treadmill warranty is about the same as NordicTrack’s. The parts warranty varies a little bit depending on the treadmill model. ProForm’s warranty coverage is good, but we would like to see more coverage for the motors as well.
- 10-year frame
- 1-2-year parts
- 1-year labor
Sole Treadmill Warranty
All of Sole’s treadmills come with lifetime frame and motor warranties and 1-year for labor. Sole’s deck, parts, and wear items warranties all vary depending on the treadmill. Lower-end models include slightly less coverage for the parts and deck. Overall though, Sole includes great warranties with its treadmills.
- Lifetime frame
- Lifetime motor
- 3-5 years deck
- 3-5 years parts
- 1-3 years wear items
- 1-3 years labor
- 90 days cosmetic items
Horizon Treadmill Warranty
Horizon is another brand that includes lifetime frame and motor warranties with every treadmill. Even the entry-level models come with lifetime frame and motor warranties, which we love to see. The parts and labor warranties vary from machine to machine with the higher-end models including more coverage.
- Lifetime frame
- Lifetime motor
- 1-5-year parts
- 1-2 years labor
Bowflex Treadmill Warranty
Bowflex Treadmills come with great warranties. The coverage is slightly different for the higher-end treadmills to their entry-level model, but overall the warranties are what we like to see for the frame, parts, and labor.
- 10-15 years frame
- 3-5 years mechanical parts
- 1-3 years electronics & HD touchscreen
- 1-2 years labor
Peloton Tread Warranty
The Peloton Tread warranty is one of the worst we’ve seen included with a premium treadmill. Considering its price point, we would like to see more coverage for the frame and motor.
- 5 years frame
- 3 years motor
- 3 years walking belt
- 1-year touchscreen & most original components
- 1-year labor
Life Fitness Treadmill Warranty
Life Fitness’s home treadmills vary greatly in price, features, and warranties. Considering all of this brand’s treadmills are higher in price than most other home treadmill brands, Life Fitness includes good warranties for all of its models.
- 7 years-lifetime frame
- 7 years-lifetime motor
- 5-10 years parts
- 1-year labor
Lifetime Warranties
We love to see lifetime warranties from treadmill brands. This helps instill confidence in the construction that the treadmill will last. Lifetime doesn’t mean your lifetime, but rather the lifetime of the treadmill. We have seen quality home treadmills last for upwards of 10 years or more, so these machines can definitely last, just not your entire lifetime. Lifetime means the lifetime of the machine that’s determined by the manufacturer. This is when the treadmill is used properly. Since lifetime is determined by the manufacturer, I would contact the brand directly for any questions you have about lifetime coverage.
Other Factors To Know About Treadmill Warranties
Since treadmill warranties vary pretty greatly, it’s important to check with the manufacturer to see what is included in the warranty and the terms. Some brands, like NordicTrack for example, will void your treadmill’s warranty if you use it in a garage.
Price also tends to influence the length and coverage of a treadmill’s warranty. Usually, higher-end models that are priced upwards of $2000 or more come with better warranties than treadmills that are less than $500 or so. This of course depends on the brand and isn’t always the case, but if you are purchasing a cheap treadmill be prepared to have it come with a less extensive warranty than a high-end treadmill.
You want to be sure that you understand the warranty in case you ever have to have your treadmill repaired. Checking the owner’s manual of your treadmill can help give you insight into the included coverage. It’s also a great idea to maintain and use your treadmill properly to help it last.
If you’re in the market for a new treadmill and are wondering where to start with your search, you can learn more in our treadmill buying guide and if you’re looking for the best treadmills on the market, check out our top recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an extended treadmill warranty worth it?
An extended treadmill warranty can definitely be worth it. A treadmill is a big investment so getting an extended warranty can help you save some money down the road if the treadmill needs to be repaired. An extended warranty can be really beneficial if you buy a premium treadmill.
What voids a treadmill warranty?
Treadmill brands have different reasons for voiding a treadmill’s warranty. For example, if you use your treadmill from NordicTrack or ProForm in your garage, these brands will void the machine’s warranty. It is a good idea to check with the brand to see what can void your treadmill’s warranty.
Are treadmill warranties worth it?
Treadmill warranties are definitely worth it. Some brands include lifetime coverage for large components like the frame and motor which is not only helpful if these parts break, but it can help instill confidence in the overall construction. Buying a treadmill with a good warranty can help save you some money down the road.
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