Running is awesome. It’s one of the best ways to get some cardio exercise. Treadmills offer people a way to get exercise conveniently and comfortably.
A lot of treadmills out there are super expensive, though.
We believe everyone should be able to run, no matter what your budget. So, in this article, we review the 5 best cheap treadmills on the market today.
We’ll break down each one’s specs as well as pros and cons and, hopefully, help you find the best budget treadmill for you.
Cheap treadmills tend to be lighter and more compact than more expensive treadmills.
A lot of cheap treadmills come with folding decks designed to save space with easy storage.
One of the main ways manufacturers reduce their treadmill’s price is by reducing the features on the treadmill.
On this list of the 5 best cheap treadmills, you’ll see a range of prices, from a couple hundred dollars on the low end to just under a thousand dollars at the top.
You can expect fewer features and lighter models at the bottom, while the treadmills at the top are higher quality and have more features.
If you’re looking for a super simple machine for walking or light jogging, take a look at the treadmills at lower prices.
If you want to turn up the speed and incline, then you might want to check out the pricier cheap treadmills. But don’t worry, there’s an affordable treadmill for everyone.
We’ll finish the article by recommending what we think is the best budget treadmill.
So Let’s get started-
5 Best Cheap Treadmills
Weslo Cadence G 5.9i
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i is an awesome cheap treadmill that comes with a ton of sweet features and a price tag under a thousand dollars.
Weslo has put a 2.25 HP motor into their budget treadmill, which means you can take it up to its 10 MPH max. speed without feeling like you’re going to break it.
The 2-position adjustable incline is a great feature you don’t see on many cheap treadmills.
The incline allows runners to vary their workouts and target different muscle groups and definitely sets the Cadence G 5.9i apart from a lot of competitors.
Connect your device through Bluetooth to the iFit coach technology which is enabled on the Weslo Cadence G 5.9i.
iFit is an amazing feature that gives you access to thousands of workout programs, live trainer-led classes, and Google Maps scenery so you can run through some of the most beautiful places in the world.
When you’re not using it, you can fold the Cadence G 5.9i with SpaceSaver Design which makes it great for storing. Its 16” x 50” belt should provide enough room for most runners and the Comfort Cell cushioning makes for a low-impact running experience.
What We Love About
- iFit Bluetooth Smart enabled
- Blue-tinted LCD window
- 2.25 HP Impulse motor
- 16” x 50” tread belt
- 0 – 10 MPH QuickSpeed Control
- 2-position adjustable incline
- 6 workout apps
- Comfort Cell cushioning
- SpaceSaver Design
- Integrated tablet holder
- Thumb pulse heart rate monitor
- 275 lbs max. user weight
- 1-year motor warranty
- 90-day parts and labor warranty
What made us sad
- iFit Coach technology requires a membership
- More expensive than other treadmills on this list
- Fewer workout apps than some competitors’ models
- Screen isn’t HD
THE FINAL SAY SO!
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i is a solid budget treadmill that comes with some of the best features you’ll see on a treadmill for this price.
Check Consumer Reviews
Nautilus T614
With a 2.75 CHP motor, the Nautilus T614 has the most power out of the 5 cheap treadmills. With a 300 lb max. user weight, it takes the award for best heavy-duty cheap treadmill.
Nautilus has matched its treadmill’s power and performance with a nice list of features that set the T614 apart.
For entertainment and comfort, the T614 has integrated digital speakers as well as audio and USB port so you can listen to music and charge your phone while you run.
There’s also an integrated fan, perfect for cooling runners down during intense workouts.
The StrikeZone cushioning system ensures the running surface is low-impact and, when you’re done, you can easily fold it up using the SoftDrop folding system.
The T614 boasts the highest number of onboard workouts out of the 5 best budget treadmills with 22 programs.
Nautilus has given the T614 some of the best warranties you’ll see on this list.
For a treadmill that costs less than a thousand dollars, the T614 has a lot of features that would compete with a lot of the top-end treadmills.
What We Love About
- 2.75 CHP motor
- LCD screen
- Integrated speakers
- Integrated fan
- MP3 port
- USB port
- StrikeZone cushioning system
- SoftDrop folding system
- 22 on-board workouts
- 300 lbs max. user weight
- 10-year Frame & Motor warranty
- 2-year electronics warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
What made us sad
- No iFit membership
- Screen isn’t HD
- Costs more than other treadmills on this list
- No incline
THE FINAL SAY SO!
The Nautilus T614 is a rock-solid cheap treadmill with the power, performance, and features you would expect from a pricier treadmill.
Check Consumer Reviews
Goplus 1100W Folding Treadmill
If you’re looking for a lightweight, low-cost treadmill, the Goplus 1100W Folding Treadmill is a great machine for walking or slow jogging.
It’s super compact and foldable, which makes it great for storing when you’re not using it.
Its 1100W motor drives the belt up to a respectable 6.5 MPH, so it’s a perfect treadmill for people looking for a lighter workout.
Keep track of your heart rate, running speed, distance, time, and calories burned on the LED display. You can also access 12 onboard workout programs.
For runners’ comfort, Goplus has added a tablet holder and water bottle holder to their 1100W Folding Treadmill.
Plus, there’s a safety key and emergency stop button to keep users safe while they work out.
If you want a lighter workout at a lighter price, the Goplus 1100W Folding Treadmill would be a great treadmill for you.
What We Love About
- Low price
- 39” x 14” running belt
- 0 – 6.5 MPH speed
- 220 lbs max. user weight
- Steel frame
- LED display window
- 12 onboard workout programs
- Track heart rate, speed, distance, time, and calories
- Foldable
- Safety key and emergency stop
- Integrated tablet holder
- Integrated water bottle holder
What made us sad
- Screen isn’t HD
- Narrow belt
- Lower max. speed
- No incline
- No cushioning
- Not enough power for high-intensity workouts
THE FINAL SAY SO!
The Goplus 1100W Folding Treadmill 7.0 AT is a budget-friendly treadmill with respectable features and an even better price.
Check Consumer Reviews
Best Choice 800W Folding Electric Treadmill
The Best Choice Products 800W Folding Electric Treadmill is the cheapest treadmill on this list, costing just a couple hundred dollars.
If you’re looking for a light, inexpensive treadmill, the Best Choice Products machine is a great place to start.
Its 800W electric motor drives the belt up to 7.5 MPH, so it’s perfect if you want a lighter workout.
Plus, there are three on-board workouts to get you started. When you’re done, just fold it up easily and store it.
Best Choice Products hasn’t forgotten their customer’s comfort, either. The 800W Treadmill comes with an integrated tablet holder and water bottle holder.
It’s also available in pink or black, a feature that none of the other cheap treadmills have.
What We Love About
- Great value
- 800W electric motor
- Automatic and manual speed settings
- 0 – 7.5 MPH speed
- 3 on-board workouts
- LCD window
- Foldable
- Integrated water bottle holder
- Integrated tablet holder
- 48” L x 24” W x 48” H
- user capacity 250 lbs
- Comes in pink or black color schemes
What made us sad
- No iFit membership
- Plastic parts
- No incline
- Lower max. speed
- Lowest power on this list
- Screen isn’t HD
- Not iFit compatible
- No Bluetooth
- No speakers
- No cushioning
- Not enough power for intense workouts
THE FINAL SAY SO!
The Best Choice Products 800W Folding Electric Treadmill is a great product if you want a lightweight, cheap treadmill to begin your running journey.
Check Consumer Reviews
NordicTrack T 6.5 Si
The NordicTrack T 6.5 Si costs under a thousand dollars and is still one of the best treadmills out there. Its motor, parts, and electronics are all top quality and it boasts a features list that leaves its competitors behind.
The T 6.5 Si is the only treadmill on this list with an HD screen. It comes with a 1-year subscription to iFit Coach technology which gives you access to thousands of workout programs, live and interactive workouts, and trainer-led routines.
The 2.6 CHP DurX Commercial Plus motor drives the belt up to 10 MPH. There’s also a 0 – 10% incline if you really want to sweat.
There are 20 on-board workouts to access, EKG grip heart rate monitors, speakers, and FlexSelect Cushioning to provide a comfortable, premium running experience.
The T 6.5 Si also boasts some of the best warranties on this list.
NordicTrack has made a superb treadmill that costs less than a grand, and we award it the best cheap treadmill of 2020 for its superior power, performance, and features.
What We Love About
- 10” Smart HD touchscreen
- 1-year iFit membership
- 6 CHP DurX Commercial Plus motor
- 0 – 10 MPH speed
- 0 – 10% incline
- OneTouch controls
- FlexSelect cushioning
- 20” x 55” commercial tread belt
- SpaceSaver Design with EasyLift Assist
- 20 on-board workout programs
- EKG grip pulse
- 300 lbs user capacity
- Auxiliary music port
- Dual 2” speakers
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
What made us sad
- iFit membership runs out after 1 year
- Price
THE FINAL SAY SO!
The NordicTrack T 6.5 Si is the best cheap treadmill of 2019 with awesome features and performance that leaves its competitors behind.
Check Consumer Reviews
Traits of Best Cheap Treadmill
There are some key points to keep in mind when choosing the right cheap treadmill for you.
Check out the factors you should be aware of when it comes to comparing the best affordable treadmills.
Foldability
Because treadmills are big pieces of equipment, you want to get one that folds, especially since you’ll be using it at home.
The ability to fold your machine makes it far easier to store as it takes up a lot less space.
Some cheap treadmills come with assisted folding and they are all straightforward and easy to fold when you’re not using them.
Size of Motor
Budget treadmills usually come with smaller motors than some of the other ranges of treadmills.
You want to match your treadmill motor to the style of workouts you plan on doing on it. If you want high intensity, you’ll want something with at least 2 CHP.
If you want something for walking or light jogging, an 800W machine should work.
Minimum Speed of Cheap Treadmills
Cheap treadmills come with a range of max. speeds between 6 and 12 MPH. Again, you want to match the max. speed to your intention.
Do you want to run at 10 MPH? If you do, make sure your treadmill can get up to that speed.
Incline Range
Some cheap treadmills come with an incline, while others don’t.
The incline helps you target different muscle groups and vary your workouts.
If this is an important factor for you, make sure your treadmill has an incline.
More expensive treadmills have power-assisted incline while the cheaper machines have manual incline adjustment.
Maximum User Weight
Affordable treadmills usually have a maximum user weight somewhere between 200 and 400 lbs.
Check the specifications of the particular model to see exactly what weight the treadmill can handle.
Warranty
Always check to see if your treadmill comes with warranties.
Most models offer different warranties for the frame, parts, motor, electronics, and labor, so make sure you check each one thoroughly.
Features of Cheap Treadmills
The features tend to be what separates the cheapest treadmills from the higher-end budget treadmills.
Some models come small LCD windows, while others are fitted with HD screens.
The best cheap treadmills also come with subscriptions to iFit Coach technology, Bluetooth speakers and USB ports for charging devices, as well as cooling fans and water bottle holders and cushioning to keep runners comfortable.
THE FINAL SAY SO!
To sum up:
- If you want a high-performance treadmill, stocked full of features, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9i is the treadmill for you.
- If you want a solid all-rounder, the Nautilus T614 is your best choice.
- If you want a budget-friendly treadmill with decent features, the Goplus 1100W Folding Treadmill is a great option for you.
- If you’re looking for good value for money, the Best Choice Products 800W Folding Treadmill is the right treadmill for you.
- If you’re looking for a premium, but affordable, treadmill the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si is the best cheap treadmill.
Happy running!
