When looking for the best treadmill under 500 dollars or pounds, it's important to take into account the quality you are getting for your cash. That said, we appreciate quality isn't always obvious when searching online.
Fortunately, we've compiled a list of our top picks based on user reviews, price, and any features that make these budget treadmills stand out from the crowd to help kick off your search in the best way possible.
While adding one of the best exercise bikes to a home gym setup is often the go-to option for many, we'd argue that a treadmill offers just as good of an option to improve your cardio as a stationary bike.
For instance, a study by Zeni et al. revealed that participants consumed more energy when using a treadmill than when using a skiing simulator, rowing ergometer, or stair stepper. Therefore, if you are trying to burn calories, a treadmill makes for one of the best exercise machines for weight loss.
With that in mind, if you're searching for something for office use, like this CITYSPORTS treadmill, or something for a home gym in this XTERRA Fitness TR150, then we've got you covered.
Stick around too because we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about treadmills to help you come to an informed decision on which machine is best for you. Before that, here are our top picks...
Best treadmill under 500
- XTERRA Fitness TR150
- FYC Folding Treadmill
- Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M
- CITYSPORTS WP2-1
- Reebok ZR8
- OMA 5108EB
1. XTERRA Fitness TR150
Best treadmill under 500 for home gyms
Max Weight: 250lbs
Speed: 0.5 - 10mph
This XTERRA Fitness TR150 looks to be one of the best budget treadmills around thanks to an array of standout features and design details.
For instance, the machine comes with a large 16" x 50" workout surface designed to accommodate all users, and a speed range of 1 to 16kph, allowing you to change the difficulty level from low to high intensity at your discretion. You can also choose from 12 preset programmes and 3 manual incline settings to create a variety of exercises and training sessions.
It's also worth noting that this treadmill is foldable, so, if you're looking to save space in your home or garage gym, this could be the machine for you.
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2. FYC Folding Treadmill
Best folding treadmill under 500
Max Weight: 220lbs
Speed: 0.6 - 7.5mph
Again, if you're limited to space, but want to upgrade your home gym with some cardio equipment, then we feel this FYC Treadmill is well worth considering.
Its unique foldable design has 2 exercise modes - one with the handrail raised, allowing you to run up to 7.5mph, and the other where the handrail is folded, allowing you to walk on it up to 4mph.
Furthermore, FYC boasts its treadmill has been designed for home use by incorporating a quiet 2.5HP motor that shouldn't disturb your neighbours or you whilst listing to your favourite tunes through your running headphones whilst you exercise.
Like some of the best foldable exercise bikes, this treadmill looks to be a great device to save space as it should be easy to store when not in use.
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3. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M
Best treadmill under 500 for beginners
Max Weight: 220lbs
Speed: Manual Power
A manual treadmill, like this Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M, has the benefit of not requiring electricity, meaning it can be placed anywhere and still be of use.
It can also be a great starting point for beginners who want to walk or complete a light jog to get their fitness journey underway.
To help track your progress, it comes with an LCD screen that displays time, speed, distance, and calories burned to give you an idea of how hard your training is.
Moreover, you should also find it's fairly lightweight and, therefore, easier to move when not in use. So, if you're limited in space, this could be the machine for you.
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4. CITYSPORTS WP2-1
Best office treadmill under 500
Max Weight: 260lbs
Speed: 0.4 - 6mph
If you're looking for a machine that's compact and can even be used in an office, then CITYSPORTS treadmill could be your answer.
Its handrail-less design means it should fit under your desk, whether that's at home or at work, and the low-intensity speeds mean it shouldn't be a hindrance to your tasks.
Moreover, CITYSPORTS states its treadmill features a powerful 'mute motor', designed to keep the noise to a minimum when you're exercising in order to avoid distracting your colleagues.
All in all, we feel this compact bit of kit offers a great way of getting your steps in if you work in an office-based job.
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5. Reebok ZR8
Best treadmill under 500 for training variety
Max Weight: 110kg
Speed: Up To 10mph
To maintain your motivation to exercise, it's important to keep your workouts varied and challenging.
Thankfully, this Reebok ZR8 comes with 24 varied fitness programs to take you from a gentle jog to a mountainous hill climb depending on how difficult you want to make things.
To help you reach your fitness goals, Reebok also boasts its treadmill features a phone port so you can play your favourite tunes through the speakers to keep your energy levels high.
With a max speed of 10mph and 12 levels of electronic incline, this should definitely be one to consider if you're looking to mix up your indoor runs.
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6. OMA 5108EB
Best smart treadmill under 500
Max Weight: 300lbs
Speed: 13kmph
The OMA 5108EB stands out as an excellent treadmill for home use, especially for those who have neighbours, thanks to its powerful yet quiet 2.25HP motor.
What sets this machine apart is the various useful features it offers. With 36 preset programmes and 3 custom workouts, you can easily add variety to your running routine and keep things interesting.
Also, the treadmill's display allows you to track essential metrics such as speed, distance, pulse, time, and calories burned. Additionally, adjusting your speed is as simple as touching a button, ensuring continuous progress and convenience.
So, if you're looking for a treadmill that brings cutting-edge technology to your home gym, the OMA 5108EB is definitely worth considering.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
When it comes to picking the best treadmill, you may have a few questions. Don't worry though, as we're here to clear up some of the most common queries.
Is a treadmill worth it?
Running, jogging, or walking are some of the easiest forms of cardio to perform for most people, but when it starts to get cold in the winter months, it can be difficult to gather the motivation to venture outdoors.
Using a treadmill allows you to complete these exercises from the comfort of your home, making them a worthwhile investment in our books if you want to get your steps in all year round.
It's also worth noting that you don't have to spend loads to get a solid machine. As shown by this list, you can find some good quality treadmills to upgrade your home gym for under 500 dollars or pounds, making a treadmill well worth it in our opinion.
What should you look for from a treadmill under 500?
When searching for a treadmill, there are several factors to take into account. Firstly, it's important to select the appropriate belt size. For running purposes, a treadmill with a belt that is at least 48 inches long and 18 inches wide is recommended.
If you desire a more challenging workout and wish to continue progressing, you might want to consider a treadmill with an incline feature. An incline of up to 10% or higher would be suitable to add difficulty to your workouts.
It's crucial to pay attention to the treadmill's stated top speed and maximum weight recommendation as well to ensure that it meets your specific needs and fitness levels.
Finally, it's worth considering the control panel and display features. You may prefer a machine that can track your workout metrics, allowing you to monitor each session's progress and pace.
How long should you use a treadmill?
According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, you should run for 150 minutes each week at a moderate level of intensity or 75 minutes each week at a vigorous intensity level.
Using this as a guide, we'd recommend running somewhere between 15 to 30 minutes on a treadmill 3-5 days a week depending on your fitness levels.
At this rate, you should see your fitness improving week after week without overdoing it and increasing your risk of injury. If you need a little extra guidance though, check out DMoose's guide on the most effective treadmill workouts to help you out.
Should you use a treadmill every day?
The impact on your body from using a treadmill depends on the intensity of each workout.
Engaging in a short daily walk on a treadmill should generally not be harmful. However, it is advisable to incorporate rest days into your routine, especially if you engage in running, sprinting, or jogging, in order to prevent overtraining.
Allowing your muscles, joints, and energy stores sufficient time for recovery and restoration is crucial. This approach also helps minimise the risk of injuries.
In the case of treadmills, it is particularly important to be mindful of how you land on the belt. Landing flat-footed can disrupt your balance and strain muscles in your legs, hips, and even your back.
NordicTrack recommends running approximately three or four times a week to ensure progress without overexertion. On rest days, you have the option to focus on working out different muscle groups or simply taking a break altogether – the choice is yours.
Can you lose weight using a treadmill?
As a form of cardio, a treadmill can offer an excellent way of burning calories which, in turn, can help you lose weight if paired with the right diet.
In fact, a 2017 study into the effects of HIIT training found treadmills to be effective for burning calories, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness in a short period of time.
The idea behind this is to exert high effort for short periods of rest in between which, ultimately, should help contribute to weight loss.
Another key benefit of running on a treadmill is that it is extremely accessible and, for the most part, great for beginners as almost everybody has some idea of how to run.
Is running on a treadmill better than running outdoors?
While running on a treadmill isn't easy, it is actually slightly less taxing on your body compared to running outdoors.
While indoors on a treadmill, you avoid a number of extraneous variables like the wind, uneven paths, and obstacles which can all slow you down and be physically challenging to avoid at times.
Unpredictable surfaces can also have an adverse effect on your joints, particularly in your lower body, as differing amounts of shock will be transferred through your legs during each stride.
Ultimately, a treadmill means you can just continuously run in a straight line on the spot and not have to worry about your surroundings.
A treadmill can also be highly effective for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which, in a 2017 study into the effects of HIIT training, is found to be effective for burning calories, reducing body fat, and improving cardiovascular fitness in a short period of time.
Is a treadmill better than a rowing machine?
While both are excellent forms of cardio, they differ slightly in the overall impact on your fitness.
A study conducted by the University of Roehampton compared running on a treadmill to rowing on a machine and found the participants on a treadmill burnt 350 calories in 20 minutes, while those on the rowing machine expended 300 calories.
The results also showed, however, that rowing activated more muscle groups than running which may be unsurprising given the pulling motion required to row.
Ultimately, choosing which one is better will come down to your own personal preference and what you're looking to get out of your exercise machine.
If you want to find out more, then check out our comparison of treadmills and rowing machines here.
How accurate is a treadmill?
While some cardio machines are more accurate than others, none of them will be 100% accurate at counting calories, tracking your pace, and estimating your distance covered.
VeryWellFit estimates that cardio machines overestimate your calories burnt by 15-20% as they can't account for all the influencing factors.
With that being said, it's worth keeping in mind a treadmill will only track calories burned during your time on the machine rather than the calories burnt, plus whatever you would normally burn anyway, so you may be using up more calories than you think.
Distance-wise, you should find most treadmills to be fairly accurate as they tend to use the revolutions of the belt to calculate how far you've run. As the belt is a set distance, it's hard for this to be too far off your true distance.
How do you clean a treadmill?
Cleaning your treadmill is an essential part of maintaining it and ensuring that it functions properly over time. To do so, first, turn off the treadmill and unplug it from the power source.
Then, Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the entire surface of the treadmill, including the console, handrails, and frame. If there is a lot of dirt or grime, you can use a mild soap solution.
Next, use a vacuum or a soft brush to remove any dust or debris from the motor cover and the area around the motor, then lift the treadmill belt and vacuum or wipe down the deck underneath. This is an important step as it will help to prevent dust and debris from getting caught under the belt and causing damage. For more information here, check out our guide to cleaning a treadmill belt.
Following that, clean the rollers at the front and back of the treadmill with a clean, dry cloth. Make sure to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated, before, finally, wipe down the treadmill belt with a damp cloth to remove any sweat or dirt that may have accumulated during your workout.
Aim to clean your treadmill at least once a week or after each use, depending on how often you use it.
How long do treadmills usually last?
The lifespan of a treadmill can vary depending on various factors such as the quality of the treadmill, the frequency and intensity of use, and the level of maintenance.
Higher-end treadmills that are built with durable components and designed for commercial use may have a longer lifespan and can withstand heavy usage in gyms. On the other hand, budget-friendly treadmills or those designed for home use may have a shorter lifespan.
It's important to note that regular maintenance and proper care can significantly extend the lifespan of a treadmill. Following the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance, lubricating the belt, cleaning the machine, and addressing any issues promptly can help ensure its longevity.
Additionally, the warranty provided by the manufacturer can give you an idea of their confidence in the treadmill's durability. Different parts of the treadmill may have different warranty lengths, so it's worth checking the warranty details when purchasing a treadmill.