The 8 Best Running Treadmills of 2024

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

If you’re an avid runner, you probably know that running outside isn’t always feasible. Rain, snow, nighttime, uneven terrain and even time commitments can get in the way of going for an outdoor run. That’s why adding a treadmill for running to your home gym can be an attractive option for runners, regardless of whether you run for fun, are training for a marathon or working on health and fitness goals like weight loss or increasing your endurance. Yet as one of the most popular buys for home gym equipment, there are dozens of treadmills available—and these can be tough to sort through and whittle down into the best option for your needs.

To help you enjoy your favorite cardio workout indoors, we’ve done the work to identify the best treadmills for running and what makes these machines worthy of a spot on our list. Our best treadmill for runners guide will cover what types of treadmills are available, pros and cons, how to use them and everything you should consider before making a purchase. Read on for the health benefits of these treadmills and a full comparison of their specs and features.

Our Picks for the Best Treadmill for Running:

• Best Treadmill for Running with Incline: Sole F63
• Best Folding Treadmill for Running: Sole F80
• Best-Constructed Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack EXP7i
• Best Budget Treadmill for Running: Horizon Fitness T101
• Best Smart Treadmill for Running: Echelon Stride-s Auto-Fold Smart Treadmill
• Best Programming Options Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack Commercial 2450
• Best High-Tech Treadmill for Running: ProForm Carbon T7
• Best Compact Treadmill for Running: Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill

Best Treadmill for Running with Incline: Sole F63

Key Features:

• Price: $1,799.99
• Dimensions: 66 x 82 x 35 inches
• Motor: 3.0 horsepower (HP)
• Incline: 15 levels
• Speed: Up to 12 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 60 inches
• Weight capacity: 325 pounds
• Screen: Six-and-a-half-inch LCD backlit screen
• Tracking stats: Speed, incline, time, distance, calories, pulse and pace
• Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor; three years deck, electronics and parts; and one year labor

Running on an incline provides numerous benefits compared to running on flat ground. It can increase your aerobic capacity (or how much oxygen you can use during intense exercise), improve your strength and endurance and help you train for distance running. However, it’s not just marathon or distance runners who can benefit from running on an incline. Incline exercises can be helpful for people with knee injuries or those who are running for rehabilitation purposes, since incline running puts less stress on the joints. If any of these goals sound like your own, then you may want to consider our best treadmill for running with an incline, Sole F63.

This mid-level treadmill from Sole Fitness comes with a powerful motor of 3.0 HP and a max speed of 12 miles per hour, so you can easily crank up your workout from easy to challenging. It also has 15 incline settings that can take you from flat ground to a steep climb. A key feature we love about this machine is that it comes with seven buttons each for speed and incline to quickly change your settings, so you don’t have to manually increase or decrease either, although you can do so if you choose from the convenient speed and incline controls on the arm rests.

While you can take advantage of an optional Studio membership from Sole Fitness that nets you more than 3,000 on-demand programs led by personal trainers, this $19.99 per month subscription isn’t necessary to use the machine. Sole F63 comes with six preset training programs that include cardio training and fat-burning options. You can also use the integrated tablet holder to store your smart devices to watch shows or follow fitness apps, and there’s a USB port to charge your device as well. In addition, Sole F63 is compatible with certain heart rate monitors and comes with a chest strap to help you stay in your target training zone.

For more information, check out our Sole F63 review.

Pros:

• 15 levels of incline
• Mid-level price point
• Six preset workout programs
• Lifetime warranty on frame and motor

Cons:

• No touchscreen capabilities
• Assembly instructions aren’t very clear
• Cooling fan isn’t powerful

Best Folding Treadmill for Running: Sole F80

Key Features:

• Price: $2,799.99
• Dimensions: 66 x 82 x 37 inches
• Motor: 3.5 horsepower
• Incline: 15 levels
• Speed: Up to 12 miles per hour
• Running area: 22 x 60 inches
• Weight capacity: 375 pounds
• Screen: Nine-inch LCD backlit screen
• Tracking stats: Speed, incline, time, distance, calories, pulse and pace
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, motor and deck; five years parts and electronics; two years labor

Another product from Sole Fitness that we love is the Sole F80 treadmill, which we’ve picked as our best folding treadmill for running thanks to its easy assist folding technology. After all, there are numerous reasons that a folding treadmill could be beneficial to you. Perhaps you have a small home gym or workout space, or you exercise in a room that’s used for other purposes, like a living room or an office. If storing your treadmill when it’s not in use sounds like a helpful feature for you, investing in a foldable treadmill for running, like the Sole F80, can help you maximize both your workouts and precious floor space. Plus, folding this treadmill doesn’t require a team effort. On the contrary, the easy assist folding feature lets you fold this treadmill with just one push, and a locking mechanism keeps it securely in place when it’s unfolded or in use.

While stress-free folding and storage is a standout feature of this treadmill, there are several reasons why it deserves a spot in our best running treadmills guide. Sole F80 may be pricier compared to the previous F63 model we covered, but there's good reason why. This machine offers an impressive (and often rare) lifetime warranty on frame, motor and deck, and a five-year warranty on parts and electronics, which can help you feel confident in the lifespan of your product. It’s also designed with shock absorption technology in its running deck that the brand promises can reduce up to 40 percent impact when compared to running on asphalt.

Sole F80’s LCD screen is also a few inches larger than the F63 model, and it has a stronger 3.5 horsepower motor. It’s also two inches wider than the other model. Yet similarly to F63, it’s compatible with the Studio membership from Sole Fitness and comes with six preset treadmill running programs that you can use without a membership. Overall, this may not be the most high-tech buy on our list, but Sole F80 is a quality treadmill that offers comfortable running features like cushioning in its running deck, metrics tracking and a wide incline range for interval training.

For more information, check out our Sole F80 review.

Pros:

• Cushioned running deck for less impact
• Higher weight limit of 375 pounds
• Easy assist folding and locking technology
• Lifetime warranty on frame, motor and deck

Cons:

• Not many high-end features for the price
• Shorter handrails

Best-Constructed Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack EXP7i

Key Features:

• Price: $1,199
• Dimensions: 59.6 x 77.3 x 35.3 inches
• Motor: 2.6 horsepower
• Incline: 12 percent
• Speed: Up to 10 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 55
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: Seven-inch HD touchscreen
• Tracking stats: Speed, incline, time, distance and calories
• Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts and one year labor

When you’re investing hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars into a treadmill, a machine with quality construction is essential. Not only does this help guarantee a longer lifespan for your purchase, but it keeps you safe while you run. Our best treadmill for runners that offers a good, sturdy build is NordicTrack EXP 7i, a more budget-friendly treadmill that despite the lower price tag, doesn’t skimp on design. This affordable buy from the NordicTrack treadmill line comes with folding mechanisms and locks into place when both folded to help keep your machine secure.

As an entry-level treadmill, NordicTrack EXP7i comes with an average industry-sized running surface of 20 x 55 inches, a 2.6 CHP motor, an incline range up to 12 percent and a max speed of 10 miles per hour. For the lower price tag, it’s a strong enough motor to support sprinting and will help prevent the machine from overheating. This NordicTrack also has a clean touchscreen display and interface that’s relatively easy to use and includes large one-touch controls for speed and incline. All purchases come with a free 30-day trial for iFIT, a subscription fitness platform that offers on-demand classes and costs $39 per month after the trial period.

NordicTrack EXP7i also comes with comfort features like Runner's Flex cushioning, which is designed to reduce impact on the running deck when compared to outdoor running, and integrated accessory holders that include two water bottle-sized pockets on either side of the console and a storage tray with more pockets for things like headphones or smartphones. While this machine may not come with the most high-end features, it offers both a high-quality build and a robust home workout experience for a very low price point that can’t be beat.

For more information, check out our NordicTrack EXP 7i review.

Pros:

• Entry-level treadmill good for beginners
• Clean touchscreen display and interface
• Quality construction
• Runner's Flex cushioning to reduce impact

Cons:

• May be too simple for those with higher fitness levels
• Lower user weight capacity of 300 pounds
• Touchscreen may be too high for shorter users to see

Best Budget Treadmill for Running: Horizon Fitness T101

Key Features:

• Price: $649
• Dimensions: 57 x 71 x 34 inches
• Motor: 2.5 horsepower
• Incline: 10 percent
• Speed: Up to 10 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 55
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: Three blue LED windows
• Tracking stats: Calories, distance, heart rate, incline, speed and time
• Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor, one year parts and labor

While it’s true that many high-quality treadmills can easily cost you several thousand dollars, not every treadmill has to be a major investment. Our top pick for the best budget treadmill for running is Horizon Fitness T101, which costs just under $650 and provides you with everything you need for traditional treadmill workouts. (This also leaves you with a bigger budget to invest in a good pair of running shoes and running supplements that can help elevate your workout even further.) This entry-level, foldable treadmill comes with standard features and performance that include a 2.5 CHP motor, a 55-inch running deck and Bluetooth connectivity.

It also has 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning, which cushions the running deck in three different zones to help reduce impact on your legs while you run. Although this machine isn’t designed for all-out sprints, since it has a top speed of just 10 miles per hour, it’s suitable for average runs. In addition to being budget-friendly, this machine is one of our top picks for home use due to its simplicity and ease of use. One-touch keys let you quickly change your speed and incline, while two EasyDial controls on either side of the console let you crank up your speed and incline with a few turns (similar to a resistance knob on a cycling bike).

Like several other treadmills on our list, Horizon Fitness T101 can also be folded and comes with one-step hydraulic folding that easily lets you store this treadmill when not in use. While the 2.5 CHP motor may not be the most powerful, it’s enough to support runs up to 10 miles per hour without overheating. Horizon also gives buyers the option to boost their warranty on parts and labor from one year to three years or five years for an additional fee at checkout.

For more information, check out our Horizon Fitness T101 review.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly price point
• EasyDial controls for speed and incline changes
• One-step hydraulic folding for easy storage
• Bluetooth connectivity

Cons:

• Running surface may be too short for sprints
• Lower max speed of 10 miles per hour
• Lighter 2.5 continuous horsepower motor

Best Smart Treadmill for Running: Echelon Stride-s Auto-Fold Smart Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $1,599.99
• Dimensions: 53 x 74 x 31 inches
• Motor: 3.5 peak horsepower (2.0 continuous horsepower)
• Incline: 12 levels
• Speed: Up to 12 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 59 inches
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: 10-inch HD touchscreen
• Tracking stats: Calories, time, distance, speed and heart rate
• Warranty: One year parts and labor

A smart treadmill can elevate your workouts by offering an interactive, high-tech experience that includes guided fitness classes, heart rate sensor technology and an HD touchscreen to track your metrics with. Luckily, our best smart treadmill for running includes all of these features and then some. Echelon Stride-s Auto-Fold Smart Treadmill may be known for its ultra-compact folding technology that folds this treadmill flat to just 10 inches tall, but it has an impressive array of smart features that make it our top pick in this category. It has a sleek, 10-inch HD touchscreen that tracks metrics like calories, time, distance and speed, and also has heart rate sensors that measure your pulse as you exercise to help you stay in your target training zone.

In addition, this new treadmill is Bluetooth-enabled and can connect to both audio and external heart rate sensors. It’s compatible with an Echelon Membership, which costs $34.99 per month and nets you access to the Echelon community (which is similar to Peloton’s), more than 40 daily live classes and thousands of fitness programs on-demand. The membership also unlocks a cool feature that lets you run on scenic routes filmed in various destinations throughout the world, such as Singapore and Portugal, but don’t worry if these features aren't for you. Echelon Stride-s Auto-Fold Smart Treadmill can be used on its own with eight preset programs, and you can do your own HIIT training by adjusting speed and incline from light to challenging intervals.

Pros:

• Larger HD touchscreen
• Folds to just 10 inches tall
• Eight preset workout programs
• Bluetooth connectivity

Cons:

• Limited warranty
• Echelon Membership required for purchase

Best Programming Options Treadmill for Running: NordicTrack Commercial 2450

Key Features:

• Price: $2,999
• Dimensions: 59 x 81 x 39 inches
• Motor: 3.6 horsepower
• Incline: -3 to 15 percent
• Speed: Up to 12 miles per hour
• Running area: 22 x 60 inches
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: 22-inch tilt and pivot HD touchscreen
• Tracking stats: Time, calories, distance, speed and heart rate
• Warranty: 10 years frame, two years parts and one year labor

For a premium treadmill for running with plenty of programming options, look no further than the NordicTrack Commercial 2450. This higher-end treadmill is on the pricier side at just under $3,000, but it comes loaded with interactive and connected features that help customize every workout experience. First, it has a cinematic 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen that you can both tilt and pivot, making it usable not only for running, but for floor-based workouts that you can access via an iFIT membership. This treadmill will automatically adjust your speed and incline to maintain an optimal heart rate zone as well if you’re following trainer-led programs on iFIT.

In addition, SmartAdjust machine learning technology gets to know you as you use the treadmill and adapts your workouts to your personal metrics, making sure that you’re maximizing and optimizing every run. The touchscreen also comes with 13 automatic adjustment buttons that quickly let you change your incline from -3 to 15 percent, and 12 on the opposite side for speed. Still, the most impressive feature that NordicTrack Commercial 2450 offers is its Google Maps integration. This feature allows you to walk or run anywhere in the world if your destination can be found on Google Maps. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of running in Spain, now’s your chance.

For more information, check out our NordicTrack Commercial 2450 review.

Pros:

• 22-inch HD touchscreen that can tilt and pivot
• Google Maps integration allows scenic runs anywhere in the world
• Automatic adjustments for speed and incline
• Easy Lift Assist for fast vertical storage

Cons:

• iFIT membership required for full access to content
• Some users report touchscreen is wobbly

Best High-Tech Treadmill for Running: ProForm Carbon T7

Key Features:

• Price: $999
• Dimensions: 57.5 x 73.5 x 35.2 inches
• Motor: 2.6 horsepower
• Incline: 10 percent
• Speed: Up to 10 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 55 inches
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: Seven-inch smart HD touchscreen
• Tracking stats: Calories, time, distance and speed
• Warranty: 10 years frame, one year parts and labor

For its lower price point of $999, ProForm Carbon T7 is not only a budget-friendly treadmill, but our favorite high-tech treadmill for running. This modern treadmill easily rivals higher-end buys, thanks to its seven-inch HD touchscreen, 10 Quick Speed Controls for both speed and incline, SpaceSaver Design for easy vertical storage and ISO Flex Cushioning for impact reduction. You can also bring premium fitness classes and scenic running routes home by enrolling in iFIT, which is compatible with this machine and offers a free 30-day trial upon purchase. In addition to these high-tech features and capabilities, this ProForm treadmill has a built-in CoolAire fan that offers three levels of breeze to help keep you cool during more challenging running workouts.

ProForm Carbon T7 is a more affordable step down from the ProForm Pro series, but still packs in plenty of high-tech features for its lower price. It has a mid-level 2.6 horsepower motor, a max running speed of up to 10 miles per hour and an incline range of up to 10 percent. The only downside to this machine, however, is that it lacks preset programs. Your options are either running on a manual setting, or subscribing to iFIT for guided workouts and scenic running.

For more information, check out our ProForm Carbon T7 review.

Pros:

• SpaceSaver Design for easy vertical storage
• Larger HD touchscreen
• Three levels of cooling
• 10 Quick Speed Controls for speed and incline

Cons:

• No motor warranty
• Lacks preset workouts
• Shorter running belt

Best Compact Treadmill for Running: Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $1,299.99
• Dimensions: 49 x 69 x 31
• Motor: 2.5 peak horsepower (1.75 continuous horsepower)
• Incline: 12 levels with 10 percent max
• Speed: Up to 12 miles per hour
• Running area: 20 x 55
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Screen: Backlit display
• Tracking stats: Calories, time, distance, speed and incline
• Warranty: One year, with extended warranty available for purchase

When you’re working with a small space or home gym, every inch of room matters—especially when you’re looking to purchase a new treadmill that will most likely be one of the bigger pieces of fitness equipment in your home gym, if not the centerpiece or the biggest. If your home gym is tight on space or you simply prefer a smaller machine, our best compact treadmill for running is Echelon Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill, which has a smaller footprint of just 31 inches wide and 69 inches long. In addition to its compact dimensions, this treadmill can fold to just 10 inches tall when laid flat, and its running deck is just four-and-a-half feet long when unfolded.

This Echelon Stride is a step-down from the Stride-s treadmill, and offers more basic features when compared to the smart features included in the Stride-s. While there’s no touchscreen, this treadmill comes with a backlit console that shows all of your important metrics, like speed and distance, and integrated handlebar sensors for heart rate monitoring to keep you in your target heart-rate training zone. It also packs in eight programmed workouts to help keep your runs diverse and interesting if running on a manual setting doesn’t give you the push you’re looking for.

Like other Echelon equipment, you’ll be asked to purchase an Echelon Membership if you don’t already have one, so it’s important to factor in your budget and recurring monthly costs before making a purchase. While this treadmill only comes with a one-year warranty, you can purchase an extended warranty for an extra one-to-two years of protection for an additional fee of $119 and $179, respectively.

For more information, check out our Echelon Stride review.

Pros:

• Compact footprint for smaller home gyms
• Folds to just 10 inches tall
• Integrated handlebar sensors for heart rate monitoring
• Eight preset workouts to choose from

Cons:

• Machine may be too small for taller users
• Weaker horsepower compared to other models
• Longer warranties require an additional purchase

How to Choose the Best Treadmill for Runners

Before buying a treadmill for running, there are a few factors to consider to help ensure you’re buying a product that fits your needs, interests and budget. Here’s what to think about.

Your body weight and size

Each treadmill comes with a different weight capacity and size. Some treadmills, for example, have a user weight limit of 375 pounds, while others can support up to 250 pounds. Depending on your weight, it’s important to find a treadmill that’s within your range. If you’re a taller user, you may want to purchase a treadmill with a longer and wider running surface, especially if you run at a high speed and have longer strides. This will help guarantee that you’ll have plenty of room to not only just run, but run at any speed of your choice. You can find specs like weight capacity and dimensions or running surface on our list, or on most buying pages for products.

Related Post: The Best Treadmills for Heavy People

Treadmill size

Similar to our suggestions above, treadmill size is an important factor to consider for both personal reasons and to make sure that you’re buying a machine that fits your home gym. Be sure to carefully measure your workout space and leave five feet on all sides of you for safety purposes. You can also invest in a compact or folding treadmill to save on space even more.

Quality and construction

Since treadmills tend to be some of the priciest buys for home gyms, especially if you’re purchasing a higher-end product, buying a machine that’s good quality and built well is important. This helps guarantee that not only your machine will have a longer lifespan, but that it will offer you a safe and secure workout. While it can be tempting to settle on less-expensive buys, that sometimes comes with the price of getting a product made with low-quality materials. Be sure to carefully look at how treadmills are built (look for steel frames and support bars), and read professional or customer reviews to get a better idea of how a treadmill holds up over time.

Motor

A treadmill with a stronger motor will let you run at a higher speed, but the motor plays an essential function that many people may not know about. In addition to increasing speed, a more powerful motor generally has greater cooling capabilities that help prevent your machine from overheating. This helps protect the lifespan of your product. As you compare the best treadmills for runners, consider purchasing a machine with a more powerful motor for these reasons.

Price

Price is arguably the driving factor in any decision to buy a product for your home gym, especially more expensive cardio equipment like a treadmill. Be sure to set a firm budget that includes not only the price of the machine, but any additional equipment you’ll need to purchase (like running shoes), subscription memberships to fitness programs and extended warranties. To get the best price, we recommended checking both the official brand site and Amazon.

Extra features

Whether you buy a basic and simple treadmill or a high-tech treadmill loaded with interactive features is a personal choice. If you want to go beyond just running, make a list of what you’re looking for or what can help elevate your workout - perhaps this includes a machine that can connect to Bluetooth speakers, or a treadmill capable of streaming Netflix and Spotify. Whatever those features may be, shop around for a product that meets most of your goals. Keep in mind that if you have a longer list of features, you may not find a treadmill that checks off every single wish, but a machine that incorporates at least 75 percent of those features is a good fit.

How We Chose the Best Treadmills for Running

We chose our list of the best treadmills for runners based on a number of factors. We considered max speed, incline range, price, motor power, quality of construction, features, connectivity and space-saving properties like folding technology. All of those factors combined helped us narrow down our list and determine which treadmills deserved a spot on our running treadmills guide. Learn more about our product review process.

Best Treadmills for Runners FAQs

Here’s everything else there is to know about treadmills and running.

How big of a treadmill do I need for running?

How big of a treadmill you need for running will ultimately depend on your height and how fast you like to run. If you’re a taller user and/or you’re a sprinter, a longer and wider treadmill with a running surface of at least 20 x 60 inches will help ensure you have enough room for longer strides. However, if you’re shorter in height or don’t run as fast, a running surface of 20 x 55 inches will likely be enough space for you to run on.

Is it harder to run on a treadmill than it is to run outside?

While it may come as a surprise, running on a treadmill tends to be easier than running outside. That’s because many treadmills include built-in cushioning that helps reduce impact when compared to running on asphalt, and you also don’t have to worry about things like uneven surface, weather, terrain or time of day. Still, many people simply prefer running outside.

Do I need a curved treadmill for running?

You don’t need a curved treadmill for running, but curved treadmills come with several benefits that some people may want to take advantage of. Studies show that running on a curved treadmill can produce a higher heart rate and reduce impact, while also potentially improving your gait, or your pattern of walking (which can be helpful for keeping form as you run).

Final Thoughts

While nothing beats running outside on a beautiful, sunny day, there are numerous benefits of owning a treadmill for running. Having a treadmill in your home gym lets you run regardless of weather, time, terrain or other commitments, and also nets you an array of interactive features that can help take your workout to the next level. Before buying a treadmill for running for your home gym, be sure to consult our guide for our favorite picks, their specs and their features.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.