The Top 11 Affordable Treadmills of 2024: Tested and Reviewed

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It’s a common misconception that any major piece of fitness equipment has to cost thousands of dollars, whether you want the coolest high-tech rower or a Peloton Bike. But if you’ve got champagne taste on a beer budget, you’re in luck. Budget treadmills often cost well under $1,000 and feature many of the same bells and whistles as premium name brands. In fact, all you really need in a treadmill is an incline up to 6 percent, a speed range up to 8 mph, and an emergency stop tab for safety, says April Gatlin, ACE, Master Coach for STRIDE Fitness.

Plus, she adds, you don't need to get the most premium treadmill right off the bat. 'Start with an affordable treadmill choice and simply get used to what you prefer [while you] create habits working towards better health and fitness.' After careful analysis and scoring, these are the best budget treadmills for your at-home miles.

We’re honestly shocked that this budget treadmill is only $800. Spec for spec, the Horizon Fitness T202 is comparable to more expensive name-brand models. For example, the T202 goes up to 12 mph and a 12 percent incline, and the running deck is 60” long (most budget treadmills are shorter). We were also impressed with the EasyDial controls, which remove the need to stab at a console button and allow you to increase speed or incline by rolling a dial on the handlebars. The console felt substantial and sturdy, and the budget treadmill folds for storage when not in use. The sidebars felt much shorter than what we’re used to, but considering the luxe features of this affordable treadmill, we’re fine with that.

Speed: 0-12 mph | Incline: 0-12% | Belt Length: 60'

When comparing a budget treadmill to a more luxury option, tread cushioning is one of the first things you’ll notice, meaning the more affordable treadmill often has a thinner belt. Those with bad knees will appreciate the technology of the added cushion when their sneakers hit the deck of the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill. The large LCD screen tracks your workout feedback, including time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse, and the hand pulse grips on both sides of the handrail — rather than a thumb grip — add extra security. Easy access speed keys allow the speed to accelerate quickly when your favorite song flips on your playlist or during a running interval workout. This treadmill doesn't make too much noise, so you shouldn't need to pump the volume if you prefer to work out in front of the TV.

Speed: 0-10 mph | Incline: 3 levels | Belt Length: 50'

This NordicTrack treadmill is a step above the rest (pun intended) and one of the best treadmills we've tested, period. At around $800, we found this budget treadmill well worth the splurge. We were wowed by the 10% incline capability (tied with the Schwinn 810 for the highest incline on this list) and a top speed of 10 mph, all while providing a smooth and stable experience. The 10-inch digital touchscreen display was easy for us to read, even with contacts or glasses, and it connects to iFit, a subscription that brings you interactive, trainer-led workouts (but yes, you’ll have to pay extra for that). This savvy treadmill can be folded up and stored away, and we made sure to fold it up each time we used it to make sure it was as easy as the ads promised (spoiler alert: it was). However, you might need to block out a full day for assembly. While professional assembly is available for a price, the DIY route took us several hours.

Speed: 0-10 mph | Incline: 0-10% | Belt Length: 55'

This budget treadmill is a minimalist's dream, given it's small enough to be folded and stored under a bed. Its sleek, modern design is basic yet efficient, and we loved that it can be easily moved from room to room, thanks to the attached wheels and lightweight construction. We’d particularly recommend this treadmill for beginner runners or those who don't have a lot of space to commit to workout equipment (bonus: we made a lot of use out of the 9 interval programs pre-loaded onto the tread). If you're a more experienced runner, however, this buy may not be the best choice because the speed tops out at 9 mph and there’s absolutely no incline. But for the under-$1,000 price, we thought it performed well and felt surprisingly sturdy.

Speed: 0-9 mph | Incline: None | Belt Length: 47'

Sliding a walking pad under your standing desk has become a trendy (and healthy) work-from-home habit over the last couple of years, and the GoPlus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill is one of the best walking pads around. Pop the handrails up to use as a treadmill, or stash them down and slide the pad under your desk to get a few steps in. The five-layer, non-slip, and shock-absorbing running belt cushions impact on joints, and it’s one of the quieter machines on the market (your neighbors will thank you). Thanks to the soft-drop system that makes folding and unfolding a breeze, it's also lightweight and space-saving. We also appreciated that it has a remote control, so you can easily change your speed while using it as a walking pad sans handrails.

The max speed is only 7.5 mph, and there's no incline, which may not be high enough for intermediate or advanced runners. We also noticed that the running belt is only 40” long, which is pretty short (especially for tall people with long strides).

Speed: 0-7.5 mph | Incline: None | Belt Length: 40'

While Schwinn is a trusted brand known mainly for its home exercise bikes, it also manufactures other top-quality gym equipment—this treadmill from the brand is no exception thanks to its sturdy build, powerful motor, and useful add-on features like cupholders, a USB charging port, and an LCD display. It has 16 built-in exercise programs, which users can personalize with their weight and exercise goals, making this the best affordable treadmill for experienced runners. With a 10% incline and 10 mph capacity, this reliable treadmill will give even the most serious runners an intense workout. Plus, the SoftTrak cushioning on the luxuriously long (55”) running belt softens the impact on your joints.

This tread is foldable yet pretty bulky (definitely not as streamlined as either Sunny treadmill), and at 155 pounds, you probably won’t want to move this regularly. While the treadmill does have an LCD display, there’s no screen for shows or entertainment. You’ll have to DIY your own (which is doable since there’s a USB charging port and a ledge).

Speed: 0-10 mph | Incline: 0-10% | Belt Length: 55'

The Sunny Health & Fitness 8730 Folding Treadmill comes with plenty of helpful features for a budget treadmill under $700; plus, with its slim, metallic design, it’s pretty to look at when not in use. Nine built-in workout programs offer varied workouts to shake up your routine, while quick speed buttons easily accessible on the handrails allow you to reach the maximum 9 mph speed without reaching forward. The treadmill features a digital monitor that tracks your speed, time, distance, pulse, and calories burned, and it also boasts a water bottle holder and a rest stand for your tablet to make multitasking while you work out even easier. Also nice: It has a soft drop system so that when you unfold the treadmill, it won't slam onto or damage your floor.

Speed: 0-9 mph | Incline: 0, 2%, or 4.37% | Belt Length: 49'

If you're worried about equipment taking up too much precious space in your house or apartment, we recommend this Goplus Under Desk Treadmill, which can fit right under your bed for storage or under your desk. A sturdy frame and flexible wheels make it easy to roll from wherever you store it into an open space for a quick jaunt. The LED touch display on the front allows you to track your time, speed, distance, and calories burned, and the treadmill also comes with a remote for easy control.

Speed: 0-4 mph | Incline: None | Belt Length: 41'

All-black everything is so last year. The GYMAX Walking Pad boasts seven color options (blue, red, green, and gold) to spark a little joy in your home gym. This budget treadmill has two sport modes: It can be used as a running treadmill or an under-desk walking treadmill. A touchscreen LED display monitors your data in real-time, with a super quiet motor so you can simultaneously Zoom or watch Netflix. It also has convenient transport wheels so you can move it from room to room effortlessly. And, those who rely on a workout playlist to get moving will love how this tread plays music, too.

Speed: 0-7.5 mph | Incline: None | Belt Length: 49'

This budget treadmill has three built-in programs to meet your exercise goals, as well as an easy-to-read display that tracks your speed, time, distance, and calories burned. What makes this treadmill as good as other options at triple the price, however, is that it connects with the FitShow app that streams personalized workouts and competitions, records your stats, and more. On top of all that, it's foldable and portable, and it's easy to control the elevation to meet your needs.

Speed: 0-6 mph | Incline: 3 levels | Belt Length: 50'

This Sunny Health & Fitness folding treadmill model is optimal for building your glutes, or any other exercise where inclines come into play. The budget treadmill has a minimalist console and limited speed options (only going up to 9 mph), but it offers three incline levels (0%, 2%, or 4.37%), making it a winner in our books. We also appreciated that this folding treadmill was more space-efficient than other options and even comes with wheels to make transportation a breeze.

Speed: 0.5-9 mph | Incline: 0-4.37% | Belt Length: 49'

We regularly test treadmills and other fitness equipment in our New York testing lab and in the real world, and we curated these insights for the best budget treadmills from several tests. Our testing methodology involves speaking with a subject matter expert (in this case, Andrew Billman, ISSA-certified personal trainer) to make sure we knew the most important features of treadmills and how to use them safely and effectively. For this specific piece, we included a mix of tested treadmills and options we found through extensive research and analysis.

We test treadmills for four weeks at a time, asking testers to use the treads four or more times a week, jogging and walking at a variety of speeds. Testers rated budget treadmills on the following factors:

Kristen Geil is a senior commerce writer for Shape who frequently tests and reviews all fitness related gear, equipment, and apparel. She’s a NASM-certified personal trainer and USTAF-certified running coach who recently ran her fourth marathon, which gave her a unique perspective when analyzing testing insights for treadmills. At Shape, she leads the Best in Fitness Awards and Sneaker Awards, so she’s well-versed in the process of testing and comparing dozens of high-quality products in a category. She approached this article by diving deep into the testing insights to find the spot-on superlative for each treadmill that impressed our testers. Then, she supplemented our tested winners with extensive research on the best budget treadmills to add additional options for our readers.