Review: Top 6 Treadmills Under $1,000 from 2024, Thoroughly Tested

Navigate to a Section

Running outdoors may not always be achievable due to poor weather or inaccessible routes. Treadmills come in handy in such cases. If you are a gym member, the treadmill is an obvious choice for both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The same applies if you are exercising at home, provided you have purchased a treadmill. Before you buy one, you should consider how much you are willing to spend and pick the right machine. Luckily, the process of buying a treadmill does not always have to hurt your wallet. It's possible to find an affordable treadmill if you know where and what to search for.

We compared several affordable treadmills from a variety of brands to make your search easier. Essential features such as speed, incline, size, programming quality and value were factored in. Shape also tested an additional 17 treadmills from brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, Sunny Health, and more for a month. The tests involved using each treadmill at least four times a week, walking, jogging or running. The ease of setup and use, as well as standout features were noted. Here are the treadmills under $1000 that we considered to be worth their cost.

One of the outstanding treadmills is the NordicTrack, which delivers more than expected. Its excellent features such as a 10 percent incline ability, a ten miles-per-hour top speed, and a 10-inch digital touchscreen display make it stand out. The treadmill connects to iFit, a feature that brings you interactive trainer-led workouts. Furthermore, this treadmill can be folded for storage, proving easy to fold up as advertised. Overall, the treadmill offers a mix of luxury and functionality at an agreeable price.

However, setting up the treadmill might take a while. While professional assembly comes at a cost, assembling it yourself could take a few hours.

If you are looking to enhance your home gym further, NordicTrack has a smart mirror called the NordicTrack Vault compatible with iFit and storage for weights.

Max Speed: 10 mph | Max Incline: 10% | Display: 10 in | Dimensions: 67.5'D x 36'W x 73'H | Max User Weight: 300 lbs

This budget-friendly treadmill exceeds expectations with 12 pre-set programs, three manual incline levels and a top speed of 10 miles per hour. Its backlit LCD screen is easy to read even while on the move, and it's simple to set up. Similar to our top compact treadmill choice, the Sunny Health & Fitness Strider Foldable Smart Treadmill, this model can also be folded for storage.

However, changing the manual incline is disruptive as you have to step off the treadmill. The shallow console design, which isn't water bottle-friendly, is another downside. Despite that, there's a rest area for your phone or tablet.

Max Speed: 10 mph | Max Incline: 3 levels (manual) | Display: 5” LCD | Dimensions: 63.4' D x 28.75' W x 51.4' H | Max User Weight: 250 lbs

This compact treadmill, foldable and small enough to be stored under a bed, is perfect for minimalists. Despite its sleek, modern design, it's functional and easy to move from room to room due to the attached wheels and lightweight structure. It's best suited for beginner runners or those who lack ample space for workout equipment. It comes with nine pre-loaded interval programs.

However, experienced runners may not find it useful because of its 9 mph speed limit with zero incline. Regardless of this, its performance level and durability are impressive for its price.

Worthy to note is that there's no display screen. Instead, there's a tablet holder to secure your tablet for entertainment while working out.

Max Speed: 9 mph | Max Incline: None | Display: LCD monitor | Dimensions:‎ 62.6” L x 29.3” W x 47.6” H | Max User Weight: 250 lbs

This compact treadmill, designed with minimalist aesthetics in mind, can be easily folded and stowed beneath a bed. Sporting a modern, sleek design, it offers basic functionality without compromising on efficiency. The treadmill's lightweight design and attached wheels allow for easy relocation between rooms. This is a great option for beginners or individuals with limited space for workout equipment.

On the other hand, if you're a seasoned runner, this treadmill may not meet your needs as its maximum speed is limited to 8 miles per hour, with no facility for incline changes.

Max Speed: 8 mph | Max Incline: None | Display: Digital monitor | Dimensions:‎ 30.5'D x 59'W x 40'H | Max User Weight: 220 lbs

Schwinn, a brand mainly known for its home exercise bikes, also manufactures other high-quality gym equipment. This Schwinn treadmill stands testament to that fact with its sturdy build, potent motor, and useful additional features. These include cupholders, a USB charging port, and an LCD display. It is suitable for experienced runners due to its affordability, 10-percent incline option, and maximum speed of 10 mph. The treadmill's SoftTrak cushioning on the 55-inch running belt lessen the impact on your joints.

The treadmill is foldable, but its bulkiness might restrict frequent movement. It is 155 pounds heavy, and while it includes an LCD display, it lacks an entertainment screen. However, you can create your own entertainment system as it has a USB charging port and ledge.

Max Speed: 10 mph | Max Incline: 10 | Display: LCD monitor | Dimensions:‎ 69.1'D x 35.6'W x 56.7'H | Max User Weight: 275 lbs

Integrating a walking pad into your standing desk setup has become increasingly popular in work-from-home environments. The GoPlus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill emerges as one of the top choices for this application. This treadmill can be converted into a walking pad, providing cushioning for your joints with its five-layer, non-slip, and shock absorbent running belt. It also boasts a quiet operation, thanks to its soft-drop system. Other advantages include its light weight, easy storability, and inclusive remote control.

The maximum speed of this machine is 7.5 mph but without any incline, which may not offer much to advanced users. Its 40-inch running belt could be considered short, especially for taller individuals.

Max Speed: 7.5 mph | Max Incline: None | Display: LED display | Dimensions:‎ 27'D x 49'W x 42'H | Max User Weight: 265 lbs

We continually test treadmills to provide you with the most accurate insights. We chose the best treadmills under $1,000 from several treadmill test results. We test the treadmills for four weeks at a variety of speeds and our testers take detailed notes on features and apps while also assessing the delivery and set-up process for our readers. Finally, each treadmill gets a score that we use to assess the best ones.

For this piece, we included a variety of tested treadmills as well as options we found through our intensive research and analysis.

Although high-end treadmills often come with an array of exciting features, remember that all those extras are not essential. A basic and affordable machine can still provide an excellent cardio workout. Plus, these cheaper options are often more compact and even foldable, perfect for those with limited space.

Affordable treadmills may have more limited ranges in speed and incline than splurge options. Most of the treadmills we tested topped out around 9 miles per hour (the NordicTrack and Schwinn 810 went up to 10 mph) with little to no incline. Some required manual incline adjustments, meaning you’d have to get off the treadmill and prop the treadmill up on supports. If you’re an advanced runner who wants to prioritize variety in your runs, the Schwinn 810 is our recommendation.

The latest connected fitness equipment boasts instructor-led classes, both live and on-demand. You can find this in treadmills under $1,000, but you’ll almost certainly have to pay for a separate membership. If you’re craving the motivation of an instructor or program on your treadmill, we’d recommend the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill and the iFit membership. If you’d rather DIY your running workouts, the Schwinn 810 wins again.

Your treadmill console needs to be functional to your specific needs, whether you’re craving built-in entertainment, quick-change speed buttons for treadmill sprint workouts, or a cupholder big enough for your giant water bottle. Some features to consider might be if your treadmill has speed and incline change buttons on the handrails, if there’s a built-in fan, space for a water bottle, and a ledge for your phone or tablet.

Treadmills under $1,000 are unlikely to have the high-tech, giant displays that other treadmills have, but if that’s something you want, the NordicTrack T 6.5 Si Treadmill had the biggest screen we tested at 10”. Most treadmills we tested and researched had more simple LCD and bluelit screens with mostly digital displays. 

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 led 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 treadmills under $1,000 to add additional options for our readers.