Top 8 Affordable Treadmills in 2023: A Guide by Shape Magazine
Jump to a Section
Whether your busy schedule keeps you from going to the gym or you simply prefer the cost savings of working out at home, having a home gym that you actually look forward to using goes a long way toward building a consistent movement practice. But building a home gym with all the bells and whistles (think: dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and more) can get expensive, fast — especially once you get to the large gym equipment category. Treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, and rowers can all cost thousands of dollars.
Luckily, you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to find a decent treadmill. We researched the best treadmills under $500 on Amazon, so that you can get your steps in without your wallet running away from you.
For a treadmill under $500, the Sunny Health & Fitness 8730 Folding Treadmill comes with plenty of helpful features. 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 9mph 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.
Max Speed: 9mph | Incline: 0%, 2%, or 4.37% | Max user weight: 220 pounds | Dimensions: 25.5'D x 62'W x 50'H
Those who tend to have impactful strides will appreciate the technology of the added cushion when their sneakers hit the deck. 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 if you prefer to work out in front of the TV, you shouldn't need to pump the volume.
Max Speed: 10mph | Incline: Three options | Max user weight: 250 pounds | Dimensions: 63.4' L x 28.75' W x 51.4' H
If you're worried about a piece of equipment taking up too much precious space in your house or apartment, this machine can fit right under your desk or bed. 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 controlling.
Max Speed: 4mph | Incline: None | Max user weight: 220 pounds | Dimensions: 51.5'D x 23.5'W x 6.5'H
This treadmill has three built-in programs to meet your exercise goals, and has an easy-to-read display that tracks your speed, time, distance, and calories burned. It also has a built-in stereo speaker so you can jam out to your favorite playlists via the USB flash and SD card readers with the MP3 digital audio playback function. But what makes this treadmill as good as other options at triple the price 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.
Max Speed: 7.5mph | Incline: Three options | Max user weight: 265 pounds | Dimensions: 54.7'D x 26.7'W x 49.6'H
This folding treadmill has two sport modes: It can be used as a running treadmill or an under desk walking treadmill. It has a touchscreen LED display to monitor your data in real-time, a super quiet motor so you can simultaneously Zoom or watch Netflix, and a remote control and safety key to immediately shut it down in an emergency. Available in colors such as red, green, and gold, this is a standout among all the black machines on the market, and also has convenient transport wheels so that you can effortlessly move it from room to room. And people who rely on a workout playlist to get moving, rejoice: This tread plays music too.
Max Speed: 7.5mph | Incline: None | Max user weight: 265 pounds | Dimensions: 49'D x 27'W x 42'H
Apartment dwellers listen up: This folding treadmill has all the requirements you would need for a small space with neighbors. It easily folds up, rolls from room to room, and is small enough to store beneath a couch or bed. Plus, it's incredibly quiet, so no need to worry that your neighbors will hear you sprinting to Lady Gaga. It has 12 programmed preset training plans, an LED display that tracks your time, speed, distance, steps, and calories burned, and a resting place for your iPad or iPhone so you can stay on top of work or important calls (or watch Netflix).
Max Speed: 6.5mph | Incline: None | Max user weight: 220 pounds | Dimensions: 48.5'D x 26'W x 8'H
Noisy treads can be distracting during your workout, not to mention annoying to anyone else in your home or living below you if in an apartment or condo. If a low sound level is of utmost importance, this treadmill is your answer. The insulating layer on the track offers a quiet experience and also provides shock absorption to limit the impact on your body and legs by up to 40 percent compared to running on asphalt, according to the brand. It also has a grippy surface, ensuring you don't slip or slide and stay upright your entire workout. It has two folding frames and two wheels so you can easily move it when you need to. But heads up: This is a walking treadmill only, and it maxes out at 4mph.
Max Speed: 4mph | Incline: None | Max user weight: 200 pounds | Dimensions: 56.7'D x 27.2'W x 6.7'H
If you're in the market for a multi-functioning product, this 2-in-1 treadmill fits the bill — and then some. With a foldable handrail, you can easily slide this budget treadmill under your desk so you can multitask while you walk. Or, if you're in the mood for a quicker pace, simply raise the handrail and use a running speed of 1-8MPH. A 5-layer non-slip and shock-absorbing belt provides extra cushioning that creates a soft landing for your ankles, joints, and back, so you can exercise comfortably. And if you live in an apartment building, don't worry about the noise level: An ultra-quiet motor will keep you from becoming the 'noisy neighbor'. Plus, if you prefer some distractions while you get your cardio in, a convenient phone holder allows you to watch movies and TV shows or read while you move. Finally, the compact size of this treadmill makes it easy to move, and therefore, super convenient for small spaces.
Max Speed: 7.5mph | Incline: None | Max user weight: 265 pounds | Dimensions: 49'D x 27'W x 42'H
Our health and fitness-obsessed team pored over hundreds of treadmills under $500 to determine what features were standard and which were added bonuses. We considered aspects such as speeds, inclines, weight capacity, portability, and more. Once we had our list of must-haves in any treadmill under $500 that we’d recommend confidently, we analyzed product specs until we narrowed our list of best treadmills under $500 to the ten featured in this article. We chose each category winner based on specific features that stood out from other budget treadmills and common needs of runners and walkers who work out at home.
While pricier treadmills may come with more bells and whistles, such as fancy touch-screens and built-in programs, budget treadmills under $500 tend to be smaller in size and more limited in terms of speed and incline. The average treadmill is around 78' long x 36' wide, but budget treadmills may be smaller. While walkers can do well with a 48-inch long belt, if you're planning to run faster than a jog, more length is better. If you're on the taller side, go for an even longer length.
Many budget treadmills top out at around 8mph, and several don’t offer any incline options. Cheap treadmills may also require you to adjust incline manually by raising and lowering the base and securing a pin in the slot of your choice. Often, these incline options are lower than full-priced treadmills. Some budget treadmills are meant especially for walking and may not have handrails or consoles of any type; these often come with a remote control to adjust speed without stopping the treadmill.
Treadmills under $500 make up for their lower speeds with their small footprint and portability. They’re often easy to move around, so you can store your treadmill quickly when not in use.
As an e-commerce writer, Claire Harmeyer researches the best shopping events and deals to write stories about celebrity news, fashion, and major shopping events. In September of 2021, Claire moved over to Dotdash Meredith's centralized e-commerce team, where she wrote shopping content for People, InStyle, Travel+Leisure, Real Simple, Shape, and Health. Now, Claire focuses solely on finding the most relevant trends and deals for readers.
As the senior fitness editor at Shape, Kristen Geil has spent the last several years trying every workout under the sun, including lots of running (with three marathons and several half-marathons under her belt). Kristen is a NASM-certified personal trainer who regularly covers fitness products and tests exercise apparel. She led the first-ever Best in Fitness Awards, the largest awards program in the industry, and she personally oversaw the nomination process for products in 170 categories (including large home gym equipment, such as treadmills).
