The best treadmills under $500

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You are probably here because you understand what a good treadmill can do to your body, regardless of the type you walk or run on. If you are looking for the best treadmill under 500, you’ve landed in the right place.

Reports by Harvard Health Publishing say a treadmill is a good workout tool to improve your balance and endurance. The cardio exercise, you get running on a treadmill, help strengthens your heart and minimizes the risk of being diabetic or suffering a stroke.

The benefits of running on a treadmill is not just balance or cardio improvement but weight management is one other great factor to achieve a healthy lifestyle. If you want to manage your weight and calories, a treadmill is probably one of the best workout equipments where to get almost instant results.

If you didn’t intend to shop for treadmills under $500 and you want a machine that is durable, and has high capacity user weight with a powerful treadmill motor, you may want to pick your best treadmill under 1000 dollars here.

 

Top Picked Best Treadmills under $500

If you are in a hurry, here is a list where you can choose your best budget treadmill under $500.

 

Why choose a budget-friendly treadmill machine for your home?

There is the notion that the gym’s treadmills are always better, well that is true when you want to socialize and meet other friends like you. However, a home workout is more convenient than a gym. Nowadays, treadmill exercises in the gym is socially important, but cost a fortune in terms of time and dollars spent for subscriptions.

Most people choose to keep portable treadmills for home use rather than going out to the gym every time for many reasons. Having a classic treadmill exercise machine at home or in the office would help you simulate the act of walking and running without giving up much of your time to watch your favorite TV shows. In addition, you are going to stick to your fitness workout plan regardless of the temperature and weather changes outside.

To exercise conveniently at the comfort of your home doesn’t necessarily require you to invest in a piece of high-end exercise equipment, except you are willing to do so. You can go for the best affordable treadmills for home use. A budget-friendly treadmill is not necessarily a cheap one, but the one you will conveniently pay for. Even so, there are cheap treadmills with great features for physical therapy workouts.

In our review, we are going to list some best budget treadmills under $500, with features that will best suit your needs and preferences.

 

 

Best Treadmill  Under 500 Dollars For Home Running

There are different types of treadmills available for low prices, but we went through, to get these treadmills under $500 to ease your shopping today. Let’s get started with this popular fitness treadmill that is most cherished for apartment use.

 

 XTERRA TR150 Fitness Treadmill: Overall Best Budget Treadmill Under 500 dollars

Xterra TR150 Fitness is a perfect treadmill that comes with good features that are worth more than the price tag placed on it. It is the best value for guys with a sports lifestyle to enjoy physical therapy workouts at home.

The Xterra running machine is the most spacious, with a large treading surface of about 16 by 50 inches. It can absolutely accommodate runners and walkers of every height and weight. It comes with the widest speed range for every workout- from 0.5 to 10 miles per hour.

You will enjoy 12 different preset fitness programs on this under-$500 treadmill. With the three incline settings, you can always select various workout difficulty levels as they match your performance and training routines.

 

 

 Ancheer Two-in-One Folding Treadmill: Best Budget-Friendly Treadmill Under $500

We can’t talk about the best affordable treadmills without this Ancheer folding treadmill on the list. It is one of the best budget-friendly walking machines with awesome features that are great for personal home workouts.

Ancheer folding treadmill is affordably priced under $500 and considering the is it is a two-in-one treadmill, it has become the best selling home walking machine for many home fitness enthusiasts.

The 2 in 1 gives the advantage that you can use two different treadmill workout modes. You can exercise by running in the regular workout style of standing upright a letting your legs move and by doing under-desk, walking, while you are in a seated position.

Most often, high horsepower treadmills are associated with noise pollution. This Ancheer folding 2 in 1 treadmill runs on a powerful 2.25 horsepower electric motor, which is very quiet for apartment use.

It is thanks to the shock and noise reduction system that minimizes sound pollution in your apartment. Other features that ensure treadmill belt durability is the multi-layer design of the running surface.

The LCD screen on the control panel displays your workout statistics with good legibility, so you can easily note at a glance, your treadmill exercise performance, including distance, steps, and calories burnt.

For connectivity and compatibility reasons, the treadmill comes fully equipped with a Bluetooth speaker for maximum entertainment while running, a phone holder, and a remote controller.

My only concern about this product is that the speed can be quite limited when folded down to its under-desk mode.

Ancheer is a newcomer in the market and I have established so quickly in the fitness space. This treadmill brand manufactures fitness products in Taiwan and China, and gets a warehouse in California.

 

Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7515 Treadmill: Best Sub-$500 Treadmill With Large Running surface

Treadmill runners with large body-sizes would want to consider the size of the treadmill running surface, the most prioritized feature. If you are over-sized with a large body build, then Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7515 Treadmill have dimensions 16.5 by 49.5 inches, large enough to accommodate large body weights.

The treadmill speed range falls between 1 to 8 miles per hour. Though not enough for a rigorous workout, it is an impressive speed range for beginners and elderly persons.

One favorite feature of this affordable treadmill is its 12 levels of incline. You can choose to whatever extent you can run uphill or downhill just at the comfort of your home. The incline is one of the most important treadmill functions that definitely spices up the difficulty of running or workout routine.

Other features of this budget treadmill under 500 dollars include a built-in integrated BMI calculator, pulse grip heart rate tracking sensor, music function with MP3 cord, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Amazingly, the running treadmill under 500 dollars has an easy folding for storage and transportation since its wheels allow for easy mobility in and out of your apartment.

 

 

Miageek 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill: Best Quiet Apartment Treadmill under 500

If you are allergic to noise and loud sounds, Miageek under $500 treadmill is the quietest and affordable treadmill with excellent noise reduction features. You should consider this feature only if the size of the treadmill running surface can accommodate you conveniently.

This Miageek is large, about 22” x 60” anti-slip lawn texture running surface, and 265lbs weight capacity. These help to guarantee the stable operation of the machine at home.

If more than one person lives in your apartment with limited space, not everyone would support, loud mechanical noise from treadmill operations. That is when you need to buy this wonderful, quiet treadmill for your apartment.

Powered by a 2.25HP motor, the treadmill can run at neck-breaking speed and still remain noiseless because it comes with a better anti-skid and built-in noise elimination features – sound-absorbing materials on treadmill belt, and shock reduction system.

The running machine operates in two modes – you can operate it as a classic running treadmill, where you stand upright and continue your workout or you run it as an under-desk treadmill in a seated position.

This budget friendly two-in-one treadmill, offers limited speed a fold up mode. Other features include control panel and LED display, with easy-to-read distance , steps, and calories burned information. The home treadmill also has a safety key feature and supports Bluetooth connectivity.

 

 

MaxKare Folding Treadmill: Best Value treadmill For Your Money – under $500

One thing that makes this treadmill not really suitable for running is its low max speed(adjustable speed from 0.5MPH to the maximum of 7.5MPH). You can jog or walk on it, but runners who cherish neck-breaking speed find this one pretty slow.

These treadmills cost under 50 dollars and if you are so tight on a budget that a treadmill over 300 dollars seems like an investment for you, this MaxKare Folding Treadmill is suitable for your home workouts.

It is the most affordable treadmill in our list and comes with many important features like other treadmills under $500. Being cheap, should not be the reason to underestimate this treadmill exercise machine,

The inexpensive MaxKare treadmill comes with 15 different preset exercise programs, more than other treadmills can offer. It is also a well-built treadmill, equipped with an anti-shock system, and features 17 inches wide running surface designed with five durable layers that include noise-reduction and wear-resistant materials.

One thing that makes this treadmill not really suitable for running is its low max speed(adjustable speed from 0.5MPH to the maximum of 7.5MPH). You can jog or walk on it, but runners who cherish neck-breaking speed find this one pretty slow.

 

 

Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill

Exceptionally in terms of budget, this Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill comes a little over $500. A fitness runner who can squeeze extra dollars to buy this home running machine will be rewarded with excellent comfort and performance features.

This foldable treadmill is comfortably designed with a three-zone variable response cushioning on the 20×55″ large surface. This is pretty suitable for people with bad knees, arthritis, and joint problems.

Some powerful features you will find here include a built-in tablet holder, Bluetooth speakers, and a USB charging port. You can enjoy every media entertainment while running on this treadmill for under 1000 dollars. There is also an integrated fan that keeps you cool and ventilated during intense running workouts.

The electric motor is sized at 2.5CHP with smooth speeding up to 10MPH max. The motorized incline offers you the option to run downhill or uphill to increase the intensity of your fitness workout.

The Top speed of 10MPH is small as compared to 12MPH, yet it is good for running. Portability is ensured thanks to its FeatherLIGHT” lift system for easy fold up into storage space.

 

 

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 – inexpensive treadmill for walking workout

This treadmill is inexpensively priced in the sub-$500 price range, yet is fully packed with plenty of features like Device Holder, Shock Absorption, and Incline that are worth going for it.

With a midsize surface area of 49” x 15.5” running belt, the space is just large enough for normal size runners. Obese and overweight may not run comfortably on it. The 2.2HP electric motor offers a max speed of 9MPH, suitable for joggers and light runners.

If you want to track and get feedback on your workout, the Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill comes under 500 dollars and features a bright LCD screen with good legibility. You can also enjoy nine built-in programs when you choose this machine.

Other amazing functions include heart rate monitor, safety key and quick-speed buttons. Versatile in design, this machine has a great value for home runners.

 

 

Merax Electric Folding Treadmill – best folding treadmill for under 500, for small space

Merax electric treadmill is a foldable machine with a price tag far below $500, yet it is designed with some good features worth. It features a simple LED screen and a built-in aux speaker system. The treadmill console is user-friendly and easy to use, even for beginners.

With a small treadmill running surface(43.3” x 15.7”), heavy and overweight runners can’t use it, so the treadmill is highly suited to lighter joggers(with a max speed of 7mph) and people with smaller strides.

The treadmill also comes with quick buttons on handles to instantly start or stop the running machine during an emergency or to easily change speed settings during a workout.

The treadmill belt features a comfortable anti-slip texture, which is worth some consideration. The high-density lawn texture belt absorbs shock for premium comfort with non-slip feature which offer maximum safety runners need.

 

 

ProForm Performance 300i – best quality treadmill for near $500 budget

ProForm brand is widely known for building treadmills for everyone with an affordable price tag. ProForm Performance 300i is another treadmill under 500 dollars, with high performance and excellent cushioning.

The frame is sturdy, with a durable construction that lasts several years. More importantly,  this treadmill comes with an electric motor is rated 2 CHP, a running deck with a standard length 16” x 50” belt, and a 10mph maximum speed suitable for high speedrunners.

If you have got joint and knee pains, there is no issue running on this treadmill. Its ProShox cushioning gives a smooth running experience, keeps your ride comfortable and friendly on bad knees. If you want to set up a more intense running workout, you can adjust the motorized incline to run uphill or downhill as you see it necessary.

Other amazing features include Bluetooth connectivity, built-in speakers, many treadmills preset programs and a heart rate tracking function. This running machine is not the cheapest, but worth the money.

 

 

Efitment T013 Treadmill: best-cushioned treadmill under 500 dollars for weight loss

Have you been looking for a fat-blasting running machine? T013 treadmill is a sleek and aesthetically slimmer designed treadmill that offers a decent core performance with great features.

The 2.2 HP pulse motor can drive the treadmill’s 15.5” x 47” belt up to a top speed of 9mph. Featuring 15 levels of motorized incline, this treadmill is the best running treadmill under 500 dollars with this number of inclines.

This inline are important for weight loss and intensive interval training exercises that can burn a good amount of calories with maximizing efficiency.

This T012 treadmill currently offers 9 built-in fat-blasting treadmill programs that can help in your weight loss management. With a low pace top speed just up to 7.5 MPH, this treadmill can serve as an entry-level running machine for overweight, heavy, and obese runners seeking to manage weight.

The smart console is power-efficient, and the LED screen displays your speed, time, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. The Body Mass Index(BMI) calculator will tell how much weight you are losing on the run.

If you want to run while being entertained, this machine offers you the option to listen to music using its built-in-speakers and wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

The pull up tablet and mobile holder lets you enjoy both your workout and your favorite shows,

This machine is design to offer the best cushioning and shock absorption. It features 8 strategically placed cushioning points to protect knees and joints from chocks due to impact. Unlike road running, running on this Efitmen reduces impact by about 15 to 40 percent on your knees.

 

 

What to Look for When Purchasing a Treadmill

There are many considerations when shopping for a treadmill for an apartment. These factors below are important factors you must evaluate to pick a cheap, functional, and durable treadmill under $500, that satisfies your home fitness workout needs.

1. Storage Space

You may have the best treadmill for a home under 500 dollars, but can it be stored in your apartment? You need to first determine where you are going to store your affordable treadmill when it’s not in use. Then, you check the storage space to see if your ideal running machine can fit into it conveniently. You know that treadmills generally occupy a bigger footprint when compared to other exercise bikes because of their wide running surface.

If your apartment has too little space, you should consider buying much compact and foldable treadmill. Folding treadmills can fold up even to half their size, and luckily, here is a list of the best folding treadmill for small space.

2. Running space

If you can’t operate your treadmill at the very spot where you stored it, then you need to pull it out from there into a running space. After your workout, you can later fold it up, pack it into its storage space. The question is how big is the floor space you intend to run your treadmill on?

It is very obvious that you will unfold the treadmill before running on it, so you also need to determine whether you will get enough space around (for safety reasons) when you unfold the running machine. If the running space is not adequate, you can therefore choose a treadmill that is easy to carry, or push in and out of your apartment.

Therefore Foldable treadmills are a great option as it saves space, so you must first plan your storage and running location before you decide which treadmill to buy.

3. Your body Size

Take a look at yourself. Are you oversized, having a large body build? Are you tall, normal height, or short? The space (width) on the treadmill running surfaces should be conveniently very wide if you are a fat guy. It is very important that the width of your treadmill fits your body size with the Anouilh gap left around for safety reasons.

Tall Runner? If you are a tall person, you also would love to check how long is your natural stride when you run. Never pick a treadmill with a running surface that is shorter than your stride length. When selecting a treadmill, make sure the length of the treadmill deck or running surface is long enough to accommodate your strides and your gait. Check out these long stride treadmills for tall and heavy runners.

Are you overweight? If you are, your weight should not exceed the treadmill’s maximum weight capacity. If you don’t know how much you weigh, make use of a scale before buying a treadmill. Practically it is insane to have a 400 lbs runner on a treadmill deck whose motor only carries 300 lbs maximum weight capacity. Check out these treadmills of overweight and obese runners.

4. Entertainment

Most people love to play their favorite playlist while exercising. If you are one of those fitness enthusiasts that loves working out with music, pick a treadmill with Bluetooth compatible earphones. In my experience, it is true that good music can cause a treadmill runner to cover hundreds of miles without notice.

Another form of entertainment is watching your favorite TV series, video and MP3 music. It could be from your television set or from your smartphone. In that case, choosing a treadmill with a phone holder is a smart choice, but beware that these amenities may be lacking even in the best treadmills under $300.

5. Entry or fitness level

Chose a portable treadmill that adjusts to your skill level. Except you are a beginner who had not yet determined the right entry-level, you must avoid treadmills that offer different speed and inclination settings from the ones you have been training with.

6. Easy to read console

To keep track of running stats, a treadmill with a console display is great for monitoring your performance as you run, jog or walk on the treadmill. Most consoles display distance covered, the number of steps made, and the number of calories burnt during that training session. A perfect display screen should be legible enough, so that even seniors with failing eyesight due to aging or people with poor visibility can be able to read their workout performance at a glance.

Related: Safety and benefits of treadmill running and walking for seniors

7. Safety features

Treadmills with safety keys are safer, especially when you have got kids around or when you suddenly fall off the treadmill surface. Again, treadmill stability handles are important safety features for the elderly and people with mobility problems, if you are buying the treadmill for an aging and older adult.

Related: Safer and best treadmill for seniors and elderly adults

 

8. Running surface -treadmill belt

The material used in the treadmill running deck is very important when considering the durability of the treadmill. While frames and electric motor or mechanical parts are known to be durable, a  tough, flexible, and tear-resistant treadmill running surface is key to enjoying the best workout at home. The multi-layered design is durable but you must watch out if it is safe to run with shoes or barefoot on it.

 

 

What to expect from a cheap Treadmill under 500

Both luxury treadmills and cheap treadmills contribute to health and fitness performance at home or at the gym. While we understand that some treadmills are very expensive because they come fully packed with advanced features that will enable effective and efficient running workout, most people are not aware of the strength and weaknesses of having a cheap treadmill. You should not expect the lifetime features you would get from a nordictrack treadmills.

 

Strengths off low priced treadmills(cheap treadmills under 500 dollars)

The Strengths of Cheap Treadmills is what many manufacturers leverage their sales on, and you must watch out if these selling point features are useful for you.

Affordability A treadmill at a giveaway price is an attractive offer, although being very inexpensively priced does not equate to best value. Very budget-friendly treadmills are readily available for everyone, even people who have tighter budget plans.

Portability Most treadmills tend to be compact and/or foldable but very cheap ones are smaller, easily folded up into a slim shape, and can be stored in a minimal storage space like under the bed or under the desk in an apartment. So affordable treadmills are best if you live in an apartment with limited space.

Warranty Low price treadmills have a longer warranty may be to compensate for the low-quality parts or lack of better features or trust. You will find machines with 3 months to 5 years warranty.

Related: Best treadmill under $1000

 

Weaknesses of Inexpensive Treadmills under $500

When buying a home affordable treadmill, you should be aware of the manufacturing compromises or weakness that explains why the budget running machine comes so low prices. There are different types of  limitations for a treadmill which comes at a cheap price, let us see some.

1) limited size of the running surface

One way treadmill manufacturers reduce cost is by reducing material input in the production. They would get the surface area (length and width) off the treadmill running deck, extremely short.

The least standard treadmill workout surface comes in 20 inches wide by 50 inches in length. A low budget treadmill may come with less than 20 inches as track width and less than 50 inches as the length of its running surface.

What would you expect from this small track treadmill, apart from discomfort, if you are an oversized or obese or an overweight runner on a 16-inch wide track? If you are a tall runner, you may find the treadmill running track too short, as the length is not long enough to accommodate your long strides. These poor features can cause underperformance as you find the treadmill is impractical for daily workout use.

2. Reduced comfort or treadmill cushioning

The main benefit of choosing to run on a treadmill than running or walking outdoors at the roadside is to achieve the same fitness purpose with great comfort and reduced impact on the feet, legs, and joints. The unfortunate thing is that manufacturers make cheap treadmills without comfort or cushioning. Except with well-cushioned running shoes, a treadmill runner with sensitive knees and ligaments may suffer more pains exercising on low priced treadmill machines.

High-end treadmills like this lifespan that cost over $1,000 have a well-cushioned running surface and runners feel zero impact on their feet or joints.

3. Poor or weak Motor Horsepower

A Treadmill motor power rating affects the treadmill price greatly. The best home treadmills for running come with a standard horsepower with a minimum rating of 2.5HP. Any power rating under that value is suitable for low speed walking. Look at our reviews, you’ll find that most of the affordable treadmills under $500 have motors with 2.25 HP and below. A workout treadmill with this limited power is considered weaker or low quality(low power, low speed) for most active or high speedrunners.

4. Noise pollution

Treadmills with weaker or low-quality motors are noisier than high-end models with advanced noise reduction features. Buying a cheap treadmill means you suffer the risk of loud sounds when the machine wobbles while you’re in the middle of your workouts. A noisy treadmill is a potential nuisance in an apartment with many people living there. You know they don’t function smoothly or quietly. Any way, you might want to check these tested and proven treadmill noise reduction guide for your home.

5. Limited treadmill Workout Programs

If an inexpensive treadmill features pre-set running programs, they are either not enough or they are inaccurate in displaying workout data. Example: The heart rate monitor in some treadmill brands may give faulty readings, the calories calculator on low-end treadmills is never all time precise. Sometimes, the built-in exercise training programs are totally just not available (they’re absent) in low budget treadmills under 500 bucks.

6. No /Few Amenities

Not only workout programs may be absent, but cooling fans, speakers, cup holders, phone holders, Bluetooth connectivity may also be absent too in low budget treadmills. If you go for high-end home treadmills, you’ll find most of these advanced amenities that can enhance your home running experience.

Related:  Best running treadmill under 1000 dollars – with a quieter and powerful electric motor, advanced features, high user treadmill capacity, and durable frames.

 

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FAQ

Under $500 Treadmill and Entry-Level Treadmill, which is much better?

Comparatively, is a $500 Treadmill better than an Entry-Level Model? We just gave a list of very strong treadmills for $500, and what is very noticeable is that the motors on $500 treadmills are stronger than the ones in an entry-level model?

It is a better option to step up from the entry-level running machines because more powerful motors offer an intense running experience and a smoother workout. A powerful motor also makes you jog or walk or run faster than it could be at a beginner level.

You may not find easily an entry-level treadmill for overweight or for tall persons with long strides. If you know your body build(tall, fat, obese), you definitely would go for the best treadmill near $500 at the least, then settling for an entry-level machine.

 

Could a $500 Treadmill be the Same as a Gym Treadmill?

Oh, hell NO. Gym grade treadmills are commercial that are high end and withstand a lot of users’ weight. Such gym treadmills are costly, ranging from 500 dollars to 20,000 dollars. Don’t expect to find a gym treadmill for under $500, else you get disappointed woefully.

Most of the high-end gym machines have high electric motor powers, ranging from 5HP, and can drive the treadmill belt to as high as maximum speeds of up to 15mph.

You will just easily notice one common feature with commercial gym treadmills is their extra-wide running surfaces and good length (around 22” x 60” is standard) to accommodate every runner. Other commercial gym treadmill features include advanced shock absorption systems, excellent speakers, full HD screens, and virtual assistants.

Spending $500 on an affordable machine for home running could do the job, even when they lack the advanced features you find in gym treadmills.

 

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