How many of us make New Year’s resolutions that resemble “Go to the gym”, “Exercise daily” or simply a vague “Get fit” only to break them within the first week with excuses that range from genuine to highly improbable (Oh, my dog ate my gym shoes).
In this world where obesity isn’t hard to spot, exercise is the need of the hour and the key word here in the equation to get in shape is consistency. We aren’t here to help you make excuses. What we have here are our top 13 picks for best treadmills that will do the job without breaking the bank or burning a hole through your oh so precious leather wallet.
1. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
Weslo has come up with yet another exquisite product that fits well with people wanting to get in shape. With dimensions of 68 x 31 x 10 inches and weighing in at 117 pounds, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill assembles easily and is easily collapsible making it a very home-friendly equipment.
It features a pulse heart rate monitor that is present on the console and keeps track of your heart rate. The console features an LCD display that displays the basic info (time, distance, speed and calories burnt) and helps you keep a track on your progress. The Treadmill also features 6 workout programs that that ensures you get the most out of the time you spend running without boring you.
It is the worthy member of the Treadmills under $500 considering everything that it offers at its price range. Weslo also boasts of the very good track record with their previous products so you know an exchange or replacement isn’t due if you do end up purchasing the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill.
Pros:
- Easy Assembly
- Quiet
- Comfortable and spacious dashboard
- Folds upright
Cons:
- Main display not backlit
- Manual Incline makes it difficult for interval training
2. ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill
ProForm has rarely failed to deliver and we aren’t surprised that this treadmill has found its way into this list of ours. The ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill boasts of a lot of positives considering that honestly makes it stand out of many other treadmills at a similar price range.
It comes with 16 workout modes that bring a new dimension to workouts that offer to help you attain those goals of speed, calorie burn, and endurance without compromising on huge wads of cash. Unlike others in this section, it offers automatic incline (up to 10%) meaning your interval training dreams can finally come true.
It is very compact and folds upright that makes this device all the more lovable. With a top speed of 10mph, we can guarantee that you will be lost of words and out of breath once you give this a try.
Pros:
- 16 different workout programs
- Equips with iFit
- Provides 2’’ speakers to blast your favorite songs
- Automatic incline (up to 10%)
- Top speed of 10MPH
- Folds upright
Cons:
- 16”x50” is comparatively smaller and thus attention is to be paid while running
3. Marcy Folding Motorized Treadmill JX-650W
You might be wondering how a treadmill creeped into a top-rated Treadmills under 500 dollars list. Well, to simply put it, this device was just too good to leave it out even though it exceeds the price range. When you’re done reading this, you won’t doubt its factual incorrect inclusion in the list.
It has 10 pre-set cardio programs and also provides you with an option to create customized programs. At 67.2 x 28 x 10.5 inches and 108 pounds it is your usual treadmill dimensions that we are all familiar with and there is nothing too fancy here.
The LCD screen is backlit making it easily readable and adds no extra struggle than the one you’re already facing while running at a top speed of 8MPH.
Pros:
- 10 different pre-set programs (customization possible)
- Easy assembly
- Compact
- Top speed of 8MPH
- Folds upright
Cons:
- Heavy and requires at least 2 people to transport it.
- Comparatively smaller hand rails.
4. Pinty Folding Electric Treadmill
Coming in with a price point ,Pinty’s folding Electric Treadmill also manages to make itself into the list without much effort. It weighs in at 92.3 pounds which is heavier than a lot of other treadmills in the same price range.
It boasts of a 5-layer running platform and 3 positions of incline that is designed for you to burn all those calories that you so badly want to lose. Pinty also prides itself on its anti-rust coating that is bound to give you long lasting service.
Pros:
- It’s compact making it suitable for small spaces.
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- Heavier than most treadmills
- Speaker quality below average.
- Noisy at high speeds
5. Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T Treadmill
Yes, Welso has managed to get another one of their treadmills into a single list of ours. It isn’t surprising considering that Welso and their “value-for-money” approach has made them a household name in the fitness series.
This particular model features upper-body workout arms that is inbuilt and provides a total body workout that engages both the arms and legs. It has 4 in-built workouts with a top speed of 10MPH.
It functions also as an elliptical trainer because of the provided arms which basically means you’re getting 2 equipment for the price of one. It is priced under $500 which definitely falls in the budget range of treadmills.
Pros:
- Less Noise
- Folds upright
- Provides an upper body workout
Cons:
- Display not bright enough
- Assembly is tough
- Manual Incline
6. Exerpeutic TF1000
This treadmill boasts of a higher capacity at about 400lbs meaning this treadmill could withstand a very heavy person with ease without falling apart.
This is not something other treadmills can boast of considering that their belts tend to turn slowly when the weight increases beyond a smaller threshold than that of the Exerpeutic TF1000.
The handles are extra-long providing an added security when running. It has a top speed of 4MPH which isn’t too high but a considerable speed if you are overweight and wish to shed some of those extra pounds. Considering the long handles, the large capacity and the top speed, this treadmill is clearly meant for the really over weight audience that wish to make a safe start into the world of fitness.
Pros:
- Sturdy and stable
- Speed Control Buttons are easy to use
Cons:
- Incline change from 3% to 6%
- Manual Incline
- Noisy at high speeds
7. ProForm ZT4 Treadmill
ProForm has never failed to deliver on expectations and this product follows suite. This treadmill measures up to everything a good treadmill requires.
It provides superior comfort and maximizes joint protection. It has a top speed of 10MPH and a maximum incline 10% incline.
Pros:
- 16 workout programs
- EasyLife Assist
Cons:
- Noisy motor
- Pulls power
- No iFit compatibility
8. Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill
The Merit Fitness 715T Plus Treadmill comes with weight of 108 pounds. It has a 3 window LED display that has all the basic information that one requires when trying to burn all those unnecessary calories.
It is strong and durable and it’s assumed that this is the reason that it is priced slightly higher than some of the other treadmills mentioned in our list awesome Treadmills for home under $500.
It has a lifetime warranty for the frame that is found only in top tier treadmills that cost a fortune which is an added bonus and one of the main reasons it deserved a spot in our list. Yes, it does not support automatic inclination but that does not mean it cannot be inclined manually. It has a maximum inclination of 5% and supports a maximum capacity of 250lbs.
Pros:
- The wide belt provides good running space
- Strong and durable
- Lifetime frame warranty
Cons:
- Manual inclination
- It is not suitable for all electric outlets
9. O2 Force T20 Walking Treadmill
This treadmill is definitely affordable and that is the main reason behind its inclusion in this list. It has a dimension of 54.1 x 28.7 x 44.5 inches and weighs 90.4 pounds. It has an LCD monitor that is backlit.
It can hold a weight capacity of 220lbs and has a top speed of 6.5MPH. It can be folded easily which is almost necessary in any treadmill and the company has not compromised on this element. It may not be the sturdiest treadmill out there but then again its cost which is less than what you would pay for a top tier treadmill.
It is mainly for walking and jogging considering the top speed of 6.5MPH. Running is not impossible but is sure to bring about some shakiness to the equation which is why we recommend against using it for sprinting.
Pros:
- Compact
- Easily foldable
- Perfect for walking and jogging
Cons:
- Not for sprinting
- Shaky because the quality is not that great
10. Goplus Electric Treadmill W
Weighing in at 66 pounds, this product by Goplus should not be compared to the rest mainly because this is targeted at a different audience. It comes with both a manual and automatic modes.
It has extra-long handles and has a top speed of 4MPH. If you haven’t been able to figure out who the target customers are, well, they are the elderly. It is tailored to suit their comfort and safety and does an excellent job at that. It is made of high-quality steel and supports a maximum weight of 220lbs.
The LED screen is easy to read and the safety key is present that stops the machine in case of any emergency. The long arms of the treadmill have extra padding that is comfortable for seniors. It is light and can be easily moved.
Pros:
- Designed for the elderly perfectly
- Padding on the extra-long arms are comfortable
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
Cons:
- It is not a running machine
- Young adults might find the treadmill insufficient
11. Gymax Walking Running Exercise Treadmill
This treadmill is designed for the multitaskers. It has a product dimension of 63″ x 31.5″ x 46″ and weighs 83lbs with a user-friendly desk. Yes, this treadmill comes with a desk allowing you to work while you work-out. For all those procrastinators who end up having to choose between work and exercise, this treadmill eliminates the need to decide and facilitates both at the same time.
The desk is height adjustable with 5 levels so that you’re never too short or too tall for this treadmill. It ticks all the usual boxes of a treadmill and maybe a few more which makes it perfect for workaholics.
It also features an auto mode and a manual mode and operates without disturbing anyone. It has a maximum speed of 4MPH which makes sense considering that you will be working while running.
Pros:
- For the workaholics
- Easy assembly
- Adjustable heights
Cons:
- Cannot be folded
12. Titan Fitness Under Desk Walking Treadmill
This treadmill from Titan Fitness stands to compete with the previously mentioned product but lacks a desk. The Titan Fitness Under Desk Walking treadmill makes up for the lack of a desk by excelling in every other area of a treadmill. It boasts of ample walking space and fits easily onto your desktop.
It is compatible with the FIT SHOW app. It weighs in at 114.6 pounds which is heavier than some of the other treadmills but is definitely not a major drawback. This treadmill fits well in our list considering the price point. Customers need to be sure that this is not recommended for running.
Titan has designed this with only one scenario in mind that is definitely a huge portion of the customer pie. If you want to walk at a reasonable pace without compromising on work productivity, then this treadmill from Titan Fitness is definitely a worthy option. It is durable and sturdy.
Pros:
- Great for walking
- Apt for working professionals
- Quiet working motor
Cons:
- Heavy
- Top speed of 4MPH
- Not great for running
- No pause function on the console
13. Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill
Coming back to the usual design of treadmills, we have our final pick of the Best Treadmills under $500, the Sunny Health & Fitness Walking Treadmill. Product dimensions of 49.6 x 27 x 47 inches, this treadmill weighs in at 70 pounds. It has a top speed of 5MPH and inclination of 8.4% which is more than some of the previously mentioned products.
It boasts of an extended warranty period and proves the trust that they have in their products. It includes an LCD screen that shows all basic information like distance covered, speed and the calories burnt.
Pros:
- Compact and foldable
- Comfortable running space
- Easy to transport
- Extensive warranty period
Cons:
- Customers have regularly complained about below average customer service.
Every treadmill mentioned in this list are good in their own ways with some being better than the rest. Considering that they are below $500, compromises might’ve been made while building these treadmills but nothing that could persuade one to not buy these.
Treadmills are meant to get you to exercise without having to leave the comfort of your home.
Every treadmill on our list of Bests under $500 does this and more.
You can’t really go wrong with a pick from this list.
Find the one that suits your requirements and get exercising!