If you’re like most of us, throwing down a few thousand on a new treadmill is a bit steep.
So the question is, are there any cheap treadmills available that will do the trick?
And you’ll be pleased to know, yes!
Many new manufacturers have entered the market over the last few years- with the objective of making an affordable highly functional treadmill.
So if you’re not obsessed with fancy features and brand names, you can definitely find a high quality machine within your budget.
Below you will find my 10 favorite options on the market.
Best Quality Affordable Treadmill
Xterra Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
- Larger running surface (16x50’’).
- 5-inch LCD display to track your calories, time, speed, heart rate, and incline level.
- Adjustable speed from 0.5 to 10 MPH.
- 12 preset workout programs and 3 levels to give you more variety.
Treadmills by Xterra Fitness aren’t very expensive and offer very high quality in return.
They are durable, have very good performance, and provide everything you need to get started with your cardio at home.
Features
The LCD control is not fancy but it has all you need to track your fitness activity and includes direct access keys to personalize your workout.
Similar to more expensive machines, you’ll also get hand pulse grip sensors on the side handlebars, and a cushioned deck with XTRASoft technology for shock absorption to reduce the impact on your joints.
Another useful feature worth mentioning is its fold-up design which is useful to save space at home when you’re not actually using the machine.
Adjustability & Warranty
The TR150’s adjustable incline settings include 3 different levels, and it is a manual system, not controlled by buttons or presets on the control panel.
Furthermore, this machine comes with a lifetime frame warranty. The motor has a 1-year warranty and you also get a 90-day warranty for labor and parts.
What we like
- It is a fully functional and sturdy treadmill for the price.
- The frame and motor warranty can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong.
What we dislike
- The incline option is manual, which means you have to step down from your treadmill, adjust, and restart.
Second Favorite Affordable Treadmill
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The MaxKare treadmill has a larger LCD display with a blue backlight to track your exercise and heart rate.
It includes a console with 15 preset workout programs and one-touch options for a quick start. The heart rate sensor is located in the handrails.
Design
The design of this treadmill is pretty robust and provides a quiet workout experience without much vibration on the floor.
Along with the foldable option, the treadmill has a pair of transportation wheels you can use to move the machine around in your home.
The incline option is another feature worth mentioning. You get three different incline levels, and it has a manual system underneath the running board to adjust the tilt degree.
What customers are saying
Most customers say this machine is exceptionally quiet, but some people have reported wearing on the sides of the belt after a few months of continued use.
The assembly is not difficult and may take you around an hour.
What we like
- Extremely quiet and sturdy machine.
- Excellent customer service, very responsive, and without inconveniences.
What we dislike
- Some users have reported wear and tear on the sides of the running belt after a few months of use with no major impact on the functionality.
Best Treadmill For Folding
Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Cadence Folding Treadmill
- It comes with a 1-month free membership in iFit.
- You can also activate this treadmill holding the Bluetooth button for a few seconds if you’re not interested in the iFit membership.
- Easily foldable in one easy step.
- Features a tablet holder, big buttons and a straightforward display to show your stats.
- You can connect the treadmill to your mobile to track your activity.
This treadmill has almost everything offered by more expensive models, including an iFit subscription to enrich your workout experience.
The tread belt is 16×50’’, which is a little bit narrower compared to the models above, but it still has enough room for walking and jogging.
You can connect your mobile via Bluetooth, and it has a space-saving technology which is pretty much what caught our attention.
Compact Design
Fold dimensions are only 25x25x60 inches, and it is a lightweight machine making it a great pick if you don’t have much available space at home.
iFit Subscription
The iFit subscription is very useful, especially if you have a tablet to go along with it.
You get tons of personalized workouts and many options to get in shape with HIIT sessions and other studio classes.
When you start one of these classes, your coach will not only give you instructions but will also control your machine’s speed and other options, providing a more immersive experience.
What we like
- The iFit compatibility, which can make your workout experience more exciting.
- Very smooth and sturdy motor, great for the price.
What we dislike
- Many users felt frustrated trying to activate the machine without the iFit subscription. Fortunately, this is not a major problem as it only requires pressing and holding the Bluetooth button for 30 seconds.
Best Cheap Manual Treadmill
Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Treadmill
- A compact and lightweight treadmill, great for smaller spaces.
- Belt size is 42x13 inches, suitable for walking and light jogging.
- An LCD monitor that shows your calories, speed, number of steps, and time.
- Does not require an electrical source. It is powered by your own movements.
- Non-slip running surface with a max user weight of 220 pounds.
If you’re looking for an affordable manual treadmill for walking or light jogging, a manual treadmill should be your number one option.
It is actually very compact and lightweight, which is an amazing feature if you don’t have much available space at home.
The folded mode is very slim and saves much more space than motorized treadmills.
Features & Assembly
You get a digital monitor to track your workouts with stats of calories burned, speed, number of steps, and time.
It is also very sturdy and easy to use with an assembly of only 15 minutes or so.
No electricity required
Additionally, these manual treadmills can help you burn up to 30% more calories than other models, and they do not require any electrical source.
Keep in mind that this treadmill has a fixed incline, which means you cannot adjust or change the incline settings.
Also note that manual treadmills are not the best for very long walking sessions, but they can be very useful if you want to do interval training.
What we like
- It does not require an electrical source and it is very good for interval training.
- Easily foldable and saves a lot of space at home.
What we dislike
- The belt can be very narrow and you cannot change the incline settings.
Best Treadmill For Walking
Sunny Health & Fitness Motorized Walking Treadmill
- A motorized belt of 39x14 inches for walking or light jogging.
- Shock Absorption to reduce stress in your articulations.
- Straightforward LCD display to track calories, speed, distance, and time.
- Pause and countdown features with large buttons.
- Foldable running deck for easy storage.
Some treadmills are made for walking or light jogging, and you can identify them by the length of the running deck and the maximum speed.
This one has enough room for walking and the speed can be adjusted from 0.5 to 5 MPH.
The maximum user weight is 220 lbs, and it is equipped with anti-shock technology in the running deck.
Another important feature is the folded mode, which only takes 21×25 inches with a maximum height of 51 inches and has transportation wheels to move it around at home.
What customers are saying
According to customers, the motor is very quiet and the assembly is very easy.
It has a shelf where you can place your tablet or mobile and watch videos while walking, and their customer service team is excellent to deal with if something goes wrong with the delivery or the product.
What we like
- Easy to assemble, with a quiet and smooth function.
- Foldable to 21×15 inches.
What we dislike
- The incline settings of this treadmill are fixed. They cannot be changed.
Other Budget Treadmills
Gymax Electric Folding Walking Treadmill
This is an ultra-thin walking treadmill, perfect if you’re looking for something shockproof and compact that you can use every day and store without a problem.
The motor is also quiet and gives you a speed of up to 5 MPH, with a maximum user weight of 220 pounds.
Merax Electric Folding Treadmill
This is an affordable treadmill with a few extra features that you will find in more expensive models.
It has speakers you can use to listen to your music as you exercise, and a quiet motor that supports speeds of up to 7.5 MPH and 12 preset programs to keep you engaged.
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If you’re looking for a manual treadmill, this is another affordable model to consider.
It has a 13-and-a-half-inch wide running deck, 3 different incline positions, and a magnetic belt resistance option to adjust for your skill levels.
The folded mode in this model is very slim, and has portable wheels for easy transportation.
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The Marnur Electric folding treadmill is a heavy-duty, yet quiet treadmill you can use anytime without waking up people in the next room.
It has 15 training modes, a manual incline, and a folded mode powered by a hydraulic lever.
The running platform is extra wide and shock-absorbing technology, and the weight capacity is up to 220 pounds.
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This treadmill has a 2-in-1 option, depending on the position of the handrail.
You can actually fold the handrail and use the treadmill as a simple walking platform without handles, and a speed of up to 2.5 MPH.
The other mode looks like the standard running treadmill, with a maximum speed of 8 MPH.
Common Questions
Is a cheap treadmill worth it?
Treadmills do not need to be expensive to be useful or reliable.
If you have realistic expectations and know what they have to offer, these can be convenient and fully functional for you.
Though many of them don’t have high-tech functions and other high-end features, they offer basic functionality.
So if you’re looking for a sturdy and durable piece for your workouts, any treadmill on this list will do the trick.
What features do you miss out on?
If you’re on a budget, keep in mind that a cheap treadmill may have the following drawbacks:
Power
You can get treadmills for running at a lower price, but their maximum speed is usually lower than more expensive options.
The motor might be very sturdy and durable, but it is often limited to 8, and sometimes 10 MPH. Walking treadmills may give you a maximum of 5 MPH or so.
Incline settings
The majority of cheap treadmills do not have an automatic incline option, which means you can adjust speed but not incline settings on the console.
Instead, you will have to step down, adjust, and restart your workout.
The incline level is rarely above 10%. Some models also have a fixed incline, meaning that you won’t be able to change it at all.
Control screens
Most affordable treadmills do not have large screens or very fancy consoles.
They are usually very simple and sometimes have a very small tracking display.
How much does a decent treadmill cost?
Treadmills have a very big range of prices, from very basic models at $100 to luxury treadmills with high-end technology around $10,000.
If you’re on a budget, you can find a simple, yet efficient treadmill somewhere between $500 and $1000.
There are also some decent models around $300, but you need to be realistic and know what you’re getting before clicking on buy.
Should you buy a used treadmill?
You can find a great price if you buy a used treadmill, and it can be intact with no mechanical problem.
The disadvantage of doing that mainly has to do with the previous owner and the way they used the item.
So if you go this route, be sure to examine the treadmill thoroughly before buying, especially the motor, the belt, the rear, and the front rollers.
