Best Folding Treadmill 2020: Treadmills for Small Spaces & Home Use

The incline ranges from 0 to 15%. To change speed and incline, the treadmill is fitted with two QuickDial controls. These controls are on the left and right of the treadmill, are easy to reach and even easier to adjust without looking as you run. The right control can be rolled forward and backwards to adjust speed, while the left control adjusts the incline.

Many treadmills take time to change speeds. While that is fine for beginners, for serious interval training, the lag can be frustrating. The Horizon 7.8 circumvents this by using Rapid Sync Technology in its motor, enabling it to respond to changes in settings 33% faster than other treadmills. The 3-Zoned cushioned running track measures 22″ x 60″, more than adequate for sprinting.

The 9.3-inch full-color display screen shows all relevant stats such as heart rate, speed, distance, and a timer. To measure heart rate, a Bluetooth enabled wireless chest strap comes with the treadmill. One drawback is that the display screen cannot be used to play the training programs on fitness apps. As a substitute, there is a tablet holder above the screen. You can choose from training programs on apps like Studio, Peloton, and AFG, play the session on your smartphone or tablet and prop it up on the tablet holder.

All that power comes at a price. This is the most expensive treadmill on this list. If you are looking for a treadmill for walking or light jogging, this is probably overkill. However, if physical fitness is a big part of your life and you are willing to invest in a high-quality folding treadmill to get in some serious HIIT workouts, the Horizon 7.8 AT is the treadmill for you.

To be gentle on your knees, NordicTrack fitted the running deck with its Cushion Flex Whisper Deck. The cushioned running belt is enough to support both the inclines and declines of -3 to 15% offered by the Commercial 1750. When you are done with your run, this treadmill can be folded up and put away in about 10 seconds, thanks to its patented EasyLift Assist.

The tech features is where the Nordic Track Cushion Flex Commercial 1750 outshines the Sole F80. Starting with the LCD display, the Nordic track sports a 10 inch full HD touchscreen display. This console offers runners advanced entertainment options, so you won’t get bored while racking up the miles.

Not only that, the Cushion Flex Commercial 1750 works with the iFit app. This gives you access to countless high quality treadmill workouts. The iFit has a cool feature that allows you to choose a route on Google Maps before simulating the inclines and declines of that terrain on the treadmill. When used together with Google Street View on the HD console, you can experience running virtually anywhere in the world.

One disadvantage is that the treadmill is heavy. The shipping weight is 346 pounds and the treadmill itself weighs 306 pounds. Once it is assembled, you won’t notice the weight but the challenge is the assembly itself. Some reviews have mentioned how difficult it is to get it out of the box. It’s best to unpack it in the room you have designated for the treadmill.

Overall, the Nordic Track Cushion Flex Commercial 1750 is very similar to the Sole F80. If you are a runner who enjoys using technology to make your treadmill workouts more interesting, you can’t go wrong with the Nordic Track Cushion Flex Commercial 1750. You can easily monitor your progress and use iFit to bring more excitement into your indoor runs.

All that considered, the Nordic Track tends to cost slightly more than the Sole F80. Apart from the console, the two treadmills are very similar. If all you need is a sturdy workhorse folding treadmill and aren’t too keen on the tech aspects, the Sole F80 could be the wiser choice.

The TR3000i has many notable features that make it one of our favorite folding treadmills.

Not quite as bulky as some of the other treadmills in our list, the LifeSpan TR3000i has a more stripped-down look with a smaller console area. It also has a 56″ long treadmill deck making it marginally shorter than other products.

When it comes to tight spaces and at-home use, these small design changes make it that much more convenient.

Additionally, it has four small mounted wheels, two at the front and two at the back, which make it great for moving around and more convenient storage.

It comes almost fully constructed with only a few screws and bolts necessary to have it up and running!

One thing that really stood out more than anything during the research though had nothing to do with the product itself. LifeSpan fitness has been given rave reviews as a company, with people praising their warranty periods, quick response time, and customer service.

When you’re buying a folding treadmill I certainly would give this factor a lot of thought.

Lastly, in terms of usability I really liked the Quickset buttons. It has 5 for speed and 5 for incline, making it really easy to set up your own HIIT workouts.

Fumbling around to change settings when you’re running is annoying – with these programmable buttons there is no need.

One slight drawback of this treadmill is the deck length. Although it makes it slightly more compact and good for at-home use, it does limit the stride length during your run.

If you’re under 6-foot tall then this shouldn’t be an issue. It’s only past 6 feet that a 56″ belt and deck might leave you a bit “short” and forced to cut your stride.

Especially if you are of a bigger build and carry extra weight, knee pain can be a concern with repetitive activities like running. To reduce impact on your knees and other joints, the running surface uses Cushion Flex Whisper Deck technology. According to the manufacturer listing, this running deck feature can reduce the impact on joints up to 40%.

The powerful 3.5 HP motor is enough to support fast running and it is quiet. You can work up a sweat in relative comfort with the two cooling fans to keep things breezy. Not only that, , just in case you desire a more structured approach to your home exercise, Sole has added built-in 10 preset workout programs to this treadmill. To monitor heart rate, there are pulse sensors integrated into the handrails and the treadmill comes with an included wireless chest strap.

Tech-wise, the Sole F80 has the basics. The audio speakers have Bluetooth connectivity and there are USB chargers to keep your devices from running out of juice while you get your workout. The Bluetooth also connects to the Sole Fitness mobile app to help you keep track of your fitness progress. There is an LCD display to track your workout, but it is not touchscreen enabled. Another potential drawback of this treadmill is the side rails. Some tall people have found them to be on the shorter side and complained of having to slouch to reach the side rails.

Essentially, the Sole F80 is a well-made premium folding treadmill that can take on a lot of weight while remaining durable. It may not have much in the way of fancy touchscreens, but it does what it says on the box very reliably.

First, let’s get the basic parameters out of the way. This treadmill is equipped with a solid 3.5 CHP³ Mach Z™ Commercial Pro motor, 22” x 60” tread belt with ProShox^™ Cushioning for a comfortable run, Digital QuickSpeed^® Control that goes up to 12 mph, and incline/decline of -3 to 15%. It supports user weights up to a generous 300 pounds and is made foldable with EasyLift Assist.

The chief draw of the Proform Pro 2000 is its beautiful 7” Smart HD touchscreen display console. Through the console, you can load trainer-led workouts that take you walking or running through beautiful scenic locations around the world. Not only that, the ProForm Smart Pro 2000 comes bundled with 1 year of iFit membership which gives you access to thousands of different workouts.

In fact, you can use the Google Maps Scenic Motivation feature to choose your workout route on Google Maps and use iFit to send the route to your treadmill. The ProForm 2000 then automatically adjusts the incline and decline to match that route. One of the drawbacks of running on a treadmill (versus outside) is the lack of variety in incline, making the workout more repetitive and somewhat less challenging. Even if you manually set an incline, it is still somewhat unrealistic compared to running on a trail. Being able to automate the incline to simulate the great outdoors is an excellent advantage to have in a treadmill. This makes the Proform Smart Pro 2000 folding treadmill suitable for runners training for outdoor marathons or trail runs.

If you decide to switch off the personal trainer feature and do your own thing, do not worry about feeling bored. You can still set up your own entertainment. The treadmill comes with Bluetooth enabled dual speakers, an audio auxiliary port, as well as a tablet holder.

One disadvantage of the Proform Smart 2000 is the lack of a chest strap for proper heart rate monitoring. It comes with handlebar hand grip pulse sensors to measure heart rate. In comparison, many other treadmills within this price range include wireless chest strap with the treadmill.

The Proform Smart Pro 2000 is also a large treadmill. The size does make it an exceptionally stable folding treadmill, but do note that the full footprint is 39.15” wide x 79” deep x 71.4” tall. It could easily overwhelm small rooms. Before you commit, measure the space to ensure that it will fit.

It is simple to set up and comes with a helpful assembly manual. It is also easy to use with intuitive and understandable buttons, perfect for first-time treadmill owners. Heart rate monitoring is possible through sensors (CardioGrip) on the two handlebars. While these sensors are adequate for the average walker or beginner runner, they are not as accurate as a chest strap. If you need truly accurate heart rate monitoring, especially for medical reasons, consider other alternatives that are compatible with wireless chest strap heart rate monitoring.

With a solid build quality, running on this treadmill gives a secure feeling. For cushioning, NordicTrack has used its FlexSelect tech on the running track to reduce any pressure on your joints. Do note that the 6.5S model does not include iFit built-in. The console is a basic 5″ backlit display. However, the treadmill itself is compatible with the iFit app. To activate the treadmill, you would have to sign up on iFit.com or through the app.

Many resellers offer the NordicTrack treadmill with an iFit subscription included. Otherwise, it costs an extra $180 a year to subscribe to iFit. There is a free trial period for iFit, so you can sign up, test it out, and if iFit does not suit your needs, there is the option to cancel. To cancel iFit, click on Settings, go to ‘Membership Plan’, and then click on ‘End Benefits’ at the bottom.

One other drawback of the Nordic Track 6.5S is the speakers. Certain reviews have mentioned that sound quality on the built-in speakers is less than ideal. As a workaround, you can plug in earphones. Otherwise, the Nordic Track 6.5S is an ideal treadmill for light jogging. It is durable, comes with a robust warranty, and is highly usable.

Looking at the specs, the TR150 has an HP of 2.25, making it suitable for walking and light jogging. Longevity could be an issue as there is no CHP rating provided. However, since this is a beginner treadmill, you might find yourself looking for an upgrade anyway as you improve your fitness.

To keep workouts challenging, there are 3 manual incline settings as well as 12 preset programs to choose from. A 5″ LCD console displays your stats as you walk or jog. It comes with heart rate monitoring, with hand grip pulse sensors on either side of the handlebars.  Hand grip sensors are often inaccurate, but at this price point, the sensors are an added perk.

The Xterra TR150 has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds. In regards to the folding aspect, this treadmill can be folded up easily to be stored between exercise sessions. Another plus is that it does not take up a lot of space; when folded, its dimensions are 28.5” x 28.75” x 61”. The treadmill itself is uncomplicated to set up as it weighs a light 109 pounds. Reviews consistently praise the toughness of the steel build and many appreciate the simplicity of use.

The tread belt on the Xterra TR150 is rather narrow at 16 inches, and measures only 50 inches in length. A 50-inch long treadmill is fine for an average-sized person to walk on, but if you are a tall person, this treadmill might be too short for you. The warranty is minimal with a 1-year motor warranty as well as a 90-day warranty for parts and labor.

Overall, the Xterra Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill is acceptable for the price. There are some drawbacks, but for an average person on a tight budget who is trying out a treadmill walking routine, it does the job just fine.