Expert Contributor: Maya Transoloski
Written by: Jay. D
I’ve been reviewing low-cost treadmills for years, over 100 in the past decade, and it’s always the low-cost treadmills that prove most difficult to recommend.
It’s not that there aren’t any decent ones out there. There’s just a huge mix of quality in this price bracket. There are 5 or so excellent treadmills for under $500 and about 30 below-par treadmills you really don’t want to waste your money on. It’s taken years of reviewing these machines to sort the good from the bad and compile a guide for you that I’m happy with.
So, most importantly the Best Treadmill under $500 has to be well-made. You want a machine that’s made from high-quality durable parts.
You also need a decent-sized running belt that fits your stride length, an incline feature if possible, depending on which type of treadmill you’re looking for, a powerful motor, and a monitor that’s easy to use and tracks all your essential workout data. These are all features a good treadmill in this price bracket should include.
At Least 5 Treadmills I’m Happy To Recommend
Today, we’re going to look at my five top treadmills in this price bracket. Some have been around for years and have stood the test of time, while others were recently released and are already proving excellent choices in the under $500 price bracket.
We’ll start with the Best Overall. Then, the Best 2 in 1 Treadmill, the Best Treadmill for Walking, and the Best Treadmill for Small Spaces. We’ll dive deep and take a close look at everything these treadmills have to offer, including all their pros and cons. At the end of this guide, I want to include my top pick under $400 as I feel it really deserves to be in this budget treadmill guide.
Best Treadmills Under $500
Heres our Top 5 picks for the best treadmills under $500
- Best Overal Treadmill Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness SmartSF-T7515
- Best Under-Desk 2 in 1 Treadmill Under $500: HccSport Under-Desk Treadmill
- Best Treadmill Under $500 For Walking: SereneLife Folding Treadmill
- Best Treadmill For Small Spaces Under $500: Sperax Walking Pad
- Best Treadmill Under $400: Sunny Health SF-T4400 Folding Treadmill
Quick 2-Minute Guide: What To Look For
Before you read the reviews, it might be a good idea to know what to look for and what features you can expect to find in this price bracket. If you’d like a more thorough guide, just scroll past the reviews for an in-depth guide.
- Weight (build quality) The treadmill’s weight is more important than you think. We need some weight to help keep the treadmill planted to the floor. Stability is important. You don’t want this thing moving around while you exercise. You Won’t find heavy duty in this price range, but anything near 100lb is impressive—the heavier, the better for stability.
- Running Belt – The size of the running belt determines who can use the treadmill and for what. Running belts in this price category are short, most around 40-46″. If you can find anything over 46″, you are doing well. Anything near 50″ is excellent for a treadmill in this price bracket.
- Motor power – Look for over 1.5HP, especially if you want to use the treadmill for jogging.
- Incline – great if you can find a treadmill in this price bracket that includes an incline. Walking or jogging on incline burns twice as many calories as walking on flat and builds and strengthens hard-to-train muscles like your glutes and calves. It really is an essential feature if you want to get the most out of your cardio sessions.
- Folding system – It is always a good idea to look for a treadmill with a folding system; once folded, it halves the machine’s overall footprint. Most treadmills in this price range come with folding systems. Folding systems that use hydraulics are best as they take little effort to fold. Hydraulic folding systems can be found on a select few treadmills under $500.
- And lastly, deck cushioning – A decent anti-shock/deck cushioning system can help protect your joints from the impact of running by up to 30%. This is another essential feature that only a few treadmills in this price range include
Best Overal Treadmill Under $500

Sunny Health SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill
Product Highlights
- 12 level 12% auto adjust incline
- Sturdy, well built
- Soft Drop Folding system
- Bluetooth with access to SunnyFit app (1000’s workouts and it’s free)
- Handrail speed and incline controls
Specs
Footprint – 64.2″D x 28.4″W x 52.8″H
Weight capacity – 240lb
Speed – 1 – 8mph
Motor horsepower – 2HP
Incline range – 0-12%
The Sunny SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill is one of Sunny Health & Fitness’s most popular models. I first reviewed this treadmill over 5 years ago, and it impressed me then, but since 2020, it has had a few updates, and the latest version (2025), I can happily say, is even more impressive.
12 Level Auto Inline
What you’re going to like most about the Sunny SF-T7515 Treadmill is the build quality. This thing weighs 123lb, which is heavy for a budget treadmill. That extra weight is a telling sign this treadmill is made from high quality parts. It’s a sturdy, heavy treadmill for the price, which is exactly what you want.
Even more impressive is its incline feature—a power-adjustable incline with a max of 12%! I’m used to reviewing mid-level treadmills that cost twice the SF-T7515’s price, some boasting only a 10% power incline. So, finding a 12% max incline and a sturdy build is excellent at this price.
Also, you have a pretty good-sized running belt. It measures 49″, which is a good length. It will allow users up to 6 feet tall to jog comfortably on the Sunny SF-T7515.
Update Includes Access to SunnyFit App
I mentioned this treadmill recently had an update, well the update included BlueTooth so you can now connect with Sunny’s new app the SunnyFit app.
The SunnyFit app has also been updated in the past 12 months, and it now includes all the good stuff from the old version. Plus, they’ve added 1000 workouts and 10,000 global routes for you to enjoy, and you can use app control. Also, they kept it free. It’s really taken this treadmill to another level.
I like the monitor. It may be a little basic for some, but it’s so easy to use, there’s nothing complicated. It tracks all your essential workout stats, comes with 12 built-in workout programs, and now includes the SunnyFit app, so you’ll never get bored running on this treadmill. You’ll have thousands of workouts and routes to challenge you and keep you coming back for more.
Lastly, Sunny has used double-deck technology with the SF-T7515 treadmill. This technology really helps cushion the running belt. The shock absorbers are between the double decks. It’s one of the better anti-shock systems for treadmills, and again, it’s impressive to find in this price range.
It’s easy to store, thanks to the hydraulic soft drop system. You can fold the SF-T7515 treadmill deck with one hand.
Assembly is easy takes around 20 minutes.
Overall, there is nothing else on the market right now that comes close to Sunny’s SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill. it’s well made, sturdy and boasts a ton of impressive features. Its unbeable at this price point.
The Good
Solid well built treadmill
Decent monitor with BlueTooth and access to FREE SunnyFit app, 1000’s of workouts and scenic global running routes
Impressive 12% power incline adjustable in 1% increments
Handrail speed and incline controls
Soft drop folding system
Double deck technology with shock absorbers – low impact
Not too large and bulky will fit into most rooms including bedrooms
Built-in transport wheels just tilt and roll to move
The Bad
Narrow running belt need to be careful not to step off the side of the treadmill belt
Speakers arn’t great – common problem with most treadmill. Still they’re ok
No workout fan
Read our full Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7517 Treadmill Review
Best Under-Desk 2 in 1 Treadmill Under $500

HccSport Under Desk Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Powerful 3.5HP brushless motor, quiet just 55DB
- Sturdy build
- 5% manual Incline
- 0-8mph
- Detachable desktop walk while working
- 12 workout programs
Specs
Footprint – 55″D x 27″W x 47″H
Weight capacity – 240lb
Speed – 0.5 – 8mph
Motor horsepower – 3.5HP
Incline range – 0-5%
What sets the HccSport 2-in-1 Treadmill apart from its competition is its build quality. It weighs over 20lbs more than its competition, it doesn’t feel cheap and unstable like most walking pads.
Many users have mentioned that it feels like a proper treadmill when the handrail is raised, which is impressive for a 2 in 1 machine.
Powerful 3.5HP Whisper Quiet Motor
My favorite feature of the HccSport treadmill is its motor. 3.5HP is powerful for such a small treadmill. The HccSport Treadmill doesn’t have any trouble coping with faster-paced cardio, such as jogging. Also the brushless motor is whisper quiet, so you won’t disturb anyone around you with the sound of your workouts.
Protects Joints
What’s surprising about this 2 in 1 treadmill is that it comes with a decent anti-shock system with actual rubber shock absorbers for protecting your joints, which is rare for a 2 in 1 treadmill and excellent for protecting your joints from the impact of each foot strike.
As with all 2-in-1 treadmills, when the handrails are folded, the treadmill can be used under a desk for walking. When raised, its top speed is increased to 8mph, so it can also be used for jogging.
To adjust the speed, modes, and workout programs, you can use the cool wristband remote control, or when the handrails are raised, you have the choice of the built-in handrail controls or the wristband.
Another feature that impressed me is the detachable desktop. It’s large enough for a laptop, which is great news if you want to walk and work. The handrails are height-adjustable, so you can adjust them and the desktop to a height that feels comfortable when exercising.
Compact Easy To Store
Storage is easy. At just 5″ folded height, you can store the HccSport Treadmill under a couch, bed, or simply against a wall. No assembly is required. The treadmill is shipped to your door pre-assembled.
Overall, the HccSport Under-desk treadmill really impresses for its price bracket. Finally, we have a well-built, sturdy 2-in-1 treadmill with an incline.
I reviewed many under-desk treadmills, and none impressed me more than this machine for the money.
The Good
Powerful 3.5Hp brushless motor
2 level manual incline, great for burning extra calories
Easy to use monitor, includes 12 workout programs and a wristband remote
Compact design, great for apprtment or people tight on space
Detachable desktop, walk while working
Adjustable feet for uneven floors
Anit-shock system, protect your joints
Sturdy well made machine
The Bad
Short narrow running belt, suitable for walking and jogging no running
Some people may find the monitor basic, but it’s actually well equipped for a desk pad
No way to measure heart rate
Read our full HccSport Under-Desk Treadmill Review
Best Treadmill Under $500 For Walking

SereneLife Folding Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Compact, easy to move and store
- 16 workout programs, BlueTooth and access to their app
- Quiet motor
- Manual incline
- Press button soft drop folding system
Specs
Footprint – 54.7″D x 26.7″W x 49.6″H
Weight capacity – 300lb
Speed – 0.6 – 7.5mph
Motor horsepower – 1.5HP
Incline range – 0-4%
As I mentioned many times to people, Serenelife is a company that’s really starting to impact the low-cost cardio market. These guys are one of the only new companies out there that have managed to make affordable good quality cardio equipment.
This is their entry-level treadmill, and it’s one of my favorites. What sells this treadmill for me is just how easy it is to use and set up. Assembly takes just 10 minutes, and there’s no complicated monitor to set up. Everything about this treadmill is fuss-free.
But perhaps the reason this machine is so popular is because of its compact size. This is a treadmill that’s been designed for small spaces. So if you’re tight on space and you’re on a budget, this might be the treadmill for you.
And it doesn’t lack features either. It comes with an excellent monitor, boasting 16 built-in workout programs, a large backlit LCD screen, and the handy extra pair of speed buttons on the handrails. You also get a 3-level incline. And best of all, it has the desirable soft drop folding system, so it’s another treadmill that’s super easy to fold and store.
The downside to owning a compact treadmill is the small running belt. If you want a compact treadmill, you have to live with a small running belt. The Serenelife running belt measures just 43″ x 16″. This means the max height for light jogging on this treadmill is around 6ft.
If you don’t mind the smaller running belt, the Serenelife
The Good
Well made, users say it feels solid, surprising for a treadmill in this price bracket
Compact – perfect for people tight on space
Folds for storage – anyone can fold this machine with ease as it uses a soft drop folding system. Press a button
Quiet 1.5HP motor can watch TV while you workout
Decent monitor for price point with large screen and 16 workout programs
On and off, plus speed control buttons on the handles
Manual incline – burn twice as many calories
The Bad
Short running belt – not suitbale for fast-paced cardio sessions
Narrow running belt, be careful not to step off the machine. Not so much of problem when walking or light jogging
No cooling fan
Read our full Serenelife Folding Treadmill Review
Best Treadmill For Small Spaces Under $500

Sperax Walking Pad 3 in 1 Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Arrives ready to use
- Easy to store
- Value priced
- 2.5HP motor
- Update this year, now includes a handrail at no extra cost
Specs
Footprint – 50″D x 20.8″W x 40″H
Weight capacity – 280lb
Speed – 0.6 – 6.2mph
Motor horsepower – 2HP
Incline range – no incline
One of the most popular walking pads on the market, the Sperax walking pad outshines most in its class.
I was impressed with the Sperax walking pad even before its update. It’s a nice bit of kit that is well-made and cheap.
Although the Sperax walking pad is one of the lower-priced walking pads, these guys haven’t cut back on quality, which is why this machine sells so well.
Also, it’s stood the test of time. People are still praising how well their Sperax walking pad works years after purchasing it, which is rare for a budget walking pad. This is great to hear.
The Sperax walking pad was updated this year. The company listened to its customers, and now it includes a handrail.
The handrail is a huge improvement because it allows this pad to be used for jogging and walking. When the handrail is raised, the top speed increases to 6.2mph, perfect for a light jog. Before the update, this pad’s top speed was just 3.8mph.
Another very easy to store treadmill with one of the most compact designs on the market. With the handrail folded, it has a height of just 6″, so it should easily fit under most beds and couches.
To control the treadmill, you can use the handy remote control or the handrail control buttons.
Overall, a compact, high-quality walking pad selling at a great price. What impressed me most about these guys is that they didn’t even hike the price up after the update. Nice.
The Good
Updated for this year now comes with a handrail
Compact design, can be stored up against a wall, under a bed or couch
No assembly required. just unbox and ready to go
0.2mph speed increments with a top speed of 6mph
Built in transport wheels
Radio frequency remote control – no need to point at the treadmill to adjust speed and modes
Competitively priced, great price for a 3 in 1 treadmill
The Bad
Short running belt, can not be used for running
No way to measure heart rate
Noisey for a small treadmill – they have used a brushed motor instead of a brushless
Motor lacks power for heavier users. A more realistic weight capacity for this machine would be 200lb
Read our full Sperax Walking Pad Review
Best Treadmill Under $400

Sunny Health SF-T4400 Smart Treadmill
Product Highlights
- Excellent build quality for price point
- Impressive size running belt for a sub $400 treadmill
- 3 level manual incline
- Soft drop folding system
- Handrail speed controls
Specs
Footprint – 25.5″D x 60″W x 50″H
Weight capacity – 220lb
Speed – 0.5- 9mph
Motor horsepower – 2.2HP
Incline range – 0-4.3%
Sunny Health & Fitness are a company that’s been around for over two decades in the home fitness industry.
These guys specialize in quality cardio gear at affordable prices, their entry-level rowing machines are some of the best on the market, so too are their exercise bikes, and by the looks of things, their treadmills are hitting the mark too.
The Sunny Health SF-T4400 has become one of the most popular treadmills under $400, and there’s a good reason. This thing is packed full of useful features, such as a 3-level incline, nine workout programs, handlebar pulse sensors, an anti-shock system, and one of the longest-running belts for the price.
Finding a treadmill with an incline in this price bracket is surprising, but finding one with three levels is impressive.
Incline workouts are going to add that extra challenge to your cardio session, you’re going to burn twice as many calories when jogging on an incline, plus you’re be working different muscle groups which are going to help you build and strengthen your butt, hamstrings, and calves,
Another prominent feature of this treadmill is its near 50″ running belt, this is nearly 6″ longer than anything else you’ll find in the under 400 price bracket.
The extra length of the running belt will allow taller people to jog comfortably on the machine. The extra 6″ makes a big difference in who can use the machine for faster-paced cardio sessions.
Monitor With 9 Workout Programs
The Sunny Health Treadmill boasts an impressive nine workout programs, so not only will the pre-set programs help keep away the monotony of long cardio workouts, but they’ll also give you an extra challenge and help increase your cardio fitness.
Also, users have mentioned the motor on this machine is surprisingly quiet, so if the pre-set workouts aren’t enough to keep away the boredom of long sessions, you can always watch TV while you exercise without being disturbed by the sound of the machine.
Another feature worth noting is the deck cushioning system, again great to see on an entry-level machine. A few years ago, we’d only see anti-shocks on high-end machines.
Deck cushioning systems are there to protect your joints, mainly your knees. They’ll help absorb up to 30% of the impact. It’s a useful feature and something you should always look for when buying a treadmill.
And lastly, one of the best features of the SF-T4400 is that it folds to nearly half its overall length, great for apartment living or anyone tight on space, just fold, tilt and roll on the integrated transport wheels to store.
Overall, the SF-T4400 is a very capable treadmill from Sunny Health and Fitness. I love the incline feature, the deck cushioning, and the workout programs.
I also like the small touches, such as controlling the speed from buttons on the handrails and the soft drop system, which effortlessly lowers the running deck when you unfold the machine.
There really isn’t anything better out there than the excellent Sunny Health SF-T4400 in the under $400 price range.
The Good
Good quality build, feels solid, doesn’t feel cheap
Decent sized running belt- with a max night for jogging of upto 6’1″
Soft drop folding system (hydraulics) can fold running deck with one hand
Deck cushioning system to protect your joints
Extra pair of speed control buttons for the handrails
Water bottle holders and media ledge
Monitor with workout programs
Built in transport wheels just tilt and roll to move
The Bad
Running belt feels a little narrow
Max weight capacity of just 220lb
Read our Full Sunny SF-T4400 Treadmill Review
In-Depth Buying Guide – Treadmills Under $500
1. Incline
There’s a ton of treadmills out there they don’t offer an incline in this price bracket; heck, I’ve seen a few costing $700+ that don’t provide this essential feature.
When you choose a treadmill, you at least need a few levels of incline if you can find more at this price point, even better. If you’re really lucky you might find a power-adjustable incline in the under $500. But make sure they haven’t comprised on the other treadmill features so they could include a power adjustable incline.
An incline cardio session is going to tone the muscles much faster, improving quads, hamstrings, glutes, and also ankle strength. A higher incline tones muscles and burns calories 5 times quicker for fast fat loss.
Walking or jogging at an incline will also push your heart rate even further than jogging on a flat, increasing your cardio fitness.
2. Running Belt
The length and width of the running belt are more important than most people think. The length of the running belt will determine whether you can walk, jog run on the machine.
Typically we see running belts with a length anywhere from 36″- 50″ on budget machines.
36″ – 43″ running belt is best-suited for walking or power walking – shorter users may be able to jog on a belt this length. However, it will still depend on the motor; if the motor is under 600W, it may not be powerful enough to keep up with a jogging pace.
43″ – 50″ running belt is usually ok for both walking and jogging. If you’re over 6ft, I’d recommend paying more and finding a machine with at least a 55″ running belt, especially if you want to run on the machine.

3. Monitor/Control Console
We certainly won’t find any advanced monitors with HD screens and VR in this price range. What we will find are basic monitors that track useful workout data such as speed distance etc.
I often think basic is better when it comes to monitors of fitness equipment. Some monitors I’ve used on high-end cardio machines take half an hour to figure out before you can use the thing.
What’s nice about basic is you can switch it on and get going with your cardio session, and that’s all a lot of people need, and I don’t blame them because over-complicated monitors are troublesome, and half of the features most won’t use anyway.
So what can we expect from an entry-level monitor? Some of the better basic monitors provide workout programs; preset programs are great for providing extra challenges that help push your cardio sessions harder. They’re also excellent for keeping you interested and coming back for more.
All of the treadmills in this review include tablet holders – if you own a tablet, take advantage of some of the free treadmill apps. Long workout sessions can get boring – prest workouts, fitness apps all help to kill time.
Not as accurate as heart rate chest straps, we do see a lot of treadmills that include built-in pulse sensors. If you can, choose a machine that has the pulse sensors built into the handlebars; they are easier to reach than the thumb alternative that are built into the monitors.
The best entry-level treadmills will include:
- Preset workout programs
- Pulse sensors
- Tablet holders
- Option to control speed from monitor and handlebar buttons
Fold For Storage
Most treadmills in the under $500 price bracket are foldable. This is a good thing as a treadmill has a large footprint, and finding one that folds to half its original length is going to save you a lot of space.
When it comes to the folding feature – Look for one that includes systems like the soft drop! Systems like this make unfolding the machine hassle-free. A few budget machines are a nightmare to fold and unfold, so look out for easy to use folding systems.
If you’re super tight on space, then a fold-flat is your best option. These machines will fold almost completely flat. They can be stored under beds or propped up against a wall.
Power
Unless you are buying a treadmill just for walking, you will need a motor of at least 1.5HP anything less will have trouble with keeping up with your pace even when jogging.
A rough estimate to motor power is 500W – 1.5HP for walking, power walking | 1.5 – 2.5HP jogging | 2.5 – 5HP running
To Sum Up
Although it can be hard to find a treadmill in this price bracket that’s well-built and has enough features to cater to most people’s fitness needs, it’s not impossible.
After much research, we came across the excellent Sunny Health Smart SF-T7515 Treadmill. The SF-T7515 stood out because it has everything you can expect and more from a treadmill in this price bracket.
Not only does the Sunny Health SF-T7515 Treadmill provide a 12-level, 12% auto incline, and an excellent-length running belt, but it also boasts a soft-drop folding system, pulse sensors, an impressive number of workout programs, and Free access to the updated SunnyFit App.
Best of all, it’s built by a company with more experience than anyone in making high-quality, low-cost cardio gear.
Best Treadmill Under $500 FAQs
Are Budget Treadmills Bad For Your Knees?
There’s no doubt running is a high-impact exercise, especially on hard surfaces like roads. This is why many people choose to use a treadmill. Treadmill running decks usually have a deck cushioning system to protect your joints. Sadly, some budget treadmills are not equipped with a deck cushioning system. These are the treadmills to avoid. Good budget treadmills can be found for under $500 with deck cushioning systems. (Anti-Shock)
Are Treadmills Under $500 Noisy?
Most treadmills in this price range use small motors, which are only designed for walking and jogging. Small motors are much quieter than larger, more powerful treadmills. Many users have found they can watch TV and listen to music without being disturbed while exercising on a budget treadmill.
Can I run on a Treadmill That Cost Under $500?
Most treadmills in the under $500 price bracket are designed for walking and jogging. The motors are not powerful enough for fast-paced workouts, and the running belts are not long enough to cope with the larger strides running requires. If you want a treadmill for intense cardio, it’s best to look for one with at least a 3HP motor and a large runner belt.