Best Treadmills Under $2000: NordicTrack, Sole, and More

You can expect pretty much everyhting you need when spending $2k on a treadmill; you won’t be left feeling disappointed. This is arguably the best price bracket for treadmills; most include commercial-sized running belts, heavy-duty frames, excellent inclines, and, if you’re lucky, HD touch screens.

The Best Treadmills Under $2000 are built by major brands such as NordicTrack and Sole Fitness. These guys have been around for decades and know exactly what they’re doing when making treadmills for runners and walkers.

Yes, the treadmills we’re looking at today are heavy-duty. They’re designed to take a lot of use and are best suited to people who take their cardio seriously.

And in today’s review, we’ll take a close look at the Top 5 semi-commercial treadmills under $2000. For those in a rush, below is the TOP 3 Comparison Table; for those with more time, scroll past the comparison table for the review summaries of each treadmill. And buyers guide at the end of the reviews.

Best Treadmills Under $2000 Comparison Table

Reviews

1) NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

The NordicTrack 1750 has been my favorite treadmill for under $2000 for many years, and it recently got updated, and now it’s even more impressive, and they didn’t hike the price up.

The NordicTrack Commerical now has a 14″ HD rotating Touch Screen, an improved sound system, and ActivePulse heart rate monitoring. These are excellent updates for a treadmill in this price range. Features you won’t see on other treadmills at this price point.

In the past, NordicTrack has been guilty of concentrating too much on the techy stuff and forgetting about the rest of the treadmill. Thankfully this has never been the case with their 1750 treadmill. It has the best tech but boasts all the essentials too, which is why this machine has always outsold its competitors.

If we strip away the tech, including IFIT, what are you left with? First, this treadmill is heavy. It weighs a whopping 330lb, which is a telling sign this machine is made from quality materials, and that extra weight will also aid stability. This treadmill feels solid, with many users commenting how stable it feels when exercising on it.

Also, the 1750 boasts the best power incline in its class, with a 30-level 15% incline and 3% decline.

But perhaps what’s most important here is the running belt size. It’s a commercial-sized belt measuring 22″ x 60″. This is the same size running belt as you’ll find on most gym machines. It is suitable for users up to 6’2″ to run at pace.

With the Noridtrack 1750 treadmill, you have everything, the heavy-duty build, the impressive incline, the large running belt, and by a long way, the best tech. That 14″ HD touch screen is awesome, especially to find in this price range.

Is there a downside, yes and no? This is a treadmill designed around the IFIT app. If you want to get the most out of that new screen, you’ll need to subscribe to their IFIT app, as it doesn’t allow you to download any other apps, which is a shame.

IFIT is a fitness app; it’s actually a good app and one of my favs. There are thousands of workouts. You also have Google Maps, so you can run anywhere in the world. Another cool thing about this app and the treadmill is that it auto-adjusts the speed and incline of the treadmill depending on the terrain you’re running on or the studio class you’re taking.

Still, you don’t have to use this treadmill with IFIT. You can disable it. However, there aren’t many built-in workout programs to take advantage of, which basically means a waste of that lovely new screen.

So yes, the 1750 Commerical is easily the best treadmill in this price range. It offers everything you could ever want from a treadmill at an great price, but personally, I’d only buy this treadmill if I was going to use IFIT.

One free month of IFIT is offered with the Treadmill. IFIT costs around $1 a day the last time I checked.

Our Full Review: NordicTrack 1750 Treadmill

2) Sole Fitness F85 Treadmill

The Sole F85 is NordicTrack’s 1750 main competitor, and it has been for years. I’ve always liked the Sole F85 because it’s another serious treadmill weighing 310lb. These machines are beasts for the price range. All that weight is going to keep this machine planted to the floor. It’s going to feel nice and solid, just like the 1750.

Sole are known for their high-quality treadmills. This is a company that doesn’t focus so much on the tech and likes to get all the essentials right. And they get everything right with their high-end model, the F85. This machine boasts a 4HP motor, a commerical frame, a commercial-sized running belt, and a decent 15% 30-level incline.

It’s a treadmill that’s basically built to take anything you can throw at. This machine won an award for the best treadmill for heavy runners. It’s the only treadmill with a 400lb max capacity in this price range, so it’s a great choice for larger users.

Yes, this is a fuss-free heavy-duty machine, which sells it for me. If you don’t want all the techy stuff and would rather not subscribe to fitness apps, the Sole F85 is the best choice in this price bracket.

Still, this machine isn’t without any tech, they updated their monitor screen this year, and I like the improvements; it’s larger, 10.1″, and comes with seven built-in apps, including youtube and Netflix. You also get 15 built-in workout programs and wireless heart rate monitoring plus Sole chuck in the HR chest strap for free, which is a nice touch.

This is a treadmill that you won’t be disappointed with. It has the power, the build quality, and all the essential features you need—an excellent choice for runners who don’t need all the bells and whistles.

Our Full Review: Sole F85 Treadmill

3) Sprint Fitness XT 385

The XT 385 costs a little less than the top two treadmills, and that’s basically because the monitor has fewer features. There’s no HD screen. All you get is a 7″ LED with basic features. And for some, that’s the appeal of this treadmill; it’s so easy to use. There’s nothing to set up, nothing is over complicated; you can just jump on this treadmill and get running.

Sprint fitness is another company that doesn’t include many features with their treadmills. Just like the F85, you basically get a well-built treadmill for runners.

The running belt is commercial size, so can accommodate users up to 6’2,” and the motor has enough power for most people’s needs at 3.5HP. In my experience, a 3.5HP motor can cope with almost any type of cardio, half marathons, full marathon training, or even high-intensity cardio, you’ll be fine with a 3.5HP motor.

Even though this treadmill costs slightly less, it still includes a good power adjustable incline with 15 levels and 15% max and a top speed of 12MPH.

There are no fitness apps with this machine, but you do get 12 workout programs, and it’s BlueTooth enabled. Thankfully you have both the built-in pulse sensors and wireless heart rate monitoring, so ist a good choice for people who love to train in their chosen heart rate zone.

The build quality is high with this machine, many users have praised how solid this machine feels, and the warranty reflects this. These guys must have a lot of confidence in this treadmill because it boasts a 10-year parts warranty that’s twice as long as any other treadmill I’ve reviewed in this price range. It’s one of the reasons this treadmill is in this guide; if you want peace of mind, this is the treadmill to buy.

Overall this is about as fuss free as you’ll find in this price range. There’s nothing fancy or techy about it. It’s well built, has the perfect belt size, a good incline, enough power for runners, and of course, that excellent warranty.

4) Horizon Fitness 7.8 AT Treadmill

A few years ago, the Horzion 7.8 AT was higher on the list, but since these guys haven’t bothered to update this treadmill in the past four years or so, the Horzion 7.8 sits right down here in 4th position. This treadmill has some excellent features, but it’s starting to feel dated.

The 9″ monitor screen cant be used to download any apps, but the treadmill is compatible with many fitness apps (Bluetooth); still, you’ll need to use your tablet or phone. There are only 12 workout programs which is disappointing for this price range. On the positive, the monitor does boast wireless heart rate monitoring and comes with a chest strap which is good to see.

The monitor may be basic, but the rest of the treadmill shines; you have a powerful 4HP motor, a full-sized 22″ x 60″ running belt, and an impressive heavy-duty frame. This thing weighs over 330lb, so another beast and one of the best deck cushioning systems on the market to protect your joints.

It’s basically the same treadmill as the Sole F85 but with a more basic monitor. If Horizon put a little more effort into their monitor and gave it a few extra features, this machine might be worth the $2k price tag, but as for now, it’s slightly overpriced compared to its competition. And I’ve heard a few complaints about the motor of this treadmill burning out.

And lastly, I should mention the cool dial controls for speed and incline; it’s a time-saving feature (saving you from having to reach the monitor) and actually speeds things up by 27%, says Horizon.

5) Bowflex T10 Treadmill

Bowflex are one of the titans in the home gym market, known more for their dumbbells and progressive home gyms. They also make some impressive treadmills.

The T10 is my favorite Bowflex treadmill because it offers more bang for the buck than their other offerings. And just like the NordicTrack treadmill, it’s up to date and comes with an excellent HD touch screen that can be used with their fitness app or for streaming apps such as Netflix or Disney. It’s a dual-purpose monitor screen, and this is what we should see in this price range.

As you might have noticed, most treadmills in this price bracket have similar specs when we get to the essentials, and the Bowflex is no different as it boasts the full sized running belt, hydraulic folding system (soft drop), a 15% incline, and heavy-duty build. You also have the powerful 4HP motor with the Bowflex, so it’s the perfect choice for serious runners.

Other features include wireless heart rate monitoring with an HR wrist strap, quick touch speed, incline buttons, and four shock pads that run under the treadmill’s deck, providing you with a decent cushioning system.

The only drawback with this treadmill is that Bowflex can never seem to make their mind up about the price, some weeks, it costs $1800, which is a bargain, and other weeks it’s for sale for £2799, which is hugely overpriced. So until Bowflex can decide on a solid price for this machine, it will stay down here in the last position.

Buying Tips – What To Expect

Treadmills under $2000 are not commercial treadmills, they’re not far off, but they don’t have the durability of a $4000-5000 treadmill; they often boast the high-end specs, just the build quality isn’t as good as a commercial gym treadmill. This price range sits between mid-level and high-end.

I’ve always thought this price point offers the best treadmills for a home gym, they’re easily good enough for most fitness levels, and unless you’re very serious about running, I don’t see any reason you’d need to spend more. Still, before spending your money, it’s always a good idea to know what to expect when spending $2k on a treadmill, so here’s a quick guide.

Running Belt Size

The size of the running belt is probably the most important feature you need to consider before buying any treadmill. The size of the belt will determine who can use the treadmill and for what. When spending this type of money, you can expect a large running belt. Most come with commercial-sized belts measuring 22′ x 60″.

This size running belt will accommodate users up to 6’2″ for jogging and running.

If you’re over 6’2″ and need a treadmill for running? You’ll have to spend slightly more and look for a treadmill with a running belt that measures 62″. 

How Much Should It Weigh?

The heavier, the better when it comes to fitness gear, the extra weight is a telling sign the product is made from quality materials, and that extra weight will aid stability which is important. A heavy treadmill is more challenging to move, but it’s a price worth paying if you want a treadmill that feels solid. You should be able to find treadmills weighing in excess of 300lb in this price range.

Power Adjustable Inclines

All inclines in this price bracket should be power-adjustable. The best treadmills will come with a 15% incline. Some adjust in increments of 1%, giving you 15 levels of incline, and the most impressive treadmills will adjust in increments of 0.5%, giving you 30 levels of incline. Some treadmills even include auto adjustments like the NordicTrack 1750, where the treadmill auto adjusts the incline depending on the terrain you’re running on.

Do I need an Incline feature? Yeah, an incline is essential, especially if you want to shed some belly fat. Jogging on a 10% incline burns three times more calories than jogging on a flat surface. Also, incline training will strengthen and build those hard to train muscles such as your glutes, calves, and hamstrings.

Motor Power

You should find 3-4HP motors in this price range most are DC motors. This is more than enough power for most people needs. However, if you weigh over 300lb, it’s best to find a treadmill with at least 3.5HP more otherwise, you risk early motor burnout.

Size – Measure Before You Buy

$2k treadmills are large; they have to be to accommodate the 60″ running belts. All treadmills in this price range fold, which halves the overall footprint but even once folded, they still take up a lot of room. Always make sure to measure first before buying a treadmill.

Control Consoles

The updated treadmills in this price range should come with at least a 10″ screen. I wouldn’t settle for anything less when spending this kind of money. Even 10″ feels quite small.

A full HD  touchscreen is a bonus, but not all will come with such nice screens. There are only a couple of treadmills in this price range that can boast HD.

Looks for: Wireless heart rate monitoring – a much more accurate way to monitor heart rate than the pulse sponsor, all treadmills in this price range should include Wireless heart rate monitoring. Some will supply the HR chest or wrist strap.

All should include built-in workout programs, and all monitors should have a top speed of 12mph. Some control consoles have built-in fitness apps like IFIT, and some don’t. It’s your personal choice whether you want to pay for them.

Deck Cushioning Systems

It’s said that a good cushioning system will reduce the impact of each foot strike by 40%. You shouldn’t have to worry here. All the treadmills I’ve reviewed in this price range have impressive anti-shock systems. However, the best ones are ones that you can adjust. The NordicTrack 1750 is the only treadmill with an adjustable cushioning system. An adjustable system is important, especially for road runners who want to replicate road conditions. The system will allow you to choose either firm or soft.

To Sum Up

It’s a tough choice between the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and the Sole F85. Both of these treadmills are impressive, and both deserve the No.1 spot. I love the tech of 1750. That 14″ HD screen really helps sell the 1750, and the fact that NordicTrack didn’t cut on the other important features is great news. It’s a treadmill that has it all.

Still, the 1750 is based around the IFIT app, so unless you subscribe at $1 a day, the 1750 loses its appeal somewhat because we can’t use the screen for much else other than the few built-in workout programs.

The Sole F85 Treadmill I believe is a solid choice, Sole is a company that prides itself on quality and the F85 is treadmill that truly reflects what this company is all about, its a well built machine, with a heavy-duty frame, powerful motor and full sized running belt. They even updated the monitor this year with a 10″ color screen. This is the best treadmill to buy under $2000 if you don’t want IFIT.

Also if screen size and apps don’t really interest you, it’s worth checking out the Sole F80 this is basically the same treadmill as the F85, same built quality, and features just a smaller screen and slightly less power. And it’s $300 cheaper than the F85.

Best Treadmill Under 2000 FAQS

How Much Should I exercise on a Treadmill?

This depends entirely on your fitness level. If this is your first treadmill, starting gently with 3 x 10 minutes a week with light jogging is best. You can build up pace and time once your fitness levels improve. Most people like to jog at least three times a week for 30 minutes. More serious runners will use a treadmill for half and full marathon training and for intense cardio such as HIIT workouts.

Can Running on a Treadmill Hurt My Joints?

Running is a high-impact exercise. Many choose to run on a treadmill because it is a good alternative to running on hard surfaces like roads. Most treadmills are equipped with deck cushioning systems. These systems will absorb up to 40% of the impact of each foot strike, which helps protect your joints and spine.

What Are The Most Popular Treadmill Brands Under $2000?

NordicTrack is the most popular brand for treadmills right now; they produce treadmills for all fitness levels, with prices ranging from $600 to $3500. Sole Fitness are another popular brand that makes some impressive treadmills. This company is known for its fuss-free designs and heavy-duty builds—a popular brand with runners.

What Is The Best Place To Buy a Treadmill in this Price Range?

Amazon and Walmart are two places where you can buy all treadmill brands. However, sometimes it’s a good idea to check a specific brand’s website because they often have offers that don’t feature on Amazon.