Woman using an affordable treadmill at home

If you’re looking to create a comfortable place to work out in your home with a specific budget, you should have no trouble finding a treadmill under $1000. Daily walks or even light jogs can help build your endurance and have a dramatic impact on your overall health. Whether you’re looking to lose weight or just maintain a healthy life, the right treadmill can help you reach your goals.

We carefully considered the most critical features in a home treadmill to identify the best affordable treadmills. The NordicTrack T Series Treadmill emerged as the best overall treadmill under $1000 due to its robust design, interactive capabilities, and high reviews.

Top Pick

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

For the best treadmill under $1000, look no further than the NordicTrack T Series.

If you’re thinking of how nice it is to walk in your neighborhood, you may want to consider the many benefits of purchasing a treadmill. Even though the environment may be more enjoyable outside, there’s no getting around the pain of rainy or cold weather. If nothing else, you can always design your home gym with an appealing ambiance, too.

Our Top 5 Treadmills Under $1000

Here are our top picks. Compare the ratings and features of different models.

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating Weight Capacity Bluetooth Number of Presets
Best Overall NordicTrack T Series Treadmill 4.4 300 lbs 5
Best for Budget Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Compact Motorized Treadmill 4.3 220 lbs 0
Best Folding Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill 4.4 300 lbs 5
Best with Preset Workouts ADVENOR Treadmill 4.3 220 lbs 64
Best Under Desk RHYTHM FUN Treadmill 4.4 220 lbs 0

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

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Who Should Buy a Treadmill Under $1000

  • If walking outside isn’t possible – For those who live in an area where outside walks aren’t possible, either because the weather often impedes the possibility or you live in an area with heavy traffic or other factors that make walking alone unsafe, finding a quality treadmill for your home can help keep your lifestyle an active one, even when you can’t always walk in the great outdoors.
  •  Those looking to start slow – Anyone new to fitness can tell you that there are few better ways to “start slow” than to choose your own pace on the treadmill. You can get from the couch to 5k in a matter of weeks with the help of the right treadmill.
  • People who want to build endurance – If you don’t want to be limited on the activities you can do based on what you can handle without getting winded, building your endurance with daily walks, or even daily jogs, can improve the quality of your life and of your vacation. The next time you want to see the view from the top of the hill, you can.

Who Should Not Buy a Treadmill Under $1,000

  • Those with a gym membership – If you have easy access to a free or inexpensive gym membership that you use regularly, you might not get much use out of a treadmill for your home.
  • Cardio isn’t for you – You know what you do and don’t like, and you know what kind of fitness machines you will and will not use. If the treadmill is going to turn into a half-dirty clothes hanger, then don’t waste the money.

Research Tips

Treadmills under $1000 will need to have a few features to make them work for your family. Here’s what to consider when selecting an affordable treadmill:

  1. Consider portability – If you have a space that lends to tight quarters, you’ll need to find a way to use your treadmill without it impeding your everyday life. A treadmill that folds flat and stores upright or under a couch, for example, will go a long way towards making sure your fitness doesn’t take over your home.
  2. Smart treadmills offer versatility – Bluetooth treadmills will allow you to track your fitness journey and give you the ability to tweak the necessary aspects to get the most out of your activity. If you can link your treadmill with your phone, that means you’ll have more things to occupy your mind while your body works – some will sync with your streaming music or even streaming video services so that you can time your workouts with others. (Or, you can always just watch your favorite show while burning a few calories, too.)
  3. Preset workout routines are excellent starters – If you’re not sure how to get started using a treadmill, then a handful of preset workouts that will give you suitable incline and speed settings right off the bat can be a big help. Even if you’re not a beginner, the presets can still help you push yourself toward new goals.

How Much Do They Cost?

Between $500-$2500

The cost of a treadmill depends entirely on the features it has. Realistically, though, setting your budget for a home treadmill at around $1000 will get you plenty of bang for your buck. You may not have the bells and whistles that the treadmills of $2500 and above offer, but you’ll have plenty to set your workout and fitness goals at exactly the level you need.

The Best Treadmills Under $1,000: Full Reviews

Top Pick

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill

For the best treadmill under $1000, look no further than the NordicTrack T Series.

NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is the top dog among treadmills under $1000, especially for the budget-conscious consumer. It has all the bells and whistles you want without sacrificing quality. It comes with a 1-year membership to iFit, and with that, you can use the side display screen to launch an interactive experience that will give you access to coaches and live workouts.

Even without the interactive features, (though it may be difficult, you can bypass the iFit by simply holding down the logo for 20-30 seconds) you’ll still have full access to workout customizations. When you’re not using it, the treadmill also folds up and rolls out of the way.

Pros
  • 12-month included iFit subscription
  • 4 display size options
  • 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and 1-year labor warranties
Cons
  • Registering without iFit is difficult (But not impossible!)
  • More electronics to malfunction over time
Best Budget Buy

Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Compact Motorized Treadmill

If you’re looking to get a good run without running out of money, consider the Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Compact Motorized Treadmill.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Folding Compact Motorized Treadmill is a budget-friendly treadmill that will allow you to get a good run or a casual stroll in, even on rainy days. If you’re looking for something that will help you get back on track, or stay on track for a healthy, more active lifestyle, this little addition could give big results.

The compact design will allow you to keep it in more rooms – it may even fit in your office and, should you be a person who thinks best while working out, this could be a big productivity win. For portability’s sake, it folds up and rolls out of the way with ease.

Pros
  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Max portability; foldable with wheels
  • Digital monitor
Cons
  • Max weight is only 220 lbs
  • Max running speed is 7 mph
Best Folding

Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill

If you want your treadmill to easily move out of the way, the Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill is a great option.

The Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill comes with integrated Bluetooth enabled. That means you can sync it with your phone or tablet so that you won’t have to worry about your headphones or earbuds while you work out. With convenient features like a tablet rack, USB charging port, and 1-touch keys, this is a treadmill with the device-loving user in mind.

The cooling fan will help you as you walk through your cool-down or give you the breath of fresh air to keep you going during your workout. The treadmill has a weight capacity of 250 pounds, which is a little low, but within that range will work quietly.

Pros
  • 5 programmed presets
  • 0.5 -10 mph speed range
  • Heart rate monitoring
Cons
  • May be difficult to level during initial set-up
  • Speaker quality is questionable
Best with Preset Workouts

ADVENOR Treadmill

If you’re interested in a preset workout to guide you through your fitness goals, take a look at the ADVENOR Treadmill.

The ADVENOR Treadmill has a strong 3.0 horsepower motor, allowing you to adjust your speed with 8 different intensity levels, along with 8 different modes to customize your workout. The wide running belt is set atop an anti-shock system on its deck, making your run all the smoother.

The accessory holder will hold your water bottle and phone easily, and the nonslip texture on the belt will keep you from slipping, even as your knees get less stable when exhaustion sets in. The pulse sensors will allow you to monitor your heart rate, and the safety sensor pull will allow you to quickly stop the motor should you trip.

Pros
  • Easy transport; folds up and wheels
  • Footprint soft drop when unfolding
  • Manual incline with 3 adjustments
Cons
  • Bulky, even when folded
  • Consistency issues with pulse sensors
Best Under Desk

RHYTHM FUN Treadmill

If you want to keep your treadmill under your desk, consider the RHYTHM FUN Treadmill.

The RHYTHM FUN Treadmill is easily transported from room to room by simply lifting it onto its front wheels and rolling it to the desired location. Because of its flat design, you’ll easily be able to store it in a closet upright or flat under your bed. You can keep it under your desk at work, or you can slide it under your couch for late-night walks while you watch your favorite TV show.

The front of the treadmill has a digital display that shows your speed, time, distance, and calories burned for each workout so you’ll still be able to keep track of all your important workout information. That also means you’ll be better able to adjust it to achieve your fitness goals. It also comes with a remote control to allow you to start and stop without bending over.

Pros
  • No assembly required
  • Bluetooth connection for app monitoring
  • Quiet motor with shock-absorbing belt
Cons
  • Walking speed only: 3.7 mph max
  • 220 lb max capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to treadmill every day?

Your body does need some downtime if you’re pushing it on your treadmill. Training for a marathon, or regular strenuous exercise may have negative effects on your health, so you will want to make sure you’re not pushing too hard too quickly.1 However, if you’re just making sure your body is moving – a short run, 5-10 minutes, or a leisurely walk – the health benefits far outweigh any possible downsides.2

Can treadmill reduce belly fat?

Given time, yes, walking at a moderate speed can reduce belly fat.3 It should be noted that the subjects in the studies showing these results were obese or overweight women, so women with just a few pounds may not notice the same difference. It is also based on a 12-week duration, so you may not see the results quickly, but the results are likely.

How long should I walk to lose weight?

Any kind of walking is better than none, and it’s true that you have to start somewhere. But as a rule, you’ll get the maximum health benefits if you walk approximately 30 minutes each day. In fact, there’s no significant increase in health benefits from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, so if you’re short on time, 30 minutes daily is a good target. 4

Is it better to walk farther or faster?

While distance plays a role, you can get the best benefit for weight loss and burn more carbs when you’re running faster. Running may not be a necessity, but faster movement will help you maximize your weight loss.5

Article Sources

Healing Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Stirbys P. How Much Exercise Is Too Much. J Atr Fibrillation. 2013;5(5):819. Published 2013 Feb 12. doi:10.4022/jafib.819
  2. Lee DC, Pate RR, Lavie CJ, Sui X, Church TS, Blair SN. Leisure-time running reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk [published correction appears in J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014 Oct 7;64(14):1537]. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(5):472-481. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.04.058
  3. Göçer E, Ardıç F, Akkaya N, Herek D. Efficacy of moderate-intensity walking provided feedback by ECE PEDO on abdominal fat in overweight and obese women: A randomized, exercise study. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;63(4):340-347. Published 2017 Nov 29. doi:10.5606/tftrd.2017.1956
  4. Bond Brill J, Perry AC, Parker L, Robinson A, Burnett K. Dose-response effect of walking exercise on weight loss. How much is enough?. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2002;26(11):1484-1493. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802133.
  5. Morris CE, Garner JC, Owens SG, Valliant MW, Debusk H, Loftin M. A Prospective Study Comparing Distance-based vs. Time-based Exercise Prescriptions of Walking and Running in Previously Sedentary Overweight Adults. Int J Exerc Sci. 2017;10(5):782-797. Published 2017 Sep 1.