Best Treadmills for Money in 2022 – Buyer’s Guide

Do you remember that running machine at your grandma’s place that you loved to play with when you were a kid?

Guess what, as a grown-up now, you need that plaything in your real life. Herein, treadmills are a great way to kickstart fitness habits. However, they do not come cheap.

As a beginner, spending a ton on one machine might not feel very wise. Therefore, we are here to give you a list of the good treadmills under 600 dollars, and you will know, quality does not always mean expensive.

Top 10 Best Budget Treadmills Review

When you have newly committed to fitness training, spending a large chunk of cash on one fitness device might seem a bit too much, especially when you might want to buy a couple of different machines at a time.

Here are the top 10 treadmills in your budget that will make your fitness journey worthwhile.

NordicTrack T Series (6.5S & 6.5Si Models)

For a health-conscious person, you definitely know how holy grail of a fitness product a home treadmill is.

Now, if you are a beginner and do not want to spend a fortune to keep yourself in shape, this NordicTrack treadmill is designed for you.

The treadmill offers about 20 different exercise programs which will align to your specific need at all times.

And the FlexSelect cushioning and accurate heart rate monitoring systems are two unique features that are rarely present in a treadmill of this price.

Also, the FlexSelect cushioning allows you to run with the cushion on or off. If you want a stiffer surface and lesser comfort, you can turn off the cushion while running.

The heart rate monitoring sensors are dual grip CardioGrip, which keeps you informed about the amount of fat you are burning with impressive accuracy.

Moreover, the NordicTrack treadmill is powered by iFit, and the user also gets one year of iFit membership with the purchase.

The inclined technology, speed adjustability, and 10 inches HD smart display make it a popular pick among fitness trainees.

This particular model of NordicTrack is equipped with SpaceSaver Design with EasyLift Assist, which means you can fold it into a compact, restorable size whenever you are done using it.

Therefore, you get a machine packed with high-end technology and impressive mechanical functions within your budget.

Pros

• Large immersive smart display
• FlexSelect cushioning
• CardioGrip sensors for heart rate monitoring
• iFit membership
• Compact design with many workout programs
• Easily foldable

Cons

• Noisy while operating
• Simplistic console
• Not challenging incline for advanced fitness trainees

XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Black

Finding a budget treadmill with lucrative features can be a bit tricky. However, if you know which brand to look for, the job gets a lot easier.

Here, the TR150 treadmill is one of those machines that provide you with spectacular service while being under $600.

It has a large running surface, suitable for people of all ages and dimensions.

The Xterra console has a spacious LCD display of 5 inches that shows the duration, time-lapse, pulse rate, and distance accurately.

So, you can always keep an eye on how many calories you are burning with every run. To accommodate your regular workout programs, 12 different modes are available on this treadmill.

And the speed range is from 0.5 to 10 MPH, so all types of users are covered. Manual incline settings available in this treadmill only adds up to its versatility.

Three customized levels of incline are available for trainees for a variety of preferences.

This lightweight yet sturdy model of Xterra treadmills also happens to be foldable.

After finishing working out, you can adjust it to a compact size for easy storage. The spacious running space will not be a hindrance for storing.

Here is another reason why this treadmill is one of the high-quality treadmills under 600 dollars.

Moreover, the deck is installed with a feature called XtraSoft cushioning that has the sole purpose of providing a smooth running experience.

Running continuously in a treadmill can often be pretty hard on the leg joints.

To prevent that and to reduce the shock to the knee and ankle joints, these feature is specially implemented.

For a treadmill that comes with such a low price, this Xterra model is perfect for a beginner getting into the fitness frenzy.

With quick assembly and easy maintenance, people of all ages can use this treadmill on a regular basis.

Pros

• Simple and quick assembly
• Xtrasoft cushioning
• Foldability for compact storage
• Wheels for transportation
• Large LCD display
• Manual incline settings in 3 levels

Cons

• Absence of heart rate measuring device
• Limited weight capacity
• Lack of Bluetooth facility or USB port

Sunny Health & Fitness Folding with Device Holder, Shock Absorption and Incline

Running on a treadmill for hours can get pretty boring and tiresome.

Who doesn’t like to put on some good music while exercising or check their progress in their regular fitness app?

Sunny health has solved your problem of carrying a phone with their Folding Treadmill with a device holder.

Now, you can put on your favorite music and start running with ease. Spacious running space with three manual incline settings makes the treadmill suitable for beginners.

However, it does not take up so much space when it is not functional. The folding mechanism implemented in the machine is very easy to operate.

And it keeps the machine compact after use. In fact, hydraulic support makes the job super easy and noise-free.

The whole point of using a treadmill is to keep yourself healthy and fit. What if in the process of being healthy, you get hurt?

The shock produced while running in a treadmill meal can be pretty devastating to your knees.

Also, the shock absorption mechanism in this treadmill will keep you safe from the unwanted shock.

It also keeps the noise at a minimum level for you and your neighbor’s peace of mind.

While paying a very small price, you do not have to give up on the valuable benefits of a treadmill.

The LCD screen will display all the necessary parameters for you to keep a tab on your progress.

Nine different built-in exercise modes will allow you to incorporate distinct workout methods in your daily fitness schedule.

On top of everything, the cup holders in the machine let you stay hydrated without needing a break.

A perfectly functional treadmill with so many unique features at such a low price is indeed rare in the market.

Pros

• Small and foldable
• Handrail control for maneuvering speed
• 9 built-in exercises
• 3 manual incline modes
• Device holder

Cons

• Lack of heart beal measuring device
• Not suitable for advanced users

2-in-1 Under Desk Folding Exercise Fitness Machine

Exercising every day can be a chore. Especially when you have to sacrifice your precious free time, it loses its appeal even more.

To solve that issue, Miageek came up with this amazing 2 in 1 treadmill that enables you to run even when you are working.

Unlike other treadmills, you can fold the handrails of this one and can use it as an under-desk walking treadmill.

The under-desk mode has a speed limit of up to 4 km/h, whereas, with the handrails on, you can run up to 12 km/h.

You can choose the sport mode according to your convenience, without compromising your leisure.

Noisy workout machines are one of the reasons why most people give up after a few days.

However, the powerful motor has the wonderful ability to function noiselessly, even during the most intense workout.

The shock absorption mechanism only adds up to the quietness while keeping your back, waist, knees, and ankles safe.

The LED display helps you to keep track of your progress. And the cherry on top of everything is the built-in Bluetooth speaker that allows you to listen to music while running.

Remote control of speed makes it easier to control the intensity of your exercise at all times.

Overall, it has all the goodness of a pricey high-end treadmill at a very low price. You do not need to assemble this machine as it comes fully constructed.

It has an amazing foldable feature along with transportation wheels.

So, you have a mobile treadmill that you can fold and adjust according to your needs. With these features, it is an excellent use for home, office, or gymnasium.

Pros

• 2 sport modes: under-desk treadmill and running treadmill
• Shock absorption ability
• LED display and remote-controlled speed controller
• Built-in Bluetooth device
• Pre-assembled

Cons

• Lack of manual incline mode
• Lack of heartbeat monitor

MaxKare Folding Electric Motorized Running Machine

Is your busy day-to-day schedule not allowing you to have extended sessions at the gym, but your physician is nearly begging you to burn some calories?

And at the same time, what if you do not really have a grand to spend on a treadmill?

MaxKare promises to bring you one of the top-quality treadmills. Let’s take a look at their claim.

A 17″ wide multi-layer tread belt is one of the widest available in the market, and it is also good for your knees.

While the pure copper motor trades maximum speed for silent operation, it’s still not slow, offering a speed range from 0.5mph to 8.5mph.

MaxKare designed it for people with a height from 4.6 ft to 6.2 ft and weighing under 220 pounds.

The basics are complemented by an attractive feature set. A built-in LCD display helps you to monitor your time, speed, calories, and distance in real-time.

A handy heart rate monitor and the controls are built into the handle.

You can adjust the inclination of the machine in 3 steps, but only manually and when the machine is turned off.

When you are not actively using the treadmill, it does not take up much space.

The fold mechanism also comes with a soft drop system, ensuring the safety of your floors.

And if you are worried about having to move them from time to time for some reason, they include transportation wheels.

Proper instruction manuals are provided so you can assemble them easily.

Pros

• Really wide belt
• Monitoring stats is easy with LCD screen
• Easy and less time-consuming installation
• Easy storage with fold mechanism
• Good value for money

Cons

• Hand-rest is too low for some tall users
• Uneven walking pressure wears the belt on one side easily

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart

Your body mass index is at an all-time high. And you do not have the extra time to attend a gym even twice a week.

You are looking for an easy and affordable home treadmill. Did you think of yourself while reading the last three sentences?

If yes, then Sunny Health and Fitness has the product for you.

The SF-T7515 is a “smart” treadmill with a really cool feature set. And the price tag can be a bit deceiving as this machine punches way above its class.

A 16.5” wide shock absorption belt allows you plenty of space to walk or jog or run. And run you will, but only at a humble maximum speed of 8mph.

With this treadmill, the maximum recommended user weight is 250 pounds. Overall the raw performance is good, but nothing to write home about.

Whatever points this treadmill loses for having only decent performance, it gains back in the feature list.

Perhaps the most eye-catching thing on that list is a fully automatic motorized incline system with 12 steps.

It is a far cry from all the other treadmills in this price range as most of them feature only a manual incline system with 3 or 4 steps. And that’s not all.

And you might be wondering what this machine does to warrant the “smart” in its name. Well, it connects to your phone via Bluetooth and includes stereo speakers.

This means you can easily receive calls as well as jam to your favorite tune while working out.

There is also a backlit LCD screen to see your progress in real-time, and a heart rate monitor is placed in the handle. You can fold it to save space while storing it too.

Pros

• Automatic Inclination system
• Great features including Bluetooth connectivity
• Easy storage with fold system
• Stands out in its class
• Backlit LCD screen

Cons

• Performance is best described decent
• Lackluster quality control

SereneLife Smart Digital Folding Exercise Machine

While finding a jack of all trades type of treadmill at a budget can be tough, the SereneLife Smart Digital Folding Exercise Machine is an electric treadmill that can offer you all the necessities and then some more at an affordable price.

It’s headline features are the small tweaks here and there for that extra bit of comfort that you need while being in shape.

13.5” for a belt size is enough for everyone but a tall user, but on the flip side, it’s nicely cushioned.

If you only want to walk or get a light jog done, the maximum speed of 6mph will get the job done.

Be cautious, though; it is certainly not enough to run. And the maximum weight limit is 275 pounds.

You might not have thought that a smartphone app to pair with your treadmill is something you ever needed; it does make the whole experience better.

Available for iOS and Android, the app will help you keep track of your whole exercise routine.

Other than that, it comes with an LCD screen and pulse monitoring sensors on the handles.

12 pre-programmed plans will give you varying levels of workout difficulties. The 15-30 mins assembly time is also a headline.

It also has a 3-step manual inclination system to give you just the right level of slope for maximum comfort.

Done with working out for the day? The foldable mechanics will ensure that your treadmill is not an eyesore and can easily be stored.

Pros

• Smartphone App to connect the treadmill with your phone
• Good customer support
• Compact size
• Somewhat stylish
• Many pre-programmed plans

Cons

• Crammed for tall users
• Low maximum speed

SereneLife Smart Electric Folding Fitness Motorized Running Jogging Exercise Machine

This is a treadmill that gives you all the basics and does not break the bank. It is compact, affordable, and has a few unique features to make itself stand out from all the other similar products in the market.

On paper, it ticks all the right boxes for a happy customer. 240 pounds is not that high for a maximum recommended user weight on the spec sheet, but in practice, it is just fine for most users.

The motor is 5hp, and it runs a running belt that’s 15.7″ wide. Again, it’s not that high, but it’s not that low either.

A speed range from 0.6mph to 7.5mph ensures that you can walk and jog easily.

Running at full speed, however, is not easily doable for most people.

The LCD display shows your distance, calories burnt, time, speed, and pulse.

Unlike most other affordable treadmill displays, it has a minimalistic look to it that will attract the ones among you who want their functioning piece of machinery to look good.

And above the display, you get a tablet holder, which is simple and does not seem like much at first glance but will make you wonder why more manufacturers do not do it as soon as you get used to it.

If you love your pre-planned program sets, this treadmill will not disappoint. It has 12 programs, each catering to the user’s different needs.

The integrated safety key is also a good addition. The low profile design with the fold option and the transportation wheels, make this the perfect treadmill for small apartments or homes.

Pros

• Basic, gimmick-free design
• The good looking LCD display and overall aesthetic
• Easy to store and transport
• Simple electric plug for power
• Has a tablet/phone holder

Cons

• Unclear assembly instructions
• Maximum speed not high enough for running

Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Cadence Folding

Want a feature-rich treadmill that will get you working out from the comfort of your home? But all these expensive options have got you scratching your head?

Take a look at this affordable folding treadmill from Weslo. Their Cadence G 5.9i is a basic treadmill, but it does offer quite a few attractive features.

A 10mph highest speed and only a 16” wide belt make this far from a runners treadmill.

But if you want to walk or jog, this is just perfect. It will also accommodate users of up to 275 pounds of weight.

The 6 included work out program is mainly focused on weight loss. And Weslo’s comfort cell cushioning technology helps you keep your joints safe.

This treadmill comes with a 1-month iFit membership, which you can redeem from ifit.com/activate.

It is not all good, as the redeeming is necessary for getting the treadmill working. And it does not work out of the box.

But iFit does offer you a lot of desirable features. So take it how you will. Weslo calls it a feature.

Some of the users disagree. The Cadence G 5.9i comes with a 2-step manual inclination system and a folding design that helps you store the machine easily and safely.

Heart rate monitoring, a quality LCD screen, and a tablet holder are also available.

Pros

• Good quality for the price
• Quite a few extras included
• Free 1-month iFit Coach
• Compact foldable design for storage
• Has all the basics

Cons

• Does not work straight out of the box
• Makes grinding noises sometimes

ProForm Performance 300i Treadmill

For treadmills under $600, the ProForm Performance 300i is a serious contender. It finds a good balance between raw performance and a captivating feature set.

The 2.0 CHP Mach Z Motor inside the 300i is built to provide cool and quiet performance under sustained load.

Let’s take a look at the other things ProForm has to offer with their 300i. A 16-inch wide belt is supported with a ProShox cushioning system so that you can work out without hurting your joints.

The maximum belt speed is 10mph, and you can adjust the speed from 1-10 in steps of 1 very easily as they have individual buttons.

The advertised maximum user weight is 300 pounds; however, users say it works best for people under 250 pounds.

And the 300i gives you a very modern and easy to use console. It has 16 programmed workouts for calorie burning and performance improvement.

Automatic quick incline from 0 to 10 percent is also found and easily switchable with individual buttons on the console.

Every treadmill at this price range has a heart rate monitor. But the 300i gives you the option to use your own high-quality chest strap heart rate monitor.

As for extras, the performance 300i supports iFit, which is a very appealing feature these days.

It does not come with any free subscription, but at this price range, you should not expect it to.

And if you are worried about your exercise machine taking up a lot of space in your living room area, think not. This has an easy fold feature to tuck it away after you are done.

Pros

• Inexpensive treadmill with impressive features
• App connectivity
• Chest-strapped heart rate monitoring
• Simple console with great output
• Automatic inclining technology

Cons

• Narrow running area
• Not suitable for sprint work

How to Choose a Treadmill on Budget

There are three main characteristics that make a treadmill “good”, and they will help you to choose a treadmill on budget.

Minimum Specifications (As You Need)

Not all treadmills are made equal. Some have too short of a treadmill belt, some don’t have a sturdy enough build, and some just aren’t user-friendly to use.

At the least, a good treadmill should have a 50” belt with 15” of belt width, should be sturdy and stable enough to sustain your weight comfortably, should have an easily accessible control panel, and have adequate speed and incline settings.

Quality of life additions such as a heart monitor and multiple, programmable walking/running profiles are big plusses, but not necessary since the goal is a budget treadmill.

You should look in-depth into the treadmill you are considering buying so you can decide if it is the best for you personally.

Long-Term Usability

A treadmill needs to be comfortable to use for long periods of time. Cushioning of the belt and padded handles are basically necessary for a good treadmill.

Furthermore, for the relatively smaller $600 investment to be as effective as possible, the treadmill needs to be built well enough so that regular high-cost maintenance is not required.

Absolute Cost

Nowadays, it seems the most popular and well-known treadmill brands seem to be suffering from the same exact problem – high power consumption.

Little by little, the high power-consumption costs stack up alongside maintenance costs, and what might end up happening is you effectively paying way over $3000 in a year for a $600 treadmill.

A good treadmill needs to be efficient and preferably not draw too much power, alongside the aforementioned point about being relatively low-maintenance.

FAQ’s of Treadmill

Some common queries of people looking to buy a treadmill are:

Can I walk on a running treadmill?

Conclusion

Exercising is as important as eating healthy if you want to maintain a fit body and sound mind.

The most common way of working out for beginners is running on a treadmill.

Going to a gym every other day, standing in a queue to have that short amount of time on the treadmill is just not worth it when you can get your own personal one at a quite low price.

The ten best treadmills mentioned here can make a huge difference to your voyage on having a healthy body. Now, it is your turn to grab the one you love the most.