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Best Reviewed
Budget Treadmills
- Best budget treadmill Horizon Fitness T101 *Est. $600
- Manual treadmill Stamina InMotion II *Est. $165
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Best budget treadmill
- Automated incline
- Lots of features
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
- Large and bulky
- Heavier users report stability issues
- Customer service complaints
If you can't spend much on a treadmill, reviewers say the Horizon Fitness T101 is a good value for casual exercisers. It has features you won't always find on other low-cost machines, including preset workout programs, speakers for an MP3 player, a built-in fan and automated incline adjustments. Assembly is straightforward for a treadmill, with most users reporting it takes less than an hour, although a few say the unit arrived damaged or didn't work when first assembled.
Most reviewers call this treadmill quiet, sturdy and easy to assemble, although some users weighing 200 pounds or more complain that it shakes during use. One 230-pound reviewer on Amazon.com contradicted this trend, describing the T101 as "sturdy, smooth and quiet." The T101's 20-by-55-inch belt is larger than we found on most models in this price range, which might be why some users complain that it's heavy and bulky, even when folded.
The best review of the Horizon Fitness T101 comes from ConsumerReports.org, which conducted rigorous testing to rate more than 20 treadmills using a variety of criteria. Professional review sites such as TreadmillDoctor.com and Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com don't have the same regimented testing, but provide useful insider analysis from professionals with long experience in the fitness equipment field. We also found more than 100 user reviews at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
The Horizon Fitness T101 is one of 26 treadmills included in ConsumerReports.org's latest round of tests. Each machine is evaluated using a variety of criteria, including ergonomics, safety, exercise range and more. Full ratings are available to subscribers.
Review: Treadmills, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Feb. 2011
2. Amazon.com
More than 100 owner comment on the Horizon Fitness T101 treadmill at Amazon.com, giving it an average 4.2-star rating out of 5. More than 90 users rate this model with 4 or 5 stars, praising its value, sturdiness and smooth, quiet operation. Other high points include the relatively large belt, built-in cooling fan and in-console speakers for an MP3 player. Common complaints are that the treadmill was damaged during shipping or didn't work when first assembled, and both positive and negative reviews say Horizon's customer service isn't always the best.
Review: Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Dec. 2011
TreadmillDoctor.com gives the Horizon T101 high marks for value, calling it "one of the best efforts Horizon has made at the $600 price point." Although the T101 doesn't win the site's "Best Buy" rating, it receives a runner-up slot.
Review: Horizon T101 Treadmill Review, Editors of TreadmillDoctor.com, Not Dated
4. Treadmill-Ratings- Reviews.com
Fred Waters says the Horizon T101 is a "good value" with some nice features for the price, but warns that it's more prone to shaking than higher-priced treadmills.
Review: Horizon Fitness T101 Treadmill Review, Fred Waters, Not Dated
Budget Treadmills Runners Up:
2 picks including: Walmart.com, Treadmill-Ratings- Reviews.com…
2 picks including: Walmart.com, TreadmillTalk.com…