Best Budget Treadmills

Treadmills under $1,000: fine for walking

Reviews say that with treadmills, you generally get what you pay for. Fitness experts recommend that walkers and joggers spend at least $1,000 on a treadmill and that serious runners spend even more. If that's not realistic, there are some well-received models that cost less, although treadmill experts aren't as confident about their durability. The good news is that quality in the budget range is getting better.

The Sole F63 (*Est. $1,050) just misses this category, although you may be able to find it for under $1,000. It comes with a good warranty for its price, including lifetime coverage on the motor and frame and one year of coverage on labor. Generally speaking, Sole treadmills have a reputation for using quality components with reliable construction.

Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com recommends the Sole F63 for "walking and light jogging," while the experts at TreadmillDoctor.com call the F63 treadmill a "great value and a great update for the new model year." The Sole F63 has a 2.5-horsepower motor, a 20-by-55-inch running surface and a maximum speed of 10 mph. On more expensive treadmills designed for serious running, you'll get a longer running deck, more powerful motor and higher maximum speeds. Still, experts say the Sole F63 is a good value for those who plan on walking or the occasional jog. Owners generally have positive feedback on Amazon.com, although a few note that the assembly is tricky and we saw a few complaints about durability.

For $450 less, the Horizon Evolve SG (*Est. $600) also earns several recommendations, including a nod from a major consumer testing organization. The Horizon Evolve SG treadmill folds into a relatively compact package (for a treadmill) that is only 10 inches tall, so you can fit it underneath most beds. Like other sub-$1,000 folding treadmills, the Horizon Evolve SG is not designed for running -- it has a 1.5-horsepower motor, a short 45-inch-long belt and a maximum speed of 6 mph, so you're limited to walking. The maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds is also lower than more expensive treadmills, and there's no incline functionality.

The experts at TreadmillDoctor.com say the Horizon Evolve SG is a good choice as long as you don't plan on running. Fred Waters at Treadmill-Ratings-Reviews.com says the Horizon Evolve SG is a "contender" among compact budget treadmills. However, due to the underpowered motor, he doesn't recommend it for people over 210 pounds. The Horizon Evolve SG also gets above-average ratings at Amazon.com, where owners love that it comes fully assembled. The Horizon Evolve SG treadmill gets high marks for its relatively quiet operation and simple operation. However, some owners report a faulty heart-rate monitor and say the built-in speakers are pretty worthless.

The Gold's Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 (*Est. $597) also gets good reviews, but it's listed as out of stock at Walmart.com. "This treadmill screams value. It is hard to imagine that they can build a decent machine for $600 but the folks at Icon have done it," TreadmillDoctor.com reports. But experts there recommend it only for walkers -- "if you are a runner, forget it."

The Gold's Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 comes with a 1.75-horsepower motor that is covered by a 25-year warranty, with a lifetime warranty on the frame. Other parts and labor are covered for one year. The Gold's Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650 is a favorite among consumers who post reviews at Walmart.com. Among more than 200 users, the majority gives the treadmill four- or five-star ratings. However, several users do post complaints that the treadmill was either broken on arrival or broke down shortly after. If you can find it at your local Wal-Mart store, reviews indicate this is a good choice for walkers.

In this price range, the ProForm XP Crosswalk 580 (*Est. $600), which is sold at Sears, also gets decent user reviews. Like the Gold's Gym Maxx Crosswalk 650, the ProForm XP Crosswalk 580 treadmill has a 2.8-horsepower motor, 25-year motor warranty and a 20-by-55-inch walking belt. "If you are really going to baby the machine, this could work," says TreadmillDoctor.com. However, users shouldn't expect long-term durability, and parts and labor are only covered under warranty for 90 days. At Sears.com, about 80 percent of owners say they would recommend the ProForm XP Crosswalk 580 to a friend, but several reviewers point out that the treadmill shakes when jogging or walking fast.