Best Treadmills Under 500 Dollars

You want to make the best and most cost-effective choice for buying a treadmill, car, or even a cookie-cutter. A treadmill has to work efficiently to be of any help. Nobody wants to spend money on something that will be no good eventually. Keep reading to find out our top recommendations on the best treadmills under 500 for your home.

This piece provides carefully curated information, supplying you with the ideal weapons you will need to arm yourself. You can secure victory in the battle of choices revolving around buying a treadmill. Our ultimate favorite one, however, has to be the XTERRA Fitness TR150. Not only is it one of the most spacious treadmills, but it includes 12 presets that help you get into that fitness lifestyle.

Several factors were considered in analyzing these choices for you. Continue reading through to find out what they are and how they would apply to you in influencing your decision-making.

COMPARISON TABLE

PRODUCT REVIEWS

1. Advenor Motorized Treadmills

Having a drive system with a peak of 2.5 Horsepower and a speed range of 0.6 – 8.1 miles per hour, the Advenor Motorized Treadmills come at a fair price for their value. The 2.5 HP powerful motor also ensures silence when the machine is used for prolonged speeds.

It has a 16.54” wide multi-layer non-slip belt and a 15 mm thickness running deck which ensures abrasion and pressure resistance. The running belt and deck composition also provide good shock absorption to absolve the impact of a fall and hence mostly alienate the risk of a possible knee injury. The treadmill comes with its very own 3D LED monitor. You can easily monitor accurate time data, such as Calories, Distance, Pulse, Speed, and Time.

The speed can be adjusted easily with its accessible handrail controls. You only have to grip the handrail pulse sensors to track your heart rate during the workout. It’s safe to say this treadmill is all about looking out for your safety and well-being. It also has a safety key and remote control for walking. And remarkably, even when its weight is at the maximum (220 lbs), this machine will remain steady and efficient.

In addition, the treadmill has a thoughtfully designed gadget holder right on the console for your phones, tabs, iPads, and any other devices. Thus, giving you an overall familiar environment to engage your workouts. This treadmill sports a compact footprint and fast folding design for convenience and storage space.

2. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill

Specifically designed for home use, the TR150 boasts very thoughtful features for your utmost ease and comfort. It has a large walking/running surface (measured 16” x 50”) to accommodate users of various sizes and stride lengths. There are 12 pre-set programs for users to choose from and 3 manual incline settings to give incomparable variety for your workouts. It also comes with an easily accessible knob to fold or unfold the deck for convenient storage when it’s not being used.

The treadmill runs smoothly and quietly with a powerful motor of 2.5 HP and a fantastic speed range of 0 – 10 mph. Its highly durable steel frame allows a free-ride performance to produce an effective calorie-burning workout. It sports a 5” LCD with a simple, easy-to-engage interface that displays valuable statistics such as time, speed, distance, and calories.

The cushioned deck technology ensures maximum impact absorption for the safety of your joints and comfortable workout sessions. An integrated bookrack and gadget holder helps keep your reading materials and anything else you would like nearby for convenience.

The maximum recommended weight this treadmill can bear is 250 lbs, making it quite durable. It comes with a 1-year motor warranty, and user reviews state that it still functions perfectly even after long periods of use. It’s black, and the package contains the treadmill, hardware, and assembly instructions/ owner’s manual.

The TR150 fulfills its task of bringing fitness home, and it is fully user-centered. The controls are at the palm of your hand. There are a variety of workout challenges for you to choose from in between the pre-set programs.

3. Murtisol 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

With a powerful motor yet designed ever so cleverly to remain quiet, this 2.25 HP treadmill makes it easy to run without fear of disturbance. The engine also allows for quick acceleration from 0.6 – 7.5 miles.

One thing peculiar about this folding treadmill, in particular, is the 2 modes it entails to meet your different sports needs. When the armrest is folded, it can be employed as a jogging machine at a speed of 0.6 – 2.5 miles. Moreover, when the armrest is raised, the running rate can increase to 0.6 – 7.5 miles to accommodate and support your fitness goals.

Its non-slip running belt ensures a firm foot-hold whenever you’re walking or running. It features a spacious running area (40” x 16”), which provides an adequate cushion for your muscles and an overall safe running experience. The LED screen displays time and other real-time parameters, measuring your progress and storing movement data. Remarkably, the instrument panel includes a safety key that can be used to shut down the treadmill to ensure safety when it’s not in use.

The treadmill can be folded in a compact design for greater ease in handling, and its built-in transport wheels make it easy to move and store. Most impressively, it comes in readily installed right out of the box. The remote control to adjust movement speed and power off is very accessible, and so is the safety key.

Through the Fitshow Lite app, you can connect the treadmill to your phone and monitor your fitness data. You can also use the phone holder to listen to music or entertain yourself with videos while walking or running.

4. FYC Folding Electric Treadmill for Home

The FYC Electric Folding Treadmill is ideal for home and office use. It allows you to run or walk on it without disturbing others. Its 2.5 HP motor is potent and ultra-quiet, and it will enable the treadmill to quickly accelerate from 0.5 to 8.5 miles per hour. It has a 5-layer non-slip texture belt that features a very spacious running area (39.4”x 16.5”). It provides a cushioned, safe space for your knees and muscle, resulting in an overall superior experience. With the Multifunctional LED screen, you can accurately monitor time, speed, distance, and calories.

One outstanding feature of this treadmill is the desktop stand-mounted upon the inclined column. It’s sized (11”x 23.4”) and is large enough to place a laptop or tablet PC. Therefore, you could always watch a movie or enjoy working on your gadget while having exercise.

FYC promises durability and a useful lifespan. The treadmill is made of stainless steel, and it supports a maximum weight of 265 pounds with its own weight of 85.98 pounds. Its column is 100 mm thick, stable and heavy, so you can enjoy the gym body freely. It can easily support several different weights for each person.

Most of the parts are pre-installed, so the rest of the installation process takes only about 15 minutes. Thanks to its perfectly functional transport wheels, it can be easily folded and moved to a storage space for convenience. Likewise, it can be folded into an utterly horizontal shape and placed under a sofa or furniture when it’s not in use. It’s also equipped with stabilizing design that prevents the connecting rod from shaking or coming loose during workouts.

5. Ancheer 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

With a corded electric power source and a maximum horsepower of 2.25 HP, this 2 in 1 Folding/Under desk treadmill renders excellent service for a comfortable running experience. No assembly is needed, as the treadmill arrives fully assembled and can be immediately put to use after unboxing. It can be easily folded and possesses wheels which make it easy to move and store. When folded, it can be kept completely flat in a storage place or even placed underneath a desk. It can also be used that way or as it is more commonly used, with the handrail raised.

You can connect your phone to the treadmill using the Fitshow app. This integration, coupled with the wrist-mounted remote control, makes it easy to adjust your workout while you run. You can track the distance traveled, time spent, number of calories burned and use both the app and the large Acrylic Touch Screen used to control the treadmill.

The quiet 2.25 HP motor combined with the durable alloy steel body and shock absorption system make your running exercise a very comfortable experience. It has a 7-layer belt that provides cushioning and steady support for your joints. The running belt is 40” x 16” in dimensions, and the maximum speed when running is 7.5 miles per hour. The treadmill weighs 59 pounds and can support weights of up to 265 pounds. The remote control battery model is the Lithium Cell CR2025/3V.

The package includes a treadmill, remote control, phone holder, emergency stop cord, and lubricating oil. The treadmill comes in blue color, and it is recommended that you lubricate the machine once a month. There are also 12 months of quality assurance and free replacement parts if there are any defects in the package.

6. UREVO Treadmills for Home

The UREVO Treadmills are very efficient for walking or running at home. The sturdy overall composition of the machine guarantees a stable operation for it, and it is built to support up to 265 pounds of weight capacity. The motor has a peak Horsepower of 2.5HP, and it provides speeds from 0.5 miles per hour to 8.7 miles per hour.

This treadmill has been equipped with several features to accommodate possible user needs. Its 17.3” x 45.7” dimension multi-layer tread belt provides a safe cushion for your knees and offers plenty of leg and elbow space while you run. The heart pulse sensors on the handrail serve to track your heart rate during your workout, ensuring a safe workout experience. It is, therefore, a definite recommendation.

This machine is an upgrade from earlier versions. It sports an adjustable screen display, a phone holder, and remote control, which is accessible at all times to control movement speed and/or stop instantly. The LCD screen also displays distance, speed, calories burned, and other real-time parameters measured during exercise. As earlier mentioned, the screen is adjustable, meaning it can be modified to meet the height needs of different users. Like the TR150, 12 in-built pre-set programs present a variety of options for your workouts.

This machine features an easy folding mechanism to ensure simple, space-conserving storage after your run. Its folding size is 55.2” x 27.8” x 5.1” (L x W x H). The treadmill comes in black, and the package weighs about 84 pounds.

7. Fannay Treadmills for Home

This treadmill has many exciting and helpful features. Its remote control and console are easily accessible. It allows you to freely adjust the speed, start up the treadmill, or completely shut it down. It comes with an LED display to monitor and track your distance, speed, calories burned, and so on. Instead of this, you’ll always be aware of your training status and workout safely. It also has a Bluetooth speaker and gadget holder bracket for premium entertainment as you exercise.

The treadmill arrives fully assembled, and it can be put to use directly after unboxing. Notably, this treadmill is a multi-mode machine. You can choose to use it in an under-desk manner by folding the handrail. The maximum running speed it can accommodate here is 4 miles per hour. You can also raise the bars for support, with the full speed attainable at 7.5 miles per hour.

It can support user weights of up to 220 pounds. Its 2.25 HP powerful continuous-duty motor works perfectly without noise, regardless of how fast and intense the workout sessions turn out to be. As a result, it’s highly suitable for home and office use. The running belt has a 7-layer shock-absorbing structure, is anti-skid, and facilitates noise reduction. These provide safe cushioning for your back, ankles, and joints. The material of the running belt is imported PVC. For safety, there is an incorporated instant security lock in a situation where you lose control of the treadmill during a workout.

Certified by CE, ROHS, CB, EN957, and IEC, this machine comes with free replacement parts for the first 12 months. The treadmill also offers a 1-year quality service warranty for both frame and motor.

8. FYC Portable Electric Folding Treadmills for Home with Incline

This treadmill is all about convenience and safety. This machine promises a superior and effective home workout featuring a phone/pad holder. It keeps you entertained as you work out and has a multifunctional blue-ray LCD screen to track your performance in real-time. There’s a nearby emergency key with a clip that can be used immediately to stop the treadmill in an emergency and keep you secure.

The motorized treadmill, whose running belt is made out of rubber, has an inclination that can be manually adjusted. It can suit various height levels and reduce damage to your knees, joints, and muscles. It’s also a vast area that provides comfort in terms of space and ensures an overall stable workout experience.

Away from the complexities of other motorized machines, this treadmill is very easy to operate and comes with 12 pre-installed programs for you to choose from. These programs help speed up blood circulation and give your cardiopulmonary function an overall strengthened disposition. The treadmill with its 1.5 HP motor makes a low amount of noise, ensures perfect performance, and is suitable for home or office workouts. Since there is little or no noise disturbance, you don’t make too much noise and can still hear sounds.

The treadmill is foldable, making it easy to be stored when it’s not in use. It can be easily folded and placed underneath a sofa or bed, thus preserving floor space and making it ideal for usage in any room. It also has transport wheels for easy relocation and storage. Moreover, it comes packaged with all the necessary tools and instructions for assembling. All you have to do is unbox it and tighten the screws.

9. FlylinkTech 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

With a maximum horsepower of 2.25 HP, this treadmill is alloy steel. It is the definition of durable and stable. It’s designed as a professional treadmill for running fast, and it can also serve as an under-desk walking treadmill. It ranges from 0.6 – 2.5 miles per hour when walking and 2.5 – 8.7 miles per hour while running. Both of these modes can help you reach your fitness goals.

Operating on a 2.25 HP quiet motor, this portable treadmill is perfect for home and office use. It is noiseless and won’t cause any disturbance whatsoever when it’s in use. It has a very sturdy steel frame, and a multi-layer shield design, helping to ensure a safe and comfortable running experience. With a maximum weight capacity of 380 pounds, the machine has a five-layer shock-absorbing non-slip running belt. It features a very spacious running area of 40” x 16”, which provides safe cushioning for your joints and muscles.

Its digital LED monitor lets you easily observe the speed, calories burned, and other measured data needed to help you keep working out. They have 12 incorporated workout variety programs that help stimulate natural terrain and spice up your routines. This machine also features a remote control that can efficiently adjust the running speed or stop it instantly. It comes with a security key capable of shutting down the treadmill all at once in an emergency to keep the user safe.

You can record exercise data via the Smart App control with your phone. A provision is made for a gadget holder that allows you to place your phone or tablet to stay entertained with your favorite playlist while performing your workout routine.

10. GORPORE 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill

With a dual LED display for better tracking, this treadmill ensures accurate and convenient measurements of distance, speed, and calories in real-time. You’re running with the frame up or walking with the treadmill in an under-desk position.

The folding feature of the treadmill allows for ease when you’re walking or when you want to store it under a desk for conservation of space. Folding the treadmill has been made more manageable, and it can be done quickly with just a single step. You can later place it under a couch or bed as fit for small spaces like apartments and offices. The treadmill runs on a mighty 2.5 HP motor, and it can carry user weight up to 265 pounds at a time. It has a very sturdy frame and could reach a maximum of 7.6 miles per hour when the user runs up to 3.8 miles per hour while walking.

This machine features a thick running deck with adjustments to eliminate scratches on your rugs or the bare floor. The running belt is multi-layered and also performs the duty of shock absorbance to provide a safe running experience for the user. With its secure phone holder design, you can keep your tablet or phone nearby to keep yourself entertained. Get ready to stream your favorite shows, listen to that special playlist, and have a fun workout session.

Another feature of this treadmill lies in its wide running area. The running deck measures about 16.5” x 43.3” and hence gives the user plenty of room to stretch their legs while running.

BUYER’S GUIDE FOR BEST TREADMILLS UNDER 500

Since you’re looking for the best treadmills under 500, you’re bound to find some lower-quality products. You’re compromising on the overall quality once you decide to opt for the cheaper option. The average cost of a treadmill is around $600. Hence, you’re not really far away from what an average treadmill is. 

This one is tailored towards the cheaper ones. However, set your expectations somehow low. You definitely will not get the same treadmill you’ve seen around the gym. However, you can always look for the best treadmills under 500 for the price range in your mind. Hence, we compiled a list of qualities we always go over when reviewing our treadmills. 

Running Space

Whether you choose to jog, run, or walk, you must ensure that the space you’re exercising is wide enough. However, this seems to be a personal preference. Some people prefer the expansive running deck to give them more space, while others prefer to be confined to a smaller area. 

Moreover, check out the quality and thickness of the running belt. If it’s too thin, then it’s likely to wear out too quickly. On the other hand, if it is too thick, you’ll probably face some difficulty running consistently. 

Hence, evaluate your options and priority before deciding what type of running surface you want. As a general rule of thumb, these are the recommendations: 

• 50” belt length for walkers
• 55” belt length for runners
• 60” belt length for runners with a height exceeding 6 feet

Horsepower

You might think, “well, why would I even consider the horsepower on my treadmill?” well, that depends on the type of exercise you’re looking for. If you are prepared to exercise intensively, you definitely want a more powerful motor. 

However, if you’re looking for light exercises like walking or occasional jogging, the lower horsepower would work for you. 

• Walking: minimum of 2.0 CHP
• Jogging: minimum of 2.5 CHP
• Running: minimum of 3.0 CHP

Automatic Incline

Honestly, since you’re most likely compromising on numerous other features due to the low price of your treadmill, the inclination is such an important addition. So figure out how elaborate you want your workouts to be. If you want something incredibly intense, look for one that tilts to 15% and more. 

However, if this feature does not really interest you, an inclination of 10% would do just fine on days you want to spice up your workout routine. However, we love tilt because it adds a lot of flavor to your workout. Moreover, it helps you burn an incredible amount of calories, is easier on the joints, and strengthens numerous leg muscles. 

Preset Programs

The preset programs are often best for beginners. Since you’re looking into purchasing a relatively cheaper treadmill, we’re assuming you’re a beginner or someone who is just warming up to running. Hence, a preset program, or multiple of them, is always a good idea. 

Instead of having to optimize your own workout plan from scratch, you can simply press a few buttons and follow the instructions. The treadmill will automatically change its setting according to the workout itself.

Maximum Speed

if you’re not already familiar with how treadmills work, not all of them can reach the same top speed. Hence, this will largely depend on why you’re purchasing the treadmill. 

If you’re planning on properly running and training, opt for a treadmill that can reach a minimum speed of 10 mph. Unfortunately, while athletes or fanatic runners want to run faster, these are often unavailable at this price.

Warranty

We always take warranties for granted. At least I do, speaking from experience. I would often receive the warranty paper and discard it aside, and forget about it for the longest time. However, we recommend you never ever do that, as you should always keep the warranty somewhere safe. You really aren’t aware of when you might have to use it. 

The thing about the best treadmills under 500 is that warranties usually last only for around 90 days. While that’s incredibly low, it makes sense due to the price you’re paying. However, if a treadmill is not offering a warranty, we recommend you stay as far away from it as possible. That’s never a good sign.

Weight Capacity

Most treadmills have a maximum weight capacity ranging from 150 lbs to 400 lbs. Again, you should expect a lower weight capacity for the price you’re paying. But either way, make sure that the maximum weight allowed is high enough for you to comfortably run or walk without any strain.

Use this as a general rule: invest in a treadmill that can handle a weight that is at least 50 lbs more than you currently weigh. You would want to avoid creating any excessive strain on the motor or running the risk of ruining the running belt.

Safety

The primary way treadmills ensure your safety is through the safety key. You usually attach a clasp to yourself while you run or walk, and the other side of that clip would be connected to the treadmill. It works if you accidentally fall off or stray too far away from the treadmill. It will automatically turn off.

That security measure makes sure that you do not accidentally injure yourself if you cannot handle the speed on the treadmill and end up falling off. That’s especially useful if you want to protect and kids or pets you have in the house. Most treadmills won’t even operate without this key. 

Portability & Storage

The storage aspect is pretty straightforward. What do you want to do with the treadmill when it isn’t used? Make sure that the treadmill is foldable to put it anywhere once you’re done with it. If it can fit under the bed or behind the door, that’s simply extra points for the treadmill!

As for portability, we believe everyone will eventually face that problem. You will want to move houses, give it to someone, move the treadmill to another room, or simply give it away. Hence, ensure that it is portable and not too heavy for you to handle. 

CONCLUSION

While no machine is perfect, we’ve done our research and analyzed factors you need to consider before buying any treadmill and especially in this case, when looking for the best treadmills under 500. For better guidance on your selection, we have provided several recommendations from this list.

Our top offers on the best treadmills under 500 dollars include; XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill, FlylinkTech 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill, FYC Folding Electric Treadmill for home, Ancheer 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill, and the Fannay Treadmills for home.

We believe that the power to make the right choice has always been in your hands. Only now, you’re better enlightened and in a much more suitable position to determine the perfect selection. All the best!

WHY TRUST US

To trust our process, there are three fundamental aspects of our approach. First of all, you must understand how we follow our step-by-step guides by choosing the products and how we test them. Afterward, we would want to explain our policy and why we came to be what we are as a team. The last step is meeting the group itself, comprised of two, to become more familiar with us. 

First of all, our process involves three vital steps. The first one is choosing the products we want to evaluate. We start minimizing the list to test a fewer number of products. After that, we try each individual product through an extensive process that takes around 4 months. We want to evaluate our products over an extended period to provide an adequate evaluation. 

The second and most fundamental aspect is understanding our policy. We work based on transparency, so we list all the pros and cons of each product as we have experienced it. 

Now, let’s introduce you to our team. Our founder is Elena Moreno, the soul behind Sports Gear Metry. She’s the one that lifts up our spirits overhear, and she carried the whole process from the very beginning. She’s a gym fanatic and a nutrition lover. 

On the other side of the coin, we have David Keller. He’s obsessed with working out but has managed to find his balance over time. He overcame a terrible physical body shape during his early 20s and transformed himself into what he is now; the best form of his life.

How We Pick

It’s pretty tricky to find the best treadmill under 500 dollars. The cheaper something is, the more minor qualities you’ll find. However, that’s why picking and testing these treadmills takes us around 4 months. We wanted to provide the most honest yet detailed reviews about our best treadmills. 

However, since the specifications are generally hard to find in the cheaper treadmills, we look for some basic specifications, but ones that should not be overlooked. Here is our list:

• Workout Surface: we look for running tracks at least 20 inches wide. Anything lower than that, and things would get uncomfortable very quickly. Hence, while it’s a little challenging to find ones that have more expansive surfaces on a budget, we aim to find ones with 20 inches wide. 
• Horsepower: the very low-budget treadmills have a horsepower of around 2 hp, which is incredibly low. This is aimed at people who simply want to walk on the treadmill. However, we look for ones that have a horsepower of over 2.5. That allows you to run or jog on the treadmill.
• Safety Key: while uncommon, some companies choose to cheapen out and not use safety keys for their cheaper treadmills. That is incredibly dangerous and might cause some hazards at home. Hence, we automatically eliminate any treadmill without proper safety measures. 
• Inclination: changing the angle is a vital part of it all for those who want to start off their running journey. It will strengthen your calf muscles and increase your stamina. Hence, any such options in the treadmills automatically boost the treadmill for us.
• Preset Programs: they’re not something we consciously look for, but any preset programs allow beginners to start getting into the groove of running.

How We Test

Our testing process takes 4 months in total, so we test various features that are supposed to be observed over time. Below is a short explanation of how we try the best treadmills under 500 dollars: 

Weight Limit

Every treadmill has a weight limit. However, with cheaper treadmills, the weight limit is often around 200 pounds. Some go up to 300 pounds, but these are the rare ones. Hence, we test them out by having a volunteer with a maximum limit weight or adding weights to ourselves and running. Now, we do three different stages. The first one is walking for an hour. The second is running for an hour, and the third is jogging. This process is repeated for 10 days on separate days over the 4-month testing period. 

Motor Strength

The strength, aside from measuring the sturdiness after running for hours on it, is measured through the noise it makes. We don’t have quantitative measures of the noise, but we do observe the amount of sound it makes while someone is working out on a treadmill. 

Inclination

Sometimes the inclination, as we observed, would not work correctly. It would either be unstable or give a false sense of steepness. Hence, we test all the inclination options on the treadmill for 30 minutes. The same inclination setting is tested on 5 different occasions. 

Comfort

We gather 20 volunteers and ask a group of them to run, others to jog, and others to simply walk on the treadmill. We then ask them to fill in a questionnaire about how comfortable the treadmill felt. We evaluate the space of the path. Also, we check the possibility of hitting the armrests and the easiness of the track against your feet.

Conditions

We test numerous different conditions. That includes spilling water, protein shakes, and even the occasional towel. The towel test is simply to see if it’s easy for a towel to get stuck inside the treadmill and how easy it is to take it out. Moreover, we want to see if any water or protein shake leaves stains on the track after cleaning.

Consoles

We found out that some consoles are harder to press and operate, which slowly made us lose our minds. When you’re running, you really don’t want to be jabbing away at buttons repeatedly to change the settings. Hence, we test the consoles over 4 months throughout the testing process to see whether they lose their functionality or not.