The Best Treadmills Under $500

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A treadmill for your home gym or office can be a total game changer if you’re looking to incorporate more movement into your daily life—but many options on the market can cost upwards of $1,000, and that just isn’t in everyone’s budget. So we made this list to suit a more modest budget: our top picks for the best treadmills that cost $500 or less. Each model below is unique, and designed for different users, needs or environments. Beyond our top picks, you’ll find a comprehensive buying guide on how to select a fitness treadmill under $500. We explain why a low-cost treadmill is a totally smart buy and explain the types that are available, as well as outline the individual, personal factors you should consider when choosing the best sub-$500 budget home treadmill for your needs.

Our Picks for the Best Treadmill Under $500:

• Best Folding Treadmill Under $500: LifePro Swift Treadmill
• Best Under-Desk Treadmill Under $500: WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill
• Best Incline Treadmill Under $500: Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7515
• Best Running Treadmill Under $500: Xterra TR150 Folding Treadmill
• Best Walking Treadmill Under $500: UREVO 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
• Best Treadmill Under $500 for Easy Assembly: Oma 1012 EB
• Best Mini Treadmill Under $500: WalkingPad C1 Mini Folding Walking Machine

Best Folding Treadmill Under $500: LifePro Swift Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $400
• Footprint: 50 inches long and 26 inches wide
• Warranty: Lifetime
• User weight capacity: 285 pounds
• Speed levels: One to 10 miles per hour
• Tech features: Heart rate monitor, 15 program options
• Motor: 0.75 HP

With a maximum user height of five feet four inches, this treadmill is designed for small spaces, as well as smaller people, including kids and teens. At 39 inches long, the walking belt is shorter than most full-sized treadmills, many of which have walking belts that measure closer to 49 inches long. Combined with its folding ability, it makes a great addition to a family living room or game room to help incorporate some movement into movie marathons or video gaming sessions. The LifePro Swift comes with 15 preset programs to help you burn calories, improve fitness and keep you engaged as you walk. The LED screen displays time, distance and calories burned so you can track your metric goals in real time, and built-in pulse sensors in the handrail allow you to keep tabs on your heart rate as well. Or keep it simple by using the treadmill in manual mode: Pressing the start button, and increase or decrease your walking speed in 0.1 mile per hour increments to dial in your perfect pace.

If you’re setting up this compact treadmill somewhere away from a TV, the display has a ledge so you can still prop up a tablet or phone to watch movies or read while you walk, and a USB charging port on the display panel means you won’t run out of juice mid-workout. The LifePro Swift earned an average rating of 4.9 out of five stars from 35 reviewers on LifePro’s website. Verified buyer Rebecca O. writes that the Swift is quiet and smooth running, and suits her small stature: “I’m under five foot so it really is the right height for me to manage the controls, and the length is not so long as to take up the whole room.” If you’re a shorty looking to incorporate a little more walking into your daily routine, this fun-sized treadmill might be the one for you.

Pros:

• Folds up for easy storage
• Affordable
• USB charging port and tablet holder

Cons:

• 39-inch walking belt designed to accommodate a shorter stride (users who are five foot four inches tall and under)

Best Under-Desk Treadmill Under $500: WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $499
• Footprint: 56 inches long by 21 inches wide
• Warranty: One year
• User weight capacity: 220 pounds
• Speed levels: 0.5 to 3.7 miles per hour
• Tech features: None
• Motor: 746 watt brush motor

Keep your feet moving as you chip away at that inbox with the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill. This low profile machine doesn’t have a console or front handlebars, making it easy to slide under a standing desk to use it, or under a bed or couch when you’re not. If you’re super short on storage space, good news—it also folds in half, decreasing its footprint to 33 by 21 inches, and doesn’t need any extra height clearance. An added layer of EVA foam on the underside of the walking belt helps cushion your footfalls for a quieter, more comfortable walking experience that won’t disturb your office mates.

It offers 12 speed options ranging from ​​0.5 to 3.75 miles per hour, with three options to control the pace: A remote control that displays your speed, the KS Fit app, or simply via the placement of your feet on the belt. This last mode is our favorite for adjusting our pace hands-free, so you don’t miss a beat while hammering out those spreadsheets—just move your feet closer to the front of the belt to increase speed, and further to the rear to decrease it. Staying in the middle keeps your speed constant.

From over 75 reviews on WalkingPad’s website, the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill earned an average review of 4.5 stars. Lots of users that recently transitioned into the work-from-home lifestyle found it super useful for getting enough steps and movement throughout the day as they worked or caught up on their favorite TV shows. Verified purchaser S. writes “I work from home and walk on it one to two hours per day while I work, and it’s like getting an extra workout in without thinking or planning. I’ve asked my colleagues if they can hear the noise during meetings, and they’ve all said no. It’s improved my quality of life so much!” If you’re looking to upgrade your work-from-home routine, this sleek and subtle walking treadmill offers an easy way to keep moving while you’re stuck to a keyboard.

Pros:

• No monitor stand; slides under a desk or bed easily
• Currently $100 off on Kingsmith website

Cons:

• Screen display on remote

Best Incline Treadmill Under $500: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515

Key Features:

• Price: $500
• Footprint: 65 inches long by 28 inches wide
• Warranty: Three years for structural frame, other components 180 days
• User weight capacity: 240 pounds
• Incline levels: 12; includes options between 2.6 to 12 percent grade
• Speed levels: One to eight miles per hour
• Tech features: Heart rate monitor, bluetooth connectivity
• Motor: DC

This inclining treadmill is currently on sale for less than $500 (it’s normally $700), so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include it in this list. The Sunny Health and Fitness Auto Incline Treadmill (SF-T7515) is an electric treadmill chock full of features and capability: It comes with 12 built-in workout programs and a digital monitor that displays calories burned, time countdown, distance, incline, program, pulse, speed and time. Users can choose between four instant-adjust speed options of two, four, six and eight miles per hour, or adjust their pace manually with buttons on the handrail. The treadmill also offers 12 incline options from one to 12 percent, and instant-adjust buttons that take your speed to three, six, nine or 12 percent.

The SF-T7515 is equipped with Bluetooth technology, which allows you to connect your phone to listen to music through the speakers or headphone jack. You can also receive phone calls and pause or change the song from the treadmill console. Prop your phone up on the monitor to watch a movie or workout videos as you exercise. Once you’re finished using it, the base of the SF-T7515 folds up into the console stand for easier storage, and a set of wheels allows you to relocate it to a spare room or closet out of the way.

The SF-T7515 earned an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars on Sunny Health & Fitness’ website with 99 total reviews. Verified Buyer Matalin T. left a satisfied five-star review, noting that the treadmill “Took about 20 minutes to assemble” and that “the price for this treadmill was very fair IMO considering how much it does.” For less than $500, you can incorporate inclined workouts into your indoor walking routine with the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515.

Pros:

• Automatically raises to three, six, nine or 12 percent incline via console button
• Base folds up vertically for storage

Cons:

• Not compact—one of the larger models on this list

Best Running Treadmill Under $500: Xterra TR150 Folding Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $360
• Footprint: 64 inches long by 24 inches wide
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, one year motor, 90 days deck and in-home labor
• User weight capacity: 250 pounds
• Incline levels: Three manual options
• Speed levels: 0.5 to 10 miles per hour
• Tech features: Heart rate monitor
• Motor: 2.25 HP

At $360, the Xterra TR150 rings in way below the $500 mark, offering runners an excellent alternative to running outdoors in crummy weather. A maximum speed of 10 miles per hour and a moderate walking area of 50 inches long by 16 inches wide makes this treadmill one of the better ones on this list for running workouts. Users can choose their speed between one and nine miles per hour via buttons on the LCD display monitor, or adjust it incrementally to dial in the perfect pace. A five-inch LCD display keeps you updated on speed, incline, time, distance, calories burned and heart rate (place your hands on the pulse-readers on the railing for a real-time reading).

The TR150 has 12 preset workout programs you can select to have the treadmill automatically run you through an interval session or speed progression. It also has three manual incline settings; unlike the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-T7515, you have to get off this treadmill and adjust the incline of the running belt with a metal pin system, so it’s not the kind of incline you can really use to do intervals, but it offers a good extra challenge if you want to commit to it for your whole run.

The base of the TR150 is designed to fold up into the console to save you some floor space when you’re not using it, and transport wheels under the front side of the base allow you to relocate it by simply tipping it and rolling it along the floor.

This folding treadmill has 17,193 ratings on Amazon, with an average score of 4.4 out of five stars. Verified Amazon Purchaser Kayla Burd gave it a five-star review titled “For the Money, It’s a Great Deal” writing, “It’s a very basic treadmill. No bells, no whistles, no unnecessary crap. It’s quiet, and doesn’t have a large footprint. It’s easy enough to close up. And after I figured it out, it’s easy to maintain and oil. The assembly took maybe 20 minutes.” That pretty much sums it up—get your indoor run on for less than $500 with the Xterra TR150.

Pros:

• Tied for lowest price on this list (with the Urevo 2 in 1 below)
• Maximum speed of 10 miles per hour accommodates runners

Cons:

• Incline adjusts manually
• Amazon is selling the 2017 model, so the information on the Xterra website about this product is slightly updated and may not all be correct

Best Walking Treadmill Under $500: UREVO 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

Key Features:

• Price: $360
• Footprint: 55 inches long by 27 inches wide
• Warranty: One year
• User weight capacity: 265 pounds
• Speed levels: 0.6-3.8 miles per hour in walk mode, up to 7.6 mph in run mode
• Tech features: None
• Motor: 2.5 horsepower

The Urevo 2 in 1 is a great foldable treadmill option for users looking for a treadmill specifically for walking on while working at a standing desk or for some at-home exercise. It’s only about five inches thick, so it won’t boost you so tall that you can’t reach your elevated desktop while you stand on it. The name comes from the fact that it has a walking mode and a running mode, depending on the position of the upright frame. Another benefit to the simplicity of this model is how easy it is to get started on it—it’s ready to roll right out of the box.

With the upright frame folded down in walking mode, the Urevo 2 in 1 has a speed range of 0.6 to 3.8 miles per hour, ideal for anyone looking to add some moderate movement or light cardio to their daily routine. If you lift the arms and console to put the treadmill into running mode, it can speed up to accommodate a pace up to 7.6 miles per hour.

The console is pretty basic, with a device stand to hold a phone or tablet, and an integrated LED display that shows your time, speed, distance and calories burned. It does not support Bluetooth connectivity, so there’s no accompanying app. So if you’re keen on recording your mileage and progress, this treadmill is best used with an activity tracker or smartwatch. With the console raised, you can start, stop and adjust your speed with buttons on the interface. If you’ve got the console lowered and tucked under a desk, you can still control it with the included remote.

The running surface is 17 inches wide and 42.5 inches long, which is on the normal-to-narrow side of the spectrum of treadmills on this list. This makes it less-than-ideal for extra tall users or runners with a wide or long gait. If you’re looking for something light-duty to help you incorporate some extra movement into your daily routine, the Urevo 2 in 1 might be right for you.

Pros:

• Low profile for an office or apartment
• Remote control allows for easy speed adjustment in walking mode

Cons:

• No Bluetooth connectivity

Best Treadmill Under $500 for Easy Assembly: Oma 1012 EB

Key Features:

• Price: $500
• Footprint: 58 inches long by 33 inches wide
• Warranty: One year
• User weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Speed levels: 0.6 to 8.7 miles per hour
• Tech features: Heart rate monitor
• Motor: 2.25 Horsepower

Although many walkers and runners love the idea of a personal treadmill at home, the assembly process can be a bit daunting or prohibitive. While most of the treadmills in this list come partially or mostly assembled, our top pick for easy-assembly treadmill is the Oma 1012 EB. Verified purchasers in the Q&A section on Amazon attest to the simplicity of putting it together. Amazon buyer William Gaius writes, “You need to insert four bolts, that’s all, and the tools are provided.” Amazon Buyer Paige P. also notes how easy it is, stating that “It almost comes assembled, very easy to put together. You just need to unfold it and screw some screws.”

In addition to its easy assembly, this steel-framed treadmill is sturdy and well-equipped for a range of walks and runs. It comes with 36 preset programs and three countdown modes that allow you to track the metrics that are important to you. A digital screen displays your steps, time, speed, distance, pulse (monitor on the handrail) and calories burned. It’s designed to be quiet too; the motor operates at less than 60 decibels, so you’ll get fewer noise complaints from your downstairs neighbor. The handrail offers a little adjustment in height: you can set it up anywhere from 35 to 37 inches tall, so you can prop up your tablet or phone to watch your favorite POV run edits or Brittney music videos at just the right angle. The handrails also fold down against the base for easier storage under a bed or in a closet.

Pros:

• Minimal assembly required—four screws

Cons:

• No incline options

Best Mini Treadmill Under $500: WalkingPad C1 Mini Folding Walking Machine

Key Features:

• Price: $480
• Footprint: 57 inches long and 21 inches wide
• Warranty: One year
• User weight capacity: 220 pounds
• Incline/speed levels: 12 speed levels, no incline
• Tech features: Remote control with display screen
• Motor: 746 watt brushed DC motor

If you typically spend most of the day at a desk, a low-profile under desk treadmill can help you get more movement throughout your work day. The WalkingPad C1 Mini Folding Walking Machine is one such treadmill and is available for less than $500. It offers 12 speed options ranging from ​​0.5 to 3.75 miles per hour, with three options to control the pace: a remote control, an app or with the placement of your feet on the belt. This last mode is our favorite for adjusting our pace hands-free, so you don’t miss a beat while hammering out those spreadsheets—just move your feet closer to the front of the belt to increase speed, and further to the rear to decrease it. Staying in the middle keeps your speed constant. The WalkingPad C1 Mini doesn’t have a console or front stand, making it easy to slide under a standing desk to use it, or under a bed or couch for storage. If you’re super short on space, good news—it also folds in half, decreasing its footprint to 34 by 21 inches, adding less than an inch to its unfolded height of 4.6 inches.

On WalkingPad’s website, the C1 Mini earned an average of 4.4 stars out of five from 29 reviewers. Multiple purchasers reported that it was “virtually silent,” making it a great option for open-concept offices or if you are someone’s upstairs neighbor in an apartment complex. Verified Buyer A. A. writes, “After using it for nearly 10 days, I feel that I have fallen in love with walking. There is no noise, easy to operate, and a good choice for home exercise.” For a simple, foldable solution to incorporating gentle movement into your day, consider the WalkingPad C1 Mini Folding Walking Machine.

Pros:

• Folds in half for easier storage
• Very quiet

Cons:

• No incline options
• Only speeds up to 3.75 miles per hour

How to Choose the Best Treadmill Under $500 for You

There are a wide variety of models in this price range, and with that comes a wide variety of capability as well. Before selecting a treadmill, think about what your goals are. Do you want to use it under a standing desk? Or sneak in some steps while you’re watching TV in your studio apartment? Are you going to start training for a 5k this spring? Once you’ve narrowed down what you want to achieve with your treadmill, you can consider the features you’ll need to reach that goal. If you want to keep a record of your time and distance, you’ll want a model that tracks that information. Planning to put it in your office? Check out models that have a low-decibel motor so you don’t disturb your coworkers. If you’re targeting certain heart rate zones for fitness or fat burning, you might consider a treadmill that has a built-in pulse reader. f you want to use a treadmill for running as well as walking, make sure the models you’re shopping have a higher maximum speed to accommodate that. The other factor to consider when purchasing a treadmill under $500 is the space you have for using it and storing it. Most manufacturers will list the floor space required or “footprint”, along with the height so you know how much room you’ll need to accommodate it. Some fold up vertically to conserve floor space when not in use. Others have consoles that fold down to slide into small closets or storage spaces, and some don’t have handlebars at all. In addition to these main factors, there are some other small considerations below that can help you choose the right treadmill under $500 for you.

Pros of Buying a Treadmill Under $500

One of the biggest draws to buying a treadmill under $500 is the low initial investment. For as little as one-third of the price of other treadmills available, you can dip a toe in the water of at-home walking workouts to see if you prefer it over the gym or outdoors. And this way, you’re not losing out a grand or more if it happens to wind up as a clothes rack once the weather gets warm again. Also, whether you’re walking on a $500 treadmill or a $1,500 treadmill, you’ll still get a workout and reap the health benefits.

Cons of Buying a Treadmill Under $500

When people use the phrase “you get what you pay for,” there is generally a bit of sarcasm behind it, but it has a bit of truth in this sense. Most of the treadmills in this list are pretty basic, with less connectivity options than higher-priced models, shorter warranty times, manual incline options and potentially less durable manufacturing materials.

What to Consider When Buying a Treadmill Under $500

Speed

Depending on whether you plan to use your treadmill to walk, run or both, consider the top speed the treadmill is capable of. The ones designed for walking usually have a top speed of less than four miles per hour, while the ones that can accommodate a running pace max out somewhere between eight and 10 miles per hour.

Size

Consider the space you plan to use it in, and take measurements of what length, width and height you have room for. The manufacturer will list these dimensions on their site so you can get an accurate sense of whether or not a certain model will fit in your space. If you’re interested in storing your treadmill in a spot separate from where you’ll be using it, make sure you’ve taken the measurements you need there as well. Some treadmills fold up or have wheels (or both) to make it easier to relocate them to a smaller space for discrete storage.

If you are a tall person or take very long strides, it’s also worth looking into the size of the running belt to make sure it’s going to be wide and long enough to comfortably accommodate your gait.

Incline

Most treadmills in this price range don’t have an automatic inclining function—except for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 which is on sale to qualify for this list, but some do have a manual version. This is something you have to hop off the treadmill and adjust with a tool or key, and usually only offered in a few settings, but can still achieve the desired effect of incorporating incline training into your workout, just not in quick intervals that would simulate hills.

Workouts

First and foremost, consider what you want to use your machine for. This may seem like a no-brainer, but not all treadmills were created equal. If you plan to walk slowly and steadily in front of a standing desk, your needs as far as program capability are pretty minimal. But if you’re going to focus on increasing your speed and endurance through walking or running, it can be helpful to have to buy a treadmill with built-in workout programs to keep your mind and body engaged and continue to see progress in your fitness.

Cost

While each treadmill on this list costs no more than $500, some are at an even lower price point. The lowest-cost treadmills above are the Urevo 2 in 1 and the Xterra Fitness TR, both at $360. You can find models at even lower prices than that, but in keeping with the “you get what you pay for” theme, we don’t recommend them for any sort of longevity or dependability.

Related Post: The Best Treadmills Under $1,000

FAQs

How long will a treadmill under 500 last?

Depends on how well you take care of it! Give it a few good shakedown runs before the warranty runs out to make sure all the parts you received are in good shape, and get replacements if something is amiss. The only regular maintenance most treadmills need is to lubricate the running belt, and a few on this list come with the lubrication included with purchase (if yours doesn’t you can find it here).

Do I need an expensive treadmill?

Nope! You just need a treadmill that will fit your needs. There are many options that cost considerably more than the models on this list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will deliver you a better workout.

Final Thoughts

When you’re shopping for a treadmill, there is no shortage of fancy models with options, features and connectivity—and those can definitely enhance your workout experience. But when you get right down to it, these treadmills that cost less than $500 have everything you need to get moving from the convenience of your home or office and help you reach your fitness goals.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.