The best treadmills for running in the comfort of your home
Grab one of the best treadmills and hit the ground running to help smash your fitness goals
The world's best treadmill: in the end, it's the one that you actually want to get on. Whether you're a devoted follower of 12-3-30, an interval sprinter or an under-desk stroller, the right piece of kit can help to motivate you on days you're not feeling so fired up. If you're sick of queueing at your local gym but want to keep your 2024 fitness goals turning over, it might be time to think about adding a home use gadget to your list of sports wants — alongside that new pair of On running trainers and Satisfy running shorts.
The proverbial cardio potatoes to the strength training meat that is a sturdy set of dumbbells and kettlebells, the running machine is a non-negotiable piece of gym equipment, present and correct in even the smallest of hotel gyms. That's because, like the cross trainer it's a surefire way to burn fat and boost heart health, and — like the rowing machine and exercise bike — has the power to turbo-boost your performance in the real world.
While it may seem like a lot to fork out on, then, making a treadmill a part of your abode can actually save you money long-term on gym memberships you rarely use, and even make you more likely to actually get your miles and steps in.
Like clean bedding on a new mattress, there's nothing quite like the feeling of running shoes on a fresh and bouncy new treadmill belt, whether it be a foldable affair that'll melt into the background of your lounge or a commercial gym model replete with live classes. So without further ado, join us as we sift through our top picks of the best treadmills that fitness brands have to offer in 2024.
What's the best treadmill 2024?
If you're on a sub £1,000 budget, JTX has the affordable and user-friendly all-rounder for you. The Sprint-5 packs in twelve incline levels, a top speed of 18kph and an in-built stereo system in a foldable package that'll fit neatly in the corner of your lounge.
Simple. Efficient. Affordable. Mobvoi's Treadmill Pro has a minimalistic design and top speeds of 12 kmh. A slip of a foldable running machine, this is ideal for walking at your standing desk or getting in basic treadmill workouts.
With a tonne of options available for those of you with bulging budgets, we'll happily point you in the direction of NordicTrack and its Goliath Commercial 1750. An expansive incline range, a top speed of 22 kph (!), a 14" HD display and a suite of in-built training capabilities, this is a high-end treadmill for big spenders (plus, it has a ten-year motor warranty).
- Best all-round treadmill: JTX Sprint 5,
£899£849 at jtxfitness.com - Best budget treadmill: Mobvoi Home,
£299.99£260.99 at amazon.co.uk - Best treadmill without subscription: WalkingPad X21, £699 at amazon.co.uk
- Best premium treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750,
£2,799£2,499
at nordictrack.co.uk - Best treadmill for live classes: Peloton Tread,
£3,345£3,045 at onepeloton.co.uk
SKIP TO: Which is the best treadmill to use at home? | What's the best treadmill for weight loss? | Which brand of treadmill is best? | How much should I pay for a good treadmill? | Do treadmills use a lot of electricity? | Do you need a surge protector for a treadmill?
Which is the best treadmill to use at home?
While every living space will benefit from different kinds of treadmill, there are a few things that every home could benefit from. The first is foldability: even the largest of machines often come with the functionality to fold in half, a boon for even those without enormous square footage. The most important thing of all is to measure your space before you pull the financial trigger. If that's all gravy, you'll next want to consider things like speed and incline: does the treadmill you're considering reach the kind of challenging levels you're looking to reach? Lastly, consider how important immersive home workouts are to you. Some prefer the simple LED reporting of old school machines; others will be unmoved by anything that doesn't come with its own in-built personal trainer.
What's the best treadmill for weight loss?
As with cross trainers, rowing machines, exercise bikes and so on, the best treadmill for losing weight is the one that you think you'll actually use on the regular. Every treadmill — from the extremely simple to the wildly souped-up — has the capacity to transform your fitness. So long as you regularly use yours, combine it with other forms of exercise and eat a largely healthy diet, you should see differences.
Which brand of treadmill is best?
There are an increasing number of brands creating treadmills for the home and gym alike. Every one featured in this list comes from a reputed provider that we would recommend. Having said that, some of our favourites for longevity are NordicTrack, JTX, TechnoGym and Peloton.
How much should I pay for a good treadmill?
You can still pick up a treadmill for the £500 and under mark (yes, even in this economy). These models are best reserved for those who want to walk at their desk or else hit some light jogs, though they often also have the benefit of being smaller and more easily stored. For something more robust, long-lasting and conducive to challenging workouts, you're looking at £1,000 or above. For something that includes a HD screen and fitness app inclusion, expect to pay up to £3,500.
Do treadmills use a lot of electricity?
A sensible question in a cost of living crisis. Unfortunately, the answer is a vague “it depends”. How fast you run, what incline settings you opt for and how often you use it are all factors. On the whole, the overall impact shouldn't be too bad, though, especially considering how much you'll be using it in comparison to a TV or computer.
Do you need a surge protector for a treadmill?
Because of the amount of power they can draw, it's recommended that you plug your treadmill into a surge protector to help minimise damage from electrical currents. This also helps protect any delicate components in the onboard computer system too. As always, it's a good idea to do everything you can to protect any investment you have an on the horizon.
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