It is a common misconception in the fitness world that you have to invest tens of thousands of dollars before ending up with decent gym or workout equipment.
But this couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Contrary from what most people think, there has been a steady inception of low-budget models of treadmills (priced under $500) that are gradually shifting the landscape and enabling more people to maintain a well-trim profile without necessarily breaking the bank.
So buckle up and let’s shed some crucial light on this.
5 Best Treadmills for Running Under $500 (or close)
1. Xterra TR150 Treadmill
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill
3. Exerpeautic TF900
4. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
5. ProForm Cadence Treadmill
Our Top Choice: Sunny Health & Fitness
9 Built-in workout programs with large LCD displays time, distance, speed, calories burned and pulse. Convenient smart phone/tablet holder is included to fit different devices
Here is a quick comparison chart of the 5 Best Treadmills for Running Under $500
PRO TIP: BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEW TREADMILL
There are quite a few things that you need to bear in mind before purchasing or window shopping for a new treadmill.
Don’t let that attractive (sub $500) price tag tempt you into forgetting about the following:
1. Do you Need it for Running or Walking?
Some models of treadmills are meant to be used strictly for walking, while some can serve as either running or slow strolling treadmills.
So it is imperative that you choose the right equipment for the kind of workout that you think will dominate your cardio sessions.
2. The Size
This goes hand-in-hand with the space that you have available at home or in your gym and workout office.
The rule of the thumb here is that your treadmill should be placed in a way that there is plenty of space left for accessing the equipment.
Additionally, it is also advisable to make sure that the treadmill and its related accessories will fit through doorways, stairs and entryways leading up to your home or apartment – especially if you’re planning on having it stand in your basement or topmost floor.
Speaking of floor, if you need a treadmill mat we break down which ones are really good for carpet, & hardwoods here.
3. Extra Additional Features
Apart from the basic locomotion simulation feature, some modern and newer models come equipped with custom program options, heart rate monitors, shock absorbers, progress data recording and storage capabilities, etc.
Obviously, there is no use in buying a treadmill with too many unnecessarily features that you’re barely going to use.
Comprehensive Reviews of the 5 Best Treadmills Under $500
1. Xterra TR150 Treadmill
This budget-friendly machine is perfect for those who want to spend less than $500 on a quality treadmill without an overwhelming number of bells and whistles. It is also the highest rated among the treadmills on this list.
I personally tested this one and the others on this list and can tell you this is by far the best value. Most of these treadmills I was able to buy at yard sales so I was able to save a bunch of money and test them for you.
At only 108lbs with a folding deck design, this treadmill covers all your basic needs. The quiet 2.25 HP motor and XTRASoft Cushioned Deck make this 16”x50” running surface ultra-smooth.
There are 12 preset programs, a manual program, and 3 manual incline options that bring variety to your training routine.
I like the BIG BUTTONS!
For a more comprehensive review of all of the features, benefits and other important details on the Xterra TR150 check out this article.
- Large 16" X 50" Walking/Running Surface Accommodates Users Of Many Sizes And Stride Lengths
- Intuitive 5" Lcd Display Is Easy To Read And Keeps You Updated On Speed, Incline, Time, Distance, Calories And Pulse
- 12 Preset Programs And 3 Manual Incline Settings Offer Unmatched Variety For Your Workouts
- Easy Pull Knob Releases The Deck To Fold Or Unfold For Convenient Storage When Not In Use
The large 5” LCD display tells you your speed, incline, time, distance, calories, and pulse (measured on the handlebars) make sure that you are hitting your goals for every workout.
Maxing out at 10mph, this machine boasts quick access speed buttons that allow you to adjust your pace throughout your run.
For the multi-taskers who enjoy an at-home walk, jog, or run, you’ll be pleased with the integrated media shelf and accessory holder that will hold your tablet, book, mp3 player, water bottle, and other workout necessities.
As you can see, this machine is perfect for someone who wants a basic, entry-level treadmill to accomplish their fitness goals.
In inevitable, that when researching the good value treadmills that have a high number of reviews that you run into the Xterra TR150 and the Weslo Cadence G 5.9. To help you decide which one might be better for you, this article should help.
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill
Currently one of the best and most versatile treadmills below $500, the Sunny Health and Fitness treadmill is relatively easy to assemble and lightweight as well.
On top of this, it comes with a large display screen and pre-fitted with 9 workout programs which are bolstered with three mechanical incline positions for that ideal workout and cardio session.
- 2.20 peak HP drive system provides speeds of 0.5 - 9 MPH along with 3 manual options for adjusting recline levels (0%, 2%, 4.37%)
- Designed for a max user weight of 220 lbs. with 49 L x 15.5W inches of running surface
- Easy folding mechanism and soft drop system helps you unfold your treadmill safely and hands free
- Handrail controls allow you to control speed, start and stop. Pause function - Press the stop button once to stop the belt and pause your run while keeping your current data and running stats intact
- 9 Built-in workout programs with large LCD displays time, distance, speed, calories burned and pulse. Convenient smartphone/tablet holder is included to fit different devices
As far as portability goes, the Sunny Health & Fitness equipment can fold easily and is far narrower than the conventional treadmills that you will come across in a gym store.
What’s more, given that it’s lighter than some other models and easy to fold up, means that the
Sunny would make a perfect workout machine if you plan to use in a spare room or even your living room.
From an overall value perspective, this treadmill is also on the best budget ones on the market.
Read all about the features and benefits for the Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill here in the in-depth review.
3. Exerpeautic TF900
Runners you might have to sit out on this one. The Exerpeutic is a versatile, well-built treadmill for slow jogging and walking.
It maxes out at a 4 MPH and comes fitted with ultra-long safety handles for those of us that prefer that extra stability when jogging or strolling.
- In-home treadmill designed for fitness walking, 4 MPH maximum speed
- 1.5 HP motor for reliable performance; ground-level walking surface and wide side rails
- LCD displays time, distance, calories burned and speed for easy reference. Quiet High Torque Motor to ensure smoothness and durability
- Folds for space-saving storage and moves easily on built-in wheels. Electric treadmill setup weight- 110 pounds
- 350-pounds maximum user weight, 1-year warranty for frame and 5 years for motor
It runs quietly and glides smoothly unlike other models that have noisy motors.
Therefore, if you’re looking for something that won’t wake your sleeping toddler or disrupt the neighbor downstairs,( and still costs less than $500 ), then this is your perfect fit.
The icing on the cake is that despite the low price tag, the TF900 comes with an impressive 5-year frame and motor warranty.
For an in-depth review of the next step up the TF1000 comprehensive review check out this article.
4. Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
I ended up purchasing this one used from a Yard Sale and snapped the photos before I brought it home.
Priced around $300 in most gym equipment outlets, the Weslo Cadence is a budget top-selling model that is equipped with 6 built-in workout programs and a heart rate monitor to boot.
It does not take up a lot of space and the actual running tread is rather slender.
It's arguably the most popular budget treadmill and because of the price point, size, value and durability it is also one of the most recommended for those living in an apartment.
- Weslo Cadence G 5.9 Treadmill
As far as the top speed goes, the Weslo Cadence can do a maximum of 10mph – implying that it can the well-cushioned tread platform can handle slow runs as well as brisk walks.
The control area is easy to use and the buttons are large.
Other than this, this Cadence machine runs quite smoothly and a has a badge of certification from top fitness professionals.
Folding it up was quite easy. It weighs a little over 45 pounds so moving it was a little bit of work. I did notice that it did not have wheels to move it.
For the complete, more in-depth review, check out this article
5. ProForm Cadence Treadmill
Being a wide machine, the ProForm has an 16″ by 50″ cushioned tread platform. Despite this, it can fold up and be stashed away pretty easily, thus complementing its easy-to-install standing.
This treadmill is a simple, basic treadmill without a ton of features. I do like how it folds up. I visited a trucker buddy of mine who had his for sale and snapped a photo of how it folds up.
A combination of this makes the $500 treadmill an excellent choice for top performers.
This space-saving treadmill features a cutting-edge Reflex deck. This flexible treadmill deck is precision-engineered to soften more impact than other types of cushioning. With iFit (membership sold separately), you gain access to live and on-demand workouts led by elite trainers.
Large LCD Window Display & large 16" x 50" Tread Belt
Speaking of which, as far as functionality goes, the ProForm comes with 8 workout apps, multiple LCD displays, and has the provision for a 10% inclination for those highly intensive workouts.
A blend of all these sets it as the perfect workout companion especially if you plan on keeping track of your performance and fitness progress over a long period.
The Bottom Line: 5 Best Treadmills for Running Under $500
Having a treadmill at the comfort of your home will save you that occasional expensive trip to the gym and it also makes you less likely to procrastinate or fall out from your workout regimen.
From space-saving to simplicity to decent built-in fitness apps, these 5 low budget treadmills offer most of the things that you would find in high-end models but without compromising on safety and basic functionality.
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Hi, Jeremy Here,
I am the the guy behind Train for a 5K. On this site, I share everything that learned along my running journey. The content I create is the running training I wish I had before we started this journey. About Me.
Last update on 2023-06-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API