There's nothing like a good workout to uplift your mood, and running is one of the best ways to get the blood pumping and burn calories. The best smart treadmills include the usual speed and incline settings and go a step further by linking to fitness apps via Bluetooth to monitor your distance, heart rate, and other information and store it across your devices to track your progress. Premium models additionally include convenient features like touchscreens and Wi-Fi to watch your favorite shows or join other runners for virtual races.
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From Apple's most rugged watch to a smart fitness mirror and a small fitness ring with big data insight, these gadgets have a great track-record.At Pocket-lint we test laptops, tablets, and other gadgets, and sometimes we get our hands on fun gym equipment like rowing machines and treadmills to try out. For this list, we chose the best smart treadmills from reputable companies like Peloton and NordicTrack, with a range of premium and budget-friendly options to suit every buyer.
Best smart treadmills: Our favorite picks
Peloton Tread
Social running platform
The Peloton Tread offers a luxurious training experience with a 23.8-inch touchscreen and includes countless workouts and interactive experiences via the app.
- Quality construction
- One of the best fitness apps
- Large touchscreen
- Pricey
- Doesn't fold away small for storage
Peloton's Tread is an unashamedly premium product that feels solid and doesn't move or shake thanks to its non-folding 290-lb weight and spacious frame. The 20 x 59-inch running surface offers ample space for taller runners and has a shock-absorbing belt to reduce impact. You also get an industry-standard 3.0 HP motor offering a maximum speed of 12.5 mph and up to 12.5% incline.
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The Peloton Tread is the second - and slightly smaller - treadmill to come from the company. It's got a big price tag though so is it worth the money?Most people buy the Tread for its 23.8-inch touchscreen and front-facing Bluetooth speakers that link to the Peloton app for various workouts. The app doesn't just offer workouts like hikes and progressive runs but allows you to interact with other users and choose between various instructors. There's no shortage of comfort features, and the Tread has a USB charging port, 3.5mm audio, a front-facing camera, and a microphone for video chats.
The Peloton Tread doesn't come cheap, but its huge workout variety, group training, and massive display will motivate the least enthusiastic buyers to go for a run. It's the perfect fitness tool for families or individuals, although it needs adequate space because of its non-foldable design.
Sole ST90
Dual function comfort
Sole's ST90 offers a slat-belt design and manual mode for a reasonable price. It includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and Sole app access for exciting workouts.
- Slat-belt design
- Motorized and manual running modes
- 15.6-inch touchscreen
- Doesn't fold
- Isn't cheap
The Sole ST90 is one of the best options if you're looking for a modern slat-belt treadmill. Slat belts are made of individual rectangular rubber pieces joined together instead of a single piece and are generally more comfortable, durable, and quieter than their conventional counterparts. There's enough room for most runners with a large 20 x 60-inch deck, but it's for bigger spaces because of its non-foldable design.
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Sole's ST90 is one of the best slat-belt treadmills on the market because it undercuts the price of many rivals while offering a quality, dual-mode running experience. Its 15.6-inch touchscreen is a major upgrade from the older model's 10.1 LCD and offers up-to-date workouts and entertainment for buyers.
Bowflex BXT8J
Low-cost practicality
The Bowflex BXT8J is spacious, considering its foldable design, and includes USB charging and a two-month JRNY trial membership for a great price.
- Foldable design
- Sturdy design
- Includes two-month JRNY trial
- No touchscreen
- Slightly noisier than rivals
Many buyers aren't willing to pay for unnecessary touchscreens and other pricey features and need a solid treadmill at an affordable price to train on. The Bowflex BXT8J is a sturdy, foldable treadmill with a spacious 20 x 60-inch deck for around half the price of our premium options. Its 2.5 HP motor pushes it up to 12mph, with a maximum incline of 15%, which should be enough for most users.
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The Bowflex BXT8J is all about convenience and practicality and manages to feel solid and secure while still being foldable to store away. It's an excellent smart treadmill with a comfortable ride, as long as you don't mind the lack of a big display, which isn't surprising considering the price.
NordicTrack X32i
Extreme training treadmill
The Norditrack X32i takes workouts to another level with a massive deck and 40% incline combined with a 32-inch touchscreen and 30-day iFIT family membership.
- Massive 32-inch display
- Powerful motor
- Spacious
- Eye-watering price
- Huge
Buyers who don't mind paying for the most authentic running experience combined with state-of-the-art technology can try the NordicTrack X32i. This feature-packed powerhouse has a powerful 4.25 HP motor capable of 12mph and a fantastic 40% incline and -6 % decline unmatched by most of its rivals listed here. It also has a roomy 22 x 65-inch deck with ample space to sprint or climb.
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Packed full of high-tech equipment and apparatus, it could make the Huawei Watch models market-leading for all manner of sports.There's no compromise on the tech side either, with a massive 32-inch touchscreen for streaming your favorite shows or accessing the included 30-day iFIT family membership. It's worth paying for the full version if you're serious about getting fit because of the virtual running experience with simulated trails in different countries and studio workouts. An adjustable fan, 3-inch speakers, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are other features to round off the comprehensive package.
There's no escaping the X32i's huge cost factor, and its immense bulk and weight means you won't move it often once it's installed. On the other hand, it delivers an experience few home treadmills can match and justifies its cost if you use all of its impressive features.
Horizon Fitness 7.4
Practical and versatile
Horizon's Fitness 7.4 has an impressive 350-lb weight limit, and its compatibility with Zwift, Peloton, and most fitness apps makes it a practical mid-range option for plus-size buyers.
- 350-lb weight capacity
- Foldable
- Compatible with most fitness apps
- Bulky
- No touchscreen
Most treadmills have a 300-lb weight limit, but the Horizon Fitness 7.4 goes up to 350lbs and is more accommodating to plus-size buyers. It's also a fantastic mid-range option, punching well above its weight with a large, 22 by 60-inch deck and a powerful 3.5 HP motor that competes with rivals at double its price. The 12mph top speed and 15% incline are standard for this treadmill type and should be fine for most runners.
There's no large touchscreen at this price point, and it won't be a big deal for buyers wanting flexibility because they'll be able to use Zwift, Peloton, and most third-party fitness apps on their Android or iPhone. You can try the ten included workouts if you don't want to pay for a subscription, and there's a built-in heart rate monitor to keep tabs on your pulse.
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Egofit Walker Pro
Workout while you work
The Egofit Walker Pro is an innovative under-desk treadmill offering walking speeds up to 3.1 mph and a 5% incline to help remote workers keep fit.
- Compact size
- Includes a remote control
- Perfect for remote workers
- Not for running
- Limited smart features
Under-desk treadmills like the Egofit Walker Pro are perfect for remote workers or anyone looking to get their heart rate up and burn calories while working. The compact 38.39 x 21.85 x 6.89-inch (DxWxH) and 48.5-lb design won't compete against the heavier-duty treadmills in terms of performance, and it has a lower 254-lb weight limit. It fulfills a different role and tucks away under most standing desks, with the 2.0 HP motor offering walking speeds up to 3.1mph and a 5% incline to keep you active.
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These under-desk treadmills are a great solution to mobilize your remote-work setup.Keeping track of your steps, speed, distance, and other stats is a breeze with the easy-to-read display, and the Egofit Walker Pro includes a handy remote control to start and stop your walk. If you don't feel like using the remote, you can also access the treadmill via the FitShow app, which might be more beneficial because it tracks your information and saves your sessions.
Sitting for hours at a time in one place is one of the biggest drawbacks of remote working, and the Egofit Walker Pro remedies the problem with a compact and lightweight design to keep you moving. It's easy to use and reasonably priced, but it might not be enough for those who crave a more challenging workout or online classes.
AssaultRunner Pro
Self-propelled performance
The AssaultRunner Pro provides a challenging manual running experience and includes Bluetooth and ANT+ to work with the Zwift and Assault Fitness apps.
- No power required
- Burns more calories
- Can improve running form
- Manual running isn't for everyone
- Could do with a touchscreen for the price
Many runners prefer manual treadmills like the AssaultRunner Pro because they offer a challenging, self-powered workout without electricity. There's no motor to control speed or incline, and the runner's movement pushes the belt to make it work. Running on the AssaultRunner Pro feels more natural once you get used to its curved shape, and the belt's slatted design and ball-bearing system ensure it moves smoothly at any speed.
It's easy to track your speed, distance, and other performance metrics on the intuitive LCD display, and it also offers interval training, time and distance targets, and a competition mode. Connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and ANT+, but it's compatible with Assault Fitness or Zwift, so you'll never run out of workout options.
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Horizon Fitness T101
Anyone can run
Horizon's Fitness T101 is the best option for beginners because it offers USB charging, Bluetooth, and a foldable design for a fraction of its pricier rivals.
- Foldable
- Fantastic price
- Includes Bluetooth and built-in speakers
- Isn't the fastest treadmill
- Limited tech features
Quality treadmills don't need to be costly, and the Horizon Fitness T101 offers an impressive workout experience at a price accessible to most buyers. It's perfect for beginners, with a 2.5 HP motor offering a top speed of ten miles an hour and up to ten degrees of incline. For a budget option, it matches the 300-lb weight limit of its pricier rivals, and its 20 x 55-inch deck will suit all but the tallest runners.
There might not be a touchscreen, but the three LED displays adequately show the relevant workout information and enable access to the six onboard workouts. There's still Bluetooth, a USB charging port to link to your smartphone, and decent speakers for sound. The Horizon Fitness T101 won't directly link to fitness apps, but you can run them on your mobile device, which should fit on the convenient shelf.
Affordable treadmills like the Horizon Fitness T101 make it easy for anyone to work out and offer decent build quality and features despite its limited tech. Its 300lb weight limit matches some of the best, and it still offers Bluetooth and built-in speakers in a convenient foldable design.
The bottom line: Which is the best smart treadmill?
The Peloton Tread is the best smart treadmill because it has a 23.3-inch touchscreen to enjoy the accompanying fitness app. Sole's ST90 is the best premium option because it has a comfortable slat belt design and a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Anyone looking for great value can try the Bowflex BXT8J because it's reasonably priced and includes a two-month JRNY trial.
How did we pick the best smart treadmills?
Testing gadgets, tech, and exercise equipment is our specialty, and we're always trying out new models to see what they offer. We looked at features and value as the two main testing criteria for this list and tried to include options at every price point.
There's a vast difference in features between this list's high-end and budget treadmills, but they all get the job done and will help you get fit. The premium options add massive displays and other features to make the experience more luxurious, while the more affordable options leave them out to keep the price down and allow you to use your tablet instead.
Most buying decisions are based on value, so we use it as one of our main testing criteria. The high-end models listed here justify their cost with huge touchscreens, slat belts, and other innovative features, while the budget-friendly alternatives are sturdy for everyday use and have fantastic price-to-performance ratios.
Is there a treadmill I can watch Netflix on?
Many treadmills, like the Peloton Tread and Norditrack X32i, have large displays for Netflix and other streaming services.
Which treadmill brand is the best?
There are many reputable treadmill brands, like Norditrack, Peloton, and Bowflex
What are the features of a smart treadmill?
Smart treadmills store your workout information and include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity for mobile fitness apps.