The treadmill is a tool for cardio training for running or walking. There are different types of carpets, electric or magnetic, and choosing the right one is not easy. Here is a ranking which of the best treadmills of 2020 and a practical reviews buying guide with all the elements to evaluate.
There are two main types of carpets: the electric ones, which work with a motor, and the magnetic ones, where instead, the tape flows thanks to a magnetic resistance. The electric treadmill is more professional; they are used in gyms and are also the most effective and easy to use. It is enough to set the speed and run or walk on the belt that runs automatically. On the other hand, the belt flows only thanks to the strength of the movement of the legs of those who use it in magnetic treadmills. For this reason, they are not suitable for fast running, but only for walking and at best for light running.
Beyond this distinction by type of operation, it is good to know that not all treadmills are the same, some are designed for professional use, and are generally very expensive and bulky, others are instead designed for home use, they have a significantly lower cost and a smaller footprint. The choice, therefore, must be made according to your needs.
To help you make the right purchase, we have compiled a ranking of the best treadmills currently on the market, updated to 2020, selecting the best sellers and best reviewed online. After the ranking, you will also find a practical purchase guide, with all the factors to evaluate to choose the most suitable treadmill for you.
The 2020 ranking top of the best treadmill
| 1. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black |
| 2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Electric Treadmill w/ 9 Programs, 3 Manual Incline, Easy Handrail Controls & Preset Button Speeds, Soft Drop System |
| 3. MaxKare Folding Treadmill Electric Motorized Running Machine 17” Wide Tread Belt w/Incline LCD Display and Cup Holder Easy Assembly with 15 Preset Programs Perfect for Home Use |
| 4. Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill, 2.25HP Under Desk Electric Treadmill, Installation-Free, with Bluetooth Speaker, Remote Control and LED Display, Walking Jogging Machine for Home/Office Use |
| 5. Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Cadence Folding Treadmill, Easy Assembly with Bluetooth |
| 6. NordicTrack T Series Treadmills (6.5S, 6.5Si, 7.5S, 8.5S, 9.5S Models) |
| 7. Nautilus Treadmill Series |
| 8. Merax Electric Folding Treadmill – Easy Assembly Fitness Motorized Running Jogging Machine with Speakers for Home Use, 12 Preset Programs |
| 9. NordicTrack Commercial Series Treadmills + 1 year iFit membership |
| 10. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill with Auto Incline, Sound System, Bluetooth and Phone Function |
| ProGear 190 Manual Treadmill with 2 Level Incline and Twin Flywheels |
How to choose the treadmill
We have seen which are the best treadmills, and now we also see how to choose the one that best suits your needs. The first element to evaluate is the type of carpet: is an electric or magnetic treadmill better? Professional or for home use? It is also important to observe the mat’s structure, the possible training programs, the maximum speed it can reach, and the weight it can sustain.
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home, you should consider the size of the treadmill, both when open and closed, without forgetting to check the size of the running belt. Finally, elements that can be decisive in the choice are any extra functions, the materials used, and the value for money. Let’s see everything in detail.
Type
As we have anticipated, the first element to evaluate is the type of treadmill. There are two main types:
- Electric treadmill, which works thanks to an internal motor, which runs the belt on which you run or walk. You can choose between different speeds and inclinations, for a complete and effective workout. Within this category, we find both carpets for professional use, generally very expensive and bulky, with numerous extra functions, and rugs for domestic use, cheaper, foldable and with reduced performance.
- Magnetic treadmill, which does not have an internal motor, but a magnetic resistance, which makes the tape run behind the push of the legs of those who run or walk. It is more tiring to use than the electric carpet and not suitable for fast running. The performance is lower, but it is also much cheaper and less bulky than an electric carpet.
In general, the electric treadmill is suitable for those who want to use it to run, even quickly, and have no problems with space or budget. However, for those who only want a carpet for walking or light running, do not have much space to place it and do not want to spend a lot, a magnetic treadmill is more suitable.
Structure and performance
- Once the type of treadmill has been chosen, its structure and performance must be carefully evaluated. In the case of electric mats, these depend primarily on the type of motor, which can be DC or AC, i.e. direct or alternating current. The former is common in household rugs; the latter is more powerful and generally used for professional use. The engine power is expressed in horses, it goes from a minimum of 1.5 Hp to a maximum of 3.5 Hp in the models for domestic use, and reaches up to a maximum of 6 Hp in the professional ones.
- An important element for both electric and magnetic treadmills is the maximum sustainable load, which usually ranges from a minimum of 100 kg or less to a maximum of 15 kg. Obviously, the greater the weight supported, the higher the strength of the carpet.
- Finally, it is good to check that there are shock absorbers under the belt, to prevent the impact of the feet during running and to walk excessively strain the joints of the legs and back. Keep in mind that the thicker the tape, the higher the cushioning.
Programs and speeds
For effective training, it is important that the treadmill has multiple speeds and training programs. Obviously, in the case of magnetic carpets, the possibilities are limited, because the speed of the movement of the belt depends solely on the movement of the legs. For this reason, rugs of this type are not recommended for running. It is important, however, that it is possible to choose different levels of resistance, which make the movement of the belt more or less difficult and, therefore, more or less intense the training.
A common element for both types of carpet is the slope. The ideal is to choose a carpet with multiple levels of inclination, to be selected manually (in the case of magnetic carpets) or automatically (in the case of electric ones). The slope, in fact, makes the training more intense and effective.
Most electric mats also have preset training programs, which automatically adjust speed, incline, and duration. Professional treadmills are also able to monitor your heart rate and choose the most suitable plan.
- Dimensions The size of the treadmill is essential because the practicality of the tool depends on it. The carpets with a larger running surface are better, but given the size, they are not suitable for domestic use. Therefore, consider the size of the mat well, both when open and closed, making sure you have enough space to train.
- Extra functions
Some treadmills have extra accessories and features that, although not essential, can improve the quality of the workout. The most common are: - Console with LCD display
on which you can select and monitor training programs, speed, and incline. In more advanced models, the screen also indicates your heart rate and calories burned; supports for drinks, tablets, and smartphones, generally positioned on the handlebar, near the console, to have everything at hand;
inputs for mp3 players and USB ports to connect your devices and listen to music. - Materials
Materials are vital in a treadmill. The whole structure must be made of sturdy and resistant materials, making the carpet stable during the race. The tape must be thick enough to cushion the impact of the feet and resist wear. Finally, the handles must be padded and lined with anti-sweat material for optimal comfort. - Brand and price
Choosing treadmills of brands specialized in the production of sports equipment, such as Diadora and Sportstech, to name a couple, is undoubtedly a guarantee of quality. However, we must not rely only on the brand and the price. Above all, we must evaluate the technical characteristics that we have seen so far to determine if the carpet has an excellent quality-price ratio.
Where to buy the treadmill
Stores specializing in the sale of sports equipment usually also sell treadmills for home use. However, the choice is never as vast as that of large online stores, such as online stores, where there is an entire category dedicated to sports and at leisure, with hundreds of treadmills of all types and prices.
Also, online prices are usually lower than in physical stores, and there are often attractive offers. Another good reason to buy online is to read the reviews of those who purchased the product and have already had the opportunity to try it, testing its effectiveness.
