Treadmills provide an easy way to keep yourself fit without having to leave your house. There is a number of quality models at a reasonable price to ensure your machine will last for decades. We researched the options available on the market to determine the best treadmill under 2000 dollars that is equipped with versatile and user-friendly features.
After considering about 20 different models, we have compiled five of the best treadmills on the market based on functionality, pricing and the number of workout programs. Among this is NordicTrack Commercial 1750 which gives you access to more than 16,000 programs through its app and free iFit membership for one year. It eliminates guesswork by adjusting speed and recline angle automatically to fit your chosen program. The top-rated treadmill on Amazon has weight capacity of 300 pounds and speed of up to 12 miles per hour.
One of the key features we analyzed during our research is the weight limit that can accommodate most users. We also evaluated the maximum speed and the incline angle for serious running sessions that involve a fast-paced or complex workout. Another factor we considered when reviewing the best treadmill under 2000 is the design and dimensions of the incline of the model for convenient placement. This article consists of different sections: a comparison table, detailed reviews of the features of each product we have recommended, and a comprehensive buying guide with everything you need to know before making your purchase. We have also included an FAQ section at the end.
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Editor’s Choice: NordicTrack Commercial 1750"This sturdy-made model boasts of a high weight capacity, incredible number of workout programs available via an app, and a Bluetooth enabled 10-inch color display."
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Premium Choice: Bowflex BXT216"A treadmill with a 400-lb weight capacity, SoftDrop technology, and 11 inbuilt workout programs."
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Best for Multiple Fitness Apps: Nautilus T618"This machine can speed up to 12MPH, incline up to 15% and connect to your smartphone to sync with any of your fitness apps."
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Best Value: Sole Fitness TD80"A great addition to your home office, this model will let you work and workout simultaneously; the desk height is adjustable."
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Best Home Treadmill : Spirit Fitness XT285"Despite having an impressive weight capacity, this model features a handy foldable design which makes it ideal even for smaller homes."
Top 5 Treadmills under $2000 Review 2021
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 – Editor’s Choice
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
- Workout programs: 16,000+ (through the app)
- Max. speed: 12MPH
- Incline: up to 15%
- Dimensions: 81.2 x 39.2 x 69.9 inches
More features: 1-year free iFit membership; 10-inch color display
While Bowflex BXT216 (which follows this option) wins in weight capacity, NordicTrack Commercial 1750 takes the crown on our list for the sheer number of fitness programs that you can access through its iFit App. It features 16,000 training workouts which are streamed on a 10-inch interactive HD screen. Upon purchase, you will also enjoy free iFit membership for a year.
You can increase the incline by up to 15%, set the speed to a maximum of 12 miles per hour and an additional bar provides sufficient support for weight limit of 300 pounds and high impact sessions.
Owners find the deck smooth and comfortable, the incline fast and accurate, the screen visible, and the App versatile for hiking, cardio, strength and running on trails in several parts of the world. The unit will adjust your speed and incline automatically to match the terrain you select.
The Bluetooth works well when playing music even from a distance, and the speakers produce clear and loud sound.
With dimensions of 81.2 x 39.2 x 69.9 inches, this is a fairly large treadmill but you can fold it to reduce its footprint for storage. Ideally, you should have it assembled by a professional.
Some of the buyers experienced frozen screens and others had difficulty with searching for the workouts in the App. Otherwise, this is among the best rated treadmills for running under 2000 for both newbies and marathon runners. It also comes with a built-in fan and a number of storage compartments.
What stands out?
- Numerous fitness programs
- Free 1-year iFit membership
- Versatile range of speed and incline
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 10-inch HD screen
- Good sound system
- Integrated fan
- Foldable design
What cons did we manage to find?
- Complicated search feature
- Screen freezes at times
Bowflex BXT216 – Premium Choice
- Weight capacity: 400 lbs.
- Workout programs: 11
- Max. speed: 12MPH
- Incline: up to 15%
- Dimensions: 85 x 39 x 55 inches
More features: 9-inch color LCD display; SoftDrop technology
Our Premium Choice offers similar warranty coverage to Nautilus T618 but it has a lot more advanced features. Bowflex BXT216 also has the highest weight capacity among the products we have reviewed as the best home treadmills under 2000. It supports maximum weight of 400 pounds.
The treadmill features settings for four different users and 11 built-in fitness programs with several virtual training lessons and trails that automatically adjust the speed for you. You select these programs on the 9-inch back-lit LCD screen which is large enough to see without straining your eyes.
The belt is protected by 2.75-inch rollers for smooth movement. A gas shock Softdrop system lets you fold the deck gently and intuitive gel buttons allows for quick change of incline angle and speed. Other notable features include a built-in fan, slots for water bottles and an audio cable.
We like the roomy running path of 22 x 60 inches which is also impact-absorbent and the inclusion of Bowflex JRNY App with daily personalized workouts and feedback as well as real time coaching.
Experienced users who rate this as the best treadmill for running under 2000 appreciate the workmanship, high speed limit of 12 miles per hour and the incline level of up to 15% which makes the workouts more challenging.
Reported issues include motor delay when you accelerate, malfunctioning of some features after a few months, and a short pause before the treadmill considers the workout complete. A number of buyers were also disappointed that they could not play music with Bluetooth unless they use an adapter.
Why is it special?
- Up to 15% incline
- Large display
- High weight limit
- 11 programs and 4 user profiles
- Softdrop technology
- Includes fan and storage slots
- Personalized coaching App
- Spacious deck surface
What are the flaws?
- Slow to change speed
- Short pause duration
- App requires paid subscription
Nautilus T618 – Best for Multiple Fitness Apps
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
- Workout programs: 26
- Max. speed: 12MPH
- Incline: up to 15%
- Dimensions: 72.2 x 35.2 x 57.6 inches
More features: Bluetooth connectivity; Nautilus Trainer 2 App available
What makes Nautilus T618 a contender for the best treadmill for running under 2000 is the high speed of 12 miles per hour, its Bluetooth function, the trainer App, and compatibility with other fitness tracking software such as UA Record, Explore the World and MyFitnessPal.
It also syncs with the RunSocial App where you can exercise with other runners around the world in real time. There are 19 locations and 27 routes of varied complexity so you can choose the one that matches your needs.
Additionally, this treadmill boasts of a 20 x 60 inches running surface, diverse range of incline angle of up to 15%, speed, and incline controls within reach on the handrails.
The 3-ply belt is 2.5 mm thick and a rebound deck cushioning provides a soft path to protect you from injuries. The belt includes 2.75-inch crowned rollers that limit the noise level to a low hum.
Nautilus T618 is powered by a 3.5-HP motor. It has a weight limit of 350 pounds and a total of 26 programs. Speed increment is after every 2 units.
Two backlit LCD display the active settings and your current progress while the media tray provides safe storage for your laptop or MP3 player. A cable is included with the product to connect to the integrated speakers. There is also a USB port to charge your device.
Lastly, you will enjoy a long warranty of 15 years for the motor and frame, 5 years for other components and 2 years for labor.
We like the thick belt, dual displays and compatibility with several Apps although this treadmill is quite large and heavy and some owners struggled to assemble it.
What are our favorite features?
- Wide incline range
- Thick belt
- Two screens
- Several programs
- Includes USB port and media tray
- Long warranty
- Syncs with multiple Apps
What could be better?
- Takes substantial space
- Hard to assemble
Sole Fitness TD80 – Best Value
- Weight capacity: 325 lbs.
- Workout programs: 3
- Max. speed: 4MPH
- Incline: not specified
- Dimensions: 78 x 47 x 57 inches
More features: 47 x 31 usable desk; adjustable desk height
Treadmill desks such as Sole Fitness TD80 are convenient because they allow you to work out as you work on your computer or during a conference call. The affordable model comes in a foldable design that can fit in a small office at home, and a 47 x 31 usable desktop with adjustable height.
This treadmill is made of high grade welded steel that supports weight limit of 325 pounds. The walking surface measures 20 x 50 inches and the deck is cushioned to ease joint impact by 40%. It is equipped with a 2.5-HP motor for continuous performance, three inbuilt workout programs and speed of 0.5 to 4 miles per hour.
An LCD screen displays the speed, time, distance, calories and the option to scan, stride, step or mute the treadmill. Side-bar controls toggle the speed and a lever adjusts the height of the desktop to a position that is comfortable for you so you won’t need to hunch over your laptop or tiptoe to operate it.
Another quality that makes this model the best home office treadmill under 2000 is the flywheels and patented roller technology that ensures smooth movement for quiet sessions. However, you cannot convert it to only a regular treadmill unlike some of the treadmill desks with that flexibility. Sole Fitness TD80 also lacks incline function and the option to pause an active session.
What are its best features?
- Convenient desktop with adjustable height
- Cushioned deck
- Foldable design
- LCD display
- Quiet
- Budget-friendly
What could be improved?
- Few programs
- No incline function
- No traditional treadmill option
- Session cannot be paused
Spirit Fitness XT285 – Best Home Treadmill
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
- Workout programs: 8
- Max. speed: 12MPH
- Incline: up to 12%
- Dimensions: 80 x 35 x 58 inches
More features: handlebar mounted toggles; accessory storage; folding design
Spirit Fitness XT285 comes with eight workout programs comprising of cardio, fat burn, strength, interval, manual, hill, and two heart rate settings. It features integrated grips for hand pulse and a strap to keep track of your heart rate.
The foldable home treadmill under 2000 inclines at a maximum angle of 12% and the speed adjusts from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour at increments of 0.1 MPH for a customized session. Incline and speed buttons are conveniently located on the handlebars for quick access.
Spirit Fitness XT285 has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds. Lift Assist and Safe Drop features enable you to fold or lower the running deck safely.
Accessory holders provide storage for your refreshments, remote control, or your phone which you can connect to the Spirit Fit App via Bluetooth to monitor your workout stats.
Owners also like the extensive warranty, the spacious belt of 20 x 60 inches with ample running room, and the 7.5-inch backlit LCD screen where you can easily view 10 types of information as you exercise. It displays the Time, Distance, Speed, Elevation, Calories, Pace, Altitude, Laps, Segment Time, and Heart Rate.
The main complaint is the App which failed to connect for several users although it is a minor drawback.
What stands out?
- 8 programs
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in accessory storage
- Foldable design
- Includes heart rate monitoring features
- Performance tracking App
- Quick-access controls
What cons did we manage to find?
- App does not connect
Features to consider while choosing a treadmill
The treadmills for running under 2000 that we have reviewed are designed to be long-term investments that offer you various workout options without costing a fortune. Below we will discuss the criteria we used to compare the products and compile the top picks.
Weight capacity
Looking at the brands available on the market, residential models have weight limit ranging from 300 to 325 pounds. Bowflex BXT216 has an impressive weight capacity of 400 pounds, making it the best home treadmill under 2000 for heavy individuals.
Workout programs
One of the benefits of the home treadmills under 2000 dollars we have reviewed is that they offer you instant access to several preset workout programs that you can select at the touch of a button. This ranges from only three programs for treadmill desks such as Sole Fitness TD80 since they are designed for light and short walking sessions as you work.
On the other hand, you have NordicTrack Commercial 1750 with more than 16,000 programs on its iFit App and Bowflex BXT216 with real time coaching and daily customized workouts that are available to subscribers.
Spirit Fitness XT285 features two built-in settings to monitor your heart rate as well as other programs for cardio, fat burn, strength, interval, manual, and hill exercises.
But there always might be an option that you will be willing to choose even more challanging type of the workout rather than treadmill. And in that case we can recommend you to look for the best elliptical under 1500, which will even save you a bunch of money, or to try out the best water rowing machine option, whith which you’ll feel what the real sport is all about.
Maximum speed, increments
A high speed limit is ideal because you can upgrade to tougher fast-paced workouts if you wish. This is what makes NordicTrack Commercial 1750 the best treadmill for running under 2000 for professional training. It has a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour. Spirit Fitness XT285 is another great option with diverse speed range that can be adjusted from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour at increments of 0.1 MPH. The small increments are suitable for newbies and people with health issues who would like to progress at gradual speed over time.
Incline angle
The incline angle determines the various levels you can set the intensity of the elevation. For the best home treadmill under 2000, incline of 15% would provide you with diverse options that you can adjust for different types of exercises. You can choose a steep incline for hiking.
Our featured products that come with several preset programs automatically activate the optimal speed and incline for the workout or terrain you choose.
Some brands also offer a decline feature that imitates walking downhill.
Dimensions
The best home treadmills under 2000 are available in varied sizes and designs. The most compact are foldable models that let you gently fold the deck to reduce the overall size of the unit, treadmill desks, and home treadmills.
Running surface dimensions
This is especially important for serious runners who need sufficient space to avoid limiting the length of their running stride. A width of 20 inches and length of 50 to 60 inches would suit most fitness enthusiasts, but professional or tall runners would be favored by a deck surface that is 62 inches long and 22 inches wide.
Majority of the products we have featured have soft running surfaces because they are cushioned to absorb joint impact and prevent injuries. Buyers training for marathons would likely prefer the best treadmill for running under 2000 with a harder surface that resembles outside terrains.
Foldable design
Bowflex BXT216 is equipped with a protective gas shock Softdrop system that helps you to fold the deck without mishaps.
Display
A bright visible screen provides useful feedback on your performance and the current settings during the session. For instance, Spirit Fitness XT285 comes with a 7.5-inch backlit LCD screen that displays the Time, Distance, Speed, Elevation, Calories, Pace, Altitude, Laps, Segment Time, and Heart Rate. You can also stream workout videos on treadmills that come with immersive HD screens.
Bluetooth capability
Connection to Bluetooth enables you to play your favorite music selection from your phone or tablet, operate the treadmill’s sound system from a distance and access your statistics on your phone. Confirm whether the product would require an adapter to play music through Bluetooth.
Warranty
Treadmill for running under 2000 dollars provide varying coverage period for different components and labor. For example, Both Nautilus T618 and Bowflex BXT216 offer a long warranty of 15 years for the motor and frame, 5 years for the other parts and 2 years for labor. A good warranty would enable you to get a replacement or a refund for a damaged product and free labor for a defective treadmill as long as it is within the stated period and terms. But even with much cheaper, basic models, such as treadmills under 200$, warranty will still continue to be a feature you should pay extra attention to, especially if you plan to buy such budget-friendly units for your kids just to start with the workouts.
Extra features
Additional storage: This may be in form of slots and other compartments where you can place your water bottle, books, magazines, music player or phone within convenient reach.
User-friendly controls: It should be easy to select or toggle the intensity of various programs without having to pause your workout to reach the controls. An accessible location would be on the rails just next to your hands.
Noise level: A belt that is not lubricated will raise the noise output of your treadmill as the motor strains to power it and the belt moves roughly. To maintain smooth movement and reduce the noise, home treadmill under 2000 such as Nautilus T618 incorporate crowned rollers.
FAQ
The average consumption is 600 to 700 watts although factors like the length of time the treadmill operates, the workout intensity and speed, and extra features such as LCD screens play a greater role in the energy consumption of a specific model. You can find this information on the product itself or on its manual.
It is advisable to lubricate the treadmill belt regularly to keep it running smoothly and minimize down tear and wear. Not doing that will overwork the motor, slow down the belt and result to friction which also increases the level of noise. Experts recommend lubricating the belt after every 25 hours of use.
Even foldable models such as Sole Fitness TD80 would be difficult to ship fully assembled since treadmills are large equipment. However, most of them can be assembled within minutes since only a couple of parts need to be attached. If you are unsure of the process, you should get a professional to set it up for you.
Our Verdict
NordicTrack Commercial 1750’s greatest appeal is the large number of workout programs that are accessible through its App and the HD screen. Additionally, it comes with a built-in fan, good integrated sound system which maintains a strong Bluetooth connection from a decent range, and several storage slots for refreshments, magazines and other gadgets.
Our second pick for the best treadmill for running under 2000 is Bowflex BXT216 which comes with 11 preset programs, 4 customizable user profiles, weight capacity of 400 pounds, and speed of up to 12 miles per hour.
We chose Nautilus T618 as our third pick because it is a versatile home treadmill under 2000 that is compatible with several health and fitness Apps such as UA Record, Explore the World and MyFitnessPal. It is available with two screens, a USB port, and a thick belt. You can incline it to an angle of up to 15% to customize your workout’s difficulty.
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