Can You Get a Good Treadmill Under $500?

A good treadmill for a walker or jogger is not expensive and even if you want to include more advanced features like heart rate monitoring or incline, it still won’t get expensive. So how do you know what features are must-haves versus nice-to-haves to find out a Good Treadmill Under $500!

Read More: 5 Best Treadmills Under $500 to Create a Home Gym on a Budget

Here’s the quick list of must-haves in order of Importance:

1. Motor Type

In general, a 1.5 CHP motor is sufficient if someone walks at a brisk pace. A high torque motor on higher-end machines can be helpful for those with extra weight and plan on running as well but keep in mind it comes with a higher price tag.

2. Consumer Ratings

Most treadmills under $500 are not going to get top ratings from users, however, if you can find one that does then all the better and safer since they have independent testing. If you see a treadmill without any consumer reports rating, don’t be too quick to judge because sometimes weight capacity is just very low or there were other issues.

3. Belt Size

If you’re taller than 6 feet like me (or frequently use the treadmill with someone tall) then look for a model with at least a 20″ x 55″ belt. This allows enough room on both sides for your hands to grip securely as well as lets those over 6 feet tall run comfortably.

4. Reviews by Reputable Sources

Like Consumer reports or Reddit forums. Look for treadmills that have a lot of positive feedback based on reputable sites and which also indicate thorough testing by these reviewers.

5. Warranty Length

For treadmills under $500, you should aim for at least 2-3 years for parts and a 1-year labor warranty depending on your budget and possible weight limits if it’s motorized. As mentioned in our reviews, paying more now will save money in the long run since quality parts last longer.

6. Assembly

Assembly is not hard but helps if someone can help you out!  Even though there are only a few components, assembling them can sometimes be tricky. Most treadmills under $500 come partially assembled so you will need to at least attach the front stabilizers. However, if you can find one that is completely pre-assembled, then all the better!

Nice-to-haves in order of importance

7) Heart rate monitor:

This isn’t necessary for those just getting into walking or jogging since your heart rate will naturally go up as you move but if you want to get more accurate tracking of your workouts considers adding this feature!

8) Noise level:

Get one with low noise levels especially if it’s going to be used early in the morning or especially late at night.

9) Additional features:

Some treadmills under $500 offer extra features like a fan or water bottle holder but unless you plan on doing long workouts, these are not really necessary. Having said that some can be handy!

10) Rollers / Stride length:

If you’re tall and want to run, look at the stride length offered by the treadmill you are considering. In general, 23″ – 25 1/4″ is sufficient for most users however those over 6 feet may want to increase it to 27″.

When it comes down to it (pun intended!), all these features are not necessary but can come in handy depending on user interest and/or budget restrictions! However, some important must-haves regardless of the budget include updated reviews, good warranty length, lower noise, and good motor quality.

Bottom line: Can you find a good treadmill under $500? Yes!

As long as you at least get some of the important must-haves then it can be an affordable option for exercise equipment compared to other types (like ellipticals, bikes, or tread climbers). And having used one in college that cost less than $400, I can safely say they aren’t all that bad either! The most important thing is using them consistently since after all the whole point is to burn calories and lose weight and inches. So if you buy one, make sure to take full advantage by regularly walking on it every day if possible! Be sure to check out our FAQ page before buying a treadmill so that this investment will last you longer.

BONUS:

I asked our readers on Facebook about treadmills under $500 and here’s what some of them said:

Linda Betancourt: “I have a Sunny SF-T4400 Treadmill that cost me $449. It is quite like a church mouse. Perfect for early morning exercise.”

Tommy Glickman: “I love my Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill! It was only 399 bucks …It’s very smooth, especially at 2 mph! I’ve had it a little over 5 months now, and I use it religiously!”

Read More: 9 Best Treadmills Under $400 – Best Budget Treadmill in 2021

Laura Phipps: “The SereneLife SLFTRD20 was amazing when I worked out in my local gym but no longer needed it so I got this for my home.”

Thomas Edwards: “Anything less than $500 means it’s probably not going to be very good. Better to spend an extra $100-$200 and get something that will last longer with better components and parts. Get one you can afford in the long run.”

If you are looking for cheap treadmills under $500, then we hope this post was helpful! If you have any questions or want to share your own personal experiences please comment below so that others can benefit from them! Thanks for reading! – The Treadmill Sensei —– Special thanks to Laura Phipps, Tommy Glickman, and Thomas Edwards of Facebook for their help in writing this article!