The treadmill is the most sold piece of fitness equipment in the world. The reason is simply that it works. No other piece of fitness equipment comes close to providing the fitness and weight loss benefits of the treadmill. Thanks to Covid-19, many of us aren’t ready to return to our local gym for a cardio workout just yet. And unfortunately, crowded trails or cold weather can make running outside less than an ideal option, too. But these hurdles don’t mean you have to give up on your fitness goals for the new year. In fact, it’s now easier than ever to squeeze in a quick cardio workout thanks to at-home and also best budget treadmills.
While these treadmills won’t give you the same fresh air feeling as running outside, they will give you a stellar workout — regardless of your fitness level. Here, we’ve found the most affordable and well-reviewed treadmills for at-home use. As a bonus, you can order them all right now without a lengthy delivery wait.
Top 10 Best Budget Treadmills in UK 2021
Check out our top pick for best affordable treadmills.
1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M Foldable Manual Walking Treadmill
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M weighs 46 pounds and measures 50 x 23 x 49 inches, has a non-slip walking/running deck or belt surface of 42 x 13-inch size, is a fixed incline model with dual flywheels, easy to store as it is foldable and has integrated wheels for easy transportation- can be moved around quickly and has a rather durable build with a steel frame. For those that don’t know much about treadmills, manual means it will use your own weight and your movement is powering this model so there is no power consumption and you will be setting the pace/intensity with your legs.
Not so wide walking deck may seem like an inconvenience at first but it is actually an advantage as you will get reduced friction on the belt due to the smaller size. It is great for a long decent exercise session, and if you want to keep in shape without having to go to the gym and due to its easy portability and relatively compact size it is easy to store somewhere convenient in your room if you don’t have a large living area. It is offered with a 1-year frame and 90-day parts warranty by the distributor, Sunny Health & Fitness.
2. Nero Sports – Foldable Electric Motorized Treadmill with Bluetooth
A great way to workout at home at a low price. The Nero is one of the cheapest folding treadmills and the best budget home treadmill you will find on the market. It features a bunch of useful functions such as 3 levels of incline, Bluetooth connectivity, pulse sensors, 12 auto and manual programs as well as a LED console to follow your progress.
With a lifetime motor warranty, a fully 2-year warranty on frame and parts, 12 Auto programs and manual program,s and on board computer with LED Display (Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, Scan Mode), it is such a good treadmill for that budget, well worth considering.
3. CITYSPORTS Folding Motorised Treadmill
The CitySports Under Desk Treadmill has solved two of the biggest issues that flat treadmills overlook. First, this treadmill will not always be in the way. You can get it in and out from under your desk, and the store is (almost!) upright against a wall. Second, a big display, angled on the top part of this machine combines with remote control for easy use. Walking while working is now popular enough that you have competing quality products. CitySports is a popular pick – combining a solid under desk walking treadmill with a reasonable price.
It is designed for walking – with a top speed of 6 km/hour a light jog for most of us. This treadmill is also designed as a low noise machine. If you use a regular running treadmill, you will quickly realize that this is important. The max user weight advised is 100kgs (that is 15 stone 7 in old money). Keep in mind that manufacturers are naturally cautious with their weight advice.
4. BTM W501 Electric Treadmill Folding
The BTM W501 Electric Treadmill is a space-saving, folding treadmill that can be a great tool in apartments. It is an interesting option for the less-experienced user with more features than you might suspect.
One thing to be aware of here is that this is a jogging and walking machine. So, this is an immediate deal-breaker for a lot of people. You aren’t going to get a particularly intense session here with the top speed of 12 kmph and the lack of an adjustable incline. However, this does mean that the running machine could be well-suited to the first-timers and less able that just need a lighter form of exercise. It also means that the BTM treadmill can get away with a slimmer 110x40cm belt for a space-saving design. Of course, that folding mechanism on the frame helps too.
Therefore, this BTM treadmill is a recommendable choice for anyone interested in getting their first at-home running machine for basic fitness.
5. GEARSTONE 2-IN-1 TREADMILL
The next treadmill for under £500 that’s absolutely worth your time is one from Gearstone. This modern-looking machine has a good-sized running track of 110cm x 40cm and a max user weight of 120kg. The cool thing with this machine is that the sides can be removed and you can run or walk on it with complete natural freedom.
Robust build, with plenty of power. The WP7 is a sturdy runner that feels like a premium sort of machine. The 2 HP has plenty of punch to it and whether you’re doing some gentle walking, or want something a tad more sweaty, this machine can handle it. With an upper speed around the 15km range, it’s good for all levels.
6. JLL T350 Digital Folding Treadmill
The JLL T350 treadmill offers a great set of features for the price, as well as folding down to save you space when you’re not using it. We’re not going to suggest it’s tiny when folded by any means, but it’s easy to fold and unfold using the hydraulic arm and you can tuck it away by a wall using the wheels when it is folded up. When you are running on it, the JLL T350 doesn’t disappoint in terms of the speed and incline range available, going right up to 18km/h and offering 20 levels of automatic incline to provide a challenge to runners of all levels. The 2.5HP continuous motor is also powerful enough to ensure that using the machine at top speed feels smooth.
There are 20 preset running programmes, which you can use for a guided workout, and you can adjust the speed on three of those to customise them to your ability if you’re finding the session too easy or too hard. The only real negative about this compact treadmill is that the running area is small and very short at 123 x 41cm (L x W), so many runners will struggle to get beyond jogging pace. Check your stride length if this is a concern.
7. Fit4Home Healthmate Treadmill
This model is a small step up from the others covered on this page. When you compare the features list with the price, you will see that it is a bargain. Olympic are behind the Fit4Home brand. This is a long-running company, with a great range of equipment covering the budget and mid-range end of the market.
With the Fit4Home Healthmate you get a folding model, with a top speed of 10km / hour, 3 levels of incline (which make a big difference to your cardio workout). You also get a pulse rate monitor, which has sensors on the sturdy handlebars. The motor is powerful, though quiet enough to use this model at home. Where the great value really comes into its own is with the monitor. You get a big display, 12 auto programs, and tracking for all the essentials (including calories burned). Feedback is excellent. Many people noted that they got great value for money. Another common theme to the comments was that this treadmill was easy to put together.
8. NordicTrack S20i Treadmill
If interactive training is a top priority for you, then you’ve probably come across NordicTrack treadmills featuring iFit. iFit is an innovative interactive training platform which you can use alongside your iFit-enabled treadmill for an immersive workout experience; it’s much like having a personal trainer in your living room. Priced very affordably, the machine even includes a 6-month family subscription to the service.
iFit allows you to access a huge library of on-demand (and now live) workouts with expert personal trainers both on and off your machine (subscription required). Map out your own Google Maps running trail, stroll through an exotic location across the world, or hop off the machine for a yoga flow. The incline and speed will change automatically in line with the trainer or landscape you are exploring, allowing for a truly immersive workout experience. Ii is easy to fold and store; and an aux music port for you to listen to tunes through the built-in speakers. Overall, it’s a top treadmill in its price bracket for interactive training with iFit.
9. Branx Fitness Foldable Cardio Pro Touchscreen Console Treadmill
The Cardio Pro is Branx’ mid-range offering so, obviously, it has been pared back somewhat in comparison with the Elite Runner Pro, however, it still offers excellent value for both money and space and has become a very popular option with people who are committed to fitness, but prefer exercising at home to going to a gym. It’s also worth noting that the Cardio Pro is built to exactly the same high standards as the Elite Runner Pro and carries the same level of warranty, so you can have confidence in its ability to stand up to regular use over the long term.
10. Fitnessclub Folding Electric Motorised Treadmill
Compared to other fitness machines, Fitnessclub Folding Electric Motorised Treadmill is dead simple to use, affordably priced and is quite functional too. Treadmills are excellent workout equipment with advanced features while some of them are very basic.
This treadmill comes with a powerful 500W motor allowing running speeds up to 10.0km/h. It also offers up to 10% incline so that you can adjust your workout intensity accordingly. The powerful motor also provides low noise operations so that you wouldn’t be annoyed by the sound the machine makes while you workout. It comes with a texturedslip resistant tread belt that holds you in place while you workout. It also has a specially designed bottle holder where you can keep your water bottle to indulge in sips between workouts. It features highly convenient, durable and safe handlebars that helps you to maintain balance along with providing comfort and grip to your hands.
How To Choose Best Budget Treadmill – Buying Guide
Consider these listed features to get the most suitable one for your own pace.
The Motor
The size of the motor you need depends on how you’re using the machine. At the lower end of the power, spectrum is a 1.25 horsepower (hp) motor. 1.75 – 2.0 hp would be considered as satisfactory for walking and light jogging. However, the average runner should be after, at least, a 2.5 hp motor. If people who weigh in excess of 225 pounds will be using the treadmill, you should go with a minimum 3.0 hp motor.
Size
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a home gym or spare room where you can leave the treadmill permanently unfolded, the chances are, you’ll need a tread that can be folded away when you’re not using it. Some of the options on this list are small enough to fit under the sofa when you’re not using them.
Top speed
Sure, you’re probably not running as fast at Mo Farah, but you don’t want to find yourself frustrated by the top speed of the treadmill, unable to run to your full potential. We’ve rounded up the top speeds for each treadmill on our list to help you make the right decision.
Incline and decline
To help with training for running on hills or for additional calorie burn, the treadmill needs to offer an incline. Most treadmills can reach at least a 12% incline grade. Some treadmills even give you a simulation of running downhill with a decline grade of around 3%.
Track Cushioning
Cushioning refers to the ability of the running track to absorb the force of impact of the runner’s steps. Effective cushioning will protect your joints, hips, knees, and back. Good track cushioning can help to reduce the impact on your body by between 15-40%. The best way to check the level of cushioning is to try out the machine for yourself. If you’re buying online, check user experiences.
Programs
Most machines come with 12-14 built-in fitness programs. The top-end models have up to 44 built-in programs. Many brands also offer customizable options, allowing you to sync your data with individual platforms.
Cost
If you’ve been browsing for a while, you’ll know that the affordable treadmills are often out of stock. That said, don’t let the larger price tag put you off! A treadmill is an investment and many brands allow you to split the payments over a year – think of it like paying for a gym membership.
Extra Features
You should decide what extra features are important to you. Extras include:
- Built-in fans
- TV
- Tablet holder
- MP3 input
- USB port
- Water bottle holder
- Wireless heart rate monitor
Summary
When it comes to budget treadmills, the buyer most definitely has to be aware. There is a lot of low-quality, low-performance machines out there that are not only ineffective but potentially dangerous. By sticking to our best budget treadmills guide, you can be confident that you’ll be benefiting both your wallet and your level of fitness. This is a good option for beginners or people who are looking for a walking workout.