So you want to start running and focusing on your cardio from the comfort of your own home but you don’t have much of a budget. That’s not an issue. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the 5 best treadmills for home under 500.

Introduction

Are you on the market to find the best treadmills for home under 500? In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the 5 best treadmills for home under 500.

Generally speaking, treadmills are known to be expensive cardio instruments. They cost over $1000 and thus are usually only used in gyms. However, there are a lot of advantages to having a treadmill for home use:

  • You don’t have to spend money on a gym membership (if cardio is your only goal).
  • Running through the city isn’t a feasible option, so this is the next best thing.
  • Most people don’t live close to parks either. So they need a treadmill for the home to run on.

Of course, it’s true that treadmills for home under 500 won’t be as well equipped with features as the expensive options. They might be made of slightly less durable materials and they definitely won’t have advanced features like online connectivity. You might even have to sacrifice on preprogrammed workout settings. However, treadmills for home under 500 are just as good as their expensive counterparts if your only goal is to run and do cardio, and if you don’t care about the other stuff.

To compile this article, we consulted with several physical training experts on their recommendations on treadmills for home under 500. We also tried out some of the most popular treadmills ourselves. Having said that, read on for a detailed overview of the 5 best treadmills for home under 500.

Best Treadmills for Home Under 500 $

Best Treadmills for Home Under 500$Editors RatingCheck Price
Weslo Cadence G 5.95 Stars
Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High4.5 Stars
Sunny Health & Fitness3.5 Stars
Confidence Power Plus4 Stars
Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T4 Stars

1. Weslo Cadence G 5.9

Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is one of the best treadmills for home under 500. The best aspect of this treadmill is that it can be folded up so it saves a lot of storage space for people who don’t have especially large homes.

This treadmill comes with 6 preprogrammed workouts, all of which have been certified by a professional trainer. The treadmill automatically adjusts the speed, incline, and time of the workout to encourage fat loss, endurance, stability, or whatever you desire. It also has a 2-level manual incline feature. As such, if you’re using the treadmill without the preprogrammed workouts, you’ll have to adjust the incline yourself. However, during the preprogrammed workout it adjusts on its own. The treadmill also comes with an Easy Pulse Sensor. As such, you can place on your thumb on the sensor to monitor your heart rate and optimize your cardio. Furthermore, the track on the treadmill is equipped with a Comfort Cell Cushioning System to provide the shock absorption and enhance comfort while running.

Weslo Cadence G 5.9

Pros
  • Low storage space needed.
  • Various preprogrammed workout modules available.
  • 2-Level incline.
  • Easy Pulse Sensor.
  • Comfort Cell Cushioning System.
Cons
  • Limited 90-day warranty.
  • Assembly is difficult.
  • Poor materials used.

Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is one of the best treadmills for home under 500 because it has a range of features and preprogrammed workout modules. However, due to the low cost, you only receive a limited warranty and customers complain about its quality.

2. Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High

Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Walk to Fitness is one of the best treadmills for home under 500 for individuals who only need it for walking purposes. This treadmill is also foldable and takes up less space, and it also comes with a 2-level incline.

This treadmill can be used for fast-paced brisk walking at up to 4mph. However, it can’t be used for running at all, because 4mph is the maximum that it goes. It has a weight capacity of 400 pounds, so even the heavier individuals can use it comfortably. One of the best aspects of this treadmill is that the track is wider than most, which offers more comfort for larger people. The safety handles are also equipped with heart rate sensors. As such, you can view your heart rate on the screen accurately.

Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High

Pros
  • Wide track width.
  • Durable and well-constructed.
  • Accommodates heavy individuals.
  • Speed controls available on the handles.
  • Extremely quiet.
  • Accurate heart sensors.
Cons
  • Can’t be used for running.
  • Handles are too low for some people.

Exerpeutic TF1000 Ultra High Capacity Walk to Fitness is one of the best treadmills for home under 500 meant solely for walking or brisk-walking, and it can be used by heavy individuals as well.

3. Sunny Health & Fitness

Sunny Health & Fitness is yet another one of the best treadmills for home under 500 as it comes equipped with some great amenities. The best aspect of this treadmill is that it has 9 preprogrammed workouts — more than in any other budget-treadmill. It weighs 103 pounds and has a weight capacity of 220 pounds. As such, it can’t accommodate very large individuals. In addition to the workout programs, there are 3 manual speed modes — 2mph, 4mph, and 6mph. As such, it can be used for jogging but not for running.

Sunny Health & Fitness

Pros
  • 9 preprogrammed workouts.
  • Foldable.
  • Soft Drop System for easy unfolding.
  • Handrail controls.
  • Has a phone holder.
Cons
  • The motor is just 2.2 CHP.
  • Not durable enough for longterm use.
  • Can’t be used by heavier individuals.

Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the best jogging treadmills for home under 500 because of its wide range of features. However, the fact that it can’t accommodate heavier individuals and its weak motor render it weak in comparison to the others.

4. Confidence Power Plus

Confidence Power Plus is the most compact treadmill for home under 500 and it’s available in 2 colors — Black and White. However, it’s also the most basic treadmill on this list, with no additional features. It has a maximum speed of 6.2 mph, is powered by a 600 W motor, and can accommodate a maximum weight of 250 pounds.

Confidence Power Plus

Pros
  • Compact.
  • No assembly needed.
  • Can be turned to a treadmill desk.
Cons
  • It only runs for 30 minutes at a time and then stops automatically.
  • No special features.
  • Can’t be used for running.

Confidence Power Plus is the most compact and the most basic treadmill for home under 500 that can only be used for walking or jogging purposes.

5. Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T

Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T is a mix between a treadmill and a cross-trainer. The safety arms on these provide additional resistance for a harder workout. It can go up to a speed of 10 mph, so it can be used for running. There are 2-level inclinations available, and it can accommodate individuals of up to 250 pounds. It can also be folded to conserve storage space.

Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T

Pros
  • Cross handles for dynamic upper body workout.
  • Quiet.
Cons
  • Difficult to assemble.
  • Users complain that it breaks down easily.

Weslo Crosswalk 5.2T is a unique hybrid between a cross-trainer and a treadmill, however, it’s made of weak materials and isn’t durable.

Factors to Consider when Buying Treadmills for Home

Some treadmills for home under 500 work perfectly well in their bare function of providing a cardio workout. However, there are also many treadmills that are extremely unreliable and unsafe. To differentiate between the two, these are some factors to consider when buying treadmills for home under 500.

Track Surface

The track should be well fastened and it should feel firm. When you run, it shouldn’t jerk occasionally. It needs to maintain an even pace. Furthermore, if it’s too short or thin, it would cause the runner inconvenience. If possible, go for a track with shock absorption so that your heels don’t get tired too fast.

Space

Consider how large space you can devote to the treadmill. Most cheap treadmills don’t have a large running surface anyway, so they shouldn’t be too big. However, if necessary, try to get a foldable and compact treadmill, though that will likely be more expensive.

Brand Value

Treadmills for home under 500 are not likely to be highly durable. Sooner or later, you’ll have to get them serviced. So make sure to purchase a treadmill from a reliable brand that offers a warranty as well.

Motor Power

The motor should be powerful enough to accommodate your weight. Heavier individuals need to go for treadmills with a higher motor power and weight capacity.

Usage

How many people intend to use the treadmill? How many hours a day? And to what end — running, jogging, or walking? You can usually find dedicated treadmills meant for specific purposes. Get one that’s right for your needs.

If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to get a reliable and well-equipped treadmill for home under 500.

Conclusion

I hope this article helps you identify the best treadmills for home under 500. Of course, these treadmills are extremely bare-bones in nature and they can’t compete with the advanced $1000+ treadmills. However, when it comes to running, these machines are just as good as any other. If you want to work up a sweat in the privacy of your own home, and you don’t care about the advanced features, these are perfect for you.

If you have any other questions about the best treadmills for home under 500, feel free to mention them down in the comments section.