Here at the Strategist UK, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve covered all sorts of equipment — including the best microwaves, the best slow cookers, and the best yoga mats — here, we’ve rounded up the best home treadmills for everyone, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated overall treadmill
This treadmill has 310 reviews, but it is the staggering 90 per cent five-star ratings that really made this treadmill stand out (in fact, of the remaining reviews, 7 per cent were four stars). According to one customer who gave this five stars, it’s the best they’ve used, having gone through three treadmills from cheaper brands in the last two and a half years. The treadmill deck sits on six castor-style wheels, which helps users move it into the best position at home. Reviewers who have this on both concrete and rubber surfaces happily report that it doesn’t move even when running fast. Thirty-nine reviewers overall said it was easy to put together despite being a large machine (it comes 95 per cent assembled, says one customer). The customer service for this treadmill, which comes with a two-year warranty for the parts plus a five-year warranty for the frame and motor, was also mentioned by almost 150 reviewers — or 50 per cent of all reviews in total. The company assisted promptly on minor problems, such as the belt slackening, and were able to advise customers on fixing it themselves. While it is expensive, 27 reviews mentioned great value for money. [Editor’s note: this product typically dispatches in 3-5 weeks].
Best-rated (less expensive) treadmill
At almost half the price of the Branx Fitness treadmill, this option by JLL is more affordable but still highly rated. It has an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5, based on 113 reviews total, and is a good all-rounder based on the customer feedback. One man, who describes himself as an asthmatic 81-year-old, says it’s been a great way to do some basic exercises, while one retired couple say it’s helped them get into shape since quitting their 9 to 5 jobs. Reviews are mixed on whether this is a gym-quality product or not — while one person said it’s good for people wanting a more basic, affordable version, several customers say this treadmill is better quality than the one at their health centre. Twelve reviews said this was a sturdy piece of machinery, even at high speeds, and the built-in Bluetooth speakers were also mentioned in 11 reviews. [Editor’s note: this product will be in stock from January 18, 2021]
Best-rated treadmill for beginners
This model is more simplified than some of the other options on the market, but to many reviewers it’s just the kind of equipment they needed for an at-home workout. One reviewer, who calls themself a “novice” when it comes to treadmills, says it was the perfect model for them to start power-walking before they build the confidence to start running. The same was said by a customer who purchased this for their elderly parents, adding that the grip bars either side of the tread deck were helpful. Fifty-eight reviews — or almost one in six — mentioned how easy it was to put together — including a 58-year-old woman who says she isn’t good at DIY. It’s also good for amateur runners — one recent couch to 5K user found it helpful for maintaining exercise during the winter, but warned it isn’t a treadmill for professional or “hardcore” runners, nor was it suited for people wanting to run at high speed. The most common problem with it, according to reviews, is the belt sticking, which can be easily remedied by lubricating it with a bit of oil.
Best-rated treadmill with incline
For a slightly more upscale model that could replace the treadmill at your gym, Branx’ touch screen treadmill is the best rated. Eighty-nine per cent of its 223 reviews are five stars, boasting an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. One five-star reviewer called it the perfect treadmill, specifically mentioning the auto-incline function and the nine different run settings. Another reviewer, who considered themself a fitness addict, says you would need to be a Marvel superhero to keep up with some of the settings — highlighting the 22 incline as a particular challenge. In total, there were 29 reviews (or one in ten) mentioning the speed and incline settings. One person, who has been working out at home for several years, says they wished they had bitten the bullet years ago and committed to this model. Like all the models featured, this treadmill was easy to assemble, with just under one in four customers saying they managed it to no problem (one person even put it together in under 15 minutes). [Editor’s note: this product will be in stock from January 20, 2021]
Best-rated treadmill for walking
This walking machine by Citysports came recommended almost entirely by customers who were currently working from home. This included four customers who set it up with their standing desk in order to get some exercise in during lockdown. One manager, who wrote their review while walking at their desk, said the motor was quiet enough that colleagues couldn’t hear it during phone calls, and added that it can go up to 6 kph, making it ideal for “light jogging” but nothing more. It was also popular with elderly customers, including a man who was “at risk” during lockdown and couldn’t go on his favourite walk. The machine is heavy, according to several reviewers, making moving it up stairs difficult, but it’s relatively compact (one customer keeps it under her sofa when not in use). Six reviewers specifically mentioned the remote control, which made controlling speed settings easy. One reviewer bought it during lockdown purely because larger treadmills were all sold out – and said they were still able to do about 70 km of “power-walking” in their first week.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.