Treadmills

What's behind our treadmill Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 35 models in treadmills to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based mainly on ease of use, ergonomics, construction, and exercise range. Some models were tested to a previous scoring scheme and their overall scores are slightly different from our current scoring scheme. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Ease of use
Ease of use is how easy it was to adjust exercise difficulty, read the display, and operate the monitor functions.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics includes how well the machine accommodates users of different sizes. This includes belt size, and foot rail and hand grip design.
Construction
Construction is our judgment of construction quality and the results of our durability tests.
Exercise range
Exercise range is how well each machine provides an effective workout to users of various fitness levels, from beginners to very fit individuals.
Safety
Safety is an assessment which includes the probability of striking the motor housing, stop button size and location, safety key operation and the security of the deck when folded on folding models.

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Recommended treadmills

Recommended treadmills are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended treadmills

Treadmill buying guide

To find the treadmill that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy treadmills in a safe-shopping environment.

Learn more about our Price & Shop program

Treadmills are the most popular workout machine in the U.S. The machines come in three price categories, from low-end to high. Before you buy a treadmill, size up the room where you plan to place it. Do you need a treadmill with a folding deck or will the room accommodate a stationery one? Also consider the intensity of your workout and whether you'll be walking or running. If you're looking for information about treadmills, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ treadmill reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our treadmill buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and treadmill reviews to help you choose the best treadmill for your needs.

Ratings & recommended treadmills

Treadmills (35)

Spending more on a treadmill usually buys you more horsepower, sturdier construction, better hardware, and a longer warranty. That means about $3,000 for a nonfolding model, or half that for a folding model. Spend a little less and you can still get a decent machine that will provide a good workout. The Ratings rank treadmills by overall performance. Recommended also considers purpose and value.

Treadmill buying guide

Our survey of readers who owned a treadmill or elliptical exerciser found that about 60 percent of the machines were used at least as much as their owners had expected. And the majority of them held up decently over time, causing no serious problems or need for repairs.

A piece of home exercise equipment can be a big purchase, as our tests of treadmills show. Our top-rated nonfolding treadmill costs a cool $4,000. Spending that much can get you sturdier construction, better hardware, and more features. But you can get a decent ... Read more

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