How We Rank
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WhichIconTreadmill.com reviews all treadmills from three main angles.
General Overview
The first angle we look at is the features and specs angle. For features, we take a look at how many workout programs the treadmill comes with, the max speed and max incline, any special features it has such as iPod docks or TVs and just the general exterior appearance of the treadmill. For specs, we look at how strong the motor is, how spacious the treadbelt is, and whether it folds.
The second angle is the quality and warranty angle. Although the majority of buyers will not use their treadmill till the point of it needing repairs, the durability of the treadmill is still one of the major factors behind a buyer’s buying decision. So, we look at the length of the warranty of the motor, parts and labor, the weight of the treadmill, the weight capacity, the treadbelt and motor combination in coming up with a rating for each treadmill.
The final angle we look at is the price/value. This is in fact, what we use to give each treadmill on this site, their numbered rank within their price class. A treadmill that is the highest priced may not necessarily sport the best features or the best quality. Similarly, the treadmill with the best features and quality may not be overall best deal due to an excessively high cost. Thus, the grade we give to each treadmill’s price is simply our analysis of the treadmill’s bang for the buck. In other words, the treadmill with the highest rating in price is the treadmill that balances the first two angles, features and quality the best. It is the treadmill that is the best overall deal.
Detailed Look
Each treadmill on this site receives a grade from A+ to F in each of these three rating criterias:
1) Specs and Features
2) Quality and Warranty
3) Value/Price/Bang For the BuckSo what does it mean for a treadmill to receive an A+ grade in Specs and Feature or a B- in Quality and Warranty? Refer to the charts below to give you a rough understanding of what each of these grades for each of the rating criterias mean. (Obviously, not all models can fit these requirements exactly so in many cases, we picked the grade that is the most representative of that treadmill model.)
1) Specs and Features
Grade A+: This treadmill usually features a belt that is longer than 60" and wider than 20". There should be 25 or more workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. This treadmill should also come with iFit functionalities (such as the ability to download new programs from the internet onto your treadmill or a workout journal to keep track of your stats or a customized diet plan.) In terms of heart rate functionalities, there should be a wireless heart rate control strap, a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function and heart rate control programs. This treadmill should have most or close to all of these gimmicks: a TV, music playback if you plug in your MP3 player, air fans, ability to fold, crosstrainer arms and a virtual competitor. The motor on this treadmill is 3.5 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern and include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance. It should also allow you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 12 MPH or more and 15% or more respectively.
Grade A: This treadmill usually features a belt that is 58" to 60" long and equal to 20" in width. There should be 20 to 24 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. This treadmill should also come with iFit functionalities (such as the ability to download new programs from the internet onto your treadmill or a workout journal to keep track of your stats or a customized diet plan.) In terms of heart rate functionalities, there should be a wireless heart rate control strap, a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function and heart rate control programs. This treadmill should have about half of these gimmicks: a TV, music playback if you plug in your MP3 player, air fans, ability to fold, crosstrainer arms and a virtual competitor. The motor on this treadmill is 3.0 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern and include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance. It should also allow you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 12 MPH or more and 15% or more respectively.
Grade B+: This treadmill usually features a belt that is 55" to 57" long and equal to 19" or 20" in width. There should be 16 to 19 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. In terms of heart rate functionalities, there should be either a wireless heart rate control strap or a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function. This treadmill may or may not have any heart rate control programs. This treadmill might have one or two of these gimmicks: a TV, music playback if you plug in your MP3 player, air fans, ability to fold, crosstrainer arms and a virtual competitor. The motor on this treadmill is 2.5 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern and include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance. It should also allow you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 10 MPH or more and 12% or more respectively.
Grade B: This treadmill usually features a belt that is 55" to 57" long and equal to 19" or 20" in width. There should be 12 to 15 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. In terms of heart rate functionalities, there should be either a wireless heart rate control strap or a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function. This treadmill may or may not have any heart rate control programs. This treadmill might not have any gimmicks. The motor on this treadmill is 2.5 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern and include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance. It should also allow you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 10 MPH or more and 12% or more respectively.
Grade C: This treadmill usually features a belt that is 52" to 54" long and equal to 19" or 20" in width. There should be 9 to 11 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. In terms of heart rate functionalities, there should be either a wireless heart rate control strap or a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function. This treadmill may or may not have any heart rate control programs. This treadmill might not have any gimmicks. The motor on this treadmill is 2.0 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern but might not include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance or an easy to use interface that allows you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 10 MPH or more and 10% or more respectively.
Grade D: This treadmill usually features a belt that is 50" to 51" long and equal to 17" or 18" in width. There should be 5 to 8 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. In terms of heart rate functionalities, there may or may not be a wireless heart rate control strap or a grip pulse heart rate monitoring function. This treadmill may or may not have any heart rate control programs. This treadmill doesn't have any gimmicks. The motor on this treadmill is 1.75 HP or larger (continuous). The console should look modern but might not include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance or an easy to use interface that allows you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be 10 MPH or more and 10% or more respectively.
Grade F: This treadmill usually features a belt that is less than 50" long and less than 17" in width. There should be less than 5 workout programs that are either preprogrammed, custom or a heart rate control program. There are no heart rate functionalities of any kind. This treadmill doesn't have any gimmicks. The motor on this treadmill is less than 1.75 HP (continuous). The console does not look modern and might not include basic functions such as displaying your time, calories, distance or an easy to use interface that allows you to quickly adjust speeds and incline via quick keys. In terms of max speed and max incline, they should be less than 10 MPH and less than 10% respectively.
2) Quality and Warranty
Grade A: Motor is more than sufficient to handle the belt. Exterior of the treadmill looks to be well constructed and modern. Rollers are 2.75” in diameter or larger. Some form of special cushioning is installed. Weight capacity is greater than 325 pounds and/or weight of the machine is greater than 250 pounds. Warranty on motor and frame is fifteen years or longer. Warranty on parts is 3 years or longer. Warranty on labor is 1 year or longer.
Grade B: Motor is sufficient to handle the belt. Exterior of the treadmill looks to be well constructed and modern. Rollers are 2.5” in diameter or larger. Some form of cushioning is installed. Weight capacity is greater than 275 pounds and/or weight of the machine is greater than 200 pounds. Warranty on motor and frame is ten years or longer. Warranty on parts is 2 years or longer. Warranty on labor is 1 year or longer.
Grade C: Motor is sufficient to handle the belt. Exterior of the treadmill looks to be a bit dated. Rollers are 2.25” in diameter or larger. No special emphasis put on cushioning. Weight capacity is greater than 250 pounds and/or weight of the machine is greater than 175 pounds. Warranty on motor and frame is eight years or longer. Warranty on parts is 1 year or longer. Warranty on labor is 1 year or longer.
Grade D: Motor is slightly underpowered and may not handle the belt well. Exterior of the treadmill looks to be a bit dated. Rollers are 2.0” in diameter or larger. No special emphasis put on cushioning. Weight capacity is greater than 200 pounds and/or weight of the machine is greater than 150 pounds. Warranty on motor and frame is five years or longer. Warranty on parts is 90 days or longer. Warranty on labor is 90 days or longer.
Grade F: Motor is significantly underpowered and may not handle the belt well. Exterior of the treadmill looks to be outdated and/or doesn’t seem to be well constructed. Rollers are less than 2.0” in diameter. No cushioning mentioned whatsoever. Weight capacity is less than 200 pounds and/or weight of the machine is less than 150 pounds. Warranty on motor and frame is less than five years. Warranty on parts is 90 days or less. Warranty on labor is 90 days or less.
3) Price/Value
Grade A: One of the best deals in this price range. If you want the most bang for the buck, this is it.
Grade B: One of the better deals in this price range.
Grade C: Not a particular good deal but you’re not overpaying either.
Grade D: The price of the treadmill is a bit higher than what it’s worth.
Grade F: The price of the treadmill is a lot higher than what it’s worth.