Best Treadmill Reviews of 2022 – Which are the UK’s Top Running Machines?

1. Homcom Motorised Treadmill

If you're looking for a basic treadmill for walking and light jogging, the Homcom could be a great option. It's a relatively small treadmill with a folding design to save space - and it's also available for a highly affordable price.

The Homcom has a basic console that displays time, distance, speed and calories. You can also use it to adjust the speed, which ranges from 1-10km per hour. This isn't enough for running, but is the perfect speed for walking or light jogging.

Aside from the console, the running machine comes with an adjustable belt and a handrail.

If you're looking for the best treadmill for walking that doesn't cost a lot of money, the Homcom is a great choice. It's easy to assemble, compact and perfect for walking or light jogging - but if you want to do fast jogs or sprints you'll need a more expensive model.

2. Opti Easy Fold Treadmill With Incline and Bluetooth

The Opti Easy Fold Treadmill is still targeted at beginners, but it's a big step-up from the Homcom (in both price and features). This makes it better suited for people who want to do jogging rather than just walking.

It has a maximum speed of 13km/h, so it provides more room for improvement. In addition to the speed, it also has an incline option to add greater difficulty to your run. Unlike many cheap treadmills, the incline levels can be adjusted electronically, rather than manually.

The console display shows statistics such as distance, speed, pulse and time. 16 pre-set running programs are included with the machine, but there's also a manual mode for setting your own pace and several countdown modes.

Other features include a maximum user weight of 110kg, folding design and an auto stop system. The Opti Easy Fold also includes built-in speakers and the option of connecting an MP3 player via bluetooth.

Overall, the Opti Easy Fold is an excellent budget treadmill for walking and light jogging. It's not suitable for heavy usage or intense training, due to the 13km/h maximum speed, but for basic workouts it does a great job.

3. JLL S300 Folding Treadmill

The most expensive treadmill in our "budget" section is the JLL S200 folding treadmill. While it's pricier than the other two models, we think it provides great value and is much better suited to jogging and more intense workouts.

With a maximum speed of 16km/h and 20 incline levels, the S300 provides a lot of room for increasing workout difficulty. It also has a slow 0.3km/h starting speed and 0.1km/h increments which improves safety and comfort. This top speed and incline combination is what you'd expect from a more expensive treadmill, which is one of the reasons why we're impressed by the S300.

The LCD monitor displays the basic statistics you would expect, including heart rate, distance, speed and time. There are also 15 pre-set programmes, including three that can be customised, and built-in speakers with MP3 connectivity. We especially like that the JLL comes with a heart-rate program with automatic running speed adjustment.

Unlike the cheapest treadmills, the S300 is built with a cushioning system to help reduce impact on the knees. It's also a foldable treadmill that has wheels for moving around the home. Importantly, JLL offers a two year warranty for labour and parts, along with 5 years coverage for the motor and lifetime coverage for the frame.

There are a few downsides to the JLL though. As you would expect from a budget model, it's not the most durable, although it should be able to handle daily workouts. The maximum incline is also relatively low compared to more expensive models.

Even so, if you're looking for the best treadmill for under £500, the JLL S300 is our top pick. The combination of 16km/h top speed, incline levels and pre-set programmes means it can provide plenty of variety in your workout. We also like the cushion deck system for more comfortable running.

4. BH Fitness Pioneer S1 Folding Treadmill

The BH Fitness Pioneer S1 is a folding treadmill that's designed for both beginners and intermediates. It's a solid running machine with a cushioning system and a relatively large belt, so it's a significant step up from the budget treadmills above.

It has a top speed of 16km/h via the 2.75 CV motor, which is enough for reasonably fast jogging (although you'll need a non-folding treadmill for full-on sprinting). The Pioneer S1 also has a 12% maximum incline to add more difficulty to your workout and electronic buttons for adjusting both speed and incline.

The belt itself is designed with a 6 dampeners. This reduces impact through the ankles, knees and hips, which may help prevent injury. It also comes with a back-lit console, with 12 exercise programmes to choose from, 3 user profiles, and built-in hand pulse grips.

As a mid-range treadmill, the Pioneer S1 comes with several features not included on most cheaper options. There's a built-in fan, which is great for workout comfort. There's also a body fat test, transport wheels and tablet holder. Sadly, there's no option to connect an MP3, and the S1 doesn't include a built in fitness test or the ability to connect to fitness apps.

One thing to note about the Pioneer S1 is that it's not a lightweight treadmill. With a packaged weight of 62kg, you'll need help assembling and moving the machine (although the transportation wheels make it easier to move when folded). On the plus side, assembly is straightforward due to the simple instruction manual.

In summary, the Pioneer S1 is a great treadmill that's available for a very reasonable price considering its features. If you're looking for the best treadmill for weight loss, or just want to have the option of indoor running at home, the S1 is one of our top recommendations.

5. JTX Sprint-5 Folding Home Treadmill

If you're looking for a high-quality treadmill with a lot of scope for workout intensity improvement, the JTX Sprint-5 is one of our favourite options. With a 2.5HP motor and a variety of workouts, this is a solid running machine that's great for getting in shape.

The Sprint-5 has a top speed of 18km/h and a smooth belt drive. This means it's a better option than budget treadmills for people who need faster jogging from their running machine. The incline goes up to 12%, which is useful for adding extra difficulty, although it obviously can't match the simulated hills of incline treadmills.

To improve the comfort of the machine, the Sprint-5 comes with the company's CushionStep running deck. This is effectively a sprung suspension system, which can reduce running impact by up to 30%. There's no option to adjust the hardness though, which can be useful feature if you want to mimic the feel of a road.

The Sprint-5 comes with a console that shows a variety of statistics. 43 pre-set programmes are available, including heart rate programs to keep you working in the right zone, and there's the option of creating custom programs too. Along with the hand sensors, there's the option of using a Polar pulse strap for monitoring your heart rate, although this needs to be bought separately.

A word of warning though - the Sprint-5's 18km/h top speed probably isn't fast enough for advanced runners, although it's a great all-round treadmill. It's also a relatively heavy treadmill (77kg), so it's best to designate a place for it and leave it there.

Despite these drawbacks, the JTX Sprint-5 is one of the best treadmills in its price range. With a high-quality belt, cushioning system and variety of programs, it's a joy to use.

6. NordicTrack T7.5 S Folding Treadmill

As we move towards the high-end of the "Mid-Range" category, we have the excellent NordicTrack T7.5 S. As you would expect from a model of this price, it's a durable and high-quality treadmill that's great for more intense workouts.

With a maximum speed of 22km/h (3HP motor) and an incline of up to 12%, the T7.5 S can provide a great workout to all runners. While it's not fast enough for flat-out sprinting, it can cope with fast jogs and the incline can significantly add to the difficulty. The strong frame also means you'll feel safe using this treadmill right up to the top speed.

The 7" HD touch screen console is another area that the T7.5 S significantly improves on cheaper models. It comes with a variety of built-in settings, so you can customise your training sessions. There's also iFit connectivity, so you can tackle a new workout each day, track your progress, and even mimic your favourite routes via Google Maps (although you'll need a separate subscription for this).

The 51cm x 152cm belt is designed to be comfortable, smooth and supportive. The FlexSelect cushioning system can be set to absorb much of the shock of running without feeling too spongy, which helps protect your joints, or to "road" mode for a more realistic experience. As the name suggests, you can also fold it away to save space.

One thing to keep in mind is that the T7.5 S is a heavy machine. It's not a running machine you'll want to move often - although the folding design partly makes up for this. On the plus side, it comes with convenient extras, such as a workout fan and EKG pulse handlebars.

While the NordicTrack T7.5 S can't quite match the advanced features of gym treadmills, it can provide a similar quality of workout for a much lower price. With its solid design, 12% incline, and relatively quiet operation, it's one of the best treadmills for home use.

7. Life Fitness T3 with Go Console

The first non-folding treadmill on this list is the Life Fitness T3. It's a high-quality and comfortable running machine that's perfect for intense home workouts - especially if you're prone to joint pain. The Go console is also a bonus.

Aside from being an attractive treadmill, the T3 is a powerful running machine with a 3HP motor. This allows for top speeds of up to 19km/h and an incline of 15%. While the top speed is slightly lower than models such as the Horizon T4000, the 19km/h is enough for anything but sprinting and the 15% incline is higher than most mid-range treadmills.

One of the best features of the Life Fitness T3 is the FlexDeck shock absorption system. The company estimates that this reduces joint impacts by nearly a third compared to other treadmills, which can make a big difference if you have painful knees or ankles.

The T3 also comes with the Go console. This has 13 pre-set programmes, along with two user profiles and an energy saving mode. Programs for fat burning, heart rate goal and a race mode are included.

As you would expect from a non-folding treadmill, the T3 isn't a lightweight running machine. The full weight is 111kg, so it's not easy to move. The maximum user weight is 159kg though, which is heavier than many folding treadmills.

The Life Fitness T3 is one of the best treadmills for home use. It has a solid, durable design, a range of programmes and comfortable belt. It's not cheap, but if you want a gym-style workout from your own home, it's one of our top recommendations. It's also one of the best treadmills for marathon training, as it's able to withstand intensive training and has a 15% maximum incline.

8. NordicTrack X9i Incline Trainer

If a steep incline is high on your list of priorities, an incline trainer is your best bet. The NordicTrack X9i is one of the best incline trainers, yet also comes with a decent top speed for regular training.

The stand-out feature of the X9i is its maximum incline of 40%. This is very steep compared with most treadmills, which are usually limited to 10-20%. It can also generate a decline of up to 6%. If you want to train for hill running, or just need a tough workout at home, the X9i is a great choice.

Unlike lower quality incline trainers, the X9i doesn't sacrifice running speed. With a maximum speed of 20km/h, it provides plenty of scope for increasing the intensity of your workouts. The running machine also comes with "Reflex" cushioning which reduces impact on joints.

Another impressive feature is the 7" HD touchsreen console which allows you to take part in interactive workouts led by professional trainers. The X9i can connect and sync with iFit, although you'll need a separate subscription for this once the included subscription runs out. Other features include speakers for an MP3 player, tablet holder, and dual fans to keep you cool.

The biggest drawback to the X9i is its price. The RRP is £2199, although it's often available for much less than this from online retailers. Even so, if you're looking for the best treadmill for incline running it's our top recommendation.