List of the top Best Treadmills Under $300: Treadmills are an integral part of any gym-based cardio workout session – whether that’s your local Planet Fitness, your own garage-based home gym, or even in front of the TV in your living room.
The question today is can you get a worthwhile workout on a treadmill costing under $300? The answer is, of course, yes – providing you end up with something with adequate power, stability and comfort.
MaxKare Electric Treadmill
- Motor: 1.5HP
- Speed: 0 to 7.5mph
- Incline: Two positions (Manual)
- Belt: 17” x 43.5”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Multi-layer running belt, 12 preset programs, large blue LCD screen, water bottle storage, heart rate monitor, safety key, media shelf, transportation wheels, 186lb weight capacity.
To help you find something suitable, we have highlighted seven of the best treadmills under $300 on the market today. While other models are available, we feel these choices represent the best treadmills you can buy for under three hundred bucks.
After going over our picks, we’ll take a look at the factors you should consider when shopping for an affordable treadmill, as well as some of the most often-asked questions.
Top 7 Best Budget Treadmills Under $300
1. MaxKare Electric Treadmill
- Motor: 1.5HP
- Speed: 0 to 7.5mph
- Incline: Two positions (Manual)
- Belt: 17” x 43.5”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Multi-layer running belt, 12 preset programs, large blue LCD screen, water bottle storage, heart rate monitor, safety key, media shelf, transportation wheels, 186lb weight capacity.
Pros
- Decent 1.5 HP motor with top speeds of up to 7.5mph.
- Features 12 built-in workout programs to get you started.
- Track folds upwards and unit wheels away for easier storage.
- Includes heart rate monitor pulse grips built into the handles.
Cons
- Small belt dimensions only suit smaller strides.
- The top speed of 7.5mph won’t cater well for runners.
The MaxKare Electric Treadmill is another folding budget option that shows off good value for the sub-$300 price tag.
It features a decent 1.5 HP motor that powers up to 7.5mph speeds, making it great for walking and light jogging. The belt isn’t particularly big at 17” x 43.5”, but this suits the lower top speeds.
This treadmill is also stocked with a few handy secondary features to make life easier. This includes a heart rate monitor built into the handrails.
This data – along with other workout feedback – is displayed on the LCD screen, which is also where you can view your preset workout programs (there are 12 of them!).
2. Best Choice Products 800W
- Motor: 800W
- Speed: 0 to 7.5mph
- Incline: None
- Belt: 13” x 38”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Three preset workout programs, media shelf, basic display screen, built-in heart rate monitor, two water bottle holders.
Pros
- Comfort and convenience with bottle holders and media shelf.
- Solid construction for a stable workout.
- Decent preprogramed workout routines
- Great for walkers and joggers.
Cons
- Smaller belt is not ideal for taller runners
- No incline options.
- Low top speed of 7.5mph, so not suitable for faster running.
There’s nothing particularly fancy about this 800-watt treadmill from Best Choice Products (unless you opt for the pink and white version!) – yet it proves ideal for home use for walking and lighter jogging. It is one of the Best Treadmills Under $300.
It features quality steel tubing and a convenient folding design, allowing you to stow the treadmill away with minimal fuss, even if it lacks the hydraulic systems that others offer. The narrow 13” width and 38” length of the belt isn’t ideal for larger users, but it does the job of accommodating most people pretty comfortably.
This treadmill also features three preprogrammed routines, while the 800-watt motor offers a max speed of 7.5mph. Other features include heart rate monitors built into the handles, two water bottle holders, and a basic digital display.
3. ZELUS Folding Treadmill
- Motor: 750W
- Speed: 0 to 6mph
- Incline: No
- Belt: 39.3” x 13.4”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Five-layer running belt, 12 preset programs, LED display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, built-in speakers, water bottle storage, safety key, transportation wheels, 250lb weight capacity
Pros
- Includes a comfortable five-layer belt.
- Lightweight machine that is easy to maneuver.
- Advanced secondary features include built-in speakers.
- Features 12 preset workout programs.
Cons
- Running belt will be too small for many users.
- Top speed of 6mph caters for light joggers and walkers only.
This offering from ZELUS may fall short when compared to some of the others in terms of top speeds and track length, although the secondary features still make it a very interesting prospect at under three hundred bucks.
Most notably, it features Bluetooth connectivity and a free app, to help you track your workouts. There’s also a pair of built-in speakers, connecting to your music player via an aux cable (note, these aren’t bluetooth compatible).
The treadmill itself won’t suit runners – especially with a very compact 39.3” x 13.4” track – but walkers and light joggers will find enough use from the 6mph top speed. This lightweight machine also folds up and wheels away for easier storage. Great for small spaces.
4. Weslo Cadence G 5.9i
- Motor: 2.25 HP
- Speed: 0 to 10mph
- Incline: Two positions (Manual)
- Belt: 16” x 50”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Backlit display screen, thumb heartrate monitor, iFit compatible, six preset programs, storage space, media shelf.
Pros
- Most powerful motor in this range
- Good top speed of 10mph
- Decent belt length
- Several extras that enhance the feeling of value
Cons
- Belt feels quite narrow
- iFit compatibility makes it hard to start the machine without a subscription
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9i is certainly one of the most popular treadmills in the budget market and tops our list due to the impressive power and extra features not seen on many of its peers.
In fact, some of the listed features seem too good to be true, with a powerful 2.25 HP motor powering a 16” x 50” comfort-enhancing belt. For this reason, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9i is ranked number 4 on our list of the Best Treadmills Under $300.
While pretty narrow, this accommodates both runners with a longer stride and faster runners, with a top speed of 10mph. Additional features include a folding design for easier storage and compatibility with the iFit system.
5. Goplus Electric Folding Treadmill
- Motor: 1100W
- Speed: 0 to 6mph
- Incline: No
- Belt: 14” x 39”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Steel frame, LCD screen, safety key, emergency stop button, media shelf, transportation wheels, 220lb weight capacity.
Pros
- Easy to store away
- Convenient controls
- Decent display screen
- Great value for money
Cons
- Underpowered for anything other than walking or light jogging
- No option to change the incline
- Very compact belt dimensions
The Goplus 1100W is one of the more minimalist treadmills on this list, yet it delivers what’s needed when it comes to performance.
It’s a well-made machine – simple but quite robust and able to take weights of up to 220lbs. The space-saving design makes it suitable for smaller areas, allowing you to fold it away when not in use.
It features an average-sized 14” x 39″ belt. While the top speed is just 6mph, this is enough power for both walking and light jogging.
The control panel is also simple, but very functional offering a clear backlit screen offering everything from speed and time to heart rate (monitors are built into the handles). You also have 12 preset programs to get your heart rate up!
6. SereneLife Electric Folding Treadmill
- Motor: 1 HP
- Speed: 0 to 6mph
- Incline: Three positions (Manual)
- Belt: 16” x 39”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Hydraulic folding assistance, 12 preset running modes, Bluetooth connectivity, media shelf, compatible with FitShow app, plenty of storage options.
Pros
- Good performance for walkers and speed walkers
- Easy to fold away with hydraulic assistance
- Easy to fold away with hydraulic assistance
- Manual three-position incline is a big plus
Cons
- Low power is no good for faster joggers and runners
- A relatively narrow and short belt
Next on this list is an impressive budget offering from SereneLife. While it’s far from perfect – nothing in this range ever is – this folding treadmill offers both a solid core performance and a few extras worth taking a closer look at.
The fundamentals are decent, with a 1 HP motor that delivers top speeds up to 6mph – certainly not the fastest on this list, but good for walking and light jogging. The running belt size of 16’’ x 39’’ is pretty standard too, although the addition of a three-position manual incline is appreciated.
This treadmill under $300 also comes with some modern features, such as Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to pair to the FitShow app. A good way to record and monitor your progress.
7. Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Treadmill
- Motor: None
- Speed: Manual
- Incline: None
- Belt: 13” x 42”
- Folding: Yes
- Features: Digital LCD monitor, non-slip belt, space-saving design, transportation wheels
Pros
- Great price for budget buyers
- Accommodates walkers and joggers
- Requires no power
- Folds up small and is easy to wheel around
Cons
- Very basic in its design and functionality
- No means to change the incline
- The belt is very narrow
- Treadmill is quite easy to grow out of
If you are on a very tight budget, but just can’t live without a treadmill – or can’t wait to save up a little more – this manual option is a good choice.
While it lacks a motor, you can still get a very good workout by walking or jogging along on the slightly inclined 13” x 42” belt, with dual flywheels providing good resistance.
A very compact, but fully-functional central console offers a small LCD screen that gives you information on your workout – from time and speed, to predicted calories burned.
It’s quite sturdy and, while the experience takes a little time to get used to, it’s an all-round comfortable treadmill. For such a low price, you can’t ask for much more. It comes in last on our list of the Best Treadmills Under $300.
Q: Should I Buy a Cheap Treadmill?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about budget treadmills – and the answer is yes, they can be worth it. However, there are several things to take into account for this advice to have any merit.
The reason many people are often left disappointed by affordable treadmills is because of unrealistic expectations. If you buy one expecting the performance of a treadmill you may have used at the gym, you will certainly be underwhelmed.
Cheap treadmills have to cut corners in places like convenience and comfort to be able to deliver a functioning and reliable machine for only a few hundred bucks. Ultimately, you will get great use and satisfaction from your affordable treadmill so long as your expectations remain realistic.
Having said that, if you can save up a little more and stretch your budget into the $500 price range, you will instantly be granted more for your money – more power, more tech and more comfort.