1.25 HP motor · 10 mph (16 km/h) top speed · 10% motorised incline · 130 x 45 cm deck · 130 kg max user · folds to 27 cm · 62 dB · 58 kg · rated for 10 hours a week
The Domyos Run 500 is one of Decathlon’s best-selling treadmills, and it carries more owner reviews than any other model in the range: 1,661 of them, averaging 4.6 stars. After comparing it against the rest of the Domyos line-up, it is also the machine we steer most people toward. At £499.99, down from an RRP of £699.99 that it frequently sits below, it does something genuinely unusual at this price by pairing a proper 10% motorised incline with a 130 kg maximum user weight and a deck that folds down to just 27 cm. It earns a RunRank of 4.4 out of 5 and our best-overall pick of the cluster.
The short answer to whether it deserves its popularity is yes. Most treadmills under £500 either skip incline entirely or cap the user weight low to save on the frame. The Run 500 does neither, and it still folds flat enough to slide under a bed. That combination is why it keeps outselling machines that look flashier on the spec sheet.
Who the Run 500 is for
A good fit if you
- Walk, jog or run a few times a week at home
- Want a real motorised incline without paying flagship money
- Need to fold and store the treadmill between sessions
- Are a taller or heavier user up to 130 kg
- Like to follow along with Kinomap or Zwift
Look elsewhere if you
- Run hard most days and want a top speed above 10 mph
- Need a duty rating beyond 10 hours a week
- Never use incline and want the smallest possible fold
- Want a large entertainment screen built in
If that first column describes you, this is almost certainly the Domyos to buy. If the second does, the Challenge Run (for serious running) or the Compact Run 100 (for the flattest fold) are the two to read next.
Domyos Run 500 specifications
| Price | £499.99 (RRP £699.99) |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 10 mph (16 km/h) |
| Motor | 1.25 HP (932 W) |
| Incline | 10%, motorised |
| Running deck | 130 x 45 cm |
| Max user weight | 130 kg |
| Treadmill weight | 58 kg |
| Folded size | L162 x W75 x H27 cm |
| Console | Backlit LED touchscreen, 30 programmes, magnetic remote, tablet holder |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + ANT+, FTMS (Kinomap, Zwift, E-Connected) |
| Noise | 62 dB at top speed |
| Frame | Steel |
| Usage rating | Home use, up to 10 hours/week |
| Warranty | 2 yrs parts & labour, 5 yrs frame, 10 yrs spares |
| Owner rating | 4.6 / 5 from 1,661 reviews |
| RunRank | 4.4 / 5 |
Key features
A real motorised incline at a folding price
The standout here is the 10% motorised incline. Plenty of treadmills at this money either have no incline or use a manual three-position prop you have to step off to adjust. The Run 500 changes gradient electronically from the console or a programme, which is what makes it usable for interval and hill sessions rather than just steady walking. For a folding machine under £500, that is the feature that justifies the price.
Folds to 27 cm and arrives assembled
Folded down it measures L162 x W75 x H27 cm, low enough to slide under most beds or stand behind a sofa, and transport wheels let one person move it. It also arrives assembled, so there is no awkward build out of the box. At 58 kg it is no featherweight, but the wheels do the heavy lifting once it is folded.
130 kg user weight on a steel frame
The 130 kg maximum user weight matches every machine in the Domyos range and sits on a steel frame, which is reassuring at this price point. Build Quality is the Run 500’s second-strongest pillar in our RunRank scoring for that reason.
Touchscreen console and app connectivity
The backlit LED touchscreen runs 30 built-in programmes, and a magnetic safety remote and tablet holder are included. Connectivity covers Bluetooth and ANT+ with FTMS support, so it pairs with Kinomap, Zwift and Decathlon’s own E-Connected app, plus heart rate belts. It is not a giant entertainment screen, but it covers the connected-training basics well.
Noise and running feel
At 62 dB at top speed it is about average for the range, quieter than the Compact Run 100 but louder than the cushioned T900D. For walking and jogging in a normal household it is unobtrusive enough, though anyone particularly sensitive to noise should note the T900D’s quieter 52 dB figure.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine 10% motorised incline at a sub-£500 price
- Folds to just 27 cm for under-bed storage
- 130 kg user weight on a steel frame
- Arrives assembled
- Kinomap, Zwift and FTMS support
- Easily the most-reviewed Domyos at 4.6 stars
Cons
- 10 mph top speed limits flat-out running
- 10 hours/week duty rating, not for all-day use
- 62 dB is louder than the quieter T900D
- Console is functional rather than feature-loaded
How it compares to the rest of the range
Run 500 vs T520B
This is the comparison that matters most, because the T520B is the model many shoppers consider alongside it. The Run 500 is cheaper at £499.99 against the T520B’s £549.99, faster (10 mph versus 8.1 mph), has a longer deck and adds full app connectivity that the T520B lacks entirely. The T520B’s main draw is its best-seller badge and 4.7 owner rating, not its specification. On value, the Run 500 wins comfortably.
Run 500 vs Compact Run 100
Both sit at £499.99, so this comes down to incline versus storage. The Run 500 gives you the 10% incline, a faster top speed and a longer deck. The Compact Run 100 has no incline and a shorter deck, but folds nearly flat to 14 cm and is the lightest in the range at 41 kg. Pick the Run 500 unless squeezing it into the tightest possible space is your single biggest priority.
Run 500 vs Challenge Run
The Challenge Run is the step up for people who genuinely run. It tops 13.7 mph, uses a 2 HP motor and is rated for 20 hours a week, but it costs £899.99 and folds upright rather than flat. Most buyers do not need that much machine, which is why the Run 500 remains our default recommendation.
The verdict
The Run 500 is the easiest treadmill in the Domyos range to recommend. A real motorised incline, a 130 kg user weight and a 27 cm fold at £499.99 is a genuinely strong package, and the 1,661 owner reviews back it up. It is not the fastest or quietest Domyos, but for the majority of home users it is the right balance of capability, storage and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Domyos Run 500 good for running?
It is good for jogging and steady running up to its 10 mph (16 km/h) top speed. If you run intervals or longer distances and want more headroom, the Challenge Run is the better choice, but for most home runners the Run 500 is plenty.
Does the Run 500 have an incline?
Yes, a 10% motorised incline that adjusts electronically from the console or within a programme. That is unusual at this price and one of the main reasons we rate it so highly.
How small does the Run 500 fold?
It folds to L162 x W75 x H27 cm. The 27 cm folded height is low enough to slide under most beds, and transport wheels let one person move it into place.
Does the Domyos Run 500 need assembling?
No, it arrives assembled, so you can unfold it and start using it without a build.
What is the weight limit?
The maximum user weight is 130 kg, on a steel frame.
Does it work with Zwift and Kinomap?
Yes. It has Bluetooth and ANT+ with FTMS support, so it connects to Kinomap, Zwift and Decathlon’s E-Connected app, as well as compatible heart rate belts.
Disclosure: HomeTreadmill.co.uk may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend treadmills we would be happy to use ourselves, and our RunRank scores are not influenced by commercial relationships.
