Best treadmills under £500 UK lined up side by side showing NordicTrack, Reebok and Domyos models

Five hundred quid. That’s what most beginners have in mind when they start looking for a home treadmill, and honestly, it’s a sensible budget. You’re past the flimsy walking pads and novelty Amazon purchases, but you’re not remortgaging the house for a Peloton Tread either.

The good news? The sub-£500 treadmill market in the UK has improved massively. A few years ago, this budget got you a wobbly frame and a motor that sounded like a blender. Now, you can genuinely get a solid, foldable machine from a reputable brand that will handle regular jogging and last for years. 

And, if you’ve come to this article embarking on your Couch to 5K journey, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that there’s a few machines at this price point that will comfortably handle your challenge.

The bad news? There’s a lot of rubbish mixed in with the good stuff. For every decent treadmill at this price, there are three that look great in the listing photos and fall apart after six months.

This guide separates the two. I’ve reviewed every treadmill worth considering under £500 in the UK, plus a few that regularly drop below that mark in sales. Whether you want the best folding treadmill under £500, the best treadmill for home under £500, or something specifically for running or incline training, there’s a section for you.

Quick note: prices fluctuate. Some of these sit right at the £500 mark and occasionally creep a few pounds either side. I’ve also included a dedicated section on treadmills that are normally above £500 but frequently appear in sales at or below that price, because some of the best value in this market comes from catching the right deal. 

Use the quick nav below to jump through this guide and find your perfect treadmill!

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Quick Comparison: Best Treadmills Under £500

Treadmill Best For Max Speed Price
NordicTrack T Series 5 Best overall 10 mph £499 – £599
Domyos T520B Best folding (sale price) 8.1 mph £449.99
Domyos Compact RUN100 Best compact for home 8.7 mph £499
Reebok i-Run 5.0 Best incline under £500 9.3 mph £499
Sunny Health Slim Folding Ultra-slim storage 9 mph £498.99
CITYSPORTS Folding Budget walking 7.5 mph £179.99
Phoenix Fitness Folding Ultra-budget (not recommended) 8.7 mph £179.99

Our Top Pick: NordicTrack T Series 5

NordicTrack T Series 5 folding treadmill with touchscreen console and SpaceSaver design

Our RunRank Rating: 

Amazon.co.uk Rating:

Buy Now on Amazon:

RunRank: 4.8/5 | Price: £499 (Frequent sale price) | RRP: £549 – £599 | Max Speed: 10 mph | Incline: 10% powered

If you have £500 to spend on a treadmill and you want the best machine your money can buy, this is it. The NordicTrack T Series 5 is, quite simply, the best treadmill around £500 in the UK right now.

NordicTrack is not some unknown new brand. They have been making treadmills since the 1970s, and the T Series 5 has racked up nearly 29,000 reviews on Amazon alone. That volume of genuine user feedback is something no other treadmill at this price comes close to matching.

The 2.6 CHP motor is powerful enough for everything from gentle walks to proper running sessions at 10 mph. For context, the average recreational runner sits between 6 and 7 mph, so you have genuine headroom here. The 10% powered incline is a standout at this price. Most sub-£500 treadmills give you either no incline at all or a manual incline with a couple of fixed positions. A motorised incline that adjusts at the touch of a button genuinely transforms the range of workouts you can do.

The running deck measures 140 x 46 cm with NordicTrack’s FlexSelect cushioning, which lets you toggle between a softer and firmer surface. It folds vertically with a hydraulic EasyLift assist and rolls on transport wheels, so a single person can fold it and wheel it against a wall without much effort.

Register within 28 days of purchase and you get a lifetime frame warranty, a 10-year motor warranty, and 2 years parts and labour. At £499 – £549 online, that works out to roughly 13p a day over a decade. You will not find better long-term value anywhere in this price bracket.

It does come with iFIT compatibility and a 30-day free trial. After that it is a paid subscription, but the treadmill works perfectly well without it. Do not let the subscription put you off the hardware.

Best for: Anyone who wants the best overall treadmill under £500. Reliable brand, proven hardware, excellent warranty, and enough performance for regular running. This is the one to beat.

Just a note on this mill’, it’s actually got a higher RRP at around £599, but it’s very frequently on offer for £499 – £549 which makes it a solid inclusion on this list. Even at £549, if you can stretch the extra few quid you’re getting much more machine for your money.

NordicTrack T Series 5 folding treadmill with touchscreen console and SpaceSaver design Product Closeup

NordicTrack T Series 5

  • Powerful 2.6 CHP motor delivers quiet, consistent performance
  • 10% incline capability transforms flat sessions into calorie-burning hill workouts
  • Cushioned running deck provides ample room for comfortable strides
  • iFit compatibility unlocks thousands of trainer-led workouts
  • 10-year motor warranty on registration

Best Folding Treadmills in the UK Under £500

If your treadmill needs to disappear when it is not in use, folding capability is non-negotiable. We have an entire section on the best folding treadmills for UK homes, but if budget is your key focus, the treadmills we’ve reviewed below are perfect. 

Every treadmill on this page folds to some degree, but the machines in this section are specifically chosen because they fold down to the smallest footprints, making them ideal for flats, spare bedrooms, and rooms that serve double duty.

Domyos Folding Treadmill T520B

Our RunRank Rating: 

Decathlon User Rating:

Buy Now at Decathlon:

RunRank 4.1/5 Price: £449.99 (sale) | RRP: £549.99 | Max Speed: 8.1 mph | Stars: 4.6/5 from 826 reviews

The Domyos T520B is a Decathlon exclusive, and it is one of the best-kept secrets in the UK treadmill market. At its sale price of £449.99, it is hard to argue with what you get.

Decathlon’s own-brand fitness equipment has quietly built a reputation for solid quality at sensible prices, and the T520B is a prime example. It is designed for walking and jogging at speeds up to 8.1 mph, which comfortably covers brisk walking, incline sessions, and light running for most users.

The folding mechanism is clean and practical, and the overall build quality reflects Decathlon’s approach: no flashy screens or app ecosystems, just a well-made machine that does what it says on the tin.

Where the T520B really shines is the warranty. Decathlon offers 2 years parts and labour, a 5-year metallic frame warranty, after-sales service, and spare parts available for 10 years. That last point is crucial. Most budget treadmill brands disappear after a year or two, taking their spare parts with them. In all likelihood, Decathlon is not going anywhere, and neither are the replacement belts and rollers for this machine.

With 826 reviews averaging 4.6 stars on Decathlon’s own website, the user feedback is overwhelmingly positive. This is a treadmill that real people have bought, used regularly, and been happy enough with to leave a good review.

The T520B is frequently on sale. At its full RRP of £549.99, like the NordicTrack T Series 5 it is technically just outside our £500 budget, but it spends enough time at £449.99 that catching it at the lower price is straightforward if you are not in a rush.

Best for: Buyers who want a reliable folding treadmill from a high-street brand with excellent after-sales support. Ideal for walking and jogging. Not built for serious running for extended periods, but that is not what it is designed for.

Domyos T520B:

  • 4.6 from 826 verified Decathlon reviews
  • 5-year metallic frame warranty + 10 years parts
  • Walk into any Decathlon store for after-sales support 
  • Clean folding design built for daily use
  • Frequently on sale at £449.99 (RRP £549.99)

Sunny Health & Fitness Slim Folding Treadmill

Sunny Health Slim Folding Treadmill review ultra-compact design for small spaces

Our RunRank Rating: 

Amazon Rating (1,000+ Reviews):

Buy Now on Amazon:

Price: £498.99 | Max Speed: 9 mph | RunRank: 3.5/5

The Sunny Health & Fitness Interactive Slim Folding Treadmill (what a mouthful) takes a fundamentally different approach to folding. Instead of the deck tilting upright like a traditional folding treadmill, this one collapses down to just 14 cm tall. That means it slides under a bed, under a sofa, or into a cupboard. If your storage situation means a vertically folding treadmill still takes up too much room, this solves the problem.

The 2.2 HP brushless motor delivers speeds up to 9 mph with quiet operation that suits those living in flats or with close neighbours. The three-position manual incline adds some variety, and the soft-drop unfolding system prevents the deck from slamming onto your floor when you set it up.

At 39.5 kg, it is one of the lighter treadmills you will find with a proper frame, making it genuinely portable around the house.

The trade-off is stability. At higher speeds, you will notice more movement than you would on a heavier, more planted machine like the NordicTrack or Reebok. For walking and light jogging up to about 7 mph, it is perfectly fine. Push it towards its 9 mph limit regularly, and you may find it less reassuring underfoot.

One thing to note is the huge number of Amazon reviews for this treadmill, over 1,000 user reviews as of February 2026, with an average score of 4.4. This is a very good signal that a lot of people are satisfied with this machine! 

Best for: Anyone with genuinely limited storage space who needs a treadmill that disappears completely when not in use. Walking and light jogging only.

Sunny Health and Fitness Slim folding treadmill collapsed to 14cm height for under-bed storage

Sunny Health & Fitness Slim Folding Treadmill

  • Folds to just 14cm flat — slides under a bed, sofa, or into a cupboard
  • 2.2 HP brushless motor for quiet operation
  • Soft-drop unfolding system prevents deck slamming
  • Only 39.5 kg — one of the lightest treadmills
  • 3-position manual incline adds workout variety

Best Treadmill for UK Homes Under £500

These picks prioritise the overall home experience: build quality, noise levels, footprint, ease of use, and how well they fit into a normal UK household. Not everyone needs the fastest or the most feature-packed machine. Sometimes you just want something solid that works, does not annoy the neighbours, and does not dominate the spare room.

Domyos Compact RUN100

Domyos Compact RUN100 folding treadmill by Decathlon, compact home design

Our RunRank Rating: 

Decathlon User Rating:

Buy Now at Decathlon:

Price: £499 | Max Speed: 8.7 mph | Stars: 4.6/5 from 269 reviews

The Compact RUN100 is the newer sibling of the T520B, and Decathlon have positioned it as their compact home treadmill. It tops out at 8.7 mph, which edges it slightly above the T520B and into light running territory.

The “compact” branding is earned. This machine is designed to take up minimal floor space while still offering a usable running surface, and the folding mechanism keeps it tidy when stowed away.

Like the T520B, you get Decathlon’s excellent warranty package: 2 years parts and labour, 5-year metallic frame, and spare parts for a decade. The 269 reviews averaging 4.6 stars suggest Decathlon have got the quality right again.

The RUN100 is a strong choice if you want a straightforward, no-nonsense treadmill from a brand you can actually visit in person. If something goes wrong, you can walk into a Decathlon store. That is a genuine advantage over online-only brands where customer service means waiting days for an email reply.

Best for: Home users who value simplicity, compact design, and the reassurance of buying from a brand with physical UK stores and a strong warranty.

Domyos Compact RUN100

  • Decathlon’s newest compact treadmill 
  • 4.6 stars from 269 reviews
  • Designed for minimal floor space
  • 5-year frame warranty + 10 years spare parts
  • Buy in-store or online

Reebok i-Run 5.0 Folding Treadmill

Reebok i-Run 5.0 folding treadmill with 12-level powered incline and Bluetooth connectivity

Our RunRank Rating: 

Amazon Rating:

Buy Now on Amazon:

Price: £499 | Max Speed: 9.3 mph | Incline: 12-level powered

The Reebok i-Run 5.0 is quietly one of the most interesting treadmills at this price point. It does not get the attention of the NordicTrack or the marketing push of the Decathlon models, but it ticks a lot of boxes that other sub-£500 machines miss.

The headline feature is the 12-level powered incline. At this price, that is exceptional. Most treadmills under £500 either have no incline or a basic manual system with two or three positions. The i-Run 5.0 gives you motorised incline adjustment at the touch of a button, which makes a genuine difference to workout variety, calorie burn, and training for hilly outdoor routes. This makes it the only treadmill on this list capable of the 12-3-30 workout

The 2.0 HP peak motor drives speeds up to 9.3 mph, which covers walking, brisk jogging, and moderate running. It is not built for sprint intervals, but for consistent home use at sensible paces it is perfectly capable.

Two features deserve specific mention. First, it requires no assembly. You take it out of the box and it is ready to use. For anyone who has spent a frustrating Sunday afternoon wrestling with Allen keys and instruction manuals, that alone might be worth the asking price. Second, it supports Zwift and Kinomap via Bluetooth, which is unusual at this price and opens up a world of interactive training without being locked into a proprietary platform.

The compact footprint makes it a practical choice for smaller rooms, and the folding mechanism keeps it manageable when not in use.

Best for: Home users who want powered incline without spending over £500. The no-assembly design is a genuine bonus, and Zwift compatibility adds long-term versatility. A solid middle-of-the-road choice that does a bit of everything well.

12-3-30 CAPABLE: Reebok i-Run 5.0

  • 12-level powered incline (full 12-3-30 workouts possible)
  • Zero assembly required
  • Zwift and Kinomap compatible via Bluetooth 
  • 9.3 mph top speed covers walking, jogging, and moderate running
  • Compact folding design 

Best Running Treadmill Under £500

Let’s be direct about this: if your primary goal is running at pace, the NordicTrack T Series 5 is the only treadmill under £500 that genuinely handles it well.

At 10 mph top speed with a 2.6 CHP continuous motor, the T Series 5 has the power and belt speed to support proper running sessions. The 140 x 46 cm deck gives you enough room to open up your stride without feeling boxed in, and the FlexSelect cushioning reduces impact on your joints without feeling bouncy.

The Reebok i-Run 5.0 comes second at 9.3 mph, which is adequate for steady-paced runs but will feel limiting if you want to do faster intervals or tempo work. The Domyos models top out at 8.1 and 8.7 mph respectively, which realistically puts them in the jogging category rather than running.

If running is genuinely your thing and you are willing to stretch the budget slightly, keep reading the sale section below. The Reebok GT40z at 11.2 mph and the NordicTrack T Series 5 at 10 mph on sale days offer noticeably better running experiences than anything fixed under the £500 line.

For a broader look at machines built specifically for runners, our best home treadmill UK guide covers mid-range and premium options with faster speeds and larger decks.

NordicTrack T Series 5 folding treadmill with touchscreen console and SpaceSaver design Product Closeup

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY: NordicTrack T Series 5

  • Powerful 2.6 CHP motor
  • 10% incline capability 
  • Cushioned running deck provides ample room for comfortable strides
  • iFit compatibility 
  • 10-year motor warranty 

Best Incline Treadmill Under £500

Incline training has exploded in popularity, largely thanks to the 12-3-30 treadmill workout. Walking at a steep incline burns significantly more calories than flat walking, builds glute and hamstring strength, and provides a serious cardiovascular workout without the joint impact of running.

The problem is that most treadmills under £500 have limited or no incline. Here is what you are working with.

The Reebok i-Run 5.0 is the clear winner in this category with its 12-level powered incline. That is enough for the full 12-3-30 workout and most incline training programmes. At £499, it is the cheapest treadmill in the UK that offers motorised multi-level incline with any degree of seriousness.

The NordicTrack T Series 5 offers 10% powered incline, which is close to but not quite the 12% needed for a full 12-3-30 session. For general incline walking and varied training, 10% is still very effective.

The Sunny Health Slim Folding has a three-position manual incline, which is basic but functional. You set it before your workout and it stays there. Fine for adding some gradient to your walks, but not ideal if you want to adjust mid-session.

The Domyos models and CITYSPORTS have limited or no meaningful incline capability.

If incline training is your primary goal and you can stretch slightly above £500, the Reebok GT40z at £549 offers 12% powered incline with a more robust build. It also frequently drops below £500 in sales.

Budget Picks Under £200: Proceed with Caution

Can you get a functional treadmill for under £200? Technically, yes. Should you expect it to rival anything further up this list? Absolutely not. These are entry points for people who want to test whether they will actually use a treadmill before committing to a bigger spend.

CITYSPORTS Folding Treadmill

Our RunRank Rating: 

Amazon Rating:

Buy Now on Amazon:

Price: £189.99 | Max Speed: 7.5 mph | Stars: 4.2/5 from 312 reviews on Amazon

The CITYSPORTS is a peculiar thing. It bills itself as a folding treadmill, and it technically is, but in practice it is much closer to a walking pad that happens to have arms and a small console.

It is extremely lightweight, which makes it easy to move around, but that same lack of weight means it does not feel particularly stable at anything above walking pace. The 7.5 mph top speed is adequate for brisk walking and very light jogging, but this is not a machine you would want to run on regularly.

The 312 Amazon reviews averaging 4.2 stars are generally positive, though a lot of that goodwill comes from people who bought it specifically for walking at their desk or gentle use. Treated as a compact walking machine, it is decent value. Treated as a treadmill for exercise, it has clear limitations.

The build quality reflects the price. Plastic components, a narrow belt, and a motor that works hard at higher speeds. If you want something to walk on while working from home or watching telly, it does the job. If you want something to run on, save up for one of the machines further up this page.

Best for: Light walking and under-desk use only. Not recommended for running or serious fitness use.

CITYSPORTS Folding Treadmill

  • Just £189.99 which makes it a low price entry to home treadmills
  • 4.2 stars from 312 Amazon reviews
  • Ultra-lightweight and portable
  • Best suited for walking and light jogging only — not a true running machine
  • Narrow belt and plastic construction — expect budget build quality

Phoenix Fitness Folding Running Treadmill

Phoenix Fitness folding running treadmill, budget 25kg frame with LED display

Our RunRank Rating: 

Amazon Rating (Only 2 reviews):

Buy Now on Amazon:

Price: £168.99 | Max Speed: 8.7 mph | Weight: 25 kg

We are including the Phoenix Fitness because it appears in a lot of budget treadmill searches, and we would rather give you an honest assessment than have you buy it based on the Amazon listing alone.

On paper, the specs look reasonable for the price: 2.5 HP motor, speeds up to 8.7 mph, adjustable incline, LED display, and heart rate monitor. At 25 kg, it is light enough to move around easily.

In practice, there are concerns. The machine has very few verified user reviews, which at this price point is a red flag.

Established budget treadmills like the CITYSPORTS and Domyos models have hundreds or thousands of reviews because they have been on the market long enough to prove themselves. A lack of reviews usually means either the product is very new or people are not buying it in volume, and neither inspires confidence.

The 25 kg weight tells you a lot about the build quality. For comparison, the NordicTrack T Series 5 weighs 76 kg and the Reebok GT40z weighs 61 kg. A 25 kg treadmill with an 8.7 mph top speed is going to vibrate and move at higher speeds. That is simply physics.

The adjustable incline is manual, the running deck dimensions of 105 x 41 cm are on the small side, and the overall construction uses materials that reflect the price.

Our verdict: We would not recommend this treadmill. The lack of user reviews, lightweight construction, and unknown brand aftercare make it a risk at any price. Spend a similar £180 on a CITYSPORTS if you want a budget walking machine, or save up another £300 for a NordicTrack or Decathlon model that will actually last.

NordicTrack T Series 5

  • Very few verified user reviews but initial feedback seems positive
  • Just 25 kg total weight makes it good for individuals with small spaces
  • Unknown brand aftercare, likely similar to other new sellers (limited)
  • Same price as CITYSPORTS which has 312+ proven reviews
  • Could be a good breakout brand in the future, one to keep an eye on 

Treadmills Frequently on Sale for Under £500

Some of the best treadmill deals in the UK come from machines that sit just above £500 at full price but regularly drop below that mark during sales, promotional events, or seasonal discounts. If you have the patience to wait for a deal, these three are worth watching.

NordicTrack T Series 5

RRP: £599 | Sale price: Often drops to £499-£549

Yes, the T Series 5 appears again. At its standard £599 it is already our top pick, but NordicTrack regularly run promotions that bring it below £480, and during Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, and January sales it has been spotted as low as £449. At that price, it is an absolute steal.

Set up price alerts on Amazon. This is a treadmill worth buying at full price, so catching it discounted is just a bonus.

NordicTrack T Series 5 folding treadmill with touchscreen console and SpaceSaver design Product Closeup

NordicTrack T Series 5

  • Powerful 2.6 CHP motor delivers quiet, consistent performance
  • 10% incline capability transforms flat sessions into calorie-burning hill workouts
  • Cushioned running deck provides ample room for comfortable strides
  • iFit compatibility unlocks thousands of trainer-led workouts
  • 10-year motor warranty on registration

Reebok UPGRADED GT40z

RRP: £549 | Sale price: Frequently drops below £500

The Reebok GT40z is a treadmill we rate very highly across the site. At its full £549 RRP it sits just outside this guide’s budget, but it spends a significant amount of time on sale at or below £500.

What makes it worth watching? The GT40z offers 12% powered incline (the full 12-3-30 capability), an 11.2 mph top speed, Zwift and Kinomap compatibility, and a 10-year frame and motor warranty. At any price under £500, that specification is exceptional.

It weighs just 61 kg with ZigTech cushioning adapted from Reebok’s running shoe line, and the soft-drop folding mechanism prevents the deck from slamming onto your floor. If you catch this at £499 or below, it is arguably a better buy than everything else on this page except the NordicTrack, and even that comparison is close.

Read our full Reebok GT40z coverage

REEBOK UPGRADED GT40z

  • ZigTech cushioning technology
  • 12% maximum incline exceeds many competitors
  • Built-in speakers and MP3 connectivity
  • Hand pulse sensors and wireless heart rate receive
  • Soft-drop folding mechanism prevents sudden deck drops

Domyos Folding Treadmill T520B

RRP: £549.99 | Sale price: Currently £449.99 (frequently discounted)

As covered in the folding section above, the T520B regularly drops from £549.99 to £449.99 on Decathlon’s website. This is not a rare sale event. It seems to spend almost as much time at the reduced price as it does at full RRP.

At £449.99, it is the cheapest branded treadmill on this page with a serious review count (826 reviews at 4.6 stars) and Decathlon’s industry-leading warranty. If you want to spend less than £500 and still get a machine backed by a brand with physical UK stores, this is the safest bet.

View on Decathlon

What to Look for in a Treadmill Under £500

At this price point, you are making trade-offs. No treadmill under £500 does everything brilliantly. The key is knowing which trade-offs matter to you and which do not.

Motor power determines how smoothly the belt runs and how long the machine lasts. Look for at least 2.0 HP continuous for walking and jogging, and 2.5 CHP or higher if you plan to run regularly. Continuous horsepower (CHP) is more useful than peak horsepower, which is often inflated in marketing.

Running deck size matters more than most people realise. A deck that is too short or too narrow feels restrictive and can be genuinely unsafe at higher speeds. For walking, 120 x 40 cm is adequate. For jogging and running, aim for at least 130 x 45 cm.

Top speed should match your intended use. Walking requires up to about 4 mph. Brisk walking and light jogging need 6 to 8 mph. Regular running needs 9 mph or above. Do not buy a treadmill where you expect to regularly hit the maximum speed, because motors work hardest and wear fastest at their limits.

Incline is the single most impactful feature for calorie burn and workout variety. Even a few percent of incline dramatically increases the intensity of a walk. Powered incline that adjusts mid-workout is far more useful than manual incline that requires you to stop and physically change the angle.

Warranty separates serious manufacturers from here-today-gone-tomorrow brands. Look for at least 2 years on parts and labour, and ideally 5 years or more on the frame and motor. If a brand will not warranty their motor for more than a year, they are not confident it will last.

For a detailed breakdown of what treadmills cost across every budget level, see our treadmill pricing guide.

The Bottom Line

The NordicTrack T Series 5 is the best treadmill under £500 in the UK. The combination of a trusted brand, proven motor, powered incline, and an industry-leading warranty makes it the standout choice for most buyers.

If folding is your top priority and you can catch the sale price, the Domyos T520B at £449.99 offers excellent value with Decathlon’s reassuring warranty and in-store support.

If incline training matters most, the Reebok i-Run 5.0 is the only sub-£500 treadmill with 12-level powered incline, making it the go-to for the 12-3-30 workout and serious incline walking.

And if you can wait for a sale, the Reebok GT40z dropping below £500 is arguably the single best deal in UK home fitness right now: 12% incline, 11.2 mph top speed, Zwift compatibility, and a 10-year warranty for under five hundred quid.

Whatever you choose, buy from a brand you can hold accountable. Warranties, spare parts, and customer service matter far more than saving £50 on an unknown Amazon listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a treadmill under £500 actually any good?

Yes, if you buy from the right brands. The NordicTrack T Series 5, Reebok i-Run 5.0, and Decathlon’s Domyos range all deliver genuine quality at this price. What you will not get under £500 is a large touchscreen, a powerful motor for daily high-speed running, or the kind of build quality that shrugs off years of heavy use without maintenance. For regular walking, jogging, and moderate running, this budget is perfectly adequate.

What is the best treadmill under £500 for weight loss?

Any treadmill you will actually use consistently is the best treadmill for weight loss. That said, machines with incline capability will help you burn more calories in less time. The Reebok i-Run 5.0 with its 12-level powered incline and the NordicTrack T Series 5 with 10% incline are the strongest options. See our guide to losing weight on a treadmill for evidence-based advice.

Should I buy a cheap treadmill or save for a better one?

It depends on how you plan to use it. If you want to walk regularly and do light jogging, a £500 treadmill from a reputable brand will serve you well for years. If you want to run at pace several times a week, train for events, or use it as a full gym replacement, saving up for a mid-range machine in the £700 to £1,000 bracket will give you a noticeably better experience. Our best home treadmill UK guide covers mid-range and premium options.

Can I do the 12-3-30 on a treadmill under £500?

The 12-3-30 workout requires 12% incline at 3 mph for 30 minutes. The only treadmill on this page that definitively reaches 12% incline is the Reebok i-Run 5.0. The NordicTrack T Series 5 reaches 10%, which is close but not quite there. If the 12-3-30 is your primary workout, the Reebok i-Run 5.0 or the Reebok GT40z on sale are your best options under £500.

Is a walking pad better than a treadmill under £500?

They serve different purposes. A walking pad is smaller, lighter, and cheaper, but typically limited to walking speeds with no incline and no handrails. A treadmill under £500 offers faster speeds, incline options, cushioning, and a more stable platform. If you only want to walk at a desk, a walking pad makes sense. If you want proper exercise capability, a treadmill is the better investment.

Prices checked February 2026. All prices are subject to change. We update this page monthly to reflect current UK pricing.

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