Horizon Omega Z Review 2026: The Best-Value Folding Treadmill?

Horizon Omega Z folding treadmill with open frame and Pulse Train coaching
Our RunRank Rating
4.1/ 5
★★★★☆
Performance
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
Value
4.5
Features
4.0
Spread the cost over 6 months withKlarna

Motor: 3.0 HP Johnson Drive | Speed: 0.5–12.5 mph | Incline: 0–12% | Deck: 140 × 53 cm (55 × 21 in) | Max user weight: 159 kg | Folding: Yes, hydraulic | Warranty: 2-year parts & labour | Price: £899

The Horizon Omega Z is the most affordable way into the Horizon range and, for a huge number of UK buyers, it is all the treadmill they will ever need. At £899 it pairs the same quiet, responsive 3.0 HP Johnson Drive motor used higher up the range with a full-size 140cm deck, a 12% incline and Horizon’s Pulse Train colour coaching. It is the model we point first-time buyers, walkers and weight-loss starters towards, because it does the everyday job brilliantly without charging you for features you will not use.

It sits below the Horizon 7.0 AT (£1,299) in the range. You give up some deck length, three per cent of incline and the lifetime warranty, but you save £400 and keep the things that matter most for daily cardio: a smooth motor, genuine cushioning and near-silent running.

Who it’s for: first-time treadmill owners, walkers and steady joggers, anyone doing Couch to 5K or weight-loss training, and those in flats or apartment who need a genuinely quiet machine.

Who it’s not for: serious runners who train hard several times a week, who will appreciate the longer deck and steeper incline of the 7.0 AT, and anyone who specifically wants a lifetime frame and motor warranty.

Horizon Omega Z Specs

Motor3.0 HP Johnson Drive System
Speed range0.5 – 12.5 mph (0.8 – 20 km/h)
Incline range0 – 12%
Running deck140 × 53 cm (55 × 21 in)
CushioningVariable Response Cushioning
FrameOpen frame, FeatherLight hydraulic folding
Assembled dimensions183 × 89 × 144 cm (L × W × H)
Max user weight159 kg (351 lb / 25 st)
Display3-window multi-colour LED console
Programmes18 onboard, including Pulse Train; Sprint 8 via FitDisplay app
ConnectivityBluetooth, FitDisplay and @Zone apps, Kinomap, Zwift compatible
Heart rateHand-grip sensors + Bluetooth receiver (chest strap optional)
Warranty2-year parts & labour (confirm frame/motor terms at checkout)
Price£899 (was £1,399) at Fitness Options

Key Features and Benefits

Motor and Speed

The Omega Z runs the 3.0 HP Johnson Drive System, the same quiet, low-RPM motor technology found in Horizon’s pricier models. It recalibrates with every footfall, so there is no lag when you change pace, and it stays impressively cool and quiet under load. The speed range tops out at 12.5 mph, which is faster than most treadmills near this price and plenty for everything from a recovery walk to a hard tempo run. For walking, jogging and steady running, this motor never feels stretched.

Incline

You get a 0 to 12% power incline, adjusted at the touch of a button. Twelve per cent is enough for the popular 12-3-30 workout and for genuinely challenging hill sessions. It is the one area where the Omega Z gives ground to the 7.0 AT, which reaches 15%, but for the vast majority of home users, 12% covers everything they will realistically train at.

Running Deck and Cushioning

The 140 by 53 cm deck is a true full-size running surface, comfortable for walking through to steady jogging and fine for most runners up to around 6 foot. Taller runners with a long sprint stride will eventually want the extra length of the 7.0 AT, but for daily cardio the Omega Z has more than enough room. Underneath, Horizon’s Variable Response Cushioning softens impact through the stride, so your knees and ankles feel notably better after a session than they would on a hard budget deck.

Pulse Train Coaching

Pulse Train is the Omega Z’s signature feature and a genuinely useful one. Using either the hand-grip sensors or a Bluetooth chest strap, the console reads your heart rate and uses colour-coded feedback to keep you in the right training zone, whether you are working on endurance, fat-burning or intensity. For beginners who do not yet know how hard to push, it takes the guesswork out and turns a basic treadmill into a guided one, without any subscription.

Console and Connectivity

The 3-window multi-colour LED console keeps things clear and simple, showing time, distance, speed, incline, calories and heart rate at a glance. There is no built-in touchscreen, but the Omega Z connects over Bluetooth to the FitDisplay and @Zone apps, plus Kinomap and Zwift, using your own phone or tablet. The FitDisplay app even adds the Sprint 8 HIIT programme. As with the rest of the range, none of this is compulsory and nothing is locked behind a fee tied to the machine.

Folding and Quiet Running

The open frame and FeatherLight hydraulic folding make the Omega Z easy to lift, lock and store, and it is one of the quieter treadmills you can buy. The low-RPM motor and cushioned deck keep both motor hum and footstrike noise down, which is exactly what you want if you run early mornings in a flat or a terraced house without waking the household.

Warranty

The Omega Z carries a shorter warranty than Horizon’s AT models, with 2 years of parts and labour cover in the UK rather than the lifetime frame and motor cover on the 7.0 AT and 7.4 AT. That is a fair reflection of its position as the entry model. Confirm the exact frame and motor terms with Fitness Options at checkout, as cover can vary by retailer.

Horizon Omega Z Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Excellent value at £899
  • Same quiet 3.0 HP Johnson Drive motor as pricier models
  • Full-size 140cm deck and real cushioning
  • Pulse Train colour heart-rate coaching
  • Genuinely quiet, ideal for flats
  • Open platform, no subscription

Cons

  • 12% incline, less than the 15% on the AT models
  • Shorter deck than the 7.0 AT for tall sprinters
  • 2-year warranty, not lifetime
  • No built-in touchscreen

How the Horizon Omega Z Compares

vs Horizon 7.0 AT (£1,299): The 7.0 AT is the upgrade for regular runners, adding a longer 152cm deck, a steeper 15% incline, the faster Rapid Sync motor and a lifetime frame and motor warranty. If you run hard several times a week, it is worth the extra £400. If you mostly walk and jog, the Omega Z saves you money without missing much.

vs Horizon Paragon X (£1,699): Different leagues. The Paragon X adds AirTrain terrain simulation, a wider deck and a 180 kg user capacity for serious and heavier runners. The Omega Z is the sensible everyday choice; the Paragon X is the enthusiast’s flagship.

vs the wider market: At £899 the Omega Z competes with a lot of flimsier budget treadmills that lack a proper motor, cushioning or warranty. It also earns a place among the best treadmills under £1,000 in the UK precisely because it brings genuine Horizon engineering to that price.

Verdict

The Horizon Omega Z is the best-value treadmill in the Horizon range and one of the strongest sub-£900 buys in the UK. You get a quiet, responsive motor, a full-size cushioned deck, genuinely useful Pulse Train coaching and an open platform, all without paying for a screen or a subscription. It is not the machine for hard daily runners, who should step up to the 7.0 AT, but for first-timers, walkers and anyone training for general fitness or weight loss, it is exactly enough treadmill for the money.

RunRank 4.1/ 5

Horizon Omega Z

£899 (was £1,399). Spread the cost over 6 months with Klarna.

Pay with Klarna
Check Price at Fitness Options

Horizon Omega Z FAQs

Is the Horizon Omega Z good for beginners?

Yes, it is one of the best beginner treadmills in its price range. The quiet motor, cushioned deck and Pulse Train heart-rate coaching make it easy and comfortable to start with, and it is ideal for Couch to 5K and weight-loss training.

Does the Horizon Omega Z need a subscription?

No. All 18 onboard programmes, Pulse Train coaching and every hardware feature work with no subscription. You can optionally connect apps like Kinomap, Zwift or FitDisplay over Bluetooth using your own device, but none are required.

Is the Horizon Omega Z quiet enough for a flat?

Yes. The low-RPM Johnson Drive motor and Variable Response Cushioning keep both motor noise and footstrike noise low, making it one of the better choices for apartments and terraced houses.

What is the difference between the Omega Z and the 7.0 AT?

The 7.0 AT costs about £400 more and adds a longer 152cm deck, a steeper 15% incline, a faster Rapid Sync motor and a lifetime frame and motor warranty. The Omega Z is the better value for walkers and joggers; the 7.0 AT is better for regular runners.

How much does the Horizon Omega Z cost in the UK?

It is currently £899 at Fitness Options, down from £1,399, with the option to spread the cost over 6 months with Klarna. Prices change with promotions, so check the current price before buying.

What is the maximum user weight of the Omega Z?

The Horizon Omega Z supports a maximum user weight of 159 kg (351 lb), which is high for a folding treadmill at this price and makes it a sturdy option for heavier users.

HomeTreadmill.co.uk is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our RunRank ratings or which models we recommend. Specifications and prices are accurate at the time of publication and may change; confirm details with the retailer before purchase.

Author

  • Chris Linford

    Runner and home fitness enthusiast reviewing treadmills and walking pads for everyday use.

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