A quiet treadmill for an apartment can be an excellent investment if you know what to buy. The problem is that many brands that claim to be silent aren’t. And because treadmills are expensive, you could get stuck with one that doesn’t work as advertised.
We’ve painstakingly reviewed many of these treadmills to find the ones that will best suit your needs. Our recommendations are quiet, durable, and perfect for your apartment.
Contents
- 1 How to Buy a Quiet Treadmill for Apartment
- 1.1 1. Overall Best: XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black
- 1.2 2. Best for Achieving Fitness Goals: NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
- 1.3 3. Best for Versatility: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill
- 1.4 4. Perfect for Smaller Runners: Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
- 1.5 5. Best for Control: SereneLife SLFTRD18 – Smart Folding Compact Treadmill
- 2 Things to Know Before You Buy
- 3 Final Word
- 4 FAQs
How to Buy a Quiet Treadmill for Apartment
1. Overall Best: XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill Black
The XTERRA Fitness treadmill is a balanced product with a great combination of price and quality. It has a spacious running surface, a large 5-inch LCD, and a running speed of up to 10 MPH. But that’s just the beginning of its unique functionality.
This treadmill also has 12 preset programs that offer various challenges for your workouts. If you prefer to handle your difficulty personally, don’t worry—there are direct access keys that can steadily increase or reduce your running speed.
While we’re on variety, there are also 3 manual incline settings if you’re looking for even more of a challenge. That, plus the 2.25HP powerful motor, makes the treadmill versatile enough for most users. It can also comfortably hold a user of up to 250 pounds.
Even at high-speed levels, you should still be able to talk to people around you while it’s running—a testament to its quietness (around 60db).
Now, let’s talk about portability. If you plan to store this in an apartment, you’ll probably want all the space you can get. The great news is that this treadmill has a fold-up design. You can lift the treadmill belt, which immediately takes up only a fraction of the space.
The last thing we want to mention about this product is its cushioned deck. It has multiple cushion points that provide impact absorption, making your workouts more comfortable and quiet and extending the treadmill’s lifespan.
Pros
- 3 different incline levels
- Top speed of 10 mph
- Ultrawide LCD display
- Convenient features like handgrip sensors and cup holder
- It can be folded to take up even less space
Cons
- The weight capacity could be higher
- The powerful motor is only covered for 1 year
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a treadmill that provides more value for money than the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill. It is affordable, feature-rich, and perfect for apartments.
2. Best for Achieving Fitness Goals: NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
We love it when a product kills multiple birds with one stone. The NordicTrack T Series Treadmill is more than just quiet – it’s also highly functional. The entire thing is designed to enhance your user experience and make exercising as seamless as possible.
First, it comes with a one-month individual membership with iFit. This helps you connect with trainers and exercise in a live studio ambience right in the comforts of your home. But that’s not all. Your trainer can also auto-adjust your running speed and incline using a simple wireless connection.
Regarding performance, the NordicTrack T Series is at the top. It has a SMART-Response Motor that promotes effective speed and endurance training. The belt is also wide enough to give you lots of latitude. At speeds of 6mph, which is running speed, its noise level can reach just over 70, which is still pretty quiet for a treadmill
One of our favourite features of this treadmill is its 300-pound user capacity. That makes it perfect for anyone, regardless of where they are on their fitness journey. The running belt also has a FlexSelect deck that cushions your feet and protects your joints as you run.
Now, we’d like to tell you about engineering. It has 0-10% live incline control and 1-10MPH live speed control. That makes it even easier to exercise with your trainer. The treadmill also has an EKG grip, PUlse, and fitness tracker that helps you monitor your vitals.
Pros
- It has a motor noise reduction design, which means it’s quiet.
- Can go as high as 10 mph for intense workouts
- Active interaction with a personal trainer
- Interactive LED screen
- Active vitals tracking
Cons
- You can use it without an iFit subscription, but it’s more difficult
- Customer service isn’t the best
This treadmill is perfect if you have fitness goals but can’t find the motivation to exercise. With your iFit subscription, you can work with a trainer, monitor your progress, and even get daily challenges.
3. Best for Versatility: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill
There are many treadmills out there with a manual incline. While these work, we prefer Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill, whose incline is button-activated. Moreover, there are 12 levels between 0 and 12%, each presenting a different challenge.
We also love the multiple workout timers: time, speed, and calories. These allow you to tailor your workout to your specific goals. The treadmill also has other features that complement your goals, like the integrated body mass index calculator, pulse grip, heart rate monitor, and Bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth allows you to do even more from your phone.
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Treadmill can go as fast as 8 mph and holds runners up to 240 pounds. It is smart because you can do everything with your phone, like playing music through the clear built-in speakers.
It’s also very quiet when in use. When walking briskly on this treadmill (3mph), its noise volume will likely be in the mid-50db range.
Even though you’re looking to fit this in your apartment, you’ll still want as much running space as possible. The good news is that you’ll have it because the running belt is 49.5 inches long and 16.5 inches wide. The motor has a power rating of 2.2HP, and the entire product weighs under 70 pounds.
Pros
- It’s very quiet while working
- 3 countdown modes and multiple incline levels
- Four transportation wheels
- Pulse grip heart rate monitor with active vitals tracking
- It’s foldable and highly portable
Cons
- Max weight is only 240 pounds
- Maximum speed could be higher
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 Smart Treadmill is perfect if you’re looking for a product with many features. It has enough features to challenge you while working out, from the countdown timers to the preset modes and incline levels.
4. Perfect for Smaller Runners: Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
We had to include this treadmill because of its advanced design. It can be folded to take up less space, which makes it perfect for an apartment. The riser and handrail can be folded, giving you even more space.
This simple feature makes it perfect for people looking to multitask. You can lower the riser to work out while accomplishing other tasks.
We love how the manufacturer also adjusted maximum speeds to match the orientation. When the riser is down, the max speed is 4km/h, but when raised, it goes up to 12km/h. This way, you can stay safe.
It also has all the staple features of an apartment treadmill, like an ultra-quiet but powerful 2.25 HP motor and shock-proof steel frame. While running on this treadmill, you’ll likely feel cushioning beneath your feet because the running belt is padded to increase running comfort. Despite its powerful motor, it works at low noise levels that max at around 60 dB.
The belt is also non-slip, with five layers providing a spacious running surface. The LCD is on the base of the treadmill, so you can use it whether the riser is up or down. Finally, the treadmill has Bluetooth, allowing you to play music from your phone. It also has a control that can help adjust your running speeds.
Pros
- It’s very portable, perfect for an apartment
- Two different running orientations
- 5-layer running belt for extra grip and cushioning
- It is affordable
- It is very quiet
Cons
- It’s not great for large runners
- There are no onboard controls
If you have a relatively small frame, this treadmill is perfect because it is light and foldable. It’s also great for people who like to multitask because you can lower the riser and get more done with your hands.
5. Best for Control: SereneLife SLFTRD18 – Smart Folding Compact Treadmill
This SereneLife treadmill has a compact design that is perfect for almost any room. And because it’s foldable, it will take up even less space when you’re finished. The running surface is wide enough for most medium-sized runners, and it has an easy-to-use LCD that shows you all your relevant data.
This treadmill made it on this list because of its smartphone app. As you know, we do everything from our homes these days, and it only makes sense that you track your running activity, too. The FitShow app is available on Android and iOS, and it connects your phone to the treadmill through Bluetooth.
But that’s not all. This device also has many other features that give you a ton of control. For example, the preset training allows you to hop on and get running without thinking about setting parameters.
It can go as fast as 6 miles per hour and has a weight capacity of 265 pounds. It’s quiet enough to comfortably hear music through your speakers as you run – about 65 dB.
The SereneLife Smart Folding Treadmill also has an emergency shut-off button that can immediately cut the power and keep you safe.
Pros
- Emergency shutoff button for safety
- It’s portable and can fit into most rooms
- Mobile app for even more control
- Selectable preset modes for quick workouts
Cons
- Not suitable for heavier users
- The treadmill belt is relatively small
If you enjoy controlling your workouts, this is the treadmill for you. In addition to all the stats and control buttons on the LCD, you can also connect your smartphone and track your workouts.
Things to Know Before You Buy
Before you buy a treadmill, it’s essential to know its features. This way, you can differentiate between treadmills that will fit your apartment and those better off in the gym. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a treadmill.
Noise
We’ll discuss treadmills and why they make noise in the FAQs section but know that no treadmill can be completely silent. Instead, look for those with a quiet motor. Since most noise comes from the motor, a quiet motor equals a quiet treadmill.
Horsepower
If you’ve only used treadmills in the gym, you may not realize how important horsepower is. Gym treadmills usually have high ratings because people of various sizes will use them.
The horsepower of treadmill motors affects everything from available running speed to the kind of noise the treadmill makes. If you’ve ever raised your treadmill to an incline and found it wasn’t as fast, the motor’s HP isn’t relatively high enough.
So, how much horsepower should your treadmill have? Well, it depends. The machines on this list have an average rating of 2.5 HP. You should aim for something around the same range, especially if you plan to use the treadmill often – but still want it to stay quiet. According to Johnson Fitness, never buy a treadmill with ratings below 1.5 HP
Belt size
Belt size refers to the available running space on the treadmill. The larger the running size, the more latitude you have when running. The problem with many apartment treadmills is that they tend to have a small belt size to conserve space.
This may not be a problem for you if you have a smaller body frame. But for people with a large build, using a treadmill with a small belt can be uncomfortable and even scary. We recommend that you consider your frame before buying any treadmill.
Sometimes, you never really know how much space is comfortable until you try it. We recommend putting down some masking tape to simulate the treadmill’s running space. The belt’s dimensions are in the product description. If you don’t feel comfortable running within the marked area, consider getting a bigger treadmill.
Incline
A treadmill incline can provide a bigger challenge during your run. At the same speed, a 7% incline can add more difficulty to your run and make it even more rewarding when you complete it.
Even though most treadmills come with incline options, some are better. With some, you can only adjust the incline manually. That means you’ll have to get off and set it yourself. If uncomfortable with the settings, stop running, get off, and readjust.
With more sophisticated treadmills, you can raise the incline while running, which is much more convenient. However, note that these treadmills tend to cost more.
You also have to consider the inclination levels. Some treadmills allow you to use every level between 1% and 12% inclination, allowing you to progress as you slowly raise the difficulty. With other models, you can only use two or three preset inclines.
You should know that the incline isn’t an absolute for most people. You can enjoy your treadmill without raising the incline, but if you’re used to the function, ensure it has it.
Weight rating
Weight rating is one of the reasons why treadmills stop working after a few short weeks. If you’re large, please check the rating before paying a dime.
To be on the safe side, Chron recommends that you get a treadmill that’s above your weight class. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, look out for a machine that can hold a person of 250 pounds. That way, you can use your treadmill however you want.
The faster you run, the more force you deliver to the running belt. If you get a treadmill rated to your weight exactly, high speeds may become too much for the machine to handle.
Weight rating, belt size, and horsepower are all slightly intertwined. Large individuals need treadmills of a wide belt size, high horsepower, and high weight rating. If these elements are missing, your treadmill may not last very long.
Portability
If you’re looking for a treadmill for your apartment, it only makes sense to go for the most portable option. As you know, treadmills take up much space, which could be a big problem.
The good thing about portability and foldability is that you won’t need help raising or lowering the treadmill. There isn’t much to say about portability except that you should ensure your treadmill has it.
Some manufacturers take this one step further by making the riser—the part in front of the treadmill where you view your stats—foldable. With these models, you can lower the riser until it is nothing but the running surface. These are great if you love to multitask or if the riser gets in the way.
Extra features
Some treadmills have amazing features that make them even more impressive than they already are. For example, the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill lets you connect to iFit and work out with a specific trainer. With this, your trainer can adjust your running speed and incline and monitor your progress. Some other treadmills have mobile apps that store your stats and help you track your goals.
There are also features like Bluetooth connectivity, which connects your treadmill to speakers, and a remote control, which lets you adjust your speed without touching the riser.
We’ve already discussed the upward incline, but some treadmills on the market also simulate downward inclines. With these, the rear goes up, allowing you to practice running downhill. Unfortunately, it’s rare to find all these extra features on a single treadmill. The best approach is to find which features work for you and get a treadmill that incorporates them.
Final Word
According to our research, the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill is the best quiet treadmill for an apartment. It is also low-noise, has 3 incline modes, 12 preset workout programs, and a max capacity of 250 pounds.
On the other hand, you could go with the NordicTrack T Series Treadmill, which connects you with an iFit trainer. This treadmill makes it much easier to achieve your fitness goals by keeping you on track. It’s also super quiet and has a maximum weight of 300 pounds.
We hope this article helped you find the best quiet treadmill for apartment spaces!
FAQs
What causes treadmill noise?
All treadmills make noise due to several factors, such as the motor, the friction on the running belt, the impact noise of your feet, and even the floorboards below. Treadmills for apartments need to be quiet, and they achieve this using various tactics.
One of these is a silent motor. Some manufacturers use powerful but silent motors that can reach 10 mph as quietly as possible. Of course, these tend to be more expensive than louder motors.
Another strategy treadmill manufacturers use is soundproofing the running belt. They may do this by adding an extra cushion or increasing the belt’s layers. These will reduce the impact noise and make running more comfortable.
Older treadmills will make noise from the joints as they lose lubrication and rub against each other. Because these parts are constantly moving, you’ll experience this problem sooner or later. That’s why it’s a great idea to service your treadmill as often as recommended.
How can you reduce the noise from a treadmill?
The first step in getting the quietest treadmill is to buy a premium model. These will incorporate all the features discussed earlier, reducing the treadmill’s operating noise.
Another thing you can do is make sure you place it on a solid surface. Wooden floorboards that creak with impact are a bad idea in this scenario.
If you’ve tried all this and still experience unbearable noise, consider running at a slower pace. This reduces the impact noise even more by willfully reducing the impact you’ll deliver to the running belt.
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