Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill Review
The treadmill market has recently become very compeitive with many manufacturers bringing out new more affordable models that are under $500.
Most of the time treadmills that cost less than $500 are for walking or light jogging, they are not really designed for running. For treadmills for running go here.
I did some research on the most popular rated treadmills on Amazon and below I compared a number of different models and point out what I think is the
best buy for a treadmill under $500.
My #1 Pick is The Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill
In my opinion the best treadmill under $500 is the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill. See below for the reasons and the other treadmills that I compared.
There are a few different models in this range with the Merit Fitness 725T Plus coming a close second only due to the warranty on parts being only 90 days compared to 1 year with the Horizon Evolve treadmill.
Both of these two models are bestsellers on Amazon and are very popular with readers of this website. The Horizon Evolve is a smaller compact model treadmill at only 99lbs while the Merit Fitness is quite a bit larger at 150lbs.
Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill
6 Features To Look For When Choosing a Treadmill
When looking at all the different models I compared a number of features that are very important when buying a treadmill for under $500
- Price
This is a major concern for many people as they may have a budget in mind when shopping for a treadmill. With treadmills in particular if you spend slightly more you
can usually get a better product. I looked at some treadmills around $200-$300 like the Stamina InMotion II Manual Treadmill and the Phoenix Denise Austin 98510 Easy-Up Manual Treadmill but felt they were not as good as the Horizon Evolve SG Compact because they were manual treadmills and seemed to lack the quality that the Evolve treadmill has.
- Warranty
Most Treadmills under $500 have a very limited warranty because they generally are not designed to last as long as a more expensive treadmill. The length of warranty
should give you an indication of how long they think the treadmill will last. Warranties usually are 90 days- 1 year on parts and 1 year to lifetime on the frame.
- Customer Service
Are they contactable via phone or email? This is important because you dont want to be waiting weeks or having to find your own replacement parts if customer service
decides to slack off. Sometimes things will break or you just need some advice about the product. A website and customer service that respond is important.
- Easy to Assemble
I know it can get frustrating if the installation process is difficult or takes a long time. Clear instructions and an uncomplicated installation process is important for most people.
- Good Parts/ Quality Company
This is related to the warranty. A good company that is confident in their product will have a strong warranty that shows they are willing to back up their product. They will be sure
that their treadmill will run without problems. As with all electronic equipment they may break down eventually but if you have a good warranty and a quality
company providing support then you have nothing to worry about
- Positive Customer Reviews
This is one of the most important things of when buying something online. Reliable reviews from customers, the Horizon Evolve SG was reviewed very highly on Amazon.com as was the
Merit Fitness 725T Plus
Why The Horizon Evolve SG Treadmill Is So Popular
- It is very small and compact weighing in at only 99lbs. It is very popular for people who have a condo or live in an apartment because it can be folded and moved away under a bed or out of the way after it has been used.
- When you get the treadmill you dont have to assemble it. It already comes assembled in the box. You just need to open the box and the treadmill is ready to go!
- It has a shelf for placing a book, magazine or ipad so you can read while using it.
- Good customer service from a company called Johnson Fitness who are one of the worlds largest fitness equipment manufacturers. They also make the Merit Fitness 725T Plus.
- It has a 10 year warranty on the Frame, 5 years on the motor and 1 year parts and labor warranty.
What is the Buzz surrounding the Horizon Evolve SG Treadmill
The buzz is what other people are saying about this on sites around the web, you can often get a good idea about products by reviewing the comments found on the internet. This is what we have found.
Pros: What do the good reviews say?
Here is a list of positive things we have found said about the Horizon Evolve SG Compact Treadmill
- prompt customer service, respond quickly to phone calls
- light and compact can be store away easily
- easy to move around and fold (even for an older 50 year old lady)
- great for walking or light jogging
- use it every day without problems
- very quiet even in an apartment and neighbors don’t complain
Cons: What are the Negative reviews saying?
- too heavy for some people (it is 99lbs has wheels and is actually one of the lightest treadmills available.)
- no incline
- max 6miles per hour speed
- the belt does not stay centered (there is instructions on how to fix this and many have had no problems with the belt)
The Competition Of The Horizon Evolve SG Treadmill
- Merit Fitness 725T Plus
- Merit Fitness 725T
- Merit Fitness 715T
- Stamina Inmotion II Manual Treadmill
- Pheonix 95816 Easy Up Treadmill
Under $500 Treadmill Competition
| Treadmill | Motor | Warranty | Treadmill Weight | Running Area | Belt Speed | Other Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Evolve | 1.5 CHP | Frame 10 Years, Motor 5 years, Parts/Labor 1 year. | 99lbs | 17″ x 45″ | 1-6mph | Foldable, max weight 250lb, Heart Rate Monitor, 2 Built In Programs. | $499 |
| Merit Fitness 725T Plus | 1.5 CHP | Lifetime Frame, 2 Years Motor, 90 Parts/Labor | 150lbs | 18″ x 45″ | 1-10mph | Incline, Foldable, Max Weight 250lbs, | $449 |
| Merit Fitness 725T | 1.25 CHP | Lifetime Frame, 2 Years Motor, 90 Parts/Labor | 140lbs | 18″ x 45″ | 1-10mph | Incline, Cushion Deck, 7 Programs, 2 cup holders, hand heart rate monitor | $499 |
| Pheonix 95816 Easy Up Treadmill | Manual Treadmill, self powered. | 1 Year Frame, 90 Parts. | 50lbs | 13.5″x 41.5″ | N/A Manual | Foldable, 250lb Max Weight. | $140 |
| Merit Fitness 715T | 1.5 CHP | Lifetime Frame, 1 Year Motor, 90 Parts/Labor | 135lbs | 18″ x 47″ | 1-10mph | Foldable, LCD Display, 250lb Max Weight. | $399 |
| Stamina Inmotion II Manual Treadmill | Manual Treadmill, self powered. | 1 Year Frame, 90 Parts. | 56lbs | 17″ x 42″ | N/A Manual | Max Weight 250lbs, battery operated distance tracking. | $199 |
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Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Horizon Evolve is the best treadmill under $500 for people who need a compact treadmill for walking or light jogging. It has the longest warranty and is made of quality parts
from a popular treadmill company that has good customer service and good customer feedback. The cheapest place to get this treadmill is currently at Amazon.com.
| Online Shop | Condition | Shipping | Treadmill Price | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | New | Free Shipping | $499 | $499 |
| Horizonfitness.com | New | Free Shipping | $599 | $599 |
| Sports Authority | New | $49.99 | $599 | $649.98 |
| Buy.com | New | Free Shipping | $615.80 | $615.80 |
| Sears Marketplace | New | Extra | $699 | $699+ Shipping |
What if I had $100 more?
The Merit Fitness is also a very good treadmill although the warranty is only for 90 days on parts and labor. If you want to spend just over $500 i would get the Merit Fitness 725T Plus and buy a Squaretrade 3 year warranty. This would come to around $550 . This is another option you can consider.
The main different between the Horizon Evolve SG and the Merit Fitness 725T Plus is the warranty length and the Merit Fitness 725T Plus is about 50lbs heavier. Because of this extra 50lbs moving the Merit Fitness 725T Plus treadmill will most likely be more difficult than the Horizon Evolve. So if space is not a concern then I would recommend the Merit 725T Plus with the upgraded warranty.
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