Sole F80 Treadmill

The pick for anyone who wants to pay once and never again. The F80's built-in programs need no subscription. Its frame is a rock-solid Z shape, and the deck is deliberately firm, closer to running on a road than the springier NordicTrack decks. That suits runners who want treadmill miles to carry over outdoors, less so anyone who wants maximum softness underfoot. The 60 by 22-inch deck leaves room for a long stride, it takes users up to 350 pounds, and it folds. In testing it measured 65 dB, among the louder machines, so it is a better fit for a basement than a room beside a sleeping child. List price is around $1,900.