Do you need a pricey treadmill, or will a budget option suffice? Here's what experts say

Running in cold weather isn't for me, and if you're the same way, you've probably perused endless treadmill listings in search of the perfect one to help you meet your 2025 fitness goals while not risking frostbite. There are tons of expensive, high-tech options with features like built-in fans and touchscreen monitors. But there are also plenty of reliable, budget-friendly options that promise to get the job done without leaving you in debt.

Speaking of... If your other New Year’s resolution is to spend less money, you’re probably wondering if you really need to splurge on an expensive, high-end treadmill, or if a cheaper option would work just as well. In other words: When it comes to treadmills, do you necessarily get what you pay for?

Knowing what you can afford is just the first step; you also need to be honest with yourself about what you actually need your treadmill to do. Will you use it to help you meet your daily step count? Do you plan to run a few miles every morning? Are you looking for a machine that has built-in workout classes? How much space do you have in your home for said machine? Be very clear about the answers to these questions ... or risk winding up with nothing but a big, expensive laundry rack.

To get to the bottom of the treadmill price question, I spoke with BowFlex fitness advisor Emily Weber, a certified personal trainer, and Anthony Winge, the director of product development at Johnson Health Tech. Below, you'll find their insights on the most important features you should look for when buying any treadmill, and how to decide whether to go wallet-friendly or state-of-the-art.

Should you buy an expensive or cheaper treadmill?

Everyone finds themself entranced by the chi-chi fitness machines with all the high-tech accoutrement until the sticker shock jolts them back to reality. But a treadmill’s price usually depends on its discrete features and not necessarily the quality of the product. "You could pay a lot of money to have an elaborate treadmill with a large console or wearable technology connectivity, but that doesn’t mean the quality is necessarily top-of-the-line," Weber says. Conversely, you could pay a similar price for a premium-quality treadmill without the high-end features. Last month Yahoo editors tested 15 treadmills ranging in price from $239 to $5,995 to come up with our best treadmills list.

It's up to you to decide if the bells and whistles are important to you, or if you just want a solid, quality machine that'll last. For instance, if you like taking long walks, Weber says you may get more out of a machine with a responsive touchscreen monitor to watch movies and TV shows on, though propping a TV up in front of a basic treadmill may work just as well if you have the space. Also, if you're an athlete who needs a treadmill for training purposes, you may care more for a professional-level unit with features like heart rate tracking over one with a touchscreen; then again, a high-tech treadmill may also be helpful for following along with live training classes.

You should also consider others in your household who’ll be using the machine, Winge says. If someone in your home wants to stream fitness classes or use entertainment apps, a built-in screen would be beneficial. But if they plan to use their phone or tablet, then not so much.

Training for a marathon? You may also want to splurge on a pricier machine with a high-quality, cushioned belt and larger deck. But go for a cheaper option (like a walking pad) if you're really just trying to get more steps in, you don't need anything fancy, technology-wise, or space is tight in your home.

Weber recommends paying extra for quick-touch buttons, an underrated treadmill feature you might not think would be worth the splurge. They allow you to quickly and easily change the speed and incline on the treadmill by simply pressing a button. Quick-touch buttons help you stay focused during a workout, she says, which can be especially important for interval training workouts.

One feature that probably isn’t worth the upcharge? An integrated cooling fan. "Once a user gets the treadmill home and starts their workout, they realize it doesn’t move enough air to cool them down compared to a regular fan that’s already in their home," Winge says. One of our treadmill testers even called the built-in fan on the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill "ineffective." There's no need to splurge on features you won't really use, so I recommend leaving this one off your "must-have" list.

What obscure features can quickly drive up the price of a treadmill?

When you start looking at pricier units, you'll likely see a broader training range — for instance, the size of the running area and the incline and decline ranges, as well as the programming options, Winge says. You’ll also see more built-in technology, including touchscreens and smart-watch compatibility.

Then there are the things that you don't see, but which are super important, that can also drive up the price. Winge says the quality of the drive system is one of those core components that generates value. He says you can generally tell how a machine will perform by testing it in a store. There, you can hear how quiet the motor is and how quickly it responds to speed changes. (That's your opportunity to take a look at the warranty too.) "These are all a better indication of the robustness of the drive system than the horsepower rating," he says.

What are some important features to look for in a treadmill?

Regardless of your fitness ability, Weber says there are three things every person should consider when purchasing a treadmill: 1) the deck 2) the speed and incline ranges and 3) the footprint. Let’s take a look at our pick for best treadmill overall (the Horizon 7.4 AT), best splurge (the Peloton Tread+) and the best budget option (Merach's T05 — currently out of stock) to see how they compare.

Deck: This is the area you walk/run on, and where the belt is located. You may want a wider and longer deck if you're a runner or have a broader build. A smaller deck will work if you're primarily using the machine for walking or the occasional jog.

The Horizon 7.4 AT ($1,539) has the widest deck of the three, at 22 inches, with a 60-inch length. The Peloton Tread+ ($5,995) is 20 inches wide and has the longest deck of the three at 67 inches, which is particularly nice if you have a long stride. And the deck on the budget Merach T05 ($239) is only 16 inches wide and 44 inches long — much smaller than the others.

As for maximum capacity, the Horizon is the winner, capable of supporting up to 350 pounds. The Peloton comes in second at 300 pounds, with the Merach can manage a relatively lean 265 pounds. The potential cost savings of a budget model may not be worth it if you’re taller or heavier. But if you’re petite like me — 5' tall — you can probably get away with a smaller deck.

Speed and incline ranges: These metrics are essential to determining if a machine is adequate to support your regimen and achieve your goals, and they're related.

If you tend to do higher-speed running on a flat surface, incline ranges won't really matter. But if you're a power walker with a 3-4 mph range, Winge says to look for middling incline options from 4% to 12%. As for steep inclines (i.e., above 15%), the average pace is in the 1-2 mph range — a walking pad might be the better option for this incline and speed.

To adjust for outdoor conditions while using a treadmill, Weber recommends setting your incline to at least 1% during your run. And if you'd like to add more "hills" to your run, she says a 5% incline mimics a decent climb.

When it comes to finding a treadmill to match your needs, the Horizon and Peloton are similar, with a top speed of 12 mph and 12.5 mph, respectively, and a maximum incline of 15%. The Merach doesn't really stack up here because it doesn't have an incline option and its max speed is 7.5 mph. Again, it's really a preferred option only if you're a walker or a light jogger.

Footprint: This is the amount of square footage the treadmill will take up in your home. If space is particularly tight, look for a foldable option that can easily be moved and stored away. Foldable models can include under-the-desk style treadmills and stable, high-quality machines, Winge says. So you can still find premium options that won't take up so much space. Still, if you've got plenty of room and won't need to move your machine, you'll be able to accommodate a bigger brawnier model.

The Merach folded up is just 5 inches tall, which you could easily store under a bed, couch or inside a closet. The Horizon is also foldable, though harder to move around — likely because of the size. As for the Peloton, you'll have to set it up and leave it as is because it's not foldable – probably not the best option if you need to utilize the space when it's not in use.

Overall, the mid-price range treadmills seem to offer the best of both worlds.

What can more expensive treadmills offer that budget options can't?

Built-in touchscreen consoles are considered a higher-end feature, and treadmills that come with one often command a steeper price tag. For instance, a Peloton Tread+ can cost you nearly $6,000 — and that's the sale price (ouch!); it's regularly $6,405. Console features vary depending on the treadmill you go with, Weber says, and some can include your favorite entertainment apps like YouTube TV and livestreamed workouts, but if $6,000 is too rich for your blood, you can always use a good ol' propped-up tablet for your electronic display.

Some consoles can tilt and rotate 360 degrees to adjust for comfort (so you're not looking up or down while running) or for workouts off the treadmill. You may notice those types of treadmills come with paid memberships that give you access to workout programs — Peloton's membership is $44 a month and if you don't pay for it, you'll lose access to its workout library and live classes.

Some higher-end treadmills also connect and work seamlessly with your wearable devices — for instance, an Apple Watch. "I love having all of my workout data sync from the machine to my watch," Weber says. You can find this feature on treadmills like the BowFlex T9 ($1,499 on sale) and Horizon 7.0 AT (on sale for $999).

But you don't always have to splurge to get these features. The Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill, which is a mid-price range, can also connect to Peloton and Studio apps via Bluetooth.

So ... our conclusion? Picking a treadmill comes down to how much you're comfortable spending and which features you can't live without. And if the machine you truly love is a little out of your budget, well, you can always continue saving up for it. In the meantime: bundle up and stay active!