Top 7 Quietest Treadmills For Home Use

A treadmill is an excellent investment, whether you’re a dedicated runner or you just need a machine that’s going to allow you to do great cardio. 

But if you live in a small apartment, with other people, or like to exercise at strange times of the day or night, then it’s important to consider how noisy your treadmill is so you don’t disturb others. 

We’ve found the quietest treadmills for home use that allow you to get a great workout without waking up the neighbors or even your partner. Gone are the days of a noisy treadmill being your only option!

In A Hurry? Here’s Our Best Picks

Why Trust BoxLife?

The BoxLife team has many years of exercise experience between us, including running (walking, sprinting…) on multiple brands of treadmill. The treadmill is one of the most common pieces of cardio equipment, so we’ve spent time on almost every one over the years. 

We’re also big into safe, comfortable exercise. None of us want to get injured, so we take a lot of care over the equipment we choose to use. Which is why we look at treadmills with a different eye to most people. 

We get excited over motors. We’re big fans of good cushioning. And we love to know exactly how hard we can push ourselves on any given machine. If there’s anything we didn’t know before now, you can be sure we researched it to the max. 

We’ve put all our experience, knowledge, and research together into this article so you can use this information to make a smart decision about what sort of treadmill will work for you!

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Who Is This Guide For?

This guide to the top quiet treadmills for home use is aimed at those who want a treadmill to aid in their weight loss and fitness goals but need their home space to remain quiet. 

It’s written for those who: 

• Live in a small apartment with others right next door 
• Want to be able to exercise without disturbing others in the home 
• Work out late at night when others in the home may be asleep 
• Hate the sound of a regular commercial treadmill! 

If you don’t want a loud treadmill and one of the most important features for you is quietness, then this is the guide for you. 

How We Chose the Quietest Treadmills 

We all have our treadmill preferences, but we didn’t just stop at the ones we particularly love. Aside from personal experience and testing out the treadmills we had at our disposal, we did in-depth research to ensure that we found all the information necessary. 

We checked Amazon reviews, sports retailers, and fitness websites to find real-people reviews. We also scouted around forum sites like Reddit, Quora, and fitness-related forums, to find real people’s real opinions on each one of these treadmills!

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How We Tested Them 

Once we’d nailed down the quietest treadmills we really liked, we tested them by checking the following 7 features: 

• Loudness 
• Deck Cushioning 
• Maximum Speed 
• Incline/Decline 
• Built-In Programs 
• Foldability 
• Price 

While quietness is the main thing we’re going for, we still want to make sure you’re getting a quality machine! 

These factors are important to ensure a good workout, as well as a low noise level. We’ll delve into each of these features in each treadmill’s review. 

The Quietest Treadmills – Our Choices

NordicTrack Commercial X22i – Best iFit Treadmill

This treadmill is a commercial-grade machine, but it’s quiet enough for you to run on it at home even if you’re living with others and want to avoid disturbing them. If you’re after an iFit treadmill that can support all your fitness goals, this is the one! 

Why We Like It 

This treadmill has been tested and shown to be around 66 to 67 decibels in loudness, which is one of the quietest you can find. The 4.0 motor is still extremely powerful, so don’t think the lack of noise impacts the quality of your workout! 

As well as a quiet motor, it has a strong deck that’s also amply cushioned to absorb sound. Reflex Cushioning works together with four steel springs under the deck to allow it to flex with your footsteps, so impact is significantly lessened. This is great for quietness, but also excellent for your joints! 

In terms of performance, you should find that this treadmill offers everything you’d need to have an excellent workout. One of the most important things you need to know upfront is that it doesn’t have any built-in workouts, so you need to use iFit if you want to follow a present plan. 

You can still use it without iFit, but you’ll need to create your own workout every time you get on, which can be quite time-consuming. Definitely best for those who specifically want the iFit experience! 

As it follows along with iFit workouts, the treadmill can incline up to 40% and decline up to -6%, which is a fantastic feature that can contribute to your fitness significantly. It also moves automatically as you follow a workout, although you can turn this feature off if you want. 

The deck is also extra-length—22” x 60”—which means even taller runners can comfortably reach their stride. The motor is hidden under the deck at the rear, so it doesn’t get in the way.

Key Specs 

Loudness	66 to 67 decibels
Deck Cushioning	Reflex Cushioning on 2.5” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
Maximum Speed	12 mph
Incline/Decline	40% incline, -6% decline
Built-In Programs	None, iFit only
Foldability	Doesn’t fold
Price	$2,999

Top Choice for iFit Enthusiasts 

If you love iFit, this treadmill is the best one you’ll find. It’s a little on the pricey side, but if you buy from NordicTrack, you can pay it off monthly. We highly recommend it if you train with iFit.

3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill – Best Non-Foldable Treadmill

If foldability is a feature you really don’t need in a treadmill, then this one is an excellent choice! Best for those who have a dedicated gym space in their home. 

Why We Like It 

This treadmill doesn’t have a folding function, but that doesn’t take away from the quality of the build and performance. While you’ll need to have a dedicated spot for it in your home, it’s an excellent choice for those who want a great quality machine that allows for an effective workout. 

Despite the powerful 4.0 CHP motor, it’s quiet in operation, ideal for spaces in which more than one person lives. On a slight aside, it’s heavy enough to require more than one person to move it, so it might be best for those who have someone close by to help! 

The deck is extra length, at 22” x 62”, so taller runners can get their full stride in easily. It’s also equipped with an Ortho Flex Shock Suspension System, which protects your joints from impact and also reduces the sound your feet make on the deck as you run. 

With 8 built-in programs, a 12 mph top speed, and 15% incline, you can mix and match more than enough to get a wide variety of different runs into your training.

Key Specs 

Loudness	No decibel value, but quiet
Deck Cushioning	Ortho Flex Shock Suspension System
Maximum Speed	12 mph
Incline/Decline	0 to 15% incline
Built-In Programs	8 built-in programs
Foldability	Doesn’t fold
Price	$3,899 to $4,099

For Those Who Have Gym Space 

This is an excellent treadmill, but its lack of a folding mechanism may make it undesirable to some. However, if you have space for it to stay up all the time, then this one is a good choice for home workouts.

AssaultRunner Pro – The Best Incline Adjustments

Manual treadmills are hard work, but they can build muscle and running power like no others! The other benefit is that you can still run on it when there’s no electricity. We recommend the Assault Runner Pro from Assault Fitness if you want a manual treadmill to boost your fitness level. 

Why We Like It 

Manual treadmills have many benefits, but one of the biggest ones is that their lack of a motor means they’re fairly quiet to operate. The loudest sound will be the impact noise of your feet on the cushioned deck, but with rubberized slats making up the track, even that will be fairly quiet. 

The curved design encourages proper running form, which is a big bonus. You’ll find multiple built-in programs if you want to follow something, otherwise, all you need to do is get on and run. Manual-style treadmills such as this one can burn up to 30% more calories thanks to the intense activation of muscles to maintain your running posture! 

It’s made of steel, which means the machine is heavy-duty and durable. It does have wheels for moving, but you may want to find a place for it and just move it short distances to clean underneath, because it’s cumbersome. 

One of the best things about this motorless treadmill is that it’s amazing for HIIT workouts. Most treadmills aren’t, so this is a huge plus for those who enjoy an intense workout. 

The basic LCD screen shows your speed, distance, pace, and calories burned, plus some other metrics. Considering there’s no max speed on this treadmill, it’s a fun challenge to see how high you can get it! 

There’s no Bluetooth on this machine, but it does connect up to ANT+ devices for heart rate monitoring. If you want to stream workouts, you’ll need a TV or tablet.

Key Specs 

Loudness	No decibel value, but quiet
Deck Cushioning	Rubberized slats
Maximum Speed	User-defined
Incline/Decline	None
Built-In Programs	Multiple built-in exercise programs
Foldability	Doesn’t fold
Price	$2,999

The Best Manual Treadmill for Serious Athletes 

You won’t find a better manual treadmill than the Assault Runner Pro. We particularly like the curved deck, which is also a great shock-absorber, and the ability to do HIIT workouts with no problem.

LifeSpan TR6000I Commercial Treadmill – Highest Speed

If you don’t want a manual treadmill but you still want something that’s going to be fairly quiet but hit higher speeds, we recommend the LifeSpan TR6000i. It’s the next best thing! 

Why We Like It 

This treadmill falls into the category of commercial treadmills, but it’s priced more in the range of a home treadmill. So you’ll be getting a commercial-grade machine at a home-friendly price if you choose this one. 

It features a 3.5 CHP motor, which gives enough power for sprinting but remains quiet when in use. The deck is also made for smooth but silent operation, featuring 8 compression shocks and a 1-inch thick deck to dampen sound. 

As for performance, this is an excellent machine. The deck is 22 inches wide x 60 inches long, which means there’s space for most runners to run comfortably. With a speed range of up to 13.5 mph, 13 levels of incline, and 3 decline settings, you can really simulate real-world conditions on this treadmill. 

There are also 46 built-in workout programs. A feature we particularly like about this treadmill is that it includes a variety of fitness tests, such as the Rockport Fitness Test, a 1-mile walk, and the Navy Fitness Test, a 1.5-mile running, sit-ups, and pushups test. 

Other great features include Intelli-Step, a pedometer, Intelli-Guard, an auto-pause feature that stops the belt 20 seconds after you step off it, and the ability to charge your USB devices in the machine.

Key Specs 

Loudness	Quiet
Deck Cushioning	Shock-absorbing system
Maximum Speed	13.5 mph
Incline/Decline	13 incline levels, 3 decline levels
Built-In Programs	46 built-in programs
Foldability	Doesn’t fold
Price	$2,999

Great for Speedwork 

If you’re looking for a bit more speed on a treadmill but don’t fancy a manual treadmill, then this is one we would point you to. 13.5 mph top speed, plus a host of other great features make this a superb choice.

Horizon T101 – Best Budget Treadmill

Runners who are on a budget but need a treadmill that’s quiet will appreciate the Horizon Fitness T101. It’s well-priced for a first treadmill or a budget option, and it does the job well. 

Why We Like It 

This one may be considered an entry-level treadmill, but it’s still a good choice for those on a budget. You’ll be paying less, but the features you’ll get are still handy for most runners. 

The sound output ranges between 59 decibels at 5 mph, to around 73 decibels at its top speed of 10 mph. 3-Zone Cushioning adds to the silence of the machine, and it’s an excellent shock-absorption system that keeps your joints safer at the same time. 

It’s also quite compact and it folds up easily, so this is a great option for use in smaller apartments. 

Although the maximum weight capacity is 300 lbs, the treadmill deck only measures 20 by 55 inches, so taller runners or those who want to get some sprints in might not be able to run as they’d like to on this treadmill. 

It does have a 10% incline, which is a handy feature to add some difficulty to your training and boost muscle growth and calorie burn. A wide range of preset workout programs allow you just choose and go, without having to set up any speeds or times.

You’ll also find a fan, two water bottle holders, and an extra pouch to hold a phone, energy bar, or TV remote. If you want to watch something on your phone or table while running, there’s a handy tablet holder, although this will block the screen.

Key Specs 

Loudness	59 to 73 decibels depending on speed
Deck Cushioning	3-Zone Cushioning
Maximum Speed	10 mph
Incline/Decline	10% incline
Built-In Programs	30 built-in programs
Foldability	FeatherLight Folding System
Price	$649 to $999

Excellent Budget Buy 

This treadmill may be in the entry-level price range, but it has enough great features to be a worthwhile buy. All in all, an excellent value machine for the money you’d spend on it.

Horizon Elite 7.8 AT – Best for HIIT Training

If you’re a fan of HIIT, you might be well aware that most treadmills don’t handle HIIT workouts very well. Not so with this one—it’s a heavy-duty machine that can easily handle whatever workout you want to do. 

Why We Like It 

Aside from being sturdy enough to handle sprints, this treadmill comes with a 4.0 CHP motor and a Sprint 8 HIIT program with 20 levels built in, so you can do HIIT training quite comfortably any time you want. 

It weighs 330 lbs on its own, so it’s an excellent build quality and should last you a long time. However, this may make it tough to move on your own, although it does have wheels to make it easier. Use the simple folding mechanism and roll it away, but be careful when doing so. 

With a 22 x 60-inch deck, most runners of average to slightly tall heights can run comfortably on it. It  features 3-Zone Variable Response cushioning, which adds to the comfort, safety, and quietness of the treadmill. 

A max speed of 12 mph plus a 15% incline level give you plenty of options when it comes to running workouts. There are 10 preset programs aside from the Sprint 8 one, so you have a ton of choices.

Key Specs 

Loudness	65 to 73 decibels depending on speed
Deck Cushioning	3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning
Maximum Speed	12 mph
Incline/Decline	15% incline
Built-In Programs	Sprint 8 training program and 10 other programs
Foldability	FeatherLight folding system
Price	$1,999 to $2,699

Perfect for HIIT Training 

If HIIT training is part of your repertoire, this is the treadmill of choice. It has 10 programs so you can get every part of your training schedule in, but features the Sprint 8 HIIT program with 20 difficult levels to serve your HIIT needs.

LifeSpan TR4000i – Most Program Options

If you’re looking for a treadmill with a ton of workout choices so you never have to do it manually but you also never get bored, the LifeSpan Fitness TR4000i is the one! 

Why We Like It 

You’ll find over 50 programs built into this treadmill, including customizable ones where you can set your own workouts and save them for later. There’s more than enough to never get bored, and you don’t need an iFit subscription for it either! 

The 3.5 CHP motor is powerful enough to support all your workout needs, but remains fairly quiet when running. There’s also 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning in the deck, which dampens the sound of footfalls and also lowers the impact on your joints. 

A max speed of 12 mph and an incline of 13% gives you plenty of variation when it comes to workouts. When you aren’t using it, you can easily fold it up and move it into a cupboard or space out of the way. 

Other nice things to see include USB charging ports, Bluetooth speakers, a 3-speed cooling fan, and various slots for your phone or remotes to fit into.

Key Specs 

Loudness	Quiet
Deck Cushioning	3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning
Maximum Speed	12 mph
Incline/Decline	13% incline
Built-In Programs	50+ programs, including customizable
Foldability	Hydraulic shock for easy folding
Price	$1,499 to $2,399

You’ll Never Get Bored 

With more than 50 programs on this treadmill, you’ll always have something to do when you step onto the deck. It’s a high-quality machine that’s worth the buy for those who want a ton of programs to choose from. 

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Quiet Treadmill 

Looking to buy one of the top quiet treadmills so you can workout hard without disturbing others? Here’s what you should be considering to help you choose the right one for you. 

Loudness 

Obviously, if you’re looking for a quiet treadmill, its loudness is going to be a big factor! Not all of them have decibel ratings available, but you may be able to find information online or on the manufacturing websites, or even in user manuals. 

Keep in mind that part of “treadmill noise” is the pounding of your feet on the deck as you run! If the deck is well-cushioned, this should be fairly dampened. 

Deck Cushioning 

The quality of the cushioning not only reduces the force of impact on your ankle and knee joints, but it can also dampen foot noise on the treadmill as you’re running. 

Different treadmill brands usually have different deck-cushioning technology, all designed to absorb shock and make running feel great. Choosing a treadmill with great deck cushioning is a second way—aside from the motor—to reduce unnecessary noise.

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Maximum Speed 

The standard treadmill speed is 12 mph. This is more than enough for most runners, but may not be high enough if you want to do sprint workouts. Some treadmills do offer higher speed settings, but they’re generally less quiet, as the motor needs to work harder to run the deck faster. 

The motor size plays a big role in the maximum speed. A motor of 3.5 CHP and upwards is generally recommended if you want to run at a faster speed, but if a light jog or walk at a slow pace is all you’re after, then you choose a smaller motor. 

A manual treadmill has no motor, so you can run as fast as your legs allow. It also has no motor, so the loudness is all down to your feet! Fitness enthusiasts who enjoy HIIT training will particularly like these. 

Incline/Decline 

Inclines and declines can help you to simulate real-world conditions on the treadmill. Some treadmills have no incline or decline function, and many have only incline options without any decline options. 

Inclines are an excellent feature for walkers as well as runners, as they add challenge to a walk without increasing the speed. Not everyone will need or use declines, but they are handy to have to add variety to your training.

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Built-In Programs 

Some treadmills have no built-in programs, which means you need to create your own each time you run, or you need to stop and change speed or incline during your workout. For some, this might not be an issue. 

But if you want a treadmill that will automatically adjust the speed and incline for you so it seems more like a real run, you want to choose something that includes built-in programs. Some also include custom programs, where you can create your own and save them for later use. 

Don’t confuse built-in programs with iFit. Many treadmills are iFit-enabled, which means you can use the app on the machine, but you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to do so. It gives you access to a huge range of workouts, but if you don’t want to pay the fee, ensure that your treadmill has workouts built into it that you don’t have to pay for.

Foldability 

The ability to fold is important for those who live in small spaces. Not all treadmills have a foldable design, and those that can’t fold would be better suited to people with more than enough space to leave the treadmill in one place permanently. 

If you do need a folding treadmill, double-check the folding mechanism first. Manual folding treadmills are rare, because it’s old-school tech! Most come with hydraulic “Lift Assist” systems that make lifting and lowering the deck easy as well as transportation wheels to move it around. 

Price 

Of course, price is going to play into the choice you make. Thankfully, budget treadmills are no longer the lower-quality machines they once were. These days, you can get superb treadmills for very affordable prices, and many of them can also be paid on a monthly basis if you buy through the manufacturer.

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FAQs 

Why Are Treadmills Loud? 

There are two elements that cause a treadmill to be loud. One, the motor. The harder it has to work, the louder of a hum it will produce. The second factor is the deck belt running over the rollers. When the treadmill is new, this noise can be quite loud, but it settles over time. 

When you get onto the treadmill to run, noise is added by your feet thumping on the deck. If you have a naturally heavy footfall, it will be louder, and if you’re lighter on your feet, it won’t sound as loud. 

How Can You Make a Treadmill Quieter? 

You can make your treadmill even quieter by taking a few simple steps. Placing your machine on a carpeted surface can make a big difference. 

If you don’t have a carpeted area for it, you can place a rubber treadmill mat underneath it to absorb sound. You can buy anti-vibration mats online or just use any rubber mat. 

If you have the budget and your treadmill stands in a separate room in the house, you can also consider soundproofing that room. 

Can You Place a Treadmill on the Upper Floor of a House or Apartment? 

In some cases, treadmills are actually banned in apartment blocks. The vibrations of the treadmill motor and the footfalls can move through walls and ceilings/floors, amplifying the noise in the apartment below you. Even “silent treadmills” can make a sound in an apartment space. 

If they aren’t banned in your apartment, it’s still etiquette to take all the measures you can to dampen the noise. However, if your lower neighbor complains, you may find yourself being approached by the landlord. 

If you live in a house, there’s no danger of having a treadmill on the second floor. It may still amplify the sound, but it’s less likely to be a problem if you don’t have downstairs neighbors. 

You do get quiet, compact apartment treadmills that may be less of a problem, but it depends on the people around you. If an apartment treadmill is a problem, you may have to choose an alternative piece of equipment.