NordicTrack T Series 6.5 S Treadmill

Why it's worth it

The T Series 6.5 S covers the basics well: 10 mph, a 10% incline, cushioning and a frame that folds and rolls. It's the machine to buy if you want a real treadmill rather than a walking pad, and you don't need a screen built into it.

This is the most familiar treadmill in the guide, and that's part of the point. It's been sold widely enough that the failure modes are well documented and parts aren't hard to find. Owner feedback runs consistently positive on the things you notice first: it arrives well packed, two people can put it together in under an hour, and the incline steps up smoothly instead of lurching.

The specs are a step down from our top pick, not a different sport. Ten miles per hour is a six-minute mile, which is faster than most people ever run at home. A 10% incline is a steep hill. If you're a walker who wants hills, or a jogger doing easy miles a few times a week, you'll never get near the ceiling.

From our review of 6 folding treadmills

What we like

• +This is the most familiar treadmill in the guide, and that's part of the point
• +The specs are a step down from our top pick, not a different sport
• +It's sturdier than the weight suggests
• +The console is an LCD, not a tablet

What to know

• –A handful of owners describe units that stopped working almost immediately after setup, sometimes within minutes of a…
• –If you're a serious runner, you'll find the limits