Horizon Fitness 7.0AT Treadmill, Black, Heavy Duty, LCD Display, Built-in Speakers, Heart Rate Monitor, USB Charging Port, Wheeled

Why it's worth it

The 7.0 AT pairs a 3.5 CHP motor with a 20-by-60-inch deck and quick-dial controls that change speed and incline fast. There's no built-in screen and no required membership — you bring your own tablet and apps.

You give up the screen, not the machine. The 7.0 AT's motor and deck put it in the same conversation as treadmills that cost considerably more, which is why Runner's World and Men's Health kept naming it the standout affordable pick. If you already have an iPad and a Peloton or Zwift account, you're not missing anything except a mounting bracket.

The QuickDial controls on the handlebars are the feature owners bring up most. You roll a dial with your thumb instead of reaching for a touchscreen mid-sprint, and the speed and incline respond fast. For interval work that's genuinely better than tapping glass. Several owners say it's the thing they didn't expect to love and now can't do without.

From our review of 8 treadmills for home cardio, by Eleanor Vance, Health & Beauty Editor

What we like

• +You give up the screen, not the machine
• +The QuickDial controls on the handlebars are the feature owners bring up most
• +It connects to Apple Watch and works with Peloton, Strava, and Zwift, so your metrics land wherever you already track them
• +The 20-inch belt width is the one spec to check against yourself

What to know

• –Build quality gets mixed reports
• –The console is basic
• –Assembly instructions frustrate people