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Sole F80 vs NordicTrack T Series 6.5Si Treadmill
Quick verdict
Winner on Gym Score: Sole F80 (74)
The Sole F80 is the better long-term buy if you can afford it — 3.5 CHP motor, 60" deck, lifetime frame-and-motor warranty, and cushioned deck designed for joint protection. The Horizon is the better short-term value at under $1,000 with a 3.0 CHP motor and 55" deck. The deciding factor: how long you plan to keep the treadmill. Sole is a 10-year machine; Horizon is a 2-3 year machine.
Choose the Sole F80 if you're running regularly, have any history of joint issues that benefits from softer cushioning, want a no-subscription treadmill, and value the lifetime warranty over saving $500.
Read the full review →Choose the Horizon if your budget is tight, you primarily walk or jog at moderate pace, and you'd rather upgrade in 3 years than spend more upfront.
Read the full review →
- · Runners who refuse to pay a recurring subscription for guided content
- · Owners who plan to keep one treadmill for 10-plus years and value warranty depth
- · Heavier runners up to 375 pounds who need a high user weight ceiling
- · First-time treadmill buyers running 3 to 5 miles a few times a week
- · Casual exercisers who want a real treadmill at a sub-$1,000 entry price
- · Buyers under 6 feet tall whose stride fits a 55-inch deck
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Sole F80 | NordicTrack T Series 6.5Si Treadmill |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 3.5 CHP | 3.0 CHP |
| Deck Size | 22" x 60" | 20" x 55" |
| Top Speed | 12 mph | 12 mph |
| Incline | 0-15% | 0-15% |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame + motor | — |
Sole F80
- +No subscription needed
- +Cushioned deck
- +Lifetime frame + motor warranty
- +Tablet holder
- −Basic LCD display
- −No built-in workouts
- −Heavier than NordicTrack equivalent
NordicTrack T Series 6.5Si Treadmill
- +Under $1,000
- +3.0 CHP motor
- +Bluetooth speakers
- +Folds flat
- −Shorter deck (55")
- −10-year frame warranty (not lifetime)
- −Display is basic LCD
The real tradeoff
Warranty length is the deciding factor most buyers overlook. Sole's lifetime frame-and-motor warranty is the most generous in consumer treadmills — when the motor inevitably needs replacement at year 7-10, that's a $400-700 part Sole covers. Horizon's warranty typically expires at 10 years on the frame and 1-3 on parts, so out-of-warranty motor replacement is on you. Belt cushioning is the other gap: the F80's 2.5" cushioned deck measurably reduces impact compared to the Horizon's thinner deck.
Skip both if iFIT-style classes are important to you. Neither has a built-in subscription ecosystem. Look at the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 at /product/nordictrack-commercial-1750 instead.
Buyer questions
Is the Horizon worth saving $500 over the Sole?
If you walk-only or jog under 4x/week, yes. The Horizon does walking-paced work just fine. If you run 5+ days a week or are over 200 lb, the Sole's stronger motor and longer deck will outlast the Horizon by 5+ years, making it cheaper per year of use.
Can either treadmill connect to apps without a subscription?
Both support Bluetooth pairing to fitness apps (Peloton, Zwift, etc.), but neither auto-adjusts speed or incline based on the app. You'll still manually control the machine. The Sole also has a tablet holder so you can prop your phone above the console.
How loud are these machines for apartment use?
The Sole runs noticeably quieter (around 60 dB at running pace) due to better-balanced flywheels and a heavier frame. The Horizon runs around 65-68 dB at the same pace. For apartments above ground-floor neighbors, the Sole is the safer call.