When it comes to home treadmills in the $2000 and under class, Horizon is easily one of the best brands out there.
Their treadmills are known for having heavy-duty frames, spacious running surfaces, and powerful motors, but Horizon goes the extra mile and also backs them with some of the longest warranties on the market.
I mean really, what’s not to like?
Well, if you’re looking for a streaming treadmill with tons of workout options, scenic routes, and metric tracking, Horizon probably isn’t the best brand for ya.
But if you’re looking for a powerful, dependable treadmill that’s built to last year after year, Horizon is certainly a great brand to explore.
But I’m not here to give ya a sales pitch – odds are if you found your way here, you’re already interested in what Horizon has to offer.
Nope, I’m here to go over Horizon’s treadmill lineup so you can get a better understanding of all the differences between their models.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll go over the key features and specs each Horizon treadmill has to offer, as well as describe the main differences between similar models.
After reading, you’ll know once and for all which Horizon treadmill is the best fit for your home gym.
| Running Surface | Motor | Frame | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon T101 | 20″ x 55″ | 2.5 CHP 0 – 10 mph 10% incline | 180 lb assembled weight 300 lb weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 1 year parts 1 year labor |
| Horizon T202 | 20″ x 60″ | 2.75 CHP 0 – 12 mph 12% incline | 187 lb assembled weight 325 lb weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 1 year parts 1 year labor |
| Horizon T303 *discontinued* | 20″ x 60″ | 3.0 CHP 0 – 12 mph 12% incline | 194 lb assembled weight 325 lb weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 3 year parts 1 year labor |
| Horizon 7.0 AT | 20″ x 60″ | 3.0 CHP 0 – 12 mph 15% incline | 277 lb assembled weight 325 lbl weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 3 year parts 1 year labor |
| Horizon 7.4 AT | 22″ x 60″ | 3.5 CHP 0 – 12 mph 15% incline | 318 lb assembled weight 350 lb weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 5 year parts 2 year labor |
| Horizon 7.8 AT | 22″ x 60″ | 4.0 CHP 0 – 12 mph 15% incline | 330 lb assembled weight 375 lb weight limit | Lifetime frame/motor 5 year parts 2 year labor |
Horizon’s Go Series Treadmills
The Go Series is Horizon’s more affordable lineup and it consists of 3 treadmills, the T101, the T202, and the T303 – is it just me, or does this remind anyone else of the Terminator movies?
Maybe it is just me, I have been watching a lot of them with my son lately…
Horizon’s T101
The T101 is Horizon’s entry-level treadmill and as $600 treadmills go, you could do a whole lot worse.
This affordable treadmill comes with a running surface of 20″ x 55″ which is a little small when compared to more expensive treadmills, but it’s realistically as large as you can expect to find in this price range.
It’s actually the only Horizon model that doesn’t come with at least a 20″ x 60″ running surface.
And the same goes with the motor – at 2.5 CHP, the T101 is packing some surprisingly impressive muscle for such an affordable model.
The T101 can reach a top speed of 10 mph and come with power incline up to 10%.
It has a max weight limit of 300 lb, which is pretty average for home treadmills, but I do want to stress that this isn’t a given in this price range.
Plenty of $600 treadmills come with significantly lower limits.
Something else worth noting is how much this treadmill weighs – with an assembled weight of around 180 lb, this treadmill is a lot heavier than most in its price range.
I like seeing heavy treadmills because it means they have heavier components, which should hold up better against use – but it also means they should feel more stable during workouts.
And when it comes to heavy-dutiness, few brands outshine Horizon.
When it comes to the console, there isn’t anything too crazy going on here.
The T101 comes with a simple LED display, but it is bluetooth compatible, comes with quick-touch speed/incline buttons, and it does come with the same quick dial controls found on the higher-end models.
And Horizon’s warranty on this treadmill is quite fair – lifetime frame/motor, 1 year parts, 1 year labor.
Overall, I think the T101 has a lot to offer for such an affordable treadmill, easily one of the best options in its price range. See full review.
Horizon’s T202
The next in line is the T202, which at the time of writing this is priced right at $800, making it about $150 more than the T101.
And that extra cash gets you some pretty significant upgrades.
For starters, the T202 comes with a larger, 20″ x 60″ running surface, making this treadmill more comfortable for taller runners.
This treadmill also comes with a slightly larger motor (2.75 CHP) that can reach a higher top speed of 12 mph and a higher top incline of 12%.
With an assembled weight of 187 lb, the T202 only weighs a few more pounds than the T101, but its weight limit still goes up to 325 lb, making it a better choice for larger users.
In terms of console features, it’s pretty identical to the T101, although it does come with a 7″ LCD screen as well as the LED display windows.
Otherwise, it comes with the same bluetooth speakers, dial controls, cooling fan, USB charging, and tablet holder found on the T101.
And Horizon covers the T202 with the same warranty as the T101.
Overall, the T202 comes with some great performance upgrades over the more affordable T101, but with an asking price under $1k, it’s still quite affordable. See full review.
Horizon’s T303
*Horizon no longer offers the T303*
The final treadmill in the Go Series is the T303 and the upgrades with this model are a little more subtle – although with a price of roughly $1100, the price difference is more noticeable.
In terms of performance, the T303 comes with a slightly stronger motor than the T202 (3.0 CHP), but there aren’t many other differences.
The T303 comes with the same 20″ x 60″ running surface, the same 12 mph top speed, and the same 12% top incline setting.
And even though it weighs about 7 lb more than the T202, it comes with the same weight limit of 325 lb.
Oh, and I didn’t mention this before, but all of the Go Series treadmills come with the same size rollers too, so there aren’t any differences there across the board.
Anyway, the most notable differences with the T303 are found in the console – well, that and the fact that this treadmill does come with a longer warranty (lifetime frame/motor, 3 year parts, 1 year labor).
But back to the console.
The T303 comes with a small LCD screen, the same little LED windows, and all the same speakers and USB charging found on the other previous treadmills.
But this treadmill comes with a few extra workout programs (including a heart rate guided option) as well as custom interval buttons that let you save your own settings for your intervals.
The 7.8 AT has this feature too and it’s convenient, although to be honest, I rarely use it.
Surprisingly though, the T303 doesn’t come with the dial controls, which is kind of a bummer.
It also has 2 different places to put a tablet, so you don’t have to block your view of the console, which is nice.
But overall, the T303 comes with a few extra console features and a longer warranty when compared to the T202. See full review.
Horizon’s Studio Series Treadmills
Ok, that does it for the Go Series, so it’s time to dive into Horizon’s higher-end lineup, the Studio Series.
These treadmills don’t come with cool Terminator names, but their combinations of specs and features speak for themselves.
Horizon’s 7.0 AT
The 7.0 AT is the most affordable treadmill in the Studio series and at roughly $1k, it’s actually even a little more affordable than the T303.
Which is likely why Horizon phased out the T303 and replaced it with this model.
Anyway, the 7.0 AT comes with a 20″ x 60″ running surface and the same 3.0 CHP motor found on the T303 and it also comes with the same 325 lb weight limit.
It tops out at 12 mph but can reach a top incline of 15% for even more of a challenge.
I know all of this sounds like there aren’t any performance upgrades here, but there are – for starters, the rollers on the 7.0 AT are quite a bit larger (2.4″/1.8″ vs 1.8″/1.65″).
And having larger rollers is always a good thing because it makes for smoother belt action and improved durability.
The 7.0 AT is also considerably heavier-duty – with an assembled weight of 277 lb, its about 80 lb heavier than the T303, so it’s going to feel more stable.
In terms of features, the 7.0 AT comes with a 7.25″ console, bluetooth, bluetooth speakers, USB charging, and the same handful or so of workouts found on most the other treadmills.
This treadmill does come with the dial controls though and the tablet holder is positioned even higher on the frame for better viewing during workouts.
The warranty on this treadmill is also identical the one for the T303.
Overall, the 7.0 AT is a much heavier-duty, sleeker looking treadmill than the T303 and the fact that it’s more affordable makes it a no-brainer.
Easily one of the best treadmills under $1k. See full review.
Horizon’s 7.4 AT
Moving up the ladder, we come to the 7.4 AT, which is priced at around $1600 at the time of writing this.
I keep saying that because the prices on the these treadmills can change at any time, but Horizon’s prices have been remarkably stable, so maybe I don’t have to keep repeating myself.
Regardless, don’t get angry if these prices aren’t accurate when you read this.
Anyway, $600 is a pretty big jump in price between the 7.4 AT and the 7.0 AT and with this increase we see a few key upgrades.
One difference is that the 7.4 AT is the first treadmill so far to come with a running surface of 22″ x 60″.
The extra 2″ in width certainly isn’t necessary, but it definitely makes for a more comfortable experience.
Having the extra wide belt gives you a little more wiggle room during use, allowing you to sway more without having to worry about stepping off the belt.
More significantly, this treadmill also comes with a 3.5 CHP motor that can reach a top speed of 12 mph and a top incline of 15%.
And when it comes to treadmill motors, half a pony is a pretty big deal.
With a motor this strong, the 7.4 AT has enough muscle under the hood to easily support more serious runners without fear of struggling.
This treadmill is also quite a big heavier – with an assembled weight of 318 lb, it’s got over 60 lb on the 7.0 AT and this allows it to safely hold folks weighing up to 350 lb.
The 7.4 AT also comes with a significantly longer warranty – lifetime frame/motor, 5 year parts, 2 years labor.
When it comes to the features, the upgrades are more subtle, but this treadmill does come with a larger display and an extra workout (the “Sprint 8” HIIT workout).
Overall, the 7.4 AT is a pretty serious treadmill and when compared to the 7.0 AT, the extra cash gets you a wider running surface, a much stronger motor, a longer warranty, and a few extra console features. See full review.
Horizon’s 7.8 AT
The 7.8 AT is Horizon’s premiere treadmill to date and with a price of only $2k, I would argue it’s priced quite reasonably.
As I mentioned earlier, I personally own this treadmill and have been using it for several years at this point and I couldn’t be happier with it.
I hope I’m not jinxing myself by typing this, but I haven’t had any issues with this treadmill – it provides smooth operation and I haven’t had any problems with it whatsoever.
But again, I’m not here to sell ya on anything today.
With a price of $2k, the 7.8 AT is about $400 more than the 7.0 AT and with the larger price tag you get a few upgrades.
Like the 7.0 AT, the 7.8 AT also comes with a 22″ x 60″ running surface, so no differences there.
This treadmill does come with a stronger motor though – with a 4.0 CHP motor under the hood, the 7.8 AT is packing some pretty serious muscle for a treadmill in this price range.
With this much strength, it can rapidly accelerate up to 12 mph and up to a 15% incline while still maintaining a smooth belt feel.
The 7.8 AT is also a little heavier-duty, coming with an assembled weight of 330 lb and a max weight limit of 375 lb.
I can tell you from experience that this treadmill isn’t easy to move, but this is a good thing when it comes to actually using it – you won’t have to worry about this machine wiggling or wobbling on ya during workouts.
The warranty on this model is the same as the 7.0 AT’s, but the console is even a little bigger and brighter, making it easier to view.
All the other features are about the same, but I do want to point out that the bluetooth speakers on this treadmill sound better than you’d expect.
Overall, the 7.8 AT is a great treadmill and easily one of the best options under $2k.
And with regards to the 7.0 AT, this model comes with a stronger motor, a heavier-duty frame, and a larger console. See full review.
‘Go’ Series vs ‘Studio’ Series
| ‘Go’ Series Treadmills | ‘Studio’ Series Treadmills |
| Smaller motors | Larger motors |
| Slower top speeds | Higher top speeds |
| Lower top inclines | Higher top inclines |
| Lighter-duty frames | Heavier-duty frames |
| Lower weight limits | Higher weight limits |
| Good for walkers/joggers | Good for runners |
| Good for single user homes | Good for homes with multiple users |
If you’re still stuck trying to figure out which model makes the most sense, I’d start by deciding which series is the better fit.
Budget will play a role of course when deciding, but so should the kind of workouts you plan on doing.
The Go series treadmills are smaller, lighter-duty, and packing smaller motors, so these treadmills may make good options for folks who plan on primarily walking or jogging at moderate speeds.
Homes with multiple users may want to consider going with one of the Studio models because their heavier-duty frames will be better suited for the increased usage.
Folks who plan on running a lot or at higher speeds may also want to consider going with a Studio model because their stronger motors will be better suited for handling these workouts.
When in doubt, having a heavier-duty frame and stronger motor is never a bad thing.
A Quick Word on Horizon
Horizon is part of the Johnson Health Tech group, which also consists of names like Vision and Matrix Fitness.
I would consider Horizon a moderately-priced brand because none of their equipment costs more than $2k, but they’re easily the most affordable brand in Johnson’s luxurious lineup.
Speaking of lineups, Horizon’s lineup isn’t that big.
They offer a few exercise bikes and ellipticals, but I feel it’s their treadmills that really put ’em on the map.
At the time of writing this, they have 6 treadmill models to choose from and they’re divided into 2 different series – the “Go Series” and the “Studio Series”.
The Go Series consists of their more affordable treadmills and the Studio Series is where you’ll find their higher-end treadmills.
Full disclosure, I currently have Horizon’s 7.8 AT in my home gym and I love it. I’ve had it for several years now and it hasn’t missed a beat (knock on wood)… I really hope I didn’t just jinx myself.
Anyway, I like Horizon’s treadmills in general because they tend to have more impressive performance specs than most of the other treadmills in their respective price ranges.
This means larger running surfaces, stronger motors, and heavier-duty frames.
And I also like that Horizon backs their treadmills with great warranties – they aren’t necessarily the absolute best for their price range (Spirit may have ’em beat), but they’re right there at the top.
And as I mentioned in the intro, they aren’t necessarily the best options when it comes to streaming workouts (NordicTrack treadmills have ’em beat with their huge HD consoles and whatnot), but most Horizon treadmills are bluetooth compatible and come with otherwise solid consoles.
And the dial controls found on most of Horizon’s treadmills are awesome because they make it a lot easier to adjust the speed and incline during workouts.
Certainly a lot more fun than pushing an up/down button over and over.
I fear I’ll be ruined for any other treadmill after getting used to these dial controls, but that’s more of a personal problem than anything else.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it – all of Horizon’s treadmills in a nutshell.
When it comes to moderately-priced home treadmills, Horizon is easily one of the best brands out there.
I know, they don’t have the notoriety or streaming presence of NordicTrack, but when you compare the performance specs, it’s gonna be hard to find better options in their respective price ranges.
Heavy-duty frames, strong motors, and long warranties – that’s what Horizon is all about.
When considering their different models, the T101 makes a lot of sense if you’re looking for a budget-friendly treadmill, but otherwise, I think their Studio Series is the way to go.
Mostly because these treadmills offer so much value for the cost.
Anyway, I hope you found this guide helpful and if you have any questions or comments, please leave ’em below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
