Those who’ve tried a treadmill in a fitness center or health club probably are familiar with the electric treadmill design. This isn’t the only choice when buying a treadmill, however, as manual treadmills are also an option.

When making the manual treadmill vs. electric treadmill comparison, it’s important to understand how each piece of machinery works. Both types of treadmills have some good and bad points. When you’re spending several hundred dollars or more for a treadmill, you want to make the right choice for your needs.

Electric treadmills have multiple settings that give users an advanced type of workout, making them highly popular. Budget-conscious users, on the other hand, will appreciate the reduced cost of the manual treadmill.

With a manual treadmill, the walker or runner’s momentum moves the belt. This allows the user to continue walking or running at a comfortable pace.

Some manual treadmill frames use adjustable legs to create a change in the angle of the belt and deck for more strenuous uphill workouts.

Manual treadmills occasionally feature a curved belt-deck. This is a concave belt that slopes upward at the front and back of the belt with the lowest part in the middle. This design is meant to absorb more shock as the user runs, increase their calories burned and activate more of their muscles as they work to keep the treadmill belt moving. However, curved-belt manual treadmills are very expensive, even compared to electric treadmills.

Flat belt-deck manual treadmills are more common than curved models. These require quite a bit more effort to move the belt versus the curved treadmill. However, the flat belt design is far less expensive than the curved belt.

The biggest advantage of a manual treadmill is its lower cost, at least for the flat belt-deck models. It has a great price for those who want to start walking at home without investing too much money.

The manual treadmill is safe to operate, as it doesn’t require any electrical power. When the user stops running or walking, the belt stops moving too, reducing the chance of falls.

It takes quite a bit of exertion to move the belt on the manual treadmill, which can throw off a runner’s stride or form.

The manual treadmill tends not to have as many fun and motivational features as the electric treadmill, so some users will likely give up on their fitness routine.

Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Treadmill SF-T7723: available at Amazon and Kohl's

Unlike some cheaper manual treadmills, this model offers 16 different levels of resistance for the perfect workout. Its steel frame can support walkers and runners up to 300 pounds.

IN10CT Health Curved Manual Treadmill: available at Amazon

Curved manual treadmills are extremely expensive, but some runners swear by this design. This model has a steel-alloy frame, so it can support large amounts of weight up to 400 pounds.

Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Manual Treadmill: available at Amazon

This manual treadmill has a reasonable price, while also giving you some fitness-tracking features through a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone or tablet. It can support up to 275 pounds for the runner or walker.

With an electric treadmill, a motor built into the treadmill body moves the belt. Athletes can adjust the speed of the belt’s movement to the desired pace, and then simply need to match and maintain that speed themselves.

Some advanced treadmills have automatic programs that adjust the speed of the belt at different times during the workout, allowing for specific training methods.

If the electric treadmill doesn’t have a powerful enough motor, the machine may struggle to move the belt smoothly. This is a problem for inexpensive models. Heavier-than-average runners and walkers will want to be certain they have a big enough motor for the best experience.

With a motor powering the belt, the electric treadmill allows runners to use their natural stride and form. These decks tend to have extra cushioning versus the manual treadmill, reducing the chances of lower-body injuries.

For runners looking to ramp up their training sessions, electric treadmill software offers built-in fitness programs to keep things interesting and to generate a tough workout.

These treadmills are expensive. Those who try to settle for a budget-priced electric treadmill probably will end up disappointed, as these models have weak motors that detract from the usability of the machine.

NordicTrack Commercial X32i Electric Treadmill: available at NordicTrack

For those who want an electric treadmill for use at home that matches the quality found at a fitness center, this model will deliver. The X32i is pricey, but it runs quieter than the average electric treadmill and works for hardcore runners.

Nautilus T618 Electric Treadmill: available at Amazon and Nautilus

This Nautilus treadmill has a lower price than some other electric models, yet it delivers excellent durability. Its belt has a three-ply design, so it will not show wear and tear, even when used regularly.

NordicTrack EXP 10i Electric Treadmill: available at NordicTrack and Dick's Sporting Goods

For a treadmill from a trusted manufacturer like NordicTrack, the EXP 10i is one of the most affordable models. It includes a 10-inch touch screen for controlling the level of training, while delivering a surprising amount of cushion in the deck for runners.

For the majority of people looking to work out at home, an electric treadmill will be the better choice. It has more versatility, it delivers strong levels of performance, and it’s just more fun to use.

However, for those who don’t want to pay for a lot of extra features, a manual treadmill will fit nicely into a tight budget.

Those looking to run on the treadmill will have better success with an electric treadmill than a manual treadmill. Those who will primarily be walking on the machine will be able to use either a manual or electric treadmill equally well.

Kyle Schurman is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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