To complicate matters further, manufacturers label their features with hyped up names. Suggesting they have some unique construction that makes their treadmill special. An example of one company. They use the following terms for features found in most other treadmills: RapidResponse Drive System; ComfortZone Cushioning System; SafeZone Lift System; Smart Board Console.

Trying to interpret all this terminology, while also comparing numerous specifications, can give a person a migraine. (See our Treadmill Buyer's Guide for explanations of various features.)

There is one feature that cuts through the hype and really reflects the quality of the machine. It is the warranty. It can't be masked with some fancy trademark name. It is what it is. A short warranty implies a machine that is cheaply built and not design for sustained use. A lengthy warranty suggests a machine that is durable.

A warranty factors in the economics of the treadmill. It is not profitable to have an extensive warranty on a machine that is likely to breakdown. A company would lose money if they must constantly repair the treadmill.

Here is an example of treadmill warranties. The Weslo Cadence 255DR Treadmill has a 90 day parts and service warranty. In comparison the Sole F63 treadmill has a 20 year motor, lifetime frame, 3 year deck/electronics / belt / rollers, and 1 year service warranty. You don't need to excel in advanced math to figure out which is better quality. It should be noted that the F63 only cost a few hundred dollars more, and all the other Sole models have 2 year service warranties.

When you get a treadmill with a 90 day warranty, the company is more or less saying, "We didn't build this machine to last and after 90 days good luck."

I always recommend you purchase a treadmill that has at least a 1 year service, 2 year parts and 5 year motor warranty. Of course, there are other considerations like: will you use the treadmill for walking or running; do you want heart rate control; and do you want folding or non-folding. But overall the warranty should be the single most important factor in your purchasing decision. The coverage reflects both the quality of the components and the durability of the treadmill.