Ah, the simple things in life — that first sip of coffee, catching a sunset, a…treadmill fan. While the best treadmills on the market might catch your eye with huge HD touchscreens, cushioned belt decks, or auto-adjusting incline, sometimes a little wind in your hair can be all the boost you need to power through one more mile. With treadmills packing in more and more advanced features these days, it’s easy to overlook a solid fan, but we sure haven’t.

If your training space lacks air conditioning, cranking up your own personal fan can provide some sweet relief. We have pounded the pavement — well, the tread belts — on over 40 machines and identified a wide range of options to help you get started in your search for some cool air. Whether you need a fixed fan with one speed or one that can automatically change speeds as you ratchet up the intensity, we have put together a list of the best treadmills with fans from the leading brands to help make your search a…breeze.

The 6 Best Treadmills with Fans for 2024

Best Overall Treadmill With a Fan: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Best Treadmill With a Fan for Running: Horizon 7.4 AT

Best High-End Treadmill With a Fan: ProForm Pro 9000

Best Budget Treadmill With a Fan: Sole F63

Best Folding Treadmill With a Fan: Echelon Stride-6

Best Treadmill With a Fan Under $1,000: Schwinn 810

How We Tested and Chose the Best Treadmills with Fans

The BarBend team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, CrossFit trainers, and fitness enthusiasts brings years of hands-on experience on over 40 treadmills. Having kept their cool on the best treadmills with fans over countless workouts, as well as having the outdoor running experience to offer context, our expert testers have the insight to make finding your match a breeze.

For each treadmill we test, we lace up our best running shoes, complete multiple workouts, then assign ratings of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) for 13 different categories, including conveniences (like fans), durability, footprint, adjustability, and more.

Comfort

A treadmill’s “conveniences” — fans, speakers, device holders, adjustment buttons or dials, and more — can often make a huge difference in your experience. Having to reach awkwardly to get a sip of water, or crank up the speed can throw off your balance or just be plain annoying. As one of these conveniences, fans can play a big part in your comfort. While most treadmills users could probably share an anecdote about using a fan, research indicates that regulating your body temperature can go beyond simple comfort. (1)

The AutoBreeze fan and console on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.

As your body’s core temperature rises or falls below 98.6 degrees, it uses energy to get back to that mark. While there are myriad ways to externally regulate your body temperature, using a fan during a treadmill workout is one of the simplest. Adding a cool breeze from a treadmill fan can supplement your body’s efforts to regulate your rising temperature during a workout. (1)

Price

As fans on treadmills are pretty common, we wanted to make sure to include a wide variety of prices for our top picks. We offered up treadmills from $899 to $2,299 and, while you’ll see loads of different features, the common thread is their fans. Options closer to $899 may have one fixed fan and 10- to 12-percent incline ranges, the treadmills approaching $2,299 have more technology like HD touchscreens, decline capability, or integration with the best fitness apps.

Technology

With a price range this wide, there will be quite a variety in the technology, like the size of built-in displays, dynamic programming, or Bluetooth connectivity. While a fan could be considered a piece of technology — hello, auto-adjusting fan speed — we generally categorize them as “conveniences,” like a water bottle holder or storage compartments. As you climb up the price range for these treadmills — $899 to $2,299 — the technology becomes more prevalent and advanced. 

BarBend reviews writer Ben Emminger adjusting the incline on the Schwinn 810.

For instance, while pricier machines may be compatible with interactive fitness apps like Sole+ or iFIT, options closer to $899 may include a set of preset workout programs. Just like when you’re deciding between the iPhone Jr. and the iPhone Super Duper, a higher price typically equates to more advanced technology.

Best Overall Treadmill With a Fan: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

Our pick for the best overall treadmill with a fan — the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 — is a beast. Like its auto-adjusting incline and speed levels, the AutoBreeze fan can automatically adjust to match the intensity level of your workout. Whether you set up your own manual workout or stream one of iFIT’s 16,000 options, the -3-percent to 15-percent range lets you take your incline workouts to the next level. These features helped the 1750 to score a rating of 5 out of 5 in eight of our categories, like conveniences, durability, and adjustability.

A BarBend product tester walking on the NordicTrack 1750.

When your workout starts to heat up, the AutoBreeze fan can give you the quick relief you need to hit that last mile. Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member, rated her overall workout experience on the 1750 a 5 out of 5. “I’m 5-foot, 4-inches, so I wasn’t sure how exactly they would hit me,” she explained. “It was blowing right on my face and neck.” 

Jake Herod, our expert product tester, highlighted the iFIT offering in his video review. “You can obviously do some cardio, but you can even do some strength training or yoga off the machine.” Check out all the 1750 has to offer in his review below.

The roomy 20- by 60-inch belt deck will allow even the tallest runners to comfortably complete speed, hill, or interval training, and with the 14-inch HD touchscreen, you can bring iFIT workouts to life. I used the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 to take on iFIT’s Grand Canyon hiking series and the SmartAdjust incline settings responding to the trail elevation made it a 5 out of 5 for me.

With a footprint of 21.11 square feet, it will occupy about five square feet more than your average two-seater sofa. (2) Meier rated its footprint and portability 3.5 out of 5 and, despite its hydraulic folding, we still wouldn’t recommend it for small spaces. “It’s 340 pounds, so even though it folds up and has wheels, I don’t think I’d want to move it very often,” Meier said.

Read our full NordicTrack 1750 Treadmill Review.

Best Treadmill With a Fan for Running: Horizon 7.4 AT

In addition to its fan embedded in the console, the Horizon 7.4 AT is our choice for the best treadmill with a fan for running because of the cushioned deck, incline range, and max speed. For running treadmills, we like to see a 60-inch long belt deck so that even the strides of tallest runners can comfortably fit and the cushioned 20- by 60-inch running surface on the 7.4 AT helped it earn at least a 4.5-out-of-5 rating in eight of 13 categories — including durability and customizations. 

Many running treadmills have a 20-inch wide deck, so the extra two inches can let you focus on your incline or speed workout even more. Its 12-percent incline and top speed of 12 miles per hour also meet the standards we like to see in the best treadmills for running, and that prompted an adjustability rating of 4 out of 5 from our tester, a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. “The quick dial adjustments let me take on its Sprint 8 HIIT workouts,” they said. “It was way easier than reaching for the console.”

Our BarBend tester choosing a running workout on the Horizon 7.4 AT.

Without a built-in touchscreen, you’ll need to bring your own device to stream workouts, but our tester rated the preset workouts — like Hill Climb and Distance — 5 out of 5. “It’s got all the usual presets, like 5K, Calorie Burn, or Fat Burn, but I also liked that I could just create my own custom workout,” they explained.

At 318-pounds, it’s not going to win any awards for the most portable treadmill, but the FeatherLight hydraulic folding system does let you save around 10 square feet of floor space with the deck folded upright. 

Read our full Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill Review.

Best High-End Treadmill With a Fan: ProForm Pro 9000

The 22-inch HD touchscreen and iFIT-integration aren’t the only reasons the ProForm Pro 9000 is our pick for best high-end treadmill with a fan. Its CoolAire fan comes with two speed settings that can bring the right amount of breeze, whether you’re turning up the heat or taking a leisurely stroll. Along with the shock-absorbing 20-inch by 60-inch belt deck to reduce the impact on your joints, the 3.6 CHP motor and -3-percent to 12-percent incline range make it one of the best high-end treadmills we have put to the test.

Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier rated the Pro 9000 5 out of 5 for six different categories, including customizations. “The Quick Speed Controls made my interval workouts much smoother because I could jump to a specific incline or speed level,” she said. “I just had to tap the level I wanted instead of pounding an up or down arrow over and over.”

Our product tester walking on the ProForm Pro 9000.

Even though an iFIT membership costs $39.99 per month, it unlocks the potential of the machine. “It has all the best tech: Bluetooth connectivity, iFIT integration, and the 22-inch screen felt enormous,” Meier said. The auto-adjusting incline and speed is a nice touch for workouts like the Grand Canyon hiking series I tried out — 5 out of 5 for dynamic programming from this guy.

[Related: The 6 Best Treadmills with iFIT of 2024]

When she assessed the ProForm Pro 9000 for BarBend, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto called out how the variety of on- and off-machine options on iFIT can keep you engaged and coming back for more. “The ProForm Pro 9000 is one of my favorite treadmills. It offers a ton of features that make it comfortable, convenient, and fun at a reasonable price. I love that you can stream iFIT on this treadmill; iFIT is some of the best interactive programming out there and really helps prevent boredom.”

Read our full ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill Review.

Best Budget Treadmill With a Fan: Sole F63

As our pick for the best budget treadmill with a fan — dual fans, actually — the Sole F63 has the capabilities you’ll find on the best treadmills under $1,500, while saving a few hundred dollars. Its 15-percent incline is actually 3 percent more than average, and the spacious 20-inch by 60-inch belt deck can support the strides of most users, regardless of height. 

The cushioning in that deck can help reduce the impact absorbed by your joints with each foot strike. Whether you are following one of the 1,400 treadmill workouts on Sole+ or doing a manual workout, you can feel that support all the way up to the 12-miles-per-hour max speed. Although it was originally a paid add-on for all their cardio machines, the app is now completely free. In addition to the video workouts, you can also sync your device via Bluetooth to track your workout history and stats.

Our BarBend product tester walking on the Sole F63.

These stats include things like current speed and calories burned and will be displayed on the 6.5-inch LCD screen, but you’ll need to connect your own device if you plan to use Sole+ or any other fitness apps. When she assessed the best budget treadmills for BarBend, our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto said to pay attention to the display. “Budget-friendly treadmills won’t boast the hottest new LED touchscreen display, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for nothing. Look for, at a minimum, an LCD console that displays your current speed, time elapsed or time remaining, and distance covered.”

While it will take up 18.72 square feet — roughly 5 square feet less than your average three-seater sofa — it can easily fold upright with the hydraulic folding mechanism. (2) Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier rated its footprint and portability 4 out of 5. “It’s definitely possible given the upright folding and wheels, but I wouldn’t say it’s easy to move,” she noted.

Read our full Sole F63 Treadmill Review.

Best Folding Treadmill With a Fan: Echelon Stride-6

The Echelon Stride-6 was an easy choice for the best folding treadmill with a fan because its Auto-Fold system can automatically lay the console and handrails flat atop the deck. In this position, the machine is just 10 inches high, so you can use the horizontal and vertical wheels to easily move it into storage under a bed, against a wall, or even in a closet.

The Echelon Stride folded flat.

Kate Meier, certified personal trainer, owns a similar model — the Echelon Stride — and uses the Auto-Fold capability to tuck it away in a corner in her home. “It’s so easy to fold up and is way more compact than most treadmills,” she said. Its folding capacity is even more impressive given its 12-percent incline range and 20-inch by 60-inch cushioned belt deck. This is the deck size we recommend for running treadmills, as it provides enough room for longer strides.

On the console, you’ll find an adjustable cooling fan to help keep you cool as you approach the top speed of 12.4 miles per hour. Above the fan, you won’t find a touchscreen, although the four LED windows will display your stats like distance and speed. You can, however, slot your own tablet or phone in the large tablet holder, connect via Bluetooth and follow a treadmill workout on Echelon Fit. 

Kate Meier, BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer, walking on her Echelon Stride.

At $39.99 per month, Echelon’s fitness app may not quite be ready to take on Peloton or iFIT, but another of our testers thinks it’s on its way. “It offers a lot of the same kinds of training, but the production quality is not up to the same standard just yet,” they explained. The Stride-6 comes with a one-year warranty, but another perk to signing up for the app is the included five-year extended warranty for all active users.

[Related: 8 Best Compact Treadmills for 2024] 

Best Treadmill With a Fan Under $1,000: Schwinn 810

Even among mid-range treadmills — about $1,000 to $1,500 — the Schwinn 810 stands out for its features that allow running, jogging, and walking workouts, while still saving you a couple hundred bucks. With a 55-inch belt deck and 16 preset workouts to follow on the console, most people will be able to run comfortably, even up to the 10-miles-per-hour max speed. For conveniences, adjustability, and overall value, our tester, a CrossFit Level-1 trainer, rated the 810 Treadmill 4 out of 5.

You’ll find your metrics like distance and calories burned on the backlit LCD display, while just below, the fan can help keep you cool during a speed or interval workout. Our tester used the 810 Treadmill for multiple workouts and tried out the fan. “I’m 5-foot, 9-inches, so the fan hit a little bit lower than my face,” they noted. “I’d rather it be right in my face, but it’s fixed, so where it hits you just depends on your height.”

Our tester walking on the Schwinn 810 Treadmill.

For running workouts — especially for taller users — we like to see a 60-inch deck, but 55 inches is the minimum of our recommended range. Our tester also noted its running deck when they tried it out. “Super intense runs may be difficult for anyone with a long stride,” they said. “Taller people would probably be alright walking or jogging on it, though.” They also felt that the belt may be a little thin, so someone having to work around knee discomfort may not find it has enough support.

You do need to supply your own device if you plan on streaming workouts or shows on apps like Netflix or Hulu, but the USB charging port and Bluetooth speakers can give you options for structured training. Although they rated its tech capabilities 3 out of 5, our tester appreciated using a few included features. “I actually did use the Bluetooth speakers, and being able to charge my phone in the device holder was a nice touch,” they pointed out.

[Related: The 8 Best Treadmills Under $1000 of 2024]

What to Consider Before Buying a Treadmill with a Fan

When you start thinking about buying a treadmill, your first move is to identify your deal-breakers — maybe a fan, if you’re reading this — and nice-to-haves. Perhaps you’ll need to use your treadmill in a space with no air conditioning. Maybe you prefer running on a treadmill over jogging or walking. Here are a few factors to consider before taking the leap.

Training Environment

Before even grabbing your measuring tape to map out the spot in your training space your treadmill will live, first ask a few questions about that space. One of the main reasons to buy a treadmill with a fan is to make sure you stay cool while using it. So ask yourself about the characteristics of your training environment that might necessitate a fan on your machine. Is there air conditioning in that space? Is the training area going to be crowded with other people? 

Our BarBend tester unfolding the Horizon 7.4 AT.

As you probably know anecdotally, air movement is one way our bodies can regulate its core temperature — a.k.a. fans can cool you down. (1) Beyond the relief you feel, a fan is a simple way to counter the environmental factors, like lack of air conditioning, that you may not be able to control. 

Budget

As with any major purchase, setting a hard-stop budget can provide clarity and focus when you start looking for the treadmill that meets your needs. Because fans are a fairly common feature on treadmills, there may be lots of options to choose from, regardless of your budget. It’s a good idea to consider other features that affect the type of training you plan to use it for, or the technology capabilities you plan to use. 

[Related: The 7 Best Treadmills Under $500 of 2024]

The good news is that many entry-level or mid-range options — both under around $1,500 — may have fans, so after making sure you’ll have some wind in your hair during your workout, decide which other features are important to hit your fitness goals.

Type of Training

If you need to take five kids to soccer practice every day, should you go with the Ferrari? Then maybe you shouldn’t buy a walking treadmill for running, either. Whatever your intended use, you’ll need to know what to look for in a treadmill beyond the fan on the console. Running treadmills, for instance, tend to have at least a 3.0 continuous horsepower motor and longer decks — 60 inches is what we recommend.

Our product tester on the cushioned deck of the ProForm Pro 9000.

The best walking treadmills, on the other hand, may not need motors that powerful, but you might prioritize an incline range of at least 12 percent to add a bit of intensity to your walks. If you’re tight on space, you may need a foldable treadmill that can either fold upright or flat to be easily stashed under a couch or bed. Whatever you plan to use your new treadmill for, check the specs and features to make sure it can support you well.

Different Types of Treadmills with Fans

While you may not see a ton of variety specific to the fans themselves, treadmills that feature built-in fans could be designed for specific training, like running or walking. They also may prioritize tech features like HD touchscreens or integrated workout apps. Here are a few types of treadmills that can keep you cool, no matter how you use them.

Position and Number of Fans

While there may not be much variety among treadmill fans apart from how you adjust its speed or if it swivels, there are two main options out there. Treadmills with dual fans have just that — two fans. This could make a big difference for anyone who knows they’ll need some extra cooling power. Meanwhile, treadmills with a single fan can get the job done, but generally cover a smaller area.

The console of the Sole F63.

In our testing, another note we made a lot was the height of the fan and if it was adjustable or not. Some of our shorter team members remarked that for some machines, a fixed fan meant that it was pointed directly at their face, but it couldn’t be moved. Conversely, a taller user may not appreciate their belly button receiving the bulk of the air. 

For Running

Outside of the type of fan onboard, treadmills that are designed for running need to be able to support heavier use in the short and long terms. If most of your time on your treadmill will be spent running, here’s what our expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto, recommended when she assessed running treadmills for BarBend. 

“Ideally, a running treadmill will have a powerful motor with at least 3.0 CHP. The best (and usually most expensive) models have a CHP of up to 4.0,” she explains. “A padded deck can help offset some of the impact on your ankles, knees, and hips by absorbing a lot of the shock.” Treadmills that can support running workouts also tend to come loaded with preset programming or compatibility with fitness apps that offer live or on-demand home workouts.

High-End

Treadmills that we consider high-end generally cost over $2,000 and include large touchscreens, decline capability, and heavy-duty steel frames. Most machines in this price range will have conveniences like fans, speakers, or heart rate monitors, but in this price range, you’ll find more powerful fans, multiple levels, or even luxurious options like fans that can adjust based on your workout intensity. If your budget allows, the “high-end” features on these quality treadmills can even include the fan.

Benefits of Treadmills with Fans

Keeping cool during a workout is not just a convenience, but a matter of safety. If you are still on the fence about prioritizing a treadmill with a fan, here are a few reasons to make sure yours can keep you cool.

Temperature Regulation

Whether you have read the research or not, you have probably felt the difference that temperature has on running performance. It’s not hard to imagine that it would be easier to run in 70-degree weather instead of 110-degree weather. Multiple studies have shown how temperature affects athletic performance and, while most people may know this anecdotally, a fan is a simple way to regulate your body temperature while using a treadmill. (3)(1)

Our tester on the Sole F63.

In one 2022 study, researchers found that for every one degree outside of the optimal temperature range — 50 to 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit — performance declined by 0.3 to 0.4 percent. (3) It’s not hard to imagine your home gym or living room topping 63.5 degrees, so outside of achieving your best performance, using the fan on your treadmill to regulate your body temperature may be more practical than adjusting the temperature of your environment.

Availability Despite Outdoor Conditions

A general benefit of treadmills is that, assuming your indoor space is suitable, outdoor conditions will not likely stop you from using them. If it’s too hot or too cold outside, a treadmill can still allow you to get some cardio in, but even if your indoor space is too hot, a fan can help make your workout more comfortable. Even outside of the weather, uneven walking paths, congested sidewalks, or the type of surface may impact your performance.

Versatile Training

Treadmills are a famous home gym essential because they allow so many different types of training. From incline and decline, to endurance and HIIT, you can accomplish a lot with just one piece of equipment. While you would hopefully consider your training space before making your purchase, having a fan onboard the console can provide even more control of your workout by getting some quick climate control while you work up a sweat. 

Final Word

Cranking up the fan during a tough cardio session can bring sweet relief and may be the difference in turning a 30-minute treadmill workout into 40 or 45 minutes. As your body temperature starts to rise, more energy is needed to cool it down and your body has a few ways to get the job done — you may be familiar with…sweating. (1) However, blasting yourself with some cool air is one of the ways we can aid in regulating its temperature.

Because they are a common treadmill feature, fans can often be overlooked or taken for granted. From simple, fixed fans with one speed, to multi-speed auto-adjustable options, there is some variety out there. When you start your quest to find your match, check first for the type of fan, then identify the other tread features that are important in supporting your fitness goals. 

FAQs

References

How Thermoregulation Can Give Athletes An Edge (Mission AthleteCare). University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute. 2015, May 17. 

Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/ 

Mantzios K, Ioannou LG, Panagiotaki Z, Ziaka S, Périard JD, Racinais S, Nybo L, Flouris AD. Effects of Weather Parameters on Endurance Running Performance: Discipline-specific Analysis of 1258 Races. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 Jan 1;54(1):153-161.

The post The 6 Best Treadmills with Fans for 2024, Expert Tested, Expert Approved appeared first on BarBend.