Two of the biggest names in home treadmills pull in opposite directions. One bets everything on interactive coaching, the other on raw simplicity you own outright.
NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer — Top Pick
With a 40% incline range, a rotating 22-inch touchscreen, and iFIT auto-adjust coaching that changes the machine under your feet, the X22i is the best all-around home treadmill for runners who want guided, interactive training in 2026.
In a hurry? That's our pick. Want the reasoning and the full comparison? Keep reading.
NordicTrack and Sole sit at the top of most home-treadmill shortlists, and for good reason. Both build sturdy machines with strong motors, real cushioning, and the kind of incline range that turns a flat walk into a lung-burning climb. But the two brands answer very different questions. NordicTrack builds around iFIT, a subscription that streams trainer-led classes and auto-adjusts your incline and speed as the coach talks. Sole strips that away and hands you a straightforward, no-subscription machine that just runs.
That single split decides almost everything else: the screen, the ongoing cost, and how the treadmill feels day to day. So this is not really a spec war. It is a question of what kind of runner you are. Below you get the head-to-head on incline, motor, and cushioning, then screen, subscription, and value, plus two strong alternatives if neither headline pick fits. By the end you will know exactly which one belongs in your home.
Key Takeaways
- NordicTrack wins overall for most home runners who want guided, interactive training that keeps them coming back.
- The NordicTrack X22i is our top pick: a 22-inch rotating touchscreen, up to 40% incline, and iFIT auto-adjust coaching.
- Sole is subscription-free, so the F80 is the smart call if you never want a monthly fee and just want to run.
- NordicTrack and ProForm both rely on an iFIT subscription for their best experience; Sole does not, and that is the core trade-off.
- Want the biggest screen or the best value? The NordicTrack X32i and the ProForm Carbon cover those extremes.
Round 1: Incline, Motor & Cushioning
This is where NordicTrack lands its biggest punch. The X22i and X32i are incline trainers, not just treadmills, and they climb to a brutal 40% incline while also declining to around -6%. That range is a genuine training tool: you can hammer hill repeats or simulate a mountain route without ever touching a real trail. A Sole F80 tops out near 15% incline, which is a strong, useful figure for most workouts, but it simply cannot reach the wall-climb territory the NordicTrack incline trainers live in. If steep incline work is your thing, this round goes to NordicTrack before you even step on.
Motors are closer than the marketing suggests. Both brands ship strong continuous-horsepower (CHP) motors built to handle daily running, not just walking, and both feel stable when you push the pace. Sole has long earned a reputation for over-building this part: the F80's motor and heavier flywheel give it a planted, solid feel that runners notice, and the brand rarely gets accused of cutting corners on the hardware. NordicTrack's motors are also plenty capable, but Sole's tank-like construction is a real selling point for anyone who wants a machine that feels like it will outlast the trends.
Cushioning is where personal preference takes over. Sole's cushioned deck is famous for being forgiving, with a softer landing that eases the load on knees and hips over long runs. NordicTrack uses its own cushioned deck tuned to feel responsive rather than pillowy, which some runners prefer because it stays closer to the road feel of outdoor running. Neither is objectively better, but if joint-friendly softness is your priority, Sole edges it. Both fold up out of the way, so you reclaim your floor space between sessions no matter which brand you pick.
Round 2: Screen, Subscription & Value
Here the brands split hard. NordicTrack builds its whole identity around iFIT, a paid subscription that streams trainer-led classes on a big rotating touchscreen: 22 inches on the X22i, a massive 32 inches on the X32i. The magic is auto-adjust, where the coach's programming drives your incline and speed automatically, so the machine changes under your feet while you just run. It is genuinely motivating, and for a lot of people it is the difference between using a treadmill and letting it collect laundry. The honest catch is that this is a monthly fee, and without iFIT the NordicTrack experience loses most of its shine.
Sole takes the opposite bet. The F80 has no subscription, ever. Its display is a clean, large HD panel, and instead of locking you into one ecosystem it lets you bring your own apps, stream your own shows, or just watch the numbers and run. You own the whole experience the day it arrives. For runners who resent recurring fees or who already have their own training plan, that freedom is worth a lot, and it means the F80's cost is a one-time thing rather than a ticket you keep paying.
Value depends entirely on how you'll use the machine. If you thrive on guided classes and steep incline, NordicTrack's interactive package earns its keep, and the X22i is our overall winner because it hits the sweet spot of screen size, incline, and price within the lineup. If you want the biggest possible screen, the X32i delivers cinematic immersion. If you want interactive training on a tighter budget, the ProForm Carbon (same parent company, same iFIT platform) is the value entry point. And if you never want a subscription at all, Sole's F80 quietly wins on total cost of ownership. That is the real fork in the road.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Incline | Subscription | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer | Overall pick | Up to 40% incline | iFIT required for best use | 22" rotating touchscreen |
| Sole F80 Treadmill | No-subscription runners | Up to 15% incline | None, ever | Large HD display, bring your own apps |
| NordicTrack X32i Incline Trainer | Big-screen immersion | Up to 40% incline | iFIT required for best use | 32" rotating touchscreen |
| ProForm Carbon Incline Treadmill | Best value | Solid incline range | iFIT-focused, budget tier | Compact display, iFIT-ready |
1. NordicTrack X22i — Winner: Best Overall (Interactive)
NordicTrack X22i Incline Trainer
The X22i is the treadmill we point most home runners toward, and it is our overall winner. It nails the balance the rest of the lineup dances around: a 22-inch rotating touchscreen big enough to feel immersive without dominating a room, a savage 40% incline range for real hill training, and iFIT auto-adjust that changes your incline and speed on the fly while a trainer coaches you through it. That combination turns a workout you dread into one you actually look forward to.
The rotating screen is a quiet stroke of genius, since it lets you swing the display off the deck for floor workouts and follow the same coach through strength and mobility sessions. Pair that with a stable CHP motor, a cushioned deck, and a fold-away frame that gives you your floor back, and you have a machine that keeps earning its footprint. The honest asterisk is iFIT: to get the full experience you pay a monthly subscription, and without it the X22i loses much of what makes it special. If interactive training motivates you, that fee pays for itself in consistency.
Pros
- Brutal 40% incline range for serious hill and climbing workouts
- 22-inch rotating touchscreen that pivots for off-treadmill training
- iFIT auto-adjust changes incline and speed automatically as you run
- Cushioned deck and stable CHP motor built for daily running
- Fold-away frame reclaims floor space between sessions
Cons
- iFIT subscription is a recurring monthly cost for the best experience
- Loses most of its appeal if you skip the subscription
- Large footprint and heavy frame need real dedicated space
2. Sole F80 — Best No-Subscription
Sole F80 Treadmill
The Sole F80 is the answer for anyone who wants to buy a treadmill once and never pay another cent to use it. There is no subscription, no locked ecosystem, and no coach telling you what to do unless you choose to open your own app on the screen. Sole has built a loyal following on exactly this: a heavy, planted, tank-like machine with a strong CHP motor and a cushioned deck that runners consistently praise for being kind to their knees over long miles.
Its 15% incline range is plenty for most training, even if it cannot chase the 40% wall the NordicTrack incline trainers hit. The large HD display keeps things simple, showing your stats or letting you stream your own shows and apps while you run. It folds away like the others, so it does not have to own your room. You give up the auto-adjust magic and the guided-class motivation, but in return you own the entire experience outright. For self-directed runners who resent monthly fees, that trade is an easy yes.
Pros
- No subscription ever, so your cost is a genuine one-time purchase
- Heavy, tank-like build with a strong CHP motor that feels planted
- Forgiving cushioned deck that's easy on knees and hips
- Bring-your-own-apps display, no locked ecosystem
- Fold-away frame saves space when you're done
Cons
- Tops out around 15% incline, well below the NordicTrack climbers
- No auto-adjust or built-in guided classes to keep you motivated
- Screen experience is basic unless you bring your own content
3. NordicTrack X32i — Best Big-Screen Alternative
NordicTrack X32i Incline Trainer
The X32i is the X22i turned up to cinematic. Everything that makes its smaller sibling great is here, the 40% incline, the auto-adjust iFIT coaching, the cushioned deck, but wrapped around a colossal 32-inch rotating touchscreen. Streaming a trail run through a mountain pass or following a studio class on that panel feels less like a workout screen and more like a window, and for many people that immersion is exactly what keeps them consistent.
That extra glass comes at a price, both in dollars and in footprint, so this is the pick for runners who want the most theatrical experience and have the room for it. Like the rest of the NordicTrack lineup, it leans on the iFIT subscription to shine, so factor that ongoing cost in. If the guided experience is what sells you and you want the biggest, most immersive version of it, the X32i is the one to reach for over our overall winner.
Pros
- Enormous 32-inch rotating touchscreen for deep immersion
- Same 40% incline range as the X22i for hard hill work
- iFIT auto-adjust drives incline and speed automatically
- Rotating screen supports off-treadmill strength sessions
- Cushioned deck and fold-away frame for daily use
Cons
- Most expensive option and needs the most space
- Still relies on the iFIT subscription for its best experience
- The huge screen is overkill for minimalist runners
4. ProForm Carbon — Best Value Alternative
ProForm Carbon Incline Treadmill
ProForm is NordicTrack's sibling brand under the same parent company, and it runs the same iFIT platform, which makes the Carbon the natural value entry point into interactive training. You get the guided-class motivation and auto-adjust programming that make the NordicTrack machines addictive, just on a leaner machine with a smaller screen and a friendlier price. For a first treadmill, or for a budget that can't stretch to an X-series incline trainer, it is a genuinely smart way in.
You trade down on screen size and the extreme 40% incline, and the build is a step below Sole's tank-like heft. But you keep the part that actually changes behavior: the coaching that gets you running. It folds away like the others and pairs cleanly with iFIT. If you're sold on the interactive approach but want to spend less to try it, the Carbon delivers most of the experience for a fraction of the outlay, with the same subscription caveat as the rest of the NordicTrack family.
Pros
- Lowest cost of entry into the iFIT interactive experience
- Same guided classes and auto-adjust coaching as NordicTrack
- Cushioned deck and fold-away frame in a compact footprint
- Great first treadmill for budget-minded home runners
- Runs the proven iFIT platform without paying flagship prices
Cons
- Smaller screen and less incline range than the X-series
- Build feels lighter than Sole's heavy-duty frame
- Still needs the iFIT subscription to reach its potential
Which Should You Choose?
Pick NordicTrack if you want coaching that keeps you running
If a trainer's voice and an auto-adjusting incline are what get you on the machine, NordicTrack is your brand, and the X22i is the sweet spot. The rotating 22-inch touchscreen, 40% incline range, and iFIT auto-adjust turn every session into a guided workout you actually finish. Want the biggest screen? Step up to the X32i. Want the same experience for less? Start with the ProForm Carbon. Just remember the iFIT subscription is part of the deal, and for the right runner it pays for itself in consistency.
Pick Sole if you never want a monthly fee
If the idea of paying a subscription to use a treadmill you already bought bothers you, the Sole F80 is built for you. No fees, ever. You get a heavy, planted machine with a strong motor and a famously forgiving cushioned deck, plus a display that lets you bring your own apps and content. You give up auto-adjust and guided classes, but you own the whole experience outright. For self-directed runners with their own plan, that freedom wins.
Consider the alternatives if the headline picks don't fit
Neither flagship a perfect match? The NordicTrack X32i is the move when you want the most immersive, cinematic screen and have the space and budget for it. The ProForm Carbon is the smart choice when you love the interactive iFIT approach but want the lowest cost of entry to try it. Both keep the fold-away convenience, and both let you match your spend to how you'll really use the machine rather than paying for features you'll skip.
Ready to Turn Your Home Into a Training Studio?
The NordicTrack X22i pairs a savage 40% incline with a rotating touchscreen and iFIT coaching that keeps you moving. Prefer to skip the subscription? The Sole F80 gives you a rock-solid machine you own outright. Check current pricing and pick your path.
Explore Brainstamped's Free ToolsFrequently Asked Questions
For most home runners, NordicTrack wins, and the X22i is our top pick thanks to its 40% incline, rotating 22-inch touchscreen, and iFIT auto-adjust coaching. But Sole wins if you never want a subscription: the F80 is a heavy, forgiving, no-fee machine you own outright. The best brand depends on whether guided training or subscription-free simplicity matters more to you.
No. Sole treadmills like the F80 have no subscription, ever. You can bring your own apps or just run using the built-in display. NordicTrack and its sibling brand ProForm both lean on the paid iFIT subscription to deliver their guided classes and auto-adjust features, so that recurring cost is the core difference between the two brands.
The NordicTrack X22i and X32i are incline trainers that climb to a steep 40% incline and decline to around -6%, which is ideal for hill training. The Sole F80 tops out near 15% powered incline, a strong figure for most workouts but well short of NordicTrack's wall-climbing range. If steep incline work is your goal, NordicTrack has the clear edge.
Both use cushioned decks, but Sole has the stronger reputation for a forgiving, softer landing that eases stress on knees and hips over long runs. NordicTrack's cushioning is tuned to feel more responsive and road-like. If joint-friendly softness is your priority, the Sole F80 edges it; if you prefer a firmer, outdoor-running feel, NordicTrack suits you better.
Yes. The NordicTrack X22i and X32i, the ProForm Carbon, and the Sole F80 all use fold-away frames, so you can lift the deck up and out of the way to reclaim your floor space between sessions. That said, the NordicTrack incline trainers have a larger overall footprint, so measure your room before committing to one of the big-screen models.