Best for Home Use
Best for Serious Runners
Best for Walkers
Best for Seniors
Merit 725T Plus Review
The Merit 725T Plus is a $450 treadmill that folds for storage. Compared with similarly priced treadmills it offers more features… but keep in mind, the competition in its price class is weak. Judging from customer reviews most owners are satisfied, but we’re concerned by many reports of machines that arrive defective or else stop working after just four months. The 2.25 HP motor has a two-year warranty, but there’s little guarantee that other components will cooperate to deliver $450 work of exercise. The parts and labor warranty is for 90 days only.
When it works, the 725T Plus can be satisfactory for walking and running. It might wobble when used at higher speeds by people who carry more weight. It has a 250-pound weight capacity and a top speed of 10 mph.
Other specs for this folding treadmill include an 18″ x 45″ workout area, a power incline with maximum 10% tilt, and 1.65″ rollers. The rollers (which help move the exercise belt) are rather small in diameter and help explain the treadmill’s low price. Generally the larger the rollers, the less belt maintenance is required.
The treadmill console is loaded with a small but diverse selection of workout programs, and the buttons make it easy to quickly select a program. LED windows show the time elapsed, speed, distance, calories, incline and pulse. Pulse is calculated with contact sensors for the thumbs.
The Merit 725T Plus Treadmill is designed for easy storage. When folded it measures 34″ long x 31″ wide x 53″ high. Unfolded it stands 71″ long x 31″ wide x 52″ high.
What We Like:
- Price: The Merit 725T Plus treadmill sells for about $450 on Amazon. Free three-day shipping is available for Amazon Prime members.
- Assembly: Amazon sells this treadmill with optional professional assembly (approximately $100), but owners report that assembly is easy.
- Folding Frame: The frame measures 31″ wide and 71″ long when expanded. When folded the treadmill takes just 31″ x 34″ of floor space.
- Motor: The 725T Plus has a 2.25 HP drive with two-year warranty. While the drive is weak compared to most treadmill motors, it’s relatively powerful for this model’s price class.
- Power Incline: This treadmill has a motorized incline whereas most treadmills under $500 have manually adjusted inclines, if any. The top setting is 10%.
- Exercise Programs: Seven workout modes are included: manual, weight loss, hill climb, mountain climb, cardio, endurance and intervals.
- Tablet Ledge: A ledge is built into the console, making it convenient to use a tablet computer during exercise sessions. Listen to music, watch YouTube and so forth to help extend your workout time.
Merit 725T Plus Treadmill - Key Specs:
| Star Rating: | 2-stars |
|---|---|
| Motor: | 2.25 HP |
| Incline: | 0 - 10% |
| Running Area: | 45" x 18" |
| Folding: | Yes |
| Top Speed: | 10 MPH |
| Weight Capacity: | 250 LBS |
| Dimensions: | 71" L x 31" W x 52" H |
| Built-In Programs: | 7 |
- Small Rollers: A very important but not-so-obvious shortcoming is small rollers (1.65″ diameter) for the tread belt. Higher quality treadmills have larger rollers that can better minimize wear on a belt and motor. Replacement belts for the Merit 725T Plus cost about $65 each.
- Maintenance Required: Like any low-end treadmill, this unit isn’t equipped with a maintenance-free track. If you buy this model, then be sure to add belt lubricant to your shopping cart.
- Not So Steady: The 725T Plus has a 250-pound user weight limit, but the heaviest trainees report that the machine wobbles at higher speeds.
- Track Size: The 725T Plus track dimensions are 18″ x 45″. That’s roomier than what other cheap treadmills provide, but it might not be as comfortable to use as a standard entry-level treadmill with 20″ x 55″ track.
- Warranty: The 725T Plus has a lifetime frame warranty and two-year motor warranty, but the parts are only protected for 90 days… and according to customer reviews, the treadmill is somewhat likely to stop working after about four months. Comparing this treadmill with options over $500 you’ll see big differences in the warranties, including at least one year of parts and labor.
- Expensive Parts: Repairs for this treadmill can be costly. For instance, if the electronics stop working, you might be quoted $200 for repairs./li>
Our Verdict:
This Merit folding treadmill is sometimes impressive for the price. A size-able minority of customers report having received lemons. Despite the strengths detailed in our review above, overall the Merit 725T Plus is a poor value when compared with just about any treadmill that costs another $200 or more. If you don’t receive a defective unit, you could count on this trainer for a few months (perhaps for the doldrums of one winter) but not necessarily for a year or two. Check out our list of the Best Cheap Treadmills if you’re open to spending about $650 rather than $450.