The newly updated 2024 Sole F80 folding treadmill is now roomier and more powerful than before with new features and upgraded specs. In my experience, the Sole lineup provides some of the best in-home features around. Every time I step onto one of their treadmills I’m reminded of the lifetime warranty offered on their frame and motor. You can feel it, from the deck to the rollers. Some of the F80’s star features include an enhanced 10.1-inch Android-powered touchscreen, up from last year’s 9-inch display, a wireless phone charging pad, and larger “Stop” switch with tether cord. The unit comes equipped with a built-in tablet holder for convenient multitasking, entertainment, and data syncing to your fitness apps. The super-sized 22 x 60-inch running surface is accommodating for tall runners. I have to say this is a big deal this year, what with so many models downsizing to 20 x 55-inch treads. With a commercial 3.5 HP motor, you can expect club-quality durability and low maintenance. Top all that with a power incline of 15% grade, the Sole F80 earns a spot in our list of best treadmills.

Sole gave the F80 a reversible deck when it upgraded the model, which not only doubles the life of the deck but also reduces the sound of each step and reduces impact by up to 40% compared with outdoor training. Especially if you have joint injuries, this feature reduces your risk of developing arthritis. They have even partnered with the Studio fitness app to unlock limitless exercise enhancement opportunities, so let’s break down everything you need to make the right purchasing decision.

Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The Sole F80

At TreadmillReviews.net, we bring you comprehensive reviews of treadmills so you can decide which one is right for you. Our staff thoroughly test all the treadmills we review. We install them, walk on them, run on them, and try out all of the features. We get to know each and every treadmill we review extremely well. Our reviewers log miles on the deck. We listen and record the sound of the motor, we test and measure the incline/decline, try out all aspects of the console and try the treadmill’s features, such as iFit.

Every treadmill we review undergoes the same rigorous process. That way we can compare and contrast them and give you an honest review of what we think. This particular treadmill has been around for many years, and we’ve done previous reviews of the Sole F80. So, in this review, we also compared it to the previous models.

Our reviewers are treadmill and fitness experts. Brian, the author of this review, is a competitive bodybuilder, and is a 7-time national qualifier in both men’s bodybuilding and classic physique within the NPC competitions. He has coached and been coached on cardiovascular training, HIIT, and nutrition, particularly as it pertains to weight loss for competitions. He is an expert at treadmills, has been on this treadmill, and you can trust his opinion on all of the treadmills he reviews.

In Brief

The 2024 Sole F80 is a consistent top pick for just about any use. It features a lifetime warranty at a great price of $1,899, as well as Bluetooth features tip to top. I have to say I’m always impressed by machines that offer lifetime warranties on the frame and motor. The average these days is probably 10 years for the frame and five for the motor. Whatever programming options you’re seeking, this model probably fits the bill. Year after year, we’re always impressed with the construction of the Sole products, and the F80 is just another example of that. A great comparable would be the $2,500 NordicTrack Commercial 1750, with the primary differences being screen size and automatic trainer control for that model versus a lifetime warranty and built-in programs in the F80. Read below to see why the Sole lineup overall does so well each season.

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Foldable & Affordable: Sole F80 Treadmill Treadmill (2024) - Key Specs:

In-Depth Review of the Sole F80

Why We Like It

The Sole F80 is a powerful home treadmill that can be folded up and rolled away when not in use. Priced at just $1,899, it’s well under its nearest rival, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 priced at $2,499. The only real reasons I can see for the price difference is the smaller screen and lack of decline options on the F80. But for many people, that’s no problem at all. The F80 does come with a 10.1-inch Android-powered touchscreen, but really this is a bring-your-own screen treadmill with a snazzy tablet holder built into the top. Models that come with larger screens tend to only work with one program, whereas the F80 is designed to let you use your own if you don’t want to use their app. To that end, I like the fact that the F80 comes with pre-programmed workout options, including: Manual, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, HIIT, 5K, 10K, Custom, HRC (Heartrate Control), and the fitness tests for the U.S. Armed Services. You really don’t need to pay for a workout app if you get this model. 

It Comes With A Solid 10.1″ Screen and Tablet-Holder

If you’re shopping around for treadmills and want to opt away from the large, flashy high-definition touchscreen, the Sole F80’s 10.1″ screen is built for you. It also features a great eye-level media shelf which can hold either a tablet or phone. I’ve set my own iPad on this with no problem as it attaches securely and doesn’t wobble while in use. This screen is more than adequate for workout metrics and built-in programming. The unit is also Bluetooth-enabled so you won’t have any problem accessing various heartrate programs, or other entertainment options while exercising.

This treadmill also comes with the fitness tests associated with the U.S. Armed Forces branches. Whether you’re planning to enlist or just want to use those as a benchmark, this console and screen is designed to help you along.

The Sole F80 comes with a very handy and user-friendly monitor for use with apps and built-in programs. Photo by Brian Boyce

Top-Notch Construction

The F80 is built to last with commercial-grade parts which help ensure the machine runs for many years and provides a comfortable ride. Solid steel makes up everything from the side rails and cross beams to the handlebars and more. Sole even reinforces strength by welding instead of attaching with bolts where possible. Built with 2.36″ rollers, the machine is simply better put-together than many of the rivals which use under-2″ rollers. The rollers are the steel cylinders to which the belt attaches at either end of the deck. The bigger the rollers, the easier the run on the motor. 

The F80 treadmill provides a roomy deck at 22 by 60 inches, making it comfortable for larger users and for those who feel they need more space when running. If you primarily plan to use your treadmill for walking, you can probably get by with the less expensive Sole F63. It has a smaller deck to facilitate a shorter stride. However, the F80 model is ideal for running and accommodating those over six feet tall. 

The Sole F80’s excellent shock absorption adds extra comfort, allowing you to enjoy running or walking on your machine daily. Its top-of-the-line cushioning system is designed to take the stress off your joints so that you can run pain free. Its Cushion Flex Whisper Deck minimizes joint impact up to 40% compared to road running, allowing you to keep your workout routine consistent and also helps to minimize training injuries.

Measuring 82.5″ x 38″ x 66″ when assembled, the treadmill folds up to 44″ x 38″ x 71.5″ and weighs 274 pounds. That said, the unit will hold up to 350 pounds in user weight, which is considerably more than the industry standard of 300 pounds. All in all, I can see why the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on both the frame and the 3.5 CHP motor.

High-Power Motor

The F80’s 3.5 HP motor is ideal for those who enjoy longer runs as well as heavier individuals who demand more from their machine. This treadmill will easily support any grueling workout, from long distance running to interval training and hill training.

You can count on a quiet run with the Sole F80. Using an app to measure decibels at different speed, I was able to measure noise to give you a better idea of what you can expect:

• 3 mph- 35 decibels, comparable to normal conversation
• 6 mph- 46 decibels, comparable to the sound of a dishwasher
• 9 mph- 57 decibels, comparable to the sound of a running car
• 12 mph- 61 decibels, comparable to the sound of a vacuum cleaner

Sole F80 decibels at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mph. (Photo by Jessica Jones)

Folding Capabilities

Another clear benefit of this treadmill is the fact that it can be easily folded to save space. If you are building a small home gym, you can feel confident that the F80 will meet your compact space requirements. It’s a really easy machine to fold up too; just flip the switch, and watch it fold up automatically. I’m a big fan of folding treadmills for all the right reasons. In my experience, they’re easier to clean and maintain in terms of changing and lubricating belts. You’d be surprised at how many product complaints I see from consumers who simply failed to maintain their machine. You can read up on maintenance in my article on the topic here. 

The Sole F80 requires 44”L x 36”W of storage space when folded. The base only takes up 34”L x 36″, but the deck folds up at about a 70-degree angle, so there’s 10” of overhang to factor in. You’ll also need 70” of vertical space available for the folded Sole F80. For those placing this in a home, keep this in mind.

One of the many cool features of the Sole F80 is the phone charger. Photo by Brian Boyce

Accessories

In addition to the tablet holder which lets users bring their own device to the table, fans of heart rate training will enjoy the included chest strap for a real-time readout that appears on the LCD screen. EKG sensors are also located on the handrails. Cooling fans are also included in the Sole F80 construction to keep you from overheating during your workout, and there’s a built-in USB charging port to boot.

The F80’s Bluetooth compatibility allows you to transfer their exercise data from the treadmill to your smart device. The Sole team recently added the Sole+ App with thousands of workouts available and new ones added daily. You can also benefit from pro guidance by world-renowned instructors and leaderboards to keep things competitive. But the great news about this unit is you’re not locked into that app and you can always use it with or without it. I find the value of choice to be quite high, frankly.

The Sole F80 has a user-friendly console with lots of room. Photo by Brian Boyce

Speed and Incline

Sole F80 features a good range of speed and incline settings to keep workouts varied. From 0.5-12 mph, you can perform fast sprints, slow uphill climbs, and anything in-between. The handlebar controls make it easy to perform interval training where you’ll explore a fuller spectrum of the speed range during a single session.

For a more thorough leg workout, adding incline shift muscle recruitment to the glutes and hamstrings where a flatter surface focuses on the quads. Balancing out the use of antagonist muscle groups makes for a more balanced fitness regimen, and Sole F80 is generous with a 0-15% incline range.

The combination of speed and incline on the Sole F80 makes this model ideal for steady state and interval training. Those who incorporate hill training in their regimen will be well-facilitated for uphill simulation, but the lack of decline will make it difficult to prepare for real-world terrain.

See our video review of the Sole F80

What We Don’t Like

• No Decline Option: Some treadmills in this price range offer decline.
• In-home assembly costs: Sole charges for in-home placement and assembly.

This Treadmill Could Be For You If:

• You’d rather pay less for quality by skipping fancy tech and using your smart device.
• You want an easily foldable treadmill.
• You need a 3.5 HP motor that supports long distance running, interval training, and hill training.
• You’re tall/heavy and demand more from the motor.
• You like to track your workout stats with fitness apps.

My Final Verdict:

At its $1,899 sale price, the Sole F80 is a bestseller and buyers won’t be disappointed with their purchase. It’s a sensible mid-range option between Sole’s entry-level F63 treadmill and their high-end F85 model. The biggest benefit to the F80 over the F85 in particular is price difference of nearly $500. The bigger model does bring bigger rollers, a larger screen, and a 4.0 CHP motor, and whether that’s worth it to you is up to you. For most people, the Sole F80 is probably more than enough as-is. The F63 comes in significantly cheaper at under $1,200, but you get a much smaller screen and motor too. Overall, this cardio trainer delivers excellent value with its club-quality components and upgraded, modern features. One reason you’ll see the F80 do so well in the comparisons is that it hits the sweet middle ground most people seek when looking for a home treadmill.

Just for more comparisons, consider the following treadmills in the same price range and check out our reviews of each:

• NordicTrack Commercial 1750, $1,999 online: 3.5 CHP motor; 12% to -3% incline/decline; 20″ x 60″ belt
• Horizon 7.8AT: $1,999 online: 4.0 CHP motor; 15% incline; 22″ x 60″ belt

Granted, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has more features but you’re locked into the iFit app. The Horizon 7.8AT provides a longer running deck but the screen just isn’t as good as the Sole F80. It’ll be interesting to see how the year ends up in terms of overall sales, but I’m betting the Sole F80 does extremely well.

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New for 2023 

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Recent Updates

• November 6, 2023: Specs and price updates
• May 10, 2023: Specs and price updated.
• December 12, 2022- Added measurements when folded.
• October 4, 2022: Fact checked all specs, updated current price as listed on manufacturer’s website.
• July 13, 2021: Added some FAQs to the page.