The Smooth 5.25 Treadmill is one of the best economy treadmills on the market today - and one of our picks for the "Best Treadmill Under $1000".
At $999 (with free shipping), it is an upgrade and replacement for the older, highly rated Smooth 5.15. But is the Smooth 5.25 right for your workout needs?
Here's a quick review to help you decide:
Quick Stats:
Price: $999 (MSRP: $1497)
Motor: 2.5 Continuous Duty HP
Speed: 0.5-10 MPH
Incline: 0-15%
Treadbelt: 20 x 53"
Folding: Yes
Heart Rate Monitor: Yes Hand Grip
Extras:
Best Warranty Under $1000 - The Smooth 5.25 offers a lifetime motor warranty - which is unheard of in a treadmill under $1000. The warranty also covers the frame for a lifetime, parts for 3 years and service for 1 year. This is simply the best treadmill warranty offered at this price point - and it tells you about the quality of construction.
Folding - The Smooth 5.25 comes with soft-drop functionality which makes it much easier to fold and unfold the treadmill (there's not as much strain on your back).
20" Wide Running Belt - Most economy treadmills come with a 16 or 18" wide belt. With the 5.25 you have more space to move around.
Commercial Grade Components - The triple-laminated phenolic deck and 2.5" commercial grade rollers help to extend the life of your treadmill. This type of construction is usually found in the $1800+ treadmills.
Heavier Unit Weight Gives Added Stability - Most discount treadmills are lighter than the Smooth 5.25 and this can cause rocking or swaying when you pick up your pace. At 195 pounds the Smooth 5.25 feels much more stable than the standard department store treadmill.
How Is The Smooth 5.25 Different From the Smooth 5.15?
- Longer Warranty: The Smooth 5.25 is upgraded to a lifetime motor warranty (the Smooth 5.15 offered a 10 year motor warranty).
- Belt Size: The Smooth 5.25 treadbelt is wider than the Smooth 5.15 (20" versus 18") so it should feel a bit more spacious.
- Console: The Smooth 5.25 has a more sophisticated console with separate speed and incline profiles with more space for water bottles etc.
- Expert Reviews: The Smooth 5.25 was called the Best Budget Treadmill by About.com
Overall Conclusion: Highly Recommended
The Smooth 5.25 is an improvement on the already popular Smooth 5.15 treadmill. It offers a longer warranty, larger running area and a more sophisticated console.
If you're on a budget, the Smooth 5.25 is one of the best treadmill values under $1000 right now. Compared to walking on other economy treadmills, it offers a much more stable, solid feel with a high quality cushioning system.
Although this is not a treadmill for heavier users or runners it does offer excellent value for the home exerciser on a budget.
Where To Buy:
You can save on the Smooth 5.25 by getting it direct from the Smooth manufacturer. They ship faster than a lot of dealers and you can also currently get free shipping.
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Was this information useful? This article on Smooth 5.25 Review is one of several articles to be found in our Treadmill Product Reviews section.
