Sole F80 vs. Peloton Tread: Which Treadmill Should You Buy?

Dimensions/Storability

When purchasing a treadmill, you want to be sure it will fit in your home. To ensure you have enough floor space, we recommend factoring in the total dimensions of the treadmill as well as a couple of extra feet surrounding the deck to ensure you have enough room to use it.

The Sole F80’s dimensions are 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H, and the Peloton Tread is 68” L x 33” W x 62” H. Although the F80 takes up a little more space, the deck folds up.

This helps to cut down on the dimensions when you’re not using it.

To fold the deck, lift the back end and push it up toward the console. This is where the deck locks into place. When it’s folded, you can push the F80 around because it has four transportation wheels. There is a yellow handle under the deck to pull to unfold the F80. The deck slowly lowers to the floor on its own when unfolded.

The Peloton Tread doesn’t fold up.

Although it’s a little more compact, it can’t be stored out of the way when it’s not in use. It is also more challenging to move than the F80. 2 front wheels engage when you lift the backend of the deck when you need to move it, though.

The Peloton Tread is heavy at 290 lbs. The F80 is also heavy at 274 lbs, but it is a lot easier to move because it folds and has more transport wheels.

Along with floor space, ceiling height is also important to consider. We recommend having at least an 8.5-foot high ceiling, if you’re a 6-foot tall runner, to comfortably and safely use these treadmills. They both have 8” tall step-up heights. This is the height of the deck from the floor to the top of the side rails.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Although the Sole F80 and Peloton Tread offer trainer-led workouts and streaming from 3rd-party apps like Netflix, the content is different. One is subscription-based and the other includes complementary content.

Here’s what you can expect on each treadmill.

Sole F80 Content

The Sole F80 offers practically endless content options. On the home screen, there are trainer-led workouts from the Sole+ App integrated into the touch screen. These workouts are filmed in indoor studios and feature an instructor who guides you through the workout. There are a significant amount of these classes, especially considering they’re free.

They aren’t exactly on the same level as Peloton’s studio trainer-led classes. There isn’t a leaderboard or live workouts, but again, they’re free. This means you don’t have to pay a membership fee for them.

Along with the Sole+ App workouts, the F80 includes standard workout programs. These are similar to what commercial treadmills in public gyms include. You can customize workouts like fat burn, hill, and 10k. There is also a manual mode to adjust the F80 as you go. There are fitness tests to take, too.

The Sole F80 also includes 12 streaming apps.

These include Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Max, Spotify, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, CNN, ESPN, Audible, and Kinomap. These are available to stream directly from the F80. You just need to log into your account for each app to start streaming.

If this isn’t enough, you can pair your phone to screen mirror content from it on the F80’s touch screen, too. So, if you want to take Peloton workouts, you can use the Peloton App on your phone and then screen mirror it to the F80.

Peloton Tread Content

The Peloton Tread allows you to stream Peloton’s All-Access Membership for $44 per month on the touch screen. The All-Access Membership includes all of Peloton’s content. There are thousands of trainer-led studio workout classes and a growing list of outdoor-filmed workouts in various locations. These classes are live and on-demand.

What makes Peloton so popular is the studio classes and instructors.

The instructors are like mini celebrities with significant social media followings. Many folks have an instructor (or a few) that are their favorite, us included. Peloton is one of the best if you want to follow along with an instructor for guidance.

Each workout has a curated playlist of music hand-selected by the trainer. A leaderboard is displayed on the right side of the screen. This is where you can see how you rank against other members, including those who have previously taken the workout, if you’re taking it on-demand.

You can send and receive virtual “high-fives” on the leaderboard, too. Peloton uses the leaderboard and its training platform to create a sense of community among its members.

When you don’t want to follow a trainer, you can play Peloton Lanebreak. These are gamified workouts that feature an avatar that moves down multiple lanes trying to hit targets. Your intensity with the speed and incline levels on the Tread move your avatar through different lanes in order to hit the targets. Each Lanebreak is structured like a workout with a curated playlist made by Peloton’s instructors.

Included in the All-Access Membership are preloaded streaming apps. These include Netflix, YouTube TV, Max, Disney+, and the NBA App. You just have to log into your account for each of these. You also need to subscribe to Peloton’s membership to stream these on the Peloton Tread. They aren’t included to stream from, like the F80.

Without a subscription, the functionality and features of the touch screen are very limited. The Tread’s speed and incline show on the screen, but you can’t access any other features.

Sole F80 vs. Peloton Tread Console

The Sole F80 and Peloton Tread have streamlined consoles to adjust each treadmill. The console is like a control panel for a treadmill. It is where the start/stop buttons are, adjustment buttons, and a touch screen, at least for Sole F80 and Peloton Tread. Not every treadmill includes a touch screen with video training content, like the Horizon 7.8 AT, for instance.

Here’s a breakdown of the F80 and Tread’s consoles.

Sole F80 Console

The Sole F80 features a 10.1” touch screen. This screen is smaller than the Tread’s, but the F80 is also priced much lower. If you’re looking for a Sole treadmill with a larger touch screen, we recommend checking out the Sole F85 and F89. Even though the F80’s screen is smaller than others, you can still see everything clearly.

The screen doesn’t adjust, however, so it can be a little hard to navigate while running. You can’t tilt it up and down or pivot it to either side. I recommend having your workout and streaming content cued up and ready to go prior to starting your workout on the F80.

I like the numbered adjustment buttons on either side of the screen.

These allow you to jump from speeds and incline levels with the press of a button. For example, when you press the number 7 on the right side, the treadmill will adjust to 7 mph. Switch buttons on the front handle also adjust to specific levels like 7.2 mph.

The only adjustment button that is missing from the console is a button for the speaker volume. You have to press the small icon at the top left side of the screen to adjust the speakers. This can be hard to do while running.

The speakers are clear with plenty of volume range though.
There is also a fan on the console. Unfortunately, the air points to the sides of the treadmill rather than at you. It’s best to plug in your own fan while using the F80.

I really like the wireless charging pad below the touchscreen. It works with compatible phones and can charge when you’re using the F80. The pad also works as a phone holder to keep it nearby. There is an adjustable device rack on the top of the console if you want to stream content directly from your device, too.

The two cup holders hold a standard water bottle. There are also two smaller pockets for items like earbuds or keys. The F80’s console has everything you need on the console for convenience.

Build Quality

The Peloton Tread and Sole F80 have similar designs. I think the Peloton Tread looks a little more sleek, but the F80 is heartier with its 350 lb weight limit, versus the 300 lb limit that the Tread has. The F80 is more suitable for larger users.

Sole F80 vs Peloton Tread Frame

The frames on both of these treadmills look very similar.

As Sole calls it, the “Z-shaped” frame resembles the Peloton Tread.

When running on both treadmills though, the F80 is a bit more stable. We experience some screen shake when running at higher speeds on the Peloton Tread.

I prefer the Peloton’s handles. They have a nice coating overtop that feels luxurious compared to the plastic coverings on the F80. Both handles function the same, though – they are there when you need to catch your balance, which is the most important.

Sole F80 vs. Peloton Tread Motor

The Sole F80 and Peloton Tread are made for heavier use. They both have DC motors, which are commonly found in home treadmills. The Peloton has a slightly smaller motor that’s 3.0 HP vs the 3.5 HP motor that the F80 has. We prefer 3.5 to 4.0 HP motors for heavy training.

The Sole F80 handles heavy use well.

We’ve had the Peloton Tread for a few years now, and it has handled regular use well, too.

The Peloton Tread has a 12.5 mph max speed and a 12.5% incline range. The Sole F80 has a 12 mph max speed and 15 levels of incline. These metrics are similar and include plenty of training options to make for challenging workouts.

We did notice in our testing that the Peloton Tread adjusts the speed and incline faster than the Sole. This means it is better for interval training. On the F80, I recommend hopping onto the side rails during rest portions of the intervals.

Sole F80 vs. Peloton Tread Deck

The Sole F80’s deck not only folds up, but it is a little larger than the Tread’s.

It is 22” wide and 60” long.

The Peloton Tread is 20” wide and 59” long.

You don’t notice the difference in length, especially because the Peloton Tread doesn’t have a motor hood mounted at the top of the deck. There is plenty of room to run for pretty much all strides on both treadmills.

If you prefer a little more width to run on, though, you might want to look into the F80.

Both treadmills feel fairly similar to run on. They have firm deck cushioning. They feel more similar to running outside on concrete. This is good if you are a road runner. If you have joint sensitivity while running, you might want to check out a NordicTrack treadmill, like the Commercial 2450 or 1750.

Warranty

We love Sole’s warranties. With the purchase of the F80, Sole includes a lifetime frame and motor warranty. Peloton includes a 5-year frame and a 3-year motor and deck warranty. The lifetime warranty from Sole helps to instill confidence in the overall construction.

Should You Buy The Sole F80 Or The Peloton Tread?

Overall, our recommendation is the Sole F80. Considering its price, folding deck, overall build, and that it includes practically countless streaming options without paying an additional subscription, it is worth it.

The Peloton Tread is one to consider if you want to train with Peloton’s trainers and have access to the leaderboard and the Lanebreak workouts. Even though you can stream from Netflix, as you can on the F80, you need to pay for Peloton’s All-Access Membership to do so.

For the overall quality, the Sole F80 is the way to go. The F80 is one of our top recommended treadmills and has been for years.

Sole F80 vs. Peloton Tread Q&A / FAQ

Can I use the Peloton app on a Sole treadmill?

Yes. You can screen mirror the Peloton app on your phone to Sole’s treadmills with touchscreens, like the F80. You won’t be able to use all of Peloton’s membership features, like the leaderboard and the Lanebreak workouts, but you can follow along with Peloton’s instructors on the F80’s screen.

Can you use the Sole F80 without a membership?

The Sole F80 doesn’t require a subscription membership to use. The content, which is the trainer-led workouts and onboard workout programs come available for free. 12 streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu are also available to log in and stream from, without having to pay for another subscription on top of your Netflix subscription.

Do I have to have a Peloton membership to use the Peloton Tread?

You don’t have to pay for a membership to Peloton’s All-Access Membership to use the Tread, but there aren’t many options on the touchscreen available without one. A big draw to this treadmill is its training content, without it, there aren’t many features on the treadmill.