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Horizon Fitness offers a variety of treadmills including the 7.4 and 7.8 AT. Find out what you need to consider when deciding between these two models.
The main differences between the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT are that the Horizon 7.8 AT has a stronger motor, a slightly higher weight limit, a slightly bigger screen, and a few smaller extras.
On the other hand, the Horizon 7.4 AT is slightly lighter and a nice amount more budget-friendly.
If you have an average body weight and plan to use your treadmill for walking or light jogging, the Horizon 7.4 AT will likely be strong enough for you. Choosing this model can save you some money.
If you plan to train more intensely than that and/or have an above average body weight, the extra power and sturdiness of the Horizon 7.8 AT are likely preferred.
Something else to keep in mind is that the Horizon 7.8 AT will generally last longer due to its stronger motor and frame.
If you plan to use your treadmill for many years, it may be worth investing a bit more into the Horizon 7.8 AT initially to save money in the long term.
Most important differences Horizon 7.4 vs 7.8 AT
The Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT sound and are very similar but there are a few areas where they vary. This will influence what model the best choice is for your situation.
Some of these differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are most likely to influence your decision.
| Feature | Horizon 7.4 AT | Horizon 7.8 AT |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 3.5 HP | 4 HP |
| Weight Limit | 350 Pounds (158 kg) | 375 Pounds (170 kg) |
| Screen | 16 Digit Alphanumeric LED And 8.25″LCD Screen | 16 Digit Alphanumeric LED And 9.3″ High Contrast Color TFT Screen |
| Weight | 318 Pounds (144.2 kg) | 330 Pounds (150 kg) |
| Aluminium Side Rails | No | Yes |
| Accessory Tray | No | Yes |
| Media Controls | No | Yes |
| Price Category* | $$$$ | $$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price category at the time of writing
Other features Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT
Before choosing either the Horizon 7.4 or 7.8 AT, you may also want to know about the smaller differences and common features. These can be important for your decision too.
| Feature | Horizon 7.4 AT | Horizon 7.8 AT |
|---|---|---|
| Rollers | 60mm/46mm (2.36″/1.8″) Tapered Rollers | 60mm/46mm (2.36″/1.8″) Tapered Rollers |
| Incline Options | 0% to 15% | 0% to 15% |
| Speed Range | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) |
| Shock Absorption | Yes | Yes |
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 22″ x 60″ |
| Belt | 1.6mm, Silicone | 1.6mm, Silicone |
| Deck Height | 8.75″ | 8.75″ |
| Dimensions | 76” L x 37” W x 63” H | 76” L x 37” W x 64” H |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Folded Dimensions | 41″ L x 36″ W x 70″ H | 41″ L x 36″ W x 70″ H |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Workout Programs | 7 Preset Programs And Connects To Certain Workout Apps Like Zwift | 7 Preset Programs And Connects To Certain Workout Apps Like Zwift |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Contact Hand Grips & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap | Contact Hand Grips & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap |
| Device Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Audio Capabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Color Screen | No | A Few Colors |
| Workout Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Warranties* | Lifetime Frame And Motor Warranty, 5 Years Parts Warranty, And 2 Years Labor Warranty | Lifetime Frame And Motor Warranty, 5 Years Parts Warranty, And 2 Years Labor Warranty |
| Speed & Incline Quick Dial Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences Horizon 7.4 vs 7.8 AT explained in detail
If you are familiar with treadmills features and know what you want and need in them, the table of differences and a quick look at the prices could be enough to decide between the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT.
On the other hand, you may still be unsure about what certain features mean, why they matter, and to what extent they should influence your decision in your personal situation.
Motor power
The main concept of a treadmill is making a belt rotate in place. This allows you to walk or run while staying in the same location. An important part of this concept is the motor that makes the belt move.
Treadmill motors can vary in a few areas including how much power they can generate.
The Horizon 7.4 AT has a treadmill motor of 3.5 HP. The Horizon 7.8 AT is a bit stronger with a motor of 4 HP.
A general recommendation is that you want a 3 CHP motor for fast running if you have an average body weight.
The “C” is important. This stands for continuous horsepower and motors like this are stronger than the same number in regular horsepower.
You can likely use the Horizon 7.4 AT for shorter sessions of fast running. However, if this is your main type of workout and/or you have an above-average weight, you likely need the stronger motor of the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Additionally, even if you don’t plan to train this intensely, a stronger motor generally lasts longer both in one workout and over the years.
Winner: Horizon 7.8 AT
Weight limit
The weight limit of a treadmill is a relatively straightforward feature but it matters in more ways than most people realize.
Before going into that, the Horizon 7.4 AT has a weight limit of 350 pounds (158 kg). The Horizon 7.8 AT is a bit sturdier with a weight limit of 375 pounds (170 kg).
The first reason why you want to stay below these numbers is that the treadmills can simply break down if you do so. Even if they don’t break down, you could speed up the treadmill wear and tear and void the warranties.
Additionally, the weight limits are somewhat of an indication of the quality of the materials and constructions of the treadmills.
As you can see, the Horizon 7.8 AT performs a bit better in these areas than the Horizon 7.4 AT.
Winner: Horizon 7.8 AT
Screen
Most big cardio machines like treadmills come with some type of screen. This displays workout measurements that can improve your exercise sessions and motivate you to keep going.
What type of screen a treadmill comes with can vary a lot. In the case of the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT, the difference is relatively small but worth mentioning.
The Horizon 7.4 AT has a 16 Digit Alphanumeric LED and an 8.25″LCD Screen. The Horizon 7.8 AT has a 16 Digit Alphanumeric LED and a 9.3″ High Contrast Color TFT Screen that displays a few colors.
This second screen will be just a bit easier to read due to its size. Additionally, some people will like the colors over the relatively old-looking screen of the Horizon 7.4 AT.
The difference in screens is likely not enough to change your decision in one way. However, it is a nice addition to the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Winner: Horizon 7.8 AT
Weight
It is easy to understand what the weight of a treadmill is but some people are unsure about why this matters to their exercise routine in any way.
There are some cases where a floor has a limited weight capacity. In situations like that you want to look carefully at the treadmill weights.
However, for most people, this feature will matter more in terms of being able to move the treadmill around. Both the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 are foldable and have transport wheels.
Even so, the 318 pounds (144.2 kg) of the Horizon 7.4 AT will be just a bit easier to move around than the 330 pounds (150 kg) of the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Whether this matters to you and to what extent depends on if you want to move your treadmill around a lot and your strength level.
Winner: Horizon 7.4 AT
Other extras
The differences above are most likely to influence your decision between the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT. However, there are also a few extras that can be nice to have but don’t deserve their own separate section.
First of all, the Horizon 7.8 AT has extra aluminum side rails. This helps slow down wear and tear in an area where you will likely step a decent number of times.
Next, the Horizon 7.8 AT has an accessory tray below the dashboard whereas the Horizon 7.4 AT does not have this. Most people will not find this that important at home where you have these things close anyway.
Lastly, the Horizon 7.8 AT dashboard has media controls to adjust the volume and playback of the content playing through the speakers. This can make your workouts just a bit more convenient.
In short, Horizon Fitness tries to go the extra mile by adding a few extra features to the Horizon 7.8 AT. These are not the most impressive but are nice additions anyway.
Winner: Horizon 7.8 AT
Price
So far, most people will prefer the Horizon 7.8 AT over the Horizon 7.4 AT in terms of features. However, when choosing a treadmill, the price typically matters too.
Exactly how much each machine costs depends on where you get them and can change over time. That being said, at the time of writing, the Horizon 7.4 AT is a nice amount more budget-friendly than the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Something you do want to keep in the back of your mind is that a stronger motor tends to last longer. Especially with heavier use.
Winner: Horizon 7.4 AT
User reviews
When comparing two treadmills from the same brand and product line like the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT, the feature and price differences generally give a good idea about what model is the right choice for you.
That being said, you can sometimes find unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues by looking at the customer reviews.
In the case of the Horizon 7.4 and 7.8 AT, the customer reviews are very similar.
There are a few mentions about faulty parts and fast wear and tear. The customer support from Horizon Fitness can use some improvement in terms of response and solution speeds.
You want to keep in mind that the things above can happen but overall, customers are still relatively happy with both the Horizon 7.4 AT and Horizon 7.8 AT.
Is the Horizon 7.4 or 7.8 AT better for you?
In short, the Horizon 7.8 AT has a stronger motor, a slightly higher weight limit, a slightly bigger screen, and a few smaller extras. The Horizon 7.4 AT is slightly lighter and a nice amount more budget-friendly.
Individuals with average body weights and moderate-intensity exercise routines will likely find the Horizon 7.4 AT good enough. Choosing this option can save these people some money.
On the other hand, the Horizon 7.8 AT will generally last longer due to its stronger motor and frame. People who want to use their treadmill for many years likely want to consider investing a bit more into the Horizon 7.8 AT.
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