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The Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT look similar but there are still a few important differences. Find out what treadmill the best is for your personal situation.
Some of the main differences between the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT are that the Sole F80 has bigger rollers, a lighter weight, a lower deck height, slightly more workout options, and a more budget-friendly price.
On the other hand, the Horizon 7.8 AT has a stronger motor and a slightly more extensive screen.
If many people will use the treadmill, the exercise routines will be intense, and/or the users have above-average body weights, the stronger motor of the Horizon 7.8 AT is likely worth the extra investment.
If these things don’t apply, the Sole F80 should be more than good enough. You can save a nice amount of money by choosing this treadmill.
Most important differences Sole F80 vs Horizon 7.8 AT
The Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT are somewhat similar treadmills but they still vary in a few important features. This will influence what option the best is for your personal situation.
Even so, not all differences are equally important. You can find the ones most likely to influence your decision in the first table below.
| Feature | Sole F80 | Horizon 7.8 AT |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Power | 3.5 HP | 4 HP |
| Rollers | 2.5” Rollers | 60mm/46mm (2.36″/1.8″) Tapered Rollers |
| Weight | 278 Pounds (126 kg) | 330 Pounds (150 kg) |
| Deck Height | 8″ | 8.75″ |
| Screen | 9.0″ Backlit LCD | 16 Digit Alphanumeric LED And 9.3″ High Contrast Color TFT Screen |
| Workout Programs | 6 Standard Programs, 2 Custom Programs, 2 Heart Programs, Free 30-Day Studio Trial, And Connectivity To Certain Apps | 7 Preset Programs And Connects To Certain Workout Apps Like Zwift |
| Price Category* | $$$$ | $$$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Price category at the time of writing
Other features Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT
You may also want to go over the smaller differences and common features before choosing between the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT. These can be important too.
| Feature | Sole F80 | Horizon 7.8 AT |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 375 Pounds (170 kg) | 375 Pounds (170 kg) |
| Speed | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) |
| Incline Options | 0 – 15 Levels | 0% to 15% |
| Decline Options | No | No |
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 22″ x 60″ |
| Automatic Speed & Incline Control | With Certain Workouts | With Certain Workouts |
| Dimensions | 82” L x 37” W x 66” H | 76” L x 37” W x 64” H |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Device Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Entertainment Options | No, Only Through Your Own Devices | No, Only Through Your Own Devices |
| Color screen | No | A Few Colors |
| Shock Absorption | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Pulse Grip & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap | Contact Hand Grips & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap |
| Bluetooth Audio Capabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Workout Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Speed & Incline Quick Dial Controls | No | Yes |
| Warranties* | Lifetime Frame, Motor, And Deck Warranty, 5 Years Electronics And Parts Warranty, 2 Years Labor Warranty | Lifetime Frame And Motor Warranty, 5 Years Parts Warranty, And 2 Years Labor Warranty |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
Differences Sole F80 vs Horizon 7.8 AT explained
People who are more experienced with treadmill features could make a decision after looking at the feature and price differences between the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT.
That being said, you may still be unsure about what certain features mean, why they are important, and to what extent they should influence the choice in your personal situation.
Motor power
The main concept behind treadmills is making a belt rotate. Doing this allows you to walk or run while staying in the same location which offers a few benefits.
An important component for making this happen is the treadmill motor. This part can vary in many areas including how much power it can generate.
The Sole F80 has a motor power of 3.5 HP. The motor of the Horizon 7.8 AT is slightly stronger with a power of 4 HP.
A rough guideline is that individuals with average body weights want a motor power of at least 3 CHP for fast running. Something important to note is that CHP and regular horsepower are two different things.
Motor power in CHP is stronger than the same number in HP.
For people with average body weights, both the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT motors should be strong enough for fast running.
Individuals with above-average body weights likely need to go for the Horizon 7.8 AT for the same training goal.
Additionally, stronger treadmill motors tend to last longer in both individual workouts and over the years.
If many people will use the treadmill and/or the machine will be used intensely, it is likely smarter to go for the stronger motor of the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Winner: Horizon 7.8 AT
Rollers
Two other important components in the treadmill concept are the rollers. These are the big cylinders the belt is stretched around. Rollers can vary between treadmills in areas like their size.
The Sole F80 has 2.5” rollers. The Horizon 7.8 AT has one 60mm (= 2.36″) and one 46mm (= 1.8″) roller.
While there are limits and conditions to this, bigger treadmill rollers tend to be preferred for a few reasons.
First of all, bigger rollers tend to cause less wear and tear on the treadmill belt and motor.
Secondly, slipping treadmill belts tend to be less common with bigger rollers. This is where the belt moves at a different speed than the rollers.
Since slipping treadmill belts are generally annoying, reducing the risk of this happening is a plus.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that the treadmill motor needs to be strong enough for bigger rollers.
It is not always easy to predict how these components will interact. However, the lack of customer reviews about this implies the Sole F80 does at least a decent job in this area.
That means you can expect this treadmill to have some of the benefits mentioned above over the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Winner: Sole F80
Weight
The weight of a treadmill is a relatively straightforward detail but you may be unsure about how this influences your experience of the machine.
First of all, there are a few cases where people have a floor with a limited weight capacity. In a situation like that, you definitely want to check the weights of the Sole F80 and the Horizon 7.8 AT.
That being said, people tend to care more about weight because of its influence on moving the treadmill around.
Both the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT are foldable and have transport wheels. However, it will be easier to move the 278 pounds (126 kg) of the Sole F80 around than the 330 pounds (150 kg) of the Horizon 7.8 AT.
If you just want to put your treadmill in one place and leave it there, this difference will likely not matter that much.
On the other hand, people who want to move their treadmills in between workouts but are not that strong may like this aspect of the Sole F80.
Winner: Sole F80
Price
There are upsides and downsides to both the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT. Something that could make your decision easier is a big difference in price.
Exactly how much of an investment each treadmill requires depends on where you get them and can change over time.
That being said, at the time of writing, the Sole F80 is a nice amount more budget-friendly than the Horizon 7.8 AT.
Winner: Sole F80
User reviews
When comparing two treadmills like the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 At, the price and feature differences are often helpful to get an idea of what option the best is for your personal situation.
At the same time, customer reviews sometimes reveal downsides that are not on the product page or trends in quality issues.
In the case of the Sole F80 vs the Horizon 7.8 AT, the reviews are similar in terms of overall positivity but the mentions of things that can be improved have a different focus.
The Sole F80 has a few exceptional cases of faulty parts, software bugs, early wear and tear, and squeaking treadmills. Additionally, some people are unhappy about how basic the screen is.
On the other side, the main subject of the negative reviews of the Horizon 7.8 AT is faulty parts and early wear and tear.
There are also some cases of software bugs, squeaking treadmills, and a challenging assembly but these tend to be mentioned less often.
The customer support departments of both brands could be faster in terms of their responses and solutions.
You do want to keep the things above in mind but overall, customers are still positive about both the Sole F80 and Horizon 7.8 AT.
Is the Sole F80 or Horizon 7.8 AT right for you?
In short, the Sole F80 has bigger rollers, a lighter weight, a lower deck height, slightly more workout options, and a price that is a nice amount more budget-friendly.
The Horizon 7.8 AT has a stronger motor and a slightly more extensive screen.
In situations where many people will use the treadmill, the exercise routines will be intense, and/or the users have above-average body weights, it is likely smart to go for the stronger motor of the Horizon 7.8 AT.
If only one or two people with an average body weight will use the treadmill, the Sole F80 should be strong enough. Choosing this model can save you a nice amount of money.
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