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There are many areas where the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i vary. Find out what these are and what treadmill the right choice is for you.
The main differences between the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i are that the Sole F80 has a higher weight limit, bigger rollers, a device holder, free built-in workout programs, longer warranties, and a few more incline options.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack EXP 10i has a stronger motor, a bigger screen, IFIT connectivity, a few decline options, and a price that is initially a bit more budget-friendly.
You do need to keep in mind that the premium IFIT Membership is typically recommended to get the most out of the EXP 10i. This adds extra subscription costs and can make the Sole F80 more budget-friendly over time.
That aside, people who need the higher weight limit of the Sole F80 simply want to go for this model.
Similarly, if multiple people will use the treadmill with intense exercise routines the decision becomes straightforward. In that case, the stronger motor of the NordicTrack EXP 10i is generally recommended.
This also applies to individuals with above-average body weights who want to use their treadmills for fast running.
Besides these things, you have to consider how much you value the IFIT workouts. If you like these and don’t mind the membership subscription, the NordicTrack EXP 10i can be the best option for you.
At the same time, the Sole F80 can be the right choice for people who want to avoid subscriptions and/or want to watch entertainment on their smart devices during their treadmill workouts.
Important differences Sole F80 vs NordicTrack EXP 10i
The Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i vary in many areas. This influences what treadmill will be the right choice for what types of situations and types of people.
At the same time, some differences are more important than others. In the first table below, you can find the ones that are most likely to play a role in your decision.
| Feature | Sole F80 | NordicTrack EXP 10i |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 375 Pounds (170 kg) | 300 Pounds (136 kg) |
| Motor Power | 3.5 HP | 3.5 CHP |
| Rollers | 2.5” Rollers | 1.9” Precision And Balanced Non-Flex Rollers |
| Screen | 9.0″ Backlit LCD | 10” HD Smart Touchscreen |
| Device Holder | Yes | No |
| Workout Programs | 6 Standard Programs, 2 Custom Programs, 2 Heart Programs, Free 30-Day Studio Trial, And Connectivity To Certain Apps | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included |
| Screen Entertainment Options | No, Only Through Your Own Devices | Nothing Besides IFIT |
| Warranties* | Lifetime Frame, Motor, And Deck Warranty, 5 Years Electronics And Parts Warranty, 2 Years Labor Warranty | 10 Years Frame Warranty, 2 Years Parts Warranty, 1 Year Labor Warranty |
| Incline Options | 0 – 15 Levels | 0% to 12% |
| Decline Options | No | -3% to 0% |
| Price Category** | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
*Warranties can vary from seller to seller
**Price category at the time of writing
Other features Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i
Before investing in either the Sole F80 or NordicTrack EXP 10i, you may also want to know about their smaller differences and common features.
| Feature | Sole F80 | NordicTrack EXP 10i |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Range | 0-12 mph (19.31 kmh) | 0-12 mph (19.31 kmh) |
| Automatic Speed & Incline Control | With Certain Workouts | With Certain Workouts |
| Weight | 278 Pounds (126 kg) | 229 Pounds (103.9 kg) (Box Weight) |
| Dimensions | 82” L x 37” W x 66” H | 79.9” L x 35.1” W x 59.3” H |
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 20″ x 60″ |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Shock Absorption | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Pulse Grip & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap | Bluetooth, Bought Separately |
| Bluetooth Audio Capabilities | Bluetooth Speakers | Bluetooth Speakers |
| Color Screen | No | Yes |
| Workout Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Sole F80 vs NordicTrack EXP 10i explained
People who are more experienced with treadmill features may be able to decide between the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i by taking a look at the price and feature differences.
That being said, you may also be confused about what certain features mean, why they are important, and to what extent the difference should play a role in your decision.
Motor power
Treadmills are basically belts that rotate in place. This concept allows you to walk or run while staying in the same location.
An important component in this process is the treadmill motor. This part can vary in terms of details like how much power it can generate.
In this comparison, the Sole F80 has a motor power of 3.5 HP. The NordicTrack EXP 10i has a motor power of 3.5 CHP.
At first, this may sound the same but the additional “C” is important. Continuous horsepower is stronger than the same number in regular HP.
A general recommendation is that an individual with an average body weight who plans to run fast wants a motor power of at least 3 CHP. So both the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i can be used.
However, for individuals with above-average body weights who want to run fast, a treadmill motor power of 3.5 CHP is typically recommended which means the NordicTrack EXP 10i.
Additionally, stronger treadmill motors tend to last long in single workouts and over time, tend to deal better with multiple users, and tend to deal better with more intense exercise routines.
So if you plan to put your treadmill under a lot, you likely want the stronger motor power of the NordicTrack EXP 10i.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 10i
Rollers
Two other important parts in the process of rotating the treadmill belt are the two rollers. These are the big cylinders the belt is stretched around.
Treadmill rollers can vary between brands in terms of details like size. In this example, the Sole F80 has 2.5″ rollers whereas the NordicTrack EXP 10i has smaller 1.9″ rollers.
While there are of course limits, a rough general guideline is that bigger rollers tend to be preferred. The first reason for this is that they tend to cause less wear and tear to the motor and the belt.
Secondly, bigger rollers tend to involve a lower risk of slipping treadmill belts. This is where the belt moves at a different speed than the rollers and it is generally considered to be annoying.
One thing to note is that the treadmill motor has to be strong enough to deal with the bigger rollers. It is not easy to predict how these two parts will interact.
However, since there are not (m)any customer mentions about this, you can assume the Sole F80 does at least a decent job in this area. In turn, you can expect some of the benefits mentioned above.
Winner: Sole F80
Screen
Cardio machines like treadmills generally come with some form of display to show workout measurements. These numbers can help you adapt your workout program and motivate you to keep going.
Additionally, some treadmills like the NordicTrack EXP 10i use the screen as a chance to improve the overall experience of the machine.
The Sole F80 has a relatively basic 9.0″ backlit LCD screen. This displays measurements like speed, incline level, time, distance, an estimation of calories burned, etc.
On the other side, the NordicTrack EXP 10i has a 10” HD smart touchscreen. This screen is made to work with the IFIT Membership.
Besides finding similar workout measurements there, IFIT is a video library with treadmill workouts scenic walks/runs, and workout classes for other exercise types.
In terms of experience, most people will like these IFIT workouts more. However, you do need to keep in mind that this comes with extra subscription costs.
People who want to avoid these may prefer the free workout options of the Sole F80.
That being said, besides personal preferences in terms of subscriptions, most people will prefer the size and visuals of the NordicTrack EXP 10i screen.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 10i
Device holder
Besides having built-in screens a decent number of treadmills also have a device holder where you can put your own screen in the form of a phone or tablet.
The Sole F80 has this option too. In turn, you can watch entertainment and follow workouts on your smart devices. If you already have a good smart device, this makes the Sole F80 feel less lacking in terms of visuals.
One thing to note is that the workouts you can follow on the smart devices often do not interact with the treadmill. That means they are not quite as convenient as the IFIT workouts.
That being said, since the NordicTrack EXP 10i simply does not have a device holder, the Sole F80 does have the upper hand in this area.
Winner: Sole F80
Price
The Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i both have their upsides and downsides. Something that could make your decision easier is any big price differences.
Exactly how much each treadmill costs depends on where you get them and can change over time. That being said, at the time of writing, the NordicTrack EXP 10i is initially a bit more budget-friendly than the Sole F80.
One thing to note is that it is generally recommended to get the premium IFIT Membership to get the most out of the NordicTrack EXP 10i. This does add subscription costs over time.
That means the Sole F80 can be more budget-friendly in the long term.
Winner: NordicTrack EXP 10i not considering IFIT Membership
User reviews
When comparing two treadmills like the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i, the price and feature differences often give a good idea about what model the best choice is for your situation.
Even so, customer reviews sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues.
One challenge when trying to compare the Sole F80 and NordicTrack EXP 10i in this area is that the EXP 10i does not have that many customer reviews (yet).
In a case like this, it can be helpful to mention some of the things people encounter with other NordicTrack treadmills with more reviews.
These other models tend to have some exceptional cases of faulty parts, software issues, fast wear and tear, and squeaking treadmills. Customer support can be a bit slow in these situations.
Additionally, some people are surprised about how important the premium IFIT Membership is for the NordicTrack treadmills.
All in all, while you have to keep the things above in mind, there are still many customers who are happy with their NordicTrack treadmills.
On the other side, the Sole F80 also has a few cases of faulty parts, early wear and tear, and squeaking treadmills. These do seem to be less common than in the NordicTrack treadmills.
Additionally, some customers find the screen of the Sole F80 a bit too basic.
Is the Sole F80 or NordicTrack EXP 10i better for you?
In short, the Sole F80 has a higher weight limit, bigger rollers, a device holder, free built-in workout programs, longer warranties, and a few more incline options.
On the other side, the NordicTrack EXP 10i has a stronger motor, a bigger screen, IFIT connectivity, a few decline options, and a price that is initially a bit more budget-friendly.
Something to note is that you typically want to get the premium IFIT Membership to get the most out of this treadmill.
This adds extra subscription costs over time which can make the Sole F80 more budget-friendly in the long term.
First of all, if you need the higher weight limit of the Sole F80, this will be the obvious choice.
Similarly, if multiple people will use the treadmill with intense exercise routines, the stronger motor of the NordicTrack EXP 10i is generally recommended.
The same goes for individuals with above-average weights who want to run fast.
Besides these things, the decision mostly depends on how much you value the IFIT workouts. If you like these and don’t mind the subscription, the NordicTrack EXP 10i can be the right choice.
People who want to avoid subscriptions and/or want to watch entertainment during their treadmill sessions likely want to go for the Sole F80.
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