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There are many differences between the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450. Find out the most important ones and which treadmill the best choice is for you.
The main differences between the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 are that the Sole F85 has a higher weight limit, device holder, free built-in workout programs, screen entertainment options, longer warranties, and a more budget-friendly price.
On the other hand, the NordicTrack 2450 has a slightly stronger motor, a bigger screen, a better premium workout app experience, better screen mobility, and decline options.
If you really like the idea of the IFIT Membership workouts and/or decline options and don’t mind investing more into these things, you likely want to go for the NordicTrack 2450.
If you don’t care enough about the things above to invest the extra amount, the Sole F85 is likely the way to go. This treadmill will require a smaller investment.
Important differences Sole F85 vs NordicTrack 2450
The Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 are different in many areas. This will influence which treadmill the best is for your personal situation and preferences.
At the same time, some differences are more important than others. You can find the ones that are most likely to play a role in your decision in the first table below.
| Feature | Sole F85 | NordicTrack 2450 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 400 Pounds (181 kg) | 300 Pounds (136 kg) |
| Motor Power | 4.0 HP | 3.6 CHP |
| Screen | 10.1″ TFT Touch Panel + Android System | 22” HD Touchscreen |
| Device Holder | Yes | No |
| Workout Programs | 6 Standard Programs, 12 Custom Programs, 7 Fitness Tests, Free 30-Day Studio Trial, And Connectivity To Certain Apps | 30-Day iFIT Family Membership Included |
| Screen Entertainment Options | Youtube And Netflix | None |
| Screen Mobility | Static | Can Tilt And Pivot |
| 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 |
| 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 F85 and NordicTrack 2450
Before investing in either the Sole F85 or the NordicTrack 2450, you may also want to know about their smaller differences and common features. These can be relevant too.
| Feature | Sole F85 | NordicTrack 2450 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) | 0.5-12 mph (19.31 kmh) |
| Incline Options | 0 – 15 Levels | 0% to 15% |
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 22″ x 60″ |
| Rollers | 2.75″/2.36″ Rollers | 2.5” Precision And Balanced Non-Flex Rollers |
| Automatic Speed & Incline Control | With Certain Workouts | With Certain Workouts |
| Deck Height | 8″ | Not Mentioned |
| Dimensions | 82” L x 37” W x 66” H | 81” L x 39” W x 59” H |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Transport Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 308 Pounds (140 kg) | 353 Pounds (160 kg) Box Weight |
| Shock Absorption | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Pulse Grip & Included Bluetooth Chest Strap | Bluetooth Monitor (Bought Separately) |
| Bluetooth Audio Capabilities | Yes | Yes |
| Color Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Workout Fans | Yes | Yes |
| Active Pulse Technology | No | Yes |
| Check Current Price | Check Current Price |
Differences Sole F85 vs NordicTrack 2450 in detail
People who are more experienced with treadmill features may be able to choose between the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 by looking at the feature and price differences.
On the other hand, you may also still be unsure about what certain features mean, why they are important, and to what extent the difference should influence your decision.
You can find some of the most important and confusing differences between the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 explained in more detail below. This can help you make a better decision.
Weight limit
Treadmill weight limits are relatively straightforward details but they matter in more ways than some people think.
Before that, the Sole F85 has a weight limit of 400 pounds (181 kg). The NordicTrack 2450 is a decent amount less sturdy with a weight limit of 300 pounds (136 kg).
The most obvious reason you want to respect these numbers is that the treadmills can break down if you go over them. And even if the machine does not break down, you speed up wear and tear and void your warranties.
Besides these things, the weight limits are also somewhat of an indication of how strong the materials and construction of each treadmill are.
It is clear that the Sole F85 performs better than the NordicTrack 2450 in terms of weight limit.
Winner: Sole F85
Motor power
Treadmills are basically belts that rotate. This concept allows you to walk or run at home or in the gym without actually moving around.
An important component in making this happen is the treadmill motor. This part can vary in terms of details like how much power it can generate.
The Sole F85 has a motor power of 4 HP. The NordicTrack 2450 has a motor power of 3.6 CHP.
At first sight, the 4 HP may sound stronger but you have to keep the extra “C” which stands for continuous in mind. Motor power in CHP is stronger than the same number in regular horsepower.
A general guideline is that an individual with an average body weight wants at least 3 CHP for fast running. With an above-average body weight, a 3.5 CHP motor is generally recommended for the same training goal.
Both the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 should be strong enough for most training goals. Even so, stronger motors do tend to last longer in single workouts and over the years.
Exactly how regular horsepower and CHP motors compare is hard to predict. That being said, the motor of the NordicTrack 2450 should be slightly stronger than the motor of the Sole F85.
The more users the treadmill will have, the heavier the users are, and the more intense their workout programs, the more you want to lean towards the NordicTrack 2450.
Winner: NordicTrack 2450
Screen
Big cardio machines like treadmills typically come with some form of screen. This displays workout measurements that can help you adapt your workouts and motivate you to keep going.
Additionally, some treadmill brands use their screens to really improve the whole experience.
The Sole F85 has a 10.1″ TFT touch panel + android system. You can describe this as a tablet with limited functionality.
On the other side, the NordicTrack 2450 has a 22” HD touchscreen. This is bigger but has even more limited functionality. The screen is made to only work with the IFIT Membership.
Most people will prefer the bigger screen of the NordicTrack 2450 in terms of visuals and navigation. This definitely applies to people with limited vision and individuals who tend to misclick touchscreen buttons.
Additionally, if you plan to make the scenic walks and runs part of your exercise routine, a bigger screen will likely improve your experience a lot.
Winner: NordicTrack 2450
Workout programs
You can expect at least some health benefits from using treadmills in a somewhat normal way. Even so, some sequences of intensities, incline levels, and time periods may be more effective for this than others.
Additionally, you may find certain workouts more enjoyable than others. Simply switching up what workouts you do can also help keep things interesting.
In turn, this could help you stay more consistent with your exercise routine.
The Sole F85 has 6 standard programs, 12 custom programs, 7 fitness tests, a free 30-day Studio trial, and connectivity to certain apps.
Keep in mind that the premium version of Sole Studio and certain workout apps require an extra subscription. The other programs are freely available.
Additionally, you can follow workouts from other places on a smart device in the holder. These often don’t interact with the treadmill but can be effective and fun anyway.
In the case of the NordicTrack 2450, the IFIT premium membership is the main source of workout programs.
The free version of IFIT has a few workout programs but the premium membership is recommended to get the most out of the NordicTrack 2450.
IFIT is a video library with treadmill workouts, scenic walks/runs, and workout classes for other types of exercise.
Most people will enjoy the IFIT Membership more than the workout programs available on the Sole F85. That being said, if you want to avoid subscriptions, you will likely prefer the Sole F85 anyway.
Winner: NordicTrack 2450 if you get the premium IFIT Membership
Winner: Sole F85 if you don’t want subscriptions
Screen entertainment options
Different workouts and scenic walks/runs can be fun but many people also like to make their exercise sessions more fun by watching entertainment like TV shows or Youtube videos.
If this applies to you, you will likely want to avoid the NordicTrack 2450. Its screen is made to only work with the IFIT Membership.
You can still put the treadmill in front of a TV but this is not always optimal because the built-in screen may get in the way and the location may not be optimal.
On the other hand, the screen of the Sole F85 comes with the Youtube and Netflix apps built-in. Additionally, you can put a smart device in the holder and watch entertainment through there.
You do need your own smart device for this second purpose. However, even if you don’t have this, the Sole F85 clearly has the upper hand in terms of entertainment options.
How important this difference is to you depends on personal preferences. For some people, this detail won’t be relevant at all.
Winner: Sole F85
Screen mobility
Besides different sizes and functionalities, the screens of the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 also vary in terms of mobility.
More precisely, the screen of the Sole F85 is just static whereas the screen of the NordicTrack 2450 can tilt and pivot.
Very small and very tall individuals may find the standard angle of the Sole F85 suboptimal.
In that case, the tiltable screen of the NordicTrack 2450 can make workouts just a bit more convenient. This especially applies to people who want to watch workout classes or follow scenic walks/runs.
Additionally, both the Sole Studio app and IFIT Membership have workout classes for other types of exercise.
If you have the NordicTrack 2450, you can rotate the screen and follow these workouts next to the treadmill.
In the case of the Sole F85, you would have to stand at a distance behind the treadmill or follow the video on your own smart device.
While not everyone will use the screen tilt and pivot features of the NordicTrack 2450, this treadmill does perform better in terms of screen mobility.
Winner: NordicTrack 2450
Price
The Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 each have their upsides and downsides. Something to keep in mind is that price typically matters too when choosing a treadmill.
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 Sole F85 is a good amount more budget-friendly than the NordicTrack 2450.
Additionally, the IFIT Membership requires an extra subscription. The cost of this adds up over time.
This is also the case for the premium version of the Sole Studio workout app but the Sole F85 also comes with free built-in workouts.
Winner: Sole F85
User reviews
When comparing two treadmills, looking at the feature and price differences is often great to get an idea about what option the best is for your personal situation.
Even so, customer reviews sometimes uncover unexpected downsides or trends in quality issues.
The reviews of the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 2450 are similar in terms of overall positivity but there are some things to keep in mind.
First of all, both treadmills have exceptional cases of faulty parts, early wear and tear, squeaking decks, and software bugs. The customer support departments can be a bit slow in their responses and solutions.
Besides these things, some people are surprised by how important the IFIT Membership is for the experience of the NordicTrack 2450.
If you know this in advance, this is less of an issue. In turn, if you would filter out the reviews that mention this, the feedback on the NordicTrack 2450 would be slightly more positive than the Sole F85 feedback.
While you do want to remember the things above, the customers are still relatively positive about both treadmills.
Is the Sole F85 or NordicTrack 2450 better for you?
In short, the Sole F85 has a higher weight limit, device holder, free built-in workout programs, screen entertainment options, longer warranties, and a price that is a good amount more budget-friendly.
On the other side, the NordicTrack 2450 has a slightly stronger motor, a bigger screen, a better premium workout app experience, better screen mobility, and decline options.
People who really like the idea of IFIT Membership workouts and/or decline options and don’t mind investing more into these things will likely prefer the NordicTrack 2450.
If these things don’t apply, the Sole F85 is likely more than good enough. Choosing this treadmill can help you save a good amount of money.
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