Sole TD80 Treadmill Desk

Quick Summary

The treadmill desk category is growing, as offices continue to be more supportive of the healthy lifestyles of their staff. Sole’s latest entry into the category is the new TD80—a folding desk treadmill with a large work surface, sturdy frame, and a simple user interface. There are a few key criteria to consider when looking at desk treadmills, and fortunately this new Sole TD80 ticks all of the key boxes. It’s not perfect, but for those wanting to long hours of walking while working, it’s hard to go wrong—especially at a sub-$1,500 price tag.

Specifications

Model	Sole TD80 Treadmill Desk
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	86%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$2,799.99
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1,499.99
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0-4 mph
Incline Treadmill Incline measures the angle of the deck, and how steep it is relative to the floor (0% is flat, and 15% is like a steep hill).	0
Motor The Treadmill Motor is what turns the belt as you run. We recommend at least 2 HP (Horsepower) motors, 2.5+ HP for jogging, and 3.0+ HP for running.	2.5 CHP
Deck Treadmill Deck dimensions are measured in inches: Width x Length. The wider and longer the deck, the safer it is (55-60 inches long recommended for running).	20" x 50"
Belt The Treadmill Belt is the surface you run on. The thicker the belt, the less impact on your joints. At least 2-ply (1 inch) recommended.	Cushioned Deck
Folding? Some treadmills are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Programs Treadmill Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	3
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	325 lbs
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	no
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	70" x 35" x 57"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	Backlit LCD
Cooling Fans Treadmill Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout.
Accessory Tray Some treadmills include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Treadmills that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (no headphones).
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Motor: 5 years Parts: 2 years Labor: 2 years

Our Rating

Rating: 86/100. Though you aren’t going to get the same level of tech, nor the same top-end running speeds of the majority of our top rated treadmills, but in the case of a desk treadmill that’s not what you should be looking for either. The intent with a desk treadmill is to be able to maintain a walking pace while accomplishing work tasks on the desk surface. Running at 10+ miles per hour isn’t the kind of thing you can do while typing an email or taking a conference call. Also, while big HD touchscreen consoles can be a great distraction while working out, distraction isn’t what’s needed while working away all day long. You’re also logging significantly more hours on a desk treadmill (in theory) than you would on your daily run, so the type of motor fitted to your treadmill has different requirements. Higher power output is irrelevant, and instead much more value is placed on longevity. For the most part, the Sole TD80 ticks the majority of these boxes; here’s what we liked and what we didn’t.

Pros:

Large 47” x 31” desktop
Adjustable desktop height
2.5 continuous-duty horsepower motor
0.5 to 4 mph speed settings
Cushioned low-impact running deck
Quiet roller design
High quality frame construction
Foldable design for easy storage.
Reasonable warranty length (lifetime frame, 5-year motor, 2-year parts and labor)
325 lb max weight rating

Cons:

Cannot swap to conventional treadmill format
No incline feature

Introduction

A new launch for 2019, the Sole TD80 treadmill desk has the NordicTrack Treadmill Desk Platinum square in its sights. Though it has a couple of shortcomings—a slightly higher price, and the lack of incline function—overall the TD80 is a very solid alternative to the NordicTrack. From a practicality standpoint, the much larger 47″ x 31″ workspace is much more functional than the compact 40″ x 18″ of the NordicTrack. Its display is mounted in the desk in a relatively unobtrusive manner as well, resting at a convenient viewing angle on the desk. Meanwhile, the NordicTrack’s display and controls are integrated into the front edge of the flat desk surface. From an aesthetic standpoint the NordicTrack’s design is more appealing, but when it comes to actually using the unit, its setup is less practical than that of the Sole. It’s also worth noting that the running/walking deck on the Sole is two inches wider than its competitor—20 rather than 18.

Workout Programs

Unlike a conventional treadmill, you’re looking at some pretty basic functionality here. Speed can be adjusted from 0.5 to 4 miles per hour, and three quick-setting buttons are available to toggle between Slow, Medium, and Fast settings. Again, given its purpose this makes the most sense, as you’re going to be focusing on other things as you walk, and do not need the added distraction of variable programming.

Sole TD80 Treadmill Desk Features

Folding space savings: Once folded the TD80 takes up a modest 36″ x 37″ footprint

Work Surface: Convenient for hours of work, the desktop of the TD80 measures 47″ x 31″.

Silent Operation: Specially designed rollers and other key details ensure that this Treadmill desk runs quietly, as to avoid distracting your fellow colleagues.

Track/Belt: The track is 20”x 50”, which is a good size for walking.

Movable LCD Screen: The display screen of the TD80 can be moved to various points around the desk, giving users the ability to customize their workspace.

Cushion Flex Whisper Deck: This cushioned deck reduces impact on joints as you walk/run.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Sole TD80 Treadmill Desk warranty includes:

– Frame: Lifetime

– Motor: 5

– Parts: 2 years

– Labor: 2 years

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the competitive pool for a quality treadmill desk is slim, and this unit from Sole is a great option. It ticks all the boxes as far as what features should be included, it’s covered by a respectable warranty, and it’s fairly priced. Sure, it’s not “bargain basement”, but it’s also built to last, rather than leaving you needing to find a replacement within a couple of years. It’s also safe to say that more affordable options won’t run as quietly either, so theres value to be had in knowing that you won’t be driving your colleagues nuts with a noisy treadmill.