NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill Review

How long will the NordicTrack T 8.5 S last?

In comparison to other machines in this price range, the T 8.5 S has a pretty standard build and warranty. NordicTrack used more of their budget on this treadmill’s features which means that the T 8.5 S may not prove as strong. With that said, this is still a treadmill that has more than $1,000 dollars worth of quality built into it. Accordingly, with proper care, the T 8.5 S should hold up nicely for a moderate jogger or light runner.

Brief Overview

We usually like to see treadmills that are packed full of features for a good price, but the features have to add value in order for the treadmill to be a good deal. The NordicTrack T 8.5 S is a treadmill that is more affordable, but the features don’t necessarily add to its overall value depending on which features you value in your workout. Nonetheless, the T 8.5 S stands out amongst other machines in this treadmill. Accordingly, we have awarded this machine our Second Place 2020 Best Buy Award for the $1,300 to $1,499 dollar range.

Overall Quality

Icon is the parent family for NordicTrack and Proform, so when you see a NordicTrack or a Proform treadmill in the same price range, you basically count them as nearly the same models since they are built very similarly. Correspondingly, our First Place Winner for this category, the Proform Smart Pro 5000, is nearly the same treadmill as the T 8.5 S. But there are two main differences: the price and what the makers decided to do with their budgets.

The T 8.5 S has about two-hundred dollars shaved off its price tag but still offers the same technology that the Smart Pro 5000 offers with 50 built-in workouts, a one-year free iFit subscription, and a ten-year frame, two-year parts, and one-year labor warranty. These attributes are the same as the Smart Pro 5000 and you still get the same 10” touchscreen! It seems great, right? Well, NordicTrack had to pick and choose what aspects of their T 8.5 S would get more of their budget since the price tag is smaller. This treadmill, therefore, does not have the additional features that actually help your workout. Our first-place winner has better incline settings and even declines while our third place has a stronger build and a much better warranty.

So, the question then becomes what is more suitable for you? Do you want all the gadgets and built-in workouts that the Icon family treadmills offer at a lower price tag? Do you still want these features and price if it means you sacrifice the intensity and longevity of your workout?

History

We have not reviewed the NordicTrack T 8.5 S in the past. But we welcome you to check out our other NordicTrack treadmills to get a good feel of the brand.

Conclusion

Bottom line, the NordicTrack T 8.5 S is a decent treadmill with a reasonable amount of quality, but there are other treadmills in this price range that may offer a longer-lasting, more challenging workout experience. Still, if you are not someone who necessarily needs these qualities in your treadmill, then our 2020 Best Buy Second Place for the $1,300 to $1,499 dollar range may be great for you.