Wondering whether the Sole F80 or Sole F85 is right for you? In this comparison, we list the key differences between these Sole treadmills so that you can buy with confidence.
Sole treadmills are among the best treadmills for home gyms. They make studio-grade treadmills (and ellipticals, rowers, and so on) for home users and light commercial settings.
The Sole F80 and So F85 are two of their mid-range treadmills that are feature-rich, newly updated, and both cost around $2,000.
But which one is best for you and your fitness goals and budget?
In this comparison of the Sole F80 vs. F85, that’s exactly what we are going to find out!
We’ve tested and reviewed both treadmills, and while they have a lot in common, they have some key differences.
Let’s dive right in, compare the F80 and F85, and evaluate which is right for you.
Sole F80 vs Sole F85 Treadmills: Key Differences
The main differences between the Sole F80 and Sole F85 are that the F85 has a larger touchscreen, a more powerful motor, higher overall weight capacity, up to 6 degrees of decline, and heavier machine weight.
For a more detailed comparison, below is a comprehensive side-by-side look at the key specifications of the Sole F80 and F85 treadmills, including key features and capabilities.
| F80 | F85 | |
| Price | $1,899 | $2,399 |
| Motor | 3.5 CHP | 4.0 CHP |
| Speed | 0.5-12mph | 0.5-12mph |
| Incline | 0-15 degrees | -6 to 15 degrees |
| Screen | 10.1” touchscreen | 15.6” touchscreen |
| Running deck | 22” x 60” | 22” x 60” |
| Rollers | 2.36” | 2.75” (front), 2.36” (rear) |
| Weight capacity | 350lbs | 375lbs |
| Dimensions | 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” H | 82.5” L x 38” W x 66” |
| Machine weight | 274lbs | 319lbs |
| Folding system | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless charging pad | Yes | Yes |
| HR monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Fan | Yes | Yes |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Step up height | 8” | 8” |
| Warranty | Frame and motor (lifetime), parts (3 years), Labor (1 year) | Frame and motor (lifetime), parts (3 years), Labor (1 year) |
In many key categories, such as warranty, foldability, Wifi, Bluetooth connectivity, and features such as heart rate monitoring and a wireless charging pad, the Sole F80 and F85 are identical.
Next, we will do a deeper look at each treadmill to give you a better idea of which one is right for you and compare both to other treadmills in their respective classes.
Sole F80 Treadmill – Overview
The Sole F80 has long been one of our favorite treadmills under $2,000 because of its powerful 3.5 CHP motor and commercial-grade durability, and with its most recent set of upgrades, including a new touchscreen and sleek frame, the F80 has cemented its place on that list.
Sole recently upgraded the frame of the F80, evolving to a Z-shaped frame that is sleek and also much more functional compared to the old-school frame.
In particular, Sole removed the tray that connected the two arms on the treadmill, eliminating an obstruction for us taller runners.
The display also got a huge facelift, with Sole replacing the basic LCD screen with a 10.1” touchscreen that can stream Netflix or take advantage of the Sole+ app.
Pre-set programs on the F80 include all the usual suspects, including manual mode, hills, interval training, 5K, 10K, custom, and a variety of fitness tests for the armed services.
In terms of running functionality, the Sole F80 is one of the best in its class. The 3.5 CHP motor is among the strongest available on a treadmill under $2,000.
The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is its closest competitor, and superior in some senses, but the F80 is a sleeker, less bulky, less expensive, and has a better warranty.
| Sole F80 | Bowflex Treadmill 10 | NordicTrack Commercial 1250 | |
| Price | $1,899 | $1,999 | $1,999 |
| Motor | 3.6 CHP | 4.0 HP | 3.0 CHP |
| Running Deck | 22” x 60” | 22” x 60” | 22” x 60” |
| Incline/Decline | 0-15 degrees | -5 to 15-degrees | -3 to 12-degrees |
| Screen | 10.1” touchscreen | 10” touchscreen | 10” touchscreen |
| Weight capacity | 350lb | 400lb | 300lbs |
| Warranty | Frame and motor (lifetime) | Frame and motor (15 years) | Frame (10 years), Parts (2 years) |
Ultimately, the Sole F80 is an excellent option for the more budget-friendly treadmill workout enthusiast who wants the performance of a commercial-grade treadmill without having to spend an arm and a leg to get it.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Budget-friendly at $1,899 | No decline setting |
| 3.6 CHP motor for seamless speed and incline changes | |
| 10.1” touchscreen for streaming and classes | |
| Backed by Sole’s legendary lifetime frame and motor warranty |
Sole F85 Treadmill – Overview
The Sole F85 treadmill is an absolute beast of a treadmill, from the size of its touchscreen, to the weight capacity, to the overall weight of the machine.
The Sole F85 recently got a big makeover that included a significantly larger touchscreen, now one of the biggest screens on the market for treadmills designed for home use.
Other new features include an updated frame and a wireless charging pad for smartphones in the center of the console.
The motor on the Sole F85 is one of the strongest available in this price range. Comparable treadmills such as the NordicTrack X22i (4.0 CHP) and Freemotion t8.9b (4.0 CHP) are both more expensive compared to the Sole F85.
Here is how the Sole F85 compares against other treadmills in its class:
| Sole F85 | NordicTrack X22i | Freemotion t8.9b | |
| Price | $2,399 | $3,499 | $5,999 |
| Motor | 4.0 CHP | 4.0 CHP | 4.0 CHP |
| Running Deck | 22” x 60” | 22” x 60” | 21.5” x 60” |
| Incline/Decline | -6 to 15-degrees | -6 to 40-degrees | 0-15 degrees |
| Screen | 15.6” touchscreen | 22” touchscreen | 15.6” touchscreen |
| Weight capacity | 375lb | 300lb | 400lb |
| Warranty | Frame and motor (lifetime) | Frame (10 years), Motor (2 years) | Frame and motor (7 years) |
The F85’s 4.0 CHP motor purrs, making speed changes and incline/decline adjustments smooth and frictionless. It can also handle higher speeds with ease, making it an excellent treadmill for experienced runners and sprinters who want to hit speeds of 10-12mph with confidence.
The key performance feature that I really like on the Sole F85 is the decline setting. The machine can be configured to up to -6 degrees of decline using the motor and one-touch buttons on the console and guardrails of the F85.
Decline walking or running on a treadmill allows you to increase overall speed, train for outdoor downhill running, strengthen your knees, and inject some variety into your treadmill workouts.
The Sole F85, compared to the F80, has a higher weight capacity of 375lb vs 350lb. This makes the Sole F85 the better treadmill for heavier people or for those who want the peace-of-mind knowing that the treadmill can handle heavy-duty use.
Overall, the Sole F85 is a studio-grade treadmill that has excellent performance and comfort features, from its powerful 4.0 CHP motor to the big, shiny and new 15.6” touchscreen that streams your favorite shows and also pairs with Sole’s online library of trainer-led classes and workouts.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Powerful 4.0 CHP motor | The machine is heavy at 319lbs |
| 15.6” touchscreen for streaming and online classes | |
| Upgraded frame | |
| Higher weight capacity | |
| Folding, space-saving design |
The Bottom Line
When choosing between the Sole F80 or the Sole F85 treadmills, there really is no way to go wrong. Both the Sole F80 and F85 treadmills are feature-rich and have lots to offer the home gym enthusiast looking to take their treadmill workouts to the next level.
For people who want the studio-grade treadmill experience that Sole is famous for without breaking the bank, the Sole F80 is the superior option.
And for people who want the added functionality of decline training and increased screen size, the Sole F85 is your best bet.
To recap:
The Sole F80 is perfect for people:
- Want a high-performance treadmill under $2,000
- Looking for a strong motor for longer running workouts
- Who want to stream favorite shows and doing online workouts
The Sole F85 is perfect for people who:
- Want a big, shiny screen for streaming and online classes
- Users looking for a commercial-grade motor for speed and durability
- Those who like doing decline and incline workouts on the treadmill
- Want the increased weight capacity
Choose the Sole treadmill that matches your goals and budget, and level up your workout regimen in the comfort of your own home!
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