Sole F80 Vs Sole F83 Treadmill: Is The Slightly Upgraded Model Worth It?

You’ve probably read or heard about the Sole F80 treadmill, being one of Sole’s most recommended treadmills and considered an industry “best buy”. The Sole F83 is a step higher than the Sole F80 yet isn’t quite as powerful as the Sole F85. The question is: Does it make sense to choose the Sole F83 over the Sole F80? This Sole F80 vs Sole F83 write-up addresses this question by finding the edge one has over the other, looking at their similarities, and summarizing the important points.

The Advantages

Let’s start with which equipment has got what. For starters the two treadmills have the same 3.0 HP continuous duty motor. But when it comes to the other basic specifications important to a treadmill, the Sole F83 shows some slight advantages over the Sole F80.

First, the running surface of the Sole F83 measures 20 by 58 inches or longer than the F80′s 20″ by 55″ by precisely 3 inches. The F83 also weighs 10 lbs heavier at 260 lbs than the Sole F80′s 250 lbs. At these weights, the Sole F83 and the Sole F80 are stable enough to support users of up to 350 lbs and 375 lbs respectively. In addition, the F80′s speed range is from 0.5 to 11 mph, slightly less than that of the F83, which can go up to 12 mph.

The Similarities

When it comes to other features, these two Sole treadmills aren’t all that different. They both sport red LED readout displays, and have hand pulse grips and heart rate controls with wireless chest strap included. The two are also equipped with 6 pre-set programs, 2 heart rate control programs, and another 2 user-defined programs. Built-in speakers and cooling fans are also present in these Sole treadmill models.

The Costs

The Sole F80 is priced at $1,499.99 while the price tag for the F83 is $1,699.99. Even at these prices, you shouldn’t have to worry because Sole also offers the company’s best warranties for these treadmills: lifetime warranty for the frame/deck and motor, 5 years for the parts, and 2 years for in-home service.

Sole F80 vs Sole F83 – The Recommendation

The big question now is: For the 3 inches in additional length and the 10 pounds extra weight that the Sole F83 boasts of over the Sole F80, is it worth shelling out some $200 to $300 more? For as long as you have the money to spare, why not? But if you’re not really a very tall jogger or weigh more than 350 lbs, your money will be better spent on the Sole F80. After all, it’s not rated 5 out of 5 stars by customers and a best buy by treadmill experts for nothing.