Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.45 Treadmill: A Comparison Of Today’s Best Value Treadmills

Comparing Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.45 treadmill is more like finding those small details where they differ because these two exercise machines are so evenly matched that any individual looking to choose between the two would find it a tough decision to make.

Basic Specs

Let’s start with the similarities between the two treadmills. Both Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.45 run on 3.0 HP continuous duty motors and have an almost identical speed ranges. The Sole F80 has a speed range of 0.5 to 11 mph while the Smooth 6.45 can go a bit faster with speed ranges from 0.5 to 12 mph. Both treadmills are also capable of incline levels up to 15 percent.

When it comes to the respective running surface and weight of the two fitness machines, the Smooth 6.45 has a slight advantage. It boasts of a running area of 20 by 60 inches versus the 20 by 55 inches surface of the Sole F80. The 5-inch difference may not be a big deal for some individuals but is a huge plus - especially for tall runners who need more leg room. While the Smooth 6.45 weighs a bit heavier at 265 lbs as compared to the Sole F80’s 250 pound weight, both treadmills are stable enough to accommodate users of up to 350 lbs.

Display and Programs

Both treadmills sport LED consoles that display the important info you might want to monitor during your run such as the speed, time, distance traveled, calories burned, and the heart and pulse rate.

The two machines also come with built in programs that should come in handy for your workout sessions. The Smooth 6.45 has 8 challenging preset programs and 3 user-customized programs. The Sole F80 on the other hand, only has room for 2 user-defined programs but with its 6 standard programs and 2 heart rate programs, there’s still plenty to keep you up and running.

Extra Features

To help pump you up on your way to a fit body, the Sole F80 is equipped with built-in speakers where you can just plug in your MP3 player or iPod for easy music-listening. The Smooth 6.45 does not have speakers but its sister model, the Smooth 6.45M does. It’s the same exact treadmill except it has speakers. You’ll pay an extra $100 for the M model. The Sole F80 also has an added feature that gives users more convenience. I’m talking about the speed and incline control located on the arm rest, which allows you to make adjustments without breaking your pace during your workouts.

Price

The MSRP on the Sole F80 is $1999 and the MSRP on the Smooth 6.45 is $2297. Both treadmills, however, are usually on sale for around $1499 if you buy direct from Sole or Smooth.

Warranty

When purchasing any equipment, the warranty is always a big part of the package. Smooth 6.45 claims to have the “Industry’s Best Warranty” with lifetime warranty on both frame and motor, 5 years warranty for all parts and electronics, and 2 years of in-home service. If that’s the industry’s best warranty, then the Sole F80 can also make the same claim as it has the same warranties!

Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.45 – Which would be the better buy?

These treadmills are very similar and truth be told, you are getting a solid, reliable treadmill with excellent warranties with either one of these machines. However, a winner must be declared. I give the advantage to the Smooth 6.45 for two reasons. First, it is slightly heavier than the Sole F80. Granted, the difference is only 15 pounds but when it comes to treadmills the heavier the machine the better.

Second, the Smooth 6.45 also has 5 more inches of running area. This may not sound like a lot, but it makes a significant difference for taller people or exercisers that primarily run on their treadmills.