The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill puts a spin on a beloved treadmill line with the one upgrade we really needed: Bluetooth.
Updated: August 29, 2024
Horizon is one of my favorite brands because they know what makes a good treadmill and don't inflate their prices with extraneous features. I get excited about a new treadmill like the Horizon 5.0 AT because I trust Horizon's reputation. The 5.0 AT takes the blueprint of the T101 and improves upon its connectivity.
I've also been impressed by the updated console, which looks a little sleeker than I expected from Horizon. Read the rest of this review to discover what makes this budget treadmill an incredible option.
Build quality is one of the hardest things to discern without getting a treadmill in for testing. That's right, we are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Horizon 5.0 AT in our studio. However, we regularly use the Horizon T101, 7.0 AT, and 7.8 AT, making us quite familiar with what the brand offers.
The Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill looks even more refined than the treadmills I mentioned, so I'm quite hopeful that its build quality is even better. I'm already quite content with the quality of the Horizon T101 and 7.0 AT for their price.
The lifetime frame warranty is a staple of Horizon equipment and is very promising for a treadmill in this price range. I like how sturdy Horizon's other treadmills around the 5.0 AT's price are. It supports up to 300 lbs, which is the industry standard.
The uprights and handles look almost identical to the T101. The major improvement I'm seeing is the crossbar between the two uprights. This bar should add the stability the T101 lacked and make it even better for jogging and running.
Horizon hasn't reported the exact motor rating of the Horizon 5.0 AT. While I'm always skeptical of treadmill models and brands that dodge reporting the basic information, I'm inclined to suggest the 5.0 AT is between 2.5 and 3.0 HP because of where it falls in Horizon's lineup.
A treadmill like the Horizon 5.0 AT is not designed for heavy use. If you are a long-distance runner who trains daily, consider a more powerful machine like the 7.8 AT. The 5.0 AT is best for walking or a backup running treadmill for days you can't train outside.
It's hard to put an exact usage limit on any treadmill because so many factors are involved. In general, I recommend heavier athletes, serious runners, and multi-user households to go with a more powerful machine with at least a 3.0 HP motor, if not a 3.5 HP motor or higher.
The maximum speed is 10 miles per hour. The standard is 12 miles per hour, but we often see a lower limit on machines with weaker motors and shorter running surfaces. I think this limit is reasonable, but most exercisers will probably stick to even slower paces.
The biggest benefit to Horizon treadmills is their fast speed and incline adjustments. Because I haven't been able to test the 5.0 AT's responsiveness for myself, I can only hope it lives up to the standard set by Horizon's other machines. I love them for HIIT training because of their fast adjustments.
The running surface is 20" wide by 55" long. The width is perfect—20 to 22 inches is standard on home treadmills. The length is what could be improved. While the dimensions of the 5.0 AT make it great for smaller spaces, some runners may not feel as comfortable hitting higher paces on this treadmill. You may need to shorten your stride to speed up.
The 5.0 AT has the 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning that we are accustomed to on all Horizon treadmills. The cushioning is softer toward the front of the treadmill to create a shock-absorbing landing zone. The two middle and rear zones are increasingly firmer to create a stable push-off zone.
As a biomechanist, I'm a big fan of this zone cushioning. It matches your body's needs at different phases of your running gait and provides an underfoot experience you can't get from shoes or when running outside.
The treadmill deck has a 7 ?" step-up height. We consider treadmills with a less than 10-inch step-up height low and more accessible for users. The handles are also very supportive, allowing you to support yourself as you get onto the deck.
The deck thickness is 0.7", close to what we see on the other home treadmills we review. Higher-end machines typically have a deck thickness closer to 1". This deck thickness could be one reason the 5.0 AT has a 300-lb weight limit and not a higher one.
The Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill is a folding treadmill. I like it a lot for anyone needing a treadmill to fit in a bedroom, living room, or other multipurpose room. It goes from 71" x 34" x 57" to 46" x 34" x 61" when folding. This is identical to the T101. Considering it also weighs the same at 180 lbs, I expect it to be just as easy to move.
The Horizon 5.0 AT is a treadmill that I expect to move around without assistance. My only issue with moving the T101 was the lack of a handle under the deck to hold onto. The 5.0 AT looks the same, so you have to hold onto the sides of the deck when rolling it. The deck bounces a little as you do so. It surprised me initially, but I got the hang of it.
The incline ranges from 0 to 10%. The 5.0 AT does not decline. Horizon does not offer any decline treadmills at this time. While I would like this feature, treadmills may be more durable without it.
I'm curious how stable the 5.0 AT feels while inclining if you are running on it. The T101 felt a little bouncy to me, but I will reserve my judgment on the 5.0 AT until I can actually test it. I'm anticipating fast incline adjustments, though.
The deck inclines from the top and has rolling wheels at the back to move it across the floor as it lifts. These wheels are much better than non-rolling feet because they won't drag across your floor and scratch it or bunch up a treadmill mat.
For a treadmill in this price range, the Horizon 5.0 AT has a good range of features. If you are comparing it to more expensive machines like those from NordicTrack or Peloton, you might be disappointed. Yet, the 5.0 AT is an impressive value that budget shoppers will struggle to beat with a better deal.
Forget touchscreen treadmills that lock you into one form of content. The Horizon 5.0 AT has a lower-tech console with a slightly more refined look. We have complained continuously about the dated appearance of Horizon machines. While the 5.0 AT isn't a complete overhaul, it is a step in the right direction.
Horizon kept one of my absolute favorite features they offer: EasyDial controls. These dials have evolved from their iteration on the older Go Series machines. They are now partially encased in the handle. I hope this makes it a little harder to accidentally bump them when training.
The handles with the dials are also angled up slightly. The T101's handles were horizontal. This new design is more ergonomic and reminiscent of the 7.0 AT.
You also get all the buttons you need. There is one button for each speed and incline level. I find myself using the dials more on Horizon treadmills, but the buttons are great for making a more precise adjustment quickly.
Standard buttons for start, stop, and program adjustment and selection are on the console. There are also a few extra buttons like the up and down arrows for incline and speed if you don't like the dials as much as I do and wish to make a 0.1 mph adjustment for speed or 0.5% adjustment for incline.
The last two buttons are the fan and Bluetooth buttons. I'll cover those features below.
As I mentioned, there are no big screens to be found here. You have four LED windows for incline, time/calories, distance/heart rate, and speed. You can use a button below the windows to toggle the display between the dual-purpose LED windows.
The display is blue on a black background. The numbers are bright, though the windows are on the smaller side. Most users should be able to use the 5.0 AT display.
There are two cup holders on the Horizon 5.0 AT. These cup holders are angled out at the user. A cycling water bottle would fit fine in them, but I'm not sure if a large tumbler (like a Stanley Cup) would stay put in them. The cup holders are also joined to one small item compartment each. It looks like a phone could slip in there, but I cannot confirm.
The Horizon 5.0 AT has a fan. Horizon treadmill fans are decent, but not the best in our experience. Hopefully, this updated model will have something a little more powerful than what we are used to. If not, I suggest using any available floor or ceiling fan to cool down further.
The top of the console is reserved for your phone or tablet. The spacious device rack allows you to watch any content that you might stream while training. The ledge looks a little shallow, but I'm hopeful it will keep any device in place.
There is an additional tablet rack above the console. If you have a phone and a tablet or maybe reading material, you can view both at the same time. Neither tablet rack covers any sort of screen or important information you need while training.
Horizon speakers haven't impressed us in the past. The top appeal to the 5.0 AT over the T1010 for most users will likely be this treadmill's Bluetooth connectivity. I hope the Bluetooth speakers are more powerful than other Horizon models, and I will be sure to update this review should I get the chance to test them out for myself.
Other Bluetooth features include FTMS pairing with apps and heart rate monitoring. FTMS is a protocol that allows treadmills to connect with a multitude of third-party apps. I'm also really excited about the Bluetooth heart rate monitor connectivity because the pulse grips on the handles are probably not as accurate as any fitness trackers you might have.
I recommend using a Bluetooth heart rate monitor for heart rate programs and training over the pulse grips. That way, you can keep a good arm swing going and trust the accuracy more.
The final feature of the Horizon 5.0 AT is the USB charging port. Specifically, this is a USB-A charging port. It's very handy if you are streaming training content with an FTMS connection or playing entertainment using Bluetooth speakers. The charger will help you keep your device powered for the entire duration of your workout.
I haven't had the opportunity to use the Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill yet. I'm still looking forward to testing the motor's responsiveness, the incline and speed accuracy, and how quiet the machine is. Horizon has performed very well on these tests in the past, but we can't be sure until we have a machine in our studio.
The Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill has six built-in training programs. These include calorie, distance, fat burn, hill climb, intervals, and, of course, manual. With these programs, you get automatic speed and incline adjustments. You can choose the amount of time the programs run. You can also adjust the speed and incline settings.
While I like the programs included, I prefer to use Horizon treadmills with Peloton or Zwift. The fast speed and incline adjustments with the dials make it very easy to keep up with a Peloton instructor. You can also use the FTMS connectivity to connect with Zwift. Last time I checked, Zwift Running was still free, unlike the cycling option, so check it out!
This treadmill does not require a subscription. You are free to use your phone or tablet to access any entertainment or training content you would like. I like a nice lively stroll with my Kindle open to a good book.
The Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill is a budget treadmill I'm already obsessed with. I have been a huge fan of Horizon's treadmills with their low prices, responsive motors, and long warranties. The 5.0 AT also has Bluetooth connectivity following the FTMS protocol to pair with your favorite third-party apps like Zwift.
Another aspect where the treadmill excels is in storage. It uses a compact deck size and a folding frame to help exercisers store this treadmill wherever needed. It is the same size as the Horizon T101, a treadmill that all of our reviewers have been able to move around easily. Thus, the Horizon 5.0 AT is a great treadmill for multipurpose rooms.
We recommend the Horizon 5.0 AT Treadmill primarily for walking, but it also has performance features that let you pick up the pace (and increase the incline grade) to up the intensity.
