Updated: January 16, 2024
NordicTrack and Sole are popular brands, but they really couldn’t be more different. Besides being folding and running treadmills, the Sole F85 and NordicTrack 1750 offer unique experiences. I’m happy to take you through all of the differences. To summarize up front, the Sole F85 is a feature-rich treadmill that does not require a subscription whereas the NordicTrack 1750 performs best with an active iFIT subscription. Runners and walkers won’t go amiss considering either of these brands, but careful consideration is necessary to identify the right one for you!
NordicTrack 1750 Highlights
- The NordicTrack 1750 has a modernized look.
- The NordicTrack 1750 has a softly cushioned running deck.
- The 1750’s running deck is lighter and easier to lift into its folded position.
- iFIT provides guided classes for on and off the treadmill.
- The buttons are for every speed and incline.
- You can train hands-free with automatic speed, incline, and fan adjustments.
- The screen tilts and pivots for better viewing off and on the treadmill.
- The screen and audio quality are great.
Sole F85 Highlights
- The Sole F85’s frame is covered by a lifetime warranty.
- The F85 can support a max weight of 375 lbs.
- The Sole F85 has a 4.0 HP motor.
- The Sole F85’s running deck is 22 inches wide.
- The Sole F85 has four transport wheels.
- Sole has built-in apps from Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Audible, Kinomap, and more.
- Screen mirroring allows you to view any content you wish.
- The wireless charging pad keeps your device charged during your longest runs.
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 78.5” L x 35.6” W x 64.7” H
- Deck Size: 20” x 60”
- Motor Size: 3.5 HP
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Product Weight: 340 lbs (in box)
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 mph
- Incline/Decline Range: -3% to 12%
- Cushioning: RunnersFlex Cushioning; soft
- Rollers: 1.9” precision machined and balanced non-flex rollers
- Warranty: 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor
Sole F85 Treadmill Specs
- Footprint: 82.5” x 38” x 66”
- Deck Size: 22” x 60”
- Motor Size: 4.0 CHP
- Weight Capacity: 375 lbs
- Product Weight: 319 lbs
- Speed Range: 0 to 12 MPH
- Incline/Decline Range: -6% to 5%
- Cushioning: Cushion Flex Whisper Deck
- Rollers: 2.75” (front) 2.36” (rear)
- Warranty: lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 3-year deck, 3-year other components, 1-year labor, 90-day cosmetic items
Treadmill Comparison of The NordicTrack 1750 vs Sole F85
Build Quality
Frame
NordicTrack and Sole have taken very similar approaches toward modernizing their home treadmills. Both the NordicTrack 1750 and the Sole F85 are built on z-shaped frames. The NordicTrack’s lines are a little softer compared to the F85’s pronounced angular shape. The metal frame of each machine feels very strong a supportive. The F85’s deck is reinforced more heavily than the 1750’s and can support a maximum user weight of 375 lbs. The NordicTrack 1750 can only handle up to 300 lbs. While the F85’s reinforcements make it a heavier machine, I certainly like it more for larger users.
Motor
The NordicTrack 1750 has a 3.5 CHP motor. This motor is powerful enough to support daily running by a single user, though runners logging very high mileage or who are closer to the weight limit might want to consider something a little more powerful. The F85 has a 4.0 HP motor. This motor can handle intense daily use by one user or less intense daily running by more than one user. A walker or runner’s weight can also impact the longevity of a treadmill motor. With both the more powerful motor and higher weight capacity, the Sole F85 clearly dominates this category.
Running Surface
The Sole F85 has a 22” x 60” running surface. The 1750 is narrower with a measurement of 20” x 60”. For most users, the 2-inch discrepancy won’t be too noticeable. However, if you move from side to side or are a larger user, the F85 may feel more comfortable. The most noticeable difference between these treadmill decks is the cushioning. The NordicTrack 1750 is far softer than the Sole F85. If you are looking for good shock absorption and some bounciness, the 1750 should be your choice. The F85 feels firm underfoot and more closely replicates road running. Though I will declare the NordicTrack 1750 the winner of this category for representing what I think most users are looking for, the Sole F85 is good for runners who want indoor training that more effectively translates to road running.
Folding/Storage
These treadmills are folding treadmills. The 1750’s deck is lighter, so it is easier to lift into place. The Sole F85’s reinforced deck makes it harder to lift. However, both treadmills softly lower to the ground once released from their upright position. The Sole F85 uses a hand release lever which may be more convenient for some users compared to the NordicTrack 1750’s kick release. One thing I like a lot about the Sole treadmills is that they have four transport wheels, so it is much easier to push them a short distance on a level floor than the 1750. The NordicTrack 1750 must be tilted onto its two transport wheels. I declare this category a draw, because each machine has its benefits and drawbacks.
Incline/Decline
The NordicTrack 1750 has an incline range of -3% to 12%. Sole is a little less descriptive with their incline range, stating the F85’s as 6 levels of decline and 15 levels of incline. Measuring the incline of the F85 suggests that a “level” is not quite a full 1%. However, its range is still a little larger than the 1750’s. The F85 has a decline motor in the rear of the deck which lifts it for decline. There are two pivoting feet that support the deck through this incline and decline range, which are really nice.
Features & Accessories
The Sole F85 and the NordicTrack 1750 have some overlap in their features, but there are many distinctions between the two. The NordicTrack 1750 was designed to fully integrate and rely upon the iFIT training platform. The Sole F85 has been created to support third-party content and integration of a smart device if desired. Neither option is inherently better than the other, but exercisers may be pushed in one direction or the other by their training styles and budget restrictions.
Console Overview
The consoles of these treadmills have similar layouts. The speed and incline buttons are located along the sides of a dominating touchscreen. The rest of the features are mostly arrayed beneath the screens. The Sole F85 appears more maximalist, while the NordicTrack 1750 is as simplified as possible. Both consoles are easy to reach and navigate. One aspect I like a lot more about the 1750 is that there is a single button for each level of incline and speed. The Sole F85 does not have a button for every level, and it strangely neglects popular speeds as well as its incline maximum, neutral, and minimum options. For this reason, I prefer the NordicTrack 1750. The incline and speed switches on the stability bar of the F85 are too slow to make up for its lack of buttons.
Screen
The screen sizes are not identical, but they are similar. The 1750 has a 14-inch touchscreen, and the Sole F85 has a 15.6-inch touchscreen display. The quality of the picture on the 1750 is a bit better, but I like both screens. The 1750’s screen tilts and rotates. This works really well for viewing training content off of the treadmill. The Sole F85 does not have this benefit, but it doesn’t offer the same type of training options as the 1750. The F85’s larger screen size could be better for larger users, as you will need to look down at either treadmill console. The adjustability of the 1750 can help deal with this issue, too. I don’t think there is a clear winner here. What kind of content is available on these screens may sway you to one machine, but I will discuss that later in this comparison.
Speakers
The NordicTrack has stronger speakers than the Sole F85. The Sole F85’s speakers are Bluetooth, so you can play whatever audio you would like. The NordicTrack 1750’s speakers are limited to the content shown on the screen from iFIT. I like the control you have over the volume on the 1750 more, but the F85 is effective for what it offers. I can hear the audio over the motor and my foot noise when training.
Bluetooth Audio
If you don’t want to train loudly, you can also use headphones with either treadmill. All Bluetooth-compatible headphones and earbuds should work. Controlling your volume is pretty easy on the 1750. I wish that the Sole F85 had physical buttons for the volume instead of just the onscreen controls.
Heart Rate
The 1750 and Sole F85 are compatible with Bluetooth heart rate monitors. If you do not have a Bluetooth monitor, the Sole F85 also has EKG pulse grips. The 1750 does not have this option, but it does have ActivePulse training. When you use the 1750 with a compatible monitor, you can train with automatic speed adjustments to keep you in the right heart rate zone when in compatible iFIT classes. I love this feature!
Storage
As treadmills have adopted more minimal styles, storage has disappeared. The 1750 has two cup holders, and that’s it. The Sole F85 is a little bit better by offering two cup holders, two small item compartments, a wireless charging pad, and a tablet rack. I think the Sole F85 is the winner of this category, though neither treadmill does particularly well for walkers and runners who need many personal belongings nearby while training.
Fan
Treadmill fans are one of Sole’s weakest areas. The Sole F85’s fan is weak and points away from the treadmill user. Of course, if I had to pick an area for a treadmill not to excel in, this isn’t the worst area. It is remediable with a floor or ceiling fan. Yet, the NordicTrack 1750 is the better option for users who want an integrated option. The 1750 goes beyond offering a powerful fan and includes an AutoBreeze feature when you subscribe to iFIT. This lets the fan speed up or slow down according to your intensity level, so you can train hands-free.
Other Features
Until we get into subscription content, the NordicTrack 1750’s features stop here. The Sole F85’s features on the other hand continue. The F85 has a wireless charging pad where you can keep a compatible smartphone powered for the entirety of your training. The F85 also has screen mirroring which allows you to cast whatever content from your phone onto the 15.6-inch touchscreen display that you would like. These cool features, along with the tablet rack, make the F85 more compatible with smartphones and expand its content options.
Performance
When it comes to the performance of these treadmills, I want to make sure that you get a good picture of who each treadmill is for. Of course, you may not fit perfectly into these categories, or you may find yourself falling into more than one category. In these cases, consider how integral these categories are to the machine and to your own training to decide which treadmill is right for you.
The NordicTrack 1750 stands out to me as a soft and bouncy treadmill. If you want running to feel easier to help you build a new routine or build onto an existing routine, this treadmill may be the one for you. It also is great for runners looking for a recovery option from hard roads and challenging trails or recovering from injury. The shock absorption feels really nice underfoot and helps you log those miles. Additionally, the NordicTrack F85 has faster speed and incline transitions than the F85, so it is more appropriate for users who are training short intervals.
NordicTrack also excels at delivering a hands-free running experience. The 1750’s speed and incline settings will automatically adjust when you train in an iFIT class. Even the fan can be set to automatic to keep you from pressing too many buttons while working out. If you are worried about the classes being too hard or too easy–don’t fear! iFIT can adjust to your training level over time. More on iFIT later.
As for the Sole F85, this treadmill is very sturdy. It has a firm underfoot feel and a supportive deck that mimics outdoor running more closely. It is best for walkers or runners who want to challenge themselves, because the treadmill does not offer as much assistance as the 1750 does. Your paces should translate better to outdoor running as a result. The speed and incline changes are slow and smooth to keep you from being disturbed by more abrupt transitions.
Sole leaves a lot of the training and entertainment options up to you. There is plenty of room to customize your experience. You can create something entirely freeform or achieve something similar to what iFIT offers. Because there are so many options and you can create workouts from scratch, the Sole F85 may take a little more planning to achieve your desired workout. However, you are less likely to get bored with the content options offered.
The only clear recommendation I can make is to steer runners who are over or near the 1750’s weight limit toward the F85. Long-distance runners who are logging a lot of miles and households with multiple daily users should consider the F85 over the 1750. If you have the room in your budget, these users could also consider the NordicTrack 2450.
Subscription & Content Options
NordicTrack 1750 Content
NordicTrack falls under iFIT’s umbrella along with other brands like ProForm and Freemotion. iFIT is a subscription-based training service. When you purchase the 1750, you can get iFIT free for the first 30 days (new users only). The service greatly enhances your treadmill training experience. So much so that I recommend the 1750 for runners who want to use the iFIT training service. You can still use the 1750 without a subscription, so runners who want the cushioning of the 1750 will also be happy. You get a couple of free training classes without a subscription and can train in manual mode.
iFIT offers classes for the treadmill, other cardio equipment, resistance training, and yoga. You can view these classes on the 1750’s screen or on a phone, tablet, or TV with the iFIT app. These classes are led by great instructors. I am definitely partial to Tommy Rivs’s treadmill training. You follow your coach as they explore trails all around the world. The incline adjusts to match the grade your trainer is following as closely as possible. You can override or turn off the automatic speed and incline whenever you want if things get too intense or too easy for you.
iFIT has a lot of awesome features that you can read about in my iFIT review for more information.
Sole F85 Content
The Sole F85 has built-in training apps from all of your favorite streaming services. So while you don’t need a subscription to use the Sole F85, the F85 makes use of the subscriptions you may already have. Without a subscription, you can use the YouTube app just like you would on a phone or tablet. There is also a training app called Kinomap. It is very similar to Zwift, for those who are familiar. Kinomap does have some free features, but most of its content is behind a subscription paywall. The good news is that Sole also has built-in programs for runners and walkers who do not want to subscribe to anything. You can even design your own workout. After you are in a workout, you can begin any of the entertainment content.
For anyone who still doesn’t think the Sole F85 has quite what they want, the screen mirroring capabilities throw the doors wide open. Any training or entertainment app can be mirrored onto the screen. Unfortunately, this won’t allow you to interact with the content via the touchscreen or have automatic incline and speed adjustments, but you can connect the content to the speakers. The Sole F85 has some of the best content freedom of any home treadmill in its price range.
Bottom Line Review: NordicTrack 1750 vs Sole F85
There’s no clear winner in this comparison of the NordicTrack 1750 versus the Sole F85. But, that’s for good reason! The NordicTrack 1750 is a better fit for walkers and runners who want excellent cushioning and guided training content. The Sole F85 is best for runners and walkers who want more freedom to pick their own content and not be forced into a subscription. The F85’s deck is firm to replicate road running and reinforced to support heavier users. There’s no right or wrong, but I hope I helped you determine which category you fit into the most.
