REVIEWS / TREADMILLS / OWNER INSIGHTS
🦉 WE READ 45 OWNER COMMENTS
Peloton Tread: what owners actually say
Owners praise the Peloton Tread's durability and instructor quality, but the locked-down screen, steep price, and serious child-safety concerns on the Tread+ model are recurring frustrations.
What owners complain about
- Locked screen ecosystem SOME
The large screen is restricted to the Peloton app only; owners cannot use it for Netflix or other media, which feels like a wasted opportunity at this price point.
- Safety hazard for children/pets COMMON
The Tread+ design has an exposed rear gap at just the right height to pull under a child or pet; the CPSC issued a recall after multiple incidents, including one where a child was injured while a parent was actively running on it.
- Limited max incline FEW
The incline only goes up to 12.5%, which dedicated runners find limiting compared to other premium treadmills.
- Screen shake on base Tread model FEW
The original Peloton Tread (not Tread+) reportedly has screen shaking issues during runs; one owner upgraded to the Tread+ specifically to resolve this.
- High total cost of ownership SOME
The treadmill itself costs ~$4,000 (Tread) to $5,700 (Tread+), and the class subscription is a separate recurring cost, not included with the hardware purchase.
What owners love
- Exceptional durability
Multiple long-term owners report zero maintenance issues over 3+ years and thousands of miles (one at 60 miles/week average), calling it the first treadmill they've owned requiring little to no upkeep.
- Premium build quality (Tread+)
The Tread+ is described as a much larger, sturdier machine with slat belts that provide a noticeably more comfortable running experience than traditional tread belts.
- World-class instructors
Owners praise the Tread instructors as elite athletes; one instructor's 2:37 NYC Marathon time is cited as evidence of the coaching caliber.
- Class programming and integration
The seamless integration of live and on-demand classes with the hardware is cited as superior to DIY setups and a key reason owners chose Peloton over competitors like the Wahoo Kickr Run.
- Massive screen size
The built-in screen is larger than many owners' home TVs, enhancing the immersive class experience.
Surprising patterns
- Several owners had no idea the monthly subscription was not included with the treadmill purchase, suggesting the total cost of ownership catches buyers off guard.
- The Tread and Tread+ are significantly different machines — the Tread+ uses a slat-belt design that owners consistently prefer over the standard belt on the base Tread, making it more than just a size upgrade.
- A number of owners explicitly defend Peloton against the safety recall, placing blame on negligent parenting rather than product design, which reveals how strongly brand loyalty can color perceptions of objective safety failures.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
Households with young children or pets, anyone wanting to use the screen for non-Peloton media, and runners who need incline training above 12.5% should look elsewhere based on owner reports.
Synthesised from 45 real owner comments across 3 platforms. Every point is grounded in the comments — no marketing, no AI guessing. How we do it →