The NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill reviews agree on one thing: this is a compact, quiet, affordable starter machine that suits walking and light jogging. They also agree on its limits. The belt is narrow, it does not fold, and its 300 lb rating leaves little margin for heavier users. If you walk, jog at moderate speeds, and weigh well under 250 lbs, the T5 is a sensible buy. If you run hard or want a machine that folds away, look elsewhere.
The T Series 5 (also written T5 or T 5 S, model NTL17624) is NordicTrack’s entry-level treadmill. It tops out at 10 mph, inclines from 0 to 10%, and pairs with the iFIT app through your own phone or tablet. This article covers why these reviews need careful reading, how the treadmill behaves in real use, how to check that it fits your body and your room, what it really costs, and who should skip it.
At Big Guy Treadmill Review, we focus on larger-framed buyers, so we read the T5 reviews with body weight, stride length, and long-term durability in mind. We also flag the places where retailer listings contradict each other, because that is where most buyers get misled.
Why T Series 5 reviews need a careful read
The reviews are mostly positive, but the sample sizes are small and many reviewers received the treadmill at a discount, so you need to weigh them by who wrote them. The T5 is cheap enough to attract first-time buyers. First-time buyers often rate a machine before they have used it for a year.
A five-star review of a month-old treadmill tells you about setup and first impressions, not durability.
What the machine is on paper
The US listing figures below are the baseline every review should be checked against.
| Spec | NordicTrack T Series 5 (US listing) |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.6 HP |
| Speed | 0 to 10 mph |
| Incline | 0 to 10% |
| Running surface | 55" x 18" |
| User capacity | 300 lbs |
| Footprint | 68.3" L x 30.5" W x 48.67" H |
| Display | 5" LCD with device shelf |
| Cushioning | KeyFlex |
| Folding | No |
| iFIT | Works through your own device over Bluetooth |
What the ratings show
Ratings vary by retailer, and the gap is worth noticing. Treat both numbers as rough signals, not verdicts.
| Retailer listing | Rating | Number of reviews | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | 4.4 out of 5 | 97 | Praise for ease of use, size, and noise |
| Dick’s Sporting Goods | 3.8 out of 5 | 12 | 50% recommend; most reviews marked as incentivized |
Incentivized reviews are not fake, but they skew positive and tend to cover assembly and first impressions. The harshest reviews tend to come from owners a year or more in. They describe stability complaints, warranty fights, and console failures. Read both ends before you decide.
Where listings contradict each other
Some product pages say the T5 folds. The US machine does not. An owner on Reddit describes it as 30 inches wide by 68 inches long and not foldable, but easy to tilt and wheel. Best Buy’s own review summary notes that customers were annoyed it did not fold, despite what the specs suggested.
Other details also vary by region and retailer. Overseas listings show a slightly stronger motor and a built-in program count, while the US spec sheet lists zero built-in workouts and relies on iFIT or manual control. When you read any T Series 5 review, check which version of the machine the writer actually owns.
How the T Series 5 performs in real use
Owners describe the T5 as quiet, smooth, and easy to use at walking and jogging speeds. They are less happy with its stability at speed and with its small running surface. Those two themes show up in almost every T5 treadmill review that goes beyond a first impression.
Noise levels
Noise is the T5’s best-reviewed trait. Owners call it "quiet and consistent" and "much quieter than expected." One reviewer notes that above about 6 mph the treadmill does make some noise. Another says the motor is a little louder than on higher-end machines, enough that you need to turn up the volume when you watch TV or follow an iFIT workout.
That matches what you would expect from a 2.6 HP motor on an entry-level frame. Walking is near silent. Jogging adds footfall and belt noise. If you live above someone, put a treadmill mat under it, because quiet in the room does not mean quiet through the floor.
Cushioning and joint comfort
The T5 uses KeyFlex cushioning to reduce impact. Several buyers ask in review comment sections whether the cushioning is good or just average, especially if they have knee pain. Few give a detailed answer, and I would not promise one either. The listing describes it as joint-friendly for walking and running, and walkers generally report comfort.
Treat the cushioning as a comfort feature, not a treatment. If you have knee or back pain, talk to your doctor first and start with walking. A softer deck also does less for a heavier runner than for a lighter one, since body weight drives the impact.
Stability, running, and incline
Stability complaints deserve attention. One owner reports a wobble from about 4.5 mph and stiff console buttons. Another says it feels less stable at higher speeds and inclines, though it still worked fine at the top setting. Others call it sturdy and smooth, mostly while walking.
Running is the weak spot. A 10 mph top speed equals a 6-minute mile, which is enough for most home runners. The belt is the problem. At 55" x 18", it is shorter and narrower than the 60" x 20" many runners prefer. Longer strides or a wider gait leave little room for error.
The T5 is a walking and light jogging treadmill with a 10 mph ceiling, not a runner’s treadmill with a low price.
The incline range of 0 to 10% works smoothly according to owners. The QuickSpeed controls let you jump to preset speeds and inclines, such as 3, 6, and 9, with one tap. One reviewer liked that feature a lot, and it saves fiddling with plus and minus keys.
How to tell if the T Series 5 fits you
The T5 fits you if you weigh comfortably under its 300 lb rating, walk or jog at moderate speeds, and have a permanent spot for a non-folding machine. Check those three things before you read another review. They decide whether the praise or the complaints will apply to you.
Body weight and height
The listed capacity is 300 lbs, but a rating is a ceiling, not a recommendation. I would want a margin of at least 50 lbs on any treadmill, which puts a comfortable upper limit for the T5 at about 250 lbs. One owner on a retailer page wrote that it is "not for larger individuals," and the narrow 18" belt plus the stability reports support that caution.
Height matters too. For walking, the 55" belt is fine for most adults. For jogging, taller users will feel the belt end sooner. If you are over about 6 feet and plan to jog, test the stride length before you commit, or consider a larger machine.
Space, no folding, and assembly
The T5 does not fold. Plan a permanent footprint of about 68 inches by 30.5 inches, with ceiling height above 48.67 inches. Front transport wheels let you tilt and roll it for cleaning. Owners report that two people are needed to lift it out of the box and assemble it.
Setup times in reviews range from about 20 minutes to a little over an hour with two people. Listings disagree on weight. One shows 268 lbs, but an owner reports 130 to 140 pounds for the machine itself. Either way, ask for help moving the box.
A quick fit checklist
Run through these questions before you buy:
- Weight: Are you under 250 lbs, with room to spare under the 300 lb rating?
- Use: Will you mostly walk or jog under 6 mph?
- Stride: Is a 55" x 18" belt long and wide enough for you?
- Space: Can you leave it set up permanently?
- Help: Do you have a second person for lifting and assembly?
- Tech: Do you own a phone or tablet, and will you pay for iFIT?
If you answered no to the first, second, or fourth question, the T5 is probably the wrong machine. Our guide to buying a treadmill explains how to weigh these factors for heavier users.
What the T Series 5 costs, including iFIT and warranty
Retail listings put the T5 at about $450 to $600, and one major retailer showed it marked down from $599.99 to $449.98. Sale prices change, so check the live figure. The sticker price is only part of the cost, because iFIT and the warranty can change what the machine costs you over several years.
Price and what you get
At around $450, you get a 2.6 HP motor, 10 mph, 10% incline, an LCD, a device shelf, and iFIT compatibility. At $600, the value argument gets thinner, since you start to approach machines with larger decks and higher weight limits. This is why our treadmill comparison chart lists motor, belt size, and warranty side by side with current prices.
iFIT costs
The T5 works with iFIT through your own device. Best Buy includes a one-month iFIT Train membership, and one retailer listing shows the membership auto-renewing at $39 a month. Check current iFIT pricing before you buy. iFIT features such as SmartAdjust, ActivePulse heart-rate control, and Google Maps routes all require the paid membership.
Without it, you use the console in manual mode with the QuickSpeed keys. That is fine if you just want to walk. If you plan to pay for iFIT long term, add that cost to the price.
Warranty and durability reports
One retailer lists a 10-year frame warranty with one year on parts and labor. Confirm the terms with NordicTrack, because listings vary. One owner says their treadmill stopped working within about a year and that honoring the warranty was a fight. Another reports a replacement console costing nearly as much as the treadmill, and an iFIT software update that left an older machine unusable.
These are individual accounts, not proof of a pattern, but they point to a real risk with budget treadmills that depend on electronics. Register the machine right away, keep your receipt, and consider a protection plan if you buy it from a retailer that offers one.
The cheapest treadmill is not the one with the lowest price, it is the one that still works when the warranty ends.
Who should buy the T Series 5, and who should skip it
Buy the T5 if you want a quiet, simple, inexpensive machine for walking and light jogging and you have the room for it. Skip it if you are a heavier user, a regular runner, or someone who needs a folding treadmill. Here is how I would split the buyers.
Buy it if
- You mostly walk, and you may jog a little under 6 mph.
- You weigh well under 250 lbs.
- You want to use your own phone or tablet for iFIT, or skip iFIT altogether.
- You have a permanent spot, with a second person available to help with setup.
An owner with balance concerns also valued the side handrails, which gave him confidence to walk on the T5 safely. That is a legitimate use case for a simple walking treadmill.
Skip it if
- You weigh over 250 lbs, or want a big margin on the rating, so treadmills made for heavy people suit you better.
- You run regularly, or have a long stride.
- You need a treadmill that folds.
- You want a high level of durability and strong warranty support.
If that describes you, start with our award winners page for a short list, including the Best Under $1,000 pick. If you run or need serious weight capacity, look at the 3G Cardio Elite Runner X review, our highest-rated treadmill at 95/100. It sits in a different price tier, but it is built for running and heavier users.
The bottom line on the T Series 5
The NordicTrack T Series 5 treadmill reviews tell a consistent story. It is quiet, easy to live with, and good value for walkers and light joggers. It is not built for heavier users, hard runners, or anyone who needs to fold it away. The complaints about stability, warranty support, and console failures are real enough that you should plan around them.
Decide by weight, stride, and space first, then price. If the T5 passes that test, it is a good starter treadmill. If it does not, don’t force it. You can line the T Series 5 up against every treadmill we have tested and see which one fits your budget and body weight.