The warranties for both of these models are superb and are quite similar. Both companies offer a lifetime warranty for the frame, deck and motor. For parts, both models are covered for 5 years - although as of February 2010 Smooth has increased the warranty on parts to 7 years. Both the Sole F85 and the Smooth 7.35 offer a 2 year in-home “labor” warranty. Keep in mind that the availability of these warranties is a really practical way of protecting your investment.

There are other areas where these two treadmills are virtually identical as well. Both come with speakers and both have an iPod/Mp3 USB port so you can listen to your favorite music while doing your cardio workout. The other nice features both the Sole F85 and Smooth 7.35 have are speed and incline controls located on the arm rest and the console.

The Smooth does have a few features that the Sole doesn’t have. The Smooth utilizes an LCD console display in comparison to the Sole that only has the standard LED display. Also, the Smooth offers 7 preset programs while the Sole only has 6, although they each have 2 user defined program options. Conveniently, both the Sole F85 and Smooth 7.35 offer water bottle holders and cooling fans to make you more comfortable during that strenuous workout.

This is definitely a close call, and really the decision is yours. It all depends on whether you prefer a few flashy technological elements. If this is the case, than the Sole model is the top choice for you. On the other hand, if you would rather have a simple high-end treadmill, then the Smooth treadmill is a top contender. No matter your choice, the possibilities of finding a great machine for your home gym are endless. But you do need to find time and do a Sole F80 vs Smooth 7.35 feature-for-feature comparison shopping so you can find the right treadmill for your needs and resources.

Both treadmills are top-notch in the warranty area. With an expensive piece of machinery that will hopefully get a lot of use, you don’t want to skimp on the warranty. For coverage on the Frame/Deck and motor, both models offer a lifetime warranty. This in itself is a great buy. Both companies also offer a 5 year warranty for parts and a 2 year warranty for labor. So if warranty coverage is important to you, you will definitely find a great buy with the Sole or Smooth models.

The biggest difference between the two is the walking surface. The Smooth treadmill model has 5 more inches of walking or jogging space than the Sole. That may not be such a big deal unless you are a tall person because during your cardio workout, you don’t want to feel uncomfortable with being in close proximity to the edge, or adjusting your stance to accommodate a smaller platform. So if you do stand taller than average, the Smooth is the choice for your treadmill purchase.

If the treadmill is going to be utilized by more than one person, Sole offers 2 user defined programs, and this is an added benefit that can save time and the inconvenience of having to re-program during every use. Unfortunately, the Smooth model doesn’t have a user defined program feature.

Another difference between the two is that the Sole weighs 45 pounds more than the Smooth. Depending on how you are going to store your new treadmill, this may make a big difference and be the deciding factor. On the other hand, the 45 pounds added weight offers a sturdier foundation, and depending on your own weight, the Smooth may not be as comfortable.

Both models offer water bottle holders, cooling fans and speakers, but the Sole actually has built-in speakers. They both offer great LED console displays and the same incline percentage which is between 0-15%. This is a definite plus for getting a great cardio workout.

If you are willing to shell out more than a thousand dollars for a fitness equipment, the Sole F80 and Smooth 6.75 can both offer you great value for your money. With features and benefits that cater to the buyers’ needs, whatever they may be, both treadmills are smart buys. With a little time, patience and comparison shopping like reading this Sole F80 vs Smooth 6.75 review, choosing the best treadmill for your home gym is an easy task.

Choosing between the two is really dependent on your expectations of a treadmill. The incline capabilities, walking surface and belt thickness are exactly the same with these two machines. They both offer comfort features such as a water bottle holder, cooling fans and speakers.

The major differences lie with the weight of the machines. The Smooth comes in at 191 pounds while the Sole weighs 245 pounds. It might be your reaction to choose the Smooth because it weighs more, and you might assume that it can hold a user that is heavier. Before you pull out your wallet, you should know that the Smooth can hold up to 299 pounds while the heavier machine, the Sole only holds 199 pounds.

The motor in both models match at 2.5 HP continuous duty, but the actual speed varies slightly by .5. The Smooth has a speed range of 0.5-10 mph while the Sole has a range of 1-10 mph. It may not seem like a big deal, but if you are an avid walker or runner, this small difference may just sway you.

Another difference that may sway you towards purchasing the Smooth is it has a heart rate control and the Sole doesn’t. On the other hand, the Sole does offer you the ability to create 2 different programs that pertain to you, but the Smooth doesn’t.

And definitely the big deciding factor in your purchase is the warranty. If you are going to purchase a large ticket product like a treadmill, it is wise to have your investment protected. The Smooth offers the best protection plan with a lifetime warranty for the deck and motor. Parts are covered for three years and labor is covered for one year. It also offers a 30 day money back guarantee.

The Sole warranty is slightly different. It offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, but only three years on the deck. A definite plus, the Sole offers 2 years on labor, but the return policy is 30 days with an 8% restocking fee.

With these two models being so close in price, you really have to look at what you need out of the treadmill. It also may be helpful to read customer reviews when you do comparison shopping. Whatever you choose between the Sole F63 vs Smooth 5.65, just know that it is important to compare and contrast prior to making a big purchase and in finding the best treadmill for you.

Choosing between the two is really dependent on your expectations of a treadmill. The incline capabilities, walking surface and belt thickness are exactly the same with these two machines. They both offer comfort features such as a water bottle holder, cooling fans and speakers.

The major differences lie with the weight of the machines. The Smooth comes in at 191 pounds while the Sole weighs 245 pounds. It might be your reaction to choose the Smooth because it weighs more, and you might assume that it can hold a user that is heavier. Before you pull out your wallet, you should know that the Smooth can hold up to 299 pounds while the heavier machine, the Sole only holds 199 pounds.

The motor in both models match at 2.5 HP continuous duty, but the actual speed varies slightly by .5. The Smooth has a speed range of 0.5-10 mph while the Sole has a range of 1-10 mph. It may not seem like a big deal, but if you are an avid walker or runner, this small difference may just sway you.

Another difference that may sway you towards purchasing the Smooth is it has a heart rate control and the Sole doesn’t. On the other hand, the Sole does offer you the ability to create 2 different programs that pertain to you, but the Smooth doesn’t.

And definitely the big deciding factor in your purchase is the warranty. If you are going to purchase a large ticket product like a treadmill, it is wise to have your investment protected. The Smooth offers the best protection plan with a lifetime warranty for the deck and motor. Parts are covered for three years and labor is covered for one year. It also offers a 30 day money back guarantee.

The Sole warranty is slightly different. It offers a lifetime warranty on the frame, but only three years on the deck. A definite plus, the Sole offers 2 years on labor, but the return policy is 30 days with an 8% restocking fee.

With these two models being so close in price, you really have to look at what you need out of the treadmill. It also may be helpful to read customer reviews when you do comparison shopping. Whatever your choice between the Sole F63 vs the Smooth 5.65, just know that it is important to compare and contrast prior to making such a big purchase and in determining the best treadmill for you.

Well, that has changed with the Smooth 7.35 treadmill. At 271 lbs, it’s only a wee bit lighter than the 7.1 HR Pro, but this model now comes with a powerful but quiet 3.0 HP continuous duty motor. Other major improvements are its ample walking surface measuring 20″ by 60″, up from 20″ by 54″ of the previous version, and the addition of a deluxe sound system, cooling fan, and one-touch controls that adjusts the speed and incline easily.

Despite its immense weight, the 7.35 is not that difficult to fold and store because it is equipped with the dual stage, soft drop folding system and transport wheels. Plus, it also comes Smooth’s “Best in Industry” warranty that includes lifetime warranty for the frame/deck and motor.

The MSRP on the Smooth 7.35 treadmill is $2,497 but is regularly on sale for $1,999 and you pay no sales tax unless you are a resident of Pennsylvania or Indiana.

While the Smooth 5.65 has maintained most of the 5.45’s key features such as the 20″ by 55″ walking surface, 2.5 HP motor, and maximum speed of 10 mph, the new model scores points with its added features that you can rarely find in treadmills priced less than $1,000. The Smooth 5.65 now comes with a deluxe sound system and adjustable cooling fan. The new model now supports a maximum user weight of 275 pounds - 25 pounds more than the older model. This is important to point out because that indicates the machine itself has been beefed up and will be more stable during your workouts.

With these improvements and Smooth’s “Best in Industry” warranty, there’s every reason to believe that the 5.65 treadmill will again be one of the forerunners in the sub-$1,000 class heading into 2010.

The MSRP on the Smooth 5.65 treadmill is $1,999, but it is regularly on sale for $999 and you pay no sales tax unless you are a resident of Pennsylvania or Indiana.

That’s a good question and we address it in the Overview section below of this Smooth 6.75 treadmill review. The highlights of this latest model include a dual-stage, soft drop folding system and a deluxe sound system. It also features a large, dual color LCD display, Smooth’s famous ultra-quiet whisper weave treadbelt, and hand rail toggle switches.

The MSRP on the Smooth 6.75 is $2,297.00 but is regularly on sale for $1,399.00 and you pay no sales tax unless you are a resident of Pennsylvania or Indiana.

While the two treadmills are targeted for different users, it’s still worth doing a Sole F80 vs Sole F63 comparison to find out which of these folding treadmills gives the better value for money.

Key Features

The Sole F80 is equipped with the more massive 3.0 HP continuous duty motor which means that the Sole F80 is designed to withstand the daily use of heavy joggers, reaching speeds of up to 11 mph. On the other hand, the Sole F63 has a top speed of 10 mph and its 2.5 motor is still powerful enough to make a dependable fitness machine for walkers and light joggers.

At 250 lbs, the Sole F80 weighs only 5 lbs heavier than the Sole F63’s 245-lb frame. The weight difference should matter little in terms of stability although the F80 is said to support a user of up to 350 pounds while the F63 is steady enough for users up to 325 pounds.

The two treadmills both come with an identical walking/running surface measuring 20 by 55 inches, ideal for most users although tall individuals may feel more comfortable with treadmills of larger and longer running areas.

Console, User Programs and Accessories

The Sole F80’s console display is of red LED readout while the F63 is built with a blue LCD display. While the F80 comes with heart rate control (wireless Polar chest strap included) and hand pulse grips, the Sole F63 only has hand pulse grips. Both treadmills come with 6 standard and 2 customizable programs, although the Sole F80 has the added benefit of 2 heart rate control programs.

The two models also come with added accessories like cooling fans and built-in speakers for your iPod, although customer reviews of the F63’s speakers and cooling fans would note that the quality of these aren’t the best. Still, given the cost of the Sole F63, having these extra features on hand is actually quite a steal.

Cost and Warranty

The regular sale price of the Sole F80 is $1,499.99 and that of the Sole F63 is $999.99. With the sizable price difference, the warranties for both machines vary a bit. Lifetime warranty is guaranteed for the F80’s frame, deck and motor, while the parts and in-home service carry 5 years and 2 years warranty respectively. The Sole F63 also carries lifetime warranties but only for the frame and motor, while the deck and parts have both 3 years warranty, and 2 years guaranty on labor.

Sole F80 vs Sole F63 – The Bottomline

There are budget treadmills and then there are mid-priced ones. There’s certainly no lack of competition in these classes but these Sole machines are some of the leading treadmills in their respective categories.

In this comparison between the Sole F80 vs the Sole F63, the bottomline is this: both treadmills would go a long way in giving users quality workouts not unlike those found in gyms and health clubs. The $500-price difference between the two is reflected in the Sole F80’s more powerful motor, better stability, heart rate control feature and matchless warranty.

The Advantages

Let’s start with which equipment has got what. For starters the two treadmills have the same 3.0 HP continuous duty motor. But when it comes to the other basic specifications important to a treadmill, the Sole F83 shows some slight advantages over the Sole F80.

First, the running surface of the Sole F83 measures 20 by 58 inches or longer than the F80’s 20″ by 55″ by precisely 3 inches. The F83 also weighs 10 lbs heavier at 260 lbs than the Sole F80’s 250 lbs. At these weights, the Sole F83 and the Sole F80 are stable enough to support users of up to 350 lbs and 375 lbs respectively. In addition, the F80’s speed range is from 0.5 to 11 mph, slightly less than that of the F83, which can go up to 12 mph.

The Similarities

When it comes to other features, these two Sole treadmills aren’t all that different. They both sport red LED readout displays, and have hand pulse grips and heart rate controls with wireless chest strap included. The two are also equipped with 6 pre-set programs, 2 heart rate control programs, and another 2 user-defined programs. Built-in speakers and cooling fans are also present in these Sole treadmill models.

The Costs

The Sole F80 is priced at $1,499.99 while the price tag for the F83 is $1,699.99. Even at these prices, you shouldn’t have to worry because Sole also offers the company’s best warranties for these treadmills: lifetime warranty for the frame/deck and motor, 5 years for the parts, and 2 years for in-home service.

Sole F80 vs Sole F83 – The Recommendation

The big question now is: For the 3 inches in additional length and the 10 pounds extra weight that the Sole F83 boasts of over the Sole F80, is it worth shelling out some $200 to $300 more? For as long as you have the money to spare, why not? But if you’re not really a very tall jogger or weigh more than 350 lbs, your money will be better spent on the Sole F80. After all, it’s not rated 5 out of 5 stars by customers and a best buy by treadmill experts for nothing.

Motor, Surface Size and Speed

Are you a walker or jogger? Or do you consider yourself a serious runner? This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself as these two treadmills are built just for these different user categories.

The Sole F80, with its 3.0 HP continuous duty motor, 20″ by 55″ running surface, and speed range of 0.5 to 11 mph is designed with walkers and joggers in mind. On the other hand, the Sole F85 has a massive 3.5 HP continuous duty motor, a generous running space of 20″ by 60″, and speeds from 0.5 to 12 mph tops, and is built primarily for the serious runner or one in training for a marathon.

Stability

If stability is a big factor for you, then the Sole F85 should win big points. Tipping the scales at 280 lbs, it is 30 lbs heavier than the F80’s 250-lb frame. Because of its weight advantage, the Sole F85 also supports the heavier user up to 400 lbs. The Sole F80 has a maximum user weight capacity of 350 pounds.

Console Display and Other Features

Once you get to the console displays, the built-in fitness programs, and the monitoring of the user’s vital stats, the differences between the Sole F80 and F85 end. The two treadmills come with 6 preset and 2 heart-rate programs, plus 2 user-defined programs. All pertinent data about your fitness routine such as the speed, time, distance traveled, and other information will be shown on a red LED readout.

Both machines also come with a Polar wireless chest strap for heart rate control monitor and hand pulse grips. In addition, the speed and incline controls are found on the arm rest so you can change the intensity of your workout without much disruption.

As with most Sole treadmills, cooling fans and built-in speakers for your MP3 players can also be found to provide added comfort and pleasure to your walking or running session.

Price and Warranty

The Sole F80 is priced $1,499.99 while the Sole F85 costs higher at $1,999.99. At these prices, the treadmills already carry some of the best warranties that Sole Treadmills are known for: lifetime warranty for the frame/deck and motor, 5 years for the parts, and 2 years for labor.

Sole F80 vs Sole F85 – Closing Thoughts

By way of summarizing this Sole F80 vs Sole F85 matchup, let me again emphasize that the two treadmills target different types of users. At their prices, industry experts such as Fred Water and the Treadmill Doctor agree that the quality and features of these two treadmills are currently the industry’s “best buys”.

The Sole F85 may be something of an overkill for walkers or joggers who may just be looking for a solid and reliable equipment for daily exercise, and the better match for these types would be the F80. If you want a more powerful and stable machine that can keep up with your serious running sessions and marathon trainings however, then you won’t go wrong with the Sole F85. Take your pick.