My Comparison of the Sole TT8 and NordicTrack X24
In my experience, any NordicTrack versus Sole match-up is tricky because they’re designed for completely different workout programming. Now, in terms of manufacturing quality, you can’t go wrong with either. But if you want built-in workout programming and cost-free apps, then you’re more in line with the direction Sole has taken over the years. NordicTrack meanwhile is part of the iFit family of fitness machines, and these are designed to bring automatic trainer control, Bluetooth heart rate monitor control, and a whole host of other connected features by way of the $39 per month iFit app. But with the Sole TT8 and NordicTrack X24 you’re looking at the two top-of-the-line treadmills offered by these leading manufacturers, and yes there’s a lot to consider here.
Pricewise, the TT8 comes in at $2,899.99 against the X24’s $3,999, so there’s basically $1,000 difference here. As I’ll outline below though, the X24 brings the biggest incline and decline spread on the market today, with up to 40% down to -6%, as well as a 24″ high-definition touchscreen, connected workouts, automatic trainer control, and a much richer virtual world of exercise programming by way of the iFit app. Meanwhile, the TT8 offers 15 levels of incline against six levels of decline, a 15.6″ touchscreen as well as an adjustable media rack for your tablet, and 12 built-in workouts. The TT8 is also built to sync with the cost-free Sole+ Fitness app. Neither of these treadmills fold, so you’ll want to pick your spot carefully. Moreover, they’re quite large at 326 pounds for the TT8 and 445 pounds for the X24. You’ll see in the specs they’re built quite differently due to the X24’s 40% incline ability, with that treadmill being shorter in length but taller in height.
So I think the big question is, just how much do you value the 40% incline and -6% decline and larger 24″ touchscreen? If you’re a dedicated hill climber or have a passion for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), you’ll have to go over the world of steppers and ellipticals to match the X24. The new iFit program being dubbed “iFit 2.0″ also brings with it upwards of 10,000 on-demand workouts, live training, and automatic trainer control where the machine adjusts the incline and speed to match the program. I’m also excited to see they now allow you to access Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime on the NordicTrack screens when using iFit. Yes, that comes at a $39 per month price, but the treadmill can still operate in a manual mode without it. Back to the TT8, you can use the, I must say, excellent built-in programs, the free Sole+ Fitness app, or whatever program you want on your own tablet contained within the media rack. And let’s face it, I can’t see anyone finding the TT8’s 15.6” touchscreen small, or its 15 levels of incline boring.
So it’s a question of bells and whistles and just how do you want to climb, both in price and incline here as you’ll see.
Feature Comparison between the Sole TT8 and the NordicTrack X24
Here’s the specs side by side for each treadmill:
| Feature | Sole TT8 | NordicTrack X24 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 4.0 HP | 4.25 CHP |
| Running Surface | 22″ x 60″ | 22″ x 60″ |
| Incline Range | -6 -15 Levels | -6% to 40% |
| Speed Range | 0.5 – 12 mph | 0.5 – 12 mph |
| Display | 15.6″ HD Touchscreen | 24″ HD Touchscreen |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Built-In Programs | 10, 12 user-defined | iFit |
| Folding Mechanism | N/A | N/A |
| Cushioning System | Yes | SpringFlex |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 82.5″ L x 38″ W x 66″ H | 69.5″ L x 38.1″ W x 73.3″ H |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame & motor; 3 years deck & parts; 1 year labor | Lifetime motor; 10-year frame; 2-year parts; 1-year labor |
| Best Price | Check Best Price | Check Best Price |
The NordicTrack X24 brings a whopping 40% incline potential into your home. Photo by Roman Kim, TreadmillReviews.net
I’ll start off with the new NordicTrack X24, just out for the 2025 season. This model is designed to replace the outgoing X32i and frankly I like the changes they made when creating this treadmill. Priced at $3,999 its the top treadmill offered by NordicTrack this year. A non-folding treadmill, the unit measures 69.9″ x 38.1″ x 73.3″ with a step-up height of 13.66″ and in-box weight of 445 pounds. This treadmill is a bit shorter and taller than most in its class, and yet it still has a 22″ x 60″ deck. This sizing is due to the machine’s ability to ramp up to 40% incline, and also brings with it the higher-than-normal step-up height. This frame though can support up to 400 pounds in user weight. Considering the step-up height and incline potential, I’d recommend ceilings over 9′ in height, minimum.
This X24 is powered by a 4.25 CHP motor, which is on the upper end of the spectrum where home treadmills are concerned. As I’ve written here on my piece on treadmill motors, motors over 4.0 CHP are more than sufficient for home use, even when they’re support speeds up to 12mph at a 40% incline. The X24 is also built with 2.5″ precision balanced rollers, and as I’ve outlined in Treadmill Decks and Belts, the rollers are those steel cylinders at either end of the deck which pull the belt. As a rule, the home treadmill market has roller sizes ranging from 1.5″ to 3″ and as a rule, the bigger the better for smooth operation and motor longevity. Heavier rollers will better keep the belt in alignment and prevent stress from the motor. Given the size of the unit and the force needed to incline and decline the way it does, this is in line with my expectations.
But enough of that. I know the primary reason folks are looking to the X24 is the programming and workout features. As I look into the 24″ pivoting touchscreen it seems as big as a television screen. The value of the pivot feature is so you can use the iFit programming for off-treadmill exercises like dumbbells and yoga. The console has two 2″ speakers with premium audio and the unit can sync with Bluetooth headphones and heart rate monitors alike. Other high-tech features include the built-in USB-C charging port, two water bottle holders, and a smart fan which automatically adjusts its speed to that of the treadmill. This treadmill’s incline is top of the line with 40% up and -6% down, with a maximum speed of 12mph, or a five-minute mile pace. No matter how advanced an athlete you are, that’s as good as you’re going to get with a home treadmill in my mind.
Instead of built-in workouts, this treadmill comes iFit-enabled, and the iFit program brings with it a virtual library of workouts between 10,000 and 17,000 strong, with the best photography and video quality I’ve seen. The program allows the treadmill to smartly adjust itself to the workout, and iFit can sync with Strava, Google Fit, Garmin Connect, and Apple Health. Now you can also watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify on the 24″ touchscreen while working out, and an AI Coach can help you generate personalized workouts or customize Google Maps routes. With the Bluetooth ActivePulse cardio program, your treadmill can smartly adjust itself to keep your heart rate on point, even while jogging with one of the iFit workouts and listening to Spotify. It’s the smartest program on the market today for sure and costs $39 per month. If you ever get tired of the fee, you can always use the treadmill in manual mode.
In terms of warranty, the NordicTrack X24 offers a lifetime guarantee on the motor, 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor.
The Sole TT8 features some of the best manufactured parts in the treadmill industry. Photo by Sole
Over on the other end of the spectrum is the $2,899.99 Sole T88. Sized at 82.5″ x 38″ x 66″ with a step-up height of 8″ it weighs 326 pounds and can support up to 400 pounds. Again, this is a non-folding treadmill, so I always advise people to choose the placement with care. Where you put it is where it will stay. And this is a relatively long treadmill deck, so make sure you have room for that 82.5″ runway. Ideally, you’d place this unit in a garage gym or perhaps a secondary living room.
The Sole TT8 is powered by a 4.0 HP motor and monster-sized 3″ rollers. With rollers at the upper end of the home treadmill limits I can see why Sole warranties are as great as they are. This treadmill also comes with a permawaxed reversible deck, meaning you could always flip it over and use the other side if one gets worn. In terms of overall parts, Sole definitely brings the bang for the buck.
In terms of programming, we see the big difference between the brands. The Sole TT8 has a large 15.6″ touchscreen with a handy media rack that sets atop it. It’s adjustable, so I can place my tablet or smartphone into this space and watch whatever I want. There is a device charging station in the console and the machine allows me to screen mirror. But this TT8 offers you 10 pre-programmed workouts you can access via the screen, 12 if you count the two extra user-defined ones. It also has heart rate sensors built into the handlebars, as well as Bluetooth integration for wireless monitors. The Sole TT8 can freely sync with the Sole+ Fitness app which contains thousands of workout programs, including ones for heart rate, and all of your cardio data can download into the touchscreen. With a 22″ x 60″ running surface, I can reach speeds of 12mph and incline up to 15 levels or decline down to six. In testing this and other Sole treadmills over the years, I’ve noticed the levels of incline and decline are not always in sync with percentage points or degrees, but they are consistent throughout the workout. The console also comes with water bottle holders, and in terms of overall comfort, it’s certainly a Cadillac model.
The Sole TT8 offers a lifetime warranty on both the frame and motor, three years for deck and parts, and one year for labor.
The 24″ touchscreen built atop the X24 pivots easily and affords you near-instant connectivity to programming. Photo by Roman Kim, TreadmillReviews.net.
So, what’s the difference? The way I see it, for another $1,000, I can have significantly more incline functionality, an extra eight inches of touchscreen, and access to more dynamic workout programming with automatic trainer control. The only real downside to NordicTrack treadmills these days is they don’t come with simple built-in workouts anymore, but rather rely on the $39 per month iFit app, or the free manual mode. The Sole T88 meanwhile is every bit the top-tier treadmill with equal levels of speed and gross user weight maximums. The TT8 also has built-in heart rate sensors in the handlebars whereas the X24 relies on a Bluetooth monitor sold separately.
This is a good example of the old maxim; I get what I pay for.
In terms of workout performance, there’s really no comparison to a 40% incline. If that’s what you’re looking for, then I can see a definite win for the X24. I myself love hiking programs and HIIT workouts which rely on incline. The Sole TT8 goes up 15 levels, but the X24 goes up 40%. I don’t see the difference in screen size making that much of a difference really here between these two.
The Sole TT8’s built-in programs have never failed me yet. I get the usual mix of cardio, HIIT, and heart rate programming here as well as access to free videos on the Sole+ Fitness app. Meanwhile, the X24 comes with the most dynamic and interactive training program on the market, iFit, which can control the treadmill’s resistance while you engage in instructor-led videos that remind me of National Geographic specials.
Given the specs, what are the pro’s and cons between the two treadmills?
The Sole TT8 brings a solid 15.6″ high definition touchscreen to the home. Photo by Sole
| Sole TT8 | NordicTrack X24 |
|---|---|
| Pros: | Pros: |
| – Lifetime warranty on frame and motor | – 40% to -6% incline/decline |
| – 10-12 built-in workouts plus free app | – 24″ high-definition touchscreen |
| – -3″ rollers | – Dynamic iFit programming |
| – About $1,000 less expensive | – Larger 4.25 CHP motor |
| Cons: | Cons: |
| – No automatic trainer control | – Pricier |
| – Built-in workouts are standard | – Without iFit some value is lost |
| – Slightly smaller screen than X24 | – No built-in workouts |
The NordicTrack X24 ramps all the way up to a 40% incline while offering a -6% decline. Photo by Roman Kim, TreadmillReviews.net.
A More Detailed Comparison
Motor and Performance
The Sole TT8 brings a 4.0 HP motor compared to the NordicTrack X24’s 4.25 CHP. The “CHP” stands for continuous horsepower and you can read up on that more here with my piece, Treadmill Motors: What You Need to Know. Both motors are sufficient for even the heartiest user and both are warrantied for life
Running Surface
Both the Sole TT8 and NordicTrack X24 sport a 22″ x 60″ running surface, which is superior to the industry norm of 20″ x 60″ and should suffice even larger users. The treadmills come with a 2-ply belt. One difference I note is the Sole unit has 3″ rollers whereas the NordicTrack brings the 2.5″ size. Both are on the upper end of the scale. The Sole deck is permawaxed and reversible.
Incline and Speed Range
The NordicTrack X24 offers 40% incline and -6% decline. Meanwhile, the Sole TT8 features 15 levels of incline and six levels of decline.
Display and Programs
The Sole TT8 has a 15.6″ touchscreen monitor which interacts directly with the built-in programs, the Sole+ Fitness app, and heart rate data supplied by the unit’s sensors. The NordicTrack X24 has a 24″ high-definition touchscreen which is built to work with iFit, Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime. Without the iFit program, the NordicTrack machine can be used in a manual mode. The TT8 also features an adjustable media rack with which you can use your own tablet or phone.
Cushioning and Folding Mechanism
Both treadmills feature effective cushioning systems designed to reduce impact on joints.
Additional Features
Both treadmills come with Bluetooth connectivity heart rate, headphones, speakers, and wireless charging stations. Both units have spots for water bottle holders.
Warranty and Dimensions
The Sole TT8 offers a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame, three years for deck and parts, and one year for labor. The NordicTrack X24 offers a lifetime warranty on the motor, 10 years for the frame, two years for parts, and one year for labor. The TT8 measures 82.5″ L x 38″ W x 66″ H with an 8″ step-up height and weight of 326 pounds. The X24 is 69.5″ L x 38.1″ W x 73.3″ H with a 13.66″ step-up height and weight of 445 pounds. Be sure to check your ceiling height before choosing a room for either of these. I’d say you’ll need a minimum of 9′ in either case.
Which would I recommend? They are both great treadmills!
If you’re into hard core incline training, then the ultimate treadmill truly is the X24. Yes, it’s essentially a $4K treadmill, but it comes with all the bells and whistles you could want and that’s ultimately what you’re shopping for, I have to believe. If you’re not in it for the 40% incline training, then I’m not sure why you’re shopping in this direction frankly. The Sole TT8 is a top-of-the-line treadmill for anyone other than someone who wants a 40% incline.