Horizon 7.0 AT vs Sole F63

My Comparison of the Horizon 7.0 AT and Sole F63

This was a tough match-up, I have to confess. But let’s face it, budget matters. If I’m looking to max out my fitness dollars for a home treadmill, then the Horizon 7.0 AT  and Sole F63 are two great places to start. Both on the smaller end of the home treadmill world, these units feature built-in workouts as well as compatibility with free apps that sync up with a Bluetooth snap. Here’s the thing about price. The 7.0 AT has an MSRP of $2,100 but is routinely on sale for as low as $899. Meanwhile, the F63 has an MSRP of $1,199.99 and is featured online for $1,099.99. The 7.0 AT has more Bluetooth functions and is certainly the better deal if you can catch it on special.

One of the things I like about both the Horizon and Sole families of machines is they’re built with handy, adjustable media racks that sit atop the monitor. Having used both extensively I can tell you they’ll fit either your tablet or smartphone nicely. No wobbles when running here. Size-wise, these two machines could be twins, but in addition to eight built-in workouts, the 7.0 AT syncs freely with another eight different apps, comes with a Bluetooth heart rate monitor and wireless receiver, as well as direct connectivity with your Apple Watch. Meanwhile, the F63 sports seven built-in workouts, but no pre-loaded apps like the higher-end Sole models. And while both feature built-in heart rate sensors in the handlebars, the F63 does connect with, but does not come with, a wireless heart rate monitor.

I’ll walk you through the side-by-side here, but I have to say that in terms of specs, the machines very similar. It’s the programming where the 7.0 AT has the clear edge as well as price depending on the sale day.

Feature Comparison between the Horizon 7.0 AT and the Sole F63

Here’s the specs side by side for each treadmill:

Entry-level treadmill workouts often come loaded into the machine. If not, they’re easy to find. Olexandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

The $899 Horizon 7.0 AT is the brand’s entry-level unit in the Studio Series, which includes the 7.4 AT and 7.8 AT. What’s unique about the 7.0 AT is all of the app connectivity it brings to the game. A folding treadmill, it measures 76″ x 35″ x 67″ when fully assembled, and 44″ x 35″ x 68″ when folded. The machine weighs 277 pounds with a 8 5/8″ step-up height and 325-pound user weight maximum. This is a good-sized treadmill with plenty of stability. The deck measures 20″ x 60″ and it sports a 3.0 HP motor. Right off the bat, this tells me you can do about anything you want on it so long as you’re not near or over the 325-pound user weight max. As I’ve outlined here in our piece on treadmill motors, a 3.0 HP motor is sufficient for walking, jogging, and running. And frankly I’ve had some of my best High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions during hiking workouts, which this is perfect for.

The 7.0 AT is built to perform, with 2.36″ rollers beneath the 0.7″ deck. 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. I’d also note that when considering a Horizon product’s motor, they offer a lifetime guarantee and are well-known for their machining.

The 7.0 AT has a 7.25″ high contrast LCD screen with four LED windows. This screen works with the eight built-in programs, which include: 5K, Calorie, Custom, Distance, Fat Burn, Hill Climb, Manual, and Target HRT. The data readout includes Calories, Distance, Heart Rate, Incline, Speed, and Time. This 7.0 AT also syncs with AtZone, Peloton, Kinomap, Zwift, Fitscope, Fitbit, Apple Health, and Google Fit. The unit inclines up to 15% with a maximum speed of 12mph. There’s no question in my mind you won’t outgrow the 7.0 AT, particularly if you want HIIT training on hills and speed walking. In terms of cardio and weight loss, this will definitely work. This is treadmill is particularly good for hill-climbing and hiking workouts where incline is used.

Other great features include the audio jack, Bluetooth speakers, heart rate sensors in the handlebars, bottle holder, and USB charging station. The treadmill comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, with three years for parts and one for labor.

The Sole F63 is an entry-level treadmill within the Sole lineup. Photo by Sole

In terms of appearance, the Sole F63 is very similar. Measuring 77″ x 35″ x 67″ with an 8″ step-up height, you’ll still be able to fit this in most homes or apartments. It’s also lighter at 224 pounds and comes with a 325-pound weight max. The F63 folds up to 50″ x 35″ 72″ for storage when not in use, or when lubricating the belts.

The F63 features a 3.0 HP motor and has a 20″ x 60″ deck, a full five inches longer. Built atop a 2.36″ front roller and a 1.8″ in the rear, the treadmill ramps up to 12mph with 15 levels of incline. In my experience, the levels of incline offered on Sole treadmills are not necessarily equal to percentage points or degrees, but they’re consistent in the marks they hit.

The F63 features a 6.5″ LCD screen for data readout on the seven built-in programs, or with the Sole+ app. The console displays Speed, Incline, Time, Distance Traveled, Calories, Pulse, and Pace, as well as a quarter-mile track and Peak/Valley graph. Using the media rack atop the screen, the F63 can sync up with the cost-free Sole+ app which contains thousands of built-in programs, or you can simply use your own device to access whatever programming you want. With Bluetooth speakers you’ll have no problem enjoying music if that’s what you want.

The treadmill comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, as well as two years for deck and parts, and one for labor.

The Horizon 7.0 AT comes with a user friendly console and spot for your tablet or smartphone to serve as screen. Oleksandr Kosheliev / TreadmilReviews.net

So, what’s the difference? A lot more app connectivity with the Horizon 7.0 AT and an included wireless heart rate monitor. You can access the apps via your own tablet or screen, and in theory you could do the same thing with the F63, but the machine doesn’t sync with them. The 7.0 AT also automatically syncs with your Apple Watch. As part of the Studio Series, it’s built for streaming workout data into the machine.

In terms of workout performance, both machines offer 15% incline and up to 12mph in speeds with a 3.0 HP motor. I’ve had some of my best fat-burning sessions using incline and decline as the primary variable. With a 15% incline max, you won’t need to hit 12mph to burn the calories. HIIT workouts have consistently proven to be winners when it comes to torching fat, and you’ll find no shortage of those here, particularly with the ability to sync to other apps.

Given the specs, what are the pro’s and cons between the two treadmills?

Customize your workout at the push of a button. (Screenshot from our YouTube Channel)

A More Detailed Comparison

Motor and Performance

Both the Horizon 7.0 AT and Sole F63 offer a 3.0 HP motor. You can read up on that more here with my piece, Treadmill Motors: What You Need to Know. As a rule, motors under 3.0 HP are best for walking and hiking, particularly if you’re heavier than the average.

Running Surface

Both the 7.0 AT and F63 offer a 20″ x 60″ deck. The 7.0 AT features 2.36″ rollers, whereas the F63 has a 2.36″ roller in front and 1.8″ in the rear.

Incline and Speed Range

Both the 7.0 AT and the F63 can incline up to 15 levels with speeds of 12mph.

Display and Programs

The F63 with a 6.5″ LCD screen and a media rack while the 7.0 AT has a 7.25″ LCD screen. The Horizon model comes with eight built-in programs and syncs with eight different apps, whereas the Sole model comes with seven built-in programs and the free Sole+ app.

Cushioning and Folding Mechanism

Both treadmills feature effective cushioning systems designed to reduce impact on joints.

Additional Features

Both treadmills come with Bluetooth connectivity for heart rate and speakers. Both units have spots for water bottle holders.

Warranty and Dimensions

The 7.0 AT measures 76″ x 35″ x 67″ when assembled, 44″ x 35″ x 68″ when folded up, weighs 277 pounds, and can support up to 325 pounds in user weight. The unit comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, with three years for parts and one labor. The F63 measures 77″ x 35″ x 72″ when assembled, 50″ x 35″ x 72″ when folded, weighs 224 pounds, and supports up to 325 pounds. The unit comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, two years for the deck and parts, as well as one year for labor.

Which would I recommend? They are both great treadmills!

If the Horizon 7.0 AT is on sale then there’s no question it’s the better buy. I’ve been watching both treadmills over the past year and more often than not you’ll find it significantly under-MSRP. Both machines are excellent for sure, but with the included heart rate monitor and great number of pre-loaded apps for the sync’ing, it’s just a matter of numbers here.