Sole F80 vs. F85 Treadmill Comparison: Battle of the Greats

Are you deciding on which Sole treadmill you need to help you achieve your fitness goals? Sole treadmills are great because they’re reliable and durable, but it can be tricky to decide on one.

If you’re having trouble choosing between the Sole F80 and the Sole F85, this guide is for you.

Sole F80 vs. F85 Treadmill - Summary

The Sole F80 and F85 are among the finest home treadmills in the market, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. However, some slight differences may determine the better option for you.

The Sole F85 is an upgraded version of the F80, as it has bigger front rollers, a larger screen, a more powerful motor, a higher weight limit, and a decline option.

Additionally, the F85 has an Android-powered touchscreen, a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor, and a plethora of accessories.

Sole F80 Pros

• The Sole F80 has a powerful 3.5 HP motor with a stable top speed of 12 mph.
• Its maximum weight limit is 350 lbs, and it comes with accessories that make it convenient to use.
• This treadmill has a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor and a 3-year warranty on the components.

Sole F80 Cons

• For a treadmill this expensive, it doesn’t have a decline option. That might be a drawback if you want to work on muscles that are best developed when walking downhill.
• The screen is smaller compared to the F85 and does not have touch technology.

Sole F85 Pros

• The 4 HP engine on the SF85 is the strongest one in Sole’s F family yet, providing an unrivalled smooth running experience
• It’s the only F-Series treadmill with a decline option, making it ideal for those who want to engage their anterior muscles, including the knees, quads, and hip flexors.
• It has a large 15.6” console that’s around 50% bigger than its predecessor.
• The F85 has bigger 2.75” front rollers, providing a smoother walking and running experience than the F80.

Sole F85 Cons

• It’s the most expensive Sole F treadmill, so it might not be ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly option.
• The top speed is limited to 12 mph, which might be too slow for some avid runners.

Sole F80 vs. F85 Treadmill In-Depth Comparison

At a glance, you might not notice any design differences between the Sole F80 and Sole F85 treadmills. So we’ll need to look closer at their internal and external parts to give you a better picture of how each can affect your workout.

Design

The most distinct difference between the two treadmills is their console. The Sole F85 has a larger 15.6” display compared to the F80’s smaller 10.1” screen. So if you want to watch movies while you run, both screens will let you do so comfortably.

The F80 and F85 both have a heart rate monitor. It straps to your chest instead of your wrist, keeping your hands free while running.

The arms holding the control panel also lean slightly in a Z-shape towards the runner to minimize the effort exerted while changing the settings.

In short, both treadmills look sleek and modern with no major design differences.

Motor

The Sole F80 comes with a powerful 3.5 HP motor that provides a top speed of 12 mph. It can maintain that speed under weights of up to 350 lbs or 158 kg, making it suitable for a wide array of runners.

The F85 treadmill comes with a more powerful motor of 4.0 HP, but it still clocks at the same speed of 12 mph. However, a more robust motor won’t have to work as hard to maintain that speed, allowing the F85 to support weights of up to 375 lbs or 170 kg.

Rollers

Many customers loved how the Sole F80 provided a smooth running experience, partly thanks to its large 2.36” rollers. The larger the rollers, the more they’ll engage the running belt and the easier it will be to run on the treadmill.

However, the Sole F85 offers a better running experience. It might not be noticeable to the average home jogger, but avid runners were able to sense the difference.

That F85’s smoothness comes from its larger rollers (2.75” in the front and 2.36” in the rear). So it’s more suitable for those who take running seriously.

Noise Level

With so much power, you’d expect a loud engine while the Sole F80 treadmill is running. However, you’d be happy to know that it only produces around 65 dB of noise. That’s almost as quiet as a conversation between two people, which is around 60 dB.

The Sole F85 follows the same thread. While its more powerful engine makes more noise, the sound level only tops at 70 dB. That’s still softer than some treadmills on the market.

Deck

Both the F80 and F85 have a spacious 22″ x 60″ running deck that even people with bigger limbs and feet will enjoy without issues.

They also have a 2-ply belt that’s smooth, grippy, and comfortable to run on, even if you’re running bare-footed.

That comfortable run is partly thanks to Sole’s WhisperQuiet cushioning technology which, according to Sole, can make the ride 40% smoother. This makes both treadmills ideal for long-distance runners who want to keep their joints healthy.

Incline and Decline

The incline levels of the deck are also the same in both models. They offer a 15° incline level, which adds extra pressure without increasing speed.

However, only the Sole F85 treadmill allows for a 6° of decline. So it might be the better choice if you want to stimulate that downhill run that the F80 can’t provide.

Control Panel

Through the Sole F80’s 10.1” Android-powered touchscreen, you can control various functions like speed, incline, fan control, and grip heart rate sensors.

In addition, you can get wireless heart rate monitoring, but you’ll need to purchase the strap for that feature separately.

The F80’s panel also lets you can create your own workout routine or rely on one of its ten built-in training programs.

The Sole F85 control panel offers everything that the F80 has but through a larger and brighter 15.6” TFT Android-powered touchscreen. For reference, the average laptop screen size is around 16”. So Sole basically gives you a laptop to watch your movies as you run!

Besides the built-in training programs, you also get standard Air Force, Military, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps fitness tests. It’ll make you ready for anything.

Portability

The difference between both treadmills is around 45 lbs (20.4 kg), with the F85 sitting at 274 lbs (124 kg) and the F80 being slightly lighter at 319 lbs (144 kg.)

That said, both treadmills are pretty heavy, and carrying them around will be a hassle.

Fortunately, both models have smooth wheels that will help you move them around. If you want to move them far, you can fold both treadmills without special tools to make them easier to transport.

Warranty

Both Sole treadmills come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor. They also have a 3-year warranty on all the electronic components plus 1-year labour.

However, the F85 goes the extra mile by offering a 3-year warranty on the running surface.

Accessories

The F80 and F85 treadmills have Bluetooth connectivity so that you can track your progress through your phone. They also come with WiFi and Internet, a sound system, and screen mirroring.

Both treadmills have several holding pouches, including tablet holders, for anything you want close while running, like your mobile phone or water bottle. And you don’t have to worry about your devices draining because they have a USB charging port.

They also have two cooling fans to keep you comfortable while working up a sweat.

On top of that, both treadmills are compatible with Bluetooth speakers and allow for 10-watt wireless charging. It’s not the fastest out there, but how convenient is it to charge your phone by just placing it on your treadmill?

Assembly

Most products have a hidden catch; for Sole treadmills, it’s their assembly. The F line of Sole’s treadmills is relatively difficult to assemble, as the only parts that do come assembled are the engine and the running deck.

You’ll have to assemble everything else yourself. Truth be told, there’s a detailed instruction manual, but that doesn’t stop the process from being lengthy and tedious (for both treadmills).

Fortunately, assembly is a one-time thing.

Sole F80 vs. F85 Treadmill: Which Should You Buy?

The Sole F80 and F85 are fantastic home treadmills that will take your workout to the next level. If you take running as a way to stay fit without leaving your home, the F80 will be more than enough.

If you want a more powerful engine, a smoother experience, and a larger touch screen to keep your favourite media on the move, the F85 will be the best choice…for a price.

Check out our Sole F80 and Sole F85 in-depth reviews if you’re still having second thoughts.