Sole F85 vs. Sole TT8 Treadmill Comparison

Are you looking for Sole's most powerful, feature-rich treadmill? Look no further—Sole Fitness is often top of mind for many fitness enthusiasts, and Sole's F85 and TT8 treadmills are excellent choices for individuals looking to elevate their home workouts.

However, it’s challenging to decide which is best for you because of their similarities but also their critical differences. In this article, we’ll break down the key features of the Sole F85 and Sole TT8 treadmills to help you make an informed decision.

So, read on to discover which treadmillwill complement your fitness journey best!

Sole F85 vs. Sole TT8 - Summary

The Sole F85 and Sole TT8 are very similar in their specifications. Both models feature powerful 4.0 CHP motors and a 22-inch by 60-inch running belt—2 inches wider than the industry standard, which is 20 inches.

The main differences between the Sole F85 and the Sole TT8 are the environments they’re designed for and the screens.

Being a light commercial unit, the TT8 model Sole Treadmill is heavier-duty than the Sole F85 and isn’t foldable. Thanks to its durable running belt, it can withstand the rigors of continuous gym use, making it a perfect choice for gym owners or fitness enthusiasts to invest in. Meanwhile, since the Sole F85 is foldable, it’s best for residential use. It also has a larger Android display.

Sole TT8 Pros:

• It can support individuals of all sizes, thanks to its 400 lb weight capacity. The average weight capacity of treadmills is 325 pounds.
• It can help you engage your hip flexors, quads, and knees with its 6-level decline feature. This will help you prevent muscle imbalances.
• It can complement all workout styles, be it light exercises or rigorous workouts, with its max speed of 12 mph.
• It has several useful built-in programs designed to ease your fitness journey. For example, the Heart Rate Control program is excellent for weight loss and cardio.

Sole TT8 Cons:

• It may be unfit for individuals living in smaller apartments since it’s unfoldable and weighs 322 lb.
• You may need to be more careful during long strides due to its large motor hood size that sits high at the front.

Sole F85 Pros:

• It’s quiet and powerful, ideal for use in a residential setting, thanks to its 4.0 HP motor.
• It’s a good choice for individuals living in smaller apartments, thanks to its foldable design.
• It can make your workouts enjoyable with its Bluetooth compatibility, Netflix and Youtube integration, Wi-Fi connectivity, and sound system.
• You’re guaranteed workout flexibility and results with its rich selection of programs, including the Military Fitness Tests—the standards set by the armed forces branches.

Sole F85 Cons:

• You may need to clean it more often, as its raised buttons are prone to stick once dirt accumulates.

Sole F85 vs. Sole TT8 In-Depth Comparison

We’ll break down the key features of each treadmill in this section. So, read on to learn which one is best for you.

Let’s divide this according to the treadmills’ different components.

Frame

Sole is consistent in its material choice across its models. The Sole F85 treadmill is constructed with heavy-duty steel to ensure maximum durability. Steel sides and cross beams reinforce its steel frame for added durability. So, it can support higher weights than other treadmills in its class.

Its handrails are also made of aluminium and coated with epoxy—a higher-end alternative to plastic—to maximize grip comfort during workouts. However, this somewhat works against it, as they can become slippery if you’re prone to sweating.

The main difference between the two models is the foldable design. The Sole F85 is foldable, while the Sole TT8 isn’t. The latter also features a steel frame reinforced with steel side and cross beams. But, instead of epoxy, the TT8’s handrails feature a spongy overlay. This eliminates the issue of slippage and makes them more comfortable overall.

Running Deck

Again, both treadmills feature Sole’s proprietary Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, promising a reduction in foot impact of up to 40%.

However, while both treadmills can help with hip, joint, and ankle pain by significantly reducing stress, you should know that the cushioning isn’t as great as other treadmills in their class.

This is a consequence of many factors, notably the steel deck and design—the treadmills are made with durability in mind, which limits the running belt’s flex. This isn’t all too negative, though. It’s still an improvement over running on asphalt and concrete, and the TT8 can handle up to 400 lb, while the F85 stands at 375 lb.

Both treadmills feature 60-inch-long by 22-inch-wide running belts. This is noteworthy, as the two extra inches in width compared to the industry standard make the Sole F85 and TT8 accessible to individuals of all sizes. They also give you more room to run and stretch.

Both treadmills feature smoothly textured, wax-lubricated 2-ply belts to ensure comfort and low maintenance. The rollers are also larger than the industry standard (3 inches) to prevent the motor from overheating and guarantee the belt’s longevity, eliminating the wear issues that friction causes.

However, note that TT8’s running belt is designed to be more durable than F85’s. The TT8 is a light-commercial-grade treadmill designed for use in gyms and for rigorous, continuous use, while the F85 is best for residential use. So, if you own a gym or train daily for several hours, the TT8 will suit you better.

Motor

Both the TT8 and F85 feature a 4-HP DC-type motor. Their motor is powerful, allowing a maximum speed of 12 mph (most people run at 8 mph) and powering the treadmills’ 6 decline and 15 incline levels. So, you can elevate your cardio workouts and target specific leg muscles.

Another thing the motor does well is remain quiet. Your footsteps drown out its sound while running on either the Sole F85 or TT8. It doesn’t vibrate or cause any sort of distraction during your workouts. However, one irksome issue with Sole treadmills is the motor hood—it’s raised way too much! It can obstruct you if you run too close to the console.

Since it’s a light commercial model, the TT8 is rated for 5 hours of use per day. The F85 is rated lower than that. So, although they share the same motor, F85 is a better fit for less rigorous workouts.

Console

The Sole F85 has a 15.6-inch TFT touchscreen display, Android, and seven pre-installed apps, including Netflix and Youtube. On the other hand, the Sole TT8 has a smaller 10.1-inch TFT touch panel. Both displays show precise information in dim lighting, including your heart rate, calories burned, speed, pace, and time.

But one issue with the F85 screen is its slight noise, which some may find distracting.

The buttons are sturdy, too. The TT8 and F85 feature buttons for speed and incline on the console and the handrail. The latter is an excellent consideration, as you can easily change the inclination (left handrail) and speed (right handrail) without reaching for the console and risking losing your balance. But ensure you don’t accidentally press them!

However, an enduring issue with Sole’s treadmills is the lack of control in adjustments. The buttons for adjusting these settings are fixed and go in increments of one, two, and three (for example, 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 > 7). Additionally, the F85’s handrail buttons are raised too high and can get sticky or get stuck if they get too dirty.

Pre-Programmed Workouts

The TT8 has six standard programs, one custom program, and two heart programs. The F85 also has six standard programs but allows you to save up to 12 customizable programs to ensure workout flexibility.

The standard programs are manual, hill, fat-burn, cardio, high-intensity, and strength.

Connectivity

Both treadmills are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-capable, and the F85 has a screen mirroring option, so your entertainment options are unlimited.

Extras

Storage

The storage design is identical to the TT8 and F85. They have a large, 3-pocket tray under the console and two trays on either side of them that run the length of the deck.

Cooling Fans

The Sole F85 and TT8 feature a cooling fan on the console to cool you down during your workouts.

Ports

The TT8 and F85 have a USB charging port and headphone jack on the console, so you can charge your device or listen to music without Bluetooth.

Device Holder

The TT8 and F85 also feature an adjustable tablet holder above the console that can fit most devices securely.

Charging Pad

The Sole F85 features a 2-amp wireless charging pad, while the TT8 doesn’t.

Accessories

The TT8 comes with a chest strap, while the F85 doesn’t. You can use it to measure your heart rate instead of the Pulse Grips if you prefer it.

Assembly

The Sole F85 is easy to assemble. We discovered that most people agree that the Sole F85 is an excellent workout treadmill based on Amazon reviews. It’s smooth, solid, and quiet, but you’ll need help transporting it for assembly. The assembly is easy if you’re a DIY person, but its parts are heavy.

You must assemble the console, side rails, and storage trays yourself.

That’s the same case for the TT8. The deck comes pre-assembled, but you must assemble the uprights and attach the console. Of course, Sole’s clear and informative manuals are there to help.

However, both treadmills are heavy. So, the bigger issue is transporting them to the assembly space. To emphasize, it’s best to have someone help you out.

Warranty

The Sole F85 and TT8 somewhat differ in their warranties. Let’s break them down for you.

Sole F85:

• Frame: Lifetime
• Motor: Lifetime
• Deck: 3 Years
• All Other Components: 3 Years
• Labor: 1 Year
• Cosmetic Items: 90 Days

Sole TT8:

• Frame: Lifetime (Domestic & Light Commercial Use)
• Motor: Lifetime (Domestic Use); 5 Years (Light Commercial)
• Deck: Lifetime (Domestic Use); 5 Years (Light Commercial)
• Electronics: 5 Years (Domestic Use); 3 Years (Light Commercial)
• Labour: 2 Years (Domestic Use); 1 Year (Light Commercial)

Wrap Up

The Sole F85 is an excellent choice if you’re into light exercise and live in a smaller home, needing the foldable feature. However, if your workouts are rigorous and hours long every day and you have no issue with space, then the Sole TT8 is definitely the powerhouse you need.