Nordictrack X22i vs Elite Treadmill – Which is Best for You?
Trying to decide between the Nordictrack X22i vs Elite Treadmill?
Wondering which is best for you?
The Nordictrack X22i incline trainer has been out – and garnering rave reviews – for about 4 years now (with updates every year). The first year it was so popular, they couldn’t keep it in stock over the holidays.
The Nordictrack Elite treadmill is brand new to the market – with a lot of the same characteristics as the X22i treadmill – including the high 40% inclines.
Lots of people like the extra-high incline since it gives them a way to burn calories much faster than with a standard treadmill. It’s also great for lower impact, high-incline walking.
Both treadmills also come with large, touch-screen, HD, full-color consoles where you can connect with iFit and get personalized training to your home.
So what’s the difference between them – and which is best for you?
This post will show you the main differences between the Nordictrack X22i vs Elite treadmills to help you make a more informed decision.
(Note that we’ll be comparing the X22i treadmill to the Elite treadmill with the 22-inch console here. While you can get the Elite treadmill with the 32-inch screen for a higher price, we’ll be sticking to the Elite treadmill with the 22-inch screen just to keep things simpler.)
Nordictrack X22i vs Elite – Price
As of this writing, the Nordictrack X22i incline trainer is the more affordable model coming in around $2999 here.
The Elite treadmill comes in higher at around $3999 with Special iFit Offer here. (Note again that this price is with the 22-inch screen. You can get the 32-inch screen for about $500 more).
Nordictrack Elite vs X22i Treadmill: Design
You’ll have noticed that these two treadmills have very different designs. Let’s start with the console.
The X22i has the traditional home-treadmill-style console with the viewing screen attached to the main console. It lays lower and more flat as seen here:
The Elite treadmill has a more modern, health-club design (not surprising since it’s newer to the market than the X22i).
The screen is detached from the main console (which has been lowered). It’s more like a tv-style screen, sitting higher and more vertical, as seen here:
For this reason, you might find the Elite treadmill console a bit easier to read since you’re not looking down as much.
It also swivels and turns – which makes it better if you want to continue your training off the treadmill. This is not something you can do with the X22i treadmill:
Another Design and Weight Difference:
You might also notice the difference in base design. The X22i has two side bars supporting the console with an H-style base:
The Elite has one central, thicker bar supporting the console with a rectangular base:
This base design on the Elite treadmill looks like it might be bit more stable than the H-style base design on the X22i.
Because the Elite treadmill is so new, it’s hard to say for sure whether this is the case or not.
However, there is a fairly sizeable difference in weight between these two machines.
The X22i treadmill is quite heavy at 417 pounds.
However the Elite treadmill is a monster – at an even heavier 505 pounds. So while the extra weight might help it feel a bit more stable, it will also be harder to move around.
(Neither treadmill is going to be easy to move around – so you definitely want to plan ahead and know exactly where you plan to put them before you order).
Nordictrack X22i vs Elite – Decline
Both the Nordictrack X22i and the Elite treadmill give you up to 40% incline – which is great for high calorie burning.
However the X22i treadmill comes with up to 6% decline vs the Elite treadmill which gives you up to 5% decline.
It’s not a deal-breaker. But you just get a little more decline with the X22i incline trainer treadmill.
Nordictrack X22i vs Elite: Step On Height
Nordictrack lowered the step-on height of the deck on the Elite treadmill. So the deck is a bit lower to the ground on this treadmill vs the Nordictrack X22i.
This makes it easier to get on and off the machine. Again, not a deal-breaker. But it’s a nice touch that you don’t find on the X22i unit.
Nordictrack X22i or Elite? Motor Power
The Nordictrack X22i incline trainer comes with a slightly higher motor power than the Elite treadmill: 4.0 CHP vs 3.6 CHP.
This makes sense because you need a stronger motor on the traditionally-designed incline trainers like the X22i to power the higher incline. Whereas with the upgraded design on the Elite treadmill, you probably don’t need as much motor power.
Both treadmills come with the Smart Response Drive system.
This is basically an upgrade on the standard treadmill motor – it responds faster to changes you (or the iFit programs) make when running. This is great when doing the iFit classes or running iFit world trails for example.
Bottom Line?
So what’s the bottom line when comparing the Nordictrack X22i vs Elite treadmills?
Well, they both offer the same size, full-color HD touch-screen where you can train and run trails all over the world. You can also burn more calories vs a traditional treadmill – since they both give you super-high 40% inclines.
However there are some small differences.
The X22i incline trainer is the more affordable of the two and carries a slightly stronger motor with a deeper decline option.
The Elite treadmill however is a new, upgraded design with lower step-on height. It has an easier-to read, pivoting screen and comes in slightly heavier – helping to add to the stability of the machine.
Is there a clear winner?
Not really. At the end of the day, both machines are pretty impressive. Either one will give you an amazing workout.
It really comes down to your preferences, budget and goals.
Want to learn more?
Click Here for A Special Offer on the X22i
Click Here to Save on the Nordictrack Elite
Related:
Nordictrack X32i Incline Trainer Review
Nordictrack Elite Treadmill – A Good Buy for You?
