Nordictrack SE9i vs T6.5s

This is a comparison between the Nordictrack SE9i elliptical and the T6.5s treadmill. Follow the links for more details.

Overview and review NordicTrack T6.5 Treadmill $999 - $1299

This is a review of the NordicTrack 6.5S treadmill which was originally published in "Which Treadmill to get from Nordictrack". Follow the links for more details.

Overview NordicTrack T6.5 Treadmill $999 - $1299

The Nordictrack 6.5 treadmill is the most compact and cheapest version from Nordictrack. This is the right treadmill to get to save space and money. You can put this treadmill into your back shed or in a cramped apartment. Commercial buyers can optimize small rooms for group training or peak times or just put a large fleet in a big space. This comes at the price of the weakest motor in the Nordictrack line up. The full specs are:

10” Smart HD Touchscreen
Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
Auxiliary Music Port
Dual 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
FlexSelect™ Cushioning
20” x 55” Commercial Tread Belt
0-10% Incline
0-10 MPH Speed
One Touch® Controls
2.6 CHP DurX™ Commercial Plus Motor◊
1.9” Precision and Balanced Non-Flex Rollers
300 Lb. User Capacity
EKG Grip Pulse
SpaceSaver® Design with EasyLift™ Assist
20 On-Board Workout Programs
54" H x 36" W x 73.5" H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the lower end of the range you get what you pay for. Expect more breakdowns in commercial settings compared to other models out of the Nordictrack range.

Pros of the Nordictrack T 6.5 treadmill

The pros of the Nordictrack T 6.5 are:

Compact size
Low price

This is the option to save money and space. Simple enough.

Cons of the Nordictrack T 6.5 treadmill

The cons of the T 6.5 treadmill are:

Small belt
Weak motor

The T 6.5 model is not the right choice if you have a long stride or if you will press a lot of miles on this machine. The 2.6 CHP motor is more likely to break when used heavily than in the other Nordictrack models which usually range from 3.0 up to 4.2 CHP.

Alternatives to the T 6.5 treadmill

A good alternative to the T 6.5 would be the Rogue Echo bike. It is slightly cheaper, burns more calories per second and takes up less floor space. Of course, strictly speaking, it is not a treadmill. That depends on your goals.

Overview and review of the Nordictrack SE9i $1799

This is a review of the Nordictrack SE9i model. You will learn about the specifics, pros, cons, and alternatives of this elliptical to make a decision. This article was originally published in "Which elliptical to get from Nordictrack".

Overview of the SE9i elliptical

The SE9i elliptical is the flagship rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrack. Its main features are a 7-inch touch screen, 18-flywheel, and 10% incline. The full list of features includes:

7” Smart HD Touchscreen
Includes 1-Year NordicTrack iFit® membership**
Integrated Tablet Holder
0 - 10° Power Adjustable Incline
Auxiliary Music Port
Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
Integrated, QuickTouch™ Handle Controls

Adjustable, Oversized Cushion Pedals
AutoBreeze™ Workout Fan
SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips

Rear Drive
18 Lb. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
24 Digital Resistance Levels
10% Power Adjustable Incline
One Touch® Controls
Commercial Solid Steel Construction
EKG Grip Pulse Heart Rate Monitor
iFit Bluetooth® Smart Chest Strap Included
325 Lb. User Weight Capacity

30 Preset Workout Apps
Integrated Handle Controls for Ramp and Resistance
Out-of-the-Box Easy Assembly
Rear-mounted Transport Wheels
Water Bottle Holder
Vertical SpaceSaver® Design
78.7" L x 31.9" W x 66.4" H Footprint
10-Year Frame Warranty
2-Year Parts Warranty
1-Year Labor Warranty

This is the fancy version of the two rear-drive Nordictrack ellipticals with a touch screen. If you do not need a touch screen you can go for the SE7i instead.

Pros of the SE9i

The pros of the SE9i are:

Price
Touch screen

Compared to the rest of the Nordictrack portfolio the SE9i is relatively cheap, even though it is the most expensive rear-drive elliptical in stock. Compared to the lower cost SE7i it has the advantage of the 7-inch touch screen.

Cons of the SE9i elliptical

The cons of the Se9i elliptical are:

18-pound flywheel
Size
Price

For buying something rather low tier from a vendor the price is still pretty high. If you want to save money, go all the way and get a machine that has been stripped of most things and focuses on the essentials. Otherwise, go for a different vendor or fitness machine where you can acquire the top tier products for $2000.

Alternatives to the Se9i elliptical

The alternatives to the SE9i elliptical are:

The Nordictrack SE7i saves you an additional $600 by cutting out the touch screen in exchange for a backlit display. This will help you to save further money.

The concept 2 rower is a great alternative for someone who wants to go hard but has problems standing for along time. You have two different models you can choose from, the Model E and model D.

The Rogue echo bike at $700 is, in my opinion, one of the strongest contestants for the best home gym workout machine. It is compact, affordable and packs a punch.

Summary for the SE9i elliptical

All in all, the Se9i is a rear-drive elliptical with a touch screen that has seen its best days. Newer designs have taken over and offer better value for money from Nordictrack. The only thing which would tempt me to go for a rear-drive is the folding option and if I was 20 years older.