DKN EnduRun Folding Treadmill Review: A High-Spec Connected Treadmill That’s Always In Stock

Editor’s note: This review was first published in 2021 and revised a year later to reflect changes in app compatibility.

We first came across the DKN EnduRun during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when treadmills were sold out almost everywhere. The machine stood out to us then partly because it was one of the few treadmills still in stock, but also because of the impressive spec it offered for the price, which frequently drops well below its £2,199 RRP.

DKN is the in-house brand of online fitness equipment retailer Sweatband and it manufactures two treadmills, both of which make Coach’s round-up of the best treadmills. The cheaper EzRun has a smaller motor and running belt and a lower top speed than the EnduRun. I’ll look at the differences in more detail later, but while the EzRun would satisfy most people’s needs, the EnduRun is worth the upgrade if you’re tall or a faster runner, or if you want the durability and performance of a gym-standard machine.

For that is what the EnduRun is. The beefy 2.5CHP (which stands for continuous horsepower; the treadmill can handle a 4.5HP peak) motor provides enough power to run smoothly for long periods even in the upper ranges of the machine’s 0.5-22km/h speed range. I’ve done progression runs and interval workouts that have involved long periods running in the high teens, and the machine has performed just as well as any gym treadmill I’ve used for similar work.

It has an AC motor, which means more power and less maintenance than a DC motor. AC motors are more common in commercial machines, while DC is generally used for home treadmills.

The incline range is also impressive, rising to 15%. Both the speed and incline can be controlled using handily-placed buttons on the sides of the machine too, which is easier than holding a finger on the console in front of you while running. There are also preset speed and incline buttons on the console for a quick change.

The running belt is expansive, measuring 53 x 151cm. That’s huge, and big enough for any runner – bigger even than the belt on the Technogym MyRun, which costs over £3k. I’m 183cm tall and never had the slightest doubt that the belt was roomy enough, even when opening my stride out to sprint. The maximum user weight is also high at 150kg, so both taller and heavier runners are well catered for.

The flipside of those impressive specs is that the EnduRun is a large machine, and even when folded – which can be done simply enough thanks to the hydraulic system – it takes up a lot of space. It’s also not an especially quiet machine, measuring around 70-75 decibels during my runs – loud enough for my wife to hear me training in the garage from inside our house.

There are 18 preset workouts available on the machine’s console, with small graphs detailing the approximate speeds and inclines involved, and nine more workout modes including some that you can set up based on things like time, heart rate or calories.

The range of workouts can be enlarged by linking the treadmill to the Kinomap app. This software allows you to watch runners’ scenic videos from around the world while you run, as well as following workouts where the app can directly control the EnduRun.

When I tested the machine I was also able to link it directly to Zwift, a training app where your avatar runs around the virtual world of Watopia, or digitised versions of real places like London and New York. However, the machine is not listed as compatible with Zwift anyone, which is a huge shame, because this was a big selling point for me and I did all my running on it while linked to Zwift.

• Find out more about this popular training app with our review and guide to getting started with Zwift Running.

While Sweatband suggests that the treadmill can be put together easily by two people (there’s heavy lifting involved), I can’t attest to this as my review model was constructed for me. I have built treadmills solo in the past though, and while I wouldn’t recommend it, it is doable.

The EnduRun offers a terrific all-round experience for runners, and is a cheaper alternative to some gym-standard machines like the Technogym MyRun or a Life Fitness model. However, it will be overkill for many runners who don’t value the top speed or large running belt.

In that case, the EzRun is a more attractive option. Its top speed of 20km/h is still more than enough for most and the 52 x 140cm running belt will accommodate most runners as well. The EzRun also has an incline range of up to 12% and a 1.75CHP (3.5HP peak) DC motor that will be powerful enough for years of home workouts.

If you’re after an even less expensive home treadmill it’s worth looking at JTX’s Sprint series. The Sprint-3 is £605, goes up to 16km/h and is powered by a 2HP motor.

Buy the DKN EnduRun from Sweatband | £1,399