Smooth 9.35 HR vs. Proform Trailrunner 4.0

Here are the treadmills we are going to compare today: The Smooth 9.35HR and the Proform Trailrunner 4.0.

When I included the Proform Trailrunner 4.0 in the tournament, it was on sale for $1,699. It has since gone off sale and is now $2,999. Although sales and prices fluctuate all the time, I am trying to review these treadmills at the price they are most often priced at. So, while the Trailrunner 4.0 isn’t on sale right now, I imagine it will be again soon. So I will continue to treat it like it’s $1,699 rather than $2,999.

The Smooth 9.35 HR is a stalwart piece of equipment by Smooth. Both Proform and Smooth are manufactured by Icon fitness, but Smooth is a higher-end line, and the machines are built with better quality. The frames are usually welded, and the drive systems and great. The Proform Trailrunner 4.0 has a large motor of 3.8 Horsepower. This is a good start. The Smooth 9.35 HR has a 3.0 CHP motor, which is good, but a lot smaller than the Proform’s. When it comes to motors, I always say that bigger is better. While, the smaller motor on the Smooth does make it a big quieter than the proform, I would still recommend the Proform motor over the Smooth. The less the motor has to work, the better. If the noise factor is important to you, then you may like the Smooth better, even if it is smaller.

Although the trailrunner has a bigger motor, it’s not designed with as much strength as the Smooth. The Smooth has a welded frame and can hold up to 400 lbs max which beats the Proform’s 350 lb weight limit. Both treadmills feel very strong and grounded when you run on them, but the Smooth feels a bit stronger. The cushioning on the Smooth is adjustable hydra-suspension cushioning, which tends to work better than the Proform’s Protech cushioning. The Smooth has a 20″ x 55″ treadbelt, and the Proform Trailrunner has a full sized 20″ x 60″ treadbelt, giving it a bit more appeal to tall people, and people who like extra room behind them.

The Proform is a folding treadmill and the smooth isn’t. Proform likes to offer lots of features on their treadmill, while smooth tends to focus on the meat of their machines. The Proform has an amazing 10″ full color touch screen with a web browser. The console connects to Ifit and allows you to run on any trail in the world, and see where you’re going. Ifit also makes it easy to track and see your progress, as well as race against others. It’s actually great innovation for treadmills, and is improving all the time. Unfortunately the Smooth doesn’t put Ifit compatibility in their treadmills, so you just have to use the built in workouts. The smooth has a decent LCD screen which shows you what you need to know, but it’s not anywhere as fancy as the Proform’s display.

Other than that, let’s take a look at the specs.

Although the Proform looks like it may offer more. The Smooth is my choice in this round. The Smooth has a better warranty, better design, is quieter, stronger, and feels better. Although I will miss the Ifit, the Smooth wins the round.

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