The best walking treadmills offer an easy and convenient great way to hit your daily step goal. Getting enough exercise may be difficult when you live a busy lifestyle, but a walking treadmill — which can fit under a desk — can boost your cardiovascular fitness and keep you active even you are working in front of a computer.
Walking treadmills are generally cheaper and more compact than some of the best treadmills. These exercise machines can also increase your NEAT (the energy you burn from everyday tasks like walking and fidgeting), which makes them useful for weight loss. That is because higher NEAT can help you achieve a calorie deficit (meaning you are using more energy than you’re consuming). According to a 2021 systematic review published in the journal BMC Public Health, using a treadmill desk “increases energy expenditure and metabolic rate and reduces sitting time”.
At Live Science, we have tested some of the best walking treadmills on the market to see which ones are worth your money, and which ones do not live up to the hype. As a fairly new innovation, we found even the premium models left something to be desired, but they will still allow you to feel the benefits of a more active working day. We completed several walking sessions on each machine and made note of their maximum speeds and available features. Here are the models we recommend in 2024.
The quick list
See the quick list below for a short overview of our favorite walking treadmills, or scroll further down for more detailed reviews of each machine.
The best walking treadmill overall
The foldable Mobvoi treadmill features a sturdy and functional build, space-saving design and great value for money, making it the best walking treadmill we have tested.
Best budget walking treadmill
This no-frills walking treadmill is a great way to hit your step count without breaking the bank — and it comes with its own fitness app and a watch-like remote.
Best walking treadmill for small spaces
Lightweight, compact and stylish, the WalkingPad C2 is small enough to fit under the desk, but it did not impress us with its speed and walking sensors.
The best walking treadmills we recommend in 2024
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The best walking treadmill overall
✅ You want a multi-purpose treadmill: You can use it both for walking and running (not sprints, though).
✅ You are looking for a space-saving design: The Mobvoi treadmill is compact and foldable.
✅ You shop on a budget: It is surprisingly affordable.
❌ You want the frills: This Mobvoi treadmill features only basic functions.
❌ You are a bigger user: It has a narrow belt and no cushioning.
Users rated this walking treadmill 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon and praised the model for its great quality, sturdy build, and value for money. Some users were not convinced that the Mobvoi was durable, but these opinions were few and far between.
If you’re looking for a bargain without compromising quality, the Mobvoi home treadmill is a steal. It’s sleek and compact, doesn’t eat up valuable floor space, and allows you to clock up 12km/h of speed. We know this doesn’t exactly scream ‘PB’, but it's the highest speed of the models we tested (and many others in the same price bracket) — which is why we rated it a respectable 4 stars in our Mobvoi Home Treadmill review.
The Mobvoi came through testing as our top-rated walking treadmill and marries walking pads with traditional treads quite nicely. The foldable design provides easy storage for space-savers, and there’s no need for construction know-how either. The model comes ready-made as an under-desk walking pad, and you can simply flip the side lever to lift the riser bar up, transforming it into a treadmill.
While we can’t speak for durability from our short testing window, the model does feel surprisingly sturdy with no unsettling jerking or wobbling motions. The riser houses a bright LED dashboard with quick touch controls for speed, an attachable phone holder, and screw-in handlebars. There’s also an additional metric tracking display on the treadmill base that can be controlled via the handy remote. The belt itself felt a little thin underfoot, indicating a lack of cushioning, and it was narrow to stand on which could feel quite suffocating if you’re a bigger user.
You’re not going to be awestruck by high-tech features, but the Mobvoi does have Bluetooth connectivity and brilliant quality inbuilt speakers. The machine only ranked 65 dB for noise at its highest speed, so you can rest assured that the neighbors won’t be banging down your door anytime soon.
- Read our full Mobvoi Home Treadmill review
Best budget walking treadmill
✅ You want fitness classes and walking challenges: This model comes with a wrist-like remote and a handy fitness app.
✅ You shop on a budget: It is often under $400.
❌ You want to run on it, too: This Bluefin treadmill does not offer high speeds.
❌ You are tall: It has quite a short and narrow belt.
Users rated this walking treadmill a 3.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon. The model is popular for its easy setup and slim design, but some found it heavy and reported a fault in the belt after purchase — although this doesn’t seem to be a common occurrence.
Looking to simply up your step count? Then yes, invest in this basic machine. The Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0 Treadmill has a pretty old-fashioned and basic look compared to the Mobvoi Home Treadmill and a slightly lower max speed of 8km/h (geared more towards power walking), but it’s one of the more techy models we tested. If you’re keen on cash-saving and low on storage, picking a Bluetooth-enabled tread with a small footprint and access to a fitness app isn’t a bad move.
Similar to the Mobvoi, a quick flip of the riser bar whips you from a walking pad into treadmill mode, and you can transport the machine with fuss-free ease. The belt is a little narrower than we expected and just long enough to stretch your legs. During our Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0 Treadmill review, our 5”2 tester was short enough to use it comfortably, but bigger or taller users might want to measure out the dimensions first.
There are some nice touches on the machine. An LED screen located on the base of the machine flashes up metrics that are controlled with a remote that snaps onto your wrist like a watch. The Bluefin is also fitted with six preset workouts that you can select from using the watch, but these only work between interval speeds of 1-8km/h and might not offer enough intensity for some users. Other features include a tablet holder that fits to the top of the riser, inbuilt speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and access to the Kinomap fitness app (downloadable via your smart device) for access to a range of walking challenges and workouts. What you can do with 8km/h of speed, however, is on you.
If you’re concerned about price, this model might fit the bill.
- Read our full Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0 Treadmill
Best walking treadmill for small spaces
✅ You are short on floor space: This model is small, compact and foldable.
✅ You are tall: It has a relatively long belt, so you can stride with ease.
❌ You want to run on it, too: This walking pad does not offer high speeds.
❌ You are shopping on a budget: It often costs more than $600.
Users rated the WalkingPad a 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon. They were impressed by the neat and compact design. However, some users had difficulties with the remote; they also found the app unstable and not user-friendly.
It’s worth noting that the Kingsmith WalkingPad C2 (sometimes called the S1) is solely a walking pad and doesn’t transition into a traditional-looking treadmill like the Mobvoi Home Treadmill or Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0 Treadmill. It’s definitely the sleekest and most stylish looking model of the bunch and boasts an unassuming and modest footprint that makes it perfect for tight office spaces and slick city apartments. If you’re seeking something lightweight and compact to flip open and slip under your office desk, this walking pad definitely does that job.
In terms of setup, you only have to unfold the machine, snap it into place, and plug it in. On the surface, there’s not much else to this model; there’s a small LED screen located on the front of the belt that displays your live metrics, a handy remote control, and 6km/h of speed available to play with. You also have access to the KS Fit app which allows you to control the tread from your phone, plus Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity.
During our WalkingPad C2 review, our 5"2 tester found the belt unnervingly narrow and unstable to walk on without handlebars, which is a red flag for bigger users. We were impressed with the length of the pad though, which wasn’t far off Lifespan’s dimensions, as this allowed us to comfortably open up our stride.
We were pumped to test out this model's USP – automated user mode. When activated, the machine uses footfall motion sensors located in three parts of the belt to auto-adjust speed to your natural stride. This key feature puts you in control, but unfortunately, we found it unresponsive to our footfall and tricky to master. Unless you’re happy to jump off the machine every five seconds, you might want to stick to manual mode and save your energy.
The Kingsmith is at the pricier end of the range, coming in at just under $600. The ambitious and intuitive automated mode is most likely the reason, but in our opinion, the sensors and KS Fit app need improving to be worth the cash.
- Read our full WalkingPad C2 Review
How we tested
How do we test the best walking treadmills at Live Science?
We tested all treadmills in our purpose-built testing center (with the exception of Mobvoi, which was tested out at home). We completed several walking sessions on each machine, testing out their maximum speeds and all available features. After spending a day on each treadmill, we ranked it across the following categories:
- Set-up and usability
- Design and display
- Features
- Performance
- Value for money
These figures were used to calculate a final score out of five, and decide which machines made our roundup of the best walking treadmills.
Our expert
Nathan Kennedy is a fully qualified personal trainer, online coach and fitness expert. He has been in the fitness industry since 2005, attending the gym and competing in bodybuilding shows. Kennedy is also a representative for the sports nutrition brand Bio-Synergy. We spoke with him about the potential health benefits of walking treadmills.
More info
What should I look for in a walking treadmill?
Unlike the best treadmills, we don’t think walking models need to be packed to the rafters with fancy features like touchscreens and incline settings. After all, sending an email while facing a 40% gradient (offered by the impressive NordicTrack X22i) is no mean feat.
What we do ask of these machines is that they offer a stable walking surface that doesn’t wobble or shudder as you rack up the miles. You’ll also want a belt that allows you to stride without worrying about catching your feet on the side rails or the front of the machine.
If you want to use your walking treadmill while working, it needs to be compact and maneuverable so you can slip it underneath a standing desk, and you’ll want some sort of remote control so you can alter the speed from your workstation.
Finally, for most people, value for money is key. While you can spend four-figures on a walking treadmill, we actually found our favorite model wasn’t the most expensive. Make sure to read our individual reviews to work out which one has the features you need.
Can you lose weight walking on a treadmill?
Many people imagine sweaty exercise sessions and intense workouts when considering how to lose weight. But, in reality, low intensity exercise and activities usually account for far more of your daily calorie burn. Burning calories, as well as the right diet, can help you achieve a sustainable calorie or energy deficit which is the key principle behind weight loss (as stated by this study from the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism).
"Walking on a treadmill is a fantastic way of burning additional energy. If you’re new to the gym or if this is your only way to exercise you can still lose weight effectively. My advice would be to complete 60 minutes of walking on the treadmill daily if this is your only form of exercise. You’ll burn up to 300 calories per day helping you keep your energy burn for the day high." - Nathan Kennedy, qualified personal trainer and representative for sports nutrition specialists Bio-Synergy.
Non exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT, refers to calories burned during any activity that isn’t formal exercise. For example, walking, cleaning the house or even fidgeting. It is believed to be responsible for far more of your daily energy expenditure than exercise activity thermogenesis (EAT, or the calories burned through formal exercise) and increasing the amount you walk each day is a sure-fire way to give this figure a significant boost. So, by using a walking treadmill, you can increase your daily calorie burn and achieve a calorie deficit, leading to weight loss.
"There are a couple of things to consider when walking on a treadmill," said Kennedy. "Walking on a treadmill with zero incline is easier than walking outside due to less friction and wind resistance, so to get the most out of it maybe raise the incline up a little.
"Walking on a treadmill leads to better overall balance, better balance is not just useful for senior citizens to avoid falls. It can help people of all ages avoid injuries too," he said.
