After Testing More Than 50, We Found The 10 Best Folding Treadmills for Your Home (2024)

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is one of the best cardio machines for the price—in fact, we gave this machine perfect ratings on durability, customizations, ergonomics, tech capabilities, conveniences, and dynamic programming.

Not only do you get a 10-inch touchscreen with which you can view iFIT programming, but this foldable treadmill has dual functionality—it has both incline and decline options. Want to pretend you’re running downhill? Sure, sounds good! Interested in training for a big hike you have coming up? Yup, the Commercial 1750 has you covered there, too.

Several members of our team have used the 1750 for workouts that include long runs and sprint workouts, and we’re all equally impressed with its capabilities and overall feel.

“Even after personally using more than two dozen treadmills, the 1750 is still my favorite,” says Kate Meier, GGR senior director of content and two-time marathon runner. “The cushioning feels great, and the iFIT programming with automatic trainer control makes for incredibly smooth workouts.”

If you’re a serious runner, the 1750 is a great option to consider. The 3.5 CHP motor is above what you’d want for a solid running treadmill (I’d expect at least a 3.0 CHP motor) and doesn’t shake even if you’re going pretty hard. “The deck is well-cushioned, with “runner’s flex” cushioning allowing you to soften impact on your joints or simulate road running,” Lindsay Scheele, CPT, expert tester, and lead reviewer on GGRE says.

If you’re someone who likes interactive programming, iFIT has great classes that are fun and easy to follow. You do get a free 30-day trial period when you purchase the 1750, but after that it’ll cost you—$396 per year for a family plan, $39 per month for a family plan, or $180 per year for an individual plan. 

RELATED: iFIT Review

The 1750 has all the bells and whistles you’d hope for on a nicer treadmill. Expect to see Bluetooth connectivity, a holder for your water bottle, device holder, extra storage, speakers, and two fans to keep you cool while you workout. 

One important note: This treadmill is a mammoth, earning a 3 out of 5 in our footprint and portability category. Even though it can be folded up and stored away, it is a process, as the treadmill deck itself is heavy. Not only is the 1750 upwards of 350 pounds, but it also has a very large footprint. If you have a small apartment or limited space, this might not be the foldable treadmill for you. Our equipment testers measured the “felt weight” on the axis of the machine using the wheels to move it and found that it weighed about 71.3 pounds, well over the average amount.  

“I personally assembled this, and it took me about 90 minutes,” Kate says, earning it a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5 in assembly. “It requires two people to attach the console with all the wiring and to add the hydraulics equipment under the deck. Using your own socket wrench and screwdriver is advisable!”

Check out our full NordicTrack 1750 Treadmill review. 

If you like what the Commercial 1750 has to offers but you’re looking for a less expensive option, check out the Horizon 7.4 AT treadmill—it’s about $700 cheaper and provides many of the same benefits.

If you love the latest technology combined with a very solidly constructed piece of equipment, you’ll likely love one of the best smart treadmills, the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill, which we rated an overall 4.5 out of 5 score. “This machine has a ton of great features for a really respectable price,” explains GGRE lead reviewer and CPT Lindsay Scheele. “It’s up there in my list of favorite treadmills!”

With a gleaming 22-inch screen and compatible iFIT programming, this treadmill hits all the marks for an excellent smart compact treadmill. iFIT compatibility means you can run through gorgeous beaches or mountains (virtually, of course) while the machine automatically adjusts your incline/decline and speed.

Kate Meier, GGR’s head of content, gave this machine a 4.5 out of 5 for its technology. “I’m docking it because it struggled to connect with the WiFi, and I couldn’t get it to connect to iFIT,” Kate says. “However, months later, once we did some additional troubleshooting, we were able to get it up and running.”

The ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill has a 3.6 CHP motor and 12 different speed options, which means you can feel good about jogging, running, sprinting, or even doing intervals. When Kate tested this treadmill, she was very pleased with its durability. “It felt pretty stable even when I had the incline level up and was sprinting,” she says.

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The Pro 9000 features both incline and decline options (-3% to 12%), which is ideal for runners who want to simulate outdoor exercise or people training for a hilly race. This helped it earn a 5 out of 5 in customizations.

Kate assembled the ProForm Pro 9000 herself, and she said it took less than an hour. “It definitely requires two people: one to hold the console while the other attaches the wiring, and one person has to hold up the deck so the other can attach the hydraulics,” she says. “Have a socket wrench handy! It sped up the process.” You can also choose professional assembly for an additional cost of $199.

The customer service, in our experience, was surprisingly not stellar. Although the ProForm website does have a live chat option, they often refer you to a separate email or phone number and don’t really answer your questions. When we emailed the brand, it took them almost a week to respond, which isn’t great if you need tech support or assistance with another urgent matter.

Read all our thoughts on the ProForm Pro 9000 Treadmill. 

If you like iFIT, we’d also suggest looking at the NordicTrack Commercial 1750—it is a bit more expensive, but the deck is a bit larger ,which can make for a more comfortable user experience.

The Bowflex Treadmill 10 is a great option for those on the taller side who have a long stride. Why? For starters, its running deck is an incredibly spacious 60 inches long by 22 inches wide, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 in adjustability and ergonomics. It’s among the biggest belts on a machine like this, and it’s suitable for even people over 6 feet, as we have tall testers on our team who have taken it for a spin.

Coop Mitchell, founder of GGR, rated this machine a 3.7 out of 5 overall, which is above average in our eyes. “This is a comfortable treadmill to use. The belt has shock absorption, it’s a wide and long deck that should work for any stride,” he says. “It’s big, but that allows for a lot of features. Reminds me of a Buick Car.”

Features include an impressive -5% decline to 15% incline, speed range of 0 to 12 MPH, Bluetooth speakers and heart rate monitor, and HD touchscreen that is adjustable. When we tested the Bowflex 10, the screen didn’t tilt. In fact, Coop said, “I’m knocking a point off the tech score here, because the screen doesn’t tilt and it’s annoying to have to look down at a small screen when running or walking.” However, it appears Bowflex has since updated the machine to include an adjustable screen.

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We really like the durability of this machine. It has a max user weight of 400 pounds, which accommodates a range of runners (and walkers and joggers). In our testing, we sprinted hard on the Treadmill 10, and we didn’t notice hardly any wobble at all.

This machine has a built-in 10-inch touchscreen that is compatible with JRNY, the interactive programming that Bowflex uses. One cool feature about JRNY is that, if you pay for the subscription, you can also stream your favorite apps, like Netflix and Disney+. That’s a feature that you won’t find on many treadmills today.

There are a few downsides to this machine; for example, its price tag is over $2,000, though financing is available. And while it does fold, it still has a considerably large footprint and is quite heavy and hard to move. This leads to a 2.5 out of 5 in footprint and portability. “There’s a lot I like about this machine,” explains GGRE lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, “but this is one of the things I don’t like—it’s a big boy and it is just hard to move around.”

“The huge size isn’t good for the amount of space it takes up, obviously, but it does lead to a more stable device,” Coop adds. “If you’re planning on folding up your treadmille and moving it around a bunch, I wouldn’t recommend this one as the wheels are pretty small and don’t roll well on carpet.”

Learn more in our full Bowflex Treadmill 10 review.

Another great option for tall runners is the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, which also has a 60″ x 22″ deck, but can be moved around a bit easier.

Calling all HIIT treadmill workout enthusiasts: The Horizon 7.4 AT Studio Treadmill is a great option for those who want to quickly change their speed or incline mid-run. The quick dial adjustment feature allows the runner to easily switch between speeds or inclines without wasting precious seconds off an all out sprint, earning this machine a 4.5 out of 5 in customizations and a 4.2 out of 5 overall.

“The quick dial adjustments make customizing this thing a breeze,” says Anthony O’Reilly, expert product tester and performance editor at GGR. “The custom interval keys are also great for designing your own workouts, which is something you don’t always see on treadmills.”

With a 3.5 CHP motor, the 7.4 hits well above the industry standard for a powerful motor that can withstand intense running. Whether you’re into steady state cardio or love to sprint, the Horizon 7.4 is able to support you. There are also 10 preset workout programs to choose from if you just want to hit a button and get your sweat on without much thought. 

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On the downside, this powerful treadmill is heavy and big. “Even folded, it takes up more than 3 feet in width, and close to 6 feet in height,” Anthony notes, giving it a 3.5 out of 5 for its footprint and portability.

While Anthony didn’t struggle too much to move this machine, he did note that it may not be easy for everyone because it’s more than 300 pounds assembled. As for our custom testing, its felt weight came in at 45.6 pounds when folded (39 pounds unfolded). In terms of assembly, we put this together ourselves, and it took more than an hour. With a heavy treadmill does come the benefit of an increased user weight capacity. The Horizon 7.4 can hold a runner (or walker) of up to 350 pounds, which is above average for a treadmill.

If you’re someone who needs or wants interactive programming, it isn’t built in to this machine. However, you can stream apps like iFIT or Peloton on your device and watch it while using the 7.4. You’re definitely paying for the quality of the machine and not all the technology extras.

Like the idea of the Horizon 7.4 AT but think it might be slightly out of your budget? No worries! Horizon makes a less expensive version called the Horizon 7.0 AT. At just $999, this machine has the majority of the same features, but with some caveats. Although both decks clock in at 60 inches long, which is generous, the Horizon 7.0 has a 20-inch deck width versus the 7.4’s 22-inch deck width.

The Horizon 7.0 also is slightly less heavy with a lower max weight capacity of 325 pounds. Lastly, the lifetime frame warranty is consistent between the two, but the parts and labor warranties are slightly reduced for the 7.0.

Check out our full Horizon 7.4 AT review.

For home gym owners who want one of the best treadmills for walking, look no further than the Sole F63 Treadmill. The stats alone are impressive: It’s a foldable treadmill with incline, has a 3.0 CHP motor, and it has and a 60-inch long deck, which makes it an ideal option for those with a longer stride or people over 6 feet tall. Also, a 3.0 CHP motor means that if you want to use this treadmill for running, it can definitely accommodate you. This machine is the whole package and earned a score of 4.3 out of 5.

GGR senior director of content and running enthusiast Kate Meier assembled and used the Sole F63 over the course of a week. She noted that walking workouts were fantastic, though “It shakes when you run on it,” she says. “It’s not a deal-breaking shake, but isn’t smooth, either.”

Sole Fitness offers a lifetime warranty on both the motor and frame. It also has cushioning on the running deck to “help reduce the impact on joints by 40%” as claimed by the Sole website. We can’t tell you if it actually does reduce joint impact, but Kate said liked it and found it comfortable to use. She rated the Sole a 4.5 out of 5 for ergonomics thanks to the feel of the belt and the fact that this is a roomy deck at 20 inches wide by 60 inches long.

Although there isn’t a fancy touchscreen to view workout classes on, there is an LCD display that shows you things like heart rate, incline, speed, and preset programs. All Sole treadmills now connect to Studio, which provides interactive programming, though it requires a subscription. The F63 even comes with a free heart rate monitor strap, which is a nice extra that can be connected to the treadmill. 

For being a budget option, the F63 really shines with its extras. Expect to see Bluetooth speakers, a cooling fan, USB port for charging devices, and an integrated tablet holder. “I was surprised at the quality of the speakers and how easy they were to connect with my phone,” Kate says.

While this treadmill is a great budget foldable option, it isn’t perfect. Note that it doesn’t fold flat, and it’s still a large machine, weighing more than 250 pounds. Therefore, it isn’t easy to move around your space. Our testers also struggled to determine an accurate felt weight when moving the folded machine, but it appeared to be over 100 pounds.

Read more about this great machine in our in-depth Sole F63 Treadmill review.

If you’re looking for a more compact walking treadmill, we recommend that you check out the Echelon Stride 6, which folds completely flat to slide under a bed or couch.

If you’re searching for a folding treadmill for small spaces, the Echelon Fitness Stride 6 is a great choice. The footprint unfolded is smaller than most treadmills, but the real draw for this machine is the depth when folded. Capable of folding completely in half, the Stride 6 is a solid option for people who need to store their treadmill vertically or against the wall. It earns a 5 out of 5 in our footprint and portability category.

GGR senior director of content and two-time marathon runner Kate Meier has had the original Echelon Stride — which shares many of the same features as the Stride 6 — on her screened-in porch for about a year. “I love that I can fold it up and put it against the wall when I’m not using it,” she says. “It would also fit under my bed if I ever decide to bring it in the house.”

Kate says the Stride incredibly easy to fold (“you push a button on the handles and step on a lever on the side, and it’s down”). While we haven’t tested the Stride 6, Echelon’s website shows it also has this feature.

We rated this machine a 3.5 out of 5 overall, and while there are plenty of upsides, there are some downsides as well. At just under $1,700, we would’ve liked a touchscreen display to view interactive programming. However, there is a device holder where you can put your smartphone to watch Netflix or follow along with a workout.

Although this small foldable treadmill doesn’t have a built-in screen, you can connect your own smart device to the Echelon United programming. This costs $39.99 per month and gives you access to thousands of classes including treadmill runs, yoga, strength training, and cycling. 

The motor isn’t very powerful – at 2.5 CHP, this is less than the 3.0 CHP minimum we recommend for people who plan on running on the treadmill at least 3-4 times a week. However, we would recommend the Stride 6 to someone looking for a decent treadmill for casual running and walking workouts. Kate has run on the original Stride more than a dozen times and says it feels “sturdy enough.”

This is one of the few treadmills that gets a perfect score from us on assembly. The treadmill comes completely assembled, aside from plugging in the emergency stop. All you have to do is unfold it and move it.

Kate says the original Echelon Stride took her less than 10 minutes to get running once she got it out of the box. Check out our full original Echelon Stride review for more.

Check out the Urevo 2 in 1 under desk treadmill for the same compact frame at an even more affordable price.

Tight on space and on money? The UREVO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill is a great solution for both issues at under $400 and with a folded footprint of 54.7 inches by 26.4 inches by 5.1 inches, earning this machine a 4 out of 5 for value.

I personally used this Urevo treadmill and found it extremely easy to move around because it’s only 59 pounds. In fact, I made the comment during testing that you could store this in your car if you needed to, it’s that compact. We scored the footprint and portability category a 5 out of 5.

This lends itself to being a great option for people who need to move their machine from room to room without much strain. I’d go so far as to say this is the best small folding treadmill for most people who just want to walk—particularly those in search of the best under-desk treadmill.

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I would recommend using the UREVO only for walking, unless you have a really short stride. I’m 5’9” and had to make a conscious effort to shorten my stride to avoid falling off this treadmill while jogging. That’s one of the reasons I gave this machine just a 3 out of 5 on ergonomics. This treadmill has a really small deck. At 16.9 inches by 42.5 inches, the UREVO is hitting well below the expected standard of at least a 50-inch long deck (although preferably for running, you want it above 55 inches). 

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The motor of the UREVO is impressive (for the price) at 2.5 CHP. If only the deck was longer and wider, this treadmill would be a good option for consistent jogging. I do like that you’re able to fold down the handle to stick this compact machine under a standing desk, which is super convenient for those of us who work from home. 

I know I struggle to always hit my daily step goal, especially if I’m swamped at work. The UREVO can help keep you moving throughout the day at a slow and steady pace. Although the machine does have a max speed of 7.6 MPH, I wasn’t able to run at that pace due to the length of the deck. However, that doesn’t mean the treadmill isn’t a good buy. In fact, I think it does exactly what it was designed to do: be a great budget compact treadmill ideal for walking. 

Check out my full UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill review.  

If you haven’t already, check out the Echelon Stride 6; although it’s quite a bit more expensive, it has a higher weight capacity and speed range.

What you see is what you get with the GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill, which is why it’s a great choice for beginners with a 3.5-out-of-5 rating—a good blend of price and capabilities. Yeah, it doesn’t have many of the fancy tech features that more expensive options have, but when you’re first getting started, you don’t need any of those.

Coop Mitchell, founder of GGR, gave it a 4 out of 5 on workout performance. “It’s a simple device that just works,” he says. “I use it for a couple hours every day during the work week, and I don’t have to think about it.”

To be clear, this isn’t a good choice if you’re looking to work on your running form. For one, the max speed is only 8 MPH and due to its compact nature there’s not much running surface. But you have to learn how to walk before you can run, and you’ll certainly be able to do that on this treadmill.

If you’re someone who works from home, you’ll be happy to know that this treadmill can fit under a desk so you can get a quick jaunt in during your next Zoom meeting.

We should note that this treadmill comes with optional handlebars, but you can’t fold the treadmill if you add those on so it kind of defeats the purpose. And it doesn’t have the gas shock folding mechanism that other folding treadmills have, but because it’s so small that won’t be much of a problem.

Read our full GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill review for more thoughts on this machine.

Also, check out the Echelon Stride 6; although it’s quite a bit more expensive, it has a higher weight capacity and speed range.

We typically don’t think you should go cheap on gym equipment, because it usually means you’ll be sacrificing quality. However, if you’re counting your pennies to buy one of the best budget treadmills, you’ll likely appreciate the XTERRA TR150. On Amazon, you can purchase this ultra-budget friendly machine for around $400 with free shipping. This machine earned an overall score of 3.5 out of 5, and shines in the footprint and portability category at 4 out of 5 and in the warranty category at a 4 out of 5, which we’ll touch on below.

Coop, founder of GGR and expert product tester, used this machine himself and noted its value. “Currently around $350 for a treadmill that goes up to 10 MPH,” he says. “If you plan on walking or lightly jogging and not putting a TON of use on it, I don’t mind recommending it.”

Obviously, with a really inexpensive option like the TR150, you’ll be sacrificing some features like a longer deck length or a built-in display. The TR150 earned a 2 out of 5 for adjustability and ergonomics and technology, though, as Coop points out, bare bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“I like the simplicity,” he says. “It’s easy to assemble, as it took us just 30 minutes. And it’s easy to use, not at all complicated to just get on and go.”

We love the lifetime frame warranty XTERRA has on the TR150. It makes me feel like the brand is confident in their product and durability.

Something to be aware of: the lack of gas shock on the folding mechanism. Hide yo kids, hide yo poodles, because this can be dangerous if they’re around. This doesn’t mean don’t purchase this machine, but be aware of your surroundings when lowering the deck to the ground. You won’t be able to just release the deck and let it drop, because it will slam to the floor. Pro tip: gently lower the deck to the floor, and don’t let any little hands or paws around.

Check out our full XTERRA Fitness TR150 review.

We like the ProForm Carbon TLX overall, rating it a 3.75 out of 5. We particularly like it for seniors due to the low step-up height of 7.75 inches, which makes it easier to get on and off for those with mobility issues. The Carbon TLX also has the company’s “ProShox” cushioning, which provides some shock absorption, but our tester Lindsay Scheele, CPT and lead reviewer on GGRE, wasn’t too impressed with it (more on that below).

However, I’ve had ankle reconstruction surgery, and I felt fine using machines with this type of cushioning, so I think it could be a good option for anyone looking to protect their legs and knees on a budget.

Another reason we like the Carbon TLX for seniors is due to the EasyLift assist technology. Even though this treadmill weighs a whopping 249 pounds, folding and unfolding it is a breeze and the gas shock means you won’t hear it slam on the ground when you’re ready to use it. You simply pull a knob on the side of the machine, raise or lower the deck, and you’re in business. Using a luggage scale, our testers were able to determine the felt weight—when folded and tilted on its axis—to be about 67.3 pounds.

If you’re a senior who still loves to run, and we mean really go at it, you might want to look for a treadmill with more durable cushioning. “For a budget-friendly treadmill, it was fine,” says certified personal trainer and Garage Gym Reviews Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, who rated the ergonomics a 3.5 out of 5 in our ProForm Carbon TLX review.

One flaw is that the Carbon TLX doesn’t come with floor stabilizers, and for that reason should also not be placed on carpet. But if you’re just using it to walk or go on indoor jogs, it’ll do just fine.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Urevo 2 in 1 under desk treadmill, which is only about $300.