Best Under-Desk Treadmills 2025: Tested by Trainers Over 2 Years

If you live in a studio apartment but still want to get in on the under-desk treadmill craze, the WalkingPad P1 might be the best choice for you. This machine folds completely in half sandwich-style, coming in at just 32.5 inches long (56.37 inches when in use), 21.5 inches wide, and 5 tall. It earned a 4.5 out of 5 on footprint and portability, only losing a half-point because it weighs 62 pounds so some people may struggle with moving it from room to room.

This makes it an excellent option for people who need to be able to store this machine when it isn’t being used. There’s also no assembly required, earning it a 5 out of 5 for delivery and setup, and despite not having the strongest motor has withstood regular use for more than two years.

Nicole, along with her marathon-loving husband, found the WalkingPad P1 works well for people of various heights and weights.

“It feels pretty sizable, although a bit slimmer than a regular treadmill,” Nicole explains in our full WalkingPad Review. “It’s comfortable for me, but my husband has also used it comfortably and he’s 6 foot, 2 inches.”

The WalkingPad P1 has foot-sensing controls, although Nicole found it easier to stay in manual mode. I’m personally intrigued by the idea of the foot controls. According to the WalkingPad’s product page, the machine will go faster if you step towards the front of the deck, slower if you step in the back, and stay at a consistent speed if you’re walking in the middle. Nicole rated the workout experience a 4 out of 5, docking a point because the remote is finicky (and as of this writing has stopped working).

Nicole did note that the machine’s motor seemed to lag slightly when her 200-pound husband used the machine versus herself. This isn’t particularly surprising considering the motor only has one horsepower. For reference, on a typical treadmill, we’d expect to see anywhere between a 2.5 to 3.0 horsepower motor.

Lastly, the maximum speed is 4 MPH—so as the name suggests, this is for walking and not running.

If you’re looking for a similarly-sized under-desk treadmill that offers a little more speed and a stronger motor, we recommend the UREVO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill. It goes up to 7.6 MPH and has a 2.5 horsepower motor.

We also have a review of the latest WalkingPad model, the WalkingPad C2, but just to cut to the chase, the OG version is our top choice when it comes to walking pads.

Need a quiet treadmill to get your steps in? Former GGR Senior Staff Writer and certified personal trainer Lauren Strong uses the smaller version of the LifeSpan TR1200, the TR1000, in her 900-square-foot home with her husband, and he’s never once heard this under-desk treadmill’s motor. Lauren also uses this treadmill during virtual work meetings, though this writer has never once heard a peep out of this cardio machine.

“I feel so relieved to have the ability to take steps and increase my heart rate while I work,” Lauren explains.

For those reasons, we rated it a 5 out of 5 for workout experience (because nobody likes to run or walk on a loud treadmill). This is due to the 2.25 CHP motor, which is much more powerful than what you typically see in an under-desk treadmill. A better motor not only means less noise and quicker speeds, but it also ensures this treadmill will last much longer than other picks. The powerful motor, along with a 350-pound weight capacity, also makes this our top pick for the best under-desk treadmill for a heavy person.

“It also has six independent compression shocks, which are designed to absorb the impact and lessen the noise from walking,” Lauren notes in her LifeSpan TR1000-DT3 GlowUp Under Desk Treadmill review. The TR1200 is identical to Lauren’s treadmill in terms of motor size and deck width; the belt is nearly 10 inches longer though, sitting at 48.43 inches. That size of deck should work for most tall people, too. While that’s still shorter than a typical treadmill, we’ll give the TR1200 a 3.5 out of 5 for ergonomics since this is still impressive for an under-desk model.

It should be noted, however, that if you want a powerful motor and shocks, you’re going to have to pay for it—and in the case of this under-desk treadmill that means shelling out nearly $1,500 (it costs $1,299 before taxes). Yes, that’s much more expensive than our other options but as we’ve mentioned it’s going to work better and last longer than cheaper under-desk treadmills. Overall, we give it a value rating of 4 out of 5.

For those who still want a quiet treadmill at a lower price tag, we recommend the Goplus Walking Pad With Incline.

There are two main reasons why our group of certified personal trainers and semi-professional athletes picked the Sunny Health and Fitness WalkStation Slim as our favorite under-desk treadmill for walkers. To start, it worked just as well in my carpeted bedroom as it did on hardwood, so you can use it in any room of the house. Secondly, the 1.5 Peak HP motor held up to six hours of continuous use during my company’s infamous Meetings Monday. We rated the workout experience a solid 4 out of 5, taking a point off because the 39-inch deck may be too short for taller people’s stride.

I was the lucky person who tested the Sunny Health and Fitness WalkStation Slim (you can read more about my experience with it in our Sunny Health and Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill review), which materialized at my doorstep in under a week after ordering. My roommate described the box it comes in as “coffin-shaped,” but that worked just fine for me since the treadmill arrived fully assembled, earning it a 5 out of 5 on footprint and portability.

Plus, the WalkStation Slim is really easy to move from one room to another. I was able to easily utilize the included transport wheels to move my machine into the living room to watch television.

I was also intrigued by the automatic machine-shut-off feature. If you hop off the deck while the WalkStation Slim is moving, the treadmill will automatically come to a halt. The feature makes the WalkStation safer for kids and pets to be around, even when you’re having an air-head moment and forget to turn the machine off. 

It is worth noting that the emergency safety clip was too short to be useful for me. However, for those around 5 feet 4 inches tall, like my roommate, likely won’t have this issue. I think the brand just needs to extend the attached string to eliminate this concern for taller folks. 

Another thing to consider is the weight capacity. At just 220 pounds, this weight capacity certainly wouldn’t make this the most inclusive under-desk treadmill. On traditional treadmills, we typically expect to see a weight capacity of 300 pounds, so I was hopeful to see a number close to this standard. That led to a construction and durability score of just 3.5 out of 5.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation has no preset workout programs. We recommend the REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill for anyone looking for guided workouts, or those who want a foldable treadmill that fits neatly under their desk.

The MERACH T21 Under-Desk Treadmill is an excellent choice for folks on a budget. Priced under $300 (it currently goes for $279.99), you may be able to find it for even cheaper during sale periods. Plus, the MERACH website offers payment options through Klarna and PayPal. From a value perspective, we give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We know price isn’t everything—treadmills also have to function well. We haven’t yet tested the MERACH Under-Desk Treadmill T21, but we have experience testing and scoring other MERACH cardio equipment. 

RELATED: MERACH 950 Rower Review

We like the fact the MERACH under-desk treadmill has five layers of shock-absorbing silicone to reduce the impact walking has on your joints, which we think is helpful for anyone who wants to walk for long periods of time at their desk. Based on our experience testing all types of tread materials, we feel comfortable giving this a 4 out of 5 for durability.

The machine has a wireless remote that allows you to start, stop, and change speeds. You’ll be able to see your speed, time, distance, and calories displayed with an easy-to-read LED screen integrated into the motor hood. Plus, MERACH has a free fitness app that can sync your workout metrics to your phone, plus classes, personalized workouts, and scenic walks. These conveniences earn a rock-solid 4.5 out of 5 rating and should allow you to get the most out of this well-priced walking pad.

While the older T19 only allowed for users up to 220 pounds, the the newer T21 boasts a more robust 265-pound weight capacity. Plus, MERACH upgraded from a 2.25 HP motor to a 2.5 HP motor, which we expect to keep up with continuous walking at a moderate to vigorous pace.

However, if you’re looking for a walking pad that can double as a running machine, this is not it. The max speed is 4.0 MPH, which caters to a light jog more than a full-stride run.

For an under-desk treadmill with higher speeds at a similar price, check out the UREVO Strol 2E.

The Goplus Walking Pad with Incline offers a manual incline adjustment to tilt the front foot pads upward for a customized under-desk walking experience. We like that this Goplus under-desk treadmill has the option because most of the under-desk treadmills we’ve tested don’t have incline settings or come with a fixed incline. Right off the bat, we give it 4 out of 5 for adjustability and ergonomics.

On this Goplus treadmill, the front adjustable foot pads can be tilted up to 2 degrees. While that may not seem like much, we think it’s just enough to help stimulate the glutes and hamstrings. Anthony O’Reilly, former GGR performance editor and expert product tester, says, “It won’t be not nearly as challenging as a 12-3-30 workout, but you’ll be able to feel the difference compared to most other under-desk treadmills.” 

Our team has extensively tested the under-desk machine we featured in our Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill review, but we have not yet assessed the Goplus Walking Pad with Incline. That said, there are many similar features on both models and we enjoyed our experience with the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill. 

Both machines have a 2.25 horsepower motor, which is powerful enough to sustain fast walking speeds for long periods of time, making it one of the best durable under-desk treadmills. However when Coop Mitchell, GGR founder and expert tester, uses the Goplus 2-in-1 treadmill, he notices the motor will lag if you stand on the deck before giving it a chance to start. This wasn’t a dealbreaker, and Coop has learned to start the treadmill with his feet on the side rails. 

“For the price, I think the durability matches,” he explains, scoring the Goplus 2-in-1 treadmill 2.5 out of 5 for durability. “I use it for a couple hours everday during the work week and I don’t have to think about it.”

RELATED: Best Treadmill for Tall Runners

We mention this because you may experience a similar situation should you buy the Goplus Walking Pad with Incline. This treadmill has a 265-pound user weight capacity and a 38.5-inch-long running deck, which may not work for tall or heavy folks. However, with a sub-$200 price tag and incline training ability, it’s still a solid budget-friendly option. We’ll give it a 4 out of 5 for value, which is about the same as Coop gave the Goplus 2-in-1 (4.25 out of 5).

“I don’t think the data is very accurate, but for a treadmill I can put under my desk and walk while I work, it fits the needs extremely well at a great price,” he says.

For those who don’t mind a fixed incline and want something a little more compact, check out the Egofit Walker. You can read our full Egofit Walker review for our full thoughts.

If you want the best foldable treadmill that won’t bust budget, check out the inexpensive UREVO Strol 2E Smart Treadmill, which is an updated version of the UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill. This portable machine is under $370 and available on good ole’ Amazon. The 2.5 CHP motor packs an impressive punch that most smaller under-desk treadmills do not and goes up to 7.6 miles per hour. Consider me impressed. Plus, the 265-pound user weight capacity is pretty decent compared to others at this price—we gave it a 5 out of 5 on value for those looking for a walking treadmill.

Another bonus: This treadmill allows for up to a 2% incline. That might not be much compared to a typical treadmill, but GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele believes the UREVO can still provide a tangible benefit.

“I think it’s enough to engage your glutes and hamstrings a little bit more,” she explains.

Although you should be wearing running shoes when using an under-desk treadmill, I do like that the UREVO has a non-slip belt. It made me feel like I had less of a chance of falling off, which is always a distinct possibility if you’re me. The belt is also constructed with five layers of rubber and Silica Gel, so you don’t feel like you’re plodding along on a rock-encrusted trail. From a construction standpoint, we give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

RELATED: How to Choose Running Shoes

I will say, don’t expect to actually use the device holder. Although the UREVO does have one, I wouldn’t trust my phone or iPad in it. This isn’t a huge deal, especially since most of us would likely be using it with the handle folded down under a standing desk.

“If you want to use this in front of the TV while watching a movie or something, you just want to have a handlebar for safety,” Lindsay points out. “You can go ahead and use that handlebar, or fold it back down to use it under your desk and then be able to easily store it.

It earned a 5 out of 5 on footprint and portability. Honestly, it could be taken on a road trip and stored in someones car since it’s only 42 inches long and 16 inches wide and folds completely flat.

The one-year warranty isn’t particularly surprising for the price, but it is worth noting anyway. You may end up purchasing another under-desk treadmill within a few years (especially if you’re using yours every single day), but it is simply par for the course. Still, with its low price, this is still one of the best under-desk treadmills for beginners.

Read our entire UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill review.

Looking for something around the same price that’s a bit more compact? So long as you’re OK with staying under 4 MPH, we’d recommend the Sunny Health & Fitness WalkStation Slim.