We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Workout Equipment and Subscriptions The 8 Best Under-Desk Treadmills To Walk While You Work, Tested and Reviewed Our editors tested under-desk treadmills for ease of use, foldability, comfort, and value. By Kelsey Kunik, RD Kelsey Kunik, RD Kelsey has been a registered dietitian for 7 years, writing and creating content for brands and top tier outlets, inspiring people to embrace a healthy relationship with food, nutrition, and wellness. health's editorial guidelines Updated on December 3, 2024 Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, DPT Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, DPT Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. learn more Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Jessica Wrubel is an accomplished writer, copy editor, and fact checker, working for over 15 years for various publications owned by Tribune Publishing, The Arena Group, and Hearst Communications in the areas of Food, Health & Wellness, Travel, Lifestyle, Education, and Home Improvement. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Our Top Picks What We've Updated Under-Desk Treadmills That Didn’t Make Our List Our Testing Process Our Experts Factors to Consider in an Under-Desk Treadmill What’s the Difference Between a Walking Pad and an Under-Desk Treadmill? How Long Should You Walk on a Treadmill? Who We Are Health Experts agree that walking is one of the most beneficial exercises and one of the most accessible. Wan Na Chun, RDN, MPH, CPT, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer at One Pot Wellness, agrees, noting that walking is a low-impact, low-intensity exercise that can reduce blood pressure, improve insulin and blood sugar levels, support the immune system, and even help with digestion. But getting your steps in while working all day can sometimes be a struggle. Enter under-desk treadmills, which allow desk workers to reap all these benefits without requiring much time away from the office. Unlike regular running treads, under-desk models are typically smaller and more lightweight, allowing them to easily slide underneath a standing desk so you can work while you walk. To help sort through the many available options, we tested 21 under-desk treadmills for qualities including ease of setup and use, folding and storage, extra features, comfort, and value. When making your final selection, consider the size of your office, amount of storage space, budget, and desired features like incline or connectivity to your favorite health apps. A physical therapist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Overall (with High Incline): Lifepro Fitness PacerMini Pro Portable Treadmill Best Budget: UREVO Walking Pad Under Desk Treadmill Best High Weight Capacity: WalkingPad A1 Pro Foldable Under Desk Treadmill Best for Small Spaces: WalkingPad P1 Foldable Treadmill Best for Beginners: GOPLUS Under Desk Treadmill Best Basic: WalkingPad C2 Folding Treadmill Best with Medium Incline: Egofit Walker Pro-M1 Treadmill Best with Adjustable Incline: Sunny Health and Fitness Pacer Smart Compact Auto Incline Treadpad What We've Updated After completing additional testing, we updated our best overall pick from the Egofit Walker Pro-M1 Treadmill to the Lifepro Fitness PacerMini Pro Portable Treadmill and found that it scored better for noise and has an easier-to-read screen at a lower price point. The Egofit Walker Pro-M1 moved to be our favorite incline tread. The newly tested Urevo Spacewalk E1 Treadmill became our favorite budget under-desk treadmill. Its price beat our previous favorite budget model, the Sunny Health + Fitness Under Desk Treadmill and it was easier to transport and operate quietly. As we tested additional models, we added three new categories: best for beginners (a model that’s easy to use and set up), best with handrails, and best with incline, as these are not features most under-the-desk treadmills have. We removed the best with wheels category as all of our top picks have wheels for easy transport. The Editor's Take As an Editor for Health, former competitive runner and lifelong exercise enthusiast, I have spent many, many hours on treadmills. And over the course of my 15-year career as an editor and journalist, I’ve also spent way too much time sitting. I used to think I had to run for it to “count,” but research shows that moving—even just a little—throughout the day is just as important for your health (even if you also do cardio before or after work). In one study, those who sat for about three hours a day were 33% less likely to die of cardiovascular disease than people who sat for about seven hours a day. Registered dietitian and NASM-certified personal trainer Maxine Yeung says under-desk treadmills allow desk workers to meet their daily cardio exercise requirements without breaking up their workflow. Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPT, adds that under-desk treadmills can improve energy levels and cognitive function, increasing overall productivity. My uber-fit cousin raves about how much better she feels since she started using one (she has the UREVO Spacewalk E1—our “budget” pick below) and now that I’m currently in the process of setting up a new home office, I can’t wait to get one too! — Nicole Cherie Jones, Editor Best Overall (with High Incline) LifePro PacerMini Pro Treadmill PHOTO: Amazon $330 $264 at Amazon Why We Like It With a fixed incline of 7 degrees (burns calories faster!), adjustable handrail, remote control, and easy set-up and storage, the Lifepro Fitness PacerMini Pro Portable Treadmill is our top pick. It took us just 5 minutes to set up, which included simply finding a location and plugging it in. The adjustable handlebar helped us stay balanced if we wanted to use it without a desk, but at just 46 pounds, it was easy to wheel around the room and out of the way, or under our standing desk. To store this treadmill, all you have to do is lower the handlebar by turning knobs on each side y, and at just 32.7 inches long and just 25 inches wide, it’s compact enough to fit in a closet or under a bed, making it a great option for small office spaces with limited storage areas. You’ll need the remote control to change your speed, and we love that the treadmill has a spot to hold the remote in place, which keeps everything together during storage. As for the noise, we found this machine to be exceptionally quiet, with zero interruptions or distracting sounds while working and walking. It’s Worth Noting We felt comfortable walking at 2.5 mph, but given the short length of this treadmill, some may find walking any faster difficult, especially if you have a long stride. Product Details: Max Speed: 3 miles per hourIncline: Yes, fixed at 7%Weight Capacity: 220 poundsSize and Weight: 32.7 x 25 x 7 inches and 46 poundsFeatures: Lightweight, adjustable handlebar, fixed incline, very quiet PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Budget UREVO Walking Pad Under Desk Treadmill PHOTO: Amazon $190 $150 at Amazon Why We Like It The Urevo Spacewalk E1 Treadmill is a fantastic, no-frills basic walking pad at an accessible price point, making walking while working easy for any budget. We found this treadmill to be comfortable and easy to walk on, although jogging may not be as comfortable on it because it's thinner and has less shock absorption than traditional treadmills. While walking at slower speeds, the noise was minimal. It did get slightly louder the more briskly we walked, but no matter what speed we walked at, we were able to easily talk on the phone without the noise interfering. The display at the bottom of the screen is easy to read, with large red numbers showing the time, speed, distance, and calories burned. You can adjust the speed and turn the machine on and off with the basic remote that’s included. This model is the lightest weight treadmill on our list, at just 37.5 pounds, making it easier to transport and slide around than many other models, although it is 14 inches longer than the Lifepro and doesn’t fold into a more compact size like the WalkingPad models. It’s Worth Noting When increasing or decreasing speed, it jumps up or down inconsistently, making speed changes feel somewhat jarring. Product Details: Max Speed: 4 miles per hourIncline: NoWeight Capacity: 242 poundsSize and Weight: 46.57 x 19.29 x 4.45 inches and 37.5 poundsFeatures: Ultra-lightweight, digital display PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best High Weight Capacity WalkingPad A1 Pro Foldable Under Desk Treadmill PHOTO: WalkingPad $599 at Amazon View on Walkingpad.com View on Hsn.com Why We Like It WalkingPad A1 Pro desk treadmill's weight limit is higher than many other under-the-desk treadmills, accommodating people up to 300 pounds, making it a more inclusive option. It’s also unique due to its 180-degree folding capabilities and three running options: standby, manual, and automatic, all controlled by a remote that’s intuitive and straightforward to use. We found it light and easy to fold, even though the machine itself is quite heavy. The automatic feature speeds up or slows down based on where your feet are on the mat. Setting up this treadmill took less than 15 minutes once it was out of the box, and installing the app was also pretty quick and simple. The LED panel displays time, speed, distance, calories, and steps and is easy to see while walking. Walking on the treadmill felt nice under our feet, as it seemed to have a little give and bounce with each step—much smoother than walking on pavement. When it came to storage, folding the treadmill in half allowed it to fit under the desk, bed, or dresser. It’s also easy to store out of sight when not in use. It’s Worth Noting The higher price may only be worth it if you need the higher weight capacity combined with an ultra-compact design. When storing this treadmill, you’ll want to make sure you can store it in the same room as you’re using it, as even though it has wheels, we found it quite heavy and inconvenient to roll too far. Product Details: Max Speed: 3.7 miles per hourIncline: NoWeight Capacity: 300 poundsSize and Weight: 56.37 x 21.5 x 5 inches and 61.7 pounds (32.5 x 21.5 x 5 inches folded)Features: Foldable (super-compact), high weight limit, automatic or manual mode, digital display, app connectivity Best for Small Spaces WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill PHOTO: WalkingPad $399 at Amazon View on Walkingpad.com Why We Like It At first glance, this model looks like other under-desk treadmills, but its low profile and folding technology make it a superior space-saving selection. We found the treadmill easy to fold, and the wheels made it simple to move into place after storing it out of the way between uses. Even when unfolded, it’s easy to slide under a couch or stash in a closet. The pad itself feels comfortable under your feet when walking, and the length of the track is longer than many compact options, making it a good choice for people with a longer stride. Like the other WalkingPad model above, the WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Pad has an automatic setting that controls the speed based on where your feet land on the track. You can also change the speed via remote control, which has a screen that displays your walking data. It’s Worth Noting This treadmill jerked a bit when changing the speed, which was enough to catch us off guard while we were distracted with work. However, it shouldn’t be an issue if you know it’s coming. While the app is easy to use, it may be more useful if it could sync to a third-party activity-tracking app.Although the data is displayed both on the remote and the app, the treadmill does not have a display screen. Product Details: Max Speed: 3.75 miles per hourIncline: NoWeight Capacity: 220 poundsSize and Weight: 56.37 x 21.5 x 5 inches and 62 pounds (32.5 x 21.5 x 5 inches folded)Features: Foldable (super-compact), automatic or manual mode, app connectivity PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Beginners GOPLUS Under Desk Treadmill PHOTO: Amazon $260 at Amazon $449 $260 at Walmart View on Goplusus.com Why We Like It The Go Plus Under-Desk Treadmill is easy to use and set up, making it perfect for first-time treadmill users or those who may be a little intimidated by setting up and using an under-the-desk tread. Since it comes fully assembled, we only had to attach the power cord and plug it in before it was ready to use. The touchscreen display or the remote can turn on and control the machine. We found it a little awkward to control using the touchscreen, but switching speeds and turning the machine on and off with the remote was a breeze. We loved how easy it was to see the speed, distance, and time on the LED screen to track our metrics without using an app. It costs more than the UREVO, but is still relatively budget-friendly, and for the extra money, you get more walking space—a longer and much wider track, which is more forgiving for newbies learning the art of walking and working. The shock absorption track made walking easy and comfortable, and after several weeks of use, we experienced no leg, joint, or back pain. It only weighs 55 pounds, and the wheels roll easily, so moving it out of the way was simple. We could quickly and easily store it under the desk while it wasn’t in use. It’s Worth Noting We thought this treadmill was perfect for walking between meetings, but the machine makes a humming noise that isn’t necessarily distracting but makes it challenging to use on the phone or during Zoom calls. It has no app to track stats, so you’ll have to record numbers manually if you'd like to see and track steps, distance, calories, or time. Product Details: Max Speed: 4 miles per hourIncline: NoWeight Capacity: 220 poundsSize and Weight: 51.5 x 23.5 x 6 inches and 55.5 poundsFeatures: Touchscreen display, lightweight Best Basic WalkingPad C2 Folding Treadmill PHOTO: Amazon $499 at Amazon View on Walkingpad.com $400 at Dick's Why We Like It Although it comes with minimal bells and whistles, we love the simplicity of this walking pad. Set up was simple and included unfolding the machine, plugging it in, and there was even a QR code included to scan, which takes you directly to the app store to download the corresponding app. Manual mode lets you control the speed from 0.5 mph to 3.7 miles per hour, or you can turn on the automatic mode, which adjusts your speed based on where your feet are landing on the track. The minimal sound was also impressive and allowed continued walking during phone calls and meetings. The Walking Pad C2 is foldable for easy storage, although it took some effort to unfold, which may be important to note if you have any upper body limitations. Tracking your progress is simple on the mobile app. You can also view your stats in real time on the display screen, but keep in mind that there’s no connectivity to third-party apps. Bonus: most of the models we tested only come in black, but this one also comes in a sleek white version. It’s Worth Noting The width of this pad's walking area is only 15.75 inches, which may feel a little cramped if you’re taller or have a wide stance. Product Details: Max Speed: 3.7 miles per hourIncline: NoWeight Capacity: 220 poundsSize and Weight: 56.88 x 20.39 x 4.92 inches and 55 pounds (32.5 x 20.4 x 5.4 inches folded)Features: Foldable (super-compact), lightweight, automatic or manual mode, LED display, app connectivity, quiet Best with Medium Incline Egofit Walker Pro-M1 Treadmill PHOTO: Egofit $479 $399 at Amazon $399 at Walmart View on Egofitwalker.com Why We Like It The Egofit Walker M1/M1T treadmill is one of the few walking treads with a built-in incline, and its space-saving design makes it perfect for rooms of all sizes. We love that it’s lightweight and easy to move, so you can easily switch rooms in your home or take it to and from the office. It’s even small enough to fit inside the trunk of a car. To set the treadmill up, we had to take it out of the box, add some of the lubricants that came in the box, plug it in, and add batteries to the remote control. The remote, which has a strap attached for added safety, is easy to use and controls the power and speed. The walking treadmill has a fixed incline of 5 percent, making your walk slightly more challenging (i.e. burns more calories). The sound was quiet enough that we could walk during work meetings without being disruptive. You can check the display for calories burned, time, distance, steps, and speed, although the display is difficult to read while standing up. Minor inconveniences aside, if you struggle with achy joints, back pain, or sore shins from training, you’ll appreciate how comfortable this under-desk treadmill is to walk on. It’s Worth Noting The proprietary app that comes with the treadmill can link to your Apple Health app to record your movement, although the setup isn’t exactly intuitive. Product Details: Max Speed: 3 miles per hourIncline: Yes - fixed at 5%Weight Capacity: 220 poundsSize and Weight: 38.39 x 21.85 x 6.89 inches and 48.5 poundsFeatures: Compact design, lightweight, LCD display, fixed incline, can pair with Apple Health app PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best with Adjustable Incline Sunny Health & Fitness Pacer Smart Compact Auto Incline Treadpad Treadmill PHOTO: Sunny Health & Fitness $620 $550 at Amazon View on Sunnyhealthfitness.com Why We Like It This tread pad was easy to use and set up, and with the addition of the optional handrail, there’s more support if needed, and it has a higher weight limit than most of the models we tested (265 pounds). It’s also one of the few options we tested with an adjustable incline (our other picks with an incline have a fixed incline). With the six incline levels, you can also increase from 1.67 to 3.81 degrees to create a more challenging walking experience. You can use it in “walking mode” with the handrails folded down or “running mode” with the handrails securely in place for extra stability, and the maximum speed increases from 3.7 to 6 miles per hour. We could also attach the included laptop stand on top of the handrail bar when we wanted to work at higher speeds. When the handrails are in place, you can control the incline and speed from a panel at the top of the bar, and when it’s in walking mode, a remote control makes it easy to adjust each level. The machine itself doesn’t fold, but with the handrail folded down, we could easily store the tread pad under the bed or desk when it wasn’t in use. It’s Worth Noting Stats, including incline, calories, steps, time, speed, and distance, are all clearly displayed on the bottom of the machine, but it was a bit uncomfortable to keep looking down at the bottom to check during our walks. If you plan to work with this unit without a full desk, keep in mind that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder, which we felt would have been nice to have when we used it with just a tablet holder or laptop stand. Product Details: Max Speed: 3.7 miles per hour in walking mode, up to 6 miles per hour with handrails in placeIncline: Yes, adjustable up to 3.81 degreesWeight Capacity: 265 poundsSize and Weight: 58.2 X 26.4 X 47.4 inches and 79.4 poundsFeatures: Walking mode or running mode, laptop stand for handrail, adjustable incline, app connectivity PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Under-Desk Treadmills That Didn’t Make Our List Here are a few other under-desk treadmills we tested and why we don't recommend them: WalkingPad X21 Double-Fold Treadmill: This tread was large and bulky but folded up into a space-saving design. The pad is thick and bouncy, but these features are not necessary for a walking tread, and the extra weight and bulk made it too difficult to move around. At a high price point of $1,199, we didn’t see enough value in this product to make the list. MERACH T05 Smart Walking Treadmill: We loved the app and coaching capabilities, along with the sleek and slender design, but we couldn’t read the display when we used it under a desk, and the actual machine did not have enough stand-out features to make our list of top picks Our Testing Process Our staff editors tested 21 popular models of under-desk treadmills in their home offices to find the best options for each category. The editors on our testing team ranged from two-a-day workout runners to moms recovering from postpartum, but all spent significant time each day sitting or standing at their desks. These are the attributes we tested for and received comments, notes, and rankings on: Ease of set up: Each of our testers described and evaluated the set up process from how easy the instructions were to decipher and follow to the steps it took to connect the tread to any outside apps involved. All of the under-desk treadmills came assembled with only a few, if any, pieces to put in place. Ease of use: Testers were asked to evaluate how easy the machine was to use. This included turning it on and off, reading the screen if there was one, changing speeds or incline, tracking metrics, and evaluating how quiet or loud the machine was while in use. Foldability: Our testers evaluated the ease and process of storing their treadmill. If the machine is foldable, how intuitive and physically difficult was it to fold, and was it something they could do on their own? As not all models were foldable, they also evaluated whether they could be stored out of sight, how easy they were to move, and whether they fit under a standing desk or surface to use while working. Comfort: Since under-desk treadmills are often lighter weight and smaller than regular treadmills, we had testers note their comfort. Were they thick and bouncy or thin and hard? Did they feel any discomfort after using it? How did their joints and back feel after a walk? And how did they compare how their body felt after using the treadmill versus walking or running on a road?Value: Our testers waited to review the prices until after the testing period was completed. At this point, we asked them for their thoughts on various factors that impact the machine’s value. What would you change? What was your favorite thing? Do you feel it’s worth the cost? Would you buy this under-desk treadmill yourself? What kind of person would benefit the most from this particular model? Our Experts After compiling tester feedback, scores, and expert opinions, we found the best under-desk treadmills for each category. The experts we spoke with to discuss the benefits, risks, and factors to consider when choosing an under-desk treadmill include: Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPT, Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, lead dietitian at DLD Nation, and host of the Podcast Game-Changing Health. Maxine Yeung, Registered Dietitian, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and owner of The Wellness Whisk, LLC Wan Na Chun, MPH, Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer at One Pot Wellness Factors to Consider in an Under-Desk Treadmill Not all under-desk treadmills are created equal, and there are many variables that go into selecting the right one. Size and storage: If you have a small space or need to store the treadmill out of sight, be sure to consider the size of the treadmill and whether it folds, rolls, or slides easily. Most under-desk treadmills are smaller in size and more portable than traditional treads. Still, you’ll want to consider your unique space needs before deciding on an option that folds down to a smaller size but becomes higher in height for storing in a corner or a closet or a treadmill that stores flat and can be pushed under a desk or a bed when not in use. Speed and incline: If you want a more intense workout than a slow-paced stroll, treadmills with higher speed settings or incline may be beneficial. Our picks' top speeds range from 3 mph to 6 mph, giving you the option to run if you feel safe and comfortable doing so. Not all treadmills have the option for incline. Models like the Lifepro Fitness PacerMini Pro and the Egofit Walker Pro-M1 have a fixed incline, while the Sunny Health and Fitness Pacer Smart Compact Auto Incline Treadpad can change the incline on demand. Noise level: This is important to consider if you plan to use the treadmill while at work. While some noise may not be distracting while answering e-mails or reading through notes, you’ll want a machine that can operate at lower decibels while on phone or Zoom calls. Even machines our testers found quiet at a slow pace became noticeably louder when the speed was ramped up. Safety and Stability: Under-desk treadmills often have more narrow and shorter belts than traditional treadmills, which can pose some risks to safety and stability. They often have lower weight limits, too, which means people over specific weight limits may not be able to use any given under-desk treadmill safely. Although some of these treadmills go up to speeds as high as 8MPH, most of them should not be used for running. The smaller belt size and lack of handrails on many of the models make it unsafe to run. Added Features: Some under-desk treadmills are basic bare-bones walking machines, while others include features like app connectivity, handrails, a remote control, easy-to-read display screens, or automatic walking modes. Consider which features are important for an under-desk treadmill to find one that fits your needs and budget. What’s the Difference Between a Walking Pad and an Under-Desk Treadmill? Beasley says the most significant difference is the weight limit. Walking pads tend to be lighter and smaller, with a lower weight limit. Chun notes that under-desk treadmills have more features than walking pads, such as speed control, preset programs, and handlebars. How Long Should You Walk on a Treadmill? The American Heart Association suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week. Chun says walking on a treadmill can help you achieve these activity goals. Under-desk treadmills can also help you increase the number of steps you take daily. Research suggests that the magic number of steps for improving longevity lies around 8,000 per day. Adults over 60 have a lower risk of death when they get between 6,000 and 8,000 steps, while adults under 60 can reduce their risk with 8,000 to 10,000 steps. Who We Are Kelsey Kunik is a registered dietitian, writer for Health, and nutrition consultant. Her work focuses on helping women break free from restriction and dieting and focus on true whole-self health and wellness. As an active person with a sometimes very sedentary job, she uses the WalkingPad P1 Folding Treadmill in her home office to stay active and move during long work days. Her writing focuses on eating behavior, programs, supplements, foods, and products that help women step into their power and feel their best every day. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 2 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Heart Association. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids. Paluch AE, Bajpai S, Bassett DR, et al. Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 international cohorts. Lancet Public Health. 2022;7(3):e219-e228. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00302-9