One of the best under-desk treadmills can keep you moving while you work or watch TV, burning calories and improving posture and mobility instead of staying slumped in a chair. What's not to like?
We spend a lot of time at our desks, which makes it incredibly important to make sure we're looking after ourselves while working. The American Journal of Public Health prompted many to invest in standing desks but then an International Journal of Epidemiology study said that even this can be bad for your health. What hopp do we have?
The answer is to invest in one of the best under-desk treadmills. Not only do they counteract the problems of staying still for too long but at the same time they help you get fit and improve your overall well-being. It's a total win-win. Also known as the best walking pads, under-desk treadmills can also be a great "cozy cardio" solution for those who want a more gentle way to exercise and get your steps in during the day, sliding under a bed when not in use.
We love the best office chairs and best gaming chairs but if you want the best all-round desk solution, then you're best off getting a treadmill to go under one of the best standing desks.
We've tested every option on our list so you are guaranteed to get hands-on experience backed by our extensive technical knowledge. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, it's time to start shopping around for a bargain.
Our Fitness Editor Matt Evans has been writing about fitness and health tech online for years, which means he knows what to expect from a treadmill. From the width and cushioning of the belt to how its settings hold up against its contemporaries, Matt co-ordinates the entries in this buying guide and has personally tried most of them.
The quick list
Want to get straight to the best under-desk treadmill for your needs? Use our quick round-up below to quickly find a treadmill that suits you – and you can read more about it by jumping to our full write-ups and explanations using the links.
The best under-desk treadmill for most people
The Lifespan TR1200 is heftily priced, but easy to control, can be wheeled away for storage, and is robust enough for heavier individuals. This all-rounder tops our list of the best under-desk treadmills.
The best cheap under-desk treadmill
Affordable, great quality for the price, and super easy to use. This is a great companion for someone who just wants to get their steps in at home without any bells or whistles.
The best under-desk treadmill for beginners
The JTX Movelight is cheap, simple to use, and easy to stash away. You could do far worse, although those over 100kg/220lbs are out of luck.
The best under-desk treadmill for tight spaces
The Kingsmith Walkingpad C2 isn't the best in terms of build quality or cushioning, but it folds up like a giant flip phone, making it by far the easiest to store.
The best under-desk treadmill for runners
Switch between running and walking with the Mobvoi, which has a fold-down 'walk mode' and, unlike a lot of the other purpose-built devices on this list, can fold up if you want to up the intensity with a run.
The best under-desk treadmill: Best overall
The Lifespan TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill is one of the most popular products from the Lifespan home working range, designed to support single users or small teams for sessions of up to six hours. The TR1200-DT3 has six impact-absorbing shocks to help dampen noise while walking and has an automatic stop when you step off the device, providing both safety and a swiftly quiet environment for taking calls.
This walking treadmill comes fully assembled out of the box and can fit under most standing desks. The control console is a little on the large side but enables the user to control the Lifespan TR1200-DT3 with a few button touches and will display all the ongoing fitness stats such as calories, steps, and distance. Bluetooth connectivity is also available so you can upload results into the LifeSpan Active Track fitness app, and a port is located at the rear of the control console for charging devices such as phones.
The Lifespan TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill will support up to 350 lbs in user weight. It also has two wheels located on the front of the device, which will allow the treadmill to be moved like a wheelbarrow.
Read our full Lifespan TR1200-DT3 review
Best budget treadmill
The Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill is a super budget-friendly, no-frills treadmill solution that is perfect for those who want to get their steps in but don't care about any extra features.
The treadmill is simple to set up, with most users able to get going in around 10 minutes from the point of unboxing. It has a sturdy build despite being incredibly slender and lightweight. Because of the price, you might think it would feel cheap but it actually feels surprisingly premium.
The tread width is rather narrow, which takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you prefer a wider platform to walk on. You could opt for the Plus version, which gives a little bit of extra room to work with.
Despite not offering many features, it’s perfect for pulling out, pressing go, and just walking, whether that’s for use with a standing desk or to get your steps in while watching TV.
Read our full Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill review
Best for beginners
If you're new to at-home treadmills, or walking on a treadmill more generally, then the JTX MoveLight is a great option for beginners because it's incredibly easy to set up. Simply plug it in with a single cord, and you’re ready to go once you press the remote.
We recommend the JTX MoveLight if you're looking for an under-desk treadmill because it's relatively compact and easy to slide out of the way – like underneath a sofa. However, it's worth mentioning that it might be a little too long for alcove desk spaces. What's more, its compact design does mean there's a weight limit of 100kg.
Although it has a weight limit, the build quality on offer is good and the JTX MoveLight is robust – even if it's a bit boring to look at. In our JTX MoveLight review, we wrote that we returned to the treadmill regularly, even when the weather was good outside. A testament to the fun and smooth experience you get with this solid treadmill.
Read our full JTX MoveLight review
Best for storage
The Walkingpad C2 from Kingsmith, a division of Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi, is all about making the most out of limited space. Trapped in a small apartment? This folding treadmill is an ideal way to get your steps in and easily tucked away when not in use. The folding functions shorten the length of the machine, allowing you to stow it where other machines might be too long. Even flatter ones such as the Bluefin don't have this kind of space-saving capability.
The belt is made up of four layers of anti-skid, shock-cushioning, and high-fiber material. The motor is fine for walking, although it's far from the most powerful treadmill we've ever used, being outshined by other treadmills higher up on this list.
It's far from a perfect machine, as it doesn't feel overly robust and the app isn't particularly user-friendly, but considering the price, it's a good little treadmill that might be an ideal way for you to increase your step count in meetings and in front of Netflix.
Read our full Walkingpad C2 review
Best for runners
The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE is perfect for those who want to get more bang for their buck by grabbing a device with a running mode attached.
With the safety rail folded down, the device is in 'walking mode' in which you're able to walk up to a set speed of 3.7mph and use it with a standing desk to exercise while you work, chat in meetings, or just watch TV at home.
On the other hand, when folded up, you're able to jog up to 7.5mph, controlling your speed and settings with either the remote control or the attached console. There's no incline in running mode, the belt just moves faster, but during our tests, we found it works just fine for gentle jogging, and the walking mode is quiet enough to not disturb your meetings or distract you from working. The best of both worlds.
Read our full Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE review
Best under-desk treadmills: At a glance
| Component | Lifespan TR1200 | Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill | JTX Movelight | Walkingpad C2 | Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE |
| Dimensions | 64 x 27 x 6 in. | 48.7 x 20.5 x 5 in | 53 x 21 x 5 in. | 56.88 x 20.39 x 4.92 in. | 54 x 27 x 8.3 in. |
| Weight | 110 lbs | 50 lbs | 65 lbs | 55 lbs | 42.99 lbs |
| Tread belt size | 20-in W x 50-in L | 16-in W x 40-in L | 18-in W x 48-in L | 16.5-in W x 47-in L | 16-in W x 40-in L |
| Max user weight | 350 lbs | 265 lbs | 220 lbs | 220 lbs | 265 lbs |
| Max Speed | 4 mph | 3.8 mph | 6 3.7 mph | 3.7 mph | 7.5 mph |
How to choose the best under-desk treadmill for you
What to consider when choosing the best under-desk treadmill for you
One of the first considerations you need to consider when buying an under-desk treadmill is the space you have. If you have the capacity for a standing desk, especially in a large office space, you might consider a heavy-duty under-desk treadmill such as the iMovR Thermotread or one of the LifeSpan models.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a slim treadmill to store behind the sofa when not in use, you might be better off looking at the Sunny Walkstation Slim or another model like the Xiaomi WalkingPad (not listed in this guide).
Your second consideration should be price, which is closely tied to space, how much you intend to use the machine, and even your weight. Generally speaking, the more expensive the machine, the more punishment it will take.
Looking to jump on it for an hour or so a day to increase your steps in the evening? Get a cheaper model. Will you be using it consistently, every day? It could be worth spending more and opting for a heavier-duty model such as the Lifespan entries, which are more durable and have higher weight capacities.
Does price matter when buying an under-desk treadmill?
Yes – and no. Because the best under-desk treadmills only need to go a few miles an hour, they're not necessarily 'high-performance' machines in the same way other treadmills are. So, if you're just buying a walking pad for home use and you're an individual of light-to-average weight, the Mobvoi model would most likely fit the bill.
However, it's best to check the weight restrictions on cheap machines. More expensive ones tend to be heavier-duty, and some of the very cheap entries like the Kingsmill tend to have a slender weight limit of 220lbs, or 100kgs. Heavier individuals looking to increase their step count and lose weight would benefit from a sturdier machine, which will also handle more intense workouts and come with better features as a couple of added bonuses.
Can an under-desk treadmill help me walk 10,000 steps a day?
Clinical research shows that walking up to 10,000 steps a day can lower your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and more. You can absolutely get those steps in with the help of an under-desk treadmill, and it could even be your preferred choice if you want to keep out of inclement weather, don't want to walk in the dark, or you're a beginner when it comes to walking.
You won't get some of the benefits of walking outdoors, especially improved mental well-being, but an under-desk treadmill can help you get those steps in during the working day. When you consider that 10,000 steps in miles is roughly 5 miles for most people, getting some of those steps in while at your desk or in front of the TV could be a big help.
How we test the best under-desk treadmills
We walk (and run) on each treadmill for an extended period of time, testing it up to its top speed. We use both running shoes and flat-soled shoes to check comfort levels, as walking treadmills should have adequate cushioning for extended use with pretty much any footwear.
We also check the response of the safety key, ensuring the treadmill halts in a timely manner in case of an emergency. We look at how responsive the remote is and rate how easy the treadmill is to control from your desk.
We also check out any other features it might purport to have, such as Bluetooth capabilities, functions of the console, and dedicated interval workouts. Read more about how we test here.
