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Under-desk treadmills may be popping up all over your social media feeds—and they've gone viral for a reason. Whether you're doing it to clear your mind, lose weight, or to just get more movement in during the day, there's no arguing that walking is a great way to stay active.

Based on reviews, we've come to the conclusion that under-desk treadmills are the perfect way to get walking whether you've got a million meetings, you woke up too late for the gym, or you just don't feel like getting dressed to go outside—aka whenever you want. Some even allow you to walk at an incline, and some of the ~extra~ special ones have a desk already built into them.

Peep some of the best tried-and-tested under-desk treadmills here:

Amy Potter, a certified personal trainer and holistic health coach at Ladies Who Lift, says she bought her walking pad—another name for under-desk treadmills—about a year ago as a conscious effort to get more steps in. "I was noticing that colder and darker days meant that I wasn’t getting outside for as many walks as I normally do in the summer," she says. "I could feel how tight my hips and shoulders were getting from being more sedentary and I just knew my body was craving more movement."

What's the difference between an under-desk and a traditional treadmill?

Though they are structurally the same machine—a moving conveyor belt to walk on–the similarities between an under-desk treadmill and one you might come across in a gym end there. Under-desk treadmills are—first and foremost—a lot smaller. They typically don't have steep inclines (if any at all) or go as fast as regular treadmills, as they're designed for walking.

Tiana Perez, a certified personal trainer, says that size is among the most important things to consider when purchasing an under-desk treadmill.

"You don't want [an under-desk treadmill] to be a piece of equipment that's going to take up a lot of space in your house," she says. "You don't want to be turned off from it and think, 'Oh god, I have to take the treadmill out and then I have to put it away.'"

From more mobility to better heart health, and even helping you tune into your creativity, the benefits of walking are endless. Whether you're already pretty active or trying to become so, see below for the best under-desk treadmills, per customer reviews in 2023.

How Our Team Chose The Best Under-Desk Treadmills

Over the past year, Women’s Health editors, including our commerce editors Neha Tandon and Lily Wohlner, have stayed up-to-date on thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best under-desk treadmills for a wide range of needs and preferences. Our team also consulted certified personal trainers Tiana Perez and Amy Potter.

Walker Pro Under-Desk Treadmill

Few under-desk treadmills offer an incline, but Egofit's does. The slight five percent incline on this cardio machine will add a little extra intensity to your workout without you even noticing. Plus, you can get it going at a speed of up to 3.1 miles per hour.

Rave Review: "This treadmill has a slight incline, so that makes the walking a little more intense, which I love."

Quiet LED Remote Treadmill

This treadmill's quiet while you run on it, which is a major bonus if you plan on using it around working roommates, a sleeping baby, or in other scenarios where too much noise isn't ideal. It also features an LED screen that measures distance and the amount of calories you've burned.

Rave Review: "When I'm on Zoom, nobody on the other end can hear it."

Foldable Manual Walking Treadmill

It's a miracle that Sunny Health was able to pack so many features into this treadmill. It's foldable, offers an incline up to 13 percent, tracks distance and calories, and does it all without needing to be plugged in.

Rave Review: "I’m a mom of two, so I wanted something affordable and small that I could use at home to workout since I can’t always walk in the gym or park. Let me say I love this treadmill. It was easy to assemble."

Under-Desk Electric Treadmill

You can get a run in with many of the treadmills on this list, but this one has a non-slip belt and built-in shock absorption system, so it's specifically great for long runs. It has wheels that make it easy to slide under your furniture when you're not using it, too.

Rave Review: "I looked at every single under-desk treadmill on Amazon and read a ton of reviews. The reason I went with this one (despite my dislike of the white color) is because this one goes up in running speeds without requiring you to put up handles."

Pro Smart Walk Folding Treadmill

The WalkingPad is kinda the it-pick of the under-desk treadmill world. People love how compact and easy it is to store—it literally folds to be just 32 inches wide.

Rave Review: "I have a small apartment and I love that it folds and can go under my bed. It's pretty alright! The remote keeps track of the time, calories burned, etc. Great for brisk walking."

Under-Desk Treadmill With Bar

Most under-desk treadmills don't feature handlebars or armrests because they may interfere with your work setup. This one features a super minimalist bar that's low enough not to get in the way and comes in especially handy if you like the security of something to hold on to while you walk or run.

Note: The remote requires a CR2450 lithium battery, which you'll have to purchase separately—it's just $5.

Rave Review: "This was the lightest and widest option which looks slick, well-made, doesn’t require professional assembly, is good quality, quiet, and easy to use...The bar folds down easily and it slides right under my bed. The bluetooth speaker is a nice extra!"

3-in-1 Treadmill

With a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour, the Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill allows you to get a more intense running or jogging workout in. When it’s time to get to work, just attach the arms and desk. If you want to connect your phone to listen to your music or discreetly take a work call, you can do that, too.

Rave Review: "This has been a really great way to keep moving throughout the day. It's not too loud, pretty easy to set up, and my neighbor also loves to come over and use it."

Walking Pad Treadmill

This treadmill includes all the features without the price that similar ones come with. Its LCD monitor tracks time, mileage, and calories burned. It also has wheels to assist with transporting.

Rave Review: "Perfect for my office! It keeps me active, up, and burning easy calories while I am working! It is super quiet and does not disturb my coworkers in the offices next to me!"

2-in-1 Motorized Foldable Treadmill

Extra quiet and shock-absorbing, Redliro’s under-desk treadmill goes up to 7.5 miles per hour and includes a foldable safety bar for when you want to crank up the speed. Want to add a little variety to your routine? Try one of the 12 pre-set programs that change speed automatically to simulate running outside.

Rave Review: "[After using this treadmill, I noticed] I have more energy throughout the day and evening. I also noticed that at the end of the day my legs and feet are tired, but I carry less stress in my body than I would have if I had been in a stationary position all day."

2-in-1 Walking Pad Desk Treadmill

One of the more budget-friendly options on the list, this walking pad from TOGOGym features an LCD display and includes a remote, so you can conveniently adjust the speed mid-workout. At just over 19 inches-wide, it will also easily fit under most desks and roll out of the way when you're done working out.

Rave Review: "I love how light and compact this treadmill is. I like the easy feature buttons on the stand-up handle (though it would be great if they were lit up or contrasted a little brighter), but the remote function works well when you don’t want to use the handle."

Wood Electric Treadmill

“Sleek” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of a treadmill, but it may be after you see this model from Maksone. The multi-layered running belt is surrounded by a wooden frame with an embedded display that won’t detract from the rest of your office style.

Rave Review: "I opted for this one because it was also 'stylish.'
It goes up to four miles per hour and I get all of my steps in by midday! I’m so happy I purchased this. Definitely recommend!"

Unsit Under-Desk Treadmill

Instead of being long and skinny, the Unsit treadmill's design is short and wide, measuring 39 by 56 inches. This means you get 55 percent more walking area than a typical gym model, while still saving you space in your office or home workspace.

Rave Review: "Very pleased with my purchase. The treadmill desk was easy to set up and I was able to start walking immediately. The belt is smooth and the desk speed controller is very easy to use and operate. The desk is also very sturdy and moves up and down easily."

Classic Treadmill Desk

In the market for a desk, too? This under-desk treadmill comes attached to one. The height is fully adjustable, and you can opt for either 38 or 48 inches of desk width. Plus, you can mix and match between desktop colors and the finish of the frame. It's a customizable option you'll love.

Rave Review: "I'm so glad I took the chance on this product, and now I don't know how I ever lived without it. Not only is it good for my health to spend about four hours a day walking when otherwise I would have been sitting on my butt, but it's done wonders for my ability to concentrate."

WalkingPad R2

Another great option from WalkingPad, the R2 comes with the easy foldability the brand is known for and a slightly faster maximum speed (up to 10 kilometers per hour) than other models. Adjust the speed using the app, remote, or the pad itself to easily change up your workout.

Rave Review: "I love how easy it is to put away. I don't want a treadmill set up in my living room all day. This is the perfect solution. My wife tried it out for 10 minutes and she was very impressed with the quality of it."

2-in-1 Under-Desk Treadmill

This treadmill weighs just 37 pounds. It may be hard to find something lighter. With a maximum speed of about 3.7 miles per hour, you may not be able to hit full running speed, but you can still get those walking steps in while answering emails or bingeing some Netflix.

Rave Review: "I have a small space in my office and it fits perfectly. The speeds fit my needs. No issues so far, runs great, and it's not too noisy. I can even talk on my noise-cancelling headset while walking at a low speed and it cannot be heard through the phone."

Treadwell Compact Treadmill

Looking for a low-impact workout during the day? Take a seat. If you’re not a standing desk person, the Treadwell Compact is a great option since it’s meant to be used when you’re—get this—sitting down. Just slide it under your chair, turn it on, and get those feet movin’.

Rave Review: "I must say this small, compact, and extremely functional treadmill does EVERYTHING a standard treadmill can do, and it's only one fraction of the size!"

Under-Desk Treadmill

A wider and slightly long running belt makes this Rhythm Fun treadmill perfect for those with longer legs or a longer stride. The treadmill features a noise-reducing motor and a shock-absorbing belt to protect your joints while you work out. But since it's less than four miles per hour, it's not ideal for running.

Rave Review: "The set up is easy peasy. I did it by myself and I am 5'4" and 130 pounds. It’s the perfect size, is sturdy, and not noisy. I absolutely love this treadmill."

2-in-1 Under-Desk Treadmill

Work all day and workout all night with this two-in-one treadmill. It functions as a walking pad for your day of walking through meetings, but transfers into a normal treadmill when you are looking for a significant workout—it goes up to 7.5 mph!

Rave Review: "Love this treadmill! Was very easy to put together and is very quiet. I love that I can have the arms up if I want and it fits perfectly under my standing desk. I finally have a way to get movement in during my meetings."

Is an under-desk treadmill worth it?

Potter says that walking at your desk is great for getting in your general daily movement and for your non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). This is the energy you use up while you're not eating, sleeping, or actively exercising or playing sports.

Teachers, nurses, and other jobs where you're on your feet all day likely have sufficient levels of NEAT. But, if you're spending most of your day at a desk, an under-desk treadmill is a great tool for helping to make up for the lack of NEAT in your life.

"I wholeheartedly believe in them if you have a typical 9-to-5 desk job," says Perez. "I always tell my clients when you're sitting down all day, you're dead from the waist down."

So how often should you use it? "If you have a way to track your steps, 7,500 steps is a great goal to aim for each day," Potter says. "If you are mostly sedentary and you’re looking for a good place to start, I would start with 30 minutes per day on your walking pad and build up from there," she adds.

What features should you look for in an under-desk treadmill?

Start by thinking about where and how you want to use your under-desk treadmill. Some questions Potter suggests are things like, 'Do I need something that is thin and can be rolled under a bed when not in use?', 'Does this fit in my space?', 'How quiet do I need it to be?', and 'Is this a realistic way for me to work?'

Always, always check the reviews, of course. "Read reviews and ask for recommendations," Potter says. "I chose mine because a friend had purchased it during the pandemic and loved it." It's worth noting, however, that a walking pad may not do it for everyone. If you're looking to walk on an incline or hit a full run, a traditional treadmill might be a better option for you.

Which under-desk treadmill is best?

• If you want to walk and run: Goplus 3-in-1 Treadmill, Real Relax Under-Desk Treadmill With Bar, GoYouth Under-Desk Electric Treadmill
  

• If you want to walk at an incline: Sunny Health Foldable Manual Walking Treadmill, Egofit Walker Pro Under-Desk Treadmill, Soozier Walking Pad Treadmill, ToGoGym 2-in-1 Walking Pad Desk Treadmill, Fit Nation Treadwell Compact Treadmill

• If you want a foldable option: Fit Nation Treadwell Compact Treadmill, WalkingPad Pro Smart Walk Folding Treadmill, Sunny Health Foldable Manual Walking Treadmill

• If you want a sleek option: WalkingPad Pro Smart Walk Folding Treadmill, Soozier Walking Pad Treadmill, Maksone Wood Electric Treadmill
  

• If you want a lightweight option: Fit Nation Treadwell Compact Treadmill, GoYouth Under-Desk Electric Treadmill

• If you want to save money: Sunny Health Foldable Manual Walking Treadmill, ToGoGym 2-in-1 Walking Pad Desk Treadmill

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