The 7 Best Under-Desk Treadmills, Tested by Fitness Editors
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I ABSOLUTELY LOVEto walk (I even have favorite walking apps ). Maybe it's because I live in New York City and it's my primary mode of transportation, or that walking has many health and fitness benefits , including stress reduction . I'll sometimes even daydream about strolling from my Chelsea apartment to the southern tip of the island (a cool three miles) in the middle of a Tuesday. Since that's not exactly realistic (there are stories to write and home gym equipment to test!), I found the next best thing: an under-desk treadmill (a.k.a. a walking pad ).
Best Under-Desk Treadmills
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Best Overall: Merach Walking Pad
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Best Incline: Egofit Walking Pad
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Most Convertible: Sunny Health & Fitness Treadpad
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Best for Small Apartments: Urevo CyberPad Smart Walking Pad
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Best Treadmill Desk: Uplift Treadmill Desk
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Most Compact: WalkingPad Folding Treadmill
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Best Speed Settings: GoYouth 2-In-1 Under-Desk Treadmill
What is an under-desk treadmill, and do you need one? An under-desk treadmill, sometimes called a walking pad, is a smaller, lighter version of a regular treadmill designed to slip under your desk and be used while you're working. You need a standing desk or converter to use one while working, but if you don't want to invest in a new desk, they're also great to use during breaks. Whether you have a million meetings or don't feel like getting dressed to go outside, the best under-desk treadmills allow you to move your body while multitasking.
"For people that are typically sitting at their desk for eight hours a day, but they're looking to get some sort of activity in, [a walking pad is] something that I recommend so they can kill two birds with one stone," says Julianne Lane, DPT, CSCS.
Amy Potter, CPT , also agrees that walking at your desk is great for getting daily movement and for your non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). This is the energy you use while you're not eating, sleeping, actively exercising, or playing sports. And it can be lacking for a range of reasons, whether the weather is bad or you're just not able to get out as much. Potter bought an under-desk treadmill for this reason. "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," Potter says.
Before you commit to buying one of these compact cardio gems, we spoke with personal trainers and running coaches to find out what to look for. We then tested select highly rated models to curate a top-notch guide.
Merach Walking Pad
After testing and reviewing a handful of under-desk treadmills, the Merach Walking Pad gets top honors in our guide for a few reasons: It's affordable, is light at 68.3 pounds for easy handling, has a long 41.3-inch belt, and goes up to 4 miles per hour. It also has a handy remote control that allows you to adjust the speed, while the display tracks distance, time, and calories burned.
Multiple Women's Health editors and contributors, including myself and fitness writer Nicolette Accardi, NASM-CPT can attest that it doesn't skimp on quality. It feels sturdy and secure, even while walking on it for close to an hour at a time. That said, if there is an issue, it's good to know that it comes with a one-year warranty.
I've been testing this treadmill for months and find it reliable, easy to move around, and not a total eyesore in my apartment. (Although I store it under my couch when not using it.) Since I don't have a standing desk, I primarily use it while taking calls, listening to podcasts, brainstorming, and sometimes just looking out the window. Accardi uses hers to rack up steps at the office and says it's nearly silent at a low-speed setting.
You can also download the Merach app, although it's worth noting that it's not highly rated in the App Store (2.8 stars), and for that reason, I decided not to try it myself. But Accardi uses it and says she likes that it doubles as a remote. Keep in mind that you can only choose from three built-in speed settings.
Read More: Merach Walking Pad Review
- Long belt for all strides
- App doubles as a remote
- Has an incline
- The speed doesn't go past 4 mph
Egofit Under Desk Treadmill
What makes the Egofit Walker Pro shine compared to our best overall pick is its 5 percent incline, which WH contributor Isabel McMahon says stood out to her. "Even when I'm walking at a slower speed like 1.5 mph, I can still feel like I'm getting a solid workout," she says.
After testing it for three months, she says she can't imagine her workday without it and that it boosts her productivity. "I definitely felt more productive using the walking pad because it kept me feeling alert," McMahon says. "When the afternoon slump hit around 2 p.m., turning on the treadmill gave me an energy boost and the mental reset I needed to power through the rest of the day's tasks."
Another standout feature of this model, per McMahon, is that it's quiet. "My coworker, who sits right across from me, didn't even realize I was using it until I mentioned it," she says. (FWIW, I found the Merach to be a little noisy—my fiancé could hear me using it from the next room.)
McMahon also notes that it's compact and easy to use thanks to the remote control. "The wheels on the front make moving it around a breeze—even in my small workspace," she says. It connects to an app that McMahon says is straightforward and functional if you prefer managing speed settings through your phone.
It has a short belt at just over 34 inches and has the lowest speed settings compared to other options on this list.
Read More: Best Standing Desks For Walking Pads
- Five percent incline
- Shorter belt makes it more compact
- Whisper quiet
- Short belt may not be great for all walking strides
- Low speed settings
Sunny Health & Fitness Treadpad
For beginners who need something to hold onto while jogging or fast walking, the Sunny Health & Fitness Treadpad is your best bet. The foldable handle provides stability and also doubles as a device holder to support your phone or tablet.
The belt is 58 inches to accommodate long strides, while there are six levels of incline to simulate a small hike while grinding. It goes up to six miles per hour, which is about a 10-minute mile if you choose to jog during your work breaks.
WH associate health and fitness editor Addison Aloian, NASM-CPT says it's a low-effort way to get moving at the office. "This walking pad is really easy to walk on when I work because it goes pretty slowly at its lowest setting," she says. "It also has a pretty great incline for extra hamstring work." Her only complaint is that it's a bit bulky and hard to move around (it weighs 79 pounds), although it does have wheels at the front.
- Has foldable handle to help maintain balance
- Six levels of incline
- Fast enough to jog
- Bulky and heavier than other options
Urevo CyberPad Smart Walking Pad
Reviews Director Christian Gollayan recommends this option for under-desk treadmill users who want a model that provides enough incline to work up a sweat session, but can still fit in a tiny space. It goes up to a 12 percent incline, which is hard to find in this category, and goes up to 4 miles per hour. "It doesn't replace a StairMaster at the gym, but it really gets me sweating while I'm watching TV," Gollayan says.
It's surprisingly apartment-friendly at 23 inches wide. The CyberPad folds up easily for storage and has two front wheels that are easy to roll out. Gollayan notes that while it's on the heavier side at 63 pounds, that heft works in its favor. "It feels sturdy, not like it's going to fall apart if I pick up the pace," he says. The motor runs relatively quietly (a must for most NYC apartments), and the long power cord makes it easy to position in a small living space. Aesthetic details like the LED lights flanking the belt give it a sleek look.
The CyberPad also comes with a remote and pairs with the Urevo app, though Gollayan prefers using the former. "The app can be a little clunky when adjusting speed or incline, so I usually just use the remote," he says. Still, compared to many other under-desk treadmills we've tested, this one feels noticeably more premium.
- 12% incline—rare for an under-desk treadmill
- Folds up easily with front wheels for simple storage in small spaces
- Sturdy feel with a quiet motor
- Companion app can be clunky when adjusting speed or incline
Uplift Treadmill Desk
Since using an under-desk treadmill requires a standing desk, it makes sense to consider a bundle where the two integrate seamlessly, such as the Uplift Treadmill Desk . "What I like most about the Uplift setup, which includes a walking pad and a standing desk, is how easily it transforms a home office into a fitness zone," says copyeditor Deanna Martin.
Fitting movement into the time we'd normally spend sitting at a desk is one of the biggest benefits of a walking pad/standing desk set-up, and this setup makes it easy to accumulate steps throughout the workday. "The walking pad lets me fit in a power walk up to 4 mph whenever I have a few free minutes, helping me stay on top of my daily step goal," Martin says. The walking pad also offers enough of an incline that Martin feels she can push herself when she wants to. "When I want more of a challenge, I can raise the incline up to 7 percent for an uphill workout."
The Uplift V3 standing desk in this bundle features plenty of tech and convenience in its own right, too. Martin loves how much she can dial in her ergonomics throughout the day, even as her positions changed. "The standing desk offers plenty of height adjustment at the touch of a keypad, so it's easy to switch positions throughout the day." Martin also found the desk's app (yes, the desk has its own app!) that tracks your daily standing progress and calorie burn helpful in motivating her to reduce sedentary time.
The Uplift desk also features additional add-ons, like an under-desk hammock, which can take the aforementioned home office fitness zone to a recovery zone.
- Easy assembly
- Wireless remote
- Easy-to-read display
- Premium price point
WalkingPad Folding Treadmill
The WalkingPad is the most compact under-desk treadmill we've seen—it folds 180 degrees to 32 inches to stash away under a couch or bed. When full-length, it's 56 inches—ironically, the longest on this list. So, keep that in mind if you're in a tight space.
As if we couldn't get more impressed, it has a built-in speed sensor that automatically adjusts to your stride for up to 3.75 miles per hour. If you're not down for that, the featured remote or smartphone app has a manual mode you can control. Just note there's no incline option.
- Foldable for easy storage
- Accommodates long strides
- Speed sensor adjusts to your stride
- No incline option
- Low speed threshold
GoYouth 2-In-1 Under-Desk Treadmill
Can't be bothered to manually adjust the speed? The GoYouth 2-In-1 Under-Desk Treadmill features 12 preset speed settings that can be controlled with a remote. It goes up to six miles per hour, slightly less than the GoPlus. Executive editor Abby Cuffey loves it for brisk walks after dark. "It's sturdy, and I love that it stands up on its own when I'm not using it, so I can easily stash it," she says.
The belt is on the longer side for the under-desk treadmill at 49 inches, so be conscious of the space you may need.
- 12 preset speed settings
- Accommodates long strides
- Quiet motor
- No incline
What to Consider
What belt size is best for a walking treadmill?
Wide belts are more comfortable and stable, while narrow belts are more compact (ideal for apartment dwellers and small-space living). Belt length also comes into play—the longer the belt, the more surface area you have to run or walk. In theory, the longer, the better, but it ultimately depends on how much space you have.
How heavy should a walking treadmill be?
If you're going to be moving the tread frequently, be sure to consider how much it weighs. While there are plenty of sub-50-pound options, others (typically those that have more speed and incline options) are considerably heavier. If you opt for a heavier model, check to see if it has wheels for easier maneuverability.
What speed should a walking pad go up to?
Most under-desk treadmills have a speed range between 0.5 and 4 miles per hour, which is plenty if you're just looking to add to your daily step count. Larger and more premium models might top out at more than six miles per hour, so you can even get in a decent jog.
What incline should I look for?
The maximum incline for most under-desk treadmills is around 5 percent, while some models don't incline at all. While walking on an incline can be a great way to amp up walking workouts, we didn't rule out non-inclining models because the primary purpose of walking pads is to multitask while working, not climb a hill in your home office.
What's the best desk type to use with a walking treadmill?
Under-desk treadmills are most efficient when used with a standing desk (so you can walk while working). If you don't own one, walking on it during work breaks is your best bet (and a simple way to reach your step goal!).
How We Selected
I consulted personal trainers and running coaches to identify what to look for in the best under-desk treadmills, then researched dozens of top-rated models myself. From there, the Women's Health team and I, including associate health and fitness editor Addison Aloian, NASM-CPT and executive editor Abby Cuffey , tested some of the standout options in order to narrow down the guide to the best under-desk treadmills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an under-desk treadmill replace cardio workouts?
It's also important to acknowledge that under-desk treadmills should not be used to substitute cardio workouts. When people talk about getting in their cardio, they're referring to the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week, says Erica Coviello , an RRCA-certified running coach. Most likely, you'll be walking at a relatively slow pace on your under-desk treadmill, which wouldn't get your heart rate into that zone 2 range to qualify. In short, think of the steps you take on your walking pad as "bonus" zone 1 cardio rather than an excuse to skip your brisk walk, jog, or cycle.
How often should I use an under-desk treadmill?
"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, I would start with 30 minutes per day on your walking pad and build up from there," she adds.
Meet the Experts
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Julianne Lane, DPT, CSCS , is a physical therapist at Bespoke Physical Therapy in San Diego, California.
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Amy Potter is an ACE-certified personal trainer in Hermosa Beach, California.
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Erica Coviello is a level two certified RRCA running coach in New Jersey.
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