Best under desk treadmills 2023: work yourself fit

The best under desk treadmills are the perfect solution to help you reach your daily step count, especially if you have a pretty sedentary lifestyle. Also known as walk-pads and even desk treadmills, our pick of the best under desk treadmills are quiet enough so your co-workers can work in peace, but light enough to stow away when not in use. 

Research reveals that too much sitting can lead to serious health problems, so if you’re someone who sits at a desk for the majority of the day, or struggles to get out to the gym, an under-desk treadmill is a great piece of office and home gym equipment to invest in. Whether it’s typing away at your desk, or even watching your favourite Netflix show, they’re an easy and convenient way to stay active and improve your cardiovascular health.

Under-desk treadmills have a limited speed range from 0.5 up to 4mph, so if it’s more running that you’re after, you’re probably best heading over to our best treadmills or best folding treadmill guide. However, if it’s simply gentle walking, then below are our pick of the best under desk treadmills that we’ve tested to see how easy it really is to work and walk at the same time.

Bryony Firth-Bernard

T3's Active Writer, Bryony, spends  spends 95% of her time in the gym, as well as trialling and testing the best home gym equipment. The main things to consider when looking for an under desk treadmill are: its size (and how much space you have), the price and its speed. 

T3's Top 3 Under Desk Treadmills

From the best overall, to the best affordable options and the best premium pick, here's a quick rundown of the top three under desk treadmills2023, followed by more in-depth analysis of a fuller list for those who want a deep-dive with additional context on a per-device basis.

Best under desk treadmills to buy right now

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Best overall

This great value under desk treadmill ticks most people’s boxes. A nice-looking piece of equipment with colorful detailing, it’s wide enough for those needing a bit more space without being too short. 

It has two modes - you can walk with the handle down, adjust the speed using a remote control (with the highest speed of 3.8mph) or raise the handle and manually adjust it for running (with one of the highest speeds on the market - 7.6mph). The maximum user weight is 265lbs although some reviewers say it functions less well if you’re close to that weight.

Although it has a powerful 2.5hp motor, it’s not noisy. It’s hardly surprising that it scores a remarkable 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.

Read our full Urevo Foldi1 Under Desk Treadmill review

Best premium

This under-desk treadmill may be priced at the higher end of the market, but it’s a solidly-built machine that is designed to last. Heavier and larger than some of the cheaper models, weighing in at 131lb, it has wheels to make storage easier.

It has an impressive maximum user weight of 250lb and plenty of shock absorption. Users find the extra width makes it comfortable and find that it works well when used for many hours each day. The main complaint relates to the button-pushing (with accompanying loud beeps) to get to a usable speed, although reviewers find the manufacturer helpful in finding fixes for these issues.

Best affordable

This compact and affordable walking treadmill may be cheap but it packs a punch when it comes to features. It’s available in different colorways - a nice touch - and is easy to move around as it is light and compact.

It comes with a remote control but also connects via Bluetooth with the Spax interactive app (which is free for the first three months after which you have to pay for it), and it has an LCD display that scrolls through time, distance, speed and calories.

Users find it quiet, apart from a loud beeping when switching on and changing the settings. There are some complaints about the reliability of the stats - some users report that the step count doesn’t tally with their fitness watch and that the distance recorded is inaccurate.

Best for tall people

The JTX MoveLight Walking Treadmill is highly recommended for tall people who prefer to move around at home but haven't got the fitness/motivation/money to use a full-size treadmill. The MoveLight provides just enough features and power for a walking treadmill, and it's more accessibly-priced than even the best cheap treadmills. 

Sadly, it's only available in the UK and by no means fast enough to help you significantly improve cardio fitness – you'll need a 'proper' treadmill for that. However, if health maintenance, low-impact exercise and keeping fit indoors are your main goals, you'll be happy with the JTX MoveLight.

Read our full JTX MoveLight Walking Treadmill review

Best for offices

This is unashamedly a premium product that is specifically designed for use in an office. With a maximum speed of 2mph it can’t be used for more vigorous workouts, but if your budget allows and you just want it for walking at your desk, this is a great choice.

This walking treadmill is wider than most and doesn’t have as much length as others, but it runs smoothly and unless you have a particularly long gait this is one of the most comfortable walking treadmills on the market. It’s sturdily made and delivers a quiet purr rather than a roar.

It has Bluetooth functionality and an accompanying app, although some users note that the app is not its best feature.

Best for gentle jogging

If you’re partial to fitness tech, this could be the machine for you. Fully equipped with smart technology, it features a remote control that you can wear on your wrist, built-in Bluetooth speakers, a foldable tablet shelf and a digital fitness console displaying speed, calories, run time and distance. It comes with an integrated FitShow app to connect to your phone or tablet to track and analyze your workout.

Although it doesn’t have a separate running mode, it goes up to nearly 5mph, which for most people is somewhere between a power walk and a jog. When folded, its maximum height is just 3.93”, which makes it easy to store under a bed or couch. Some users complain of mechanical faults, though most report it to be sturdy and reliable.

Best for small spaces

This great-value walking treadmill is designed with home users in mind. Smaller and more compact than most, and light as a feather at just 55lb, it’s easy to move around for storage. Better still, there’s no tricky assembly -  it comes fully assembled.

With a maximum speed of 3.75mph, it’s not designed for running but still allows for brisk walking (it goes almost up to power walking speed). It has decent technical features, with remote control and a digital monitor that tracks time, speed, calories burned, steps, and distance. Some users report that it initially feels narrow, but they soon get used to that - those with a wide gait might need a wider model, however.

Best for beginners

If you’re new to fitness and don’t want to spend a fortune, this under desk walking treadmill could be a great buy for you. Simple to assemble with no screws or complicated instructions, it is compact and light so is easy to stow away, yet accommodates a maximum user weight of 220lb.

This under desk treadmill has a running mode with a maximum speed of 7.5mph in addition to the walking mode (which goes up to 4mph). It has a handle for the running mode, though one user considered it rather flimsy and felt unwilling to risk putting a tablet in the device holder.

A few users have reported mechanical faults after using the machine for a while but most agreed that customer service was extremely helpful in sorting out any issues.

Best foldable

For a mid-range walking treadmill that folds up for easy storage, you can’t go far wrong with this one. Although it’s not the lightest, it folds in half and can be stood on end.

Sturdily made, it has a wider-than-average belt. It goes up to a maximum speed of 6.5mph - not a sprint, but a decent running speed for most. Some users complain about a ridge in the treadmill where it folds out, which they find uncomfortable.

This under desk treadmill has plenty of tech. It features a device holder on the handle, has a clear digital display and can be controlled via the KS Fit App which will sync with your smartphone (although the app comes in for a lot of criticism from reviewers).

How to choose the best under desk treadmill for you

There are several features to look out for when buying a new under desk treadmill, beyond the price. Think about where you’ll be storing it - there’s a big difference in weight between the best walking treadmills on the market. Look out for models that fold up and have wheels for easy stowing.

Under desk treadmills vary in size, too. If you have a long stride, look for more robust models, whereas if you worry about your balance, go for a wider one. Look out for the maximum user weight, too, if heavier people will be using it.

The overall best under desk treadmill in 2023 is the Urevo 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill. It combines good looks with a sensible price tag, and although it has enough power to let you break into a run it won’t disturb your neighbors. 

If your budget permits and you’re after a premium model, we love the super-quiet Inmovement Unsit under desk treadmill, designed specifically to be used in an office