This is one of the first things I researched when looking for an under desk treadmill. Because buying an under desk treadmill is not a cheap $50 purchase, so it’s important to research the best under desk treadmills before you dive into spending $200+ on the machine you’re hoping to up your daily step count with!
So if you’re looking to buy one of the best under desk treadmills, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll take a look at what makes a great under desk treadmill, how you can choose the perfect one for your needs, and my top 7 picks right now.
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What is an under desk treadmill?
First, let’s consider what an under desk treadmill is.
You may have seen desk treadmills online before and while this is similar, an under desk treadmill allows you to have a more bespoke approach to your desk job exercise regime.
Basically, it’s a small, compact treadmill that fits easily underneath your desk or another piece of furniture depending on where you work.
This means that you can have all the benefits of a regular treadmill (or the increasingly popular treadmill desks) – including the ability to walk or run at your own pace – without taking up a lot of space in your home or office…
…or having to replace your current desk. This one was a huge plus for me as I regularly use 3 monitors at a time and found normal treadmill desks didn’t have the space I needed for all of my screens.
It’s worth noting I did upgrade my regular desk with a standing desk converter however I’ve still retained my old desk in this process so it was a much more cost-effective way to get this set up in my office.
Before we dive into my top picks, let’s cover some under desk treadmill basics.
How do you use an under desk treadmill?
Under desk treadmills are designed to be used while you’re working so that you can stay active while working your desk job.
They’re amazing for upping your daily step count while working a sedentary goal and ideally they’ll assist you with losing weight while working a desk job.
To use one, simply place it underneath your standing desk, find a comfortable walking speed and start working. You can use an under desk treadmill for as long or as short a time as you like – there’s no need to worry about overdoing it, as the speed is entirely up to you.
What are the benefits of using an under desk treadmill?
There are plenty of benefits to using an under desk treadmill.
For starters, you will up your daily step count significantly even if you only walk for a couple of hours during your working day.
This can help boost your energy levels and concentration, as well as improve your circulation.
And, of course, it’s also a great way to burn some extra calories throughout the day! Since switching to an under desk treadmill and standing desk setup in my home office, my daily calorie allowance has increased by around 600 calories. Which speaks for itself!
What to consider before you buy an under desk treadmill
What’s your budget?
There are many different factors to consider when choosing the best under desk treadmill for your needs. First, let’s think about your budget. There are many different models available, so providing you’ve got a budget of around $200 to spend, you’ll be able to introduce an under desk treadmill to your workspace.
It’s worth considering that the more you spend the better quality treadmill you’ll get but in my opinion, before you make this a habit you’re best off spending as little as possible and making sure you can stick to using it.
How much space do you have?
Second, consider the size of the treadmill. Some under desk treadmills are very compact, while others are larger and take up more space. Choose a size that will fit comfortably in the space you have available.
It’s also important to consider how tall the under desk treadmill is because this will raise the overall height you’ll need for your standing desk. So make sure you measure up first!
What features do you need?
Third, think about the features you want in an under desk treadmill. Some models come with built-in speakers, so you can listen to music or other audio as you walk or run. Others have LCD displays that show your speed, distance, time, and calories burned. Some even have heart rate monitors, so you can keep track of your fitness level.
In my opinion, you don’t NEED any of these features but if any of these are important to you then it’s worth reviewing first and getting something you’re going to love and want to use every day.
How often will you use your under desk treadmill?
Finally, consider the warranty and customer service. Some manufacturers offer long warranties, while others have shorter warranties. And some companies offer better customer service than others.
If you are regularly using your under desk treadmill then you may need parts replaced in time or additional support. So it’s important you know where to go should those issues come up.
The best under desk treadmill is the one that fits your needs, budget, and space. So take your time, do your research, and choose the perfect treadmill for you.
7 Best Under Desk Treadmills: My Top Picks
Now that we’ve gone over what to look for in an under desk treadmill, let’s take a look at 7 of the best options on the market right now.
For transparency, one of the under desk treadmills on this list happens to be the one that I own so I’m speaking from personal experience there.
For the rest, I’ve gathered my intel from Reddit and Amazon reviews!
1. WalkingPad Folding Treadmill
The WalkingPad under desk treadmill is one I read a bunch of rave reviews about on Amazon. It has a decent weight limit, a good range on speed (0.5 to 3.72 mph), and has stood the test of time in comparison to other walking treadmills. When users buy this treadmill, they seem to “buy it for life” or as close as you can get to those nowadays!
This tends to be the treadmill people upgrade to once their cheap treadmill runs out, so if you only want to make this purchase once it seems like a no-brainer to me.
2. Rebel Treadmill Desk 1000
The Rebel Treadmill Desk 1000 is a great option for those looking for a durable, high-quality under desk treadmill. The speed range is slightly less than the WalkingPad, only going up to 2mph but for a walking speed (especially while typing) this would be suitable for most users. After all, we’re not looking for a running treadmill here!
3. Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
The Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill is a great option for those looking for an under desk treadmill that is both compact and lightweight. You can choose to have the standing bar in place if you want and it doubles up as a running treadmill should you ever want to take your activity up a gear.
It’s also got a built in Bluetooth speaker which is a huge plus if you want to listen to music while using your under desk treadmill!
4. CitySports Under Desk Treadmill
This baby is my current pride and joy in my own standing desk / under desk treadmill home station. I’ll be honest, it’s incredibly basic, but so is the price. It comes with a small remote control to adjust the speed and switch it on and off which is about all you need once you get into the swing of things.
One feature I didn’t know I was going to love is how easy this under desk treadmill is to move around. It has wheels on one end and is incredibly lightweight, meaning I can easily lift and move it once I’m finished using it for the day.
Editor’s Note after publishing: I have since had a terrible experience with this treadmill and DO NOT recommend it! Read my CITYSPORTS Treadmill Review for more.
5. UMAY Under Desk Treadmill
The UMAY under desk treadmill is a highly-rated treadmill on Amazon which is why I’ve included it. It’s the perfect size to fit under most standing desks and it comes pre-assembled because it doesn’t have a bar attached. This was a close second for me when it came to choosing from the best under desk treadmills for my own setup!
6. GOYOUTH 2 in 1 Under Desk Electric Treadmill
I LOVE this and it’s on my best under desk treadmills list due to just how compact it is. I’m fortunate to have a spacious office that allows me to move my under desk treadmill across the room when it’s not in use but THIS baby would be perfect for a compact office space. Not only that but you can use it for running too!
Editor’s Note after publishing: After my CITYSPORTS treadmill crapped out, this is the replacement one I got. I’ll post a review soon for you!
7. ZENOVA Under Desk Treadmill
We’re going to round things up with the cheapest under desk treadmill I could find on Amazon during my search. The Zenova is under $200 and features a lot of the same features as the treadmills listed above AND it’s got hundreds of amazing reviews to top it off. For a light user or someone wanting to try an under desk treadmill to see if it suits their workstation, this would be an ideal choice.
To round things up, I’ll highlight the cheapest and best under desk treadmills below for you, in case you want to make the choice a little bit easier for yourself!
Cheapest Under Desk Treadmill
ZENOVA Under Desk Treadmill
I can’t rave enough about the price point of this under desk treadmill. While it appears to be a no-frills treadmill rather than the best under desk treadmill, there’s a lot to be said for sticking to basic models when you’re just starting out with something.
In my opinion, this is the perfect “starter treadmill” which can be upgraded in time once you’ve decided you want to keep up walking while working!
Best Under Desk Treadmill
WalkingPad Pro
The WalkingPro treadmill is unmatched when it comes to the best under desk treadmills and it only takes a quick Google search to realize most long-term users end up with a WalkingPro. For that reason, I’m awarding it the “best under desk treadmill award”… which isn’t actually a thing but you know what I’m saying!
And there you have it, a round-up of the best under desk treadmills on the market right now! If you have any to add to this list please leave me a comment below and I’ll check it out for my next roundup post!