If your job requires a lot of time sitting at a desk, there’s a good chance you have difficulty reaching your daily step goal. Fortunately, using a walking pad is an easy way to increase your movement during a workday. It can also help with weight loss efforts, since it bumps up your daily activity level and calorie burn.12 However, it should still be accompanied by moderate to vigorous physical activity. Quieter and more compact than fitness treadmills, the best walking pads should still deliver similar sturdiness and ease of use to let you walk confidently and safely.
To find the best walking pads and under-desk treadmills on the market, we consulted an athletic trainer and personal trainer on which key features to look for. We then tested ten of the most popular picks at home over the span of four weeks, by completing a minimum of four walks per week. When creating our final list of recommendations, we considered the assembly process, ease of use, foldability, special features, comfort, and overall value. A certified personal trainer from our Review Board also assessed this article for accuracy.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Egofit Walker Pro-M1 Treadmill at Egofitwalker.com ($399)
Jump to Review
Best Walking Pad:
WalkingPad C2 Folding Treadmill at Walkingpad.com (See Price)
Jump to Review
Most Affordable:
GOPLUS Under Desk Treadmill at Amazon ($280)
Jump to Review
Best for Petite Users:
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Treadmill at Amazon ($242)
Jump to Review
Best Foldable:
WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill at Amazon ($399)
Jump to Review
Best for Small Spaces:
WalkingPad A1 Pro Foldable Under Desk Treadmill at Amazon ($599)
Jump to Review
Best Portable:
LifePro PacerMini Pro Treadmill at Lifeprofitness.com ($340)
Best Overall
Egofit Walker Pro-M1 Treadmill
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 21.9 x 38.4 x 6.9 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Speed Range: 0.5 to 3.1 MPH | Incline Range: 0% and 5% (fixed) | Product Weight: 48.5 pounds | Remote Control: Yes | Wheels: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Great for walking while taking calls and when working from a standing desk.
Why We Love It
Egofit’s Walker Pro-M1 Under Desk Treadmill’s compact design, quiet and easy operation, and extra features make it an easy pick for our best overall spot. It comes pre-assembled and ready to use right out of the box. When testing, we found the treadmill to be extremely quiet—we’ve even been able to take work calls while getting our steps in. We also like that the LCD display lets us track our steps, distance, speed, time, and calories burned.
Unlike other models, the Walker Pro-M1 has a 5% incline option, which helps crank up the calorie burn during your walking workouts. Remember that this is a fixed (non-adjustable) incline, so you can only set the incline to zero percent (i.e., flat) or 5%—nothing in between. We also appreciate that the treadmill’s wheels allow us to easily move it to our preferred storage spot once the workout’s over.
Potential Flaws
- With a maximum speed of 3.1 miles per hour, you won’t be able to walk as fast on this option compared to others on our list.
- The treadmill doesn’t have handrails, so it may not be the best option for those with balance issues who need something to hold onto while they walk.
Best Walking Pad
WalkingPad C2 Folding Treadmill
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 20.4 x 56.9 x 4.9 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Speed Range: 0.5 to 3.72 MPH | Incline Range: None | Product Weight: 55 pounds | Remote Control: Yes | Wheels: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5
Who It’s For
Best for shorter users who have limited storage space.
Why We Love It
For a basic, space-saving walking pad that’s easy to use, it’s tough to beat WalkingPad’s C2 Foldable Walking Treadmill. Setting up the treadmill is simple and straightforward since it comes pre-assembled—we just had to unfold it and plug it in to get started. The small footprint and foldable treadmill design make this a solid pick for those with limited space.
We can easily adjust the treadmill’s pace using the remote, and the LCD monitor lets us view our steps, speed, time, and distance in real time from the device. The four-layer running belt allows for good shock absorption and noise reduction. Plus, we love that when finished, we can simply fold it in half and store it under a desk, couch, or bed. Two rollers on the bottom make maneuvering it from one spot to another easy.
Potential Flaws
- We feel this treadmill would be more stable and safe to use if it had a handrail.
- The walking surface felt a bit narrow to us and may not be comfortable for those with large feet or longer legs.
Most Affordable
GOPLUS Under Desk Treadmill
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 23.5 x 51.5 x 6 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Speed Range: 0.5 to 4 MPH | Incline Range: None | Product Weight: 55.5 pounds | Remote Control: Yes | Wheels: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5
Who It’s For
Best for users looking for a budget-friendly option and who don’t mind a little noise.
Why We Love It
The GOPLUS Under Desk Treadmill is the most budget-friendly model we examined, making it a fantastic alternative for individuals who only want a simple walking pad for getting their daily steps in. It’s easy to set up and use, and while it’s not feature-packed, it has a remote and an LED screen that indicates speed, distance, time, and calories burnt.
The treadmill comes fully assembled, so all we needed to do to get started was unbox it, attach the power cord, and plug it into the wall. Thanks to the included remote, it’s extremely easy to turn on the treadmill and adjust the speed with just a click of a button.
Potential Flaws
- We noticed a humming sound while using the treadmill, which could distract some, especially during work calls.
- A folding handlebar would make the treadmill more stable during use.
Best for Petite Users
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Treadmill
Key Specs:
Dimensions: 21.5 x 50 x 6.5 inches | Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Speed Range: 0.5 to 3.75 MPH | Incline Range: None | Product Weight: 55 pounds | Remote Control: Yes | Wheels: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.4/5
Who It’s For
Best for shorter users with a small stride length.
Why We Love It
Sunny Health & Fitness’s Under Desk Treadmill Workstation is another affordable option that’s comfortable and easy to use. It’s a bit shorter than some of the other ones we tested, but it’s a great option for petite users who want a treadmill with a small footprint. The machine comes pre-assembled—all we needed to do after unboxing it was use the included lubricant on the belt and plug it in.
During testing, the treadmill felt sturdy and fairly quiet. We like that the display screen lets us easily track our speed, steps, distance, calories burned, and time elapsed. With wheels on the bottom, it’s easy to move and store away once we’re finished.
Potential Flaws
- Like some other options on our list, this one also doesn’t have handrails, so it may not be suited to those who need help balancing while walking.
- The walking surface is on the shorter side, so taller users may have difficulty walking on it comfortably.
Best Foldable
WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill
Key Specs:
