Walk While You Work: The Best Under Desk Treadmills of 2023

It can be difficult to lead an active lifestyle when your job requires you to sit at a desk for eight or more hours a day. While you may find time to incorporate walks, exercise and activity into their routines, a good part of your day is still spent sitting down. If you’re looking for an easy way to increase your step count each day, this guide to the best under desk treadmills is an excellent place to start. An under desk treadmill allows you to walk as you work, increasing your daily activity without taking time away from your other obligations. While most of us don’t have the room to fit a normal treadmill into our homes, these small treadmills are easy to store, and some are even foldable for minimal space usage and easy portability. We took into consideration the size, speed and weight capacity of each of these treadmills to create a comprehensive review, allowing you to select the treadmill that best fits your personal needs (and space). Take a look at our guide to the best under desk treadmills of 2023. 

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by the Mattress Advisor editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.

Our Picks for the Best Under Desk Treadmills:

Best Overall – LifeSpan TR1200-DT3

Best Under $500 – Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation

Best Luxury – KingSmith WalkingPad X21

Best for Small Spaces – WalkingPad P1

Best Folding – GoPlus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

Best with Remote – Rhythm Fun Desk Treadmill

Best for Beginners – LifeSpan TR800-DT3

Best Lightweight – GOYOUTH 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill

Best Portable – UMAY Portable Treadmill

Best with Bluetooth Speaker – Kicode 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

The LifeSpan TR1200 is our top pick overall because it hits all the marks of things you want from your under desk treadmill. It can reach a decent maximum speed (remember, walking at 4 miles per hour is a pretty brisk pace). It’s also capable of supporting more weight than many other models and is easy to maneuver around your home or office space. The engine is fairly quiet, and the entire treadmill comes fully assembled so you won’t need to bust out the toolbox in order to get stepping. 

The Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation rings in at half the price of some of its competitors while still boasting a lot of the same features. The shock-absorbing design takes some of the pressure off your joints as you walk, and the remote control allows you to adjust your walk speed easily. The Walkstation will power off if it’s been idle for over 10 minutes and pause if no user is detected after five minutes––which is perfect if you need to step off for a quick coffee refill. The sleek design and transportation wheels make it easy to store and move. 

If you’re looking for an under desk treadmill that can do more than light walking, the KingSmith WalkingPad X21 is a great option. With a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour, this treadmill can support running speeds and walking speeds so you can get in a good workout before the workday. A folding design simplifies storage and transportation of this piece of equipment, and the NFC technology simplifies data transfer from the treadmill to your phone, so you can keep track of your stats. 

If your home office or gym area is a little cramped, the WalkingPad P1 is the perfect small-space option to help you get your steps in even if you’re tight on square footage. Not only is this under desk treadmill super slim, but it’s foldable for compact storage. An included wireless remote control allows you to easily adjust your speed, pause the treadmill or power it on and off. While it can’t go as fast as other models, the WalkingPad can reach speeds of up to 3.7 miles per hour which equates to a brisk walk for most people and should be perfect for walking while you work.  

The GoPlus folding treadmill is perfect for working up a sweat at your desk. Whether you want to jog during your lunch break or walk a few miles at your desk, this under desk treadmill gives you the flexibility to exercise whenever. A built-in Bluetooth allows you to play music as you run or walk, and a wireless remote makes it easy to adjust the speed. An included phone holder gives you the option to set up your smart device to focus on your meetings or shows as you walk. 

The Rhythm Fun under desk treadmill is a great option if other under desk treadmills seem a little unstable or overly narrow. The durable steel frame is sturdy enough to last for years of daily use, though the low maximum speed allows users to walk only. A wireless smart remote gives you the ability to start or end a session, plus control your speed while walking. A large LCD screen shows you the distance and time of your workouts, but they also offer an app for a more in-depth look at your walks. 

If you’re new to walking while you work, you probably need a stable treadmill that won’t require too much concentration to walk on as you type and attend meetings. The LifeSpan TR800 is a good option for anyone starting out on their walk-while-you-work journey. It comes with a moveable LCD display that you can set atop your desk to see your distance and speed easily, plus an automatic stop safety feature that pauses the treadmill if you step off. The heavier weight and impact-absorbing shocks make it a bit sturdier and more durable than other under desk treadmills.

If you need a lightweight under desk treadmill, the GOYOUTH treadmill is your best bet. It’s considerably lighter than other models, making it easy to move around your home as needed. While other under desk treadmills max out around 4 miles per hour, this one is able to reach up to 6 miles per hour, so you can speed walk and lightly jog for a little extra exercise. A Bluetooth speaker allows you to play music from your phone, and a wireless remote control provides a simple way to change your speed. 

If you’re looking for the best portable under desk treadmill, the UMAY Portable Treadmill gives you everything you need without breaking your bank. It weighs around 66 lbs and has folding wheels that make it easy to maneuver around your home. The quiet motor and remote control allow you to get some steps in while at your desk without disturbing your coworkers or creating too much noise during a phone call. 

Running or walking with headphones can be a struggle when you don’t have snug-fitting earbuds, so having a built-in speaker can come in handy while you workout. The Kicode Folding Treadmill doubles as an under desk treadmill or a normal treadmill, allowing you to walk or run depending on what you’re feeling up to. Reviews state this treadmill can go fairly fast and is quiet enough for use during work hours. A durable steel frame keeps this treadmill sturdy, while five layers of cushioning help keep your joints from aching as you walk. 

While ultimately all of the featured treadmills are doing the same thing – providing an easy way to walk while you work – they differ in minor ways that might make a major difference based on your preferences and lifestyle. Everyone has different needs, and some models may be a better fit for your space and lifestyle. Below, we’ve outlined some of the biggest factors to take into consideration when choosing an under desk treadmill for your office, be it at home or elsewhere.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Under Desk Treadmill

Size – If you’re looking for a treadmill to use in your office under your desk, you want something that is smaller, sleeker and more compact than traditional treadmills. All of these treadmills are smaller than a traditional treadmill, but some are shorter and narrower than others. If you are taller or have a longer stride length we suggest purchasing a larger under desk treadmill to accommodate your body without making it difficult to walk. 

Speed – While normal treadmills can reach high speeds for sprints, under desk treadmills are designed to be used for walking only and can only reach speeds that equate to a brisk walk or light jog. A few models offer higher maximum speeds, but the recommended use for most of these is walking only. If you want to be able to take a jog on your treadmill once and a while, we recommend looking at models that offer that capability. 

Space Requirement – The treadmills in this list vary in size, though all are small enough to fit underneath a desk without commandeering the entire space in a room. If space is really an issue, it’s worth purchasing a model that is on the smaller end and is easier to store. 

Weight Capacity – Not all under desk treadmills are capable of supporting heavier weights; most models max out somewhere around 220 lbs. If you are a larger person, you’ll want to buy a treadmill that can accommodate your size and weight –– otherwise you may find that you have issues with the treadmill. 

Budget – The cost of an under desk treadmill varies pretty significantly, from under $500 to thousands of dollars. Higher cost doesn’t always mean better, but it can typically indicate higher quality materials and a better construction. If you are on a strict budget, check out some of the budget-friendly models on this list. 

Additional Features – Some under desk treadmills come with additional features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, automatic stop safety features and more. We’ve highlighted some of the notable features that each treadmill comes equipped with, enabling you to make the most informed decision possible.