Top 10 Compact Treadmills Recommended by Experts

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Investing in an at-home cardio machine is a big decision. City dwellers might stress about square footage, while homeowners may not want a clunky machine ruining their living room aesthetic. Not to mention, oversized equipment typically comes with an equally large price tag — long story short, buying a treadmill can feel out of reach for many.

That’s where compact treadmills come in. Luckily, tons of compact tread options provide the same quality workout as their full-sized siblings, all while taking up much less space in your home. 'The advantages to having a compact treadmill are that you can store it away when not used (they are typically foldable), they are more accessible (as it's in the living room, bedroom, office, etc.), they are more affordable, and they have less carbon footprint,' says April Gatlin, ACE, senior master trainer for STRIDE Fitness.

Having a treadmill at home can help runners and walkers better understand their workouts, and give them the prowess to improve. 'Having a treadmill at home is extremely convenient and increases the chances of a workout if a treadmill is staring at you,' says Raj Hathiramani, a certified running coach with Road Runners Club of America, USA Track & Field, and USA Triathlon. 'In addition, treadmills can help you master your pacing, correct your form with mirrors or a tripod camera, and do effective incline and speed training if you don't have easy access to hills or a track.'

After conducting thorough interviews with fitness professionals and athletes and using our testing insights, the Shape team found the best compact treadmills to elevate your workout game, no matter your living situation.

Many compact treadmills sacrifice durability for size. The result? Your treadmill may fit under a couch, but it feels wobbly and unsafe — thankfully, this wasn't the case with the XTERRA Fitness TR260 Folding Treadmill, which was equally steady and size-efficient. Upon delivery, this machine was heavy, but it was super easy to set up once it was unboxed.

The handlebars, console, and belt felt supportive and reliable, and we loved that we could adjust our speed and incline with the side handle’s buttons. We were especially impressed with its 10 incline levels and ability to go up to 10 mph (plus 12 preset programs, in case you want guidance). Best of all, the treadmill folded incredibly tight, taking up minimal space. It felt like a treadmill you’d find in an actual gym but with the added benefit of folding in half. 

Dimensions: 64.6'D x 29.3'W x 51.7'H | Maximum Speed: 10 mph | Incline: 10 levels (electronic adjustment) | Weight: 111.3 lb

Looking for something simple and effective to dip your toe into running and walking for fitness? The GYMAX Under Desk Treadmill is one no-frills solution. Less than 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, this small treadmill manages to win on space-saving while still hitting speeds fast enough for running (up to 7.5 mph) and offering a simple, easy-to-read touch-display screen and phone holder.

While you can switch between run and walk mode by folding down the console and side rails, know it’s a very manual process (tools are involved), so you may be less motivated to do it every time.

Dimensions: 49'D x 27'W x 42'H | Maximum Speed: 7.5 mph | Incline: None | Weight: 74 lb

The REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill isn’t the absolute lightest option we reviewed, but it’s still a featherweight at 57 pounds. Unlike the lighter compact treadmill, the GoPlusUnder Desk Treadmill, you can run at speeds up to 7.5 mph on this model, and despite how lightweight it is, this compact treadmill can support up to 220 pounds.

The five-layer running belt minimizes impact, while LED displays allow users to track distance, speed, and calories, and the machine comes with a remote control so you can change speed easily without missing a step.

Dimensions: 52'D x 25'W x 42'H | Maximum Speed: 7.5 mph | Incline: None | Weight: 57 lb

In addition to a compact design, LED tracking display, and convenient shortcut buttons, the Merax Electric Folding Treadmill is easy to unpack and assemble quickly (one user said it only took them five minutes!). At under $300, we also thought the display outperformed its price tag; unlike other small treadmills, the water bottle holders were plenty spacious, so you could easily sip between intervals. That said, the speed maxes out at 7.5 mph, and you can only get a slight hike going with the max 2% incline.

Dimensions: 23.5'D x 55'W x 43'H | Maximum Speed: 7.5 mph | Incline: 2% | Weight: 64 lb

If you think compact treadmills are flimsy machines without high-end features, the Horizon Fitness 7.4 AT Treadmill will prove you wrong. This model wowed us with its plethora of premium features; quick Bluetooth connectivity; smooth, long belt; and weight capacity of 350 pounds. Unlike many small treadmills, the extra-large running surface gives your legs plenty of room to stride without worrying about falling off the back of the tread. But far and away, the quick-adjust dials were our favorite feature: Rather than endlessly tapping on the screen to adjust your speed or incline, each arm of the treadmill features a dial that can be turned up or down for an almost immediate adjustment. 

Dimensions: 76'L x 37'W x 63'H | Maximum Speed: 12 mph | Incline: 15% | Weight: 318 lb

If you're a runner with bad knees or experience any type of joint pain in general, you'll want to invest in a compact treadmill that'll be gentle on your body. Woodway is known and loved for its slat-belt treads that take off some of the jolting on joints that might typically come with running on a treadmill. These high-end treadmills are certainly an investment, but if you're running a lot indoors, it'll be well worth it.

'Woodway treadmills, more common in fitness studios, provide a more natural, lower-impact and quieter running experience due to their powerful motor and shock-absorbing rubber slats instead of a conveyor belt,' says Hathiramani. 'They also provide more energy return to the runner which improves your form and efficiency. '

Dimensions: 61.6'L x 63.2'H x 34.8'W | Maximum Speed: 11 mph | Incline: 15% | Weight: 366 lb

If you love tracking stats and want a sturdy option that feels stable at a range of speeds, you'll love the Bowflex T9 Treadmill. It's perfect for those training for races, especially in winter months when you still want to log miles and workouts regardless of the weather. Our testers found that it transitioned smoothly between speeds and inclines — even a 15% incline.

Since it's built to withstand intense workouts, some of the pieces are heavy and it can take some time to assemble all parts. We found it to be a two-person job. But this effort is well worth it if you want a reliable option for all types of runs.

Dimensions:  77'L x 37'W x 68'H | Maximum Speed: 12 mph | Incline: 15% | Weight: 350 lb

This foldable compact treadmill is perfect for those who are tight on space and want the option to transport their equipment with ease. Our testers were impressed that the Echelon Stride-6 still felt smooth and stable at high speeds and on an incline despite its lightweight design.

The controls are pretty basic but user-friendly, and we appreciated the adjustable phone holder, two cup holders, and slots for tablets. We wish there were a few more incline options, but overall, it's a smart choice for small spaces.

Dimensions: 115'D x 60'W x 128'H | Maximum Speed: 12.5 mph | Incline: 12% | Weight: 300 lb

We think the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is a great choice for those looking for a smart treadmill with touchscreen and speaker features. The large screen pivots, and with NordicTrack's iFit membership, you can access thousands of workouts with features like SmartAdjust, which scales the workout to your fitness level, and ActivePulse, which adjusts to keep you within a target heart rate zone. Membership costs about $15 to $39 per month depending on the plan.

Our testers found that the belt was smooth once a pace was set but did notice a slight jerking when increasing speed. The buttons for speed and incline also had to be pressed in exactly the right spot so there was a bit of a learning curve to adjust to the controls.

Dimensions: 77.3'L x 37'W x 63.4'H | Maximum Speed: 14 mph | Incline: 12% | Weight: 400 lb

The WalkingPad X21 Double Fold Treadmill is best for walkers who are looking to increase their steps indoors and don't need added shock absorption or the option of an incline. This simple, low-profile walking pad is impressively slim and lightweight, folding neatly for storage and sliding easily under a standing desk. The console is convenient and easy to operate and there's an optional holding bar for those looking for additional stability.

Dimensions: 55.8'L 27.9'W 41.4'H | Maximum Speed: 7.5 mph | Incline: No | Weight: 240 lb

As a health and fitness editor who has been regularly testing all activewear categories since 2009, Jen Ator has nearly 15 years of pinpointing the highs and lows of running equipment and accessories. As the former editor-in-chief of Women's Running, a four-time marathoner and Ironman finisher who frequently trains on treadmills, Jen has personally tested various treadmills and knows what to look for regarding durability, features, and ease of use. For this piece, Jen leaned on detailed insights from Shape editors and real-world testers.