GoYouth 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill for $265: This is an Amazon top pick, but it’s very bare-bones for this price. There’s no app, and the remote and controls are unintuitive. The built-in Bluetooth speaker sounds unsurprisingly crappy. But it does feel great underfoot, is very quiet, and has a higher weight capacity (300 pounds) and a slightly longer belt than the Sperax. If you’re a larger person looking for a simple, affordable walking pad, this will work for you. —Adrienne So
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Lifesmart TM2202 3-in-1 Treadmill for $699: The 3-in-1 Treadmill gets its name from its ability to serve as a walking pad (with the rail down, the speed tops out at 3.7 mph), a treadmill (with the rail up, you can run up to 7.5 mph), and a workstation (with the rail up and desk attachment on) for multitasking. It’s easy to set up, and switching between modes is quick and simple (you just need to use a small tool to adjust the rail; the tool is magnetized, so it can live on the rail and never get lost in a junk drawer). The desk’s height won’t accommodate everyone; it was lower than I’d like, and I’m 5’4″. But for basic tasks like answering emails or sitting in on a meeting, it was just fine. It also doesn’t have any incline options, though. —Kristin Canning
NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill for $2,500: With a top speed of 12 mph, incline and decline options, a springy running deck, fans, a 16-inch pivoting touchscreen, and two water bottle holders, this is the best treadmill tester Kristin Canning has used. Although it is a foldable treadmill and suitable for walking and hiking workouts, it’s still bulky and relatively expensive if you’re only looking for a space-saving walking pad. If you’re searching for a running treadmill, check out Kristin’s guide to the Best Home Treadmills.
Skip These Walking Pads
Sperax Walking Pad: The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned consumers to stop using several Sperax walking pad and treadmill models due to the fall and fire hazards they pose. According to the CPSC, the machines can unexpectedly change speeds or come to a sudden stop, and there have also been reports of overheating and fires. The warning applies to the Pro, Q1, RM-01, and RM-02 models, but I’d avoid this brand altogether.
GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill for $170: There were just too many detractors for us to recommend this budget-friendly walking pad, although we hope to test some newer versions from the same company. The 3-foot power cord made it difficult to find a good spot for the pad since it needed to be so close to the wall. It was too bulky to transport around the house or store under furniture. The included remote was small and easy to lose, and the included battery died quickly. And there were no on-board buttons to control the treadmill, so if you lose the remote, you’ll have an expensive paperweight until you can replace it. I also found the phone holder too small and the shipping box poorly designed. While the low price is appealing, and I liked the folding handles and general feel of the belt, you’d be better off investing in one of our picks. —Louryn Strampe
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