Best Walking Pads 2025 - Forbes Vetted

Spending hours at a desk each day means I’m constantly reminding myself to take breaks—stretch my legs, relax my eyes and reset. But stepping away is easier said than done, which is why walking pads, or under-desk treadmills, have become such a healthy game-changer in this remote working era. I evaluated designs based on overall size, belt speed, durability and additional features, determining the GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill to be the best walking pad overall—it’s stable, powerful and very easy to use. If you’re on a tight budget, the Urevo SpaceWalk Lite is a great under-$200 model that’s controlled by a convenient remote.

The best walking pads are design to help you squeeze in more steps.

Keep in mind that a walking pad isn’t a substitute for a full-sized treadmill. As tempting as it may be to buy one because it’s comparatively cheaper, most models aren’t designed to pick up the pace, and even if they are, they don’t feel as stable at high speeds. At the end of the day, an under-desk treadmill is a great option if you want an easy way to stay active at home or in the office via low-intensity exercise. If that’s what you’re after, read on to learn more about my top picks.

Amazon

Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 5 inches | Track length: 40 inches | Max speed: 7.5 mph | Weight capacity: 265 pounds

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It’s hard to find a walking pad that checks every box—as you start looking for a model with speed, stability, durability and add-on tech features, you’re effectively shopping for a full-sized treadmill. Still, what I like about the Goplus 2-In-1 Treadmill is that it offers most of these features, but it still comes in at just $300. For example, the motor’s max speed of 7.5 mph lets you break into a light jog if walking feels just a bit slow, and pop-up siderails improve stability. With a max weight capacity of 265 pounds, the design also accommodates different body shapes and sizes, and that’s in spite of the fact that this walking pad can still slide under a desk if you’d like to use it while you work.

With all that said, remember that this is a walking pad, so don’t look at the motor’s max speed and assume it’ll be good for running. Yes, you can technically use it for running, but the platform isn’t going to feel as stable at high speeds, and you run the risk of slipping off the back. Ultimately, I think the Goplus 2-In-1 Treadmill strikes a balance between price, weight capacity, stability and speed range, and for that reason, it’s my top pick.

Amazon

Dimensions: 50.9 x 20.7 x 4.9 inches | Track length: 41.3 inches | Max speed: 4 mph | Weight capacity: 265 pounds

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By and large, walking pads are less expensive than full-sized treadmills, which partially explains why they’ve become so popular in recent years. But if you’re still shopping for a walking pad on a budget, consider the Urevo SpaceWalk Lite. Because the walking pad itself weighs 45 pounds, you can easily move it from one room to the next or hide it out of sight. I also appreciate the fact that it comes with a remote, so you can change speed settings from your desk, on the fly. With a max speed of 4 mph, it’s not the fastest walking pad on the market, but you’ll still work up a sweat if you give it some time.

The one gripe I have with this model is the fact that you can only change speed settings with the remote—there are no buttons or switches to be found on the walking pad itself. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this isn’t an issue. But don’t misplace the remote—and if it breaks, you have to contact support and jump through hoops to have the problem resolved. But at the end of the day, that isn’t a dealbreaker, which is why this makes for a compelling option at less than $200.

Amazon

Dimensions: 56.37 x 21.5 x 5 inches | Track length: 47.2 inches | Max speed: 3.75 mph | Weight capacity: 220 pounds

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Walking pads are a popular choice because they take up such little space, but if you live in small apartment or share a house with roommates, you might need an even smaller design like the Walking Pad P1. While it’s already rather small, a hinge at the middle means it folds in half to save even more space, allowing you to store it under a bed or tuck it in a closet when it’s not in use. And while that hinge might lead you to believe that it’s les powerful in some way, the motor still tops out at 3.75 mph and the weight capacity reaches 220 pounds, so this is as capable a walking pad as they come.

My main concern is the hinge introduces a weakness and possible failure point. Like a folding smartphone, the hinge is designed to open and close a specific number of times, and over time, it may get weaker. In my research, I haven’t found any long-term reviews that suggest it might fail, but it’s something to consider if you’d like your walking pad to last for years to come. Otherwise, this is a great option that costs more for the folding feature, but in return, you save a bit of space.

Amazon

Dimensions: 55 x 27 x 47 inches (with desk) | Track length: 42.5 inches | Max speed: 8 mph | Weight capacity: 280 pounds

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While most walking pads slide underneath a standing desk, this model from Hccsport integrates its workspace into the siderails, so no matter where you choose to walk, you’ve always got a desk at the ready—handy if you want to use your laptop in a space that’s separate from your home office. And because the height-adjustable desk attachment can be removed, you’re not married to the design if you’d like to step away from work while you get some movement in. It has a maximum speed of 8 mph, so you can engage in some light jogging after the work day.

There’s no assembly required, and a set of built-in wheels make moving its 84-pound frame to another spot relatively easily. The remote control wristband lets you switch between speeds, as well as increase your incline by up to 6%. It’s worth noting that this model is equipped with built-in music speakers, but multiple customers say that the audio quality leaves a lot to be desired. However, many people who invest in at-home fitness equipment already have a preferred way of listening to music while working out—whether it’s with wireless earbuds or a Bluetooth speaker—so this isn’t a huge dealbreaker.

Amazon

Dimensions: 43 x 20 x 4 inches | Track length: 42 inches | Max speed: 3.8 mph | Weight capacity: 300 pounds

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With a top speed of 3.8 mph and a relatively narrow walking platform, the Lacuffy Walking Pad is an easygoing, compact option. But, because it sports a 300-pound weight capacity, it’s a solid choice for big and tall users who need a supportive, reliable design. A mobile app keeps track of your calories burned and time spent walking, so all you really have to do is put one foot in front of the other.

While it’s advertised as being incredibly quiet (which would make it ideal for those working from home), some reviews suggest the treadmill constantly beeps and the motor isn’t as quiet as you might hope. That’s not to say it’s loud, but I wouldn’t recommend investing in this walking pad (or any walking pad, for that matter) under the assumption that it’s whisper quiet. If that’s not a deterrent, this is a great choice to help you sneak in a few extra steps each day or kickstart your fitness journey.

The right walking pad for you must align with your fitness goals and space requirements. To help narrow down your search, we compared our five top picks side by side to see how their dimensions, track length, max speed and weight capacity stack up.

When it comes to walking pads and fitness equipment at large, you can trust that our recommendations are carefully curated to help you find the best option for your goals and general lifestyle.

To identify the best under-desk treadmills, I focused on finding models that strike the perfect balance between functionality, comfort and durability, paying mind to performance, user experience and design details that make a difference.

With a plethora of walking pads on the market, there are several key factors to keep in mind when choosing the right walking pad for you. We break down these factors below.

Walking pads are much smaller than an average treadmill. However, it’s still important to consider the size of your space and the size of the machine before buying one. Most models are designed to be compact and portable; the options on are list measure between 43 to 57 inches in length and 20 to 27 inches in width, so they can comfortably fit in an apartment or home office. There are also models—like the WalkingPad P1—that can fold to take up less space in storage.

Walking pads typically hold less weight than a traditional treadmill, so before making a purchase, check the model’s weight capacity to make sure it can support you and anyone else planning to use the machine. A higher weight capacity also correlates with the walking pad’s durability and how it will hold up longterm; generally, the higher the weight capacity, the more it’ll withstand regular use.

Successful fitness goals require you to track certain metrics, such as steps, mileage and calories burned. With this in mind, we recommend taking a look at what metrics each model displays while in use. Some models—like the Lacuffy Walking Pad–also pair with apps that sync your workouts, so you can check your progress from your phone.

While all of the walking pads on this list are highly rated by customers, the model that I chose as the best for most people is the GoPlus 2-In-1 Treadmill. It has a maximum speed of 7.5 mph, which is on the higher end as far as under-desk treadmills go. Reviewers especially appreciate its compact size and how quiet it is, even at higher speeds.

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to how long you should walk on your walking pad. Total beginners should start with short, infrequent sessions and work their way up to longer ones—30 minutes a day is a good place to start. Another way to measure your progress is your step count: Many under-desk treadmills track your steps, making it easy to keep an eye on your progress over time.

A walking pad is a solid option for fitness enthusiasts who want to increase their daily steps. Their compact and portable size make it easy to get in a low-intensity workout while at home or at your desk. That said, walking pads aren’t as versatile and durable as traditional treadmills. They typically don’t have a wide speed or incline range, so they’re not suitable for runners or individuals seeking a high intensity workout.

We added a buyers guide and a comparison chart that breaks down the features of our top picks.

We updated specs and pricing for accuracy, added a new walking pad model and refreshed our FAQ section.