Spend most of your day at a desk? We feel your pain (literally). Let's make sitting while working a thing of the past. Sure, a standing desk is great for improving your posture, but those won't help you get any closer to your goal of 10,000 steps every day. With a treadmill desk, you can walk and burn calories while you work.
A treadmill desk is a perfect solution to help you achieve more movement throughout your workday. Dan Gaz, a physical activity and assessment program manager at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program in Rochester, Minnesota, told Forbes that treadmill desks are a great way to incorporate more movement into normally sedentary situations, adding that “your low metabolism may be caused by your job, rather than your genes.”
Exercise has also been proven to increase the production of neurochemicals and boost neuron numbers to improve memory and thinking abilities.
When you’re shopping for a treadmill desk, keep in mind that you can mix and match components. As long as your standing desk has a high clearance and no crossbars for added support, chances are, it'll work with an under-the-desk treadmill. To make your search easier, we've listed our favorites below. It's worth mentioning that few include the treadmill and the desk, so you may need to pick and choose depending on your needs and budget.
Best Treadmill Desks
What to Consider
Size
The most important factor to consider when shopping for an under-the-desk treadmill is its size and shape. Pay attention to how much the treadmill weighs, its dimensions, and whether or not it's foldable. You may want one on wheels, so that you can easily move and store it when it’s not in use. You’ll want to make sure the treadmill fits in your space, so you have plenty of room to move about without the risk of tripping over it.
Space Requirements
Our picks work best on solid floors or low-pile carpets, and the folks at Work While Walking recommend you have 40 inches of clearance behind the treadmill, and 20 inches of space on the left and right sides of it. It may sound like a given, but you should also ensure that you have easy access to an outlet to plug the treadmill in.
Speed
Most under-the-desk treadmills have a maximum speed of under 5 miles per hour. Considering the fact that most of us walk between 3 to 4 miles per hour, you shouldn’t need to go faster than that. In fact, you may even go closer to 2 miles per hour, since you’ll likely be operating a computer while using your treadmill.
Maximum User Weight
Under-the-desk treadmills typically have lower maximum user weights than standard treadmills. The latter have weight capacities between 300 and 325 pounds, and although there are a few under-the-desk treadmills that can support more than 300 pounds, most have a maximum user weight of 220 pounds.
Extra Features
Some treadmills have remotes that make them easier to start, stop, and change walking speeds. Most have displays, so you can see metrics such as your total distance walked. Several have safety features, like the ability to automatically stop the machine when you step off. We recommend creating a list of must-have features that are important to you.
Make one of our picks your new workspace, whether at home or in the office, to increase your activity (and productivity) levels every day.
1
Best Under $500
2 in 1 Folding Treadmil
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 49 x 27 inches
- Maximum Speed: 8 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 265 pounds
If you want the cheapest path to owning a treadmill desk, this under-the-desk walking treadmill costs less than $500.
It goes up to 2.5 miles per hour when its handrail is lowered, and up to 8 miles per hour when it's lifted. The Goplus offers an easy installation, a built-in Bluetooth speaker, a spot to hold your phone, and a remote control for adjusting speed. It features a foldable design and built-in wheels for moving and storing it.
More: The Best Under-Desk Bikes to Keep Your Legs Moving
2
Large Desktop Included
Folding Treadmill with Desk
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 49 x 41 inches
- Maximum Speed: 7.5 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 265 pounds
Unfortunately, several under-the-desk treadmills do not include a desk. We love the Funmily treadmill because it's one of the few models that has an integrated desk, so you don't have to make a separate purchase.
The desk has an integrated tablet holder, two cup holders, and plenty of space for a laptop. This model even features Bluetooth speakers that you can pair with your phone to keep you motivated while you work and walk.
The treadmill's LCD screen shows your total distance, time, speed, and calories burned, and it can even display your heart rate after you grip the handles. This option reaches speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour, and folds up for convenient storage.
3
Large Desktop Included
Treadmill Desk
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 49 x 41 inches
- Maximum Speed: 7.5 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 265 pounds
Unfortunately, several under-the-desk treadmills do not include a desk. We love the Funmily treadmill because it's one of the few models that has an integrated desk, so you don't have to make a separate purchase.
The desk has an integrated tablet holder, two cup holders, and plenty of space for a laptop. This model even features Bluetooth speakers that you can pair with your phone to keep you motivated while you work and walk.
The treadmill's LCD screen shows your total distance, time, speed, and calories burned, and it can even display your heart rate after you grip the handles. This option reaches speeds of up to 7.5 miles per hour, and folds up for convenient storage. The treadmill is available in gold, silver, and gray.
4
Sleek Under-Desk Feature
P1 Smart Desk Treadmill
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 57 x 22 inches
- Maximum Speed: 4 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 220 pounds
For those looking for a super-sleek treadmill that easily can slide under a couch after the workday is over, look no further than this option. It's extremely compact, yet still reaches speeds of up to 4 miles per hour.
With a minimum height of only 5 inches and the ability to be folded in half, the company received the Red Dot Design Award in 2019. Despite its thin size, it still features a sturdy frame made of stainless steel. Plus, its ultra quiet motor is perfect for an office setting.
5
Reliable and Whisper-Quiet
TR1200-DT3 Under Desk Treadmill
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 63 x 28 inches
- Maximum Speed: 4 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 350 pounds
This under-the-desk treadmill is meant to be used with a separate standing desk unit. By purchasing the two items individually, you can roll the treadmill out of the way, and just stand on the floor at the desk when you need a break from walking.
This treadmill includes a control console that can be placed on any desk, and it features a USB charging port for your electronics. If you want a slightly more durable model, opt for the TR5000-DT3 or the commercial-grade TR5000-DT7 instead.
6
Best for Running
Under Desk Walking Pad
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 58 x 39 inches
- Maximum Speed: 7.5 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 400 pounds
This versatile, space-saving treadmill can be used in two different ways. Fold its integrated handrail down, and it becomes the perfect under-the-desk treadmill. With its handrail positioned upward, you can run with a max speed of 7.5 miles per hour.
The treadmill, which weighs less than 100 pounds, absorbs shocks and has noise-reduction tech on board. Plus, it has a built-in Bluetooth speaker. There's even a stand to hold your smartphone in case you want to watch videos while you exercise! When it's folded down, it takes up less than 3 square feet.
7
Designed to Motivate You
Treadly 2 Pro
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 58 x 39 inches
- Maximum Speed: 5 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 265 pounds
For those who need a little extra dose of motivation, we recommend the Treadly 2 under-the-desk treadmill. Its free app features live video walking groups, so you can find someone to exercise with, no matter the time of day.
The app also helps you socialize with your friends and other folks who have similar goals and common interests. If you want, you can share and compare your stats, as well as chat with other Treadly owners.
The Treadly 2 is equipped with a bright display that’ll let you know your speed, steps, time, and distance traveled. An integrated Bluetooth speaker allows you to walk alongside your favorite music or podcasts.
This option has a sturdy handrail, and since it’s elevated, it's a good option for using on a rug or carpet.
8
Best for Storing Upright
Portable Treadmill with Foldable Wheels
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 57 x 27 inches
- Maximum Speed: 4 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 198 pounds
This under-the-desk treadmill weighs just 55 pounds and is on wheels. It’s just 6 inches thick, making it one of the easiest treadmills to store upright against a wall.
The treadmill is incredibly quiet, thanks to its multilayered shock-absorbing running belt and whisper-quiet motor. It supports up to 198 pounds in weight, includes a remote control, and reaches speeds of up to 4 miles per hour.
9
Best Safety Features
Under-Desk Walkstation
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 50 x 21.5 inches
- Maximum Speed: 3.75 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 220 pounds
If you're in search of an affordable, reliable, and safe treadmill, you can't go wrong with the Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation. It has a nifty safety feature that detects when you step off it, and will automatically pause the running belt if no user is detected after 5 seconds. It also saves energy, and enters power-save mode if the machine has been idle for 10 minutes.
This option comes fully assembled, includes a wireless remote control, and is on wheels. It even has a large 14-inch monitor that measures your time, speed, calories burned, steps, and distance.
10
The Luxury Treadmill Desk
Unsit Treadmill Desk
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 58 x 39 inches
- Maximum Speed: 2 miles per hour
- Maximum User Weight: 400 pounds
Whether you're in search of a treadmill desk for employees to share at the office, or you just need something for the house that you can trust, the new InMovement Unsit will do the job. Sure, it's pricey, but it's an incredibly sturdy combo that will last for years.
The commercial-grade treadmill has a silent motor that won't drown out your meeting, and it has a unique design, unlike any other treadmill desk we've seen. Rather than being long and rectangular, it has a square design.
The Unsit also features a Bluetooth app that tracks your steps, distance, and calories. We appreciate that some of its parts are backed by a lifetime warranty, and that it supports up to 400 pounds. Our only complaint is that we wish it were a little faster, since this one tops out at just 2 miles per hour.
Brandon Carte
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
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