While I think we can all agree that walking is good for you, carving out time to actually log steps every day is surprisingly tough. That’s why I set out to find the best walking pads that make walking convenient. To do it, I enlisted a personal trainer and nine staffers to test nine machines over a series of months. Based on our findings, the proved to offer the best balance of features, build quality and price. For a foldable option to save space, we also like the .
The is a reliable, easy-to-use walking pad that borders on a treadmill, but isn’t quite as big or powerful. Really, it strikes a balance between sufficient power, quality and simplicity, which is why it earns the top spot in this guide. And although it’s on the heavy side and proved too big to fit under our tester’s desk, the well-rounded experience made it incredibly easy to walk in comfort. Prices seem to fluctuate, but you can usually find it for around $350 or less—a fair price given its capability and features.
Features For Device Watching, Jogging And Easy Storage
On the subject of features, this walking pad comes with a dedicated holder for a device; our tester used the space to stream on a phone and (attempt to) read a book. With a max speed of 7.5 mph, you can also break into a light jog if walking feels too repetitive day after day, and the handrail is collapsible, making it easy to store the machine under a couch or against a wall to save space. Our tester really appreciated the set of wheels upfront that allow you to move it about in spite of its 74-pound curb weight.
Not A Replacement For A Running Treadmill
We found little reason to knock the Goplus 2-In-1, but you should measure your desk to ensure it fits underneath, if you’d like to use it while you work. And while it’s technically billed as a treadmill, the platform isn’t going to feel as stable as a treadmill at top speeds, so don’t expect it to pull double duty as a machine for serious runs. Ultimately, if you use it as a walking pad and want to lightly jog now and then, you’ll appreciate its balance of stability and speed range.
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The is a versatile machine that nearly took our top spot due to its sturdy, stable walking surface. With a similar 2-in-1 design to the , the Urevo can double as a jogging treadmill in a pinch and has a bright, easy-to-read display to track your steps, distance and speed.
Sturdy Design And Quiet Operation
For a machine priced under $300, the Urevo is notably well-built. Compared to pricier options, like the , our tester says that the Urevo feels significantly more grounded and less noisy. “When I used the C2 pad, I felt that it didn’t have a lot of floor stabilization. For context, I live in an apartment, and therefore I’m very mindful of my neighbors’ peace and quiet,” says our tester. “When I walked on [the Urevo], I felt that it wasn’t nearly as bouncy as other models I’ve tested.”
Built-In Safety Features
To add to its stability, the Urevo has a foldable handrail that locks in place. This lock then keeps the bar secure as you use it for balance. Our tester also noticed that if you pause your session at a higher speed, the machine defaults back to its base setting (around 1.2 mph) when you start it up again. Although it’s a little inconvenient to reset it to your preferred speed, the feature helps you safely return to your workout.
A Maneuverable Choice For Small Spaces
Despite its size, the Urevo is a good option for small spaces because its upright bar acts as a handle when folded down, making it easier to move around a compact room. That said, while this model is marketed as a “folding” walking pad, the term is a bit misleading; the belt itself doesn’t fold in half. Instead, only the handrail collapses down to a flat position. This means the machine maintains its full length (51.2 inches) at all times. With the handrail folded down, it measures 4.6 inches thick, which is thin enough to slide under most beds and couches.
By and large, walking pads are less expensive than full-sized treadmills, which partially explains why they’ve become so popular in recent years. Still, if you’re shopping for a walking pad on a budget, we found that the delivers a simple, reliable experience for around $100—a great price for a basic machine.
Lightweight And Portable With Simple Controls
Weighing just 35 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to move about the house, whether you’d like to use it under your desk or in the living room. It’s also easy to hide out of sight, as it measures less than 5 inches tall when flat on the ground, so you shouldn’t have trouble sliding it under a couch. When the time comes to use it, a basic remote allows you to turn it on (a dedicated power button on the machine does the same), adjust the speed and cycle through metrics on the tiny LCD display, like time walked, calories burned and speed. It’s incredibly simple, but our tester actually appreciated that aspect of the experience—it became a part of her wellness routine, but not the focal point.
Lacks Smart Features And Handrails
As alluring as a $100 walking pad may seem, it doesn’t come without drawbacks. Our tester made it clear that this isn’t a smart device, so you shouldn’t expect more advanced capabilities like app control, incline or a high top speed. It also doesn’t feature handrails, which may be an issue if you have poor balance. Ultimately, it’s a reliable machine with basic functionality and a one-year warranty for added peace of mind. If you’d like to use a walking pad in combination with other forms of activity, it’s an excellent option for less.
Very few walking pads come with the ability to incline—that feature is usually reserved for full-sized treadmills with more advanced mechanics. But if a basic walking pad without incline isn’t challenging enough, we like the for its fixed 5% grade.
Features App Control And Thorough Metric-Tracking
Featuring a bright LCD display at the front of the machine that tracks calories burned, time spent walking, speed, distance and total number of steps taken, it’s easy to thoroughly track every session. And with the ability to control the machine’s belt speed via remote or app, our tester was surprised to find it max out at 3.6 mph, instead of the 3.1 mph stated online by Egofit.
Has A 5% Incline For A Better Burn
This walking pad’s main selling point is its fixed 5% incline, which our tester found useful as someone who prefers to walk on an incline at the gym. That slight grade burns more calories and provides a better workout, which may be what you’re looking for if walking at ground level isn’t quite enough.
A Short Deck With No Decline Option For Flat-Surface Walking
Of course, a walking pad with a fixed incline does have its limitations: You can’t dial it down, so you need to be comfortable committing to the incline. And although the shorter deck wasn’t an issue for our tester, they did note the lack of side rails, which can lead to instability at high speeds. At 50 pounds, it’s also somewhat bulky and awkward to move, so a second set of hands might be necessary now and again. Still, it’s one of the only reliable machines in its class if you’re after a walking pad that makes getting in your steps just a bit more challenging.
Walking pads are popular because they take up such little space, but if you live in a small apartment or share a space with others, you might need an even smaller machine like the . While it’s already rather compact, a hinge mechanism allows you to fold it in half before storing it under a bed or tucking it in a closet. And with easy-to-use controls via remote, it delivers the basic functionality you need to walk each day in comfort, without the space commitment that comes with a non-folding model.
Sleek Appearance, Simple Operation And Two Walking Modes
Our tester liked the C2’s appearance from the moment it was unboxed—it looks sleek and simple, which makes it less prominent when the time comes to set it away. Turning it on/off, adjusting the belt speed and changing modes proved simple via the included remote as well, and an app allows you to log workouts, choose from preset workouts and track stats.
The two walking modes are automatic and manual—you can let the treadmill control the speed as you walk (automatic) or preselect the speed on your own (manual). Automatic mode sounds handy in theory, but our tester found it unreliable, as the machine constantly shut off if it detected footfalls too far back on the belt, or picked up speed too rapidly if footfalls were detected near the front. With that said, the belt was supportive and absorbed shock well, which made it easier to commit to longer walks.
App-Compatible, Though We Found The App Clunky
While the app connected to the machine via Bluetooth on the first try, our tester found the app interface clunky and preferred to use the machine without it. But because the remote only increases the speed in increments of 0.5 mph, they chose to set three preferred speeds in the app that were outside of the 0.5 mph increments.
Long-Term Durability Concerns
As convenient as a foldable walking pad can be, the hinge introduces other considerations. Like a folding smartphone, it’s designed to open and close a specific number of times, and over time, it may get weaker. Our research didn’t find any long-term reviews that suggest it fails, but it’s something to consider if you’d like your walking pad to last for years to come. Our tester also found that the belt skips every now and then, likely because of the hinge mechanism, though it didn’t interrupt walks or lead to any safety concerns. Ultimately, the folding design is a great option that costs more, but saves precious space in return.
Walking pads are already quite versatile, but if you need a machine that can handle walks, runs and work, the should meet your needs. Although it’s a bit more expensive, our tester found its features reliable and easy to use, from the manual incline controls to the removable desk. You’ll pay more for these features upfront, but what you get in return is a more versatile machine that’s especially useful if you work from home.
Jog-Compatible Top Speed, Pop-Up Rails And A Remote Control
As the fastest machine in this guide with a top speed of 8 mph, you shouldn’t have trouble transitioning from a walk to a light jog, and the pop-up rails make the movement feel much more stable. Unlike most other walking pads that rely on a TV-like remote to change settings, this one comes with a remote that looks more like a watch, allowing you to change settings from your wrist at a moment’s notice.
Removable Desk, Plus A High Weight Capacity
Of course, this machine’s main selling point is the removable desk, which our tester found sturdy and easy to remove/install in seconds. It’s great for a laptop, notebook and other similarly sized items, but you shouldn’t expect it to support multiple monitors or anything heavy—Hccsport doesn’t explicitly say how much weight it can support, so we recommend loading it with caution. Speaking of support, the walking pad itself is rated for up to 300 pounds, which is also one of the highest figures among models we tested.
Short Walking Deck And Lackluster Bluetooth Speaker
And yet, while the machine can support a lot of weight, our tester found the platform to be on the shorter side, which might pose a problem if you’re over six feet tall and have a long stride. Another potential downside is the lackluster audio quality of its Bluetooth speaker, which our tester bypassed in favor of headphones. Other than these points, it’s a capable model with added versatility for those who want more from their walking pad but can’t commit to a full-size treadmill or an integrated walking pad-desk combo.
The Best Walking Pads, Compared
While we named six winners total, each model comes with trade-offs that make it better suited for certain use cases over others. To help you determine the right fit for you, I compared our winners side by side, including their specs, Forbes Vetted score (measured on a one to five scale, with five being the best) and who they’re best for, in the chart below.
Other Walking Pads We Tested
We tested a total of nine walking pads. While six standout models made the list, there’s one more worth considering depending on your needs, plus two others we simply don’t recommend due to their overall value. We found them to be too expensive for what they offer, especially since you can find similar features for a lower price among our winners.
More Walking Pads Worth Considering
- Best Value, Runner-Up: (Forbes Vetted score: 3/5): While this walking pad nearly checked all our boxes during testing, a few quirks kept it from our winners list. The Sperax features a higher weight capacity than our top budget pick, but it lacks folding capabilities, which made it feel cumbersome to our tester. It also doesn’t slide under furniture as easily as the .
Walking Pads We Don’t Recommend
- (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5): This under-desk treadmill impressed our tester with its easy installation process, included phone holder and sturdy design. However, the offers more features and costs less when on sale.
- (Forbes Vetted score: 4/5): The SpaceWalk Lite is compelling thanks to its 265-pound weight capacity, anti-slip belt and built-in shock absorbers that make walking more comfortable. That said, the delivers a similar experience for over $100 less.
How We Tested The Best Walking Pads
To find the best walking pads, I developed a testing protocol that allowed our panel of testers to asses the key variables of nine different models, including installation, speed, incline, included accessories and noise.
Process
- Expert research: By tapping into my previous experience testing cardio equipment, I compiled a list of nine contenders for our testing process.
- Panel testing: I sent each contender home with one of my teammates for at least a month (and sometimes much longer) to see how they held up under daily use. I then asked them to fill out a testing document that rates every key feature, from the walking pad’s assembly process to its maximum speed.
Our Panel Testers
I recruited nine people from the Forbes Vetted team of varying fitness levels and goals to put these machines to the test. Here’s a look at who tested what:
- Katie Simpson: Tested the in her home office, supplementing regular gym sessions to reach her daily goal of 10,000 to 15,000 steps.
- Lindsay Boyers: Tested the throughout her workday and while on long calls.
- Rebekah Lowin: Tested the in her home gym for both walking and running.
- Rebecca Isaacs: Tested the in her New York City apartment, where floor space is minimal.
- Fran Sales: Tested the to limit sitting during the workday and get in some exercise outside the gym.
- Claire Epting: Tested the during off-camera meetings and while watching TV.
- Spencer Dukoff: Tested the during his workday as an alternative to his treadmill.
- Astrid Taran: Tested the as a way to add more movement into her day.
- Esther Carlstone: Tested the to get steps in during work and for light exercise.
Criteria
I made sure that every walking pad in this guide was held to the same high standards. To find our winners, I asked my panelists to focus on these seven key factors to determine how well each machine works and fits into an average fitness routine.
- Installation process: We evaluated how easy it was to set up each walking pad once unboxed, checking whether they needed tools to be assembled properly, if those tools were included and whether instructions were easy to follow. Fortunately, all of the models in this guide were incredibly easy to set up, with little to no installation required.
- Speed range: We looked for machines with adjustable speed settings that are accurate and easy to change on the fly. All of the models in this guide allow for slow-paced walking and brisk walking, and some are capable of reaching speeds necessary to break into a light jog.
- Incline ability: We tested how adjustable the incline is on each walking pad, if available. While some models lack an incline feature entirely, others have a fixed or manually adjustable incline option. For models that don’t offer incline, we considered if it was still possible to get an effective workout without it.
- Included accessories: From Bluetooth speakers to apps and remotes, we looked at the accessories that ship with each machine and how useful they were in creating a seamless walking experience. Cheap speakers, half-baked apps and other cut corners earned negative marks.
- Noisiness: We made note of noise levels at different speeds and considered if machines were quiet enough to watch TV, talk in meetings or simply work without distraction.
- Portability: We looked at each model’s weight, profile and features like built-in wheels or handles that boost portability. We also considered each machine’s dimensions and whether or not they could slide under furniture.
- Ease of use: We looked for speed controls, start/stop buttons, stat tracking, and displays or apps that are designed to make managing and monitoring your walks easier. We also considered additional functionality, like preset walking modes and automatic speed adjustment options.
How To Pick The Best Walking Pads
With a plethora of walking pads to choose from, there are several key factors to keep in mind when you’re ready to invest in one. We take a look at these factors ahead.
Footprint
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 our 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 —that can fold to take up less space in storage.
Speed
Most walking pads have an average speed range of about o.5 to 4 mph, which is a comfortable pace for those seeking a low-intensity workout. Still, certain under-desk treadmills tout higher max speeds—like the —that can accommodate jogging and running. Just remember that traditional treadmills are a better choice for avid runners because they provide more stability at faster speeds.
Incline
Walking on an incline is a great way to boost your strength and cardiovascular health without putting additional strain on your joints. Although many walking pads don’t offer this feature, some can incline up to 6%, such as the , while others like the have a fixed incline at 5%.
Weight Capacity
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 it. 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.
Metric Tracking
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 —also pair with apps that sync your workouts, so you can check your progress from your phone.
Walking Pads Vs. Treadmills: Which Is Right For You?
Walking pads and treadmills are both effective tools for increasing activity at home, though the right option for you depends on your personal fitness goals and preferences. If you’re on the fence about which machine is right for you, consider our breakdown of the pros and cons of each, below.
Walking Pads
We recommend walking pads to folks whose primary goal is increasing their daily step count. For serious runners or incline walkers looking to get a more robust at-home workout, a walking pad isn’t up to the task given the limited speed and incline range compared to a traditional treadmill.
Pros:
- Compact design, which makes them easy to store
- Quieter motor compared to a full-size treadmill
- Affordable; most walking pads are priced under $600
Cons:
- Limited speed and incline range for running and walking
- More pared-down design compared to a full-size treadmill (no built-in fitness programs, heart rate monitors or large displays)
Treadmills
Treadmills have durable motors designed for heavy daily use, making them a more significant investment than a walking pad. As such, we recommend full-sized treadmills to people looking to use it for their main source of activity rather than as a complement to existing workouts. Dedicated runners, power-walkers, and those looking to build a home gym are all good candidates for a treadmill.
Pros:
- Able to withstand higher-intensity exercise, including incline walking, jogging and running
- Supports higher weight capacities than walking pads (average weight capacity lies between 300 and 400 pounds)
- More feature-rich than walking pads; most treadmills come with a large display, built-in workouts and device holders
Cons:
- Less compact; requires a dedicated space
- More expensive, with the average treadmill priced between $1,000 and $3,000
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
When it comes to walking pads, treadmills and other fitness equipment, you can trust that the Forbes Vetted gear team’s recommendations are carefully curated to help you find the best options for your goals and lifestyle. Our library contains guides on other walking essentials, such as the best walking shoes for men and women.
- This article was written by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who holds a degree in kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. With a background in health and wellness, Vigliotta understands how the right equipment can support your goals, whether you’re aiming to stay active at your desk or fit in quick workouts as time allows.
- Forbes Vetted senior strategy editor Katie Simpson edited and reviewed this guide. Simpson is also a certified personal trainer and avid walker, and relied on her experience with treadmills and walking pads to assess the models in this guide.
- This guide was last updated in March 2026 by gear updates writer Alexandra Garrett, who also has experience testing walking pads.