The Best Folding Treadmills, According to Experts

• 1

  NordicTrack

  EXP 7i Treadmill

  Best Overall

  • Pros: Sleek touchscreen display, assisted folding mechanism
  • Cons: No option to connect personal devices

  If you’re hoping to log some fast miles on your treadmill and still save space, consider the NordicTrack EXP 7i. “The product is durable, and is simply one of the best treadmills available, folding or not,” DJ Mazzoni, MS, CSCS, personal trainer and medical reviewer at Illuminate Labs, tells SELF. With this compact treadmill, you can enjoy unlimited trainer-led workouts through iFit and stream them on the tread’s seven-inch HD touchscreen. You can’t link your own tablet or phone to the EXP 7i, so you’ll need to opt into iFit to stream workouts. Although it doesn’t fold completely flat, it can be stored upright when not in use (and the machine’s hydraulic EasyLift Assist folding mechanism makes that a lighter task).

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill comes with a free 30-day iFit membership (normally $180 per year). | Folding options: upright | Max speed: 10 mph | Max incline: 12% | Belt dimensions: 20×55 inches | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Warranty: 10-year frame warranty; 2-year parts warranty

• 2

  Horizon Fitness T101 GO Series Treadmill

  Best for Beginners

  • Pros: Bluetooth connectivity, assisted folding mechanism
  • Cons: Heavy (according to reviewers)

  “This no-frills treadmill is excellent for beginners, but even the most avid runners can find something to like about it,” Seacat says, adding that it has a hydraulic folding mechanism and enough updated features—like Bluetooth speakers and one-touch setting buttons (so you can select the exact speed and incline you want, without having to toggle through a range)—to keep it current. This Horizon Fitness tread provides cushioning on its running surface, which can help reduce impact on your joints. It also includes a tablet mount with charging ports, so you can stream your favorite Netflix show or fitness class on your own device. In sum, it’s a breeze to use and tailor to your level, even if you’re a total treadmill newbie.

  • Membership and app options: N/A | Folding options: upright | Max speed: 10 mph | Max incline: 10% | Belt dimensions: 20×55 inches | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime frame and motor warranty

• 3

  Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill

  Best Budget

  • Pros: Relatively lightweight, great value
  • Cons: Not suitable for fast runs

  The Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is not only compact and more affordable than other models, but has a surprisingly versatile design, too. When the handrail is raised, the treadmill is in “jogging mode” and its maximum speed increases to 7.5 mph. When the handrail is down, the “walking mode” kicks in and the top speed decreases to 2.5 mph (making it a great option for an under-desk treadmill). It’s also built to be relatively unobtrusive in your home, as it weighs 70 pounds and has a very quiet motor. If you’re hoping to walk or run more without dropping a ton of money, this Goplus tread is a solid option.

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill has connection capabilities with Goplus’s Gymax app, which allows you to record performance metrics, switch speed units from miles to kilometers, and interact with fellow runners. | Folding options: flat | Max speed: 7.5 mph | Incline range: fixed | Belt dimensions: 16×39 inches | Weight capacity: 265 pounds | Warranty: 3 months

• 4

  Sunny Health & Fitness Slim Under Desk Treadpad

  Best for Walking

  • Pros: Remote-controlled, lightweight
  • Cons: Lower weight capacity

  Given its lower maximum speed and lack of handlebars, the Walkstation Slim Treadmill is an especially good pick for anyone who likes to stroll while they work or is just getting into walking workouts. It tops out at a brisk walking speed, so it’s made to help you log some steps and get your heart rate up in a low-impact way. “And, because of its compact size, it’s easy to move around or roll right into storage,” Bueckert adds.

  • Membership and app options: N/A | Folding options: flat | Max speed: 3.75 mph | Max incline: fixed | Belt dimensions: 14×39 inches | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Warranty: 3-year frame warranty; 180-day parts warranty

• 5

  Echelon Fitness Stride Auto-Fold Smart Treadmill

  Best Smart Model

  • Pros: Very comfortable running deck, assisted folding mechanism
  • Cons: Pricey

  For those who want a tread with all the bells and whistles, a smart treadmill is the way to go—these machines come with features like streaming capabilities, interactive displays, and Bluetooth compatibility with headphones and other devices. The 2023 SELF Home Fitness Award–winning Echelon Stride-S is a great example of one that happens to fold, too. The Stride-S has live and on-demand classes available through the brand’s membership program, which also allows you to interact with fellow users and follow your progress on the community leaderboard. It has other techy features like heart rate sensors in the handrails, a 10-inch touchscreen, and a lever for automatic folding. However, its cushioned running deck is what won our tester’s heart: “It has such great shock absorption that I feel amazing once I’m done.”

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill is compatible with the Echelon Premier Membership, which costs $40 per month on a monthly plan. | Folding options: flat | Max speed: 12 mph | Incline range: 10% | Belt dimensions: 20×60 inches | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

• 6

  Sunny Health & Fitness Motorized Folding Treadmill

  Best Flat-Folding

  • Pros: Good for super small spaces, arrives assembled
  • Cons: Not as sturdy as other treadmills

  Because they tend to be lighter than treads that store upright, ones that fold flat are considered sturdy enough for walking, but not great for running. This Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill breaks the mold: You can store it under a bed or couch, but it has a speed range that should suit most runners. Bueckert adds that it offers some unique nice-to-have features, including USB ports and a headphone jack, a device holder, and nine built-in workout programs.

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill comes with access to the SunnyFit App, which tracks metrics like speed, distance, time, pulse, and steps. | Folding options: flat | Max speed: 9 mph | Max incline: fixed | Belt dimensions: 20×47 inches | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Warranty: 3-year frame warranty; 180-day parts warranty

• 7

  WalkingPad R2 Treadmill

  Best for Vertical Storage

  • Pros: Remote-controlled, good for tight spaces
  • Cons: Not suitable for fast runs, small wheels can make it difficult to maneuver (according to reviewers)

  The WalkingPad has achieved TikTok fame and glory in the last couple years for its space-saving design, ease of use, and the boost it adds to users’ WFH days (some fans hop on during Zoom meetings, while others use it as a welcome distraction). Its running surface provides plenty of shock absorption and has a unique step sensor that automatically adjusts its speed to match your steps. Plus, you can store either it vertically or flat, under furniture.

  • Membership and app options: You can adjust your speed and view your time, speed, and steps, using the KS Fit app. | Folding options: flat | Max speed: 7.45 mph | Max incline: fixed | Belt dimensions: 17×47 inches | Weight capacity: 240 pounds | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

• 8

  Sunny Health & Fitness

  SF-T4400 Treadmill

  Best for Jogging

  • Pros: Comfortable running deck, relatively affordable
  • Cons: Low weight capacity

  This 2023 Home Fitness Award–winner impressed our judges with its supportive running deck that kept them comfy during walking workouts. But if you want to pick up your pace, it’s more than capable of handling jogging, too. It not only has a wider speed range than a standard walking treadmill, but it has a longer belt, too, so you can feel secure as you increase your speed. We wouldn’t recommend this model for sprint training, but it has everything you need for some casual cardio.

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill is compatible with the SunnyFit app via Bluetooth. | Folding options: upright | Max speed: 9 mph | Max incline: 4.37% | Belt dimensions: 15.5×49 inches | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Warranty: 3-year frame warranty; 180-day parts warranty

• 9

  XTERRA Fitness Folding Treadmill

  Best for Taller Folks

  • Pros: Spacious running belt, Bluetooth connectivity
  • Cons: Heavy

  Another top pick of Seacat’s is the Xterra TRX3500. It has a large, durable running deck that can feel more comfortable for taller people with a longer stride. Best of all, the treadmill has Bluetooth speakers and it can connect to community-based fitness apps like Zwift, “to allow you to race against friends and other runners in a digital world,” says Seacat. However you like to work out, you can enjoy straightforward and motivating pre-set programs on the 6.5-inch LCD display.

  • Membership and app options: This treadmill is compatible with a range of third-party fitness apps, including Zwift, Tacx, and Kinomap. | Folding options: upright | Max speed: 12 mph | Max incline: 12% | Dimensions: 20×60 inches | Weight capacity: 350 pounds | Warranty: Lifetime frame warranty; 2-year parts warranty

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.