Best walking pads and under-desk treadmills 2025

The best walking pads – also called under-desk treadmills or walking treadmills – will comfortably help you hit your 10K steps a day.

We've tested the best under-desk treadmills from top brands such as Citysports, and popular models from Argos and Amazon. 

Our expert testing goes further than most. It includes rating how quiet each walking pad is, plus ease of storage and operation. We also assemble a panel of testers of various heights and weights to try out each walking treadmill in our laboratory. 

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Our pick of the best walking treadmills also calls out models with the best design – those with no small gaps or access to the underside of the belt, where tiny hands or pets' paws could end up if that's relevant to you.

The best walking pad and under-desk treadmills

Only logged-in Which? members can view the walking pad and under desk treadmill test results below. 

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The walking pad and under-desk treadmills we tested

All the walking pad and under desk treadmills we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best walking treadmills from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Citysports WP3 Folding Treadmill

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Dimensions unfolded (folded) H x W x D 114 x 64 x 126cm (13 x 64 x 142cm)

Max speed 12km/h (7.4mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 103 x 41cm

Maximum user weight 120kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 25.3kg, 133cm power cord length, stated horsepower 2.0, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, foldable front handrails with fixed height of 96cm, foot rails aren’t non-slip, shelf to hold phone, one-year warranty

See also our reviews of the best treadmills for indoor running.

Dynamax RunningPad Folding Treadmill

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Available at Argos (£550)

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Dimensions unfolded (folded) H W x D 101 x 73 x 145cm (16 x 73 x 92cm)

Max speed 9km/h (5.6mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 122 x 43cm

Maximum user weight 110kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 38kg, 198cm power cord length, stated horsepower 1.0, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, automatic adaptive speed control mode, adjustable front and side handrails that can be adjusted from 63cm to 95cm, foot rails aren’t non-slip, phone/tablet holder, two-year guarantee

Home Fitness Code Folding Walking Treadmill C1

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Available at Home Fitness Code (£179.99)

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Dimensions unfolded (folded) H x W x D 111 x 56 x 122cm (13 x 56 x 128cm)

Max speed 10km/h (6.2mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 103 x 38cm

Maximum user weight 110kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 24kg, 160cm power cord length, stated peak horsepower 2.5, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, foldable front handrails with fixed height of 96cm, also available with side handrails, available for purchase with or without treadmill mat, available in other colours, no foot rails on the side, shelf to hold phone/tablet, one-year warranty

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Home Fitness Code Under Desk Treadmill S1

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Available at Home Fitness Code (£129.99 without handrail £149.99 with handrail) 

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Dimensions H x W x D 12 x 49 x 115cm

Max speed 6km/h (3.7mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 98 x 38cm

Maximum user weight 120kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 18kg, 135cm power cord length, stated peak horsepower 2.5, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, available for purchase with or without handrails, available for purchase with or without treadmill mat, available in other colours, no foot rails on the side, one-year warranty

Opti Compact Walking Treadmill

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Available at Argos (£279)

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Dimensions unfolded (folded) H x W x D 115 x 73 x 146cm (14 x 73 x 158cm)

Max speed 8km/h (5.0mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 122 x 46cm

Maximum user weight 110kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 40kg, 196cm power cord length, stated horsepower 1.5, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, can control with your phone via Bluetooth, foldable front and side handrails the latter with fixed height of 89cm, foot rails aren’t non-slip, phone/tablet holder, one-year warranty

ToDo Under Desk Treadmill

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Dimensions H x W x D 14 x 49 x 122cm

Max speed 8km/h (5.0mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 103 x 38cm

Maximum user weight 110kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 19kg, 151cm power cord length, stated horsepower 0.75, digital display (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, controls are on the remote only, can set time goal using the remote, foot rails aren’t non-slip, no warranty information

WalkingPad C1 Foldable Walking Treadmill

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Also available at WalkingPad (£329)

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Dimensions unfolded (folded) H x W x D 12 x 53 x 146cm (14 x 53 x 85cm)

Max speed 6km/h (3.7mph)

Size of running surface (L x W) 121 x 39cm

Maximum user weight 100kg

Need to know Weight of treadmill 22kg, 200cm power cord length, no stated horsepower, digital display built into the remote (shows time, speed, distance and calories burnt), no built-in workout programs, automatic adaptive speed control mode, can control with your phone via Bluetooth using KS Fit app, no handrails, no foot rails on the side, available in other colours, one-year guarantee

How we test walking pads and under-desk treadmills

We test walking pads from all the popular brands available at major UK retailers. We don't have to satisfy advertisers and we're not influenced in what we test. We also buy all the models we test – no freebies.

We regularly revisit the walking treadmills on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing – and when we find them, we do. 

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

Running experience

• A panel of testers of various genders and heights walk and jog on each of the walking pads, so we can rate them on a range of views.
• The testers use the walking pads at various speeds to see how stable each one feels, how comfortable it is to run on, how easy it is to increase and decrease speed and how good the handrails are.
• They also rate the belt on each model, on the width and length. Shorter models are better if you need to save space. However, some testers of average height found them too short to comfortably jog on.

Ease of use

The panel also rate the controls and display on each model, as well as how easy it is to get on and off the machine. Each remote control is assessed on how intuitive it is to use. Any ambiguous buttons or unclear instructions reduce the final score.

Noise

• We rate each walking pad for noise, noting any irritating pitches and creaks.
• We also measure how loud each treadmill is for both the runner and bystanders at slow and maximum speeds.
• There is a big difference in how noisy they get. We've found some are too loud to take video calls while in use – which is not so good if you want to use one while you're working.

Folding, storage and manoeuvrability

• We rate the ease of folding and unfolding each walking pad, and if the reduced footprint makes it easy to store.
• A lot of walking pads are fairly flat, so they can be stored under a bed, sofa or desk; some can be stored on their side.
• The best walking pads are lighter and have good wheels that make them easier to move around.

What is a walking pad?

A walking pad is essentially a small treadmill. It's lighter in weight and has a flat base, so can't incline like some higher-end treadmills, but ideal if you're wanting to get in some light exercise while doing other tasks.

It is designed to be placed under your desk so you can get some steps in while you work, game or watch TV. As such, models often don't have handrails or have ones that can be folded down.

If you want to exercise while doing video calls, you'll want a walking pad that is quiet when you're using it. Our tests found that some get quite loud at their top speed – which may leave colleagues wondering why you're shouting on the conference call. 

Our tests found walking pads that excel at different things depending on your needs. Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal:

• The best walking pad we've found for taller people
• The quietest walking pad we've tested
• The best walking pad we've tested for storing away
• The best walking pad we've tested for also using for a jog

Can you run on a walking pad?

Not really. Most walking pads tend to have a top speed of 8km/h (5.0mph) or less. For most people this is a brisk walk at best.

Some walking treadmills can go up to 12km/h (7.4mph). This is a light jog for most people. However, at these faster speeds, our testers felt more stable and comfortable on a full-sized treadmill.

Walking pads also tend to be shorter in length than full-sized treadmills, so won't be comfortable for taller people to jog on. 

Best treadmills – get the best running machines that go faster than walking pads

How to use a walking pad safely

• Keep children and pets away while using Walking pads can have little gaps between the belt and frame, or space at the back, where some tiny hands or paws could get in to touch the underside of the belt. While there's minimal risk of anyone getting hurt, we recommend keeping kids and pets away while you're on your walking pad. 
• Remove the safety key, if there is one, when not in use The belt cannot move once the key is out. If the walking pad doesn't have one, make sure it isn't plugged in when not in use. 
• Clear the area around it Never have the back of the running deck up against a wall or a piece of furniture. If you lose your footing, you'll be sent backwards and may injure yourself.
• Always use the safety key, if there is one If you fall, the machine will turn off and prevent additional injuries. If the walking pad doesn't have one, keep the remote on your person or within arm's reach so you can quickly turn it off or down if you need to. 
• Start slow and work up This is so you can get used to the pace. You should also wait for the machine to come to a complete stop at the end of your workout before dismounting.
• Make sure the treadmill is secure when folded away Some models fold flat and can be stored upright. Make sure yours is properly secured so it can't topple accidentally.