6 Best Under Desk Treadmills: Popular Options Reviewed

Under Desk Treadmills Compared

Advantages & Drawbacks of Under Desk Treadmills

One of the most significant advantages of an under desk treadmill is that it's small enough to fit under a desk and slide underneath a couch or against a wall for storage. They indeed have fewer programs and features than gym-level treadmills, but under desk treadmills are also quieter, and some still have an incline to give a great workout.

A common complaint in under desk treadmill reviews is that there is a maintenance aspect that goes unmentioned in many ads. The user often has to align the running belt or add lubricant.

However, many under desk treadmills are built to make these procedures quick and easy. They are also built with wheels for easy transportation and have additional features like Bluetooth and LCD displays. Overall, an under desk treadmill is worth it if you just want to add a little movement to your day.

Choosing a Quality Under Desk Treadmill

Core Components

Weight Capacity

The average under desk treadmill can hold light- to mid-sized people but tend to max out at about 220 pounds. This is likely because these treadmills are relatively compact. Unfortunately, there have so far been few companies with the tech to make a stronger under desk treadmill.

Deck Length & Width

One of the worst things that can happen on an under desk treadmill is that the user falls off, possibly interrupting a conference call and causing injury. A treadmill deck with enough length and width to accommodate the user's strides is imperative for this reason.

Portability, Storage & Stowage

Having enough floor space is also a key component of using an under desk treadmill. Most under desk treadmills are built with wheels to transport them and are low-profile enough to store behind or under a desk or couch.

Safety Features

The most important safety feature on any treadmill is a safety key that attaches to the user so that if they fall, the machine turns off. This dramatically reduces the likelihood of injury. There should also be enough padding under the deck to prevent serious injury in a fall.

Noise

Stay-at-home parents and working individuals both benefit from a quiet under desk treadmill. The sound of the machine operating should be silent enough to keep from ruining phone calls or waking up sleeping infants, and there should be enough padding to prevent the noise of footfalls from resounding too loudly.

Price & Warranty

It’s easy to find an under desk treadmill that doesn’t require a huge investment. Warranties are fairly rare and limited to free replacement parts for a certain period after purchase.

1. GoPlus 2 In 1

Best Under Desk Treadmill

This model from GoPlus makes a great under desk walking treadmill and also works well for jogging to get more of a leg workout. The max speed could be faster, but for the type of light workout many people look for at the office, you can’t beat this little machine.

It has plenty of space to stand on, although perhaps not enough for people with exceptionally long gaits. There are built-in wheels to make it easy to move around or slide underneath a desk or couch. It is a bit heavy, but with the help of the wheels, one person can certainly move this treadmill around.

The rails on this treadmill can be folded down to put it in walking mode or unfolded to put in running mode for more serious exercise sessions. It’s not as easy to adjust as some other models since you have to remove four screws to do it, but having two modes to choose from makes this machine very versatile considering the price.

For people who work near others, the motor on this treadmill is quiet, and there is enough padding in the belt to make footfalls nearly silent. Extra features include a Bluetooth speaker, a cell phone holder, and remote control. There is also a belt clip for additional safety.

We have also done a video reviewing our top 3 choices if you prefer watching over reading for our top picks. Whatever you choose to do, i'm sure you will find what you need on this list!

2. ANCHEER

Best Folding Under Desk Treadmill

Few under desk treadmills fold away as easily as this one does. With its LCD display and heart rate sensors, you’d think it was top of the line, but it is likely the cheapest under desk treadmill on the market. One of the nicest things about this machine is the lubrication port, which gives the user quick access to add a few drops of lubrication agent to the internal mechanism.

Although the motor is a bit more potent than those in comparable models, this treadmill takes less energy to operate. The track is as roomy as any other under desk walking treadmill, and the material it's made from shows no signs of wearing down after a substantial number of uses.

This treadmill is relatively quiet when the motor is running. It has ten preset exercise programs to help you reach your fitness goals, and you can also measure calories burned, distance traveled, and speed in addition to your heart rate.

The only annoying thing is that all this information disappears after each session, even if you just need to take a quick pause. For the cheapest under desk treadmill on the market, though, this ANCHEER model has everything you need.

3. GoPlus Underdesk Electric

Best Under Desk Walking Treadmill

GoPlus has built this under desk treadmill with additional width in the running belt and a low height dimension to make it easy to store under or behind a desk. They placed the LCD display on the bottom where you can see your speed, time, calories, distance, and speed with a quick glance down at your feet.

For those who enjoy walking while working at a standing desk, this model has an incline that will have you sweating and burning extra calories even at a slow walking pace.

One thing that makes this such a great under desk treadmill with incline is its sturdy construction. It's made out of steel so it can take a few dings and bumps. It should last a good while, and it has extra safety features like a quick-stop button on the remote. There are two wheels to make transporting this treadmill a breeze.

You can also choose from 12 different workout programs depending on what kind of exercise you want to get. The body of this under desk treadmill with incline doesn't budge while you use it, and the track muffles footfalls very effectively, so you can still use this machine even when the conference call isn't on mute.

4. RHYTHM FUN

Best Under Desk Treadmill for Running

If you're shopping for a low-profile under desk treadmill, look no further. This is definitely among the slimmest models, but it doesn't sacrifice any real estate on the running belt. It has a bit more horsepower than other treadmills, which is reflected in its higher maximum speed.

Even though it's the smallest under desk treadmill in this guide, it's still relatively heavy. Luckily, it doesn't require any assembly at all, and wheels make it easier to move around.

This is one of the only under desk treadmills that is operated via its app. There's also a remote control, but you can download the app and run the machine with your phone if you prefer. There's also a convenient place to put your phone and Bluetooth if you want to play your music.

This under desk treadmill also comes with a safety clip so that it will turn off if you fall with the clip attached to you. It’s a great under desk walking treadmill that can also get up to a pretty fast pace.

For workers who are trying to break up their sedentary lifestyle, this treadmill is perfect. There are minimal controls to fuss with, so you can walk a few miles and get back to working stationary with little downtime.

5. GYMAX

Value for Money

This under desk treadmill has all the features available on similar models across the market. There’s a safety key, a remote, Bluetooth connectivity, a phone holder, and a removable armrest.

Like some other models, there’s the option of removing the vertical bracket to make it easier to fit underneath a standing desk so that you can use it while you work. However, this bracket is removed with a wrench and the procedure to do so is a bit more complicated to do frequently.

That being said, if you have plans to use it underneath your desk, you can take the bracket off and leave it off without any issue. The remote makes it easy to control the settings without having to bend down or hunch over.

If you leave the bracket on, there are touch buttons to control the settings. This under desk treadmill also has an ultra-quiet motor as promised, and a running belt that softens the sound of footfalls very well. 

Even if it doesn't function as well as a folding under desk treadmill, the GYMAX is still one of the best under desk treadmills with all the bells and whistles. It's not hard to use, and setting it up for a run is easy enough to do without losing lots of time out of your workday.

6. BiFanuo 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill

Highly-Rated New Release

Under desk treadmill reviews have spoken favorably about this new addition to the market ever since it came out. It’s thinner than some older models, and it has an excellent interface for selecting speed, time, distance, and program.

Many appealing features are built into this under desk treadmill that make it a valuable addition to a home office. For example, it fits under a standing desk without any trouble, and it doesn't need any assembly whatsoever.

The BiFanuo is a folding under desk treadmill that doesn't require a screwdriver or wrench to fold up the vertical handle. That's still relatively uncommon in the under desk treadmill market. This model is also one of the lighter varieties available, although it doesn’t have much wobble even when you’re running at top speed.

Having an LCD display like the one on this model makes it even easier to manipulate settings and run the program you want. It has many of the same readouts, like speed and distance right at your fingertips when the vertical bracket is up. If the bracket is down, there's a screen above the running belt so you can still see how fast you’re walking and for how long.

How to Assemble, Use & Store Under Desk Treadmills

Many of these under desk treadmills come ready to use right out of the box. Some require a screwdriver or wrench to attach the vertical frame, though.

In any case, toggling through the programs is simple enough, and then you just have to walk or run. Always make sure to use the safety key and keep plenty of water nearby.

The best places to store an under desk treadmill are underneath a couch or leaned against a wall out of the way. Be careful if you store it vertically not to injure your back because they can be quite heavy.

Under Desk Treadmill FAQs

Do under desk treadmills get you fit? Do they work for losing weight?

Using an under desk treadmill might not be enough to get you fit on its own. Still, there are several other health benefits, such as reduced postprandial glucose, HDL cholesterol, and anthropometrics. Plus, they help break up the monotony of the workday.

Is it bad to walk on a treadmill every day?

It’s completely fine to walk on a treadmill, but your body may need to get used to it. Ease your way in by walking a few times a week in the beginning.

How much do under desk treadmills cost on average?

Some under desk treadmills cost one or two hundred, and others cost a bit more. It depends on the features they have and how much horsepower their motors can put out.

Do you work more efficiently when walking on an under desk treadmill?

Results vary in studies on the impact of under desk treadmills and productivity. For some people, getting the blood pumping is a great way to prevent the post-lunch slump, while for others, it helps them get energized at the beginning of the day.

Can you actually run on an under desk treadmill?

Most under desk treadmills aren't built for sprinting. They tend to max out around 7 MPH, and at that speed, you can certainly get up to a brisk pace safely, provided you have enough space to do so.

What are the best under desk treadmill brands?

GoPlus is the most well-known brand of under desk treadmill, and BiFanuo is becoming a well-respected brand as well. Most people associate these brands with their fitness programs, remote operation, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Is it best to buy an all in one solution of the desk attached to the treadmill or separately?

It depends on what kind of workstation you need. For many people, a standing desk and treadmill can be bought separately, but in any case, Amazon is the best place to compare combined and separate models of each.

Conclusion

If you want some physical activity in your day, an under desk treadmill with enough horsepower, quiet operation, and fitness programs is ideal. The GoPlus 2 In 1 provides all that and is backed up by a one-year warranty, making it the best under desk treadmill.