Experts Love These Folding Treadmills for At-Home Workouts

Turn Your Office or Bedroom into a Home Gym with the Right Folding Treadmill

You don’t need a ton of space to work out at home—your office or bedroom can double as a gym, with the right equipment.

Unlike a traditional treadmill, a folding treadmill can easily be stored under your desk or against the wall when you’re not using it, and it can unfold in a snap when you’re ready to hop on. Plus, they tend to be more budget-friendly than higher-end smart treadmills (like those from Peloton or ProForm), but they can be just as effective when it comes to reaching your fitness goals.

We asked fitness experts for their folding treadmill recommendations and advice on what to keep in mind as you shop. Find their guidance and browse some of our favorite, SELF Home Fitness Award-winning models below.

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill
2. Best for Beginners: Horizon T101 Treadmill
3. Best Budget Pick: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
4. Best for Walking: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 Treadmill
5. Best with Incline: ProForm Carbon TLX
6. Best Flat-Folding: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718 Pro Treadmill
7. Best for Vertical Storage: WalkingPad Treadmill

Best for Walking: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 Treadmill

A 2023 Home Fitness Award winner, the SF-T4400 has a supportive belt, a lower price tag, and a great range of settings. For a piece of equipment with such a small footprint (it measures 34.25 by 26.25 inches when folded vertically), it still has three incline options and a comfortable walking pad that can reach up to nine mph.

It comes with nine pre-programmed workouts, a reading rack, a water bottle holder, pulse monitor grips on the handles, and an LCD monitor that tracks your time and speed. If you’re looking for a foldable treadmill that you can use mostly for walking and jogging (and don’t need one you can all-out sprint on), this one is a great option. One thing to note: At 220 pounds, its weight capacity is pretty low.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Stable design
• Wide range of settings, for the price

Cons

• Incline is manual
• Low weight capacity

A 2023 Home Fitness Award winner, the SF-T4400 has a supportive belt, a lower price tag, and a great range of settings. For a piece of equipment with such a small footprint (it measures 34.25 by 26.25 inches when folded vertically), it still has three incline options and a comfortable walking pad that can reach up to nine mph.

It comes with nine pre-programmed workouts, a reading rack, a water bottle holder, pulse monitor grips on the handles, and an LCD monitor that tracks your time and speed. If you’re looking for a foldable treadmill that you can use mostly for walking and jogging (and don’t need one you can all-out sprint on), this one is a great option. One thing to note: At 220 pounds, its weight capacity is pretty low.

Best with Incline: ProForm Carbon TLX

This compact treadmill packs a ton of impressive features for its price. The ProForm Carbon TLX has quick-response settings, includes trial access to an iFit membership (which has a library of trainer-led running and strength training classes, plus scenic destinations), and offers a notable incline range of up to 12%.

It comes with a well-cushioned belt, no-wobble ride, and a good price point. One thing to note: It doesn’t have a large screen, so it’s best used with a tablet for iFit membership access.

Pros

• Well-cushioned belt
• No-wobble ride, according to our tester
• Good price point

Cons

• Doesn’t have large screen (iFit membership will work best when used with a tablet)

Conclusion

When choosing a folding treadmill, consider your fitness goals, budget, and available space. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, there’s a folding treadmill out there that can help you reach your fitness goals. Remember to read reviews, check the warranty, and consider the features that matter most to you.

FAQs

Q: What is the best folding treadmill for a beginner?

A: The Horizon T101 Treadmill is a great option for beginners, with a stable design and a range of settings.

Q: What is the best budget-friendly folding treadmill?

A: The Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill is a great option for those on a budget, with a lower price tag and a range of settings.

Q: What is the best folding treadmill for walking?

A: The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400 Treadmill is a great option for walkers, with a comfortable walking pad and a range of settings.

Q: What is the best folding treadmill with incline?

A: The ProForm Carbon TLX is a great option for those who want to incorporate incline into their workouts, with a range of incline options and a good price point.