We Tested 44 of the Best Treadmills—These 13 Are the Be…

What We’ve Updated

• Since we last published this article, we’ve tested six new treadmills as part of our fitness routines.
• Based on these updated findings, we’ve expanded our list of recommendations to include these new models and revised our previous superlatives to better reflect the latest insights.
• Our updated picks now include categories for Best Investment, Best Folding Treadmill, Best for Beginners, Best for Hikers, Best for HIIT, and Best with Cushioned Belt.

Types of Treadmills

There are a few types of treadmills, each with their benefits and drawbacks. These are the most common ones you’ll come across as you shop.

• Motorized Treadmills: One of the most popular types of treadmills for working out at home is the motorized treadmill, which features a wide range of speed and incline options. This type of treadmill also often has high-tech features, like touchscreens and built-in workouts. Although motorized treadmills are very durable and suitable for a wide range of users, they can be bulky and may take up a lot of floor space.
• Manual Treadmills: Manual treadmills don’t use electricity and are powered by your running or walking action. They’re often more portable and require less maintenance than motorized treadmills, but some users may find walking or running on them to be more difficult and less enjoyable.
• Folding Treadmills: When not in use, folding treadmills are made to be folded up and stored, offering a convenient solution if you have limited space. Although they can be as powerful and feature-packed as traditional treadmills, they may not be as sturdy.
• Under-Desk Treadmills: Also known as walking pads, under-desk treadmills are smaller machines that you can walk on while standing and working at a desk. They have fewer features than regular treadmills and are typically lightweight, foldable, and easily portable. In addition, they usually don’t go faster than 4 miles per hour, which is fine if you’re looking to add to your daily step count or want to walk after eating to promote digestion.

What to Look for When Shopping for an At-Home Treadmill

• Motor: Look for a treadmill with a high-quality, durable motor that offers the right level of continuous horsepower (CHP), which measures how much power a motor can put out continuously. Be sure that it’s measured in CHP and not horsepower (HP), which is the maximum that the motor can run at, but may not be able to maintain. If you plan to run at high intensities and steep inclines for long periods of time, you’ll want a motor of at least 3.0 CHP, according to personal trainer Kelvin Gary, CPT. For casual jogging, you can go with a motor in the 1.75 to 2.5 CHP range, while walkers can opt for a small motor with 1.75 CHP or less.
• Running Belt: Make sure you have enough space to get a full stride. For comfortable running, the belt needs to be at least 48 inches long and 18 inches wide. If you’re over 6 feet tall or have a long stride, you’ll want a belt that’s at least 54 inches long.
• Cushioning and Stability: The treadmill’s frame should stay put as you walk, jog, and run—meaning it shouldn’t move, shake, or wobble. Gary recommends finding a treadmill with a good suspension system, as it correlates directly with stability. The belt shouldn’t slide with every stride but rather provide you with effective shock absorption. A thick, cushioned belt will not only be easier on your joints, but it will be more durable.
• Speed and Incline: If you’re planning on using your treadmill for running, you’ll want one that reaches a top speed of at least 10 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the incline should be able to reach at least 10% to mimic challenging outdoor conditions and provide variety to your workouts. A treadmill with a wide speed and incline range allows you to run, walk, and engage in interval training.
• Console and Display: The console and display should be easy to view and navigate. Some treadmills have a basic LCD or LED display to track workout metrics such as speed, distance, and calories burned. Others have a more high-tech touchscreen that pivots and rotates for optimal viewing of streaming workouts and entertainment, as well as stat monitoring.

How We Tested the Best Treadmills

To find the best treadmills, we tested 44 options from top, trusted fitness equipment brands over a four-week period, completing at least four runs or walks each week on each treadmill. When testing treadmills, we evaluate each option based on the following key criteria.

• Ease of Setup: After unboxing each treadmill, we note if it comes fully assembled. If not, we assess how difficult it is to put together and how long it takes us to do so. Once it’s assembled, we sign up for applicable streaming services, connect each machine to its proprietary app (if there is one), and check out additional features. We evaluate the instructions and assess whether they’re clear and concise and note if we had any difficulties with the setup process.
• Ease of Use: During testing, we evaluate whether using the treadmill and choosing workouts is straightforward or difficult. Is the console clear, easy to read, and user-friendly? Does it track helpful workout metrics? How simple or difficult is it to adjust the incline and speed? Is the running belt wide and long enough to accommodate various sizes and strides?
• Comfort: While we use the treadmills, we assess whether the belt is wide and long enough for a comfortable stride. Do we notice any discomfort in our feet, joints, or back during or after using the treadmill? How does the impact compare to running or walking on the road?
• Foldability: If the treadmill folds, we fold and unfold it to note the ease or difficulty of that process. Are the instructions easy to follow? Can one person fold it by themselves? We assess the treadmill’s folded size and portability by moving it and storing it away when not in use.
• Special Features: During testing, we note if the treadmills have special features that add to their functionality, like touchscreens, pre-programmed workouts, built-in fans, app connectivity, and more. We test each treadmill’s features and determine whether they improve our overall experience. We also consider whether the treadmill is missing any features that would have been helpful.
• Value: To rate the overall value of each treadmill, we don’t look at its price until the full testing and evaluation process is complete. Then, we consider whether the product is priced fairly. We prioritize treadmills that we think are worth the price and that we’d recommend to a friend or family member.

Our Experts

We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process for this story. Some helped us better understand what features to look for when shopping, while others helped inform our testing process. While we always choose products independently, expert insights help inform our decisions.  

• Andrew Billman, ISSA-certified personal trainer
• Kelvin Gary, CPT, personal trainer and owner of Body Space Fitness in New York City
• Jim Karas, personal trainer and founder of Intelligent Fitness and Wellness
• Anel Pla, CPT, certified personal trainer and partner at 5 Point Zero Fitness in New Jersey
• Jeff Raines, IRONMAN U and certified triathlon coach
• Nicole Thompson, ACE-CPT, personal trainer

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space do I need for a treadmill? 

To accommodate most treadmills, you’ll need a space that measures at least 7 feet in width and 12 feet in length, with a minimum of 8 feet of ceiling clearance. Pay close attention to the treadmill’s dimensions and keep in mind that the back of the treadmill should not be up against a wall to allow space to lengthen your running step, and get on and off, says Raines.

Is a treadmill a good investment for weight loss? 

Running or walking on a treadmill at home can help with weight loss efforts since it boosts your activity level and calorie burn. However, you’ll need to use it regularly and gradually increase your workout intensity to see its benefits.

Which is better: a treadmill or an elliptical? 

While elliptical machines and treadmills are both excellent options for cardio exercise, the elliptical offers a lower-impact workout, so it may be a more suitable and safer option for those who have a history of injuries or are recovering from an injury, according to Thompson. On the other hand, you’ll likely burn more calories, get a more intense workout, and be better prepared for race conditions using a treadmill.  

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As an avid runner, certified running coach, and Verywell Fit writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT loves researching and testing the latest and greatest fitness equipment and gear. Her decades of running experience and training athletes have helped her understand the value of using the best gear and products for optimal performance and comfort. When shopping for a treadmill, Christine recommends carefully considering how you plan on using it, your running goals, and your space limitations.