I’m not one to run, unless it’s toward an ice cream truck or away from a brain-ravenous zombie. Yet with an under-desk treadmill, I have little excuse to avoid exercise because I can take a quick walk from the comfort of my home office.
After spending three collective months testing under-desk treadmills, with more than 30 people, we’re certain the best under-desk treadmill is the Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill. Although it hasn’t turned me into a fitness fanatic, the Goplus treadmill has absolutely helped me become more physically active while working. This walking pad is easy to use and comfortable to walk on for long periods of time, and light enough that it’s not unwieldy to move around (to make space for an office chair).
But under-desk treadmills, including our pick, have short (or, in some cases, nonexistent) warranties, and they aren’t as versatile as traditional treadmills. You shouldn’t expect to get the same mileage from a walking pad as you would from one of our traditional treadmill picks, though that’s not surprising since these devices cost significantly less than traditional models.
Our pick
This Bluetooth-enabled treadmill is easy to set up and offers a smooth ride—but it has only a 90-day warranty.
The Goplus 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill is simple to set up, and it smoothly accelerates to its top speed of 7.5 mph. Our testers found that the deck was sturdy enough to walk on while they completed tasks at their standing desks. And they appreciated the collapsible handlebars and dual front wheels, which make it easier to move this treadmill around.
But like other under-desk treadmills we tested, the Goplus doesn’t seem built to last. The belt didn’t whir or screech after several weeks of use, as those on some other models did, but it did start to fray along the edge, like a well-worn sweater just beginning to pill. Though we still found the treadmill completely usable, if this fraying will bother you, the 90-day warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.
The Goplus treadmill doesn’t have a dynamic display screen for tracking workout vitals or streaming shows, and this was a common shortcoming among models we tested. However, the treadmill does have both a Bluetooth speaker for music and a bare-bones fitness tracker built into the deck. It also comes with a mobile app to track exercise data, though the app was finicky during testing. We think it’s best to stick with a dedicated fitness tracker that seamlessly logs your movement—don’t forget to move your arms—and connects you to other fitness enthusiasts.
It can safely accommodate up to 265 pounds; that’s more than most of the models we tested, including our other pick, could accommodate.
Also great
This model has a better warranty than our top pick, and it weighs nearly 20 pounds less. But it can’t reach running speeds, and it has a lower weight limit.
The GoYouth 2 in 1 Under Desk Electric Treadmill is easy to set up, and it offers a smooth ride, a deck screen with Bluetooth speaker, and a belt size mirroring that of our top pick. It also comes with a one-year warranty, which is substantially better than the Goplus model’s 90-day warranty.
But the GoYouth walking pad tops out at 3.7 mph, and it can only support up to 220 pounds. Also, in our testing, its belt started to fray after just a few weeks of use—damage that isn’t covered by the warranty.
