When you think of running indoors, you’re likely thinking of athletes sprinting atop the best treadmills … and for good reason. These impressive cardio machines boast powerful motors, challenging incline ranges, and enjoyable intra-workout entertainment to keep motivation high. But would you believe treadmills can be excellent vessels for hitting your 10,000 steps each day, too? The best walking treadmills slow down the training pace yet still deliver a worthwhile workout with durable builds, engaging programming, and space-saving footprints.
Finding a worthwhile treadmill for walking can be similar to how you’d search for a running treadmill. You want to pay close attention to the overall construction of each machine while also balancing performance capabilities with your fitness goals and spending budget. Thankfully, we’ve strolled through the current landscape, consulted with our in-house experts, and gotten hands-on with a slew of high-quality units to give you a leg up with our list of the best walking treadmills available today.
The 10 Best Treadmills for Walking in 2025
- Best Walking Treadmill Overall: Horizon T101
- Best Walking Treadmill for Seniors: NordicTrackEXP 7i
- Best Folding Treadmill for Walking: Sole F63
- Best Walking Treadmill for Small Spaces: WalkingPad R1 Pro
- Best Walking Treadmill with Classes: ProForm Carbon Pro 9000
- Best Manual Treadmill for Walking: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M Manual Walking Treadmill
- Best Incline Treadmill for Walking: NordicTrack X24
- Best Under-Desk Treadmill for Walking: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
- Best Budget Walking Treadmill: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400SMART
- Best Walking Treadmill Under $1,000: Schwinn 810
Best Walking Treadmill Overall: Horizon T101
The T101 from Horizon has a solid mix of tech and running features. Whether you're looking for integrated bluetooth speakers, or a reliable motor to keep you moving, the T101 has something for everyone.
Specs
- Price: $999
- Top Speed: 10mph
- Incline Range: 0-10%
- Motor Size: 2.5 HP
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Product Dimensions: 71″ L x 34″ W x 57″ H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 55” L x 20” W
Best Walking Treadmill for Seniors: NordicTrackEXP 7i
This tread still goes all the way up to 12% incline and 12mph in speed, plus it comes with a free 1-month iFIT membership (a $39 value). The adjustable cushioning can also help lower the impact on your joints, or mimic the feel of a road race if you are training for something on rougher terrain.
Specs
- Price: $1,299
- Top Speed: 10mph
- Incline Range: 0-12%
- Motor Size: 2.6 CHP Plus
- Weight Capacity: 300lbs
- Product Dimensions: 70.8” L x 34.9” W x 59.7” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 55” L x 20” W
Best Folding Treadmill for Walking: Sole F63
The Sole F63 is a high-quality, no-frills treadmill. The 3.0 HP motor can support up to 325 pounds, and the foldability is ideal for those tight on space.
Specs
- Price: $1,199.99
- Top Speed: 12mph
- Incline Range: 0-15%
- Motor Size: 3.0 HP
- Weight Capacity: 325lbs
- Product Dimensions: 77″ L x 35″ W x 67″ H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 60” L x 20” W
Best Walking Treadmill for Small Spaces: WalkingPad R1 Pro
The WalkingPad R1 Pro Treadmill can be an excellent pick for athletes wanting to mix up their work days with the occasional light jog. Plus, a handrail attachment can be raised for working out at intensities beyond a brisk walk and even features a media shelf capable of housing your smartphone for data monitoring needs.
Specs
- Price: $899
- Top Speed: 6.2mph
- Incline Range: N/A
- Motor Size: 125 HP
- Weight Capacity: 220lbs
- Product Dimensions: 57.48” L x 28.35” W x 35.43” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 47.2” L x 17.3” W
Best Walking Treadmill with Classes: ProForm Carbon Pro 9000
As a new treadmill silhouette for the ProForm stable, this Carbon Pro 9000 features a 16-inch HD touchscreen compatible with iFIT for trainer-led workouts. The 20-inch by 60-inch running deck and 3.6 CHP motor also lend themselves to high-intensity running endeavors, giving you the power and room to sprint comfortably through the end of your session.
Specs
- Price: $3,799
- Top Speed: 12mph
- Incline Range: 0-12%
- Motor Size: 3.6 CHP
- Weight Capacity: 350lbs
- Product Dimensions: 73.2” L x 34.6” W x 60.7” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 60” L x 20” W
Best Manual Treadmill for Walking: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M Manual Walking Treadmill
This manual treadmill can be a great selection for walking enthusiasts given its minimalist design and highly-portable makeup. Additionally, the SF-T1407M features a constant incline of 13.5 percent, which can be helpful when trying to challenge yourself throughout your daily step goals.
Specs
- Price: $199.99
- Top Speed: Unlimited
- Incline Range: 13.5% (Fixed)
- Motor Size: N/A
- Weight Capacity: 220lbs
- Product Dimensions: 49” L x 23” W x 50” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 42” L x 13” W
Best Incline Treadmill for Walking: NordicTrack X24
This latest treadmill from NordicTrack features an incline range between -6% and 40% giving athletes a wide range of pitches to train atop when trying to mimic real-world conditions. Plus, iFIT integration and SmartAdjust technology help ensure that your settings are always aligned to what’s on the 24-inch HD touchscreen.
Specs
- Price: $3,999
- Top Speed: 12mph
- Incline Range: -6-40%
- Motor Size: 4.25 CHP
- Weight Capacity: 400lbs
- Product Dimensions: 69.9” L x 38.1” W x 73.3” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 60” L x 22” W
Best Under-Desk Treadmill for Walking: Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
This versatile treadmill can support walking and running workouts with speeds up to 7.5 miles per hour. An easy-to-use remote control puts you in control of your pace without hopping off the treadmill, too, which can be great for slowing down your strides for focusing on incoming emails or tasks.
Specs
- Price: $299.99
- Top Speed: 7.5mph
- Incline Range: N/A
- Motor Size: 2.25 HP
- Weight Capacity: 265lbs
- Product Dimensions: 52.5” L x 29″ W x 44.5″ H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 39.3” L x 16” W
Best Budget Walking Treadmill: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400SMART
This wallet-friendly treadmill from Sunny Health & Fitness features a backlit LCD display that can connect to the free SunnyFit app for access to over 1,000 workouts and scenic routes around the world. Manual incline adjustments and a foldable running deck with soft-drop technology also make this SF-T4400SMART a standout silhouette amongst budget-minded treadmills.
Specs
- Price: $499.99
- Top Speed: 9mph
- Incline Range: 0.2-2.9%
- Motor Size: 2.2 HP
- Weight Capacity: 285lbs
- Product Dimensions: 62.4” L x 26.8” W x 50.2” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 48.4” L x 15.7” W
Best Walking Treadmill Under $1,000: Schwinn 810
This treadmill offers a 20-inch x 55-inch running belt with Softrak deck cushioning. It can reach speeds up to 10 MPH with 10% motorized incline.
Specs
- Price: $899
- Top Speed: 10mph
- Incline Range: 0-10%
- Motor Size: 2.6 HP
- Weight Capacity: 275lbs
- Product Dimensions: 69.1” L x 35.6” W x 56.7” H
- Running Deck Dimensions: 55” L x 20” W
How We Tested and Chose the Best Treadmills for Walking
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To determine the best walking treadmills available today, we got hands-on with over 40 different treadmills from the industry’s best brands, using a multi-point methodology to rate each profile on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) to determine our top picks. Below are some of the categories and components we looked at to come up with our findings.
- Comfort: We included treadmills that featured well-cushioned decks capable of reducing impact felt across our lower body. While this component is also a worthwhile factor when searching for a treadmill, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto says that you can get away with less cushioning when it comes to treadmills for walking.
- Workout Experience: You’re likely to use one of these best cardio machines if the workouts are engaging and efficient, right? So, we examined walking treadmills featuring a good sense of durability across their construction with available settings attuned to walking-specific treadmill workouts.
- Assembly: We included walking treadmills with an easy setup processes. Naturally, more tech-heavy or run-focused units may require a few extra steps (and a helping hand to get the machine into its final resting place), but overall, these profiles are quick to get up and running (err, walking).
- Price: From our trials, we determined that most treadmills for walking can carry price tags between $200 and $1,000, with many averaging out below the $500 threshold.
- Additional Features: We didn’t gloss over the other conveniences strewn across different machines. For example, some foldable treadmills can be great for indoor walking, with some profiles even folding so compactly that they can be stored underneath a nearby sofa or bed frame when not in use.
Benefits of Walking Treadmills
Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer and a certified personal trainer, states, “A walking treadmill can make it easier for you to get your steps in or increase your daily step count at home.” As such, the benefits of walking can be reaped more easily if you have an indoor machine dedicated to the discipline. Below are a few of our favorite perks associated with having a walking treadmill at your disposal.
- Convenience and Safety: Additionally, the lack of a need to step outside for walks also boosts the safety components of the discipline. You don’t need to be mindful of passing cars when on the road, or even fellow patrons along a sidewalk.
- Improved Cardio Health: While the best treadmills for running can certainly be a worthwhile option for cardio-minded athletes, walking can provide just as many health benefits, too. According to studies, daily walking habits can help improve your cardiovascular health, body composition, and blood pressure readings. (7)
- Low-Impact Training: Maximum impact with lower intensity? Yes, please. Dr. Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT, explains:“Walking on an incline is beneficial for those with knee problems, as it strengthens the legs and hips, which can help reduce knee pressure and because of the stretch on the Achilles and calves, it can help those with foot pain and injuries like plantar fascitis. This is also good for people who cannot tolerate high-intensity activities.”
How to Choose the Best Treadmill for Walking
Like other treadmills for your at-home training space, there are a lot of factors to consider when deciding on the best walking treadmill for your needs. Before you ultimately add a high-quality profile (like those featured in this guide) to your cart, be sure to think through the following components.
Training Preferences
Treadmills for walking are, naturally, best for walking-centric workouts. According to Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer and a certified personal trainer, this means a machine capable of speeds up to 4 miles per hour with a running surface no shorter than 48 inches long. Of course, if you’re looking to mix in a few runs throughout your weekly workout regimen, you’ll need a unit that can support both endeavors — we recommend a max speed around 12 miles per hour and a 55- to 60-inch running deck.
If you’re dedicated to one activity or the other, be sure to look for treadmills that can support your training desires. If you’re an athlete looking for some versatility, we’d suggest erring on the side of caution and choosing a treadmill capable of running-oriented sessions.
Integrated Tech
In relation to your training style, you’ll also want to consider how much tech is infused across your cardio machine. Some walking treadmills offer HD touchscreens, automatic speed and incline adjustments, and are compatible with some of the best fitness apps on the market. This can be great for athletes wanting a digital-forward workout aesthetic that gives you a little more than your average jaunt around the neighborhood.
Other walking treadmills may take a minimalist approach, giving you nothing more than a motorized belt with speed ranges attuned to the average walking pace of under 4 miles per hour. (1) In the end, it all comes down to preference — there are no right or wrong answers in this category. That said, we’ve found that fewer tech components can lead to a lower price tag, so be sure to consider this when making your decision.
Speed and Incline Range
According to Capritto, walking treadmills should be capable of supporting max speeds up to 4 miles per hour. As such, this is the speed range you should be looking for when deciding on a machine for your at-home setup. If you plan on using your treadmill for running endeavors, it can be wise to opt for a unit capable of speeds around 12 miles per hour — our suggested range for most home treadmills.
Additionally, you should also look at your walking treadmill’s incline capabilities. While you can still generate a positive workout experience atop non-inclining machines, having the ability to alter your approach angle can provide a new sense of challenge in your daily sessions. Also, incline ranges can be great for mimicking real-world scenarios — have you ever truly experienced a completely flat sidewalk, after all?
Some treadmills may also offer decline capabilities, but these features are less common within the category and should only be considered an added bonus. It can be far easier (and cheaper) to find a treadmill with an impressive incline range than it is to find a suitable unit for decline training.
Storage Capabilities
Treadmills rarely fall amongst the best compact exercise equipment, so before deciding on one profile or the next, be sure to take some measurements and ensure your training space can comfortably house a treadmill for walking. Given the low-impact nature of walking and fewer equipment demands, walking treadmills can oftentimes be smaller than their running-oriented brethren, but it can be good practice to measure your available floor space, regardless.
If you are tight on space, we recommend opting for a walking treadmill with some form of folding mechanism. This can help you regain some flooring when the treadmill is not in use, allowing you to maneuver through your abode more comfortably without having to step over your training-specific silhouettes. Some walking treadmills are so compact, even, that they can be stored neatly under furniture, giving you full access to your floor plan outside of your daily walks.
Price
According to Capritto, “While you should still look out for the standard specifications — motor horsepower, running deck size, console specs, tech capabilities, machine dimensions, and conveniences — you can browse machines that fall on the lower, more budget-friendly end of things when searching for a walking treadmill.” That said, though, the best walking treadmill for you is the one that fits within your financial plan best.
In general, we’ve found that most walking-centric treadmills can range in price from $200 to $1,000. Of course, some premium options can go over this watermark, but on average, this is the range we recommend starting with when beginning your purchasing process.
How Much Do the Best Treadmills for Walking Cost?
Treadmills aren’t the most budget-friendly piece of workout equipment. That being said, you can still find excellent units without spending thousands of dollars. Use the chart below to compare prices across machines.
Best Walking Treadmill Overall | Horizon T101 | $999 |
Best Walking Treadmill for Seniors | NordicTrackEXP 7i | $1,299 |
Best Folding Treadmill for Walking | Sole F63 | $1,199.99 |
Best Walking Treadmill for Small Spaces | WalkingPad R1 Pro | $899 |
Best Walking Treadmill with Classes | ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 | $3,799 |
Best Manual Treadmill for Walking | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T1407M Manual Walking Treadmill | $199.99 |
Best Incline Treadmill for Walking | NordicTrack X24 | $3,999 |
Best Under-Desk Treadmill for Walking | Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill | $299.99 |
Best Budget Walking Treadmill | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T4400SMART | $499.99 |
Best Walking Treadmill Under $1,000 | Schwinn 810 | $899 |
Treadmills for Walking FAQs
How much do walking treadmills cost?
On average, you can expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 for a high-quality walking treadmill, but naturally, prices can vary depending on a few factors including brand name, special features, and your unit’s dimensions. Be sure to take your budget into consideration before ultimately deciding on a machine for your home gym.
What is the best walking treadmill?
The best walking treadmill will depend on a lot of factors, but overall, the Horizon T101 is our favorite thanks to its affordable price point, comfortable running deck, and EasyDial controls for effective, efficient speed and incline adjustments.
How often should you use a walking treadmill?
If your body continues to feel good, you can easily walk every day. You should slowly work up in mileage so that you do not burn out too quickly. You can start by walking 10 minutes daily and add one to two minutes each week. This slow progression should help you to stay free from injury. Remember, though, if you start to experience pain, you should consult your doctor before continuing your walking routine.
References
- Cronkleton, E. (2019, March 14). Average walking speed: Pace, and comparisons by age and sex. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/average-walking-speed
- Fukuchi, C. A., Fukuchi, R. K., & Duarte, M. (2019). Effects of walking speed on gait biomechanics in Healthy Participants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 8(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31248456/
- Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/
- Mazzeo, R. S., Cavanagh, P., Evans, W. J., Fiatarone, M., Hagberg, J., McAuley, E., & Startzell, J. (1998). ACSM position stand: Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 30(6), 992–1008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9624662/
- Edwards, R. B., Tofari, P. J., Cormack, S. J., & Whyte, D. G. (2017). Non-motorized treadmill running is associated with higher cardiometabolic demands compared with overground and motorized treadmill running. Frontiers in Physiology, 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694659/
- Haggerty, M., Dickin, D. C., Popp, J., & Wang, H. (2014). The influence of Incline Walking on joint mechanics. Gait & Posture, 39(4), 1017–1021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24472218/
- Murtagh, E. M., Murphy, M. H., & Boone-Heinonen, J. (2010). Walking: The first steps in cardiovascular disease prevention. Current Opinion in Cardiology, 25(5), 490–496. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3098122/