Treadmill desks typically have a working area at stomach height when standing on a treadmill surface. This allows someone to stand in place or walk while they are working. They were developed for people that don't want to sit in a chair for 8 hours per day and want to add even more movement to their day than they get by standing at their desk. Treadmill desks aren't designed to run at high speeds; they are built for people to walk at slow speeds for long periods (with the exception of occasional treadmills with stronger motors that can be used at higher speeds).
Treadmill desks are an excellent way to get in shape while you work. I believe it's one of the easiest habits you can develop to lose weight as you're reducing your sitting time (which is a cause of weight gain for many people), and you're burning more calories than standing.
Many standing desk users have added walking in addition to standing and sitting (or using a leaning chair). Usually, you won't be walking more than 2 mph so that you won't be sweating, and you avoid all of the dangers of extended periods of sitting (we've written a lot about the increased risk of certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, increased mortality).
If you're wondering if a treadmill desk is a good investment, read some reviews from verified purchase users on Amazon (we've included many of the most common pros and cons in a section below). It's extremely common to read about users reporting weight loss, more energy, higher productivity, and better mood.
Our research is supported by our readers. We may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site, but this in no ways increases the price of the products - advertiser disclosure
Best Treadmill Desks
Best Budget Treadmill Desk
- Belt is 42.1" long x 15.7" wide.
- Desk adjusts between 33.5" and 49.6", accommodating users from 4'1" to 6'5".
- Desktop is 26.2" x 11".
- Motor is 2hp, and silent, and the speed range is 0.6-7.5 mph.
- Heavy duty construction and cushioning on the deck, so it's better on your joints.
- Max weight capacity of 220lbs.
- 3 levels of incline to increase the intensity of your walking or workout (adjusted manually via a crank on the side of the treadmill).
- Has a safety mode for children.
- LED display gives the basics: speed, time, calories burned, and heart rate.
- 64 preprogrammed workouts.
- Connect your phone of tablet to the stereo-sound speakers.
- Folds up and can be moved via the wheels on the front.
- Some assembly is required.
- Assembled size is 53.5" x 26.2" x 33.5-49.6"
The main selling point of this treadmill is that it's a solid treadmill at a good price with a desk included-there aren't as many treadmills with desks attached available as in previous years.
Another unique feature is kid's safety mode where you can limit a user to only using the start and stop buttons, and the maximum speed is only 4 mph.
Best Budget
- Belt is 41.3" long x 16.5" wide.
- Motor is 2.25hp and maximum speed is 3.73 mph.
- Max weight capacity of 265 lbs.
- Item weighs only 60 lbs and has 2 wheels in the front to make it easy to move.
- The height is only 5.5" (14 cm), so this unit slides more easily can slide under a bed.
- Non-slip and anti-static walking surface.
- LCD display on the treadmill with speed, distance, time, and calories 12 pre-installed training programs with the option of purchasing a corded remote control.
- 90-day money-back guarantee.
- No assembly-just plug and play.
The main selling points of the Maksone is the beautiful wood design, and it's a high-quality product for around $300.
This is a great treadmill for walking, and with a max speed of 3.73 mph, you could do a little jogging as well.
It's also only 5.5" tall, so it can slide under a bed and doesn't take up a lot of space.
Best Mid-Level (Can Be Used 3 Ways)
- 3-in1 treadmill that can be used with the support arm down (if you want to use it under a desk), with the support arm up, or with the desktop attached.
- Great for for walking, jogging, and running, and you can attach the desktop to create a workstation, take it off.
- The desktop is easily attached with 2 underside buckles and measures 26.2" x 10.5".
- It can be used with an existing desk as it can be used with the support arms down.
- High-quality construction.
- The support arms fold up and down quickly and easily and the treadmill can easily be moved via the wheels on the front and stored under a bed or couch as it's only 4.3" tall when folded.
- 3hp motor and max speed of 8.6 mph.
- 42.5" x 16.5" belt.
- 8 silicone shock absorbers.
- The display includes time, speed, distance, calories burned, and is on the fold up arm supports and the remote control. You use the remote control when the desktop is attached, which blocks the LCD display on the support arms.
- 286 lb weight capacity.
- Total dimensions are 50.9" x 27.2" x 37.4".
- No assembly required.
- Occasional lubrication required but its included with the purchase.
- Urevo has excellent customer service.
The UREVO Strol 3 is an excellent treadmill with a unique design in that you can easily attach and detach the desktop, and it stores easily by lowering support arms quickly. It can also be used with the arms lowered under your existing desk.
The size of the motor gives you the flexibility of going up to 8 mph which is very fast, and will last longer than smaller motors.
It has 4.4 stars with 429 reviews on Amazon, but our only con is that for tall people, the desktop height may be too short at 37.4". This means looking down at your screen and having to lean forward to type, which can strain the lower and upper back.
Best Space-Saving Treadmill
- The belt is only 34.25 x 16.5", which makes it one of the smallest treadmills available.
- 254 lb maximum weight capacity.
- Height is 6.89" and weight is 48.5 lbs, which is significantly lighter than most treadmills, making it easier to move.
- Has a fixed 5% incline which will burn more calories and make walking more intense.
- 2hp motor and max speed of 3.1 mph.
- 220 lb weight limit.
- LCD displays calories, time, steps, distance, and speed.
- Support arm can be raised or lowered so this treadmill can be used with an existing desk.
- 90-day money-back guarantee.
This treadmill is unique in a couple of ways. The first is it's size - it has a shorter walking surface, which makes it great for people who have limited space. This would normally be an issue for tall people, but as it's a walking treadmill, but it should accommodate most users. We wouldn't recommend it for people with long legs or those who don't feel comfortable using a shorter treadmill. And at 48.5 lbs, it's easier to move than most other treadmills.
The second unique feature is the fixed incline of 5%. This will increase the intensity of walking, burning more calories, but it's not recommended for people with back issues as even a slight lean forward puts a strain on the lower back over time. This could be reduced by supporting your weight on a standing desk in from of you. If you like the brand Egofit, they do have the Flat Walking Pad that doesn't have a fixed incline, though it has a larger walking surface.
Best High-End Space Saving (Without Desk)
- 2.25HP Continuous-duty motor recommended for use up to 6 hours per day.
- 6 impact-reducing shocks.
- No assembly required.
- Intelli-Guard automatically pauses when you step off the treadmill.
- Speed from 0.4-4 MPH.
- Max user weight of 350 lbs.
- Belt size is 20" x 44".
- Total size is 58" x 28.5" x 7.25".
- The Omni console is 8.1" x 5.7" x 3.2" and displays steps (from Intelli-Step technology), calories, distance, time, speed, time, date, and summary and synchs with the LifeSpan club app.
- 117 lbs total weight.
- Warranty: 10 years frame, 2 years parts, 1 year labor.
One of the things that separates this choice from cheaper treadmill is that the motor is a continuous-duty motor, meaning that it can sustain 2.5HP for long periods, as opposed to a peak duty motor, which can only sustain that horsepower for a short time. The higher quality motor is reflected in the price.
We also like the Intelli-Guard safety feature that pauses the treadmill as soon as you step off. This prevents and reduces accidents.
LifeSpan is a quality company that has been making treadmills since 2001. This treadmill will function more reliably and last longer than most cheaper options.
Best High-End (Without Desk)
- 3HP continuous-duty motor ranges from 0.4-4 MPH with a recommended usage of up to 9 hours per day.
- 6 impact-reducing shocks.
- 1" reversible 2-ply walking deck that measures 50" x 20".
- Supports up to 400 lbs.
- Intelli-Guard tech pauses the treadmill is you step off to prevent injuries.
- Intelli-Step counts steps
- Total weight of 119 lbs.
- The Omni console is 8.1" x 5.7" x 3.2" and displays steps (from Intelli-Step technology), calories, distance, time, speed, time, date, and summary and synchs with the LifeSpan club app.
- Warranty: 10 years frame, 2 years parts, 1 year labor.
The TR5000 GlowUp is an upgrade to the TR1000. It has a stronger, 3HP motor that is rated for 3 more hours of use per day at 9 hours, the belt is 6" longer and higher quality, and the maximum user is 400 lbs, 50 lbs more than the TR1000.
There is one more option, the TR1200, that is in between the TR5000 and TR1000 on price and quality, at $1,499. It has the long deck of the TR5000, the same user capacity and motor of the TR1000.
Best Desk Attachment
- Has a holder for tablets or phone 11.4" wide, as well as lots of space for a laptop at 36" x 15/4" x 0.78".
- Has a protective guard so items don't slide off.
- Weighs 4.85 lbs and supports up to 22 lbs.
- There are 3 slots on each side with nylon straps that attach to most treadmills.
- Available in black and white.
The Miden treadmill desk attachment is one of the best for the money. You can buy treadmill desk attachments for less money, but the options and quality goes down significantly. Common complaints with lesser-quality products often complain of the attachment sliding off, cheap materials, and not fitting snug.
Treadmill Desk Comparison Table
| Funmily | Maksone | Urevo Strol 3 |
Egofit | TR1000 | TR5000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has desk? | yes | no | yes | no | no | no |
| Motor (hp) | 2 | 2.25 | 3 | 2 | 2.25 | 3 |
| Max. speed (mph) | 8 | 3.73 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 4 | 4 |
| Belt length (inches) | 42 | 41.3 | 43.3 | 34.25 | 44 | 50 |
| Belt width | 15.7 | 16.5 | 16.3 | 16.5 | 20 | 20 |
| Weight capacity | 220 | 265 | 265 | 220 | 350 | 400 |
| Inclines? | 3 levels | no | no | 5% fixed | no | no |
| Price | $399 | $299 | $499 | $399 | $1299 | $1899 |
How to Choose a Treadmill Desk for You
We created a Treadmill Buyer's Guide, but here's a quick summary to help you make the right choice:
- Are you planning on walking or running?
Most treadmill desk users mainly use it for walking, and generally at slower speeds. Walking at higher speeds makes it more difficult to type, write, and concentrate, and for most people, can't be done for longer periods. But if you plan on running, that will requires a longer belt and a stronger motor. And make sure that the max speed will accommodate how fast you want to run. Walkers generally need a 1.5 hp motor (and add .5 hp if you're over 200 lbs), and 2-2.5 hp for jogging (see table below).
- How many horsepower (hp) do you need?
The experts at Gymcrafter recommends the following:
Light Use (1-3 times/week)* Heavy Use (3+ times/week)* Walking 1.5 hp 2 hp Jogging 2 hp 2.5 hp Running 2.5 hp 3+ hp *Remember to consider if others in your household or office will be using the treadmill; and a good rule of thumb is to add .5 hp if you weigh over 200 lbs.
- Are you on a tight budget?
Cheaper treadmills tend to have more service issues, not last as long, and have shorter warranties. Some buyers have spent more money by buying one or more cheaper treadmills and having to eventually a more expensive one because of issues with budget machines. If you purchase a cheaper treadmill and have any issues, remember to call customer service before the refund period. The cheaper treadmills also tend to be less sturdy for working, and if you have joint issues, tend to be harder on your joints.
- Are you tall or short?
Though we don't hear a lot about people falling off their treadmills, long-legged users feel more comfortable with a longer belt.
- Do you already have a treadmill that you want to convert to a have a desk?
We did include our favorite converter that does just that.
- Are you planning on moving the treadmill between uses?
If you're strong and don't have back or joint issues, most treadmills usually aren't too difficult to move. But if have issues with your back or consider yourself not strong, you may want to invest in a light treadmill or find a place where it's not in the way and you don't need to move it. Many standing desk users keep their under desk treadmill permanently under their desk and just move their keyboard when they change from walking to sitting. And some users use a physio ball on top of their treadmill when they want to sit.
- How much space do you have?
Measure your total free space to make sure that the treadmill will fit. If you plan on jogging or running, it's safer to have at 2 feet of clearance on the sides and 6 feet behind, just in case you fall, so you don't get stuck between a wall and a moving treadmill belt (think skin being rubbed off of your body), and for easier entries and exits. If you're just going to walk, having this space is less important, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
- Can treadmill desks be used on the second floor?
At lower speeds, people on the first floor or basement won't hear too much, but the faster you go, the more impact and the louder it will be. One thing that can help reduce impact is to put down a rubber pad; there are a lot of sizes available on amazon. - To incline of not incline? Some include this function and others don't. Having the option to incline mimics climbing and is a great way to burn more calories, strengthen your quads and calves, and burn more calories. But for those with lower back issues, leaning forward while walking/running on an incline can stress the lower back. Users with low back issues report low back relief using their treadmill in decline mode.
- Do you already have a standing desk that you can slide the treadmill under?
If so you'll have a lot more buying options as there aren't many option that have a desktop attached.
- What about manual (no motor) treadmills?
There are generally two types of manual treadmills: 1) old school and low cost such as the Sunny Health & Fitness Manual Foldable Treadmill. We haven't personally used this, only read a lot of reviews, but we feel that for only $100 more, you can get an electric under-desk treadmill with a lot more functionality (and quality). 2) high-end manual treadmills, such as the AssaultRunner Pro. We haven't used these either, and only have read a lot of reviews. These treadmills tend to be extremely expensive, usually $3,000 or more. There aren't a lot of manufacturers and they don't seem to have caught on yet. If they do, the prices will come down a lot, and the quality will come up a lot. With the AssaultRunner Pro, for example, it gets a 4.0 score with 32 reviews (not a lot of reviews and not a great score). Many complain that the belt is too thin and the company's customer service is terrible.
Common Pros and Cons of Treadmill Desks from Reviews
The majority of users love their treadmill desks. Over the last several years we've read hundreds of reviews of both new users and experienced users and we've noticed some common trends. Below are excerpts from reviews from verified Amazon and LifeSpan purchases on products included in our top choices that we see regularly that will help you understand treadmill desks better.
On noise:
- "This is not loud at all. It does make a whooshing noise that you would expect to hear from treadmills. The faster it goes the louder the whooshing. The neighbors below me haven't complained, and they like to complain lol. I'm sure the higher speeds at 3mph at 2am would make quite a big of noise, but during the daytime it's fine. The 1 and 1.5 speeds are very quiet, could probably get away using those speeds in the middle of the night if I wanted too without any complaints from the downstairs neighbors. " (from Ergofit review)
- "It's quietest under 2.5 mph- you almost can't hear anything." (from Maksone review)
- "No complaints from my downstairs neighbor." (from Ergofit review)
- "I did purchase the mat with this and so glad I did. It does help with the noise reduction." (from Ergofit review)
On weight loss and health:
- "I've been able to get about 7-10 miles in daily just using it for a few hours." (from Funmily review)
- "LOVE! I am now able to walk while working rather than sitting for hours upon hours. My energy has increased and I feel a bit healthier!" (from Maksone review)
- "I've been using this treadmill for about a week now, and even in a short time it has made an noticeable improvement in both my physical and mental health. I no longer have to worry about getting my daily steps in or finding time for a workout. Instead, I simply hop on the treadmill while I work, and the time flies by." (from Ergofit review)
- "She's more active during work then she ever been before, she's more healthy and this is a good way of losing weight without the feeling of a hard workout. Very good purchase and a game changer for work at home user." (from LifeSpan review)
- "This device changed my life. I'm 32 years old and finally getting my weight under control. I'm able to work AND walk at the same time, which makes work more enjoyable. I'm the type of person who enjoys working, and I no longer need to feel guilty about it." (from LifeSpan review)
- "I walk at least four hours every work day. It keeps me warm on cold days, encourages me to drink more water, and I feel...happy...all day, which is not typical for me with my daily work demands! I used to feel cranky and tired during my work day when sitting; I feel better physically and mentally at the end of a day now that I'm walking while I work. I have MORE energy at the end of the day, which I did not expect." (from LifeSpan review)
- "I work 8 hrs a day on a laptop and walk about 5 miles on it (leisure walking pace 1.3 mph)." (from Funmily review)
On energy and productivity:
- "I love getting so many steps in during my day and it keeps me awake!" (from LifeSpan review)
- "Game changer... I have more energy during the day. Here in gloomy New England, I can get some light exercise in after work by reading a book while walking or watching a show. If I'm antsy during work and absolutely need to push through, this helps tremendously. I work a desk job while managing ADHD and this is the answer to tolerating staying in one place for hours." (from LifeSpan review)
On moving the treadmill between uses and setup:
- "What I don’t love is the weight. It’s fairly heavy, and bending under your standing desk to lift it up and move it can be tricky. I was using the wheels to move it in and out from under my desk initially, until I noticed the scratches it was making in my wood floors, which is very disappointing." (from Maksone review)
- "A friend who saw it said it looked very elegant. I don’t plan to move mine much, as it is not an eyesore. It is EASY to move, with wheels on the front end." (from Maksone review)
- "It's not easy to move. It's definitely not light but it's heavier at one end so it makes it awkward to move. I have lower back problems so it doesn't take much to hurt it and I could see this doing some damage because of uneven weight distribution." (from Ergofit review)
- "I am 6'2" and 300lbs and work in a warehouse and STILL needed help from a friend to move it and set it up where I wanted it. Once it is set up, and you take a few minutes to tweak the tension as per the manual, it works BEAUTIFULLY. But you REALLY NEED 2 people to move it to where you want it to live." (from LifeSpan review)
On typing, writing, phone and video calls:
- "I can type emails and do most admin stuff while walking up to 3km/hr, but I have to slow down or stop if it's something I really need to concentrate on or need a steady hand for (I do technical drawings). It's also a little too loud for calls but I don't spend much time on the phone." (from Maksone review)
- "I’m in customer service and so I’m in the phone the entire day with customers. And no one hears it. It’s so quiet. It’s really been a blessing to me to have it." (from Maksone review)
- "I haven't found any issues keyboarding while walking. Fine mouse movements are a bit more challenging, but are getting better with practice. I'll temporarily slow my pace or pause the treadmill if I need to for specific work, but general email/spreadsheet/document drafting is no problem." (from LifeSpan review)
On maintenance:
- "Once I re-lubricated the treadmill it was smoother and much quieter!" (from Maksone review)
- "I've not experienced slipping of the belt that some lubricant couldn't address. " (from Ergofit review)
- "I used my TR1200 Monday - Friday for at least 3 miles and up to 5 miles. I follow the standard maintenance guide LifeSpan outlines and so far I have had absolutely no trouble." (from LifeSpan review)
On price:
- "I bought a cheaper treadmill from another company and burned out the motor in short order...It is a little spendy, but well worth the investment it you will be using it for long days like I am. " (from LifeSpan review)
- "I tried a $350 treadmill off Amazon before getting this one. It is well worth the extra money. The Amazon one was rickety, hard on my joints, and malfunctioned within a couple of weeks. The quality of the Lifespan build is far superior, it’s like walking on solid ground." (from LifeSpan review)
Our Process
Selecting the treadmill desk that's right for you can be intimidating if you've never used one. There are a lot of factors to consider, and if you don't know a lot about standing desks and treadmills, getting unbiased information is difficult. It's not uncommon that companies will pay for positive reviews of their products and negative reviews of competitors. Over the last few years we've developed the following criteria to help you make a decision as to which treadmill desk is best for you:
- Stability - This is especially important with all of the movement that's happening. Trying to write, type, and use the mouse can reduce your productivity when using an unstable treadmill desk.
- Shipping and delivery - Some units can take up to 8 weeks to be delivered.
- Warranty - Quality products will usually have stronger warranties.
- Noise - Loud treadmill desks can be annoying to others nearby and make it harder to hear when listening to audio.
- Customer service - Hopefully you won't need to deal with customer service, but if you do, it makes for a wonderful or agonizing purchase.
- Customization and upgrades - If you use your treadmill desks, there may be features that you'll use often.
- Max user weight - If you're a bigger person, pay attention to the max user weight. If the motor isn't able to handle larger users, it can stress out the motor and lead to motor failure.
- Lift capacity of the desk - If you have a lot of items on your desk, such as monitors, books, drinks, or a bag you should find out how much they all weigh before you make a buying decision.
- Top speed - Most don't use their treadmill desk at the speeds you would use at the gym, but if you think you'll want to occasionally challenge yourself, look for a higher maximum speed.
- Console/controller size - The console should be easy to read and adjust.
- Max height - Tall users can have issues with desks that are too low when they have to lean forward to type and read, which can lead to back and neck pain.
- Ergonomics - Poor ergonomics can cause pain in your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists.
- Quality - There are several moving parts in the desk and the treadmill, and low-quality units don't last as long as higher quality ones, which can end up costing you more in the end when you have to buy a new unit because a cheaper one failed.
- Maintenance - Some treadmills require occasional maintenance.
- Unique features - Sometimes these features can add to the overall cost of a treadmill desk.
- Overall value for the cost - Balancing your budget with your needs can be difficult for some people.
We've spent thousands of hours personally testing treadmill and standing desks, speaking with manufacturers, as well as directly with users, and we've read thousands of reviews.
Do-it-Yourself Treadmill Desks
If you're thinking about going the DIY route, understand that if you use a standard fitness treadmill, you may burn out the motor. Walking treadmills are used at low speeds for many hours and require a high torque motor. Fitness treadmills have low torque motors as when people run on them the momentum of them running fast pushes the belt along. Walkers don't push the belt forward much so the motor has to do it.
Advice for New Treadmill Desk Users
- Walk between 1-2 mph:
You want to move just enough to increase your body's circulation and prevent the problems that come with long periods of being sedentary. You shouldn't feel the need to go so fast that you're sweating while you work.
- Take breaks:
Ideally, you'll be switching modes every 20 or so minutes, so alternate walking with standing, sitting, and leaning if you like. Many treadmill desk users find that certain activities can be done walking, such as phone conversations, while activities that require deep concentration are better when done sitting.
- Wear the right shoes:
Don't wear heels or any shoes that are going to damage the treadmill belt. And pay attention to your shoes to ensure they support proper posture while standing or walking. Some users will wear their nice looking shoes to work and to meetings, and another more comfortable pair for walking and standing.
- Practice proper ergonomics:
Make sure that your monitor is eye level and that your keyboard is near your hips when you're standing, walking, and leaning. If you're reaching, leaning or slouching, you can create problems for your neck, lower back and upper back. Check out our best monitor arms list.
Treadmill Desk Frequently Asked Questions
Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about treadmill desks.
Do treadmill desks really work?
They allow people to get a light workout while they're working, preventing the problems that can come with extended periods of inactivity. They're not designed for normal gym workouts, except for those with stronger motors rated for higher speeds. Many people find that walking while they work is better for them than just standing in terms of productivity, energy, and the day moving faster.
Can you lose weight with a treadmill desk?
Yes, using a treadmill desk can help you lose weight. You won't burn as many calories as you would doing a regular treadmill workout at higher speeds unless you're walking for longer periods.
Are under desk treadmills worth it?
For people who are trying to reduce their risks from extended periods of inactivity and who want to get a light workout while they work, treadmill desks are a great investment. Some users have an under-desk treadmill permanently under their standing desk and just step to the side to stand; some will even use a stool or physio ball on their treadmill to sit.
How much does a treadmill desk cost?
There's a range of price options for a treadmill desk. Cheaper treadmill desks are as low as $300 and higher-quality home desks generally start around $700. Commercial treadmill desks start at $2,000.
If you have a specific budget or need, we've created a few different reviews: