Best Under Desk Treadmills

Ryan Fiorenzi - Updated on June 22nd, 2023

Due to the pandemic, many businesses have their employees working from home. And many gyms are closed or have capacity limits on how many people are allowed in the building. Employees are finding out that they can work and exercise at the same time with an under-desk treadmill. On a normal treadmill, there's no tabletop to type or write. But an under-desk treadmill fits under your desk. With this setup, you won't necessarily need a new desk if you own an adjustable standing desk. If your desk is wide enough, you can keep your treadmill under your desk and switch from standing to walking by just moving your keyboard or laptop.

An under-desk treadmill doesn't have arms and a console as you can rest your forearms on your desk. It's designed to be used at low speeds as you won't be able to write or type while running. Working while walking is a great way to burn calories and avoid the many dangers of excessive periods of sitting.


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Best Under-Desk Treadmill Desks


Funmily Best Budget Treadmill DeskMaksone - Best Budget Treadmill without Desk

Maksone
Treadmill

Best Budget (without desk)

  • 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.

Egofit Walker
Pro M1

Egofit Walker Pro M1 - Best Small Treadmill

Best Small 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.

LifeSpan TR1000-DT3 GlowUp

LifeSpan TR1000 - Best High-End Space Saving Treadmill

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.

LifeSpan TR5000
GlowUp

LifeSPan TR5000 - Best High End Treadmill (without desk)

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.

Treadmill Desk Comparison Table

Maksone Egofit TR1000 TR5000
Motor (hp) 2.25 2 2.25 3
Max. speed (mph) 3.73 3.1 4 4
Belt length (inches) 41.3 34.25 44 50
Belt width 16.5 16.5 20 20
Weight capacity 265 220 350 400
Inclines? no 5% fixed no no
Price $299 $399 $1299 $1899

Why Use an Under-Desk Treadmill?

Under-desk treadmills are for people who already have a desk and don't need to buy a treadmill base/standing desk combination. Now that standing desks are becoming more popular, even more people are using treadmills to work. Many people have found that using a treadmill while working is a great way to burn extra calories, increase productivity, avoid back pain from sitting for long periods, and improve their mood.

How to Use a Treadmill Desk

  • It's recommended that you walk 1-2 mph while working. Walking faster than that can make it difficult to type or use a mouse, and you could get sweaty while at work.
  • Use shoes that promote good posture, that are comfortable, and won't damage the treadmill belt.
  • In a normal workday, many users will rotate between walking on their treadmill, sitting, and standing. Some activities lend themselves more to walking, such as talking on the phone, reading, or watching videos, and others that require more intense concentration are better done sitting or standing.
  • Another option is to purchase a standing mat that you can place on top of your treadmill so you can stand when not walking. Keep in mind that this will often add 2" or more to your height, so make sure your desk can accommodate the extra height. If you have to look down at your monitor because the desk is too low or lean forward to type, you could end up with back and or neck pain.

Can I Use a Regular Treadmill Under My Desk?

Running or jogging treadmills are designed to be used at medium to fast speeds. Using them at lower speeds stresses the motor and increases the chances of the motor failing.

Under-desk treadmills are designed for use at low speeds and, if maintained, should last for a long time.

Our Process

Treadmill bases can get expensive, and we understand that most buyers aren't looking to spend thousands of dollars, so we have applied the following criteria to find the best overall value.

  1. Motor
  2. Belt length & width
  3. Console
  4. Customer rating
  5. Max user weight
  6. Warranty
  7. Customer service

Our Experience

We have spent thousands of hours in the non-sedentary lifestyle space. For several years we have been testing treadmills, treadmill desks, standing desks, standing desk converters, stool, chairs, leaning chairs, bike desks, keyboards, and other ergonomic products.

Our team spends a lot of time using products, reading reviews, watching videos, speaking to manufacturers, and comparing products, so you don't have to.

Under-Desk Treadmill Frequently Asked Questions

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about under-desk treadmills.

Can you run on an under-desk treadmill?

Yes, but it's recommended that you use an under-desk treadmill that has two support arms on the side and the console in front so you can grab onto or rest your arms on.

What is the best under-desk treadmill?

It depends on your budget. Criteria you can use to evaluate an under-desk treadmill can include, the motor, belt length and width, console, customer rating, maximum user weight, warranty, and customer service.

Can you lose weight with a treadmill desk?

Yes. Walking at even slow speeds burns more calories than sitting. If you walk or run at higher speeds, you will burn more calories, which can lead to weight loss.

Do treadmill desks really work?

Treadmills are an effective way to increase cardiovascular health. You can walk at very slow speeds for a gentle, low-impact workout, or get a more intense workout by increasing your speed.

Is it bad to walk on the treadmill every day?

Walking on a treadmill is no more dangerous than regular walking. If you have concerns, speak to your doctor to find out if you should limit the length or intensity of your workouts.

If you have issues with your joints, make sure your treadmill has a good shock-absorption system. If you still have joint pain, using an under-desk bike is lower impact and therefore a better option.