The best home treadmills for indoor walking and running, tested
Let's face it, lacing up your running shoes and braving the elements when it's windy, freezing or pouring down outside can be an unappealing prospect. Happily, the best treadmills – much like the best exercise bikes, cross trainers and rowing machines – provide an alternative way to stay active that doesn’t involve dodging the changeable British weather.
Lower cost running treadmills offer a stable surface and allow you to rack up the miles to your heart’s content, making them a good pick for anyone who just wants to get going. However, many modern running machines now come packed with innovative features to take your home exercise sessions to new heights, including live-streamed classes, bright touchscreens and automatic incline settings.
If your workout routine needs a shake-up ahead of the new year, keep reading to find out how to choose the best treadmill for you and explore the Good Housekeeping Institute's tried-and-tested reviews.
Looking for the best running kit? Check out our expert guide, including top training tips.
What is the best home treadmill?
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute set about tracking down the best treadmills you can buy right now – here are their top picks:
Are home treadmills worth it?
There are plenty of excellent reasons to invest in a home treadmill. Here, Holly Haywood, lead instructor at Third Space Soho, breaks down some of main benefits.
Convenience: When life is busy due to work, family or social commitments, Haywood points out that having a treadmill at home is an extremely convenient way to stay active. “It makes it possible to get some movement in, even when you’re short on time or if the weather is bad outside,” she says. “Whether you have just 10 minutes or an hour, it’s easier to take some time out and do something positive for your physical and mental health.”
Safety: Running after dark or in poor weather can be hazardous. A session on the treadmill can be a safer way to exercise, particularly in the winter months. You can focus on your workout, without having to worry about slipping, getting lost or dodging cars.
Cardiovascular fitness and heart health: According to Haywood, regular running is an excellent way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and lower your risk of heart disease. Evidence backs this up, with research revealing that running for 75 minutes per week can add 12 years to your life! A study by Iowa State University also found running three times a week for just 17 minutes at a time can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 55%.
Building strength in the lower body: Running is also an effective lower body workout (particularly if you crank up the incline settings) as it targets your glutes, thighs and calf muscles. It can help you develop a strong, stable core, too.
Mental health benefits: Aside from improving your physical health, a session atop the treadmill can do wonders for your state of mind and stress levels by releasing endorphins and boosting your mood.
Is it okay to run on the treadmill every day?
While experienced runners may be able to handle training every day, it’s important to take time to let your body recover so you can come back stronger. “Social media has become a place for people to show off their run streaks, but this can put you at risk of overtraining,” warns Haywood.
If you’re at the beginning of your running journey, three or four sessions a week should be more than enough to reap the benefits.
What should you look for when buying a treadmill?
Even the most basic treadmill should provide a stable surface and smooth-moving belt to allow you to run comfortably. If the machine shakes considerably or the belt judders underfoot while running, steer clear. We like our running machines to provide a little cushioning or ‘bounce’ as well, softening the impact on our joints as we stride.
You also want your treadmill to be simple to set up and easy to use.
Beyond this, it very much depends on what you plan to use it for. If you just want to get moving, our more pocket friendly options will be more than up to the challenge. However, if you’re looking to revolutionise your exercise regime, an innovation-packed model may be worth investing in.
If you’re leaning towards the latter, you’ll want to look for an easy-to-navigate touchscreen and the ability to link to an app. The apps will usually require a monthly subscription fee, but they will grant you access to extensive workout libraries made up of live classes, virtual scenic rides and studio sessions.
Some treadmills, including the Peloton Tread, will even offer non-running workouts such as strength, HIIT, yoga and meditation sessions.
How much should I spend on a treadmill?
That depends on your goals. If you're looking for a premium gym-standard piece of kit, it will set you back anywhere between £1500 and £4000. For a simple but effective motorised treadmill, we would set aside a budget between £700 and £1000.
Alternatively, if you just want to get moving, you can pick up a walking pad (perfect for work from home days) for around £200.
How we test treadmills
Our experts at the GHI donned their favourite trainers to test the best running machines on the market. They tried each one at different speeds and incline settings to ensure it stayed stable throughout.
They also checked each model for comfort, cushioning, bounce and ease of use, with bonus points awarded for treadmills that looked good, too. Only the machines that impressed are listed below.
Ready to put your best foot forward?
Tread
Score: 92/100
Peloton may be synonymous with cycling, but the brand has done a fine job with its first foray into the world of treadmills.
The Peloton App provides a seemingly endless supply of workouts — with running options available alongside alternative offerings like strength and yoga sessions — and creates a sense of community by connecting you with fellow members.
There are live leaderboards to show how you compare with Tread users who have completed the same workout, other runners can send you high fives to congratulate you on a great effort, and classes are led by Duracell Bunny-like instructors whose infectious energy helped our testers push harder than they would if running alone.
It doesn’t fold away, so isn’t a good fit for smaller rooms, but we still liked the Peloton’s sleek overall design. The fact there was no plastic bumper at the front of the belt also drew praise as we caught our feet on this when using other models, and the use of adjustable speed and incline dials on the treadmill’s arms (rather than the usual buttons on the control panel) was a masterstroke.
MyRun
Score: 81/100
Setting up a treadmill can sometimes be a stressful affair, but there’s no such problem with this sleek Technogym running machine. Your purchase comes with free installation – no need to worry about faffing around with screws and bolts – as well a training session with a Technogym expert so you can get to grips with your new running buddy quickly and safely.
Thanks to the stellar customer service and support, our expert found the treadmill refreshingly simple and intuitive to use. There’s one lever to adjust the incline, one for speed and another for stopping and starting. There’s a quick start function so you can just get going without fiddling with any controls, and we loved the accompanying Technogym app, which is jam-packed with engaging guided workouts and scenic running routes, as well as boasting auto-adjust speed and incline functionality. It also links to third-party apps like Strava and Zwift, or you can just stream Netflix as you rack up the miles.
Unlike many premium running machines, MyRun’s design is neat and compact, so it won’t take over your entire living room. It’s also much more aesthetically pleasing than most treadmills. We found it moved smoothly at even the highest speeds, the motor was whisper-quiet and the data screens (which you can access via the app) were detailed and clearly presented all our main statistics.
Coming in at over £3500, it isn’t cheap, but if you can afford to splash out, it’s undoubtedly worth it.
Sprint-8 Pro: Smart Treadmill
Score: 79/100
Looking for a gym-quality treadmill experience at home but don’t want to spend over £2,000? You can’t go wrong with the JTX Sprint-8 Pro, which comes in at £1,449.
The sleek machine ticked all the boxes for our experts, who were impressed with the generous running deck and solid steel frame. It didn’t shake once during our rigorous testing, and it was seriously smooth underfoot, even at higher speeds. This makes it a good choice for those with a larger frame or a heavy footfall.
Boasting a max speed of 20kmph (that’s a 4:40min per mile pace) and a respectable 15% incline, it’s suitable for both couch-to-5kers and speedsters. There are lots of pre-set workouts to choose from, or if you prefer interactive coaching, there’s a device holder and built-in speakers for streaming sessions.
The motor was pretty quiet (ideal for 6am sessions before work), it was easy to adjust the speed and incline during our runs, and there’s a heart rate monitor for more focused training. The machine also comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind. Though it's foldable and has a wheeled base, we found it difficult to move around and store away, but that was our only quibble. Overall, a quality piece of kit that’s suitable for the whole family.
T900D Connected Treadmill
Score: 78/100
This Domyos treadmill doesn’t have all the mod cons of more expensive models, but it still impressed our testing team with a solid all-round performance. They praised the robust, high-quality steel frame and appreciated the cushioned belt, which provided sufficient bounce while protecting their long-suffering knees.
Its top speed of 18km/h should be plenty for most, while it has a decent 10% incline for replicating hilly routes, and there are no fewer than 32 pre-set workouts to suit all experience levels.
The motor is fairly quiet, so there’s no need to worry about waking up your neighbours during early morning runs, and it can be folded away – ideal for those who don’t want a cardio machine to take over their entire living room. There’s no fancy touchscreen but the backlit console displays all your key stats clearly, including time, distance, pace and calories burned. According to our experts, it’s incredibly easy to navigate, with large buttons for adjusting the speed and incline as well as pausing and ending a session.
As a bonus, there’s a tablet holder and built-in speakers so you can stream Netflix during more relaxed sessions. You also get a fan to keep you cool as you work up a sweat and a chest strap to monitor your heart rate accurately.
Walking Pad with Double Shock Absorption
Score: 77/100
If you struggle to get your steps in when it's miserable outside (us too), a walking pad is the perfect solution. Unlike most of the other treadmills in our round-up, this UREVO design, which has a slim flat base and no handles, has been created specifically for walking and light jogging, reaching speeds up to 6km/h. It’s a great option if you work from home and want to be more active during the day – all you need is a standing desk converter and you’re good to go.
According to our expert, it couldn’t be simpler to use – simply plug it in and get moving. Despite the purse-friendly price tag, the build is surprisingly sturdy, there's a nice level of cushioning on the belt and it’s quiet enough to use in a shared space.
There’s a basic but easy-to-read LED display, which toggles between your time on the pad, speed, distance and calories, allowing you to keep track of your progress, and you can switch up the speed or pause the machine using the remote control.
It scored highly for accuracy in terms of step count and speed, and thanks to its compact size, you can store it away under the sofa when not in use. Just note, it may be too small for anyone on the larger or taller side (over 6ft).
Stride Auto-Fold Connected Treadmill
Score: 77/100
The Echelon App was a favourite with our testers thanks to the huge variety of workouts on offer, including spin class-esque studio sessions and scenic outdoor routes — both far more interesting than the vista del wall of traditional treadmill training.
One drawback of this running machine is the absence of a touchscreen, though it can be linked to a tablet to view the app’s follow-along classes. There is a shelf for tablets to be placed above the handlebars, though we found this covered some of our workout stats that are displayed on the light-up control panel.
This Echelon treadmill is another compact option and can fold flat easily with just the press of a floor lever, making it a great option for smaller homes. And, despite its size, testers said they had no problems with wobbling, even when sprinting uphill. They also found the running belt allowed them plenty of room to move and absorbed the impact of their strides well.
Movelight Walking Treadmill
Score: 74/100
Another excellent under-desk option for getting your steps in from the comfort of your own home. This robust JTX model, with a slim flat base and no handles, is a cinch to set up and use – it arrives fully assembled, the detailed instructions mean you’ll get to grips with the machine in no time and it has a wheeled base, so you can store it away under the sofa when not in use.
It comes with a simple remote control for adjusting the speed while you’re walking and the bright LED display clearly displays your step count, distance, speed and time, so you can stay on top of your progress.
The smooth belt is comfy to walk on for hours on end and the quiet motor will allow you to take meetings atop the treadmill without attracting attention. All in all, a top buy for anyone looking to incorporate more movement into their days.
Slimline Flat Fold Away Treadmill
Score: 74/100
Another offering from the experts at JTX, this one is an excellent choice if you’re short on space. It’s lightweight, compact and can be stored completely flat, with a handy wheeled base to make lugging it around the house a doddle.
As for space-saving credentials, it earned our experts’ seal of approval for its simple yet effective design. It has a max speed of 16km/ph, with 36 pre-set workouts and the option to create your own personalised routines based on your goals. At under £600, it doesn’t have a touchscreen, but it can be linked to a phone or tablet to stream sessions from your favourite running apps or just catch-up on your favourite shows as you wrack up the miles. It also has a large digital display – showcasing your speed, time, distance and calories burned – to help you keep track of your progress.
The speed buttons located on the handlebars were easy to reach and adjust mid-run, the smooth-moving belt provided a stable surface for all our walks, jogs and runs (no wobbling reported), and the motor was one of the quietest out of all the machines we tested.
Just note, there are no incline or decline options, so look to one of our other options if hiking or hill running are your thing.
The verdict on treadmills
If your budget stretches and you want to invest in a top-range machine that will elevate all your home workouts, the Peloton is excellent for its array of workouts, encouraging trainers and community feel. Rest assured, you won't get bored on this premium machine.
Don't want to spend over the odds? This compact JTX model, which comes in at under £600, offers fantastic value for money.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
At the GHI, we test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market. We put each and every product through rigorous testing to provide unbiased reviews you can rely on.
Kim Hawley is the GHI's health and wellness tester. She reviews and develops protocols for a range of health and wellness products, including treadmills. She has over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry, with a level 4 personal training qualification and a nutrition qualification. She also spent two decades working in leading health clubs across the UK.
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