6 Affordable Treadmills To Help You Stay Active & Reach Your Step Goals From Home

Expert review by

Just because you’re spending less money, doesn’t mean you want a flimsy design. We searched for affordable treadmills that will still hold up over time.

Treadmills have different specifications and capabilities. We prioritized machines with a variety of features to match every lifestyle and need.

Each treadmill was chosen with our expert’s insight in mind. We’ve included Koziol’s input on each product within the description.

While many treadmill brands are well over $1,000, we kept every pick on this list below $500.

This slim and compact foldable treadmill is excellent for small spaces. However, don’t let its sleek design fool you. While many foldable treadmills only support walking speeds, this pick features a 1.0 horsepower motor, with a maximum speed of 6.0mph. It’s tricky to find an incline treadmill for under $500, but this one stands out with four incline levels. Psst: walking on an incline is a great way to increase the difficulty and amp up the benefits of your walk.

A multi-layer running belt provides a durable and smooth surface. The belt is fairly wide, but taller individuals should note that it’s slightly shorter than standard treadmills. An easy-to-read LCD display tracks metrics including speed, incline, duration, and distance. Plus, there are pre-programmed workouts ready to stream. A built-in stereo speaker works with USB flash or SD cards. 

Customers love the convenience of this machine, saying that it’s easy to set up, maneuver, use, and store. If you have a small office space, this could be a game changer for your health.

Koziol loves this treadmill’s sleep design and easy setup. “With this treadmill, you can easily increase your daily step count,” he says. “A short 20-minute walk can help you rack up between 2,000-3,000 steps.”

This ultra-lightweight treadmill folds down so small you can easily tuck it away in a corner, or under your bed or couch. Its wheel-equipped frame allows you to maneuver it into place whenever you’re craving some movement. A five-layer running belt provides a durable and safe surface, while a 1.5 horsepower motor supports speeds up to 6.5 miles per hour. The machine’s console is complete with cupholders and an LCD screen. Though the shock-absorbing belt comes in two widths, larger-bodied individuals may still find it too narrow. 

Treadmills don’t get much more apartment-friendly than this. Reviewers rave that it’s quiet, lightweight, and a cinch to store or move. 

“This is a great option for beginners who want to get more active without going outside or having to leave the comfort of their home,” Koziol confirms. “The running belt on this treadmill is narrow, which would make it more suitable as a ‘walking treadmill,’ rather than a ‘running treadmill.’ Taller individuals or those with larger feet might find the treadmill belt too narrow on this treadmill.”

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Sometimes a gentle walk is the best way to ease stress throughout your work day. Other days, you may need a heart-pumping jog to clear your head. The good news is this under-desk treadmill opens up the possibility for both. Use the riser, handrails, and console for jogging or running at speeds up to 7.5 miles per hour. Or take down the handrails and riser and use this as a sleek under-desk walking treadmill. The machine comes with a remote that allows you to cycle through speeds effortlessly. Unfortunately, this model has no display, meaning you’ll need the remote to operate it. The folded treadmill can be stored horizontally under a bed or couch when not in use. 

Those looking to break up the monotony of a workday will likely enjoy this under-desk treadmill. It’s great for the occasional run, but it truly shines as a walking or jogging tread. 

“I like this unique treadmill because you can easily convert it into a desk treadmill for racking up steps during the workday,” Koziol says. He adds that it’s easy to fold and store away, and is a “simple option for anyone who just wants to get moving at home.” The only downside he points out is that there are no incline capabilities, which he says typically are the best way to mimic outdoor terrain.

A great option for beginners, this treadmill supports walking, running, and incline workouts. It has a decently-sized running deck with great shock absorption, supports a 9 miles per hour max speed, and is relatively quiet compared with other options. 

The handrails have buttons for easy speed and incline adjustments during your workout. There are also nine built-in workout programs, which is a great bonus for a budget pick. This treadmill even has sensors on the handrails to measure your heart rate, which it displays with other standard metrics on the LCD screen. The machine does fold and roll, but reviewers mention that it’s a bit heavy. 

Amazon reviewers agree that this treadmill is a great value for your buck, especially if you want a machine that supports higher running speeds, too.

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Manual treadmills are a great option that doesn’t require electricity. With 16 levels of magnetic resistance, this model gives you full control over your workout intensity. The multi-grip, sweat-resistant handrails allow you to push against the tread and vary your running or walking position. While this won’t allow you the traditional running arm swing, it still is a great workout. The machine is easy to maneuver and store, with transportation wheels and a foldable design. Just remember, no electricity means no display, connectivity, built-in workouts, or music. 

Reviewers enjoy the versatility of this treadmill, saying it provides them with a smooth and challenging workout. Individuals looking for a portable, lightweight, and completely manual treadmill will likely find that this machine suits their needs. 

Koziol says this is “a great option for anyone wanting to walk backward to strengthen and stabilize their knee joints,” due to the fact that it operates on a fixed incline. He goes on to note that “walking backward may help increase knee extension range of motion (great for injury recovery and prevention), and can increase energy expenditure by 40% (compared to walking forward).” On the con side, Koziol says the treadmill has a bit of a “shifty belt.”

Runners on a budget will love this affordable electric treadmill. It boasts a 2.25 horsepower motor that can support speeds up to 10.0 miles per hour.

While the console doesn’t have as large a display as other options, it still offers 12 preset programs and plenty of tracking statistics. This model has three incline settings, which must be implemented manually. It folds and rolls for easy storage—though we’re betting you’ll want it out more often than not after your first run. 

Reviewers are delighted with this treadmill’s bulked-up design and say it offers impressive durability at a reasonable price. 

“This may be the best treadmill on the list,” Koziol raves. “It has a large tread surface (great for taller individuals) and incline capabilities, and its top speed of 10 miles per hour is sufficient for a majority of people wanting to walk, jog, or run. With 12 different pre-set programs, you have a wide variety of challenging workouts to explore. For $360, this treadmill is a steal!”

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