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Treadmills are commonly associated with running, but they’re also a great tool to get a walking workout in if you’d prefer not to go outside because of weather, safety, or other reasons.

While there aren’t many treadmills specifically made for walking, some affordable treadmills are available that may be more suitable for walking than running.

At the same time, several running treadmills are also good options for walking, especially if you know you’d like to mix things up occasionally with the incline or take some interactive classes. Below are our picks of the best treadmills for walking.

Choosing a treadmill can be challenging with so many products on the market. That’s why we’ve narrowed down some options based on the following criteria:

General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means that the product is on the budget-friendly side, whereas four dollar signs indicate a more expensive option.

Note that prices may vary depending on where you shop and that discounts, add-ons, packages, subscriptions, and delivery and installation fees may add to your final cost.

The Sole F63 is a great option if you’re looking for a mostly no-frills walking treadmill. It costs less than some higher end options but still comes with all the standard features of a treadmill and the ability to stream classes. It’s also foldable in case you’re tight on space.

While it doesn’t include a touch screen to stream classes, it does have some built-in programmed workouts, as well as a media rack to hold an external tablet if you want to stream classes that way.

Your purchase comes with a free 30-day trial of Studio, Sole’s streaming platform. After 30 days, it costs $39 per month or $399 per year.

Shipping isn’t free, but there’s a lifetime warranty on the motor and frame.

This treadmill is a great option for those who are limited on space but seeking plenty of interactive options to mix up their treadmill walking routine.

In addition to a high definition touch screen, it has the ability to stream a wide range of classes with experienced elite trainers from iFit, which you can try for free for 30 days before you’ll be required to renew at $39 per month.

It offers several incline levels, similar to other treadmills on the market, but has a unique ability to go down to a -3% decline for downhill walking or running. This can be beneficial for building strength, as it activates the quads, glutes, shins, and shorter calf muscles.

Downhill walking allows eccentric contraction in the leg muscles (also known as lengthening of the muscles), which research has shown to be beneficial for preventing muscle deterioration and decreased muscle function (1, 2).

It comes with free shipping and a warranty of 10 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, and 1 year for labor.

In addition to being easily foldable, this treadmill is easy to stow away and has wheels. Aside from the under-desk option, it’s the most affordable treadmill on our list.

While it doesn’t have a touch screen, it does have a tablet holder and offers the same iFit 30-day trial as the NordicTrack model before a subscription is required.

It’s also Bluetooth-enabled to sync your headphones. Lastly, it offers free shipping and a warranty of 10 years for the frame and 1 year for parts and labor.

With its auto-folding technology, the Echelon Stride treadmill is an ideal compact option for small spaces.

Beyond that, it’s a great basic option with eight programmed workouts and manually adjustable speed and incline. The handlebars have integrated sensors for monitoring heart rate.

Users have access to a wide range of workouts through the Echelon Fit app, though it requires an Echelon United membership, which costs $34.99 per month or $399.99 per year. You’ll also need a separate tablet because there is no built-in screen.

One drawback is its short running deck (55 x 20 inches, compared to 60 x 22 inches on the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and most other treadmills), which may not be ideal for tall people. It’s also less powerful and has a shorter warranty than many competitors — 1 year for parts and labor.

If you’re looking for a no-frills, budget-friendly treadmill to stick under your desk and multitask while you work, this one is a great option. While the max speed is lower than on most other models, it shouldn’t be an issue if you’re looking to use it only for walking at your desk.

It doesn’t have a display screen but is equipped with Bluetooth speakers to play music while you work.

The Horizon T101 is a good option for those wanting a more modern treadmill without too many bells and whistles and at a reasonable price point.

Designed with beginners in mind, it’s equipped with a device holder, a cooling fan, a USB port, and Bluetooth speakers. It’s foldable and easy to assemble.

While it doesn’t have a screen, you can stream classes from other apps to your tablet or another device. This treadmill also comes with free shipping, a lifetime warranty for the frame and motor, and a 1-year warranty for parts and labor.

Peloton is hard to beat when it comes to classes and instructors. And they’re not all high intensity. The Tread regularly offers new walking and hiking classes on its live schedule and in the on-demand library.

You have to pay an extra monthly fee of $44 for the membership, but it also includes instructor-led strength training, stretching, barre, boxing, meditation, and yoga classes.

This treadmill comes with a large built-in touch screen. However, it doesn’t have the ability to automatically adjust your speed or incline — you do so manually.

Your purchase includes expert assembly as well as free shipping, a 5-year warranty on the frame, and a 12-month limited warranty on parts and labor.

If you’re looking for an energy-friendly option, you might consider a manual treadmill. It will require a bit more exertion than a motorized one, but a curved treadmill like the Trueform Trainer is great for providing a muscle-powered workout for your lower body, even when simply walking.

It also promotes a healthy gait more effectively than a motorized treadmill, which is helpful for good form.

However, it may be more challenging and requires more strength and balance to use, so tread (pun intended) carefully. You’ll want to maintain a consistent stride, which can make fatigue set in more quickly when you’re first getting used to it.

The treadmill will come to a stop when you’re done, and there’s no need for an emergency safety cord. As a bonus, it’s quieter than a motorized treadmill when in use. This treadmill comes with a warranty for 5 years on the frame and parts and 1 year on labor.

This treadmill is a great option if you want something easy to fold and wheel away for storage.

It doesn’t have a touch screen to stream classes and doesn’t get up to high speeds, but these qualities likely will not be an issue if you want a no-frills treadmill. You can connect to the Sunny Health App for customized workouts using an external tablet, if you want to.

The treadmill’s digital monitor shows basic metrics such as speed, calories burned, steps, and body fat percentage, and its pulse grips can track your heart rate in real time. It also comes with the ability to auto-adjust incline.

It comes with a warranty of 3 years on the structural frame and 180 days on parts and components.

When shopping for a treadmill for walking, consider which features are important to you and which you could live without. Do you want something more fun, like the live classes some treadmills can offer, or would you prefer a no-frills, basic option?

If you want the option to stream live classes, is it also important to you to be able to stream shows and movies? If so, an option such as Peloton may not be the best fit, because it supports only Peloton programs.

Instead, opt for a treadmill that includes a tablet holder so you can access third-party apps.

Do you want to challenge yourself with an incline, or are you hoping to multitask while you work and essentially just need a moving belt? These are all features to keep in mind. This should help you narrow down your budget as well.

Even if you’re using a treadmill just for walking, it’s important to keep safety in mind.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends fitting in 150 minutes of moderate to intense exercise per week, but there’s no hard and fast rule for how long a treadmill workout should be (3).

You can opt to walk as long as you would outdoors, which is likely to be 30 minutes to 1 hour to avoid boredom and time constraints. If you’re just starting a walking routine, start small (even if it’s 10 minutes per day) and begin to increase your time as your body adapts.

Just as with walking outdoors, you can walk on the treadmill every day. If you’re concerned about an injury or mobility issue that might limit your ability to walk, a recumbent bike may be a better option for you.

Generally speaking, experts say walking on a treadmill is just as good a form of exercise as walking outside.

While you might be able to burn more calories outside with tougher obstacles like wind resistance and varied terrain, the treadmill offers an extra challenge by allowing you to increase the incline and pace.

A manual treadmill requires more effort than a motorized one and may offer a similar challenge to walking outside.

If you’re looking to step up your walking and overall health and fitness routine, purchasing a home treadmill for walking can be a great alternative when walking outdoors isn’t a feasible option. By narrowing down your budget and desired features, you can find a walking treadmill that is right for you.

Last medically reviewed on June 30, 2022

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