Compact Treadmill Reviews

If you live in a small apartment or condo, you may have given up on the idea of getting a home treadmill. But these days, there are plenty of compact treadmills on the market that have been designed to work in virtually any home gym space.  

You’ve probably come across a selection of tiny treadmills during your search. Such models can include the under-desk treadmills like the LifeSpan TR800-DT3. These tend to be entry-level machines that are only suitable for walking. The smallest machines are usually very poor products, and most don’t support running at all. That’s why we have focused on the best compact treadmills that are closest in quality, durability, and features to their larger, commercial-sized siblings.

Explore the most common compact treadmill FAQs, and dig a little deeper into the pros and cons of our top five picks. Once you’ve assessed each, you can learn all about what to look for in a compact treadmill.

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Best Overall Compact Treadmill: NordicTrack EXP 7i

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NordicTrack’s EXP 7i treadmill is just 77.3″ L x 35.3″ W x 59.6″ H with a 20” x 60” tread belt. It’s sale priced at just $1,099 online.

With a 7-inch Smart HD touchscreen and a free, 1-year iFit membership, this model competes with the brand’s top-of-the-line models when it comes to interactive training. Other entertainment features include an auxiliary music port, dual 2-inch speakers, and the ability to save up to four user profiles. 

The powerful, 3.0 CHP motor is excellent for the price, and it supports speeds of up to 12 mph and an incline up to 12%. For the price and the space-saving size (which also folds with NordicTrack’s SpaceSaver® design to save even more space after workouts), this is a sacrifice we’re willing to make.

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Best Budget Pick: Horizon T101

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Horizon’s entry-level treadmill—the T101—is just 70″ L x 34″ W x 55″ H when in use. When folded, it’s 46″ L x 34″ W x 61″ H. At just $699 online, it’s a bargain compact treadmill that doesn’t sacrifice on features. 

Like the model above, the tread belt is 20″ x 55″. It also features a 2.5 CHP motor that supports speeds up to 10 mph and an incline up to 10%. This makes it ideal for those who prefer walking or light to moderate workouts. 

Other highlights include a Bluetooth speaker system, nine built-in workouts, and a fantastic warranty for the price point including lifetime coverage on the frame and motor.

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Smallest Footprint: ProForm City L6

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At just 70.25″ L x 29″ W x 44.5″ H and a $699 price tag, the ProForm City L6 is a compact treadmill that doesn’t break the bank. Its extremely compact design allows you to reclaim your floorspace and headspace alike.

Although it only has a 1.6 CHP motor and a 17.5″ x 45″ tread belt, this will work perfectly for seniors, rehabs, or those who really only want to walk. Lighter impact workouts and shorter strides are the name of the game here. That said, you can ramp up the challenge to 8 mph.

Best of all, it comes complete with a solid warranty of 10 years guaranteed for the frame and one-year for parts and labor.

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Best Fold Flat: Echelon Stride

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The Echelon Stride was the brand’s first entry into the treadmill space and unique in that it folds flat with above-average quality. The perfect fitness tool for anyone with limited space, this product features a top speed of 12 mph all while only occupying a 10 x 24-inch space. It may have a small footprint, but this doesn’t mean it’s constrained to the facilitation of walking.

The clever folding design makes the Echelon Stride more compact than comparable products, and fitness variety is made easy with leaderboards, video-based interactive coaching, and engaging workout plans available on demand. When combined with its convenient, auto-fold design and one full year of iFit Membership, the Echelon Stride is an excellent consideration for athletes with limited space without compromising on speed and creative programming.

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Popular Choice: NordicTrack T6.5 Si

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Value means there’s a proper balance of cost and quality, and products with a high value tend to be pretty popular. When it comes to the NordicTrack T6.5 Si, you get a budget-friendly treadmill that makes no shortcuts when it comes to quality in the mid-range budget. It does an excellent job mimicking outdoor running, but those with joint problems can engage the FlexSelect shock-absorption system. Incline ranges between 0-12, and, with a top speed of 10 mph, most athletes are covered from novice walkers to competitive runners.

If you struggle to stay motivated, you’ll appreciate the one-year iFit membership and 20 built-in programs. Jumping on the treadmill with no clear plan in mind won’t help you achieve your fitness goals, and these features go a long way in helping you make the most of every workout at a reasonable price.

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What to Look for in a Compact Treadmill

Sufficient Power and Weight Capacity

Do you plan on using your treadmill for frequent running, sometimes at high speeds? If so, make sure it has sufficient power. While walkers can typically suffice with 1.5 continuous-duty horsepower or less, runners should look for something with at least 2.0 CHP. Furthermore, if you carry a lot of weight, make sure you check the weight capacity. Realistically, you want to shoot for a product with a weight capacity that is at least 50 pounds more than your weight.

Track Size

The appeal of the compact treadmill is it’s smaller size. With that being said, keep in mind this comes at the cost of a shorter stride. Ergo, taller runners won’t get the same benefit as they would with a larger option. If you’re a runner under six feet tall, shoot for a running surface of at least 55-inches. Those over six feet, unless planning to use their treadmill for walking, should seek something larger.

Incline vs. Speed

You don’t have to sprint to get in a great treadmill workout. If space is an issues, and you want a compact treadmill to use at home, check for options that allow added resistance with incline. This simulates walking or running uphill, creating a much bigger challenge. Not only does this get the heart rate up, but it can even encourage muscle growth. For every degree of incline added, a 150-pound person can expect to burn around 12% more calories. A compact treadmill with a large degree of incline and a top speed of 10 miles per hour can still deliver incredible results.

Our Verdict

If you simply don’t have the space for a huge, gym-size machine in your apartment or low-ceiling basement, a compact treadmill is what you should be looking at. These machines have smaller footprints and are designed to be less bulky than commercial-standard machines.

Finding a model that suits your workout needs and small space can be done! Compact treadmills offer some stellar advantages. Their smaller size means you can save space and move your machine around after workouts. All of the models discussed are also foldable. They can help you to save money as they’re usually less expensive than their larger counterparts. 

In exchange for these benefits, customers may have to compromise slightly on quality and features. Compact treadmills tend to have significantly fewer bells and whistles than traditional treadmills, which can accommodate huge touchscreens and large speakers due to their larger size. Many compact treadmills designed for apartments are less sturdy than larger models and may come with less powerful motors of usually less than 3.0 CHP. People who are heavy or who plan to run at high speeds will need far stronger motors, so keep this in mind when shopping. Read our in-depth guide to treadmill motors if you need some more help on this. As compact treadmills are smaller in size, they obviously have smaller running tracks. Most have walking surfaces of 55-inches or less, so taller people might not attain a comfortable stride.  

It all comes down to whether saving space is your top priority. It may be that the size of your space is directly determining the size of your treadmill, so ‘compact’ is your only option. Just keep in mind that these treadmills work best for smaller and lighter users who are looking to save space and money as compact treadmills are among the least expensive models on the market.

Still worried that these models won’t fit? Take a look at the best treadmill alternatives on the market. These unique cardio machines can often serve as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, and stair climber in one. If saving space is your top priority, then one of these machines could be your perfect match.

Recent Updates

June 22, 2021: Numerous specs have been updated for accuracy and to reflect changes made for 2021 models.

July 20, 2021: Added categories “Best Flat Fold” and “Popular Choice.”