Under-desk treadmill vs under-desk bike

Standing desk or sitting desk

An under-desk treadmill only works with a standing desk. You stand on the deck, which lifts you by roughly 11 to 18 cm depending on the model, so the desk has to rise that much higher than your usual standing height. Check the top of your desk's height range in cm before you buy a pad. Our walking pad under a standing desk set-up guide shows how to work it out.

An under-desk bike or mini elliptical sits on the floor in front of your chair. You keep your normal seated height, so a fixed desk is fine as long as there is knee clearance for the pedalling motion. Compact pedal units have no seat of their own; full desk bikes have a seat and sometimes a built-in work surface.

Side-by-side comparison

Typing, mouse work and calls

Walking slowly while typing takes a little practice. Many people settle at around 2 to 3 km/h for computer work and speed up for reading or calls. The key is getting the desk height right so your elbows sit at about 90 degrees with the deck height added. Our treadmill speed chart helps you convert speeds if your pad shows mph.

Pedalling while seated keeps your upper body more still, which some find easier for detailed mouse work. Knees can hit the underside of a low desk, so measure the clearance. On calls, a walking pad's motor and footfall can be picked up by a laptop microphone; a pedal unit is often quieter, though some resistance systems click or whirr. A headset with a directional microphone helps with either.

Space, storage and floors

A walking pad needs the full belt length on the floor under your desk, plus clearance behind it. When you finish, you slide it out and store it under a sofa or stand it on end, as the manual allows. On upper floors, a mat reduces vibration through the floor; see do you need a treadmill mat.

A pedal unit takes a small patch of floor and can stay under the desk. It is light enough to move with one hand. Without a mains supply, a basic pedal unit also avoids an extra cable across the floor.

Running costs and upkeep

A walking pad uses mains power. Motors are rated in hundreds of watts but draw less at slow walking speeds, so use in kWh is modest; check your own unit rate on your bill. Our treadmill electricity use article explains the maths. A pad also needs occasional belt lubrication and centring.

A basic pedal unit needs little upkeep beyond checking that its feet and pedals are secure. Motorised or app-linked desk bikes may need power or batteries.

Note:Use a walking pad's safety key or auto-stop and the remote exactly as the maker describes, and do not run its plug through an extension reel that is coiled up or overloaded.

Which to choose

For pads that suit a desk, see the best under-desk treadmills and the best quiet walking pads. If you are still deciding whether to go ahead at all, are under-desk treadmills worth it covers the practical pros and cons.

• You have a standing desk with enough height range: choose an under-desk treadmill.
• You sit at a fixed-height desk: choose an under-desk bike or mini elliptical.
• You take many calls in a shared room: a quiet pedal unit or a quiet brushless pad with a mat.
• You want to walk away from the desk too: a walking pad doubles as a home walking machine.

See under-desk treadmills →

Frequently asked questions

Can you use an under-desk treadmill while sitting? No. A walking pad is for walking while standing. For seated use, choose a pedal unit or desk bike.

Is an under-desk elliptical the same as a bike? Both are pedalled while seated. A mini elliptical moves the feet in a gliding oval; a pedal bike moves them in a circle. Desk fit and noise are similar.

What speed should I walk at while working? Many people use 2 to 3 km/h for typing. Start slowly and stop the belt when you need full concentration.

Do I need a special standing desk for a walking pad? You need one whose top height covers your elbow height plus the pad's deck height, measured in cm.