Walking pad vs treadmill: which one fits your home

What each machine is built for

A walking pad is a slim, motorised belt with no upright console. You control it with a small remote or an app, and most models run from about 1 to 6 km/h. The deck sits low, often 11 to 15 cm off the floor, so it fits under a standing desk or slides beneath a sofa or bed when you are done. See what is a walking pad for a fuller description.

A treadmill has an upright frame with handrails and a console, a more powerful motor on many models and a top speed of 12 km/h or more. Folding treadmills tip up or fold flat to save floor space, but they still take more room than a pad. Many add an incline, either set by hand or by motor, which few basic walking pads offer.

Two real listings side by side

The table compares a flat walking pad with a compact folding treadmill that has handles and an incline. Figures come from the Amazon listings; where a listing does not give a figure, the table says so.

Speed, belt length and running

Most walking pads cap speed at around 6 km/h because they are made for walking. A short belt of about 100 cm suits a walking stride, but a running stride is longer, and a short deck leaves little room at the back if you drift. That is why treadmills built for running usually list longer belts and higher top speeds.

Some 2-in-1 pads add a fold-up handle and unlock 10 to 12 km/h when it is raised. They sit between the two types. If you mainly want to jog now and then, they can work, but check the belt length in the listing first. Our belt size guide and can you run on a walking pad explain the numbers.

See 2-in-1 walking and running pads →

Storage, weight and moving it around

Storage is where walking pads win clearly. A flat pad around 11 cm tall can slide under most sofas and many beds, and at 16 to 20 kg one adult can usually tilt it onto its wheels. Some fold in half for an even smaller footprint.

A folding treadmill usually folds the deck up against the console or folds the whole frame flat. Even folded, it needs a corner or a wall, and at 25 kg or more it is heavier to move. A non-folding treadmill needs a permanent space with clear room behind it. See how big and heavy is a treadmill before you measure up.

Handrails, controls and safety

Handrails give you something to hold when you start, stop or change speed, and they carry the console where you can see it. Walking pads have none, which keeps them low enough for a desk but means you rely on balance and a remote. If steadiness matters to you or someone in the house, a treadmill with full rails is the safer choice; see our walking treadmills with handrails guide.

Both types should be used with the safety key or auto-stop feature the maker provides, and set up exactly as the manual describes. Keep children and pets away from the belt and unplug the machine when it is not in use.

Note:Always clip on the safety key or use the auto-stop feature, and follow the maker's instructions for set-up, maximum user weight and speed limits.

Noise and floors

At walking speeds a pad mostly makes a motor hum and the soft thud of footsteps. A treadmill used for running adds heavier footfall, which carries through floors more than motor noise does. In a flat or upstairs room, a walking pad on a mat is usually easier to live with. Our guide to reducing treadmill noise covers mats and placement.

Which one should you choose?

For the shortlists, start with the best walking pads or the best folding treadmills.

• Choose a walking pad if you will mainly walk, want to walk at a standing desk, or need to store it out of sight every day.
• Choose a folding treadmill if you want to jog or run, want an incline, or prefer handrails and a console.
• Consider a 2-in-1 pad if you want a pad most of the time and occasional faster sessions, after checking belt length.
• Check the max user weight in kg against your own weight with some margin either way.

Frequently asked questions

Is a walking pad the same as a treadmill? It is a type of treadmill, but a stripped-back one. It has the belt and motor without the upright frame, handrails or high top speed of a standard treadmill.

Can a walking pad replace a treadmill? For walking, yes, if the belt is long enough for your stride. For regular running, a treadmill with a longer belt and higher top speed is the better fit.

Which is quieter? At the same walking speed they can be similar. A treadmill used for running is usually louder because of footfall, not the motor.

Do walking pads have an incline? Some do, either with a fixed lift or a motorised one. Most basic flat pads do not, so check the listing.