As the online marketplace expands to collect more fresh bodies, the need for office fitness grows alongside it. Are you starting to feel like a puddle of mud from sitting at your desk all day? Don’t worry, you’re not the first sedentary lifestyle casualty. Luckily for all of us mud puddles, we’re firming up because the dawn of the compact treadmill that fits under your desk has officially arrived. Congratulations, you are now entering my ultimate guide to choosing the best under desk treadmill.
| Product | Description |
| #1) iMovR ThermoTread GT
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| #2) LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT3
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| #3) LifeSpan TR1200-DT3
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| #4) Rebel Treadmill 1000
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| #5) IPO Smart Walk
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| #6) Ancheer 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
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| #7) OppsDecor Under Desk Walking & Running Treadmill
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| #8) Titan Fitness Under Desk Walking Treadmill
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| #9) ProGear 190 Manual Treadmill
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| #10) UREVO 2 -in-1 Under Desk Folding Treadmill
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Best Under Desk Treadmill Reviews
Depending on your needs and desires, there might be several treadmills in my Top 10 to suit your needs. As you probably already noticed, there are various types of treadmills that are suitable for under desk use. In my Top 10, there are treadmills made specifically for under-desk use and other folding options that are built for walking or running at a standing desk when you want to turn up the heat on your workout.
Another key consideration is the weight of the treadmill. If you plan to move your treadmill between your office and home, then weight becomes a critical factor in your buying decision. Lastly, you may want to consider fitness tracking to make sure you’re hitting your target distance and calories burned each day.
Allow my under desk treadmill reviews below to help guide you to the best under-desk treadmill for your home or office. In each review, I offer my two cents along with the pros and cons according to current info. Be sure to hang around after the reviews for more tips in my buyer’s guide!
#1) iMovR ThermoTread GT
iMovR and LifeSpan currently manufacture the top under-desk treadmills on the market. They’re the leaders of the pack with technology that’s specifically made to enhance the under-desk fitness experience. The greatest advantage of the iMovR ThermoTread – and the reason I chose it over LifeSpan as my #1 pick – is the super-quiet operation. Noise is obviously a key consideration to make when shopping for an under-desk treadmill since you want to feel like you’re exercising on autopilot and get a distraction-free experience.
Aside from the quiet operation, the fitness stat tracking is top-notch with this machine, plus the software is ready for future updates. There’s no worrying about out-of-date software ruining your stat tracking with this premium treadmill. If you’re anything like me and prefer to track your calories/distance/time, the ThermoTread is equipped with one of the most accurate desktop consoles on the market.
The final feature I want to highlight is power consumption. According to iMovR, the ThermoTread consumes 50% less power than the LifeSpan TR5000. On top of that, you get a high-torque drivetrain and powerful 3.0 horsepower, 4000 RPM DC motor with a max speed of 2.5 mph.
Other Notable Features
- Max User Weight: 400 lbs
- Walking Belt Dimensions: 20″ Width x 50″ Length
- Deck Suspension: 6 Compression Shocks
- Weight: 147 lbs
- Quieter than comparable LifeSpan treadmills
- Larger space between the walking belt and the rails than LifeSpan offers
- Comfortably walk miles every day
- Built with premium heavy-duty materials that’ll stand the test of time
- Low to the ground to accomodate people of all heights
- Recommended by hubbies as a great gift for their respective wives
- Suitable for all-day slow walks
- Excellent Customer Service Marks
- No Bluetooth Connectivity
- The software updates for the console are still on hold
#2) LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT3
The TR5000 is LifeSpan’s most premium model and easily one of the best under-desk treadmills currently available. The key advantage of a LifeSpan treadmill over iMovR is Bluetooth connectivity with your iPhone or Android devices that allows you to track/log your fitness stats in the included LifeSpan app. If you’re someone who prefers the convenience of stat tracking from your phone, then choosing LifeSpan over iMovR might be a no-brainer.
Most of the specs of the TR5000 are the same as the ThermoTread, including a max user weight of 400 lbs, 20″ x 50″ walking belt, 6 compression shocks, and a 3 HP motor. One difference is the maximum speed between the two models. The TR5000 has a higher maximum speed of 4 mph. This is important to consider if the 2.5 mph max speed of the iMovR is too slow for you.
One feature I like a lot is the Intelli-Guard safety feature. With this feature, you don’t have to worry about the treadmill continuing to run when you want it to stop. The treadmill only runs when you move first. The same tech also accurately tracks your steps for the day.
Lastly, in the battle of iMovR vs LifeSpan, while both treadmills are heavy compared to lightweight under-desk treadmills, the LifeSpan TR5000 does weigh about 10 lbs less than the iMovR with a listed shipping weight of 134 lbs. Either way, these 2 options are not the most portable treadmills in my Top 10 and are better suited to remain in one spot.
- Arrives fully assembled and ready to go out of the box
- Weight loss reports
- Start reaching your fitness goals including calories burned and distance traveled each day
- Confirmed whisper-quiet operation
- Pairs well with a TrekDesk (Click Here #ad to view at Amazon)
- LifeSpan customer service is a helpful bunch
- Premium materials that’ll stand the test of time
- Very smooth operation
- One of the only under desk treadmills with an adjustable incline on the market
- Several issues that were taken care of by customer service
- Too heavy to easily move around, especially up or down stairs
- May not be quite as quiet as ThermoTread
#3) LifeSpan TR1200-DT3
Are you torn between the LifeSpan TR5000 and TR1200? While the TR5000 is LifeSpan’s most premium model, the TR1200 is LifeSpan’s most popular model. So what’s the difference? Outside of the price, the biggest differences lie in the specs. Below is a list of key considerations.
TR5000 vs TR1200
- The max user weight for the TR1200 is smaller at 350 lbs
- The TR1200 weighs less at 119 lbs, still heavy, yet more portable than the TR5000
- Smaller Motor: A 2.25 HP motor vs the 3 HP motor in the TR5000
- Despite the smaller motor, both treadmills have the same max speed of 4 mph
- The treadmill dimensions, walking belt dimensions, and step-up height of 4.6″ are all the same between the two models
- The TR5000 offers a self-lubricating maintenance-free belt, while the TR1200 requires lubrication every 40 hours or 3 months, whichever comes first
- Hours/Day Rating: The TR5000 is rated for up to 10 hours/day, and the TR1200 is up to 6 hours/day
- The TR5000 frame is aluminum, and the TR1200 frame is plastic
- Easy to transition between walking and jogging up to 4 mph
- Reported quiet operation
- A great low-impact cardio workout
- Easy on the joints and comfortable on the feet (even while wearing socks)
- It’s easy to get work done and remain focused while walking
- Despite its weight, the transportation wheels make it relatively easy to move
- Excellent warranty coverage and customer support
- Intuitive controls
- Stat tracking is accurate and easy to monitor on the desktop console
- Health-Club Quality Materials
- The need to lubricate the belt
- Heavier than small under-desk treadmills
- The belt may shift periodically and need to be adjusted
- Expensive replacement parts
#4) Rebel Treadmill 1000
Now it’s time to enter the lighter-weight budget territory with the Rebel 1000. Compared to LifeSpan and iMovR, the Rebel 1000 is the best cheap under desk treadmill. One clear advantage of the Rebel 1000 – outside of the reduced cost – is the reduced weight. The Rebel 1000 is the first treadmill in my reviews that weighs under 100 lbs.
Compared to the heavy TR5000, it weighs about half as much at 88 lbs. You also have the transportation wheels to rely on for easier moving with the Rebel 1000. Regardless, the Rebel 1000 is still too heavy to easily pick up for most people.
One clear disadvantage of the Rebel is no Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also no app to automatically track your fitness stats. It does, however, include a desktop console to track several of the most important stats including distance. The main drawback is you’ll have to manually log your daily stats, which cuts out the fun of easily tracking your stats to break personal records.
Below, I list other key specs and considerations to factor in before you decide if the Rebel 1000 is better for you than LifeSpan and iMovR:
- The max user weight is lower at 250 lbs
- Running Belt Dimensions: 18.1″ Wide x 49.6″ Length (iMovR and LifeSpan offer 20″ wide belts)
- Max Speed: 2 mph (this is an under desk walking treadmill only, not made for jogging)
- The Rebel 1000 is lower to the ground at 4.25″ from floor to belt (10″ at tallest point)
- Made with sturdy materials
- The slow pace is excellent for painlessly walking miles per day
- Very quiet operation (does not disturb officemates)
- Recommended to pair with FlexiSpot standing desk riser (Click Here #ad to view at Amazon)
- Responsive and helpful Rebel customer service
- A worthy LifeSpan alternative, especially for the money
- Comfortable to walk on in socks or slippers
- Small footprint and aesthetically appealing
- Smooth motor operation
- Front wheels make it easy to move since the rear end weighs a lot less
- 2 mph max speed may be too low for you
- No incline
- Might be too noisy for your liking
- No calorie counter
#5) IPO Smart Walk
Weighing in at just 63.9 lbs, the IPO Smart Walk is the best portable treadmill for under desk use. The slim minimalist design means it can fit essentially anywhere you want and pair with any standing desk or custom desk setup of your choice. One feature I really like is the folding option that makes this already-compact treadmill a running treadmill as well.
Another thing that’s cool is that the max speeds change when the handrail is raised and lowered. When the handrail is raised, the max speed is 4.97 mph, which is good enough for a light jog. When the handrail is in the flat position, the max speed is 3.73 mph. Another amazing feature is the height of this treadmill, coming in at a mere 1.85″ from floor to belt.
Finally, I want to mention that this compact under-desk treadmill still manages to sport an 18″ wide running belt. Overall, if you want a small under-desk treadmill that’s a heck of a lot more portable than a LifeSpan treadmill, the IPO Smart Walk is the current pick of the litter.
- Responsive controls for easy in-workout adjustments
- Arrives fully assembled
- Built-in transportation wheels are great for moving it around
- Easy to store almost anywhere, especially when placed vertically
- The safety start feature that requires 3 steps to activate the treadmill is a nice touch
- A good walking treadmill for the money
- Easily slide it beneath any standing desk and most sitting desks
- One of the slimmest treadmills on the market
- Quiet operation
- May shake a bit for larger men
- The belt is not maintenance-free (the treadmill comes with lubricating oil)
- More difficult to get a comfortable walking speed than on a LifeSpan or iMovR treadmill
Ancheer, OppsDecor, and UREVO Under Desk Treadmills
As you probably already noticed, the 2-in-1 Ancheer, OppsDecor, and UREVO designs are all about the same. It appears to me that all three companies are purchasing in bulk from the same supplier and slapping their own label on it. Nevertheless, this is a top under-desk treadmill, and these three companies are obviously selling the same design for a reason. There are loads of positive user reviews.
Of the three companies, I trust Ancheer the most as a solid budget home gym equipment brand. Ancheer manufactures the widest range of reliable budget treadmills of the three. For this reason, I ranked Ancheer above the other two companies. Be sure to consider these points should you decide to buy from OppsDecor or UREVO over Ancheer.
Below is a list of features shared between these treadmills that stick out to me:
- This treadmill offers the highest max speed of all the treadmills in my Top 10 at 7.45 mph. While this is a good thing for people who want to jog, it tends to detract from the quality and smoothness of a slow walking pace.
- The footprint is extremely small, which equates to a smaller running belt. The running belt dimensions are 16″ Width x 40″ Long. Taller people with longer strides should consider the size of the running belt because it might be too short.
- The built-in Bluetooth speaker is worth a mention
- An integrated phone/tablet holder in the handrail
- Remote Control
- This treadmill weighs considerably less than LifeSpan and iMovR treadmills at 75 lbs (heavier than IPO Smart Walk)
- Easy to assemble and get up & running quickly
- Excellent for walking and running
- Worth it for the money (costs considerably less than LifeSpan)
- Folds up and stores easily
- Quiet motor
- Higher risk of quality control issues
- Customer service is not on par with LifeSpan and other premium brands
- The authenticity of the positive owner reviews is questionable
#8) Titan Fitness Under Desk Walking Treadmill
If you’re looking for a relatively cheap under desk treadmill that’s more reliable than the Ancheer, Oppsdecor, and UREVO models, the Titan is a solid choice. Titan Fitness might not be a leader in the fitness industry, but the company’s products hold more merit than the three brands above. The Titan model is certainly designed to be a budget LifeSpan alternative, offering similar features and construction along with a desktop console to track fitness stats.
The running belt in the Titan model is narrower than a LifeSpan running belt, yet wider than the budget models above at 18″ Width and 53″ Length, making it a better budget pick for tall people. Keep in mind, the Titan treadmill is in the over-100-lb weight class, weighing in at 114 lbs.
The final key difference between Titan and iMovR that’s worth noting is the 4 mph max speed offered by Titan. That’s higher than the 2.5 max mph of the iMovR and on par with the LifeSpan models.
- Easy to pick up from the rear and move on the front transportation wheels
- Quiet and smooth operation, good for the price
- A good walking treadmill for office use
- Quite easy to use out of the box
- The safety clip is nice to have for peace of mind in case of any accidents
- You may find that 4 mph is advantageous over other treadmills with a max speed of 2 or 2.5 mph
- Good value
- The console does not save your stats and no app for tracking stats
- Inaccurate calorie counter (though this is a common complaint about all budget exercise equipment)
- Heavier than small under-desk treadmills in my Top 10
- No pause function on the desktop console
#9) ProGear 190 Manual Treadmill
A manual under desk treadmill with incline adjustments is not easy to find, and the ProGear 190 model is currently the best one available. The obvious advantages of a manual treadmill are no power required and no max speed limitation depending on how hard you push yourself. The clear disadvantage is a manual treadmill requires more focus while you work than a powered treadmill.
At 49 lbs, the ProGear is the most lightweight under desk treadmill in my Top 10, with the next lightest being the IPO Smart Walk. The ProGear 190 offers 2 incline positions (6º and 10º), a foldable frame, transportation wheels, long comfort-grip handles, LCD display console for tracking workout stats, and oversized belt rollers for a smooth ride.
All in all, the ProGear 190 is the most affordable treadmill in my Top 10 and undoubtedly the most portable. If you’re a fan of manual treadmills and looking for an under-desk treadmill that you can move between home and work, the ProGear 190 fits the bill, especially since the folded dimensions are just 21″ L x 23″ W x 51″ H.
- A very good manual treadmill for the money
- Easy to assemble (some assembly required)
- Gives a better workout than you might imagine
- Compact footprint and easy to fold up for storage
- A top manual treadmill for walking
- Butter-smooth operation
- Super quiet, no motor sound to worry about
- The walking belt may feel narrow at just 13.25″ wide
- Must use on an incline, no flat setting (angle might feel too steep while working)
- Reports of the belt sliding
- Not made for running
Buyer’s Guide
What is the best under desk treadmill? What sets my top picks apart from the rest of the treadmills on the market and the second half of my Top 10? Those are two questions I aim to answer in my list of considerations below. Be sure to weigh the following factors before you buy!
Price
In the world of exercise equipment, you almost always get what you pay for when purchasing from reputable brands. Since exercise equipment should stand the test of time and work the first time, expect to pay a lot more upfront for top under-desk treadmill brands including LifeSpan and iMovR. These two brands are clearly the most well-equipped under-desk treadmills on the market that’ll stand the test of time.
One mistake I see people make a lot – and one that I’ve made more times than I’d like to remember – is to opt for a budget piece of gym equipment to save money. More often than not, people end up paying more in the long run because off-brand gym equipment, especially treadmills, tends to fail.
The key takeaway is to consider how long you want your treadmill to last before you reach for a budget treadmill. The further you go down the ladder the more likely you are to run into quality control issues, broken parts, a faulty unit, or poor customer service.
Company History & Customer Service
One of the main reasons that LifeSpan and iMovR are ranked at the top of my list is the excellent customer service marks both companies received from a vast majority of users. As I dug deeper into the budget brands, I found more reports of broken machines and unresponsive customer service reps. Always be sure to take a brief look at a company’s profile, at minimum, and check customer service marks reported by current owners. Since a treadmill isn’t a small investment, it’s even more important to know who you’re dealing with and if they’ll take care of you after you purchase from them.
Noise Level
Of all the under-desk treadmills I reviewed, iMovR impressed me the most in terms of the noise level. It’s one of the main reasons it’s #1 in my guide. The last thing you want from an under-desk treadmill is disruptive sounds while you work. When you invest in a premium-grade under-desk treadmill, you invest in a quiet motor that’s built to withstand slow walking speeds for long periods. LifeSpan and iMovR are the quietest treadmills in my Top 10.
Weight
Since portability is an important factor for under-desk treadmills, you may find that the most premium models are heavier than you’d like. If you plan to move your treadmill between work and home, IPO Smart Walk, Ancheer, or the ProGear 190 are your top options. Moving a LifeSpan treadmill between home and work is not ideal, as well as moving it up or down a set of stairs. Keep in mind, the TR5000 weighs well over 100 lbs. Fortunately, all the treadmills in my Top 10 feature integrated transportation wheels that make them easier to move on flat ground.
Warranty
Exercise equipment often comes with different warranty periods for a single product. For example, a company may offer a 2-year warranty on the motor and a 10-year warranty on the frame. This point goes back to buying a treadmill from a company that you trust. Of all the companies in my Top 10, iMovR and LifeSpan are the most trustworthy and will honor their warranties. LifeSpan offers the best warranty with a lifetime warranty on the frame, a 3-year warranty on the motor, a 2-year warranty on parts, and 1 year on labor.
Max Weight Capacity & Dimensions
Always be sure to check the maximum user weight capacity and dimensions of both the running belt and machine. If you’re a taller or larger individual, you may find that compact under-desk treadmills are too short or unable to support your weight.
Computer Console
In this price range, tracking down an accurate computer console is not easy. Of all the under-desk treadmill brands, LifeSpan offers the best fitness stat tracking with its free app and desktop console. Why is this important? If you’re buying an under-desk treadmill to lose weight, you’ll want to get a good estimate of how many calories you burn to compare against how many you eat each day. Budget treadmills almost never offer accurate calorie counters. Depending on how important accurate tracking is to you, you may or may not want to opt for a premium model. Additionally, tracking your stats in a phone app is a good way to stay motivated and challenge yourself to beat your personal records.
Safety
Safety features are all the more important to look for if you plan to bring your treadmill into a public office space. The last thing you want on your hands is an officemate getting injured on your machine. We all know where that road can lead, and no one wants to go down it.
Bottom Line
As more and more people begin to work from home and/or online, the number of people living a sedentary lifestyle grows. Nothing turns muscles to mud faster than sitting around all day. The human body requires exercise and movement to stay toned. Since a lot of us work long hours on the computer just to make ends meet, there’s not much free time for the gym or to take a break for a jog.
Multitasking is the name of the game in 2020, and people who aren’t optimizing their daily routines are the ones who are bound to get left behind. Under-desk treadmills will only continue to grow in popularity as people realize they can burn calories, stay motivated, stay in shape, and keep the blood flowing while they work on their computers. Just look at all the awesome standing desks and standing desk risers that are popping up to pair with under-desk treadmills. Are you ready to get your workout on while you work?
