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With the right equipment, you can skip the gym and crush your workouts right at home. One essential piece is a treadmill, which lets you walk, run, jog, or perform any combo without even setting foot outside. There’s just one (kind of massive) problem with the traditional treadmill: It’s huge and requires a whole lot of space. Fortunately, today’s best treadmills are also folding treadmills that collapse down — or, more accurately, fold up — to save space and stay out of your way. A folding treadmill is a perfect solution for small apartments, limited free space, and squeezing in workouts without creating a dedicated gym in your home. We’ve rounded up the best folding treadmills so you can find just the right fit for your space and your running or walking style.
Best Overall
NordicTrack T Series Treadmill
Best Value
SereneLife Smart Folding Compact Treadmill
Editor’s Choice
Xterra Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill
Best Folding Treadmill for Small Spaces
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
Best Folding Treadmill for Live Stats
Sunny Health u0026 Fitness Smart Treadmill
Best Folding Treadmill for Walkers
OMA Treadmill for Home
Best Compact Folding Treadmill
Lifepro Foldable Treadmill
Best Folding Treadmill for Home Use
Sunny Health u0026 Fitness Folding Treadmill
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Types of folding treadmills
With a folding treadmill, you’ll get all of the features of a classic treadmill, all while saving some space at home. As you start shopping for just the right piece of equipment, here are the kinds you’ll want to consider.
Small or apartment folding treadmills
A small folding treadmill, which is also called an apartment treadmill, is a shorter version of your typical full-size treadmill. Specifically designed for use in smaller spaces (and, often, by smaller or shorter individuals with shorter walking and running strides), these treadmills have decks that are shorter in length. They’re a great fit for those with more limited space at home, and they typically fall under 65 inches in length when opened up for use.
Full-size folding treadmills
A full-size folding treadmill is exactly what it sounds like: a full-size piece of equipment that folds up compactly. You can think about it as a typical treadmill that folds in half, with the deck rising up to meet the handlebars and control panel. When unfolded, these treadmills take up anywhere from 60 to 75 inches of length. However, when folded, they’re pretty slim and stand upright. This is the most common kind you’ll come across as you shop.
Smart folding treadmills
Smart folding treadmills, which are typically full-sized pieces of gym equipment, are essentially a more advanced and tech-filled take on your basic treadmill. They fold like any other folding treadmill, but they come equipped with high-tech features that can enhance your workouts and provide you with more creature comforts. For example, a smart folding treadmill will have perks like Bluetooth connectivity, video or guided workouts, the ability to play music, smart settings or adjustments, and details like a hydraulic folding mechanism.
Key features of folding treadmills
To pick out the perfect folding treadmill, you’re going to want to keep these all-important features in mind. They can make all the difference in how easy it is to use your treadmill, as well as how much value it provides.
Easy-to-lift folding mechanism
Sure, a folding treadmill promises to fold up in just seconds on its packaging. But far too often, folding up a collapsible treadmill is actually a massive challenge. From decks that are too heavy to lift to a lack of control that can lead to drops or bouncing (or, even worse, slamming downwards), it’s critical that you choose a treadmill with an easy-to-lift folding mechanism. To limit wear and potential damage, opt for one that features a hydraulic lift that takes the weight (and pressure) off of you and handles all of the hard work.
Deck length
Whether you opt for a small, apartment-friendly folding treadmill or a full-sized machine, make sure you choose a deck length that works for you and your stride. If you’re tall, you’re going to stretch longer and farther as you walk, run, or jog. That means you’ll need a full-size folding treadmill. However, if you’re on the shorter side, you can likely get away with a smaller machine and save a bit more space. Unsure which is right? You can measure your stride to figure out just how many inches you’ll need.
Smart extras
Today’s treadmills are smarter and more technologically-advanced than ever before, and that means you don’t have to settle for a simple, basic treadmill. You can opt into as many functions and as much tech as you want — and if you’re interested in making your workouts more challenging, more fun, or more motivational, getting one with smart extras is a good idea. Bluetooth is a particularly great extra, as it allows you to connect your phone for music, videos, podcasts, and more. Other perks, like customized workouts, preset programs, or the ability to work out via guided video sessions, are also added bonuses with a lot of value.
Benefits of folding treadmills
As a convenient (and sometimes more affordable) alternative to your standard treadmill, a folding treadmill has plenty of perks to offer. These are some of the biggest benefits of opting for a folding model over a non-folding one.
Space-saving
What is the biggest (and most obvious) benefit of a folding treadmill? The fact that your machine folds in half. These convertible treadmills literally fold up, and they become slimmer and easier to store. You’ll be able to use your treadmill however often you’d like, then “collapse” it when your workout is finished, giving you the freedom to use the space inside your home without sacrificing it to a large piece of gym equipment.
Versatile
Because a folding treadmill can be converted or stored as needed, it provides you with more versatility. It won’t become a coat or clothes rack like a standard treadmill. Instead, you can stash it against a wall and mostly out of sight when it’s not in use. And because the deck folds up, you’ll also be able to work out frequently, without having to leave home. Plus, a folding treadmill can be used for a wide variety of different kinds — and speeds — of workouts.
Available at every price point
As you’ll discover below, there’s really a folding treadmill for every budget. Whether you’re looking for an affordable machine that’s apartment-ready and still delivers an effective workout or you need a high-tech machine with all the bells and whistles, there’s an option that’ll meet your needs. From cheap to expensive, you can find a machine at almost any price.
Folding treadmills pricing
Budget
If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of folding treadmills priced between $200 and $350. This affordable price range includes both small and full-size options, though these treadmills do tend to come with fewer high-tech features in general.
Mid-range
This middle-of-the-pack price range between $350 and $650 includes, well, everything. You can get an advanced, feature-filled small folding treadmill or a full-size and high-tech model if your budget falls here. You’ll even find many of the best-known brands, like NordicTrack, have machines within this range.
Premium
If you don’t mind paying more for advanced features, increased size, or extra perks like increased incline, more workout modes, or guided workouts, then you can expect to spend $650 or more on your folding treadmill. The most advanced — and premium — machines can run as high as $1,000, depending on the model you choose.
How we chose our top picks
The folding treadmills we’ve highlighted here are ones that were selected after considering and comparing many different options. We took a look at every kind of folding treadmill. As long as it could fold and become smaller in size, we considered it. The best folding treadmills, in our opinion, were those that offered the latest features, were easy to fold and unfold, offered a range of different workout modes for added variety and value, and didn’t take up much space once stored. We also considered a range of different treadmill styles and sizes for every kind of usable space.
FAQs on folding treadmills
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q: Are folding treadmills hard to assemble?
A: Folding treadmills vary in their assembly instructions. Some arrive almost fully assembled, while some require more in-depth assembly. However, it’s pretty common for your treadmill to need just a few screws to come together once it’s delivered.
Q: Do foldable treadmills have inclines?
A: Yes, most folding treadmills offer inclines. A 10 percent incline is the average, but some can offer more of a steep grade.
Q: Are folding treadmills safe and stable?
A: In general, folding treadmills are perfectly safe to use and stable while in use. However, you’ll want to make sure you choose one that’s suitable for your weight and is made by a reputable brand. That’s the best way to determine how secure your treadmill will be.
Q: Can you put a folding treadmill on the carpet?
A: You can definitely use a folding treadmill on the carpet — just make sure you put a non-slip treadmill mat underneath its feet first. These mats are designed to offer increased grip and prevent potentially dangerous or damaging movement on soft surfaces.
Q: Are folding treadmills worth it?
A: If you’re working with limited available space or simply don’t want a treadmill to take up permanent space in your home or garage, a folding treadmill is absolutely worth investing in. The versatility, range of possible features, and compact storage method make these foldable machines easy to fit anywhere.