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FACT CHECKEDCardio – love it or hate it, it’s an essential component of all fitness routines.
Unfortunately, those who exercise at home may prefer not to run outside or don’t have easy access to a treadmill. But you’re in luck as treadmills have become more affordable and easier to store, meaning you will have more space to run and fewer excuses to skip cardio.
This post is all about the 10 best folding treadmills for your home gym. We’ve reviewed tons of treadmills from the best-known to sleeper brands to give you the best options for a wide range of users.
We’ve broken these down into different categories because everyone has different fitness needs. We’ve also explained some of the critical aspects of a treadmill and what to really look for buying a foldable treadmill.
The T101 from Horizon Fitness is one of the best folding treadmills you’ll find for home use. It’s an affordable and feature-packed model that will take you through some of the most demanding at-home runs. With a simple design, large screen, and hands-free hydraulic folding, this treadmill is really one of the best on the market.
This foldable treadmill comes with Bluetooth speakers with an accompanying deck to hold your device while you watch your favorite Netflix series or a follow along workout. The Ultra quiet motor provides a lag-free experience. In addition, the 55" deck has 3 zones of cushioning for walking, jogging, or running with a maximum weight capacity of 300 lb.
Overall, this is an affordable treadmill from Horizon Fitness that offers a seamless workout experience.
All Horizon treadmills are engineered with our unique three-zone Variable Response Cushioning System so you can work out longer, with less fatigue and...
If you’re looking for a no-frills treadmill that will get you up and moving, and speed and features are of no concern, then the Sunny Health Fitness SF-T1407M is your best bet. This manually propelled treadmill is light on features but will keep your motivation high as you control the pace.
This compact folding treadmill comes with a 42" x 13" running surface that can handle walking or light jogging. it comes with a LCD screen that displays calories burned, distance, time and speed.
This option from Sunny Health Fitness is good for those with little floor space and a smaller budget that want to get some walking workouts in at home.
This affordable treadmill will help you start your fitness journey! Walking can significantly improve mental and physical health...
XTERRA Fitness makes top-quality fitness equipment, and the TR150 folding treadmill is no exception. One of the more affordable ones on our list, the TR150 still packs great features and a solid warranty. This is definitely one to consider for frugal runners who need a no-nonsense tool to keep them moving.
The surface area of this foldable treadmill comes in at a very respectable 16" x 50" making it a choice for users of many sizes. Coming standard with this XTERRA Fitness TR150 is 12 preset programs and 3 manual incline settings plus a 5" LCD display that shows your workout stats.
This is one of the best foldable treadmills on Amazon with a price tag that won't shock the money conscious. As a side note XTERRA Fitness offers numerous models on their Amazon store if this one doesn't suit your needs.
Smooth and quiet high torque 2.25 HP motor powers the treadmill at speeds from 0 - 10 MPH. 3 levels of manual incline...
The Walking Pad X21 is by far one of the most innovative and compact folding treadmills you will find. This treadmill features minimalistic, futuristic styling and no frills functioning. The control panel is integrated into a pseudo handrail that will hold your phone – but not much else.
There are no handrails, nor is there anywhere to store anything, like water or a towel. This treadmill is made for the space-conscious who aren’t concerned with speed or extras.
The WalkingPad X21 is the world's first treadmill with Double-fold technology, which has won the German Red Dot Award, and the IF Design Award. This folding deck feature of WalkingPad X21 provides a perfect exercise experience at home, saving more space and easy to move everywhere than a traditional treadmill.
X21 has the advantage of being able to control everything from the handrail. X21 will change your life with its luxurious appearance and technical functions while maintaining the foldable and lightweight characteristics of the WalkingPad.
This compact folding treadmill can pair with Android phones via NFC and the KS Fit app will display your workout stats including speed, steps, time, and calories burned. When you're done with your workout this treadmill folds into such a small space that it could be stored just about anywhere.
The WalkingPad X21 is the world's first treadmill with Double-fold technology, which has won the German Red Dot Award, and the IF Design Award. This feature of WalkingPad X21 provides...
If you’re looking for a premium, commercial-grade folding treadmill, The BodySolid Endurance T25 is one of the best treadmills you can get. The price is a bit high, but this treadmill is worth it.
This treadmill will keep you running fast and long for years with its lifetime warranty, super high weight capacity, and an extensive range of pre-programmed workouts and elevation levels.
With this foldable treadmill, you'll get a 2 HP continuous motor that Peaks at 4 HP which allows you to push yourself from a 0-12% elevation range. The running surface is wider than most with 20.5", giving you more comfort in stepping out of line at times.
The interactive LCD screen display allows for control and choice from the 16 pre-programmed workouts all the while showing the most important workout stats.
T25 - Built with a 2 HP continuous duty and 4 HP peak motor, the T25 Treadmill has a speed range of 1-10 mph while also featuring 0-12% elevation and incline settings for intense, calorie-burning workouts...
The 3G Flat Fold treadmill is hands down the best treadmill for serious runners. This treadmill has a large motor that will push runners up to 11 miles per hour and 15 incline levels. In addition, it has tons of pre-programmed workouts and an easy-to-use ultra-slim control panel. What’s more, it can fold flat or vertically for different storage options.
The running surface is nearly 60''and the heavy-duty 3 HP motor will match treadmills that almost double its size. With the speed and incline settings combined with the ability to fold into such a compact space this treadmill is hard to beat.
With the 3G Cardio 80i Fold Flat Treadmill, you can conserve space and still get a great workout. The 3G Cardio 80is...
Another folding treadmill by Sunny Health Fitness is a top model for those who just need something simple for hard walkers or easy joggers. The SFT4400 is light on features and weight but packs in everything you need to get your feet moving without breaking the bank.
The compact treadmill has three manual incline settings and allows for speeds from .5-9 MPH. Sunny Health included 9 built-in workout programs and the large LCD displays speed, calories burned, and pulse. Last but not least the handrail controls allow you to control speed settings and has a pause function that stores your current data.
Easy folding mechanism and soft drop system helps you unfold your treadmill safely and hands free. 9 Built-in workout programs with large LCD...
LifeFitness is one of the top manufacturers of treadmills, and the F3 illustrates this. Despite the hefty price tag, you get one of the best smart treadmills available. With this, you can choose from tons of pre-programmed workouts, also link to your Strava accounts, and get access to thousands of on-demand workouts through the Adaptiv app.
The running deck of this machine sports their patented FlexDeck Shock Absorption System to reduce joint stress. Although this is not the most affordable folding treadmill, LifeFitness built it with longevity in mind.
You get a lifetime warranty on the frame and LifeSpring shock absorbers plus a 10-year warranty on the drive motor, 5 years for parts, and 3 years for the console making it one of the better higher-end treadmills on the market.
The F3 Folding Treadmill offers the quality, performance and great looks expected from Life Fitness in a machine that can be stored quickly and easily. With its combination of features and flexibility, it brings an amazing cardio experience...
Yet another model from powerhouse XTERRA, the TRX2500, is perfect for serious runners who also like to suffer through hills. The powerful motor, high-speed selection, and 10% max incline level really sets this apart from more basic treadmills. This allows you to achieve high speeds and steep descents without leaving your living room.
With the TRX2500 you can crush just about any fitness routine as it has 24 preset programs to cater to all fitness goals. You even get a nice fan to cool you down during your workout sessions!
Many folding treadmills don't offer a lifetime warranty on both the frame AND the motor and that's just one more feature that helps this stand out from the pack.
XTERRA2500 - Whether you're goal is losing weight or training for your next big adventure, the XTERRA Fitness TRX2500 Treadmill brings all of the tools you need home...
BlueFin is a relatively unknown fitness brand in the States, but it will gain traction with the Kick 2.0. The BlueFin foldable treadmill is designed to compete with the likes of Peloton and Echelon, as its main draw is the included KinoMap fitness community app, which hosts thousands of streaming and interactive workouts that should help you figure out how to use its generous helping of features.
The running surface uses an Aero-damping system for premium shock absorption which lowers the impact on your joints. The up to 18% manual incline range will challenge just about everyone while the digital display will show your calories burned, heart rate, time and distance.
Joining the family of top-notch treadmills. Unique Aero-damping system makes every stride as smooth & low impact as...
First things first, a treadmill is a tool that consists of a self-propelled (sometimes manual) tread that carries the user through a run. Basic models will have limited features, like speed adjust and possibly some pre-programmed workouts.
Advanced models include adjustable elevation, tons of cupholders, phone compatibility, interactive screens, and even on-demand exercises with large touch screens.
A foldable treadmill is just that – a treadmill that folds. Most home-use treadmills fold or collapse in some way to take up less space or facilitate storage when not in use. Even the more advanced models will have features that enable you to store the equipment.
Foldable treadmills usually fold by way of a hinge at the bottom front of the tread, where it attaches to the arm supports and screen post, though there are a couple of variations on this.
To better visualize our top picks, see how they compare to each other in the chart below.
Product Name |
Price ($-$$$$) |
Dimensions |
Features |
Warranty |
Average rating |
$$ |
Open: 70" x 34" x 55" Folded: 46" x 34" x 61" Running area: 20" x 55"
|
Multiple LCD displays Heart rate contacts Elevation adjustment |
Frame – Lifetime Parts – 1 yr. |
2350 Reviews ☆☆☆☆.5 |
|
$ |
Open: 49" x 23" x 50" Folded: 20" x 23" x 50" Running area: 42" x 13"
|
LCD Monitor |
Structural – 3 yr. |
5460 ☆☆☆☆ |
|
$ |
Open: 63.4” x 28.75” x 51.4” Folded: 28.5" x 28.75" x 61" Running area: 50" x 16" |
LCD Monitor Heart Rate monitor Manual incline adjustment |
Frame – Lifetime Motor – 1 yr. |
15k ☆☆☆☆.4 |
|
$$ |
Open: 41" x 29" x 56" Folded: 30" x 9" x 38" Running area: 48" x 18" |
OLED Monitor Phone attachment |
Frame – 1 yr. |
3 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
$$$ |
Open: 76" x 36" x 57" Folded: 50" x 36" x 64" Running area: 57" x 20.5" |
2 and 4 HP motors
|
Frame – lifetime Parts – 5 yr. Electronics – 2 yr. |
N/A |
|
$$$ |
Open: 74" x 33" x 49" Folded: 74" x 33" x 10" Running area: 58" x 18" |
3 HP motor Flat and vertical fold Ultra slim control panel
|
Frame/motor – lifetime Parts – 5 yr. |
11 ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
$ |
Open: 62" x 25" x 50" Folded: 36" x 23" x 58" Running area: 42" x 13" |
Control panel Bottle/tablet holder Emergency stop cord |
Frame – 3yr |
7778 Reviews ☆☆☆☆.5
|
|
$$$$ |
Open: 78" x 34" x 58" Folded: 34" x 34" x 75" Running area: 55" x 20" |
Multiple programmed workouts Soft-drop unfolding Foam roller, mat, stability ball |
Frame – Lifetime Motor – 10 yr. |
24 ☆☆☆☆.6 |
|
$$ |
Open: 73" x 35" x 56" Folded: 48" x 35" x 61" Running area: 55" x 20" |
Wireless heart rate monitor Integrated audio inputs Handlebar speed/incline controls
|
Frame/motor - Lifetime |
31 ☆☆☆☆ |
|
$ |
Open: 54" x 26" x 52" Folded: 20" x 26" x 48" Running area: 55" x 20" |
Well-designed control panel Thousands of on-demand workouts from KinoMap app |
Frame – Lifetime
|
1k+ ☆☆☆☆ |
There are multiple benefits that a foldable treadmill offers to those who purchase for a home gym space.
Folding treadmills save you space. Of course, you may need to be creative with your use of space, but most of the machines on this list will fold up nicely and can be tucked under a bed or couch or hidden behind a big cat tower.
They have all the same features as a commercial or a regular treadmill, but they fold. This means you get the same benefits of more expensive, larger machines but you now have the option of storing it out of sight when not in use.
What more is there to say? A foldable treadmill offers you all the benefits of running, but inside. Plus, they’re way easier on the knees, and you can finally chase all those hills with a machine offering a decent incline range. No more waiting for the perfect weather to get outside and to a run or walk in. This on the other hand means no more excuses!
There isn’t much to say here – traditional treadmills are almost obsolete except for in major gyms. Instead, foldable treadmills are the most popular form for home use, and for a good reason. And as far as how much treadmills cost, they run at the same price point and have the same features as standard ones.
The only minor difference is maintenance – folding treadmills have more moving parts, which means more things that can fail. But most foldable treadmills have manual folding mechanisms, so the only thing that can get damaged is your finger when you’re not paying attention. Ouch.
Dimensions depend on your personal stature and stride length. However, the following dimensions will suit most body types: 70” L x 30” W x 60” H with a running pad size of 65” L x 20” W. Apart from the footprint of the machine, you should also consider the dimensions of it when it's folded up so that you know where you can stow it away when it's not in use.
Obviously, construction quality and durability are the most important features to consider when buying something like a treadmill. So here are a couple of features you should consider when looking into buying a foldable treadmill:
Everything these days is easy to assemble, and the folding treadmills on this post are no exception. Of course, ease of assembly isn’t the most helpful factor for picking out the best treadmill, but it does indicate the complexity of the machine and the thoughtfulness of its engineers.
Back to the original point, most foldable treadmills arrive almost ¾ assembled and take at most a couple of hours to finish.
We recommend looking at reviews or product websites for information on assembly requirements.
Our top folding treadmill from Horizon Fitness is the Horizon T101, that costs $649 – that’s pretty cheap when you consider some costs upwards of $2300. Plus, you’re getting almost precisely the same features as those high-dollar options.
We suggest spending between $700 and $1500. With this price comes excellent warranties, customer service, and high-quality construction. In addition, some of the options at this price point include or support on demand and subscription group exercises videos.
Heavy or light, fast or slow? Most folding treadmills can support most usage. The models reviewed on this page generally all support faster-paced running (up to 10 MPH) and can withstand daily use. The speed range will be important to runners but less so to walkers.
Do you want to run or walk uphill? If so look for machines that offer a wide range of incline settings.
The build quality of most of the machines is nearly similar to those that you would find in a local gym, which get lots of use.
In general, you shouldn’t expect to run at a top pace for hours at a time every day – most motors can’t handle that type of running.
A durable treadmill will have a thick running pad and a high torque motor with flywheel and cooling fans. This will support both fast and heavy or frequent usage.
Be sure to read reviews and product websites to get an overall impression of the treadmill you want to buy. In addition, there may be details regarding build quality and assembly that will help you on your quest for a treadmill.
Absolutely. If you love running or jogging and don’t have the opportunity to get to a gym or run outside, a foldable treadmill is definitely worth it. In fact, these machines have been one of the more popular pieces of exercise equipment for some time. They take up little space and tend to last quite a long time with basic maintenance.
You should plan to spend between $700-$1500 for a decent treadmill. The Horizon T101, which ranks as our best folding treadmill, costs $649 and is discounted from $999. You’ll get the best features, best design, and good quality construction and warranty at this price point. Anything less, and you’ll be skimping out on features and quality; anything more might just be excessive.
The Horizon T101 is our top pick for the best folding treadmill. Horizon has a solid reputation , and this model offers all the best features, top construction quality and durability, and a great lifetime warranty. Plus, Horizon has excellent customer service in case you find yourself running too fast and in need of assistance.
Horizon Fitness is by far one of the better treadmill manufacturers you can consider. Here are other folding treadmills that we would rank among the best:
Yes, that’s the point. We did include a model in our list that’s intended for walking, but that’s a budget model and rounds out the bottom price point for the list. All these models are designed to support running at full speed and weight up to 300 pounds.
Yes. Folding treadmills are just as sturdy as non-folding models. This is by design – they are made to fold but also provide stability.
The average unfolded size of a treadmill is 70” L x 30” W x 60” H. The average size of the running pad is 60” L x 22” W. These are ideal dimensions for most body sizes. What you should be most concerned with is the size of the running pad. You’ll need something up to 5 feet long to support long strides, and 20” wide to support wide stances and torsos.
That about sums up our review of the best folding treadmills. As you’ve seen, a foldable treadmill is a great, affordable way to introduce running into the comfort of your home with the reliability and features of some top-of-the-line commercial models.
While bigger, more popular brands may entice you, we think the brands here are just as good, if not better.
We think if you give the Horizon T101 a try you won't be disappointed!
All Horizon treadmills are engineered with our unique three-zone Variable Response Cushioning System so you can work out longer, with less fatigue and...
On the search for the best cardio machines to add to your home gym? Check out our posts the Best Elliptical Machines and the Best Stair Steppers on the market.
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