Expert consulted: Learning the automatic speed adjust takes a bit treadmill at home, but you can’t give away valuable space to a huge piece of fitness equipment? We get it. There’s a solution, though: A folding treadmill gives you the ability to pack up and store your treadmill between runs. Their compact size and light weight comes at a cost: They often don’t have as many convenient features we expect from a top of the line model, nor do they offer huge inclines and top speeds. That said, most can do the basics effectively when you need them, then fit in your closet when you’re done. The best folding treadmills, as we see them, offer a range of sizes and price points for casual runners and athletes in training.
The Best Folding Treadmills
- Best Overall: Speed Limit and Incline
- Best Value: Horizon Fitness 7.0AT Treadmill (2024)
- Most Compact: Tall, even when folded
- x 20.4 x 4.9 in: Could be more compact when folded
- Easiest to Use: Sole F80 Treadmill
How We Test The Best Folding Treadmills
The team at Runner’s World has been testing all things running for decades. We work year-round on everything from shoes to treadmills. Personally, I have been running for over 20 years, running multiple marathons and ultras, and treadmill training is a huge part of my regimen. And I’ve been professionally reviewing products for nearly a decade.
Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate designed a rigorous testing protocol to measure a number of critical features in each and every treadmill that we test, and I wrote a specific rubric to test folding treadmills based on that protocol. This year alone, I have run on over 40 models, racking up almost 200 miles in the past several months. Dengate, who is “never not running,” has also put in miles on many of these models. With folding treadmills, there are several specific qualities we examined to separate the best from the just ok:
- Size: For folding treadmills, the size of the frame–both folded and unfolded–is a make-or-break feature.
- Feel: How does this folding ’mill perform? Is the deck cushioned and responsive or firmer, like as if you were running on the road? Are the incline and speed adjustments smooth and easy to initiate? Is the belt easy to run on, or does it stick?
- Portability: Once folded, is the treadmill easy to move around? Can you get it out of a corner to the front of the television?
- Folding: Folding and unfolding your treadmill should be straightforward and easy. If it isn’t, you’re less likely to use it. More than once during testing, I went to set up a ’mill and thought, and most of those lack a crossbar so they can be used under a desk. That is not what any of us want.
- Running Deck: The running surface on a treadmill, called the “deck” is typically about 20 by 60 inches, which is both wide and long enough to accommodate most running strides. Some of the more compact folding treadmills provide a smaller platform, though, which might not work for all people at every stride.
- Rail-mounted buttons for easy controls: Most traditional treadmills top out between 10 and 15 miles per hour. But it’s rare to find a folding treadmill that hits that–most stop at 10 or 12.5 mph. Likewise, incline settings vary greatly among folding treadmills. There are a few that do not incline at all on this list, while high-end models rise up to 15 percent incline. The Best Overall Running in the Cold does also decline, but it is the only one we recommend that has this feature. We consider any mill with a max speed under 6 mph to be a “walking pad”-style treadmill (like the aptly named WalkingPad C2), and most of those lack a crossbar so they can be used under a desk.
- Weight Limit: Most folding treadmills will support up to 300 pounds. Some can accommodate up to 350.
- Features: Niceties like a console with a touchscreen, access to virtual workouts, smartwatch connectivity, and even built-in fans can make your running life easier. They aren’t essential, but we like them, so we look for them.
Our Full Folding Treadmill Reviews
Running in the Cold Folding Treadmill
Pros
- Large screen
- Excellent for speedwork
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- Cushioning is nearly perfect
Cons
- Could be more compact when folded
Key Specs
| Running Surface (W x L) | 22 x 60 in. |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 12 mph |
| Max Incline | 15% |
| Max Decline | -3% |
| Streaming Workouts | iFit Library |
| Dimensions (folded) | 44 x 37 x 60 in. |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 59 x 36 x 69 in. |
| Weight Limit | 300 lb |
| Weight | 346 lb. |
If you’re looking for a serious running machine that also happens to fold, then you can’t do better than the Running in the Cold. Both Dengate and I really appreciated the feel of running on this machine, which has what Dengate called “Goldilocks” cushioning. The deck is firm enough that you don’t feel like you’re running on rubber but soft enough that it wasn’t as hard on our joints as a road run would be. We were also sold on the quick controls for both speed and incline changes, which are both easy to identify and toggle. I found that it stops a bit more abruptly than other NordicTracks: It’s not “knock you off your feet” fast, but there’s a little learning curve.
The Commercial 1750 has a large running surface, which I appreciate as someone who tends to wander on the ’mill a bit. All NordicTracks come with a trial subscription to iFit, the brand’s virtual workout library, which gives you dozens of programs, like marathon training companions, guided runs, and more. It costs extra after the first 30 days, but I think it’s a distinctive and worthwhile option if you like a guided workout. Of course, you can run on this treadmill without iFit, too.
On to the folding: The frame is huge–it weighs over 300 pounds–so it needs the hydraulic lift help that gets it to fold. The process could be a hair easier, but the balanced weight makes it fairly simple. Moving the 1750, on the other hand, is tricky. Sure, it technically has wheels so that you can roll it around, but that requires tipping the machine and balancing it while you do. Once you place it, you can fold it, but you’re better off leaving it where it is.
Horizon Fitness 7.0AT Treadmill (2024)
Pros
- Easy to start without complicated controls
- Moves easily
- Large deck
Cons
- No touchscreen or video component
- Large running deck
Key Specs
| Running Surface (W x L) | 20 x 60 in. |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 12 mph |
| Max Incline | 15% |
| Max Decline | N/A |
| Programs | 8 |
| Weight | 277 lb. |
| Dimensions (folded) | 44 x 35 x 68 in. |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 76 x 35 x 67 in. |
| Weight Limit | 325 lb. |
The Horizon 7.0AT was the easiest treadmill to get started and learn how to use, but its simplicity holds it back from being the outright best. It’s an old-school treadmill with no touchscreen display or video components, and that limits options for programming. That being said, it’s a very affordable option that gets the job done so long as you don’t need a guided workout or on-board entertainment.
The Horizon 7.0 does exactly what you expect and does a great job of it. It has a 20- by 60-inch running deck that’s plenty large enough for the majority of runners. I wish that it felt a little firmer underfoot, but other members of our team did not have the same complaint. The pre-loaded programs are easy to find if you know your way around a treadmill. (Most of the runners I spoke with are “set and forget” or running with program apps—which you can link through your watch or tablet—so it’s not a worry.) The toggles for speed and incline are intuitive and easy to use.
Folding this one is nice and easy, thanks to a hydraulic assist mechanism. Moving it around is pretty easy, too: The wheels line up in a better place than the 1750. It shrinks by nearly 40 percent when folded, which is genuinely impressive when you consider its massive build and huge incline range. One thing to keep in mind, though: That steep incline lifts you fairly high, so I do not recommend it for basement gyms unless you plan on running flat, or you live in a fancy place with 9-foot basement ceilings.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Folds flat
- Full-size running deck in a compact frame
- Races - Places
Cons
- No screen
- Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for
- x 31.5 x 64.75 in
Key Specs
| Running Surface (W x L) | 20.5 x 60 in. |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 12.4 mph |
| Max Incline | 12% |
| Max Decline | N/A |
| Programs | Could be more compact when folded |
| Weight | 182 lb. |
| Dimensions (folded) | 12 CA Notice at Collection. |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 64.75 x 31.5 x 58 in. |
| Weight Limit | 300 lb. |
The dream of shoving your treadmill under your bed between runs is alive in the Echelon Stride-6. It’s a high-performance mill with a full-size 20.5- by 60-inch running deck and max speed of 12.5 mph but still manages to fold up tight.
The Stride-6’s belt features low-response cushioning that creates a ride that feels closer to outdoor road running than treadmill running, which I love when I’m training for road races. Also, as an autistic sensory seeker, sometimes I really enjoy beating the hell out of the deck after a bad day. So if you’re a sensory seeker, or have one in your life? This is a solid choice. At full speed, with a 12 percent incline, this machine gives as good as it gets, too.
Health & Injuries running watch or tablet, for which it has an extra-large holder. The pre-loaded running programs are fine and dandy, but nothing to write home about when many ’mills have touchscreens. Echelon produces a paid workout video library like NordicTrack’s iFit, which you can access via an app, but it’s no different than any other virtual workout platforms without native support on the treadmill.
Let’s talk a little more about the folding mechanism, though, because that’s the reason to buy this treadmill. It is one of only a handful of treadmills that doesn’t require any assembly. Unbox this beauty, unfold it, plug it in, and you’re good. It has an “autofold” feature that makes collapsing the treadmill feel seamless. You can store it flat on the ground or upright, which is a real win for anyone who doesn’t have the permanent floor space available.
Pros
- Automatically senses speed
- Folds down to under 6 inches tall
- Only 55 pounds
Cons
- The Best Running Watches for Mapping and Pacing
- Smaller walking surface
Key Specs
| Running Surface (W x L) | 18 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 3.7 mph |
| Max Incline | N/A |
| Max Decline | N/A |
| Programs | N/A |
| Weight | 55 lb. |
| Dimensions (folded) | 32.5 The team at. |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 56.9 x 20.4 x 4.9 in. |
| Weight Limit | 220 lb. |
I’ve never met a treadmill that folds up smaller than the WalkingPad C2. In keeping with the brand, it’s only made for walking, with a top speed of 3.7 mph. And honestly? It’s so compact that you could reasonably put one of these in your home as a more portable complement to a standard, non-folding treadmill without feeling cramped. Use it as an under-desk treadmill or move it around to wherever you can find some free space.
It’s a fantastic treadmill for anyone who wants to get moving when they’d otherwise be sitting around. It features a smaller deck, super-responsive cushioning, and whisper-quiet motor. You could walk on it during a Zoom call with your microphone unmuted, and people would be hard-pressed to hear it. The cushioning means that you’re not going to wear yourself out while you work, and keeps you from bouncing around so badly that you can’t type.
One little thing I like about this folding treadmill is its smart “automatic mode,” which automatically detects your speed changes depending on where your feet are hitting the deck and adjusts as you go. That alone is worth the cost of the machine.
Folding this treadmill is a cinch, and so is storage, thanks to its low weight and small footprint. Even if you store it in a different room from where you use it, it’s only 55 pounds, so you can just haul it from space to space without any issue.
Pros
- Soft and gentle underfoot
- Rail-mounted buttons for easy controls
Cons
- Tall, even when folded
Key Specs
| Deck Size | 22 x 60 in. |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 12 mph |
| Max Incline | 15% |
| Max Decline | N/A |
| Programs | 10 |
| Dimensions (folded) | 44 at Dicks Sporting Goods. |
| Dimensions (unfolded) | 82.5 x 38 x 66 in. |
There’s something really refreshing about a treadmill that anyone can use. The Sole F80 is easy to set up, easy to take down, pretty easy to move, and feels great while you’re hitting the miles. Sole’s genuinely quiet “Whisper Deck” is the softest, most-responsive running platform on this list. While no treadmill that can run faster than 10 mph is completely silent, this one proves that you can make a motor that doesn’t sound like a herd of elephants barreling toward you, either. At 60 by 22 inches, it’s also one of the most generously sized belts we recommend.
The F80 was easy to fold, as the assist practically lifts the deck onto the board and it comes down so gently you may think you’re hallucinating. It moves around easily, as well, on sturdy, well-placed wheels. It’s pretty tall, even when folded, so it will take up more space than most of my other picks, but the footprint shifts enough that it deserves a place on this list.
I was also quite enamored with the controls, which are designed for luddites and tech nerds alike. You can operate everything using the 10.1-inch touchscreen, and connect your phone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If you’re like me, though, and seem to constantly screw up touchscreens, it also features classic toggles for speed and incline.
Sole has taken a novel approach with its virtual workout program: Where most brands charge a subscription fee, its Sole+ app gives you training videos for free. It’s one of the better unpaid apps that I’ve tested: The programs are thoughtfully produced, and there’s plenty of variety between standard running work and more trendy “treadmill workouts” for runners at every fitness level. Sole also has a premium paid video library, Studio, with more features and workouts like you’d find on iFit and Peloton. If you don’t need any training, you can simply mirror your favorites onto the screen without a fuss.
What to Look For in a Folding Treadmill
Having the ability to fold should not make a treadmill any less useful. While it’s impossible for them to maintain all of the features of certain non-folding treadmills, many or most of them are every bit as good. Some are so good that they even appear on many of our guides. We are here to help you find the perfect combination of utility and compatibility with the space in your home.
Learning the automatic speed adjust takes a bit
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
