Running is one of the best ways to lose weight and get healthy, but not everyone has the time to go for a run or go to the gym. In that case, the best option is to get the best compact treadmill you can find.
However, there’s a lot of brands out there and picking one can be a mind-numbing task. Here, we’ve taken on the challenge of picking the best compact treadmills on the market — just choose from any on this list and it’ll be a solid choice. Below, we’ll also discuss the things you should consider before getting your own compact treadmill, what we like about each one, and more.
Let’s jump right into it…
Our Top Picks For The Best Compact Treadmill
- Best Overall: NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill
- Best Value: NordicTrack T 9.5 S Treadmill
- Most Compact: MaxKare Compact Treadmill
- Best NordikTrack alternative: ProForm SMART Performance
- Best Folding Compact Treadmill: Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
- High Weight Capacity: ProForm 905 Treadmill
- Wide Running Belt: Goplus 2.25HP Electric Folding Treadmill LED Touch Screen
The Best Compact Treadmills Reviewed
NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill
Our Rating
Best Overall
Why we love it: This compact treadmill can also be your personal trainer with ready-to-use training programs built in.
The NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill includes an interactive personal training program powered by iFit providing access to different trainer-led studio workout programs. It comes with a 1-year free membership which is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to get an expensive personal trainer but does want professional workouts.
No need to turn on the TV or get a smartphone and search for workout programs because this treadmill includes a 10” or 14” HD smart touchscreen display where you can enjoy the training programs provided by your iFit membership. You get to enjoy live interactive training with the elite iFit Trainers where they can direct the intensity, speed, and incline to give you a serious workout.
And what’s more fun is that it comes with Google Maps workout technology allowing you to run anywhere all over the globe by projecting the path on your screen. And with its reduced motor noise, self-cooling technology, and a powerful 3.5 CHP DurX commercial plus motor, you’ll be able to enjoy running, walking and jogging for years to come.
A shortage of space won’t be a problem either because it has an easy lift design where you can fold it up for compact storage after your workout. And when it’s being used, it doesn’t take up too much space because of its 67.5” x 36” x 73” footprint.
Who should buy the NordicTrack T 8.5 S Treadmill?
This compact treadmill is perfect for people who want a personal trainer assisting them in their work out routine without having to spend time or money on the gym.
What makes this treadmill special?
- Free 1-year iFit Membership
- 12% Automatic incline adjustment
- EasyLift Assist built in
Specs
- Stat tracking for time, speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate
- 16,000+ workout options
- 12 mph top speed
- 300 lb weight capacity
- 3.5 hp motor
NordicTrack T 9.5 S Treadmill
Our Rating
Best Value for Money
Why we love it: Its impressive build and performance are second to none.
The NordicTrack T 9.5 S compact treadmill is one of the highest quality treadmills we’ve seen. With a powerful 3.5 CHP DurX Commercial Plus motor running this powerhouse, you can easily hit stride at speeds of up to 12 mph without even noticing.
Like some of the other treadmills in this list, the 9.5S includes a 1-year free iFit membership, but here’s what’s exciting — it also comes with a massive training library of live interactive training sessions.
This compact treadmill has a 14” Smart HD touchscreen with dual amplified speakers and Bluetooth access to maximize your entertainment experience while you run. With a maximum speed of 12 mph and 0-12 % incline control, this is a great choice if you’re an advanced runner and you want to push your limits.
With the weight capacity of 300lbs, it can take on a heavier load while providing the same strong performance. Finally, its FlexSelect Cushioning offers a softer surface for an experience that’s both challenging and easy on your joints.
Who should buy the NordicTrack T 9.5 S Treadmill?
If you want a compact treadmill with the most flexibility and you care about getting the best, this is the one for you.
What makes this treadmill special?
- 1-year free iFit membership
- 14″ HD touchscreen display monitor
- Extra large 60″ x 20″ belt
Specs
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- 3.5 CHP DurX Commercial Plus Motor
- 12 mph top speed
- 12% automatically adjustable incline
- 78.9” L x 35.5” W x 59.4” H dimensions
MaxKare Compact Treadmill
Our Rating
Most compact and straightforward treadmill
Why we love it: At the time of this writing it’s one of the most affordable compact treadmills.
The MaxKare has received consistently high marks across the board for it’s easy assembly, reliable motor, and affordable price. It features a 17” wide run belt which is a generous amount of space for most people. It has a 220 lb weight capacity which is good for most people but if you’re near that weight, I would consider getting one of the more premium options with a higher capacity.
Other notable features of the MaxKare are it’s large LCD screen that not only shows your stats while you exercise but also has 15 built in workout programs to match your fitness goals. It has speeds from 0.5 – 8.5 mph which isn’t as high as some of the premium options but that’s a good speed for running and you would be hard pressed to run at that speed for long.
As far as safety goes, there’s a key attachment that shuts it off if you fall and a soft landing feature that means you can unfold it without risking your hands.
Who should get the MaxKare compact treadmill?
If you’re on a budget and need a beginners treadmill that’s built for durability, this is a great choice.
What makes this treadmill special?
- 15 built-in workout programs
- Soft drop system for easy folding and unfolding
- 3 manually adjustable inclines
Specs
- 220 lb weight capacity
- Simple, no fuss LCD Display
- 8.5 mph top speed
- 17″ wide running belt
- 2.5 hp motor
- Soft drop system with transport wheels for easy relocation and storage
ProForm SMART Performance
Our Rating
Best NordikTrack alternative
Why we love it: Its user-friendly design is not only easy on the eyes but easy to work with too.
Dive-in and experience world-class training with the ProForm SMART Performance 600i Treadmill. It includes a 10” high-definition touchscreen display that allows you to access on-board training programs and a free 1-year iFit membership to whip you into shape.
For advanced joggers, it also comes with an incline adjustment between 0-10% grade so you can keep challenging yourself to push harder. And if you’re sweating up a storm, you can still remain cool with the built-in Cool Aire fan that creates a powerful air flow.
This compact treadmill also has its built-in ProShox cushioning, which gives you a softer landing and preserves your joints. On top of the screen, there’s a built in tablet or phone holder that also lets you stay wired in with your favorite Netflix shows. The special device grip they’ve designed means you won’t have to worry about shaking your phone or tablet off the treadmill while running.
The ProForm SMART Performance 600i also comes with dual amplified speakers with auxiliary ports. And with a 300 lb weight capacity, it’s good for a variety of body types. When you’re done running, it’s SpaceSaver design and transport wheels make it super easy to fold and push your treadmill out of the way.
Who should buy the ProForm SMART Performance 600i Treadmill?
This treadmill is perfect for beginners as well as athletes who are looking for a soft landing for joint protection and a treadmill that’s consistently challenging.
What makes this treadmill special?
- Free 1-year iFit Membership
- 10% Automatic incline adjustment
- Built in fan
Specs
- 10” smart HD display
- 300 lb weight capacity
- 10 mph top speed
- 33.5” Wide x 69.8” Deep x 56.42” Tall
Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill
Our Rating
Best Folding Compact Treadmill
Why we love it: This compact treadmill has one of the simplest designs but its frame is strong enough to last a lifetime.
The Goplus 2.25HP Electric Folding Treadmill is made of high-quality steel providing high durability for years of regular use. Having a weight capacity of 265 lbs, everyone can enjoy running on this treadmill. Its 2.5 HP impulse max motor works smoothly with less noise so that your workouts won’t be distracting to the rest of the family.
It also has an easy to read LED display that shows your speed, time, distance, and calories burned. You can also use your tablet or smartphone with the device holder, so you can listen to music or watch a movie for extra motivation.
And for your protection, this compact treadmill includes a safety key that connects you to the machine as well as an emergency stop button on the handrail. As far as fitness programs, it has 12 built-in programs designed with fitness goals in mind.
Who should buy the GoPlus 2.5HP Electric Folding Treadmill LED Touch Screen?
If you want an affordable treadmill that’s solid with a larger LED screen then this is a great choice.
What makes this treadmill special?
- 12 built in workout programs
- Works as an under the desk treadmill as well
- Comes with a remote control for using treadmill while it’s folded down
Specs
- 265 lb weight capacity
- Transport wheels and folded dimensions of 33″X 28″X 53”
- 12 built-in workout programs
- Speed up to 7.5 mph
- 2.25 hp motor
- 40″ x 16″ belt area
ProForm 905 Treadmill
Our Rating
Why we love it: This compact treadmill is packed with exciting features.
The ProForm Smart Performance 905-CST Treadmill also includes a 1-year free iFit membership that gives you unlimited access to 16,000+ workout programs and live interactive training sessions with iFit expert trainers.
This option offers you a 20″ x 60″ walking belt which gives you tons of room for jogging, walking, and running. It also has dual cup holders, a 5″ display for iFit workouts, tablet holder, and a bunch of other features you’ll love.
Just like the 600i, it comes with a CoolAire fan to give you that relaxing breeze when you workout. Furthermore, it has a maximum speed of 12 mph for a more intense workout.
On top of this, the 905 comes with 30 built-in workout programs so you have options if you decide to cancel your iFit subscription. But the best part is that this treadmill comes with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, so you never have to worry about getting it replaced.
Who should buy the ProForm 905-CST Treadmill?
If you’re looking for a complete package full of training programs or entertainment, then this is a dependable option.
What makes this treadmill special?
- 1-year free iFit membership
- 5″ HD display monitor
- 30 built in workout programs
Specs
- 315 lb weight capacity
- 60″ x 18″ belt area
- 33.5” W x 76.23” L x 57.64” H dimensions
- EasyLift Assist for simple folding and unfolding of the deck
- 12 mph top speed
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
Goplus 2.25HP Electric Folding Treadmill LED Touch Screen
Our Rating
Why we love it: This compact treadmill has one of the simplest designs but its frame is strong enough to last a lifetime.
The Goplus 2.25HP Electric Folding Treadmill is made of high-quality steel providing high durability for years of regular use. Having a weight capacity of 250 lbs, everyone can enjoy running on this treadmill. Its 2.5 HP impulse max motor works smoothly with less noise so that your workouts won’t be distracting to the rest of the family.
It also has a 5” LCD display that shows your speed, time, distance, calories burned, pulse rate and incline. You can also use your tablet or smartphone with the device holder, so you can listen to music or watch a movie for extra motivation.
And for your protection, this compact treadmill includes a safety key that connects you to the machine as well as an emergency stop button on the handrail. As far as fitness programs, it has 12 built-in programs designed with fitness goals in mind.
The downside of this one is that the incline levels are pretty week. The total range from flat to top incline is just a few inches. So if you’re buying based on this, get one of the higher-end options.
Who should buy the GoPlus 2.5HP Electric Folding Treadmill LED Touch Screen?
If you want an affordable treadmill that’s solid with a larger LED screen then this is a great choice.
What makes this treadmill special?
- 12 built-in workout programs
- 17″ wide running belt
- Speeds up to 7.5 mph
Specs
- 250 lb weight capacity
- Transport wheels and folded dimensions of 33″X 28″X 53”
- 3-level adjustable incline
- Top speed 7.5 mph
How to choose the best compact treadmill
With all the products we’ve listed so far, there are still a few things to consider before getting your compact treadmill. With that said, here are some of the most important things to pay attention to…
Price range
The best compact treadmills range between $300 – $2000, so knowing your budget is essential when deciding to buy a compact treadmill. The price, however, can be deceiving as well, so make sure to look at other important features of the product before making a final decision.
Build Quality
This is where you’ll get most of the value from what you’ll be paying for. You want to make sure that the build of the compact treadmill is high-quality. We recommend treadmills that are made of high-quality steel. For the motor, we recommend getting a model with at least 2.0 horsepower or higher to make sure that you’ll get a smooth workout.
Belt Length and Width
This part is very important because you want to make sure that you have a large running surface to avoid any accidents. We recommend the best compact treadmill with a belt length of at least 50” or higher and a belt width of at least 18” or higher so you have enough room in the front and on the sides. Narrower and shorter belts may inhibit your running.
Features
The best features that you want to look at are as follows:
- Weight Capacity
- Safety cords or emergency stop button
- Track speed, track cushioning and Incline (automatic or manual)
- Transport wheels and folding dimensions
- Extras (Bluetooth, device and water bottle holder, speakers, fans, workout programs, and etc.)
- Warranty
What are the benefits of a compact treadmill?
Having a treadmill helps you reach your goal weight, tone your muscles and helps you stay healthy. Also, compact treadmills don’t need much space, so you can easily fold and store it anywhere regardless of space limitations. It also saves you time and money because you don’t have to drive to or pay for the gym.
Summary & Our Top Picks
To sum up, we’ve chosen the 3 best compact treadmills in case you’re still wondering which way to go.
- Best overall is the NordicTrack T 9.5 S Treadmill
- Close Second is the