The best folding treadmills could be the perfect answer if you're looking to get fit via running-based indoor training but lack space in your home. Today's folding treadmills are as capable as standard treadmills and offer a number of exciting features – sometimes a bit too much, if you ask us, which might confuse newcomers.
We created this guide to help you make a more educated decision by comparing all folding treadmill options. Whether you're dipping your toe into the world of the best treadmills for the first time, or you're a veteran of belt-based training scouting for a new treadmill-based piece of tech that will provide an intense workout and fit perfectly into a small space, you're in the right place.
(On a tight budget? Check out T3's roundup of the best cheap treadmills. Because it doesn't have to cost the earth to get fit indoors.)
The latest foldable treadmills are compact, lightweight, simple to use and designed with much more compact dimensions, meaning that once they are folded, they can fit in positions where you never thought you could get a foldable treadmill – some, for instance, fold down small enough to slide under your bed.
Speaking of foldable home gym equipment: if your preferred sport is cycling, may we suggest you check out the roundup of the best folding exercise bikes? While you're at it, look at T3's best exercise bike, best rowing machine and best elliptical buying guides to broaden your perspective.
Best folding treadmills to buy now
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In our review, we said that this folding treadmill feels like running on a gym-based treadmill and will suit all levels of runners, from beginners to those looking to vary up their training with hill repeats, thanks to the upper incline limit of 12% or intervals.
It also features 43 pre-loaded workout programmes with different inclines and speed settings to vary your training. As well as that, it syncs with the Kinomap app and Zwift via Bluetooth, so the JTX Fitness Sprint 5 will automatically adjust the incline as you run along the real-life routes on the app. Folding-wise, it folds vertically, but the footprint remains on the larger side, so if you are short on space, this may not be the best option.
Read our full JTX Sprint 5 review
Mobvoi's latest accessibly-priced running machine, the Home Treadmill Incline, might be too big for an under-desk treadmill and too small for indoor sprint workouts, but there is a broad spectrum of potential workouts you can perform on the machine, thanks to the comparatively powerful motor, incline capabilities and 25 pre-set programmes.
For the most accurate results, you might want to pair the treadmill with a Wear OS watch (like the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS); but even buying both would be cheaper than purchasing one 'big' treadmill, even for a discounted price. If you're after a decent, affordable incline treadmill for walking, jogging and occasional running indoors, check out the Mobvoi Home Treadmill Incline. You might want to invest in something more substantial for hardcore winter training, like the ProForm Pro 2000 or the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 (both featured below).
Read our full Mobvoi Home Treadmill Incline review
A higher-end treadmill that features the ability to fold into a smaller space via its intelligent SpaceSaver Design, the ProForm Pro 2000 Folding Treadmill makes it easy to quickly shrink it down in size. It also features EasyLift Assist, which aids you in moving the treadmill once it’s folded. The higher price point of this machine means that it’s aimed more at the more serious runners in the treadmill market – those looking to maximise their time on the belt and get the most out of different types of running workouts.
It features a 7-inch touchscreen which links to iFit, which, for an annual extra subscription cost, will supply you with a wide range of live or on-demand workouts (although it comes packaged with a 12-month subscription for free). You can dial the speed up to 12 mph, which will suit all but professional runners. The belt surface features ReBound Pro cushioning to absorb extra impact, making it one of the kindest folding treadmills on your knees available.
Read our full ProForm Pro 2000 Folding Treadmill review
This is a bigger treadmill that provides plenty of room for all kinds of different workouts. Bowflex’s Treadmill 22 has a wide range of incline options, going down to -5% if you want to simulate downhill running and up to 15% for grinding out hill repeats. It’s fitted with a 10-in touchscreen and hooks up to Bowflex’s training programme JRNY, which provides adaptive workout plans, outdoor video-based content that includes more than 50 global destinations and trainer-led videos for a monthly subscription. The folding mechanism includes SoftDrop, making folding easier. However, it hasn't got the smallest footprint when folded, and it’s a weighty beast, so bear that in mind if you’re short on space.
Another foldable treadmill that connects to a training app – in this case, Echelon’s own training app – and offers live and on-demand workout options. In our review, we said "that access to online classes is not via an inbuilt touchscreen but rather via your phone or tablet, adding an extra layer of planning and organisation to your workouts to ensure everything is charged and connected."
It’s a dinky treadmill when compared to some of the others on this list, but it folds up tidily with the press of a button. Once folded, it’s only 10 inches (26 cm) thick, and you can store it upright or lie it down to slide it under the bed, making it a great option if you can only fit it in a small room.
Read our full Echelon Stride review
The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 is on the higher end of the price range for folding treadmills, but if you can afford it, this is a well-designed, high-performing running machine it will last a lifetime. Big on design, performance and features, the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 treadmill offers bang for your buck on every level. Just be sure you have room to house this beast of a machine, which takes up 201” x 99” x 170” floor space.
With the amazing decline and incline ranges (-6-15%), speeds of up to 12mph, and a quiet but powerful 4.25 CHP motor, this treadmill pushes you to your limits, and that’s before you’ve even got started on the thousands of on-demand and live classes via the iFit app (for which a subscription needed). The 22” touchscreen is a huge draw with its crisp graphics and intuitive controls, and you’ll never get bored with the wealth of iFit’s online content to smash through.
Read our full NordicTrack Commercial 2950 review
It's worth taking a look at our NordicTrack discount codes to save on your order.
How we test the best folding treadmills
Folding treadmills in this guide have been thoroughly tested by T3's fitness experts, including their features, build quality, workout performance and more. For more information on how we test at T3, click on the link now.
FAQ
Is a folding treadmill worth it?
If you are limited for space yet want to run indoors, a foldable treadmill is the ideal solution. It can make the perfect addition to your home gym as many of them can be stashed away out of sight when not in use. Some are also extremely reasonably priced, meaning you can invest in treadmill technology at a low price.
The concession you may have to make with some foldable treadmills is that you will be running on a smaller belt than regular fixed treadmills, and it may not have the speed or incline capabilities of its bigger brethren due to reduced power. The more expensive treadmills have more power to go faster, but the flipside is they take up more space. But you’re still getting a treadmill for less money and one that takes up less space, so some things have to give.
What is the best fold flat treadmill?
Echelon's Stride treadmill might not be the most robust running machine, but its folding mechanism is certainly a cut above the rest. This treadmill not only folds to just 10" deep for easy storage, but it also has what's called an auto-fold feature that allows the treadmill to fold automatically. Pretty cool!
