The 6 best small treadmills, according to Consumer Reports and Reader's Digest

If you want to increase your physical activity or get fit in time for summer without going to the gym, look no further.

Consumer Reports and Reader’s Digest tested the best small treadmills for your home. Many of these models can fit under a desk, and some can even fold into your closet if you don’t have enough space to make at-home exercise equipment a permanent fixture of a room. Plus, many of the treadmills listed below won’t break your budget.

Continue reading to see which treadmills made the list and why.

Screenshot: Urevo CyberPad

At just $500 and under 70 pounds, this is the lightest and most affordable under-desk treadmill Consumer Reports recommends. Its tester found the functions to be intuitive and liked that the speed can be fine-tuned in 0.1 mph increments.

Screenshot: WalkingPad

For $800, Consumer Reports found this model to be the best-built under-desk treadmill it tested, and it stood out for transparently listing key specs like belt dimensions and a 265-pound weight capacity. It's straightforward to operate and capable of supporting a broad range of fitness levels.

Screenshot: WalkingPad

At $700, this is Consumer Reports' recommendation for users who prioritize a more compact belt footprint, though its narrower profile may not suit everyone's stride. It matches the R3 Hybrid+ in build quality and is straightforward to use, but falls slightly behind in how well it adapts to individual users' needs, the testers found.

Screenshot: Target $TGT

At $200, this manual, non-electric treadmill is Reader's Digest's budget-friendly starting point for anyone curious about adding walking to their routine, with incline options up to 10.4 degrees and basic stat tracking built in. Just note that the running surface is somewhat limited in length at 42 inches.

Screenshot: Merax

At $190, Reader's Digest recommends this electric, foldable treadmill for its ability to accommodate casual walkers and more serious exercisers alike, thanks to 12 preset training programs, three incline settings, and a top speed of 6.2 mph. The 43.3-inch deck folds down for storage, making it workable even in tighter spaces.

Screenshot: Amazon $AMZN

For $230, Reader's Digest highlights this treadmill's flexibility — it tucks under a desk for low-speed walking during the workday while also converting to a traditional upright machine reaching 7.5 mph. Its motor runs quietly, which is ideal if you want to use it at odd hours, and it can be stored away without any complicated breakdown process.