A walking pad looks like a scaled-down treadmill, but it’s not simply a smaller version of the classic gym staple. Instead, a walking pad is meant for—you guessed it—walking. Speed controls generally go up to 3.5 of 4 miles per hour, allowing for a brisk walk (but usually not a jog or run), and some models even let you set the machine at an incline for a more rigorous workout.
People love walking pads for their small footprint and ability to make sedentary tasks feel more productive, like walking while working or taking a call while getting in some extra steps. Walking pads are great for people focused on maximizing productivity, as they take up little space, are easy to set up, and help you stay active throughout the day. Here are some of our favorite options, which our testing team vetted. We found a clear standout, plus two other solid options.
Best Walking Pads of 2026
- Best Walking Pad Overall: Merach NovaWalk W50
- Best Walking Pad With an App: UREVO SpaceWalk 5L Smart Walking Pad
- Best Under-Desk Walking Pad: GoPlus Walking Pad
Best Walking Pads Comparison Table
Best Walking Pad Overall: Merach NovaWalk W50
Merach NovaWalk W50
| Fortune score | 4.5/5 |
at Merach
- Our thoughts: This model was a standout for its extremely easy setup, whisper-quiet noise level, and overall high-quality build
- Who it’s for: People looking for the highest-value product, and those who may want a walking pad with a higher weight capacity
- What makes it different: Offers up to a 12 percent incline, up to a 400-pound weight capacity, and is extremely quiet when in use
Pros
- Very easy setup
- Super quiet
- Higher weight capacity than other options
Cons
- May not fit into everyone’s budget
- Doesn’t fold, which some may dislike
Our Thoughts on Merach NovaWalk W50
The NovaWalk W50 TrekPad, made by Merach, is purportedly “built to last years longer.” It goes up to an impressive 12 percent incline, and the website notes you can “train up to 10 hours nonstop, without [the treadmill] overheating.” This walking pad is also designed to be very quiet and can be rolled away for storage, as this is a non-folding model. Another feature worth noting: The company says the Merach W50 has an industrial-grade steel frame and that the walking pad is “engineered for plus-size users,” with a 400-pound weight capacity.
Tyler, a member of our testing team, tried the Merach W50 and said, “This walking pad was completely ready to go out of the box. The setup was seamless. I just opened the box and plugged it in.” He added, “The remote was already synced and had a battery in it, making it so that I never had to bend down or hit any buttons to adjust the speed or incline, or turn it on or off.” He rated it a 5 out of 5 for its ease of setup.
Our tester was also impressed with this walking pad’s noise level. “The machine itself was silent, and the cushion on the tread was enough that you could only hear light footsteps,” noted Tyler, adding, “Even changing the incline was silent.” Tyler rated the noise level 5 out of 5 because this walking pad was so quiet.
He also rated the tread size a maximum score of 5 out of 5, explaining, “The treadmill was more than wide enough and long enough. Tyler, who’s over six feet tall, said, “I expected to feel cramped on a walking pad, but I had more than enough room for my stride length, and it did not take any additional focus to stay within the width of the pad.” He rated the tread size and comfort a 5 out of 5.
Tyler did note that this model is “slightly more expensive than some other pads out there,” but he ultimately said it’s worth the upgrade in his view because the Merach W50 is a high-quality product. If price point is a significant factor in your purchasing decision, however, our lineup includes other solid options that may be better aligned with what you’re looking for.
Specs:
- Max speed: 4.0 mph
- Dimensions: 50.2″ x 22.2″ x 6.1″
- Folding: No
Best Walking Pad With App: UREVO SpaceWalk 5L Smart Walking Pad
UREVO SpaceWalk 5L Smart Walking Pad
| Fortune score | 4/5 |
at UREVO
- Our thoughts: Our tester found this easy to set up and liked the accompanying app
- Who it’s for: People who appreciate health metrics and want to view their data in one place
- What makes it different: The app, with features like HIIT programs, check-in activities, and more
Pros
- Simple setup
- Comes with a companion app that has additional features
- Wheels make it easy to move around
Cons
- Poor website user experience, including small text size, constant pop-ups telling you that someone bought one a certain number of minutes ago, and a carousel of moving images—overly busy and distracting
- Motor louder than advertised
Our Thoughts on UREVO SpaceWalk 5L Smart Walking Pad
The UREVO SpaceWalk offers up to 9 percent incline, plus an app with various features such as HIIT programs, competitive mode, and check-in activities. This is a non-folding walking pad, but it has wheels that make it easy to move out of the way as needed.
Kendall, a member of our testing team, tried the product. She rated the ease of setup a 5 out of 5, saying, “Setting up the UREVO SpaceWalk 5L was one of the easiest pieces of equipment I’ve put together. It arrives essentially ready to go, so there was no lengthy assembly.” She was impressed with its convenience as well, explaining, “At just over 50 pounds, and with built-in transport wheels, it’s pretty easy to move around.”
While setup was a breeze, she did notice that the walking pad was louder than advertised. Kendall said, “UREVO markets the motor as ‘whisper quiet,’ and while the motor itself is smooth, I did find the unit a bit loud underfoot once I got moving.” She said it’s noticeable enough that she’d be aware of it on a work call or in a quiet room. And while she didn’t find it disruptive, it was definitely louder than the marketing materials suggested. She rated the noise level a 3.5 out of 5.
Kendall also said the speed maxes out at four miles per hour, noting, “It’s meant for walking and brisk striding, not running.”
She rated the features and controls a maximum of 5 out of 5, emphasizing the convenience of the UREVO app. Kendall explained, “It syncs your stats in real time with Apple Health and Google Fit, so everything’s in one place.” She also said there’s an auto-adjust feature that shifts your speed and incline in the background, so the walking pad adapts to you.
“Overall, it feels like a solid walking pad for the price,” said Kendall, highlighting the easy setup and option to walk on an incline. She rated it a 4 out of 5 for value.
Specs:
- Max speed: 4.0 mph
- Dimensions: 48.8″ L x 20.3″ W x 6.1″ H
- Folding: No
Best Under-The-Desk: GoPlus Walking Pad
GoPlus Walking Pad
| Fortune score | 4.5/5 |
at GoPlus
- Our thoughts: An ideal under-the-desk size at a great value
- Who it’s for: Those looking for a straightforward walking pad meant to be used at their desk
- What makes it different: A much lower price point than its competitors
Pros
- Very easy setup
- Smooth acceleration and deceleration
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Track length could have been slightly longer
- Doesn’t fold
- No incline option
Our Thoughts on GoPlus Walking Pad
The GoPlus Walking Pad includes a remote control, an LED touchscreen, 12 preset programs, and a quiet motor. The company says this walking pad’s speed range—up to four miles per hour—is suitable for both walking and jogging, and it also has two wheels that allow you to easily store it. It should be noted that this model doesn’t fold, but it should be able to fit under furniture.
Charlotte, our tester, tried the GoPlus Walking Pad and reported an overall “pleasant experience.” She said setting it up was very easy, noting, “I just had to pull it out of the box and plug it in.” Charlotte said the remote was already paired and that the walking pad was “ready out of the box” with no additional setup steps required. She rated the ease of setup a 5 out of 5.
“The actual product was sturdy and felt like good quality for the price point,” said Charlotte, rating it a 4.5 out of 5 on value. She also said this model had smooth acceleration and deceleration, though the dimensions could have been slightly improved. While the walking pad did feel sufficiently wide to Charlotte, she wished it were a bit longer. “I caught myself getting close to the back,” she explained. Our tester rated this walking pad a 4 out of 5 for its comfort and cushioning.
Overall, Charlotte thought this was a great option. “This is definitely something I would keep in my home,” she said, adding, “It was light, easy to set up, and fairly portable.” The one drawback she noted is that it’s not necessarily the most compact because it doesn’t fold, but Charlotte said, “You could easily stand it on its side to put it away or tuck it under a standard-size desk.”
Specs:
- Max speed: 4 mph
- Dimensions: 47″ x 21″ x 5″
- Folding: No
Why the Right Fitness Equipment Matters to Professionals
When you’re committed to both work and optimizing your own personal health, a walking pad can be very appealing: Get work done while upping your step count at the same time. But walking pads aren’t just for work; they’re great when you’re watching television, don’t have time for the gym, or simply want to get a quick walk during cold or rainy weather. For people focused on optimizing in all areas, a walking pad is a great piece of equipment to own.
Walking Pads vs. Regular Treadmills
You can think of a walking pad as a junior treadmill. The two types of machines are very similar, but a walking pad typically won’t have the full power of features of a regular treadmill. For example:
- Most walking pads are exclusively for walking, not running, as speeds don’t go as high. The same applies when it comes to incline—a treadmill tends to offer a steeper incline, whereas a walking pad may have a more limited range, if they offer any incline at all.
- Walking pads tend to be lighter and more portable, with a smaller footprint. A treadmill isn’t usually designed to be moved around much or taken out and then put away.
- Another key difference, which is important for people who may have balance issues: Walking pads usually don’t have handrails, whereas treadmills generally do have handrails you can hold either while walking or running, or while hopping on and off the machine.
- People tend to use these two types of machines differently as well. For example, a walking pad is well-suited for under-the-desk use, while a treadmill generally wouldn’t be. Similarly, a treadmill is useful for people who want to go for a run, while a walking pad is better designed for casual or brisk walks.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Walking Pads
Here’s how we chose our lineup.
Ease of Setup
Our testers look at the steps required to go from unboxing to walking on the walking pad, rating machines higher if they were ready to go right out of the box. They looked at things like whether remotes were already paired with the walking pad, whether batteries were in the remote, whether a walking pad had an “unlock” requirement to reach higher speeds, and more.
Durability and Construction
Testers also focused on durability and construction, as walking pads are, well, getting walked on constantly. We focused on whether each model felt durable and sturdy, including paying attention to any excessive shaking or other issues.
Noise
Because walking pads are often used while working, we care a lot about noise levels. Our testing team paid attention to how loud each walking pad was while in use, noting whether it was exceptionally quiet, had an average amount of noise, or was so loud that it was distracting.
Comfort and Cushioning
Most walking pads include cushioning for a smooth, comfortable walking experience, so testers examined how each model felt on the feet while in use.
Features and Controls
Walking pads are generally designed to be straightforward in nature, without a lot of bells and whistles, but we still wanted to know whether models offered any particular features or other special controls.
Value
Here are some other things to consider when deciding which walking pad is best for you.
Benefits of Walking Pads
Here are some of the reasons people may opt for a walking pad.
- Reduce sit time: Public health experts have been warning about the detrimental impact of “sit time” for years, urging people to get more activity throughout the day. Walking pads offer an easy way to do just that.
- Convenience: An indoor walking pad is ideal when you want to exercise on rainy days, or when the weather is extremely hot or cold. And a walking pad is handy for people who may not have gym memberships or lack the time to go.
- Optimize leisure time: Walking pads make it easy to squeeze a little activity into an otherwise sedentary activity, like walking while watching television or talking on the phone.
What to Avoid in Walking Pads
We recommend looking for certain features and avoiding others when shopping for a walking pad. As for what we suggest prioritizing:
- Speed and incline range: Which walking pace do you prefer, and do you want the option to increase incline for a more challenging workout? Make sure you choose a walking pad with options that suit your preferences.
- Warranty: These machines should be designed to handle some wear and tear, given that you’re walking on them. We suggest making sure there’s some kind of warranty in case your machine develops an issue, and always read the fine print with warranties to see what’s actually covered.
- Features: Most walking pads offer minimal features, but some do have certain things that others don’t. So, if a companion app is important to you, for example, make sure to look for that when shopping around.
We recommend avoiding walking pads that don’t offer some kind of warranty, have high noise levels that can become grating over time, and don’t offer sufficiently detailed product information on the product website.
How to Find the Best Walking Pad for You
When looking for a walking pad, here are some things to consider.
Size
If you already have a spot for your walking pad picked out, make sure you know the exact dimensions and compare those with the product dimensions of any models you’re considering. Otherwise, think about the general footprint you’re working with, as that will dictate which options you can realistically consider.
Portability
Do you plan to put a walking pad in place and leave it there indefinitely, or will you be moving it around often? Consider how frequently you may need to move your walking pad, and make sure you take that into account when shopping. For example, people who plan to move a walking pad to and from a storage spot on a regular basis may want a machine with wheels for easier transport.
Features
While walking pads generally don’t have the same abundance of features as treadmills, some still offer a few. Think about which features are must-haves and nice-to-haves, and consider models that fit your needs.
Cost
Consider your target price range when looking for a walking pad, and whether you’re willing to pay more for certain things. For example, if choosing a walking pad with a specific feature means you’ll use it more, that may be a worthy tradeoff for some.
Fortune’s Final Thoughts
Our testers generally enjoyed using these walking pads, but one definitely stole the show: the Merach NovaWalk W50. Yes, it was the most expensive option in the lineup, but as our tester noted, the value is there. It was incredibly quiet, well-made, and offered the steepest incline, making it perfect for people focused on quality and exceptional performance.
Frequently asked questions
Do walking pads actually work?
While we can’t determine whether every walking pad on the market works as promised, we can say that the models we tested did an excellent job and generally worked as advertised. In one case, a walking pad was louder than expected, but our tester didn’t find it egregiously noisy.
Which walking pad is best for me?
The best walking pad for you depends on a number of factors, including how much space you have, your budget, and what you prioritize in a walking pad. Walking pads vary widely, as evidenced by our product testing, so most people should be able to find a model that suits their unique needs.
What are the negatives of walking pads?
Walking pads aren’t just treadmills without handrails, which some people may not realize at first. They can be great fitness tools, but they generally do not perform the same way as traditional treadmills—meaning speeds are generally lower, and a walking pad may not offer as steep an incline as a treadmill. Plus, there aren’t usually as many features as a true treadmill would have. However, these aren’t necessarily drawbacks, as a walking pad is, by design, meant to be primarily a walking device.
