'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best treadmill desks you can buy
Those who work from a desk likely know all too well how easy it can be to slip into a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. And the hours you spend in front of a screen, absorbed in work, could lead to health complications down the road.
Also: The best under-desk treadmills
This is where a treadmill desk comes in handy -- it allows you to move and walk while you work. While traditional under-desk treadmills are popular options to maximize your at home setup, combo treadmill desks offer an easy way to convert your working space for exercise.
Also: The best fitness rings
Treadmill desks offer both a walking pad/under-desk treadmill and a standing desk setup in one. ZDNET rounded up some of the best treadmill desks on the market, including one that I purchased and use to work from home. Our top pick for the best treadmill desk overall is the Costway Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill thanks to its built in Bluetooth technology, easy control and mobility, and large LCD display.
The best treadmill desks of 2024
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Remote for easy control of speed
- Large LCD display
- Safety lock for emergency braking
- Easy to fold, move, and store
- The tabletop might feel low for some
- It takes some elbow grease to assemble
Costway Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill specs: Dimensions: 50.5 inches x 26.5 inches x 43 inches | Speed: 0.5 mph to 7.5 mph | Weight capacity: 220 pounds | Price: $410
I bought this treadmill desk in June 2022 because I work from home and I wanted an affordable way to keep my energy up throughout the day. If you want to ease into activity without jarring your system, this is the perfect machine and it deserves the top spot. However, it did break down after a few months of use, when I was running on it at 6.5 mph.
I chose it because of the gleaming clear acrylic desk that comfortably fitted my laptop and notebook. Sometimes when I got tired of walking, I would move my laptop up to see how far I walked on the digital screen at the base of the treadmill. It kept track of all of the standard treadmill things, like pace, miles walked, calories burned, and distance traveled. That display was a great motivator to keep going.
I used the treadmill desk in the mornings or whenever I felt sluggish, just to walk and get the blood flowing while I get work done. The problem is that I think I overloaded the machine when I ran on it. This is not a run-as-fast-as-you-can treadmill. This is a treadmill desk that you can walk on and work on with no issues. It's easy to use, but it's not as sturdy as a treadmill you might go on at the gym.
An unexpected side benefit of using this treadmill desk was the heightened productivity I experienced with it. If you like to take online courses but struggle to motivate yourself to watch all of the videos or properly absorb the material, this treadmill desk is for you. I completed UPenn's Computational Thinking for Problem Solving course after work while on this machine, and I couldn't have stayed motivated without it. It's hard to build positive habits, but this made it easy.
In addition, about a week after my purchase, the company sent me a cute keychain as a thank you for my purchase! I've never had that happen with an Amazon purchase before and I was pleasantly surprised. I am unsure if all customers will receive the free item, so you may or may not get a gift in the mail. Ultimately, the keychain in no way affected this ranking, but it was a nice gesture.
The price of this treadmill desk is quite accessible, and the machine folds for easy storage. You just have to remove the desk, which detaches easily, if you want to walk without working. The machine has a quiet motor. All in all, a solid purchase if you treat it with care.
- No assembly required
- Easy to move and store
- Anti-slip belt
- LCD display
- Versatile
- A low speed range
- If you use it without a desk, make sure that you can slow down and stop easily without flying off
Ceartry Under Desk Treadmill specs: Dimensions: 49.6 inches x 21.8 inches x 4.7 inches | Speed: 0.5 mph to 4 mph | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Price: $355
If you're taller or need a higher weight capacity, the best route is to break up a treadmill desk into its two basic components -- an under-desk treadmill and a standing desk.
This is an ideal option for an under-desk treadmill, with a powerful, energy-saving, durable, quiet motor, a smart LED display, a skidproof rail on the side, a shock-absorbing belt, and a wireless remote control. The treadmill comes with 12 preset programs and two modes (automatic/countdown). It's easier on your joints because the running belt has five layers of anti-slip technology. You can monitor your progress on the LED display, which shows time, speed, distance, and calories burned.
The treadmill supports up to 300 pounds and can be paired with any standing desk. It has a limited speed range of 0.5 to 4 mph, which could be useful for those who intend to use it for walking and jogging and not for running.
- Adjustable desk height and desk width
- Compact dimensions
- One-touch height adjustment
- Pricey
- Heavy and hard to move
- Has a limited speed range
LifeSpan TR1000 Power Treadmill Desk specs: Dimensions: 27.5 inches to 50.5 inches adjustable height /38 inches to 72 inches adjustable desk width | Speed: 0.4 mph to 4 mph | Weight capacity: 350 pounds | Price: $1,899
The LifeSpan perfectly integrates a standing desk and a treadmill with a weight capacity of 350 pounds. The desk is fully adjustable to your height. It reminds me of a normal desk the most. It's ergonomic and you don't have to crane your neck down to view your laptop screen.
One YouTuber used a LifeSpan for 2.5 years to amazing effect. She lost a total of 45 pounds and says that her back and core strengthened. She was able to sustain her weight loss and her health.
LifeSpan's treadmill desks come with a variety of features at different price points. You can adjust the desktop width from 38 inches to 60 inches and choose the frame and desktop color. The treadmill is compact yet effective, with a 2.25 hp motor. This model in particular is a powered treadmill desk, so you don't have to manually adjust the height of the desktop: You just press a button and it moves into place automatically.
If you can comfortably afford a LifeSpan, I'd say go for it. It offers unbeatable value.
- Wide LCD panel
- Large speed range
- Wider walking surface
- Easily folds up
- Desk is slightly narrow
Urevo 3-in-1 treadmill specs: Dimensions: 50.9 inches x 27.2 inches x 37.4 inches | Speed: 0.6 mph to 8.6 mph | Weight capacity: 286 pounds | Price: $440
If your treadmill desk should be both treadmill and workstation, this is an ideal option for you. The speed range on this machine is formidable: Thanks to its powerful 3 hp motor, you can run a maximum of 8.6 mph on this machine, or walk as slowly as 0.6 mph.
What you get in speed, you lose in desk space: The desk attachment is less than a foot in width, which could lead to cramped working quarters. It does, however, span the length of the machine.
The treadmill itself has eight layers of shock absorption to help make walking or running easier on the joints. The desk is detachable and the motor is quiet. The whole package weighs 84.4 pounds and has transport wheels for easy storage.
- Panel to prop up phones or tablets
- Attached handlebars
- Manual inclines
- Powerful motor
- Desk does not detach from treadmill
- Smaller treadmill width
FYC Folding Treadmill specs: Dimensions: 50 inches x 22.4 inches x 38.6 inches | Speed: 0.5 mph to 7.5 mph | Weight capacity: 265 pounds | Price: $400
This folding treadmill has a desk that doesn't detach, which could be a pro or a con. On the one hand, the desk won't move as you run, but on the other hand, do you want a desk in the way when you work out? When you fold it up to put it away, the desk can make the structure take up more space, which may be in short supply for those in apartments or small spaces.
On the bright side, this option has three manual inclines for a more challenging workout. It has Bluetooth attached and a small desk with a pop-up tablet and phone incline that you can tuck back into the desk when you aren't using it.
It comes with 12 pre-set programs and a remote. Even though the desk is only 11.8 inches wide, every part of it serves a purpose. There's a cupholder, a Bluetooth section and control panel, and enough space for a medium-sized laptop.
What is the best treadmill desk?
The Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill is our top pick because of its design, comfort, and efficiency. The desk detaches easily from the machine, and the treadmill folds in one step for easy storage.
Treadmill desk | Price | Speed range | Weight capacity |
Costway Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill | $370 | 0.5 to 7.5 mph | 220 |
Ceartry under desk | $370 | 0.5 to 4 mph | 300 |
LifeSpan TR1000 | $1,899 | 0.4 to 4 mph | 350 |
Urevo 3-in-1 treadmill | $500 | 0.6 to 8.6 mph | 286 |
FYC | $300 | 0.5 to 7.5 mph | 265 |
Which is the right treadmill desk for you?
Whether your preference is for more speed or less speed or an attached desk, a detached desk, or an under desk, there's an option for you that meets your requirements and your price range.
Choose this treadmill desk… | If you want… |
Costway GoPlus 3-in-1 | The best overall option. This treadmill desk has a gleaming acrylic table that slides off easily when you want to remove it. |
Ceartry Under Desk | A versatile treadmill desk. You can pair this treadmill with a standing desk or use it on its own. |
LifeSpan TR1000 | Something sturdier and more customizable. This classic treadmill desk has an adjustable desk height from 33.5 to 52.5 inches and it can support up to 350 pounds. |
Urevo 3-in-1 | Wider running capabilities. The maximum speed you can run on this treadmill desk is 8.6 mph. |
FYC | An attached desk. The desk on this treadmill doesn't detach, but it folds up nicely with the rest of the machine. |
How did we choose these treadmill desks?
While researching treadmill desks, I considered three key factors that allowed me to narrow down to the top options that would satisfy the greatest range of needs. These key factors are:
- Speed range: Not every treadmill desk can offer the same range of speeds, nor are they designed to. Desk treadmills designed to optimize workflow typically feature top speeds between 2-4 mph, which is a comfortable walking range for most individuals. Speed ranges over 5 mph are harder to come by for standard treadmill desk setups, and if you're looking for higher speeds to run, a treadmill desk may not be the correct fit for you.
- Ease of Storage: Treadmill desks are usually not everyone's main working setup, and it's important to consider their necessary functionality in your space. If you need to move your treadmill desk for guests, space, or other reasons, you're probably going to want a design that is light and easy to move. If your treadmill desk is about to be your new main base, you may not care about the weight of your setup.
- Desk configuration: Treadmill desks do not all feature the same length and width measurements, or height adjustments. Before making a purchase, you're going to want to consider the desired tabletop space you want and need on your treadmill desk, and consider the necessary height that is comfortable when walking and working. These measurements will depend on your physical size and personal preference, but common sense still applies. If you use your laptop for work, you're likely going to need a setup big enough to support that.
Are treadmill desks a good idea?
Yes, they are. If you have the space and the budget, you can easily incorporate walking or jogging into your daily life with a treadmill desk.
Can you run on a treadmill desk?
It depends on the model you choose. Some of the options on this list have a higher speed range than others, but most treadmill desks are not designed for endurance or high speed running, but rather moderate walking and potentially jogging.
Are there other treadmill desks worth considering?
Yes, there are -- to optimize versatility, ZDNET highlighted another standing desk, an under desk treadmill, and a combination of the two.