Best Treadmills of 2025
Our testers put 55 treadmills for home use through rigorous tests in our labs. The most expensive ones didn't always come out on top.
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Buying a reliable treadmill for your home can help ensure that you can take a run or get your steps in even if it’s pouring rain outside or if your child is fast asleep. And while the up-front cost of a treadmill can be substantial, it can eventually beat the cost of a gym membership when used regularly.
Best Treadmills for a Home Gym
The roundup below includes some of our top picks from our tests of nonfolding and folding treadmills.
We’re including the test results for the rereleased Peloton Tread+. This treadmill was recalled in 2021 after dozens of injuries and one death due to a problem with its belt. Peloton has since added a rear safety guard to the Tread+.
Best Under-Desk Treadmills
Under-desk treadmills, also known as walking pads, are smaller machines with fewer features. They’re just meant for walking. We’ve tested 15 of these, but we only recommend three, listed here.
In testing some of the under-desk treadmills in our labs, we found highly concerning construction and safety issues. We suggest consumers be very wary of these products and avoid simply buying whichever one is available for the cheapest price online.
How CR Tests Treadmills
CR’s tests focus on ease of use, the quality of construction (including design, noise, feel, and durability), ergonomics (how well the machine accommodates different users), exercise range, and user safety.
For exercise range, we assess whether a machine is suitable for a variety of fitness levels. Our tests factor in the range of treadmill speeds, the incline range, stability, cushioning, and more.
Our user safety tests evaluate the security of folding models, the accessibility of the emergency stop button, the workings of the safety key (which stops the treadmill if you fall), and more.
We also perform a durability test using custom rigs made of giant metal drums covered with rubber “feet.” Each rig runs along each treadmill for a total of 25 hours to simulate half a year of use. The results are factored into our construction rating. For more details on how we test treadmills, see our treadmill buying guide.
Maintaining Your Exercise Equipment
No matter what type of exercise equipment you have, a little regular cleaning helps prevent germs from spreading and keeps your machine in top shape.
The Rundown on Treadmills
Ready to get into shape? A former Consumer Reports expert, Peter Anzalone, shows “Consumer 101” TV host Jack Rico which treadmill features will give him a run for his money.
Editor’s Note: Peloton recalled its Tread and Tread+ treadmills on May 5, 2021, after the Tread+ was linked to dozens of injuries and the company said the Tread’s screen could detach and fall. Consumer Reports removed the Peloton Tread+ from its ratings and stopped recommending the product. The Tread and Tread+ in CR’s current ratings are updated models that are safe to use. For more information, see our article about the Peloton treadmill recall.
@consumerreports Ready to run? 🏃🏃♀️ Tap the link in our bio to access the best treadmills of 2024. Our testers put 50 machines through rigorous tests in our labs. #treadmill #treadmillworkout #running #fitnesstiktok
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