Those of you who work from home know how easy it is to slip into an inactive lifestyle. 

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And the hours you spend in front of a screen, absorbed in work, could lead to health complications down the road. 

This is where a treadmill desk comes in handy -- it allows you to move and walk while you work. If you don't work from home, you can still find something with more area for productivity.

Here are some of the best treadmill desks on the market, including one that I purchased and used to work from home.

Also: The best fitness rings

Costway Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill

Best treadmill desk overall

Sherin Shibu/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Built-in Bluetooth
• Goes from .5 mph to 7.5 mph and comes with a remote for easy control of speed
• Large LCD display and a safety lock for emergency braking
• Easy to fold, move, and store

Cons

• The tabletop might feel low for some
• It takes some elbow grease to assemble

More Details

Costway Goplus 3-in-1 treadmill specs:Dimensions:50.5 inches x 26.5 inches x 43 inches (LxWxH)Speed:0.5 mph to 7.5 mphWeight 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.

View now at Amazon

Ceartry Under Desk Treadmill

Best versatile treadmill desk

Ceartry Pros & Cons Pros

• No assembly required
• Easy to move and store
• Anti-slip belt and LCD display
• Versatile

Cons

• A low speed range: Only .5-4 mph
• If you use it without a desk, make sure that you can slow down and stop easily without flying off

More Details

Ceartry Under Desk Treadmill specs: Dimensions:49.6 inches x 21.8 inches x 4.7 inches (L x W x H)Speed:0.5 mph to 4 mphWeight capacity:300 poundsPrice: $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.

View now at Amazon

LifeSpan TR1000 Power Treadmill Desk

Best treadmill desk splurge

LifeSpan Pros & Cons Pros

• Adjustable desk height and desk width
• Compact dimensions
• One-touch height adjustment

Cons

• Pricey
• Heavy product -- weighs 245 pounds
• Has a limited speed range

More Details

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 mphWeight capacity:350 poundsPrice: $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. Some days, she spends eight hours walking!

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.

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Urevo 3-in-1 treadmill

Best treadmill desk for speed range

Urevo Pros & Cons Pros

• Wide LCD panel
• Large speed range
• Wider walking surface
• Easily folds up

Cons

• Desk is only 11.5 inches wide

More Details

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 mphWeight capacity: 286 poundsPrice: $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.

View now at Amazon

FYC Folding Treadmill

Best treadmill desk for efficiency

FYC Pros & Cons Pros

• Panel to prop up phones or tablets
• Attached handlebars
• Manual inclines
• Powerful motor

Cons

• Desk does not detach from treadmill
• Smaller treadmill width

More Details

FYC Folding Treadmill specs: Dimensions:50 inches x 22.4 inches x 38.6 inches Speed:0.5 mph to 7.5 mphWeight capacity:265 poundsPrice:$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.

View now at Amazon

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	$410	0.5 to 7.5 mph	220
Ceartry under desk	$355	0.5 to 4 mph	300
LifeSpan TR1000	$1,899	0.4 to 4 mph	350
Urevo 3-in-1 treadmill	$440	0.6 to 8.6 mph	286
FYC	$400	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?

I had looked at many options when I was shopping for my treadmill desk, so I knew what to look for -- speed range, ease of storage, and a solid desk were top priorities. I researched many options and found the best ones according to those guidelines. I then narrowed it down to the options that would satisfy the greatest range of needs. 

Do treadmill desks really work?

There are small studies that suggest treadmills do have health benefits. One study, by Dr. James Levine, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic's campus in Arizona, found that participants using treadmill desks increased their daily activity and lost weight over a period of twelve months. He conducted another small study in 2007 at Salo, a finance and human resources staffing company in Minneapolis. The study included 18 people. For six months, they worked on and off treadmill desks, walking on average about three hours a day. All the participants lost weight and experienced other health benefits, including lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

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 lose weight with a treadmill desk?

Yes, you can. There are many weight loss stories out there from those who have invested in treadmill desks and lost weight. More important, they've changed their lifestyles and the way they work.

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.

Are there other treadmill desks worth considering?

Yes, there are -- to optimize versatility, I've highlighted a standing desk, an under desk treadmill, and a combination of the two.

BEST PRICE

Furmax Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk - Save 13%

Create your own treadmill desk setup! This large standing desk has convenient buttons on the side so that you can stand up with no heavy lifting. The motor system has a child safety lock in place as well as anti-collision and overheating protection. Right now, the desk is on sale from its usual$160 sticker price.

View at Amazon

BEST PRICE

Maksone Wood Electric Treadmill - Save$60 (with Amazon coupon)

No need to install -- this under desk treadmill ships to you in one piece and can bear up to 265 pounds from the get-go. It comes with a remote control and has an LED display. Pair it with the standing desk above or any other standing desk for a treadmill desk workspace. 

View at Amazon

BEST PRICE

Sunny Health and Fitness Walking Pad Treadmill with Desk - Can purchase separately

This product combines a standing desk and an under desk treadmill walking pad for one price. You can purchase the walking pad separately for around$300 or get the walking pad and an arm exerciser for around$400. The pad with the desk comes out to$800.

View at Amazon

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