Most Versatile
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Lifesmart™ 2202 3-in-1 Treadmill
If you’re not into buying a standing desk, you might want to consider the Lifesmart 3-in-1 Treadmill. This lightweight machine can easily be wheeled into any room. Just place the desk attachment across the handrail and you can start walking while working. However, keep in mind that the desk height might not work for everyone—it felt a bit low for me at 5’4”. But for quick tasks like answering emails or participating in meetings, it did its job just fine.
The 3-in-1 Treadmill gets its name because it functions as a walking pad (with the rail down, topping out at 3.7 mph), a treadmill (with the rail up, allowing for running speeds up to 7.5 mph), and a workstation (with the rail up and desk attachment on).
Setting it up is straightforward, and switching between walking pad, treadmill, and work modes is quick and easy. You only need a small tool to adjust the rail, which is conveniently magnetized so it’s always attached and won’t get lost in a drawer. You can adjust the speed via buttons on the rails or use a Bluetooth remote, and the front display shows your workout metrics. Plus, its sleek, modern design means it won’t clash with your home decor. The only downside is that it lacks incline options.
Quietest Pad
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Photograph: Kristin Canning
Flexispot Auto Incline Walking Treadmill
This walking pad was the easiest to set up of all the options here—probably because it doesn’t rely on a companion app, which often isn’t necessary. I had it ready to go in minutes, and the remote paired instantly, no Bluetooth hassle involved. Like many walking pads, it features a screen that displays your workout metrics. If you need to step off, the machine pauses and lets you resume right where you left off, so you can keep building on those metrics until you turn it off. One downside is that it doesn’t track your steps.
The Auto Incline Walking Treadmill offers an impressive incline range, reaching up to level nine or a 12-percent incline, which is one of the highest I encountered in my testing. You can walk at speeds up to 4 mph, and you can connect your phone to the speakers to play music while you move. The remote also lets you engage in 30-minute preprogrammed walking workouts, where the speed auto-adjusts (though the incline remains constant). Alternatively, you can use it in manual mode and customize the settings to fit your preferences.
