Find the right cardio machine for your home.
We compare treadmills, walking pads and ellipticals on what matters at home: the floor they take, the noise they make, the warranty behind them and what they really cost. Then we tell you which one to buy.
- Treadmills36 compared, folding to full-size
- Walking pads16 compared, for under a desk
- Ellipticals15 compared, easy on the joints
- ToolsCalorie calculator, pace chart and the finder
Not sure which kind you need? Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right list.
- 67 machines comparedfrom one spec database
- 9 in-depth reviewswith more every month
- One rating formulathe same for every machine
- Picks aren't for salecommissions never move a rating
Our top picks right now
If you just want the answer, start here. Each one is the machine we'd buy in its category, with the full review a tap away.
Best treadmill overallSole F80
4.5Our rating · from specsThe folding treadmill we'd buy for a household where one person runs and another walks.
Usually $1,599 to $1,899
Best for walkingHorizon T101
4.0Our rating · from specsThe walking treadmill most people should buy: light, folding and backed by a lifetime frame and motor warranty.
Usually $649 to $999
Best walking padWalkingPad C2
4.0Our rating · from specsThe walking pad that folds in half and slides under a sofa. It weighs 62 lb, is built for quiet and tops out at 3.7 mph.
Usually $399 to $599
Best ellipticalSole E25
4.2Our rating · from specsThe elliptical we recommend to most people: a 20-inch stride, power incline and a 189 lb frame built not to rock.
Usually $999 to $1,299
Photos are representative stock images, not the exact models. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. How we make money
Straight answers to what buyers ask us
The questions that come up before almost every purchase, answered in a sentence or two, with the full guide behind each one.
- How much room does a treadmill need?
- Plan on roughly 13 by 6.5 feet for a full-size running deck once you add the safety space behind it. Folding gives floor back between sessions, but you still need the length when it's open.
- Compact treadmills
- Is a walking pad worth it, or should I get a treadmill?
- If you'll mostly walk while you work, a walking pad is the better buy. If you want to jog, use incline, or share it with a runner, get a compact treadmill.
- Treadmill vs walking pad
- Treadmill or elliptical for bad knees?
- An elliptical keeps your feet on the pedals, so there's no landing impact. A treadmill with good cushioning and incline walking is gentler than running. If you're recovering from an injury, ask your physical therapist first.
- Treadmill vs elliptical
- What motor size do I actually need?
- For walking, 2.0 continuous horsepower is plenty. Runners should look for 3.0 CHP or more, and heavier runners or daily mileage want 3.5 and up. Ignore "peak" horsepower stickers.
- Treadmill motors explained
- Will a walking pad bother the neighbors downstairs?
- The motor is quiet. Your footsteps are what travel through the floor, and a dense rubber mat takes the edge off. We're running a noise study across four floor types to put numbers on it.
- The walking pad noise test
- My treadmill's discontinued. What should I buy now?
- Look it up in our discontinued-model list. We match old machines to the closest current model on deck size, motor, incline and price, and tell you when a repair still makes sense.
- Find your old model
Shop by what you need
Every list is ranked for one situation, so the top pick actually fits yours.
Treadmills
Walking pads
How we rate every machine
Every machine in a category is scored with the same formula, so a 4.5 on one page means the same as a 4.5 on another. We look at the motor and deck, the features you'll use, the warranty, how well it fits a real room, and what you get for the typical price.
Then we test. Our bench tests add measured noise, incline, power draw and assembly time. Until a machine has been through them, its page says the score comes from specs.
How we test and rateHow we rated the Sole F80
- Motor and deck
- 4.8
- Incline and features
- 4.5
- Warranty
- 4.6
- Fits a home
- 3.7
- Value
- 4.4
Our rating is out of 5 and uses the same formula for every machine in a category: motor and deck, features, warranty, how well it fits a home, and value for the typical price. Until we bench test a machine, the score comes from its published specs. How we rate
Not sure where to start?
Tell us where it'll go, what you'll do on it and what you want to spend. We'll send you to the one list that fits.
Already own one? Keep it running.
Most treadmill trouble is a belt that needs lube, a little tension, or a bolt that's backed out. Our owner guides walk through the fix before you call for service.