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When your guest room doubles as a home gym, finding a cardio machine with a small footprint is key to maximizing the space—and the best compact treadmills are one of the most practical options available.

Designed to fold in half or be stored under furniture, a compact treadmill offers a less bulky alternative to traditional options. Typically smaller than 24 inches wide and 72 inches long, these sleek machines can transform any space into an instant running (or walking) track.

When a compact treadmill is integrated into your everyday routine, it's possible for you to transform a sedentary activity—like working or watching TV—into one filled with movement. After all, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend the average adult should get at least 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity per week.

Better yet, the small footprint makes storage a breeze. Most designs are slim enough to slip under a couch or bed when not in use. Otherwise, these compact treadmills easily fold in half for flat storage against the wall, which allows you to free up important floor space. Luckily, each design boasts its own unique features that makes it worth the investment, whether you prefer to walk or run.

Smaller treadmills tend to have lower speed settings, but we focused on options that still let you hit a runner’s pace (if not a full out sprint). When the max miles per hour was low, we called it out in the cons.

Positive customer feedback helped us vet which treadmills were worth considering—and which products shouldn't make the cut. We also considered designs with fewer reviews if they offered innovative features.

Just because a treadmill is small doesn't mean it should skip the good stuff. We sought options that offered incline for an optional boost in intensity. Otherwise, we ensured they were small enough for under-the-bed storage.

Exercise equipment is one arena we consider worth splurging on, but it's more important to feel comfortable with your purchase. Our picks offer the most bang for your buck, whether budget or high-end choices.

Folding treadmills often get a bad reputation for skipping features common in their high-end counterparts—but not with this Echelon design. The 55-inch deck allows for a wide stride, which will be crucial for hitting top speeds of 12 miles per hour. The built-in screen comes with eight programmed workouts, but you can also purchase an Echelon membership to maximize your workouts. (A free 30-day trial is included with your purchase.) 

Most importantly, the cardio equipment accounts for your safety with a metal safety bar located under the rubber running deck and a safety stop lanyard—two additions often disregarded in many compact models. Best of all, the treadmill folds in half to create a slim 10-inch footprint, so it can be stored under the couch or against the wall.

If you're truly stretched for space, you won't find a better pick than the WalkingPad. The full dimensions of the slim design hit just under 57 inches long by 22 inches wide—and that's before your even fold the treadmill in half for storage.

Of course, the sleek pick comes with a few drawbacks. Its max speed is less than 4 miles per hour, so you won't be conquering sprints anytime soon. However, the compact pick is ideal to use when working from home, as it automatically adjusts speed based on your pace. Plus, the display screen is also located on a remote rather than the equipment, so you won't need to worry about tucking it under a desk.

More than 3,200 people gave this budget-friendly treadmill a perfect rating—and it's not hard to see why. The adaptable design has a 40-inch running deck and can hit max speeds of 8 miles per hour. And thanks to the plush five-layer running belt, you'll get sound insulation, shock absorption, water resistance, and compression to make every step as smooth as the last. 

During the workday, the GoPlus pick can be used as an under-the-desk treadmill via the remote control. When you're ready to pick up the pace, lift the handrail to enter running mode. Regardless of how you use the treadmill, you can connect with the brand's Bluetooth app to track your mileage.

Although not as compact as other options, this folding treadmill makes up for its bulkier build with an array of covetable features. Along with Bluetooth connectivity, the treadmill features quick keys to help you rapidly transition through different stages of your workout.

But it's not all about fancy features: The 55-inch running belt offers three cushioned zones—impact, transition, and push-off—which provide differing levels of support based on the phase of your stride. It also uses Quiet Drive motor technology to keep the operation as silent as possible, regardless of the speed selected.

This small but mighty pick packs a powerful motor with enough strength to move the running belt at just under 8 miles per hour. While the 17-inch belt may be too slim for some, it's optimal for slipping under a desk while working from home. Of course, it's also ideal for running, with a layered running belt that's built with cushioning and shock absorption.

One caveat to keep in mind? While the remote control will unlock speeds up to 3.8 miles per hour, you'll have to adjust directly on the base of the treadmill to go any higher. This safety feature prevents you from accidentally bumping up the speed in the middle of a work call, but it also makes sprints slightly inconvenient.

If you're a regular runner and ready to splurge, look no further than NordicTrack's folding Series 1750. The space-saving design hits max speeds of 12 miles per hour with incline up to 15%, all with the touch of a button. An immersive touch screen leads you through running workouts with integrated iFit access, which allows you to steam hundreds of workouts from instructors. Better yet, it auto-adjusts the speed of the treadmill based on the class selected.

Designed to last, the folding treadmill comes with a two-year warranty—but you won't need it. The smart-response motor has cooling technology to prevent burnout.

Another Amazon favorite, this compact treadmill clocks in at just 50 inches long and 24 inches wide. Similar to a full-sized design, it tracks your run time, distance, speed, and heart rate directly on the LED screen to get better insight into your workout. While you'll have to manually adjust the machine's incline, you can still reach speeds up to 6 miles per hour on the cushioned running belt.

Plus, the safety key and handrails guarantee you'll feel safe strutting your stuff (while still tracking your heart rate). And when the workout's over? The hydraulic folding system makes storage a breeze.

A compact treadmill is a great investment for making the most of your at-home gym space without dedicating half the room to a bulky piece of cardio equipment. Whether you want to transform your work-from-home setup with an under-the-desk treadmill or simply need a folding option that tucks away into the corner of the room, these customer-loved picks are a phenomenal way to actually walk 10,000 steps a day. Just don't forget to put on your best pair of supportive sneakers.

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Braelyn Wood is the Deputy Commerce Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University, along with a certificate in marketing. After interning at Bustle Digital Group and Cosmopolitan, her love of products (and a good deal) led her to the commerce space, and she joined Meredith Corporation as its first health and wellness-focused shopping writer. During this time, her byline appeared in Health, Shape, InStyle, People, and Travel Leisure, as she covered topics like workout gear, home goods, and coronavirus essentials to help shoppers lead healthier lives. In her current role, she helps readers find the best deals, uncover the latest launches, and understand which items are worth the splurge (or not) from her home in Brooklyn, New York.

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