Best Folding Treadmills
Latest Update: 16 December 2024
Running is one of the fastest ways to burn through calories. Plus, it’s completely free when you take to the roads. But it comes with its challenges.
When you’re running outdoors, you need to consider a number of things before you even take your first stride. Your route is one thing, taking safety, terrain, distance and incline into consideration. Then you’ve got the weather and darkness to contend with.
It’s also wise to keep the music volume down, so that you’re aware of your surroundings. Music is a key motivator in my running, so I struggle with this aspect of running outdoors with risks all around – I like to be able to switch off and focus on my running form, and tend to last much longer on a treadmill because of this.
But heading to the gym just to run isn’t all that fun. You’ve got to accommodate the commute and think about what to wear. Then you’ve got to remember you’re not the only one who wants to use the treadmill. Too many times I’ve finally defeated so many obstacles mentally and logistically to get to the gym, only to discover there are no free treadmills. I have to either wait or change my workout plan. Sometimes I’ve just turned around and gone home, defeated.
Having a treadmill at home can turn your training program on its head. It’s convenient, easy, and free for you to use whenever you want to, rain or shine, night or day.
However, we don’t all have enough room at home for a massive treadmill – and let’s be honest, some of them really don’t try to hide their presence.
This is where the best folding treadmills come into their own. They give you all the benefits of an at-home treadmill, but with the extra advantage of being folded away to give you your space back when they’re not in use.
This is why folding treadmills have really advanced in popularity and design over the last few years. Where they used to be poor quality, awkward, and unpleasant to use, nowadays folding treadmills are hardy pieces of equipment with good-quality motors and fantastic user experiences.
But which one should you choose?
Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered. The folding treadmills featured in this list are some of the best pieces of cardio machinery on the market.
Best Foldable Treadmill – Quick Verdict
Best Folding Treadmills
After spending some time with all these models, we can now bring you our best folding treadmills.
JTX Sprint 3
For the money you spend on JTX’s Sprint 3, you get an incredibly smooth (if slightly slim) belt, a top speed of 16 km / hour, shock absorption for safety and comfort, 39 unique programs, and 12 levels of incline, with motorised incline.
It really is quite an impressive alternative to its larger brother.
The Sprint 3 is as sturdy and well-built as the Sprint 9, runs quietly and has a really elegant, neat design.
It’s pleasingly simple and simply pleasing, making it a robust, inexpensive way to get a really nice workout in.
There has been some criticism of the program guide, as it needs a little more detail about the 39 programs (and, indeed, some explanation as to why 39 programs are strictly necessary). This is a wholly complex area in an otherwise wonderfully straightforward design.
The machine itself is quite heavy with a maximum capacity of 120kg, so understandably it takes a while to put together. Though this is by virtue of its robustness, it may take more than one person to build it, fold it and move it around.
Nevertheless, you get a fantastic, simple, elegant machine that is a pleasure to use if you buy the Sprint 3.
JLL T450
The JLL T450 is another fantastic treadmill that’s a decent build when it’s in position, and folds away nicely.
It’s also around the same price as the Sprint 3, which we think makes it very good value for money.
With this one you ‘only’ get 20 workout programs, which sounds like a downgrade from the Sprint 3 but honestly, this is more than enough and they’re all really good.
The first 3 you can customise if you have your own training plans in mind, enabling you to switch easily between them.
The other 17 are designed with varying speeds and inclines to replicate an outdoor run, and these are easy to work around and set up.
This powerful treadmill not only goes up to a solid 18km/h, but it also goes the slowest, too – at just 0.3 km/h. This is a surprisingly helpful feature for beginners, and shows how agile the belt and motor are.
It can also incline across 20 different levels, giving you plenty of ways to develop your leg strength and stamina. These are easily changed on the handrails.
The actual deck feels as cushioned as they advertise, too – its 16-point cushion deck feels a much easier on your joints, and when I used it I did feel like I could run for a little longer, and recovered more easily between workouts too (especially HIIT sessions, which can really hurt afterwards if you have a poorly cushioned running deck).
The 5” backlit monitor is easy to watch and displays everything you need to know, and it houses some really good speakers with a USB port and Bluetooth to use, too.
This treadmill can hold up to 120kg, and it’s surprisingly quiet considering its powerful motor (4.5 HP). It was also okay to assemble, too – nobody’s favourite pastime, but for the quality of build it was one of the easier ones.
Overall, a huge thumbs up on quality and value for this foldable treadmill.
Bluetooth Nero Pro
The Bluetooth Nero Pro is currently one of our top picks as it offers incredible value for money.
This smartly finished, compact machine is lightweight, at just 24kg, is made from sturdy steel with good quality safety arms and is easy to fold away and wheel around.
Though it isn’t the fastest, with a top speed of only 10km/h, it will suit the casual jogger or the avid power-walker perfectly- more serious, fast runners, or those who like to make use of interval training, may want to look at some of the speedier machines on our list.
However, there are 3 pretty decent incline levels with the Nero Pro, which will go a long way to giving your workout a bit of an edge.
Those who like to work or watch movies while they train will love the Nero Pro. It comes with an iPad / Tablet holder directly under the main console, well suited to both large and small tablets.
The console itself looks a bit basic, but don’t let it fool you – it’s top-quality. The numbers and buttons are all large and clear, making the Nero Pro good for those with poorer eyesight, and there aren’t too many overly fiddly menus to sort through.
The display will show you distance, calories spent, time and speed, which is all useful data to inform your training, and there is a safety clip attached so the machine will shut down if you slip.
The belt is a little short and narrow, so larger or heavier athletes may need to take care. Other than this, it’s a really good, well-made piece of equipment.
JLL T550
Brought to us by JLL (one of my favourite gym equipment brands), the T550 is a lot like the T450, but an upgraded and therefore more costly version.
This one starts at the same 0.3 km/h, but goes a little harder up to 20 km/h – so if you were considering the T450 but you can run at pace, then this might be your better option.
Because it goes faster, it needs to be able to hold weight better – and I’m very pleased to say JLL took this into consideration in the build design.
It’s a solid treadmill that can hold up to 150kg, and though I don’t regularly hit 20 km/h myself, this treadmill copes with the impact beautifully.
You’ve got the same 16-point cushioned deck to soften the impact for a smooth run, and you have the same 20 levels of incline to challenge yourself with.
Another upgrade with this model is that it has 30 workout programs – 10 more than the T450. This wasn’t a big deal for me, to be honest; I was happy with the 20 on the T450. That being said, the programs they’ve set up are smart, and look at more than just incline and speed – they get you working HIIT programs, time trials, and even heart rate programs.
This treadmill even has built-in heart rate sensors, with pulse plates on the sides of the arms. And they’re not your bog-standard ones either; you can choose a heart rate program that depends on the heart rate you want to challenge. It’s really smart, and something that really pushed me to higher levels of running I may not have achieved otherwise.
You’ve still got the quality display and speakers etc. here, too. Overall, this treadmill really is the crème de la crème of foldable treadmills – hence the price tag. It doesn’t exactly fold up and disappear out of sight, but it sure does offer the perfect base to pound your feet for many miles with all the luxuries and challenges to hand.
JTX Sprint 9
(Edit: This has since been developed into the Sprint 9 Pro, which offers some seriously smart tech with it.
We’re yet to have the privilege of checking this machine out for ourselves, but the link below will take you directly to the official product for more information.)
The JTX Sprint 9 is a great model if you have the space. It’s well-suited to larger rooms, or even running clubs and shared training spaces in mind.
However, it’s perhaps too large for anybody looking for something to fold away into the airing cupboard. (To give you an idea of the scale, it has a maximum user weight of 20.5 stone – far larger than most other models!)
If you do have the room, you get a lot more than just bulk with the Sprint 9. It comes with a 3-horsepower motor (Edit: 4HP with the Pro), which will give you a top-speed of 20km/h (Edit: 22 km/h with the Pro). This is more than enough for the majority of us training on a treadmill.
You will also get shock absorbers and an automatic incline capacity, so that you can change the incline mid-run rather than having to get off and manually adjust the machine. This makes programming a lot more flexible and will give you a lot of scope for varying intensity during your run.
The console is as supersized as the rest of the machine, with enough room to display all the data and metrics you could ever want all at once.
You can combine it with a chest-strap heart rate monitor if you wish, which is compatible with the monitor, so you can get accurate, real-time information fed back to you as you run, adapting your workout accordingly.
It’s a bit of a beast, but if you have the room, the Sprint 9 a solid option that comes highly recommended by anyone who has had the pleasure of using it.
Dripex Folding Treadmill
The Dripex 2 in 1 folding treadmill brings something different to the table.
Whilst most foldable treadmills give you a single function or use, the aptly named Dripex 2 in 1 gives you two.
This piece of kit offers a multi-functional approach that comes with a host of decent features, all wrapped up in a nice-looking design.
But what are the two functions, and how do they differ from what other treadmills offer?
First, you get a standard treadmill with upright support, phone holder and console screen for apps and media – standard fare for what we’re looking at. This will give you an adequate enough 12 km/h top speed with a secure running experience.
However, the frame folds away whilst leaving the machine still usable. This will give you a discreet walking machine with a top speed of 4 km / hour, perfect for a standing desk at home or in the office.
The machine is easy to use in both settings: it’s portable, storable and navigable, making it a good bet.
However, this 2 in 1 gimmick may come at a slight cost to overall quality. It’s hard to store with the support bars on, meaning that its function as a high-powered treadmill is slightly impaired.
It’s also really quite expensive for the quality of build and user experience: the top speed is only adequate, not great; there are no techy upgrades or clever gadgets, no sensors, and no programmes.
BUT… you can just hide it away, and this could be an incredible option to improve fitness for a lot of people – and that’s why we just had to include it in this list.
JTX Slimline
Don’t be fooled by the name ‘Slimline’. Because despite its name, it isn’t the lightest treadmill on the market (JTX seem to specialise in heavier models, especially on this list!).
However, what is slimline about it is its ability to literally fold right down.
This is something not many of the bulkier treadmills manage to achieve, so it scored some serious points on this.
The Slimline’s display is very good, with a clear digital interface registering and showing the metrics we all want when using a cardio machine – calories, speed, distance, and so on.
As with the Sprint models, there is also a breathtaking array of different programmes and settings to choose from. It comes with 39 individual programmes that can be controlled digitally. Variety won’t be an issue with the Slimline (though working out the best program for you may take some time…)
The Slimline also performs really well, with a soft, smooth belt and tread and shock absorption to keep your joints safe. It is solid and stable in a way that the cheaper treadmill models just cannot keep up with.
JTX offer 2 year in-home repair warranty with all parts and labour included. As JTX are quite well known for their good customer service, this should be no surprise, but it’s actually quite a big deal – it’s very handy if you’re paying top dollar for a product to know that it will keep on working for some time.
Oh, and here’s a real bonus – there is no assembly required! Because it folds so nicely, they send it that way!
What To Look For In A Foldable Treadmill
This list is proof that, generally speaking, foldable treadmills really have come a long way. There are still some poorly designed/manufactured versions out there – made of thin plastic, wobbly joints, and poor-quality belts that slide out from beneath your feet.
None of the treadmills on our list have these problems. They are all robust and well-made, each one with a smooth, confident tread.
Shock absorption is also key. One of the main benefits of using a treadmill rather than pounding the streets is that it is far kinder to your ankles, knees and hips – but only if the cushioning is of decent quality on the deck.
You also don’t want to skimp on the benefits that standard, gym treadmills bring – modern, easy-to-use interfaces, different speed and incline settings, monitors and programs should be a given.
Though it won’t affect how good the machine is, you also want to know what customer care is like. We have therefore chosen treadmills that come from reputable companies known for their good service, who offer decent warranties and guarantees on their products.
Finally, a good foldable treadmill has to be properly foldable, compact and easy to store. All these options will be unobtrusive and easy to live with. And most importantly, you’ll more likely achieve your fitness goals with the convenience of a quality foldable treadmill.
Latest Updates 16 December 2024: Products checked for production. Some were no longer available to review retaken, with better products taking the top spot. All information checked for updates. Links checked (some awaiting confirmation as they’re new products). Images added for new products. Content formatted for improved readability.
