Most people who live in apartments assume that a treadmill is not really an option. Believing that it would take up too much space, and perhaps be too loud (with upstairs and downstairs neighbours to consider). In this article, we will be taking a look at five small apartment size treadmills, helping you to identify the best treadmill for small apartment or small spaces.
Best Treadmill for Small Apartment
There are several things that you want from a treadmill that can fit inside a small apartment. Being foldable is a great start. But there are other ways for a treadmill to save space, some avoid using rails etc which means that they can be placed under a desk or bed.
You want stability, as smaller treadmills often sacrifice this which can lead to an uneven run. You also want a decent power to weight ratio. We’re not expecting high power and top speeds, but it can’t be slow and overly loud. A good motor can make the difference between a decent treadmill and a great one.
Price is another consideration, but perhaps value for money is a better way of describing things. A very expensive treadmill that lasts you 20 years is going to be better value for money than a bargain priced treadmill that falls apart within a week!
Speaking of durability, that is the final criterion that we look at when searching for the best treadmill for apartment living. Here are the results:
| Best Treadmill for Small Apartment | Price | Durability | Power | Stability | Storage | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toe Treadmill for Home | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 21/25 | Check Price |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 19/25 | Check Price |
| NordicTrack 1750 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 21/25 | Check Price |
| Weslo Cadence G 5.9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 18/25 | Check Price |
| Beachey Folding Treadmill | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 19/25 | Check Price |
Now that you have seen the scores, let’s talk about each of the treadmills in turn, so that you can see why they’ve made our list for best treadmill for small apartment.
Treadmill for Small Apartment #1: Toe Treadmill for Home
Toe seems like a relatively new player in the treadmill market, and their first offering is an excellent contender. While many would consider the Toe treadmill to be quite expensive, it wins points for its durability, its stability, and its storage capabilities.
The design is gorgeous, looking like something out of the not too distant future when it is folded up and stored away. The motor is a little lightweight, only 2.5 hp, but it is whisper quiet and the treadmill still manages speeds of 7.45 miles per hour.
You can’t really call that a sprint, but it is a decent speed, particularly for someone in a small apartment. The treadmill uses air adjustable shock absorption, which will really help with stability and comfort, allowing you to run smoothly and without pain.
When folded away, the Toe treadmill for home takes up just 0.3 square meters, making it one of the most impressive treadmills when it comes to storage.
The monitor isn’t the most exciting, but it is functional, easy to use and understand, and it contributes to the light weight of the treadmill by being sleek and efficient in size. The treadmill belt is really well constructed, using seven layers to help reduce wear (hence its perfect 5 score for durability), absorbing shock, reducing sound, and increasing comfort as your feet pound down on it.
Treadmill for Small Apartment #2: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718
Sunny Health & Fitness are a fairly middle of the road treadmill company, their products often make lists such as this as they are good value for money and often surprisingly durable. They are affordable, well-constructed, and ideal for beginners.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7718 is pretty well priced, and thanks to the high quality materials used to build it, the treadmill should survive a lot of wear and tear over the years. However, as with the Toe treadmill, it lacks a little in the power stakes. Offering just 9mph as a top speed.
Again, this isn’t terrible, and the machine should be relatively quiet, but compared to gym quality treadmills this will feel very slow. Then again, this is a list of treadmills that will fit into a small apartment, so that’s perhaps not a fair comparison.
From a storage point of view, the T7718 is almost as good as the Toe treadmill, folding up very easily and into such a small size after use. Great price, excellent durability, good stability, and good storage. Just let down a bit by an underpowered motor. A great investment if you are just getting into running.
Treadmill for Small Apartment #3: NordicTrack 1750
The NordicTrack range of treadmills are some of the most impressive treadmills on the market, and they basically offer a treadmill for almost any situation. The treadmills are rarely cheap though, and the NordicTrack 1750 is no exception.
For your money though, you are getting one of the most durable and stable treadmills you could hope to get for a small apartment. With a 3.75 HP motor, this is by far the most powerful treadmill on the list offering a 12mph top speed. It also offers incline and decline settings, allowing you to better recreate outdoor running conditions.
This is also the most stable treadmill on this list, just edging out the impressive Toe treadmill thanks to its slightly larger design. While we’ve rated the storage for the NordicTrack a 4/5, it certainly isn’t going to fold up as well as the Toe or Sunny Health & Fitness treadmills.
You can’t store it away under a bed or desk like you can with the other two. However, for a larger treadmill, this one stores away really well, folding up into an upright position quite easily.
This is a treadmill for serious runners with space issues and is built to last for decades.
Treadmill for Small Apartment #4: Weslo Cadence G 5.9
Compared to the other treadmills on this list, the Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is definitely aimed at the more budget conscious. This is obviously reflected in its price, but it does also affect power, stability, and durability. Storage is not really an issue, it works in a similar way to the NordicTrack treadmill, folding upright and taking up a minimum of space, but nowhere near as compact as the others on this list.
The motor is surprisingly decent, offering a top speed of 10mph which makes it faster than the Toe, the Sunny Health & Fitness, and the Beachey (see below).
However, the company does not provide the motor details, and this is reflected in the fact that the treadmill is probably the loudest on this list. Not a big deal if you don’t have neighbours (or have thick walls), but something to keep in mind if you’re the type of person who uses their treadmill at unsociable hours.
The Weslo Cadence G 5.9 is not the most aesthetically pleasing treadmill out there, it looks just like a normal budget treadmill to be honest. But it is surprisingly stable and durable and is a great starter treadmill for someone new to running. The extra speed available is an added bonus.
Treadmill for Small Apartment #5: Beachey Folding Treadmill
The Beachey folding treadmill is the final one on our list and is the one that is most suited to a very small apartment. This treadmill is completely flat when not in use, with a handrail that easily rises or collapses back down when not required.
The power for this treadmill is pretty poor, with just a 2.25 HP motor and a top speed of 7.5 mph. But this isn’t really a treadmill for sprinting on in any case. This treadmill is excellent for joggers or people who want a brisk walk on the treadmill as their daily exercise.
One of the best things about this treadmill though (and lazy people will absolutely love this) is the fact that it requires zero assembly. You can just unpack it and switch it on. It is also easy to transport, and store. A great piece of kit all round really, just not the most powerful treadmill around.
Final Thoughts
If money is no issue, then the NordicTrack 1750 is by far the best treadmill on this list for your small apartment. The Toe treadmill is stunning, folds away really well, and is stable and durable. It’s just let down a bit by the price. As is normally the case, the Sunny Hill treadmill is excellent value for money, and a great all-rounder.
If space really is at a premium in your apartment, then the Beachey folding treadmill could well be your best bet. Taking up virtually no space when not in use, and very little when in use. Finally, you’ve got the Weslo Cadence, which is a great price, and would be described as cheap and cheerful. It won’t fall apart, has a decent speed, and is sturdy enough for most runners.
Whichever treadmill you choose, just remember to be consistent, work hard, and stay motivated. Good luck!
