Finding the best treadmill can mean never having to battle for a machine at the gym again. I am perfectly happy going to the gym for a strength session but when it comes to cardio, running under harsh lights and staring at myself in the mirror is not especially appealing.
Given the choice, I would almost always rather run outside. Still, there are plenty of situations where having a treadmill at home makes perfect sense. When winter brings icy pavements and slippery paths, a treadmill offers a safe and reliable way to keep training.
It is also especially useful for interval sessions, when holding a specific pace feels much easier with the machine setting the speed for you. And if you are working around childcare or a busy schedule, being able to run at home can be the difference between fitting in a session and skipping it altogether.
Sometimes I love nothing more than putting on Netflix, zoning out, and running away in the garage. The difficulty is deciding which model is actually worth buying. The market is crowded, with options ranging from simple walking pads and foldable machines to premium models that rival those found in gyms.
Prices vary just as dramatically, from relatively affordable buys to serious investments costing several thousand pounds. To help sort through the options, I’ve tested a range of machines from brands including Wahoo, DeerRun, Toputure, Peloton, Technogym and NordicTrack.
Whether you are increasing your mileage, ticking off a speed session, adding steps while you work or simply looking for a dependable indoor running option, these are the best treadmills to buy now.
Read more: 13 best running watches, tested
The best treadmills for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Wahoo kickr run: £5,999, Wahoofitness.com
- Best for under desk – DeerRun Q1 classic pro: £409, Deerruntreadmill.com
- Best budget buy – Toputure T6: £209, Toputure.com
- Best for uphill hiking – NordicTrack X16: £3,499, Argos.co.uk
Wahoo kickr run
Rating: 5/5
Best: treadmill overall
Why we love it
- RunFree mode makes running hands-free
- Side-to-side tilt mimics road conditions
- Decent incline and decline range
- Easy use paddles for adjusting speed and incline
Take note
- Pricey
- Limited display
In all honesty before testing the Wahoo kickr run treadmill, I wasn’t really fussed about indoor running. But this machine completely changed my mind and it’s the best treadmill I’ve tried. This is down to the realistic tilting deck, which mimics the camber of road running, plus the impressive RunFree mode that enables you to adjust the pace with your feet rather than hands. This mode is great for sessions with varying speeds but be warned, it can take a little getting used to. Thankfully the emergency clip is extremely responsive so there’s no fear of flying off the end.
The treadmill has the standard 15 per cent incline, but it also goes down to -3 per cent, meaning you can practice downhill running. If you want to adjust the speed or incline manually there are handy side paddles to tap, rather than faffing around with buttons that don’t respond to sweaty fingers.
There is one tiny downside, however. The console only displays pace and incline, forcing you to use the Wahoo app if you want even the most basic of metrics like time and distance. This means you need to have the app displayed on your phone and a second device like a laptop if you want something to watch. The Wahoo kickr run treadmill now also has a partnership with the Coros watch, so you can view the data on your watch and don't have to rely on the Wahoo app if you own one of the fitness trackers.
It doesn’t have a fancy (or any) screen with thousands of built in workouts, but that’s what I love about it. There’s no pressure to subscribe to additional memberships and it’s simple to operate. What you are paying for is the feeling beneath your feet, not a gang of overzealous instructors barking instructions at you.
The price is eye watering but if you’re a regular treadmill user who loves the simplicity of running I would argue it’s money well spent. It’s a beefy unit but don’t worry – four people will come and install it in your chosen spot.
Key specifications:
Buy now £5999, Wahoofitness.com
Toputure TP6
Rating: 4/5
Best: budget treadmill
Why we love it
- Relatively easy to move
- Secure phone holder
- Adjustable handrail
Take note
- Compact length of pad makes faster running more tricky
- Emergency stop button is too abrupt
- Limited app integration
The perfect blend between a walking pad and a treadmill, the Toputure TP6 is small and portable but can reach a half decent running speed of 7.5mph and an incline of 12 per cent.
The running experience is decent, with enough shock absorption to prevent your legs from aching. But the emergency stop is rather abrupt and does tend to jolt you forward. I would recommend using the stop button instead as it brings you to a much gentler rest. When higher paces you definitely notice the compact length of the pad and have to ensure you don’t fly off the end, but for a gentle run it does the job.
For the price it’s actually pretty adaptable with a choice of 1, 6 and 12 per cent inclines, which can be adjusted with the quick move of a pin.
Installation is quick and straightforward, and within five minutes you’re up and running. The front wheels make it easy to move, and I could wheel the 25kg machine around on my own.
The handlebar can be positioned at a 95 or 105 degree angle, and moved up and down to accommodate different heights. It’s marketed as a foldable treadmill, and in practice this means the handrail folds down to a size that could be stored under a sofa with high feet.
If you want to adjust the pace, you can use a remote, the touchscreen console or an app that has fitness plans and a social sharing hub.
A handy added feature on the treadmill is the phone/tablet holder, which secures a device tightly in place. I wish the Wahoo kickr run had something similar as it’s laptop stand is rather clunky to fit by comparison.
Key specifications:
Buy now £472, Toputure.com
DeerRun Q1 classic pro
Rating: 4/5
Best: under-desk treadmill
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Easy to move and store
- Clear display and simple remote
- Ready out of the box
Take note
- Limited maximum speed
- Louder than expected
- Comes with a relatively short cable
The DeerRun Q1 classic pro is the best under desk treadmill I’ve tested – it’s designed for fast walking, but it is possible to reach a gentle trot with the belt speed ranging from 0.6–3.8 mph. The deck is surprisingly stable given the simple design and feels lightly cushioned underfoot.
There is zero assembly involved and the comparatively lightweight device can be easily stowed away behind a door or under a sofa. Plus, it’s so easy to install and use. You literally take it out of the box, download the PitPat app and you are ready to go.
There’s an easy to use remote and a screen which displays key information so you’re not completely reliant on the app.
One negative is the motor is a little noisy, so although you can participate in online meetings while on the pad, you probably want to keep yourself on mute. I also found that the belt didn’t absorb enough of the impact. When I placed the machine in my upstairs office, the vibration of running caused items to make their way off my desk. There is no also incline or decline option, so you’ll always be running on the flat.
That being said this is a fantastic, cheap and durable piece of kit for striding on the ground floor.
Key specifications:
Buy now £409, Deerruntreadmill.com
Nordic Track X16
Rating: 4/5
Best: uphill hiking treadmill
Why we love it
- Impressive incline and decline range
- Automatic incline and speed adjustments
- Can be used without iFIT subscription
Take note
- Large heavy unit
- Screen limits personal viewing choice
- Wifi required
The Nordic Track X16 is quite frankly a beast of a treadmill with a whopping 40 per cent incline – perfect for those training for mountainous climbs. As someone who struggles with uphill hiking this machine really appeals, especially when I live in a relatively flat county.
But it’s not all about hiking as the powerful motor means you can run up to 12.4mph, making it an elite-proof machine. It might not have some of the performance wizardry of the Wahoo kickr run but the cushioned belt takes the sting out of pounding in one spot. And there’s no risk of overheating during intense speed sessions because the treadmill comes with built-in fans, which match your workout intensity.
The pivoting 16in touchscreen provides a wide range of workouts and streaming with iFIT and the treadmill automatically adjusts the speed and incline so you can just concentrate on moving.
There are also on-screen shortcuts to change speed and incline quickly when doing your own programme, which is a welcome function when your brain is turning to mush during a hard session. There’s also an impressive -6 per cent decline so you can practice downhill running at speed, a personal favourite of mine.
A big win for me is that you can use the machine for manual workouts without a paid iFIT subscription. Some brands will only work with a monthly subscription, which is infuriating when you’ve paid out so much already for the machine. However, it does mean it has to be connected to wifi, which may be tricky in outbuildings. You’re also tied into the iFIT system, making it difficult to watch films of your choice on a separate phone or tablet.
While the Nordic Track X16 comes with a hefty price tag, it’s worth it for those runners seeking maximum incline.
Key specifications:
Buy now £3499, Argos.co.uk
Peloton tread
Rating: 4/5
Best: treadmill for guided workouts
Why we love it
- Exceptional library of classes
- Built-in entertainment
- App integration
Take note
- Pricey monthly membership
- Standard quality running belt
The big draw of the Peloton tread is the sheer volume of content. Peloton’s all-access membership opens up its full library of running, walking, strength, yoga, mobility and recovery classes, with multiple household profiles, personalised recommendations, progress tracking and scenic sessions.
The screen also rotates, which makes it easy to step off and follow floor-based workouts. The platform now also pulls in data from services including Garmin, Apple and Fitbit to build a broader picture of your training.
I especially liked the entertainment side. Being able to watch Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube with your run metrics still visible makes easy miles much more enjoyable. The instructors are strong too, in particular Susie Chan who finds the right balance of encouraging motivation without being over the top.
The treadmill belt itself is perfectly decent, but fairly standard, without the springiness or responsiveness you get from some rivals. It is also tricky to hit a precise number using the speed wheels.
If you are judging it only as a running machine, there are better decks out there. But that is not really why people buy Peloton. What you are paying for is the ecosystem around it, and on that front it still feels hard to beat. But that does come at an ongoing cost. You can use the treadmill without subscribing, but the full experience clearly sits behind the monthly paywall (from £45 a month). So, while the hardware itself is good rather than outstanding, the overall package is superb for anyone motivated by classes and coaching.
Key specifications:
Buy now £3499, Amazon.co.uk
What are the best treadmills?
Overall, if I were choosing just one treadmill from this list, it would be the Wahoo kickr run. It is the machine that most convincingly captures the feel of real running, thanks to its responsive deck, clever RunFree mode and road-mimicking side tilt. Yes, it is expensive, but unlike some rivals, the money goes into the running experience itself rather than a flashy screen or a subscription-led platform.
That said, the best choice will still depend on what you want from your training. The Nordic Track X16 is a brilliant option for hikers, hill lovers and anyone training for steep climbs, with its huge incline range and cushioned belt. If classes and guided workouts are what keep you motivated, the Peloton tread remains hard to beat for content, instructors and entertainment. For tighter budgets, the Toputure TP6 is a surprisingly capable buy that covers both walking and light running without taking over your house.
How I tested treadmills
I’m fortunate enough to have a large garage so I was able to put the meatier treadmills through their paces over several months. The smaller units were tested simultaneously in my home office and conversatory. I considered the installation, price, performance, function and ease of use of each unit, while running, walking and uphill hiking.
My runs varied from 90-minute easy jogs to fast-paced interval sessions – and were always accompanied by some visual entertainment. While testing I assessed the following:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lily Canter is an experienced ultra runner and England Athletics running coach who logs thousands of miles each year while testing the latest sports gear. While her preference is usually to run outside, she regularly relies on treadmills for interval sessions, icy winter days when the roads are unsafe, and heat training in her garage. From running shoes and best running watches to the best treadmills, she has tested a huge range of kit. Her reviews are based on real-world experience in all manner of conditions.
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