Top 5 Treadmills Perfect for Walking: Expert Picks and Editor Favorites

With the growing popularity of walking workouts, from trendy outdoor strolls to viral treadmill routines, many of us are exploring how to add more steps into our daily lives. Choosing the right treadmill for walking at home can remove barriers like weather or busy schedules, making it easier to stay active consistently.

Walking isn’t just a simple way to get moving—it offers a great way to boost your heart health, strengthen your lower body, and support weight management efforts. Experts from Women’s Spot highlight walking as a low-impact, accessible exercise that’s ideal for people at various fitness levels, including those going through life stages like menopause, where bone health is particularly important.

Before making a purchase, it’s important to figure out what features will benefit your walking routine most. Price is often a consideration since walk-friendly treadmills range from affordable budget models to high-end machines packed with extras. You want to aim for a machine that fits comfortably within your budget while delivering the features you need.

Another key point is the size of the treadmill relative to your available space. Do you live in a cozy apartment that calls for a compact, foldable unit? Or maybe you have a spacious home gym where a larger machine could fit perfectly? Keep in mind the total footprint of the treadmill, not just the belt size, to avoid surprises after delivery.

The type of belt also plays a role in your walking experience. Traditional continuous belts are common and work great for walkers, while slat belts—composed of linked segments—offer better shock absorption and durability, though they tend to be pricier and may be more crucial for runners rather than walkers.

Incline options can transform your treadmill walks, adding intensity and variety. Being able to increase the incline helps you engage more muscles and get a better workout. Most decent models offer up to 12% incline or higher, with some also featuring decline settings to simulate downhill walking for additional benefits.

Finally, a touchscreen is a nice bonus if you enjoy interactive workouts or coaching through classes. While not essential for everyone, screens can make treadmill sessions more engaging by offering access to guided routines, virtual scenery, and community challenges.

For an overall great choice, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 stands out. It’s lighter and more compact than many models yet offers solid features like quick speed and incline adjustments. The inclusion of iFit workouts adds variety to your routines, and you can benefit from both upward incline and downward decline options, making it versatile for interval training and recovery phases.

If you’re budget-conscious or have limited space, the Echelon Stride is worth considering. It’s the lightest on our list and folds easily for storage, which is a big plus for small living areas. Its straightforward controls allow you to adjust speed and incline smoothly, though it lacks a touchscreen display.

For those who enjoy guided group energy, the Peloton treadmill offers a vibrant, interactive experience with on-screen coaching and music that keeps you motivated. Though the belt is slightly narrower, it balances the social aspect and solid performance well, making your workouts feel less like solo slogging and more like fun classes.

If you want to add decline options to your walking experience, the Sole F89 is a strong contender. It combines a spacious, sturdy frame with six different incline and decline settings and a user-friendly touchscreen featuring on-demand workouts and streaming apps. The decline function helps target different muscles and supports recovery sessions.

Finally, the Woodway treadmill gets high marks from experts for its cushioned surface and excellent grip, making it especially kind to your joints. Though it’s the heaviest and priciest option, its slat belt design and reliable incline functionality deliver a premium walking or running experience akin to what you might find in a professional training facility.

To get the most from your treadmill walking, consider adding hill workouts by increasing the incline. This approach strengthens your legs, glutes, core, and even your pelvic floor, making your session more effective than just flat walking. Just remember to maintain good posture—leaning slightly into the incline with a tight core is the way to go. Avoid gripping the handrails for support or leaning backward as it can cause strain and reduce the benefits.

Wondering if treadmill walking counts as effective cardio? Walks performed at a comfortable yet brisk pace usually place you in the 'zone 2' heart rate range, meaning your body primarily burns fat for energy. Aiming for this heart rate zone during your walks is a great way to improve endurance and support weight management.

Speed-wise, a pace between two to four miles per hour is typical for most walkers, but it really depends on your individual goals and fitness level. If you’re unsure, using a heart rate monitor can help you stay within your desired exercise intensity.

How long should you walk? Health recommendations suggests aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Breaking this down to about 30 minutes five times weekly is manageable for most people and can be comfortably done on your treadmill. Find a routine that fits your lifestyle and that you'll enjoy sticking with consistently.