8 Best Cheap Treadmills for Running on a Budget in 2025
Investing in your fitness doesn’t have to mean splurging your hard-earned case. Instead, here’s the best cheap treadmills to get you moving.
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While summer is lingering for its final stretch, the colder months are almost here, seeing many of choosing to exercise indoors.
Here’s where a high quality treadmill or walking pad can really step in to help run laps around those fitness goals, especially if you’re working from home.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars either, with excellent options under $300 like the AIRHOT Under Desk Treadmill, which shoppers say is the “secret to walking 10k steps everyday even working from home”.
“I am super excited about it,” said influencer Heather Hoeppner. “It already came assembled so I didn’t have to worry about putting it together. I like that it shows time, distance, calories and speed on the LED screen, and it has a remote.”
When looking at budget treadmills, Ben Lucas, the owner of Sydney’s leading fitness and yoga studio Flow Athletic and told news.com.au checkout that really important considerations include the quality of the model, and the materials used.
“There are some great budget treadmills that are not too expensive, however I would look for durability, as some treadmills are flimsy and not easy to run on,” Lucas said.
“I would also look at their tech. While not everyone cares about having a high tech machine, you want to make sure the buttons you do want to use are easily accessible and easy to use.
“I would also recommend trying before you buy to make sure the machine and the tread is comfortable to run on.”
Keen to get a move on? Well news.com.au checkout has rounded up some of the best budget treadmills out on the market right now, including the Advwin 3 in 1 Walking Pad Treadmill, a great option from Amazon Australia, and the Lifespan Fitness Walking Pad M2 Treadmill, which shoppers are loving for its compact design as versatility, especially if you’re WFH.
Our complete roundup of budget treadmill options below will get you moving.
OUR TOP PICKS
Editor’s Pick – Best Cheap Treadmill
Advwin 3 in 1 Walking Pad Treadmill, $239.90 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
The Advwin 3 in 1 Walking Pad Treadmill is a worthwhile consideration if you’re on the hunt for a product that’s lightweight, compact, portable and is suited for both running and jogging.
Featuring an ultra-quiet 2HP motor, there’s no installation required for this one.
You simply unpack the Advwin 3 in 1 Walking Pad Treadmill and start using it straight away.
Amazon Australia shoppers are loving its ease of use, alongside the attractive price, with hundreds of 5-star reviews saying this is a “great treadmill for a small space”, especially if you’re working from home.
“I have a webcam with a microphone so I don’t wear a headset and the people on my calls cannot hear the treadmill which is great. I’m enjoying moving and working and am very happy!” said one shopper.
Another added: “It’s awesome! So lightweight and has wheels at the front, so it’s very easy to move. I love that it’s small and compact.”
Best Compact Cheap Treadmill
Advwin Electric Treadmill, $299.90 at Amazon Australia
ADVWIN Electric Treadmill
What You Need To Know
Compact and easy to store away, the Advwin Electric Treadmill also doubles as a walking pad, making it suitable for both home and office use.
With a max user weight capacity of up to 120kg, it also has a foldable handrail that you can leave down for use as an under desk walking pad. This is a great option if you’re looking for a cheap treadmill that will really deliver.
Five star reviewers say it’s “small, easy to put away, gets the job done”, while another praised the walking pad, saying: “Super easy to move around the house or put away when not in use.”
Another added: “Quick delivery, great quality I use this for walks and slow runs and it is excellent it is narrows though so if you run or walk with a wide step then this isn’t for you.”
Best Cheap Treadmill for Jogging
AIRHOT Under Desk Treadmill, Walking Pad 2 in 1 for Walking and Jogging, $239.99 at Amazon Australia
AIRHOT Under Desk Treadmill & Walking Pad
What You Need To Know
If you’re wanting to get your steps up, this AIRHOT Under Desk Treadmill is a great choice for a healthy and active lifestyle.
This product features a running and walking mode, an LED display, and a five-layer anti-slip widened belt, all of which make it a worthy addition to your home gym, and customers agree.
“This is a great buy. It is exactly what I was looking for. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to use. I bought it to get my steps in through the winter months,” wrote one shopper.
Another said: “This walking pad is fantastic for staying active at home or the office! The 15° incline really makes a difference, giving a great workout even at a slower pace. It’s compact, fits easily under my desk, and the remote control is super convenient.”
Best Cheap Treadmill for Walking
Everfit Electric Walking Pad Under Desk Home Gym Fitness 360mm in Pink, $290.95 at Myer
What You Need To Know
Billed as the “perfect walking companion”, the Everfit Walking Pad is compact and sturdy, and allows you to perform essential cardio exercises within the comfort of your home.
It’s foldable, easy to move, comes with no assembly required, and can be controlled by either the companion app or remote control, and has a max speed of 10 kilometres per hour.
The 360mm non-slip running belt uses an enhanced shock control system to help reduce the risk of joint injury, making the walking pad a great choice for adults and seniors.
After your workout is complete, you can fold the walking pad down quickly and store away.
Customers say this product is a “great all round” option if you’re looking for a cheap treadmill.
“Great service, from purchasing the product online to the delivery. Everything ran smoothly and am very happy with my purchase,” said one Aussie buyer, while another said: “Great product. Compact. Easy to use. Quiet.”
Best Cheap Foldable Treadmill
Everfit Electric Treadmill, $521.95 (down from $532.95) at Myer
Everfit Electric Treadmill
What You Need To Know
Designed with 12 preset training programs, 0.8-12km/h of speed and three incline options, this small but mighty treadmill is ideal for those that love a good workout but have limited space.
Operated with a 1.0HP motor, this machine is neighbour-friendly and quiet, has a digital LCD display, pulse sensor to monitor health, dual drink holders, safety tether key and wheels for easy moving.
“Love this machine, it is so convenient and works really well. Excellent price and fast delivery. Highly recommend seller,” said one Amazon Australia customer.
Another said: “The treadmill arrived in 3 days, way before the initial delivery estimate. It is not difficult to handle or move and folds into a reasonably compact form. It works well and we have been using it daily. Assembly was a little challenging. The diagrams and instructions had some Ikea genetics. Overall a worthwhile purchase with very quick delivery.”
Everfit Foldable Treadmill 370mm
What You Need To Know
Compact and sturdy with its powder-coated steel frame, the Everfit Electric Foldable Treadmill allows you to perform essential cardio exercises within the comfort of your home.
It features 12 preset training programs designed to simulate natural terrain, a max speed of 12 kilometres per hour and has the seal of approval from customers online.
“Fantastic little machine. Surprised at by its sturdiness. It’s size and weight enables easy portability and storage. Electronically easy to navigate. Again surprised with the machines capabilities ie speed, calorie counts etc. Happy with the purchase and fortunate this came around during Myers sale period. Would recommend to anyone who would like to walk/exercise but is confined to indoors,” said one buyer.
Another said: “Love this machine. Just what I needed. It is a little noisy, but I guess they all are. I think it is good value for money. I have no regrets with my purchase. Especially like the iPad holding feature. Good quality through the bluetooth speakers.”
Costway 2-in-1 Walking and Running Treadmill, $389.95 at Amazon Australia
Costway 2-in-1 Walking and Running Treadmill
What You Need To Know
With two modes (a walking speed between 1-4km/h and a max speed suited for running between 1-12km/h), the Costway 2-in-1 treadmill is a great option for those looking for something with versatility and a little more power to run on.
The in-built riser has a phone bracket and allows you to easily switch the treadmill from under-desk to a regular treadmill. It has a smart app, 5-layer shock-absorbing running belt, a bluetooth speaker and remote-controlled LED display that shows you speed, distance, time and calories burned.
Boasting a 4.3-star rating online, customers on Amazon have described the treadmill as “easy to use” and “easy to assemble”.
“Basic mechanisms … it’s a walking/running machine. No bells and whistles but who needs them, right. Very low to the ground. Works a treat! Very glad I bought it. Hopefully it will give me many hours, weeks, months etc of fun. Just wish there was a better stand for my iPad but I’m thankful for small mercies,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
Another said: “Good treadmill. Delivered as described by the seller. Easy to install.”
Best Cheap Under Desk Treadmill
Lifespan Fitness Walking Pad M2 Treadmill, $724.66 at Amazon Australia
Lifespan Fitness Walking Pad M2 Treadmill
What You Need To Know
Designed with space in mind, this sleek walking pad is ideal for popping under your standing desk and can easily be put away as it’s foldable.
With a max speed of up to 6km/h, Lifespan Fitness Walking Pad M2 Treadmill offers two different modes – automatic and manual and can be controlled via remote or the WalkingPad app.
It has a lightweight build and an LCD display, plus the belt is cushioned for comfort, and customers say it’s a great choice as an affordable treadmill, especially if you’re working from home.
“I work from home five days a week. I bought this over a week ago to use under my stand-up desk. I’m doing two blocks of 60 mins of walking each day. Before buying this treadmill, it was hard to even fit 30 mins of exercise in each day. The motor is super quiet. Great build quality; feels sturdy. The recommended KS Fit app and the remote are very responsive, and both are easy to use. This walking pad is one of the best things I’ve ever bought,” said one customer.
Another said: “This was a good buy. It’s very slim and when folded up, it takes up very little space. It literally folds in half, and it’s easy to open it back up again. It was very easy to set up.”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A CHEAP TREADMILL
When it comes to buying the ideal budget treadmill, there’s a number of factors that should be influencing your decision, including the size of your living space and your desired fitness outcomes.
Here’s some important factors to consider:
Design
Budget treadmills come in all shapes and sizes, including compact and foldable designs, under desk treadmills, manual and motorised. Work out which features are the best match for your health and exercise goals, and don’t forget to measure up to check that it will fit your space.
Health and Fitness Goals
What are you aiming for? Do you want to lose weight, or improve your cardiovascular fitness? For casual running or light jogging, a basic treadmill with adjustable speeds will tick a lot of boxes, while people with a greater level of fitness might opt for models with high speeds, multiple incline levels, and integrated workout programs.
Available space
Evaluate the area where the treadmill will be placed. Will this be going on a balcony or in the living room? How often will you be using it? For example, if it’s more periodic, perhaps you might choose a model that is foldable or compact so it can be stored away when not in use.
Weight capacity
Whether it’s a premium treadmill or a budget treadmill, all models will have a weight capacity and it’s important to know this before you invest your money towards this fitness equipment. Weight capacity is easy to locate within a product description, and most models will accommodate weight above 100kg. In our round up of the budget friendly treadmills, we’ve also listed the weight capacity under each model.
Treadmill features
Fitness products will always have some bells and whistles, but you want to be getting the basics right too. Look into belt length, the max speed range, and incline options, how noisy the treadmill is, alongside the built in workout programs.
For example, can you pair your smartphone or fitness tracker with the treadmill to monitor your workouts? And is there a tablet holder or bluetooth connectivity?
And of course, there’s more advanced features such as preset workouts which can enhance your exercise experience, in turn keeping you focused and motivated.
Budget
A really important consideration when picking a budget treadmill. Essentially, ask yourself how much you’re willing to spend, set a budget that matches your financial needs and stick to it. Treadmills come in a whole range of price points and there are some really great cheaper models out there that are worth your attention.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you select the right cheap treadmill for your needs, we’ve asked Director of Flow Athletic Ben Lucas for his expert insights and recommendations.
The news.com.au checkout team also reviewed hundreds of product reviews online in order to create a series of great buys to match your needs and budget.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best budget treadmill?
A great budget friendly treadmill is a product that strikes the right balance between product features, and a price point that you can afford. Keep these factors in mind when weighing up if a model is right for you.
Is it worth buying a budget treadmill?
The short answer is yes, there are many budget treadmills on the market which are more than capable of giving you a great exercise routine from the comfort of your own home.
It’s important to weigh up whether the price you’re paying matches the treadmill features – most budget treadmills will have a walking and jogging option, but they may be a little more limited in the way of incline settings, reduced max speed or preset workouts.
A cheaper model may also have reduced max speed, meaning you may be limited to how fast you can run, or if there’s pre programmed workouts.
How much should you pay for an affordable treadmill?
Compared to other treadmills like Horizon Fitness models, which have treadmills in the thousands of dollars, there are plenty of affordable treadmills currently available. Ideally, you should select a quality treadmill that’s within your budget, inclusive of everything you’re looking to get out of your workout routine.
For a good quality treadmill that will elevate your workout routine but also won’t break the bank, aim to spend somewhere between $500 and $1000.
What is the best compact treadmill for 2024?
There are lots of great compact treadmills on the market with great features and benefits, so it’s hard to narrow the options down to just one model.
But if you’re looking for a specific recommendation, the AIRHOT 2-in-1 folding treadmill is a great cheap treadmill, suited for both the home and office, is very quiet with a noise rating below 45 decibels, and has a non-slip running belt.
Not to mention accurate fitness tracking and controls and a 2.5hp motor, all of which can be controlled from an in-phone app.
Why is this period of the year a great time to start working on your fitness goals?
A season fitness professional, Lucas says that winter is a great time to dust off the sneakers and get active.
“We tend to have less social commitments in winter, which means some of us may have more time and less excuses to be active,” he said.
“We also want to be feeling our best come Spring. Also, fun run season starts in winter and goes through spring, so it is a great time to train with that goal in mind.”
What are the advantages of running on a treadmill?
As a versatile piece of home gym equipment, Lucas says there’s some great benefits of using a treadmill, and don’t have to skimp on features when selecting a cheaper model.
“We have had a very wet winter. Running on a treadmill makes running easy rain, hail or shine. Running on a treadmill is also a good way to multi task if you need to,” he said.
“While I do like to run outdoors for my mental health, if I run on a treadmill I can watch the news or a Netflix show.
“Depending on how good your treadmill is, there are also lots of metrics that you can track and various programs that you can do.
How can budget treadmills be incorporated into a home fitness program?
Lucas says this comes down to the fitness routine and general workout programs of the individual person. “If you are not going to the gym much or doing much outdoor exercise, I would recommend doing a run or powerwalk for around 30- 60 minutes,” he said.
“Add in some resistance training, yoga, pilates or band work for a full-body workout.”
MEET THE EXPERT – BEN LUCAS
Ben Lucas is the owner of Sydney’s leading fitness and yoga studio Flow Athletic and a former NRL player for the Cronulla Sharks.
Ben is one of Australia’s leading personal trainers, with a client list including Erin Holland, Sammy Robinson and Elton John.
Ben is also an ambassador for the Sydney Marathon and a member of Athletes for Life.
More Coverage
He is known for his innovative events including the Flow After Dark series and Nightclub Spin.
Ben is married to TV journalist turned jewellery Talitha Cummins and the pair have two young kids.
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