[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fsrpq4mcmj62e":3,"$f3k9si04cz1yhf":123,"$f1o3j0otqtjuqd":520},[4,66,89,101,110],{"id":5,"label":6,"categories":7},"cardio","Cardio",[8,21,36,52,61],{"slug":9,"label":10,"to":11,"subs":12},"treadmills","Treadmills","\u002Fus\u002Ftreadmills",[13,17],{"slug":14,"label":15,"to":16},"incline","Incline treadmills","\u002Fus\u002Ftreadmills\u002Fincline",{"slug":18,"label":19,"to":20},"folding","Folding treadmills","\u002Fus\u002Ftreadmills\u002Ffolding",{"slug":22,"label":23,"to":24,"subs":25},"walking-pads","Walking pads","\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads",[26,29,33],{"slug":14,"label":27,"to":28},"Walking pads with incline","\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads\u002Fincline",{"slug":30,"label":31,"to":32},"with-handlebar","Walking pads with handlebars","\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads\u002Fwith-handlebar",{"slug":18,"label":34,"to":35},"Folding walking pads","\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads\u002Ffolding",{"slug":37,"label":38,"to":39,"subs":40},"rowing-machines","Rowing machines","\u002Fus\u002Frowing-machines",[41,45,49],{"slug":42,"label":43,"to":44},"magnetic","Magnetic rowing machines","\u002Fus\u002Frowing-machines\u002Fmagnetic",{"slug":46,"label":47,"to":48},"water","Water rowing machines","\u002Fus\u002Frowing-machines\u002Fwater",{"slug":18,"label":50,"to":51},"Folding rowers","\u002Fus\u002Frowing-machines\u002Ffolding",{"slug":53,"label":54,"to":55,"subs":56},"ellipticals","Ellipticals","\u002Fus\u002Fellipticals",[57],{"slug":58,"label":59,"to":60},"compact","Compact ellipticals","\u002Fus\u002Fellipticals\u002Fcompact",{"slug":62,"label":63,"to":64,"subs":65},"vibration-plates","Vibration plates","\u002Fus\u002Fvibration-plates",[],{"id":67,"label":68,"categories":69},"free-weights","Free weights",[70,79,84],{"slug":71,"label":72,"to":73,"subs":74},"adjustable-dumbbells","Adjustable dumbbells","\u002Fus\u002Fadjustable-dumbbells",[75],{"slug":76,"label":77,"to":78},"heavy","Heavy adjustable dumbbells","\u002Fus\u002Fadjustable-dumbbells\u002Fheavy",{"slug":80,"label":81,"to":82,"subs":83},"kettlebells","Kettlebells","\u002Fus\u002Fkettlebells",[],{"slug":85,"label":86,"to":87,"subs":88},"barbells","Barbells","\u002Fus\u002Fbarbells",[],{"id":90,"label":91,"categories":92},"racks-and-benches","Racks and benches",[93],{"slug":94,"label":95,"to":96,"subs":97},"weight-benches","Weight benches","\u002Fus\u002Fweight-benches",[98],{"slug":18,"label":99,"to":100},"Folding weight benches","\u002Fus\u002Fweight-benches\u002Ffolding",{"id":102,"label":103,"categories":104},"machines","Gym machines",[105],{"slug":106,"label":107,"to":108,"subs":109},"home-gym-machines","Home gym machines","\u002Fus\u002Fhome-gym-machines",[],{"id":111,"label":112,"categories":113},"accessories","Accessories",[114],{"slug":115,"label":116,"to":117,"subs":118},"punch-bags","Heavy bags","\u002Fus\u002Fpunch-bags",[119],{"slug":120,"label":121,"to":122},"free-standing","Free-standing heavy bags","\u002Fus\u002Fpunch-bags\u002Ffree-standing",{"guide":124,"products":297,"specs":348},{"slug":125,"title":126,"marketTitles":127,"description":130,"category":9,"markets":131,"author":135,"updatedAt":136,"targets":137,"keywords":139,"sources":144,"blocks":148},"best-cheap-treadmills","Best cheap treadmills (2026): budget picks compared",{"us":126,"uk":128,"au":129},"Best cheap treadmills UK (2026): budget picks","Best cheap treadmills Australia (2026): budget picks","Budget treadmills and walking pads compared: which cheap picks can run, fold and take your weight, with speeds, incline and belt sizes for each market.",[132,133,134],"us","uk","au","Fitness Market Hub editorial team","2026-11-09",{"us":138,"uk":138,"au":138},"best cheap treadmill",[138,140,141,142,143],"best budget treadmill","cheap treadmill","budget folding treadmill","cheap treadmill for running",[145],{"title":146,"url":147},"Horizon Fitness help centre: treadmill maximum user weights","https:\u002F\u002Fhelp.horizonfitness.com\u002Fhc\u002Fen-us\u002Farticles\u002F47020144635412-What-are-the-Maximum-User-Weight-for-Treadmills",[149,153,177,187,191,199,204,208,211,222,226,229,232,242,246,249,259,263,266,276,292,295],{"type":150,"markets":151,"text":152},"p",[132],"If you mostly walk, the WalkingPad Z1 has the lowest list price of the picks and folds away, but it is a walking pad: it stops at 6 km\u002Fh. For running on a budget, buy the Horizon T101: it reaches 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph), tilts to 10% and folds. The WalkingPad X21 is a compact middle ground at 12 km\u002Fh. The NordicTrack T Series 10 is a step up rather than a cheap treadmill: it has the highest list price here, for 12% incline and a touchscreen.",{"type":154,"title":155,"picks":156},"picks","Our picks",[157,161,165,169,173],{"product":158,"award":159,"why":160},"walking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-z1","Cheapest for walking","The lowest list price of the picks in every market. A 121 cm belt, a 110 kg limit and a fold, but walking only at up to 6 km\u002Fh.",{"product":162,"award":163,"why":164},"treadmills\u002Fhorizon-t101","Best budget running treadmill","Reaches 16 km\u002Fh with 0 to 10% incline and a hydraulic fold, rated for 136 kg.",{"product":166,"award":167,"why":168},"treadmills\u002Flifespan-fitness-pursuit-max-2","Best budget treadmill (Australia)","Folds, reaches 16 km\u002Fh on a 2.5 CHP brushless motor and adds 15 incline levels, with a five-year motor and frame warranty.",{"product":170,"award":171,"why":172},"walking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-x21","Best compact budget pick","Double-folds like a walking pad but reaches 12 km\u002Fh, with a handrail and a 46 cm wide belt.",{"product":174,"award":175,"why":176},"treadmills\u002Fnordictrack-t-series-10","Best step-up pick","The highest list price here, but 12% incline, a 152 cm belt, a 3.0 CHP motor and a touchscreen.",{"type":178,"products":179,"specs":180},"compare",[158,162,170,166,174],[181,182,183,184,185,186],"maxSpeedKph","maxInclinePct","beltSizeCm","motorHp","maxUserKg","foldable",{"type":188,"text":189,"id":190},"h2","What you give up on a cheap treadmill","what-you-give-up",{"type":192,"items":193},"list",[194,195,196,197,198],"Belt length. Budget machines often have shorter belts: as short as 121 cm on the cheaper picks here, against 152 cm on the T Series 10. That is fine for walking but tight for running if you are tall.","Top speed. Walking pads stop at about 6 km\u002Fh. For running, look for 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph) or more.","Incline. Many cheap machines have none or a little. On the cheaper picks here it is none on the walking pads and at most 10% on the treadmills.","User limit. Budget frames carry less: as low as 110 kg on the cheaper picks here. Stay under the maker's figure.","Motor and warranty. Look for a continuous horsepower (CHP) figure and a long motor warranty. Not every maker publishes the CHP figure.",{"type":200,"tone":201,"title":202,"text":203},"callout","tip","Before you buy the cheapest option","Check the user limit first, then the belt length against your stride. A machine you outgrow in a month is not good value. Put any treadmill on a mat, clip the safety key to your clothing, and leave clear floor behind the deck as the manual sets out.",{"type":188,"text":205,"id":206,"markets":207},"WalkingPad Z1: cheapest for walking","walkingpad-z1",[132,133,134],{"type":150,"markets":209,"text":210},[132,133,134],"The Z1 has the lowest list price of our picks in every market. It is a folding walking pad with a 121 x 40 cm walking area, a 6 km\u002Fh top speed and a 110 kg user limit, and at 23 kg it is easy to move. It has no incline and no handrail, so it suits walking at a desk or in front of the TV, not running.",{"type":212,"markets":213,"pros":214,"cons":218},"proscons",[132,133,134],[215,216,217],"23 kg, the lightest pick to move and store","110 kg user limit","121 cm belt",[219,220,221],"No incline and no handlebar","Walking only: tops out at 6 km\u002Fh","WalkingPad lists different motor ratings on its US, Canadian and Australian pages",{"type":188,"text":223,"id":224,"markets":225},"Horizon T101: best budget running treadmill","horizon-t101",[132],{"type":150,"markets":227,"text":228},[132],"The T101 reaches 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph), tilts from 0 to 10% and folds on a hydraulic strut. It has a 51 x 140 cm belt and a 136 kg (300 lb) user limit. Horizon gives a lifetime frame and motor warranty.",{"type":150,"markets":230,"text":231},[132],"Horizon sells it direct in the US. The 140 cm belt is fine for walking and jogging but short for fast running if you are tall.",{"type":212,"markets":233,"pros":234,"cons":238},[132],[235,236,237],"Reaches 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph), the running threshold","0 to 10% incline","Hydraulic folding; lifetime frame and motor warranty from Horizon in the US",[239,240,241],"140 cm belt is short for tall runners","Horizon does not publish a motor horsepower figure","Sold by Horizon in the US; versions sold elsewhere have different specs",{"type":188,"text":243,"id":244,"markets":245},"WalkingPad X21: best compact budget pick","walkingpad-x21",[132,133,134],{"type":150,"markets":247,"text":248},[132,133,134],"The X21 is a double-folding treadmill that reaches 12 km\u002Fh on a 121 x 46 cm belt, with the controls on a handrail. It is rated for 110 kg and has no incline. It suits jogging and brisk walking in a small home, but its belt is short for faster running.",{"type":212,"markets":250,"pros":251,"cons":255},[132,133,134],[252,253,254],"Reaches 12 km\u002Fh, fast enough for a jog","Handrail with the controls on it","Widest belt of the WalkingPad picks at 46 cm",[256,257,258],"No incline","37 kg, heavy to move for a folding pad","More a compact treadmill than an under-desk pad once the handrail is up",{"type":188,"text":260,"id":261,"markets":262},"NordicTrack T Series 10: best step-up pick","nordictrack-t-series-10",[132,133,134],{"type":150,"markets":264,"text":265},[132,133,134],"The T Series 10 is not a cheap treadmill: it has the highest list price of the picks in this guide. It is here as NordicTrack's lower-priced alternative to the Commercial 1750, for people who need what the cheaper picks lack: 12% incline, a 152 cm belt, a 3.0 CHP motor, a 148 kg user limit and a 10-inch touchscreen for iFIT. It reaches 19 km\u002Fh (12 mph) and folds.",{"type":212,"markets":267,"pros":268,"cons":272},[132,133,134],[269,270,271],"12% incline and 19 km\u002Fh (12 mph), the same as the Commercial 1750","152 cm belt, long enough for running","Lower 21.1 cm step-up height",[273,274,275],"148 kg user limit","Narrower 51 cm belt","Trainer-controlled speed and incline need an iFIT membership",{"type":277,"markets":278,"items":279},"faq",[132],[280,283,286,289],{"q":281,"a":282},"Is a cheap treadmill worth it?","For walking and light jogging, yes, if the user limit and belt length suit you. For regular running, a budget machine that reaches 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph), like the Horizon T101, is the minimum. Heavier users should look at the user limit before the price.",{"q":284,"a":285},"What is the cheapest treadmill you can run on?","Of our picks, the Horizon T101 is the budget option that reaches 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph). Walking pads such as the WalkingPad Z1 cost less but stop at 6 km\u002Fh.",{"q":287,"a":288},"Is a walking pad a cheap treadmill?","It is a cheaper way to walk indoors. Most walking pads have no handrail, short belts and top speeds of about 6 km\u002Fh, so they are not for running.",{"q":290,"a":291},"Do cheap treadmills fold?","All of the picks here fold. Folding saves floor space but a folded treadmill is still heavy, so check you can lift the deck.",{"type":188,"text":293,"id":294},"How we chose","how-we-chose",{"type":150,"text":296},"We have not tested these treadmills. We ranked by the makers' own list prices in each country, then compared specifications, user limits and warranties, and kept only models the maker or a retailer inside that country sells new. We do not show prices because they change often; the wording here is relative to the other picks.",{"walking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-z1":298,"treadmills\u002Fhorizon-t101":314,"walking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-x21":326,"treadmills\u002Fnordictrack-t-series-10":335},{"id":158,"slug":206,"name":299,"brand":300,"category":22,"categoryName":23,"summary":301,"verdict":302,"specs":303,"bestPrice":310,"wasPrice":310,"rrp":310,"currency":311,"bestStore":310,"offerCount":312,"href":313},"WalkingPad Z1","WalkingPad","Light folding walking pad with a 121 x 40 cm belt, a 6 km\u002Fh top speed and a 110 kg user limit, weighing 23 kg.","A lower list price than the C2, a lighter frame and a higher user limit.",{"maxSpeedKph":304,"beltSizeCm":305,"beltLengthCm":306,"maxUserKg":307,"foldable":308,"weightKg":309},6,"121 x 40",121,110,true,23,null,"USD",0,"\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-z1",{"id":162,"slug":224,"name":315,"brand":316,"category":9,"categoryName":10,"summary":317,"verdict":318,"specs":319,"bestPrice":310,"wasPrice":310,"rrp":310,"currency":311,"bestStore":310,"offerCount":312,"href":325},"Horizon T101","Horizon Fitness","Entry-level folding treadmill with a 16 km\u002Fh (10 mph) top speed, 0 to 10% incline, a 51 x 140 cm belt and a 136 kg user limit.","A simple folding treadmill with a lower list price that still reaches running speed.",{"maxSpeedKph":320,"maxInclinePct":321,"beltSizeCm":322,"maxUserKg":323,"foldable":308,"weightKg":324},16.1,10,"51 x 140",136,82,"\u002Fus\u002Ftreadmills\u002Fhorizon-t101",{"id":170,"slug":244,"name":327,"brand":300,"category":22,"categoryName":23,"summary":328,"verdict":329,"specs":330,"bestPrice":310,"wasPrice":310,"rrp":310,"currency":311,"bestStore":310,"offerCount":312,"href":334},"WalkingPad X21","Double-fold walking and running treadmill with a handrail console, a 121 x 46 cm belt, a 12 km\u002Fh top speed and a 110 kg user limit.","The pick for jogging as well as walking, and it still folds down for storage.",{"maxSpeedKph":331,"beltSizeCm":332,"beltLengthCm":306,"maxUserKg":307,"foldable":308,"hasHandlebar":308,"weightKg":333},12,"121 x 46",37,"\u002Fus\u002Fwalking-pads\u002Fwalkingpad-x21",{"id":174,"slug":261,"name":336,"brand":337,"category":9,"categoryName":10,"summary":338,"verdict":339,"specs":340,"bestPrice":310,"wasPrice":310,"rrp":310,"currency":311,"bestStore":310,"offerCount":312,"href":347},"NordicTrack T Series 10","NordicTrack","Folding treadmill with a 3.0 CHP motor, 0 to 12% incline, a 51 x 152 cm belt, a 10-inch touchscreen and a 148 kg user limit.","A lower-priced NordicTrack with the same 12% incline and top speed as the Commercial 1750.",{"maxSpeedKph":341,"maxInclinePct":331,"beltSizeCm":342,"motorHp":343,"maxUserKg":344,"foldable":308,"stepUpHeightCm":345,"appSupport":346},19.3,"51 x 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