Walking Pad vs. Treadmill: Which One Suits You Best?

In short

You want to move more, but the gym feels like a hurdle and exercising outdoors doesn't always fit into your day. More and more people are therefore choosing a piece of equipment for home use, but then the doubt sets in: walking pad or treadmill?

Although both machines are designed for moving indoors, they differ significantly in what they offer. A walking pad is mainly suited to relaxed walking, for example while working from home or to get more steps in during the day. A treadmill offers more training possibilities and is suitable for walking, jogging, running and more intensive workouts.

Which choice suits you best depends on your training goals, the space available and how you want to use the machine. Do you mainly want to walk at a relaxed pace and have limited space? Then a walking pad is often a good choice. Are you looking for more versatility, want to improve your fitness or also be able to run? Then a treadmill is usually the better investment.

In this complete comparison, you'll discover the key differences between a walking pad and a treadmill. We compare both machines on features such as speed, motor power, cushioning, storage options and use cases, so you can make a well-considered choice.

What is a walking pad?

Sound familiar? You sit behind your desk all day, and by the end of it, it feels like you've barely moved. A walking pad solves exactly that problem.

If your main goal is to move more without training intensively, a walking pad is, for many people, an easy way to become more active every day. Unlike a traditional treadmill, a walking pad isn't designed for intensive running workouts, but mainly for relaxed movement indoors. Many people use a walking pad to get extra steps in while working from home, or simply to move more throughout the day.

Walking pads are usually more compact, lighter and easier to store than a traditional treadmill. This makes them popular with people who have limited space, or with anyone looking for a machine that can easily be stored under a sofa, bed or desk after use.

Who is a walking pad suitable for?

A walking pad is a good fit for you if you:

• want to move more every day and hit your daily step goal
• want to walk while working from home or in the evenings
• mainly want to walk at a relaxed pace, without intensive training
• have limited space at home, for example in a flat
• are looking for a compact, quiet and easy-to-store machine
• are a beginner and want to build up gradually without needing lots of features straight away

For many people, a walking pad is an easy way to become more active without having to dive straight into intensive training.

Why do so many people choose the Sportconic S7?

When people think of a walking pad, they often picture a cheap, wobbly machine that ends up gathering dust in a corner after a few weeks. With the S7 from Sportconic, it's different. Thanks to its stable construction and 5-layer cushioning system, you can walk comfortably and safely, even during longer sessions.

With its compact size and integrated transport wheels, the S7 was specially designed to slide effortlessly under a sofa, bed or desk when you're not using it. With a noise level of around 50 decibels, you can also train without disturbing housemates or neighbours, even late in the evening or early in the morning.

And just like with our treadmills: with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty and 100 days to try it out, you can make your choice with complete peace of mind, even if you're still unsure whether a walking pad is right for you. Do you expect you'll want to jog or run further down the line? Then a treadmill is the more versatile choice, so you won't need to buy a second machine later on.

What is a treadmill?

A treadmill is a piece of fitness equipment that lets you walk, jog and run right from home. Unlike a walking pad, a treadmill is designed for different types of training and offers more possibilities for improving your fitness, losing weight or training more intensively.

Modern treadmills often feature a more powerful motor, a larger running surface, better shock absorption and a higher maximum speed. Many models also offer extra features, such as an incline function and various training programmes. This makes a treadmill suitable for both casual exercisers and dedicated runners.

Who is a treadmill suitable for?

A treadmill is a good fit for you if you:

• want to walk as well as jog or run
• want to improve your fitness or lose weight
• want to train regularly or intensively, possibly using an incline for extra intensity
• are looking for a machine that can grow with your fitness level
• want a long-term investment that you won't need to replace any time soon

Whether you're just starting out or already exercise regularly, you decide how demanding your workout is. This means you can build up the intensity step by step.

Why are more and more people choosing a compact treadmill?

Many people put off buying a treadmill because they picture a big, bulky machine that takes over the room. That's understandable, but it's simply no longer necessary. These days, modern compact treadmills combine a space-saving design with the capabilities of a full-sized treadmill.

Sportconic's treadmills are a great example of this. Thanks to a 2 HP motor, a maximum speed of up to 12 km/h, a 5-layer cushioning system and a manually adjustable incline of up to 9%, they're suitable for both daily walking and more intensive workouts.

The models are also easy to store thanks to their integrated transport wheels and can be stood upright or tucked under a sofa or bed. With a 2-year manufacturer's warranty and the trust of over 50,000 users, a compact treadmill from Sportconic is a safe investment.

Do you mainly want to walk for now, but hope to jog or run in the future? Then a compact treadmill is often a more versatile investment than a walking pad. You won't need to buy a new machine later when your training goals change.

Walking pad vs. treadmill: the key differences

At first glance, a walking pad and a treadmill can look quite similar. Both machines are designed for indoor movement and help you become more active. Yet there are clear differences in training possibilities, performance and ease of use. Which choice is best depends on your goals and how you plan to use the machine.

Mainly looking for a compact way to walk more each day? A walking pad is often enough. Want to also be able to jog, run or mix up your training? Then a treadmill offers significantly more possibilities.

The table below sets out the key differences at a glance.

Sportconic comparison

Feature	Walking pad S7	Treadmill P106FA Pro
Suitable for	Walking	Walking, jogging and running
Maximum speed	Up to 6 km/h	Up to 12 km/h
Performance	Suited to relaxed walking	Suited to walking and intensive training
Running surface	Compact	Compact and more comfortable
Shock absorption	5-layer	5-layer
Incline	Up to 6%	Up to 9%
Training possibilities	Walking	Walking, jogging, running and interval training
Storage	Very compact	Compact and foldable
Warranty and returns	2-year warranty, 100 days to try	2-year warranty, 100 days to try
Noise level	Quiet	Quiet
Suitable for working from home	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Suitable for losing weight	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suitable for running	✗	✓

Practical insight: Many people initially choose a walking pad because of its compact size. When they later want to jog, run or expand their training, a compact treadmill often turns out to be the more versatile choice. That way, you won't need to buy a new machine when your training goals change.

Walking pad or treadmill: which suits your situation?

Still torn between a walking pad and a treadmill? The best choice depends on how you plan to use the machine. Below, you'll find which machine is generally the best fit for each situation.

For working from home

You know the feeling: around three in the afternoon, your energy dips and it gets harder to concentrate. A short walk during a call or a meeting where you're mostly just listening can really make a difference.

Do you work from home a lot and want to move more during your working day? Then a walking pad is often the best choice. Take our S7, for example. Thanks to its compact size, you can easily use it under a sit-stand desk to get extra steps in without interrupting your work.

For walking

Don't just think about what you need today, but also what you'd like to be able to do with the machine further down the line. If you mainly want to walk every day to move more or hit your step goal, both a walking pad and a treadmill are suitable.

Do you only walk at low speeds and have limited space? A walking pad is often enough. Want to be able to walk faster or expand your training later on? Then a compact treadmill is a more future-proof choice.

That's why many customers ultimately choose the P106FA Pro. With a rating of 4.7 from more than 1,400 reviews, the P106FA Pro is one of our most highly rated models. It's comfortable for daily walking, while also offering plenty of scope to increase your training intensity later on.

For running

Rain, cold weather, dark winter evenings, or simply no energy left to get changed after a long day. For many runners, that's exactly why training at home is so appealing, without having to compromise on intensity.

If you regularly jog, run or do interval training, a treadmill is the right choice for you. Thanks to a higher maximum speed, a more powerful motor, better shock absorption and a larger running surface, you can train more comfortably and safely than on a walking pad.

For athletes who run regularly or do interval training, we recommend a model such as the T140 or T155. Both models boast a rating of 4.6 stars, and thanks to their larger running surface, higher maximum speed and powerful motor, they're better suited to more intensive use.

For losing weight

Both a walking pad and a treadmill can help with weight loss. What matters most isn't how intensively you train, but how often you get moving.

A common mistake is thinking you need to start running straight away to see results. In practice, walking regularly or at a brisk pace is often a better foundation for many people, simply because it's easier to stick with than an intense workout you're likely to give up on quickly.

Want to vary your training over time, for example with higher speeds or an incline? A treadmill gives you more room to build this up gradually, at your own pace.

For flats and small spaces

Do you have limited space at home? Then both a walking pad and a compact treadmill can be good options. A walking pad often takes up slightly less space, while a modern compact treadmill offers extra training possibilities without being much bigger.

Thanks to their foldable design and integrated transport wheels, Sportconic's compact treadmills can easily be stored under a sofa, under a bed, or upright against a wall.

Looking for a model that doesn't take up much room? Then the P106FA Pro is an excellent choice thanks to its compact design and simple storage options. Not sure whether it'll fit in your space? You have 100 days to try it out, risk-free.

Decision guide: our recommendation

Situation	Best choice	Why?
Working from home	S7	Ideal for relaxed walking while you work.
Daily walking	S7 or P106FA Pro	Both are suitable; the choice depends on your training goals.
Running	T140 or T155	Higher speed, larger running surface and more training possibilities.
Losing weight	P106FA Pro or T140	More variety thanks to higher speed and incline function.
Flat or small space	S7 or P106FA Pro	Both are compact; a treadmill offers more possibilities for the future.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: a walking pad or a treadmill?

There's no single machine that's the best choice for everyone. A walking pad is ideal if you mainly want to walk, for example while working from home or to move more every day. Want to also be able to jog, run or train more intensively? Then a treadmill is the better choice.

By thinking ahead about your training goals, the space available and how you want to exercise, you can make the choice that best suits your situation.

Still not sure? Think not only about how you want to train now, but also about your goals for the years ahead.

Can you run on a walking pad?

Most walking pads are designed for relaxed walking and have a maximum speed of around 6 km/h. As a result, they're not suitable for jogging or running.

Want to run regularly or do interval training? Then a treadmill is the better choice. Thanks to a higher maximum speed, a more powerful motor and better shock absorption, a treadmill is built for more intensive use.

What if the treadmill doesn't suit me after all?

No problem. At Sportconic, you get 100 days to try out the treadmill. If it doesn't quite live up to your expectations, you can return it free of charge, even if you've already used it.

This means you can find out, risk-free, whether the treadmill suits your training routine and your living situation.

Is a walking pad suitable for losing weight?

Yes. Losing weight mainly comes down to a combination of sufficient movement and a healthy diet. With a walking pad, you can easily get more steps in and stay active every day.

Want to expand your training later with jogging, running or an incline function? Then a treadmill offers more training possibilities to gradually build up the intensity.

Is a walking pad the same as a treadmill?

No. A walking pad is specifically designed for walking and usually has a lower maximum speed, a more compact running surface and fewer training possibilities. A treadmill is more versatile and suitable for walking, jogging, running and various types of training.

How much space do you need for a treadmill?

That depends on the model. Modern compact treadmills take up far less space than many people think. Sportconic's treadmills are designed for home use and, thanks to their integrated transport wheels, are easy to move around. You can also store them upright or slide them under a sofa or bed.

Conclusion

There's no single machine that's the best choice for everyone. The right choice depends on your training goals, the space available and how you want to move. Whichever you choose, what matters most is that you get moving in a way that fits your life. No complicated schedule, no hurdle, just start whenever it suits you.

Do you mainly want to walk at a relaxed pace, get extra steps in while working from home, or do you have limited space at home? Then a walking pad is often a great choice. Looking for a machine that will also let you jog, run and build up your training over time? Then a compact treadmill is usually the more versatile long-term investment.

Still not sure? That doesn't have to be a problem. At Sportconic, you can choose with complete peace of mind: a 2-year manufacturer's warranty, 100 days to try it out and the trust of over 50,000 users who came before you. Browse our range of treadmills or read our complete buying guide to the best treadmill for home.