12 Best Quiet Treadmills for Apartments In 2023 and Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the best quiet treadmill for apartment can be challenging. On one hand, you want something that is powerful enough to produce an effective workout. However, you don’t want one that is noisy enough to bother your neighbors. Therefore, you have to straddle the line between them – which also means spending more money.
In most cases, the treadmills that include both of these features are on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
However, in this article, we’ll review a range of treadmills that fall into this category, including some cheaper options. There is something for just about everything on this list, so you should be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Best Quiet Treadmills for Apartments
1. XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill – Best Overall
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For anyone living in an apartment, we would highly recommend this folding treadmill by XTERRA. It is specifically designed for smaller spaces and apartment situations. It folds up when it is not in use, which makes it much easier to store in smaller areas like apartments. It has a convenient knob for releasing the deck when it’s time to work out. There are no tools required to fold and unfold the treadmill – as is the case with some other models on the market.
Plus, this treadmill is pretty quiet. It is designed to be shock-absorbing, which both helps with the noise and joint wear and tear.
This treadmill comes with a pretty large LCD screen that allows you to track your workout metrics. You can view your time, distance, incline, speed, calories, and pulse all on the screen. There are also 12 preset programs that you can choose from, which allows you to start working out right away.
However, the walking surface is a little small. It only measures 50” long, which may make it unusable for taller individuals. It also isn’t the best to run on, since it is so short.
2. Fannay Folding Treadmill for Home – Best Folding Treadmill
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Like the name suggests, the Fannay Folding Treadmill folds up easily for storage purposes, which makes it a great option in smaller spaces. If you don’t have much room to work with, you may want to consider this option. Plus, it is also extremely quiet thanks to it’s shock-absorbing system and cushioned deck.
Not only does it feel very good to run on this treadmill, but it is also very quiet, cushioning your footfalls quite well.
This treadmill comes with 12 different preset programs and can be adjusted from 0.5 to 6 mph. Both of these options allow you to vary your workout and grow with the treadmill. It can support a variety of different workouts and experience levels.
The console allows you to see all of the calories you’ve burned, as well as a variety of other metrics. There is also a tablet stand to hold your personal tablet.
This treadmill is designed to be safe as well. It comes with an emergency-stop system that will automatically shut off the machine if you fall. The steel frame is also extremely durable and prevents the system from failing.
3. BiFanuo 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill – Best 2-in-1
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Like many of the treadmills we’ve listed thus far, this treadmill by BiFanuo also folds and unfolds. However, it folds in a different manner than the ones we’ve discussed thus far. The handlebars fold downwards, and then you can slide it underneath a bed or set it against a wall.
Furthermore, this treadmill can be used for walking only if the handlebars are kept folded down. Therefore, this treadmill is technically two pieces of equipment in one.
When the handlebars are folded up, this treadmill can go up to 6.5 mph, which is a bit faster than most treadmills.
The shock-absorbing structure makes it very quiet. Furthermore, the surface is anti-skid, so you don’t have to worry quite as much about falling. The belt is also plenty cushioned, which makes it a great option for those who are trying to protect their back and knees. Plus, it also makes it quieter.
The motor on this treadmill is a bit more powerful than other options at 2.25 hp. However, it is still very quiet, which makes it a good option for apartments.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7515 – Best Automatic Incline
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If you’re looking for a permanent treadmill, you may want to try this model by Sunny Health & Fitness. It allows for auto-inclines and has 12 different incline levels from 0% to 12%. Based on this alone, this treadmill is better than most on this list.
Furthermore, it goes much faster than most options on this list too. Specifically speaking, this treadmill goes up to 8 mph, though it can also be set as low as 1 mph. It also includes heart rate monitoring using pulse grip monitoring.
On top of this, this treadmill is also bluetooth compatible, which allows you to connect your phone directly to the treadmill. Furthermore, it also has transport wheels that make it extremely easy to move around and store as necessary.
With that said, this treadmill is quite a bit more expensive than others on the market. However, you are paying for better features.
5. NordicTrack 1750 Treadmill – Best Commercial Option
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For those looking for the best treadmill money can buy, you may want to take a look at this one by NordicTrack. It is professional-grade, which means that it includes many of the features that other treadmills simply don’t.
This treadmill has a wide variety of incline levels for you to choose from. For instance, you can go from a -3% incline to 15% incline. You can control these yourself, or you can hook up your treadmill to the iFIT app and have a personal trainer remotely adjust your incline as necessary.
Furthermore, this treadmill includes a 10-inch HD touchscreen that can stream on-demand workouts with your iFit subscription. It also provides for straightforward stat tracking. The motor responds to the weight and force on top of the treadmill, allowing it to always put out the correct amount of power.
This treadmill can also fold easily for storage. Plus, the belt is 60-inches long, which is enough for most purposes. You should be able to run comfortably on this sized treadmill.
6. OMA Treadmills for Home 5108EB – Best with Preset Workouts
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While this OMA treadmill is not designed for commercial use, it is a great home option. It has a quiet motor that runs at 2.25 HP, which is more powerful than other motors on this list. It is very quiet, which lets you run without disturbing others, especially if you are in an apartment.
The frame of the treadmill is made out of commercial steel, though. It is grit blasted and is passed through a variety of tests before it is used on the treadmill. Therefore, it is much more likely to stand up to regular workouts.
Furthermore, this treadmill comes with 36 different preset programs, allowing you to choose the perfect option for your needs. If you’re new to working out and want plenty of set-in-stone plans to work with, we highly recommend that you get this treadmill, since it includes the largest number of preset programs.
7. Windaze Under Desk Treadmill – Best Under Desk Treadmill
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Under-the-desk treadmills are great options for those that want to burn some weight while they’re working. If you have a hard time finding time to work out, then we highly recommend getting an under-the-desk treadmill like this one. It is specifically designed to slide underneath your desk, allowing you to walk and work at the same time.
This treadmill has an LCD display and a remote control, allowing to you accelerate or deccelerate as necessary. Plus, the durable frame is made out of steel, which helps dampen the overall noise of the treadmill. The deck is also made to absorb sound, since it is designed to be used in a work environment.
The running belt is specifically designed to be comfortable. It is made out of five different layers of polymer, which is soft and comfortable. Therefore, it provides you with plenty of cushioning while you’re running.
With all of that said, this treadmill is quite small. It only measures 41 inches. However, it is only made for walking, so you don’t have to worry about running off the back. As long as you aren’t too tall, this treadmill should be suitable for you.
8. Kicode Under Desk Portable Treadmill – Best Compact
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Kicode produces this small, compact treadmill. While it is designed to be used in work situations, you can also utilize it in an apartment. It is quite small, but some people may find that useful. If you’re working with very limited space, then this treadmill is absolutely one of the better options out there.
This treadmill does include all of the usual features. For instance, it comes with an LED screen that allows you to track your progress, including various metrics. You can see your speed, distance, time, and an estimate of the calories burned.
It’s lightweight design makes it great for those who need to move the treadmill around and can’t carry much. It’s extremely compact, after all.
This treadmill does not require any assembly. It is completely ready right out of the box, so it is much easier than other options out there.
9. Rhythm Fun Treadmill – Best Lightweight Treadmills
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This treadmill by Rhythm Fun is only 37 pounds, which is much lighter than traditional treadmills out there. Therefore, if you need to move the treadmill around, we highly recommend getting this option. It is very easy to move around – unlike other treadmills.
Furthermore, this treadmill is only 2”. Therefore, it is very easy to slide underneath beds and couches. If you’re in a smaller space like an apartment, then you may be able to store the treadmill easier than other options.
Like most treadmills, this one includes an LED display and smart remote. You can easily track your speed, time, distance, and the calories you’ve burned. You can also use the remote controller to change the speed as necessary, allowing you to easily select the best speed for your needs. You can also stop it quickly using the remote.
With a 2 HP motor, there is plenty of power packed inside this little motor. It can handle quite a bit of speed.
10. Besportble Foldable Treadmill – Best Assembly
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We particularly like this Besportble treadmill because it doesn’t require much assembly at all. You can have it done within 15 minutes, which is much faster than most other assemblies on the market
It comes with transport wheels and is rather lightweight. Therefore, it is quite portable. You can easily move it around pretty easily.
As you’d expect, this treadmill has an LCD screen that keeps up with your calories, times, heart rate, and estimated mileage. Furthermore, it comes with 2 high-performance speakers. It also has a bottle holder and a mobile phone.
There are also 12 preset programs. It can go from 0.5 mph to 6 mph. Therefore, you can easily choose the option that works best for you. There are plenty of programs available for you to customize your experience.
11. Dynamax RunningPad – Best RunningPad
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As the name suggests, this is a running pad, not a treadmill. Therefore, it is a bit different. However, in the end, it is very similar to a treadmill, which is why we included it on this list.
It has a completely foldable design and no assembly is required. Therefore, you can use it right out of the box. It folds up much smaller than other options. On top of the arms folding down, you can also fold the deck in half. Therefore, you can fit it in much smaller spaces.
Furthermore, this running pad is extremely compact. It works well in smaller spaces, which makes it very suitable for apartments. It works very well for small spaces.
It is also extremely quiet and has an eco-friendly motor. It works well in spaces where you’re concerned about bothering others. Therefore, this motor is great for apartments and homes.
The running deck is quiet because it has gel infused into the running deck. The deck is extremely low impact, so it works very well for those with bad joints. However, it is also made with aluminum, which also makes it extremely lightweight. It delivers on both cushioning and strength.
12. NordicTrack T Series 5-Inches – Best High Weight Capacity
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Like most NordicTrack treadmills, this one is pretty expensive. However, it is one of their less expensive treadmills, and this company is one of the best reliable companies out there. It also has a very high weight capacity at 300 pounds. It also has a 10-year frame warranty and a 2-year parts warranty.
It has an incline control that can be adjusted automatically, which is one of the reasons why it is so expensive. It has a 10 mph maximum speed. Furthermore, the length is quite long, so you can easily run on. In fact, the length is 73.5 inches, which is one of the largest treadmills out there.
Furthermore, this treadmill also has a 10% incline, which is also more than most treadmills. If you connect the treadmill to iFIT, your trainer can also remotely adjust your treadmill to mimic real-world terrain and increase the difficulty as necessary.
We particularly liked the FlexSelect cushioning on this treadmill, which allows it to soften your impact and keep your running quiet. If you live in an apartment, this feature by itself is extremely helpful.
Buyer’s Guide
While our reviews above may help you decide on the best treadmill for you, this section will help you figure out the exact factors that you need to keep in mind. We’ll take a look at all the different varying points between the treadmills we reviewed above, which will help you decide which treadmill would be best for your circumstances.
Of course, we’ll also take a look at a few other important points too that may make or break your decision.
Incline
Most people overlook the incline on their treadmill. However, the incline is one of the most important considerations you need to pay attention to. When it comes to exercising on a treadmill, you don’t necessarily need to go faster to get a tougher workout. Instead, you can simply adjust the incline to a more dramatic level, making it more difficult.
Usually, this is safer than simply turning up the speed, which is tougher on your joints and can lead to more accidents.
Therefore, you should look for a treadmill that inclines at a few levels at least.Automatic inclines are the best, as you can change the settings quickly as you’re working out. However, manual incline settings are better than nothing and often a better option for those on a budget.
Manual inclines have to be set manually, usually by physically moving the deck up and down. Obviously, you can’t really do this while working out.
Speed Settings
With that said, speed settings are still extremely important. Without them, you’ll be stuck going at a single speed, which probably won’t be fitting for your fitness level.
Before purchasing a treadmill, you need to consider your own fitness level. For instance, if you’re relatively quite athletic, then you may find that a higher speed works better for you. However, for those completely new to working out, you’ll need to consider whether the treadmill goes at a slow enough speed.
Remember, you don’t necessarily need to go very quickly if you have a treadmill with an incline. Often, you can just turn the incline up and go at a moderate pace to make the workout more difficult.
Still, we recommend that you get a treadmill that goes at least 6 mph. Otherwise, you may not be able to go fast enough, especially if you are experienced with working out.
Size
The size of a treadmill matters immensely, but it is often overlooked.
When you live in an apartment, you are likely concerned about saving space. Therefore, you may be looking for the smallest treadmill possible. However, we would not recommend this, as some treadmills may be unable to support your stride.
If you’re taller, this is more of a problem. After all, the longer your legs are, the longer your gait is. If you’re running instead of walking, then your gait gets even longer. Therefore, those who want to run instead of walk need an even longer treadmill.
Therefore, you don’t just want to select the smallest treadmill, as it may not be large enough to accommodate your stride – which would make it practically unusable. Using a treadmill that is too small is extremely dangerous, as it makes it quite more likely for you to slip off the back.
Storability
However, there are other ways for you to save on space without choosing a very small treadmill. We highly recommend choosing a treadmill that stores easily if you’re tight on space. You can bring it out when you are ready to use it and then put it back up when you are not.
There are many ways that treadmills attempt to make themselves storable. One of these ways is by folding. There are quite a few folding treadmills on the market. However, these treadmills are extremely different from each other. You should not make any assumptions about the treadmill’s foldability just because the description includes the words “foldable.”
Some treadmills only have handlebars that fold downwards. Others have decks that fold upwards. While these options do make it much easier to store the treadmill against a wall, they aren’t the most space-saving option. If you have room to push a treadmill against a wall, then this may be all you need.
However, there are also treadmills that fold up multiple times, which allows them to be fit into very small spaces.
There are also treadmills that are designed to slide underneath beds and couches. Usually, these treadmills are extremely thin, which allows them to be fit underneath objects with lower clearances.
The best folding treadmill will fold quickly and easily. Some folding treadmills have hydraulic folding mechanisms, which makes everything much easier. However, these are generally much more expensive and likely out of most people’s budgets.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have treadmills that are very difficult to fold. Sometimes, you’ll have to unscrew the handlebars and take them off completely (which counts as “folding” according to some descriptions). While these are often called folding treadmills, they really don’t fold like you imagine.
As you probably guess, these treadmills take quite a while to take down, which means that you probably won’t bring them out as much as you’d like. Based on this information, you should preferably purchase an actual folding treadmill.
Cost
We would all love for cost to not be a factor. However, for most people, cost is going to be one of the most essential considerations when they purchase an expensive machine like this. After all, you don’t want to break the bank on a treadmill.
However, you should be realistic about what you’re going to get for your budget. Most treadmills are quite expensive. You’re going to spend at least a few hundred dollars for a good one. Most decent treadmills are at least $300. However, for the features that most users want, you’ll likely be spending closer to $500.
If you want a treadmill that is similar to one you’d find in a gym, you’ll likely need to spend over $1,000.
Of course, only you know your budget. Therefore, only you can choose treadmills that are within your budget. We did review treadmills from a wide variety of different price points for this article, so you should be able to find something for just about anyone.
While you may be tempted to purchase the cheapest treadmill that meets a few of your requirements, we don’t recommend simply going for the cheapest option. Usually, cheap treadmills are cheap for a reason.
An expensive, well-designed treadmill can potentially last for years. However, cheap treadmills usually don’t, which means that you’ll end up purchasing new treadmills more and more often. In the end, this could end up costing you more money than purchasing the cheaper treadmill saved you.
Therefore, it isn’t always best to simply purchase the cheapest treadmill. Sometimes, it can cost you more money in the long run.
Preset Programs
For the most part, most treadmills come with preset programs that allow users to start using the treadmill right away. Usually, these programs are actually just a few different programs with some minor variations. In most cases, treadmills tend to have about 12 of these preset programs.
Some users simply aren’t going to use these programs. Some are simply going to use the speed settings on the treadmill to workout. However, some are going to really need these programs to get the full use out of the treadmill.
If you’ve already gotten used to using a treadmill and know how you like to workout on one, then you probably don’t need to use preset programs. However, those that are new to this sort of workout may benefit from preset programs, especially if you don’t want to go through the work of figuring out what to set the treadmill at.
There are some treadmills with a lot of preset programs and some that don’t have any at all. Whether or not you need them depends largely on your experience levels. Consider what you plan on using to determine whether or not you need to focus on preset programs or not.
Cushioned Belt
The belt of the treadmill is extremely important. Treadmills all have different belts depending on what you purchase. Some belts are extremely simple, while others can include as many as 12 different layers.
With that said, more layers does not necessarily equal better. Generally, it depends on the quality of the different layers. In some cases, one layer will be plenty. In other cases, the 12 layers will simply be an advertising scheme.
Therefore, you’ll need to focus on reading customer reviews like ours to ensure that the treadmill is comfortable to run on. After all, there is a huge difference between running on something like concrete and running on something like a track.
Generally speaking, you want the belt to be cushioned properly for a few different reasons. Firstly, padding helps soften the noise of your running, which is essential for those living in apartments. Secondly, your knees and other joints will seriously benefit from the cushioning. It keeps them from getting worn out, which can prevent pain later in our life.
Of course, if you already have joint pain, then you’ll need to be extra-careful about purchasing a treadmill with plenty of cushioning. You don’t want to make your joints worse, after all.
FAQs Of Best Quiet Treadmills for Apartments
It isn’t odd for us to get questions about treadmills that are quiet and work well in apartments. In this section, we’ll answer some of the questions we most commonly get. If you have any questions that weren’t answered further up in the article, they may be answered below.
Can You Use Treadmills in Apartments?
If you have the room, then you can typically use a treadmill in an apartment. Of course, you will need plenty of room for your treadmill, which can sometimes be difficult to comeby in apartments. However, that doesn’t mean that you should completely avoid treadmills. You can choose smaller options or those that fold up into a smaller size. These treadmills will be much more helpful in these small spaces.
However, on top of the size, you also have to consider the noise level of the treadmill. After all, you don’t want to disturb your neighbors and end up with complaints. Instead, you’ll want to choose a treadmill that is quiet and suitable for apartment use. Typically, you’ll want to select one that has a cushioned deck, as it will lessen the vibrations – making the treadmill less noisy.
You’ll also want to consider using a treadmill mat underneath your treadmill. Not only will this keep you from damaging the flooring (and losing your deposit), but it will also lessen the vibrations that are transferred into the flooring, which can be quite noisy. If you have harder floors, getting a mat is particularly important.
In the end, anything that causes vibrations will potentially be loud. Therefore, yoru goal is to choose treadmills that vibrate as little as possible. However, this means that larger treadmills tend to vibrate less, as they have more mass and can withstand your footfalls a bit easier.
On the other hand, you don’t want to choose a treadmill that is too large, as it may be too big for your apartment. Therefore, you’ll need to choose something that is in the middle – a treadmill that isn’t terribly huge but is big enough to lessen the vibrations.
With all that said, we also recommend taking a look at your rent agreement before purchasing a treadmill. While most places do not ban treadmills, it isn’t unheard of. Some apartments may have had bad experiences with treadmills in the past, which means that they may have banned them to prevent future problems.
Are Small Treadmills Worth It?
Small treadmills can be useful in many different situations. However, they are in a completely different league from large treadmills – they are hardly even the same machine. Therefore, you should not purchase a small treadmill thinking it is going to perform the same things as a large treadmill.
However, if you understand that small treadmills are different, they may be suitable for particular situations. For instance, smaller treadmills are great for those that want a treadmill to walk on while they are working. Many can be placed under an elevated desk and walked on easily while you work on your computer.
Similarly, smaller treadmills are great for smaller spaces. Some treadmills are better than no treadmills, after all. Therefore, if you can’t fit a larger treadmill in your home at all, it may be best to choose a smaller option.
At the end of the day, walking on a smaller treadmill is always going to be better than not walking on any treadmill.
However, you cannot exactly get the same results on a smaller treadmill. For one, you cannot usually run on a smaller treadmill. They are for walking only. With that said, it is possible for you to run on small smaller treadmills – it just depends on how long they are.
Will Treadmills Annoy Neighbors?
Loud treadmills will often annoy neighbors and can cause sound complaints – depending on when you use them. However, there is a lot you can do to keep your treadmill quiet, which will prevent them from annoying your neighbor or anyone else living in your home.
Firstly, some treadmills are simply louder than others. Some treadmills are not designed to be quiet at all, while others were specifically designed to be on the quieter side. Therefore, the treadmill you pick is extremely important. If you pick a loud treadmill, there often isn’t a lot you can do to make it quiet.
Therefore, it is essential for you to choose the quietest option you can find.
However, you can also use things like placement and treadmill mats to make your treadmill quieter. A high quality treadmill mat can make a huge difference and is generally what we recommend for most users. Even if you aren’t worried about the sound, you’ll need a treadmill mat to keep your floors from becoming damaged.
Similarly, you can place your treadmill on carpet instead of on harder floorings to prevent louder noises. Adding a treadmill mat to the carpet can be a huge boon in this regard.
In our reviews above, we paid particular attention to which treadmills are loud and which ones are not. Therefore, if you need a particular quiet treadmill to purchase, we recommend heading up there for more information. We’ve included treadmills of all different kinds above, including small under-the-desk treadmills and commercial-level treadmills.
Conclusion
While you can use a treadmill in an apartment, it typically takes a bit more work to do so. Not only do you have to consider the normal concerns when purchasing a treadmill, but you also have to consider issues that are specific to apartment living – one of which is the amount of noise a treadmill will make.
All treadmills are going to make some amount of noise. On top of the treadmill itself moving and vibrating, your footfalls are also going to cause some noise.
Luckily, there is a lot you can do to ensure that your treadmill isn’t being too loud. One of these is to choose a quieter treadmill to begin with. As you might imagine, this can be easier said than done. Luckily, we’ve included plenty of quiet options above for you to choose from. You’ll find something for just about everyone in our reviews above.
You can also make specific changes to make your treadmill quieter, such as using a mat or putting the treadmill on carpet. You can also consider the living spaces of those around you and place the treadmill where it is less likely to be heard. For instance, if you share a wall with your neighbors, position the treadmill away from the wall.
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