Welcome to our carefully-crafted list of the top 7 best-selling treadmills under £400 (prices at the time of writing). If you’ve ever wondered how so many budget treadmills keep selling despite looking like they were built out of recycled ironing boards, you’re not alone. Their secret weapon? A price tag that makes gym memberships sweat.
Miracle Workers?
Now, before you start day-dreaming about running a sub-three-hour marathon on one of these devices, let's clear this up, they're not miracle makers. Some of the copy reads like it was written while suffering from an extremely concentrated cup of coffee – "mountain-climbing incline", "whisper-quiet motor", "AI training buddy", don't believe them too much (or maybe an entire saltshaker). These are cheap and cheerful ways to get you moving without emptying your bank account, and that's exactly why they feature at the top of our best seller lists.
Genuine Value
But there's genuine value to be had if you keep expectations under control. We've picked seven pleasers with care from fold-up space-savers to models that have a gradient steep enough to ascend Everest in your dressing gown. Each gets a brief description, so you have some idea what you're buying (or not buying).
So buckle up, tie up for some moderate sarcasm, and let's discover which treadmill earns a spot in your living room and which will get to remain in the cupboard corner.
Best Treadmills Under £400
1, CURSOR FITNESS Folding Treadmill
For around £250, the CURSOR FITNESS Folding Treadmill sets out quite earnestly to look like a serious gym machine… and, sensibly, gives it a try. Its big selling point is a 16% adjustable incline (split into 2, 10 and 16%). You won't be scaling Kilimanjaro, no, but as a home offering this is a rare plus at this price.
It's driven by a 2.5HP brushless motor that goes up to a 12 km/h top speed – quick enough to jog or sprint short distances. It's rated at up to 140 kg / 265 lb users, which is reassuring if you've had enough of machines that fall into pieces when you breathe on them. The handrails let you control speed, start and stop on the spot, and even track your pulse while running.
Comfort doesn't receive some notice either: five layers of belts, silicone shock absorbers, and rubber pads all combine to protect your joints (i.e., you might be able to get by without the yoga mat). Noise levels purportedly range from 40–65 dB – basically "TV at medium volume".
Folding is blissfully pain-free thanks to two detachable knobs and transport wheels, making it easy to store out of the way when not in use. Build quality is reasonable for the money, but don't expect commercial-grade steel. All in all, the CURSOR is a decent, incline-capable treadmill for walkers and occasional joggers who desire an honest slope without taking out a second mortgage on the house.
2, MERACH Foldable Treadmill
Creeping in at around £350, the MERACH Foldable Treadmill is aiming to be a serious bit of kit for homes, flats, or offices. The headline act is an auto incline of a maximum 15%, which is under console control – no messing about by hand while you're gasping. It's paired with a 2.5HP motor with 1–12 km/h speed, and a nice large 120 kg weight capacity.
The belt is roomy (41 x 16.5 inches) with five padded layers and six shock-absorbing pillars, so knees and ankles won't hate you after a long walk. MERACH clearly loves a gadget: there's a cool LED face, built-in heart-rate sensors, a remote, and their own fitness app offering "professional courses" and even virtual runs along a beachside boardwalk. Whether you'll ever actually compete against strangers online is another matter, but it's fun to imagine.
The hydraulic folding system is really smart, collapsing the treadmill to roughly a third of its total size for storage. The noise level is low enough to please apartment dwellers, and the frame handles like it should be much more expensive than this.
Bottom line - MERACH gives you more features than most sub-£400 competitors – especially the powered incline and app connectivity. Just be mindful, however, that because of the "burn fat by 70% faster" buzz, it's still a budget treadmill. Look after it, and it should pay you back with lots of indoor walking miles.
3, Decorcn Folding Treadmill
Priced at a mere little under £380, the Decorcn Folding Treadmill is going to be the lord of bargain running machines. On paper, it's appallingly impressive: a 4.5HP motor, 20 levels of incline, and a 16 km/h speed limit. It even states that it has been "tested by one hundred coaches and two thousand enthusiasts," which sounds like the opening sentence of a superhero origin myth.
It has a large enough running surface of 120 x 45 cm, and a six-layer belt along with rubber shock absorbers are engineered to provide joint-friendly exercise. There is Bluetooth built in so you can warble along to your playlist while warbling along the deck – always handy if you have to blot out the voice in your head telling you to stop after five minutes.
It's even easier to store in a hydraulic fold system and four wheels, so you'll not need to hire removal men to wheel it into the corner. Noise levels are below 60 dB, so you can work without waking the neighbours (unless you're racing in a flat whose walls are as thin as paper).
For the price, it has all the spec – keep in mind, though, it is a sub-£400 treadmill and not commercial gym equipment. Get on and use it, oil the belt, and it should serve walkers and runners who want more incline flexibility without taking out a second mortgage.
4, Lacuffy Home Foldable Treadmill
The Lacuffy treadmill at approximately £220 promises to make indoor running "fun." Whether that's possible without the assistance of an ice cream van in the distance is dubious, but this machine goes a long way towards making it happen. With a 6% adjustable incline, 3.5HP motor, and speeds of up to 16 km/h, it's surprisingly good value at this price.
Its 112 x 42 cm platform is wide enough to take most strides, and the frame can take up to 158 kg – pretty impressive for a beginner model. Noise levels are under 55 dB, which is a bless for anyone who'd like to jog without sounding like the utter demolition of floorboards.
The big gimmick is its "multi-runner race" mode, in which it lets you connect up to an app, track progress, and somehow compete against people all over the globe. Whether that will actually mean running against an Olympian or granny McGee is anyone's guess, but it definitely gives a boost to an otherwise solitary activity.
In design, it folds to conserve space, albeit not as elegantly compact as premium versions. As long as you don't expect gym-level ruggedness, the Lacuffy is a cheap, friendly treadmill that brings some style to your workout routine – just don't expect it to run the London Marathon.
5, SereneLife Folding Treadmill
Priced at about £250, the SereneLife Folding Treadmill is the polite house guest of the treadmill world: compact, quiet, and unlikely to overstay its welcome. Its speed tops out at 6 mph (about 9.6 km/h), making it more of a walking/jogging companion than a hardcore running machine. For many buyers, that’s absolutely fine – especially if you’re mainly after light cardio while catching up on a box set.
There's a 4-step manual incline if you feel like doing some hill work, and 12 pre-set programs to mix it up. The 40 x 100 cm belt isn't cavernous, but adequate for a regular walk or moderate jog. A tiny LCD screen keeps track of speed, time, distance, heart rate, and calories, so you don't have to strain your eyes at your watch.
Bluetooth connectivity is a pleasant touch, enabling you to link up with Kinomap or Zwift in order to introduce a bit of interactivity. Its fold is actually very small, and measuring only 55 cm long when folded won't take over your hallway.
SereneLife won't break any speed records, but it's a small, simple option for whoever is in need of a space-saving treadmill – space and financially wise. Think of it as the quiet, reliable friend rather than the life of the party.
6, UMAY Folding Treadmill
At around £270, the UMAY Folding Treadmill is the solid middle sibling of this range. It doesn't scream and shout about itself with wild claims or twenty incline levels – it simply quietly gets on with being a solid, no-nonsense home treadmill. Its 3.0HP brushless motor is a treat at this price point, with under 45 dB noise (so you can listen to podcasts without a jet engine background roar).
It includes double silicone blocks and eight shock absorbers, or "your knees will thank you" marketing speak. A 7-layer non-slip belt adds extra traction and cushioning, and the double-deck design offers a sturdy, stable feel that some lower-cost treadmills lack. It can go up to 12 km/h in top speed and support up to 143 kg, so it's best for brisk walkers and slower runners.
The console itself is tastefully utilitarian: three LED displays, 12 pre-set programs, and a Bluetooth sound system that lets you listen to something motivational (or something considerably less so). They even have a phone and cup holder available for those who like their cardio with a splash of convenience.
It is not glitzy, but it is a decent workhorse with only the correct amount of features to get you coming back. It's like the reliable mate who is on time, recalls the snacks, and never asks you to help them move home.
7, Mobvoi Home Smart AI Treadmill
At about £220, the Mobvoi Home Smart AI Treadmill tries to cram three lives into one – a walker pad, a work station, and running platform. It boasts a range of speed settings from 1–12 km/h, complete with dedicated "work" and "running" modes, and a 6% incline that will tuck up when you've finished pretending to like hills.
It has the TicSports AI app, which promises real-time workouts and tailored workout plans. Whether the AI will roast you for missing leg day is to be seen, but it's a light-hearted bonus feature for those who enjoy data-driven pep talks. The area that you'll run in is a decidedly compact 102 x 42 cm, which is just fine for walking or jogging but might feel a little claustrophobic if you're going to be sprinting flat out.
There's more unexpectedly roomy top surface than you'd get on a laptop, as well as cup and phone rest for open-source multitasking. Built-in Bluetooth speakers round out the "work out while you work" environment – handy if you like some music with your spreadsheets.
The Mobvoi isn't made for running marathons, but it's perfect for walkers, weekend joggers, or telecommuters who want to squeeze in some extra steps between Zoom calls. Just don't blame the treadmill if your boss catches you dancing during a Zoom call.
Comparison Table – Best Treadmills Under £400
| Treadmill | Max Speed | Incline | Weight Capacity | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CURSOR FITNESS | 12 km/h | 2% / 10% / 16% | 140 kg | ~£250 |
| MERACH | 12 km/h | 15% auto incline | 120 kg | ~£350 |
| Decorcn | 16 km/h | 0–20 levels (≈0–5.4°) | 150 kg | ~£380 |
| Lacuffy | 16 km/h | 6% manual | 158 kg | ~£220 |
| SereneLife | 9.6 km/h | 4 manual levels | 100 kg | ~£250 |
| UMAY | 12 km/h | Flat (no incline) | 143 kg | ~£270 |
| Mobvoi | 12 km/h | 6% folding incline | 120 kg | ~£220 |
Conclusion – Cheap, Cheerful and Pretty Decent
And there you have it: seven of the best-selling treadmills for under £400 (when I wrote this). Honestly, a few are more "cheap and cheerful" than "cutting edge," but kind of, that's the point. They've been put on this list because their prices alone are tantalizing, their spec looks good on paper, and, with some TLC, they can actually do exactly what most of you will want – get you moving without burning a hole in your pocket.
Are they gym-quality monsters? Not at all. But for home use – be that walking off a Netflix binge, pursuing 10,000 steps, or adding a jog to your lunch break – these machines do the trick.
Casual Workout Hunters
If you require heavy-duty capacity or wish them to last daily sprints from an entire rugby team, you'll be paying much more. But for casual runners, walkers, or anyone looking for bargains, these treadmills offer great bang-for-your-buck.
Used one yourself? Have advice (or war stories) for value treadmills? Share a comment below – we'd love to know how these "best sellers" hold up in real living rooms.
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