Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill review: a good-quality, affordable under-desk solution
Mobvoi Home Walking treadmill: One-minute review
Walking treadmills are often relatively cheap, easy to store behind a sofa or under a bed when not in use, and an excellent 'cozy cardio' solution, whether you’re looking to pair them with a standing desk or use them to get your steps in while watching TV. The Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill is a no-frills, super-cheap solution that might be the best under-desk treadmill for users on a budget we’ve tested so far.
The Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill is typically priced at $229 / £210/ AU$273, but it’s frequently on offer, even up to around half-price, from Mobvoi itself as well as retailers such as Amazon. For a few dollars more, you can get the Home Walking Treadmill Plus, which has an extra few inches of deck space, but no additional features. The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE is another version of this treadmill with a fold-up bar that puts it into 'running mode' (i.e., it goes faster) so would be a more versatile machine if you’re looking to jog as well as walk – this model is actually slightly cheaper in the US at $220, but more expensive in the UK and Australia at £289.99 / around AU$335. However, on the basic home treadmill, you’re stuck at walking speeds only.
It’s simple to set up – you just need to screw-in a couple of stabilizing feet – and it took around 10 minutes for me to unbox and assemble the treadmill. With a maximum user weight of 265lbs / 120kg, it’s sturdy despite its slender size, and I was impressed with the build quality during our tests. It doesn’t feel cheal; on the contrary, with its black glass display, it shares a design ethos with some of the best smart scales I’ve tried, and its 5 inches / 13cm depth means it's easy to slide under a bed or into a cupboard when not in use.
The downside of the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill’s compact form factor is that it's quite narrow, so requires a little bit of getting used to at first. I found my foot catching the side on occasion until I’d spent a bit of time on the treadmill. The larger Plus version is two inches wider and one inch longer, so if you have the space I recommend getting that model.
It offers very little in the way of features: it can connect to a WearOS smartwatch to display the same stats as you can already see on the treadmill’s screen, which I found rather pointless. More irritatingly, there’s no option to program a workout based on time and distance; ironically, you have to do all the legwork yourself.
Still, as it’s so frequently on sale, I’d certainly recommend it for people looking for a simple, plug-in-and-go device for getting your steps in on the cheap. It’s slim, the remote control is easy and intuitive to use, and it’s perfect for wheeling out, pressing play and just walking, whether that’s for use with a standing desk, or to get your steps in while watching TV. Devices like this make fitness accessible, so you shouldn’t necessarily let the lack of programmable features hold you back from buying the Mobvoi.
Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill: Specifications
Mobvoi Home Walking treadmill: Scorecard
Check out our video review of the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill below:
Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You’re on a budget
This is the perfect under-desk treadmill for someone who just wants a cheap walking solution.
You own a standing desk
Its compact form factor and a remote control that you can leave on the desk make this the ideal work-from-home companion.
You just want to walk
Uninterested in a running treadmill? Then save yourself some money and pick up the Mobvoi.
Don't buy it if...
You want to run
The Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE has a running mode, although no incline or programmed workouts.
You want a big deck
Need space to walk in comfort? Maybe you have long legs? Try an alternative treadmill with a bigger deck, or order the Plus model.
Also consider
JTX Movelight
Another great under-desk treadmill for beginners, and it's easy to set up, but it's more expensive than the Mobvoi.
Kingsmith Walkingpad C2
Its folding design makes this the best under-desk treadmill for storage, if not for performance. It's a fair bit pricier than the Mobvoi.
How I tested
I spent hours walking on the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill in TechRadar's dedicated testing center, as well as unboxing, installing, and programming it. I tested its top speed, checked its programming functions, used the remote control, walked while watching TV, wheeled it around, and stored it both flat and upright.
First reviewed: July 2024
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