Woman on a walking pad treadmill in a Nairobi living room, compared with a full-size treadmill

Walking Pad vs Treadmill: Which One Should You Buy?

A walking pad and a full-size treadmill both let you exercise at home. The main differences are space, price and top speed. If you do not have a spare room for fitness equipment, a 2-in-1 walking pad that also runs gives you most of what a treadmill does, in far less space and at a much lower price.

Is a treadmill and a walking pad the same?

Almost. A walking pad is a type of treadmill: a slim, low one with a folding frame and no tall console. In Kenya, most people use the two names for the same machine. Compared with a full-size treadmill, it takes less space, costs less and has a lower top speed. Our 2-in-1 walking pad runs at up to 14 km/h and costs KSh 24,800.

KSh 24,800
Pay after delivery
3-hour delivery in Nairobi
24-hour delivery countrywide
1-year warranty

Order on WhatsApp Call 0759 230450

Updated November 2026 by Brian Otieno

Why Kenyans call a walking pad a treadmill

Walk into most shops in Nairobi and ask for a treadmill, and you may be shown a walking pad. Ask for a walking pad, and you may be shown a small treadmill. Both are fair. Every walking pad is a treadmill: a motor turns a belt and you walk on it. What changes is the size.

Walking pad: low and flat, folds or slides away, usually 1 to 6 km/h
2-in-1 walking pad treadmill: a walking pad with a handrail that lifts up so you can run. Ours reaches 14 km/h
Full-size treadmill: a big machine with a fixed console and rails, 16 to 20 km/h

So when people in Kenya search for a treadmill for home, a small treadmill or a foldable treadmill, a 2-in-1 walking pad is often exactly what they mean.

Walking pad vs treadmill, side by side

	Walking pad (2-in-1)	Full-size treadmill
Typical price in Kenya	KSh 22,000 to 35,000	KSh 60,000 to 150,000+
Floor space in use	About 1.2 x 0.6 m	About 1.8 x 0.9 m
Floor space when stored	Folds flat, stores under a bed or sofa	Permanent, rarely folds fully
Top speed	Up to 14 km/h on 2-in-1 models	16 to 20 km/h
Handrail	Removable	Fixed
Best for	Apartments, home offices, working from home	Gym rooms, serious distance training

Choose a walking pad if

You live in an apartment, bedsitter or shared house.
You want to walk while you work, take calls or watch TV.
You want the floor back when you finish.
You move house every few years and want something easy to carry.
Your budget is under KSh 30,000.

A 2-in-1 walking pad like ours also runs at up to 14 km/h, so you can still jog and do intervals.

Choose a full-size treadmill if

You train for a marathon and run long distances at 16 km/h or faster.
You have a room set aside for a home gym.

For serious distance running, a full-size treadmill is the better tool.

Why space decides it for most Kenyan homes

A walking pad folds away completely when you finish. A full-size treadmill almost never does. It is also far easier to move between rooms, or take with you when you move house, which matters when many people in Nairobi rent and move often. Read more about the foldable treadmill and the walking pad for apartments.

Our recommendation

For working from home, general fitness, weight management and small apartments, a 2-in-1 walking pad that runs up to 14 km/h covers both walking and running. It costs about a third of a full-size treadmill and needs a fraction of the permanent floor space. Compare costs in our treadmill price guide.

Foldable Walking Pad Treadmill

A foldable walking pad treadmill for home and office. Walk at 1 to 6 km/h under a desk, or lift the handrail and run at up to 14 km/h.

Walking pad treadmill with the handrail down, used at a home office desk

Walking pad treadmill folded flat for storage under a sofa

Hand holding the wireless remote control of the walking pad treadmill

KSh24,800

Order on WhatsApp Call 0759 230450

Frequently asked questions

Is a walking pad better than a treadmill?

For small homes, desk walking and general fitness, usually yes. It costs less, folds away and still runs at up to 14 km/h on 2-in-1 models. For marathon training at high speed, a full-size treadmill is better.

Can a walking pad replace a treadmill for running?

For most home runners doing 5 to 10 km sessions at a moderate pace, yes, especially a 2-in-1 model that reaches 14 km/h. Marathon training at high speed still suits a full-size treadmill.

Is a walking pad worth it if I already go to the gym?

Yes, for the days you cannot get there: heavy rain, late meetings, or when a 20-minute walk does not justify the commute.

What is the main downside of a walking pad compared with a treadmill?

A lower top speed than full-size treadmills. For walking, desk use and moderate running, this rarely matters.