Slow Mile

Quiet walking pads for flats and upstairs rooms

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change which products are recommended. Disclosure.

The motor is rarely the loudest part of a walking pad. Footfall travels through floors, so a good mat, a steady pace and a cushioned deck matter more than the decibel figure on the listing. Of the pads here, the Toputure, WalkingPad Z1, CITYSPORTS WP9 and Cardirun claim under 45 dB (Cardirun under 40 dB). Mobvoi quotes up to 60 dB for both of its models.

A walking pad on a thick rubber mat over carpet in an upstairs home office

In a flat, the question is not only whether a walking pad is quiet in the room, but whether the people below can hear it. Those are two different sounds.

Two kinds of noise

Airborne noise is the hum of the motor and the whirr of the belt. It is the noise manufacturers measure, and it is the one you hear in the room.

Impact noise is the thud of your feet on the deck, passed through the pad, into the floor and down into the room below. It is the one neighbours hear, and a quiet motor does nothing for it.

Manufacturer noise claims

ModelSpeedInclineMax userBelt (walking area)Weight
Toputure Walking Pad (9–10% incline)Up to 10 km/h0%, 5% or 10% (title says 9%)130 kg (300 lb)100 × 40 cm19.6 kgSee on Amazon
WalkingPad Z11–6 km/hNone110 kg121 × 40 cm deck (listed deck size)23 kgSee on Amazon
CITYSPORTS WP9 Folding Walking Pad1–12 km/h0% or 8% (manual, two positions)120 kg102 × 40 cm running area26.5 kgSee on Amazon
Cardirun 6-in-1 Folding Walking Pad (TM037)1–6 km/h walking, 1–10 km/h running mode10%, manual145 kg in the bullets; 150 kg in the table92 × 41 cm (recommended for users up to 170 cm)18.85 kgSee on Amazon
Mobvoi Home Treadmill SE1–6 km/h walking, 1–12 km/h with rails upNone120 kg100 × 40 cm (39.4 × 15.8 in)17.6 kgSee on Amazon

Figures are taken from each manufacturer's Amazon UK listing, checked 10 November 2026. Check the listing before you buy, because sellers sometimes update a model without changing the page.

These are manufacturer claims, measured in ways that are not stated and probably not consistent. A brand quoting 60 dB is not necessarily louder than a brand quoting 45 dB. Some brands quote only "low noise" with no figure, like UREVO for the S2.

So the figures are useful as a rough indication, but the factors below make a bigger difference.

What actually helps

1. A dense rubber mat

A firm, dense equipment mat under the pad reduces the vibration passed into the floor. It also protects the floor and gives the pad a stable base. Thin yoga mats are too soft.

A walking pad on a thick rubber mat over carpet in an upstairs home office

2. Walking speed

Impact noise rises with speed. A desk walk at 2–3 km/h is much quieter than a brisk walk at 6 km/h, and much quieter than jogging. In a flat, a walking-only pad is often a better choice than a 2-in-1.

3. A cushioned deck

Most pads list shock absorbers, from six points (UREVO S2) to twelve (SpaceWalk 5L). They are designed to cushion your joints, but they also absorb some of the impact that would otherwise reach the floor.

4. Where you put it

A pad on a solid ground floor makes less noise downstairs than one on a suspended timber floor. If you can, put it over a joist or near a wall rather than in the middle of a room.

5. Maintenance

A dry, slipping or misaligned belt makes more noise. The maintenance guide covers belt tension and lubrication.

The shortlist

Low noise claim with an incline

Toputure Walking Pad (9–10% incline)

A flat pad with a 0%, 5% or 10% incline from fold-out feet, a 100 × 40 cm belt and a 10 km/h top speed. The listing mixes up its motor and incline figures, but the core numbers are in a useful range.

1–10 km/h0/5/10% incline130 kg max100 × 40 cm belt19.6 kg

Toputure quotes under 45 dB from a brushless motor and lists 8 silicone shock absorbers.

Low noise claim, folding

WalkingPad Z1

The one to look at first if storage is the main problem. It folds in half to about 81 cm long and is only 10.6 cm high when flat, although the 110 kg user limit is lower than many rivals.

1–6 km/h110 kg max121 × 40 cm deckFolds in half23 kg

WalkingPad quotes under 45 dB from a brushless motor.

Most cushioning points

UREVO SpaceWalk 5L

The pick for an automatic incline. It lifts to 9% at the press of a button, supports 136 kg and has a 100 × 40 cm belt. It is taller, at 15.5 cm, so it will not slide under as much furniture.

1–6 km/h0–9% auto incline136 kg max100 × 40 cm belt23 kg

UREVO lists 12-point shock absorption, though no dB figure.

Questions

Are walking pads loud for downstairs neighbours?

The motor is usually quiet, but footfall can carry, especially on timber floors. A dense mat and a slower pace help most.

What is the quietest walking pad?

Manufacturer noise claims are not tested the same way, so there is no reliable answer from listings alone. Cardirun makes the lowest claim here, at under 40 dB.

Can I use a walking pad in an upstairs flat?

Yes, many people do. Use a mat, walk rather than jog, and check your lease or tenancy for any rules about exercise equipment.

Do mats reduce walking pad noise?

Yes. A dense rubber mat reduces vibration into the floor and protects it.