Best Quiet Treadmills for Apartments and Light Sleepers
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The short answer
The quietest way to use a treadmill around light sleepers is to walk, not run, on a machine with a brushless motor, set on a thick rubber mat. Footsteps, not the motor, are what neighbors below hear.
For walking, a walking pad such as the REVO is the quietest choice. If you need incline and running, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 measured about 69 dB in independent tests, quieter than the average treadmill.
Quietest with inclineNordicTrack Commercial 1750Walkers and runners who want incline and classes, and can put it on a ground floor or a thick mat
Budget pick with a brushless motorUMAY Folding Incline TreadmillA low-cost full treadmill with incline for walking and light jogging
A treadmill doesn't have to cost you your neighbors' goodwill or your partner's sleep. But "quiet" on a product listing usually refers to the motor alone, measured with nobody on the belt. The noise that wakes people is mostly something else. This guide explains where treadmill noise comes from, which machines are quietest in independent testing, and the setup that keeps the sound in your room.
Where treadmill noise really comes from
A treadmill makes two kinds of noise, and they travel differently:
- Airborne noise: the motor's hum, the belt sliding over the deck, and the fan. You hear it in the same room and through a closed door. A light sleeper in the next bedroom notices this most.
- Impact noise: your feet landing on the deck. The thump goes straight into the floor and travels through the building's structure. This is what the people downstairs hear, and it's usually the bigger problem in apartments, especially in buildings with wood-framed floors.
That's why the same treadmill can be fine in a ground-floor house and a nightmare in a third-floor walk-up. A motor rated "under 45 dB" says nothing about your footsteps. The decibel-review site dBSkeptic points out that most walking-pad noise ratings are manufacturer figures taken at low speed with no user on the belt. The one real walking-speed reading it found, a buyer's phone measurement at 2.2 mph, was about 60 dB.
How loud is a treadmill?
In Garage Gym Reviews' tests, the treadmills they measured averaged about 68.5 dB from 5 feet away, roughly a running dishwasher. The quietest full-size machines came in around 68 to 69 dB. Some machines went over 70 dB, about the level of a washing machine.
| Sound level | Everyday comparison | What it means at home |
|---|---|---|
| About 30 dB | A whisper | Won't disturb a sleeper |
| About 60 dB | Normal conversation | Walking pad at a slow walk; audible through a door |
| 68 to 69 dB | Dishwasher, TV at comfortable volume | The quietest full treadmills in testing |
| Over 70 dB | Washing machine | Louder treadmills, especially when running |
Running adds a lot to all of these figures, because your feet hit the deck harder and more often.
Our picks
Quietest for walking
REVO Walking Pad
Best for: Walking at a desk or while watching TV, in upstairs apartments
- Walking pad: speeds 0.5 to 4 mph, controlled by remote
- Flat, low deck with no console or rails
- Light enough to slide under a bed or sofa
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For the lowest noise, walk on a walking pad. At walking speeds your feet land softly, and the small motor has much less to do than a running treadmill's. It's the setup we'd choose for an upstairs unit or for walking while someone sleeps in the next room.
It's for walking only: no running and no incline. There are no handrails, so if you need something to hold, choose the UREVO below. See our full REVO walking pad review.
Pros
- Lowest impact noise of any treadmill type
- Easy to move and store
Cons
- Walking speeds only
- No handrails
Quietest with incline
NordicTrack Commercial 1750
Best for: Walkers and runners who want incline and classes, and can put it on a ground floor or a thick mat
- Averaged about 69 dB in Garage Gym Reviews' testing, below the average treadmill
- Quiet incline system, so changing the slope doesn't clunk
- Wide 22-inch running belt and iFIT classes on the touchscreen
- Folds up to save floor space
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Garage Gym Reviews named the Commercial 1750 its best quiet treadmill with incline. Its measured average of about 69 dB is close to normal conversation, and NordicTrack's quiet-drive design keeps incline changes from banging. If you want a full treadmill that can handle running, this is the one we'd pick for a shared home.
It's a big, heavy machine. In an upstairs apartment, running on any full treadmill will send footfall noise downstairs, so walk on incline instead of running, and use a thick mat. Classes need an iFIT subscription.
Pros
- Among the quietest full-size treadmills tested
- Incline, a wide belt and strong build
Cons
- Heavy and expensive
- Running still makes impact noise on upper floors
Budget pick with a brushless motor
UMAY Folding Incline Treadmill
Best for: A low-cost full treadmill with incline for walking and light jogging
- 3.0 HP brushless motor, listed as quiet
- Incline and folding frame
- Pulse sensors in the handles
- 300 lb weight capacity
See today's price, delivery options and owner reviews on Amazon.
Brushless motors run with less hum and less wear than the brushed motors in most budget treadmills, which is why we like this for a light sleeper's home on a budget. It also has incline, which lets you work harder at a walk instead of running.
We haven't seen independent noise measurements for this model, so treat "quiet" as the seller's claim. Use it on a mat, and keep speeds at a walk or light jog if anyone lives below you.
Pros
- Brushless motor at a budget price
- Incline for harder walking workouts
Cons
- No independent decibel tests
- Budget build; not for heavy daily running
Quiet walking with a handle
UREVO 3-in-1 Folding Treadmill
Best for: Walkers who want something to hold, in small or upstairs rooms
- Low walking deck with a fold-up handle
- Removable desk tray
- Folds flat, arrives without assembly
See today's price, delivery options and owner reviews on Amazon.
This has the low deck and gentle walking speeds of a walking pad, plus a handle to steady yourself. That makes it a good fit for older walkers, or anyone who wants a light, quiet walk without giving up a support bar.
Pros
- Handle for balance
- Low and easy to store
Cons
- Not for running
Quiet under-desk treadmill
See photos on AmazonLifeSpan TR1200 Glow Up
Best for: All-day walking at a standing desk in a home office
- Under-desk treadmill, 0.4 to 4 mph
- 330 lb weight capacity
- Built for long daily walking sessions
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Garage Gym Reviews named this its best quiet under-desk treadmill, describing it as very quiet despite a stronger motor than most desk treadmills. It costs more than a walking pad, but it's built for hours of walking every day, which is what wears out cheaper pads.
Pros
- Quiet in independent testing
- High weight capacity for a desk treadmill
Cons
- Pricier than a basic walking pad
- Walking only
Budget walking pad
DeerRun Smart Walking Pad
Best for: Low-cost daily walking in a small apartment
- Arrives assembled, with app and remote control
- 2.5 HP motor, listed for users up to 300 lb
- Slim enough to store under furniture
Prices change often. Amazon shows today's price, delivery date and reviews.
A simple, low-cost way to walk indoors without much noise. Like all walking pads, it's for walking speeds and has no rails. Read our DeerRun treadmill review for more.
Pros
- Low price, no assembly
- Easy to store
Cons
- No rails or incline
Also worth a look
Garage Gym Reviews also found the ProForm Carbon TLX fairly quiet, at about 68 to 69 dB. If nobody in the house can tolerate motor hum, a manual curved treadmill such as the AssaultRunner Pro has no motor at all. It's still loud underfoot when you run, so it isn't a fix for downstairs neighbors.
Quiet treadmills compared
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| REVO Walking Pad Treadmill for Home with Remote | See price |
| NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill with iFITTHE COMMERCIAL 1750 TREADMILL - A full-featured treadmill that works great out of the box. Add an iFIT Pro… | See the deal |
| UMAY Fitness Home Folding Incline Treadmill with Pulse Sensors | See price |
| UREVO Treadmill with Desk | See price |
| DeerRun 2025 Upgrade Walking Pad | See price |
How to keep treadmill noise from reaching the neighbors
The machine is only half the answer. These steps matter as much as which treadmill you buy:
- Walk, don't run. Walking produces far less impact than running. Raise the incline instead of the speed when you want a harder workout.
- Use a thick rubber mat. A dense rubber mat under the whole machine absorbs vibration before it reaches the floor. For upstairs units, add anti-vibration pads under the feet as well. Thin foam mats help with scratches, but do little for noise.
- Pick the right spot. Keep it away from shared walls and away from the room above a neighbor's bedroom. A corner near a load-bearing wall usually transmits less than the middle of a room.
- Choose your hours. Check your lease or building rules for quiet hours. Night-shift workers, such as nurses, often need to exercise while others sleep, so walking pads on mats suit them best.
- Keep it maintained. A dry belt squeaks and makes the motor work harder. Lubricate it as the manual says. Here's how to lubricate a treadmill.
- Check that it's level. A machine that rocks on an uneven floor knocks with every step. Adjust the leveling feet before your first workout.
Is a treadmill the quietest option?
Not always. If impact noise is the problem, a machine where your feet never leave the pedals is quieter. An elliptical, a recumbent bike or a seated under-desk elliptical makes almost no impact noise. See our guide to quiet ellipticals for apartments, or compare a walking pad with an under-desk elliptical.
Quiet treadmill questions
What is the quietest type of treadmill?
A walking pad used at walking speeds. Its small motor runs gently, and walking creates far less impact than running. On a thick rubber mat, it's the most neighbor-friendly treadmill you can buy.
Can my downstairs neighbors hear my treadmill?
Usually, yes, if you run. Footfall impact travels through the floor structure, especially in wood-framed buildings. Walking, a dense rubber mat and anti-vibration pads reduce it a lot, but no treadmill makes running silent for the people below.
How many decibels is a quiet treadmill?
In independent testing, the quietest full-size treadmills measured about 68 to 69 dB from 5 feet, about the level of a TV. Walking pads at a slow walk can be closer to 60 dB. Ratings of 40 to 45 dB on listings are usually measured without anyone walking on the belt.
Are brushless treadmill motors quieter?
Generally, yes. Brushless motors have no brushes rubbing inside, so they hum less and wear more slowly. They reduce motor noise, but not the noise of your footsteps.
Is it OK to use a treadmill in an apartment?
Yes, in most buildings, if you follow your lease and quiet hours. Check the floor's weight limit for heavy machines, use a mat, and walk rather than run if someone lives below you.
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