Many people focused on health are always looking to improve their workouts and overall wellness. New equipment, training methods, and diets have made it easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle. One useful innovation is treadmills with incline settings.
A good home treadmill should include an incline feature. Not every treadmill has one, but incline helps burn more calories, tone muscles, provide low-impact cardio, and add challenge to workouts.
To help you choose from so many options, we researched and put together a list of some of the best home treadmills with incline.
Wellness sites like The Fitness Tribe can also offer useful tips on fitness, exercises, diet, gear, and accessories. If you’ve decided to buy a treadmill with incline, this guide will give you a clear overview.
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What to consider when buying an incline treadmill
Manual or automatic incline?
Most commercial treadmills use automatic incline because it’s easier and more convenient. Manual incline models are usually cheaper. If you don’t mind adjusting the incline yourself, a manual treadmill can save money. Automatic incline lets you change the slope with buttons during your workout, usually in small increments, which is much more convenient.
What incline range do you need?
Most home treadmills offer around 10–25% incline, which is enough for high-intensity and muscle-toning workouts. Think about your goals: are you a runner, or do you mainly want long walks and light jogging? That will help you choose the right incline range rather than just picking the highest number.
High-incline treadmills
Treadmills with 30–40% incline are great for advanced runners who want more intense training beyond basic home workouts. These are usually high-end, gym-style machines. Benefits include stronger quads, hamstrings, glutes, and improved ankle strength for runners tackling tough conditions.
Running area
Look for a running belt at least 120 x 40 cm for a comfortable stride and safe running. Taller users should aim for 150 x 50 cm or more. The models listed below all offer enough space for different user sizes.
Weight capacity
Check the treadmill’s maximum weight limit and leave at least 10 kg of extra capacity between your weight and the listed limit.
Portability and storage
For home use, a treadmill should be easy to move and store. Many foldable treadmills include transport wheels for quicker storage. All picks below are foldable models.
Best incline treadmills — Reviews
DKN EzRun Treadmill
A solid all-round treadmill for weight loss and low-impact cardio. Auto incline ranges from 0% to 12%, so you can adjust difficulty with a button. The console shows all the key stats and offers 15 preset programs approved by a certified trainer. You can create two profiles to track progress separately.
Bluetooth lets you pair devices for live workouts and music. It’s also fast—up to 20 kph—and supports up to 130 kg. Buyers like its practicality, performance, and price, making it a good option for calorie-burning and low-impact runs.
Pros: Up to 20 kph speed; automatic incline; preset programs; Bluetooth; 130 kg max weight
Cons: May not be enough for very experienced runners
Available from: Sweatband / DKN
Viavito Lunarun Fold Flat Treadmill
A budget-friendly, fully foldable treadmill under £1000. It has 10 incline levels, making it good for brisk walking, mild muscle toning, and calorie burn. The console is easy to use and includes three quick incline keys and handlebar speed controls.
It folds compactly and can fit under a bed. The monitor tracks heart rate, calories, time, speed, incline, and distance, and the console offers 9–12 preset programs. You can save two profiles, which is handy for couples. Extras include a water bottle holder, MP3 port, speakers, and a media rack.
Pros: Fully foldable; affordable; extra features; quick incline control; up to 12 preset workouts
Cons: Low max weight: 90 kg; not ideal for high-intensity running
Available from: Sweatband
JLL T350 Digital Folding Treadmill
A budget-friendly treadmill that balances quality and price. It offers 20 levels of incline (20%), speeds up to 18 kph, folds for storage, and includes 20 preset workouts. The cushioned running area suits both beginners and more experienced runners.
The large LCD shows basic metrics, and it features USB, AUX, Bluetooth, and strong speakers. It supports up to 120 kg, making it suitable for heavier users who want intense training. Users praise its value and performance.
Pros: Affordable; 20 auto incline levels; speakers and ports; sturdy; intuitive console
Cons: Some users report loud noise
Available from: Amazon
Branx Fitness Foldable ‘Elite Runner Pro’
A more expensive but feature-rich treadmill. It offers 22 auto incline levels and a powerful 6.5 HP motor for frequent high-intensity use. Features include an LCD monitor, smart 10-point shock absorption, a 21 kph max speed, and a 160 kg weight capacity.
It has built-in speakers, Bluetooth, transport wheels, and a soft-drop folding system that makes it easier to move and store despite its weight. Warranty: 2 years for parts and 5 years for the motor. A cheaper alternative in the range is the Branx Fitness Foldable ‘Cardio Pro’ with a 17.5 kph top speed and 20 incline levels.
Pros: Very durable; 160 kg max weight; 22% incline; soft-drop fold; 10-point absorption
Cons: Pricier and bulkier than similar models
Available from: Amazon
Proform Power 995i
A 12% automatic incline treadmill for runners who want a tech-forward experience. It’s Bluetooth and iPod compatible and includes a 1-year iFit membership for an extensive library of guided workouts. iFit also offers Google Maps routes to recreate outdoor runs.
It’s foldable with transport wheels and has a smooth motor supporting up to 22 kph. The CoolAire fan keeps you comfortable during workouts. The PRO series includes other models like the 2000 with a 15% incline; budget options include the 525i with a 10% incline.
Pros: iFit membership; iPod/media features; CoolAire fan; smooth and quiet; 22 kph max speed
Cons: More expensive than similar options
Available from: Amazon
NordicTrack Commercial X9i
A high-end treadmill with a huge 40% incline and a 6% decline. It’s built for serious runners who want steep, challenging workouts that mimic mountain climbing. Advanced cushioning makes it low-impact and joint-friendly.
Features include a 7-inch touchscreen with iFit for live training and Google Maps routes, multiple user profiles, and powerful speakers. It reaches up to 20 kph and supports 135 kg. It’s pricier than most other models but offers professional-level features.
Pros: Up to 40% incline; many extra features; easy touchscreen; foldable; 135 kg max weight
Cons: Expensive; better suited to experienced users
Available from: John Lewis
FAQs
How many calories can you burn on an incline treadmill?
The steeper the incline, the more calories you burn. On average, a 30-minute treadmill walk burns about 150–200 calories, depending on weight and speed. Adding a 5% incline can significantly increase calorie burn—sometimes by up to around 250 extra calories depending on effort and pace.
Does an incline treadmill build leg muscle?
Yes. Higher inclines make your legs work harder, engaging quads, hamstrings, and glutes more. Your back and core also work harder as the slope increases.
Is an incline treadmill better for knees?
Incline walking tends to give softer steps that place less stress on joints. High-incline workouts can be an effective low-impact option that protects knees and ligaments while still giving a strong cardio and strength stimulus.
What incline should I use on the treadmill?
It depends on your fitness level and goals. Generally, 10–15% is challenging enough for many users to boost calorie burn and tone muscles. Advanced users may train above 20%, while beginners should start near 0% and increase incline gradually.