When it comes to small, really affordable treadmills, it’s going to be hard to find a more beloved one than REDLIRO’s 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill.
In fact, as I’m writing this, the REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill is actually one of the best selling treadmills on Amazon, which is quite the accomplishment.
One might be inclined to argue that the budget-friendly price is reason enough for this little treadmill to be so popular, but let’s be real – there are a ton of cheap treadmills on Amazon and most of ’em aren’t selling like this one.
So, what gives?
I can’t speak for the folks who buy this treadmill, but if I had to guess, I’d say it has something to do with how compact and easy to set up it is.
And the fact that it can be used as an under desk treadmill or a stand alone treadmill probably doesn’t hurt either.
Oh yeah, it can also be stored flat underneath furniture or vertically against a wall.
This all sounds pretty good, but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that this is a really small treadmill with a small motor and a small running surface.
Did I mention that this thing is small?
All things considered, if you’re looking for an affordable walking treadmill (or under desk treadmill) that can be stored anywhere, I think the REDLIRO could be a good option, but you need to know what you’re getting into before you buy.
And that’s where I can help.
In this review, I’ll go over all the specs and features this treadmill has to offer, but I’ll also explain what this stuff means in the first place.
After reading, you’ll know whether or not the REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill is a good option for your home gym (or office).
The REDLIRO 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill
Under desk treadmills have been around for some time, but it seems like they’ve become a lot more popular in the last couple of years.
I’m sure it has something to do with that whole pandemic thingy that’s been going on… you know, people having to work from home and whatnot…
And for those who find themselves sitting in front of a desk all day, investing in an under desk treadmill can be a great way to get your steps in and improve your health – all while still getting your work completed.
And even though under desk treadmills aren’t new, it does seem that we’re seeing a lot more really affordable options now.
Case in point, the REDLIRO we’re here to discuss now.
At the time of writing this, the REDLIRO costs under $400, which is very affordable compared to the higher-end under desk treadmills (like LifeSpan’s) that basically cost as much as other full-size home treadmills.
Just know that treadmills like the REDLIRO are affordable for good reason… but more on that below.
Pros
- Very affordable
- No assembly necessary
- Can be stored under furniture or vertically against a wall
- 12 built-in workout programs
- Can control treadmill from handrail or remote control
- Compact
- Easy to move
Cons
- Small running surface
- Weak motor
- Lightweight frame
- 220 lb weight limit
- Not a good idea to run on it
Running Surface
Comparing under desk treadmills isn’t that much different than comparing regular treadmills – you should expect less in the console department, but the performance specs are basically the same.
So, I think it’s a good idea to start with the running surface.
This spec tells us the exact dimensions of the belt, letting us know immediately how much room we’ll have at our disposal during use.
Having a larger running surface is always a good thing (at least I’ve never heard anyone complain about a treadmill being too spacious), but that said, under desk treadmills are often quite a bit smaller than standard ones.
This is because under desk treadmills are designed for walking only.
And we don’t need as long a running surface when walking at slower speeds because our strides are smaller.
However, the REDLIRO is marketed as a 2 in 1 treadmill, meaning it supposedly can handle being used as a desk treadmill and a stand alone, traditional treadmill.
So I’m gonna go ahead and judge the heck out of this thing’s running surface.
Jokes aside, the REDLIRO does come with a really small running surface – to be exact, we’re talking 15″ x 41″.
This is tiny compared to the 20″ x 60″ running surface we see on many full size, traditional treadmills, but it’s pretty normal for a treadmill in this price range.
Especially one designed to be used as an under desk treadmill too.
For example, GoPlus’ 2 in 1 Treadmill comes with a 16″ x 40″ running surface, which is almost identically small.
Regardless, at this size, the REDLIRO is going to be challenging to run on for most folks because you’ll likely find yourself having to significantly shorten your stride.
It would be like marching in place.
The small running surface alone makes this a walking treadmill, but when you consider how lightweight this thing is it’s even more reason.
The REDLIRO only weighs 57 lb – as a 200 lb man, I wouldn’t feel comfortable running on this thing for fear of breaking it down.
I will give kudos where kudos are earned though – I like that REDLIRO only gave this treadmill a 220 lb weight limit.
This is more realistic than what many other brands say their similar treadmills can handle.
I still think this treadmill would work better with people well under 200 lb, but at least REDLIRO is kinda being real with us here.
Overall, this is a very small, lightweight treadmill that is only really suited for walking.
Its running surface and frame are not adequate for most runners, so I wouldn’t even try it. But it could work for walking at slow speeds in front of a desk.
Motor
Ok, the running surface is less than spacious, but this is a $300 treadmill, so that’s to be expected. Well, turns out $300 treadmills don’t exactly come with strong motors either.
Remember when I said there were reasons why affordable treadmills are affordable in the first place?
Well, being small and weak are 2 of those reasons.
Actually, I probably need to slow my roll a little because this treadmill isn’t that weak for an under desk treadmill… but it is weak for a stand alone model.
Anyway, the REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill comes with a 2.25 HP motor that can reach a top speed of 7.5 mph in running mode (with the handles extended upright).
In walking mode, it can reach a top speed of 4 mph.
The speeds are fine and more than I think most people will need because I think this treadmill should only be used for walking.. but back to the motor.
2.25 HP is a bit on the weak side when we compare it to the 3-4 HP motors found on most higher-end, full-size treadmills, but this isn’t higher-end or full-size.
When compared to other similarly-priced, similarly-sized treadmills, 2.25 HP is the norm.
And a lot of other nicer desk treadmills come with similar horsepower, so I’m not too concerned here.
Honestly, I’d be surprised if the 2.25 HP rating was that accurate – the motor might technically be able to achieve this output, but I doubt it can sustain it, but that’s neither here nor there.
Overall, the motor on this treadmill should be of adequate strength for walking… but again, not for running.
Features
The REDLIRO Under Desk Treadmill comes with the following features:
LED display- there’s a simple display built-into the treadmill base, allowing you to see your time, speed, distance, etc regardless of whether the handrail is up or not. If you have the treadmill under a desk, it’ll probably be hard to see this display.
12 workout programs- surprisingly, this treadmill comes with 12 built-in workout programs to choose from (as well as a manual mode). This probably wouldn’t come in that handy while working at a desk (I can’t imagine trying to work while keeping up with speed changes), but you could take advantage of these when taking a work break.
Foldable handrail- the handrail easily folds up and down, giving you something to hold onto while using the treadmill. And unlike some models, you can control the REDLIRO from the handrail, which is nice.
Easily stored- my favorite part of this treadmill is that it’s really easy to store. With the handrail folded down in walking mode, it’s only 5.5″ thick, making it easy to store under a lot of beds and couches. But it can also be stored vertically, allowing it to fit behind doors and in closets.
Remote control- this treadmill is remote controlled and you need that remote to control the speed and select workouts when the handrail is folded down. So make sure those batteries are fresh.
Safety key- this treadmill also comes with one of those safety keys you can attach to your shirt, so that it’ll cut off if you accidentally fall off.
Assembly
One of the nicest things about this treadmill is that there isn’t any assembly – this thing is ready to roll right out of the box.
If you want to use it in running mode, you simply unscrew the knobs on each end and fold the handrail up into position and then retighten the knobs.
That’s it.
And considering how light this treadmill is (and the fact that it has built-in rollers), moving the REDLIRO around shouldn’t be hard.
Overall, this treadmill couldn’t be any easier to get started.
Warranty
REDLIRO covers their 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill with the following home warranty:
- 12 month all inclusive
Yup, so this treadmill comes with a 1 year guarantee.
If anything malfunctions during this time period, you have to contact REDLIRO and get a return form to complete – once this is done, you can send the machine back.
Some users have mentioned having to pay the shipping to send this thing back to China; others have mentioned you need the original box to send it back in.
In other words, even if you’re within this 12 month window, getting a replacement could be tedious.
Anyway, a 12 month warranty is really short, but for a treadmill in this price range, it’s about as good as we can expect.
It’s better than the 90 day warranty GoPlus offers.
Final Thoughts
I think that’ll about do it.
As $300 treadmills go, this is a pretty interesting one.
Like all treadmills in this price range, the REDLIRO comes with a really small running surface, a pretty weak motor, and a really lightweight frame.
But if you’re planning on using this as a walking or under desk treadmill, it could still get the job done.
Under no circumstances would I recommend actually running on this thing – I don’t care whether you’re under that weight limit or not, it’s a bad idea.
The REDLIRO’s frame and components are small and not durable enough to handle the added stress running puts on ’em.
I do like that you can control this treadmill from the handrail and that it comes with a remote for easy controlling when in walking mode.
But my favorite part though, is that you can store this treadmill under furniture or up against a wall when not in use – that’s convenient.
All things considered, if you’re looking for an affordable walking treadmill or looking for a way to get some extra steps in while you work, the REDLIRO is likely one of the best options in this price range.
Just don’t run on it.
