Noise is the number one worry before buying a walking pad: will it disturb the neighbours, can people hear it in a video call, can I still walk in the evening? In every test I measure the noise from about one metre away at different speeds, in a real apartment rather than a lab. Here are the values from my tests, the differences between motor, fan and footfall, and the quietest models.
In short
When walking at 2 to 4 km/h, modern walking pads sit at around 50 to 55 dB, which is somewhere between soft music and normal room volume. Louder than the motor is usually the footfall of your feet, and that is what the neighbour below you hears. In everyday use the WalkingPad Z1, whose fan I could not hear, and the Z3 Hybrid+ with its quiet fan seem the quietest; the loudest nuisance is the fan of the A1 Pro.
Measured noise by speed
On the WalkingPad R2 I measured the values with a rubber mat underneath across all speeds. They show clearly how much the pace determines the noise:
| Speed | Measured value | Comparable to |
| 2 km/h (1.2 mph) | 49.9 dB | soft music, birdsong |
| 4 km/h (2.5 mph) | 53.1 dB | TV at room volume |
| 6 km/h (3.7 mph) | 56.6 dB | normal conversation |
| 8 km/h (5 mph) | 60.0 dB | normal conversation |
| 10 km/h (6.2 mph) | 65.1 dB | TV, sewing machine |
| 12 km/h (7.5 mph) | 70.2 dB | vacuum cleaner, hair dryer |
When working at the desk you rarely walk faster than 4 km/h. In that range every tested model stays below the volume of a normal conversation. When jogging from 10 km/h upwards every walking pad becomes audible, and then the footsteps dominate.
Three sources of noise: motor, fan, footfall
- Motor: Brushless motors like those in the Z1, X214 or MC11 are barely audible when walking. The P1’s motor is slightly more present but also quiet.
- Fan: Many models cool the motor with a fan that kicks in after a few minutes. In a quiet room that is usually the most noticeable sound. On the Z1 I could not hear a fan; the Z3 Hybrid+ has a quiet fan.
- Footfall: Your feet landing on the belt transmits into the floor. For you it is a dull sound, for the neighbour below the real problem. A floor protection mat dampens it noticeably.
- Beeps: Many devices beep at every speed change. On the KUIPERS K1, X214, X218 and Z3 Hybrid+ they can be muted, on the X21 the beep is clearly loud.
The quietest walking pads from my tests
| Model | Fan | Special feature | My noise assessment |
| WalkingPad Z1 | no audible fan | approx. 56.7 dB at 6 km/h (3.7 mph) in my measurement, only the rolling belt | the quietest |
| WalkingPad X214 | barely audible, only briefly after the run | mute function; my measurement: around 50 to 56 dB walking up to 4 km/h (2.5 mph), around 70 dB at 14 km/h (8.7 mph) | very quiet |
| WalkingPad Z3 Hybrid+ | quiet fan | mostly 47 to 60 dB when walking, 61 to 72 dB when jogging | very quiet when walking |
| KUIPERS K1 (German review) | slightly noticeable | beeps can be muted; my measurement: around 45 to 48 dB at 1 km/h (0.6 mph) up to 60 to 61 dB at 6 km/h (3.7 mph) | quiet |
| WalkingPad P1 | quiet fan, switches on later | about 56 dB when walking briskly (my measurement) | quiet |
| WalkingPad MC11 | present | approx. 48 – 70 dB with rubber mat depending on speed | quiet when walking |
| WalkingPad R2 | present | 49.9 dB at 2 km/h, 70.2 dB at 12 km/h | quiet when walking, loud when running |
| WalkingPad X218 | kicks in after about two minutes | around 48 to 50 dB at 2 km/h (1.2 mph, briefly 54 dB when starting), 68 to 69 dB at 14 km/h (8.7 mph) | quiet when walking, loud when running |
| WalkingPad X21 | present | approx. 49 to 75 dB with a rubber mat, depending on speed | quiet when walking, loud beep |
| Sperax P2 Pro | kicks in regularly, clearly audible | running noise itself quiet | fan disturbs in a quiet room |
| WalkingPad A1 Pro | kicks in quickly, loud | 59.2 dB at top speed, walking noise acceptable | the fan is the nuisance |
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How to make your walking pad quieter
- Floor protection mat: A 3 to 6 mm mat made of TPE or rubber dampens vibrations and footfall. The WalkingPad floor mat worked well for me up to 6 km/h, at higher speeds the footfall remains audible.
- Oil and centre the belt: A dry belt or one rubbing on the side produces grinding and cracking noises. Silicone oil under the belt and centring the running surface bring it back to running smoothly.
- Lower the pace: The slower, the quieter. 2.5 to 3.5 km/h is a good compromise, and focused work is easiest in that range anyway.
- Choose a hard floor: Parquet, laminate or tiles with a mat. Deep-pile carpets block the ventilation and do not dampen any better.
- Use the mute function: On the X214, the K1 and via the app on the Z3 Hybrid+ the beeps can be switched off.
- Mind the time of day: In old buildings with thin floors, avoid training after 10 pm no matter how quiet the device is.
My verdict
When walking at the desk, no current walking pad is really loud, the deciding factors are fan and footfall. If you work in a rented apartment or with colleagues in the room, go for the Z1 or X214 and put a mat underneath. All measurements for each model are in the linked reviews and in my walking pad reviews.
Frequently asked questions about walking pad noise
How many decibels does a walking pad produce when walking?
In my measurement on the WalkingPad R2 with a rubber mat it was 49.9 dB at 2 km/h and 53.1 dB at 4 km/h, roughly room volume. Jogging at 12 km/h reached 70.2 dB.
Which walking pad is the quietest?
The WalkingPad Z1, because I could not hear a fan on it. The X214 is also very quiet and can be muted. The Z3 Hybrid+ has a quiet fan.
Does a walking pad disturb the neighbours?
The motor hardly, the footfall does. A floor protection mat dampens the vibrations, and in buildings with thin floors you should not train late in the evening.
Why is the WalkingPad A1 Pro loud?
The motor is quiet, but the cooling fan kicks in quickly and is clearly audible. If that bothers you, take the Z1 or P1.
More walking pad guides
- 10,000 Steps at Your Desk: How to Get Them on the Side with a Walking Pad
- Floor Mat for Your Walking Pad: What It Does Against Footfall and What to Look For
- Walking Pad Without Electricity: Does It Exist? Manual Treadmills, Running Costs and Alternatives
- Walking Pad and Desk Height: How High Does the Desk Need to Go? Deck Heights of All Models
- Walking Pad Power Consumption: What Does an Hour of Walking Really Cost? Measured Values
- How to Oil, Centre and Maintain a Walking Pad: The Guide from Eleven Tests
- Walking Pad Speed: 6, 12 or 18 km/h? Which Pace You Really Need
- Foldable Walking Pads: Which Design Fits Your Home? All Folded Dimensions from My Tests
- WalkingPad Z1 vs. P1 vs. A1 Pro: Which Compact Walking Pad Is Right for You?
- Walking Pad Weight Limit: Which Models Carry 120, 135 or 136 kg (300 lb)?
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