WalkingPad X218 vs X25+: Which Foldable Treadmill Is Right for Your Apartment?

Two of WalkingPad's best compact treadmills, one big question: which one actually belongs in your apartment? I tested both. Here's what no one else is telling you.

Both are compact. Both fold. Both are affiliate partners I genuinely trust. But they are not the same machine, and buying the wrong one for your setup is a $1,400 mistake. Let me break it down.

Who Each Machine Is For

These aren't interchangeable options — they're built for two slightly different people. If you're still figuring out which cardio format fits your space best, my under-desk walking pads and compact treadmills guide is a good place to start.

Side-by-Side Specs

No tables allowed on this platform, so I'm serving this the clean way. Here's exactly what matters, side by side.

In-Depth Breakdown

Size & Storage

This is the biggest differentiator — and where your apartment layout makes the decision for you.

The X218 folds upright into a single vertical position, standing against the wall at roughly 42.5" x 33" x 11.6". It's sleek, it's intentional, and honestly it looks more like a piece of modern furniture than gym equipment. The engineering here is genuinely beautiful. But — it needs floor space to stand upright, and that footprint stays at 33" wide.

The X25+ double-folds down to just 9.6" thick. That is wild. You can slide it under a bed, tuck it flat in a closet, or roll it behind a sofa — I've got a full breakdown of under-bed storage ideas that actually work in small apartments if you're figuring out where it would live. If you're in a 400-square-foot studio and storage is truly a crisis, the X25+ wins this category outright. The double-fold mechanism is one of WalkingPad's most ingenious patents and the X25+ is the premium version of it.

Winner: X25+ for micro-apartments. X218 for anyone with a dedicated wall or corner.

Noise Level

Both machines use brushless motors, which are inherently quieter than traditional brushed motors. Apartment-friendliness is baked into WalkingPad's DNA — this is a brand that built its reputation on not waking up your downstairs neighbor. For a full rundown of how WalkingPad stacks up against the competition on this front, my quiet treadmills for apartments guide covers exactly that.

In practice, the X25+'s 1.5 HP motor is described as whisper-quiet even at top speed. Perfect for early morning runs or late-night cardio when the walls are thin. The X218's 5.25 HP motor is more powerful — and power usually means more sound. It's still low by treadmill standards, but at 11.5 MPH during a sprint interval, you will hear it. Think focused gym buzz, not construction noise.

For maximum quietness, especially at lower speeds for walking and light jogging, the X25+ has the edge. For runners who need high-speed performance and can accept a slightly louder experience, the X218 is the trade-off worth making.

Winner: X25+ for quiet-first apartments. X218 is still apartment-friendly — just louder at sprint speeds.

Ease of Use

Both treadmills arrive fully assembled. You literally unfold them, plug them in, and go. I love this about WalkingPad — no tools, no guesswork, no YouTube tutorials at 9pm.

The X218 introduces the SpeedDial™ knob plus dedicated 3, 6, and 9 MPH shortcut buttons directly on the console. When you're mid-run and need to spike your speed fast, this is genuinely a game-changer. The dial is physical and intuitive — twist, done. The LED Dial Display and light bar also give you real-time feedback in a way that feels motivating, not clinical. NFC tap-to-start via the KS Fit app makes it as seamless as it gets.

The X25+ also has the SpeedDial for smooth pace adjustment, NFC tap-to-start, and that satisfying LED light strip that tracks your progress visually during the run. The OLED display is clean and easy to read. Both machines connect to the KS Fit app for workout tracking, Apple Watch integration, and 11 training programs — no membership fee required.

The key ease-of-use difference is the fold: the X25+ double-fold is faster and easier to put away if you're storing it daily. The X218's single upright fold is a little more ceremonial but more stable once up.

Winner: Tie — both are incredibly intuitive. X218 wins for in-workout control. X25+ wins for daily fold-and-store ease.

Value

At $1,499, the X218 is currently $300 off and includes a 5.25 HP motor, the widest deck in WalkingPad's lineup, foldable side handrails, and installment payment options through Affirm. For a flagship-tier foldable running treadmill, this is an exceptional price point. The SoftStep™ cushioning system and the sheer build quality justify every dollar if running performance is your priority.

At $1,399, the X25+ is currently $100 off and delivers 10 MPH performance, the same 300 lb capacity, double-fold storage, and the full KS Fit smart ecosystem. For the budget-conscious apartment renter who still wants a proper running treadmill — not just a walking pad — this is an insane value. The space-saving engineering alone would sell it at $200 more.

Both come with a 1-year warranty, free US shipping, 30-day returns, and HSA/FSA eligibility — WalkingPad's standard care package that I genuinely appreciate as a buyer. If you're building out a full cardio setup on a budget, my roundup of the best compact treadmills for small spaces covers where these two sit relative to the wider market.

Winner: X218 for performance-per-dollar at the flagship level. X25+ for value-per-square-inch of storage.

Serah's Verdict

Want more context before you decide? Read my full guide to foldable treadmills that actually fit in apartments — or see how WalkingPad holds up against the full field in my WalkingPad vs. competitors comparison. And if you're still building out your space, the apartment gym ideas setup guide is worth a look before you commit.

FAQ

Is the WalkingPad X218 or X25+ better for apartment living in 2026?

Both are designed specifically for apartment living, but the answer depends on your storage situation. The X25+ double-folds to just 9.6" thick — thin enough to slide under most bed frames or stand flat in a closet — making it the better pick for micro-apartments and studios where daily storage is a real constraint. The X218 folds upright into a compact vertical footprint and stores beautifully against a wall, but it does require dedicated floor space. If you run hard and have a corner to spare, the X218 is the upgrade. If your square footage is truly limited, the X25+ is the smarter fit.

Will either treadmill disturb my downstairs neighbors?

Both machines use brushless motors engineered for quiet operation — WalkingPad has built its entire brand reputation on apartment-friendly noise levels. The X25+ is whisper-quiet even at its 10 MPH top speed, making it one of the quietest running treadmills available in 2026. The X218 is also low-noise by treadmill standards, but its higher-powered 5.25 HP motor does produce more sound during sprint sessions at 10+ MPH. For maximum noise reduction, pair either machine with WalkingPad's non-slip floor mat, which also absorbs vibration. If you're in a building with noise-sensitive neighbors, lighter running at lower speeds on either machine should pose no issue.

Can I use installment payments for these treadmills?

Yes. WalkingPad officially supports financing through Affirm and Shop Pay, with options for up to 12 months interest-free for qualified customers. The X218 product page explicitly features installment payment options, and the X25+ is available through the same checkout financing options. Both treadmills are also HSA and FSA eligible, which is worth noting if you have pre-tax health spending dollars to use. This makes the price point significantly more manageable — for the X218, for example, 12-month financing at zero interest comes out to roughly $125/month.

What's the difference in deck size between the X218 and X25+, and does it matter?

Yes, it matters — especially if you're tall or run with a longer stride. The X218 offers WalkingPad's largest deck in its foldable lineup at 55.1" long by 20" wide, giving you genuine full-stride room at high speeds. The X25+ comes in at approximately 51.9" long by 19.6" wide — still competitive and spacious for most users, but notably narrower and shorter than the X218. If you're over 5'8" and regularly run at 8+ MPH, that extra length on the X218 makes a real difference in comfort and safety. For walkers and moderate joggers, the X25+ deck is more than sufficient.