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Last Updated: May 9, 2023
Raise your hand if you live in an apartment or condo. I’m right there with you. If your home is anything like mine, most treadmills aren’t in the cards. I live on the fourth floor without an elevator, so getting a hundred-pound+ treadmill up the stairs is out of the question. Even a model that has a deck that folds up isn’t possible because of my lack of space. The WalkingPad X21 Treadmill, however, is perfect for those who have very limited room and who live in an upstairs apartment. If this sounds like you, keep reading this WalkingPad X21 Treadmill review to learn more about this extremely compact, double-folding treadmill.
The Walkingpad X21 is an impressive compact treadmill that folds up to fit in almost any space.
Why You Should Trust Our Review Of The WalkingPad X21 Treadmill
Here at Treadmill Review Guru, we test out treadmills of all sizes. From non-folding to folding, and large to small, we review every treadmill that comes into our studio. We’ve been testing and reviewing treadmills for years, so you can trust that we know what we’re talking about in our reviews. We also create reviews like this one for you at home, so you can get insight into how a treadmill performs and if it is worth it.
When we tested the WalkingPad X21, we compared it to other treadmills like the WalkingPad C2, Echelon Stride, and ProForm City L6. All of these treadmills are similar in size and have folding capabilities.
Our WalkingPad X21 Treadmill Video Review
- The treadmill folds up twice to take up a minimal amount of space.
- This is best for small spaces and for those who live in apartments and condos.
- This is ideal for walking, although some users will be able to lightly jog.
- The adjustment dial is easy to use for adjusting the belt.
- The treadmill is lightweight at 93 lbs, making it appealing for use on upper-level floors.
- It comes with a device rack to hold your phone or tablet to stream whatever you want.
- The fold hinge on the deck is uncomfortable to walk on.
- Rolling the treadmill while folded is challenging because the transportation wheels are very small.
- There isn’t an incline feature.
- Double folding technology
- LED digital display screen
- Adjustment dial for quick adjusting
- Workout metrics: time, speed, distance, calories, and steps
- Overload protection
- Automatic standby
- Child-Lock
- NFC Connection to the KS Fit app (Android only)
- Comes fully assembled
- Footprint Unfolded: 55.9” L x 28” W x 39.6” H
- Footprint Folded: 8.9” L x 28” W x 39.6” H
- 1.0 HP Brushless Motor
- Construction: ABS + Aluminum Alloy
- EVA Shock Cushioning
- Treadmill Weight: 93 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 240 lbs
- Walking Surface: 47.6” L x 18.1” W
- Speed: 7.45 mph Max
- Transportation Wheels
- Warranty: 1-year
In-depth Review of the WalkingPad X21 Treadmill
Construction Quality/ Durability
The WalkingPad X21 is a unique and very compact walking treadmill. The X21 has a decent 240 lb weight limit. It’s very similar in size to the ProForm City L6 which has a 250 lb capacity. Our largest reviewer is 225 lbs and was able to walk on the deck. He didn’t notice any change in performance or noise, so users up to 240 lbs should be able to use the X21 just fine.
For reference, Matthew is 6’5”.
Frame
The frame is made out of aluminum alloy and ABS plastic. All of the frame components, including the uprights, feel and remain steady while using the WalkingPad X21. Considering how lightweight this treadmill is at 93 lbs, it’s surprisingly solid.
Comparatively, the Echelon Stride is 156 lbs and the City L6 is 125 lbs, so if you need a really lightweight treadmill, the WalkingPad X21 is about as light as they come for handling up to 240 lbs.
Motor
In addition to the tiny frame, we encourage the X21 for primarily walking due to the small motor. This treadmill has a 1.0 HP brushless motor. The max speed is 7.5 MPH, which will most likely bring you to a jogging/running pace. However, the motor is best for handling mostly walking and some light jogging. This isn’t a model that you’ll want to log miles and miles on, but it can handle light to moderate use.
I barely have enough room to run and I’m only 5’1”.
The motor is fairly quiet, making it suitable for most shared spaces. Keep in mind that it is a treadmill so it does generate sound, but it’s relatively low, especially when it’s used at a walking pace.
There isn’t an incline feature, so if you’re looking for a compact treadmill that inclines, we suggest checking out the Echelon Stride.
Deck
The deck is where I am the most intrigued and also where I have some complaints. Starting with the pros, the X21 has a double-folding mechanism. Not only does the deck fold in half, but it folds again at the top of the deck. When completely folded up, the deck sits at a 90-degree angle under the uprights and console. This feature takes the length of the X21 from 55.9” to only 8.9” long.
It reminds me of a big briefcase when it’s folded and can be set against a wall or in a closet, out of sight.
This is definitely a big selling point for the WalkingPad X21, and it makes it accessible for those who don’t have a lot of room in their home.
Now for my complaint about the deck. Because the X21’s deck folds in half, this creates a seam, or fold hinge, as WalkingPad refers to it, in the deck when it’s unfolded. When walking and jogging, the seam can be felt underfoot. Compared to other treadmills that don’t have decks that fold in half, it feels like a slight bump or dent in the deck. It makes the deck feel a little inconsistent underfoot because of this. I do notice the more time I spend on the X21, the less I notice it. However, it is noticeable and could be pretty annoying for some users.
Here is where the deck splits to be folded in half and the spot that can be felt while walking.
When unfolded, the walking surface is 18.1” wide and 47.6” long. For width and length, it offers enough space for walking for most sized users. Our reviewers are 6’5” down to 5’1” (me). We were all able to walk on the deck just fine. I can jog as well, and those who are shorter and have shorter running strides should be able to, too.
Console
The console is built into the singular handle that connects the uprights. When folding this treadmill, the uprights and console remain in position and don’t adjust or fold flat. The storage feature on the X21 is different from the ProForm City L6 and Echelon Stride which both fold flat.
The console doubles as a control panel and a handle for balance.
The console on the WalkingPad X21 is an LED screen that is built into a horizontal handle. The LED display is where you can see your workout metrics like time, speed, distance, and calories. To adjust the treadmill, there is a center dial. This can be pushed down and turned clockwise or counterclockwise for adjusting the speed of the belt. While I do wish there were some added adjustment buttons, the dial is pretty straightforward to use. The dial is where you get all of the functionality of the treadmill.
The console also features a safety key and removable device rack. The safety key is standard and can be clipped to your clothing while using. The device rack holds your phone or tablet so you can watch whatever you want.
I like having a place for my phone to keep track of my metrics on the KS Fit App.
With the WalkingPad X21 Treadmill being as small as it is, I would just park it in front of my TV to use, personally. It is nice to have options though.
App And Other Features
Another way that you can adjust and track your metrics is by downloading the KS Fit App. A QR code for the app is available in the treadmill’s manual to scan for downloading. The X21 connects to the app through Bluetooth, so you can start/stop and adjust the belt using your phone. You can also see your steps, average speed, and current pace in the KS Fit App. The maximum and minimum speeds can be adjusted in the app, too. There is a child-lock feature that locks the belt from turning on for added safety as well.
You can access your previous workouts in the KS Fit App.
Performance & Functionality
The WalkingPad X21 is best for those who have a small amount of space, who live on an upper floor, and who live in a home with shared walls like an apartment or condo. It’s also appealing if you want a treadmill that can be stored in a closet or shoved in a corner of the room, out of sight.
If you have more room and want more workout options, we recommend checking out models like the Horizon T101 or Sole F63 considering they are similarly priced, if not cheaper, than the X21. However, I understand the hardship of not being able to use treadmills of this size in my home. That is where the WalkingPad X21 shines. I can put aside my gripe about the seam in the deck to appreciate how compact and storable the X21 is. But, be aware that it is noticeable, at least at first. There is very minimal cushioning in the deck, so it feels firm to walk on.
The side rails are fairly narrow. I’m able to place my feet on them while the deck is moving, but know that there isn’t a large amount of space to stand.
When the X21 is completely folded up, it can be moved around with transportation wheels. The two wheels are very small though. We found that they’re too small to fully engage for the treadmill to roll. On hard floors, moving the X21 isn’t too bad. On rubber mats and plush carpets, however, it is more difficult to move. With larger wheels, this issue would most likely be resolved.
It kind of feels like I’m dragging the X21 across the mat, here.
The double-folding mechanism is very easy to use and has a handle to fold and unfold the deck.
When folded, this handle is found at the top of the treadmill, below the console.
Warranty
The WalkingPad X21 Treadmill comes with a 1-year warranty. There is also a 30-day return policy in case the X21 isn’t for you.
Bottom Line Review: WalkingPad X21 Treadmill
If you’re like me, then you don’t have room for a large treadmill in your home. Maybe you’re also like me and you live on an upper floor. The WalkingPad X21 Treadmill is the treadmill for us. It is very compact and folds up to be only 8.9 inches long. Once you’re done walking on the deck, you can fold this one up twice and push it against a wall or in a closet. Other appealing features are the compact size and relatively quiet motor. While this isn’t a model to use for miles and miles, for getting in some steps, it does the trick. The folding hinge in the deck can take some getting used to, but it’s a small price to pay for a treadmill that takes up such a small amount of room as the WalkingPad X21 does.
