Do Walking Pads Use a Lot of Electricity? Treadmill Power Costs Explained

If you're weighing up a walking pad for your home or office, the electricity question comes up fast: is a walking pad high in electricity use, and will it show up on your energy bill? The short answer is no, walking pads are among the most energy-efficient pieces of fitness equipment you can own. But the exact number of watts depends on your speed, your model, and how often you use it.

In this guide, we'll break down exactly how much electricity a walking pad uses, show you how to calculate the real running cost per hour and per month, and compare walking pads to full-size treadmills. We'll also cover what pushes power draw up and how to keep it as low as possible.

Do Walking Pads Use a Lot of Electricity?

No. A walking pad typically draws between 100 and 400 watts (W) during normal walking use, which is roughly the same as running a couple of light bulbs. That makes it one of the lowest-consumption pieces of home fitness equipment, well below full-size running treadmills.

Because walking pads are built for walking and light jogging rather than high-speed running, their motors don't need to work nearly as hard. Even with daily use, the electricity cost is small enough that most people won't notice a meaningful change in their bill.

How Much Electricity Does a Walking Pad Use?

Average Walking Pad Power Consumption (100–400 Watts)

At a typical walking pace, most walking pads draw somewhere between 100W and 250W. Power use climbs toward the top of that range — up to around 400W — during faster walking or light jogging. This is significantly lower than a full-size treadmill, which is designed for higher speeds and heavier-duty motors.

Motor Rating vs. Actual Power Draw

It's worth understanding the difference between a motor's rated horsepower and what it actually pulls from the wall during normal use. The JT31 Walking Pad uses a 2.5 HP (1.86 kW) motor, but that figure reflects peak output capacity, not continuous draw. At its actual speed range of 0.61–3.81 mph (0.97–6.12 km/h), the motor is working well below its maximum, so real-world electricity use stays modest, closer to the 100–250W range during typical walking sessions.

Standby and Idle Electricity Usage

Like most electronics, a walking pad left plugged in but switched off still draws a small trickle of standby power — usually just a few watts. It's minimal, but unplugging the unit between sessions eliminates it entirely.

Walking Pad vs Full-Size Treadmill: Which Uses Less Electricity?

Walking pads are specifically designed to be compact and efficient, which is reflected directly in their electricity use.

The gap comes down to purpose: a full-size treadmill's motor is built to sustain running speeds and, on many models, power a motorised incline, both of which demand significantly more electricity. A walking pad, by contrast, is optimised for slower, steadier movement, which keeps the motor load and your electricity use, low.

What Affects Walking Pad Electricity Usage?

Speed

The faster you walk or jog, the harder the motor works, and the more electricity it draws. Sticking to a moderate walking pace keeps consumption at the lower end of the range.

Incline

Some walking pads, like the JT31, offer a manual incline of up to 15°, which you adjust by hand rather than motor. Because the incline itself isn't motorised, it doesn't add to electricity draw, you get a tougher workout without a higher power bill.

User Weight and Load

Heavier users place more load on the belt, which means the motor draws slightly more power to maintain a steady speed. This effect is usually small in day-to-day use.

Workout Mode

Walking pads with multiple modes such as Work, Walk, Jog, and Climb, use more power in faster or more intense modes. Using Work or Walk mode for lighter, longer sessions (for example, while at your desk) keeps energy use minimal.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Walking Pad?

Using the UK's current average electricity unit rate of around 26p per kWh, here's what that looks like in practice:

• Walking pad (150W average): Running for 1 hour uses 0.15 kWh, costing roughly 4p. Used for 30 minutes a day over a month, that's about 2.25 kWh, under 60p in total.
• Full-size treadmill (700W average): Running for 1 hour uses 0.7 kWh, costing roughly 18p. Used for 30 minutes a day over a month, that's around 10.5 kWh, about £2.70.

These are estimates based on typical power draw and the national average unit rate, which is reviewed quarterly by Ofgem, your actual cost will depend on your tariff and usage. Even at the higher end, a walking pad costs a fraction of what most household appliances use.

How to Reduce Walking Pad Electricity Costs Further

Walk at a steady, moderate pace

Consistent movement uses less power than repeatedly speeding up and slowing down.

Use Work or Walk mode for longer sessions

These lower-intensity modes draw less electricity than Jog mode, and they're ideal for pairing with a desk-based workday.

Turn off and unplug after use

This removes standby draw entirely and is good practice for any electrical appliance.

Keep the belt and motor clean

A well-maintained walking pad runs more efficiently and doesn't have to work as hard, which helps keep both electricity use and wear to a minimum.

Conclusion

So, do walking pads use a lot of electricity? No, most walking pads draw just 100–400W, a fraction of what a full-size treadmill uses. Running one for half an hour a day typically costs well under £1 a month at current UK electricity rates.

If you're comparing your options, the JT31 / JT52 Walking Pad range combines a quiet motor, manual incline, and compact folding design, making it an efficient, low-cost way to build more movement into your day. For more buying guidance, see our walking pad with incline guide or our under-desk walking pad guide.

FAQs

Do walking pads use a lot of electricity?

No. Most walking pads use between 100 and 400 watts during normal walking, making them far more energy-efficient than full-size treadmills.

Does a walking pad need electricity?

Yes, motorised walking pads need a standard mains connection to power the belt motor. There's no battery-powered version, but power draw is low.

Is a walking pad high in electricity compared to other appliances?

No. A walking pad uses roughly as much electricity as a couple of light bulbs running at once, far less than appliances like kettles, tumble dryers, or space heaters.

Are walking pads cheaper to run than treadmills?

Yes. Because walking pads are built for lower speeds without a motorised incline, they typically use significantly less electricity than full-size running treadmills.