Methodology

There are three kinds of information on Voltarum Fitness, always labelled:

Facts: sizes, weights, speeds, stride. From the maker.
Derived from the data: the verdict for each situation, with the rules on this page.
Editorial opinion: scores, pros, cons and "would we buy it today?".

Where the data comes from

From the maker's product page or spec sheet, linked under each specification table. When we could not read it, from retailers or published reviews; those pages say the data is "still being checked". When sources disagree on a figure, we show none and say so. We never estimate a figure nobody publishes: it reads "Not published".

Inches and pounds are converted (1 in = 25.4 mm; 1 lb = 0.4536 kg) and rounded.

The three figures we always show

Folded (length × width × height): the space it takes put away. If it does not fold we say so, and also if the maker allows standing it upright.
Max user weight: as guaranteed by the maker.
Cushioning: the system in the maker's words and, if given, the number of shock absorbers. Ellipticals have no impact, so it does not apply.

Noise

The decibels makers advertise measure the motor in the air, nearly always with nobody on it and under conditions they do not publish. We show them but do not score them: they are not comparable between brands. What bothers the flat below is impact noise through the floor slab, which depends on shock absorbers, the machine's mass and speed. Independent noise measurements (with a source) have their own section on each page.

How each situation is decided

Each rule gives a verdict per point (great, good, limited or not suitable) and the final verdict is the worst of them, except quiet walking pads, which add up points. Missing data never counts as good.

Ultra-compact walking pads for working from home

Fixed handrail: not suitable.
Height in use: 12 cm or less, great; up to 15 cm, good; up to 18 cm, limited; more, not suitable.
Belt: 120 cm or longer, great; 100 cm, good; shorter, limited.
Remote or app: great; neither, limited.

Quietest walking pads for apartments

One point each: brushless motor; 8 or more shock absorbers (half a point for fewer); 25 kg or more; walking only (6.5 km/h at most; half a point if it also runs). 3.5 points or more, great; 2.5, good; 1.5, limited.

Walking pads that fit under a bed or sofa

Stored height: 14 cm or less, great (sofa on legs, 15 cm gap); up to 18 cm, good (bed on legs); up to 25 cm, limited; more, not suitable.
Over 30 kg: limited (hard to pull out every day).

Walking pads for users over 120 kg

Weight limit: 150 kg or more, great; 130 kg, good; 120 kg, limited (no margin); less, not suitable.
Belt: 45 cm wide or more, great; 40 cm, good; narrower, limited.

Folding walk-and-run treadmills

Running speed: 12 km/h or more, great; 10 km/h, good; less, limited; walking only, not suitable.
Does not fold, or belt under 120 cm: limited.

Compact ellipticals for small spaces

Floor area (length × width): 0.8 m² or less, great; up to 1 m², good; up to 1.2 m², limited; more, not suitable.

Compact ellipticals for people over 1.85 m

Stride: 50 cm or more, great; 45 cm, good; 40 cm, limited; shorter, not suitable. Vertical ellipticals have no stride: they count as good and the ceiling decides.
Ceiling, for a 1.90 m user under a 2.50 m ceiling: if the maker publishes its rule ("your height + X cm"), it fits (great) or not (not suitable). If it only publishes the pedal height, we take 1.90 m + pedal height + 15 cm: up to 2.45 m, good; more, limited. With no data, limited.
Weight limit under 120 kg: limited.

Quiet ellipticals for apartments

Magnetic resistance, great; air, limited (fan); friction, not suitable.
Flywheel of 8 kg or more, great. 40 kg or more, great; lighter, limited.

Adjustable dumbbells for small spaces

15 settings or more, great; 10, good; fewer, limited.
Length at full weight: 41 cm or less, great; 45 cm, good; longer, limited.

Adjustable dumbbells for beginners

Starts at 2.5 kg or less, great; 4.5 kg, good.
Steps of 1.2 kg or less, great; 2.3 kg, good; larger, limited.
Goes up to 20 kg or more, great; less, limited.

Accessories

On each walking pad and elliptical we suggest a mat only if it covers its whole footprint in use (we compare length and width) and, for walking pads, silicone lubricant. When both products have a product page in the same Amazon store, we offer one link that adds both to the cart.

Prices

They are dated references (the list price or one seen that day), not live prices. A live price only appears if it is less than 24 hours old.