How we test

We publish our protocols before the first result. No product has been tested yet, and these methods may be refined before testing begins.

Last updated September 24, 2026

Principles

  • We buy our own units at retail wherever possible. Loaned or gifted units will be labelled. [TO FILL: purchasing policy]
  • No test, no verdict. We rank products only on measurements we’ve made.
  • Raw data published alongside each result. [TO FILL: data licence]

The five measurements

Noise at desk height (dB(A))

Method: A-weighted sound level measured at seated/standing ear and desk height while walking at 2 mph, versus room background.

Why it matters: Spec sheets rarely publish noise. Your coworkers on the call will notice before you do.

Equipment & calibration: [TO FILL]

Floor vibration (m/s² RMS)

Method: Accelerometer on the floor 1 m away and on the desk top, on a wood-joist floor and on concrete.

Why it matters: Upstairs apartments and shared floors transmit footfall. This is the number neighbours care about.

Equipment & calibration: [TO FILL]

Real belt speed (mph)

Method: Optical tachometer on a belt marker at each displayed speed, loaded and unloaded.

Why it matters: Displayed speed and step counts are only as honest as the controller. We will check the gap.

Equipment & calibration: [TO FILL]

Weight-capacity truth (% speed drop)

Method: Belt speed at rated load in 25 lb steps using calibrated weights plus a walker, up to the manufacturer rating.

Why it matters: A rating tells you the limit, not how the motor behaves near it.

Equipment & calibration: [TO FILL]

Motor heat (°F rise)

Method: Thermocouple on the motor housing over a 60-minute walk at 2.5 mph, on hard floor and on a mat over carpet.

Why it matters: Heat is what wears motors and control boards, and carpet can choke airflow.

Equipment & calibration: [TO FILL]

Corrections

If we get something wrong, we fix it and note the change on the page. [TO FILL: corrections policy]