- At walking speed (2 to 4 km/h), a WalkingPad runs about as loud as a quiet conversation, usually around 40 to 50 dB. The motor is rarely the problem.
- The real noise in an apartment is impact noise: your steps traveling through the floor to the apartment below. A mat dampens this the most.
- Jogging (up to 12 km/h) gets noticeably louder. If you want to be considerate of neighbors, stick to walking.
- In Switzerland, night and midday quiet times plus Sunday quiet apply. Walking during the day is practically always allowed; late at night, better to step quietly.
- Solid wood vibrates less than a thin plastic frame, and a remote with mute removes beep sounds.
Before we dive into details, here’s a quick summary for easy reference and skipping ahead.
- How loud is a WalkingPad in decibels?
- What is louder: the motor or your steps?
- Does a walking pad disturb neighbors in a rental apartment?
- How do I make my walking pad quieter? 7 tips
- What to look for in a quiet walking pad
- Frequently Asked Questions
In short: When walking, a WalkingPad is quiet, about the noise level of a normal conversation (around 40 to 50 dB). What your downstairs neighbors really hear is rarely the motor, but the impact noise of your steps through the floor. With a mat and a calm pace, you can manage both well.
We get this question almost daily, mostly from people in apartments with neighbors directly below: Can I even use such a thing without causing trouble? The honest answer is a clear yes, with one important distinction that many guides omit.
How loud is a WalkingPad in decibels?
A WalkingPad typically ranges between about 40 and 50 dB when walking, roughly the level of a quiet conversation or a softly running refrigerator. That’s the motor plus the belt rolling. Only when you push the speed toward jogging do your own steps become the loudest noise in the room.
The following values are guidelines typical for WalkingPads. In your home, the result depends heavily on the floor (more on that shortly), so take these numbers as a rough guide, not a lab report.
| Situation | Speed | Approximate volume | Comparable to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow walking | 2 to 3 km/h | approx. 40 dB | quiet conversation, refrigerator |
| Brisk walking | 4 to 6 km/h | approx. 45 to 50 dB | normal conversation |
| Light jogging | 7 to 12 km/h | approx. 55 to 65 dB | Steps become the main noise |
In our office in Zurich, a WalkingPad runs daily alongside phone calls. At 2 to 3 km/h, it doesn’t drown out any conversation; you can type and talk on the phone without raising your voice. This matches what most buyers are looking for: walking while your mind works, not sprint training in the living room.
What is louder: the motor or your steps?
In a rental apartment, it’s almost always your steps that are the problem, not the motor. Experts call this impact sound: The impact of your feet causes the device, floor, and ceiling below to vibrate, and it’s exactly this vibration that the apartment below hears, even if the motor in the same room is hardly noticeable.
This explains an observation that surprises many: In your own room, the device sounds harmless, yet it thumps in the neighbor’s apartment below. Airborne noise (the motor) is well absorbed by walls. Structure-borne noise (your steps through the ceiling) travels far. That’s why a good mat helps more than any especially quiet motor.
Two factors you really have control over:
- The floor: Laminate and parquet on a concrete slab transmit impact sound the most. A carpet or dedicated mat underneath noticeably dampens it.
- The frame material: A thin plastic frame can resonate and buzz. A solid frame stands more firmly and transmits less vibration. Our walking pad made of solid oak wood is designed exactly for this, instead of a lightweight plastic chassis.
Does a walking pad disturb neighbors in a rental apartment?
During the day and at walking speed, practically never, as long as a mat breaks the impact sound. It only becomes critical in two cases: fast jogging with hard steps, or use during legally mandated quiet times. In Switzerland, quiet hours usually apply from about 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., plus midday and Sunday quiet times, often additionally regulated in the house rules.
A walking pad is legally considered normal household use like vacuuming or a washing machine. The issue is not the device itself, but regular, noticeable impact noise at the wrong time. If you walk during the day and slow down in the evening, you’re on the safe side. A short, friendly note to the neighbors below costs nothing and reduces conflict potential a lot.
The setup matters more than the device. The three most common setups compared directly:
| Setup | Impact sound downwards | Motor noise | For the rental apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic walking pad directly on laminate | high | medium | risky |
| Walking pad on thin carpet | medium | low to medium | okay during the day |
| Solid wood walking pad plus mat (our recommendation) | low | low | quiet, also okay in the evening |
The feedback we hear most about noise goes in the same direction: In your own apartment, the device is hardly noticeable, and if you put a mat underneath, neighbors won’t hear anything. We break down how much this affects well-being in the guide Is a Walking Pad Healthy?.
How do I make my walking pad quieter? 7 tips
The biggest factor is the mat, then the speed. These seven measures bring the most practical effect, roughly sorted by impact:
- Use a mat. A floor protection or impact sound mat under the device is the most effective single step against downward noise.
- Slow down. At 2 to 4 km/h, steps stay soft. Fine tuning in 0.1 km/h steps helps you hit the quiet zone exactly.
- Soft soles or barefoot. Hard street shoes hit louder than socks, barefoot shoes, or soft slippers.
- Mute sounds. Beep signals when changing speed can be turned off with the remote, handy during phone calls.
- Reduce speed during quiet times. Walk slower or pause after 10 p.m., at midday, and on Sundays.
- Align the device straight. If it’s not level, it rattles. Make sure all feet sit firmly and tighten any loose screws.
- Not in the middle of the room. Closer to a load-bearing wall, the ceiling vibrates less than in the center of the room.
What to look for in a quiet walking pad
Pay less attention to advertised dB numbers and more to construction and operation. A stable frame, cushioned running surface, and switchable sounds bring more peace in daily life than a lab-measured spec sheet value.
Specifically, these are the points that decide between quiet or annoying:
- Solid wood frame instead of thin plastic: stands firmly and doesn’t buzz. Our model is made from solid Canadian oak.
- Cushioned running surface: absorbs impact, protecting your joints and dampening downward shock. Supports up to 135 kg.
- Fine speed control: adjust in 0.1 km/h increments to hit the quiet walking zone precisely.
- Remote control with mute: no beeping sounds during calls.
- Flat storage: Transport wheels and flat design fit under the sofa or bed when quiet is needed.
Regarding speed, an honest assessment: The basic version up to 6 km/h (399 CHF) is designed for walking and stays the quietest. The version up to 12 km/h with a handlebar (499 CHF) can do light jogging, and then the steps become noticeably louder. Those who mainly want to walk while working from home are often better off with the quieter basic version. We have calculated the difference to a classic treadmill in detail in the comparison Walking Pad vs. Treadmill. If you want to place the device firmly under your desk, it’s also worth checking out our guide Setting up a Walking Desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many decibels does a Walking Pad have?
When walking, usually around 40 to 50 dB, about like a quiet conversation. When jogging, it rises to about 55 to 65 dB, with the steps becoming louder, not the motor.
Can you hear a Walking Pad in the apartment below?
Without a mat on laminate or parquet, yes, because impact noise transmits through the ceiling. With a floor protection or impact noise mat and a calm walking pace, neighbors usually don’t hear anything disturbing.
Is a Walking Pad louder than a normal treadmill?
Yes, walking is significantly quieter because there is no large motor and no hard running impulses. Only at jogging speed does it approach a treadmill.
Can I use a Walking Pad in a rental apartment?
Yes. It counts as normal residential use like vacuuming. Important are a mat against impact noise and consideration of the legal quiet hours.
Am I allowed to walk on the Walking Pad in the evening in Switzerland?
During the day and early evening, no problem. From quiet hours (usually about 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) as well as at midday and on Sundays, you should walk slowly or pause to avoid noticeable impact noise. The exact times are usually stated in the house rules.
Do I absolutely need a floor protection mat?
On hard floors with neighbors below, this is practically always the biggest factor against noise transmission downwards. On a carpet on the ground floor without an apartment below, you can also do without it.
Our conclusion
In plain terms: A Walking Pad is quieter than its reputation, as long as you keep walking and absorb the impact noise. The motor is rarely the issue; it's your footsteps through the floor. A mat underneath, a steady pace, consideration during quiet hours, and a rental apartment is no obstacle. Those who want to walk a lot while working from home are often better off with the quieter basic version than with the fast jogging variant.
If you're looking for a device that naturally vibrates less thanks to solid wood and can be stored flat, check out our Walking Pad made of oak wood. You can find the complete quiet home setup in the TWHEELS fitness equipment collection.
