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This review of the Sunny Health and Fitness Walkstation Under Desk Treadmill decides whether its compact size is comfortable enough for walking while working. Learn more from our expert below.
Updated: May 9, 2024
The Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation Under-Desk Treadmill (SF-T7945) is a compact and affordable machine. Budget shoppers may be wondering if this product is too good to be true. In this review, I recount my experience using the Walkstation and give my biggest pros and cons to using it. Office workers and remote workers who are interested in this machine should consider its construction and features carefully to decide if it is a good fit.
The Sunny Walkstation is an affordable product, so it was natural that we had some concerns about its build quality. I was impressed with the Walkstation’s construction for its price range, but it has a few drawbacks. The Walkstation may not be the best fit for every user due to its low weight capacity, smaller walking space, and noise production.
The frame on the Walkstation is decent. It has a few steel reinforcements below the deck and steel supports along the sides. The footrails are textured plastic. Because this is an under-desk treadmill, there are no uprights or handles.
A 3-year warranty covers the frame, and a 180-day warranty covers the parts. These warranties are not up to the industry standard for home fitness equipment; however, it’s a bit more reasonable for its price point.
I don’t recommend the Walkstation for users who are walking all day every day and hope to keep their machines running for years. If you want an under-desk treadmill that supports more intense use, consider a LifeSpan under-desk treadmill or the InMovement UnSit. These machines are more expensive, but they could outlive the Sunny Walkstation enough to justify the cost difference. The Walkstation is the better choice for users who are taking intermittent walk breaks during their day or are new to exercising while working.
The motor is only 1.5 HP at peak. This motor strength is ideal for light walking. When you are working at a desk an ideal speed is around 1 to 2 mph, and this motor should be able to support that intensity just fine. The Walkstation has a maximum speed of 3.7 mph. It’s not the best option for a fitness treadmill, but you can certainly do a few faster-paced walks here and there. If you plan to train at the top speed, a more powerful treadmill may be more appropriate for your intended use.
The walking surface is 14 inches wide by 39 inches long. For comparison, the standard home treadmill is 20 inches wide by 60 inches long. I was able to walk comfortably on the Walkstation without stepping off the side or back of the machine. For reference, I am 5’4”. I wear a women’s size 8 athletic shoe, and I generally have a narrow step width. Walkers with longer strides, larger feet/bulkier shoes, and wider step widths may not have enough room to train comfortably.
The belt is textured and feels surprisingly durable. There is a Sunny logo on the belt which is a nice touch. The deck is a little more than a half-inch thick. The Walkstation can only support a maximum user weight of 220 lbs and exceeding this weight limit could crack the deck. Running on the belt or inappropriate use could also crack the treadmill deck.
The Sunny Walkstation does not fold, but it has a small footprint of only 50 inches long, 21.5 inches wide, and 6.5 inches tall. It weighs a mere 55.1 lbs and has transport wheels. It was very easy to roll around. It is small enough to fit in a closet or under your bed. Be cautious when storing the treadmill upright. The lubricant on the deck could make its way to the motor and cause damage.
The treadmill does not incline or decline.
Like any under-desk treadmill, the features on the Sunny Walkstation are pretty minimal. This treadmill did have a few surprises, but it isn’t the most feature-rich treadmill in its category. There’s only one crucial feature it lacks.
The Walkstation has a high-contrast LED console on its motor hood. The screen cycles through your total time, distance, speed, calories, and step count.
The worst part about the console is the beeping every time you adjust anything on the treadmill. It counts down 3-2-1 and beeps multiple times when starting. There is no option to turn the sound off. While the treadmill beeping acts as a safety mechanism, it makes it impossible to use in an office without irritating those around you. Once you have the treadmill started and set to a steady pace, it is quiet. If your coworkers can excuse some beeping, it might work for you. I wish Sunny let you turn the beeping off.
The safety key is attached to the top of the motor hood. It must be attached to the treadmill for the treadmill to run. The safety key comes with a clip that can attach to your clothes and detach the safety key from the treadmill if you move off the deck. Unfortunately, the string may not be long enough for all users. Some Walkstation owners pull the safety key free just by walking briskly.
There are no buttons on the console other than the power switch. Instead, you can use a remote control to start and stop the treadmill or adjust the speed. The remote control is very simple, but it works. It comes with a wrist strap and takes a 3v lithium battery.
If no user activity is detected for 10 seconds, the Walkstation will shut off. This is a great safety feature to have because you never know when you will quickly step away from your desk and accidentally leave the treadmill running.
The Walkstation counts your steps. It was quite accurate. This feature is very useful for exercisers who are trying to reach a daily step goal. I’m always disappointed that my watch doesn’t track my steps on an under-desk treadmill because my arms aren’t swinging. Having the treadmill count my steps helps me stay on track for my daily goal.
The Sunny Walkstation was a nice surprise. It performed well. There were no issues while I used the Walkstation during my review process and while writing this review. The smaller deck required me to be more mindful of where I was stepping. Once I got the hang of it, I could work without thinking about where I was putting my feet.
I like how easy it is to roll the Walkstation around. It is compact and lightweight so I moved it around myself without any hassle. I’ve noticed that I’m more likely to use an under-desk treadmill if it is easy to set up. I don’t leave my desk in its standing position or walk all day, so I need a treadmill that I can move around regularly. The Sunny Walkstation is a good fit for intermittent use like this.
There are no training programs built into the Sunny Walkstation. Sunny’s goal is to make all of their equipment smart with Bluetooth connectivity to their app. The base model of the Walkstation is not smart, but you can still access the free content on the Sunny app. It just won’t log your time, distance, or steps in the app.
I don’t mind that the Sunny Walkstation does not have onboard content. The treadmill performs best at a steady, casual pace for walking while concentrating on another task.
The Sunny Walkstation under-desk treadmill is a budget-friendly machine. It costs less than $500. The compact size is great for users who need to move their treadmill around regularly, but some walkers may run out of space due to their stride length or width. The Walkstation is best for home use because it beeps when adjusted. This feature cannot be turned off. The top features on the Walkstation include its transport wheels, light weight, step counting, and automatic shut-off when no user is detected. The Sunny Walkstation is a great budget option for the casual exerciser or remote worker.
