DeerRun Z10 Treadmill Review | Under a Desk and Over a Hill
Reviewed by TreadmillReviews.com
The DeerRun Z10’s automatic incline makes it a standout from other cheap and compact treadmills.
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The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The DeerRun Z10’s automatic incline makes it a standout from other cheap and compact treadmills.
Updated: July 24, 2025
One of the things I struggle most with writing these reviews is landing on the correct ratings. Am I rating this treadmill against all other treadmills, including $3k+ incline treadmills, or do the ratings just reflect how good it is compared to others in its category? The truth is that my rating of the DeerRun Z10 is a little of both.
I weighed its cost, performance, features, compact size, and build quality to land on my numerical assignment. The DeerRun Z10 is really good for its price point and compact size. However, its weight capacity, belt size, and durability may come up short (pun intended) for many of you.
Keep reading to find who I think the DeerRun Z10 is best for and to learn more about its pros and cons.
The DeerRun Z10 may not compare to treadmills worth thousands of dollars, but it’s an excellent value for its price. DeerRun is one of my favorite budget brands because of its quality. The Z10 continues that trend, impressing me with its smooth and polished design. With a weight capacity higher than average for this price point, the Z10 is sturdier than most.
A steel frame ensures the Z10 feels stable whether you are training with the treadmill flat or at an incline. The weight capacity is 300 lbs. It’s not designed for heavy use, but it’s a good quality for a more casual treadmill.
There are no uprights on the Z10 because it is an under-desk treadmill. As a result, you should consider using a standing desk or other upright support to help you keep your balance. While some walkers may be able to train without additional support, I advise most walkers to be cautious.
The footrails on the Z10 are decent. More petite users should be able to stand on them if necessary. However, the treadmill also sits close to the ground, so it’s not too difficult to step off completely.
Though the DeerRun Z10 has a 3-horsepower motor, it is not ideal for intense use. The treadmill manual lists light use as 3 hours of walking per week, moderate use as up to 5 hours of walking per week, and heavy use as more than 5 hours per week. In general, I recommend the Z10 for 1 to 2 hours of walking per day.
I measured the noise output of this treadmill. At 2 miles per hour, which is my normal walking pace while working at a desk, the treadmill was 47 dB. However, it increases to 58 dB when set to its maximum speed of 3.8 miles per hour. Then, the treadmill is 55 dB when inclined with the belt running at 3 miles per hour.
You can use the DeerRun Z10 in an office without overly disturbing others since it is fairly quiet.
While its compact size is one of the Z10’s biggest strengths, the small walking surface may be one of its biggest weaknesses. I know that you can’t really have one without the other, but that’s a tradeoff you will have to make. The running surface measures 16” wide by 35” long.
The cushioning on the Z10 isn’t too noticeable. It’s softer than walking on the road or hard floors, but you won’t notice it too much. The shocks are pretty stiff, and the deck cushion is pretty minimal.
I can easily move the Z10 around on my own. It weighs just 60 lbs and has two transport wheels. You just have to lift the back of the deck and roll it wherever you want. Rolling it on the carpet may be more challenging because the wheels are pretty small.
As you might expect, the incline range is the best feature of the Z10. Not many walking pads like this one have an incline range. It doesn’t decline for downhill training, but that’s not something I would expect from a cheap treadmill anyway.
My measurement shows that the incline range is from 0 to 9%. There are 12 incline levels. The incline adjustments are smooth and feel stable underfoot. They are also pretty slow, so you don’t lose your balance from the quick deck movement.
You don’t get a ton of features on the DeerRun Z10. It doesn’t have a traditional console, so there’s really nowhere to put them. That’s typically for a walking pad, so I have no complaints.
The console is located on the motor hood. It is fairly easy to see since the numbers are bright. It shows your time, distance, speed, incline, calories, and steps. The treadmill alternates through two displays so you can see all of these numbers.
A remote control comes with the Z10. It has buttons for starting and stopping the treadmill as well as changing the speed and incline. The remote is pocket-sized with a wrist strap, so it’s easy to keep the remote on hand while you are walking.
While I liked walking on the DeerRun Z10 overall, I couldn’t help but notice how short the deck is. I hit the rear roller a few times with my foot. I never stepped off the deck or got tripped up, but it’s something that could happen to walkers with longer strides.
I don’t recommend using the incline while working at your desk. Walking at an incline and working feels a little awkward. I feel misaligned and a little off balance. I would save the incline feature for walking sessions when you are focused on exercise and not preoccupied with something else.
Overall, I was happy with how easy the DeerRun Z10 is to move around and use. It’s quiet and feels stable for its size.
The DeerRun Z10 does not need a subscription, but it has one. I like using it as it is, but if you are looking for a more engaging experience, try connecting the treadmill to the PitPat app. It has tons of workouts, contests, and gamified training. You get a little avatar that you can upgrade with outfits and more.
DeerRun promotes the PitPat app with stickers on the Z10 and a pamphlet. I don’t really agree with the sticker that says you can earn back the money you spent on the treadmill in the app. While you could potentially win money from competing in PitPat events, it’s a bit of a gamble. I wouldn’t bet on winning anything.
The PitPat app can replace the remote. You can connect with the treadmill via Bluetooth and use your phone to control the speed and incline. It comes in handy if you misplace the remote control.
When it comes down to deciding whether the DeerRun Z10 is right for you, weigh the pros and cons. Can you get away with a small, budget treadmill, or do you need something larger and more durable? If you have a short to average length stride and only plan to walk for up to five hours per week, the Z10 is a good option. Much more walking, and you might be better off with another machine.
However, if you are deciding between walking pads at this price range, you’ll have a hard time finding one with better features than the Z10. It has a maximum incline of 9%. The performance is also fairly quiet and smooth.
I recommend the Z10 for anyone on a budget and in need of a small incline treadmill.
