Mobvoi Treadmill Plus review

Many of the best treadmills command four-figure price tags, and for a good reason. It takes a lot of effort to make good quality cardio equipment. That said, you can still find a few running machines that do a decent job without costing an arm and a leg. Mobvoi treadmills are a good example here. We know — we tested their flagship Mobvoi Home Treadmill and were impressed with how durable and well-cushioned it was, given that it costs less than $300. Now, the brand has treated us to an upgraded version of this model, the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus. It looks like a marked improvement on its predecessor, but is it any better?

The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus comes with a larger running belt, connectivity to smart devices and a more joint-friendly surface. It is equipped with a powerful 2.5 horsepower (HP) motor and can reach up to 7.6 mph (12.2 km/h) in speed, and thanks to its foldable handle, the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus can easily switch between under-desk strolls and lung-busting runs. This machine is also compact and foldable, saving you space.

The cherry on top? The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus costs just $179.99.

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Mobvoi Treadmill Plus review

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: Set up and usability

• Quick and easy set-up
• Foldable and relatively easy to move around
• Not suitable for those weighing more than 265 lbs (120 kg)

The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus can be up and running within minutes of unboxing. All you need to do is screw on the floor mounts and a smartphone holder, then magnetically attach a red safety clip to the handrail. All tools are provided in the package and the manual explains everything in sufficient detail. Compared to previous experiences with assembling exercise machines, this one was quite easy.

The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus has a foldable handrail and a set of front wheels, making it relatively easy to store and move around the house. We say relatively because the machine weighs a good 55 pounds (25 kilograms) and measures nearly 50 inches (124 centimeters) in length. While we appreciate that the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus is not a beast like the NordicTrack x22i, for example, it is still a sizable machine. Sliding it under a sofa will inevitably require some good upper body strength.

In terms of usability, the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus is accessible to individuals weighing up to 265 lbs (120 kg). This is not the most impressive stat — some heavy-duty walking treadmills can bear twice as much weight — but itis enough for the average user. Larger individuals, however, would need to look elsewhere.

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: Design and display

• Relatively narrow tread belt
• Small LED display with basic workout stats
• Small and awkwardly angled smartphone mount

The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus is a good option for small spaces. It is big enough to provide a comfortable running experience, but when you fold it away, this running machine can be slid under a bed or tucked away in a storage room.

As we mentioned before, the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus has a larger running area than its predecessor Mobvoi Home Treadmill, now measuring 17 in / 43 cm in width (up from 15.7 in / 39.8 cm) and 40.2 in / 102 cm in length (up from 39.3 in / 100 cm). The difference is small, but tangible. The new model allows users to stretch their legs and lengthen their stride just that little bit more, making it more accessible to taller and/or larger people.

Still, some individuals may find it uncomfortably narrow and our six-foot reviewer can attest to that. This narrow tread belt was not necessarily an issue when walking, but during faster runs, it was quite frustrating having to watch our every step.

The controls on the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus are basic, but sufficient. This machine has a small LED display built into the control panel next to the tread, and it shows basic workout stats such as speed, time, distance and calories burned. When running, each stat will flash for several seconds before moving onto another, so there is no need to press anything in order to change the display mid-workout.

There are two major downsides to the design of Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: the cable and smartphone mount. The cable is relatively short, which limits where you can place the machine. Not a huge deal-breaker, but annoying nonetheless. Then, the design of the smartphone mount raises some eyebrows. This little plastic trail is screwed to the handrail in a fixed position so it can only be angled in a way that works for shorter individuals. It is also relatively small, which excludes users with larger smartphones or smaller tablets. Moreover, there is no way to install a different mount. Those who love a good fitness class may be left disappointed here.

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: Features

• Remote control for changing speed
• Speed range from 0.6 to 7.6 mph (1 to 12 km/h)
• Mobvoi app not available on Android

The tread in the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus can go up to 7.6 mph (12 km/h). While it is not a neck-breaking speed, it is sufficient for most people and more than enough for beginners. Speed can be adjusted via a control panel on the foldable handrail or a small remote control, and there are also some handy presets (for example, "1.9 mph" and "3.7 mph") on the button console. As with most treadmills, it comes with a safety clip that you can attach to your clothing. This little magnetic contraption ensures the machine stops when you do, limiting your risk of injury.

Overall, we were left underwhelmed by the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus. We know there needs to be some compromise between affordability and functionality. The problem is, the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus excludes many users from the get-go. For example, it can be controlled remotely with a Mobvoi Treadmill App, but this app is only available to iOS users. Similarly, you can sync your workout data with your smartwatch, but only if it is a TicWatch (brand name for fitness trackers made by Mobvoi). This limited functionality leaves a lot of users without the means to track their workouts on their Mobvoi Treadmill Plus.

In addition, this treadmill can be connected to virtual training platforms like Zwift and Kinomap for running workouts on location and workout classes on demand. However, nearly all of these apps require a subscription and that can rack up a lot of additional costs over time.

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: Performance

• Comfortable to use in the walking mode
• Pleasant running experience
• Not suitable for HIIT and fast runs

We tested the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus for over two months, putting it through a range of workouts and testing its capabilities. Our verdict? Performance-wise, it is a surprisingly well-made machine.

The running belt itself seemed resilient and well-designed. Its anti-slip, water-resistant surface provided us with a good grip, and its five-layer structure did a good job of absorbing shocks and safeguarding our joints during more intense workouts. Also, it did not exhibit any signs of wear and tear throughout our testing period. As we mentioned previously, the only thing we did not like about the tread belt was its narrow dimensions.

The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus provided us with a comfortable running experience. We liked its smooth speed transitions and powerful 2.5 HP motor, and we did not experience any jolting or excessive noise. When we measured its sound levels with a Sound Meter decibel-counting app, we did not get a measurement higher than 65 dB, which is more or less on par with more premium models.

Lastly, we liked its versatility. The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus works just as well as an under-desk treadmill as a full-sized running machine. It may not be suitable for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and fast runs, but it still offers good value for money here.

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: User reviews

Amazon's customer reviews placed the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus at a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating, with three-quarters of users giving it a full five stars. Positive reviews praised this treadmill for its compact design, sturdy build, ease of use and enjoyable running experience. As one user said: "My partner and I are pleasantly surprised by this purchase. We immediately noticed how light it is (~50 lbs) and how smooth it runs (pun intended). Assembly is quick and intuitive, and it's nice that there are small wheels on the front to move it around without requiring two people to lift it. Also, I'm blown away by how quiet the machine is."

Negative reviews revolved around individual unit defects and problems with connectivity, with some users complaining about the quality of speakers. As one buyer commented, "The speaker is bad. Like, 'why did you include this' bad. The idea is good — having a speaker built into the treadmill is a great concept that could have awesome results! But it's on the bottom... where your feet are? [...] The audio is drowned out to the point where you can't even hear it over the sound of the belt and your own feet."

Should you buy the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus?

✅ Buy it if: You are looking for a space-savvy treadmill on a budget. The Mobvoi Treadmill Plus is compact, foldable and easy to use, but more importantly, it delivers a comfortable running experience for less than $200.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a heavy-duty treadmill with incline changes, an interactive display and other high-tech frills. While the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus will suit most beginners, its functionality may be too limited to satisfy the needs of advanced exercisers.

If the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus isn't for you

The Bluefin Fitness Task 2.0 Treadmill is a great alternative to the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus. It is exceptionally portable and easy to use, and it features a tablet holder, built-in speakers and a remote control. However, it costs around $150 more, and it only goes up to 5 mph (8 km/h).

If lack of space is your main woe, check out the Echelon Stride. This treadmill is light, compact and foldable, and it comes with an app filled with fun workouts. The downside? It costs just short of $600.

But if you are willing to sacrifice more of your floor space, take a look at the Peloton Tread. Well-designed and comfortable to run, this iconic treadmill is jam-packed with features to keep you coming back for more. However, it comes with a whopping price tag — $2,995.

Mobvoi Treadmill Plus: How we tested

We tested the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus for over two months, looking at its set-up, design, durability, ease of use, features and value for money. We put the treadmill through a range of workouts, including leisurely strolls and high-intensity sprints, working through all speeds and settings. We also assessed its connectivity with third-party devices, explored compatible apps and gave our verdict on the overall functionality of the Mobvoi Treadmill Plus.