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Kingsmith WalkingPad X21: test / review

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Published on: 05-10-2024 / Modified: 09-10-2024

I have been cycling for many years, I try to ride one to two hours a week to keep fit, I don't do it for performance purposes. With the unpredictable weather at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, I was unable to cycle as much as I wanted, so I bought myself a Decathlon Domyos T520B treadmill so that I could do some sport indoors. I have never liked running but buying a treadmill seemed like a good compromise to do sport without having to run outside.

This Decathlon treadmill works well but it is heavy and above all very bulky even when folded. When I was offered to test the Kingsmith WalkingPad X21 treadmill, the first thing I checked was the size. The good news is that it is completely foldable (unlike the Domyos) and should be easier to move if necessary. From a technical point of view, it has very similar characteristics to the Domyos T520B, so the comparison will be even easier.

Update September 2024: this test was delayed because I've had a car accident and I was not able to test this kind of product for some time. I will start my rehabilitation with this treadmill, so I will not be able to test it for running for now.

Exclusive offer

The Kingsmith WalkingPad X21 treadmill is available online on many sites like Amazon or even Decathlon but I have an exclusive discount code of 150€ if you buy it on the official website. It is exactly the same product with just a better price.

To activate the promotion:
Activate the promotion on walkingpad.com

This link will redirect you to the homepage but the promo code will be automatically added to your purchase as shown in this image:


The price can obviously fluctuate and I will not have the possibility to verify all the price changes but the promo code will keep its same value so you are always assured of having the best price by going through my link.

Unpacking

The WalkingPad X21 box is quite large and heavy. It weighs 43 kg in total (box, treadmill and accessories), I hope the delivery company will be willing to help you bringing the box inside your home.

The treadmill is very well packaged and is protected on all sides by frigolite.



A smaller box contains the accessories:
- manual
- certificate of conformity
- safety belt
- allen key
- lubricating oil
- tray to place your phone/tablet



Out of the box, the Walkingpad X21 treadmill looks like this:


To unpack the treadmill, I recommend putting it in a horizontal position because the treadmill is quite heavy and to handle it, it is better to place it on the ground.

After removing the polystyrene and the various protections, the treadmill is almost ready for use.

Assembling

The treadmill is fully assembled, apart from the phone holder you do not need to screw or attach anything. However, you need to understand the opening mechanism. The support with the screen must always be vertical, it is not removable and cannot be folded. So you must start by putting the treadmill in a vertical position.

From there you have to pull on the handle located at the back of the treadmill:

This handle will release it from its base, hold it until it touches the ground. It is folded in two distinct parts.



You then need to open it to put it in horizontal:

The treadmill will not naturally lay horizontally because the canvas is not yet perfectly taut. You will therefore have to push a little with your hand to make it completely flat.



And there you have it, the assembly takes two minutes at most

Preview

The treadmill measures 1007 x 711 x 1420 mm when fully extended and when folded it measures 1007 x 711 x 225 mm, but the huge advantage of this treadmill is that it can be placed on its narrowest side. In terms of space, it is therefore much better than my Domyos T520B which still takes up almost a square meter of floor space when folded.

Two small wheels are installed under the motor, they allow you to move the treadmill like a large suitcase by using the handrail to tilt the treadmill. You can therefore easily move the treadmill after use. The wheels are quite small, they will not be able to be used on uneven floors but you can easily store the treadmill under a piece of furniture or a bed.


The treadmill rests on rubber circles. This should absorb shocks, but I'm not sure it's enough to ensure perfect stability. The Domyos has a much larger ground surface. I'll see if the stability is good later in the test.


You may have noticed that the treadmill is foldable and making it foldable requires the use of a mechanism that could wear out or break over time. The opening mechanism of this WalkingPad X21 looks quite well designed and solid, I don't think that this part will present a risk of wear.


The handrail is made up of three zones. The central zone is equipped with a circular screen displaying basic information and allowing you to adjust the speed. You can also attach a phone/tablet holder from below, an Allen key is available in the packaging to securely fix the holder. The stability of the treadmill will be essential here because if it moves too much, your phone or tablet may fall. The Domyos T520B also has a phone and tablet holder but it is integrated into the treadmill, it is not removable and there is no chance that your phone will fall. It also allows you to place a water bottle which is not the case with the WalkingPad.


On each side other information can be displayed and the right side is also equipped with an NFC sensor to synchronize the treadmill with your phone.


The power supply is located at the bottom of the treadmill, this area does not move and this is a good thing. On the Domyos, this area tilts and makes access to the power supply more difficult.


The running surface measures 460 x 1210 mm, which is 3 cm wider than my Domyos T520b and these 3 cm are more than welcome for my big feet. I wear a size 47/48 and I am 1m94 tall, so I need space to be able to run comfortably.

Overall I find that this WalkingPad X21 treadmill gives a good impression after unpacking, I don't feel like I have a toy in front of me at all. The whole thing is well designed and gives off an impression of quality. This is obviously subjective, we will see later in the test if it can support my weight (100 kg) and my strides. If it works for me, it will work for a large majority of users.

Application

This treadmill can work completely autonomously, you don't need an application but there is a free application to control it without having to manipulate the controls by hand. To download the application, activate the NFC on your phone and then place it on the NFC zone of the control console. The phone will directly connect to the Play Store (or App Store) on the right application. If you don't have NFC or if you don't want to go through that, you can download the application manually, it's called KS Fit International version. I had found an application called WalkingPad but it doesn't work for this treadmill.

Once installed, you will have to register with an email address to receive a confirmation link. I received this email fairly quickly but remember to check your spam folder because I wouldn't be surprised if it was considered spam for some of you.

After registering your account, you must create your profile by choosing your gender, date of birth, height and weight. The application will then ask you for your precise location and this point puzzles me a little, why is precise location necessary for a treadmill? It is mandatory, no choice, you have to accept it to make the application work.

After creating your profile you will have to connect the device. I used NFC to do this because a simple search did not allow me to find the device. By placing my phone on the NFC zone it directly detected the WalkingPad X21 and I was able to connect the treadmill to my phone.

From the home screen you can start the treadmill with the "GO" button, you can choose the speed from the settings. The choice of speed is much more practical with the application than with the control wheel because the wheel does not allow you to skip speeds like the application.

The application will then record your sports session and you have the possibility to compare your performance with that of other users of Kingsmith WalkingPad products.



The application also allows you to add users for the same treadmill. If there are several of you using it, you can switch from one user to another through the application and record your performances individually. There is also a ranking of other users of the WalkingPad treadmills to see how your performances compare to others. When I see the performances of others, I think they have much more time than me to spend on sport.

The application records your running time, your calories, the distance covered and the number of steps. You can therefore compare the evolution of your performances over time. Everything works correctly except perhaps the step counter where the number of steps is slightly overestimated. By counting the steps manually I noticed a difference of one step every 4 steps. The application only updates the steps every 4 steps and in this time interval, I count 3 steps on my side.

Walking test

As I announced at the beginning of the article, I had a car accident and I am currently unable to run but I can start walking without causing too many vibrations. As the treadmill is transportable and foldable, I took the opportunity to install it outside. This is really a strength of this product because my Decathlon treadmill is very bulky even when folded and it is so heavy that placing it outside is a challenge in itself.

So I installed the KingSmith WalkingPad X21 treadmill on my terrace in the sun, it was about 14°C but with the sun it was pleasant to take my first steps with this treadmill. Moving the treadmill is quite easy unless you have stairs because the machine is quite heavy. I just have a door threshold to cross but that is no problem.

Opening the treadmill is very simple. Just pull the central lever and gently guide the treadmill towards the ground. You will then have to deploy the treadmill horizontally and here too everything is done quite easily, the canvas of the treadmill is perfectly taut after deployment. Storing the treadmill is just as easy by the way so why not use this treadmill outside? The power cable is about 2 meters long, so you will probably need an extension cord if you want to use it outside like me. The screen of the treadmill is not very bright so in the sun the information is not very readable but if you use your phone, you will not need the console of the treadmill.

Before you can start the treadmill you will have to insert the safety cord, the machine cannot start without it. The insertion is not easy but the cord is effective, at the slightest shock it detaches and the treadmill stops in less than 3 seconds. The safety cord is more than long enough to accompany you to the end of the treadmill and stop the running before falling backwards.



When you start the treadmill (manually or with the app), it automatically goes to 2km/h even if you want to continue a session that you have paused. You can then increase the speed with the control wheel on the console or from your phone. The phone is much more practical because it allows you to go directly to the desired speed. The screen for the speed can slide up and down easily, it is much more practical than the small cross to close the screen because it is really small. You can also increase the speed from the treadmill but with an increment of 0.1, so you will have to turn the control wheel for a long time before finding the right speed and you have to do this while running. The phone is therefore much more practical in this respect.

The application works very well, it is easy to use and available in many languages. I have not seen any major translation problems or the presence of Chinese characters as is often the case with chinese applications.

I gradually increased the speed to 7.5km/h because that is my limit between walking and running. With my size, I can walk at 7 km/h without problems and I prefer to start slowly so as not to take risks with regard to my injuries. The treadmill is less noisy than my Decathlon one (see below for details) and the cushioning at the walking surface is much softer. The Decathlon treadmill uses a rigid board under the walking surface and I really feel the shock in my feet. This is not at all the case with this Kingsmith WalkingPad X21. I think the WalkingPad uses a kind of PVC strip to allow the treadmill to be stored. This strip is perfectly rigid once deployed but it causes less vibration than the board from the Decathlon running surface.

I am quite tall and therefore I have big feet, I wear a size 47/48. This kind of detail plays an important role for a treadmill because I have to be able to walk or run comfortably without walking on the edges or finding myself off the treadmill when I run with big strides. This model of treadmill is the one that is most suited to my size in the Kingsmith range and frankly, it offers more than enough space for big feet and big legs like mine. Well here we are only talking about walking, we will see later if the treadmill can withstand my weight (100kg) for running.

The only thing I missed compared to my Decathlon treadmill is the presence of handles on the side. They are not strictly necessary for walking or running but they provided me with psychological comfort. The absence of handles makes it easier to store the treadmill, the psychological comfort is largely compensated by the storage comfort.

I know that this treadmill is probably not designed to be used outdoors but I find it a shame that the screen is not brighter because in full sunlight, it is almost impossible to read the information on the console.

I have made a short video summary for you below:

Running test

This treadmill has a maximum speed of 12 km/h, so it is probably not designed for those who can run fast. It is a treadmill for those looking for a way to do sports without too many constraints (placement, equipment, etc.). I was only able to test the running very recently to see if the treadmill could properly handle my strides and weight, the result is rather positive because the treadmill is wide and long enough for someone my size to take long strides without leaving the treadmill. The vibrations are quite well controlled apart from this small weakness at the folding area which causes a slight lifting of the back of the treadmill.

I am not yet able to maintain this level of speed long enough but I pushed the effort for a few minutes to see how the treadmill behaves. I did not notice any overheating of the motor, I feel heat to the touch but nothing abnormal.

Operating noise

Treadmills are generally quite noisy. I measured the operating noise of the Kingsmith WalkingPad X21 by placing a decibel meter next to the console and gradually increasing the speed of the treadmill to measure the noise level. At the lowest speed level I measured a little over 45 dB but if I go to the maximum speed, the noise increases to almost 65 dB. In addition to the operating noise, you will also have to add the sound of your footsteps but overall, you will not be able to run next to someone who is sleeping but in a closed room you should not disturb a person in the next room.

Here is a video to illustrate these measurements:

Electricity consumption

Treadmills are machines that can sometimes consume a lot of electricity because not only do you have to make the treadmill run at the desired speed, but the motor must also be able to continue the movement with your weight in addition. I measured the consumption according to the speed and obviously the speed plays a big role in the consumption. At 2 km/h the treadmill consumes less than 50 watts, at 7.5 km/h the consumption passes the 100 watt mark and at the maximum speed, it passes the 200 watt mark. This consumption is therefore the minimum consumption because depending on your weight this consumption will be higher.

Confort

The advantage of a treadmill compared to running outdoors is the comfort. Your foot always rests flat and your knees are less affected by the irregularities of the road. If you also have the possibility of placing your treadmill outside, you will benefit from the comfort of the treadmill while being outside as for a normal run. This is ideal for me because I have never liked running and even less on uneven ground. This treadmill is therefore an excellent compromise for me.

The comfort of the treadmill does not stop at the regularity of its surface because it is the same for all treadmills. If I compare it to my Decathlon treadmill, I clearly feel a difference on two levels. First, there are the vibrations where my strides cause much more vibrations on the Decathlon treadmill and this is especially felt on the plastic parts which end up vibrating.

The difference between the PVC strip of the Walkingpad and the wooden board of the Decathlon is also noticeable. Here it is mainly a question of feeling. On the other hand, I noticed that if my step rests on the central area where the running surface folds, I feel my step sinking slightly with a slight lifting of the back. There is obviously no risk that the mat will break but it is probably not the most appropriate place to put your foot.

Comparison with Domyos TC-520B

The Kingsmith WalkingPad X21 offers quite a few advantages over its Decathlon equivalent. It is much less bulky, it is easier to move, it is less noisy and the cushioning is softer. The Decathlon treadmill cannot be controlled by an application, so it does not remember what you are doing. I would say that the few advantages of the Decathlon treadmill are the possibility of tilting the treadmill up to 10%, the presence of handles on each side and its price which is lower (around €500). The Domyos treadmill can also record your heart rate but the data displayed is far from reliable.

Comparison with other models

Kingsmith sell several models of mats, I got the X21 as it was the most suitable for my size but here is a look at the other models available at the time of writing.

WalkingPad R1 Pro

Remote control: yes
NFC: no
Handrail control: no
Display: time, speed, distance, calories, steps
Motor: brushless
App: yes
Modes: walking, running
Step / speed sensor: yes
Handrail: yes
Weight: 33kg
Watts: 918
Dimensions (unfolded): 1480 x 720 x 900 mm
Dimensions (stored): 980 x 720 x 155 mm
Dimensions (treadmill): 1200 x 440 mm
Speed: 0.5 - 6 km/h for walking, 0.5 - 10 km/h for running

WalkingPad R2

Remote control: yes
NFC: no
Handrail control: no
Display: time, speed, distance, calories, steps
Motor: brushless
App: yes
Modes: walking, running
Step / speed sensor: yes
Handrail: yes
Weight: 36kg
Watts: 918
Dimensions (unfolded): 1452 x 720 x 155 mm 1032 mm
Dimensions (stowed): 1000 x 720 x 162 mm
Dimensions (treadmill): 1200 x 440 mm
Speed: 0.5 - 6 km/h for walking, 0.5 - 12 km/h for running

WalkingPad X21

Remote control: no
NFC: yes
Handrail control: yes
Display: time, speed, distance, calories
Motor: brushless
App: yes
Modes: running
Step / speed sensor: no
Handrail: yes
Weight: 38kg
Watts: 918
Dimensions (unfolded): 1419 x 711 x 1053 mm
Dimensions (stowed): 1007 x 711 x 225 mm
Dimensions (treadmill): 1210 x 460 mm
Speed: 0.5 - 6 km/h for walking, 0.5 - 10 km/h for running

The X21 is clearly intended for running (compared to others) and offers a larger surface area for running. It is the largest treadmill and the only one that offers synchronization with the smartphone .

Test/review/Conclusion

This test is probably the test that took the longest between the time I received the treadmill and the time I wrote my conclusion. It is a somewhat exceptional situation linked to a car accident that did not allow me to do sport as I wanted. On the other hand, it allowed me to test this treadmill little by little by controlling my progress almost to the millimeter. I started slowly with a slow walk (3-4 km / h) to then progress to a faster walk (between 7 and 8 km / h) and finally to slowly start running from 8 km / h.

Before this treadmill, I used a Decathlon Domyos T520B treadmill, so I had a point of comparison. In the end, I will keep the Walkingpad for several reasons. The first is the size, the WalkingPad X21 takes up very little space when folded and it can be moved easily with its wheels. The treadmill is quite heavy but the use of the wheels gives it a certain mobility that is almost not possible with the Decathlon treadmill. Even if the Walkingpad X21 had been less good than the Domyos treadmill, I would probably have made the same decision as the size was such an important factor for me. Fortunately, my preferences for the WalkingPad X21 do not stop there.

The treadmill can be controlled manually or via an application and this application is also very well designed to control the treadmill safely and more efficiently than with manual control. The control console is also very thin with just the essential information where the Domyos has a huge console that takes up a lot of space without displaying more information.

The running surface is excellent even for someone tall like me to walk or run without risking coming off the treadmill with each stride. The vibrations are very well damped despite my weight (100kg) and the motor is not too noisy (less than the Domyos in any case). I just noticed a small weakness in the area where the running surface folds, if I press hard with my foot there I feel that it sinks a little more than it has the effect of slightly lifting the back of the mat.

This treadmill is therefore very practical for its size but offers a pleasant walking or running experience that will allow you to do sports without constraint. I see that the official website shows illustrations where you can combine the walking pad with a workspace to walk while working on your computer. I have not tried this possibility but I doubt that it would work for someone of my size.

Strengths

- size/volume
- ease of storage and installation
- walking/running surface
- vibration control
- app control
- reasonable power consumption
- operating noise

Weaknesses

- brightness of the display on the console
- slight dent in the folding area
- insertion of the safety key

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