Federal safety officials are warning consumers to stop using several Sperax walking pads and treadmills immediately after receiving hundreds of reports involving sudden speed changes, abrupt stops, overheating and fires.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the warning on April 16, 2026, covering the Sperax Pro, Q1, RM-01 and RM-02 models. According to the agency, the machines can unexpectedly accelerate or stop while someone is walking, creating a serious risk of losing balance and falling.
The CPSC has received 201 reports involving uncontrollable speeds, unexpected stops and similar stability failures. Those incidents resulted in at least 66 reported falls or injuries, including one concussion that required medical attention.
The same products have also been connected with 573 reports of overheating, fires and other thermal incidents. Four people reportedly suffered minor burns.
Unlike an ordinary voluntary recall, there is currently no company-supported repair, replacement or refund program. The importer refused to agree to what the CPSC considered an acceptable recall, so the agency issued a public safety warning telling owners to stop using and dispose of the products.
Which Sperax Walking Pads Are Affected?
The warning covers four Sperax walking-pad and treadmill models: Pro, Q1, RM-01 and RM-02.
The affected products are primarily black with red trim. Owners can locate the model number on a product label positioned near the power switch.
The machines were manufactured in China and sold through major online marketplaces, including Amazon, Walmart, Newegg and eBay.
Consumers should check the physical label on the machine rather than relying only on an online order description. Marketplace listings can change over time, and similar-looking products may be sold under slightly different titles.
The official warning, including photographs of the affected models, can be reviewed through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Why the Walking Pads Can Cause Falls
Walking pads are compact treadmills often designed for use beneath standing desks or in small home exercise spaces.
Unlike full-size treadmills, many walking pads have no permanent front handrail. That makes unexpected belt movement particularly dangerous because the user may have nothing stable to grab when the machine suddenly changes speed.
According to the CPSC, the affected Sperax models can accelerate unexpectedly, behave erratically or come to an abrupt stop. A user walking normally may be thrown forward or lose balance before having time to react.
A sudden stop can be especially dangerous when the walking pad is positioned near a desk, wall, chair, glass surface or other hard object. The user may fall against surrounding furniture rather than landing on an open floor.
The risk may also be greater for older adults, people recovering from an injury and anyone with balance or mobility difficulties.
Hundreds of Thermal Incidents Were Reported
The fire concern is separate from the unexpected-speed problem.
The CPSC said it had received 573 reports involving overheating, fires or other thermal events connected with the walking pads and treadmills. At least four reports involved minor burns.
An overheating exercise machine can create a serious home hazard because it is normally used close to flooring, furniture, curtains, electrical cords and other combustible materials.
A fire could also begin after a malfunctioning motor, power supply, circuit board or electrical connection becomes excessively hot. The CPSC warning does not publicly identify one confirmed technical cause for every reported thermal incident, so owners should not assume that replacing a cord or using a different outlet will make an affected machine safe.
The correct response is to stop using the product rather than attempting a home repair.
This Is a Safety Warning, Not a Normal Recall
Some reports have described the Sperax action as a recall, but the distinction matters.
The CPSC states that the importer, Quanzhou Wentelai Import and Export Trading Co., doing business as Sperax, refused to agree to an acceptable recall. The company also objected to the agency’s public warning.
Because the company did not establish an agreed recall remedy, owners are not being directed to contact Sperax for a standard repair kit, replacement unit or automatic refund.
Instead, the CPSC is independently telling consumers to stop using the machines immediately and dispose of them. The agency specifically warns people not to sell or give the affected products to someone else.
Passing the walking pad to a friend, relative, donation center or secondhand buyer would transfer the same fall and fire risks to another household.
What Owners Should Do Immediately
Anyone who owns a Sperax Pro, Q1, RM-01 or RM-02 should unplug the machine and stop using it.
The product should be stored away from children and other household members until it can be safely discarded. Owners should not continue using it at a reduced speed or only for short periods because the failures described by the CPSC can happen unexpectedly.
A machine that smells burned, appears melted, produces smoke or feels unusually hot should not be moved unnecessarily. If there is active smoke, sparking or fire, occupants should leave the area and contact emergency services from a safe location.
Owners should follow local electronic-waste or bulky-appliance disposal requirements. Because these products contain motors, wiring and electronic components, ordinary curbside disposal may not be appropriate in every community.
The CPSC says affected products should be disposed of and must not be resold or donated.
Do Not Attempt to Repair the Walking Pad Yourself
An owner may be tempted to open the housing, replace a fuse, adjust the belt or install a different controller.
That approach could expose the user to electrical shock, moving components and additional fire risk. It may also fail to address the underlying defect.
The reported problems include both erratic motion and thermal incidents, suggesting that a visible adjustment to the belt or remote control cannot be assumed to correct every safety issue.
Even when the machine appears to operate normally during a brief test, that does not prove it will remain stable during future use.
There is no CPSC-approved consumer repair described in the warning. Disposal is the agency’s recommended action.
Online Buyers Should Review Their Order History
Because the affected walking pads were sold through several large e-commerce platforms, some owners may not remember the exact brand or model they purchased.
Consumers can search their Amazon, Walmart, Newegg or eBay order history for the terms Sperax, walking pad, under-desk treadmill or the model numbers Pro, Q1, RM-01 and RM-02.
The order information should then be compared with the label near the machine’s power switch.
A product page may no longer be active, or the seller name may have changed. The physical model label is therefore the most important identifying detail.
Buyers can also save screenshots, order receipts and photographs of the machine before disposing of it. Those records may be useful when reporting an incident, requesting assistance from the marketplace or documenting an injury or property-damage claim.
What to Do After an Injury or Fire
Anyone who experienced a fall, burn, overheating event, smoke or fire involving one of the affected machines can report the incident through SaferProducts.gov.
Reports help the CPSC understand how frequently a product is failing and whether the number or severity of incidents is increasing.
Consumers should document the model number, purchase date, marketplace, symptoms of the failure and any resulting injuries or property damage. Photographs, medical records and fire-department reports may also be important.
A person who suffered a head injury should seek medical attention, particularly if symptoms include confusion, vomiting, loss of consciousness, worsening headache, memory problems or unusual drowsiness.
Burns, smoke inhalation and electrical injuries may also require professional assessment even when the initial symptoms appear limited.
How to Choose a Safer Walking Pad
The warning does not mean that every walking pad or compact treadmill is unsafe.
Before purchasing another machine, consumers should research the manufacturer, confirm that clear contact and warranty information is available and check the CPSC database for existing recalls or warnings.
A walking pad should be used on a flat and stable surface with adequate clearance around the user. Power cords should not be damaged, crushed beneath furniture or connected through an overloaded extension lead.
Users should stop operating any treadmill that changes speed without input, hesitates, smells unusual, becomes excessively hot or makes new grinding or electrical noises.
A visible power switch and easily accessible emergency stop control can also help reduce risk, although neither feature can compensate for a serious internal defect.
The CPSC’s broader recall and warning database is available at CPSC.gov.
Why the Warning Is Serious
The number of reports is unusually high for a consumer exercise product.
The agency has documented 201 stability-related complaints, at least 66 falls or injuries and 573 thermal incidents, including fires and burns.
The combination of sudden mechanical movement and electrical overheating creates two independent dangers. A person may be injured while actively using the machine, while an overheated component could threaten the surrounding home.
The lack of an agreed company recall also means consumers must take direct action rather than waiting for a repair appointment or replacement notice.
Owners should identify the model, unplug the machine, stop using it and dispose of it according to local requirements. They should not sell, donate or give it away.
