Level Up Your At-Home Workouts With These Stair Steppers

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We won't deny that having a gym membership has its perks—tons of machines, classes, and if you're lucky, a sauna. But there's also something to be said about keeping your workouts at home base—no fighting for machines, judgemental gym rats, or smelly locker rooms. Plus, if you do decide to build your own home gym, you don't need to replicate it in your garage—you can customize your equipment to your fitness goals, and workout preferences. If the stair stepper at the gym was your jam, there's no need to fret: There are actually tons of at-home options that will help you get your legs and booty toned without taking up your entire living room. We've picked our favorite steppers on the market, from models tiny enough to fit in a tote bag to a commercial grade StairMaster that rivals any machine you'd find at the gym.

The 8 Best Steppers of 2023

How to Choose a Stepper

Fitness Level

All steppers have basic stair-stepping ability, but some have higher resistance, add-ons like resistance bands for upper body toning, or even multiple functions like built-in elliptical or treadmill workouts. If you're just looking for something to get in a quick, easy workout or build in some light movement during the day, you can opt for a simpler, more affordable option. However, if you're looking to train seriously and get an intense workout in, you'll likely have better luck with a commercial model with more resistance levels, better range of motion, and more workout stat tracking.

Space and Budget

The model you pick is largely dependent on how much space you have to give up, and your budget. Commercial models—while able to provide the most intense workout—also take up the most space and cost you the most money. Midrange models lack some of the fancier features of a commercial model, but are generally smaller, and some models can even be folded and stored in a closet or under a bed. These are a great option if you still want to get in a solid cardio workout, but are willing to sacrifice appearance and some stats. The smallest option consists of only pedals, or pedals and a simple handle for balance. These are by far the most affordable, and while you won't be able to bang out a HIIT workout, it's great for getting in some movement while bingeing your favorite show or using under the desk during your workday.

How We Selected

To determine the best steppers on the market, we looked at research from trusted sources like Women's Health and Best Products, as well as researching the most popular steppers and reviews from people who have used them. We considered all workout preferences, fitness levels, and budgets to land on a selection that has a best stepper for everyone. Whether you're looking to implement more movement in a sedentary lifestyle or bang out an hour of cardio every day, we have a stepper for you.

Twist Stair Stepper Machine

This small stepper has a simple, but effective design, and is a great option if you like the mini steppers but want a bit more stability. It has two options of steep or shallow steps, and features a twisting step motion which helps work additional muscles and allows for a more fluid stepping motion.

Max Trainer M3

This trainer is a hybrid of an elliptical and a stair stepper, and it offers eight resistance levels and two built-in workouts. It is also designed to give you the full effects of cardio training in only 14 minutes, so it's great for sweating it out when you're pressed for time. It also features target zones and burn indicators to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Bluetooth Cardio Stair Stepper

This mini stepper is not only good for small spaces, but it also has Bluetooth capabilities that connect to the MyCloudFitness app, allowing you to track your workouts and access workout programs and scenic routes that can be displayed on your TV. It has an option of three step heights, the highest of which is 10 inches, and comes with resistance bands that can help you turn your stepper workout into a full-body burn.

Mini Stepper

Workout machines don't get much more affordable—or more compact—than this model from Sunny Health & Fitness. But don't let its small size fool you: this model can still give you a great workout. It has a mini LCD screen that displays your steps per minute, total steps, time, and calories burned, and the removable resistance bands are great for adding in some shoulder, arm, and ab exercises.

SM3 StepMill

If you're really serious about upping your at-home workout game, investing in a commercial grade stepper may be the way to go. While this is one of StairMaster's smaller models, it will still take up a decent amount of space, so make sure you have the floorspace for it—and the ceiling height.

It has 10 pre-programmed workouts, 20 resistance levels, and a step range of 26 to 162 steps per minute. It has built-in heart rate monitors, but it's also compatible with wearable heart rate monitors, which can help you get a more accurate reading.

Freestride Trainer

While this machine is on the pricier side, it's also a 3-in-1 model, with options to use it as a stepper, elliptical, or treadmill. To switch between modes, you simply change your movement and it will automatically adjust to move with you.

If you enjoy group workouts, you can invest in an iFit membership, which gives you access to tons of online classes, and will even adjust the incline and resistance for you as you follow along with your instructor. It also has a built-in fan, water bottle holder, Bluetooth-compatible speakers, and an interactive touchscreen that makes it feel super high-end.

Stair Stepper

This stair stepper has an added twist—literally. Not only does it move up and down, but it can move side to side, giving you an additional workout option that can strengthen and tone your core. It has wide, grippy footbeds, so it's sturdy and secure despite not having handles, and it comes with resistance bands that allow you to add in some additional upper-body work.

The Original Patented Vertical Climber

Unlike a traditional stepper, this vertical climber is not for the faint of heart. Its motion is similar to that of a Jacob's ladder machine, but it's much more compact, and can fit easily into a home gym. It is a true full-body workout, combining bodyweight resistance, aerobic exercise, and muscle-strengthening movement. Since it offers a low-impact workout, this machine is a great way for runners to maintain their endurance when injured.

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