We’ve done it again: We gathered another best list of the best cardio machines so you can utilize our collective knowledge and hours of testing and research to determine the right machine for you.
When it comes to cardio, there are endless options—from treadmills to rowing machines—but I find something especially heart-pumping (and alluring) about the stair climber. In this roundup of the best stair climbers, I’m going to give a variety of different options to choose from.
We’ve Climbed Our Way Through These Reviews
As a certified personal trainer, I’ve been on my fair share of the best vertical climbers (and had my clients use them as well!). Our expert product testers have had their hands on a variety of stair climbing machines, from ones with vertical step designs to 40-degree, knee-over-hand climbing patterns. We tested and researched more than a dozen stair climbers, assessing them for their workout performance, value, construction, durability, and more.
8 Best Stair Climbers
- Best Overall Stair Climber: NordicTrack FS 10i
- Best High-Tech Stair Climber: ProForm HL HIIT
- Best Foldable Stair Climber: Maxi Climber
- Best Compact Stair Climber: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
- Best Portable Stair Climber: Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stair Stepper
- Best Commercial Stair Climber: StairMaster StepMill
- Best Full-Body Stair Climber: Jacob’s Ladder
- Best Vertical Stair Climber: CLMBR
Best Overall Stair Climber: NordicTrack FS10i
Good for: Folks who want the option to step, pedal, or glide (not just climb)
The FS10i is a feature-rich hybrid machine ideal for iFIT fans who want varied, low-impact cardio workouts in a sturdy, tech-forward unit.
The NordicTrack FS10i is not your typical stair climber—it offers three-in-one capabilities. What exactly are the three uses you get from one machine? Well, when you use a FS10i, you’ll have the ability to change the motion of your step pattern in three different ways: an elliptical orbit pattern, up-and-down like a stepper, or a stride that mimics walking.
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Nicole Davis, GGR editorial team member and product tester, tried the FS 14i model, which is very similar to the FS10i. Nicole appreciates the different functions of the machine but notes that changing between stride motions can feel awkward. “I couldn’t quite get the hang of the treadmill-esque motion pattern, but I like the versatility of it as a whole,” she said, giving this 5 out of 5 for its tech capabilities. Nicole also notes that the walking pattern feels more like gliding.
In addition to choosing your preferred gait, you’ll also like that the NordicTrack FS10i is a heavy-duty machine with a heavy 20-pound flywheel and 375-pound user weight capacity, which leads to a sturdy workout experience without shaking or rocking. We give this a 5 out of 5 for durability, and if something does go wrong, it’s protected by a 10-year warranty.
The FS10i also features a 32-inch auto-adjustable stride length, which will accommodate tall folks and anyone with a long gait. You will also find an iFIT-enabled smart HD touchscreen built into the console of the FS10i. Our product testers enjoy the vast library of iFIT workouts and appreciate the auto-adjust feature that changes your resistance levels based on the coaching cues from the iFIT trainer.
One callout is that it’s a bit heavy, according to Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, who said, “I wouldn’t want anyone to move this on their own.”
For footprint and portability, this machine earns 3.75 out of 5 stars.
If you want the full details about our experience on this sturdy machine, read our full NordicTrack FS10i review.
The NordicTrack FS10i is our favorite stair climber, but if you’re looking for something a little smaller, we recommend the Bowflex Max Trainer M6.
| Price | $1,499 |
| Footprint | 58.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 74″ H |
| User weight capacity | 375 lbs |
| Warranty | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor |
Best High-Tech Stair Climber: ProForm HL HIIT
Good for: Folks looking for a stair-stepper with a touchscreen for top-notch interactive workouts
The ProForm HL HIIT combines smart technology and hybrid motion to offer a full-body workout in a relatively compact machine—perfect for iFIT fans.
Best Foldable Stair Climber: Maxi Climber
Good for: Anyone looking for a budget-friendly, compact, and foldable piece of cardio equipment
The Maxi Climber is a solid choice for those needing a budget-friendly, foldable cardio solution—though it lacks the features of more premium models.
The Maxi Climber is a foldable and affordable vertical climber that works your upper body, too. It won’t cost you more than $225 to order the Maxi Climber, and you might like to know that it comes almost fully assembled. Plus, it folds and stores away with ease because it’s only 33 pounds, earning 5 out of 5 for the footprint and portability.
Despite the lightweight frame, the Maxi Climber can support up to 240 lbs, which is not the most inclusive cardio machine we’ve tested, but it’s not surprising at this price point. With a smaller weight limit, we only gave this 2 out of 5 stars for durability, though it’s still a good choice for smaller users.
Our product testers have been on the Maxi Climber and think it’s an ideal machine for anyone who has a small space (even if you leave it unfolded). It will also work well if you’re looking for a full-body, low-impact cardio workout.
GGR founder Cooper “Coop” Mitchell used the Maxi Climber and was impressed with the workout experience, which earned 3 out of 5 stars.
“I really like climbing, and it can certainly be a tough workout,” Coop explains. “It’s low-impact like an elliptical, but if you want to push it, you can have a great workout.”
The Maxi Climber is a self-powered machine and only requires one LR44 battery for the display to work, which reads out a step count and calories burned. Although this could be an effective and space-saving stepping machine for some home gym owners, it won’t be the solution for everyone.
If you’re curious to read about our full experience, you can read our in-depth Maxi Climber review.
For those who want something with more durability, we recommend the ProForm HL HIIT instead.
| Price | Around $500 |
| Footprint | 28.3” L x 41.3” W |
| User weight capacity | 240 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Best Compact Stair Climber: Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Good for: Anyone looking for cardio equipment that will get your heart rate soaring without taking up a ton of floor space
The M6 is a compact, high-intensity cardio option that brings serious burn to small spaces, especially when paired with the JRNY platform.
The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 offers a compact, narrow design that won’t take up too much floor space in your home gym. In fact, this machine is just under 4 feet in length.
On the Bowflex website, you’ll find the M6 marketed as an elliptical (and we think it’s one of the best ellipticals), but the vertical stepping pattern makes this more of a stair stepper. It’s worth noting that the machine is just over 5 feet tall, so depending on how tall you are, once you’re on the machine, you might need to be aware of overhead clearance. This is why we docked half a point and only gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for the ergonomics.
This machine will not only save floor space, but it can also be tipped back and rolled into storage with the transport wheels, and earns 4.5 out of 5 for portability. GGR Head of Content and certified personal trainer Kate Meier tested the M6 and notes that the machine is pretty heavy (about 150 pounds) and can feel awkward to move, but it can be done.
“I do like the fact that the weight of the machine makes stair-climbing workouts feel stable without any side-to-side rocking,” she says. She also mentions the M6 features easy-to-use floor stabilizers if you do experience any movement during a cardio session, and overall, it felt solid, earning 4.5 out of 5 for durability.
The Max Trainer has a media shelf that allows you to use your own device and connect via Bluetooth to the JRNY app. You’ll also be able to monitor your heart rate with the EKG pulse sensors on the multi-grip handlebars while you cycle through 16 different levels of resistance.
For more, check out our full Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review.
If you’re looking for something that’s not quite as tall, the compact Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stair Stepper can be used nearly anywhere.
| Price | $1,499 |
| Footprint | 46” L x 26” W x 64.2” H |
| User weight capacity | 300 lbs |
| Warranty | 2-year frame and parts, 90-day labor |
Best Portable Stair Climber: Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stair Stepper
Good for: Anyone who is limited to a small space but still wants a total-body cardio workout
The Sunny Mini Stepper offers light cardio in a small, portable package. It’s best for low-impact, occasional workouts in tight spaces.
The Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stair Stepper is a convenient and budget-friendly way to increase your daily movement without taking up much space. This mini stepper does not require an outlet for power; rather, it just requires one LR44 battery to power the LCD monitor, which is included. The monitor displays your total step count, steps per minute, workout duration, and calories burned.
With a tiny footprint and lightweight design, this is extremely portable, earning 5 out of 5 for footprint and portability.
The mini stepper uses a hydraulic drive system so you can get a smooth stepping motion. It also comes with a set of resistance bands that can be attached to the front of the foot pedals for a dynamic full-body workout. You can use the resistance bands to press overhead, target your rear delts, or perform curls for bicep activation.
Even though this is a mini stepper, it offers a height adjustment option that can adjust the step height to deliver longer or shorter steps with a turn of a knob, and we give it 3.5 out of 5 stars for ergonomics and comfort.
We personally tested the Mini Stepper. Coop Mitchell, GGR’s founder, says he thinks that it’s “ideal for someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with exercise or wants to add in some extra movement at home.”
The Mini Stepper has received great reviews online, and we appreciate its compact design. However, it isn’t the most durable machine, with a lower user weight capacity and a significant plastic component. We give it 2 out of 5 for durability, so while it gets the job done, it might not last too long.
For more, check out our Sunny Health and Fitness Stepper review.
If you want something that’s compact but has a bit more room to move, the Maxi Climber is another good choice that’s still easy to move and store between uses.
| Price | $70 |
| Footprint | 16.3” L x 12.8” W x 13.6” H |
| User weight capacity | 220 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year structural frame, 180 days other parts and components |
Best Commercial Stair Climber: StairMaster StepMill
Good for: Anyone who wants a true continuous stair climbing machine
If you’re looking for a true stair machine with unmatched durability and challenge, the StairMaster StepMill is the commercial standard—but it’s best suited for large spaces.
Best Full-Body Stair Climber: Jacob’s Ladder
Good for: Anyone who wants an intense workout and can accommodate this large exercise machine
Jacob’s Ladder offers a unique, full-body climb experience that torches calories, but it takes space, budget, and grit to use it effectively.
Best Vertical Stair Climber: CLMBR
Good for: Anyone looking for a full-body vertical climbing experience
The CLMBR delivers a premium vertical cardio experience with interactive content and sleek aesthetics—but you’ll need room height and a bigger budget.
The CLMBR delivers a full-body vertical climber workout, with foot pedals to get the legs moving and handlebars to engage your upper body. As we found in our testing, this is a unique piece of exercise equipment because it mimics rock climbing more than actually walking up a flight of stairs, and we give it 4 out of 5 for the ergonomics.
This is also a relatively high-tech piece of equipment with a 21-inch adjustable touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and a CLMBR app you can use for trainer-led workouts. Our expert product tester, Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, who put the CLMBR to the test, liked the app platform and compared it to the ever-popular Peloton app. She stated that the workout classes are fun, and this would be a great machine for a beginner, giving it 5 out of 5 stars for dynamic programming.
She added, “It’s a low-impact workout, so unlike running, which is more jarring on your joints, there’s very little impact with the CLMBR. This is a great choice for beginners.”
You will also be able to use the machine without a WiFi connection on manual mode if you choose not to pay the nearly $40 monthly subscription for the CLMBR app. Either way, you can cycle through 11 levels of magnetic resistance for a high-intensity cardio workout.
We rated the CLMBR high for its programming and tech capabilities, but low for setup. If you think the CLMBR is the right cardio equipment for your home gym, our product testers recommend forking out the extra cash for white glove delivery. We only gave it 2 out of 5 stars for delivery and setup, which wasn’t easy.
Another big callout is the size. Lindsay said, “I’m 5’4″ and found this to be really comfortable, but I’d say if you’re 5’10”, it may be too small. One of our 6’2″ testers found it difficult to use, and kept hitting his knees on the sides,”
Smaller users will have no issues here, but tall individuals may need to choose something else. For more, get the full details on the assembly and workout experience in our in-depth CLMBR review.
If you like the vertical design but don’t want to spend over $3,000, the Maxi Climber is a great budget-friendly alternative to consider.
| Price | About $3,495 |
| Footprint | 35” L x 32” W x 88” H |
| User weight capacity | 350 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
Other Stair Climbers We Researched
Our team spent time researching other stair-climbing machines to help your fitness levels reach news heights. We ultimately decided not to include the following climbers, but here is why:
VersaClimber LX Model: Although this is a high-quality vertical climber machine, the CLMBR is very similar and won’t cost you quite as much of your hard-earned cash.
The Sole CC81 Cardio Climber: This machine almost made it to this list and is quite comparable to the Bowflex Max Trainer M6. However, the M6 takes up less room and is the winner for the more compact footprint.
Ropeflex APEX RX4400: This climber is similar to the Jacob’s Ladder but nearly twice the price, which is not cheap to begin with. Therefore, we thought it was more fitting to put a more reasonably priced machine in the full-body climbing category.
How We Picked and Tested the Best Stair Climbers
Before rounding up the best stair climbers on the market, here are a few things our team took into consideration when choosing:
- Stepping pattern: To cover all types of climbing machines, we included machines where you use your full body to climb vertically or at a 40-degree angle, and other machines that focus on just the legs, either with elliptical-style pedals or a continuous treadmill-style step generator.
- Our experience: We tried to include machines that our product testers have actually had their hands on, though there are some machines that we haven’t personally tested, but thought would add a lot of value to this roundup.
- Assembly: The ease of assembly is always on my mind when I order anything new. I made sure to mention if the assembly was particularly difficult.
- Price and value: I included a variety of price points in this roundup to make sure there were stair climber workout options for every budget.
- Footprint: I considered how much space each machine will take up in your home gym if you decide to make a purchase. There are a couple of bigger machines on this list, and I tried to make that very clear.
- Warranty: With any purchase, it’s important to know the company offers a warranty if something were to happen. All warranty durations are noted on the spec charts.
- Durability: At GGR, we’re all about finding quality equipment and making sure you know when any piece of equipment feels unstable, cheap, or chintzy.
Benefits of Stair Climbers
One of the biggest benefits of cardio machines is that you can increase your heart health and overall metabolic health in the comfort of your own home gym. Stair climbers offer an engaging, high-intensity, heart-pumping way to add cardio to your routine (or for anyone bored of their treadmill).
Targeted Lower-Body Workout
No matter the style of stair climber you use for your home workouts, you’ll be targeting your glutes, calves, hamstrings, and quads. Although ellipticals and treadmills also engage your legs, climbing or stepping is a new (and functional) way to target the leg muscles.
Low-Impact, High-Intensity
Stair climbers offer a low-impact solution for hitting your target heart rate. Climbing or stepping forces your body to be under tension without rest, unlike other cardio options like an elliptical or rowing machine.
It’s worth noting that most machines I included on this roundup offer low-impact cardio workouts, with the exception of the StairMaster StepMill. This machine simulates actually walking up a flight of stairs, which can be a lot of impact for anyone facing ankle, knee, or hip mobility issues.
What to Look for in a Stair Climber
When you embark on your journey to find the best cardio machine for your home gym, I want you to know that not all stair-climbing machines are the same. Here are a few tips when shopping for a stair climber:
Step Pattern
When you think about a stair climber, it might evoke a different image than a stair stepper machine. All of these climbing machines end up falling in the same category, so it’s reasonable to mention what style you might come across:
- Machines that deliver a continuous flight of stairs
- Vertical climbing machines that simulate rock climbing
- Stair stepping machines where your feet don’t leave the pedals
Resistance
Some machines are self-powered and will go as fast as your output allows, while others will have flywheels with adjustable resistance. When you’re shopping, it’s important to check the specs so you know what kind of machine you’re ordering.
Warranty
Some of the warranties we’ve come across on climbing machines don’t compare to the industry standard we see on other machines like ellipticals and treadmills. For either of those pieces of cardio equipment, we prefer to see at least 10 years on the frame. Some climbing machines come in under that 10-year mark, so it’s important to know before you buy.
Height and Weight Considerations
With a machine that has you stepping upward, you want to make sure that you have enough overhead clearance for the machine and your body to be at the highest stepping point.
On that same note, be sure to check the weight capacity on any machine you’re considering to ensure it accommodates all your family members or roommates who plan to use it.
Price Point
Much like any other large piece of gym equipment, you’ll find a wide range of products from budget to high-end when shopping for stair climbers. We suggest going into your buying process with a total cost you feel comfortable with (or a monthly payment) established prior to making a purchase.
Best Stair Climber FAQs
Are stair climbers worth it?
To determine if a stair climber is worth it, it will be highly subjective for each individual buyer and will depend on your budget, your space, and your fitness goals. Stair climbers are efficient machines for targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and quads all while delivering a fast-paced, engaging cardio workout.
Is a stair climber good for belly fat?
Unfortunately, you can’t spot-treat fat loss from your belly or any specific area of your body. That said, cardio exercise is a productive way to promote overall fat loss for the entire body. In addition to cardio exercise, balanced nutrition and reducing caloric intake affect overall body fat percentages and body composition.
Is climbing stairs better than squats?
Climbing stairs or using a stair climber machine is a form of cardio exercise that can help improve your metabolic health. That said, if you’re looking to improve strength as well as your overall cardiovascular health, squats are still an efficient way to increase strength through the glutes, hamstrings, and quads.
Is a stair climber better than a treadmill?
Both stair climber and treadmill machines can deliver effective cardiovascular workouts for a variety of fitness levels. Your personal preference will help you determine which type of machine is best for you. Ultimately, the best cardio machine is the one that you actually use.
What muscles does a stair climber work?
The stair climber is considered a full-body workout, but it primarily targets muscles in your lower body, such as your glutes, calves, hamstrings, quads, and core muscles.
