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The best stair climbers blend a club-quality, compact design with safety and convenience features that allow you to enjoy stress-free cardio workouts. If you’re the type of person who likes to stream entertainment apps while you train or lock in with immersive HIIT workouts, the Matrix ClimbMill C50 might just be the next purchase for your home gym.
This premium-priced stair climber certainly isn’t built for budget-conscious buyers. However, if you’re got the financial flexibility to upgrade your cardio game, this can be a fantastic addition to your setup. In this Matrix ClimbMill C50 review, I’ll break down everything from the specifications and display options (you have four choices!) to how it performed during testing so you can decide if it’s time to raise your stepper standards.
Climbing the Ranks: Our Step-by-Step Process for Testing Stair Climbers
The GGR team includes CPTs, certified nutrition coaches, CrossFit enthusiasts, and an Olympian weightlifter. Although some of us prefer lifting weights over cranking out cardio sessions, we understand the value of both forms of exercise. So, whether we’re assessing the knurl pattern on the best barbells or the built-in programming on the top rowing machines, we take a measured approach to provide unbiased feedback.
Our squad has researched and evaluated more than a dozen stair climbers, including the Matrix ClimbMill C50. We use our fitness equipment testing methodology to grade key factors using a 1-5 scoring system. When it comes to steppers, here’s what we take into account:
- Footprint and Portability
- Delivery and Setup
- Durability
- Versatility and Ergonomics
- Tech Capabilities and Conveniences
- Customer Reviews
- Value
- Warranty and Returns
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A Quick Look at the Matrix ClimbMill C50
The Matrix ClimbMill C50 is a commercial-grade stair climbing machine that offers 25 levels of electronic resistance, industry-leading safety features such as an infrared sensor, reversible steps, and emergency stop buttons, and conveniences like a water bottle holder, heart rate grips, and a sweat management system that tracks sweat away from the ClimbMill’s critical components.
Most notably, the C50 comes in four display options. Here’s a quick overview of each:
- XR console: Features a clean, bright 8.5” LCD display
- XER console: Includes a clear 10” touchscreen display with an intuitive home screen, along with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- XIR console: Has a 16” brilliant HD touchscreen display, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an HDMI port for additional streaming capabilities
- XUR console: Equipped with a premium 22” HD touchscreen display, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an HDMI port
RELATED: Stair Climber vs Elliptical
Before You Buy
- There’s a significant price gap of about $2,000 between the cheapest model (XR) and the most expensive (XUR). The XR console is listed for $6,099 while the XUR console has an MSRP of $8,499. However, we’ve seen the XR available for as low as $5,299 and the XUR available for about $7,299.
- This 297-pound stair climber has a fairly compact footprint of 53” L x 28” W x 75” H. Although it has front wheels, we recommend finding a permanent spot for it since it’s quite heavy.
- Despite being marketed to home gym owners, the lifetime warranty voids if you keep the ClimbMill in a non-climate-controlled area. Take this into consideration if you don’t have sufficient space in your home to accommodate this machine.
- The C50 generates quite a bit of noise at higher speeds. If you don’t have headphones on, this could be irksome.
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Matrix ClimbMill C50 Video Review
Is the Matrix ClimbMill C50 Worth It?
With the cheapest model costing more than $5,000 and the most expensive checking in at north of $7,000, the C50 requires a sizable investment. Stair climbers aren’t exactly the most versatile machines, but they have been shown to be effective for improving cardiometabolic disease risk in adults.1 So, if you want to lose weight, increase your cardiovascular fitness and conditioning, or hit your daily step count, this machine can be a useful tool.
That said, the ClimbMill C50 is pricey, and the $2,000 difference between the XR and XUR consoles is quite steep. You’ll need to consider how much connectivity matters, along with whether you’re best served spending $5,000+ on a machine that’s somewhat limited compared to something like a functional trainer or even a treadmill, which is a little more versatile.
Great for:
- Interactive, engaging workouts (if you purchase a model with a touchscreen)
- Joint-friendly lower-body training
- Improving your cardiovascular fitness
- Tech-savvy folks who want the ability to stream shows, stay connected on social media, and use other apps while exercising
Not recommended for:
- Ceilings lower than 8 feet
- Budget-conscious buyers
- People who value versatility, as the C50 is fairly limited in what it can do
- Users with balance or mobility challenges, as the stair-climbing motion requires balance and coordination
Matrix ClimbMill C50 Specs
| Price | $6,099-$8,499, depending on the display |
| Footprint | 53” L x 28” W x 75” H |
| Product Weight | 327 lbs |
| Assembled Weight | 297 lbs |
| User Weight Capacity | 300 lbs |
| Step Depth | 9” |
| Step-On Height | 10.5” |
| Steps Per Minute | 24-137 SPM |
| Resistance System | Exact Force Induction Brake |
| Resistance Range | 25 levels |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, 5-year parts, 1-year labor |
Using the Matrix C50 ClimbMill
GGR Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele put the C50 through our in-depth testing process. Overall, she enjoyed her workout experience and had plenty of positive feedback about this machine. However, she also had a few key callouts worth mentioning.
Footprint and Portability
With assembled dimensions of 53 inches long by 28 inches wide by 75 inches high, the C50 is fairly compact. However, it’s a hefty machine, weighing in at 297 pounds. Despite being outfitted with front wheels, don’t expect to move it around easily.
“I would just pick a spot, and unless you absolutely have to move it out of the way—don’t touch it,” Lindsay says. “Leave it where it is, because this thing is massive.”
Another key point to consider is your ceiling height. According to Matrix, you need 25 extra inches from your height to accommodate the machine.
“If you’re 6’2”, add an extra 25 inches on top of that, and that should be the ceiling height clearance in order to use this,” Lindsay explains.
Furthermore, you also need to have 24 inches around the C50 that are free from any sort of walls in order for it to ventilate properly.
“Consider these types of things before you buy this, because you want to make sure you have the available space,” Lindsay says.
Overall we rate the footprint and portability a 2 out of 5.
Tech Capabilities and Conveniences
While the footprint score won’t blow anyone away, the C50 earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for tech capabilities and conveniences. Full disclaimer: We tested the XUR console (the top option), which includes a 22” touchscreen display.
“Essentially, there’s no reason you ever have to leave this stair climber because everything you want to do — scroll, read, watch — it’s in front of you on that touchscreen.”
In addition to dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, you get USB and HDMI ports for connecting your devices. The touchscreen consoles come with Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and other popular entertainment apps, along with social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and PressReader. You even get a web browser to search for your favorite sites.
“It comes with speakers on the front that were actually pretty decent, although the music selection on the programming is so bad,” Lindsay explains.
We also like that you can conduct immersive workouts via Treo Wellness — a platform that lets you experience more than 500 on-demand studio workouts. All Matrix equipment includes one month of free access to Treo — a nice bonus.
As for conveniences? The C50 includes a water bottle holder, heart rate grips, and a handlebar that has controls to pause, stop, or adjust your resistance. We also have to give a tip of the cap for the Sweat Management System, which tracks sweat away from the machine’s most important components to help prolong the life of the equipment.
Workout Experience
Capable of reaching 137 steps per minute, you can get quite an intense cardio workout on the C50.
“When I did a 30-minute session on this at a moderate intensity, I burned about 250 calories,” Lindsay says. “My glutes were on fire and I was sweating like crazy.”
Unlike rowing machines, the stair function allows you to engage more muscles.
“Your quads are going to be burning, your glutes, your calves, and even some core work is involved with a stair stepper,” Lindsay explains. “So in terms of steady-state cardio or even HIIT workouts, this is a very good option.”
Unfortunately, amping up the speed leads to quite a bit of noise.
“It would be bothersome to me if I didn’t have headphones in because it just became noisy at the higher levels,” Lindsay says.
On a more positive note, Lindsay was pleased with how safe and stable the machine is. The C50 includes a safety feature that automatically stops the machine when you step off.
“It’s not a jarring stop—it slowly comes to a stop,” she explains.
Matrix ClimbMill C50 vs STEPR+
If you’re on the hunt for a stair climber, the ClimbMill C50 is definitely a worthy option. However, our team has also reviewed the STEPR+ — a similar machine that also carries a pretty hefty price tag.
Although it’s slightly taller, the STEPR+ is nearly a foot shorter than the C50, making it more footprint friendly. In addition, it caters better to heavy users, as the max weight capacity is 375 pounds compared to just 300 for the C50. Many of the other specs are almost identical, as both machines offer 25 resistance levels and nearly the same steps-per-minute (SPM) range.
For more details on our experience, check out our full STEPR review.
| Matrix ClimbMill C50 | STEPR+ | |
| Price | $6,099-$8,499, depending on the display | $4,999 |
| Footprint | 53” L x 28” W x 75” H | 42” L x 27.5” W x 78” H (82” H with the 27” touchscreen) |
| Assembled Weight | 297 lbs | 298 lbs |
| User Weight Range | 99 lbs – 300 lbs | 95 lbs – 375 lbs |
| Step Depth | 9” | 8.6” |
| Step-On Height | 10.5” | 15.2” |
| Step Height | 5.6” | 5.2” |
| Steps Per Minute (SPM) | 24-137 SPM | 24-140 SPM |
| Resistance Range | 25 resistance levels | 25 resistance levels |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, 5-year parts, 1-year labor | 10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor |
Customer Experience
Matrix offers several ways to get in touch with customer service, including e-mail and phone. You can call the company at 888-993-3199 from Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST. There’s also a contact form on the company website.
Matrix’s return policy is pretty standard. You have 30 days to return your equipment for any reason. However, you will be responsible for return freight and assembly charges and a restocking fee. It takes about six to eight weeks for refunds to process.
One callout Lindsay had was with the company’s warranty policy. Although Matrix provides a lifetime warranty, it voids if you use any of their products in a non-climate-controlled room. This is something we see with other cardio equipment manufacturers, which is a bit frustrating since many members of the home gym community train in a garage or outdoor setting.
Ordering the Matrix ClimbMill C50
You can order the Matrix ClimbMill C50 directly on the company website. You must select one of the four display options before adding it to your cart. In addition to the cost of the stair climber, you will be charged $249 for White Glove Delivery, which includes delivery to the room of your choice (including one flight of stairs), unpacking, and debris removal.
Between shipping and taxes, expect to pay quite a bit more than than the listed price of whatever C50 model you choose. Luckily, Matrix offers financing options through BreadPay.
Customer Reviews
Although there are only two reviews for the ClimbMill C50 on the Matrix Home Fitness website, both customers left a 5-star rating. From a build quality and features standpoint, it’s easy to see why this machine earned high marks. While the price and warranty limitations (it voids if used in a non-climate-controlled environment) may give some potential customers pause, this is still a rock-solid product that should garner more positive feedback as it becomes more of a staple in the home gym community.
Final Verdict of Our Matrix ClimbMill C50 Review
If you’re a cardio enthusiast who loves to stay connected, the ClimbMill C50 can be a great addition to your home gym. While the price tag may preclude some people from putting it on their wish list, the build quality, convenience and safety features, and programming may persuade others to pull the trigger. This isn’t necessarily the best stair climber we’ve gotten our hands (and feet) on, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’ve got the budget for it.
Full Rating
Matrix ClimbMill C50
The Matrix ClimbMill C50 brings commercial-level durability and smooth stair stepping to your home gym, but the size and price make it better suited for serious users with the space and budget to make it work.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 7299
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.875
Matrix ClimbMill C50 Review: FAQs
How much does the Matrix C50 ClimbMill weigh?
The Matrix C50 ClimbMill weighs 297 pounds and has a user weight capacity of 300 pounds.
How does the Sweat Management System work?
The Sweat Management System tracks sweat away from the critical components, collecting it in a tray in order to enhance the C50’s longevity.
What are the key features of the Matrix ClimbMill C50?
The ClimbMill C50 offers 25 resistance levels, a multi-position handlebar, and metric-driven cardio programs. The XER, XIR, and XUR consoles come with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. Plus, the XIR and XUR models include HDMI ports for expanded streaming capabilities.
References
- Ghosal, A. M., & Chandrasekaran, B. (2023). Stair-climbing interventions on cardio-metabolic outcomes in adults: A scoping review. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 19(1), 136–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.10.003
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