These 5 Top-Rated Mini Steppers Can Give You an Effective At-Home Workout (Then Be Stashed in the Closet)
Did you know that stair climbing is one of the most efficient low-impact workouts you can do? Hopping on one for a stepping sess will combine cardio and resistance training in one, strengthen your lungs, improve your heart health, and majorly challenge your lower body muscles. Sounds like a pretty good deal, right?
But if you’re looking for a way to get in your steps at home, installing a StairMaster in the living room is not exactly the most space-efficient move you could make (nor the most affordable). Enter: Mini steppers.
They won’t give you quite as vigorous of a workout as a commercial-grade stair climber you’d find at a gym—most compact home steppers only have a 5- to 6-inch step height, while a StairMaster can go up to 14 inches. But these tiny but mighty pieces of equipment let you get your cardio in, and are light enough to put away in the closet when you’re done.
The best mini steppers for your home workouts
- Most portable: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper, $68
- Highest weight capacity: Sportsroyals Stair Stepper, $115
- Best under-desk option: Stamina Inmotion Elliptical, $129
- Safest if you have balance issues: Sunny Health & Fitness Twisting Stair Stepper, $99
- Best full-body workout: MaxiClimber Vertical Climber, $175
Originally $88, on sale for $68
If space is at a premium in your home, our top pick for the best portable stair climber is the Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper. Weighing just over 16 pounds, it can easily be stored in a closet or under the couch when not in use, and takes up just over a square foot of space. That tiny footprint is particularly impressive when you consider that this machine can give you a full-body workout: There are integrated resistance bands so that you can work your shoulders, arms, and back muscles while stepping. You can adjust the pedals’ height for a steeper climb, or quick little steps.
Weight: 16 pounds
Supports: Up to 220 pounds
Footprint: 16 x 12 inches
Originally $230, on sale for $115
The Sportsroyals Stair Stepper is crafted from durable stainless steel components so it can support users up to 330 pounds. There’s also a unique twisting action to help target your glutes and inner and outer thighs; plus, this one also comes with removable resistance bands to get more of a full-body workout if you so choose. User reviews rave about the comfort of the cushioned pedals and the security they feel given the non-slip textured pedals. An LCD monitor helps you keep track of your workout metrics as you go to increase motivation, and the hydraulic drive system keeps your steps quiet.
Weight: 24 pounds
Supports: Up to 330 pounds
Footprint: 20 x 18 inches
Originally $250, on sale for $129
More of a mini elliptical than a mini stepper, the Stamina Inmotion Elliptical is a great option for those looking for more of an under-the-desk exercise machine or who need to sit down while exercising, though it can also be used standing. It’s easy to use, lightweight (24 pounds), and syncs with a free app to keep track of your workout stats. You can also pedal forwards and backwards to target different muscles and mix up your workout.
Weight: 24 pounds
Supports: Up to 250 pounds
Footprint: 17 x 25 inches
Originally $110, on sale for $99
The Sunny Health & Fitness Twisting Stair Stepper offers the benefit of having an adjustable handlebar you can hold onto to help you stay balanced and safe—and, at only 25 pounds, you can still pick it up and tuck it away when you’re done.
You can adjust the step height to modify the intensity of your workout: Set a shallow step height and take super quick little running steps to provide more of a cardio workout, or choose the maximum step height to get more resistance for a strengthening workout. There is also an optional twisting motion to help target your hips and inner and outer thighs.
Weight: 25 pounds
Supports: Up to 250 pounds
Footprint: 22 x 19 inches
Although it’s not technically a mini stepper, the MaxiClimber Vertical Climber will give you a full-body session by working your legs in a stepping motion while also getting your arms in on the action, too. Yet the machine is relatively lightweight (33 pounds) and folds down for easy storage. The height quickly adjusts so multiple family members can use it. A free companion app offers HIIT routines and workout challenges targeted to different fitness levels, and lets you set daily workout goals.
Weight: 33 pounds (and 6′ 6″ in height)
Supports: Up to 250 pounds
Footprint: 26 x 42 inches