Fitness Gear Equipment The 8 Best Stair Climbers of 2023 The Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber is a top pick for a low impact workout By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist LinkedIn Lindsey Lanquist is a writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and health content. Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 25, 2023 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell / Chloe Jeong Looking for a way to build strength while working up a sweat? A stair climber is a fitness machine that simulates the experience of walking (or running) up a flight of stairs to provide a challenging, low impact workout. Reviewed & Approved We selected the Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber as our top pick for its unique combination of vertical and horizontal motion that makes for a dynamic workout. The Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper is a solid choice for small spaces. Most stair climbers provide a range of resistance levels so they are good for beginners to advanced exercisers and are a smart addition to an at-home fitness routine. They generally have a smaller footprint compared to other cardio machines so a stair climber is good for small spaces. We reviewed all the picks in the roundup for features like size and sturdiness, resistance levels, range of motion, and weight capacity to find the best stair climbers worth considering for your home gym or exercise space. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Deco Home Exercise Step Machine at Walmart Jump to Review Best Splurge: Bowflex M8 at Amazon Jump to Review Best High-Tech: NordicTrack FS10i Freestyle Trainer at Nordictrack.com Jump to Review Best 2-in-1: Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Small Spaces: Maxi Climber Vertical Climber at Amazon Jump to Review Best Foldable: Stamina SpaceMate at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber 4.7 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sunnyhealthfitness.com Pros Dynamic Works your arms and legs simultaneously Built-in digital monitor Cons Bulky Not foldable The Sunny Health & Fitness Cardio Climber is a sturdy machine that would make a dynamic addition to any home gym and the reason we chose it as our best overall pick. The climber boasts a unique stride that combines vertical climbing with some horizontal extension. This leaves the machine feeling like a classic stair climber with a hint of an elliptical’s stride, giving you a dynamic workout. The machine comes equipped with eight magnetic resistance levels, which make it easy to customize the intensity of your workouts. And the climber’s full-motion handlebars will keep your upper body engaged every time you work out. Price at time of publication: $289 for model SF-E3911 Size: 42 x 23 x 60.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Resistance Levels: Eight The Best Home Gym Equipment of 2023 Best Budget Deco Home Exercise Step Machine Courtesy of Walmart View On Walmart Pros Built-in LCD monitor Cons No added resistance The Deco Home Exercise Step Machine is a small but sturdy climber designed to deliver a classic stair-stepping workout. Though the machine is relatively low-profile, its stability handlebars and non-slip pedals will help you stay balanced as you exercise, allowing you to focus on your workout. And since it boasts a small footprint, it’s a particularly great pick for small spaces. The only downside? Unlike many other climbers, the Deco Home Exercise Step Machine offers no resistance levels to toggle through. So if you want to up the intensity of your workouts, you’ll have to focus on your speed—not your tension level. Size: 18 x 18 x 41.5 to 45.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Resistance Levels: None The 11 Best Ellipticals of 2023 Best Splurge Bowflex Max Trainer M8 Amazon View On Amazon Pros High-tech Cons A little bulky Not foldable Very expensive The Bowflex M8 Max Trainer is a high-tech machine that combines the classic climb of a stair stepper with the smooth stride of an elliptical—giving you one incredibly dynamic workout. The sturdy machine is loaded with splurge-worthy features, like 20 different resistance levels and heart rate-tracking grips. And if you pair it with a JRNY membership ($19.99 a month), the machine will automatically adjust your workout settings for you, so you can stay challenged as you build strength over time. Also nice? Though the machine is pretty robust, it doesn’t demand a ton of space. Its emphasis on vertical climbing makes it tall, rather than wide or long. So it’s a solid choice for smaller spaces. Price at time of publication: $1,899 for model M8 Max Trainer Size: 49 x 30.5 x 65.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Resistance Levels: 20 Best High-Tech NordicTrack FS10i Freestyle Trainer Courtesy of NordicTrack View On Nordictrack.com Pros High-tech Three machines in one Built-in touchscreen Cons Bulky Not foldable Very expensive Better with iFit, a monthly membership program ($39/month) The NordicTrack FS10i Freestyle Trainer is a splurge-worthy stair stepper that doubles as an elliptical—and triples as a treadmill. Where other machines combine a stair stepper’s climb with an elliptical’s stride to offer a dynamic workout, the NordicTrack FS10i Freestyle Trainer allows you to switch between three discrete workout modes. Simply change your stride, and the machine will automatically adjust—acting as a stair stepper, an elliptical, or a treadmill in any given moment. Of course, the technology doesn’t stop there. The machine also comes equipped with a built-in fan, Bluetooth-compatible speakers, and an interactive touchscreen. And if you pair it with an iFit membership ($39 a month), you can enable interactive personal training and invite the machine to automatically adjust your settings every time you work out. Price at time of publication: $1,999 Size: 58.5 x 29.5 x 74 inches | Weight Capacity: 375 pounds | Resistance Levels: 24 The 9 Best Treadmills for 2023 Best 2-in-1 Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Pros Relatively small space-friendly Two machines in one Built-in device holder Cons A little bulky Not foldable The Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper is a classic 2-in-1 machine. The stair climber doubles as an elliptical, allowing you to switch between two discrete workout modes any time you want to. The machine comes equipped with two sets of handlebars you can use to stay balanced as you switch from climbing to striding. The stepper boasts eight resistance levels you can toggle through to up the intensity of your workouts, no matter which style of exercise you’re doing. Because the Body Power 2-in-1 Elliptical Stepper acts as two machines in one, it’s a great way to save space. And its compact footprint makes it an even small space-friendlier option. Price at time of publication: $450 Size: 42 x 24 x 62 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Resistance Levels: Eight Best for Small Spaces Maxi Climber The Original Patented Vertical Climber 4.6 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Maxiclimber.com Pros Works your arms and legs simultaneously Easy to set up Cons No added resistance The Maxi Climber Vertical Climber is an all-level stepping machine that won’t demand a ton of space in your home. Whereas other climbers focus more on stepping, this one emphasizes climbing—its sliding pedals and handles mimic the feeling of climbing on a rock wall. This unique design makes it easy to work your upper body and lower body in equal measure. It also makes the machine a particularly great pick for small spaces, as most of its size comes from its height. Price at time of publication: $149 Size: 36 x 27 x 79 inches | Weight Capacity: 240 pounds | Resistance Levels: None The Best Vertical Climbers of 2023 for a Full Body Workout Best Foldable Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper Target View On Amazon View On Dick's View On Kohls.com Pros Small space-friendly Foldable Built-in monitor Cons No added resistance The Stamina SpaceMate Folding Stepper is a low-profile stepper that’s sturdy, but small space-friendly. Though the stepper is small, its non-slip pedals will help you maintain your balance as you work out. The machine also comes equipped with foam-covered stability handlebars, which will make it even easier to stay stable and in control of your workouts. The stepper’s compact footprint makes it a solid choice for small spaces. And even better: It folds up to a fraction of its size, making it incredibly easy to store between workouts. Price at time of publication: $130 Size: 30.25 x 16.25 x 54.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Resistance Levels: None Best Portable Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Dick's Pros Works your upper and lower body simultaneously Built-in monitor Cons No added resistance Not a classic stair climber The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper is an under-desk stair climber that’s small enough to bring anywhere. The machine boasts a simple design: You’ll find two non-slip pedals you can use to simulate your favorite stair climber workouts, as well as two removable resistance bands you can use to challenge your upper body. A built-in monitor makes the machine feel a little more robust, making it easy to track your step count, workout time, and more. Really, the compact machine gives you everything you need to log a stair-climbing workout while working—or while watching TV. Price at time of publication: $80 for original model Size: 16 x 12.5 x 13.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Resistance Levels: None The 12 Best Pieces of Portable Exercise Equipment of 2023 What to Look for in a Stair Climber Size When shopping for a fitness machine, size is one of the first things you should look at—especially if you’re navigating a small space. So be sure to check the dimensions of a stair climber before buying. Weight Capacity Some fitness machines are stronger than others. So be sure to double-check the weight capacity (or the “maximum training load”) of a machine before buying it. And remember to factor in any weights you plan to wear or use while on the machine! Resistance Levels If you plan to use your stair climber for strength-training, make sure it boasts a range of resistance levels. (You can expect to find anywhere between 0 to 24 resistance levels, depending on the machine you’re eyeing.) Though you might start your stair climbing journey with zero resistance, you’ll likely want the option to increase your resistance level over time. Frequently Asked Questions What muscles does the stair stepper work? Most stair climbing workouts focus on your lower body. So you can expect to feel your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes being challenged. Some stair climbers also include moving handlebars, which you can use to challenge your upper body—more specifically your arms and your back—too. Is the stair stepper cardio? Yes, the stair climber is primarily a cardio machine. But you can just as easily increase your resistance level to use it for strength-training, too. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit