If squeezing a bulky treadmill or elliptical into your home or budget is a no-go, the best mini stair steppers might be the compact and low-impact cardio option you’ve been waiting for. Mini stair steppers — consider them distant cousins of the best stair climbers — can deliver low- to moderate-intensity cardio workouts in teensy packages ideal for those living in small spaces or in search of a way to stay active at the office. 

Our team of certified fitness pros was excited to climb aboard a few mini stair steppers and we came away impressed. We think these machines are ideal for anyone starting their fitness journey, recovering from injury, or just trying to add a few more steps to their daily count. Keep reading to find out what we thought of these compact cardio workhorses.

The 6 Best Mini Stair Steppers of 2024

Best Mini Stair Stepper Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness Stair Stepper Machine

Best Under-Desk Mini Stair Stepper: Cubii Move

Best Mini Stair Stepper on Amazon: Sportsroyals Stair Stepper

Best Mini Stair Stepper for Heavy People: Xiser Pro Trainer

Best Mini Stair Stepper with Resistance Bands: Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper & Stair Climber Machine

Best Budget Mini Stair Stepper: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper

How We Tested and Chose the Best Mini Stair Steppers

When it comes to at-home fitness equipment, the BarBend team of certified personal trainers, gym owners, and CrossFit coaches know when a trend is more style than substance. We think mini stair steppers are here to stay because they offer real cardiovascular benefits — decreased risk of heart disease, improved aerobic capacity — in a compact and portable package. (1)

[Related: BarBend Equipment Testing Methodology]

For all the cardio machines that we test, we use a multi-point methodology across categories like durability, portability, and value. After assigning each category a score of 1 (take a step back) to 5 (let’s get to steppin’) we share our experience with you. From stair steppers and ellipticals to exercise bikes and treadmills, we’ve gotten our feet on over 20 pieces of mini equipment, as well as 10 stair climbers and vertical climbers.  Here are some of the key factors we looked at when choosing the best mini stair steppers.

Footprint and Portability

The compact nature of mini stair steppers makes them ideal for cramped spaces or cluttered home gyms. We prioritized options that could easily be lifted and relocated, so all but one of our picks are under 20 pounds. They also range from just 1.32 to 2.97 square feet, so they can be operated just about anywhere you can stand upright. Most are also compact enough to be used while seated at a desk or on a sofa.

Our tester using the Cubii Move.

BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, highlighted how these mini stair steppers can benefit those with or without dedicated home gyms. “For people who don’t have the space for regular home gym equipment but still want to exercise at home, compact items provide a solution,” she said. “Even for people who do have ample space, compact home gym equipment can keep your gym feeling clutter-free and organized.” 

Value

When we put together our list, we included steppers that can get your heart rate up without breaking the bank. Each of our picks provides a convenient way to work cardio exercise into your routine without a major investment in one of the best treadmills or ellipticals. Most mini stair steppers range from around $120 to $200, so being able to grab it out of your closet and burn some calories is not only space-efficient, but cost-effective.

Stability

Because mini stair steppers are so compact, the fear of losing your balance during use is a reasonable one. When making our picks, we looked for sturdy builds, wide pedals, and creative features like stabilizer rings around the base. 

Our tester using the Cubii Move under their desk.

We also made sure we included an option for heavier users. The weight capacities here range from 220 to 400 pounds, so even though they may only take up a few square feet of floor space, these machines can support a variety of different body types. 

Best Mini Stair Stepper Overall: Sunny Health & Fitness Stair Stepper Machine

With adjustable handlebars and a stabilizer ring around its base, the Sunny Health & Fitness Stair Stepper Machine offers the sturdiness that many mini stair steppers do not. Users up to 250 pounds can alternate between fast, shallow steps or slower, higher steps that can ramp up the intensity by simulating a steeper climb.

Another advantage of the handlebar is that it brings the display closer to eye level, as opposed to down by your feet. This way, you can take a quick glance to track your time, step count, or calories without slowing down. However, after around 15 minutes, you’ll need to slow down to allow the hydraulics to cool. This is understandable given the compact nature of the machine, but make sure to plan accordingly.

That compact design — just 2.81 square feet with a 25.4-pound overall weight — means it shouldn’t be too much trouble to move it around the house. While the non-slip pedals are adjustable, some users have reported that they started to break down after a few months of use. 

If you do need to reach out to Sunny Health and Fitness, we hope you’ll have better luck than certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1. She rated their customer service 3 out of 5 and commented, “They don’t have a chat function on their site, and I was waiting over a week for an email response.”

Best Under-Desk Mini Stair Stepper: Cubii Move

At just 9.7 inches tall, the Cubii Move can easily slide under a desk to sneak in a bit of cardio while you work. As opposed to the horizontal pedals on most mini steppers, its cleverly-designed angled pedals allow it to be used more comfortably in a seated position. Its six levels of resistance also let you crank up the intensity via an adjustment knob similar to the best exercise bikes.

Our tester pedaling the Cubii Move.

When our tester, a CrossFit Level-1 trainer, took it for spin, they noted how its wide base added to its stability. “It has a floorplate on the base that helps make it a bit more sturdy and actually work up a sweat,” they said. “I wouldn’t try a HIIT workout or anything, but it’s ideal for working at a desk or watching TV.”

Since the Move only requires an allen wrench for assembly — a 5 out of 5 from our tester — we thought we’d see just how easy it was to put together. “It seemed so simple that we had our 8 year-old put it together and it only took him 45 minutes,” said our tester. 

Our tester using the Cubii Move while working at their desk.

After it was ready to go, the Move also earned a 5 out of 5 for portability, even though it lacks handles. “It’s only 17.5 pounds, so even though you’ll just have to lift it, most people shouldn’t have an issue moving it.”

[Related: The 6 Best Under-Desk Ellipticals of 2024]

During their actual workout, however, our tester found the angle of the pedals a bit too steep for their liking, which cost its rating for workout experience a point and a half — 3.5 out of 5. “The angle of the pedals was kind of high for me,” they said. “Instead of engaging my quads and calves, I had to roll my ankles forward to get it moving.”

Best Mini Stair Stepper on Amazon: Sportsroyals Stair Stepper

After wading through the robust offering of mini stair steppers on Amazon, we think the Sportsroyals Stair Stepper is a highlight. Across more than 4,700 ratings, the oversized pedals, resistance bands, and reasonable price has made it a favorite on the site. Customers frequently highlight its quiet — “silent,” according to some — operation. 

Although it doesn’t have adjustable resistance, several beginner users said that it has helped them start a new cardio routine. One customer titled their review, “Great Way to Start Exercising” and said, “This is such a great way to start somewhere!” 

With the included resistance bands, you can recruit upper body muscles for lateral raises, shoulder presses, and biceps exercises. These can also be removed for use at a standing desk or to focus on your glutes or hamstrings.

At $139.99, it’s roughly $30 less expensive than the average mini stair stepper. It still, however, includes an LED monitor on the base. A quick glance down toward your feet allows you to keep track of your step count, time elapsed, and calories burned.

It’s not all rainbows and butterflies for that digital monitor, though. A common issue among Amazon customers seems to be an issue that causes the numbers to sporadically flash or stop working altogether. Similarly, customers have also called out a few other durability issues, including cracking plastic or loosening screws.

Best Mini Stair Stepper for Heavy People: Xiser Pro Trainer

Because mini stair steppers tend to be such small cardio machines, their maximum user weight capacities average between 250 and 300 pounds. What sets the Xiser Pro Trainer apart among these compact machines is a 400-pound weight capacity — more than many full-sized stair climbers or ellipticals — that allows heavier users the opportunity to safely reap the benefits of cardio exercise. (2)

[Related: ​​The 7 Best Compact Ellipticals of 2024]

Unlike many other affordable options, the Pro Trainer is built with an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that many customers say can support stable and quiet workouts. Despite its durable frame, it weighs just 13.5 pounds, roughly 4 pounds lighter than the average mini stepper we’ve tested.

All this quality doesn’t come cheap, though. At $577, it is by far the priciest model on our list, costing more than twice the amount of the average stair stepper. While customers appreciate its quality construction, some have had issues with customer service. 

When one reached out to customer service, they found them to be a bit dismissive regarding concerns about noise. “I inquired with Xiser customer service within a few weeks of purchasing the unit and they indicated that, ‘The XISER should not be making any sounds,’” they said, “‘This has not been an issue, and therefore we have not bothered to put instructions on our xiser.com site regarding noise from an Xiser Trainer.’”

Best Mini Stair Stepper with Resistance Bands: Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper & Stair Climber Machine

The Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper & Stair Climber Machine’s three sets of resistance bands helped it claim this spot on our list. All three of the 20-inch, 28-inch, and 39-inch pairs of bands can be attached to the machine to add arm or shoulder exercises to your cardio session. Each band has a clip on each end that secures it to the base, as well as the included D-ring handles.

One customer explained that the 20-inch band also helped them stay balanced. “I do like the variety of resistance bands that it comes with and the short ones are great for balance. Once you get moving you can do arm curls as well.”

For anyone short on space, its miniscule 1.32-square-feet footprint means you can position this mini stair stepper just about anywhere you can stand upright. However, this ultra-compact design may be part of the reason that some users have reported stability issues. As one customer noted, “I was very optimistic about the product at first. The back rod for stability broke after 1 month.”

At just $103.49, though, it may be an accessible tool for kickstarting a cardio routine. That price tag is around $60 less than what you’ll find on the average stepper, so while some users mentioned a bit of noise during use, we think the three included pairs of resistance bands sets the Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper & Stair Climber Machine apart.

Best Budget Mini Stair Stepper: Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper

At around $115 less than the typical mini stair stepper, the $49.99 Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper was a no-brainer as our budget-friendly pick. Its stability, footprint, portability, and setup all earned a 4 out of 5 from our tester, and its 15.2-pound overall weight makes it simple to relocate or take in and out of storage.

It only occupies 1.36 square feet of floor space, which is around 63 percent less than the average mini stepper we’ve tested. That footprint is impressive considering it also offers an adjustable step length for varying the intensity of your workout. “It’s not a dramatic range, but for anyone just starting to exercise, it’s nice to have some adjustability,” said our testing, rating its ergonomics a 3.5 out of 5. 

Sunny Health & Fitness also includes a pair of resistance bands so you can add some bicep or forearm exercises to your mini stepper workout, but our tester was not impressed with the quality. “The bands are pretty weak,” they said. “It’s nice they included them, but if you’re planning on using bands regularly, you might want to spring for a better pair.”

A few consistent issues seemed to pop up among customers on Amazon. Most notably, customers noted squeaking noises after just a few uses. We didn’t experience this in our testing, but we did notice that the user manual states that after 15 minutes of use, you’ll need to hop off for around 30 minutes to let the hydraulics cool down.

What to Consider Before Buying a Mini Stair Stepper

As you peruse our list of the best mini stair steppers, keep in mind where exactly you’ll be using it, as well as where it will be stored. Also check its weight capacity, if it includes resistance bands, or if a mini stair stepper can even support the kind of exercise you want to do.

Available Space

Before jumping in to buy a mini stair stepper, consider just how much space you can devote to it and where you will likely use it. These machines don’t gobble up much floor space — our picks range from 1.32 to 2.97 square feet — but make sure to plan out where yours will be stored and used before committing to one.

Our tester using the Cubii Move.

As Capritto spells out, some of the best home gym equipment can be compact. Options like these make starting and maintaining a fitness routine possible for more people. “Compact home gym equipment saves space compared to standard home gym equipment,” she said. “For people who don’t have the space for regular home gym equipment but still want to exercise at home, compact items provide a solution.”

Weight Capacity

When you skim through the specs for each of these mini stair steppers, check for the weight capacity to ensure that you’ll be able to use it safely. The options on our list only weigh between 13.5 and 25.4 pounds, but they can support users who weigh between 220 and 400 pounds. If bringing home a mini stair stepper is your first step — see what I did there? — into fitness, double check the weight capacity before clicking checkout.

Intended Use

Mini steppers offer an accessible, low-impact form of cardio that is great for anyone coming off an injury or just starting out on their fitness journey. Given their compact nature, mini stair steppers can be limited in their range of intensity compared to traditional stair climbers, so consider how much of a challenge you want from your machine. 

Our tester adjusting the resistance on the Cubii Move.

Even though they may be small in stature, these machines aren’t just limited to cardio. If you go with a mini stepper with resistance bands, you can incorporate upper body exercises like hammer curls, bicep curls, and shoulder presses, without the additional expense of a pair of dumbbells. This way, you can get a total body workout like you would on an elliptical or a vertical climber. 

Mini Stepper Vs. Stair Stepper

While mini steppers are compact and ideal for home use, traditional stair steppers (or stair climbers) have large steps that mimic walking up an actual flight of stairs. A key difference is that on a mini stepper, your feet will never actually lift off the pedals, making them great options for those needing low-impact cardio or anyone with joint or back problems. 

The controls on the Cubii Move.

Stair steppers are also typically rather large — around 60 to 70 inches tall — so you’ll most often see them in commercial or boutique gyms. Because they have larger motors and hydraulic systems, they can be used for extended periods without overheating, unlike mini steppers. Both can provide an effective cardio workout, but you’ll get higher intensity — along with a much higher price tag — on a traditional stair stepper.

Benefits of Mini Stair Steppers

Beyond saving you money compared to larger home equipment, mini stair steppers can also save you some precious floor space. Being able to stow yours away in a closet or under a bed also makes working cardio into a busy schedule that much easier. Take a look at some of the benefits of the best mini stair steppers.

[Related: The 12 Best Budget Home Gym Equipment]

When she assessed compact gym equipment for BarBend, expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, laid out who can most benefit from cardio exercise machines like mini stair steppers. “People who want to exercise at home but don’t have a lot of space to dedicate to a home gym can benefit from compact gym equipment. People who travel frequently can, too.”

Convenient Cardio Exercise

The compact nature of mini stair steppers offers a unique and convenient way to cash in on the health benefits of cardio exercise like decreased blood pressure and risk of heart disease. (1) Because these machines only take up a few square feet of floor space, they can be used just about anywhere you can stand upright. 

Our tester tracking their metrics on the Cubii Move.

Under-desk steppers also open up the possibility of burning calories during work or even while watching TV. Whether you’re standing or seated, your feet won’t be leaving the pedals as you step, making mini stair steppers ideal for those with chronic knee or back issues who need low-impact exercise.

Saves Space

Most mini stair steppers only take up around 1.5 to 2.5 square feet of floor space, making them some of the smallest pieces of home gym equipment available. You may not reach the same intensity as you would on heftier fitness equipment like treadmills or ellipticals, but you’ll save a lot of space and a lot of cash. Unfortunately, not many people have the budget or space to load up on home gym equipment.

That said, our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC highlighted that compact equipment like mini stair steppers allow athletes to make use of every inch of their space. “Many people are making do with what they have: A corner of their bedroom, a slice of living room, maybe a spare walk-in closet,” she says. 

Accessible At-Home Workouts

For people just starting to get into a regular fitness routine, mini stair steppers offer a low barrier of entry to cardio exercise. Despite their tiny footprints and overall weights — most are between 15 and 25 pounds — some models can support athletes up to 400 pounds. They also allow people short on space, time, or cash to work in short sweats from home or elsewhere. 

Being so compact and lightweight makes these machines extremely portable around the house or even while traveling. “If you travel a lot, certain compact gym items can help you keep fit on the road,” says Capritto.

Final Word

When you take a look around your home and don’t see much space, something like a mini stair stepper might be the piece of fitness equipment you’ve been looking for. Because your feet never rise off the pedals, you can get your heart pumping while keeping the impact on your knees and back to a minimum. These miniscule machines eat up just a tiny fraction of your floor space, as well as just a tiny fraction of your budget.

As you peruse our list, think about what elements of a mini stair stepper are must-haves. Do you need a model with a higher weight capacity? What about an option with resistance bands to add upper-body exercises to your cardio? All of our picks feature compact designs and quality materials that make for a stable workout. If you think a mini stair stepper might be the first — you knew I was going to say it — step towards your fitness goals, take a look at our favorites.

FAQs

References

Nystoriak, M. A., & Bhatnagar, A. (2018). Cardiovascular Effects and Benefits of Exercise. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 5, 135. 

Mersy D. J. (1991). Health benefits of aerobic exercise. Postgraduate medicine, 90(1), 103–112.

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