Best Stepper Machines in 2021 [Full Reviews & Buying Guide]

Built by health enthusiasts with the perfect workout in mind, the Bowflex M8 Max Trainer Series is our top pick in terms of flexibility, diversity, and innovation, and there are just so many reasons why.

Out of all its intelligent features, its personalized coaching technology really sealed the deal for us.

Standing out in a room full of hefty gym equipment, the Bowflex M8 Max Trainer Series allows you to ditch the gym and take full control over your workout routines with the help of the Bowflex JRNY™ App, which features ‘Max,’ your smart dynamic trainer.

Through Max’s coaching technology, you can create an individualized program engineered to automatically adjust intensity and time based on your fitness progress.

Got no personal trainer?

M8 doesn’t need you to hire one because Max is here to lead your way.

If that’s not impressive enough, its 20 resistance levels, which most steppers here lack, should change your mind. True to its slogan, “less time, max results”, the Bowflex M8 Max Trainer can give you that maximum workout intensity so you can burn more calories in just 4 minutes.

Last among its remarkable features is its burn rate display, which shows you the number of calories you burn per minute so you can adjust your activity level based on your targeted results. It also allows you to input up to four user profiles, making it a great pick for families.

Interactive and highly technological, the Bowflex M8 Max Trainer Series gives you a guided workout experience without sacrificing your need for freedom and control. But if there’s anything we don’t like about it, it’s its price.

M8 is the most expensive machine on our list, and some users have complained about the manufacturer’s responsiveness, too. So if you’re going to purchase one, make sure you’ve read about its warranty length and the availability of the warranty in your location.

Great investments don’t always come in big packages, and that’s one thing we can learn from the Xiser Commercial Mini Stairmaster, a small yet very powerful workout machine.

Its compact size may be one of its main selling points, but that’s not all there is to this portable stepper. In fact, it’s the ONLY step sprint trainer out in the market, and it can also carry up to 400 pounds–the highest recorded maximum weight capacity on our list. So if you’re looking for a machine that allows you to go beyond fast walking but won’t be as bulky as a treadmill, Xiser is the workout monster you’re looking for.

On top of that, it was also constructed with aircraft alloy and its parts and labor are 100% from the USA since 1977. A legend that withstood the test of time (and competition), Xiser is one of the toughest and most elaborate steppers in the field.

Space-saving, portable and durable, Xiser upholds its promise of keeping quality at the top of its priority list. But if there’s anything we don’t like about it, it’s, again, its expensive price. But other than that, we can’t see why it can’t beat bigger workout tools out there, making it our 2nd best stepper.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper Machine No. 059 is a traditional stepper machine that doesn’t just minimize footprint but also puts a sense of balance in your daily workout routine. How so? Let’s take a look at the features that led it to the 4th spot.

For one, the Twist Stepper Machine No. 059 is one of Amazon’s most recommended products because of two factors: price and ratings. It’s not just one of the most inexpensive products on our list. It’s also the most highly-rated because of its sturdy and functional features.

Realistically speaking, considering its price range, you can’t expect model No. 059 to be as technologically advanced as Bowflex M8, but it is equipped with all the right features that all steppers need.

From the outside, it looks like a traditional stepper machine with non-slip pedals and handles, which allow you maximum movement without sacrificing balance. Its digital display also helps you keep track of calories, time, and step-count, so you can stay motivated as you perform your daily routines. Our favorite feature: you can adjust its resistance levels as you build up your endurance.

The downside some users complain about is its noise and adjustability, but these are just minor glitches that we decided to overlook since it pretty much has all basic workout needs covered.

Nothing speaks diversity in the low impact training arena better than the Bowflex TC10 Treadclimber Series, a 3-in-1 machine that minimizes storage while providing you a wide range of workout patterns.

Matching its M8 sibling in terms of weight capacity (max: 300 pounds), the TC10 is a premium machine that keeps durability, flexibility, and safety in check. Construction-wise, the TC10 was engineered to function as a stair climber, a treadmill, and an elliptical machine, making it a great investment if you’re looking for multifunctionality.

The TC10 is equipped with incline and decline functions available in standard treadmills but only allows a top speed of 4 mph, making it a great machine for those who love walking. But although you can’t do sprints here as in other steppers on our list, the angular variations can help you achieve more intense workout levels.

According to claims, the TC10 can help you burn calories about 3.5 times more than regular cardio equipment, but if you want to be sure, you can track your time, distance, speed, and calories via its touchscreen display panels.

Despite all these high-end features, the TC10 is our third placer because it is 2nd to the most expensive items on our list, yet it lacks some features that could’ve been handy to users like automatic pedals.

Since the pedals move according to the user’s weight, you might not expect more changes in movement if you’re lightweight. But overall, if you’re in the market for a space-saving, multifunctional piece, this is one of the best options you can find.

Its easy assembly might be its edge over other standard steppers with handles, but the Stamina 40-0069 SpaceMate Folding Stepper further proves why it should be acknowledged as one of the best steppers to date by featuring simple yet convenient features that make home workouts a breeze.

What we particularly like about the Stamina 40-0069 is its foldability, which makes storage the least of your concerns. The perfect “workout, fold, and stow” home equipment, this traditional stepper takes only a few minutes to assemble, which is a huge advantage over its other bulkier counterparts that can take forever to set up.

Got no storage left? Just fold it and slide it under your bed and you’re good to go!

The Stamina 40-0069 also flaunts a great build so you can get maximum support anytime you exercise. Its wide, textured pedals were engineered to resist slides and glides, optimizing safety and stability. Paired with its pedals are foam-covered handlebars designed to offer you a great sense of balance while putting your arms into work.

Just like other models on our list, the Stamina 40-0069 also comes with a monitor, which displays time, calories burned, the total number of steps per workout, and the number of steps you take per minute, enabling you to make adjustments so you can make the most out of your workout routine.

The Stamina 40-0069 is pretty much as basic stepper that prioritizes portability and functionality, but it does have its own set of flaws, too. As previously mentioned, this stepper is particularly popular for its portability, but this can also be a major disadvantage if you are tall and you want to get longer strides. Other users also complain about the stiffness of the pedals, however, this can be adjusted by via the machine’s resistance levels.

Let’s admit it, the Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper NO. 045 doesn’t really look anything more than two oversized pedals glued on a base, but as the good old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover.

With a 4.3 star rating from over 2,300 Amazon users, this stepper absolutely has all the right components stuck together in one package.

Instead of letting your feet do all the muscle-building wonders, the Twist Stepper NO. 045 also puts your arms and shoulders to action by attaching two lateral exercise bands, which are designed to mimic a mini-elliptical machine’s motion. Not in the mood for a quick arm exercise? Simply detach the bands so you can focus on your lower body.

On the base of Twist Stepper NO. 045, you’ll see an LCD monitor that displays important stats such as step count, time, calories, and total count. Close to it is a dial that allows you to adjust the machine’s resistance levels so you can create a mix of workout patterns.

Want to know the best part? The Twist Stepper NO. 045 is a compact machine that’s hard on the calories but easy on your pockets. The most affordable model on our list, this stepper makes fitness simple and attainable.

So if you’re on a tight budget or you simply don’t have the space to accommodate bulky gym equipment, this stepper is ideal for you.

Considering its price range, the Twist Stepper NO. 045 is already a great stepper that does what it’s supposed to do.

But despite this, there is a downside that we can’t overlook: its stride is quite a lot shorter as compared to other steppers on our list, making it advisable only if you’re not tall.