Training at home has a lot going for it, you can train in peace, pick your own music, pick the ideal temperature (no freezing cold or boiling hot gyms), and you never have to wait for a piece of equipment.
You also save a fortune on gym fees.
The biggest downside, however, is how much space most cardio equipment takes up!
Enter the mini stepper.
A cardio machine that takes up almost zero space, yet provides as good a workout as a fully functioning treadmill.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the best mini steppers on the market.
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Quick Answer – The Best Mini Steppers 2023
- Xiser Commercial Mini Stairmaster (Editor’s Choice)
- Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands
- Twister Stepper with Handle Bar by Sunny Health & Fitness
- Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper
- EFITMENT Fitness Stepper Step Machine
- JFIT Under Desk & Stand Up Mini Elliptical/Stepper
- Wagan EL2273 Mini Stepper Master
- Soozier Adjustable Twist Stepper
- BEOUZO Fitness Stair Stepper
Reviews – Top 9 Best Mini Steppers
In this section, we will be taking a good look at nine of the best mini steppers around, we’ll give a list of the pros and cons, and help you decide which stepper is the right fit for you.
1. Xiser Commercial Mini Stairmaster (Editor’s Choice)
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The Xiser Commercial Mini Stairmaster is the best mini stepper in terms of quality, durability, and aesthetics.
If money is no option, or you want a stepper that your great-grandchildren can pass on to their children, then this stepper is for you.
There are a lot of features that make this mini stepper stand out from the crowd.
For starters, it is massively durable. This is the original mini stepper, and is the only mini sprinting machine available.
The foot pedals are designed to be used normally, but also they allow you to go up onto your tip toes to recreate sprinting.
To have the capability for sprinting, the mini stepper has to be amazingly durable as sprinting is a very intense form of exercise.
Amazingly, this incredibly sturdy and durable product is ridiculously light and easily portable. When not in use it is easily folded up, and takes up almost zero space!
If you want a mini stepper that you can perform high intensity interval training (HIIT) on, then this is the only one for you.
The only downside is the price.
Pros:
- Superior design and durability
- Allows you to sprint on it
- Easily folded up and portable
- Will last forever
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper with Resistance Bands
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Sunny Health & Fitness have a stellar reputation for selling high quality products at very reasonable prices.
They may not be as well known as some of the big players in the fitness equipment game (your Technogyms, Gold’s Gyms etc) but they are always big sellers when it comes to home gym equipment.
This mini stepper is exactly what you’d expect it to be. Reliable, decent, but with no bells and whistles.
This is ideal for somebody who has never used a mini stepper before, and would like to dip their toe into the market.
The mini stepper uses a hydraulic drive system which really helps you perform smooth steps, has excellent, wide anti-slip pedals, and thanks to the provided resistance bands, the stepper can work the upper body too.
There is a total weight capacity of 220lbs which is a little lower than the average for mini steppers.
The mini stepper also contains an LCD monitor which measures your step count, time, and calories (estimated).
Pros:
- Very reasonable price
- Resistance bands allow for a total body workout
- Decent LCD monitor
Cons:
- Total weight capacity is a little low
- Pedals quite close together
3. Twister Stepper with Handle Bar by Sunny Health & Fitness
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This is the second Sunny Health & Fitness stepper on this list and not the last, which gives you a good idea of how good this company is when it comes to budget fitness equipment.
There’s a lot to like about this particular offering.
For starters, it has a handlebar which is always useful for those of us with poor balance!
Also, this stepper allows you to twist as you step, which can help target your core muscles, as well as the muscles of your inner and outer thigh.
The height of the handlebars is adjustable, but obviously it is not going to be as easy to tidy this away after use.
This is the type of stepper that needs some dedicated floor space. It is ideal for a properly sized home gym (rather than just a living room with little floor space).
The stepper also has an LCD monitor, but thanks to the handlebars it is a lot easier to read your time, calories, distance etc … because it is at a more reasonable height.
The pedals are non-slip, which is to be expected with mini steppers, but is still a great feature.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Handlebars for balance
- Twisting action
- Excellently placed LCD monitor
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of space for a mini stepper
- Not as durable as other mini steppers on this list
4. Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper
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This is the last Sunny Health & Fitness product on this list, and it’s actually quite a cool pick.
This mini stepper has the twisting function of the previous model (#3) but without the handlebars.
It also has the resistance bands, making this mini stepper a perfect compromise between the two.
The lack of handlebars does mean that those with balance issues may struggle. However, with no handlebars this is once again an easy mini stepper to tidy away and transport after use.
There’s not much to say about this product that hasn’t already been said about the two previous Sunny Health & Fitness models. It is inexpensive, well made (though it is never going to be as durable as the top of the range models such as Xiser), and it will provide you with an excellent workout.
Pros:
- Twisting action
- Resistance bands allow for a total body workout
- Easy to tidy away when not in use
Cons:
- No handlebars means less balance during twisting movement
- Not as durable as other mini steppers on this list
5. EFITMENT Fitness Stepper Step Machine
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This is another high quality, yet low priced mini stepper.
The design is pretty much identical to the Sunny Health & Fitness mini stepper that we reviewed first.
You can even order one with resistance bands.
The pedals are a little better, they look nicer, have slightly better grip, and have an even better non-slip design.
But other than that, it really comes down to which mini stepper you prefer the look of.
Like the Sunny Health & Fitness model, the EFITMENT fitness stepper machine is easy to tidy away or transport after use, it takes up almost no space, and is nice and lightweight while remaining durable, stable, and high functioning.
Pros:
- Resistance bands allow for a total body workout (if you purchase them)
- Easy to tidy away when not in use
- Decent LCD monitor
- Good non-slip pedals
Cons:
- Total weight capacity is a little low
- Not as durable as other mini steppers on this list
6. JFIT Under Desk & Stand Up Mini Elliptical/Stepper
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This next one is quite different from the other mini steppers on this list.
For one, it is more of an elliptical machine than a mini stepper (though it still qualifies).
Secondly, it can be used while sitting down at a desk. Making it ideal for people who work in offices, or from a computer at home.
As you can imagine, this product is going to work best while you are stood up, seated exercising while you work is not all that it is cracked up to be.
Luckily, as a standing mini stepper the JFIT Under Desk & Stand Up Mini Elliptical/Stepper is very good. It is durable, aesthetically pleasing, super quiet, and has an adjustable difficulty.
There is also a very good monitor which can help you measure your progress while you train.
Though it isn’t quite as small as the EFITMENT fitness stepper step machine, it is still small enough to be easily tidied away when not in use. It can also fit under your desk if you want to try to exercise while sitting down and working/watching TV.
Pros:
- Small, compact design
- Can be used while seated or when standing
- Durable
- Adjustable difficulty
Cons:
- Exercising while at your desk is overrated
7. Wagan EL2273 Mini Stepper Master
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If you are looking for a mini stepper that can be easily tidied away when not in use, then the Wagan EL2273 mini stepper is not the stepper for you. It is the second biggest on this list and the joint most difficult mini stepper to tidy away.
But compared to most fitness cardio machines it is still relatively small and it really doesn’t take up that much space. It’s also an excellent machine that provides a good set of handlebars for balance, some excellent pedals, adjustable step height, and a nice, neat LCD monitor.
The only downside (other than the space it takes up) is the max user weight capacity. It’s just 225lbs, which is similar to the much smaller mini stepper from Sunny Health & Fitness.
Considering the size, you’d think it could hold a little more!
The mini stepper is well made though, with some high quality parts, and a long shelf-life.
We particularly like the handles which are comfortable and help you improve your grip, even if you’re sweating up a storm.
Pros:
- Nice handles help with balance and comfort
- Good LCD monitor display
- Well-designed pedals
- Great price and value for money
Cons:
- Max user weight capacity of 225lbs is a little disappointing
- Takes up a lot of space
- Doesn’t do enough to stand out from the rest of this list
8. Soozier Adjustable Twist Stepper
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The Soozier Adjustable twist stepper is similar in size to the Wagan EL2273 mini stepper master that we just reviewed.
However, this one can be folded up when not in use, which is a big plus in its favour.
Made with a heavy duty steel frame, the Soozier adjustable twist stepper is very durable, with non-slip footing, and an oil pressure rod resistance system.
We really like the pedals on this stepper, and again we have a twistable stepper which will work your core as well as the muscles of your inner and outer thighs.
The pads on the pedals also have a shock absorption system, which not only reduces the risk of ankle injury but will also make the machine whisper-quiet (or as close to whisper-quiet as a cardio machine can get).
Pros:
- Handlebars to improve stability and balance
- Shock absorbent pedals to reduce injury risk and noise
- Folds away easily when not in use
Cons:
- Not as durable as other mini steppers on this list
- Unable to work the upper body
9. BEOUZO Fitness Stair Stepper
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The final mini stepper on this list is the BEOUZO fitness stair stepper. It reminds us of the Xiser Commercial mini stepper in some ways. It is very well made, and in a pleasant red colour.
The hydraulic cylinder is very prominent, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you think they look cool or not.
Though it doesn’t have handles, it still takes up quite a bit of space compared to the other handle-less mini steppers on this list.
That’s probably due to the heavy-duty frame, and isn’t a bad thing, but storing it away after use isn’t as easy. It’s a trade-off really.
The pedals are amazing, only beaten by the Xiser pedals in terms of quality. These pedals are very non-slip, are very durable, and are comfortable to use. It is amazing that this stepper is as competitively priced as it is.
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Great pedals
- Excellent value for money
- Decent LCD monitor
Cons:
- Not as easy to tidy away as some of the other mini steppers
Buying Guide – How to Choose The Best Mini Stepper?
Consider durability above all else
Mini steppers come in a range of prices and this can represent a huge range in quality.
Don’t be overly tempted by a stepper just because you can buy it cheaply.
The well-known saying “Buy low price, buy it twice” is definitely accurate here.
That’s not to say that the lower priced mini steppers are poor in quality. Just that they may only last four or five years.
If you plan on using your mini stepper for the next 30 years, look for the most durable one you can find. Even if that means paying a little more, you’ll save money over the years by only having to buy one.
Look for a Mini Stepper That is Easy to Tidy Away
The whole point of a mini stepper is that it is … well … mini.
If space isn’t an issue, then you’d probably be better off getting a treadmill or elliptical.
So, if you are looking for the best mini stepper, its ability to fold away after use, be easy to transport, or be used in rooms with little free space is actually very important.
Handles or no Handles?
There are two types of mini stepper out there, those that use handles and those that don’t.
There are many benefits to not having handles, but one major benefit to having handles.
Having a set of handles means that you can easily balance. This is great for people who may be new to exercising, who haven’t quite got the coordination that regular exercise brings.
However, a mini stepper with handles isn’t all that mini.
Most mini steppers that have handles take up quite a bit of space and can’t easily be folded away (though some on this list can).
A handle-less mini stepper will work your core muscles more as you’ll use them for balance.
It can also work the upper body because you can attach resistance bands to some of them (you can’t do this with handles).
What is the Max User Weight Capacity?
The max user weight capacity is often a good test of durability and stability.
It stands to reason that a machine that can hold more weight is going to be more stable.
Though this isn’t always the case, it often is.
Lots of people who purchase mini steppers are first-time exercisers, so they may well be over 220lbs. This means that many mini steppers may not be safe to use.
Always check out what the max weight capacity is before purchasing (this is a good rule of thumb for any fitness equipment).
Conclusion
Finding the best mini stepper for your needs is an important step. Fitness equipment is always a big investment.
You need to find space for it, set it up, and have confidence that it will support your weight while you exercise on it.
This list provides several different mini steppers across a range of prices to help you find the best mini stepper for your home gym.
You’ve got the solid and dependable Sunny Health & Fitness models, the excellent mid-range BEOUZO Fitness Stair Stepper, and for the best mini stepper, you have the amazing (though expensive) Xiser Commercial Mini Stairmaster, that will last forever and deliver an unparalleled workout.
