6 Best Mini Steppers in 2024

With our lifestyles becoming busier and workloads getting bigger, more and more people are looking for convenient ways to exercise without taking up too much time and effort.

Mini steppers provide a portable, low-cost way to exercise whether you’re at work, at home, or on the go. Choosing the best mini stepper can be tough, with many brands featuring different designs, monitors, and added features. I’ve provided one of the most comprehensive mini stepper reviews into my top 6 choices down below.

Our team of certified experts and professional athletes has tested 23 mini steppers and only 6 of them were considered good enough to make it to this list. The products were evaluated on 5 of the most important criteria and our team has spent over 450 hours testing most of them. In addition to the extensive testing process, they have also analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. This list is updated all the time, so feel free to leave a comment and share your experiences with us!

Top 6 Best Mini Steppers Reviewed

1. Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper – Top Pick
2. Sportsroyals Stair Stepper – Runner-up
3. Balancefrom Adjustable Stepper – Budget Pick
4. Desk Cycle Ellipse Mini Elliptical – Premium Pick
5. Stamina Inmotion Elliptical – With Calorie Counter
6. Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper – Best Design

I’ve reviewed the best portable stepping machines and ranked them below according to Adjustability, Monitor Performance, Portability, Multifunctionality, and price/quality.

Product	Total	Adjustability	Monitor Functionality	Portability	Multifunctionality	Price/Quality
Sunny	48.5	9.5	9.5	10	9.5	10
Sportsroyals	47	9	9.5	9.5	10	9
BalanceFrom	46.5	9.5	9	9.5	9	9.5
Desk Cycle	46.5	9.5	10	10	8	9
Stamina	46	9.5	9	9	9.5	9
Nordic Lifting	45	8.5	9.5	9	9	9

1. Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper – Top Pick

Sunny Health & Fitness believe in a quality workout experience and a healthy lifestyle. They stand behind their products and dedicated team who want to provide quality products to people of all abilities. 

• Type/Model: NO. 012S
• Item Weight: 15.2 lbs
• Weight Limit: 220 lbs
• Product Dimensions: 16″ x 12.5″ x 13.5″ 
• Display: Total Steps / Steps Per Minute / Workout Duration / Calories Burned
• Workout Programs: N/A
• Additional Features: Resistance Bands / Intensity Adjustment / Hydraulic Drive System

The Sunny Health & Fitness stepper stands out from the crowd with its clever design features and removable resistance bands, allowing you to work your upper body and lower body at the same time. With the addition of resistance bands, you’re able to work on your muscular endurance, balance, core strength, fitness, and burn calories all at the same time. This makes your training more challenging and time-efficient.

If you’re looking to customize your workout, the front of the stepper features a height adjustment knob that’s easy to operate and lets you perform longer strides or short, powerful bursts. The oversized foot pedals are textured to provide a non-slip surface, so you’re able to push through a workout without worrying about slipping. With no handles on mini steppers, this is an important factor, especially for older populations.

The Sunny Health & Fitness stepper is powered using a hydraulic drive system that gives you a smooth workout experience and supports up to 220 lbs of user weight. The stepper uses a unique twisting action, allowing you to work your side obliques and intercostal muscles.

The middle of the unit has a large LCD monitor that measures total steps, steps per minute, workout duration, and calories burned. This provides you with tangible feedback during your workout, allowing you to change your intensity as needed. 

The compact stepper weighs 15.2 lbs and measures 16″ x 12.5″ x 13.5″, allowing you to easily move it around and fit it into smaller spaces. The unit comes fully assembled, meaning you only need to attach the resistance bands before using it. 

Overall, the Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper is the best mini stepper machine all-around option, with a compact lightweight design, twisting motion, and added resistance bands. It also comes at a decent price point for the features offered.

2. Sportsroyals Stair Stepper - Runner-Up

Sportsroyals have over 20 years of industry experience manufacturing and selling strength equipment. They aim to provide excellent fitness products by being heavily involved in each stage of the manufacturing process. 

• Type/ Model: TBJ-01
• Item Weight: 24 lbs (Package Weight)
• Weight Limit: 330 lbs
• Product Dimensions: 19.69" x 18.11" x 9.84" 
• Display: Time / Row Count / Total Count / Calories
• Workout Programs: N/A
• Additional Features: V-Shaped Linkage Lever / Anti-Slip Foot Pads / Shock Absorption Cushion / Twisting Action

The Sportsroyals stepper is built from 2 mm high-quality steel with precision bearings. It features the highest weight capacity out of my top 6 mini stepper choices at 330 lbs. If you feel like you need extra support, Sportsroyals have two model choices, with one coming with U-shaped handlebars. The U-Shape provides you with different grip surfaces and gives you enough space, so it won't get in the way when stepping. 

Included in the model is a pair of durable resistance bands that can be attached to the stepper via the metal O-rings built into each step. The Sportsroyals stepper uses a V-frame design that couples with an intense twisting action to provide you with an extra workout stimulus for your lower body. The hydraulic drive system works with high-energy springs and rubber shock-absorbing cushions to provide a challenging but comfortable workout experience. 

The Sportsroyals oversized pedals have silicone anti-skid pads to help you keep your balance when working out, while each of the 4 feet has rubber casings to protect your stepper frame and gym floor from scuffs and scratches when moving around. 

The oversized LED monitor at the front records time, row count, total count, and calories. The screen is much bigger than comparable stepper options, allowing you to easily see the screen when exercising. The unit comes fully assembled, with the orange Sportsroyals branding on the frame and pedals. 

Overall, the SportsRoyals stepper features the highest weight capacity and comes with an oversized LED monitor, providing convenient readouts during your workout.

3. BalanceFrom Adjustable Stepper - Budget Pick

Founded in 2021, BalanceFrom is a leading supplier of health and fitness equipment. The brand looks to make better, more intuitive products than those currently available on the market. 

• Type/ Model: EESTP-MINI
• Item Weight: 15 lbs
• Weight Limit: 300 lbs
• Product Dimensions: ‎16.5" x 13.7" x 8.8" (Item Package)
• Display: Steps / Time / Total / Calories
• Workout Programs: N/A
• Additional Features: Resistance Bands / Adjustable Height

The BalanceFrom adjustable stepper offers similar functionality to my other mini stepper options but comes at a great price point, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice. At first glance, the BalanceFrom stepper features a simple yet effective design in black and gray that's ideal for those who prefer a minimalist type design.  

It’s built from high-quality steel with aircraft-quality cables that have been tested for up to 300 lbs of user weight capacity. To adjust the step height, BalanceFrom has included a handy black knob at the front of the frame that you twist each way according to your preferences. 

BalanceFrom has included a set of removable resistance bands that attach to the front of the frame via the built-in metal D-Rings. The footplates have been placed closer together and feature a textured surface and ankle supports to keep you secure when working out.

The tubular support at the front of the frame has an LCD monitor cleverly built in that provides you with steps done, the time elapsed, total steps, and calories burned. Whilst the screen is smaller than other options, it's still easy to read due to the direct placement underneath your feet.

At 16.5" x 13.7" x 8.8" and weighing just 15 lbs, the BalanceFrom mini stepper is another great compact exercise machine option that can easily be transported to where you need it. The frame features anti-slip, hardened plastic feet that keep the unit firmly secured to the ground.

Overall, BalanceFrom has designed an awesome budget-friendly stepper choice that allows you to adjust the height as needed and features a simple design.

4. Desk Cycle Ellipse Mini Elliptical - Premium Pick

Desk Cycle produces a range of health and fitness equipment for exercises who are looking for more premium features when working out, including their mini elliptical stepper machine.  

• Type/ Model: Ellipse
• Item Weight: 30 lbs (Package Weight)
• Weight Limit: 350 lbs (When sitting)
• Product Dimensions: 23" D x 18" W x 10" H
• Display: Revolutions / Time / RPM / Calories Burned
• Workout Programs: 8 Resistance Levels
• Additional Features: Soft Carry Handle / No Plug Needed / Removable LCD / Built in App Compatibility

If you’re looking for something more premium to add to your home gym collection, Desk Cycle has designed an excellent mini stepper that gives you a premium style stepping experience. With extra cost comes extra features. The Desk cycle stepper is powered by a magnetic resistance system that gives you a smooth, maintenance-free workout system. 

The unique movement pattern allows you to place your feet in different positions on the extra-long foot pedals to change your workout experience. Toe placement towards the front provides a more circular motion, while heel placement at the back minimizes vertical knee motion and helps taller users if you're operating the stepper under your desk at work.

What's great about the Desk Cycle Ellipse is the large removable LCD console that allows you to pick it up and hold it in your hand or place it on your desk counter whilst working out. This is a fantastic addition for those users who want to operate the mini stepper whilst at work and still get real-time feedback when working. The LCD tracks revolutions, time, RPM, and calories burned. It's also Fitbit and Apple Watch compatible, or can be monitored via the Desk Cycle online desktop app. 

If you want to customize your workout challenge, choose from 8 resistance levels from very easy to extremely hard with up to 40 lbs of resistance. To move the mini stepper around your office or home, simply pick it up with the soft carry handle and pedal locks. The no-plug design makes it great for anywhere without a need for an electrical outlet point. 

Overall, the Desk Cycle Ellipse Mini Stepper is a premium product featuring a removable LCD and a smooth magnetic resistance system. 

5. Stamina Inmotion Elliptical - With Calorie Counter

Since 1987, Stamina has focused on producing high-quality exercise equipment. They want to make innovative products that come at a price point that's affordable for all people.

• Type/ Model: Stamina 55-1610
• Item Weight: 24 lbs
• Weight Limit: 250 lbs
• Product Dimensions: 24.5" D x 17" W x 11.38" H
• Display: Strides Per Minute / Total Strides / Exercise Time / Calories Burned
• Workout Programs: Built-in Phone App
• Additional Features: Smart Fitness App Included

The Stamina Inmotion Elliptical features an ergonomic foot pedal design, allowing you to get into the ideal position when seated or standing. The food pedal angling helps you to engage your lower leg muscles and keep balanced, with the elliptical style motion combining the benefits of an elliptical and mini stepper into one piece of kit.

The stepper operates like an elliptical by using wheels at the front of each foot pedal that rolls up and down depending on the amount of resistance applied. This gives the stepper a wider, more secure base which to work from.

The adjustable tension knob at the front of the stepper allows you to vary the intensity of your workouts as you need. Simply turn the knob to increase the resistance using a smooth transition mechanism. 

Made from a combination of steel and hardened plastic, the Stamina Elliptical Stepps can support up to 250 lbs of user weight. The large textured foot pedals keep your feet secure when exercising and allow you to use several foot positions both seated and standing. 

The centrally located LCD monitor measures strides per minute, calories burned, total strides, and exercise time. It's fully compatible with the MuuV coaching app, which gives you follow-along workouts and an easy assembly video.

Overall, it’s a great mini stepper that uses a joint-friendly elliptical type motion with the rolling wheel design. The integrated Muuv coaching app gives you follow-along workout programs to choose from.

6. Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper - Best Design

Nordic Lifting was created in 2013 to fill a void in the fitness industry. After feeling the fitness industry was selling overpriced products, the founder of Nordic Lifting wanted to sell fitness gear at affordable prices.

• Type/ Model: Nordic Lifting
• Item Weight: 16.5 lbs
• Weight Limit: 286 lbs
• Product Dimensions: 11.5" x 16.5" x 7.9" 
• Display: Number of Strides / Rate of Strides / Calories Burned
• Workout Programs: N/A
• Additional Features: 3 Pairs of Resistance Bands / Net Carry Bag

The Nordic Lifting Mini Stepper and Stair Climber Machine is a serious-looking bit of kit, featuring the best design out of my top 6 mini stepper choices. It’s constructed using a combination of high-quality steel and hardened plastic, supporting up to 286 lbs of user weight. It features a taller central frame column, allowing you to use a deeper stride in more of a stair-climbing motion for an extra workout challenge.

It features a sturdy central balance bar with a hydraulic drive cylinder to give you a smooth stair-climbing experience. As a bonus, Nordic lifting has included 3 different level resistance bands from 15-25 lbs, allowing you to personalize your upper body workout whilst operating the stepper. Each resistance band comes with D-Ring handles, helping you to keep a strong grip when working out.

At 16.5 lbs and measuring 11.5" x 16.5" x 7.9", the stepper still offers a fairly compact and lightweight design, even with the added frame height. The small LCD monitor located in the center of the frame monitors your number of strides per minute, total strides, and calories burned. Nordic Lifting has used a magnetic induction module to provide more accurate data feedback. 

Overall, it's a well-designed mini stepper, offering 3 different types of resistance band attachments and a stair-climbing type workout movement.

What Are the Benefits of Using Mini Steppers?

Here are the benefits of using portable stair steppers :

✅ Portable

Mini steppers are designed to be compact and easy to move around. They are much smaller and lighter compared with other forms of gym equipment, making them a great cardio option wherever you are.

If you want to use your mini stepper at work, its portable nature allows you to carry it with you.

✅ Joint Friendly

Mini steppers mimic the action of climbing stairs without the impact. The stepping motion provides resistance, with the foot pedals moving with your body, meaning no impact at all.

This makes mini steppers an excellent joint-friendly cardio choice for older exercisers or those with joint impairments or issues.

✅ Versatility 

Mini steppers are designed for a range of versatile uses. By providing resistance, you're getting a lower body toning and conditions workout. With this comes increased calorie burning compared to just normal walking. 

Due to the movement of the foot pedals, you also need to develop balance and coordination. This makes the mini stepper a great all-around cardio tool with a range of versatile uses.

✅ Multi-functional 

Mini exercise steppers can be used anywhere at any time. If you want to work out at home, you're able to use the stepper in any room of the house. If you want to work out at work, place the stepper under your desk.

If you want a full-body workout, attach a pair of resistance bands for an extra challenge.

What to Look For in Mini Steppers?

Here are some of the most important factors to look for when buying a small stepper for exercise sessions:

1. Adjustability

If you’re wanting to adjust the height of the mini stepper according to your workout preference and body shape, some steppers offer adjustable step height.

To check if your mini stepper is adjustable, look for a height adjustment knob that’s usually towards the front of the machine.

2. Monitor Functionality

Most mini steppers come with built-in LCD monitors which provide a range of feedback measurements during your workout. These include time elapsed, calories burned, total steps, and steps per minute.

If you’re wanting a personalized workout experience, check what functions the LCD monitor offers and make sure it matches up with what you need during your workout.

3. Portability

Mini steppers are small, compact cardio machines that should allow you to pick them up with relative ease. Before purchasing, check the stepper weight, dimensions, and portable features to see how easy it is to carry about. Once you’ve done that, decide how much you’ll want to move the stepper and go from there. 

4. Multifunctionality

Whilst most compact steppers offer a similar movement pattern, some are designed to be used standing, seated, and laying down. 

Some move in an elliptical type motion, whilst others offer varying resistance levels for different workouts. Other mini steppers come with resistance bands for upper-body exercises.

Check the functions the stepper performs and make sure it’s compatible with what you want to use it for.

5. Price/Quality

Mini steppers are designed to be much cheaper than normal gym equipment, but that doesn’t mean to say they shouldn’t offer good value for money. Make sure when purchasing that you check the quality of materials used and compare it to the price.

6. Durability

Whilst mini steppers are low-cost and feature lightweight designs, they still need to be made to last. Durable frame materials include aluminum and hardened plastic, both of which should withstand intense workout sessions.

Hydraulics that are well-built and easy to maintain are also important if you want your mini stepper to last. 

7. Noise

The noise made when operating the stepper is usually dependent on the type of pistons used in the hydraulic mechanism. If you need to exercise quietly, look for a stepper that’s designed to make little or no noise.

How to Use Mini Steppers Correctly?

1. Look for a suitable surface to put your stepper on. It should be made from solid materials and flat so that the stepper can perform correctly.
2. Adjust your stepper accordingly. Some steppers have adjustable height knobs, allowing you to customize your workout experience.
3. Get onto your mini stepper. Make sure the step your mounting is at its lowest position so it won’t move around much when you apply pressure. Put all your weight onto the bottom step whilst gently placing your foot on the other one.
4. Start stepping. Gently place pressure on your top foot whilst releasing the pressure on your bottom one. Alternate steps whilst keeping your balance.
5. Whilst stepping, keeping a good posture is important. Keep your chest up, shoulders down, and maintain a neutral spine. Keep your core engaged whilst stepping to maintain balance. 

FAQ

Are mini steppers worth it?

Mini steppers provide a portable exercise option that provides a great cardiovascular workout, burn calories, and work your muscles. They can also offer a more affordable and convenient way to exercise in different places.

Is A Mini Stepper Better Than Walking?

When you exercise using a mini stepper, you use the same muscles when walking or climbing stairs. While mini-steppers provide more resistance and help to tone your lower body muscles, both walking and mini-steppers can be used interchangeably to mix up your cardio routines. 

Will A Mini Stepper Tone My Legs?

With a mini stepper, you have a slight resistance that your legs need to push against, meaning they help to tone your lower body muscles. Your thighs and glutes are more engaged, leading to better muscle building and conditioning. 

Conclusion

The Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper is my best portable stepper choice. It's the best overall mini stepper out of the options I've reviewed above, with a lightweight, compact design and a range of workout and adjustment options.

Do you use a mini stepper at home or work? What do you think of the mini steppers I've reviewed above? Let me know!

Also read:

• Stair Climbers and Steppers
• Home Stair Stepper
• Stair Climber Benefits

References:

1. What Are the Health Benefits of Mini Steppers? // Live Healthy: https://livehealthy.chron.com/health-benefits-mini-steppers-2976.html
2. How to Choose a Stepper? // In Sport Line: https://www.insportline.eu/advisor/82-how-to-choose-a-stepper-
3. How to Use a Mini Stepper - Guide to Help You Get Started // Sunny Health and Fitness.: https://sunnyhealthfitness.com/blogs/products/mini-stepper-get-started-guide