Best Under Desk Stepper

An under desk stepper, also known as a desk stepper, sitting stepper machine, or a mini stepper, is similar to a stair stepper but much smaller.

Why These Steppers are Suited for Use Under a Desk

Best Desk Stepper Reviews

Our Picks

Desk Stepper Reviews

Who will benefit the most from these under desk steppers?

What to look for when selecting an under desk stepper?

Under Desk Stepper Buyers Guide

Under Desk Stepper FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Other Under Desk Exercisers

Why These Steppers are Suited for Use Under a Desk

First and foremost, an under desk stepper when used while sitting helps your body when you have to sit for long periods. In fact, these machines exercise you feet, calves, thighs and glutes. Which, in turn, helps blood circulation in the legs. And, because of the nature of effort needed, they may be more effective that other under desk machines. Finally, when needed, you can also use them while standing without a desk.

Now, the steppers, reviewed here, can indeed be used while sitting or working at a desk. Incidentally, a typical desk has a depth of at least 21 inches. Meanwhile, the steppers reviewed here have a depth ranging from 13 to 17 inches. Furthermore, many steppers, such as those reviewed below, allow you to adjust (reduce or increase) the vertical movement (aka stride) of the footplates which helps their use under a for a wide variety of desks.

Best Desk Stepper Reviews

Our Picks

Niceday 6201NL: 15 inches stride, usable by anyone up to 300 pounds, and lifetime unconditionally free returns or exchanges.

Sunny ‎SF-S0978: 13.6 inches stride, usable by anyone up to 220 pounds, and 11-year warranty on frame.

BalanceFrom Stepper: 8.8 inches stride, usable by anyone up to 300 pounds, 2-year warranty.

Sunny NO. 012-s: 13.5 inches stride, usable by anyone up to 220 pounds, 3-months warranty.

EFITMENT: 7.5 inches stride, best for smaller desks, usable by anyone up to 220 pounds, no warranty, no resistance bands.

Desk Stepper Reviews

1. Sunny ‎SF-S0978

Sunny Health & Fitness Twist Stepper - ‎SF-S0978

Features

Dimensions: The stepper is 16.3 inches deep, 12.8 inches wide, and the footplates can reach 13.6 inches above the floor. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment knob you can increase or decrease vertical movement of the footplate’s back end so that it will work under your desk or your desired cardio workout.

Footplates: The back end of the large, oversized, textured, slip-resistant footplates move up and down.

Resistance: The stepper's hydraulic resistance provides a smooth and quiet workout. Incidentally, using the stepper's height adjustment knob to change stepper height also changes its hydraulic resistance.

Stability: The stabilizer ring at the base of the stepper provides stability and keeps your steps steady without shaking the stepper.

Weight: The stepper weighs 16.2 pounds.

Workouts: The stepper exercises legs while sitting. Also, it can be used while standing to get both a lower body as well as an upper body workout, especially, when used with resistance bands.

What Buyers Liked:

86% of buyers liked - Very effective if used routinely - Build muscles - adjust to your liking - small, lightweight, easy to store - works leg muscles and arms - feels sturdy, great range of motion and tension to get a great workout - very quiet and stable - works abs, glutes, legs, upper arms, quads - 15 minutes use then 30 minutes cool down - perfect for small spaces.

PROS

Great for use with taller desks.
The stepper comes with a 11-year warranty on the frame.

Check price @Amazon

2. Sunny NO. 012-s

Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper - NO. 012-s

Features

Dimensions: The stepper is 16 inches deep, 12.5 inches wide, and the footplates can reach 13.5 inches above the floor. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment knob you can increase or decrease vertical movement of the footplate’s back end so that it will work under your desk or your desired cardio workout.

Footplates: The sit down stepper has non-slip footplates that are wide and textured. In addition, the back end of the stepper's footplates move up and down.

Pedal Height: Next, the height adjustment knob adjusts step motion height to give you either short or long strides. Therefore, if you want to use the stepper under a table, use the adjustment knob to lower pedal height.

Resistance: The stepper's hydraulic resistance provides a smooth and quiet workout. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment knob to change pedal height also changes the hydraulic resistance.

Weight: The stepper weighs 14.5 pounds, making it easy to lift and move to storage or anywhere else.

Workouts: The stepper exercises legs while sitting. Also, it can be used while standing to get both a lower body as well as an upper body workout, especially, when used with resistance bands.

What Buyers Liked:

85% of buyers liked - Heavy, durable and stable - Quiet and compact - Easy to carry and store out of the way- No need to walk outside: get your steps indoors - Use under desk - Use while watching TV - A quick source of cardio - Gets you legs working and sweating - Definitely feel your muscles working.

PROS:

Great for use with taller desks.
Also, resistance bands help getting an upper body workout.

CONS:

This sitting stepper machine comes with only a 3-month warranty.

Check price @Amazon

3. BalanceFrom Stepper

BalanceFrom Adjustable Stepper Stepping Machine

Features

Dimensions: The stepper is 16 inches deep, 12 inches wide, and the footplates can reach 8.8 inches above the floor. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment knob you can increase or decrease vertical movement of the footplate’s back end so that it will work under your desk or your desired cardio workout.

Footplates: Second, the anti-slip footplates keep your feet comfortably and firmly planted on the pedals while you work out. Also, the hydraulic resistance design gives a smooth and stable stepping movement. In addition, the back end of the footplates move up and down.

Tension: Third, the tension knob makes it easy to adjust your workout from easy to hard. For example, tightening the knob increases the angle and height of footplate motion, which, in turn increases tension. While, loosening the knob decreases the angle and height of footplate motion, which, in turn, decreases tension. By the way, hydraulic resistance gives a smooth and stable stepping workout. So, it’s good for your joints.

Weight: Also, the 15-pound sitting stepper machine is easy to lift and move.

Workout: Finally, the stepper exercises legs while sitting. Also, it can be used while standing to get both a lower body as well as an upper body workout, especially, when used with resistance bands..

What Buyers Liked:

73% of buyers liked - Therapy after hip replacement - Recover after having a baby - Works legs - Easy to store - Use it anywhere, any time, and it helps me stay active at home - Easy to put together - Use at my standing desk - Very sturdy - Won't slip at all - Straps helpful to stay balanced while standing - This is the only stepper that is safe to use if you are up to 300 pounds in weight.

PROS:

Having a low vertical profile, this stepper works well with smaller desks. However, it can also be used with taller desks.
Also, resistance bands help getting a upper body workout.

Check price @Amazon

4. EFITMENT

EFITMENT Fitness Stepper Step Machine - S021

Features

Dimensions: First, the stepper is 17 inches deep, 12.5 inches wide, and the far end of the footplates can reach 7.5 inches above the floor. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment feature increases or decreases vertical movement of the footplate’s back end so that it will work under your desk or your desired cardio workout.

Footplates: Second, the non-slip stepper's footplates are wide and textured. Consequently, the footplates will accommodate a broad range of feet and shoes. Also, the back end of the footplates move up and down.

Pedal Height: Fourth, the back end of the stepper's pedal height is adjustable. Therefore, adjusting the pedal height, increases or decreases the pedal's vertical movement, which helps you to use the sitting stepper machine under a table.

Resistance: Also, the stepper's hydraulic power provides a smooth and quiet workout. Incidentally, the hydraulic resistance is also adjusted by changing the vertical movement of footplates.

Weight: In addition, the sitting stepper machine weighs 15 pounds, making it easy to lift and move the sitting stepper machine to storage or other locations.

What Buyers Liked:

83% of buyers liked - Portable - Great for standing desk - Very little assembly required - Easy to use - Stepper very lightweight - Does more for my muscle then walking - Felt the burn in legs while working out - Sturdy - Helps with keeping the pain down in the thighs - Use 30 minutes a day in the home - Stepper is compact and quiet - Great for after hip surgery.

PROS

First, the stepper's maximum height is 7.5 inches which makes it easy to use with smaller desks.

CONS

No resistance bands to get an upper body workout.
No warranty. Only Amazon's 30-day return policy.

Check price @Amazon

5. Niceday 6201NL

Features

Dimensions: First, the stepper is 13.5 inches deep, 12.5 inches wide, and the far end of the footplates can reach 16 inches above the floor. Furthermore, using the stepper's height adjustment feature increases or decreases vertical movement of the footplate’s back end so that it will work under your desk or your desired cardio workout.

Pedal Height: Second, the back end of the footplates move up and down with a stride ranging from 5 to 15 inches.

Resistance: Also, the stepper's hydraulic power provides a smooth and quiet workout. Incidentally, the hydraulic resistance is also adjusted by changing the vertical movement of footplates.

Weight: In addition, the sitting stepper machine weighs 16 pounds, making it easy to lift and move the sitting stepper machine to storage or other locations.

What Buyers Liked:

89% of buyers liked - Very sturdy - Easy to adjust pedal height by turning knob - Fits on one of the foam squares to cut down on noise - Sweating in 5 minutes of use - Compact stepper - Quiet, small enough to store away - Very easy to use and effective - Gone on it for an hour at a time - Counts your steps and also has a timer.

PROS

Great for use with taller desks.
Unconditionally free returns or exchanges.

Check price @Amazon

Who will benefit the most from these under desk steppers?

First, office workers who spend long hours sitting at a desk can use under desk steppers; providing a convenient way to add physical activity to the day without having to leave the workspace. These under desk steppers help improve circulation, reduce risk of weight gain, and combat the negative consequences of prolonged sitting.
Second, students who spend a significant amount of time studying or working at a desk can use under desk steppers to break up long periods of sitting to improve focus and productivity.
Third, the elderly can benefit from under desk steppers as they provide a low-impact way to maintain joint mobility, cardiovascular health, and muscle strength. They are particularly useful for seniors with limited mobility or arthritis.
Fourth, anyone looking to lose weight can use under desk steppers to burn calories throughout the day. Combined with a healthy diet, under desk steppers can be a part of a weight loss strategy.
Fifth, people recovering from injuries or surgeries can use under desk steppers as part of their rehabilitation because they offer a low-impact way to rebuild strength and improve mobility.
Next, those with limited time for exercise can use under desk steppers to sneak in a workout during otherwise sedentary periods.
Finally, individuals with health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or obesity can use under desk steppers under the guidance of a healthcare professional to improve their health.

What to look for when selecting an under desk stepper?

Does the under desk stepper fits comfortably under your desk?
Is it easy to move and store?
Does it have adjustable resistance levels so you can adjust workout intensity?
Is the desk stepper's noise low enough for the environment in which it will be used?
Will the desk stepper stay steady when you use it? Or, will it wobble?
Can the desk stepper support your weight, especially when you stand on it?
Does the desk stepper display time, distance, calories burned, and step counts?
Are the foot pedals large enough and have a non-slip surface?
What kind of motion does the desk stepper have? Is it circular or elliptical? Also, which one are you most comfortable with?
Does the stepper have an adjustable pedal height to accommodate desks of different heights?
Is it easy to assemble and maintain?
Is the price within your expectations?
Are you comfortable with the reviews and ratings?
What kind of warranty does it come with? And, are you comfortable with it?
If you plan to move the desk stepper often, is its weight light enough for you? (Incidentally, a lighter stepper may be unstable when you use it.) If you don't plan to move it often, then a heavier desk stepper may provide more stability.
Finally, if you plan to use the desk stepper with commercial fitness tracking programs, does the stepper comes with Bluetooth connectivity, and/or apps..