Best Vertical Climbers – 2023

Sydney Kaiser

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Last Updated: January 3, 2023

Vertical Climbing machines simulate the experience of rock climbing to provide an incredible full-body workout in the comfort of your home. What makes vertical climbers extra appealing is that they provide a low-impact workout while getting your heart rate pumping and working all the main muscle groups in your body. If you love the intensity of running but don’t love how it affects your joints, then a vertical climber might be an excellent alternative for you. Below we’ve compiled our top picks for the best vertical climbers on the market. We’ve included a wide price range and awarded each climber with a highlighted feature to help you narrow down your choice.

Why You Should Trust Us

We test and review all kinds of fitness equipment here at Treadmill Review Guru. Our goal is to provide insight into which machines are best based on our testing, so you can find the right one for you. The following list of best vertical climbers consists of machines we’ve reviewed and researched. You can trust that we know how these vertical climbers work, so you can take home one that you’ll consistently use and love.

The Best Vertical Climbers of 2023

• Best Overall Vertical Climber: CLMBR
• Best High-End Vertical Climber: VersaClimber H/HP
• Best Vertical Climber For Home Use: MaxiClimber XL-2000
• Best Heavy-Duty Vertical Climber: Sole CC81 Cardio Climber
• Best Commercial-Grade Vertical Climber: Cascade Climber
• Best Vertical Climber With Resistance: Xebex Fitness Vertical Climber 2.0 Smart Connect
• Best Budget Vertical Climber: ReLife Vertical Climber

Sneak Peek Of The Best Vertical Climbers:

 

Here’s Our Picks Of The Best Vertical Climber of 2023

Check out our best gifts for runners.

1. Best Overall Vertical Climber – CLMBR

Our best overall vertical climber is the CLMBR. This sleek machine has a unique design and is the first vertical climber to include a touch screen. “Connected fitness” aka subscription content has become popular in recent years. We see attached touch screens on equipment like treadmills, exercise bikes, rowers, and ellipticals that often come with a monthly membership to access the content on the screen. CLMBR follows this format and they’ve developed their own unique fitness app to use on their vertical climber machine.

The clear 21” touch screen displays CLMBR’s trainer-led studio fitness classes. Most of the classes feature the instructors guiding workouts while using the CLMBR. The experience is similar to other subscription platforms on the market, like Peloton. Every class has a unique, curated playlist of music that you listen to along with the instructor. This makes the overall energy of every workout engaging and fun. You can use the CLMBR without a subscription, but the screen and content are definitely big selling points for the CLMBR.

Even with its unique design, the CLMBR is still reasonably compact. While taking up a small amount of floor space, the CLMBR is still substantial and solid. It requires at least an 8-foot ceiling height to use.

The max range of motion is 20” and it is really easy to adjust the range of motion when you’re on the CLMBR. The magnetic resistance is also adjustable with levels from 1-11. I love all the handle options. The moving handles are adjustable depending on your height, and they fold up when you want to isolate your lower body. The rear dip bars and crossbar handles give you even more grip options, too.

For a hearty, well-rounded, and entertaining vertical climbing experience, the CLMBR is the way to go!

Check out our full review of the CLMBR to learn more.

2. Best High-End Vertical Climber: VersaClimber H/HP

Our best high-end vertical climber pick is the VersaClimber H/HP. Priced at over $3000 this is the most expensive vertical climber on this list. If you’re looking to splurge on a high-end machine, this is the one to check out. This OG vertical climber is manufactured in the United States. VersaClimber even claims that every model is hand-made with aircraft-quality materials such as aluminum and steel.

What makes the VersaClimber H/HP appealing for home use, is the design. It is sleek and streamlined to take up a fairly small amount of floor space. It is tall and requires a high ceiling to use, but I’m sure you’ve already figured that out with all of these vertical climbers. A small base and tall frame, are the name of the game with this type of fitness equipment. So, be sure you have a high ceiling. The VersaClimber is 7’6” tall for reference. 8-9 feet tall ceilings should be the minimum height of your ceiling to use this vertical climber properly.

In order for the VersaClimber to work for your height, the handles and pedals are adjustable. The H/HP can handle users up to 350 lbs, too. The side stationary handles are there for you to grip when doing targeted lower-body training. The velcro straps over the pedals keep your feet in place. The stride is adjustable to range from 1” up to 20” to work your muscles differently. You’ll be able to reach a max speed of 255 vertical feet per minute (if you can catch up to that). Talk about a serious workout!

With this design, you can just hop on and go, too. The display has onboard workouts and programs to follow along with. Race modes are programmed into the display and you’ll be able to track your metrics with the console right at eye level. With a purchase of the VersaClimber H/HP you’ll get the choice of the HP model that comes with a heart rate monitor or the H model which doesn’t.

3. Best Vertical Climber For Home Use: MaxiClimber XL-2000

The MaxiClimber XL-2000 is an ideal vertical climber. We’ve picked it as the best vertical climber for home use for a number of reasons. First, it has a compact, foldable frame. Made out of aluminum, the frame is designed to fold at the base when you’re not using it. When folded the footprint decreases by around 20” in height and 27” in depth. This makes it storable, which is very beneficial for home use.

The MaxiClimber XL-2000 is also affordable. While still high-quality, this vertical climber comes in at a nice price of under $500. This makes it more suitable for a wider range of budgets. A big reason why the MaxiClimber is so budget-friendly is that it has a straightforward, no-frills, design. Instead of having a console, the XL-2000 comes with a device rack for your phone. To track your progress and follow along with workout programs, you can use the free MaxiClimber app.

And if the MaxiClimber XL-2000 is just out of your budget, this model of the MaxiClimber is a nice alternative, too. This MaxiClimber is better for smaller users because of the 240 lb max weight limit. It also just uses your body weight for resistance instead of the adjustable hydraulic resistance on the XL-2000. With no phone holder, you will have a more unplugged experience on this lower-end MaxiClimber. Although, you could technically place either of these MaxiClimbers in front of a television for entertainment.

We recommend either of these models of the MaxiClimber for home use. If you’re looking for a design that lets you hop on and climb, you can’t go wrong with either option.

4. Best Heavy-Duty Vertical Climber: Sole CC81 Cardio Climber

The largest vertical climber on this list is the Sole CC81 Cardio Climber. In our experience testing products from Sole, they’re really hearty, stable machines. The CC81 is no exception, that’s why we’ve awarded it as the best heavy-duty vertical climber. The Sole Cardio Climber weighs 265 lbs, so it’s certainly heavy-duty. Plus, it can handle up to 400 lbs of user weight!

Compared to other vertical climbers, the Sole Cardio Climber is unique because it has a front-mounted 25 lb flywheel. This is similar to how elliptical machines are designed. The heavy flywheel creates a smooth, consistent pedal stroke and adds to the overall stability of the machine. The Cardio Climber also uses adjustable magnetic resistance to provide 20 levels of resistance without causing wear and tear on the flywheel. The resistance provides an ample amount for the pedals and handles to move against, so you can expect to get in a challenging workout.

The vertical stride length of the pedals is 12” and they’re oversized at 15” long to work for most sized users. The pedals have a front lip to keep your feet from sliding off. There isn’t a strap on your feet like other vertical climbers, but you don’t need it with this design. The handles are adjustable with 4 different points of adjustment, depending on your height. All of our reviewers ranging from 5’0” to 6’5” are able to adjust the handles for an appropriate fit.

Sole includes a 90-day free trial of the Studio app. The Studio app offers indoor studio classes guided by instructors. The library isn’t as robust as we’ve seen on other platforms, but it is a nice option if you want some guidance in your training. With the tablet holder, you can also stream whatever you want for entertainment on the Sole CC81 Cardio Climber.

Find out more about the Sole CC81 Cardio Climber at our full review.

5. Best Commercial-Grade Vertical Climber: Cascade Climber

Are you looking for a gym-quality vertical climber for your home? The Cascade Climber is the one to check out! This pick for the best commercial-grade vertical climber is impressive. It weighs 122 lbs and handles up to 350 lbs of user weight. Plus, the durable construction is backed by a lifetime frame warranty. The Cascade Climber also has transportation wheels so it can be moved around when needed. You can even purchase a mount to attach the Cascade Climber to the floor or a wall. This feature is sold separately.

The handles adjust with a push-pin design that has three different settings depending on your height. The pedals feature adjustable velcro straps to secure your feet in place while climbing. The handles and pedals move 1” up to 19” in a vertical motion. This range makes for a nice range of motion to choose from. Personally, I love some speed work with a short range of motion.

The console includes 6 workout programs and displays metrics like your time, steps, step height, cadence, calories, heart rate, steps/min, level, and distance. The console is enabled with Bluetooth and comes with a heart rate chest strap. On top of the console display is a device holder for your phone or tablet if you want to follow along with a third-party workout program or watch separate content.

Overall, we’re highly impressed with all that the Cascade Climber has to offer in addition to its commercial-grade construction.

6. Best Vertical Climber With Resistance: Xebex Fitness Vertical Climber 2.0 Smart Connect

Some vertical climbers use adjustable resistance while others have fixed resistance that utilizes your bodyweight and the motion of the handles and pedals as “resistance”. The Xebex Fitness Vertical Climber has adjustable resistance to add variety into your training. There are 16 levels of resistance. This range lets you choose between working at higher and lower intensity levels, while keeping the same pace.

In addition to the adjustable resistance, this vertical climber from Xebex has a lot of versatility. The handles have 4 adjustment points depending on how tall you are, so users of a wide range of heights can adjust the machine. If you’re taller, you can purchase the extender arms which add 11” of height to the range of motion for the handles. There is a cross-crawl attachment and neutral handles for varying your positioning. Plus, the stepper rail attachment lets you target your lower body. All of these attachments and accessories are sold separately.

The Xebex Fitness Vertical Climber 2.0 Smart Connect has nice construction with a 202 lb freestanding base and 350 lb user weight limit. We like that the Xebex doesn’t require electricity to use, but still connects to third-party apps like Zwift for tracking. The console also comes with preloaded workout programs for intervals, targeted training, and even racing.

7. Best Budget Vertical Climber: ReLife Vertical Climber

Rounding out this list of best vertical climbers is the ReLife Vertical Climber. This is our best budget pick for vertical climbers. This climber is best if you’re on a budget, are a beginner, or if you need a compact option. At under $200 the ReLife Vertical Climber is appealing for those looking for an affordable option, especially considering many vertical climbers are well over $1000.

The ReLife Vertical Climber is unique because of its triangular design that folds in half. When folded it can be stored against a wall, or in a closet (if the closet is tall enough). You can even store it under a bed. There aren’t any transportation wheels, but this climber only weighs 43 lbs, so it’s a little easier to manuevur than larger climbers. With a weight limit of 260 lbs, the ReLife is still pretty hearty for it’s lightweight and slim size.

For a total body workout, the ReLife is where it’s at. The handles and pedals move inconjunction to one another. The pedals are textured to help prevent your feet from slipping, and the handles come with sweat-resistance foam coverings to help you keep a good grip. The stationary handles have the same covering and make for easy lower body isolation training. There are also 5 different resistance levels to give you plenty of range when you’re using the ReLife Vertical Climber.

This vertical climber is a great starter and budget option to check out.

What To Keep In Mind When Searching For The Best Vertical Climber

There are some things to consider when purchasing the best vertical climber for your home.

Size

You want to be sure that the vertical climber will fit in your space. Most climbers take up a fairly small amount of of floor space, especially compared to treadmills, but they’re tall. Because of their height, you need to be sure your ceiling is high enough. You will want plenty of ceiling clearance for the climber, moving handles, and of course yourself. You have to step up onto the pedals and you might be taller than the climber itself when you’re using it. You certainly don’t want to be banging your head against the ceiling with every stride.

Some vertical climbers fold up to be stored fairly easily. There are many that don’t however. For larger, non-folding vertical climbers you will most likely need a designated space for your climber to stay when it’s in use and not in use. There are a lot of vertical climbers with transportation wheels to move the machine around, but this might not be the best option if the climber is heavy. All in all, when considering a vertical climber you want to be sure it will fit and work well in your home space.

User Capacity

Another important thing to keep in mind is the weight capacity of the vertical climber. You want to be sure that you are under the weight limit. Vertical climbers tend to have different weight capacities, so you’ll want to check out the specs before purchasing. You want to be sure that you fit on the vertical climber when using the handles and pedals, too. Many climbers have adjustable handles (some also have adjustable pedals), so you can be sure to get a good fit. Some include height limits in the specs, so be sure to check that out if it’s available. Take it from me, I’m only about 5’1” and I usually have to use the lower adjustments on vertical climbers in order to reach the handles. You don’t want your handles to be too low or too high, this can negatively affect your positioning.

Features

There are a wide variety of vertical climbers out there. Most come with onboard workouts, some with bluetooth connectivity, and our best overall vertical climber, the CLMBR, comes with a touch screen and subscription training content. You want to be sure that whatever your training goals and entertainment of choice is, that your climber aligns with them. Other features like stationary handles for isolating your lower body, and adjustable resistance are other features to consider, too. It all depends on what your training goals are.

Price Range

Finally, the price is a large factor to consider when buying a vertical climber for your home. Vertical climbers come in various price ranges from under $1000 to well over $2000. Selecting a vertical climber in your budget is important, just as it is purchasing any piece of fitness equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles are worked on a vertical climber?

Vertical climbers work your entire body. You can exercise your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. And depending on how you grip the handles, you can work your upper and lower back, chest, triceps, and biceps, too. Expect to get a total body, high-intensity workout that is forgiving on your joints on a vertical climbing machine.

Are vertical climbers better than treadmills?

One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Vertical climbers can help burn more calories than treadmills because of the vertical movement and intensity of the machine. Vertical climbers might also be a good idea if you have joint problems and joint discomfort because the exercise is low impact, versus high impact when running on a treadmill. However, there are plenty of benefits to both types of equipment and it is ultimately a matter of your goals. On either machine you can get in a great workout.

What should I look for in a vertical climber?

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