We scored home Smith machines on 6 weighted criteria and picked the 5 best Smith machines for a home gym, from a small standalone to a full all-in-one.
I’ve been a PT for over 20 years, and I run a commercial gym, MyGym. I buy kit for it the way we built this list: maker specs first, then owner reports.
The goal was simple: a Smith bar that glides, catches you safely and fits your room and budget.
Let’s see if we did a good job…
Editor's note · updated October 20, 2026
We re-checked every pick for US stock and against the makers’ pages.
What changed:
- One pick replaced. Our old budget pick is no longer sold in the US, so a new one takes its slot.
- Specs corrected from the makers’ pages, including warranties and cable details.
- Links fixed so every pick is in stock.
- Scores recalculated so every overall score matches its sub-scores.
Related
Still deciding whether you want a Smith at all? Read my take on whether Smith machines are bad and how a Smith machine compares with a squat rack. If you want a bigger multi-station setup, see the best all-in-one home gyms.
Compare the best Smith machines
This table shows all 5 picks side by side. Scores come from our weighted rating, explained in the testing section below.
Major Fitness B17
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Body-Solid SCB1000
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Valor BE-11BCB
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Body-Solid PSM144X
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| Best for | Overall | Runner-up | Standalone | Mid-range | Budget |
| Rating | |||||
| Quality | 90% | 84% | 93% | 74% | 62% |
| Smith machine rating | 92% | 87% | 95% | 84% | 68% |
| Versatility | 93% | 96% | 45% | 45% | 40% |
| Brand reputation | 94% | 78% | 88% | 85% | 78% |
| Compactness | 70% | 70% | 86% | 85% | 95% |
| Price | 77% | 78% | 77% | 95% | 96% |
| Type | All-in-one | All-in-one | Standalone | Standalone | Standalone |
| Counterbalanced | Not listed | Not listed | Yes (6 lb bar) | Yes | No |
| Cables | Dual 289 lb stacks, 2:1 | 130 lb per side, expandable to 260 | None | None | None |
| Smith capacity (lbs) | Not listed | 400 (drop test) | 1,000 | 500 | Not listed |
| Gauge steel | Not listed | 12 (front), 14 (rear) | 11 (oval) | 12 | 12 |
| Size, W x D x H (") | 79 x 67 x 91 | 78.7 x 68.1 x 88.1 | 86 x 50 x 84 | 85 x 53 x 80 | 76 x 45 x 80 |
| Footprint (sq ft) | 36.8 | 37.2 | 29.9 | 31.3 | 23.8 |
| Item weight (lbs) | 1,455 | 880 | 543 | Not listed | 159 |
| Bar path | Not listed | Not listed | Reverse pitch | 3 degree pitch | Not listed |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame, 10 yr moving parts | 1 yr | Lifetime (in-home) | 10 yr frame, 2-3 yr parts | Not listed |
| Price tier | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
Force USA G20
Our testing and selection process
How we assess Smith machines
We run every Smith machine roundup through the same 5 steps:
- We start as the buyer. I’ve coached clients on Smith machines for two decades, so I know where the cheap ones cut corners.
- We research wide. Maker spec sheets, warranty terms and a stack of owner reports all go into one spreadsheet.
- We split the field into standalones and all-in-ones, because a Smith bar on its own and a full home gym are bought for different reasons.
- We score each machine with our weighted system. The data sets the order, not one person’s favourite.
- We check stock. A pick you can’t buy in the US doesn’t make the list, and owner reports fill in the long-term durability a spec sheet can’t.
You can read more about the process in our review guidelines.
How we score Smith machines
The Smith bar itself carries the most weight. A machine with eleven stations and a sticky carriage is still a bad Smith machine.
We grouped it into six weighted factors:
- Quality (20%) - how thick the steel is and what the frame is rated to.
- Smith machine rating (25%) - how the bar glides and how safely it catches.
- Versatility (15%) - stations and exercises beyond the Smith bar.
- Brand reputation (10%) - what owners report, good and bad.
- Compactness (10%) - footprint and height.
- Price (20%) - what you get for the money, warranty included.
Quality (20%)
There’s no single number for build quality, so we look at the parts that add up to it.
Weight capacity is the first clue. Most home lifters will never reach it, so treat it as a clue to the build. A higher rating usually means thicker steel and better joins, and that means less wobble.
Gauge is the second. Lower gauge means thicker steel, and home Smith machines run in the 11- to 14-gauge range.
Most of our picks publish 11- or 12-gauge steel on the main uprights. Force USA doesn’t list a gauge for the G20, and the B17 drops to 14-gauge on its middle and rear uprights.
Smith machine rating (25%)
This is the heart of the score. We rate the carriage and bar path first, then the counterbalance and the catches.
Bushings vs bearings. Linear bearings glide. Bushings drag. As the guide rods age, rust and oil turn to gunk and the drag gets worse. Having used both for years, I rate the carriage above almost anything else on the spec sheet.
Not every maker says which one it uses. When a spec sheet stays quiet on the carriage, the machine scores lower here.
Angled vs upright. The angle, also called pitch or reverse pitch, is the gap between a vertical line and the path the bar travels.
It runs from 0 to about 12 degrees. An angled path sits closer to a free-weight bench press and suits squat variations like hack squats. Past 10 degrees, moves like shrugs and hip thrusts start to feel awkward.
For most exercises you can adjust your position and get the same result either way. Pick an angle only if you have a specific reason.
Safety catches. Catches are standard now. The question is whether they’re easy to set and how much range of motion they cost you on squats.
I rate the carriage and racking above the type of catch. Most Smith machine scares I’ve seen in a gym start with a bar that sticks when you try to rack it.
Lockout spacing. More lockout positions give you more control over where the bar starts and stops. Pack them too close and racking turns into darts.
Versatility (15%)
Standalone or all-in-one is the first fork. Neither is better on its own, but one is better for you.
If you already own a rack and a bench and want to add a Smith, buy a standalone. Starting from scratch in one room? An all-in-one like the G20 builds a rack and cables around the Smith bar, often for less than buying each one separately.
For all-in-ones, we also score:
- Stations. List the ones you’ll use (pull-up bar, leg press, cables) and treat the list as a checklist. Don’t be dazzled by the station count.
- Pulley ratio. At 2:1, a 50 lb plate feels like 25 lb at the handle, so you can load in smaller jumps. That’s the sweet spot for most people.
- Westside spacing. The holes sit 1 inch apart through the bench-press zone and 2 inches elsewhere, which gives you finer control over J-hook and safety heights for bench work.
If leg press is on your list, there’s a published study on leg press vs Smith machine quad activation with the EMG data.
Brand reputation (10%)
We read the owner reviews. A machine loses points when owners keep reporting the same fault, or when delivery and customer service complaints repeat. We weigh the brand’s record too, because a listing can have only a handful of ratings.
Compactness (10%)
Our picks run from 23.8 to 37.2 square feet of floor and from 80 to 91 inches tall. Smaller scores higher.
The frame isn’t the whole story. Leave at least 35 inches clear at each end, measured from the end of the bar, so you can load plates without twisting.
My tip: If you’re tall and do standing presses, check the height of the top lockout before you check anything else.
Price (20%)
We score value, not the sticker. All-in-ones cost more because they bring more than a Smith bar, so the question is what you get for each tier.
Warranty counts here too. At the premium end, expect long frame cover. Anything under a year is a red flag at any price. A 1-year warranty is only fair on a budget machine, which is why it’s the B17’s weak spot.
If you can, buy from a seller with a clear returns policy. That goes double if this is your first Smith machine.
Find the perfect Smith machine for you
Best overall | Runner-up | Best standalone | Best mid-range | Best budget
Here’s where each machine lands on our overall score:
Force USA G20 Pro
Best Smith Machine OverallQuick specs
- Stations - 11, including Smith, power rack, cables and leg press
- Cables - Dual 289 lb stacks at a 2:1 ratio
- Uprights - 65 laser-etched, Westside-spaced holes
- Size - 79 x 67 x 91 in (W x D x H), 1,455 lb
- Warranty - Lifetime frame, 10 years on moving parts
A full home gym built around a Smith bar: eleven stations, two big cable stacks and a lifetime frame warranty in one walk-through frame.
Our take
What I like
- The walk-through frame lets a bench stay inside between Smith presses and cable work. In a session, that keeps rest periods honest, because nobody is dragging a bench from station to station.
- The 2:1 ratio makes small isolation work loadable. On a 1:1 stack the first plate is often too heavy for lateral raises, and halving it at the handle fixes that.
What I don’t
- It’s a lot of machine to get into a room. Force USA ships it in four wooden crates at about 1,525 lb, so plan the delivery route before the truck turns up.
- Ceiling height catches people out. Force USA says you need 8 feet 2 inches for a full pull-up, and plenty of basements don’t have it.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Eleven stations in the base unit: power rack, Smith machine, functional trainer, leg press, chin-up, suspension trainer, landmine, calf raise, lat pulldown and low row, plus a fold-out swing arm.
- Dual 289 lb stacks at 2:1, so the cable side does the job of a separate functional trainer.
- Lifetime frame and 10-year moving-parts warranty for home use, the strongest cover on an all-in-one here.
- 30 attachments in the box, from monolifts and spotter arms to a leg press plate and calf block.
Cons
- No counterbalance listed. Force USA doesn’t say either way, so ask before you count on a light bar for warm-ups.
- Big and tall: 79 x 67 inches of floor and 91 inches high.
- Premium tier, the dearest pick on the list. Upholstery and attachments get only 1 year of cover.
Read more about the Force USA G20 Pro
The G20 is the pick for someone building a whole gym around one frame, not adding a Smith to a gym they already have.
Force USA counts eleven stations, and the list holds up. The rack, Smith, cables, leg press, chin-up and calf raise each replace a separate machine, and the cables run off two 289 lb stacks rather than a token single stack. Inside the frame you get 40 inches of width and 60 of depth to work in. The uprights carry 65 laser-etched, Westside-spaced holes, so finding your bench height is quick.
Buy it if you’re:
- Starting a home gym from an empty room and want the rack, Smith and cables in one purchase.
- Training cables as much as barbell work. Two full stacks at 2:1 cover rows, flyes and raises.
- After the longest cover on an all-in-one here: a lifetime frame warranty and 10 years on moving parts.
Skip it if you’re: short on headroom (the Valor is 80 inches tall), or you already own a rack and only want the Smith bar (the Pro ClubLine does that for less).
Against the B17, the floor space is close to a wash, 79 x 67 inches against 78.7 x 68.1. The G20 is 3 inches taller and carries more stations and bigger stacks. The B17 counters with published drop tests and a ratio you change by pulling one cable or two.
Assembly is lighter than the size suggests. Force USA puts it at around six hours, a second pair of hands makes it faster, and Force USA sells a paid professional assembly service if you’d rather not. One upgrade to know about: the dedicated Lat Row Station, with its own 289 lb stack, is a paid add-on.
It tops only one category, brand reputation, and it sits near the bottom on size and price. Strong scores everywhere else put it top overall:
Bottom line
The G20 is the best all-round Smith setup for a home gym in 2026. You get a Smith bar, a rack, two full cable stacks and a leg press in one frame, with the longest warranty of the all-in-ones here. The trade-offs are the room it needs and a Smith bar with no counterbalance listed.
The G20 might be for you if… you’re building a complete gym in one go and have the floor and the ceiling for it.
It’s not for you if… you only need a Smith bar. The Pro ClubLine is the better buy for that.
Major Fitness B17 Flying Fortress
Runner-Up Smith MachineQuick specs
- Smith - Linear bearings, chrome bar, drop-tested to 400 lb
- Safety arms - Drop-tested to 1,000 lb
- Cables - 130 lb per side, expandable to 260 lb per side
- Ratio - 2:1 pulling one cable, 1:1 pulling both
- Size - 78.7 x 68.1 x 88.1 in (W x D x H), 880 lb
A Smith machine, power rack and dual cables in one frame, with published drop tests and a cable ratio that changes with how many handles you pull.
Our take
What I like
- The ratio change needs no tools. Pull one handle for 2:1, both for 1:1, so a two-handed row and a single-arm raise can sit back to back in a superset with nothing to unclip.
- The extras come in the box. Pegboard, barbell hangers, landmine, dip bars and a leg holder all ship with it, so storage doesn’t become a second order.
What I don’t
- Assembly is a long job. Owners report most of a day.
- The uprights take 1-inch holes. Check that any attachments you already own fit before you count on them.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Published drop tests: 400 lb on the Smith and 1,000 lb on the safety arms. Few brands publish drop-test numbers.
- Stacks that grow with you. Each side starts at 130 lb and expands to 260 lb through the external selector rod, in 5 lb steps.
- Five systems in one frame: power rack, Smith, dual cables, a multi-grip pull-up bar and a 360° landmine.
Cons
- 1-year warranty. Short for a premium-tier machine, when the G20 and the Pro ClubLine both carry lifetime frame cover.
- Mixed-gauge frame: 12-gauge front uprights, 14-gauge middle and rear.
- Newer brand for US home-gym buyers than Force USA or Body-Solid, so there’s less long-term owner history.
Read more about the Major Fitness B17
On paper this is the G20’s closest rival. In practice the two suit different buyers.
| B17 | G20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cable stacks | 130 lb per side, expandable to 260 | 289 lb per side |
| Drop tests published | Yes | No |
| Height | 88.1 in | 91 in |
| Warranty | 1 year | Lifetime frame |
Floor space is almost identical. The B17 sits at 78.7 x 68.1 inches against the G20’s 79 x 67, so neither fits a corner, but the B17 is 3 inches lower. Inside, you get 54.3 inches of depth and 43.3 of width to work in.
The cable system is where the B17 makes its case. Two cables at 1:1 suit heavy rows and pulldowns, while one cable at 2:1 halves the load for raises and flyes, and you switch by changing how you pull. The stacks start smaller than the G20’s, but you can double each side as you get stronger.
Then there’s the warranty. One year is short at this tier, and it’s below the line I’d normally draw for a premium machine. Major Fitness does publish drop-test figures for the Smith and the safety arms, which most brands don’t. That covers the frame on paper. It doesn’t cover a part that fails in year two.
It has fewer stations than the G20, but the pegboard, hangers and dip bars in the box edge it ahead on our versatility score:
Bottom line
The B17 gives you a Smith bar, a rack and dual cables in one frame, with drop-test numbers on the spec sheet and a ratio that changes as you pull.
The 1-year warranty is the catch. If that bothers you at this price and you only need the Smith, the Body-Solid Pro ClubLine carries a lifetime in-home warranty.
Pick the B17 over the G20 when you want the published drop tests and the no-tools ratio change more than the extra stations and warranty.
Body-Solid Pro ClubLine SCB1000
Best Standalone Smith MachineQuick specs
- Bar - Counterbalanced to 6 lb, reverse pitch
- Carriage - Case-hardened rods and premium bearings
- Frame - Oval 11-gauge steel, rated to 1,000 lb
- Storage - Six Olympic plate posts
- Size - 86 x 50 x 84 in (W x D x H), 543 lb
A gym-floor Smith machine sized for a home: a counterbalanced bar, an oval 11-gauge frame and a reverse-pitch bar path for pressing.
Our take
What I like
- A 6 lb bar makes it a good teaching tool. A newer lifter can groove a squat or a press with next to nothing on the bar, then add plates in small jumps.
- Plates live on the machine. Six storage posts mean the plates you load sit within arm’s reach, not across the room.
What I don’t
- There’s little owner feedback on this exact listing. It has 7 ratings on Amazon, averaging 3.4 stars, which is too few to read much into either way.
- At 543 lb it’s a heavy build, so line up a helper before delivery day.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Counterbalanced to 6 lb, so the bar starts light without feeling like it floats.
- Oval 11-gauge steel rated to 1,000 lb, the highest Smith rating published on this list.
- Lifetime in-home warranty on the frame, the bushings and hardware, and the pads, so a worn part later on is Body-Solid’s problem.
Cons
- No cables or extra stations. It’s a Smith machine with plate storage and nothing else.
- 86 inches wide. It needs a long wall, plus room at each end to load plates.
- The dearest standalone here, a full tier above the Valor.
Read more about the Body-Solid Pro ClubLine SCB1000
This is the Smith machine for someone who already owns a rack and a bench and wants a guided bar that feels like the one at the gym.
I’ve seen plenty of cheap Smith machines sold as “commercial grade” over the years. The label costs nothing, and no gym owner would put most of them on a busy floor. The Pro ClubLine earns it on the numbers: oval 11-gauge steel, a 1,000 lb rating, case-hardened guide rods and a counterbalanced bar.
The reverse pitch is the call you need to make. The bar travels at a slight angle, which puts a Smith bench press closer to the free-weight groove. Body-Solid doesn’t publish the exact angle, and for most exercises you’ll adjust without noticing. If you’re unsure, read our angle explainer.
Height is easy. At 84 inches tall it fits under an 8-foot ceiling, though tall lifters pressing overhead from the top catch should check their reach first. Width is the real ask at 86 inches.
The nearest rival is the Valor BE-11BCB, also counterbalanced, a tier cheaper and 4 inches shorter. The Valor gives up half the rating (500 lb against 1,000), runs on 12-gauge steel and has 10 years of frame cover against lifetime.
Pure Smith performance is what this machine is built for, and it tops our Smith machine rating:
Bottom line
If you already have a rack and want a standalone Smith built for years of heavy use, buy the Pro ClubLine. It has the highest Smith score and the highest published Smith rating here, plus lifetime in-home cover. Just make sure you have the wall for an 86-inch frame.
Valor Fitness BE-11BCB
Best Mid-Range Smith MachineQuick specs
- Bar - Counterbalanced (BE-11CB included), 3 degree pitch
- Carriage - Linear bearings
- Frame - 4 x 2 in, 12-gauge steel
- Capacity - 500 lb
- Size - 85 x 53 x 80 in (W x D x H)
The counterbalance comes in the box, the frame fits under a 7-foot ceiling, and Valor backs it with a 10-year frame warranty.
Our take
What I like
- At 80 inches tall it fits under a 7-foot ceiling. That opens up basements most Smith machines can’t go in.
- Owners rate it well. On Valor’s own site, 85% of its 60 reviews are five stars.
What I don’t
- It arrives in six boxes, so check every one against the parts list before you start the build.
Pros & cons
Pros
- The counterbalance is included. On the standard BE-11 you buy it separately, which costs more and means another install.
- Linear bearings on the carriage, so the glide feels close to dearer machines.
- 10-year frame warranty for home use, with 2 to 3 years on parts.
Cons
- 500 lb capacity, half the Pro ClubLine’s rating.
- 4 x 2 in, 12-gauge frame, solid for its tier, though the 11-gauge Pro ClubLine is stiffer.
Read more about the Valor Fitness BE-11BCB
The BE-11 is Valor’s standard home Smith, and this version fixes its one annoyance.
On the standard BE-11 the counterbalance is an optional extra. That suits a few people, but for most it means more money and more fitting. The BCB ships with the BE-11CB counterbalance, so the bar starts lighter from day one. The bar itself weighs 36 lb, Valor says.
Who it suits:
- Lifters who want a counterbalanced standalone without paying for the Pro ClubLine’s tier.
- Basement gyms with a 7-foot ceiling.
- Anyone who values a long frame warranty over a high weight rating.
Who should skip it: lifters who will load past 500 lb, who should look at the Pro ClubLine, and anyone who just wants the cheapest guided bar, which is the PSM144X.
Its closest rival outside this list is the Titan Fitness Smith machine. The two sit in the same price tier, and Titan’s is also counterbalanced and rated higher at 600 lb. The deciding line for us is the warranty: Valor gives the frame 10 years, and Titan gives 1.
It’s second only to the PSM144X on our price score:
Bottom line
The Valor covers the basics of a standalone Smith well and adds a counterbalance at a mid-range price. It’s the one I’d point most home lifters to when the Pro ClubLine is out of budget.
The Valor might be for you if… you want a counterbalanced bar, a long frame warranty and a machine that fits a low basement.
It’s not for you if… you’ll load heavy. The 500 lb rating is half the Pro ClubLine’s.
Body-Solid Powerline PSM144X
Best Budget Smith MachineQuick specs
- Lockouts - 14, spaced 4.5 in apart
- Safety - Dual-lock spotter catch plus adjustable safeties
- Bar - 1 in diameter, takes standard and Olympic plates per the listing
- Frame - 12-gauge steel pillars, 159 lb
- Size - 76 x 45 x 80 in (W x D x H)
The cheapest pick by a long way: a no-frills Smith with 14 lockouts and a twist-to-catch safety, on the smallest footprint here.
Our take
What I like
- Racking is a small wrist turn. You rotate the bar sleeve 15 degrees to engage the dual-lock catch, rather than hunting for a hook.
- Lockouts 4.5 inches apart are close enough to set a good start height for squats and presses, but not so close that racking feels fiddly.
What I don’t
- Beginners feel the missing counterbalance on their first warm-up set, because the whole bar is theirs to lift.
- The Amazon rating is 3.8 stars from 109 ratings, so expect mixed owner reports.
Pros & cons
Pros
- The cheapest pick on the list by a long way, which leaves money for plates and a bench.
- The smallest footprint here, 76 x 45 inches, and 80 inches tall, so it fits under a 7-foot ceiling.
- 14 lockout points plus adjustable safeties, so you can set both the start height and the catch height.
Cons
- No counterbalance, no cables, no weight stack. It’s a guided bar and nothing else.
- Light frame at 159 lb, so it won’t feel as planted as the heavier standalones.
- Carriage details are thin. Body-Solid calls it the Super-Glide carriage but doesn’t say whether it runs on linear bearings.
Read more about the Body-Solid Powerline PSM144X
Strip a Smith machine down to a guided bar and a safe catch, and you get the PSM144X.
It’s Body-Solid’s entry-level Smith, and the gap to the Pro ClubLine is wide. There’s no counterbalance and no published weight rating, and the frame weighs 159 lb against the ClubLine’s 543. What you do get is the part that matters most for training alone: 14 lockouts and a dual-lock catch, so a missed rep ends on a hook rather than your chest.
| PSM144X | Valor | |
|---|---|---|
| Counterbalance | No | Yes |
| Footprint | 76 x 45 in | 85 x 53 in |
| Rating published | No | 500 lb |
| Price tier | $ | $$ |
The bar is 1 inch thick, and the listing says it takes both standard and Olympic plates. Check how your Olympic plates will sit on it before you order.
If you can stretch to the next tier, the Valor adds a counterbalance and a 10-year frame warranty. If you can’t, this still gets you a safe catch and 14 start heights.
It needs the least floor of any machine here, and tops our compactness score:
Bottom line
For the least money and the least floor, this is the Smith to buy. It skips the counterbalance and the cables, so it suits a lifter adding a guided bar to a small gym, not someone building a whole gym from it.
Other Smith machines we considered
- Marcy Smith Cage SM-4008 - our old cheap all-in-one pick, with a Smith bar, cables and a bench in one cage. It’s currently unavailable on Amazon US, so it’s off the list.
- MiM USA Compact Smith Machine - a low unit for rooms with low ceilings, though too short for squats. It’s currently unavailable on Amazon US.
- Body-Solid GS348Q - the brand’s 7-degree Smith, sitting between the PSM144X and the Pro ClubLine. It has no counterbalance, which is why we’d stretch to the ClubLine.
- Valor Fitness BE-11 - the standard version of our mid-range pick. The BCB is the same machine with the counterbalance built in, which makes more sense than adding it later.
- Titan Fitness Smith machine - counterbalanced and rated to 600 lb, but it has only 8 lockout positions and a 1-year warranty. The Valor is in the same tier with far longer frame cover.
- Life Fitness Axiom Series Smith Rack - a 7-degree Smith on linear bearings with a 495 lb training max. It costs more than the Pro ClubLine, yet its max is under half the ClubLine’s rating.
- Altas Strength 3058G - a Smith with dual weight stacks, priced close to the B17, which gives you more in the box.
- Smith machine with built-in 160 kg cable weights - an unbranded Smith and cable combo on Amazon. The all-in-ones above give you a known brand behind the warranty.
- York STS Counter-Balanced Smith Machine - a solid mid-range standalone that just missed the cut.
- Eleiko Prestera Smith system - a Smith attachment for Eleiko’s half rack rather than a standalone, so it only makes sense if you already own the rack.
- Other Force USA all-in-ones - the G3 costs less, and the G12 is currently sold in retail stores only. Our guide to the best Force USA all-in-one trainers covers the range.
Smith machines: the bottom line
A good Smith machine lets you train heavy on your own, with a catch waiting at every height.
For most home gyms, buy the Force USA G20 Pro. It’s a Smith bar, a rack, dual cables and a leg press in one frame, with lifetime cover on the frame.
Want published drop tests and a cable ratio you change by how you pull? The Major Fitness B17 is the runner-up. Already own a rack? The Body-Solid Pro ClubLine is the best standalone. The Valor BE-11BCB brings a counterbalance to the mid-range, and the Body-Solid PSM144X is the budget pick for small rooms.
There are two things to do now:
- If you want to give the machines another look, click here to skip back to the table.
- If you want to put a pin in it, bookmark this page and come back. We keep it updated.
Stay strong and smart.
Smith machine FAQs
Is a Smith machine good for a home gym?
Yes, a Smith machine is good for a home gym, because the fixed bar path and built-in catches let you train heavy without a spotter. An all-in-one like the Force USA G20 adds a rack and cables to the same frame, while a standalone like the Body-Solid Pro ClubLine sits beside the kit you already own. Check your ceiling and floor space first, because our picks run from 80 to 91 inches tall.
Is a Smith machine better than a bench?
No, a Smith machine is not better than a bench for pressing, because a free-weight bench press works the shoulder muscles harder, as shown in this comparison study. The two aren’t really rivals, since you still need a bench to press inside a Smith. If you do bench in a Smith, a reverse-pitch machine like the Pro ClubLine sets the bar path closer to a free-weight press.
What are the primary benefits of using a Smith machine?
The primary benefits of using a Smith machine are safety and easy progressive overload. The guide rails fix the bar path and the catches let you rack at any point in the lift, so you can push close to failure when you train alone, whether you’re learning a movement or adding volume.
What’s the price range of a Smith machine?
Smith machines range from a budget standalone tier up to premium all-in-ones that cost several times as much. A basic standalone like the Body-Solid PSM144X sits at the bottom, a counterbalanced standalone like the Valor BE-11BCB sits in the middle, and all-in-ones like the Force USA G20 cost the most because they add a rack and cables around the Smith bar.
Do you need a counterbalanced Smith machine?
You don’t need a counterbalanced Smith machine, but it helps if you’re new to lifting or you do a lot of light accessory work. A counterbalance offsets the bar’s weight, so the Pro ClubLine bar starts at 6 lb. Without one, as on the PSM144X, you lift the full bar on every rep. You notice that most on warm-up sets.
How much ceiling height does a Smith machine need?
A Smith machine needs a ceiling a few inches above its frame, and our picks run from 80 to 91 inches tall. The Valor and the PSM144X fit under a 7-foot ceiling, and the Pro ClubLine fits under 8 feet. Force USA says the G20 needs 8 feet 2 inches for a full pull-up.
Do Smith machines build muscle?
Yes, Smith machines build muscle, because they let you load squats and presses heavily and safely enough to keep adding weight over time. The fixed path takes balance out of the lift, so the target muscles do more of the work and the stabilisers do less. Pair Smith work with some free-weight training. If you’re new, start light and learn the bar path first.
