A lat pulldown machine is a must in every gym as it targets your upper back and chest wall. Using this equipment daily helps strengthen your back and build a wider, stronger upper torso. But with the number of lat pulldown machines available today, it’s easy to get confused with which one to invest in.
We understand how difficult it is for you to find the perfect lat pulldown machine, which is why we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up some of the best lat pulldown machines in this article. We’ve considered different factors, namely the durability, price, and ease of use, and finally found a winner—the XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pull Down and Low Row Cable.
This high-quality machine is very versatile with a combination of high and low pulley stations that allows you to perform an extensive range of exercises and features an extremely durable aircraft-quality cable with an impressive tensile strength capacity of 2200 pounds. Let’s get to the full review.
Best Lat Pulldown Machines at a Glance
It features high and low pulley stations allowing users to take on different exercises.
This equipment combines leg and arm stations and offers a complete full-body workout.
Perfect for individuals with smaller, more compact home gyms.
XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable – Best Overall
What we like
- Reliable and high-quality steel frame
- Manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty
- Easy to assemble and very user-friendly
- Impressive weight capacity of 400 lbs.
What we don’t like
- Accessories, such as ankle straps and weight plates are not included in the purchase
- May be uncomfortable for users above 6’4” tall
The XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pull Down and Low Row Cable is the clear winner of this list for many different reasons. For one, this lat pulldown machine is made from sturdy and highly-quality materials that can stand the test of time.
For users looking for versatility in their exercises, the XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pull Down and Low Row Cable is a great buy. This machine is super versatile as it offers a combination of low and high pulley stations, allowing users to put their muscles to the test. Versatile enough, you can extend your classic lat pulldown exercises to 20 more variations.
Another key feature worth mentioning is the impressive nylon-coated, aircraft-quality cable with a tensile strength rating of 2000 pounds and a maximum load capacity of 400 pounds. Stability and sturdiness are critical in weightlifting and with its 11-gauge steel construction, bolts, and stabilizers, you can be assured that your powerlifting training is well-supported.
When assembled, it stands 213 cm. Which is great when you are a tall and bulky user.
Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X Lat – Best for Beginners
What we like
- Robust build of 11-gauge steel for its price point
- Includes several accessories, such as foam roller for knee support and short bar for low pulley routines
- Easy to assemble
- Decent 250 pounds weight capacity for beginner users
What we don’t like
- It doesn’t come with Olympic sleeve adapters
- Not ideal for users taller than 6’3″
For beginners who are not yet ready to invest in complicated and expensive lat pulldown machines, the Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X Lat is decent equipment. This budget-friendly machine has a 250-pound maximum capacity and sturdy frame (which can be very surprising for its price).
The machine allows a number of upper body exercises such as upright rows, seated rows, lat pulldowns. At this price point, you wouldn’t come across weight stacks. Instead, PLM180X uses 1” weight plates that you can purchase separately (unless you have some already) and requires a 2” Olympic plate adaptor if you’ll be using Olympic plates.
The Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X Lat is ideal for beginners because its maintenance is a breeze. You just need to periodically check the machine’s joints to see if these are still holding tight in their place and retighten whenever needed. If you hear any squeaking noises, simply add some lubricant, and you’re good to go!
Vanswe Lat Pulldown Machine – Best Budget
What we like
- A high-quality machine at an affordable price
- Easy to assemble with high and low pulleys for versatility
- Manufacturer offers a 10-year frame warranty
What we don’t like
- Only supports 250 pounds; anyone weighing more might feel uncomfortable using the machine
- It doesn’t include weight plates
Who says you need to put a dent in your bank account just to buy a lat pulldown machine at home? The Vanswe Lat Pulldown Machine proves that you don’t need to spend much to have a high-quality pulldown machine at home. This machine has 2″ x 2″ main steel tubes, making its frame sturdy and solid.
Another great feature of the Vanswe Lat Pulldown Machine is its high-density seat pad. This seat pad guarantees your comfort when working out as it’s easily adjustable through several knobs and supports your every movement. It also suits both standard and Olympic weight plates with 2” adaptor sleeves.
ARCHON Wall Mount Commercial Cable Station – Best Wall-Mounted Lat Pulldown Alternative
What we like
- Can accommodate standard weight plates and Olympic weight plates
- Easy to assemble as stations are mirrored copies of each other. Space-saving and can be bolted on both wall and floor for even stability.
- Made from high-quality welds and heavy-duty steel parts
- High weight capacity of 250 lbs.
What we don’t like
- Some users have reported noise in cables when being used
- It doesn’t come with weight stacks and will require you to use your own weight plates
If you’re eyeing to add a lat pulldown machine to one of the walls of your home gym, consider looking into the ARCHON Wall Mount commercial Cable Station. This bad boy makes it to our list because you can easily secure it to the wall—a feature that’s not often found on traditional lat machines.
The ARCHON Wall Mount commercial Cable Station has linear steel ball bearings and chrome rods, making it a smooth plate-loaded cable machine. The pulley wings of this machine aren’t connected by a bar, which means that you can position them depending on your preferences.
Archon dual pulleys feature 17 vertical adjustments positions, and when mounted, it’s stable and can hold a great weight capacity of 250 lbs. The machine can accommodate both standard and Olympic plates in the absence of weight stacks.
Marcy MWM 990 Multifunctional Home Gym With Lat – Best Multifunction Lat
What we like
- Easy to transition between different exercise routines
- Comfortable and high-quality paddings
- Includes several attachments and functionality for exercises beyond just lat pulldowns and low rows.
- Good resistance at 150 lbs. of weight stack with solid steel enclosure
What we don’t like
- Requires time and effort for assembly; some users spent two hours assembling the machine
- Ideal for users with smaller frame
Looking for a lat pulldown machine that offers tons of exercises? Then the Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym With Lat is the perfect option for you. Because of its high-quality build and weight stack lock, this machine has got to be on our list.
Labeled with medium versatility, the Marcy Multifunctional Home Gym With Lat offers around 30 exercises, making the machine ideal for beginner and immediate lifters. It features a 150-lb. selectorized weight stack, a dual functioning press arm, adjustable preacher curl bicep pad, and very comfortable roller pads. This lat targets different muscle groups, namely legs, arms, shoulders, abs, back, and chest.
With the addition of the overhead lat and low pulley stations, muscle building and overall body workout are easier with this complex machine. The only drawback is that the machine may be a little small for users above 6 feet. But for its affordable price and excellent functionality, the MWM 990 model is certainly a great piece.
Powertec Fitness Lat Machine – Best Splurge
What we like
- Impressive weight capacity of 500 pounds
- Weight stack option and sleek design
- High-quality pulleys offer smooth and quiet motion
- Adjustable lower seat with increased range of motion, ideal even for tall users
What we don’t like
- A bit expensive
- The machine tends to mild instability when being used
Powertec has been around since 1995 and has become one of the most trusted brands when it comes to gym equipment. Our team reviewed some of their products in the past, and all seem to impress us, especially the Powertec Fitness Lat machine.
The slick-looking machine demands a serious approach and is built with heavy-gauge steel that boasts the highest weight capacity compared to its contemporaries.
Unlike its counterparts, the Powertec Fitness Lat machine has an impressive max capacity of 500 pounds, high-quality steel bearing pulleys that offer a smooth motion, and a heavy-duty 12 gauge steel frame. Undeniably, this lat pulldown machine is perfect for people committed to their weight and endurance training.
Overall, the machine is close to commercial-grade machines you’ll find in your gym. The only thing we wish to improve is the stability, but bolting it on the floor significantly helps.
Body-Solid Pro GLM83 – Best Comfort and Versatility
What we like
- Thick and comfortable seat pad
- Lifetime warranty on everything, saving you money from repairs and replacements
- 300 lb. maximum load capacity
- 8-position adjustable rollers to help you plant your feet on the floor and lock down your legs
What we don’t like
- Weight plates not included
- No weight stack option
The Body-Solid Pro GLM83 is a robust lat that offers excellent comfort and versatility. This machine comes with adjustable seats and patented nylon bushings to ensure comfort as you’re using it. With its no cable change technology, the Body-Solid Pro GLM83 also allows you to shift your positions with ease.
What we particularly love about the Body-Solid Pro GLM83 is that it’s a versatile lat pulldown machine that’s worth every dollar. The top attachment of the machine allows you to place a wide grip bar and perform chin-ups. The footbar attached to the machine provides optimal support for sit-ups and other abs tightening exercises.
Soozier Lat Pulldown – Best Compact
What we like
- The combination of its vinyl upholstery and thick padding guarantees maximum comfort
- It comes with several workout attachments, namely chest press, high pulley, low pulley, and leg developer
- Quiet operation and space-saving. Ideal for apartment use
- Decent weight capacity of 220 pounds
What we don’t like
- The combination of its vinyl upholstery and thick padding guarantees maximum comfort
- It comes with several workout attachments, namely chest press, high pulley, low pulley, and leg developer
- Quiet operation and space-saving. Ideal for apartment use
- Decent weight capacity of 220 pounds
Not everyone has the resources to invest in a spacious home gym. We understand this dilemma, which is why we’ve included the Soozier Lat Pulldown on our list. Its assembled dimensions are 52.4″ L x 42.1″ W x 80.3″ H, making it one of the most compact lat pulldown machines in the market today.
You can place the pull rod of the Soozier Lat Pulldown in different positions so that you can target different muscle groups. This machine also comes with a multi-position foam roller that keeps you comfortable and locks you in place as you perform high-intensity workouts. Its maximum weight capacity of 220 pounds is decent enough for its compact size and features a solid frame with five adjustable height positions for more comfort and resistance level.
We only wish the handles would feature a non-slip rubber sleeve for a more secured pull-down exercise. Otherwise, this compact machine gets the job done and is ideal for cramped-up spaces and it’s priced very reasonably.
TDS Super Lat Pulldown – Best for Endurance Training
What we like
- It comes with thick-covered foam rollers
- High-quality ball-bearing pulleys that offers smooth and seamless workouts
- Impressive maximum weight capacity of 600 lbs.
- Deluxe stitched seat and non-slip end caps for stability when working out
What we don’t like
- A bit expensive
- Difficult assembly directions
The TDS Super Lat Pulldown is one of the best lat pulldown machines as it’s durable enough to support all sorts of endurance training exercises. Do you want to strengthen your arm by doing several repetitions of straight arm pulldown? Or tone your shoulders with cape rope face-pull? The TDS Super Lat Pulldown is a superb option.
Another reason why TDS Super Lat Pulldown is a strong contender on our list is because of its impressive weight capacity of more than 600 pounds. This is a machine that you can get for less than $500 but has a heavy-duty steel construction. Highly recommended if you are a heavy lifter.
Body-Solid Pro Clubline SLM-300G/3 – Best Commercial Grade Lat
What we like
- Smooth nylon-coated cables with drag-free pulleys
- No cable change design for swift long-pull and seated row
- Includes an option of 210 or 310 weight stack
- High tensile strength frame that is made to be scratch and chip resistant with lifetime warranty
What we don’t like
- It only comes with two cable handles
- Some users found it challenging to assemble the machine
The Body-Solid Pro Clubline has become a favorite in many homes and commercial gyms, which is why it’s just right that we include this machine on our list. And this lat pulldown machine definitely doesn’t disappoint—it’s extremely versatile and offers extraordinary capabilities absent from its counterparts.
When you buy the Body-Solid Pro Lat, you’ll get a high pulley overhead for maximum shoulder and back isolation. Its extra-long pulldown bar also allows you to pick between wide, medium, or narrow handgrip positions to target different muscle groups. The SLM300G/3 is the upgraded 310 lb weight stack from the 210 lb of SLM300G/2. The 100 lb. variance makes a difference if you are after better resistance in training.
We also love the aircraft-quality, nylon-coated cables for smoother motion that requires no changing when switching between high and mid pulls. Pulleys are also very smooth with zero drag and powerlifting is assisted with the high-tensile strength steel frame that is made to be scratch and chip resistant.
And did we mention that this power rack also has adjustable hold-down pads? This feature supports you during your lift so that you can accommodate weights heavier than your body weight. This standalone lat pulldown machine can handle 1-inch plates and may need an adapter for Olympic plates. The Body-Solid offering has been around for many years and we clearly see why it can sustain its classic appeal amongst serious bodybuilders and commercial gym owners.
Our Verdict
Yep, online and offline markets today offer different types of lat pulldown machines. But despite the number of options available, one lat pulldown machine clearly stood out—the XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable. Aside from its versatility, this lat machine offers the best level of comfort, strength, and stability among all the models on this list.
We were also impressed with the design of the XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable. This lat pull-down machine was constructed with functionality and appeal in mind. It’s made from high-quality materials that will surely look good in every home gym.
The Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X Lat ranks second in our list because of its safety features and solid build. Regardless of whether you’re an amateur or experienced lifter, this fitness equipment offers everything you can possibly need to sweat and train.
Here’s What You Should Look For When Buying A Lat Pulldown Machine
Buying a lat pull-down machine will come off easier when you know what to look for. With this information, you can shortlist options and find the perfect machine for your needs, budget, and gym size.
Price
Research to determine the average prices of lat pulldown machines in your area. Use this information to set a realistic budget and make sure that you stick to it. Regardless of how tempting it is, never buy a machine that’s way beyond your budget, as this can cause problems in the long run.
Weight Limit And Load Capacity
The weight limit and load capacity of the lat pulldown machine you’ll buy depends on your experience as a lifter and gender. Men new to lifting should invest in a lat pulldown machine with a weight limit of 84 pounds, while advanced lifters can go up to 250 pounds.
On the other hand, women who are beginners can start with 43 pounds. For advanced lifters, 150 pounds is more ideal.
Cable
Pay attention to the materials used in the construction of the cables. Look for a lat pulldown machine with cables made from high-strength materials and steel wires. Additionally, consider how the cables operate when in use. The best lat machine will offer smooth operation regardless of the weight stack. We recommend you look for nylon-covered aircraft-quality cables to ensure smooth motions and reliable cable strength.
Assembly
Invest in a lat pulldown machine with easy-to-follow assembly instructions, especially if you’re buying one for the first time. Lat pulldown machines with complicated instructions often cause stress, delay your ability to use the machine, and in worse cases, cause injuries and accidents.
Construction Quality
Take the time to check the construction quality of the lat pulldown machine. Are the bolts tight and secured in place? Does the machine look and feel durable? The functionality of the machine, as well as your safety while using it, depends on the construction quality, so never skip this one. Consider the steel gauge and finish. 11-gauge steel or higher is ideal to support heavy training.
Warranty
To save money in the long run, invest in a lat pulldown machine that offers warranties. The longer the warranty offered by the manufacturer, the better.
Pulley
Look for a lat pulldown machine that offers a high-quality and versatile pulley system, so you can engage in different exercises. The ARCHON Wall Mount commercial Cable Station meets this qualification as it has a dual swivel pulley station, allowing you to make use of 17 vertical positions for unilateral and bilateral training.
The lat pulldown machine you’ll buy can significantly affect your health and wellness in the long run. Buying a machine that doesn’t suit your budget or experience in working will likely result in stress and injuries. You don’t want these to happen, right?
Take note of the information we presented here and use it as your guide when buying lat pulldown machines. We’ve carefully created this list for you, so you won’t have any problems finding the perfect lat pulldown machine for your home or garage gym!
