HAJEX Smith Machines Compared: Z1, X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5

We sell six Smith machines, and the question we hear most is simple: which one should I buy? The honest answer depends on three things: whether you want to load your own plates, how easily the machine can get into your space, and how hard it will be used. This guide puts all six side by side so you can narrow it down in a few minutes.

Two families: plate-loaded or weight stack

Plate-loaded (Z1 and X1). You add your own 2-inch Olympic plates to the Smith bar and the cable stations. With no weight built in, the frame is lighter, it ships in numbered boxes and the price is lower. If you don't own plates yet, budget for a set.

Weight stack (X2, X3, X4 and X5). Two pin-select stacks are built into the frame. To change the weight on the cable stations, you move a pin: nothing to load and nothing to strip. These machines weigh far more, so they travel in a wooden crate on a pallet.

All six at a glance

The plate-loaded machines

Smith Machine Z1

The Z1 is the most apartment-friendly machine we make. Its bar runs on linear ball bearings rather than plastic bushings, so it moves smoothly and quietly, and the Limit Device lets you set bottom stops to your exact range of motion, backed by 9 lockout positions. A multi-grip pull-up bar and lat pulldown sit up top, and a low pulley handles rows and curls.

• In the box: multi-grip pull-up bar, straight lat pulldown bar, EZ curl bar, 2 J-hooks, 4 foam rollers and a complete hardware pack with wrenches and hex keys.
• Recommended loads: 250 lb on the Smith bar, 250 lb on the pull-up bar and 100 lb per loading horn.
• Size: 84.5 in tall on a 47.1 × 47 in base, and 72 in wide with the bar.
• Plates: 2-inch (50 mm) Olympic plates. Standard 1-inch plates won't fit without an adapter.

Best for: a first Smith machine, condos and upstairs rooms, and anyone who already owns Olympic plates. See the Z1

Smith Machine X1

The X1 is a plate-loaded frame built on 70 × 50 × 2 mm steel tube, with a multi-cable pulley system and storage posts that keep your plates off the floor. It comes with a full set of handles: a high pull handle, short and long straight handles, a biceps handle, pull-up handles and a deadlift extension.

From one station you can squat, bench press, row, split squat and train your arms on the cables. It arrives in 5 numbered boxes, none over 99 lb, with assembly instructions.

Best for: home lifters who want plenty of cable attachments in a plate-loaded frame. See the X1

The weight-stack machines

Smith Machine X2

The X2 is our entry stack machine: a 528 lb guided frame with two 132 lb pin-select stacks, for a total system weight of 792 lb. Linear bearings give a smooth bar path, and it adds a multi-grip pull-up bar, adjustable safety stops and plate storage posts.

Best for: home gyms that want built-in stacks for cable work and a guided bar on a solid frame. See the X2

Smith Machine X3

The X3 has our heaviest frame: 660 lb of 3.0 mm steel, the thickest gauge in the range, on an extra-wide reinforced base. Frame mass is what keeps a machine planted under heavy squats and through a full day of use. It carries two 165 lb stacks (330 lb in total) and includes a 2-inch Olympic barbell, adjustable J-hooks, safety spotter arms, band pegs and landmine compatibility. Total system weight is 990 lb.

Best for: heavy daily use, households with several lifters and commercial floors. See the X3

Smith Machine X4

The X4 carries the largest stacks we build: two 220 lb stacks, 440 lb in total, on a 605 lb frame. At 1,045 lb it is the heaviest complete system we ship. Like the X3, it includes a 2-inch Olympic barbell, J-hooks, safety spotter arms, a multi-grip pull-up bar, band pegs and landmine compatibility.

Best for: strong lifters who want the most weight on the cables. See the X4

Smith Machine X5

The X5 is built on 75 × 75 × 2.5 mm tubing, the largest steel section in our range, with two 70 kg stacks (308 lb in total). For a stack machine its footprint is compact at 2080 × 1420 mm (about 82 × 56 in), and it stands 2260 mm (about 89 in) tall. The pull-up station offers wide, narrow and neutral grips.

Best for: a full stack machine in a tighter space. See the X5

How to choose

• You already own Olympic plates, or want the lowest starting cost: Z1 or X1.
• Delivery means stairs, an elevator or a tight hallway: Z1 (no box over 63 lb) or X1 (no box over 99 lb).
• You want cable work without loading plates: X2, X3, X4 or X5.
• Several people will use it every day: X3.
• You want the most stack weight: X4.
• Floor space is tight but you want stacks: X5.

Before you order

• Measure your ceiling at the lowest point, under beams, ducts and lights. The Z1 is 84.5 in tall and the X5 about 89 in. For other models, ask us for the dimensions.
• Plan the delivery. Standard delivery is to the curb or your building entrance. Crated machines need a clear path, a second person and a tool to break the crate down.
• Every model carries a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects.
• See it before you buy. We can walk you through a machine on a live WhatsApp video call at +1 855-396-9333.

Frequently asked questions

Will my plates fit?

The Z1 and X1 take 2-inch (50 mm) Olympic plates. Measure the hole in your plates: if it is 2 inches across, they fit. Standard 1-inch plates won't fit without a sleeve adapter.

Can I train without a spotter?

Yes, that is one of the main reasons people choose a Smith machine. The bar runs on a guided track and can be racked at points along its path, so you can end a set wherever you need to. The Z1, X2, X3 and X4 also have adjustable safety stops or spotter arms: set them just below the lowest point of your lift.

Do I still need plates with a stack machine?

The built-in stacks cover the cable stations, so rows, pulldowns, curls and cable presses need no plates. For heavy bar work, most owners also keep a set of Olympic plates, and the X2, X3 and X4 have storage posts for them. If you're unsure what your workouts will need, ask us before you order.

How is a Smith machine delivered?

The Z1 and X1 arrive in numbered boxes (none over 63 lb for the Z1, 99 lb for the X1). The X2 to X5 arrive in a wooden crate on a pallet by curbside freight. Shipping is calculated at checkout from weight and region, and US orders ship with duties included. See how shipping works for heavy equipment.

Can I pick it up?

Yes. Free pickup is available at our Anjou (Montreal) warehouse by appointment. Call or email before you come, and bring a vehicle that suits the order: the crated machines need a truck or trailer.

Still weighing up the options? Read Power Rack vs Squat Stand vs Smith Machine, or contact us with questions about any model.