A leg exoskeleton is a frame you strap to your waist, thighs or shins, with small motors (or springs) at the hip, the knee or the ankle that add a push or a brake to each step. In the US, nearly all the ones you can order today assist the hip or the knee, and cost from $889 to $2,299 (prices checked Oct 1 and Oct 5, 2026); one ankle device, the Dephy Sidekick, costs $4,500 (Oct 7, 2026). They make walking and climbing less tiring; they do not make you superhuman, and they are not medical devices.
The first question is not “which brand” but “which joint”: the hip pushes you forward, the knee brakes you on the way down. This page maps the joints, lists what is sold in the US for each one, and sends you to the right comparison.
1 to 5 products · Updated 10/12/2026
-
1. Best hip model
Hypershell X Ultra
- 1,000 W and 12 modes
- Two 18.6-mile batteries in the box
- SGS-certified carbon fiber frame
1,000 W and two 18.6-mile batteries for $600 less than the X Ultra S, which has the same power and range. It pays off on steep, repeated climbs and heavy loads; for lighter needs, the X Carbon costs $400 less.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.5Real-world range10.0Weight and comfort9.0Value for money10.0Warranty and support9.5 -
2. Best value at the hip
Hypershell X Carbon
- Two batteries for the price of the one-battery X Pro S
- GORE-TEX outer fabric and titanium hip levers
- Free shipping from a US warehouse
Two batteries, a carbon frame and GORE-TEX fabric for the price of the one-battery X Pro S. The X Ultra adds 1,000 W and 37.3 miles of range for $400 more, so it stays our top pick; the X Carbon is the smart step below it.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.0Real-world range8.5Weight and comfort9.0Value for money9.0Warranty and support9.5 -
3. Only knee model in stock
Dnsys Z1
- Built for the knee
- Energy recovery on descents
- Size range published in black and white
The most distinctive product in our comparison: where the others assist the hip, the Z1 assists the knee and recovers energy on descents. It is the only dedicated knee unit here, but the standard version has one battery and adds no push uphill.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.0Real-world range7.5Weight and comfort10.0Value for money8.5Warranty and support7.0 -
4. Hip and knee, preorder
Hypershell Halo
- Hip and knee both motorized
- IP54 and rated down to -4 °F
- 30+ sensors and an AI that predicts movement 0.2 seconds ahead
Four coordinated motors assist the hip and the knee, going up and coming down: no other consumer exoskeleton motorizes both joints. Main drawback: weight, 7.1 lb on the body plus a 0.8 lb battery. It is also a preorder, shipping late November 2026.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power10.0Real-world range7.5Weight and comfort7.0Value for money8.5Warranty and support9.5 -
5. Lowest price
Dnsys X1
- 900 W peak and 40 N·m of torque
- The least expensive motor above 800 W
- The lightest hip model in our comparison
A credible but rougher alternative: 900 W and 40 N·m for $110 less than the Hypershell X Carbon. Range and strap comfort fall behind Hypershell, and it ships with one battery. Consider it when price is the deciding factor.Our score Our score breakdownAssist power9.0Real-world range7.0Weight and comfort9.0Value for money9.0Warranty and support7.0
Editorial and user score scale: from < 5 to 10 · amber is reserved for the user score
The joint map: hip, knee, both, or ankle
Every leg exoskeleton puts its assist at one or two joints. That choice decides what it helps with, what it ignores, and what you can buy in the US right now.
| Joint assisted | What it helps | What it does not do | In the US (Oct 2026) | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⬆️ Hip | Pushes the thigh forward and back on every stride: climbs, distance, brisk walking | Little for the knee on descents and stairs down | Five brands in stock: Hypershell, Dnsys, Ascentiz, AstroShell, VIGX; AlpWalk S1 on preorder (ships Q4 2026) | $889 to $1,999.99 in stock |
| ⬇️ Knee | Guides and brakes the knee: descents, stairs, bending under load | No push uphill on the model in stock | One model in stock: Dnsys Z1; Yrobot sold out, IRMO launching soon, Skip MO/GO preorder (summer 2027) | $1,299 to $1,999 in stock (Z1 and Z1 Pro); Skip $4,999 preorder |
| 🔁 Hip and knee | Both jobs: push on the way up, brake on the way down | Light weight: more motors, more pounds on your legs | One preorder: Hypershell Halo, ships late November 2026 | $2,299 (Halo) |
| 🦶 Ankle | Pushes off at the end of the stride | Anything above the shin | Dephy Sidekick (Massachusetts), sold online | $4,500 starter pack, with two batteries and shoes (Dephy store, Oct 5, 2026) |
Prices are US store prices checked on Oct 1, 2026 (Hypershell, Dnsys, Ascentiz, AstroShell) and Oct 5, 2026 (VIGX, Skip), always indicative. If you do not know where your legs give out, start with the hip: it is where the market is largest and where most of the effort of walking comes from.
Robotic legs for humans: what the term really covers
People search for “robotic legs”, “bionic legs” or “mechanical legs” and land on four very different things. Only the first one is a product you can order online and the subject of this site.
| What it is | Who it is for | How you get one | On this site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥾 Consumer leg exoskeleton (powered hip or knee frame) | People who can walk on their own and want walks, hikes and climbs to cost less effort | Online, from the brand’s US store or Amazon, $689 to $2,299 | Yes: every review and ranking |
| 🏥 Medical exoskeleton (full-leg robotic frame) | People with paralysis or severe walking impairment, under clinical supervision | Prescription, rehab clinic or specialist program; regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Examples: ReWalk, Ekso Indego, Wandercraft | Mentioned only, no links |
| 🦿 Bionic leg (powered prosthesis) | People with a leg amputation | Fitted by a prosthetist, through the medical system | Not covered |
| 🪑 Wearable chair (passive struts that lock) | Workers who stand all day and want to sit anywhere | Employer or brand store; no motor, no battery | See wearable chairs |
So if you cannot stand or walk without help, a consumer leg exoskeleton is not the answer: Hypershell, for one, states that Halo users must be able to stand, move their legs and keep their balance on their own. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about the medical options.
Every leg exoskeleton we cover, by joint
- Hip, Hypershell: X Ultra, X Carbon, X Max S, X Ultra S and X Pro S. The older X Pro and X Go are unavailable in the US store (Oct 1, 2026).
- Hip, other brands: Dnsys X1, Ascentiz H Ultra and H Pro, AstroShell Alpha 1, VIGX π, π Plus and Ant-H1 Pro (shipped from China), and the AlpWalk S1 (preorder).
- Knee: Dnsys Z1 (in stock), Yrobot PowrKnee X (sold out Oct 5, 2026), IRMO M1 (launching soon), Skip MO/GO (powered knee pants, preorder for summer 2027).
- Hip and knee: Hypershell Halo, a preorder.
Which page should you read next?
| If you want… | Read | What you will find |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 The best leg exoskeleton, all joints | Best exoskeleton for legs | Six models ranked by where they help: climbs, descents or both |
| 🦵 Help for your knees on descents and stairs | Best knee exoskeleton | The one knee model in stock, and a dated list of the ones coming |
| ⬆️ To understand hip models and compare brands | Hip exoskeleton | How they work, every hip model sold in the US, how to fit one |
| 🚶 Gentle help for everyday walking | Best walking assist exoskeleton | The lightest, simplest devices, with a soft tone for older walkers |
| ⛰️ More miles and elevation on the trail | Best hiking exoskeleton | Range, rain and pack weight on real trails |
| 💵 The lowest price that still works | Cheap exoskeleton | What you get, and what you lose, under about $1,100 |
Leg exoskeletons for sale: four things to know first
- Weight sits on your legs. Hip models weigh 4.0 to 5.7 lb (1.8 to 2.6 kg) with a battery, mostly at the waist; the Dnsys Z1 knee pair weighs 3.1 lb (1.4 kg); the hip-and-knee Halo is 7.1 lb (3.2 kg) plus its battery.
- Spec-sheet range is a best case. Our rule of thumb from owner reports: count on about half the listed miles at strong assist.
- Where it ships from changes the deal. Hypershell, Dnsys and Ascentiz ship from US warehouses; VIGX ships from China with a 7-day return window. Details in where to buy an exoskeleton.
- Preorder is not stock. Halo, AlpWalk S1 and Skip MO/GO cannot be delivered today; we never rank them first.
Leg exoskeleton questions, answered
Can you buy robotic legs for humans?
Yes, if you mean a powered leg exoskeleton for people who already walk: hip and knee models sell online in the US from $689 to $2,299 (checked Oct 1 and Oct 5, 2026). Full-leg robotic frames that let people with paralysis walk exist too, but they are medical devices obtained through a clinic, not products you order online.
How much does a leg exoskeleton cost?
For a consumer model in stock in the US: $889 (Dnsys X1 Carbon, hip; the $689 X1 Lite was out of stock on Oct 8, 2026) to $1,999.99 (VIGX Ant-H1 Pro, hip), with the Dnsys Z1 knee pair at $1,299 (prices checked Oct 1 and Oct 5, 2026). Preorders go up to $2,299 for the hip-and-knee Hypershell Halo and $4,999 for the Skip MO/GO knee pants. Our leg exoskeleton price guide breaks the costs down by joint, and our knee exoskeleton price guide covers each knee model.
Hip or knee: which leg exoskeleton do I need?
If climbs and long distances wear you out, a hip model. If descents and stairs are the hard part, a knee model. If both, a hip-and-knee model, preorders only for now. Our leg ranking settles it with a decision table.
Is a leg exoskeleton a medical device?
Not the consumer ones on this site: they are recreation products designed to assist, and they do not treat any condition. Medical exoskeletons are a separate category, regulated by the FDA and used under clinical supervision. If a health issue affects your walking, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist first.
Jean Messina
Independent comparison of consumer exoskeletons
How we review
- Hands-on at trade shows and in stores, cross-checked with published tests and real user feedback.
- Verified specifications from several sources, with data normalized for easy comparison.
- No test bench: the spec sheet figures are the manufacturer’s.
- Prices and availability tracked regularly, rankings continuously updated.