WIRED在专业田径场对两款可购买的消费级外骨骼进行了正面对比测试：售价1999美元的Hypershell X Ultra与售价1899美元的Dnsys X1 Carbon Pro。两家公司均成立于2021年，是目前仅有的两家提供消费级产品的厂商。市场研究显示，消费级外骨骼市场规模预计将从2025年的超过5亿美元增长至2030年的超过20亿美元，约四倍扩张。厂商宣称的性能提升包括心率降低42%、步行用力减少20%、髋屈肌耐力提升63%，或功率需求降低最多50%。

测试包括400米等速慢跑、60米冲刺以及3分钟楼梯攀爬，并与无外骨骼的基线数据对比。结果显示，两款设备在慢跑和爬楼时均能略微降低心率和主观用力感，但收益高度依赖使用者体能状况。体能一般的测试者获益明显，而健康、活跃的48岁测试者仅获得边际改善。两款设备单机重量约4磅，在楼梯测试中负重感更为明显。

在直接对比中，Hypershell以更平顺的助力、更自然的步态和近乎无声的运行占优。Dnsys在高功率模式下提供更强烈、但不够精细的推拉感，噪音显著，体验被形容为生硬和卡通化。冲刺测试中，两款外骨骼的速度均略快于无辅助状态，但差异极小。综合舒适性、噪音、控制和平顺度，Hypershell X Ultra被评为整体表现更优的产品。

WIRED conducted a head-to-head test of two commercially available consumer exoskeletons on a professional athletics track: the $1,999 Hypershell X Ultra and the $1,899 Dnsys X1 Carbon Pro. Both companies were founded in 2021 and are currently the only sellers of consumer models. Market estimates suggest the sector will grow from over $500 million in 2025 to more than $2 billion by 2030, roughly a fourfold increase. Claimed benefits include a 42% lower heart rate, 20% less walking exertion, 63% greater hip flexor endurance, or up to a 50% reduction in power demand.

Testing covered a 400-meter steady jog, 60-meter sprints, and 3-minute stair climbs, compared against unaided baselines. Results showed both devices slightly reduced heart rate and perceived effort during jogging and stair climbing, but gains varied strongly by user fitness. A less fit tester saw clear benefits, while a healthy, active 48-year-old experienced only marginal improvements. Each unit weighs about four pounds, a factor that became more noticeable during stair climbing.

In direct comparison, the Hypershell delivered smoother assistance, a more natural stride, and near-silent operation. The Dnsys felt more forceful at high settings but less refined, with significantly higher noise and jerky motion. Sprint speeds were marginally faster with both exoskeletons than without, though differences were small. Overall, considering comfort, noise, control, and smoothness, the Hypershell X Ultra emerged as the clearer overall winner.