Best quads exercises on machines

Exercises where quads are a main mover and that need a machine or Smith machine, plus a bench at most. Best muscle growth rating first, with more weight on ratings several sources agree on. The full quads ranking covers every kind of equipment.

1Machine hack squatSquatHack squat machineVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Peak tension at a deep stretch. Also works glutes.
Growth
4.2 5 sources
Worth the fatigue
4.2 5 sources
Injury risk
3.0 2 sources
2Machine belt squatSquatBelt squat machineTop tier for the target muscle. Hard in the stretched position. Also works glutes and adductors.
Growth
4.5 2 sources
Worth the fatigue
5.0 1 source
3Smith machine squatSquatSmith machineVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works glutes and adductors.
Growth
3.7 3 sources
Worth the fatigue
4.0 1 source
Injury risk
3.0 2 sources
4Machine leg pressSquatLeg press machineVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Hard in the stretched position. Also works glutes and adductors.
Growth
3.5 6 sources
Worth the fatigue
3.3 3 sources
Injury risk
2.0 1 source
5Pendulum squatSquatPendulum squat machineVery good; among the better picks for the muscle. Also works glutes.
Growth
3.5 2 sources
6Leg extensionKnee extensionLeg extension machineSolid; a reasonable default.
Growth
3.1 8 sources
Worth the fatigue
4.5 2 sources
Injury risk
2.0 1 source
7Single-leg Smith machine squatSquatSmith machineSolid; a reasonable default. Also works glutes.
Growth
3.0 1 source
8Vertical leg pressSquatLeg press machineBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works glutes and adductors.
Growth
2.0 1 source
Injury risk
4.0 1 source

Not rated yet

Smith machine front-foot-elevated lungeLungeSmith machinePeak tension at a deep stretch. Also works glutes and hamstrings.
Smith machine lungeLungeSmith machineAlso works glutes and hamstrings.