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The best rowing machines give you a low-impact, full-body workout that hits your legs, back, core and arms in one smooth motion, which makes them one of the most efficient pieces of home cardio gear you can buy. As the weather turns cold and New Year fitness plans start forming, we compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews of air, water and magnetic rowers from Concept2, Hydrow, WaterRower, Ergatta, Aviron, NordicTrack, Echelon, Sunny Health and Merach. Here are nine picks for serious training, guided classes, small spaces and tight budgets.
Quick picks
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg | Best overall | $$ | See price |
| Hydrow Wave Rower | Guided classes in less space | $$$ | See price |
| WaterRower Natural with S4 Monitor | Water rowing in living spaces | $$$ | See price |
| Ergatta Lite Rower | Gamified workouts | $$$ | See price |
| Aviron Strong Series Rower | Big users and gamers | $$$$ | See price |
| NordicTrack RW900 Rower | iFIT classes and quiet rowing | $$$ | See price |
| Echelon Row-S | Foldable smart rower | $$$ | See price |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801 | Budget magnetic | $ | See price |
| Merach Q1S Rowing Machine | Lowest-cost smart rower | $ | See price |
Price tiers: $ = under $500, $$ = $500 to $1,200, $$$ = $1,200 to $2,000, $$$$ = over $2,000. Connected rowers also charge a monthly membership for classes.
1. Concept2 RowErg: Best Overall
The Concept2 RowErg is the rower you will find in CrossFit boxes, college boathouses and serious home gyms, and both Garage Gym Reviews and Fitness Volt rank it at or near the top. Its air flywheel responds to how hard you pull, and an adjustable damper lets you change the feel. The PM5 monitor delivers accurate, repeatable data, connects over Bluetooth to dozens of training apps and needs no subscription. It supports users up to 500 pounds, separates into two pieces or stands upright for storage, and is famously durable. The tradeoffs: it is noisier than magnetic rowers, long at about 8 feet, and its monitor is basic next to touchscreen rivals.
Key specs
- Resistance: air flywheel with adjustable damper
- Monitor: PM5 with Bluetooth, works with 40+ apps
- Max user weight: 500 pounds
- Footprint: about 96 x 24 inches in use; stores upright or in two pieces
- Subscription: none required
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners call it bombproof and say it holds value for years; the fan noise and long footprint are the most common gripes in apartments.
2. Hydrow Wave Rower: Best for Guided Classes in Less Space
The Hydrow Wave is a more compact, more affordable version of Hydrow’s connected rower. At about 80 inches long and 19 inches wide it fits smaller rooms, and its electromagnetic resistance feels smooth and quiet. The 16-inch HD touchscreen streams Hydrow’s scenic on-the-water workouts, which many users find more motivating than staring at numbers. A membership is required to get the most out of it, the frame does not fold, and the vertical storage kit is sold separately.
Key specs
- Resistance: electromagnetic
- Screen: 16-inch HD touchscreen
- Max user weight: 375 pounds
- Footprint: about 80 x 19 inches; about 102 pounds
- Subscription: Hydrow membership required for classes
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Members say the classes keep them consistent; the monthly fee and the extra cost of the storage kit are the usual complaints.
3. WaterRower Natural with S4 Monitor: Best Water Rower for Living Spaces
The WaterRower’s wooden frame looks more like furniture than fitness equipment, which is why it is popular in living rooms and apartments. Paddles spinning in a water tank create a natural, whooshing resistance that feels close to rowing on open water, and the machine stores upright when you are done. Fitness Volt notes the S4 monitor is less advanced than Concept2’s PM5, and the water tank needs occasional maintenance.
Key specs
- Resistance: water
- Frame: solid wood (ash)
- Monitor: S4
- Storage: stands upright
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love the look and the calming sound of the water; some wish the monitor offered more data and connectivity.
4. Ergatta Lite Rower: Best Gamified Rowing Machine
Ergatta turns rowing into a video game, with races and goal-based workouts on a 17.3-inch HD touchscreen. The Lite version keeps Ergatta’s attractive wood-and-water design and strong programming at a lower price than the Luxe, weighing about 72 pounds and storing vertically with the monitor folded down. Its 320-pound user limit is lower than some rivals, foot placement is narrow, and the full experience requires a membership.
Key specs
- Resistance: water
- Screen: 17.3-inch HD touchscreen
- Max user weight: 320 pounds
- Storage: stands vertically
- Subscription: optional membership for game-based workouts
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Users say the games make workouts fly by; taller and heavier rowers mention the seat height and foot position.
5. Aviron Strong Series Rower: Best for Bigger Users and Gamers
Garage Gym Reviews names the Aviron Strong Series its best high-end rower. It combines air and magnetic resistance, supports users up to about 507 pounds, and has a 22-inch HD touchscreen that pivots for floor work. Aviron’s programming leans on games, races and streaming entertainment, so expect to pay for a membership. It does not fold but stores upright, and at over 110 pounds it is a heavy machine.
Key specs
- Resistance: combined air and magnetic, 16 levels
- Screen: 22-inch pivoting HD touchscreen
- Max user weight: about 507 pounds
- Footprint: about 84 x 27 inches; stores upright
- Subscription: required for full programming
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the competitive games and solid feel; the combined price of the machine and membership is the main hesitation.
6. NordicTrack RW900 Rower: Best for iFIT Classes
The RW900 is a big-screen magnetic rower built around iFIT’s trainer-led classes, which can automatically adjust its 26 resistance levels during a workout. Testers found it very quiet and smooth with a comfortable seat, and the large HD touchscreen pivots and tilts for off-rower workouts. It does not fold, its weight limit trails the top picks, and Garage Gym Reviews notes that storing it in a garage voids the warranty.
Key specs
- Resistance: magnetic, 26 levels with auto-adjust
- Screen: large pivoting HD touchscreen
- Footprint: about 82 x 22 inches; does not fold
- Subscription: iFIT membership for classes
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: iFIT fans love the trainer-controlled resistance; others dislike needing a membership to unlock the screen’s full value.
7. Echelon Row-S: Best Foldable Smart Rower
Echelon’s Row-S pairs 32 levels of magnetic resistance with a 22-inch swiveling touchscreen for live and on-demand classes, and its auto-folding design makes it easier to tuck away than most smart rowers. At around 108 pounds it is still heavy, and like other connected machines the best experience requires a membership.
Key specs
- Resistance: magnetic, 32 levels
- Screen: 22-inch swiveling touchscreen
- Storage: folds
- Weight: about 108 pounds
- Subscription: Echelon membership for classes
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers like folding it away after class; some find the membership pricing confusing.
8. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801: Best Budget Magnetic Rower
Sunny’s SF-RW5801 is a quiet magnetic rower with 16 resistance levels that folds to a compact footprint, making it a smart choice for apartments and beginners. It supports users up to 285 pounds. The monitor is basic and the stroke feels less like real rowing than air or water machines, but for steady cardio at a low price it is a strong value.
Key specs
- Resistance: magnetic, 16 levels
- Max user weight: 285 pounds
- Storage: folds to about 36 x 23 x 47 inches
- Monitor: basic workout display
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like how quiet it is for early-morning workouts; experienced rowers find it limiting.
9. Merach Q1S Rowing Machine: Best Lowest-Cost Smart Rower
The Merach Q1S is an inexpensive magnetic rower with 16 levels, a listed capacity of 350 pounds and Bluetooth app support for tracking workouts. Fitness Volt cautions that it is not a serious training rower and that its app metrics should not be compared with Concept2 data, but for casual cardio on a tight budget it gets the job done.
Key specs
- Resistance: magnetic, 16 levels
- Max user weight: 350 pounds (listed)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth app support
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers call it a good starter rower for the price; durability over years of hard use is the open question.
How to choose the best rowing machine for home
Resistance type. Air rowers like the Concept2 feel responsive and are the training standard, but they are louder. Water rowers feel natural and sound soothing. Magnetic rowers are the quietest and most compact, which suits apartments and early mornings.
Space and storage. Most rowers need about 8 feet of length plus room to move. If space is tight, look for models that fold or stand upright, and measure your ceiling height for vertical storage.
User weight and height. Check the maximum user weight and inseam or height limits. Taller users should look for a long rail so they can reach full leg extension.
Screen and subscription. Touchscreen rowers with classes can be very motivating but usually require a monthly membership. If you prefer to train by numbers or use your own apps, a subscription-free monitor like the PM5 saves money.
Noise. Consider neighbors and family. Magnetic and water rowers are quieter than air rowers.
Warranty and build. Steel or aluminum rails and longer frame warranties are signs a rower will last. Note any conditions, such as storage rules, that could affect coverage.
FAQ
Is a rowing machine good for losing weight?
Rowing works many major muscle groups at once and can be done at high or low intensity, so it is an efficient form of cardio. Results depend on consistency and overall habits. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have health concerns.
Is rowing better than a treadmill?
Rowing is lower impact and works the upper body as well as the legs, while a treadmill is better for training for running or walking events. Many people use both. See our treadmill guide if you are comparing.
How much space does a rowing machine need?
Plan for roughly 8 to 9 feet of length and 2 to 3 feet of width for most full-size rowers, plus clearance on each side. Folding and upright-storing models free up floor space between workouts.
How long should a rowing workout be?
Beginners often start with 10 to 20 minutes and build gradually. Focus on proper form, driving with your legs before pulling with your arms, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance and user limits for your machine.
Related guides
Sources
Garage Gym Reviews: Best Rowing Machines; Fitness Volt: Best Rowing Machines for Home Gyms. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.