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Rowing Machines
Every rowing machine page we publish, in one place. Each ranked guide scores five rowers for one situation with FitScore, built from the Amazon US listing specs and weighted for that buyer. Reviews and head-to-head comparisons go deeper on single models, and the guides and free calculators cover technique, workouts, sizing and erg numbers.
- 14ranked guides
- 8reviews
- 9comparisons
- 12guides and tools
Our top picks
The #1 pick in four core guides. Each ring shows its FitScore, weighted for that guide’s buying intent.
Best Magnetic Rowing Machine
Best Water Rowing Machine
FitScores are not comparable across guides: each one uses the weights of its own guide. How we score rowing machines.
Find the pick for your situation
14 situations, each with its own ranked top 5.
Choose your situation
Pick the case closest to yours. Every guide ranks five rowers with FitScore weights for that situation, so the #1 pick fits the way you will actually row.
- 78.9Most homes#1: Concept2 RowErg→
- 79.9Quiet rowing#1: Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Magnetic Rowing Machine SF-RW523021→
- 79.9Water feel#1: YOSUDA Foldable Water Rowing Machine→
- 87.7Hard training#1: Concept2 RowErg→
- 84Small spaces#1: YPOO Magnetic Rowing Machine 350 LB→
- 80.5First rower#1: Merach Q1S Magnetic Rowing Machine→
- 83.4Entry tier#1: YPOO Magnetic Rowing Machine 350 LB→
- 83.8Heavy users#1: Concept2 RowErg→
- 84.6Tall rowers#1: YOSUDA Foldable Water Rowing Machine→
- 78.2No membership#1: Concept2 RowErg→
- 84.7Compact rooms#1: JOROTO Foldable Water Rowing Machine→
- 77.4Built-in screen#1: Aviron Strong Series Rower→
- 78.8Older adults#1: YOSUDA Foldable Water Rowing Machine→
- 81.2Mid-range tier#1: Concept2 RowErg→
In-depth reviews
Each review scores one rower with FitScore for the buying intent it is made for.
Merach Q1S Review
Buy it if you want a quiet, compact magnetic rower that is easy to start with and easy to put away.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 Review
Buy it if you want a quiet magnetic rower with a full-length rail and a monitor that shows your 500 m split.
Concept2 RowErg Review
Buy it if you want accurate rowing data, room to grow and a frame rated for 500 lb.
Aviron Strong Series Review
Buy it if you want a heavy-duty air and magnetic rower with a big built-in screen and a 10-year frame warranty.
Hydrow Wave Review
Buy it if you want guided, on-screen rowing in a slim, quiet frame and you plan to keep the membership.
YOSUDA Water Rowing Machine Review
Buy it if you want the feel and sound of water in a wood rower that fits tall and heavy users and folds away.
WaterRower Oak S4 Review
Buy it if you want a solid wood water rower built to last, with heart rate on the monitor and upright storage.
Echelon Row S Review
Buy it if you want class-led rowing on a big rotating screen in a frame that folds away, and you plan to keep an Echelon membership.
Head-to-head comparisons
Two rowers with the same FitScore weights and one winner, or two machine types side by side.
Concept2 RowErgFitScore 78.9WaterRower Oak S4FitScore 71.6Concept2 RowErgFitScore 78.9Hydrow WaveFitScore 53.6Concept2 RowErgFitScore 78.9Merach Q1SFitScore 76.1Rower types and other cardio machines
- Rowing Machine vs TreadmillWhich Is Better for Your Home?→
- Rowing Machine vs Elliptical TrainerWhich Fits Your Goals?→
- Rowing Machine vs Exercise BikeWhich Home Cardio Machine Wins?→
- Air Rower vs Magnetic RowerFeel, Noise and Which to Buy→
- Water Rowing Machine vs MagneticFeel, Noise and Upkeep→
- Water Rowing Machine vs AirFeel, Noise, Data and Verdict→
Air, water, magnetic or hydraulic?
The resistance system decides how a rower feels and sounds. Start here if you are unsure.
Air
A fan flywheel: the harder you pull, the more it resists. Smooth and responsive for intervals; the loudest type. See the picks
Water
Paddles turn in a water tank. The load rises with effort and the tank fill; a soft whoosh, wood or steel frames. See the picks
Magnetic
Magnets brake a flywheel at a set level. The quietest type, so it suits apartments and early workouts. See the picks
Hydraulic
Pistons under the arms resist the pull. Compact, but the stroke feels less even, so we rarely rank them. See the picks
Rowing guides
Technique, workouts, muscles, benefits and sizing, written for home rowers.
Types of Rowing Machines
Air, magnetic, water, hydraulic and hybrid rowers explained.
How to Use a Rowing Machine Properly
Stroke order, posture, damper and foot-strap settings.
Rowing Machine Workout for Beginners
A 4-week plan of three easy sessions a week.
Rowing Machine Workout Library
Steady, HIIT, pyramid and 15 to 30-minute sessions.
Rowing Machine Muscles Worked
Every muscle the stroke works, phase by phase.
Benefits of a Rowing Machine
Nine reasons to row, and the limits.
Rowing Machine for Weight Loss
How much to row each week and what to expect.
Rowing Machine Dimensions
Sizes of 39 rowers and a will-it-fit check.
Free rowing tools
Quick calculators for splits, watts, calories and 2K times.
Rowing Pace Calculator
500 m split, distance and time: enter two, get the third.
Watts to Split Calculator
Convert watts, 500 m split and calories per hour.
Rowing Calories Calculator
Calories from your watts, weight and time.
2K Row Time Calculator
What a good 2K is for your age and sex.
Rowing machine deals →
Every rower we rank, in one sortable list.
How we rank rowing machines
One method across every rowing guide.
Scored for your use
FitScore weights seven categories for one buying intent, so a quiet apartment pick and a hard-training pick are judged on what matters for each.
Specs that matter
Resistance system, rated user weight, rail length and fit, storage, monitor data and warranty come from the Amazon US listing of every model.
Clear top picks
Every guide names one #1 pick and four alternatives with a clear role, at most two per brand.
Not sure where to start?
Most homes do well with the #1 pick of our main guide. If space or noise is the constraint, start with folding or magnetic rowers.