Best for a long rail
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021
FitScore for Magnetic Rowers
- ResistanceMagnetic
- Max user weight300 lb
- Fit (rail / inseam / height)50-in rail
- Length × width (in use)79.3 × 19.7 in
Choose it if you want the longer rail and heart rate on the monitor.
Best for small rooms
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079
FitScore for Magnetic Rowers
- ResistanceMagnetic
- Max user weight300 lb
- Fit (rail / inseam / height)45.7-in rail
- Length × width (in use)64 × 19.3 in
Choose it if you want the shorter, lighter rower for a small room.
Overall winner for magnetic rowers: Sunny SF-RW523021, by 2.9 points. It leads on comfort and features: a 50-inch rail and a monitor with 500 m split and heart rate. The SF-RW524079 leads on practicality and affordability and is the better fit for a small room.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 wins 2 rounds- Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079 wins 1 round
- =2 ties
Product photos from Amazon. FitScore weights are explained below.
Sunny SF-RW523021 vs SF-RW524079: both are magnetic rowers with 16 levels, a 300-lb rating and the free SunnyFit app. The SF-RW523021 has a 50-inch rail and heart rate on the monitor; the SF-RW524079 is 15.3 inches shorter and 26.8 lb lighter.
The SF-RW523021 ranks #1 and the SF-RW524079 #2 in our best magnetic rowing machine guide; the SF-RW524079 is #1 in our budget guide.
Head-to-Head Specs
Here are the two rowers side by side. A check mark shows the stronger spec on each line. Check both warranties before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty. The CDC physical activity guidelines for adults recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week, and steady rowing sessions count toward it. In a study of 107 adults aged 20 to 74, rowing on an ergometer used more energy than cycling at the same power output.
| Specification | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021FitScore 79.1 | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079FitScore 76.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| Resistance levels | 16 levels | 16 levels |
| Max user weight | 300 lb | 300 lb |
| Fit (rail / inseam / height) | 50-in rail✓ | 45.7-in rail |
| Length × width (in use) | 79.3 × 19.7 in | 64 × 19.3 in✓ |
| Storage | Stands upright | Stands upright |
| Product weight | 68.2 lb | 41.4 lb✓ |
| Monitor and metrics | Time, distance, strokes, calories, stroke rate, 500 m split, heart rate✓ | Time, distance, strokes, calories, stroke rate, 500 m split |
| Bluetooth and apps | Bluetooth; SunnyFit (free) | Bluetooth; SunnyFit (free) |
| Subscription | None required | None required |
| Warranty | 3 years frame, 6 months parts | 3 years frame, 6 months parts |
| Specs won | 2 of 11 | 2 of 11 |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
FitScore Duel
Both scores use the weights of our best magnetic rowing machine guide (how we score): performance and durability 21% each, comfort 16%, practicality and features 11% each, affordability and noise 10% each. The two tie on performance and durability; the SF-RW523021 wins comfort and features, the SF-RW524079 practicality and affordability.
Key Differences
- Both use 16 magnetic levels and are rated for 300 lb.
- The SF-RW523021 has a 50-inch rail; the SF-RW524079 a 45.7-inch rail.
- The SF-RW524079 is 64 × 19.3 inches in use; the SF-RW523021 is 79.3 × 19.7 inches.
- The SF-RW524079 weighs 41.4 lb; the SF-RW523021 68.2 lb.
- The SF-RW523021 monitor adds heart rate.
- Both stand upright and carry a 3-year frame warranty.
Round 1 of 5
Sunny SF-RW523021 vs SF-RW524079: Resistance and Rowing Feel
Tie. Neither model has a clear edge here.
Both use a magnetic flywheel with 16 levels, so each session starts at a known setting and the pull is even from the first stroke.
Magnetic resistance has no contact parts, which keeps both rowers among the quietest types.
Round 2 of 5
Fit, Capacity and Build
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 wins this round
The SF-RW523021 has a 50-inch rail, the better choice if you are tall or have long legs.
The SF-RW524079 has a 45.7-inch rail. Both are rated for 300 lb and carry a 3-year frame and 6-month parts warranty.
Round 3 of 5
Footprint and Storage
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079 wins this round
The SF-RW524079 is 64 × 19.3 inches in use and weighs 41.4 lb, easy to tip upright and roll away.
The SF-RW523021 is 79.3 × 19.7 inches and weighs 68.2 lb. Both stand upright for storage.
Round 4 of 5
Noise and Home Use
Tie. Neither model has a clear edge here.
Both run quietly on magnetic resistance, which suits apartments and early sessions.
The lighter SF-RW524079 is the easier one to move between rooms.
Round 5 of 5
Monitor and Apps
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 wins this round
Both monitors show time, distance, strokes, calories, stroke rate and 500 m split; the SF-RW523021 adds heart rate.
Both connect by Bluetooth to the free SunnyFit app, with no paid plan.
Who Should Buy Each
Tall rowers and data
Choose the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 if you want the 50-inch rail and heart rate on the monitor.
Small rooms
Choose the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079 if the rower has to fit a small room and be moved often.
Consider Instead
YPOO RM930
If you want 16 levels on a rower that folds, look at the YPOO RM930, #3 in our magnetic guide. See our air vs magnetic rowing machine guide to compare resistance types.
Final Verdict
For a magnetic rower, the Sunny SF-RW523021 is the better buy. Its longer rail and fuller monitor give it the edge. If space is tight, the SF-RW524079 is the one to choose: it is much shorter and lighter.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523021 vs Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW524079 FAQ
With the weights of our magnetic guide, the SF-RW523021 scores 79.1 against 76.2 for the SF-RW524079.
The SF-RW523021, with a 50-inch rail against 45.7 inches.
The SF-RW524079: 64 × 19.3 inches in use against 79.3 × 19.7 inches. Both stand upright.
Yes. Both connect by Bluetooth to the free SunnyFit app, with no paid plan.
Yes: 3 years on the frame and 6 months on parts.
Explore More Rowing Machine Guides
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