Best of
The Best Rowing Machines (2026)
The best rowing machines of 2026: Concept2 RowErg, WaterRower Natural, Hydrow Origin, NordicTrack RW900, Echelon Row-S, Sunny, YOSUDA, and Stamina, compared on resistance, monitor, and storage.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
Concept2 RowErgSerious home trainers, rowers, and anyone who wants one machine that will still be the standard in a decade.
Best water rower
WaterRower NaturalBuyers who want a rower that looks like furniture, sounds like water, and needs no power socket or subscription.
Best smart rower
Hydrow OriginBuyers who train best with an instructor, a leaderboard, and a class schedule, and who will use the membership most weeks.
For most buyers, the Concept2 RowErg is the pick: accurate data, no subscription, and a machine that holds its value. Buyers who want a rower that looks like furniture should choose the WaterRower Natural, coached-class fans the Hydrow Origin, and budget buyers the Sunny SF-RW5515 for a full-size stroke or the Sunny SF-RW1205 for a tiny flat. If floor space is the deciding factor, check the folded size before anything else.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Resistance | Monitor | Drive | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overallConcept2 RowErg | Air flywheel with damper adjustment | PM5 performance monitor with device holder | Nickel-plated chain | Check price |
| Best water rowerWaterRower Natural | Water flywheel in an enclosed tank | Series 4 performance monitor | - | Check price |
| Best smart rowerHydrow Origin | Computer-controlled electromagnetic drag | - | - | Check price |
 Best for iFIT trainingNordicTrack RW900 | 26 levels, trainer-controlled | - | - | Check price |
 Best value smart rowerEchelon Row-S | 32 levels of magnetic resistance | - | - | Check price |
 Best value magnetic rowerSunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 | Magnetic, 8 levels | Digital LCD, time, count, calories, scan | - | Check price |
 Best app-connected magnetic rowerSunny Health & Fitness SF-RW522016 | Magnetic, adjustable | Digital monitor | - | Check price |
 Best compact magnetic rowerYOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine | Magnetic, 16 levels | LCD monitor with tablet holder | - | Check price |
 Best budget air rowerStamina ATS Air Rower 1399 | Air, dynamic wind resistance | LCD, speed, distance, time, calories | - | Check price |
 Best for tiny spacesSunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 | Hydraulic, 12 levels | Digital monitor | - | Check price |
Best overall
Concept2 RowErg
The reference rower: the machine in gyms and rowing clubs, with a monitor that needs no subscription.
Strengths
- The PM5 monitor tracks pace, power, distance, and stroke rate with the accuracy that training plans and online rankings are built around, and it connects to third-party apps without a subscription.
- Air resistance with a damper adjustment means the stroke feels heavier or lighter by lever, not by menu, and harder pulling always meets more resistance, which suits interval training naturally.
- The frame separates into two parts for storage, the chain drive is proven over decades of heavy gym use, and spare parts remain available, which is why used RowErgs hold their value.
Limitations
- Air resistance is audible, with a fan whoosh on every stroke that carries through thin walls, so late-night sessions in a shared flat need consideration.
- There is no built-in screen, no classes, and no coaching in the box, so buyers who need instruction must bring their own device and app.
- The long monorail and the industrial look demand floor space and tolerance for gym equipment in a living space, and the seat height suits most adults but not everyone stepping on from a low chair.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The monitor gives clear pace and power feedback that makes training progress easy to follow
- The stroke feels honest and responsive, getting harder exactly when effort increases
- The frame feels built to last and parts stay available long after purchase
Common complaints
- The fan noise carries into neighbouring rooms and rules out quiet late sessions
- The plain gym look sits uneasily in a furnished living space
- The absence of built-in classes leaves new rowers to find their own instruction elsewhere
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Air flywheel with damper adjustment |
|---|---|
| Monitor | PM5 performance monitor with device holder |
| Drive | Nickel-plated chain |
| Footrests | Adjustable, with flexible footplates |
| Storage | Separates into two parts |
Best for: Serious home trainers, rowers, and anyone who wants one machine that will still be the standard in a decade.
Skip if: You want coached classes on a built-in screen, a silent stroke, or a machine that folds flat against a wall.
Best water rower
WaterRower Natural
The living-room rower: solid ash, a water tank, and the closest thing to rowing a boat indoors.
Strengths
- The patented water flywheel gives a smooth, self-regulated stroke: pull harder and the water pushes back harder, with a swishing sound that most owners find pleasant rather than intrusive.
- Solid ash with a honey oak stain makes the Natural look like furniture, so it can live in a living room without apology, and it stores upright when not in use.
- The S4 monitor covers intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, duration, and distance, and the machine needs no mains power, so it can sit anywhere with floor space.
Limitations
- Water resistance cannot be set to a numbered level, so precise, repeatable interval targets are harder to program than on a magnetic or air rower.
- The tank needs filling, occasional water treatment, and care against leaks, and the full machine is heavy to move once filled.
- Assembly arrives in two boxes and takes patience, and the wooden frame, while beautiful, marks more easily than a steel frame if knocked.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The water stroke feels smooth and natural, with a gentle swishing sound owners enjoy
- The ash frame looks like proper furniture and earns its place in a shared room
- The machine needs no socket or subscription, so it is ready whenever the mood strikes
Common complaints
- The tank needs regular filling and treatment, which adds a small chore to ownership
- The full machine is heavy to shift once the tank is filled
- Resistance cannot be set to a precise numbered level for structured interval targets
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Water flywheel in an enclosed tank |
|---|---|
| Frame | Solid ash wood, honey oak stain |
| Monitor | Series 4 performance monitor |
| Storage | Stores upright |
| Size | 84 by 22 by 21 inches assembled |
Best for: Buyers who want a rower that looks like furniture, sounds like water, and needs no power socket or subscription.
Skip if: You need precise power numbers, a folding frame, or a machine you can move upstairs alone, since a filled tank is heavy.
Best smart rower
Hydrow Origin
The coached rower: live and on-demand classes on a rotating screen, with resistance that follows the instructor.
Strengths
- The rotating 22-inch screen and computer-controlled electromagnetic resistance let instructors adjust the drag mid-class, so sessions feel guided rather than self-directed.
- The aluminium frame and upright storage suit a dedicated workout corner, and Bluetooth pairing covers heart-rate monitors, headphones, and watches.
- The class library spans live and on-demand rows with athlete instructors, which keeps motivation high for buyers who drift without structure.
Limitations
- A paid membership is required for the full experience, and without it the machine falls back to a basic rowing mode, which changes the value calculation sharply.
- At this size and weight it is a semi-permanent fixture, not a machine to fold away after every session, and it needs a power socket.
- The premium price buys coaching and polish, not better raw rowing feel than the Concept2, so self-motivated trainers pay for features they may not use.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Live and on-demand classes make sessions feel guided and keep motivation high
- The screen is large, clear, and rotates neatly for floor work after rowing
- The stroke runs smooth and quiet, with resistance that follows the instructor
Common complaints
- The membership is essential to the experience, so stopping payment strips the machine of its main appeal
- The size and weight make it a permanent fixture rather than a machine to tuck away
- The premium outlay buys coaching polish rather than a better raw rowing feel
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Computer-controlled electromagnetic drag |
|---|---|
| Screen | 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen |
| Frame | Aluminium, stows upright |
| Capacity | 375 pounds maximum user weight |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth for heart-rate monitors and headphones |
Best for: Buyers who train best with an instructor, a leaderboard, and a class schedule, and who will use the membership most weeks.
Skip if: You dislike subscriptions, or you want a rower that stays fully featured if you stop paying.
Best for iFIT training
NordicTrack RW900
The iFIT rower: a pivoting touchscreen, trainer-controlled resistance, and global rows filmed on real water.
Strengths
- The pivoting 22-inch touchscreen follows you for off-rower workouts too, and SmartAdjust coaching adapts resistance to your performance over time.
- Trainer-led iFIT sessions adjust resistance automatically, so a class feels coached rather than merely watched, and the library covers studio and global rows.
- The SpaceSaver design and front wheels make a long machine easier to move for cleaning or storage than its footprint suggests.
Limitations
- The full iFIT experience needs a paid Pro membership after the included trial, and the screen is the point of the machine, so buyers who will not subscribe should look elsewhere.
- The user weight capacity is modest for a premium rower, which rules it out for heavier athletes who would be fine on the Hydrow or Concept2.
- Units from the 2018 to 2022 production run were recalled over console overheating, so buyers of older stock should confirm the console on their unit is current.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Trainer-led sessions with automatic resistance changes make workouts feel genuinely coached
- The pivoting screen works well for off-rower exercise as well as rowing
- The machine moves more easily than its long footprint suggests, thanks to wheels and a space-saving shape
Common complaints
- The full experience depends on a paid membership once the trial ends
- The user weight limit excludes heavier athletes who would manage fine on rivals
- The console history on older units makes buyers of second-hand stock understandably cautious
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | 26 levels, trainer-controlled |
|---|---|
| Screen | 22-inch pivoting HD touchscreen |
| Coaching | iFIT with SmartAdjust |
| Capacity | 250 pounds maximum user weight |
| Design | SpaceSaver with front transport wheels |
Best for: Existing iFIT users and buyers who want trainer-led rows, scenic routes, and automatic resistance changes.
Skip if: You want a rower that is fully featured without a membership, or you need a higher user weight capacity.
Best value smart rower
Echelon Row-S
The screen rower for less: a rotating display, handlebar resistance controls, and a folding frame.
Strengths
- The rotating 22-inch screen flips for off-rower classes, and the built-in soundbar keeps audio simple, with no separate speaker to place.
- Handlebar resistance controls let you change the drag without breaking stroke, which matters in fast interval classes.
- The folding frame and wheels make storage realistic in a spare room, and magnetic resistance keeps sessions quiet enough for shared homes.
Limitations
- Live and on-demand classes need an Echelon membership after the included trial, so the screen loses its main purpose without one.
- Some owners report watt readings becoming unreliable after a firmware update, which undermines precise training for data-driven rowers.
- The screen software can feel less polished than Hydrow, with occasional bugs that a subscription-free machine would never present.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The rotating screen and soundbar make class sessions simple and immersive
- Handlebar controls let resistance change mid-stroke without breaking rhythm
- The folding frame helps the machine fit a spare room rather than dominate it
Common complaints
- The app and screen software can feel rough around the edges compared with pricier rivals
- Some owners find watt readings unreliable after updates, which frustrates data-led training
- The membership is needed for classes, so the screen loses its purpose without it
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | 32 levels of magnetic resistance |
|---|---|
| Screen | 22-inch rotating HD touchscreen |
| Controls | Bluetooth handlebar resistance control |
| Storage | Folding frame with transport wheels |
| Extras | Built-in soundbar |
Best for: Buyers who want a built-in screen and live classes without paying Hydrow money, and who have room to fold it away.
Skip if: You want subscription-free rowing, or you rely on watt readings being precise to the last unit.
Best value magnetic rower
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
The budget classic: a long rail, quiet magnetic resistance, and a rower that has sold for years for a reason.
Strengths
- The 48-inch slide rail and 44-inch inseam fit taller rowers who find compact machines cramped, which is rare at this price.
- Eight levels of magnetic resistance stay near-silent, so early-morning sessions do not wake the household, and the steel frame folds upright for storage.
- The digital monitor is simple and legible, tracking time, stroke count, and calories, and the free SunnyFit app adds guided sessions for owners who want them.
Limitations
- The resistance ceiling is modest, so fit rowers will spend most sessions at the top level and eventually want a harder machine.
- The monitor is not backlit and shows basic metrics only, with no power, pace, or heart-rate detail for structured training.
- Smaller parts and the rail finish show wear sooner than premium frames under daily heavy use, so it suits regular home use rather than gym-duty punishment.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The long rail gives taller rowers a full, comfortable stroke at a modest outlay
- The magnetic resistance runs almost silently, so early sessions disturb nobody
- The simple monitor is easy to read and the frame folds upright for storage
Common complaints
- Strong rowers soon reach the top resistance and want a harder machine
- The unlit monitor shows only basic figures, with no pace or power detail
- Smaller fittings show wear sooner than premium frames under daily hard use
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Magnetic, 8 levels |
|---|---|
| Slide rail | 48 inches, 44-inch inseam |
| Monitor | Digital LCD, time, count, calories, scan |
| Capacity | 250 pounds maximum user weight |
| Storage | Folds upright |
Best for: First-time rowers, taller users on a budget, and anyone who wants quiet cardio without a subscription.
Skip if: You are a strong, experienced rower who will outgrow the top resistance, or you want app classes in the box.
Best app-connected magnetic rower
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW522016
The connected Sunny: the proven magnetic formula with Bluetooth and a long rail for app-guided rows.
Strengths
- Bluetooth connection to the free SunnyFit app adds trainer-led rows and scenic tours to a quiet magnetic machine, with no paid membership required for the basics.
- The extended slide rail keeps the comfortable, full-length stroke that made the earlier Sunny magnetic rowers popular, including for taller users.
- Magnetic resistance stays quiet and smooth, and the folding frame makes it a realistic spare-room machine rather than a permanent fixture.
Limitations
- The app experience depends on your phone or tablet, since there is no built-in screen, and a dead phone battery ends the guided session.
- Resistance still tops out at a home-use level, so strong rowers will want an air or water machine for harder intervals.
- The monitor itself is basic, so owners who want detailed metrics must rely on the app rather than the console.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- App-guided rows add structure to a quiet magnetic machine without a built-in screen
- The extended rail keeps the stroke comfortable for taller users
- Bluetooth pairing is straightforward and the free app covers the basics well
Common complaints
- Guided sessions depend on a phone or tablet, so a flat battery ends the class
- The monitor alone gives only basic figures, leaving detail to the app
- The resistance ceiling suits home fitness rather than hard athletic training
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Magnetic, adjustable |
|---|---|
| Rail | Extended slide rail |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth for the SunnyFit app |
| Monitor | Digital monitor |
| Storage | Folding frame |
Best for: Buyers who like the SF-RW5515 idea but want phone-guided workouts and progress tracking.
Skip if: You want a built-in screen, or you never open a fitness app and would rather keep things simple.
Best compact magnetic rower
YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine
The compact magnetic: sixteen resistance levels, a small footprint, and a seat cushion that helps longer rows.
Strengths
- Sixteen magnetic levels give finer steps than most budget rowers, so progression feels gradual rather than jumping from easy to hard.
- The compact, foldable frame covers little floor space when parked, and the LCD monitor with a tablet holder covers basic tracking and entertainment.
- A generous user weight capacity and a cushioned seat make it a comfortable daily-use machine for a wide range of body sizes.
Limitations
- The shorter rail limits leg extension for taller rowers, who should check inseam fit before ordering.
- The flywheel is light, so the stroke can feel less planted than on heavier air or water machines, especially at higher stroke rates.
- The monitor shows basic metrics only, and the build, while solid for the price, is not in the same class as a steel gym frame.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The compact folding frame suits small flats where a full-size rower would never fit
- Sixteen resistance steps let beginners progress gradually without sudden jumps
- The cushioned seat and tablet holder make longer easy sessions comfortable
Common complaints
- Taller rowers find the shorter rail limits leg extension and shortens the stroke
- The light flywheel can feel less planted than heavier air or water machines
- The monitor covers basics only, with no detailed training data on offer
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Magnetic, 16 levels |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 350 pounds maximum user weight |
| Monitor | LCD monitor with tablet holder |
| Storage | Foldable, compact footprint |
| Seat | Cushioned seat |
Best for: Small flats, beginners who want a quiet machine, and buyers who need to fold and tuck the rower away.
Skip if: You are very tall, since the compact rail shortens the stroke, or you want detailed training data.
Best budget air rower
Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399
The budget air rower: real wind resistance, a folding frame, and a monitor that keeps it simple.
Strengths
- Wind resistance responds to effort, so intervals feel natural: pull harder and the fan pushes back, just like on far pricier air rowers.
- The frame folds to roughly half its assembled length, and the steel construction with a nylon pull strap has survived years as a budget favourite.
- Pivoting footplates and a padded seat keep the stroke comfortable, and the monitor covers speed, distance, time, and calories without menus to learn.
Limitations
- Air resistance is noisy, so it suits a garage or spare room better than a bedroom shared with a light sleeper.
- The monitor is basic and the parts warranty is short, which shows where the savings were made compared with premium air rowers.
- The user weight capacity is modest, and taller or heavier athletes should check fit before buying rather than assuming it.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Wind resistance feels natural and rewards harder pulling with harder work
- The folding steel frame has proved durable as an affordable air rower
- The simple monitor and pivoting footplates keep setup and use uncomplicated
Common complaints
- Fan noise makes it a poor choice for quiet hours in a shared home
- The basic monitor and short parts cover show where savings were made
- The modest weight limit rules out heavier users who might otherwise love the stroke
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Air, dynamic wind resistance |
|---|---|
| Frame | Steel frame, nylon pull strap |
| Monitor | LCD, speed, distance, time, calories |
| Capacity | 250 pounds maximum user weight |
| Storage | Folds, with transport wheels |
Best for: Buyers who want the Concept2 style of air resistance at a fraction of the price, and who can live with a basic monitor.
Skip if: You need quiet sessions, precise power data, or a capacity above the modest limit.
Best for tiny spaces
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205
The tiny-space rower: a light hydraulic machine that fits where no full-size rower will.
Strengths
- At around twenty pounds it is easy to move, lean against a wall, or store in a cupboard, which no full-size rower can match.
- Twelve hydraulic resistance levels and a quiet piston stroke make it usable in a bedroom or living room without disturbing neighbours.
- Assembly is quick and the digital monitor covers the basics, with optional SunnyFit connectivity for owners who want guided sessions.
Limitations
- The hydraulic, fixed-seat design does not replicate a sliding-seat rowing stroke, so technique learned here does not transfer cleanly to an air or water rower.
- The short, slanted rail limits leg extension, and taller or heavier users will find the stroke and the capacity restrictive.
- Resistance feels different from air, water, or magnetic rowers, and experienced rowers tend to find it less satisfying for hard training.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The light frame moves easily and stores in a corner where no full rower would fit
- The hydraulic stroke runs quietly, suiting bedrooms and thin-walled flats
- Assembly is quick and the machine is ready to use almost straight from the box
Common complaints
- The fixed-seat hydraulic stroke does not teach proper sliding-seat technique
- Taller and heavier users find the short rail and modest limit restrictive
- Experienced rowers tend to find the resistance feel less satisfying than air, water, or magnetic machines
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Resistance | Hydraulic, 12 levels |
|---|---|
| Frame | Steel frame, compact |
| Monitor | Digital monitor |
| Capacity | 220 pounds maximum user weight |
| Weight | About 20.5 pounds |
Best for: Flat dwellers, beginners testing whether rowing sticks, and anyone with a corner rather than a gym room.
Skip if: You want a full sliding-seat stroke, since the hydraulic design moves differently, or you are tall.
How we chose
Resistance type first
Air, water, magnetic, and hydraulic rowers feel different, sound different, and suit different homes. We ranked resistance character and noise before screens, because a rower that annoys the household or bores the owner will not get used, however good its app is.
Monitor honesty
A monitor should measure the workout you actually do. We credited accurate, subscription-free data and penalised screens that lose their purpose when a membership lapses, while noting where an app genuinely adds coaching value.
Footprint and storage
A rower is a long machine, so folded size, upright storage, and weight for moving were weighted heavily. A machine that cannot be stored will dominate a room, and a room dominated by unused equipment is a failed purchase.
True cost, not headline cost
Smart rowers carry memberships, water rowers carry treatment and filling, and budget rowers carry earlier replacement. We compared the cost of a working, used system over time, not just the price on the listing.
Questions, answered
What type of rowing machine is best for beginners?
A quiet magnetic rower like the Sunny SF-RW5515 or YOSUDA, because the resistance is predictable, the stroke is gentle on joints, and there is no screen or subscription to manage. Beginners who already love classes may prefer a smart rower, but they should budget for the membership from day one.
Is rowing good exercise for bad knees?
Rowing is low impact, since the seat slides and the legs push without pounding, which suits many people with sensitive knees. Start with low resistance and short sessions, keep the knees tracking over the feet, and stop if a stroke causes sharp pain rather than effort.
How much space does a rowing machine need?
Most full-size rowers need a strip roughly eight feet long and two feet wide in use, plus room to mount and dismount. Check the folded or upright dimensions before buying: the Sunny SF-RW1205 fits a corner, the WaterRower stores upright, and the Concept2 separates into two parts, while smart rowers tend to stay where they are put.