Investing in a rowing machine for home workouts is one of the best ways to boost how much cardio training you do each week.
But, like with all exercise equipment, there are plenty of machines that will let you down in no time.
As a personal trainer, I have seen many of these crap products, so our team decided to reach out to friends and colleagues to test out over 30 different rowers over a 4-week period.
The result is this list of the best rowing machines that will work exceptionally well in any home.
Our Top Rowing Machines (September 2023)
1 - Rogue Fitness Black Concept 2 Rowerg Rower - PM5 (Editor's Choice)
At the top of this list of the best rowing machines is this machine from Rogue Fitness.
This company mainly supplies commercial gyms, but they have also created more affordable and highly durable rowers for home use.
After our team tested this machine, we all loved the fact that the display and settings are very easy. You can also attach a tablet or phone with fitness apps integrated to track your progress during a full-body workout.
And with a weight limit of 500 lbs., it shows how sturdy and durable the design is.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Flywheel Air Resistance Rower
- Size : 96”L x 24”W x 20”H
- Weight Limit : 500 lbs
- Simple and easy-to-read display provides plenty of training data
- Provides a very smooth rowing stroke for more effective workouts
- Excellent durability and maximum weight capacity
- Easily attach a phone or tablet to watch training videos or TV shows
- It’s not a foldable rower to save space after your rowing workouts
2 - Echelon Smart Rowing Machine
The Echelon is the first magnetic rowing machine we recommend on our list, and what immediately stood out to our testing team is that it has this large touchscreen display for adjusting settings and training modes.
You can also view workout videos through your Echelon membership.
It’s also the best folding rowing machine on our list, which is very helpful if you don’t have a dedicated home gym space to set up your equipment.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Magnetic Rowing Machine
- Size : 49.5”L x 25”W x 17”H
- Weight Limit : 300 lbs
- Comes with a large touchscreen display for settings and watching training videos
- Has a very smooth magnetic resistance rowing stroke
- Ergonomically designed seat provides great stability and posture control
- You only get 30 days of free Echelon membership
3 - NordicTrack Smart Rower
Next up is what we decided was the best smart rowing machine from NordicTrack.
It has a large display and integrates with iFit.
As a result, you’ll be able to join on-demand rowing sessions where the machine automatically adjusts the intensity based on instructions in the videos.
That makes it the best interactive rowing machine I have tested so far.
Unlike other rowing machines, you can also connect your Bluetooth headphones, like AirPods, to listen to clear instructions from iFit sessions.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Magnetic Rowing Machine
- Size : 22"D x 86.5"W x 50.4"H
- Weight Limit : 250 lbs
- Includes Bluetooth connectivity to set up your favorite headphones
- Choose from 26 different resistance settings to fine-tune your rowing workouts
- Watch iFit workout videos directly on the large screen
- It can take a few minutes for the system to start up and connect with iFit
4 - WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine S4
Next up is our recommendation for the best water rowing machine. Many amateur and professional rowers prefer one of these rowing machines because it tends to feel more natural.
And the sound can be soothing as well.
What I liked is that it has a compact design, and you can easily move it out of the way when you’re done.
Just pay attention to the wood frame, as this can be damaged more easily than steel.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Water Rower
- Size : 84"D x 21"W x 22"H
- Weight Limit : 330 lbs
- Simple design for a natural rowing experience
- Comes with a compact water tank for space-saving design
- Very affordable option that doesn't take up much space
- The wood frame isn’t the most durable material
5 - Teeter Power10 Rower
This is one of the more unique magnetic rowing machine designs I’ve seen.
At first, it almost looks like an incumbent bike, but these types of rowing machines can be highly effective.
The more upright posture position is ideal for anyone with back and joint problems [1].
I did a full 45-minute workout going through all the intensity settings and found the transition up and down very smooth and easy to adjust without being disrupted.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Magnetic Rowing Machine
- Size : 38"D x 63"W x 43"H
- Weight Limit : 300 lbs
- Provides a more upright seating position for less strain on the back
- Adjusting the intensity is very easy with convenient mode buttons
- Provides access to training videos to immediately get the most out of workouts
- It’s quite a bulky machine that’s not easy to move out of the way
6 - SNODE Water Rowing Machine
Water rowers seem to be increasingly popular these days, probably because they tend to give it a very natural feeling of resistance.
Unlike most rowing machines we tested in this category, this one allows you to sit up higher, which can make it easier to use if you have joint problems or injuries.
Just keep in mind that it’s quite a large machine that’s not easy to move if you don’t have a dedicated home gym space.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Water Resistance Machine
- Size : 79"D x 20"W x 36"H
- Weight Limit : 331 lbs
- Comes with a great app for keeping track of your training progress
- Highly adjustable to your height and preferred posture
- Easily attach your tablet to watch workout videos or TV shows
- It’s quite a bulky machine that you’ll need to find a permanent home for
7 - HouseFit Water Rower
The HouseFit is another great machine with a water tank for resistance.
It took me less than 30 seconds to adjust it to my height and posture, and I found the resistance to be nice and smooth.
This one didn’t quite make it to our top spot for best water rowing machine because we did feel that sometimes the seat didn’t move as smoothly as other products.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Water Rower
- Size : 19.5"D x 79"W x 40"H
- Weight Limit : 330 lbs
- Connect to the fitness app for more detailed training data if needed
- Easily adjust the pedals and seat for your height and posture preferences
- You can stand it up for storage while not in use
- Some users have reported that the seat guide rail doesn’t feel 100% smooth
8 - Women's Health Men's Health Magnetic Rowing Machine
Here’s another one of the magnetic rowing machines that we enjoyed using during our testing and research process.
It’s a simple design with an easy-to-adjust resistance knob in a convenient spot.
And the display shows you just the right information to keep you on track for training.
Unlike other magnetic rowers I tested, I found that this one is particularly suitable for taller people as it seems to have a longer guide rail for the seat.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Magnetic Rower
- Size : 23"D x 80"W x 28.5"H
- Weight Limit : 250 lbs
- Simple and easy-to-use display and intensity settings
- Long guide rail makes it suitable for taller people
- Comes with six months of free fitness classes
- It’s limited to 14 resistance levels which might not suit all athletes
9 - Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge 500
This Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine is one of the more affordable water rowers.
What our testing team immediately liked was the higher seating position and the very comfortable seat.
Even after a 1-hour cardiovascular fitness session, I didn’t feel uncomfortable or sore.
You also get a load of training data on the display to keep you on track, but I wish there was a convenient way to attach my tablet.
Quick Facts:
- Type : Water Resistance Rower
- Size : 22"D x 80"W x 34"H
- Weight Limit : 300 lbs
- Comes with a very comfortable seat for longer training sessions
- The front legs have wheels to make it easier to store out of the way after use
- The Sunny Health & Fitness machine provides plenty of relevant training data
- A holder for a phone or tablet would be a nice extra feature
10 - YOSUDA Magnetic/Water Rower
The final one of our recommendations for the best rowing machines is this magnetic one from Yosuda.
My first impression was that it’s very sturdy for such an affordable rowing machine.
And once I started training, it felt very comfortable and smooth to use.
The main downside for me is the limited adjustment settings. Many people will need a lot more than eight settings for their rowing workout to get more variation [2].
“By creating variation and changing exercises in your routine, you can create a new stimulus, which creates more progress over time.”
- Brian Magat, PT at uhhospitals.org
Quick Facts:
- Type : Magnetic Resistance Rower
- Size : 46.5"D x 27"W x 8.25"H
- Weight Limit : 350 lbs
- Feels very comfortable even after a longer fitness routine
- Easily folds up into a more convenient way to store it
- Large mode button switches between the training data displayed
- It only has eight different resistance levels, which could limit training
Buyer’s Guide
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when researching rowing machines.
Who Should Buy A Rowing Machine For Home Use?
Anyone looking for compact and effective cardio equipment should buy an indoor rowing machine.
As far as fitness equipment goes, rowers are great for raising your heart rate with a limited impact on joints [3], providing an excellent full-body workout.
Even if you don’t buy a foldable rower, these machines tend to have a small footprint, making them ideal for people who don’t have a lot of space for working out.
Related Articles:
Resistance Mechanism
Based on our research, we have found that the best rowing machine we used has an air resistance mechanism.
But you can also find water and magnetic mechanisms. The water-based ones are often preferred by competitive rowers, while the magnetic ones tend to be very quiet.
Overall, I have found that the air rowers tend to last longer, and they provide much smoother movement. And they also tend to offer more intensity levels to vary your training [4].
“Rowing burns serious calories without putting added stress on your joints. It allows you to control the movement and pace and is a great exercise for active recovery.”
- Jake Tipane, CPT, at HealthLine.com
Adjustments For User Height
This is a vital thing for tall athletes to look at. The budget rowing machine market tends to give you products that have very limited adjustments to user height.
And I also encountered pieces where I couldn’t stretch out my legs as the seat rail was too short.
The more adjustment settings for pedals and height you have, the more comfortable you’ll be in longer training sessions.
Basically, you want to avoid changing your posture to a limited machine setup.
Size And Storability
When I lived in a small apartment a few years ago, I had a compact rowing machine that worked great. And if you have limited space at home, it's one of the essentials equipment for a home gym.
I could fold it up and store it out of the way in a spare room, and it didn’t become a point of argument with my girlfriend.
Before you place an order, take the above measurements and see where it will fit in your home, and add a few inches on each side to give you some space to move your elbows.
FAQs
What Kind Of Home Rowing Machine Is Best?
Air rowers tend to be the best kind of rowing machine for home use. They provide a very smooth motion and don’t make as much noise as a water-based rower.
Is Indoor Rowing Good For Belly Fat?
Yes, indoor rowing is good for belly fat, as it’s a highly effective training option to increase your calories burned. It’s also a great way to work out at high intensities without causing damage to your joints.
Which Rower Should You Invest In?
Based on all of our research and testing, the best rowing machine overall is the Rogue Black Concept 2 rower. It has a very smooth movement and a great range of intensity settings.
You also get a load of relevant training data to help you reach your goals.
It’s also the most durable option with the highest maximum weight range of any machine for home gyms.
And with the convenient tablet holder, you can even watch your favorite TV shows while working out.
Our #1 Recommendation
Rogue Fitness Black Concept 2 Rowerg Rower - PM5
- Simple and easy-to-read display provides plenty of training data
- Provides a very smooth rowing stroke for more effective workouts
- Excellent durability and maximum weight capacity
- Easily attach a phone or tablet to watch training videos or TV shows
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- It’s not a foldable rower to save space after your rowing workouts
About The Author
You May Also Like
