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Best Rowing Machines of 2027: 10 Picks Ranked by Resistance Feel and Monitor
The best rowing machines for home gyms, ranked on resistance system, monitor quality, rail fit, capacity, noise, and storage.
Our top picks at a glance
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine
Anyone who wants accurate, comparable numbers and a machine with a decades-long parts and resale story.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Home rowers who want a smooth, self-scaling stroke and a machine a living room can tolerate visually.
Hydrow Rowing Machine
Rowers who know classes and coaching are what will actually get them on the machine most days.
The short answer
Buy the Concept2 RowErg if you want one rower for years of measurable training. On a budget, the Sunny SF-RW5515 gives you quiet magnetic rowing and a folding rail for far less. Step up to the WaterRower Natural if stroke feel and room-friendly looks matter more than data, or to the Hydrow if coached classes are what will keep you rowing. How to choose in full, including rail fit and noise, is in the buying guide in this hub.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Resistance | Monitor | Capacity | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing MachineBest Overall | Air, spiral damper 1-10 | PM5, Bluetooth and ANT+ | 500 lb | Separates in two, or stands upright | Check price |
| 2WaterRower Natural Rowing MachineBest Water Rower | Water, self-scaling | S4 performance monitor | 700 lb | Stands upright | Check price |
| 3Hydrow Rowing MachineBest Connected | Electromagnetic, computer controlled | 22 in HD touchscreen, membership for content | 375 lb | Stands upright with wall mount option | Check price |
| 4Ergatta RowerBest for Gamified Training | Water, self-scaling | 17.3 in HD touchscreen, membership for content | 500 lb | Stands upright | Check price |
| 5Hydrow Wave Rowing MachineBest Compact Connected | Electromagnetic, computer controlled | 16 in HD touchscreen, membership for content | 375 lb | Stands upright, lighter frame | Check price |
| 6ECHANFIT Magnetic Rowing MachineBest Magnetic Range | Magnetic, 16 levels | LCD, time, count, calories, scan | 265 lb | Folding rail, transport wheels | Check price |
| 7Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing MachineBest Budget Magnetic | Magnetic, 8 levels | LCD, time, count, distance, calories | 250 lb | Folding rail, transport wheels | Check price |
| 8JOROTO MR23 Magnetic Rowing MachineBest Budget for Tall Rowers | Magnetic, 8 levels, check variant | LCD with tablet holder | 300 lb, check variant | Folding rail, transport wheels | Check price |
| 9Stamina ATS Air Rower 1405Best Budget Air | Air, wind resistance | Basic LCD, speed, distance, time, calories | 250 lb | Folds, transport wheels | Check price |
| 10Marcy NS-40503RE Magnetic Rowing MachineCheapest Credible Entry | Magnetic, 8 levels | Basic LCD computer | 300 lb | Folding, transport wheels | Check price |
Concept2Best Overall
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine
The air rower every other rower is measured against, with the PM5 monitor as its crown.
Strengths
- PM5 monitor gives accurate pace, watts, and stroke data that matches machines in gyms worldwide
- Air resistance scales naturally with effort, no settings to outgrow
- Separates into two pieces and stands up for storage, with parts support that never seems to end
Limitations
- Fan noise is the loudest here apart from other air models
- No built-in entertainment; you bring a tablet or your own discipline
- Industrial looks will not blend into a living room
| Resistance | Air, spiral damper 1-10 |
|---|---|
| Monitor | PM5, Bluetooth and ANT+ |
| Capacity | 500 lb |
| Seat height | 14 in on standard legs, 20 in tall-leg version |
| Storage | Separates in two, or stands upright |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Numbers feel trustworthy year after year
- Still supported and repairable long after purchase
- Holds resale value like no rival
Common complaints
- Seat comfort on very long rows needs a pad for many owners
- Fan sound carries in small homes
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Concept2 RowErg product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Anyone who wants accurate, comparable numbers and a machine with a decades-long parts and resale story.
Skip if: You need near-silence in an apartment; an air flywheel makes a whoosh on every hard stroke.
Best Water Rower
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Water resistance in a solid ash frame that stores upright and looks like furniture.
Strengths
- Water flywheel gives a smooth pull with a natural, quiet surge
- Solid wood frame absorbs vibration and stores upright in a small footprint
- Self-scaling resistance suits mixed-ability households sharing one machine
Limitations
- S4 monitor data is basic next to Concept2
- Water tank needs purification tablets and occasional care
- Heavier to move than its upright footprint suggests
| Resistance | Water, self-scaling |
|---|---|
| Monitor | S4 performance monitor |
| Capacity | 700 lb |
| Seat height | About 12 in |
| Storage | Stands upright |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Stroke feel and sound are genuinely pleasant
- Looks good enough to leave in the room
- Feels sturdy for years of daily rows
Common complaints
- Monitor feels dated for the price
- Tank maintenance surprises buyers who expected none
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: WaterRower Natural product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Home rowers who want a smooth, self-scaling stroke and a machine a living room can tolerate visually.
Skip if: You train by precise pace targets; the S4 monitor is honest but far less detailed than a PM5.
HydrowBest Connected
Hydrow Rowing Machine
Electromagnetic rower built around a 22-inch screen and instructor-led rows on the water.
Strengths
- Electromagnetic drag feels smooth and stays library-quiet
- Large rotating screen and a deep library of scenic, instructor-led sessions
- Coaching cues help new rowers build form early
Limitations
- Full value depends on an ongoing membership
- Large footprint and an always-plugged-in design
- Data ecosystem is closed compared with PM5 exports
| Resistance | Electromagnetic, computer controlled |
|---|---|
| Monitor | 22 in HD touchscreen, membership for content |
| Capacity | 375 lb |
| Seat height | About 16 in |
| Storage | Stands upright with wall mount option |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Classes make sessions fly by
- Quiet enough for early mornings in a shared home
- Instructors teach form, not just effort
Common complaints
- Membership cost after purchase stings
- Screen and software issues dominate support stories
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Hydrow product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Rowers who know classes and coaching are what will actually get them on the machine most days.
Skip if: You will not keep a membership; without it, this is an expensive quiet rower with a dark screen.
Best for Gamified Training
Ergatta Rower
Water rower with a game-based training screen, in a cherrywood frame made in the USA.
Strengths
- Water resistance with the same smooth pull as a WaterRower
- Game-based workouts and races suit self-competitive rowers
- Wood frame and upright storage suit finished rooms
Limitations
- Content requires a membership for full value
- No live instructor library like Hydrow
- Monitor metrics are tuned to its own ecosystem
| Resistance | Water, self-scaling |
|---|---|
| Monitor | 17.3 in HD touchscreen, membership for content |
| Capacity | 500 lb |
| Seat height | About 20 in |
| Storage | Stands upright |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Race format keeps motivation high
- Beautiful build quality
- Quiet, smooth stroke
Common complaints
- Membership adds to an already premium price
- Software features evolve and shift over time
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Ergatta product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Competitive personalities who prefer races, targets, and structured programs over instructor classes.
Skip if: You want live classes or the cheapest path to water resistance; Ergatta charges premium money for its software approach.
HydrowBest Compact Connected
Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine
The smaller, lighter Hydrow: same quiet drag and library, in a frame easier to place.
Strengths
- Electromagnetic resistance stays quiet at any hour
- 16-inch screen still carries the full class library
- Lighter build is easier to stand up and reposition
Limitations
- Membership still required for the content that justifies it
- Smaller frame fits fewer very tall rowers comfortably
- Folding claim is really an upright store, not a flat fold
| Resistance | Electromagnetic, computer controlled |
|---|---|
| Monitor | 16 in HD touchscreen, membership for content |
| Capacity | 375 lb |
| Seat height | About 14 in |
| Storage | Stands upright, lighter frame |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Fits rooms the big Hydrow could not
- Quiet and polished in daily use
- Setup is simpler than the flagship
Common complaints
- Speakers are modest for the price
- Membership math dominates value debates
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Hydrow Wave product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Apartment and spare-room rowers who want the Hydrow experience without the flagship footprint and weight.
Skip if: You are tall or heavy enough to want a full-size rail and the flagship capacity; check fit first.
Best Magnetic Range
ECHANFIT Magnetic Rowing Machine
Quiet magnetic rower with 16 resistance levels and a folding rail at a mid-budget price.
Strengths
- 16 magnetic levels give fine control for steady training
- Near-silent stroke suits apartments and early sessions
- Rail folds for storage and the frame rolls on transport wheels
Limitations
- Top-end load will not challenge strong rowers like air can
- Basic monitor compared with any premium brand
- Long-term parts support is thinner than Sunny or Stamina
| Resistance | Magnetic, 16 levels |
|---|---|
| Monitor | LCD, time, count, calories, scan |
| Capacity | 265 lb |
| Seat height | About 12 in |
| Storage | Folding rail, transport wheels |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Quiet enough to row during calls in the next room
- Smooth, even pull
- Good size for average-height rowers
Common complaints
- Seat rollers need cleaning to stay smooth
- Display backlight is weak
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: ECHANFIT product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Home rowers who need quiet strokes in a shared space and want resistance headroom beyond the cheapest magnetics.
Skip if: You want the connected feel of air or water; magnetic load is even and calm, never surging.
Sunny Health & FitnessBest Budget Magnetic
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine
The budget magnetic benchmark: 8 levels, a folding rail, and a long track record.
Strengths
- Very quiet stroke at any resistance setting
- Folding rail and wheels make storage realistic in small homes
- Long-running model with accessible spare parts and guidance
Limitations
- Resistance ceiling is the classic magnetic compromise
- Basic LCD with no connectivity on standard versions
- Rail length suits average heights, not the very tall
| Resistance | Magnetic, 8 levels |
|---|---|
| Monitor | LCD, time, count, distance, calories |
| Capacity | 250 lb |
| Seat height | About 11 in |
| Storage | Folding rail, transport wheels |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Silence is the headline feature in real homes
- Easy assembly and simple controls
- Holds up well for steady daily use
Common complaints
- Stronger owners outgrow the top level
- Seat can develop a wobble if bolts are not checked
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: New rowers in shared homes who need quiet, simple resistance and a machine that folds away.
Skip if: You are strong already; 8 magnetic levels top out quickly for trained legs and backs.
Best Budget for Tall Rowers
JOROTO MR23 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Sturdy magnetic rower with a long rail, a tablet holder, and a higher capacity for the price.
Strengths
- Longer rail and 300 lb class capacity at a budget price
- Quiet magnetic system with a smooth seat travel
- Tablet holder makes your own content setup easy
Limitations
- Monitor is as basic as the price suggests
- Assembly quality varies between units in owner reports
- Resistance tops out for strong rowers
| Resistance | Magnetic, 8 levels, check variant |
|---|---|
| Monitor | LCD with tablet holder |
| Capacity | 300 lb, check variant |
| Seat height | About 12 in |
| Storage | Folding rail, transport wheels |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Fits taller rowers better than rivals at the price
- Frame feels solid once assembled
- Quiet for apartment use
Common complaints
- Instructions could be clearer
- Footplates feel basic
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: JOROTO MR23 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Taller budget rowers who need rail length and capacity that the cheapest magnetics skimp on.
Skip if: You want brand-name support depth; JOROTO is a value brand with value-brand service.
StaminaBest Budget Air
Stamina ATS Air Rower 1405
Budget air resistance with a steel frame, for rowers who want fan feel without Concept2 money.
Strengths
- Air fan gives self-scaling resistance like the premium air class
- Steel frame and a folding design at a budget price
- Simple monitor with no accounts or subscriptions
Limitations
- Fan noise, like every air rower
- Monitor accuracy and features trail the PM5 by a wide margin
- Seat and handle comfort are basic on long rows
| Resistance | Air, wind resistance |
|---|---|
| Monitor | Basic LCD, speed, distance, time, calories |
| Capacity | 250 lb |
| Seat height | About 11 in |
| Storage | Folds, transport wheels |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Resistance feel punches above the price
- Straightforward and repairable design
- Folds for garage storage
Common complaints
- Chain and seat need periodic attention
- Display is hard to read in bright light
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Stamina ATS 1405 product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: Buyers who prefer how air resistance builds with effort and accept more noise for a lower price.
Skip if: You need precise, comparable data; its monitor is a tracker, not a measuring instrument.
Cheapest Credible Entry
Marcy NS-40503RE Magnetic Rowing Machine
Entry magnetic rower with 8 preset levels, transport wheels, and a compact folded size.
Strengths
- Among the lowest-cost magnetic entries from a known fitness brand
- Preset resistance levels keep setup simple for beginners
- Compact fold suits closets and corners
Limitations
- Resistance range is modest
- Monitor and footplates are entry grade
- Rail length limits taller rowers
| Resistance | Magnetic, 8 levels |
|---|---|
| Monitor | Basic LCD computer |
| Capacity | 300 lb |
| Seat height | About 11 in |
| Storage | Folding, transport wheels |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Easy way to start rowing at home
- Quiet in apartments
- Assembly is manageable alone
Common complaints
- Strong rowers top it out fast
- Seat comfort fades on longer sessions
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Marcy NS-40503RE product documentation, Amazon listing specifications
Best for: First-time rowers testing whether rowing fits their routine before spending mid-tier money.
Skip if: You already row hard or weigh near its limit; buy the headroom now instead of a second machine later.
How we chose
01 · Resistance character first
Air scales with effort, water surges and settles, magnetic stays even and quiet, and electromagnetic lets software hold the feel. We ranked within each character before ranking across them, because a quiet magnetic can be the right answer even though an air rower is the stronger machine.
02 · Monitor as a measuring tool
A monitor that reports pace and watts accurately lets you repeat workouts and compare across months. The PM5 sets that standard. Basic LCDs were scored as trackers, and connected screens were scored on content plus data export, not screen size alone.
03 · Rail, seat, and rower fit
Rail length against inseam, seat height against mobility, and capacity with headroom. A rower that cuts your stroke short teaches bad habits at full price, so fit failures were eliminations, not deductions.
04 · Home ownership reality
Storage position, rolled weight, noise on a hard stroke, tank or chain care, and what a subscription really costs across a year. The best home rower is the one still in use in month nine.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
Which resistance type is best for most homes?
Air for training accuracy and unlimited top end, magnetic for quiet in shared spaces, water for feel. Most first-time home buyers who share walls choose magnetic and are happy; most who train seriously choose the Concept2's air system and manage the noise with timing and a mat.
How much space does a rower really need?
Plan a working footprint of about 9 by 4 ft while rowing, even when the machine itself is shorter, because your body extends behind the rail. Storage footprints are far smaller: most picks here stand upright or fold to a corner.
Is a subscription worth it on a rower?
Only if classes change your behavior. Hydrow and Ergatta owners who use the content several times a week defend the cost easily; owners who row/podcast on their own should buy a non-connected machine and keep the monthly money.
Can tall rowers use budget rowers?
Some can, many cannot. Check rail length and inseam fit before price. The JOROTO MR23 is in this guide specifically because budget rails are usually where tall rowers get cut off.