Top 5 compared
The best rowing machines
A full-body, low-impact workout at home, in the spare room, the basement or the garage.
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The top 5 at a glance
A rowing machine copies the stroke of a boat: you push back with the legs on a sliding seat, then pull the handle in to the chest. Air rowers use a fan that gets harder the harder you pull; magnetic rowers are quiet, with a set number of levels; hydraulic ones use a cylinder, which keeps them small and light. A few have two handles that sweep out like oars.
Every rower here is close to 5 ft long or more in use, and the Concept2 needs the most room by far. Each one links to an app over Bluetooth, the Concept2 through its PM5 monitor, for classes, scenic rows or a log of every session.
What matters
- A maximum user weight, as the maker states it.
- A height range that covers the tallest rower.
- Transport wheels, if it moves after every session.
- A monitor showing time, distance and strokes.
#1MERACH Q1S Magnetic Rowing Machine
$150–$200
Quiet magnetic resistance in 16 levels, two slide rails under the seat for a steady glide, and room for users up to 350 lb and 6 ft 5 in. Stood on end it needs about 1.6 by 2.1 ft of floor, and MERACH’s app and Kinomap add classes and scenic rows.
What owners say: Quiet and sturdy is the usual verdict, with a smooth glide that one owner credits to the twin rails, and a setup video makes the build simple. The resistance divides them: plenty for some, too light at the top end for others.
A closer look: It arrives partly built, and MERACH puts the rest at about half an hour. The monitor runs on two AAA batteries and shows time, distance, strokes and calories, the app adds heart rate and cadence, and the wheel on the base lets it be tipped up and rolled away.
- Two seat rails, steady glide
- Tips up and rolls away
- About 30 minutes to assemble
- App adds heart rate, cadence
- Monitor runs on AAA batteries
Best for: Quiet rowing with an app
- Resistance
- Magnetic
- Levels
- 16 levels
- Max user weight (maker’s figure)
- 350 lb
- Footprint in use
- 65 x 19.3 in
- Storage
- Stands on end
- Bluetooth app
- MERACH, Kinomap
#2Concept2 RowErg with PM5 Monitor (standard legs)
Over $300
Air resistance with a damper from 1 to 10, room for users up to 500 lb and the PM5 monitor, which logs every session and links to apps over Bluetooth. Concept2 built its first rower in 1981, largely from bicycle parts, on a Vermont farm.
What owners say: Owners keep returning to the solid build and how quietly the flywheel runs; one counted just eight screws in the assembly, and another felt fitter within ten sessions.
Heads up: Allow for its length: Concept2 recommends a space of 9 by 4 ft for rowing, more than the magnetic rowers here need.
A closer look: When the workout’s over, the monorail and flywheel come apart into two pieces, and caster wheels make it easy to roll aside. Most rowers settle on a damper setting of three to five rather than rowing with it on full, and the PM5 shows pace, watts or calories to row against.
- Logs every session
- Shows pace, watts or calories
- 14 in seat height
- Caster wheels
- 5-year frame warranty
Best for: Serious training for years
- Resistance
- Air
- Levels
- Damper 1–10
- Max user weight (maker’s figure)
- 500 lb
- Footprint in use
- 96 x 24 in
- Storage
- Splits in two
- Bluetooth app
- PM5: 40+ apps
#3MERACH RS3 Sculling Rowing Machine
$200–$300
Two separate handles sweep out to the sides like a pair of oars, so the arms and chest open up on every stroke the way they do in a rowing shell. Strokes can be pulled together, alternated or taken one arm at a time, against 16 levels of magnetic resistance.
What owners say: One owner likens the glide to butter, others mention a quiet stroke, and the instructions are laid out well enough for an easy build. Owners feel it working every muscle group, and one fits it neatly into a half-hour routine.
A closer look: The handles swing out to about 120 degrees, so leave room at either side as well as behind the rail. It comes 85% assembled, and for storage it folds down to about 12.4 in high, low enough to tuck along a wall between sessions.
- Two oar-like handles
- Handles swing out 120°
- One-arm or alternating strokes
- Arrives 85% assembled
Best for: A rowing-shell feel at home
- Resistance
- Magnetic
- Levels
- 16 levels
- Max user weight (maker’s figure)
- 350 lb
- Footprint in use
- 60.6 x 29.5 in
- Storage
- Folds to 12.4 in high
- Bluetooth app
- MERACH, Kinomap
#4YPOO RM930 Magnetic Rowing Machine
$150–$200
A magnetic rower with 16 levels, a 46 in dual rail for users from 4 ft 5 in to 6 ft 3 in, and a steel frame rated for 350 lb. A 6.5% incline built into the rail adds a little uphill pull to each stroke.
What owners say: Owners found it easy to build and to row, with quiet running, a sturdy frame and resistance that can grow with fitness. It moves and stores without trouble; a few owners pictured it bigger.
A closer look: YPOO puts it under 25 dB, quiet enough for early mornings in an apartment, and it needs no outlet. After a session it stands on end against a wall and rolls on its transport wheels, while the adjustable tablet holder keeps a class in view during the row.
- 6.5% incline in the rail
- Runs under 25 dB
- No outlet needed
- Adjustable tablet holder
- Transport wheels
Best for: Small apartments and spare rooms
- Resistance
- Magnetic
- Levels
- 16 levels
- Max user weight (maker’s figure)
- 350 lb
- Footprint in use
- 65 x 17.7 in
- Storage
- Stands on end
- Bluetooth app
- YPOOFIT, Kinomap
#5Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Hydraulic Rower (SF-RW1205SMART)
$100–$150
Light and compact, with a hydraulic cylinder: a knob sets its 12 levels, and at 22.4 lb it carries from room to room. Bluetooth links it to Sunny’s free SunnyFit app for trainer-led workouts and scenic rows.
What owners say: Small enough to lean against a wall and quick to assemble, it still gives owners a solid workout. The resistance splits opinion: fine for casual sessions, while some feel it fade sharply partway through a row.
Heads up: Sunny rates it for users up to 220 lb, the lowest of the five; the listing’s table gives a higher figure, but go by the maker’s.
A closer look: Turning the knob changes the resistance: the light settings suit a steady cardio row, the upper ones a harder pull. The padded seat and pivoting pedals with straps fit most feet, and the monitor runs on two AA batteries.
- Knob sets the resistance
- Pivoting pedals with straps
- Padded seat
- Device holder
- 3-year frame warranty
Best for: Casual cardio and app workouts
- Resistance
- Hydraulic
- Levels
- 12 levels
- Max user weight (maker’s figure)
- 220 lb
- Footprint in use
- 58.1 x 20.1 in
- Storage
- Light, 22.4 lb
- Bluetooth app
- SunnyFit
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1MERACH Q1S | #2Concept2 RowErg | #3MERACH RS3 | #4YPOO RM930 | #5Sunny SF-RW1205 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best for sculling | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 8.8 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Price | $150–$200 | Over $300 | $200–$300 | $150–$200 | $100–$150 |
| Resistance | Magnetic | Air | Magnetic | Magnetic | Hydraulic |
| Levels | 16 levels | Damper 1–10 | 16 levels | 16 levels | 12 levels |
| Max user weight (maker’s figure) | 350 lb | 500 lb | 350 lb | 350 lb | 220 lb |
| Footprint in use | 65 x 19.3 in | 96 x 24 in | 60.6 x 29.5 in | 65 x 17.7 in | 58.1 x 20.1 in |
| Storage | Stands on end | Splits in two | Folds to 12.4 in high | Stands on end | Light, 22.4 lb |
| Bluetooth app | MERACH, Kinomap | PM5: 40+ apps | MERACH, Kinomap | YPOOFIT, Kinomap | SunnyFit |
| Best for | Quiet rowing with an app | Serious training for years | A rowing-shell feel at home | Small apartments and spare rooms | Casual cardio and app workouts |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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