Pulse & Plate

Best Rowing Machines

Air, magnetic and water rowers compared on feel, noise, footprint and whether the classes cost a monthly membership.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

The rower most buyers should default to is the Concept2 RowErg. It is the widely cited home-rowing standard for good reasons: near-legendary durability, the data-rich PM5 monitor, a 500 lb capacity, and a wide damper range that suits a beginner and a serious athlete alike. Two honest caveats: its air resistance is louder than magnetic or water rowers, and because Concept2 usually sells direct, Amazon may show “Check price” or ship it from a third-party seller — that is expected, not a red flag.

The rest of the field is about resistance type and space. The Sunny Health SF-RW5515 is the budget pick: a quiet, foldable magnetic rower for casual cardio, though its short rail crowds taller users on the drive. For immersive classes, the Hydrowis a near-silent electromagnetic rower with a 22-inch pivoting screen — superb if you will pay for the membership, dead weight if you won’t. The Echelon Smart Rower folds flat for small rooms and adds app-guided classes, but specs vary by version and the classes need an Echelon subscription. And the Sunny Health Obsidian Surgewater rower delivers that on-water whoosh and dynamic feel at a mid price — louder than magnetic, with no app.

How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

Picks at a glance

Ranked on published specs, footprint and buyer fit. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not tested these ourselves — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forPrice
1
Concept2 RowErg (Model D)

Concept2 RowErg (Model D)

The widely cited standard for home rowing, durable and data-rich, but louder than magnetic or water rowers.

Best overall
$990.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine

A quiet, foldable magnetic rower at a low price, best for shorter users and casual cardio.

Best budget
$329.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Hydrow Rowing Machine

Hydrow Rowing Machine

A premium, near-silent rower with immersive classes, worthwhile mainly if you'll pay for the membership.

Best for classes
$1,772.46 · View on Amazon

$2,195.0019% off

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Echelon Smart Rower

Echelon Smart Rower

A folding, app-connected rower for small spaces, with specs that vary by model and a subscription for classes.

Best folding connected
$807.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge Water Rowing Machine

Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge Water Rowing Machine

A mid-priced water rower with an authentic feel and sound, trading app features and quiet for a lower cost.

Best water rower
$699.99 · View on Amazon

Price as of July 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best overall

Concept2 RowErg (Model D)

The widely cited standard for home rowing, durable and data-rich, but louder than magnetic or water rowers.

Strengths

  • Legendary durability and the widely used PM5 monitor
  • 500 lb capacity and a wide 1-10 damper range
  • Separates into two pieces for storage

Trade-offs

  • Air resistance is louder than magnetic or water rowers
  • Frequently sold direct, so Amazon may show 'Check price' or third-party stock
ResistanceAir (flywheel), spiral damper 1-10
MonitorPM5 (Bluetooth, ANT+)
Max user weight500 lb
Footprint96 in L x 24 in W (needs ~9 x 4 ft)
Seat height14 in
StorageSeparates into two parts

Worth knowing. Often sold direct by Concept2, so on Amazon it may list as 'Check price' or ship from a third-party seller.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#2Best budget

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine

A quiet, foldable magnetic rower at a low price, best for shorter users and casual cardio.

Strengths

  • Quiet 8-level magnetic resistance
  • Folds and rolls away for storage
  • Very affordable entry point

Trade-offs

  • Short rail crowds taller rowers on the drive
  • Simple LCD with no app connectivity
ResistanceMagnetic, 8 levels
MonitorLCD (time, count, calories, total count)
Max user weight250 lb
FoldableYes

Specs read from the product listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#3Best for classes

Hydrow Rowing Machine

A premium, near-silent rower with immersive classes, worthwhile mainly if you'll pay for the membership.

Strengths

  • Near-silent electromagnetic resistance
  • 22-inch pivoting HD touchscreen with rowing and cross-training content
  • 375 lb capacity on a solid frame

Trade-offs

  • Classes require a Hydrow membership subscription
  • Long 86-inch footprint; upright storage needs an add-on kit
ResistanceElectromagnetic (computer-controlled drag)
Display22 in HD touchscreen (pivots)
Max user weight375 lb
Footprint86 in L x 25 in W x 47 in H
Weight145 lb
StorageUpright (with add-on kit)

Specs read from the product listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#4Best folding connected

Echelon Smart Rower

A folding, app-connected rower for small spaces, with specs that vary by model and a subscription for classes.

Strengths

  • 32 quiet magnetic resistance levels
  • Frame folds for storage in small spaces
  • Bluetooth pairs with the Echelon app for classes

Trade-offs

  • Classes require a paid Echelon membership
  • Specs and screen differ across Row Sport, Row-S and Row-4s versions
ResistanceMagnetic, 32 levels
Max user weightUp to 350 lb (varies by model)
StorageFolds for storage
DisplayDevice holder or built-in screen (varies by model)
ConnectivityBluetooth, Echelon app

Worth knowing. Sold in several versions (Row Sport, Row-S, Row-4s) with differing weight limits and screens; confirm the exact model before buying.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#5Best water rower

Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge Water Rowing Machine

A mid-priced water rower with an authentic feel and sound, trading app features and quiet for a lower cost.

Strengths

  • Water flywheel gives a smooth, on-water feel and sound
  • Higher 17-inch seat is easy to get on and off
  • Stores upright to save floor space

Trade-offs

  • Water resistance is louder than magnetic rowers
  • 250 lb capacity and no app or class integration
ResistanceWater (16-blade flywheel tank)
MonitorLCD (heart-rate compatible)
Max user weight250 lb
Overall length79 in
Seat height17 in
StorageStores upright

Specs read from the product listing, on July 19, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

How to choose a rowing machine

A rower is the sleeper pick of home cardio: a genuine full-body, low-impact workout that trains legs, back and arms at once. What separates them comes down to how they create resistance and how they live in your room.

Resistance type: air, magnetic, or water

Air rowers (Concept2) scale resistance with how hard you pull — pull harder, get more — and give the most honest, competitive feel, at the cost of a whooshing fan noise. Magnetic rowers (Sunny SF-RW5515, Echelon) set resistance by level and are the quietest, best for early mornings and shared walls. Water rowers (Obsidian Surge) mimic the pull of a boat and sound like it, splitting the difference on feel and noise.

Footprint and storage

Rowers are long. A Concept2 needs roughly a 9 by 4 foot clear run in use, so storage matters as much as the row itself. Magnetic and water models like the Echelon and Obsidian Surge fold or stand upright to reclaim the floor; the Concept2 separates into two pieces. Measure the length of your space before you buy, not after.

Monitor data vs class subscriptions

Decide whether you want numbers or coaching. The Concept2’s PM5 is a performance monitor: split times, watts and stroke rate you can log and race, with no fee. The Hydrow and Echelon put a screen and guided classes first, which is motivating but ties much of the value to a monthly membership — so budget the rower plus a year of classes as the true price.

Rail length and capacity

Taller and heavier rowers should check the rail length and weight limit. Budget rowers such as the SF-RW5515 use a shorter rail and a 250 lb cap that can crowd a long-legged drive, while the Concept2’s 500 lb capacity and long rail fit nearly anyone. Building the whole room around this? See our how to build a home gym guide.

Weighing a rower against other cardio? Compare it with the best treadmills and best exercise bikes, or read our treadmill vs exercise bike breakdown if impact and space are your main concerns.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the Concept2 sometimes show 'Check price'?

Concept2 frequently sells the RowErg direct rather than through Amazon's own inventory, so the listing may show 'Check price' or ship from a third-party seller. That is normal for this model - it is not a sign of a counterfeit or a problem with the machine.

Which rowing resistance type is quietest?

Magnetic rowers such as the Sunny SF-RW5515 and Echelon are the quietest because nothing touches the flywheel. Air rowers like the Concept2 make a noticeable whoosh that scales with effort, and water rowers add a splashing sound that many people enjoy but neighbors may not.

Do I need a subscription to use a rowing machine?

Only for the classes. The Concept2's PM5 monitor tracks all your performance data with no fee. Connected rowers like the Hydrow and Echelon lock their guided workouts behind a monthly membership, so factor that cost in if the classes are why you're buying.

How much space does a rowing machine need?

Plan for a long, clear run - a Concept2 needs roughly 9 by 4 feet in use. Many magnetic and water rowers fold or stand upright to store, and the Concept2 separates into two pieces, so measure the length of your room before choosing.

Sources

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