VerdictAI

Buying guide · 2026

Best Rowing Machines

Rowing machines span a wide range — from the institutional-standard Concept2 air rower to quiet magnetic units sized for apartments and water rowers designed to mimic the feel of being on a boat. The picks below synthesize what high-trust testers (Garage Gym Reviews, Treadmill Review Guru, BarBend, Men's Health, Lifehacker) and specialist communities (r/Rowing, r/concept2, r/homegym) have written, weighted toward independent expert consensus rather than Amazon star averages alone. Where reviewers disagree — particularly around the budget Merach and Yosuda machines — we surface the disagreement instead of smoothing it over.

Sources behind this synthesis

32 reviewers read. Weighted by trust.

We don’t review products. We read what other reviewers wrote, score each source for trustworthiness, and synthesize the consensus.

How sources are scored →

Trust mix

No flagged sources

Trusted0trustedMixed12mixed
Show all 16 other sources →
YouTube · Consider THIS before buying!YouTube · YouTubeYouTube · The BEST of The Best?YouTube · Best Indoor Rowing Machine 2026?r/homegymr/Rowingr/workoutYouTube · Review after 3 monthsYouTube · Cheap, Pretty, Quiet… rubbish DATA?r/concept2YouTube · 2025 Best Budget Rower?YouTube · Grade Magnetic Rowing Machine for HomeYouTube · Is It Worth It ...YouTube · My Only Complaint Watch ...YouTube · Expert Trainer's GuideYouTube · RW1205 Rowing Machine Rower with ...

By source type

Expert
0
Retailer
0
Community
12
Video
20

At a glance

RankProductBest forAmazon ratingVerdict scorePriceBuy
#1
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air…
Best overall
4.912,991
96/100
$990.00Check price
#2
MERACH Professional Indoor Rowing Machine, Adjustable Air Resistance Rowing Machines for…
MERACH
Best value air alternative
4.6317
82/100
$529.99Check price
#3
MERACH Water Rowing Machines for Home, Foldable Row Machine with 400LBS Weight Capacity…
MERACH
Best water resistance
4.6218
76/100
$299.99Check price
#4
MERACH Rowing Machines for Home, Magnetic Rowing Machine with 16 Levels, Rower Machine of…
MERACH
Best magnetic (quiet)
4.42,145
74/100
$189.99Check price
#5
Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Adjustable Rowing Machine with 12 Levels of Resistance for…
Sunny Health & Fitness
Best budget / compact
4.419,875
62/100
$129.54Check price

Our top pick

#1 of 5
Top pick · #1Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage
Best overall

Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage

★★★★★4.9(12,991)96Excellent

Across the reviewers we read, the Concept2 RowErg is the consensus benchmark for indoor rowing — the machine other rowers are measured against. Treadmill Review Guru calls it 'trustworthy and effective… durable but lightweight, low-tech but incredibly accurate,' Coach praises the build quality and built-in workout modes, and Men's Health highlights the PM5 monitor's accurate metrics without 'distracting touchscreen features.' The r/concept2 community repeatedly emphasizes that the machine routinely survives a decade or more of heavy use, which is why it is the standard in CrossFit boxes, collegiate rowing programs and Olympic training centers.

Price

$990.00

Read review →Check price

The rest of the rankings

#2–5

Frequently asked

5 questions
Is the Concept2 RowErg really worth the price over a $200 Amazon rower?
According to the consensus across Garage Gym Reviews, Treadmill Review Guru, Men's Health and r/concept2, yes — for serious or long-term use. Reviewers cite the PM5 monitor's accuracy, the machine's longevity (many users report 10+ years), and that it is the de facto standard used in CrossFit gyms, college rowing programs and the Olympics. Budget magnetic rowers can deliver a quiet cardio session for far less, but reviewers consistently note shorter rails, cheaper monitors and inferior stroke feel.
Air, magnetic, or water resistance — which is best?
Reviewers describe air as the most rowing-authentic (resistance scales with effort) but loudest, magnetic as the quietest and most apartment-friendly but with a less natural feel, and water as a middle ground with a pleasant 'whoosh' sound that some find soothing and others find distracting. r/Rowing posters generally point new buyers toward air if they want to train seriously and magnetic if quiet operation is the priority.
Are Merach and Yosuda rowers any good?
Reviewer consensus is 'good for the price, not a Concept2 substitute.' Lifehacker and r/Rowing call the Merach Q1S a solid value with a durable feel, while r/homegym posts on the Merach R50 flag the monitor as the weak link ('the monitor is trash'). Yosuda gets similar treatment on Reddit — quiet and stable for beginners, but several users on r/homegym say they plan to upgrade to a Concept2 eventually.
Do I need a foldable or compact rower for an apartment?
If floor space is limited, yes — but note that even the Concept2 RowErg separates into two pieces and stands upright for storage. Reviewers of the Merach R28 and Sunny Health foldables highlight true fold-flat designs at the cost of shorter rails, which taller users (over ~6'2") on r/Rowing say can cut the drive short.
Does the Concept2 PM5 monitor work with apps like Hydrow or Peloton?
Per Men's Health and rowingrelated.com, the PM5 connects to Bluetooth heart-rate monitors and ANT+, and works with ErgData, Kinomap, and the Hydrow app via a phone or tablet mounted on the device holder. Multiple Reddit posters caution that the PM5 itself is not a touchscreen — it is a data-first monitor, not an entertainment console.