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.