Is a budget magnetic rower good enough, or should I save for a Concept2?

Specialist subreddits like r/Rowing are blunt about this: if you're training as a rower or want universally comparable splits, the Concept2 (air resistance) is the gold standard. But for general cardio, weight loss, and low-impact full-body work, multiple high-trust reviewers say budget magnetic rowers from Sunny Health & Fitness and MERACH deliver a smooth, quiet workout at a fraction of the cost.