What is the best rowing machine?

If you want one rowing machine that I’d recommend to most people, it’s the Concept2 RowErg.

• Concept2 RowErg - $1,050.00 (REP Fitness)

Why it’s the best overall

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance naturally increases as you pull harder.
• Built to last: It’s mechanically simple, proven, and widely used by serious rowers and athletes.
• Excellent PM5 monitor: Tracks pace, watts, stroke rate, distance, calories and more, with no subscription required.
• Great training ecosystem: Works with Concept2's ErgData and other fitness apps.
• Comparable performance: Concept2 is the standard for indoor rowing competitions and rowing training.
• Good value: Current U.S. pricing is around $990 for the standard model, though retailer prices can vary.

The main downside

It's not quiet. The fan makes a noticeable whooshing sound, so if you're in an apartment or need very quiet workouts, I'd consider a magnetic rower instead.

My picks by type

• 🥇 Best overall: Concept2 RowErg
• 🤫 Best quiet/connected: Hydrow Wave — magnetic resistance and guided workouts, but the full experience involves a membership.
• 🌊 Best water rower: WaterRower Original — beautiful, smooth and quieter, but more expensive and less focused on standardized performance data.
• 💰 Best budget: MERACH Q1S — dramatically cheaper, though it isn't in the same league as the Concept2 for serious rowing.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $500, $1,000, $1,500+), whether noise matters, and your height, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 choices for you.

Choosing the best rowing machine depends entirely on your training style, as different models excel at unmatched reliability, gamified workouts, or quiet home use . Fitness review experts at Garage Gym Reviews frequently point to the Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for performance training and the Aviron Strong Series Go to product viewer dialog for this item. for premium tech.

Summary of Top Rowing Machines

Top Recommendations

• Best For : Performance, metrics tracking, and raw durability.

• Key Features : Equipped with the highly accurate PM5 performance monitor. It separates easily into two parts without tools for seamless storage.

• Considerations : Uses air resistance, which delivers an infinite challenge but generates a noticeable fan whoosh sound. [1][2][3][4]

• Best For : High-end interactive tech and arcade-style entertainment.

• Key Features : Features competitive games, scenic paths, streaming app integration, and a heavy-duty frame supporting up to 507 lbs.

• Considerations : Requires a monthly subscription to unlock its robust library of games and features. [1][2]

• Best For : Smooth, realistic rowing dynamics and beautiful interior design.

• Key Features : Replicates the true physical feel of rowing on water while producing a calming, rhythmic acoustic sound.

• Considerations : Tracking advanced metrics requires an optional upgrade to an S4 Bluetooth module or external sensor.[1][2][3]

• Best For : Immersive studio-style workouts and silent home use.

• Key Features : Built around a 24" HD touchscreen running iFIT, which automatically controls your magnetic resistance during structured classes.

• Considerations : Silent magnetic rowers provide a consistent pull but lack the natural "catch" and adaptive resistance of air or water units. [1][2][3]

To help you find the absolute perfect fit for your home gym, tell me a bit about:

• Do you prefer video game workouts, studio classes, or just a simple screen for raw data?
• How important is noise level in your living environment?
• What is your approximate budget or space limitation?

If you want one rowing machine that I’d recommend to most people, it’s the Concept2 RowErg.

• Concept2 RowErg - $1,050.00 (REP Fitness)

Why the Concept2 RowErg wins

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance gives you resistance that responds naturally to how hard you pull.
• Outstanding durability: It's built for serious training and is widely used by competitive rowers, gyms, and athletes.
• Best-in-class tracking: The PM5 monitor gives you accurate pace, watts, stroke rate, distance, etc., without requiring a subscription.
• Great long-term value: Replacement parts are readily available and the machine has an enormous user community.
• Easy to store: It separates into two pieces and can be stood upright.
• Good for beginners and experts: You won't outgrow it as your fitness improves.

Multiple 2026 reviews continue to rank the RowErg as the best overall rowing machine.

But there are two situations where I'd choose something else

For a beautiful, quiet machine: WaterRower.

• WaterRower Rowing Machine - $1,699.00 (MoMA Design Store)

The wooden construction looks much better in a living room, and its water resistance produces a pleasant swooshing sound. It's particularly appealing if aesthetics and quieter operation matter more than performance data.

For interactive classes and motivation: Hydrow Wave.

• Hydrow Wave Rower - $2,295.00 (Hydrow)

It's the better choice if you're likely to use instructor-led workouts and want a built-in touchscreen. The tradeoff is substantially higher cost and a recurring membership for the full experience.

My ranking

1. 🥇 Concept2 RowErg — best overall
2. 🥈 WaterRower Original — best for quiet operation/design
3. 🥉 Hydrow Wave — best for guided workouts
4. Echelon Row-s — good connected alternative
5. MERACH — good budget option

Bottom line: If you're serious about getting fit and don't specifically need a touchscreen or furniture-quality appearance, buy the Concept2 RowErg. It's the one I'd spend my own money on.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $500, $1,000, $2,000+) and whether you're a beginner or serious rower, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options for you.

The Concept2 RowErg (with PM5 monitor) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely considered the overall best and gold-standard rowing machine on the market, trusted by Olympic athletes, cross-training boxes, and home gyms alike for its unmatched durability, precise data tracking, and reasonable $990 price point. [1][2]

Different models suit varying workout styles, aesthetic preferences, and budget targets:

Features air resistance, legendary commercial-grade build quality, separates into two quick-release pieces for storage, and includes the reliable PM5 performance monitor. Available directly from the Concept2 Store or Rogue Fitness for $990.[1]

Offers an immersive, high-definition touchscreen experience with live and on-water recorded instructor-led classes. It uses a smooth, patented electromagnetic drag system. Prices vary, typically starting around $1,499–$2,499.

Uses a genuine water flywheel that mimics the natural sound and dynamic resistance of a real boat on water. Crafted from solid wood, it absorbs sound well and stands upright for compact storage. Available via WaterRower for around $1,199.

Combines silent magnetic resistance with a tiltable 10-inch touchscreen and 26 digital resistance levels, frequently discounted at retailers like DICK'S Sporting Goods or Best Buy for roughly $999.[1]

If you want to narrow down your choice, let me know:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you prefer quiet magnetic/water resistance or air resistance?
• Are you looking for screen-based subscription classes or basic stats tracking?

If you want the best rowing machine for most people, I’d buy the Concept2 RowErg.

• Concept2 RowErg - $1,050.00 (REP Fitness)

Why it’s the best

• Excellent rowing feel: Its air-resistance flywheel is the benchmark for serious indoor rowing.
• Extremely durable: It’s built for years of heavy use and supports users up to 500 lb.
• Best-in-class performance tracking: The PM5 monitor gives you pace, watts, distance, stroke rate, and heart-rate connectivity.
• No subscription required: You can use it completely on its own or connect it to apps.
• Easy to store: It separates into two pieces.
• Great for beginners and serious athletes: It remains the top overall pick in multiple 2026 reviews, including Men's Health and Forbes.
• Current price: about $990 for the standard-leg version.

The main downside

It's not the quietest rower, and the display is functional rather than flashy. If you want a big touchscreen with instructor-led classes, something like the Hydrow is more enjoyable—but you're paying substantially more for that experience.

My ranking:

1. 🥇 Concept2 RowErg — best overall
2. 🥈 Hydrow Wave — best for immersive coached workouts
3. 🥉 WaterRower — best for a beautiful, quiet, premium home-gym experience
4. MERACH — best if you want to spend considerably less

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $500, $1,000, $2,000) and whether noise matters, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 choices for you.

The Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely considered the best rowing machine overall due to its unmatched durability, gold-standard data tracking, and exceptional value.

Quick Comparison of Top Rowers

In-Depth Breakdown of Top Choices

Add to list The undisputed gym standard. Its flywheel responds directly to your effort, meaning you control the intensity. The PM5 monitor tracks precise output metrics that let you compare your scores with rowers worldwide. It separates easily into two pieces for storage. [1][2][3]

Add to list Replicates the feeling of being on the water using computer-controlled electromagnetic resistance. It features a brilliant touchscreen streaming outdoor workouts filmed on famous rivers, led by elite athletes. The Wave is 30% smaller than the original Hydrow, making it ideal for apartments.

Add to list Instead of typical studio classes, Aviron focuses on video-game-style programming. You can outrun virtual zombies, compete against multiplayer lobbies, or complete coached challenges on its 22-inch HD screen. It features a comfortable 20-inch seat height and a robust 507-pound weight capacity.

Add to list Crafted out of premium wood, this water-resistance rower looks like luxury furniture. It utilizes a water tank to produce a soothing, natural swoosh sound with every stroke. The software focuses on metrics, analytics, and retro-style racing games against other users. [1][2][3][4]

Add to list The best wallet-friendly entry point. It operates near-silently due to its magnetic design and offers 8 to 16 levels of adjustable tension. While the digital monitor is barebones, the machine provides a reliable, low-impact full-body workout for a fraction of the cost.

To help narrow this down, what is your target budget ? Let me know if you prefer connected studio classes, gaming apps , or a simple plug-and-play machine.

For most people, the best rowing machine is the Concept2 RowErg. It is the closest thing to a “buy once, keep forever” choice: durable, accurate, easy to repair, and used widely by serious rowers, gyms, and competitions. Multiple fitness reviews rank it as the best overall rower.

• Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - $1,431.93 (BLK BOX)
• Hydrow Wave Rower - $2,295.00 (Hydrow)
• WaterRower Original Series Rowing Machine - $2,180.62 (Sweatband)

Best rowing machines by type

🥇 Best overall: Concept2 RowErg

Best for: fitness, weight loss, athletes, CrossFit, serious training Why it wins:

• Excellent durability and resale value
• Very accurate performance tracking
• No required subscription
• Huge user community and workout ecosystem
• Air resistance feels natural and scales with your effort

Downsides:

• Louder than magnetic rowers
• Less “furniture-like” than premium home models

Men's Health Good Housekeeping### 🌊 Best-looking / quietest traditional rower: WaterRower Original Series

Best for: home gyms, apartments, people who want a beautiful machine Why it’s great:

• Real water resistance with a satisfying swoosh
• Very quiet
• Looks like furniture

Downsides:

• Less standardized performance data than Concept2
• Larger and heavier

Row HQ### 📺 Best for beginners who need motivation: Hydrow Wave Rower

Best for: people who enjoy coached classes and guided workouts Why it’s great:

• Excellent screen and instructor-led workouts
• Smooth, quiet magnetic resistance
• More beginner-friendly experience

Downsides:

• Higher cost
• Full experience requires a membership

Men's Health### 💰 Best budget choices

If you want to spend less:

• MERACH NovaRow R50 Air Rowing Machine — a lower-cost air rower option.
• XTERRA Fitness ERG650W Water Rowing Machine — a more affordable water-style option.

My recommendation by buyer

• You want the best machine, period: Concept2 RowErg
• You want to get fit at home and don’t care about classes: Concept2 RowErg
• You live in an apartment and hate noise: WaterRower or Hydrow
• You need motivation and coaching: Hydrow
• You’re training for rowing performance: Concept2

If you tell me your budget, available space, height/weight, and whether you want classes or just workouts, I can narrow it to the best specific model.

When experts, competitive rowers, and home gym reviewers talk about the "best" rowing machine, one model almost universally takes the crown as the overall gold standard : the Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item.. [1][2][3]

However, the "best" choice ultimately depends on your budget, whether you want a digital screen with scenic classes, or if you prefer the quiet feel of water/magnetic resistance.

1. The Gold Standard Overall: Concept2 RowErg

• Type: Air Resistance (Flywheel)
• Price: ~$990
• Why it’s the best: It is the undisputed king of durability, used by Olympic rowers, CrossFit boxes, and home garages alike. It features the PM5 performance monitor, requires no mandatory subscription, breaks apart into two pieces for easy storage, and lasts for decades with practically zero maintenance. It's loud-ish (like rushing wind), but unmatched for actual training metrics. [1][2][3][4]

2. Best Smart / Immersive Rower: Hydrow Wave Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Type: Computer-controlled Magnetic Resistance
• Price: ~$1,695 (+ monthly subscription)
• Why it’s great: If you want an engaging, Peloton-style experience with on-water classes filmed in gorgeous locations around the world, Hydrow Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is top-tier. The electromagnetic drag feels remarkably smooth and quiet, and the machine has a sleek, modern aesthetic that looks great in a living room.

3. Best Gaming & Entertainment Rower:

• Type: Air + Magnetic Resistance
• Price: ~$2,199 (+ optional subscription)
• Why it’s great: If traditional workouts bore you, Aviron focuses on gamified fitness—letting you race against others, play video games using your rowing strokes, or stream movies while you work out. It's heavily built, comfortable, and makes the time fly by.

4. Best Premium Water Rower: Ergatta Luxe Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Type: Water Resistance
• Price: ~$2,499 (+ subscription)
• Why it’s great: Handcrafted from genuine cherry or walnut wood, the Ergatta Go to product viewer dialog for this item. looks like a piece of high-end furniture rather than gym equipment. It pairs the soothing, organic sound of water resistance with a software interface that emphasizes visually driven, goal-based calibration games rather than instructor-led shouting.

5. Best Budget-Friendly Pick: YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Type: Magnetic Resistance
• Price: ~$300–$400
• Why it’s great: If you want a quiet, space-conscious machine to get a solid cardio workout without spending close to a thousand dollars, Yosuda’s magnetic rowers offer smooth resistance, a compact footprint, and wallet-friendly reliability.

To help me narrow down the absolute best fit for you, tell me:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you prefer quiet magnetic/water resistance or don't mind the wind-tunnel sound of an air rower?
• Are you looking for guided classes/screens , or a subscription-free setup?

Best overall: Concept2 RowErg

If you want one rowing machine that I’d recommend to most people, it’s the Concept2 RowErg.

• Concept2 RowErg Rower - PM5 Performance Monitor - $1,250.00 (Gronk Fitness Products)

It consistently comes out on top in current 2026 testing, including Men's Health and The Independent.

Why I’d buy it

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance gets harder naturally as you pull harder.
• Extremely durable: It's built for heavy commercial/athletic use and has a 5-year frame warranty.
• Best performance tracking: The PM5 monitor gives you pace, watts, stroke rate, distance, calories, etc.
• No subscription: You aren't paying $40–$50/month just to get the useful features.
• Great for beginners and serious athletes: It's the standard you'll encounter in CrossFit, rowing clubs, and competitive testing.
• Easy to store: It separates into two pieces and can stand vertically.
• Good value: Current listed pricing is around $990 for the standard RowErg.

The main alternatives

The Hydrow Wave is compelling if you specifically want a big screen and instructor-led workouts; its magnetic resistance is considerably quieter, but you're paying substantially more and the full experience requires a membership.

The WaterRower is my choice if aesthetics and a quieter, water-like stroke matter more than having the best performance data.

Bottom line: Unless you have a specific reason to want a touchscreen, extreme quietness, or a furniture-quality appearance, buy the Concept2 RowErg. It's the safest "buy once, keep it for years" choice.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $500, $1,000, $2,000) and whether it's for weight loss, general fitness, CrossFit, or serious rowing, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options for you.

The "best" rowing machine depends on what you value most—durability, interactive classes, gaming motivation, or budget. However, across the fitness community, a few standout models dominate the market for specific needs:

1. Best Overall & Most Reliable: Concept2 RowErg with PM5 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Air Resistance
   • Why it's the best: This is the undisputed gold standard used by Olympic athletes, CrossFit boxes, and home gym owners alike. It features an unmatched PM5 performance monitor, bulletproof commercial-grade durability, and easily separates into two pieces for storage. It doesn't require a wall plug (it powers itself via the flywheel) and holds its resale value better than any other fitness equipment.[1]
2. Best for Gamified Motivation: Aviron Strong Go Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Dual Air & Magnetic Resistance
   • Why it's great: If you get bored easily by traditional workouts, Aviron uses game psychology, racing, and immersive virtual worlds (like escaping zombies or competing against others) to make cardio addictive. It offers up to 100 lbs of resistance and dual air/magnetic capability that allows for both cardio and actual strength training pulls.[1]
3. Best Connected / Screen Experience: Echelon Row-S Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Magnetic Resistance
   • Why it's great: Equipped with a rotating 22-inch HD touchscreen and handlebar-mounted resistance controls, this is built for people who want studio-style instructor-led classes at home. It also folds upright, making it significantly more space-conscious in a living area than a standard fixed-frame studio rower.[1]
4. Best Luxury / Scenic Rower: NordicTrack RW900 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Silent Magnetic & Air Resistance
   • Why it's great: Tied into the iFIT ecosystem, it features a massive 24-inch rotating touchscreen that lets you stream thousands of outdoor scenic rows or off-row floor exercises (yoga, strength training) with automatic resistance adjustments controlled by your trainer.[1]

If you want to narrow down the choice, let me know:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you want a built-in screen with a monthly subscription or a simple display/BYO-tablet setup?
• Are you tight on storage space?