Compare Rowing Machines
Price vs Features Tables

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Please use our table below to compare price and features to find the best rowing machine for your budget. Models in bold have a full review, we're adding more every week - so come back soon if you don't see what you're looking for yet. Before you buy, ask yourself what is your motivation. What will make you come back to your rower to keep training so you can meet your training targets. If the machine doesn't excite you, you won't use it and will have wasted you money. 

If you like race programs or PC integrated software to track your progress, you' ll need to spend big. If you're happy just to row while listening to music, then maybe a mid-budget model would be adequate.

But also check the dimensions and other everyday factors, such as is it a folding model? Can you fit it in your living space? Do you need to store it away when not in use? Do you like the style, does it require regular maintenance?

If you don't use it, it's going to get in your way and gather dust! And don't think you'll get your money back selling it on eBay - there are plenty of second hand machines that have hardly been used, and so prices are low!

Our Rowing Machine Scoring System

Our scores below are leveled across the whole price range. Obviously a rower costing under $150 is never going to compete against one costing over ten times as much. So just because one machine gets 50% it doesn't necessarily mean it's no good. 

You can use our scoring system to compare with other models within a $200 range - this will give you a better idea of how we rate a model. Please note, although we check prices on a regular basis, they do change often and we may occasionally be one week out on the latest updates.

Please click on the model name to read our full review.

Rowing Machine Comparison Tables

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Please see the 'KEY' below the list of models for what the Type and Features mean.

Lo-Cost (under $250)

Model	Type	Features	Our Score (%)	Price $
Stamina InMotion	H	--		80
Sunny SF-RW5639	H	--		99
Stamina Trac Glider 1050	H	--		115
Sunny Full Motion	H	--		117
Sunny SF-RW5606	C	--		130
Stamina 1110	M	-		180
ProForm 440R	M	F		225
Xterra ERG200	M	F		236
Fitness Reality 1000	M	B F		240
Sunny SF-RW5856	M	F		248
Merax Magnetic	M	F		250
Sunny RW5941 SMART	M	B F V		215

Budget ($250 - $500)

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Model	Type	Features	Our Score (%)	Price $
Stamina Air Rower	A	F		299
Stamina 1130	M	F H P		299
XTERRA ERG500	A	F P		314
Sunny SF-RW5623	A/M	F		337
MaxKare Water	W	P		340
Stamina 35-1405 ATS	A	F		343
Stamina 1333	H	-		343
Joroto Magnetic	M	F		349
Xterra ERG400	A/M	F		351
Merach Q1S	M	B PC		380
Kettler Favorit	H	P		399
Sunny Obsidian	W	P		397
LifeSpan RW1000	M	F		410
Fitness Reality 5000X	A/M	F P		470
XTERRA ERG600W	W	P		499

Mid-Range ($500 - $1,000)

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Model	Type	Features	Our Score (%)	Price $
Velocity Fitness CHR-2001	M	F H P		528
Sunny Dual Air + Magnetic	A/M	F H P		549
Kettler Kadett Outrigger	H	F P		549
Bladez Cascade	M	F H P R		590
NordicTrack RW200	A	F		599
Fitness Reality 3000WR	W	B R		620
Fitness Reality 4000MR	M	F		699
Stamina Wave 1450	W	F P		699
Stamina Conversion II	M	D F		799
XTERRA ERG650W	W	F R		965
XTERRA ERG700	A/M	F P		899
BodyCraft VR200	A/M	F		899
SOLE Fitness SR500	A/M	F H M		899
Concept2 Model D	A	M P PC R		945
Waterrower A1 Home	W	-		960
BodyCraft VR400 Pro	A/M	F P R		999

Top Range (over $1,000)

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Model	Type	Features	Our Score (%)	Price $
WaterRower GX Home	W	F		1,010
First Degree Apollo Pro	W	H P PC		1,060
WaterRower Natural	W	M P PC R		1,095
Teeter Power10	M	F H P		1,099
Diamondback 910R	A/M	F H P R		1,099
Concept2 Model E	A	M P PC R		1,160
WaterRower Club	W	M P PC R		1,160
LifeCore R100 Rower	A/M	H M P PC R		1,299
WaterRower Slider	A	A P PCR		1,299
LIT Strength Machine	W	P PC		1,469
Assault AirRower Elite	A	B H P		1,499
BodyCraft VR500	A/M	F H M P R		1,599
Hydrow Wave Rower	E	B H M P PC R V		1,895
Hydrow Reality Rower	E	B H M P PC R V		2,199
Ergatta Rower	W	H M P PC R V		2,199
WaterRower S1	W	H P PC R		2,620
First Degree E-520 Pro	W	H P R		2,799
Life Fitness Heat Row	E	B H M P PC R		2,995

KEY:

Type (Resistance)	Features
A: Air	B: Bluetooth
C: Cord	D: Dual/Hybrid
E: Electromagnetic	F: Folding model
H: Hydraulic/Piston	H: Heart Rate Programs
M: Magnetic	M: Multi-user
W: Water	P: Pulse Rate
	PC: PC compatible
	R: Race Boat
	V: Virtual/real river rows

​Other things to consider when buying fitness equipment is the warranty. Even if you're paying only a few hundred dollars for a budget machine, you don't want it to breakdown after only a few months use. A good warranty will give you peace of mind for a reasonable period of time and offer a quick service to repair damaged parts. If your machine is out of use for even a week you may find you've lost what you've gained once you get back to your training. You can read our advice on what to look for in the warranty here.

Brands such as Concept2 have been around for decades and earned the reputation as a leader in this field. But newcomers such as First Degree have very quickly established themselves at the top-end water resistant rowers - they've recently added commercial models. You can check out what we think of the popular brands on the market today here.

To get more advice, see our guide on buying the best rowing machines.


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