Home Rowing Machine Reviews and Buyer's Guide 2024
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Compare Rowing Machines
Price vs Features Tables


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


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 -- rowing machine reviews 15% 80
Sunny SF-RW5639 H -- rowing machine reviews 25% 99
Stamina Trac Glider 1050 H -- rowing machine reviews 35% 115
Sunny Full Motion H -- rowing machine reviews 25% 117
Sunny SF-RW5606 C -- rowing machine reviews 25% 130
Stamina 1110 M - rowing machine reviews 45% 180
ProForm 440R M F rowing machine reviews 50% 225
Xterra ERG200 M F rowing machine reviews 45% 236
Fitness Reality 1000 M B F rowing machine reviews 50% 240
Sunny SF-RW5856 M F rowing machine reviews 50% 248
Merax Magnetic M F rowing machine reviews 55% 250
Sunny RW5941 SMART M B F V rowing machine reviews 65% 215

Budget ($250 - $500)


Model Type Features Our Score (%) Price $
Stamina Air Rower A F 299
Stamina 1130 M F H P 299
XTERRA ERG500 A F P rowing machine reviews 60% 314
Sunny SF-RW5623 A/M F rowing machine reviews 60% 337
MaxKare Water W P rowing machine reviews 70% 340
Stamina 35-1405 ATS A F 343
Stamina 1333 H - rowing machine reviews 45% 343
Joroto Magnetic M F rowing machine reviews 75% 349
Xterra ERG400 A/M F rowing machine reviews 50% 351
Merach Q1S M B PC rowing machine reviews 70% 380
Kettler Favorit H P rowing machine reviews 50% 399
Sunny Obsidian W P rowing machine reviews 75% 397
LifeSpan RW1000 M F 410
Fitness Reality 5000X A/M F P rowing machine reviews 75% 470
XTERRA ERG600W W P rowing machine reviews 75% 499

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


Model Type Features Our Score (%) Price $
Velocity Fitness CHR-2001 M F H P rowing machine reviews 65% 528
Sunny Dual Air + Magnetic A/M F H P rowing machine reviews 55% 549
Kettler Kadett Outrigger H F P rowing machine reviews 65% 549
Bladez Cascade M F H P R rowing machine reviews 75% 590
NordicTrack RW200 A F rowing machine reviews 75% 599
Fitness Reality 3000WR W B R rowing machine reviews 80% 620
Fitness Reality 4000MR M F rowing machine reviews 80% 699
Stamina Wave 1450 W F P rowing machine reviews 75% 699
Stamina Conversion II M D F rowing machine reviews 75% 799
XTERRA ERG650W W F R rowing machine reviews 80% 965
XTERRA ERG700 A/M F P rowing machine reviews 80% 899
BodyCraft VR200 A/M F rowing machine reviews 85% 899
SOLE Fitness SR500 A/M F H M rowing machine reviews 85% 899
Concept2 Model D A M P PC R rowing machine reviews 95% 945
Waterrower A1 Home W - rowing machine reviews 85% 960
BodyCraft VR400 Pro A/M F P R rowing machine reviews 80% 999

Top Range (over $1,000)


Model Type Features Our Score (%) Price $
WaterRower GX Home W F rowing machine reviews 75% 1,010
First Degree Apollo Pro W H P PC rowing machine reviews 85% 1,060
WaterRower Natural W M P PC R rowing machine reviews 85% 1,095
Teeter Power10 M F H P rowing machine reviews 90% 1,099
Diamondback 910R A/M F H P R rowing machine reviews 85% 1,099
Concept2 Model E A M P PC R rowing machine reviews 90% 1,160
WaterRower Club W M P PC R rowing machine reviews 85% 1,160
LifeCore R100 Rower A/M H M P PC R rowing machine reviews 90% 1,299
WaterRower Slider A A P PCR rowing machine reviews 95% 1,299
LIT Strength Machine W P PC rowing machine reviews 85% 1,469
Assault AirRower Elite A B H P rowing machine reviews 90% 1,499
BodyCraft VR500 A/M F H M P R rowing machine reviews 90% 1,599
Hydrow Wave Rower E B H M P PC R V rowing machine reviews 95% 1,895
Hydrow Reality Rower E B H M P PC R V rowing machine reviews 95% 2,199
Ergatta Rower W H M P PC R V rowing machine reviews 95% 2,199
WaterRower S1 W H P PC R rowing machine reviews 90% 2,620
First Degree E-520 Pro W H P R rowing machine reviews 95% 2,799
Life Fitness Heat Row E B H M P PC R rowing machine reviews 95% 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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  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Brands
  • Buyers Guide
    • Compare
    • Types
    • used
    • Dropshippers
    • terminology
    • retailer strategies
    • Buy from store or web
    • Help
  • Benefits
    • weightloss
    • Rowing Machine Technique
    • rower verses exercise bike
    • rower verses treadmill
    • rower verses elliptical cross trainer
    • Injuries
    • Setting Goals
  • UK Rowers
  • Workouts
    • Example Workouts
    • Tabata Rowing Workouts
    • Time Trial Workouts
    • Duration Workout
    • Heart Rate Training Programs
    • Rowing Machine Workout Program
    • Bad Workout Habits
  • Concept2
  • WaterRower
  • Blog
  • Fitness Tests
    • Cardio Vascular Fitness Test
    • Balance Test
    • Coordination Test
  • Maintenance
    • mats
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
    • Your Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • About Us