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The best rowing machines for every budget
The Concept2 RowErg wins for its durable build and precise training data; Merach and Sunny offer cheaper, reviewer-tested options.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rower with PM5 Monitor | MERACH Q1S Magnetic Rowing Machine | Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Hydraulic Rowing Machine |
| Price | about $990 | about $190 | about $112 |
| Why | It combines a durable, stable build with a responsive air-resistance stroke and the PM5’s useful pace, watts, and stroke-rate data. Reviewers repeatedly favor it for both everyday workouts and demanding intervals. | At about one-fifth the price of the Concept2, it offers quiet magnetic resistance, app connectivity, and adjustable resistance levels. Good Housekeeping named it a value pick after testing its smooth, quiet operation. | Reviewers rated it highly after test rows, and its roughly $112 price is the lowest of these three. It is light, foldable, and has 12 resistance levels for simple home workouts. |
| Good to know | Its air flywheel is noticeably louder as you increase your pace. | Its basic monitor and magnetic stroke are less suited to serious training. | The 220-pound user limit rules it out for some buyers. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIIt combines a durable, stable build with a responsive air-resistance stroke and the PM5’s useful pace, watts, and stroke-rate data. Reviewers repeatedly favor it for both everyday workouts and demanding intervals.
Good to know: Its air flywheel is noticeably louder as you increase your pace.
See on Amazonpicture by AIAt about one-fifth the price of the Concept2, it offers quiet magnetic resistance, app connectivity, and adjustable resistance levels. Good Housekeeping named it a value pick after testing its smooth, quiet operation.
Good to know: Its basic monitor and magnetic stroke are less suited to serious training.
See on Amazonpicture by AIReviewers rated it highly after test rows, and its roughly $112 price is the lowest of these three. It is light, foldable, and has 12 resistance levels for simple home workouts.
Good to know: The 220-pound user limit rules it out for some buyers.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Resistance type affects noise and how natural the rowing feels: air rowers get louder as you pull harder, while magnetic and hydraulic models are quieter. Also check the machine’s footprint, weight limit, monitor, and whether you need app features or workout classes.
Who this is for
The Concept2 suits most people who want a rower they can grow into, from casual exercise to hard training. The cheaper picks suit beginners, tighter budgets, or smaller spaces, with compromises in training feel or capacity.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rower with PM5 Monitor
It combines a durable, stable build with a responsive air-resistance stroke and the PM5’s useful pace, watts, and stroke-rate data. Reviewers repeatedly favor it for both everyday workouts and demanding intervals. The flywheel’s resistance rises as you row harder, so you control effort stroke by stroke. Good Housekeeping testers praised its construction, comfortable handle, adjustable footrests, and performance after hundreds of sessions. It separates into two pieces for storage and supports users up to 500 pounds. The basic monitor lacks a large screen, but it tracks key training metrics and connects to apps. Skip it if quiet operation is essential, since the fan gets louder at higher effort.
Good to know: Its air flywheel is noticeably louder as you increase your pace.
See on AmazonBest value: MERACH Q1S Magnetic Rowing Machine
At about one-fifth the price of the Concept2, it offers quiet magnetic resistance, app connectivity, and adjustable resistance levels. Good Housekeeping named it a value pick after testing its smooth, quiet operation. The Q1S is a sensible choice for beginner and intermediate workouts, especially if noise matters at home. Testers reported that setup took about 30 minutes, and the machine can be stored upright. Its Bluetooth connection and phone or tablet holder let you use the app or stream your own workouts. It is less robust and less suited to serious athletic training than the Concept2. Skip it if you want competition-style performance data or expect to train hard for years.
Good to know: Its basic monitor and magnetic stroke are less suited to serious training.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Hydraulic Rowing Machine
Reviewers rated it highly after test rows, and its roughly $112 price is the lowest of these three. It is light, foldable, and has 12 resistance levels for simple home workouts. Verywell Fit testers found it easy to set up and stable during use, and the small footprint makes it convenient to fold and move between rooms. Its hydraulic resistance and free app offer an inexpensive entry point for beginners. At 22 pounds, the machine is much lighter and smaller than full-size rowers. Its 220-pound weight limit is lower than the other picks, so check that before buying. Skip it if you need a long, natural-feeling stroke or a machine for intense, frequent training.
Good to know: The 220-pound user limit rules it out for some buyers.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Reviewers assessed setup, stability, stroke smoothness, comfort, resistance, noise, storage, and display features. Good Housekeeping reported hundreds of miles across its tested rowers; Men’s Health said its team used more than two dozen machines for varied workouts and hundreds of miles of testing. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.