🏋️ 3-question finder

Find the right rowing machine for you

Answer 3 quick questions and get the right rowing machine for your resistance type, room and budget, with a cheaper or step-up option when one fits.

Question 1 of 30%

What resistance do you want?

In a hurry? Our top-ranked rowing machines

The winner and runner-up from our ranking, with an available offer in our latest recorded data. Check each listing for current availability. Take the quiz above if you want the pick matched to how you actually train.

#1premium

Concept2 RowErg

Concept2

4.9

(13,086)

Excellent

The default home rower: air resistance that scales with every stroke, a PM5 monitor in the box, and splits you can compare with any RowErg. Plan for a 9 × 4 ft use area. Sold on Amazon by Concept2 itself as well as direct.

↑ Quality↑ Assembly↑ Workoutfrom 6,084 buyer mentions

Pros

+ PM5 monitor included, with splits comparable across every RowErg
+ Air resistance scales with how hard you pull
+ Separates into two pieces for storage
+ Concept2 sells replacement parts and publishes maintenance guides

Cons

− Fan noise carries in a shared room or thin-walled apartment
− No built-in class screen; workouts run through the PM5 or apps
− Needs a 9 × 4 ft use area, more than its 8 × 2 ft frame

Resistance Type: Air
Monitor: PM5
Max User Weight: 500 lb
Damper: 1-10 setting

Gym Score breakdown ▸

Stroke Feel84

Build & Durability69

Tracking & Experience79

Value92

Owner Satisfaction99

$990.00checked Nov 1, 2026Buy on Amazon

#2premium

WaterRower Club Rowing Machine

WaterRower

4.4

(197)

Very Good

The rower your designer friend will approve of. Real water tank, ash wood frame, genuinely stunning. Stroke feel is smoother than air, tracking is less precise than Concept2. On Amazon it is sold by a third-party seller at or under the maker's price (US retail lists run about $1,299 to $1,398; checked 2026-10-21).

↑ Quality↑ Workout↑ Assemblyfrom 245 buyer mentions

Pros

+ Beautiful hand-finished wood
+ Water resistance is quiet & smooth
+ Stores vertically

Cons

− Less precise tracking than PM5
− Water tank can grow algae without tabs
− More expensive than Concept2

Resistance Type: Water
Frame: Ash hardwood
Stores: Vertically

Gym Score breakdown ▸

Stroke Feel72

Build & Durability67

Tracking & Experience67

Value83

Owner Satisfaction81

$1,424.00checked Nov 1, 2026Buy on Amazon

Recommendations are scored against our ranked rowing machines using expert review research, owner feedback, and our GymScore. No sign-up, nothing stored.

Common questions

How does the rowing machine finder work?

It asks you 3 quick questions about how you'll train and your budget, then matches you to the best rowing machine from our ranked picks. If nothing fits your budget, it shows the closest match and how far over budget it is. It runs instantly in your browser; nothing is stored and there's no sign-up.

Is the recommendation based on real data?

Yes. Every match is scored against our ranked rowing machines, which combine expert review research, owner feedback, and our proprietary GymScore. We only recommend a rowing machine we rank.

Why does it show alternatives instead of just one rowing machine?

Because the right rowing machine depends on your budget. We show a money-saving pick when one costs less and a step-up when one costs more. If nothing has a current price within your budget, the closest match is labelled with the amount it runs over.

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