What's the best rowing machine I can buy?

The "best" rowing machine depends entirely on your budget, space, and whether you want high-tech interactive classes or a rugged, no-nonsense tool.

The top-rated rowing machines on the market fall into distinct categories based on what they do best:

• 1. Concept2 RowErg (formerly Model D) with PM5 Monitor Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — Best Overall / Gold Standard
  • Why it’s great: The undisputed king of indoor rowing. Found in almost every CrossFit box, Olympic training center, and garage gym. It uses air resistance, is virtually indestructible, holds its resale value like gold, and features the ultra-reliable PM5 monitor for tracking metrics.
  • Resistance type: Air
  • Price: ~$990-1,000
• 1. Hydrow Wave Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — Best High-Tech / Immersive Rower
  • Why it’s great: A sleeker, smaller, and more budget-friendly version of the original Hydrow. It offers a stunning HD touchscreen and on-water, instructor-led "live outdoor" scenic rows that make you feel like you're actually gliding across the Charles River.
  • Resistance type: Computer-controlled magnetic
  • Price: ~$1,650 (plus monthly subscription)
• 1. Ergatta Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — Best Gamified / Screen-Free Studio Vibe
  • Why it’s great: Built using a genuine handcrafted WaterRower frame, Ergatta replaces traditional instructor videos with data-driven, game-based workouts, races, and visual challenges. It’s gorgeous wood design looks like high-end furniture in a living room rather than bulky gym equipment.
  • Resistance type: Water
  • Price: ~$2,499 (plus monthly subscription)
• 1. Aviron Strong Series Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — Best for Entertainment & Strength Integration
  • Why it’s great: If you get bored easily by traditional workouts, Aviron combines dual air/magnetic resistance with an incredible software library featuring video games, streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube), and competitive races. It also allows up to 100 lbs of resistance for off-rower strength exercises.
  • Resistance type: Dual Air & Magnetic
  • Price: ~$2,292 (plus monthly subscription)
• 1. Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge (SF-RW5713)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — Best Budget Pick
  • Why it’s great: A budget-friendly water rower that gives you the authentic swishing sound and dynamic resistance of water without spending thousands of dollars. It’s sturdy, space-conscious, and perfect for beginners testing the waters.
  • Resistance type: Water
  • Price: ~$400

To help narrow this down, tell me:

• What is your budget?
• Do you prefer a monthly subscription/screen for classes, or just a simple monitor?
• How much space do you have for storage?

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 gives you a very natural stroke and scales with how hard you pull.
• Outstanding durability: It’s the workhorse you’ll find in serious gyms, rowing clubs, and competitive training.
• Great performance tracking: The PM5 monitor gives you pace, watts, distance, stroke rate and other useful metrics.
• No subscription required: You can use the machine fully without paying monthly.
• Excellent long-term value: Replacement parts are readily available, and the machine has a strong resale market.
• Works for beginners and serious athletes: You won't outgrow it if you get substantially fitter.
• Current expert roundups consistently put the RowErg at or near the top; Good Housekeeping and Forbes both select it as their overall winner.

The alternatives I'd consider

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

• WaterRower Original Series - $1,636.23 (Sweatband)

• Echelon Row Connected Rower - $899.99 (Echelon Fit US)

• MERACH NovaRow R50 - $459.99 (Best Buy)

• Hydrow Wave: Choose this if entertainment and coached workouts are what will actually motivate you to exercise. It's much more of a connected-fitness experience, but you're paying substantially more and a membership is part of the equation.

• WaterRower: Choose this if you care about a quiet, beautiful machine that can live in your house without looking like gym equipment. The water resistance has a lovely feel.

• Echelon Row: Worth considering if you want connected workouts for less money than a Hydrow.

• MERACH: A reasonable choice if your priority is spending as little as possible rather than getting the best machine.

My ranking: 🥇 Concept2 RowErg — best overall 🥈 WaterRower — best for quiet/premium aesthetics 🥉 Hydrow Wave — best for coached/immersive workouts 💰 MERACH — best budget option

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

The "best" rowing machine depends heavily on what you value most—whether that is pure data accuracy, high-tech immersive classes, or a sleek aesthetic for your living room.

The top-tier options on the market fall into distinct categories:

The Gold Standard (Best Overall / Performance): Concept2 RowErg with PM5

• Type: Air resistance
• Price: ~$990
• Why it’s the best: It is the undisputed king used by Olympic athletes, crossfit boxes, and home enthusiasts alike. It doesn't have a flashy touchscreen, but the PM5 monitor is bulletproof, incredibly accurate, tracks all your splits, and hooks up to apps like ErgData. It’s rugged, separates into two pieces for easy storage, and will literally last a lifetime.

Add to listBest High-Tech Connected Rower (Best Screen/Classes):

• Type: Electronically controlled digital resistance
• Price: ~$3,495 (plus monthly subscription)
• Why it’s the best: If you want top-tier instructor-led classes, form-tracking feedback (thanks to Peloton IQ), and a massive rotating HD touchscreen that makes cross-training (yoga, strength) seamless, this is as premium as it gets. It also stores vertically against a wall with an included anchor.

Add to listBest Luxury Wood/Aesthetic Option:

• Type: Water resistance
• Price: ~$1,100 – $1,300
• Why it’s the best: If you don't want a piece of industrial gym equipment sitting in your living room, the handmade wooden frame of a WaterRower blends in like furniture. It offers a soothing, authentic on-the-water sound and feel without needing an electrical outlet.

Add to listBest Mid-Range Foldable Magnetic Option:

• Type: Magnetic resistance (32 levels)
• Price: ~$1,299
• Why it’s the best: Features a 22-inch rotating HD screen and unique handlebar-mounted resistance controls so you can change intensity without breaking your stroke form. It also folds up neatly for easier storage than most large screen-based competitors.

To help narrow down which one fits you best, tell me:

• What is your budget?
• Do you prefer silent magnetic/water resistance or the rush of an air flywheel?
• Do you want built-in streaming classes or do you prefer self-guided workouts?

For most people, the best rowing machine you can buy is the Concept2 RowErg. It’s the benchmark choice for serious rowers, gyms, and home users because it’s durable, accurate, easy to maintain, and doesn’t lock you into a subscription. Multiple 2026 reviews still rank it as the top overall pick.

• Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - $1,045.00 (Walmart - Wiz Smart Shop)
• Hydrow Wave Rower - $2,295.00 (Hydrow)
• WaterRower Original Series Rowing Machine - $2,183.23 (Sweatband)

My top picks by type

🥇 Best overall:

Best for: almost everyone — fitness, weight loss, endurance, serious training Price range: about $1,000

Why it wins:

• Extremely durable (many owners keep them for decades)
• Excellent workout data through the PM5 monitor
• Used for competitive rowing tests and by many training programs
• No monthly fee
• Parts are widely available

Downsides:

• Fan noise (not silent)
• Screen is functional, not flashy
• Industrial look rather than furniture-like design

Men's Health Forbes### 🖥️ Best “I need motivation”:

Best for: beginners, people who like guided classes, apartment users

Pros:

• Beautiful touchscreen experience
• Instructor-led workouts
• Quiet electromagnetic resistance
• More engaging if you dislike solo workouts

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Best features require a subscription

Row HQ### 🌊 Best-looking water rower:

Best for: people who want a premium piece of furniture

Pros:

• Realistic water sound
• Gorgeous wood construction
• Smooth rowing feel

Cons:

• Less ideal if you care about standardized performance metrics
• More expensive than the Concept2

Row HQ### 💰 Best budget option

Look at machines like:

— a lower-cost air-resistance option

— good if you want basic home cardio at a lower price

Quick buying advice

Choose Concept2 if:

• You want the machine you’ll still love in 10 years
• You care about fitness progress and measurable results
• You don’t want subscription fees

Choose Hydrow if:

• You’re more likely to exercise with coaching and entertainment
• You live somewhere where noise matters

Choose WaterRower if:

• Appearance and the “real rowing” feel matter more than data

If you tell me your budget, height, available space, and whether you want guided classes or just a great workout, I can narrow it to one model.

Best overall: Concept2 RowErg

• Concept2 RowErg - $990.00 (Sorinex)

If you want one rowing machine that I'd recommend to most people, buy the Concept2 RowErg. It remains the consensus top pick in current 2026 testing, including Men's Health, which rates it best overall.

Why it's the best:

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance responds naturally to how hard you pull.
• PM5 monitor: Tracks pace, watts, distance, heart rate, stroke rate, etc.
• Extremely durable: 5-year frame warranty and 2-year parts warranty.
• No subscription: The machine is fully useful without paying monthly.
• Great for beginners and serious athletes: It's the standard you'll encounter in rowing clubs, CrossFit gyms, and competition.
• Easy to store: It separates into two pieces and can stand vertically.
• $990-ish: That's a particularly good value considering its durability and performance.

When I'd choose something else

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

• WaterRower Model #300 S4 - $1,699.00 (MoMA Design Store)

• Aviron Strong Series Rower - $1,999.00 (Best Buy)

• Hydrow Wave: Get this if quiet operation and instructor-led/scenic workouts matter more to you than value. It's much quieter than the Concept2, but the full experience requires a $50/month membership.

• WaterRower: Get this if you want a beautiful piece of furniture and a quieter, water-like rowing experience. It's especially appealing in a living room rather than a dedicated gym.

• Aviron Strong: Worth considering if you want a big touchscreen and entertainment/gamified workouts rather than a traditional rowing-focused machine.

My ranking

1. 🥇 Concept2 RowErg — best overall
2. 🥈 Hydrow Wave — best for guided workouts/quietness
3. 🥉 WaterRower Original — best for aesthetics and water feel
4. Aviron Strong — best for entertainment/gamification

Bottom line: Unless you specifically want a touchscreen, guided classes, or a furniture-grade wooden machine, I'd spend the ~$990 on the Concept2 RowErg and not overthink it. It's the machine I'd buy.

If you tell me your budget, height, where you'll keep it (garage/basement/bedroom), and whether you care about classes, I can narrow it down to the best specific model for you.

The "best" rowing machine depends entirely on your training style, budget, and whether you want a hardcore data-tracking gym staple or an immersive, instructor-led studio experience.

Industry consensus points to three standout machines that dominate the market:

1. The Gold Standard Overall Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: [Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rowing-machine/)
   • Type: Air Resistance
   • Price: ~$990
   • Why it’s the best: This is the machine you see in almost every CrossFit box, university boathouse, and commercial gym. It is virtually indestructible, incredibly accurate with its performance metrics (using the PM5 monitor), and holds its resale value better than any other fitness equipment. It doesn’t have a fancy touchscreen, but it is the ultimate tool for serious training.
2. Best for Immersive Classes & Motivation: Hydrow Wave Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Computer-Controlled Magnetic Resistance
   • Price: ~$1,995 (plus a monthly content subscription)
   • Why it’s the best: If you need an instructor shouting encouragement and real on-the-water scenic footage to keep you motivated, Hydrow Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is unmatched . The Hydrow Wave is a more compact, slightly smaller-footprint version of the original Hydrow , offering a buttery-smooth, near-silent stroke that mimics being on an actual river.
3. Best Gamified & Interactive Rower: Ergatta Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
   • Type: Water Resistance
   • Price: ~$1,799 - $2,400 (plus monthly membership)
   • Why it’s the best: Handcrafted from sleek cherrywood, it looks like high-end furniture rather than gym equipment. Instead of video classes, Ergatta Go to product viewer dialog for this item. features a gaming-inspired interface with visual-driven workouts, pacing games, and targeted challenges that make the miles fly by without an instructor talking over music.

To help narrow down the exact right fit for you, tell me:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you prefer quiet magnetic/water resistance or the woosh of an air fan?
• Are you looking for guided classes/screens , or do you just want to put your head down and work out?

The "best" rowing machine depends entirely on what you want out of your workout—whether that's hardcore performance tracking, immersive studio classes, or just a solid machine that won't break the bank.

The top-rated rowing machines are categorized below by what they do best:

• Best Overall & Industry Gold Standard: [Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.garagegymreviews.com/the-best-rowing-machine)
  • Resistance Type: Air
  • Why buy it: It is virtually indestructible, used in almost every CrossFit box and professional training facility, and features the gold-standard PM5 performance monitor. It doesn't have a flashy touchscreen or require a monthly subscription, but it tracks data with absolute accuracy and holds its resale value better than anything else on the market.
• Best Immersive / Live Classes: Hydrow Wave Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Resistance Type: Computer-controlled magnetic
  • Why buy it: If you want the Peloton-style experience—with on-water outdoor rows and engaging, high-energy instructors—the Hydrow Wave is smoother, smaller, and more affordable than the original Hydrow . It's whisper-quiet and looks sleek in a living room, though it does require an ongoing membership fee to unlock its full content.
• Best Gamified / Visual Workout: Ergatta Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Resistance Type: Water (built by WaterRower)
  • Why buy it: Crafted with a beautiful real-wood aesthetic, Ergatta ditches traditional instructor-led videos for video-game-style challenges, scenic rows, and targeted goal-based workouts. It’s the ultimate choice if you get bored easily and want your cardio session to feel like a game.
• Best Connected Touchscreen Rower: NordicTrack RW900 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Resistance Type: Magnetic + Digital resistance adjustments
  • Why buy it: Built around a massive, pivoting HD touchscreen that integrates with iFit , the RW900 allows trainers to digitally auto-adjust your resistance during workouts. It’s stable, premium, and bridges the gap between off-rower floor exercises and intense rowing intervals.
• Best Budget Pick: [Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rower (SF-RW5515)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://barbend.com/best-rowing-machine/)
  • Resistance Type: Magnetic
  • Why buy it: Costing a fraction of the high-end smart rowers, this straightforward compact machine is quiet, reliable, and handles basic home cardio workouts surprisingly well without demanding a subscription.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• What is your budget range?
• Do you want a subscription-based touchscreen for classes/games, or a standalone screen with no extra fees?
• Do you have space limitations where it needs to fold or store vertically?

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

Concept2 RowErg

$1,050.00

Why the Concept2 RowErg wins

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance gives you a natural, progressive resistance that works well for both easy cardio and hard intervals.
• Built to last: It’s exceptionally durable and widely used in rowing clubs, CrossFit gyms, and competitive training.
• Best workout data: The PM5 monitor tracks pace, watts, distance, stroke rate and more, with no required subscription.
• Great value: Around $990 is considerably less than most premium connected rowers.
• Easy to store: The machine separates into two pieces and can be stored upright.
• Huge ecosystem: Because Concept2 is the standard indoor rowing machine, your times and performance data are easy to compare with other rowers.

Multiple 2026 reviews independently put the RowErg at or near the top, including Men's Health, Forbes, and Good Housekeeping.

When I'd choose something else

The Hydrow Wave is particularly appealing if motivation is your biggest issue: it has a built-in 16" touchscreen and immersive coached workouts, but you're paying roughly $1,900–$2,000 for the machine and a recurring membership for the full experience.

Hydrow Wave Rower

$1,895.99

My recommendation: spend the ~$1,000 on the Concept2 RowErg and use the money you save for a heart-rate monitor or tablet for guided workouts. You get a machine that's capable of serious training without locking you into a subscription.

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

The absolute best overall rowing machine you can buy is the Concept2 RowErg Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , which typically costs around $990 . It is the gold standard used in Olympic training centers, crossfit boxes, and home gyms worldwide because of its unmatched data accuracy, bulletproof durability, and straightforward maintenance.

However, the "best" choice depends on whether you prefer immersive tech classes, quiet magnetic resistance, or gamified workouts.

Top Rowing Machines by Category

Best Overall / Most Durable: Concept2 RowErg — Uses air resistance, self-generating power, and features the reliable PM5 performance monitor with zero mandatory subscriptions.

Best Immersive Smart Rower: Hydrow Wave Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — A sleek, compact machine offering computer-controlled electromagnetic resistance and gorgeous on-the-water classes led by elite athletes (subscription required).

Best Interactive / Gamified: [Aviron Strong Series Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.garagegymreviews.com/the-best-rowing-machine) — Combines air and magnetic resistance with an engaging software platform that turns your workout into video games and races.

Best Alternative for CrossFit: Rogue Echo Rower Go to product viewer dialog for this item. — A rugged, heavy-duty air resistance machine built to mirror competition standards with great stability and quick-release features.

Key Specs at a Glance

Are you looking for a machine with a built-in streaming screen/classes , or do you prefer a traditional performance monitor without a monthly subscription?

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

Concept2 RowErg

$990.00

Why the Concept2 wins

• Excellent rowing feel: Air resistance responds naturally to how hard you pull.
• PM5 monitor: Tracks pace, watts, distance, stroke rate, heart rate, and more.
• No subscription required.
• Extremely durable: It's built for serious training and is widely used by competitive rowers and fitness facilities.
• Easy to store: It separates into two pieces.
• $990 is the current commonly listed U.S. price, making it particularly good value for a serious machine.
• It's also the machine I'd choose if you might eventually get into rowing competitions, CrossFit, HYROX, or structured fitness testing, because its performance data is a widely used standard.

The main downside: it's noticeably louder than magnetic rowers because of the fan.

When I'd choose something else

Hydrow Wave Rower

$2,295.00

WaterRower Natural Ash

$1,199.00

NordicTrack RW700 Rower

$1,039.99

The Hydrow is particularly appealing if motivation and instructor-led classes matter more to you than having the best pure rowing machine. Its electromagnetic resistance is much quieter, but the ecosystem is considerably more expensive because of the membership.

My bottom line: Unless you specifically want a built-in screen, very quiet operation, or furniture-grade aesthetics, buy the Concept2 RowErg and don't overthink it. Multiple 2026 testing/review roundups still put it at or near the top overall.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $500, $1,000, $2,000) and whether you care about quietness, weight loss, muscle building, or serious rowing, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options for you.