Concept2 Model D Rower vs Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower
Concept2 Model D Rower (#1, best overall) vs Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower (#5, best budget): in our Rowing Machines scoring the Concept2 Model D Rower totals 9.7/10 and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower 6.6/10.
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Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower
$199Check price at AmazonRead full reviewTopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Concept2 Model D Rower | Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1209 | $199 |
| Resistance | Air (damper 1-10) | Magnetic (8 levels) |
| Monitor | PM5 | LCD |
| Length | 96" (14" stored) | — |
| Seat Height | 14" | — |
| Max User | 500 lbs | 250 lbs |
| Motion | — | Full arm sweep |
| Folded Size | — | 37" x 19" |
How they differ in real use
Built from our rowing machines scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Concept2 Model D Rower and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower made our Top 5 Rowing Machines, at #1 (best overall) and #5 (best budget). The undisputed rowing king found in every CrossFit gym and Olympic training center. PM5 monitor excellence with virtually indestructible construction. Budget rower that actually rows—magnetic resistance with full arm motion at the lowest price point. Good for rowing beginners.
We score rowing machines on Row Feel (35%), Resistance Type (25%), Build Quality (20%), Features (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Concept2 Model D Rower totals 9.7 out of 10 and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower 6.6. The widest gap is Row Feel, where the Concept2 Model D Rower scores 10 against 6 for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower — stroke smoothness. Build Quality also separates them: 10 for the Concept2 Model D Rower versus 6 for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Resistance — Air (damper 1-10) on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus Magnetic (8 levels) on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower; Monitor — PM5 on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus LCD on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower; Max User — 500 lbs on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus 250 lbs on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $1,209 for the Concept2 Model D Rower and $199 for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower, a $1,010 difference in the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower's favor. Owners praise the Concept2 Model D Rower for industry gold standard and PM5 monitor excellence; the most common complaint is air resistance is loud. Owners praise the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower for very affordable and magnetic resistance (quiet); the most common complaint is lighter flywheel.
Concept2 Model D Rower
- Industry gold standard
- PM5 monitor excellence
- Virtually indestructible
- Separates for storage
- Air resistance is loud
- Basic aesthetics
- No built-in streaming
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower
- Very affordable
- Magnetic resistance (quiet)
- Full arm motion
- Folds for storage
- Lighter flywheel
- Basic build quality
- Limited resistance range
Which should you buy?
The Concept2 Model D Rower is the better fit for serious rowers and crossFit athletes — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Row Feel and Build Quality. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower is the better fit for budget home gyms and apartment dwellers, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $1,010 saving matters more than Row Feel, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower is the better value. The Concept2 Model D Rower is a poor fit for quiet environments; the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower is a poor fit for serious rowers.
Choose the Concept2 Model D Rower if
- Serious rowers
- CrossFit athletes
- Those wanting the best
Skip it if
- Quiet environments
- Streaming workout fans
Choose the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower if
- Budget home gyms
- Apartment dwellers
- Rowing beginners
Skip it if
- Serious rowers
- Users over 220 lbs
Common questions
Is the Concept2 Model D Rower better than the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower?
In our Rowing Machines ranking the Concept2 Model D Rower scores higher overall, 9.7 to 6.6, with the biggest advantage in Row Feel. The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Concept2 Model D Rower cost than the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower?
$1,010 more as of February 1, 2026: $1,209 for the Concept2 Model D Rower against $199 for the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Row Feel — 10 versus 6 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Concept2 Model D Rower and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower?
The headline spec difference is Resistance: Air (damper 1-10) on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus Magnetic (8 levels) on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower. In use, the gap that matters most is Row Feel (10 vs 6 in our scoring): stroke smoothness.