Best Rowing Machines 2026
Full-body cardio rowers for efficient home workouts.
Our Top Picks
Full Rankings
Concept2 Model D Rower
Best OverallThe undisputed rowing king found in every CrossFit gym and Olympic training center. PM5 monitor excellence with virtually indestructible construction.
Pros
- ✓Industry gold standard
- ✓PM5 monitor excellence
- ✓Virtually indestructible
Cons
- ✗Air resistance is loud
- ✗Basic aesthetics
- ✗No built-in streaming
Hydrow Rower
Best PremiumThe Peloton of rowing—22" HD screen streams on-water classes with whisper-quiet electromagnetic resistance. Beautiful design for living spaces.
Pros
- ✓22" HD touchscreen
- ✓On-water filmed classes
- ✓Whisper quiet
Cons
- ✗$44/mo membership required
- ✗Very expensive
- ✗Heavy (145 lbs)
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Living room-worthy handcrafted ash wood with realistic water resistance. The soothing sound of actual water creates meditative rowing experience.
Pros
- ✓Beautiful wood construction
- ✓Realistic water resistance
- ✓Soothing water sound
Cons
- ✗Expensive
- ✗Water tank maintenance
- ✗Basic S4 monitor
Echelon Row-s Connected Rower
Best ValueConnected rowing on a budget—live classes and 21.5" HD screen at roughly half the Hydrow price. Folds compact for storage.
Pros
- ✓Live and on-demand classes
- ✓Much cheaper than Hydrow
- ✓21.5" HD touchscreen
Cons
- ✗$39.99/mo membership
- ✗Less polished than Hydrow
- ✗Resistance feel not as smooth
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower
Best BudgetBudget rower that actually rows—magnetic resistance with full arm motion at the lowest price point. Good for rowing beginners.
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Magnetic resistance (quiet)
- ✓Full arm motion
Cons
- ✗Lighter flywheel
- ✗Basic build quality
- ✗Limited resistance range
Score Comparison
| Product | Row Feel 35% | Resistance Type 25% | Build Quality 20% | Features 10% | Value 10% | Weighted Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1Concept2 Model D Rower | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9.70 | $1209 |
#2Hydrow Rower | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 9.00 | $1895 |
#3WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8.50 | $1260 |
#4Echelon Row-s Connected Rower | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7.65 | $1299 |
#5Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rower | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 6.55 | $199 |
Buying Guide
Rowing provides full-body, low-impact cardio. Resistance types: water (natural feel), air (scalable), magnetic (quiet). Consider rail length for tall users, storage, and performance tracking.
What We Evaluate
Row Feel
Stroke smoothness
Resistance Type
Water, air, or magnetic
Build Quality
Frame and rail
Features
Monitor and connectivity
Value
Features per dollar
Our Testing Methodology
We test rowers for stroke smoothness, resistance feel, monitor accuracy, and long-term durability. Noise levels are measured for apartment suitability.
Learn more about how we test →