Best Rowing Machines for Home (2026)

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The short answer

The Concept2 RowErg is the best rowing machine for almost everyone: it’s the standard in gyms and competitions, it’s built to last for decades, and it needs no subscription. If you want guided, instructor-led rowing, the Hydrow Wave brings that experience in a smaller frame, while the Hydrow Pro adds a large rotating screen. For a quiet, beautiful machine that lives in a living room, choose the WaterRower Natural.

Our picks at a glance

Pick	Model	Resistance	Screen	Best for	Amazon
Best overall	Concept2 RowErg	Air (damper-adjusted)	PM5 monitor	Everyone, from beginners to racers	Check price
Best connected rower	Hydrow Wave	Electromagnetic	16-in HD touchscreen	Guided classes, smaller rooms	Check price
Best premium connected	Hydrow Pro	Electromagnetic	22-in rotating touchscreen	Rowing plus off-rower classes	Check price
Best for living spaces	WaterRower Natural	Water	S4 monitor	Quiet rowing, home decor	Check price
Best commercial-style wood rower	WaterRower Club	Water	S4 BLE monitor	Heavy use, app tracking	Check price
Best folding smart rower	NordicTrack RW900	Magnetic	Large rotating touchscreen	iFIT users, storage	Check price

How we picked

We compared manufacturer specifications, owner reviews and published reviews from established fitness outlets; we did not test these rowers ourselves. The factors that matter most are the resistance type (air, water, magnetic or electromagnetic), how smooth and consistent the stroke feels, the quality of the monitor, how much space the rower needs and how it stores, the rail length for tall users, and whether it requires a monthly membership.

Rowing machines are among the best value high-ticket purchases for a home gym because a good one works your legs, back and arms in a low-impact motion. A quality rower also holds its resale value well, which is worth factoring into the price.

1. Concept2 RowErg — Best overall

The Concept2 RowErg is the rower you’ll find in CrossFit boxes, rowing clubs and university boathouses, and that’s a big reason it’s our top pick. Its air flywheel gives a smooth, responsive stroke: the harder you pull, the more resistance you feel. A damper lever lets you change how heavy each stroke feels, from a quick, light catch to something closer to a slow, heavy boat.

The PM5 monitor is accurate and consistent, so your times compare directly with anyone else rowing a Concept2 anywhere in the world. It connects by Bluetooth to heart rate straps and to apps such as Concept2’s own ErgData. The rower splits into two pieces for storage, and Concept2 sells it with standard or taller legs for a higher seat.

Good to know: the fan makes a steady whooshing noise that rises with effort, which can bother people in apartments. Concept2 recommends a floor space of roughly 9 by 4 feet for use, so measure before you buy.

Check the Concept2 RowErg on Amazon → →

2. Hydrow Wave — Best connected rower

The Hydrow Wave is Hydrow’s smaller, more affordable smart rower. It keeps the core of the Hydrow experience: on-water classes filmed with real athletes, plus a touchscreen that shows your stroke rate and split. Resistance is electromagnetic and computer-controlled, which makes it nearly silent and lets the machine adjust smoothly during workouts.

Its frame is more compact than the full-size Hydrow, which helps in bedrooms and apartments. Hydrow’s library also includes strength, yoga and stretching sessions for off-rower days.

Good to know: Hydrow’s classes and most of the screen features require a membership. The 16-inch screen is fixed, so off-rower workouts are easier to follow on the larger Hydrow Pro.

Check the Hydrow Wave on Amazon → →

3. Hydrow Pro — Best premium connected rower

The Hydrow Pro is the flagship for households that want a bigger screen and more versatility. Its 22-inch HD touchscreen rotates, so you can turn it toward the floor for mat workouts, strength classes and yoga. The rowing experience is the same quiet electromagnetic resistance Hydrow is known for.

If several people in your home plan to use it, the larger screen and broader class library make it easier to justify the premium price.

Good to know: like the Wave, the Pro works best with a Hydrow membership. Check your room size; it’s a full-length rower with a large screen, so it needs a dedicated spot.

Check the Hydrow Pro on Amazon → →

4. WaterRower Natural — Best for living spaces

The WaterRower Natural is made from solid wood and uses a tank of water as its flywheel. The swoosh of water is soothing rather than loud, and many owners say it’s the only gym machine their partner doesn’t mind having in the living room. The stroke feels natural, with resistance that builds as you pull harder.

It stores upright on its end with a small footprint, which is a big advantage in apartments and shared rooms. The S4 monitor covers the essentials: time, distance, stroke rate and intensity.

Good to know: you can’t change the resistance with a lever; you adjust it by adding or removing water. The tank needs a purification tablet occasionally to keep the water clear.

Check the WaterRower Natural on Amazon → →

5. WaterRower Club — Best commercial-style wood rower

The Club is WaterRower’s ash-wood model aimed at heavier use, and it’s a popular choice for boutique studios as well as homes. This listing includes the S4 BLE monitor, which adds Bluetooth so you can connect fitness apps and track sessions on your phone or tablet.

The Club shares the Natural’s quiet water resistance and upright storage, with a darker finish many buyers prefer.

Good to know: the S4 monitor is functional rather than fancy. If you want classes, plan on pairing it with a third-party app.

Check the WaterRower Club on Amazon → →

6. NordicTrack RW900 — Best folding smart rower

The RW900 is NordicTrack’s connected rower. It uses quiet magnetic resistance and a large rotating touchscreen tied to iFIT, where trainers can adjust resistance automatically during classes. It’s a good fit for homes that already use NordicTrack treadmills or bikes, since one iFIT membership covers several machines.

The frame folds for storage, which is helpful when the rower has to share space with other equipment.

Good to know: the stroke feel is less natural than an air or water rower, and serious rowers who care about comparable times will prefer the Concept2.

Check the NordicTrack RW900 on Amazon → →

Rowing machine buying checklist

• Resistance type. Air is responsive and the standard for training; water feels smooth and quiet; magnetic and electromagnetic are the quietest and allow automatic adjustment.
• Space. Most rowers are 7–9 feet long. Check whether the model stands upright or folds. Our home gym space guide has the numbers for each machine.
• Rail length and seat height. Taller rowers (6’4″ and up) should confirm the rail length. A higher seat makes getting on and off easier for anyone with stiff knees or hips.
• Monitor accuracy. If you want to compare times or follow structured plans, a calibrated monitor like Concept2’s PM5 is worth having.
• Membership cost. Smart rowers often need a monthly subscription for classes. Add that cost over several years when comparing.
• Floor protection. Put the rower on a firm mat to reduce noise and protect the floor. See our flooring guide.

Getting the most out of a home rower

Technique matters more on a rower than on any other cardio machine. The stroke sequence is legs, then body, then arms on the drive, and the reverse on the recovery: arms extend, body hinges forward, then knees bend. Most beginners pull too early with the arms and rush the slide back toward the flywheel, which wastes energy and tires the lower back.

Concept2 publishes free technique videos and training plans, and most smart rowers include form guidance in their classes. Spend the first week or two rowing easy, focusing on a smooth rhythm at around 20–24 strokes per minute, before adding hard intervals.

Maintenance is light. Wipe the rail after each session, keep the chain or strap clean, and check the seat rollers occasionally. Air rowers benefit from a periodic flywheel dusting, and water rowers need a purification tablet every few months. With that basic care, a quality rower commonly lasts many years and holds its resale value well.

Rower, bike or treadmill?

A rower works more muscle groups per stroke than a bike or treadmill and is low impact, which makes it a great all-round conditioning tool. If you mainly want to improve running fitness, a treadmill is more specific; if you want to train easily while watching something or riding with friends online, consider an exercise bike.

FAQ

Is a rowing machine good for a full-body workout?

Yes. A rowing stroke uses the legs, hips, back, core and arms, with most of the power coming from the legs. It’s a low-impact way to build conditioning and endurance.

Air rower or water rower: which is better?

Both are excellent. Air rowers like the Concept2 are the training standard and let you adjust stroke feel with a damper. Water rowers are quieter, store upright and look like furniture, but you adjust resistance by changing the water level.

How much space does a rowing machine need?

Most full-size rowers are about 7 to 9 feet long and 2 feet wide, plus room to get on and off. Many models stand upright or split apart for storage.

Do I need a subscription for a smart rower?

Most connected rowers need a membership for classes and many screen features. The Concept2 and WaterRower work fully without one and connect to optional third-party apps.

What damper setting should I use on a Concept2?

Most people row well around 3 to 5. A higher damper doesn’t automatically mean a better workout; it makes each stroke heavier, which can tire the back sooner.