The 9 Best Rowing Machines of 2025 | We Tried Them All

Last Update: Jul 24, 2025

In college, I tiptoed around the rowing machines, pretending they didn’t exist. While running for my college’s cross-country and track teams, I cross-trained twice per week on a low-impact cardio machine. I think I touched a rowing machine all of twice. It intimidated me because I didn’t know how to use a rowing machine.

Now, rowing is my favorite form of cross-training. My upper body doesn’t get enough of a workout when I run, so I like that rowing is such a good complement as it works almost the entire body. If you don’t know how to use a rowing machine, some of these rowing machines are really great for beginners and will help you improve your form.

Whether you are like me and use rowing to cross-train for another sport or rowing is your primary cardio method, I’ve got a lot of cool rowing machines to recommend to you. Keep reading to find out more about the rowing machines that got me hooked on the sport.

Here’s Our List Of The Best Rowing Machines 2025

• Best Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowERG
• Best On The Water Training Content: Hydrow Wave Rower
• Best Gaming Rower: Aviron Strong Rower
• Most Comfortable Rower: AssaultRower Elite
• Best Water Rower: Ergatta Rower
• Best iFit Rower: NordicTrack RW900
• Best High-End Rower: Hydrow Pro Rower
• Best Rower for Beginners: Ergatta Lite Rower
• Most Compact Rowing Machine: WalkingPad WR1 Folding Rower

Best Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowERG

The Concept2 RowERG proves you don’t need the spiffiest smart features and a premium training platform to corner the market in a cardio equipment category. Instead, the Concept2 RowERG prioritizes a solid construction and excellent performance at a reasonable price. The Concept2 RowERG is our best overall rowing machine, hands down.

Concept2 has made a name for itself, not just in the rowing space, but in the broader fitness community with its simplistic and effective designs. The RowERG is a frontrunner with its steel frame, fan, and damper. This rower can support users up to 500 lbs and a maximum inseam of 38 inches, but it only weighs 57 lbs. It can be broken into two pieces for compact storage.

The RowERG uses a chain drive, perfect for rowers looking to add more grit to their workouts. With air resistance, the harder and faster you row, the more intense the workout. The RowErg’s damper adjusts the drag factor, giving you even more resistance variability.

The Concept2 RowERG’s PM5 displays metrics you can be confident in, as the console is ultra-reliable. The console is easy to navigate, with five rubbery selection buttons along the sides and three larger rubber buttons at the bottom to help you toggle through the different menu screens.

You can hop on the RowERG and ‘Just Row’ or select one of the built-in workouts. Concept2 even includes instructional information on rowing and navigating the console on the PM5. If you want a more traditional touchscreen view, the Concept2 RowERG has a device holder for viewing your phone or tablet.

A Concept2 RowERG purchase is a step into the Concept2 community. I love Concept2 so much because it demonstrates its commitment to RowErg users by providing replacement parts at a reasonable price and allowing upgraded parts to be retrofitted to older models.

Read our full review of the Concept2 RowERG here.

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Best On The Water Training Content: Hydrow Wave Rower

Hydrow is the dominant force in the high-tech rowing space. Hydrow’s on-the-water training content is (arguably) the best trainer-led rowing content. The Hydrow Wave Rower is great for rowers starting out and looking for coached guidance.

The Hydrow Wave Rower has a 16-inch HD touchscreen with great quality graphics and front-facing speakers. Hydrow’s content is instructional, beautiful, and motivating. The content is global, transporting you to distant locations so you can pair beautiful views with effective training.

Hydrow requires a monthly subscription to access their content, but you get so much from the platform that it is worth it. There are also training classes for supplementing your rowing regimen with strength and conditioning or yoga. Hydrow’s content aims to make you a better rower and athlete.

The Hydrow Wave Rower performs very well. The magnetic resistance is strong and has a wide range of drag factors (50 to 300). The Hydrow is quiet, making it a great choice for rowers trying not to disturb others around them. The handles and seat are both comfortable.

I like the construction of the Wave. The frame comes in five different colors. It’s pretty lightweight, too, and not too difficult to move around. The rower measures 80” long, 19” wide, and 43” tall and weighs 102 lbs. The screen folds down, allowing you to store it upright in a more compact area.

Overall, rowing on the Hydrow Wave is a smooth and effective workout. This rower is great for endurance, strength, or power training.

Read our full review of the Hydrow Wave here!

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Best Gaming Rower: Aviron Strong Rower

The Aviron Strong Rower is our pick for the best gaming rower. It boosts your motivation and performance to help you establish an exercise routine. No rower will exercise for you, but the Aviron Strong Rower does its best to convince you. Aviron has put a little bit of everything into its training content, and when paired with this strong construction, it is hard to find the downside to the Strong Rower.

A serious construction meets fun content on the Aviron Strong Rower. Aviron offers premium subscription content you will not want to miss out on. The subscription-based platform has tons of games. You can run from zombies, defend Santa from wolves, or exterminate enemy bugs. Aviron has it all.

If you feel more competitive, you can race against professional athletes’ best efforts on the Aviron, take on computer-generated opponents designed to push you to your max, or compete against other Aviron users. The Aviron platform is fun and social.

What Aviron has to offer does not stop there. The Aviron Strong Rower has dual air and magnetic resistance, delivering the best of both. It is quieter than a traditional air rower but more powerful than many other magnetic rowers. This combo unlocks unlimited training potential, so you can row for short, powerful intervals or settle in for an endurance row.

The Aviron Strong Rower is aptly named. Its powerful construction feels incredibly sturdy to use. It can be stored horizontally or vertically without needing to be secured with a wall mount. The weight limit is 507 lbs, while the height limit is approximately 6’ 8”.

The Aviron Strong’s monorail sits low to the ground, making it easier for users to step over it. Yet, the seat is raised quite high. The overall seat height is about 20 inches from the ground. Sitting on the Aviron Strong Rower is closer to sitting in a chair. Overall, it’s a comfortable rower.

Read our full review of the Aviron Strong Rower here!

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Most Comfortable Rower: AssaultRower Elite

The AssaultRower Elite is an air rower with a solid frame and a low-tech console. The design may make it look intense, but the AssaultRower Elite is very comfortable to use. If you can get past the loud fan, you are sure to have an effective rowing workout on the AssaultRower Elite.

The AssaultRower Elite has two of my favorite comfort features. First, the seat is my favorite. It is so soft and molded, keeping you comfortable for your whole routine. The handles are nice and did not cause any sore spots for me to use. They also have a middle grip for rowing one-armed. The comfortable design encourages me to row for longer.

With a commercial-grade steel frame, the AssaultRower Elite is not only a great rower for the home but a good choice for CrossFit gyms or personal training studios. The air resistance is loud, so it is best suited to isolated spaces or to areas where the noise is to be expected. The resistance is powerful, giving beginners and experts a challenge.

The tension remains in the chain through the whole stroke, so you have some assistance recovering back to the catch position. The recovery feels a lot more passive on the AssaultRower Elite than many other rowers.

No ongoing subscription is required to use the AssaultRower. It is ideal for athletes hoping to escape those added fees. AssaultFitness provides free content through the AssaultFitness app. The AssaultRower Elite is perfect for low-tech, comfortable rowing.

Read our full review of the AssaultRower Elite here!

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Best Water Rower: Ergatta Rower

Our pick for the Best Water Rower is the Ergatta. It combines a beautiful wooden frame with engaging subscription content. The gentle whoosh of the water in the reservoir is much subtler than the gust of air and noise caused by air rowers. It isn’t as quiet as a magnetic rower, but it provides a more realistic row. The content is nearly as beautiful as the rower’s design, and it is certainly engaging.

The Ergatta Rower has a larger water tank coupled with WaterFlywheel technology to create powerful resistance as you row. It works very similarly to air rowing; the harder and faster you row, the more difficult the resistance becomes. The sound is a lot more pleasant and overall less disruptive than air rowing.

As for maintenance, the water never has to be changed or refilled. Ergatta also makes maintenance a breeze by providing its customers with water purification tablets for free for life. The Ergatta has indication lines on the reservoir to show users how much water to add for the best performance, but users can add more or less to their preference within the tank’s indicated limits.

The Ergatta uses a dual rail and close foot pedals for geometry similar to outdoor rowing. The rails and seat sit low to the ground, so the Ergatta is not ideal for users who have trouble getting up and down from the floor. The rower only weighs 76 lbs without water and approximately 106 lbs with water. It is easy to move and transport. It can also support users up to 6’ 8” and 500 lbs.

Ergatta’s content is very fun. The games aren’t quite like mobile games or console games. Instead, they have simple and nice-looking graphics that help you improve your rowing technique as much as they are fun.

The Ergatta also has a social aspect, allowing you to compete against other Ergatta users. I couldn’t help pushing harder in my workout than I intended to. The leaderboards are very motivating. The selection of music is nice, and you can listen to it via Bluetooth headphones. Overall, Ergatta has great content that finds the balance between fun and performance.

Read Our Full Review of the Ergatta Rower Here

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Best iFit Rower: NordicTrack RW900

The NordicTrack RW900 perfectly complements any iFIT subscriber’s existing equipment. Round out your workout routine with full-body training on the RW900. iFIT delivers training for on and off the rower, so you can effectively replace your entire gym membership. Whether you prefer on the water or studio content, this premium fitness platform has you covered.

iFIT provides the training content for all NordicTrack equipment and a few other fitness brands. If you already have an iFIT subscription or are a newcomer to the platform, it is a fantastic option for building out an entire fitness routine. iFIT offers rower and non-rower content.

There are thousands of classes, so you can become a better rower with the instruction of professional trainers and supplement your rowing with strength training or yoga. The rowing content is filmed in a studio and on the water in locations all over the world. The studio content even incorporates moves off the rower for a more dynamic workout.

The RW900 has twenty-six levels of magnetic resistance. The rower is incredibly quiet because of the magnetic resistance. It would be great for apartment living or shared living spaces. The resistance is not the most powerful, but the instructional content is really good. The trainers provide plenty of cues. This combination makes the RW900 good for beginners.

The NordicTrack RW900 has a distinct training style from other rowers. Most of the time, altering the resistance level or drag is difficult to do while in a workout. iFIT deviates from this pattern by enabling automatic adjustments during workouts. For experienced rowers, this style may take some getting used to, but it provides a quality and unique workout.

The trainer will also suggest a stroke rate to follow along with, helping you to improve your rowing technique. iFIT tailors the resistance to your abilities, learning, based on your feedback, to match your fitness level.

Read our full review of the NordicTrack RW900 Rower here!

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Best High-End Rower: Hydrow Pro Rower

The Hydrow Pro Rower is pricey, but its quality is worth it. Hydrow has perfected outdoor rower training content for the indoor rower and magnetic resistance. The Hydrow Pro Rower uses a sleek steel and aluminum frame to create a rower that looks like it is from the future. The Hydrow Pro Rower is a durable and stable machine ready for rowers of all abilities.

The Hydrow Pro Rower is a large rower with a steel and aluminum frame. It is 145 lbs, so it is not the easiest rower to relocate or store, but it feels sturdy. The Hydrow Pro Rower can accommodate users up to 375 lbs with an inseam of up to 36 inches. It requires a wall mount for upright storage.

Your experience on the Hydrow Pro Rower would not be complete without the subscription content. Hydrow has mastered filming classes on the water in beautiful locations. Take classes with professional rowers as they row in Alaska, Switzerland, London, and more. Hydrow has the best trainer-led content for rowing. The coaches are fun, motivating, and instructional.

The Hydrow Pro Rower has a 22-inch touchscreen display. The screen also rotates, allowing you to train with Hydrow’s strength and yoga content. However, Hydrow is limited compared to other subscriptions in that it does not have third-party apps or classes for other cardio modalities.

While training on the rower, enjoy the preprogrammed 104 drag setting, which should feel close to rowing on the water. Users can adjust their drag in the settings menu from 50 to 300! The resistance is quiet, so the Hydrow won’t disturb others around you. Just pair your Bluetooth headphones, select your class, and get ready to row!

Read our full review of the Hydrow Pro Rower here!

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Best Rower for Beginners: Ergatta Lite

The Ergatta Lite has the same training content that I loved on the Ergatta. Its performance is so similar that I couldn’t leave it off this list. The Ergatta Lite is a more affordable rowing machine than the original Ergatta. It has the training content and wooden frame that we know and love from Ergatta.

I have two goals when I row: to have fun and get better at rowing. The Ergatta Lite accomplishes both of those things with its training platform. The gamified structure of the games pulls me in, while the stroke targets and individualized paces help me develop my skills.

One of the things I was most concerned about when we got the Ergatta Lite in was whether or not the resistance would be comparable to the original Ergatta. Well, it’s the exact same. The water tank is the same size, so I don’t notice a huge difference in performance. The main change is just that the screen shakes a little more, as the frame is lighter.

For taller users, the original Ergatta is a better deal. It supports an inseam of up to 40”, whereas the Lite only goes up to 38”. For someone 5’4” like me, you won’t notice much of a performance difference. That’s why I love the Lite so much. It’s the same experience at a more reasonable cost.

If you want a quality water rower with a subscription service at a decent price, the Ergatta Lite is an excellent choice!

Read Our Full Review of Ergatta Lite Rower Here

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Most Compact Rowing Machine: WalkingPad WR1 Folding Rower

The WalkingPad WR1 Folding Rower is undoubtedly the most compact rower on this list. If you want a rower that you can store under a table or in the closet, the WR1 is the rower for you. The WalkingPad WR1 Folding Rower also deserves recognition as our pick for the Best Budget Rowing Machine.

The WalkingPad WR1 Rower folds twice to fit in the tiniest of spaces. It can fit under a table or in a closet. Stash it in a corner. The WR1 is easy to get out of sight but not out of mind! It has a wooden construction, so if you keep it visible, it won’t be an intrusive addition to your space. The water tank is tinted orange to blend in with the rest of the rower’s aesthetic. The rower sits low to the ground and has a small footprint.

It may be small, but its performance impressed me. The water tank is undersized for powerful rowing, but endurance rowing is much more feasible. If you want to train at a steady pace or add in longer intervals, the WR1 is okay. Though the rails hinge for folding, the seat glides over these hinges quite smoothly. Just make sure to press them down all the way for the best experience.

The WalkingPad WR1 is a great value rower. It is much more affordable than the competition and requires no subscription services to access content. This rower is quiet and would be perfect for apartment or condo living.

The WR1 is most suited to budget shoppers, beginners, and casual rowers. It might not make you a world-class rower, but it is great for establishing a routine and mastering the rowing basics. The WR1 can pair with the KS Fit app for more training options, all at no cost!

Read Our Full Review of WalkingPad WR1 Foldable Rower Here

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Factors to Consider When Finding the Best Rowing Machine

What kind of resistance do you want?

Air

The Concept2 RowERG is regarded as one of the top rowing machines. It uses powerful air resistance.

Air rowing is the loudest of the resistance options on rowers. Air rowers tend not to be paired with smart screens with subscription training content, as hearing the audio would be quite difficult.

Yet, fans provide plenty of resistance for beginner and very experienced rowers. Intensity on air rowers is varied by controlling your stroke rate and force. Essentially, the harder you row, the more difficult it becomes, making the intensity almost limitless. Some air rowers will also include dampers, which restrict airflow to the fan. Dampers can be set to various levels to create more or less drag while rowing.

Water

The Ergatta Rower has a large water tank that creates infinite resistance, just like an air rower.

Water rowers offer many of the same benefits as air rowers without as much noise. They are not as quiet as magnetic resistance rowers, but the noise they generate is soothing and may be enjoyable for some rowers.

These rowers are best for anyone looking for a rowing experience similar to training on the water. They have large water reservoirs that combine with water flywheels for intense resistance. Much like air, the harder you row, the harder the resistance. Water rowers do not typically have other methods of varying intensity, though you can vary the water level depending on the rower to create more or less resistance.

Magnetic

The Hydrow Wave Rower uses patented electromagnetic resistance for smooth and challenging workouts.

Magnetic resistance has the benefit of being silent. Unfortunately, magnetic resistance is a hard thing for brands to master as rowing needs responsive resistance that intensifies the harder you pull, not just depending on the level the resistance is set at.

Some brands, like Aviron, alleviate this issue by combining air and magnetic. These hybrid rowers are quieter than air rowers and typically more powerful than magnetic resistance alone.

Comfort Features

Making sure your rower is comfortable will allow you to have a more effective workout. Rowers are good for short sprints and endurance. To ensure you feel supported for longer efforts, consider the following features.

Seat

The AssaultRower Elite has a very soft and comfortable seat. It’s perfect for endurance training.

The most frequent complaint about indoor rowers tends to be the seat. If the seat is too hard or rubs as you row, it will not be enticing to continue to row regularly. Softer, molded seats solve this issue. Also, consider the size of the seat. A large seat will be more comfortable for most users.

You should also consider the seat’s height from the floor. A lower seat may be more difficult for some users to get into and out of. Many rowers have higher seat heights or optional higher leg packages to get rid of this issue. Choose a rower height that is similar to sitting in a chair if you have mobility concerns.

Handle

AssaultRower Elite has a comfortable hand with a unique one-handed grip in the middle.

Handles can be round or oval. They might be molded to your grip, thicker, or thinner. We have found the most important considerations for rowers to be the handle length and cushioning. The handle length relates to how narrow or wide your shoulders are.

Smaller users won’t need handles as long, but broad-chested users should look for a longer rower handle that will comfortably position their hands. The cushioning is very helpful. A soft handle made with a softer plastic or a rubber covering can prevent you from developing hot spots or soreness in your hands and fingers.

Feet

The crank on the side of the Aviron Strong pedals moves the pedals closer together or farther apart.

There are a couple of considerations for your feet. First, can the foot stretchers accommodate your foot size? Exercisers with small or large feet should double-check that they will have enough room in the foot stretchers.

The positioning of the foot pads is also important. Lower and wider foot pads are typically easier for beginners, whereas narrower foot pads aligned with the seat replicate outdoor rowing more closely.

Content or No Content

No one style of rowing is right for everyone. Some of you may appreciate guided training content, while others may desire minimal to no content options. Even the most basic rowers typically offer interval training or target-based programs.

Smart rowers come with large touchscreens that rely on subscription content to deliver games and classes for training. If you choose to subscribe to content, consider what kind of content you may like.

Studio Classes

Training platforms like iFIT, Peloton, Echelon, and more offer studio classes where you train along with an instructor. It is very similar to studio cycling and may incorporate moves off your rower. The classes may or may not be set to music.

On the Water Content

The Hydrow content is filmed on the water. It follows top rowing athletes as they guide you through workouts.

Outdoor content tends to be the most engaging style of instructor-led rowing content. Rowing is quite an expensive sport, so participating virtually may be the closest many of us get to outdoor rowing. Watching beautiful vistas cruise by can be a great way to pass the time during a workout.

Games

The Aviron Strong Rowing Machine’s gaming content is entertaining and engaging.

If your exercise routine is lacking in fun, there are several rowers that can remedy that. The Ergatta and Aviron rowers come to mind first. They turn your training into a video game to help you keep a regular rowing routine. If you find exercise or rowing in particular boring, these games can be a great way to change things up.

Bottom Line – Best Rowing Machine 2025

Rowers provide great full-body workouts. They range from rugged, welded steel air rowers to beautiful wooden water rowers. Athletes may train with a simple console that lets them hit their best 500m split or row for endurance alongside top instructors.

Train for power, speed, or endurance, the rowing machine can do it all. Fortunately, you typically only need one rower, and you can do any of these things. If you learn the form and the technique, you will be rowing to your heart’s content in no time!

How We Test and Review Rowing Machines

Our testing and review process involves thoroughly using all of a rowing machine’s features. If there is content to subscribe to, we subscribe. If there are onboard programs, we test them out. We row for power, strength, endurance, and recovery. We listen to the sounds a rowing machine makes. We measure the rail, the seat, the footboards and foot stretchers, and the handle. Our rowing machine reviews evaluate the machines’ performance, storage and portability, cost, and training options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rowing a good workout?

The rower challenges almost every muscle in the body. It delivers a full-body workout that can be tailored to train power, speed, or endurance. Some rowers will even create a challenging strength workout that combines the leg press and a cable rower into one! Rowing is also a great low-impact alternative to running on the treadmill.

Overall, rowing is an incredibly versatile activity that provides a great workout for many types of goals.

Which rower is the best?

There are many factors to consider when deciding which rower is best. The Concept2 RowERG is our choice for the best overall rower, but it has quite a few cons. For one, as an air rower, it is incredibly loud. An air rower is not ideal for users who need a quiet machine. Additionally, it does not provide smart training content. Anyone looking for a more immersive and instructional rowing workout should consider a rower like the Hydrow Pro Rower instead.

The best rower will meet your space, training, and entertainment wants and needs, which is why we are thankful that rowing machines have so much diversity. We hope this list is a good reference for you when making your decision.

Is rowing better than a treadmill?

Rowing may be better than a treadmill, depending on your goals. A rower trains the upper and lower body, while running on a treadmill mostly trains the legs. Rowing is low-impact and easier on the body, while treadmill running can increase bone density due to its high impact. Rowing requires a greater range of motion, which can help users achieve more flexibility, but it might not be best for users with severe motion restrictions.

Rowers are generally more compact, but treadmills are more approachable for many users. You don’t really have to learn the motions of using a treadmill, but you have to learn the correct rowing technique. Rowing indoors costs about the same or less than a treadmill, but if you want to take the activity outdoors, rowing is much more expensive than running. Rowing can train strength, while walking/running adds very little strength.

I could go on and on, but as you can see, there are pros and cons to each of these activities. The most important thing when choosing a cardio machine is its ability to match your training preferences. The more interested you are in the activity, the more likely you are to continue to use the machine you are investing in.