9 Best Rowing Machines of 2024, Tested by Fitness Experts

Built by rowers for rowers, the RowErg by Concept2 is one of the most popular rowing machines that you'll find in many CrossFit boxes and fitness centers across the world. But it's not just for elite athletes; the model is beginner-friendly as well. Because it is an air rower, the harder you row, the more significant the resistance, so you can control the intensity of your workout.

This rower earned top scores in our tests, and our experts found it incredibly durable and well-made. As a general rule of thumb, rowers with a higher weight capacity like this one tend to feel more sturdy. The handle has a nice grip but is still comfortable during longer sessions, and the footrest is adjustable. The chain on the rower held up after hundreds of workouts.

This model has a basic, small LCD screen that allows you to "Just Row," set up a variety of workouts or choose from the five programmed options. The monitor then shares data including pace, watts, stroke rate and calories. The machine connects via Bluetooth to over 30 different apps, and you can purchase a device holder that attaches to the model and can hold a smartphone or tablet.

A tester who has been using their Concept2 rower for over three years said, "It's just built to last. I go hard on this machine, and it can keep up with my intense workouts. It doesn't take much upkeep either."

Another tester said they love that the Concept2 is "no nonsense — just get on and row." We had both beginners and seasoned rowers give their feedback on this model, and all levels said that it provided a great workout.

It is worth noting that air rowers like this one do produce a decent amount of noise as you pull, and the faster and harder you row, the louder it gets. That being said, you'll also be able to generate a lot of power on this machine. Plus, it separates into two pieces for easy storage when not in use.

Most quality rowers can cost upwards of $1,000, but this sleek model from Merach pairs premium features with affordability. We were impressed that the rower comes mostly pre-built and took us about 30 minutes to fully assemble. Although it is not foldable, it can be stored upright when not in use.

It utilizes a magnetic system, which is one of the quieter types of rowing machines available. "My favorite thing about this rower is that it's quiet!" one tester said. "I have downstairs neighbors, and I have zero worries about doing my rowing workouts at 6:00 a.m."

You'll also get some impressive features like Bluetooth functionality with this model. And although the LCD screen is relatively basic, there is a spot to place your tablet or smartphone so you can follow along with your favorite virtual rowing classes via the Merach app, which can automatically adjust your tension to match the instructor's.

This rower offers 16 levels of resistance that you can adjust manually, so beginners and intermediate rowers can get an efficient workout — but it's less ideal for serious and competitive athletes. "I like that you can adjust the resistance easily with a turn of the single dial," said one tester. "The low end was very low, but I've been enjoying the upper levels."

Designed to provide a connected and immersive rowing experience, Hydrow is a smart rowing machine that features all of the bells and whistles. With its integrated 22-inch touchscreen, this GH Fitness Award winner allows you to view live or on-demand exercise classes led by some of the best athletes in the world.

You can hop on the rower and row without instruction, or you can add a monthly membership subscription for $44 per month. The membership gives you access to a library of over 5,000 workouts that are filmed in some of the most stunning destinations, from Miami to London to Scotland. But the world-class instructors are what makes Hydrow worth the price point: You get expert guidance for an effective workout, all while having fun and staying motivated.

"In general, I leaned into master trainer Nick Karwoski's classes. An affable storyteller, his rapport would often pleasantly distract me from the rigors of his workouts. For me, he offered an ideal level of positive reinforcement without being overly bubbly or excessively tough," said Rachel Rothman, who thoroughly tested the Hydrow for Good Housekeeping.

Hydrow uses electromagnetic resistance, which makes it impressively quiet and a good option for all types of home gyms (just check the dimensions to ensure it fits in your space since the machine is quite large). The durable machine includes full HD resolution screen, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports and built-in speakers.

If you're looking for a full-body workout in the comfort of your home and are able to accommodate a higher price tag, our experts and testers say that the Hydrow is worth it.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: I Tried the Hydrow Rower for a Year

New York City-based fitness instructor and Certified Rowing Coach Alex Prostano, who is also a head coach at Orangetheory Fitness, is a fan of the WaterRower and said that it is one of the best options on the market. The resistance it provides feels the most similar to being on open water because it's designed with a tank filled with liquid near the footrest.

Like an air rower, you control the intensity, so the harder you row, the more resistance you'll feel. Water rowers are generally pretty quiet, and we found the light sloshing sound to be a rather therapeutic experience. The wood finish of this machine would work well in many home gyms.

The rower is made in the USA and felt solid; it even has a 700-pound weight capacity — higher than any other rower we tested — thanks to the water tank. You'll find a relatively smooth stroke too. While we didn't assemble our model ourselves, most reviewers reported that assembly is fairly straightforward.

The monitor measures your stroke rate and provides other metrics but is relatively basic overall. It does not include a built-in sound system or any other graphics or special features, but you can set up workouts and intervals.

We tested this lower-to-the-ground model, but WaterRower also makes a high-rise option. Both models can stand upright for storage.

The Peloton Row is designed to offer advanced features and metrics — like visual feedback and real-time readouts of stroke rate, pace, output and distance — to help rowers improve their form.

It's a pricey machine, and if you want to take advantage of skilled and motivating instructors, you'll need to add a monthly subscription. (You can use the rower without a membership to solely row without instruction.)

White glove delivery and setup is included; we found it was fast, clean and efficient. The machine is large, well-made and offers a very sleek design that is a true statement piece in any home gym. The 24-inch HD touchscreen rotates, so you can take advantage of content like Peloton's row bootcamp and strength classes, which include floorwork.

The rower can be stored vertically when not in use. We also noted that the seat and handles are much more comfortable and ergonomic than other rowers we tested. "The seat glides effortlessly across the beam," said one tester. "The handle is comfortable to hold because it's smooth, not too bulky and possesses a slight curvature and downward angle."

The experience is quiet as well. "I really like how the machine is practically silent except for the sound of the seat moving back and forth. I have roommates, so the silent machine is perfect if I want to get a late-night workout in or if I do not want to disturb others," one tester noted.

Our fitness pros appreciate that rowers receive a personalized breakdown of their form after every class so they can continually improve. Ultimately, the Peloton Row offers a premium experience with connected features and effective class content, making it a standout in our tests.

If you want all the benefits of a Hydrow rower without the high price point and large build, consider the Hydrow Wave. Made for apartments and compact home gyms, the Hydrow Wave is 30 percent smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and it can be stored upright. (Bonus: The rower is available in a variety of vibrant colors!)

We found setup to be very straightforward, and the instructions were clear to follow. "It was a great process overall and quite painless," said one tester.

If you pay for the monthly membership, you'll get access to Hydrow's 5,000+ workouts with world-class instructors, including champion athletes and Olympians. We enjoyed how seasoned and motivating the instructors are.

One tester enjoyed the built-in 16-inch display: "This really elevates the Hydrow Wave to the next level and makes the whole workout experience feel very interactive. I love the journey sessions because I get to explore riverlands and bodies of water around the world."

This rower also offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, as well as a smooth and quiet experience. It accommodates an inseam up to 36 inches, so it might not be suitable for taller people.

Our experts were intrigued at the dual air and magnetic resistance system that this rower uses to help mimic the feeling of rowing through water. "There are 16 levels that provide up to 100 pounds of resistance," a tester said of the Strong Series model. "I took quite a few power strokes during my workout, and the machine felt smooth and sturdy."

Even with the broad available resistance range, it's quieter than other rowers on the market.

The rower has a rotating handlebar with an adjustable tablet holder, so you can prop up a device if you want to download the brand's app to access over 1,000 workouts (membership is $29/month or $289/year).

Said one tester: "You can play endless rowing-specific video games, stream content from some of your favorite platforms, compete with the Aviron community, follow a guided workout from a certified rowing coach, take a scenic row at various places around the globe or just get on the machine and row as you please." Everything besides just rowing requires a membership.

Our fitness pros like that the compact design is able to accommodate users up to 6'8".

This Good Housekeeping Fitness Award winner doubles as a Pilates reformer and strength trainer with its different attachments. LIT stands for Low Impact Training, which this machine provides — and the brand claims you can perform 500+ exercises on it.

It pairs with an app for over 3,000 guided classes in rowing and more for a fee of $24.99/month. But if you'd rather exercise without a guided class, you can take a scenic row or go freestyle on the model too.

Testers and experts alike loved the multi-functionality of the machine. And the water tank design helps to create the feeling of rowing on water. One certified rowing instructor raved that it's "durable, efficient and effective, and it feels and looks great!"

Even though the machine weighs only 75 pounds without water, it has a maximum user weight of 450 pounds, which is higher than most rowers on the market. Plus, it can accommodate users up to 6'9".

It's great for smaller spaces too: You're essentially getting three pieces of equipment in one. Keep in mind that while there is no touchscreen, there is a tablet holder where you can place a smart device to access the app. Maintenance is simple: Just drop one treatment tablet (provided with your machine) in the water every 12 months.

Large exercise equipment can be a major investment, but Speediance's complete, all-in-one smart home gym combines strength training and cardio workouts into a single, highly versatile piece of equipment. The Family model of the machine can transform into two popular and effective pieces of cardio equipment — a rower or a SkiErg — with the provided accessories.

Few home gyms offer a cardio option like this one, and we liked that Speediance also can stand on its own and doesn't need to be mounted to a wall. It has a cable system, which includes multiple anchor points and enables a full range of strength training exercises, like a bench press or squat with the barbell attachment, overhead extensions or pulldowns with the rope attachment, weighted kickbacks or leg lifts with the band attachment and more.

The device has a large HD touchscreen and currently includes a free lifetime membership (but it is worth noting that in the future the brand plans to charge a $29.90/month membership fee).

Testers were impressed that the machine provides up to 220 pounds of resistance and also converts into a rower for a strength and cardio workout. Said one tester, "The Speediance Home Gym is a top-notch piece of exercise equipment with great quality that takes up only a little bit of space in any room. Incredible workout classes. Great for beginners or experts."

READ MORE: Best Cardio Workouts to Try at Home or in the Gym