Find your strongest stroke.
Compare air, water, magnetic and hybrid rowers by performance, noise, storage, sport and country.
Compare 40 regional picks →Row for the result you actually want.
A rower can build endurance, repeat-sprint power and total-body work capacity—but resistance type, metrics and technique support change the experience.
Rowing performance
Prioritise repeatable splits, stroke rate and credible power data.
CrossFit & HYROX
Air rowers suit competition standards and fast transitions.
Boxing, MMA & BJJ
Use hard rounds and controlled recovery to build repeat-effort conditioning.
Rugby & football
Develop leg drive, trunk stiffness and low-impact aerobic power.
Quiet home fitness
Water and magnetic rowers reduce harsh mechanical noise.
Weight loss & general fitness
Comfort, technique and sustainable weekly volume beat novelty.
Four types, four different feels
Air
Resistance rises with effort. Excellent data and sprint response, but fan noise is noticeable.
Water
Fluid, natural sound and attractive design; tank care and storage orientation matter.
Magnetic
Quiet, controllable resistance for shared homes and guided workouts.
Air + magnetic
Combines effort-responsive feel with extra resistance control.
Connected rower
Large screens and coaching aid motivation but may add subscription costs.
Foldable or vertical
Check whether storage is genuinely approved and safe—not merely physically possible.
The checks that prevent regret
Rail length
Taller users need enough travel to reach full compression and finish comfortably.
Handle and chain feel
The drive should feel smooth without slack, jerking or awkward wrist position.
Footplates
Secure straps and correct pivot position improve force transfer and control.
Monitor quality
Training-focused users need reliable split, stroke rate, distance and interval data.
Storage footprint
Measure full working length plus safe access around the rail and seat.
Technique first
Drive with legs, then open the hips, then pull; reverse that order on recovery.
500-metre split calculator
Convert your target split into an estimated finish time for common rowing distances.
40 regional rowing-machine picks
Eight image-led options for each country across performance, quiet-home and space-saving use.
Prices and availability can change. Some links may become affiliate links. Confirm delivery, warranty, subscriptions and returns with the retailer.
What are you using the rower for?
Data-led pacing, repeatable splits, technique and race preparation. Prioritise accurate monitors and responsive air resistance.
Fast transitions, sprint durability and comparable scores. Prioritise commercial construction and performance metrics.
Full-body intervals for boxing, MMA and BJJ without impact from running. Prioritise quick starts and repeat efforts.
Hard aerobic and anaerobic work for rugby and football while reducing additional running impact.
Legs, posterior chain, core and upper body in one controlled movement. Technique and appropriate intensity still matter.
Magnetic resistance is normally quietest; water offers smoother sound; air is best where performance outweighs noise.
Eight rowing machines worth comparing
Selected by function—not simply price. Product availability and prices can change, so confirm both with the retailer.
WaterRower Ergatta
Best for game-led motivation, refined water resistance and a furniture-grade machine that stores upright.
Check at Fitshop →
Hydrow Origin
Best for guided technique, immersive coached sessions and households motivated by connected training.
Check at Fitshop →
NordicTrack RW900
Best for iFIT coaching, quiet magnetic resistance and a large pivoting display.
Check at Fitshop →
Concept2 RowErg
Best performance benchmark for indoor rowing, CrossFit, rugby conditioning and repeatable race data.
Check at Fitshop →
Taurus Pro RX7
Best hybrid option for varied resistance, long sessions and users wanting programmes plus entertainment.
Check at Fitshop →
cardiostrong Baltic Pro V2
Best compact water rower for smooth endurance work, raised access and upright storage.
Check at Fitshop →
Taurus Elite Row
Best-value air rower for HIIT, combat-sport conditioning and regular endurance training.
Check at Fitshop →_600.jpg)
BodyMax RM40
Best budget magnetic rower for quieter beginner training and occasional home cardio.
Check at Fitshop →
NordicTrack RW900
Best premium connected rower for coached endurance, technique work and quiet home training.
Check at McSport →
NordicTrack RW700
Best for a large-screen guided experience at a lower price than the flagship RW900.
Check at McSport →
ProForm PRO R10
Best for structured iFIT workouts, magnetic resistance and mixed cardio-strength households.
Check at McSport →
NordicTrack RW300
Best all-round connected option for beginners progressing into regular interval and endurance work.
Check at McSport →
ProForm 750R
Best foldable mid-range choice for guided sessions and space-conscious home gyms.
Check at McSport →
Xterra ERG780 Air Rower
Best-value air rower for CrossFit-style intervals, rugby conditioning and performance-led training.
Check at McSport →
ProForm 550R
Best affordable magnetic option for quieter general fitness and lower-impact cardio.
Check at McSport →
Hit Fitness Foldaway Air & Magnetic
Best budget hybrid for varied resistance, compact storage and occasional combat-sport conditioning.
Check at McSport →
Technogym SkillRow
Best premium performance rower for precise power work, athletic conditioning and serious home training.
Check at Northern Fitness →
Aviron Strong Series Rower
Best immersive connected rower for games, coached sessions and keeping a household engaged.
Check at Northern Fitness →
NordicTrack RW900
Best large-screen guided option for endurance, interval and technique-focused home sessions.
Check at Northern Fitness →
TRUE Fitness Ro
Best robust commercial-style choice for smooth full-body conditioning and repeated family use.
Check at Northern Fitness →
NordicTrack RW700
Best mid-range connected rower for structured workouts without paying flagship pricing.
Check at Northern Fitness →
Aviron StrongGo
Best-value connected option for app-led training using your own compatible screen.
Check at Northern Fitness →
WaterRower Oak S4
Best natural water feel and furniture-friendly design for steady aerobic and recovery rowing.
Check at Northern Fitness →
Force USA R3 Air Rower
Best budget air rower for CrossFit-style intervals, combat-sport conditioning and hard sprints.
Check at Northern Fitness →
WaterRower Classic Walnut
Best premium statement rower for realistic water resistance and living-space design.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
WaterRower Oxbridge S4
Best premium cherrywood alternative for quiet endurance work and low-impact conditioning.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Pure Design PR12 Pro
Best performance air rower for powerful intervals, CrossFit training and rugby conditioning.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Reeplex Argo
Best versatile mid-range choice for family fitness, endurance and progressive resistance work.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Pure Design PR10 Pro Air
Best air-driven option for repeat sprint training and performance-focused home gyms.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Pure Design VR2 Water
Best-value water rower for smooth aerobic work, beginners and quieter shared spaces.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Pure Design PR4 Magnetic
Best compact magnetic choice for controlled cardio, recovery sessions and apartment use.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Impact Fitness IR8 Magnetic
Best budget magnetic option for general fitness, steady rowing and low-impact conditioning.
Check at Dynamo Fitness →
Peloton Row+
Best premium connected experience for polished coaching, metrics and multi-user motivation.
Check at Peloton →
Matrix Rower
Best premium magnetic rower for quiet performance work and commercial-grade durability.
Check at US Fitness →
Aviron Strong Rower
Best gamified connected rower for strength-focused sessions, classes and family engagement.
Check at Aviron →
Bodycraft VR500 Pro
Best hybrid air-and-magnetic rower for adjustable resistance and long-term home use.
Check at Bodycraft →
Hydrow Wave
Best compact coached rower for immersive water-based sessions and quieter home workouts.
Check at Hydrow →
Aviron StrongGo
Best-value connected option for interactive training through your own iPad.
Check at Aviron →
Horizon Oxford 6
Best quiet magnetic value for programmed workouts, controlled pacing and shared living spaces.
Check at 360 Fitness →
Concept2 RowErg
Best-value performance benchmark for CrossFit, rowing technique, intervals and measurable progress.
Check at Concept2 →