Rowing Machine Reviews and Guides

If you’re looking for a rowing machine for home use, you may want to consider the options we’ve selected in our rowing machine reviews. 

The right model can help improve your cardio fitness and muscle tone while also providing a fun way to get fit. We’ll give you more information on each of our top picks so that you can choose a rower that’s right for your needs and budget.

What Are The Best Rowing Machines?

Buying a rowing machine can be a daunting prospect. There is a huge range of rowers to choose from with different companies offering various models. It’s difficult to know where to start. Our rowing machine reviews will help bridge the gap between your interest and final purchase by making the decision-making process as simple as possible. 

To get you off to a head start, here are our top recommendations… 

The gold standard for rowing machines is the Concept2 Model D. If you have no clue about rowing machines, just know you can’t go wrong with a Concept2. 

This is the rowing machine that you will find in most gyms, health clubs, and CrossFit boxes across the world. And there’s a good reason for that. It’s a beast of a machine that will not disappoint you. 

Concept2 is a great company that has been creating quality products since the 80s. If you have around $1000 to spend then we suggest you start by reading our review for the Model D. If you can afford it and aren’t looking to be thrilled with all the bells and whistles of the flashier machines then we may have found your winner from the get-go. 

If your heart is set on a Concept2 but you don’t quite have the money to buy a brand new one, check out our complete guide on how to buy a used Concept2. 

If you’re interested in popular opinion then the best-selling rowing machine on Amazon is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW55515 Magnetic Rower which is also a much more affordable option than the Concept2. 

If you love interactive workouts and have the budget to splurge then the top two machines to look at are the Hydrow rower and the Ergatta rower. We have in-depth reviews on both of these rowers that will help determine which one you prefer as although priced similarly, they are very different machines.  

If you need further assistance on what to look for when purchasing a rowing machine then please read our rowing machine buyers guide and take a look at our list of the best machines on the market for all budgets.

How We Compile our Rowing Machine Reviews

Want to know how we write our rowing machine reviews? 

We have a team of experts who have tested and reviewed many rowing machines over the years. Our job is to help you find the best one for your needs.

We try to create reviews that are helpful and easy to follow. To do this, we determined a similar structure and format that we apply to all of our rowing machine reviews so that you can easily compare individual rowers head-to-head and obtain all the information you need to help with your decision. 

Each rowing machine we review is given a star rating out of 5. This rating is based on several aspects such as display functionality, the overall build quality, comfort when in use, warranty, and of course, price and value. 

Please note, that we are a professional review site and all opinions expressed are that of the reviewer based on their own experiences and research on other users’ experiences. We believe this is the best way to give you a well-rounded unbiased review. 

You can learn more about our experts by going to our about page. We do not receive (nor do we accept) any form of payment to complete or alter any reviews published on this site. We may receive compensation when you purchase a product via one of our links at no extra cost to you. 

We welcome feedback and would like to hear from anyone that is interested in sharing their experience with any of the products we review. Sharing more experiences helps us create better reviews. 

Rowing Machine Reviews Guide By Price

Here at Start Rowing, we have reviewed a lot of rowing machines. But you probably don’t want to search through them if you’re not sure what you want. So to help you out, below we have picked out our favorite rowers for each price range. We have compared each rowing machine in each category so you can find a quality rower regardless of your budget. 

Here at Start Rowing, we include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Under $250

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Rower

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Rower is a good choice for the average rowing machine user, as it has a price of under $250.

The SF-RW5515 has a weight capacity of 400 pounds, dimensions of 20.5 x 20.5 x 44.5 inches and weighs about 60 pounds in total. The rowing stroke on this machine is 22 inches long, which puts it in the middle ground between shorter and longer strokes—and if you’re not sure what type of person you are yet, this may be best for you!

Doufit Rowing Machine

The Doufit Rowing Machine is a popular rower that’s great for beginners. It has a magnetic resistance system, and it allows you to customize your workouts by using different levels of resistance.

The machine itself comes with an LCD display screen that shows time, speed, calories burned, distance covered, and strokes per minute. Plus it has an advanced anti-slip footplate design so you won’t slip when working out on this machine!

$250-$500

Schwinn Crewmaster rower

The Schwinn Crewmaster rower is a great choice for those who want to stay fit without spending a lot of money. This model comes with a large monitor that displays your heart rate and calories burned, as well as how long you’ve been exercising. It’s also easy to move from one room to another (it weighs only 45 pounds), so you can use it wherever you want. This model is available in three colors: black, blue, or red.

There are some drawbacks to this model—namely its lack of resistance levels and small foot pedals—but overall we think this is an excellent machine for the price!

Xterra ERG200 Rower

The Xterra ERG200 Rower is a sturdy, ergonomically designed rowing machine that will help you reach your fitness goals. The machine features adjustable resistance and an LCD monitor to keep track of your distance, time and calories burned. Additionally, it has a water bottle holder so you can stay hydrated throughout your workout. It comes with a padded seat and backrest so you’ll feel comfortable while using it as well as adjustable footrests which allow for better control over the rowing motion.

$500-$1000

Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

The Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine is a great rowing machine for home use. It’s the gold standard of rowing machines that can be used by both beginners and experienced users alike. The Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine has an efficient design that allows you to quickly get started with your workout using the brilliant PM5 monitor.  

NordicTrack RW200 Rower

The NordicTrack RW200 Rower is a good example of what you should expect from a rowing machine, and it’s not too expensive. It’s made by NordicTrack, one of the oldest and most trusted names in fitness equipment. The RW200 has an adjustable resistance system with 16 levels to choose from so that you can find the right level for you. It also has a monorail frame which helps to stabilize it during use. This machine is also foldable if space is tight in your home gym area (or wherever else you decide to put it).

$1000-$1500

Assault Rower Elite

If you’re looking for a rower that will withstand daily use, the Assault Rower Elite is a good choice. Its build quality is above average and can handle being moved around, but it’s not quite as solid as some of the other models. The resistance system has eight levels of adjustable tension and allows you to choose one of five different workouts.

Hydrow Wave

This rower is the newest rowing model released by Hydrow. It’s constructed to be durable, compact, and more affordable than its predecessor, so you can get in a good workout without breaking the bank.

The Hydrow Wave features adjustable resistance settings, which means you can choose how intense your workout is going to be each time you use it. The monitor displays the same virtual experience you,d get from the original Hydrow. If you’ve always wanted a Hydrow but the price point was too high, now is your chance!

$1500 and Over

Hydrow Rowing Machine

The Hydrow Rowing Machine is a great rowing machine for home use. It has an adjustable resistance system, allowing you to work out at your own pace. The seat slides smoothly along its rail, making it easy for you to get into position so that you can start your workout right away.

Overall, this is one of my favorite models out there.

Ergatta Rowing Machine

The Ergatta rowing machine is a good option if you are looking for a rower that will get the job done at home.