Rowing is the most underrated cardio machine you can own: full-body, low-impact, and as hard or easy as you make it. The catch is that “rower” covers four very different resistance types — air, water, magnetic, and hybrid — and the wrong one ends up as an expensive clothes rack. We tested the field to sort the keepers from the gimmicks.
Our top picks at a glance
| Rower | Resistance | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg | Air | Best overall | ~$990 |
| Sunny Health SF-RW5515 | Magnetic | Best budget | ~$299 |
| Hydrow Wave | Magnetic + screen | Best guided classes | ~$1,495 |
| WaterRower Natural | Water | Best looking | ~$1,145 |
1. Concept2 RowErg — Best Overall
Concept2 RowErg
- Air resistance that feels smooth and natural at any stroke rate.
- PM5 monitor gives accurate watts, splits, and pace — the data competitors train on.
- Separates into two pieces and stands upright for storage; parts last decades.
The Concept2 RowErg is the rower every other machine gets compared to, and after testing it’s easy to see why. The air flywheel scales perfectly from a gentle warm-up to an all-out sprint, the PM5 monitor is accurate enough for serious training, and the whole thing is built to survive a CrossFit gym. It’s the rower you buy once.
2. Sunny Health SF-RW5515 — Best Budget
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
- Quiet magnetic resistance with eight adjustable levels.
- Folds for storage in apartments and small rooms.
- Unbeatable price for getting started with rowing.
If you’re not ready to commit $1,000, the Sunny Health SF-RW5515 is the budget rower we recommend. The magnetic resistance is quiet and the build is more solid than its price suggests. You give up the precise data and bombproof durability of the Concept2, but for casual home cardio it does the job for a third of the cost.
3. Hydrow Wave — Best for Guided Classes
Hydrow Wave
- Bright touchscreen streams live and on-demand rowing classes on the water.
- Quiet electromagnetic resistance auto-adjusts to the workout.
- Smaller and lighter than the original Hydrow — fits more homes.
If the thing that keeps you rowing is a coach in your ear, the Hydrow Wave is the most polished option. The on-water class production is genuinely motivating and the resistance is whisper-quiet for apartments. Just remember the immersive experience needs a paid membership to shine.
How to choose a rowing machine
- Resistance type: air for the most natural feel and data, magnetic for quiet apartments, water for looks and ambiance.
- Data & connectivity: decide whether you want raw numbers (Concept2) or guided classes (Hydrow).
- Footprint & storage: most rowers are long — confirm it folds or stands upright if space is tight.
- Build quality: a heavier, well-built frame feels more stable and lasts far longer.
The bottom line
For nearly everyone, the Concept2 RowErg is the right rower — smooth, accurate, and effectively immortal. Choose the Sunny Health SF-RW5515 to start cheap, or the Hydrow Wave if guided classes are what get you moving.