rabbit.reviews

The Best Rowing Machines

Updated April 2026·Experts: nytimes, PCMag

Best Overall

Concept2 RowErg

$900-$1,100
$900-$1,100 at Amazon→

If you only read one thing: buy the Concept2. Reddit's rowing community is unanimous, Wirecutter agrees, and it's the only machine that holds its value for resale. Everything else is a compromise.

What holds up

  • Industry standard for competitive and recreational rowers alike
  • Exceptional durability with minimal maintenance required
  • Holds resale value better than any other rowing machine
  • Air-resistance flywheel delivers the most authentic rowing feel

What to know

  • Higher upfront cost compared to budget options
  • No built-in screen or subscription workout content
  • Louder than magnetic or water resistance machines
What people say
The Concept 2 is the absolute best on the market, it is not cheap but it maintains it's value over the years and limited maintenance is needed.
Reddit user
Get it for $900-$1,100
Read the full breakdown →
Best Water Rower

WaterRower Natural

$1,100-$1,500
$1,100-$1,500 at Amazon→

If the Concept2's industrial look doesn't fit your living space, the WaterRower is the next best thing, it's genuinely beautiful and the water resistance feels closer to real rowing than air.

What holds up

  • Gorgeous handcrafted wood design that doubles as furniture
  • Water resistance closely mimics the feel of on-water rowing
  • Quieter than air-resistance machines like the Concept2
  • Strong community and brand reputation among fitness enthusiasts

What to know

  • Not ideal for competitive training or improving personal splits
  • Requires periodic water tank maintenance and refilling
  • More expensive than comparable air-resistance rowers
What people say
WaterRower Natural, Best for on-water feel & looks: gorgeous
Reddit user
Get it for $1,100-$1,500
Read the full breakdown →
Best Smart Rower

Hydrow Arc

$2,195-$2,495
$2,195-$2,495 at Amazon→

For people who need the motivation of a class-based experience to actually use their rower, the Hydrow Arc is worth every penny, the content quality is genuinely in a different league than competitors.

What holds up

  • 24-inch rotating display with immersive scenic and instructor-led workouts
  • Refined rowing-first experience with upgraded performance analytics
  • Screen rotates for yoga and off-rower workout classes
  • PCMag Editors' Choice for best smart rowing experience

What to know

  • Requires ongoing subscription for full content library
  • Significantly more expensive than non-connected rowers
  • Less ideal for competitive training compared to Concept2
What people say
The Hydrow Arc delivers a refined, rowing-first experience that captures the thrill of outdoor rowing from the comfort of home, earning it our Editors' Choice award.
PCMag
Get it for $2,195-$2,495
Read the full breakdown →
Best for Coaching & Classes

NordicTrack RW900

$1,299-$1,599
$1,299-$1,599 at Amazon→

If you're already in the iFIT ecosystem or want a machine that automatically adjusts resistance mid-workout, the RW900 is the smartest buy, the auto-adjust feature alone sets it apart from most competitors.

What holds up

  • Large color touchscreen with extensive iFIT class library
  • Magnetic resistance auto-adjusts during iFIT workouts
  • Quieter operation than air-resistance machines
  • Strong value for the feature set compared to Hydrow

What to know

  • Requires iFIT subscription to unlock full functionality
  • Bulkier footprint than standard rowers
  • Content experience tied to one ecosystem
What people say
NordicTrack RW900, Best for big-screen coaching: quiet magnetic, auto-adjusts in iFIT classes.
Reddit user
Get it for $1,299-$1,599
Read the full breakdown →
Best Budget

Yosuda Rowing Machine

$200-$350
$200-$350 at Amazon→

Don't overthink it if budget is your constraint, the Yosuda gets you rowing consistently, and consistent rowing on a budget machine beats an expensive machine you never buy.

What holds up

  • Significantly cheaper than premium options like Concept2 or WaterRower
  • Praised by real owners as a reliable daily-use machine
  • Good entry point for beginners testing their commitment to rowing
  • Compact and easy to store

What to know

  • Not suitable for competitive training or serious athletes
  • Build quality and durability don't match premium machines
  • Limited performance metrics compared to Concept2 or smart rowers
What people say
Concept2 or Yosuda both are great options. Personally, I feel like Concept 2 is more expensive. I use the Yosuda, and it's a great budget rower!
Reddit user
Get it for $200-$350
Read the full breakdown →