Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Concept2 RowErg
Best OverallNordicTrack RW900
Best for Coaching & ClassesPrice
$900-$1,100
$1,299-$1,599
Summary
The undisputed gold standard for rowing machines, used by competitive athletes worldwide. Unmatched durability, resale value, and workout quality make it the top pick across every serious rowing community.
The top pick for iFIT-powered coaching with a large built-in touchscreen and auto-adjusting resistance during classes. Quiet magnetic resistance makes it apartment-friendly.
Pros
- 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
- 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
Cons
- Higher upfront cost compared to budget options
- No built-in screen or subscription workout content
- Louder than magnetic or water resistance machines
- Requires iFIT subscription to unlock full functionality
- Bulkier footprint than standard rowers
- Content experience tied to one ecosystem
Our take
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.
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.
Buy
