Cardio · Rowers
Best Rowing Machines (2026)Seven Rowers Compared by Price, Feel and Floor Space
Prices checked November 11, 2026 · 11 min read
A rower is the one cardio machine most serious home gyms end up with, and it is also one of the longest: most of the machines here need around 7 to 8 feet of floor in use. So this guide leads with two questions at once. Which rower is worth the money, and which one fits your room?
We pulled every machine below from Amazon's own product data on the date shown above: price, seller, stock, listed dimensions, user-weight rating and warranty text. Where the listing does not state a figure, we say so instead of guessing. This is research from published specifications, not hands-on testing.
The short version: the Concept2 RowErg at $990 is the machine to beat, and the cheaper and more expensive options only make sense for specific reasons. If you are short on space, read the footprint column before the price column.
Quick picks
- $990.00Shop now →
- $583.43Shop now →
- $1,324.00Shop now →
- $2,195.00Shop now →
- $1,895.00Shop now →
- $1,998.00Shop now →
- $299.99Shop now →
Cheapest that is still usable
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Magnetic Rower SF-RW523043Magnetic, folds, for light use.
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The picks
The 7 best rowing machines for a home gym
Concept2 RowErg (PM5)
The RowErg is the rower most training plans, rowing clubs and fitness races are built around, which matters more than it sounds: your 500 m splits mean the same thing on any RowErg. Concept2 sells it on Amazon itself at $990, and the listing gives a 500 lb user rating and a 5-year frame warranty. It splits in two and stands on end for storage.
- Footprint
- 96 in x 24 in (244 cm x 61 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 500 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 5-year frame, 2-year parts (limited)
Clearance: Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft space for use. Separates into two pieces and stands upright for storage on caster wheels.
YOSUDA R2 Air Rowing Machine
If the point is conditioning rather than comparable race splits, the YOSUDA R2 gets you an air flywheel, a self-powered monitor and a 53.7 in rail for $599.99. It is nearly as long as the RowErg in use (95 in), but stores upright on a 25 x 33 in patch of floor. What you give up is the PM5 ecosystem and the resale value that comes with a Concept2.
- Footprint
- 95 in x 24 in (241 cm x 61 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 350 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1 year
Clearance: Separates into two pieces and stands upright on a 25 x 33 in patch of floor.
WaterRower Oak (S4 BLE Monitor)
The WaterRower Oak trades the air flywheel for a tank of water, which gives a quieter, more even stroke and a solid wood frame that looks like furniture. The listing gives about 82 x 22 in, shorter than the air rowers, and it stores upright. WaterRower's US site rates it for 700 lb, the highest here. The one caveat: the Amazon listing shows only a 1-year warranty, so check WaterRower's own warranty terms before you pay $1,324.
- Footprint
- 82 in x 22 in (208 cm x 56 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 700 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1 year (as stated on the Amazon listing)
Clearance: Stores upright between workouts. Water tank adds weight when moving it.
Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine
The Hydrow Origin is for people who will use the classes. Its electromagnetic drag is quiet, the 22 in touchscreen carries on-water rows and instructor-led sessions, and it stows upright. Budget for the full cost, though: the listing states a $50 a month membership after the trial, and the screen workouts and stats need it. Over three years that is $1,800 on top of the machine.
Ongoing cost: Hydrow membership $50/month after a 30-day trial (per the listing). The touchscreen workouts and stats require it.
- Footprint
- 86 in x 25 in (218 cm x 64 cm)
- Ceiling
- Your height + deck + headroom
- Rated capacity
- 375 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1-year manufacturer warranty, home use
Clearance: Stows upright to free the floor between sessions.
Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine
The Wave is Hydrow's smaller rower: 80 x 19 in and 102 lb according to the listing, with a 16 in screen. It is the narrowest machine in this guide, which helps in a spare room. The same $50 a month membership applies, and upright storage needs a kit that is sold separately.
Ongoing cost: Hydrow membership $50/month after a 30-day trial (per the listing). The touchscreen workouts and stats require it.
- Footprint
- 80 in x 19 in (203 cm x 48 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 375 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1-year manufacturer warranty, home use
Clearance: Folds upright for storage, but the Upright Storage Kit is sold separately.
Aviron Strong Series Rower
Aviron's Strong Series combines air and magnetic resistance (up to 100 lb on the listing) with a 22 in screen built around games, races and streaming. At 84 in long it is shorter than the Concept2, fits users up to 6 ft 8 in, and stands upright without a wall mount. Aviron rates it for 507 lb, and its membership costs $29 a month billed annually or $34 month-to-month, per Aviron's own pages.
Ongoing cost: Aviron membership for the content library: $29/month billed annually or $34/month month-to-month (per Aviron's membership page).
- Footprint
- 84 in x 27 in (213 cm x 69 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 507 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1-year limited warranty on parts
Clearance: Stores upright without a wall mount. Fits users up to 6 ft 8 in.
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Magnetic Rower SF-RW523043
At $299.99, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW523043 is a magnetic rower for light, regular use rather than hard intervals. It folds for upright storage and works with the free SunnyFit app. Be aware that its own listing contradicts itself on capacity (250 lb in the title, 300 lb in the bullets), so check before buying if that matters to you.
- Footprint
- 74.6 in x 20.7 in (189 cm x 53 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Rated capacity
- 300 lb max user weight
- Warranty
- 1-year manufacturer
Clearance: Folds for upright storage.
Will it fit
Rowing machine footprints compared
Rowers are long, so length is usually the deciding number. Add room at the back for the seat travel and your hands at the finish, and room at the side to get on and off.
- Footprint
- 96 in x 24 in (244 cm x 61 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 500 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft space for use. Separates into two pieces and stands upright for storage on caster wheels.
- Footprint
- 95 in x 24 in (241 cm x 61 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 350 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Separates into two pieces and stands upright on a 25 x 33 in patch of floor.
- Footprint
- 82 in x 22 in (208 cm x 56 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 700 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Stores upright between workouts. Water tank adds weight when moving it.
- Footprint
- 86 in x 25 in (218 cm x 64 cm)
- Ceiling
- Your height + deck + headroom
- Capacity
- 375 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Stows upright to free the floor between sessions.
- Footprint
- 80 in x 19 in (203 cm x 48 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 375 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Folds upright for storage, but the Upright Storage Kit is sold separately.
- Footprint
- 84 in x 27 in (213 cm x 69 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 507 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Stores upright without a wall mount. Fits users up to 6 ft 8 in.
- Footprint
- 80.1 in x 21.8 in (203 cm x 55 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 300 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Not stated by the seller
- Footprint
- 74.6 in x 20.7 in (189 cm x 53 cm)
- Ceiling
- No constraint
- Capacity
- 300 lb max user weight
- Clearance
- Folds for upright storage.
| Product | Price | Footprint (L x W) | Ceiling | Clearance | Rated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg (PM5) | $990.00 | 96 in x 24 in (244 cm x 61 cm) | No constraint | Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft space for use. Separates into two pieces and stands upright for storage on caster wheels. | 500 lb max user weight |
| YOSUDA R2 Air Rowing Machine | $583.43 | 95 in x 24 in (241 cm x 61 cm) | No constraint | Separates into two pieces and stands upright on a 25 x 33 in patch of floor. | 350 lb max user weight |
| WaterRower Oak (S4 BLE Monitor) | $1,324.00 | 82 in x 22 in (208 cm x 56 cm) | No constraint | Stores upright between workouts. Water tank adds weight when moving it. | 700 lb max user weight |
| Hydrow Origin Rowing Machine | $2,195.00 | 86 in x 25 in (218 cm x 64 cm) | Your height + deck + headroom | Stows upright to free the floor between sessions. | 375 lb max user weight |
| Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine | $1,895.00 | 80 in x 19 in (203 cm x 48 cm) | No constraint | Folds upright for storage, but the Upright Storage Kit is sold separately. | 375 lb max user weight |
| Aviron Strong Series Rower | $1,998.00 | 84 in x 27 in (213 cm x 69 cm) | No constraint | Stores upright without a wall mount. Fits users up to 6 ft 8 in. | 507 lb max user weight |
| NordicTrack RW900 Rower | $1,999.00 | 80.1 in x 21.8 in (203 cm x 55 cm) | No constraint | Not stated by the seller | 300 lb max user weight |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Magnetic Rower SF-RW523043 | $299.99 | 74.6 in x 20.7 in (189 cm x 53 cm) | No constraint | Folds for upright storage. | 300 lb max user weight |
Footprints are the in-use dimensions from each Amazon listing. Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft area for the RowErg; we use that as a sensible allowance for the others too.
Also considered: NordicTrack RW900
The NordicTrack RW900 ($1,999 on Amazon when we checked) has a 24 in pivoting touchscreen, 26 magnetic resistance levels and a 10-year frame warranty on its listing. It is a capable machine, but it sits in the same price bracket as the Hydrow Origin and Aviron, needs an iFIT membership ($39 a month per the listing) for its content, and NordicTrack rates it for 300 lb, lower than the others in this bracket. We would choose the Hydrow for the rowing content or the Concept2 for training.
How to choose a rowing machine
Start with resistance type. Air (Concept2, YOSUDA) gets harder the harder you pull, has the most natural feel for intervals and is loud. Water (WaterRower) is quieter and smoother. Magnetic (Hydrow, Sunny) is the quietest and lets a screen set the resistance for you.
Decide whether comparable numbers matter. If you train for indoor rowing, fitness races or follow a plan written in 500 m splits, buy a Concept2: other monitors do not produce numbers you can compare. If you just want hard conditioning, a cheaper air rower does the job.
Price the subscription. Connected rowers look close to a Concept2 on price until you add the membership. Work out three years of fees before you compare.
Measure length, then storage. Every rower here needs at least 6 ft 3 in of floor in use, most closer to 8 ft. If that is a problem, look at upright storage: see our space planning guide and the Concept2 RowErg vs Hydrow comparison.
FAQ
Is the Concept2 RowErg worth it over a cheaper air rower?
For most serious users, yes. The RowErg's PM5 numbers are comparable across every Concept2 machine, it has a 500 lb user rating and a 5-year frame warranty on its listing, and Concept2 machines hold their resale value. A cheaper air rower such as the YOSUDA R2 is a fair choice if you only want conditioning and do not care about comparable splits.
How much space does a rowing machine need?
In use, the rowers here are between 74.6 and 96 inches long and 19 to 27 inches wide according to their listings. Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft area for the RowErg, which is a sensible allowance for any full-size rower.
Do I need a subscription for a rowing machine?
Not for the Concept2, YOSUDA, WaterRower or Sunny machines here. The Hydrow rowers state a $50 a month membership on their listings, and the NordicTrack RW900 an iFIT membership at $39 a month, for their screen content.
Which rowing machine is quietest?
Magnetic rowers such as the Hydrow are the quietest, followed by water rowers such as the WaterRower. Air rowers like the Concept2 are the loudest because the fan moves air on every stroke.
