You probably think you need to spend ~$1,000 on a rowing machine to get that smooth, water-like feel. You don't. I've spent the last three years testing budget magnetic rowers in my garage, but this spring I finally got my hands on a batch of water rowers.
The best water rowing machine for most people is the YOSUDA Foldable Water Rower, but at 79 pounds and over 6 feet long, it's a commitment you need to plan for.
Here's the thing I learned fast: water rowers are a different beast than the magnetic ones I usually review. The resistance comes from paddles spinning through a tank of water, so it's infinitely variable and dead quiet. That's the good news. The bad news is that water is heavy.
YOSUDA Water Rowing Machine Foldable for Home Use 5.8 Gal Large Water Tank
Smoothest drag, real walnut frame, best monitor layout
Visit on Amazon →
Merach R280 Water Rowing Machine, Foldable & Space-Saving, 400lbs Capacity
Founded in 2018, MERACH aims to make home fitness fun for global users. As a pioneer in the home gym industry, we combine innovative apps with fitness gear to create immersive workouts. With over 120+
Visit on Amazon →
Wenoker Water Rowing Machine, Foldable & Space-Saving,Immersive Water Rower
Water Rowing Machine for Home Use, WENOKER Wooden Foldable Rower Machine with Dedicated Monitor & Bluetooth APP, Large Water Tank & Comfortable Seat for Immersive Water Rower, 350LBS Weight Capacity
Visit on Amazon →
JOROTO Water Rowing Machines for Home, Foldable Rowing Machine with 400LBS Weight Capacity, Dedicated Monitor & Bluetooth APP, Large Water Tank & Comfortable Seat for Immersive Water Rower
Enjoy lifetime membership access to the JOROTO App with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to track workout data, monitor progress, access guided training programs, and explore virtual rowing routes
Visit on Amazon →
Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Water Rower w/Intensive Dynamic Real-Time Resistance, 300 LB Capacity Flip-able Rowing Machine for Home Training, Optional Free SunnyFit App Connection
Proven brand, replacement parts available
Visit on Amazon →
Merach Q1S Magnetic Rowing Machine Indoor, Dual Slide Rail, Quiet & Smooth
Enjoy lifetime membership access to the JOROTO App with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to track workout data, monitor progress, access guided training programs, and explore virtual rowing routes
Visit on Amazon →How I tested
I put all six of these through the same gauntlet I use for every machine. Mabel, my 55-pound lab mix, did the official seat test on each one. If she didn't roll off mid-stroke, the glide passed. Then I did three 20-minute steady-state sessions per machine, plus a sprint interval workout on the top contenders.
I measured rail length, checked the monitor accuracy against my Concept2, and timed assembly from box to first stroke.
The water rowers took longer to set up than the magnetic ones. That's physics. You're filling a tank with 5 gallons of water, adding a purification tablet, and praying you don't spill. The YOSUDA took me 45 minutes solo. The WENOKER took 35. The JOROTO had instructions that made me want to throw my phone across the garage.
Resistance feel
This is where water rowers win. The drag builds smoothly through the stroke, peaks at the finish, and the recovery is buttery. It's the closest you'll get to actual on-water rowing without a boat. The YOSUDA and WENOKER felt almost identical to each other, which surprised me given the price difference.
The MERACH was slightly lighter at the catch, which some people prefer. The JOROTO felt a little "rubbery" at the start of the drive, like the paddles were catching inconsistently.
Monitor quality
Every water rower in this test has a cheesy monitor. That's the trade-off. The YOSUDA has the best layout, showing time, distance, and split on one screen. The MERACH shows calories front and center, which annoys me. Calories are a vanity metric. Split is the truth. The WENOKER doesn't have Bluetooth, which I actually respect. I don't need my rower talking to my phone.
Noise
All of these are quiet. The water swish is soothing, not annoying. My neighbor texted me asking if I got a new fish tank. That's how quiet they are. The MERACH was the quietest of the bunch, which makes sense given its tank design.
Storage
Here's the disappointment. These don't fold flat. They stand upright. The YOSUDA and MERACH both have a latch that lets you tip them up and tuck them in a corner. The WENOKER doesn't fold at all. The JOROTO folds but the latch feels flimsy. If you're planning to hide this in a closet, measure your ceiling height first.
Best Overall: YOSUDA Water Rowing Machine
This is the one I'd buy with my own money. The walnut frame looks like real furniture, not gym equipment. The seat glides smooth as anything I've tested, and Mabel gave it her highest rating by falling asleep on it mid-test. The 5.8-gallon tank gives you enough water to feel real resistance without being so heavy you can't move it.
Assembly was the worst part. The instructions show the guide bar screws being removed temporarily so the seat can slide on, which isn't obvious until you're stuck halfway through. I've seen this confusion in buyer reviews too. One guy, who purchased in April, said he spent an hour trying to get the seat on before realizing the screws needed to come off.
The monitor shows split, which is non-negotiable for me. It also has a device holder that fits my iPad with a case, which is rare in this category. The foot straps are long, so I have to scrunch up to get the right angle, but that's a minor gripe.
For the money, this is well worth the price. I've paid more for less smooth machines.
Best Value: MERACH Water Rowing Machine
YOSUDA Water Rowing Machine
The MERACH undercuts the YOSUDA by about 50 bucks and gets you a 400 lbs weight capacity, which matters if you're a bigger athlete. The tank is slightly smaller but the resistance curve felt consistent through the whole stroke. It's also the quietest machine I tested this round.
The monitor is the weak link. It's small, the numbers are hard to read mid-workout, and it leads with calories instead of split. Multiple owners have mentioned the screen cracking from minor impacts. One buyer's granddaughter dropped the handle from 8 inches and it shattered in three places.
The company sent a free replacement within a week, which is the kind of customer service that turns a frustration into a loyalty story.
The upright storage latch works well. I tipped it up and tucked it next to my workbench, and it took up less floor space than my tool chest. Assembly took 30 minutes, which was the fastest of the water rowers.
If you're on a budget but want the water feel, this is the one. Beats going to a crowded gym, and it won't break the bank.
Editor's Pick: WENOKER Wooden Foldable Rower
WENOKER Wooden Foldable
This is the prettiest machine I've tested, period. The wood frame is finished beautifully, and it looks like something you'd see in a high-end hotel gym. The craftsmanship is genuinely impressive for the price.
The rowing experience matches the looks. The drag is smooth, the seat glides quiet, and the overall feel is close to the YOSUDA. The monitor is basic, no Bluetooth, which I actually prefer. Just time, distance, split, and stroke rate. That's all you need.
The downside is storage. It doesn't fold, and it doesn't stand upright. It's a 6-foot piece of furniture that lives where you put it. If you have a dedicated space, this is the best-looking option. If you need to hide it, look elsewhere.
One buyer, who purchased in February, said it was "much nicer than I expected it to be." I agree. This little 'cheap' rower is great.
JOROTO Water Rower
The JOROTO is a solid mid-range option with a decent rail length and a smooth enough pull. The instructions are the worst of the bunch, and the fold latch feels like it might wear out in a year. If you find it on sale, it's worth a look. At full price, I'd save for the YOSUDA.
Sunny Health & Fitness Premium Water Rower
Sunny is a proven brand with replacement parts available, which matters if you plan to own this for years. But at ~$450, you're paying a premium for the name without getting a better rowing experience than the YOSUDA at ~$350. The lack of a fold is a dealbreaker for anyone with limited space.
MERACH Q1S Magnetic Rower
This isn't a water rower, but I included it because it's the budget king of the whole test. At ~$250, it's the cheapest machine here, and the dual slide rail is clever. But if you're reading this because you want the water feel, the magnetic resistance won't give it to you. Save the extra 50 bucks and get the MERACH water rower.
Should you buy a water rower?
If you want the closest thing to actual on-water rowing without leaving your garage, yes. The resistance is smooth, the sound is soothing, and the workout is genuinely better than a magnetic machine for technique work. The trade-offs are weight, assembly time, and the fact that you're moving water around, which means occasional maintenance.
If you're a beginner who just wants cardio before work, a magnetic rower might serve you better. But if you're serious about rowing, or you just love the feel of water, the YOSUDA is the best water rowing machine I've tested. It's quiet, smooth, and built to last. For the value of it, it is well worth the price.
I've been rowing for three years now, and this is the machine that finally made me stop missing the Concept2 at my old gym. Mabel approves, and she's a tough critic.