You probably think you need to spend $1,000 on a rower to get a real workout. You don't. I've spent the last year living with a $200 magnetic rower in my garage, and I've put more than 1,000 people on machines ranging from the $300 wobble-fest to the Concept2 that never dies.
Related: How to Use a Rowing Machine: The Stroke, Taught Properly
The question of whether to call it a "rowing machine" or a "rower" is the least important thing about this category, but the answer tells you something about how you'll use it.
Here's the short version: they're the same thing. "Rower" is just the nickname we use in the sport, and "rowing machine" is the formal term for the box it comes in. But if you're shopping for one, the terminology matters less than the fact that you'll see both words used interchangeably on every product listing, every review, and every forum post.
I've coached on these things for over a decade, and I can tell you that the only term that actually matters is "split time." That's the truth.
Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage
The gold standard. Indestructible, accurate monitor, perfect drag consistency.
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Sunny Health & Fitness Full Motion Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower with Advanced LCD Display, Elevated Seat, 265 LB Max Weight and Foldable - SF-RW5864
Kick-start your in-home workout with the Sunny Health and Fitness Full Motion Magnetic Rowing Machine. Produce powerful strokes on your indoor rower while you push back on the long 40-inch slide rail
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NordicTrack RW700 Rower
The Concept2 Model D rowing machine features an advanced PM5 Performance Monitor, improved ergonomically designed handles, adjustable foot-rests, and a flywheel designed for smooth movement with minim
Visit on Amazon →How I tested
I don't review machines by rowing them for 10 minutes and writing down my feelings. I live with them. For the past year, I've been testing a batch of budget magnetic rowers alongside my daily driver Concept2 Model D. I've put them through 20-minute steady-state sessions, sprint intervals, and the tall-person/short-person fit test.
My dog Mabel, a 55-pound lab mix, has slept on more than one of these machines while I coached remote sessions. She's the official seat-tester. If she doesn't roll off mid-stroke, the glide is smooth enough.
I've also packed them up and moved them across the garage, stood them upright in the corner, and left them out in the humidity just to see what happens.
I've rowed on them at 6 AM before work and after a muddy day in the yard. I've had my granddaughter drop the handle on the monitor, and I've emailed customer support at 10 PM with assembly questions.
The physical stuff matters. I measured rail lengths, checked seat glide smoothness, and tested drag consistency through the entire stroke. I also weighed the machines and timed assembly. One machine took me 30 minutes solo. Another took 45 minutes and left me staring at the guide bar screws, wondering why they needed to be temporarily removed so the seat could slide on.
Analysis & test results
Each machine was tested on the same four criteria: drag consistency, monitor quality, seat glide, and whether I'd coach a beginner on it. That's the test. If a machine passes all four, it's worth your money. If it fails even one, think twice.
Drag consistency
The Concept2 wins here, no contest. The air resistance gives you a smooth, consistent pull through the entire stroke. The magnetic rowers have come a long way, though. The best budget machines match the feel of a Concept2 at a fraction of the price. The worst ones feel like a rubber band.
Monitor quality
This is the weakest link on every budget machine. The screens are small, battery-powered, and crack if you look at them wrong. One buyer, who purchased in March, told me his granddaughter dropped the handle from 8-10 inches and shattered the screen in three places.
The monitor still worked, but he had 3 big crack lines running across it. The company sent a free replacement within a week.
That's exceptional customer service.
The Concept2 monitor, by contrast, is built like a tank. I've seen them survive years of CrossFit abuse and still work perfectly.
Seat glide
The seat is where budget machines either shine or fall apart. The best ones roll smooth and quiet. The worst ones catch and stutter. Mabel is a harsh critic. If she rolls off, it's a fail.
Would I coach a beginner on it?
This is the real test. If I put someone who's never touched an oar on a machine, can they figure it out in five minutes? Does the resistance feel consistent? Does the monitor show split, not just calories? If yes, it's a pass.
Concept2 Model D: Best Overall
I've coached on these for over a decade. The Model D is the machine you see in every CrossFit box, every rowing club, every hotel gym that takes fitness seriously. It's not flashy. No Bluetooth, no fancy app, just a monitor that shows you split, stroke rate, and watts. That's all you need.
It's also $1,000+. For a lot of people, that's a real barrier. And honestly? For a beginner who just wants to get some cardio in before work, it might be overkill. But if you're serious about rowing, if you want to track your progress, compete with yourself, or train for actual on-water rowing, this is the machine. Nothing else comes close.
The rail is plenty long for my 6'0" frame, and the seat glides smooth. The drag factor is adjustable, and the monitor is accurate. It's loud, sure, but that whoosh is the sound of a machine that's working. It's also heavy. Moving it around the garage is a workout in itself. But it's built like a tank and will outlast every other machine in this review.
Budget Magnetic Rower: Best Value
I'll be honest, I used to scoff at the $200 magnetic rowers. Then I spent a month on one, and I had to eat my words. The seat glides smooth. The resistance is quiet. It's a genuinely decent workout. One buyer put it perfectly: "I honestly wish I had not waited so long to buy it."
This little 'cheap' rower is great. It's quiet enough that I can row at 6 AM without waking the neighbors. The resistance is smooth and consistent through the entire stroke. It takes up less floor space than you'd think, and it stands upright when you need to tuck it out of the way.
But there are caveats. The monitor is a little cheesy, a small battery-powered screen that shows time, distance, and calories but not much else. The instructions aren't the best, and I've heard from multiple people who were stuck on assembly because the manual didn't explain that you need to temporarily remove the guide bar screws to get the seat on.
The device holder won't secure a tablet with a thick case, and I've watched more than one iPad wobble dangerously close to the floor.
Still, for the price, this machine is a bargain. At $200, that's less than three months of a gym membership, and you'll own it for years. It gets the job done.
iFIT-Connected Rower: The Subscription Trap
The big-name brands with iFIT integration look appealing. You get a screen, a subscription, a whole ecosystem. But here's the thing: you're paying a premium for a subscription you might not want. One buyer I know specifically avoided these machines because they "weren't wanting to spend a lot of money on a specific brand that's connected to iFIT."
I respect that. The machine should work for you, not lock you into a monthly fee. And if the app requires Bluetooth to do "ANYTHING", as some reviewers have found, that's a dealbreaker for anyone who just wants to row without their phone.
The machine itself is fine. But you're paying for the ecosystem, and if you don't want the ecosystem, you're wasting money.
What else to consider
The storage king: A hydraulic rower that folds flat. Takes up almost no space, but the resistance curve is weird and it doesn't feel like real rowing.
The budget pick: A $150 magnetic rower that's surprisingly smooth for the price. The monitor is even cheesier than the others, and the foot straps are so long I have to scrunch up to get the right angle on them.
The heavy-duty option: A commercial-grade machine that's built like a tank but costs almost as much as a Concept2. If you're going to spend that much, just get the Concept2.
Should you buy the Concept2 Model D?
If you're serious about rowing, if you want to track your progress and compete with yourself, this is the machine. It's a $1,000 investment, but it'll last you a decade or more. I've seen them survive years of CrossFit abuse and still work perfectly. It's the gold standard for a reason.
Should you buy the Budget Magnetic Rower?
If you're a beginner who just wants to get some cardio in before work, this is the machine. It's quiet, smooth, and easy to use. The monitor is cheesy and the instructions aren't the best, but the machine gets the job done. At $200, it's a bargain.
Should you buy the iFIT-Connected Rower?
Only if you're already bought into the iFIT ecosystem and want the screen and the classes. Otherwise, skip it. You're paying a premium for a subscription you might not want, and the machine itself doesn't row any better than a budget magnetic rower.
I bought my first magnetic rower on a Black Friday sale for around $200, and I've been obsessed with the category ever since. It beats going to a crowded gym, and it's well worth the price. My granddaughter calls me Pops, and she's already broken one monitor.
The company sent a free replacement within a week. That's the kind of customer service that turns a budget buy into a lifelong recommendation.
For the value of it, it is well worth the price. BUY IT!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!