Best Rowing Machine 2025: Air, Magnetic & Water Rowers Compared

Rowing is one of the most complete forms of exercise available. A full rowing stroke engages approximately 86% of the body's muscles — legs, core, back, and arms working together in a coordinated, low-impact movement. This combination of high caloric burn, cardiovascular demand, and total-body muscle engagement makes rowing machines one of the smartest investments in home fitness equipment.

Yet most people have never rowed properly and drastically underestimate how challenging (and rewarding) rowing can be. This guide covers the best rowing machines of 2025, along with what makes rowing such an exceptional workout and how to choose the right type of rower for your home.

The Case for Rowing

Running burns calories but is high-impact — hard on knees, hips, and ankles. Cycling is low-impact but primarily lower-body. Rowing is both low-impact AND full-body, making it the superior choice for joint health while maintaining cardiovascular challenge.

For caloric burn: an average person rowing at moderate intensity burns around 400–600 calories per hour — comparable to running, but without the impact. At high intensity, elite rowers can sustain outputs exceeding 800 calories per hour.

The seated position also makes rowing accessible for people with certain injuries or limitations that prevent running or standing cardio exercise.

Types of Rowing Machines

Air Resistance: Resistance is created by a flywheel fanned by your pull — the harder you pull, the more resistance you feel. This natural resistance curve mirrors actual rowing and is the standard for professional rowing athletes. The Concept2 is the worldwide benchmark.

Magnetic Resistance: Uses magnets to create resistance, which can be set to a fixed level via dial or digital control. Quieter than air rowers, more suitable for apartments. The fixed resistance doesn't automatically increase with stroke power like air resistance does.

Water Resistance: Uses paddles moving through a tank of water to create resistance. Provides the most authentic rowing feel and a satisfying water sound. Generally quieter than air rowers.

Hydraulic Resistance: The most compact and affordable type, using hydraulic cylinders. Limited range of motion and less consistent resistance feel. Budget option but not recommended for serious training.

Best Air Rower: Concept2 RowErg

The Concept2 RowErg (formerly Model D) is the unchallenged standard of indoor rowing. It's used by Olympic athletes, elite rowing clubs, professional fitness facilities, military training programs, and millions of home users worldwide. The fact that all competitive indoor rowing records are set on Concept2 machines tells you everything you need to know.

The RowErg's PM5 monitor tracks split times, watts, stroke rate, calories, and heart rate (with compatible monitor). It calculates an exact measure of output that lets you compare any workout to any other — worldwide. The online logbook lets you rank yourself against millions of other rowers globally.

Resistance is adjustable via the damper (1–10 setting) on the flywheel — lower settings for technique work, higher for power training. The seat rail is smooth, the handle is comfortable, and the machine stores upright when not in use by separating the monorail into two pieces.

At around $900–1,000, it's expensive for home equipment — but given the build quality (lasts 20+ years with basic maintenance), no subscription requirement, and universally accepted performance standard, it's worth every dollar for serious users.

Pros: Industry standard, universal performance metric, no subscription, stores upright, lasts decades Cons: Loud (flywheel noise), expensive, not the most aesthetically pleasing option

Best Water Rower: WaterRower Natural

If you want the most aesthetically beautiful rowing machine ever made — and one that sounds and feels like rowing on water — the WaterRower Natural is the answer. Handcrafted from American black walnut, it features a water tank at the front that creates resistance as paddles move through water. The gentle swooshing sound is remarkably soothing and far quieter than an air rower.

The performance monitor (S4 monitor) tracks distance, stroke rate, speed, and calorie burn. It's compatible with heart rate monitors. When not in use, the WaterRower stores upright, taking just 24 x 22 inches of floor space.

The water resistance feel is exceptional — smooth, natural, and satisfying. Unlike air resistance, you control intensity by adding or removing water (which changes the weight resistance provides) and by your stroke speed and power.

At around $1,200–1,500 for the walnut version (more affordable ash or cherry wood versions are available), it's premium priced — but it's also genuinely a beautiful piece of furniture when stored upright. Many owners say they'd never return to a standard machine.

Pros: Beautiful hardwood construction, authentic water sound, quiet, upright storage, excellent feel Cons: Heavy (117 lbs), expensive, performance data less detailed than Concept2

Best Magnetic Rower: Hydrow Wave

The Hydrow Wave offers the quietest rowing experience in our lineup and pairs it with a streaming content platform similar to Peloton. The 16-inch touchscreen provides live and on-demand rowing classes led by professional athletes on actual rivers — visually stunning and highly motivating.

The Hydrow uses a magnetic/electromagnetic resistance system controlled by the platform in synchrony with the workout — resistance adjusts automatically as instructors call out intensity changes. The result is a seamlessly guided experience that makes it easy to achieve high-intensity intervals without guessing.

At around $1,495 (plus $38/month subscription), the cost of ownership is higher than the Concept2 over time — but the guided content is unmatched in quality and production value. The Wave is also smaller and lighter than the full-size Hydrow.

Pros: Beautiful streaming content, quiet electromagnetic resistance, instructor-guided intensity, compact Cons: Subscription required for core functionality, expensive, content library grows slowly

Best Budget Rower: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

For under $300, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 is one of the most reliable budget rowers available. It uses a magnetic resistance system with 12 adjustable levels, a comfortable padded seat and handle, and a simple LCD display showing time, count, calories, and total count.

It's not going to satisfy serious athletes, but for beginners, occasional users, or those wanting to add low-impact cardio without a major investment, it's perfectly functional. At around $250–300, it's the accessible entry point to home rowing.

Pros: Affordable, magnetic (quiet), 12 resistance levels, simple and reliable Cons: No performance data depth, entry-level build quality, not suitable for serious training

Proper Rowing Form

Most beginners make the mistake of rowing with only their arms and back, missing the powerful leg drive that should provide 60% of rowing power. Correct form:

1. Catch: Arms straight, leaning slightly forward from hips, knees bent, shins vertical
2. Drive: Push with legs first — extend legs while keeping arms straight
3. Finish: Once legs are almost straight, swing back (lean back slightly), then pull handle to lower ribcage
4. Recovery: Extend arms first, then hinge forward from hips, then bend knees to slide forward

A ratio of 1:2 (drive to recovery) is recommended — the recovery should be twice as slow as the drive. This rhythm is efficient and prevents energy waste.

Final Recommendation

For serious training with a universal standard, nothing beats the Concept2 RowErg. For the best aesthetic and water feel, the WaterRower Natural is stunning. For content-driven motivation similar to Peloton, the Hydrow Wave is unmatched. Budget-conscious beginners should start with the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515.

Rowing will transform your cardiovascular fitness, build functional strength from feet to shoulders, and provide one of the most mentally engaging forms of exercise available. The machine you choose should match your goals, space, and budget — but any of the options above will reward consistent use.

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