The Best Rowing Machines for Home
We tested and scored the best rowing machine for home across Merach, YOSUDA and Stamina on one scorecard, resistance feel, build and weight capacity, comfort, console, footprint, noise, and value, then ranked them so you can pick in two minutes instead of two weeks.
Disclosure: The Best Rowing Machine earns a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never costs you anything extra, and it does not change how we score.
The short version
If you want one rower that gets it right for most homes, buy the YOSUDA Magnetic 350 LB. It is quiet, sturdy, and the most reviewed mid range rower here.
On a budget, the Merach Magnetic does almost everything for under 200 dollars. Want the smooth glide of water, go with the YOSUDA Wooden Water Rower. Want a gym style workout, the Merach Air Resistance is the one.
Fast answers
Our picks at a glance
YOSUDA Magnetic 350Check on AmazonBest for Hard Training
Merach Air ResistanceCheck on AmazonBest Value
Merach Magnetic (16-level)Check on AmazonBest Water Rower
YOSUDA Wooden WaterCheck on AmazonBest Compact
Merach Foldable MagneticCheck on AmazonBest Basic / Most Reviewed
Stamina Body Trac GliderCheck on AmazonYOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine 350 LB
The safe all rounder for most homes
This is the one I point most people to first. Quiet magnetic resistance, a 350 lb frame that does not flex or creep across the floor, and the deepest track record here with over 2,500 owner reviews. Not flashy, just the rower you can buy without overthinking it.
What we liked
- Quiet enough for apartments
- Heavy, stable 350 lb frame
- Over 2,500 owner reviews to lean on
- Tablet holder for following a class
Worth knowing
- Steady magnetic feel, not the dynamic pull of water or air
- Basic LCD rather than a touchscreen
Price and availability update on Amazon
Merach Air Resistance Rowing Machine
When you want intensity that scales with effort
Air resistance gets harder the faster you pull, which is why gyms and rowing programs use it. This Merach brings that to a sturdy home frame with strong owner ratings. Pick it if you want intervals and a real workout rather than a steady cruise.
What we liked
- Resistance scales with how hard you row
- Built for intervals and hard training
- Sturdy, gym style build
- Well rated by owners
Worth knowing
- Louder than magnetic, as all air rowers are
- Costs more than the magnetic picks
Price and availability update on Amazon
Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine (16 Levels)
The value pick, and it is not close
You get quiet magnetic resistance, 16 levels, an app that logs your sessions, and more than 2,000 reviews, for under 200 dollars. For most people getting into rowing this is the smart first buy, and it is the best price to quality ratio on the list.
What we liked
- Lowest price from a proven brand
- 16 magnetic levels plus app tracking
- More than 2,000 owner reviews
- Quiet and apartment friendly
Worth knowing
- Lighter frame than the premium picks
- Seat rail is on the basic side
Price and availability update on Amazon
YOSUDA Wooden Water Rower (Foldable)
The one you will not want to hide in a closet
Water rowers give the smoothest, most natural pull and a soft whoosh on every stroke, and this one wraps it in a wooden frame that looks at home in a living room. It folds upright, holds up to 400 lb, and owners rate it higher than anything else here.
What we liked
- Smooth, natural water stroke
- Wooden frame looks like furniture
- Folds upright, holds 400 lb
- Highest owner rating on this list
Worth knowing
- Newer listing, fewer reviews so far
- Water tank needs occasional upkeep
Price and availability update on Amazon
Merach Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine
Most rower for the smallest footprint
The pick for tight spaces. It folds flat to lean against a wall, runs quiet on magnetic resistance, and costs less than two dinners out. If your only reason not to own a rower is space, this removes it.
What we liked
- Folds flat for small spaces
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Very affordable
- Light and easy to move
Worth knowing
- Best for light to moderate use
- Compact rail suits shorter rowers better
Price and availability update on Amazon
Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050
The cheap, proven place to start
The most reviewed rower on this page by a wide margin, close to 7,000 of them. It is a simple hydraulic glider rather than a flywheel, so it suits light, low impact rowing instead of hard training. As a low cost, low commitment way to start rowing, it is hard to beat.
What we liked
- Nearly 7,000 owner reviews
- Very low cost
- Compact and light
- Low impact, easy on the joints
Worth knowing
- Hydraulic feel, not a flywheel
- Not built for hard training
- Basic, no app or console
Price and availability update on Amazon
Side by side
How the rowers compare
| Rower | Score | Resistance | Capacity | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YOSUDA Magnetic 350 Best Overall | 95 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.4 (2,504) | $329 | Amazon › |
Merach Air Resistance Best for Hard Training | 93 | Air | Standard | 4.6 (312) | $476 | Amazon › |
Merach Magnetic (16-level) Best Value | 92 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.4 (2,131) | $189 | Amazon › |
YOSUDA Wooden Water Best Water Rower | 91 | Water | 400 lb | 4.8 (42) | $499 | Amazon › |
Merach Foldable Magnetic Best Compact | 89 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.3 (474) | $159 | Amazon › |
Stamina Body Trac Glider Best Basic / Most Reviewed | 86 | Hydraulic | Standard | 4.3 (6,997) | $169 | Amazon › |
No guesswork
How we score a rowing machine
Every rower runs through the same scorecard, so the numbers mean the same thing across brands. We weight the categories owners feel day to day, then roll them into one score out of 100. Resistance feel and build carry the most weight, because a rower that feels cheap or wobbles is one you stop using.
Before you buy
How to choose the right rower
The biggest decision is the resistance type, because it changes how the rower feels, how loud it is, and what it costs.
Magnetic: quiet and apartment friendly
A magnet sets the resistance, so it stays steady no matter how hard you pull and runs almost silent. The easiest type to live with in a small space. Most picks above are magnetic. See our guide to the best magnetic rowing machines.
Water: the smoothest, most natural feel
You pull a paddle through a tank, so resistance builds as you speed up and you get a soft whoosh each stroke. It feels the most like rowing on real water. A little louder than magnetic, and the tank needs the odd bit of upkeep. See our guide to the best water rowers.
Air: hardest workout, scales with effort
A fan creates the resistance, so the harder you row the more it pushes back. The choice for interval training and gym style intensity. The trade off is noise. See our guide to the best air rowers.
How much should you spend?
You can get a quiet, sturdy magnetic rower for around 200 to 330 dollars, which is where most people should land. Water rowers run about 500 to 600 dollars for a nicer feel and look. Spend up toward 500 dollars or more only if you specifically want air resistance for hard training. On a tighter budget, see the best budget rowing machines and our top picks under $300.
What else matters
Check the weight capacity against the heaviest person who will use it, look for a seat that does not go numb after twenty minutes, and measure your floor. Most of these fold or stand upright, but you still need clear length to row. An app or tablet holder makes it far more likely you keep rowing.
Quick questions
Rowing machine FAQ
Which rowing machine is best for a small apartment?
Is a water rower better than a magnetic one?
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