Best Rowing Machines for 2024

The Echelon Row-S is the ideal rowing machine if you're a rowing beginner. Assembly was easy enough that only one person was needed to put it together. It's not the fanciest looking machine, but it felt sturdy and smooth and got the job done. I found it less intimidating than the smart rowers and appreciated parts of its design, like the handle's protective covering to prevent blisters. I also liked the footplate design the most of all the rowing machines, because it felt intuitive to use the fastener straps.

Additionally, the lever underneath the machine that lets you store the rower upright was easy to find and lift. The machine is also on the lighter side, which makes it easy to move around. Despite being light, the machine can hold up to 350 pounds (158.7 kg) comfortably; therefore, it's versatile for people of all sizes and weights. 

The traditional rowing machine has a small metric screen to measure distance, number of strokes per minute and your split time. Echelon upgraded this concept, making a 22-inch HD touchscreen with a 180-degree flip adjustment. You'll need an Echelon Live and On-Demand class membership for an additional fee to use this machine. There are three levels of membership to fit your budget: a two-year membership ($29.16 a month); a year membership ($33.33 a month); or a $35 month-to-month option.

Echelon has a library of thousands of classes besides rowing, including yoga, cycling, HIIT or strength training. I liked that the library had beginner row classes, warmups and cooldowns, scenic, low impact and bootcamp rowing sessions. It's easy to increase or decrease the resistance by clicking the buttons on each side of the handle. The onscreen metrics are simple to read and follow. Overall, with the classes included, I liked the Echelon Row-S as a good introduction to rowing or if you want a less bulky machine in your home. 

Aviron offers two types of rowers to choose from: the Aviron Impact Series and the Aviron Tough Series. For this review, I tested the Aviron Impact Series. Aviron gives a unique spin to indoor rowing with its interactive workout programs. This is especially appealing if you enjoy video games. The machine's resistance is made up of dual air and magnetic resistance. It's one of the lighter machines on the list, weighing only 97 pounds (43.9 kg), and its base folds upright for easy storage. Another thing to note is that you'll want to place your rower in an area with strong Wi-Fi connection to get the best gaming experience.

I liked that the design included a padded handle, since I'm prone to blisters. The seat sat higher from the ground than those of the other rowers, which makes it user friendly if you're a tall individual and prefer the extra room to hop on and off. The foot placement is a little wider than that of the other rowing machines, which is helpful because when placed too close together it's uncomfortable, particularly if you have longer legs. The seat had a little more padding than your traditional rower seat and comfortably glided up and down the base. 

I'm not a big gamer, but I tried out some of the games Aviron offers and found them entertaining enough that it was a distraction from realizing you're working out. If you dread the idea of working out, this could be a good option for you, since exercising will feel more like entertainment than a task. You can also log in to your streaming-service accounts such as Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and YouTube while you row. 

If you prefer to opt for Aviron's upgraded rower, the Strong series will cost you another $300. The difference between the two is that the Strong version has a heavy-duty frame and is intended to hold up to 507 pounds (230 kg). This makes Aviron the ideal rower for taller people who want to ensure the machine can withstand their height and weight.

Earlier in the list we mentioned the Hydrow. Now we're focusing on its newest and smaller model, the Hydrow Wave. One of my original issues with the Hydrow was the size of the machine. The company rectified the issue by shrinking the original model by a few inches. I had this one delivered to my home and was impressed by its size. It easily fit in the space I had in mind in my apartment. When it was delivered, the Hydrow team assembled it incredibly fast and ensured I could access my account before they left. 

You'll need to set up this machine in a space with a power outlet and a good Wi-Fi connection. The Hydrow Wave design looks more like that of a standard Flywheel rowing machine and uses a smaller footprint than its predecessor. It still has the same high-tech qualities, like the electromagnetic drag technology, a touch screen and access to Hydrow's workout programs. It's also $800 cheaper, making it a more affordable option. However, you'll still need to pay for the all-access membership for classes.

One thing I observed that I wish had been upgraded this time around was the design of the straps on the footplate. It still had the adjustable nylon straps. I also would've liked the handle to have a more protective covering to prevent blisters. Additionally, you'll still need to purchase an anchor if you intend to store the machine upright. The plus side is that you can get away with not storing the machine upright since it isn't as big as the original Hydrow. You can also lower the screen when it's not in use to help save space. 

The rowing experience, on the other hand, was similar to the original, and I'm glad that aspect remained the same. It wasn't too loud, and everything was smooth and comfortable between the seat and the pulling motion. I think a good way to upgrade this experience would be to add a more cushioned seat, since there were times when my glutes felt achy the longer I used the machine. Overall, the Hydrow Wave is a great option for your home if you're limited in space but still want the smart rowing experience. 

The LIT Strength Machine impressed me with how the creators challenged the traditional rowing machine. This machine is an all-in-one rower, Pilates reformer and strength trainer. Unlike other machines on the list, the LIT is a water rower, with resistance ranging from 10 to 40 pounds (4.5 to 18.1 kg) of water in a dual-tank drum. The good thing is you won't ever have to change the water, because the machine comes with a lifetime supply of chlorine tablets. 

Even though I tested this machine in the brand's showroom, I learned that LIT makes assembly easy for customers by delivering its machine 85% preassembled. The black-and-red design makes it look sleek and futuristic. The machine also has resistance bands (up to 100 pounds or 45.3 kilograms of resistance) looped around both sides of the rower handle, ready for strength training or Pilates exercises. I liked that this machine (similar to the Aviron) had a wider footplate, so if you're tall or have wider feet, it offers plenty of room. I also learned that it was designed to let you use your hamstrings more during the workout. The rowing handle is also properly coated with protective rubber layering, to minimize the chance of blisters. 

This is one of the few machines that doesn't have a touchscreen or monitor, but classes are offered through the LIT On-Demand app, which you can access on your smartphone and is both iOS and Android compatible. LIT's membership costs $25 a month and comes with a three-month complimentary trial upon receiving your rower. The machine has a small device holder so you can comfortably view the class from your streaming device. Using this machine felt like what the true rowing experience should be. Even though I was on land, it felt nice to hear the water as I rowed instead of a fan. Adjusting the resistance was easy, since the rower has a dial that's labeled with levels 1 through 4. However, this may not be the machine for you if you're into keeping track of your stats or looking at a monitor.

The LIT had the most comfortable seat -- it was padded and helped me feel more supported while rowing. I was put through a demo to try the different aspects of the machine and appreciated its versatility. Once you're done, you can store the machine by folding it up vertically and rolling it to the desired area. If you're into the idea of having a versatile machine that challenges the traditional rowing practice, you'll love the LIT Strength Machine.

I was super excited to try EnergyFit's Ski-Row because I love the idea of a rowing machine being two in one. The Ski-Row combines skiing and rowing. It offers two machines: The Ski-Row Air + Pwr and the Ski-Row Air. For this review, I tested out a Ski-Row Air + Pwr. Having used other two-in-one fitness machines before, like the Concept 2 rowers and Ski Ergs, I knew I'd have to compare the Ski-Row to them to see if the design does it justice.

I was surprised by how sturdy and well made it was to withstand two types of fitness activity. I did think some details could use some upgrading. For instance, the monitor you use to adjust the resistance looked dated; the lever used to lower and raise the base was made of plastic, which made me wonder if it would break off after a lot of wear and tear; and the rope attached to the handle didn't look as durable as the ones on other rowing machines. When the machine was adjusted to the skiing position, I thought the ski handles looked and felt legit, and it was the right height (for grabbing the handles), even for shorter individuals.

I started by testing the rowing aspect. Ski-Row has your traditional footplate, with nylon straps and an adjustable base. The machine uses air and magnetic resistance as you're rowing or skiing. This is unlike the Ski-Row Air, which uses only air to power its machine. The monitor on the Ski-Row reads time, distance, stroke rate, pace, resistance level and calories burned. It functions more or less the same way as a Concept 2 rowing machine and lets you connect via Bluetooth to an ANT Plus Heart Rate monitor. Ski-Row is also connected to Gymtrakr, an iOS and Android app that can sync your phone to the console. 

The skiing option was reminiscent of using a Concept 2 Ski Erg, which I considered a plus. I think the Ski-Row is a great piece of equipment to have at home (or at the gym) if you're looking for a two-in-one machine that won't take up extra room. Even though it has room for improvement, it's a solid piece if you're an experienced rower or ski enthusiast who wants the ability to train indoors.