14 Best Rowing Machine Options for Home Cardio

Updated Oct 8, 2024 8:06 am ET


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Rowing is an amazing full-body cardiovascular workout (that’s right, rowing requires far more than just your arms). With an at-home rowing machine, you can easily fit cardio into your regular workout routine.

Do you need help choosing the best rowing machine for your cardio workouts? We’ve found 14 excellent options for you to consider.

Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine

The Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine supports up to 500 pounds and is compatible with over 40 fitness apps. It features a convenient device holder that lets you secure your phone or tablet while you exercise.

The machine’s seat height, footrests, and ergonomic handle are all adjustable, too, so you can make sure the machine works for your unique body type.

With the machine’s high-performance monitor, you will receive accurate data with every row, including information on your pace and the number of calories you’ve burned. We also love that it effortlessly separates into two pieces for stress-free storage and includes caster wheels for easy mobility.

WaterRower Club Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor

The WaterRower Club Rowing Machine is touted as the original water rowing machine. It was initially designed in the mid-1980s by John Duke, a Yale and US National Team rower.

This rower is handcrafted and features a unique, streamlined design. It’s also made from ethically sourced materials and uses a water-filled flywheel to provide resistance while rowing.

We also love that this foldable rower comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty, so if anything goes wrong once it’s delivered, you can quickly get it fixed.

Echelon Row

If you love Peloton-style workouts but prefer rowing over cycling or running, the Echelon Row rowing machine is a great choice. This rower comes with a free 30-day Echelon Premier Membership trial, which provides access to over 3,000 live and on-demand fitness classes through the Echelon Fit App.

Whether you’re following along with the app or doing your own thing, you’ll love that this rowing machine comes with convenient resistance controls right on the handlebars, along with a device holder that swivels 90 degrees and flips 180 degrees and an easy-glide seat.

The machine supports up to 300 pounds and features built-in wheels to help you easily move it around. It folds up for simple storage as well.

TOPIOM Rowing Machine

Do you prefer the classic wooden look of old-school rowing machines but also want to take advantage of the most sophisticated technology on the market? If so, the TOPIOM Rowing Machine provides the best of both worlds.

This water rowing machine has a 400-pound weight capacity and is constructed from durable red oak wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. It’s also equipped with a TM-3 monitor that showcases a variety of helpful data points — because it’s Bluetooth-enabled, you can also transfer that data to your smartphone or tablet with ease.

Aviron Game-Based Smart Rowing Machine

Want to make your full-body workouts a bit more fun? Check out the Aviron Game-Based Smart Rowing Machine.

This machine is the only model on the market that uses game psychology and a combination of challenges and rewards, as well as a sense of community, to keep you motivated. It also connects you to multiple streaming services so you can catch up on your favorite shows while you exercise.

The Aviron rower is a high-tech option made to last. It’s made from steel and aluminum and has been tested for toughness. It also has a weight capacity of 397 pounds and is backed with a 10-year frame warranty (as well as a 1-year parts warranty).

AssaultRower Pro

The AssaultRower Pro is the perfect combination of comfort and durability, with steel foot plates, aluminum beams, and a commercial-grade-inspired seat. It also has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds.

This machine features an updated console with real-time metrics and allows you to choose from pre-programmed and customized workouts, so you can monitor your progress and get the most out of every training session.

As is the case with other Assault Fitness products, this rowing machine is athlete-powered, so there’s no need for an electrical connection. You control the machine and can exercise indoors or outdoors; no plug required.

Row Warrior Air Rowing Machine

The Row Warrior Air Rowing Machine has a maximum weight of 550 pounds (far higher than the average rower!). It also features ten preset damper levels, so you can adjust from low-resistance to high-resistance cardio depending on your mood and what you want to get out of your workout for the day.

With a convenient LED monitor and Bluetooth connectivity, you can keep track of your performance with this machine and monitor progress over time. It folds up for space-saving storage as well.

Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine with 16” HD Touchscreen & Speakers

The Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine takes you on an immersive journey with every workout, from wild Alaskan waters to the Scandinavian fjords.

With its 16-inch HD touchscreen display and front-facing speakers, it’s easy to get lost in the experience and forget that you’re working out! If you invest in a Hydrow membership, you’ll also gain access to thousands of classes (not only rowing but pilates, yoga, circuit training, and more).

We love that this durable, high-tech rower has a weight capacity of 375 pounds but is still painless to assemble and is foldable for convenient, upright storage. It’s 5.0 Bluetooth-enabled, too, and is compatible with nearly all headphones, speakers, heart rate monitors, and even hearing aids.

MERACH Water Rowing Machine for Home Use

The MERACH Water Rowing Machine is another great choice for rowers who like the classic wooden style. It’s made from high-quality, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood and has a 330-pound weight capacity.

This rower may have a vintage look, but it’s also equipped with modern technology, including a professional-grade monitor, Bluetooth connectivity, and an innovative app-based augmented reality mode that lets you feel like you’re on the water from the comfort of your own home. It offers an ergonomic seat cushion for maximum comfort, too.

We also love that this rower is designed for an efficient and stress-free setup.

Sunny Health & Fitness Elite Water Rowing Machine

If you’re on the hunt for a sleek and streamlined water rowing machine, you can’t go wrong with the Sunny Health & Fitness Elite Water Rowing Machine.

This machine has a weight capacity of 260 pounds and comes in a variety of colors. It monitors many helpful metrics, too, including strokes per minute, distance, calories, pulse, and time.

The rower also provides access to the Sunny Health & Fitness app, which helps you elevate your workout with over 1,000 videos, connections with expert trainers, personalized guidance, and custom workouts. You can also compete for a spot on the leaderboard and share your experience with your fellow fitness enthusiasts.

PASYOU Rowing Machine

The PASYOU air rowing machine is built for safety and stability and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds.

This rower features ten resistance levels, making it a good choice for beginners, advanced rowers, and everyone in between. It also offers a 4.5 kg flywheel structure and high-quality seat rollers, which ensure a smooth and quiet workout.

We like that the PASYOU rowing machine also comes with a backlit, medical-grade, accurate smart display that you can adjust to read from any angle. Tracks all kinds of sports data, too, including time, strokes, distance, calories, and pulse.

JOROTO Water Rowing Machine

The JOROTO water rowing machine is equipped with a unique, 50-degree inclined water tank that provides 30% enhanced resistance compared to flat tank rowing machines. It has a weight capacity of 330 pounds and durable construction for enhanced stability throughout your workouts.

This machine comes with a functional monitor displaying valuable workout data, including time, distance, and calories. It’s Bluetooth-connected, too, and is compatible with a wide range of fitness apps. New users also get free 30-day access to the JOROTO app membership, which offers training videos, virtual classes, and more.

Pooboo Magnetic Rowing Machine

Rowing is already a full-body workout, but the Pooboo magnetic rowing machine takes things to a new level. In addition to providing an impressive rowing workout, it includes cables and handles that you can use to perform many other exercises, from squats and bent-over rows to biceps curls and lateral raises.

This machine features 14 levels of resistance and has a maximum weight capacity of 360 pounds. It supports Bluetooth connection with many different fitness apps and provides users with a range of real-time exercise data as well, including time, speed, distance, calories burned, and more.

JKANGFIT Rowing Machine

The JKANGFIT rowing machine is another good choice for those who want an all-in-one machine that combines cardio with strength training.

With a maximum weight capacity of 360 pounds, the JKANGFIT rower is equipped with an advanced magnetic resistance system and an ergonomic soft seat for a smooth and comfortable workout.

This machine has a large, adjustable, and easy-to-read LCD monitor that displays rowing time, count, distance, calories burned, and more. It also features a tablet holder so you can watch movies and TV shows while exercising.

Chase Clements

Chase Clements

Author McClatchy Commerce

Based in Kansas City, Chase Clements is the Commerce Content Operations Manager. He has many years of experience as a Commerce Writer and Editor for McClatchy.