Best Rowing Machines – CNET

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.

Most “budget” rowers mean sacrificing something important, like quality displays or software features or the quality of material. Hydrow, which already makes one of our favorite rowers, has put on a master class in subtly trimming away hardware to make something in a couple of ways could be seen as improvements. The Hydrow Wave is lighter and more compact without sacrificing its maximum height and weight capacity. There’s a stainless-steel track with a nearly perfectly silent fly wheel, makes it quieter than most unless you’re the type to shout as you row. It’s got a 16-inch screen instead of a 22-inch screen, but the same 1080p resolution which means this smaller display is actually slightly clearer than the more expensive model. The one big feature Hydrow Wave is missing compared to the premium model is the adjustable neck on the rower — which, if I’m being totally honest, I didn’t notice for the first few days of use and can’t say I’ve personally needed.

Peloton has revolutionized rowing machines by creating the Peloton Row. It’s the first smart rowing machine that teaches you how to row and corrects your form. I will admit the price tag was higher than I anticipated and at $3,195, it’s the most expensive rowing machine on this list. However, there’s no denying the features found in the Peloton Row are impressive.

If you don’t mind spending a little more on a rowing machine then you’ll love the Hydrow. While testing rowing machines, I got input from the CNET Wellness team and we collectively agreed that Hydrow was a smooth and high quality rowing machine. Not only does Hydrow look sleek and futuristic, even the stride feels smoother and natural.

Aviron offers two types of rowers to choose from: the Aviron Impact Series and Aviron Tough Series rower. For this review, I tested the Aviron Impact Series version. 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 is 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 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 does just that by combining 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 like the Concept 2 rowers and Ski Ergs before, I knew I would have to compare the Ski-Row to them to see if the design does it justice.

The LIT Strength Machine impressed me by how the creators challenged the traditional rowing machine. This machine is an all-in-one rower, Pilates reformer and strength trainer.

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. It 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 fit in the space I had in mind in my apartment with ease. When it was delivered, the Hydrow team assembled it incredibly fast and ensured I could access my account before they left.