Best Budget Rowing Machine 2024

Last Update: January 18, 2024

Rowing is one of the most effective cardio workouts, because it uses almost every muscle in the body. This best list ensures even exercisers on a budget can find a rowing machine that fits their needs. This list features rowers under $1000 at the time of writing this page. Many of these rowers are far cheaper than $1000, so be sure to check their current pricing. Rowers come in three different styles: air, magnetic, and water resistance. We have made sure to feature a selection from them all. Rowing requires more skill than other cardio machines, but if you are ready to learn, these machines are great options to start training!

Here’s Our List of the Best Budget Rowing Machines 2024

• Best Budget Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowERG
• Best Foldable Budget Rowing Machine: NordicTrack RW600 Rowing Machine
• Best Budget Air Rowing Machine: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Rower
• Best Budget Magnetic Rowing Machine: ProForm Pro 750R Rower
• Most Compact Budget Rowing Machine: WalkingPad WR1 Foldable Water Rower
• Cheapest Budget Rowing Machine: Sunny 12 Adjustable Resistance Rowing Machine
• Best Budget Water Rowing Machine: XTERRA Fitness ERG600W Water Rowing Machine
• Best Amazon Budget Rowing Machine: YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine

Best Budget Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowERG

It’s not often that you find a machine widely considered the best in its category also on a budget list. Yet, the Concept2 RowERG is both reasonably priced and arguably the top rower. The Concept2 RowERG is one of the priciest rowers on this list, but if you can stretch your budget for it, it is worth it.

Not only does the Concept2 RowERG top this budget list, but it also tops our best rowers list. This rowing machine is an air rower with a 10-level damper covering the fan. The multiple levels allow users to vary the amount of air let into the fan, affecting the drag. The amount of resistance is infinite, because the harder you row, the more resistance you get from the fan blades pushing against the air. Thus, you can row for endurance or strength and power on the same machine.

The Concept2 RowERG has a few drawbacks. The most obvious is the loud noise generated by the fan and the chain drive. The RowERG is commonly compared to a chainsaw and other loud tools. I tend to train with headphones on while I’m using the RowERG, because I can hear music or training content easier this way. If you are worried about disturbing others around you, the Concept2 RowERG is not a good choice. The other negatives of the RowERG are minor–there’s no touchscreen loaded with content and the RowERG isn’t as modern-looking as other rowing machines on the market.

One of the features that makes the RowERG so popular is its console. The PM5 monitor is a simple-to-use, battery-powered monitor. It also draws power from your rowing, so you won’t have to replace the batteries as often. The RowERG does not need to be plugged in. The console is very accurate, so you can track all of your metrics with confidence. The console has training programs and a cute fish game built in.

The Concept2 RowERG has a sturdy but lightweight frame. The RowERG breaks into two pieces for easy storage. It uses a chain drive instead of a belt drive. The seat and handles are basic and comfortable. The simplicity of the RowERG is part of what makes it so great and affordable.

Read Our Full Review Of The Concept2 RowERG Here

---

Best Foldable Budget Rowing Machine: NordicTrack RW600 Rowing Machine

The NordicTrack RW600 supports one of the top training platforms and has a foldable frame. The hybrid resistance is quite unique. The combination of these features lands the RW600 on this list as the best foldable budget rowing machine. If you want all the perks of a high-end rower at a more affordable price, the RW600 could be a good option for under a thousand bucks.

Magnetic resistance is pretty nice, but air and water resistance have the benefit of being unlimited. The RW600 combines magnetic and air resistance for the benefit of both. The RW600 is a quieter rower than the Concept2 RowERG. There are 26 levels of magnetic resistance, which automatically adjust throughout iFIT workouts. This type of resistance is great for rowers who want a more variable feel to their workouts. It’s different from traditional rowing in which the drag remains the same.

iFIT provides all of the training content to the RW600. If you are hoping to save some money on the rower, so you can spend it on the subscription, this rower might be for you. iFIT has thousands of classes. For the rower, there are classes on the water and in a studio. The instructors are lively and informative. Some classes even incorporate moves off the rower to build out a whole workout. Because an iFIT membership provides training for the treadmill, elliptical, exercise bike, and more, the RW600 is a great option for users who are already iFIT subscribers adding to their home gym or starting one. You don’t have to get a separate subscription for each equipment type.

The RW600’s folding frame makes it one of the most compact rowers. It only supports a maximum user weight of 250 lbs, which isn’t quite the industry standard of 300 lbs. It weighs 117 lbs and can be rolled around on its transport wheels. It makes a great alternative to bulkier cardio equipment.

---

Best Budget Air Rowing Machine: Bells of Steel Blitz Air Rower

The Bells of Steel Blitz Air Rower is an even more affordable alternative to the Concept2 RowERG. While these two rowers aren’t exactly the same, they have many similarities, which will appease shoppers on tighter budgets. The Bells of Steel Blitz Air rower has the unlimited air resistance you are looking for.

The Bells of Steel Blitz Air Rower has a fan with a 10-level damper. The harder you row, the more air resistance you will feel, but the damper can be used to adjust the airflow into the fan. The noise generated by the fan is on par with other air rowers I have tested. It is loud. Air resistance is certainly the loudest of the three main rowing resistance options.

Like Concept2, the Blitz Rower can be stored in two pieces. The monorail separates from the rest of the rower for more compact storage. However, the Blitz Rower cannot be stored upright in one piece like the Concept2 RowERG. The rower is lightweight, weighing only 90.4 lbs. It can support a maximum user weight of 320 lbs.

The console is very simple, perhaps to a fault, on the Blitz rower. It has only three buttons. You will need the manual on hand to figure out how to program it correctly the first few times you train. I was hopeless in trying to figure it out on my own. The console also has a lip to hold your phone. Setting a phone here will cover up the whole screen, so it depends on your workout goals whether you will want to use it.

The Bells of Steel Air Rower is comfortable and sturdy. Rowers of all abilities can use this machine successfully.

Read Our Full Review Of The Bells of Steel Blitz Air Rower Here

---

Best Budget Magnetic Rowing Machine: ProForm Pro 750R Rower

The ProForm Pro 750R Rower is the most affordable rower on this list so far. At well below a thousand dollars, the 750R is our top budget pick for a magnetic rower. It works with the premium iFIT content, but does not have a built-in touchscreen display. The Pro 750R is similar to the NordicTrack RW600 except for the lack of screen, which makes it more affordable.

Magnetic resistance has a distinct advantage over water and air resistance: it is quiet. The ProForm Pro 750R has 24 levels of resistance, so it’s not quite the limitless resistance provided by water and air rowers. The resistance levels can be controlled with the 9 quick adjust buttons on the simple console as well as the plus and minus buttons. Alternatively, the rower can be paired with iFIT, and the resistance will automatically adjust according to the instructions of the iFIT trainer.

iFIT is a subscription-based training service that has thousands of total classes. There are tons of options for the rower, including classes filmed outdoors on the water and classes filmed in studios. A professional iFIT trainer guides you through every class. Because the 750R does not have a touchscreen display, you will have to pair the rower to the app on your phone or tablet. The 750R has a convenient tablet rack to make training this way easy.

In addition to the Bluetooth connection to iFIT, the 750R has a few other nice features. It has two 2-inch speakers. There is an aux port for connecting a device’s audio to the speakers. The 750R can also fold compactly for easy storage. Like the NordicTrack RW600, the 750R can only support a maximum user weight of 250 lbs. Overall, the 750R is compact and affordable.

Read Our Full Review Of The ProForm Pro 750R Rower Here

---

Most Compact Budget Rowing Machine: WalkingPad WR1 Foldable Water Rower

The WalkingPad WR1 Foldable Water Rower is built on a wooden frame and folds more than the other rowers on this list. There’s no question why this little rower took our award for the most compact budget rowing machine. The WR1 is your small space solution.

If you live in a small apartment or need to keep the rower in your bedroom–whatever your living situation is–the WalkingPad WR1 is a great option for exercisers who don’t have much space. The WR1 has folded dimensions of 27”x 20” x 23”. Yet, unfolded, the WalkingPad WR1 has a 44” dual rail that can fit most user heights. The WR1 is limited to a weight capacity of 265 lbs, which isn’t quite the industry standard. However, it is not bad considering its compact size.

You might be wondering how the WalkingPad WR1 performs since it is small. The water tank is much smaller than other water rowers, which reduces the difficulty of the resistance. You aren’t moving as much water with each stroke. The WR1 is best for beginners or exercisers who want to row for endurance. It is not quite powerful enough to support strength and power rowing. It’s also a good option for working on your rowing form.

The console is as basic as it could be. There’s a small window right above the footrests that shows the most important metrics. There are no buttons, which means there are no programs or anything like that. There is a phone rack. This allows you to view training or entertainment content from your device if you prefer. It’s about as simple as things get, but I was impressed with the WR1’s performance for its small size.

Read Our Full Review Of The WalkingPad WR1 Foldable Water Rower Here

---

Cheapest Budget Rowing Machine: Sunny 12 Adjustable Resistance Rowing Machine

The Sunny 12 Adjustable Resistance Rowing Machine is an interesting variation on rowing. Very affordable rowers use hydraulic resistance instead of the three main resistance types we typically discuss (water, magnetic, and air). This Sunny rower is incredibly cheap and does not require a subscription of any sort.

The SF-RW1205 rower is a great option for beginner rowers on tight budgets. Hydraulic Rowers are as simple as they come. In fact, this Sunny rower weighs only 20.9 lbs. It can support a user weight of up to 220 lbs. Just as the name suggests, this rower has 12 levels of hydraulic resistance. You just spin the dial on the hydraulic cylinder to increase or decrease the resistance.

The small digital monitor is one of the simplest consoles we have seen. There is one central button to scan through the metrics. You can see your time, calories, stroke count, and total stroke count. There are no built-in training programs. This rower would be a good option for use in a living room where you can see a TV.

This Sunny rower has an angled rail. This helps work the legs as well as the arms. A hydraulic rower does not replicate the outdoor rowing experience as well as other rowers. It’s a good option for users who are just starting out or who don’t have any wiggle room in their budgets. Sunny makes reliable and affordable products.

---

Best Budget Water Rowing Machine: XTERRA Fitness ERG600W Water Rowing Machine

The XTERRA Fitness ERG600W is our choice for the Best Budget Water Rowing Machine. The ERG600W is pretty low-tech, but it does have a console with some programmable training options. A water rower is a great alternative to air or magnetic resistance rowers, because the gentle noise is calming and the resistance feels similar to outdoor rowing.

Water rowers have the same unlimited resistance as air rowers but are much quieter. Some users also find the water sloshing to be pleasant. The XTERRA ERG600W is a great option for rowing machine shoppers who are interested in this rowing method but need to stay within a strict budget. The ERG600W is priced well below a thousand dollars, which cannot be said of many other brand-name water rowers.

The ERG600W has a moderately sized water tank, with 6 water fill levels. It isn’t the easiest to siphon water in and out of a water rower, so I recommend finding a level that best suits you. You can then vary your pace and power output to create more or less intensity. The ERG600W can accommodate rowers up to 6’1” and 300 lbs.

The 5.5” LCD console is simplistic and great for exercisers who want to get straight into their workout. You can program a target distance, time, total strokes, or calories. The ERG600W does not require any subscriptions, but I do wish that it had a phone rack to view content. Overall, the ERG600W is a straightforward water rower at an affordable price.

---

Best Amazon Budget Rowing Machine: YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine

Amazon has tons of different rowing machines to choose from. We have singled the YOSUDA brand out from the others, because this brand has an established history of creating affordable alternatives to pricier cardio machines. YOSUDA makes a couple of different rowing options, but the magnetic rower is more affordable. A magnetic rower is also less likely to get damaged through shipping, whereas a water rower’s tank could more easily be damaged. For me, a magnetic rower is the better choice when opting for a very affordable machine.

The YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine has 16 levels of magnetic resistance. This type of resistance is quieter than air and water. You also don’t have to worry about the tank cracking or the fan getting dirty like you would on those types of machines. The YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine is available on Amazon and is eligible for Amazon Prime shipping.

This YOSUDA rower has a steel frame. It can fold up for even more compact storage. The sturdy rowing machine can support up to 350 lbs. The rail length may not be long enough for taller users. The rail also angles more sharply down than other rowing machines, which may not feel as natural as higher-end rowing machines.

I typically don’t expect much connectivity on cardio equipment this affordable. The console is quite simple. However, it is Bluetooth. This allows the rower to connect to the Kinomap app. This app has training content led by coaches and outdoor classes. The Bluetooth connection should feed all of your training metrics to the app. It’s a cool way for YOSUDA to expand the rower’s training potential while remaining affordable.

---

Factors To Consider When Finding The Best Budget Rowing Machine

Before you buy the cheapest rowing machine option available, there are a few considerations you should make before purchasing. Rowers offer full-body training and are often easier to store than treadmills, ellipticals, and exercise bikes. By deciding on what type of resistance, training content, and storage options you need, you will ensure that your rowing is more valuable and enjoyable!

Rowing Resistance

The three main types of rowing resistance are air, water, and magnetic resistance. A fourth, very affordable option is hydraulic resistance. However, hydraulic resistance does not provide as realistic of a row as the other types of resistance. It is best for beginners or exercisers without room for other options.

Air rowers are the loudest of the bunch but have unlimited resistance that can be varied using a fan damper. The difficulty of an air rower depends on its fan size. Water rowers are very similar to air rowers by providing unlimited resistance. Their difficulty also depends on the size of the paddle fan and the water tank size. The drag of a water rower can be adjusted by varying the water levels, but it is not as simple as adjusting the drag of an air rower.

Lastly, magnetic resistance rowers typically have multiple resistance levels. These can be arbitrary or identified as a drag factor. More affordable magnetic resistance rowers typically do not feel as smooth as higher-end magnetic rowers, air, and water rowers. Magnetic rowers are usually the quietest of the rowing resistance options.

Drive

Rowers have two drive options: chain and belt. Chain drives are typically louder and grittier. Belt drives tend to be smoother and lower maintenance. If you are concerned about the noise level of the rower, opt for a belt-driven rowing machine.

Training Content

Most affordable rowing machines do not have touchscreen displays with content. There are a few options on this list that are the exception. If you plan on using a subscription, such as iFIT, make sure you work that into your budget as well. Even if a rower does not come with a subscription, you could consider accessing a training platform from your phone or tablet.

Budget rowing machines may or may not have built-in training programs. If you are new to rowing, you might want some guidance on how a typical rowing workout goes. Consider what the rower you are looking at offers and how you would like to train.

Storability and Portability

If you cannot store your rower in its functional position, try to find one that has storing capabilities that fit your space. Do you need the rower to store upright? Are your ceilings tall enough to accommodate its upright position? Do you need to anchor the rower to the wall for added stability when stored upright? Do you need a rower that folds or breaks into two pieces? These are all questions you should consider before purchasing a rowing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best budget rowing machine?

The Concept2 RowERG is one of the highest value machines. It is under $1000, and it is one of the best rowers on the market. However, it is loud due to its use of air resistance. If you need something even more affordable, quieter, and with smart training content consider the NordicTrack RW600 and the ProForm Pro 750R. For even more options, read the above best list to find a rowing machine that perfectly fits your budget and training needs.

Is it worth it to buy a cheap rowing machine?

If you are a dedicated rower who trains daily, you should consider a rowing machine over $700. These rowing machines are going to hold up better to your type of use and meet your training goals better than the cheapest rowing machines could. The Concept2 RowERG and Bells of Steel Blitz Rower are two reasonably priced air rowers that may work for you. The NordicTrack RW600 and the ProForm Pro 750R are two additional options for those who need something quieter.

What type of rowing machine is best for home use?

Air rowers are a great option for home rowing, because they are more affordable and powerful. These rowing machines are loud, so they are best for homeowners who do not have to worry about disturbing others around them. Apartment and condo dwellers should consider magnetic or water rowers to avoid disturbing their neighbors. Water and magnetic rowers are also great for home use in general. Hydraulic rowing machines are recommended only for users with restricted budgets or space.

How much does a good rowing machine cost?

A “good” rowing machine will likely cost you at least $700. Up to $1000 will get you a great air rower. For a premium water or magnetic rowing machine, you may have to go over $1000 to as much as $2000, especially if you are looking for smart features and video training content. The rowing machines on this list span a wide range of budgets. The most affordable are best for exercisers who are not as dedicated to rowing, are new to rowing, or only row to supplement a primary activity.

Related Articles:

• Best Rowing Machines
• Best Cheap Exercise Bike
• Best Cheap Treadmill