A rowing machine is the rare cardio buy where the cheapest serious option is also the best one. Our pick is the Concept2 RowErg, with an SR Score of 93: about $990, no subscription, an air flywheel that scales to your effort, and the most trusted data monitor in the sport. The Hydrow Wave (87) is for people who need guided, scenic classes to show up. If silence in a shared room matters more than competition data, the WaterRower Original is the one to buy.
The ranking
| Rank | Machine | Best for | Price (approx) | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concept2 RowErg | Overall, no subscription | ~$990 | 93 |
| 2 | Hydrow Wave | Guided classes | ~$1,995 + ~$50/mo | 87 |
| 3 | WaterRower Original | Quiet living-room feel | ~$1,199 | 86 |
| 4 | Ergatta Rower | Gamified training | ~$2,199 + sub | 85 |
| 5 | Hydrow (original) | Big-screen premium | ~$2,495 + sub | 83 |
| 6 | Concept2 Dynamic | Sweep-rower simulation | ~$1,160 | 84 |
| 7 | NordicTrack RW900 | Magnetic + iFit screen | ~$1,499 + sub | 78 |
Methodology
The Fitness Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Performance & feel (30) — how natural the stroke feels and how resistance scales.
- Value for money (25) — up-front cost plus any required subscription.
- Build & durability (20) — frame, flywheel, parts availability.
- Software & metrics (15) — monitor accuracy and connectivity.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — lab and owner consensus.
Performance and value lead because rowing is a data sport with a clear standard. Re-weight Software to 30 and the screen machines climb — but they never out-row the Concept2 on the metrics that matter.
Concept2 RowErg
The standard. About $990 (standard legs; the taller frame is about $1,160). An air flywheel scales resistance to how hard you pull, and the PM5 monitor is the accuracy benchmark gyms and Olympic programs trust. No subscription, and parts are available a decade later.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 29/30 |
| Value for money | 24/25 |
| Build & durability | 19/20 |
| Software & metrics | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 10/10 |
Trade-off: no built-in screen or guided classes, and the air flywheel is loud.
Hydrow Wave
The class-led pick. About $1,995 up front plus roughly $50/month for the membership. A 16-inch screen streams instructor-led and scenic rows on electromagnetic resistance. Smaller and lighter than the original Hydrow.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 18/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Software & metrics | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the machine is nearly useless without the paid membership, and total three-year cost dwarfs a Concept2.
WaterRower Original
The quiet, handsome choice. About $1,199 with the S4 Bluetooth monitor. A water flywheel gives a smooth, low-pitched swoosh and the ash-wood frame looks like furniture. Resistance is set by water level in the tank.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 21/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Software & metrics | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the S4 monitor is basic next to the PM5, and a full tank makes the machine heavy to move.
Ergatta Rower
The gamified water rower. About $2,199 plus subscription. Built on a WaterRower frame with a vertical touchscreen that turns sessions into races and games with periodized programming. Strong for people who need engagement, not classes.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 17/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Software & metrics | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: premium price plus an ongoing subscription for software you may outgrow.
Hydrow (original)
The big-screen flagship. About $2,495 plus subscription. A 22-inch touchscreen and the full live-and-scenic class library on electromagnetic resistance. The most cinematic option, and priced like it.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 14/25 |
| Build & durability | 18/20 |
| Software & metrics | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the highest entry cost here, with the same monthly fee as the cheaper Wave.
Concept2 Dynamic
The sweep-simulation erg. About $1,160. The seat stays mostly still while the flywheel housing moves, closely mimicking on-water boat dynamics. The same PM5 monitor and parts pipeline as the RowErg.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 27/30 |
| Value for money | 20/25 |
| Build & durability | 19/20 |
| Software & metrics | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: a niche tool for competitive rowers; most home users do not need it over the standard RowErg.
NordicTrack RW900
The magnetic screen machine. About $1,499 plus an iFit subscription. A 22-inch screen and quiet magnetic resistance for guided sessions. The quietest option here.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Performance & feel | 21/30 |
| Value for money | 16/25 |
| Build & durability | 16/20 |
| Software & metrics | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: magnetic resistance feels least like real rowing, and the machine leans hard on the iFit subscription.
How to choose
Start with one question: do you need software to make you train? If no, the Concept2 RowErg is the answer and you should stop reading — it costs less, lasts longer, and gives better data than anything with a screen. If guided classes are the only thing that gets you on the seat, the Hydrow Wave is the most sensible screen option, but budget for years of membership. For a quiet shared room, the WaterRower’s swoosh wins. Re-weight the rubric toward Software and the Hydrow line rises; weight Performance and Value, as we do, and the Concept2 takes #1 by a wide margin.
Verification
- Concept2 RowErg / Dynamic — specs and US pricing verified on concept2.com.
- Hydrow Wave / original — pricing and membership verified on hydrow.com and Garage Gym Reviews.
- WaterRower Original — S4 monitor specs and pricing verified on waterrower.com.
- Ergatta Rower — pricing and software verified on ergatta.com and RowingRelated review.
- NordicTrack RW900 — specs and iFit pricing verified on nordictrack.com.
Related rankings
- Best Ellipticals 2026: 7 Home Trainers Scored
- Best Heart Rate Monitors 2026: 7 Straps Scored
- Best Jump Ropes 2026: 7 Ropes Scored
- Best Treadmills 2026: 7 Home Machines Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best rowing machine in 2026?
- The Concept2 RowErg at about $990. It is the air-resistance standard used by Olympic rowing programs and CrossFit gyms, with no subscription, an accurate PM5 monitor, and a decades-long parts pipeline.
- Do I need a screen and subscription?
- No. The Concept2 has no screen and no subscription and is still the most respected erg on the market. Screen-led machines like the Hydrow Wave add guided classes for a monthly fee — useful for motivation, not for data accuracy.
- Air, water, or magnetic resistance?
- Air ergs (Concept2) scale resistance to how hard you pull and are the competition standard. Water rowers (WaterRower) give a smooth, quiet swoosh. Magnetic machines are the quietest but feel least like real rowing.
- How much should I spend on a rower?
- Around $900-1,200 buys a machine you will keep for a decade. The Concept2 at $990 is the value benchmark. Screen-and-subscription machines run $1,500-2,500 up front plus monthly fees.
- Is the Hydrow worth the subscription?
- Only if guided, scenic classes are what keep you training. The Wave is about $1,995 plus roughly $50/month. Over three years that is far more than a Concept2, which needs no membership at all.