Best Rowing Machine in 2026: Nine Ranked on Price

Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links that may earn Dupple a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings follow the criteria in the methodology.

Updated November 4, 2026: prices re-checked on each vendor's US store or pricing page. Compared from vendor specs and pricing pages, not tested hands-on.

As of November 2026, the top three are JOROTO MR20H ($239.99 sale price), Merach CoreRow R28 ($279.99, some loads show $259.99) and Merach R15 Pro ($309.99, some loads show $269.99), read on each brand's US store on November 4, 2026. Nine rowers are numbered; 16 more pass the same five checks and sit in the box below the list.

Dupple data: computed from vendor prices read on November 4, 2026. The nine numbered rowers show prices from $239.99 to $1,499.99, and none of the nine pages says a membership is needed to row.

The nine at a glance

Resistance, weight limit and monitor are each vendor's own wording, shortened.

How the order is set

A rower enters the ranking only if it passes five checks on its own brand's US store or pricing page. Among those that pass, the lowest shown price ranks first. At most two numbered picks per brand; a brand's other passing rowers sit in the box below the ranking with their price. The five checks:

• In stock on the brand's own US store today, from the store's variant data, an "Add to cart" button or an in-stock line.
• A user weight limit printed at 250 lb or more, or 113 kg or more. The two units are one limit, so no pair of printed figures is split by the threshold.
• The vendor states the resistance type: air, water, magnetic, electromagnetic or hybrid. Level counts are printed as information, not as a gate.
• A monitor or screen on the machine that shows workout metrics. A rotary knob with no screen does not count, and neither does a tablet the buyer supplies.
• A plan counts only where the vendor says the rower needs it to work. NordicTrack's store makes every buyer pick an iFIT Pro plan at checkout; the lowest, monthly, adds nothing to the day-one total and is cancellable. No vendor says its rower needs a plan to row.

A sale with no printed end date is ranked at its shown price, printed as "sale price, November 4, 2026". A sale whose printed end date falls before November 7, 2026 would rank on the regular price; none of the nine does, except the MR20H's expired banner, covered in its entry. A cart discount that expires before November 7 is not used. Where a page's price changes between loads, the higher figure ranks the rower and both figures are printed. On the higher figures the R28 ranks above the R15 Pro, but a load can show the R15 Pro at $269.99 beside the R28 at $279.99, so a buyer may see the R15 Pro cheaper.

1. JOROTO MR20H: best for a small room and the lowest shown price

$239.99 sale price on JOROTO's US store, read November 4, 2026 (sale price, November 4, 2026). The page still carries an "Offer ends Oct 25" banner that has passed, and the shown price is live on November 4, so the sale ranks at its shown price. A cart discount named "MR20H & JU30 Auto-Discount, Expires Nov. 5" takes the cart to $199.99 on joroto.com. It ends before November 7, so it is not used.

Specs as printed: 16 magnetic levels, a backlit LED display that shows time, distance, calories, counts and frequency, an item weight of 21.8 kg, and a 44-day free Kinomap subscription. The spec table prints a 140 kg weight capacity; the copy prints 330 lb (150 kg).

Pros: the lowest shown price on the list; a backlit display. Cons: the two weight figures differ, though both clear 250 lb; the folded footprint is printed only as vertical storage, 47.6 x 58.2 cm; Kinomap is a third-party app.

Best for: a small room and a magnetic rower at the lowest shown price.

See the JOROTO MR20H on JOROTO's US store

2. Merach CoreRow R28: best for pure water resistance at a low price

$279.99 on Merach's US store, read November 4, 2026 (sale price, November 4, 2026); some loads show $259.99. Ten loads of the product page on November 4 showed $279.99 eight times and $259.99 twice. The page's countdown is a template timer with no end date printed.

Specs as printed: pure water resistance with 6 levels, an LED digital monitor that shows time, distance, calories and strokes, a maximum user weight of 180 kg, and heart-rate monitoring not supported.

Pros: pure water resistance, and 180 kg clears 250 lb. Cons: 6 levels against 16 on the R15 Pro; the shown price changes between loads; an LED display rather than an LCD.

No live program: see the CoreRow R28 on Merach's US store.

3. Merach R15 Pro: best for electromagnetic resistance with a backlit LCD

$309.99 on Merach's US store, read November 4, 2026 (sale price, November 4, 2026); some loads show $269.99. Eleven loads of the product page on November 4 showed $269.99 eight times and $309.99 three times.

Specs as printed: electromagnetic resistance with 16 levels, set from the handle buttons; a backlit LCD monitor; a maximum load capacity of 158 kg, with the copy printing a 350 lb weight capacity; a 51.2-inch extended rail; and Bluetooth to the Merach app.

Pros: 16 levels from the handle, and a screen that shows the workout data. Cons: the shown price changes between loads; the page prints "Folded Dimensions: N/A", so no folded size is given.

No live program: see the R15 Pro on Merach's US store.

4. JOROTO MR280PRO: best for a folding oak rower under $400 shown

$379.99 sale price on JOROTO's US store, read November 4, 2026 (sale price, November 4, 2026), with $649.99 printed as the regular price and no end date.

Specs as printed: water resistance with 6 levels, a solid oak frame, an LCD monitor, a 330 lb maximum user weight, a height range of 5.2 to 6.4 ft, a folded size of 36.9 x 17.5 x 21.5 inches, and a 30-day extended Kinomap subscription.

Pros: a folded size printed in inches, and a 330 lb limit. Cons: 6 water levels; the height range stops at 6.4 ft.

See the JOROTO MR280PRO on JOROTO's US store

5. Concept2 RowErg: best for an air rower with a PM5 monitor

$990 for standard legs on Concept2's US store, read November 4, 2026, with the Add to Cart button live. The page prints "RowErg with Standard Legs, retails for $990, discounted to $940 each" under volume pricing for "five or more pieces of equipment at one time, shipping to one location" (concept2.com, read November 4, 2026). That is not a sale for one buyer, so the RowErg ranks at $990.

Resistance: the RowErg page names a flywheel and a damper setting, not the resistance type. Concept2's damper article says "the more air, the more work it takes to spin the flywheel against the air", which places the RowErg under the air check.

Specs as printed: a PM5 monitor; a maximum user weight of 500 lb (227 kg) as tested by Concept2, with 300 lb (135 kg) under the EN 20957-7 test.

Pros: the stated air resistance, a PM5 monitor and a 500 lb tested limit. Cons: the product page does not name the resistance type, so the air statement sits in another article; no plan or level count.

No live program: see the RowErg on Concept2's US store, and Concept2's damper article.

6. WaterRower Lite Oak: best for a wooden water rower under $1,000

$999 on WaterRower's US store, read November 4, 2026, in stock. The product page shows "From $999" with an Add to cart button, and no sale is printed.

Specs as printed: patented water resistance, with a maximum user weight of 325 lb (150 kg) on the product page and 325 lb (147 kg) in the comparison table; a monitor that shows stroke rate, intensity, distance and duration.

Pros: a monitor that tracks stroke rate and distance, and solid oak construction. Cons: no level count is printed; the weight appears in two units, and both clear the threshold.

No live program: see the Lite Oak on WaterRower's US store.

7. Echelon Row S: best for the most stated levels and a 22-inch screen

$1,049.99 sale price on Echelon's US store, read November 4, 2026. No end date is printed (only product data), so the sale ranks at its shown price.

Specs as printed: 32 electronic resistance levels with magnetic resistance, a 22-inch HD touchscreen that swivels 90 degrees, a 350 lb (159 kg) maximum user weight, and an 85 by 24 inch footprint.

Membership: Premier covers classes. The page does not say the rower needs it. Premier costs $39.99 a month, $399.99 on a 1-year plan or $699.99 on a 2-year plan.

Pros: the most stated levels and the largest screen on the list. Cons: the sale price has no printed end date; the 85 by 24 inch footprint is large.

No live program: see the Row S on Echelon's US store.

8. WaterRower Original: best for the highest printed weight limit

$1,199 on WaterRower's US store, read November 4, 2026, in stock, with no sale printed.

Specs as printed: water resistance; a maximum user weight of 700 lb (315 kg) on the product page, where the comparison table prints 318 kg; and a monitor that shows stroke rate, intensity and distance.

Pros: the highest printed weight limit on the list. Cons: no level count is printed; at $1,199 it is the second-highest shown price of the nine.

No live program: see the Original on WaterRower's US store.

9. NordicTrack RW700: best for a magnetic rower with a touchscreen and iFIT

$1,499.99 sale price on NordicTrack's US store, read November 4, 2026 (sale price, November 4, 2026). No end date is printed (only product data), so the sale ranks at its shown price. The page prints "Current Price $1,499.99" and "IN STOCK - READY TO SHIP".

Specs as printed: "Silent Magnetic Resistance" with 26 levels, a 10-inch tilting HD touchscreen, and a user capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg).

Membership: the store makes every buyer pick an iFIT Pro plan: 1-Year $396, 2-Year $699, 3-Year $899, or "Monthly Membership $39/month", with the first month included. The default 1-Year cart totals $1,895.99; the monthly plan's cart totals $1,499.99 and bills $39 a month from December 4, 2026 until cancelled. The 1-Year plan renews at $396 a year; the 2- and 3-Year plans renew into a monthly $39. The page says a paid iFIT Pro subscription is required "to access full content & features on equipment"; it does not say the rower stops working without one.

Pros: 26 levels and a touchscreen. Cons: every buyer must pick an iFIT Pro plan at checkout, and full content and features need a paid plan.

No live program: see the RW700 on NordicTrack's US store.

Also worth a look: passing rowers outside the nine

These pass the same five checks but sit outside the list: their brand already has two picks, or the list stops at nine.

• Merach CoreRow R300, $329.99 (some loads show $289.99). Pure water resistance, 6 levels, a backlit LCD, 150 kg (the copy says 350 lb).
• Merach RS3, $359.99. Electromagnetic resistance, 16 levels, "Screen Type: LCD digital monitor", 158 kg (350 lb).
• Merach Q1S Interactive, $359.99. 16 manually adjustable levels, a 15.6-inch HD screen, 160 kg (350 lb). The page title calls it a magnetic rower.
• Merach R7 Self-Powered, $359.99. Electromagnetic, 16 levels, an LED display, 181 kg.
• Merach R50 Pro, $559.99. Pure wind (air) resistance, 10 levels, a backlit LCD, 158 kg.
• Merach R50 Aura, $599.99. Pure wind (air) resistance, 10 levels, an HD screen, 158 kg.
• Merach UltraRow R60N, $799.99. Air and magnetic resistance, 10 levels, an LCD backlit monitor, 500 lb.
• JOROTO MR380, $429.99 sale. Water resistance, a black-background LCD, 350 lb, in stock.
• JOROTO MR55, $549.99 sale. 10 magnetic levels, a green LED monitor, 330 lb (150 kg). The page's stock line reads "only 15 items left".
• WaterRower Hybrid Oak, $1,299. Water resistance, 375 lb (170 kg), a Bluetooth monitor, in stock.
• Ergatta Lite, $1,699. Naturally-adjusting water resistance, 320 lb, a 17.3-inch HD touchscreen. Tenth on price.
• NordicTrack RW900, $1,799.99 sale, no end date printed. Silent magnetic resistance, 26 levels, a 300 lb (136 kg) user capacity, a 24-inch pivoting touchscreen. Past ninth place.
• Hydrow Origin, $1,895 in the cart. Electromagnetic drag (the rowers hub); 375 lb (170 kg); a 22-inch PCAP touchscreen. Membership $50 a month; without one, "Just Row" mode (time, distance, strokes per minute). Hydrow's Origin page, read November 4, 2026.
• Aviron Strong Rower, $1,899. Dual air and magnetic resistance, 507 lb, a 16- or 22-inch touchscreen, membership optional.
• Hydrow Wave, $1,995. "From $1,995"; cart total $1,995. Electromagnetic drag (the rowers hub); 375 lb (170 kg); a 16-inch PCAP touchscreen; "Just Row" mode without a membership. Hydrow Wave page, read November 4, 2026.
• Ergatta Luxe, $2,199. Naturally-adjusting water resistance, 500 lb, a 21-inch HD touchscreen.

Rowers that did not pass

• Merach Q1S Self-Powered, $249.99 sale. The page prints "Display Type: Rotary", a knob with no screen.
• Merach NovaRow 950, $499.99 sale. The page prints "Flywheel knob dial display". The R23 Luxe handle shows the same page.
• Merach R7 Aura, $549.99 sale. It prints 130 lb of peak resistance and a 21.5-inch screen, but no user weight.
• JOROTO MR56, $489.99 sale. Its stock line was not read today, so it is not placed.

Not read today: the JOROTO MR380C and the WaterRower Metallic product pages. Merach's R06 page shows no price. Hydrow's third model, the Arc, was not read.

What each rower costs over 12 and 24 months

Dupple data: computed from each vendor's printed plans, read on November 4, 2026. Only Echelon Row S and NordicTrack RW700 print a plan with a fee.

Echelon Row S with Premier, device included, comes to $1,449.98 over 12 months and $1,749.98 over 24 months on the annual plans (Dupple's sums). NordicTrack RW700 on its cheapest printed path, device included: $1,895.99 over 12 months (1-Year plan) and $2,198.99 over 24 months (2-Year plan); monthly, $429 in year one and $897 over 24 months.

How to choose

• The lowest shown price: the JOROTO MR20H. The MR20H is on JOROTO's US store.
• Pure water resistance at a low price: the Merach CoreRow R28, with 6 levels and an LED monitor.
• Air resistance with a PM5 monitor: the Concept2 RowErg. The Merach R50 Pro, R50 Aura and R60N are air rowers in the box.
• The most stated levels and a large screen: the Echelon Row S, with 32 levels and a 22-inch touchscreen.
• Folding storage with a wooden frame: the JOROTO MR280PRO folds to 36.9 by 17.5 by 21.5 inches as printed. See the MR280PRO on JOROTO's US store.

FAQ

Which rowing machine has the lowest shown price on this list?

The JOROTO MR20H, at $239.99 sale on November 4, 2026. Its page still shows an "Offer ends Oct 25" banner that has passed while that price stays live, so it ranks first on the shown price.

Do I need a membership to row?

Not on any of the nine pages. NordicTrack's store makes every buyer pick an iFIT Pro plan, and its page says a paid plan is required "to access full content & features"; it does not say the rower stops working without one; the monthly plan adds nothing to the day-one total and is cancellable. The Echelon Row S page does not say its rower needs Premier. The cost table shows each plan.

What weight limit should I check?

The floor is 250 lb or 113 kg. The nine print limits from 136 kg (300 lb) to 700 lb (315 kg). The Lite Oak prints 150 kg on its product page and 147 kg in its comparison table; both clear the floor.

Why is the Concept2 RowErg on the list when its product page does not name air?

The product page names a flywheel and a damper; Concept2's damper article states the air resistance, and the rule accepts a type the vendor states on its own site.

Which air rowers pass, and why are they not numbered?

The Merach R50 Pro, R50 Aura and R60N and the Aviron Strong Rower pass the five checks. The Merach models sit past the brand's two picks. The Aviron is past ninth place on the shown price.

Methodology

We compared the rowers a US buyer can order today from each brand's own US store or pricing page: JOROTO, Merach, Echelon, Concept2, WaterRower, Ergatta, NordicTrack, Aviron and Hydrow. Every number comes from a vendor page read on November 4, 2026, never from Amazon, review sites or memory. Hydrow's Origin and Wave pass the five checks and sit past ninth place, so they are in the box.

The ranking rule is the one in "How the order is set": five checks on the brand's own page, then the lowest shown price first, with at most two numbered picks per brand. A sale with no printed end date ranks at its shown price. Neither the Echelon Row S nor the NordicTrack RW700 prints an end date on its sale (their product data carries one, which is not printed), so both sale prices rank at the shown price. Concept2 is placed on its air statement in its damper article, which the rule accepts as the vendor's own wording.

The photo is JOROTO's own product image for the MR20H; every other product has a Dupple spec card with the vendor's printed figures. No customer review photo is used.

Sources

• JOROTO: MR20H page, MR280PRO page, MR380 page, MR55 page and MR56 page, read November 4, 2026; the cart discount on the MR20H was read from joroto.com's cart.
• Merach: CoreRow R28 page, R15 Pro, CoreRow R300, RS3, Q1S Interactive, R7 Self-Powered, R50 Pro, R50 Aura, R60N, NovaRow 950, Q1S Self-Powered and R7 Aura pages, read November 4, 2026.
• Concept2: RowErg page (price, stock and weight) and damper article (air statement), read November 4, 2026.
• WaterRower: Lite Oak, Original and Hybrid Oak pages, read November 4, 2026.
• Echelon: Row S page, including the Premier membership prices, read November 4, 2026.
• NordicTrack: RW700 and RW900 pages, read November 4, 2026.
• Ergatta: Lite and Luxe pages, read November 4, 2026.
• Aviron: Strong Rower page, read November 4, 2026.
• Hydrow: Origin page and rowers hub, read November 4, 2026; Wave page, read the same day.

Related reading

• Speediance Gym Monster 2 review.
• Hypervolt vs Theragun, for recovery after a row.
• Best running watch.

The order above does not depend on any link. The JOROTO MR280PRO is on JOROTO's US store.