The Best Rowing Machines Under $500, Selected by Our Editors

Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine

For $400, Merach offers a magnetic rower that’s aesthetically pleasing, functions exactly as you expect an erg to, and is light enough for a single person to handle. It comes with Merach’s free app for tons of workout possibilities and offers 16 different levels of resistance.

Merach’s design is simple yet functional. The round LED display shows you the resistance level you’re on and the distance you’ve covered. To increase the difficulty, simply turn the dial that the display sits on to the right. The Q1S comes with a tablet holder, so you can set up the Merach app on your device to stream classes. Other things we like: The rower comes “90 percent assembled,” Merach says, so a single person can build it in about 10 minutes. It stores vertically to save space, and the seat has butt cheek indents for additional comfort.

A couple of potential downsides are a lack of metrics on display. Merach’s app does track calories, distance, workouts, time, and more, but the rower can’t display all of that data in front of you (unless you’re using a tablet). Also, competitive rowers may not like the feel of magnetic resistance compared to air, which is traditionally used in popular rowers like the Erg Concept2.

Read More: 12 Rowing Workouts That Will Incinerate Fat

Marcy Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine

Pros

• Reviewers said this was a durable and sturdy machine
• Folds up to save space
• Costs less than $400

This boxy, grey rower may not be the prettiest machine out there, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in efficiency and its ability to fold up easily for storage. Once you sit down on the Marcy rower, you’ll be met with the handle and a dial that lets you adjust the magnetic resistance through eight different resistance levels.

There’s a basic screen that displays time, speed, calories, and a couple of other metrics. The rower’s case, seat, and pedals are constructed almost entirely from plastic, though that’s about par for the course. When you’re done using it, the rail folds upwards at the pedals, condensing the length from 74.5 inches to 24 inches.

We aren’t the only ones who like this rower either, as many costumers gone online to say how much they like this machine. Most positive reviews touch on the price, build quality, and functionality. Again, the Marcy rower delivers function over form. If aesthetics aren’t a major concern, we think this is a good option for most casual rowers.

Stamina BodyTrac® Glider

If you’re looking for a traditional rowing experience, keep scrolling. The Body Trac Glider isn’t a standard erg with a handle attached to a chain that is resisted by air, water, or magnets. However, Stamina says the rowing stroke is meant to mimic real-life rowing. Besides the unique design, this machine is fairly bare-bones (which isn’t a dig). It’s light, relatively small, and simple to use.

Both the pedals and seat move as you row the double-jointed handles up, back, and down. A very small LED screen tells you your time, count, calories, and a few other stats. To increase the difficulty, simply turn the knob on the hydraulic pump located below the rail. When you’re done, you can fold the arms and tilt the rower vertically.

The Body Trac Glider comes with the Muuv app, which grants you access to audio-coached workouts. If you want visual coaching, you’re out of luck. There’s also no device stand, so you’ll need to plant this in front of the TV or listen to a podcast/music for entertainment.

ERG500 Air Rower

The air rower is one of my favorite forms of resistance for a rower. This model is (most likely) closest to the rowers you’ve used in commercial gyms. For $400, XTERRA offers a simple, durable rower with a clean display, plenty of resistance, and a design almost all users are familiar with.

Merach Water Rowing Machine

Water rowers have gained popularity over the years because they’re far quitters than air rowers, look sleek, and the water provide resistance through each stroke. Merach’s $460 water row has a beautifully crafted wood frame with a 12-blade turbine inside the water tub for, they claim, “double the resistance.”

Like the other Merach rower on this list, The R14 is compatible with its fitness app for workouts and stat tracking. This model doesn’t have a table holder, but its display shows you basic stats (time, distance, calories, etc.) As we teased, the build is aesthetically pleasing, with a dark wood finish, black accents, and a simple design. You can store this rower, the heaviest on our list, vertically and wheel it out of storage when you’re ready to use it.

This rower is shorter than most on this list, so your stroke may feel a little off, especially if you’re a taller athlete. Also, it’s worth mentioning that water rowers do require some maintenance. You’ll need to maintain water levels inside the tub and occasionally purify the water (using tablets) to prevent mold. And while Merach advertises rubber sealing to prevent leaks, you always run the risk of spillage from your rower.