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Best rowing machines for home in the UK
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
A rowing machine is one of the most efficient pieces of cardio kit you can put in a spare room. Each stroke drives through the legs, hips, back and arms, so you get a full-body session that is easy on the knees and ankles compared with running. The hard part is choosing between the three main resistance types, because air, water and magnetic rowers feel and sound quite different.
If you want a quiet, compact rower on a small budget, a folding magnetic model is the sensible starting point. If you want the most realistic stroke and don't mind a little noise, look at water rowers. Air rowers suit people who like hard interval training, because the harder you pull, the harder they push back. Our seven picks below cover all three types, from entry-level folding machines to premium wooden water rowers.
How we chose
We have not physically tested these rowing machines. We shortlisted them by comparing the published specifications, features, resistance type, storage options and price band across the full range of rowers our retailer partners sell, using the retailer's own product information as our fact source. Where a detail such as maximum user weight or rail length isn't published, we say so and tell you what to check before you buy.
1. Best overall
Spirit Fitness CRW900 Water Rowing Machine
£799.00 at Sweatband · best for most homes wanting a realistic water stroke with app support
The Spirit Fitness CRW900 sits in the sweet spot between budget water rowers and the handmade premium models. It uses an extra-large twin tank with a multi-bladed impeller, and you change the resistance with a knob across 10 levels rather than by draining or filling the tank. Bluetooth lets it work with the SPIRIT+ Club and Kinomap apps, and there are 5 built-in programmes plus a manual mode if you'd rather just row. The hand-lacquered American Ash finish means it looks more like furniture than gym kit, which matters if it lives in a lounge.
✓ Pros
- Knob-adjusted water resistance across 10 levels
- Works with SPIRIT+ Club and Kinomap via Bluetooth
- Wooden ash finish suits a living space
- Built for both home and commercial settings
✕ Cons
- Folding or upright storage isn't mentioned in the listing
- Only 5 pre-set programmes
- Water rowers make a gentle sloshing noise
2. Best budget
Viavito Sumi Folding Rowing Machine
£169.00 at Sweatband · best for beginners and small spaces on a tight budget
The Viavito Sumi is the cheapest way into rowing in our shortlist and it covers the basics properly. It uses magnetic resistance with 10 manually set levels, which is near silent, so it works in flats or for early-morning sessions. The LCD shows time, distance, calories, count and strokes per minute, and it folds with transport wheels for storage. The 80cm row length is worth checking against your height: taller rowers often prefer a longer rail, so measure your inside leg and compare before ordering.
✓ Pros
- Very quiet magnetic resistance
- Folds and has transport wheels
- Simple LCD covers the key stats
- Lowest price band in this guide
✕ Cons
- 80cm row length may feel short for tall users
- No app connectivity
- Only 10 resistance levels, set by hand
3. Best budget water rower
Xterra Fitness ERG600W Rowing Machine
£399.00 at Sweatband · best for people who want a water feel without a premium price
Water rowers usually cost more than magnetic ones, but the Xterra ERG600W brings the format down into the mid-budget band. Its horizontal tank uses a 16-blade impeller to imitate a boat moving through water, and you pick from 6 resistance levels. There is a 5.5-inch LCD with height and angle adjustment, 6 programmes plus a recovery mode, and a wireless receiver for an optional chest strap. Unusually for a water rower, it folds and has wheels, so it is easier to tuck away than most tank-based machines.
✓ Pros
- Water resistance at a mid-budget price
- Folds with built-in transport wheels
- Adjustable 5.5-inch console with 6 programmes
- Raised 34cm padded seat is easier to get on and off
✕ Cons
- Only 6 resistance levels
- Heart rate chest strap is optional, not included
- No app connectivity mentioned
4. Best for app workouts
Echelon Row Smart Folding Rowing Machine
£499.00 at Sweatband · best for people motivated by classes and leaderboards
The Echelon Row Smart is built around the Echelon Fit app, with live and on-demand classes and a leaderboard to compete against other riders and rowers. It also syncs with Strava, Apple Health and FitBit, and a trial of Echelon Premier Membership is included. The 32 levels of computer-controlled magnetic resistance give much finer steps than the manual budget rowers, and it folds for storage. Bear in mind that most of the value comes from the membership, so budget for the ongoing subscription once the trial ends.
✓ Pros
- 32 computer-controlled resistance levels
- Live and on-demand classes through Echelon Fit
- Syncs with Strava, Apple Health and FitBit
- Folding frame, USB charging and a reversible tablet arm
✕ Cons
- Best features depend on a paid membership after the trial
- Classes run on your own phone or tablet, so you need a device
5. Best air rower
Half Human Air Rowing Machine
£749.00 at Sweatband · best for interval training and CrossFit-style sessions
Air rowers are the type you see in most gyms, and the Half Human is a commercial-grade take on that design. Resistance comes from a fan, so effort scales with how hard you pull, plus 10 levels to change the base feel. It has a 5-inch LCD with 8 onboard workouts, and Bluetooth for D-fit, EXR and Kinomap if you want coached sessions or virtual routes. Air rowers are the loudest of the three types, so think about neighbours and household members before choosing one.
✓ Pros
- Responsive fan resistance suits sprints and intervals
- Commercial-grade build
- Works with D-fit, EXR and Kinomap apps
- Large padded seat and adjustable footrests
✕ Cons
- Fan noise is noticeable in a quiet home
- Storage options aren't described in the listing
6. Best for HIIT with programmes
adidas R-21x Rowing Machine (Bluetooth)
£799.00 at Sweatband · best for users who want air resistance with more structure
The adidas R-21x combines a chain-driven fan with electronic adjustment across 16 levels, so you get the responsive air feel with more control over the baseline load. The adjustable LCD shows speed, distance and heart rate, and 12 pre-set programmes help if you'd rather follow a plan than freestyle. Kinomap support (with a trial) adds scenic routes and multiplayer sessions, and there is a holder for a tablet or phone. A gel-padded seat and adjustable footplates round off a well-equipped mid-range machine.
✓ Pros
- 16 levels blending air and electronic resistance
- 12 pre-set programmes on an adjustable LCD
- Kinomap support with a trial included
- Gel-padded seat
✕ Cons
- Chain drive is usually louder than a strap
- Listing doesn't confirm a chest strap is included
7. Best premium
WaterRower Original Series Club Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor
£1299.00 at Sweatband · best for anyone who wants a rower that looks good in the lounge
WaterRower is the name most people picture when they think of a wooden water rower, and the Original Series Club model is handmade in New England from ash with a rose and black stain. Its 19-litre WaterFlywheel gives a smooth, natural stroke where resistance rises with your effort. The S4 monitor shows live feedback and includes 17 programmes. It can be stood on end for storage and has guide wheels, which takes the sting out of its full-length footprint. It is firmly premium-priced, so it makes most sense if you'll row regularly for years.
✓ Pros
- Handmade ash frame doubles as furniture
- 19-litre WaterFlywheel for a natural stroke
- Stands upright for storage
- S4 monitor with 17 programmes
✕ Cons
- Premium price band
- No Bluetooth app support mentioned for the S4 monitor
- Resistance changes by water level rather than a dial
Air, water or magnetic: which rowing machine type is right for you?
Magnetic rowers use magnets near a metal flywheel to create drag. They are the quietest type and the resistance stays the same however fast you pull, which many beginners find easier to pace. They tend to be the most compact and the cheapest, which is why most folding budget rowers are magnetic. The trade-off is a slightly less lively feel at the catch.
Water rowers spin paddles in a tank. Resistance rises with your stroke rate, and the whoosh of water is a gentle sound most people find relaxing. They give the most natural, boat-like feel, but tanks add weight and most don't fold. Air rowers use a fan. They are the most responsive to effort and the standard in gyms and rowing clubs, but they are also the noisiest. If you mainly want steady cardio in a shared home, magnetic or water is usually the better fit.
Size, storage and the space you need
Rowing machines are long. Even a compact folding model needs a clear strip of floor a little longer than the machine itself, plus room either side for your arms. Before buying, measure the space and check the assembled length and width on the retailer's listing, then allow extra for getting on and off.
There are two main storage approaches. Folding rowers hinge the rail up and roll away on wheels, like the Viavito Sumi, Xterra ERG600W and Echelon Row Smart. Upright storage, as on the WaterRower, stands the whole machine on end against a wall. Upright storage takes up very little floor space but needs a wall and some ceiling height, so check both.
Rail length, seat height and user weight
Rail length decides whether tall users can reach full leg extension. If you are over about six foot, look for a published row or rail length and compare it with your inside leg measurement; a rail that is too short cuts your stroke and feels cramped. Where a listing doesn't give a rail length, ask the retailer before ordering.
Seat height matters more than people expect. A higher seat, like the 34cm seat on the Xterra ERG600W, is easier to get on and off for anyone with stiff knees or hips. Also check the maximum user weight on the product page, as it is a good indicator of how sturdy the frame is and isn't always printed in the summary text.
Monitors, apps and subscriptions
Every rower here has a display for basic stats such as time, distance, strokes per minute and calories. The useful extras are a 500m split time, which is the standard way rowers measure pace, and heart rate support via a chest strap. Check whether the strap is included or sold separately.
Bluetooth rowers can link to apps such as Kinomap, Echelon Fit or SPIRIT+ for classes, virtual routes and progress tracking. These can make a real difference to motivation, but many charge a monthly fee once the free trial ends. If you don't want a subscription, choose a rower whose built-in programmes cover what you need.
FAQs
Is a rowing machine good for losing weight?
Rowing works most of the major muscle groups at once, so it burns a good amount of energy for the time spent, and it is low impact. Weight loss still depends mainly on overall diet and how consistently you train, so the best rower is the one you'll actually use several times a week.
Which type of rowing machine is quietest?
Magnetic rowers are the quietest, with little more than the sound of the seat on the rail. Water rowers make a soft swishing noise, and air rowers are the loudest because of the fan. If you live in a flat or train early, magnetic is the safest choice.
Are water rowing machines worth the extra money?
If you value a realistic stroke and a machine that looks good in a living room, many people think so. They feel smooth and natural, and wooden models double as furniture. If you mostly want quiet cardio in a small space, a folding magnetic rower does the job for less.
How much space does a rowing machine need?
Plan for a clear strip a little longer than the machine itself and about a metre wide so your arms and hands don't hit anything. Check the assembled dimensions on the product page, and look for folding or upright storage if the rower won't stay set up.
Can I use a rowing machine with a bad back?
Rowing is low impact, but poor technique can strain the lower back. Push with your legs first, keep your back neutral and avoid hunching at the finish. If you have an existing back problem, speak to your GP or a physiotherapist before starting.
Do I need a subscription for a smart rowing machine?
Not always. Most smart rowers work as normal machines without an app, but the classes and interactive routes usually need a paid membership after the free trial. Check what the built-in console offers on its own before buying.
Want to see everything? Browse all cardio or read our other buying guides.
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