Xterra · Air Rower Review
Xterra ERG780 Review
The Xterra ERG780 is the value air rower, a fully featured, connected machine that covers the flagship brief for less, and folds away.
Xterra ERG780 Air
Value air rower
Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband
The verdict
This 2026-model air rower covers much of the same ground as the flagship air rowers, like the JTX Ignite AirX, for less. It offers 10 levels of manually adjustable air resistance on a chain drive, engages over 80% of your major muscle groups, and connects over Bluetooth to Xterra’s XF Connect and Kinomap for workouts and scenic routes.
At £499, down from £899, it undercuts the pricier air rowers while giving up little that matters, and it folds vertically for storage, which not every air rower does. There is no built-in class screen, but for a connected, data-rich air rower at this price it is hard to beat.
Strengths
- Effort-scaling air resistance with 10 damper levels
- Bluetooth with XF Connect and Kinomap
- 4-inch backlit adjustable LCD with watts and 500m splits
- Recovery mode and full metric set
- Folds vertically for storage
- 150kg user weight limit
Watch-outs
- Fan noise, as with any air rower
- Functional finish rather than premium
- No built-in class screen
- Optional-extra heart-rate strap
The row
The ERG780 gives the responsive, effort-scaling feel that makes air rowers so good for intervals, with 10 damper levels to change the character of the stroke. It engages over 80% of your major muscle groups, and the chain drive and steady frame handle higher stroke rates without fuss. For most home rowers this is all the machine you need.
It is a full-length air rower at around 240cm in use, so measure your space, but it folds vertically afterwards to reclaim the floor.
Console and connectivity
The 4-inch backlit LCD is angle-adjustable and reports the full set of metrics including watts and 500m splits, with a recovery mode built in. Bluetooth connects it to XF Connect and Kinomap for workouts and scenic routes on your own device, and there is an optional heart-rate chest strap.
There is no built-in class screen, so if that is what you want the Echelon rowers are the alternative, but for a connected air rower at this price the ERG780 is excellent.
Who it is for
Buy the Xterra ERG780 if you want a fully featured, connected air rower at the keenest price and you are happy following sessions on your own device. If you want the best build and warranty, the JTX Ignite AirX is the step up, and if quiet is your priority, look at a magnetic rower.
Specifications
| Resistance | Air, 10 levels, chain drive |
|---|---|
| Console | 4-inch backlit adjustable LCD, recovery mode |
| Data | Time, distance, calories, resistance, strokes, 500m, SPM, watts, FTMS |
| Apps | XF Connect, Kinomap (Bluetooth) |
| Heart rate | Bluetooth receiver, chest strap optional |
| Max user weight | 150kg |
| Storage | Folds vertically |
FitRank breakdown
Performance 4.1
Responsive, effort-scaling air resistance with 10 damper levels, engaging over 80% of the major muscle groups.
Build quality 4.0
A steady chain-driven 2026 machine that folds vertically, functional in finish but sound and stable.
Value 4.3
Strong. A fully connected air rower with a full metric set for £499 undercuts most rivals comfortably.
Features 3.6
Bluetooth apps, watts, 500m splits and a recovery mode, short only of a built-in screen and an included heart-rate strap.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Xterra ERG780 a good air rower?
How does the Xterra ERG780 compare to the JTX Ignite AirX?
Does the Xterra ERG780 fold?
Is the Xterra ERG780 noisy?
Related rowing machines
Compare it against the field in our best home rowing machines guide, or narrow it down in our best air rowing machines guide. You might also consider the JTX Ignite AirX Rower, adidas R-21x and JTX Freedom Air.
Chris writes the home fitness reviews across our sites, including our sister site HomeTreadmill.co.uk. He compares every machine against its rivals on UK pricing and specs, and scores each one with FitRank.
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