By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
The Echelon Row Smart Folding is the sensible way into Echelon’s connected rowing, near-silent, folds away, and uses your own tablet instead of a built-in screen, at a fraction of the Row-7s.
Price and any code applied at checkout via Echelon
The verdict
The folding Echelon Row offers the same 32-level magnetic resistance and handlebar controls as the Echelon Row-7s, but folds for storage and uses your own tablet with the Echelon Fit app. At £599, down from £999, with a 4.9-star retailer rating, it is a lot of connected, foldable rower for the money.
The one thing to understand before buying is that it has no standalone display, you use the app on your device to see metrics and follow classes. If you are happy training with your phone in the holder, it keeps the price down sharply versus the screen-equipped Row-7s.
Strengths
Near-silent 32-level magnetic resistance
Folds vertically with built-in wheels for storage
Bluetooth handlebar controller adjusts resistance mid-stroke
USB charging port and reversible tablet holder
Uses 85% of your muscles, low-impact
45-day free Echelon Premier Membership included
Watch-outs
No built-in monitor, you need your own device to see metrics
Full class features rely on an Echelon subscription
Magnetic feel is less dynamic than air or water
Folding and feel
The folding mechanism is the Row’s headline feature and it works well, a quick-release joint folds the rail vertically, and built-in wheels move it aside, so it suits flats and shared rooms that cannot give up permanent floor space. Once unfolded it clicks back solid and stable even during vigorous rowing.
The 32-level magnetic resistance is near-silent, a real advantage over air and water rowers if noise carries in your home, and the handlebar controller lets you change resistance without breaking stroke.
The app and the monitor catch
This is the machine’s one real compromise. There is no built-in screen or even a basic monitor, so you run the Echelon Fit app on your own phone or tablet to see your time, distance and resistance, and to follow classes. A 45-day Premier trial is included, and the app syncs to Strava, Apple Health and Fitbit.
If you are happy training with your phone in the holder, this keeps the price down sharply versus the Row-7s. If you want to glance at metrics without a device, it will frustrate you.
Who it is for
Buy the Echelon Row if you want quiet, foldable connected rowing and are happy using your own tablet with the app. It is excellent value against the Row-7s. If you want metrics without reaching for a phone, or no subscription, a rower with a built-in console suits you better.
Specifications
Resistance
32 levels, computer-controlled magnetic
Controls
Quick resistance controller on handlebar
Display
None built in, uses Echelon Fit app on your device
Extras
USB charging port, reversible tablet holder
Apps
Echelon Fit; syncs Strava, Apple Health, Fitbit
Storage
Folds vertically, built-in wheels
Membership
45-day free Echelon Premier trial included
FitRank breakdown
Performance 4.2
Near-silent 32-level magnetic resistance with mid-stroke handlebar control, smooth and quiet for a flat or shared home.
Build quality 4.3
Well-made folding frame with a solid quick-release joint that stays stable in use, and built-in wheels.
Value 4.5
The strongest pillar. Nearly all of the Row-7s experience, minus the screen, at less than a third of the price.
Features 4.2
Handlebar controls, app classes and third-party syncing are all here. It loses points only for having no standalone display.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Echelon Row have a screen?
No. It has no built-in display or standalone monitor. You use the Echelon Fit app on your own phone or tablet, held in the built-in holder, to see metrics and follow classes.
Is the Echelon Row quiet?
Yes, very. It uses magnetic resistance, which is near-silent, making it well suited to flats, shared homes and early-morning sessions.
Does the Echelon Row fold?
Yes. The rail folds vertically using a quick-release joint, and built-in wheels let you move it aside, so it stores in a smaller footprint than a fixed rower.
Do you need a subscription for the Echelon Row?
A 45-day free Premier Membership is included. After that, the live and on-demand classes need an ongoing subscription, though you can still row and track basic metrics through the app.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
The Echelon Row-7s is the rowing equivalent of a premium studio bike, built around a 22-inch rotating touchscreen and a full class library, if you will use the subscription that powers it.
Price and any code applied at checkout via Echelon
The verdict
The Row-7s is the most complete connected rower we cover. Its 22-inch HD touchscreen pivots 180 degrees so you can follow classes on and off the rower, and it pairs that with quiet, 32-level magnetic resistance adjusted by thumb toggles on the handlebar. If the Peloton-style experience of coached, live and on-demand workouts is what keeps you training, this is the machine.
At £1,999 it is the most expensive rower here, and the honest catch is that the class experience depends on an ongoing Echelon membership. A 45-day trial is included, but after that the subscription is what makes the screen worth having, so factor that running cost into the price.
Strengths
Large 22-inch HD touchscreen that rotates 180 degrees
Near-silent 32-level magnetic resistance
Handlebar thumb-toggle resistance controls
Huge class library, 20+ live classes a day plus on-demand
45-day free Echelon Premier Membership included
Watch-outs
£1,999 before any subscription
The class experience needs an ongoing Echelon membership
Magnetic feel is less dynamic than air or water
A large machine to house
The screen and classes
The 22-inch screen is the whole point of the Row-7s. It is large, sharp and rotates so you can follow floor workouts as well as rowing, and it puts Echelon’s live and on-demand library front and centre. If coached classes are what get you exercising, having them built in rather than on a propped-up phone makes a real difference to how often you use the machine.
The catch is that the class experience relies on an Echelon Premier membership. A 45-day trial is included, but after that the subscription is what makes the screen worth having.
The row itself
The rowing action uses quiet magnetic resistance across 32 levels, adjusted by thumb toggles on the handlebar so you never break stroke to change effort. Magnetic resistance is near-silent, which suits a flat or shared home, though the feel is more uniform than the effort-scaling catch of an air or water rower.
The console tracks a full set of metrics, from 500m splits and watts to stroke rate and resistance level, so there is proper data behind the classes.
Who it is for
Buy the Echelon Row-7s if coached, on-screen classes are what keep you consistent and you will use the membership that unlocks them. If you would not use classes, you are paying a lot for a screen, and a non-connected rower gives you a better row for less. The folding Echelon Row is the cheaper way into the same class ecosystem.
Specifications
Resistance
32 levels, silent magnetic
Controls
Thumb toggle on handlebar
Console
22-inch HD touchscreen, 180-degree pivot
Data
Time, 500m, heart rate, watts, distance, calories, resistance, strokes, SPM, total
Classes
20+ live per day, on-demand, plus off-equipment FitPass
Membership
45-day free Echelon Premier trial included
FitRank breakdown
Performance 4.4
Near-silent 32-level magnetic resistance with handlebar controls, smooth and quiet though more uniform than air or water.
Build quality 4.5
A large, well-made connected machine built around its screen, sturdy but sizeable to house.
Value 3.9
The weakest pillar. At £1,999 plus an ongoing membership, the value depends entirely on using the classes.
Features 4.8
The standout. A 22-inch rotating touchscreen, a huge class library and a full metric set make it the most feature-rich rower we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Echelon Row-7s need a subscription?
To get the value of the 22-inch screen, yes. A 45-day free Premier Membership is included, but the live and on-demand classes that justify the screen need an ongoing subscription after that.
Is the Echelon Row-7s quiet?
Yes. It uses magnetic resistance, which is near-silent, much quieter than an air rower’s fan or a water rower’s tank, so it suits flats and shared homes.
Can you use the Echelon Row-7s without classes?
You can row and see your metrics on the screen without a class, but much of what you are paying for is the class experience. If you do not want classes, a simpler rower is better value.
How does the Row-7s compare to the folding Echelon Row?
The Row-7s has a built-in 22-inch touchscreen, while the cheaper folding Echelon Row uses your own tablet and folds for storage. Both use the same 32-level magnetic resistance and handlebar controls.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
The WaterRower Original is the machine that defined water rowing, a handcrafted wooden rower that rows beautifully and looks like furniture, at a premium price.
Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband
The verdict
Handcrafted from wood with a water tank and flywheel, the WaterRower Original delivers the smooth, swooshing catch water rowers are loved for, and it is the official water rower of British Rowing. It is as much a piece of furniture as a rower, which matters when it lives in a room you actually use.
It stands upright for storage, taking up little more space than a chair, and the water stays safely in the tank. The S4 Bluetooth monitor is more capable than it looks, and the 315kg user limit is the highest of any rower we cover. It starts at £1,199 across four wood finishes, so it is a considered purchase rather than an impulse one.
Strengths
Handcrafted wooden frame that doubles as furniture
Smooth, natural water resistance that scales with effort
Capable S4 Bluetooth monitor with 17 programmes
Huge 315kg user weight limit
Stands upright for storage, takes little space
Official water rower of British Rowing
Watch-outs
Premium price
S4 monitor is capable but plainer than a touchscreen
Heavier to move than a folding rower once filled
Water needs an occasional purification tablet
Build and feel
Nothing else here feels like the WaterRower. The wooden frame absorbs sound and vibration, so the machine is quiet and stable, and the water tank gives a progressive catch that builds naturally as you pull. It is the closest a machine gets to the feel of rowing on water, which is exactly what it was designed to replicate.
The dual wooden rails and overall construction are built to last for years, and the 315kg user weight limit is the highest of any rower we cover by a wide margin. This is a machine you buy once.
Monitor and storage
The S4 Bluetooth monitor tracks pace, split times per 500m and 2km, power in watts, stroke rate and calories across 17 programmes, and connects to the WaterRower Connect and City Row apps. It is not a touchscreen, so if a big class display is your priority a connected magnetic rower suits better.
Storage is a genuine strength. The machine stands upright, taking up about the footprint of a chair, and rolls on transport wheels, so despite its size it is practical in a home.
Who it is for
Buy the WaterRower Original if you want the definitive water-rowing feel and a machine you are happy to leave on display, and the premium price is within reach. If you want the same water feel for less, the Xterra ERG600W is the value alternative, and if you want a big class screen, look at a connected rower.
A smooth, natural water catch that scales with effort, widely regarded as the benchmark feel for a home rower.
Build quality 4.9
Handcrafted wood built to last for years, with a class-leading 315kg user weight limit. As solid as home rowers get.
Value 3.9
The one area it scores lower. It is a premium purchase from £1,199, justified by the build and looks rather than the spec sheet.
Features 4.6
A capable S4 monitor with 17 programmes and app support, though it is a classic display rather than a modern touchscreen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WaterRower Original worth the money?
For the right buyer, yes. You are paying for a handcrafted wooden machine that doubles as furniture, rows beautifully, has a 315kg limit and lasts for years. If looks and feel matter and it will live in a living space, it justifies the price.
What is the difference between the WaterRower finishes?
The Original Series models differ mainly in the type of wood, which changes appearance and price. The rowing mechanism, S4 monitor and specifications are the same across finishes.
Does the WaterRower need much maintenance?
Very little. You add a purification tablet to the water roughly every six months to keep it clear, and that is essentially it. There are no motors or friction parts in the resistance to wear out.
How much space does the WaterRower take up?
In use it is a full-length rower, but it stands upright for storage taking up little more than a chair’s footprint, and rolls on transport wheels.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
If you want one dependable air rower that will last, the JTX Ignite AirX is the one we point most people to, a commercial-grade machine from a specialist British brand, with no screen or subscription to worry about.
The Ignite AirX is JTX’s flagship rower and it carries a 4.9-star retailer rating and the same build JTX supplies to gyms. It is a pure air rower, so resistance scales with how hard you pull, and a 10-point damper changes the character of the stroke from a light, quick boat to a heavy one. A nickel-plated steel chain and reinforced aluminium frame are made for repeated, intense use.
There is no touchscreen and no subscription, which for a lot of buyers is exactly the point. The console shows live drag factor alongside distance, speed, stroke rate, calories and watts, it is self-powered so there are no cables, and it separates into two pieces for storage. At £649, down from £799, it is the air rower to measure the rest against.
Strengths
Commercial-grade build with a nickel-plated steel chain
Effort-scaling air resistance with a 10-point damper
Live drag factor shown on the console
Self-powered, no cables or plug sockets
Two-year in-home warranty from a specialist brand
Separates into two pieces for storage
Watch-outs
Air resistance is the loudest type
No built-in touchscreen, follow your own sessions
A long machine at around 240cm in use
Premium price for an air rower
Build and feel
This is where the Ignite AirX earns its price. The reinforced aluminium frame and nickel-plated steel chain are built for repeated, intense use, which is why JTX puts the same machine in commercial settings. On the floor it feels planted rather than tinny, and the air resistance gives the smooth, self-scaling catch that makes air rowers feel closest to a real boat.
The 10-point damper adjusts airflow to the flywheel, changing how each stroke feels rather than capping your effort. Whatever setting you choose, pulling harder always gives more resistance, which is what makes an air rower so good for intervals.
Console and connectivity
The JTX monitor covers distance, speed, stroke rate, calories and watts across eight workout modes, and crucially it shows live drag factor, which lets you fine-tune intensity and compare sessions consistently. It connects to Kinomap for scenic routes and structured workouts on your own device.
There is no built-in touchscreen, so if you want coached classes on a big display this is not the machine, the Echelon Row-7s is. What you get instead is a clean, capable console and no subscription.
Who it is for
Buy the JTX Ignite AirX if you want one gym-grade air rower that will last, from a brand with genuine warranties and UK support, and you are happy to follow your own sessions or use Kinomap rather than a built-in screen. If quiet matters more than responsiveness, a magnetic rower suits you better.
Effort-scaling air resistance with a 10-point damper and a live drag-factor readout, ideal for intervals and steady work alike.
Build quality 4.8
Commercial-grade aluminium frame and nickel-plated steel chain, the same build JTX puts in gyms, backed by a two-year in-home warranty.
Value 4.3
Premium for an air rower at £649, but you are paying for a build and support that anonymous budget machines cannot match.
Features 4.6
Full metric console including watts and drag factor, self-powered, Kinomap-compatible. Loses ground only on the lack of a built-in screen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the JTX Ignite AirX Rower any good?
Yes, it is our top-rated air rower. It combines a commercial-grade build, effort-scaling air resistance with a 10-point damper, a live drag-factor readout and a two-year in-home warranty, a strong package at £649.
Does the JTX Ignite AirX need mains power?
No, it is self-powered. The flywheel drives the resistance and the monitor runs on batteries, so there are no cables and you can position it anywhere.
Is the JTX Ignite AirX noisy?
Like all air rowers it makes a whooshing sound that rises with effort, louder than a magnetic or water rower. Most people find it manageable, and a mat helps, but consider it if you row early mornings in a flat.
Does it have a screen or classes?
No built-in screen. It connects to Kinomap on your own device for routes and workouts, but there is no subscription-based class library like the Echelon rowers, which keeps the running cost down.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
Air rowers are the responsive, gym-style choice, resistance that rises the harder you pull, which makes them the natural pick for interval training and anyone who wants the feel of a real rowing boat. Here are the best air rowing machines in the UK, ranked on FitRank, with real specs and honest notes on who each one suits.
Air resistance is what most gym rowers use, and for good reason. A fan provides the resistance, and because pushing air gets harder the faster you move it, the machine scales with your effort automatically, from a gentle warm-up to an all-out sprint, with no need to change a setting. That responsiveness is why air rowers suit interval and varied-intensity training so well, and why they feel the closest to rowing an actual boat.
The one real trade-off is noise. A spinning fan is louder than a magnetic or water rower, a whooshing sound that rises with your effort, which is worth bearing in mind in a flat or a shared room. We have compared the air rowers worth buying in the UK, from £349 to £799, and ranked them on FitRank, our editorial score out of 5 that weighs performance, build, value and features against each machine’s price and rivals.
One name you will meet if you research air rowers seriously is Concept2, the machine that dominates gyms and competitive rowing. We do not stock it, and if you are training seriously with an unlimited budget it is the benchmark. For most home buyers, though, the machines below deliver the same effort-scaling air feel, often for less, and the MERACH here is designed specifically as a lower-cost alternative to it. Half Human’s own air rower is another option at £749, though it is currently out of stock.
Best for resistance control · adidas R-21x Rowing Machine · FitRank 4.2 · £799
Best value · Xterra ERG780 Air · FitRank 4.0 · £499
Best budget and most compact · JTX Freedom Air · FitRank 3.9 · £349
Best on Amazon · MERACH Nova Row R50 Air · FitRank 3.8 · £484.49
1Best overall
JTX Ignite AirX Rower
4.6/5
FitRank
AirAir resistance
The JTX Ignite AirX is the pick of the air rowers, a commercial-grade machine from a specialist British brand that carries a 4.9-star rating and, tellingly, the same build JTX puts in gyms. It uses pure air resistance that scales with your effort, adjusted through a 10-point damper, so a light setting feels like a sleek boat and a high one like a heavy one. A nickel-plated steel chain and reinforced aluminium frame are built for repeated, intense use.
It is self-powered, so there are no cables, and the console displays live drag factor alongside distance, speed, stroke rate, calories and watts across eight workout modes, with Kinomap connectivity. It separates into two pieces for storage without tools, and the JTX warranty runs to two years in-home. At £649, down from £799, it is the air rower to compare everything else against.
Best for Anyone who wants a gym-grade air rower from a brand with strong warranties and support.
Watch-out Air rowers are the loudest type, and there is no built-in touchscreen, you follow your own sessions.
The adidas R-21x is the most adjustable air rower here, pairing a fan with an electromagnetic system for 16 levels of resistance, controlled by quick keys right on the handle so you can change effort mid-stroke without breaking rhythm. That fine control, plus 12 preset programmes, makes it the pick if you like structured, varied sessions rather than a single damper setting.
It is chain-driven with an adjustable LCD console showing speed, time, distance, calories, stroke rate, heart rate and 500m splits, connects to Kinomap over Bluetooth, and has a built-in tablet holder for entertainment or classes. At 238cm long it is a big machine, and at £799 down from £1,200 it is a considered buy, but for on-the-fly resistance control it leads the field.
Best for Rowers who want fine, on-the-fly resistance control and plenty of built-in programmes.
Watch-out A large footprint at 238cm long, and combining fan and electromagnetic resistance adds complexity.
The Xterra ERG780 is the value pick, a 2026-model air rower that covers the same brief as the flagship JTX 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 XF Connect and Kinomap for on-demand workouts and scenic routes.
The 4-inch backlit LCD is angle-adjustable and reports the full set of metrics including watts and 500m splits, with a recovery mode and an optional heart-rate strap. It folds vertically for storage, takes users up to 150kg, and at £499 down from £899 it undercuts the pricier air rowers while giving up little that matters for home training.
Best for Home rowers who want a fully featured, connected air rower at the keenest price.
Watch-out Fan noise is a factor in a flat or shared room, and the finish is functional rather than premium.
The JTX Freedom Air is the most affordable and most compact way into the JTX range, and it takes a different approach to resistance. Its DualTorque system combines a fan with eight levels of magnetic resistance, so you get the effort-scaling feel of air plus the option to dial in a fixed level, which suits everyone from beginners to stronger rowers.
It folds down to around 130cm and rolls away on transport wheels, weighing just 40kg, which makes it the easiest here to store. The console covers distance, 500m splits, stroke rate, watts, calories and heart rate across eight programmes plus two heart-rate modes, and JTX’s two-year in-home warranty applies. It takes users up to 135kg. At £349 it is a lot of specialist-brand rower for the money.
Best for Smaller spaces and tighter budgets that still want a specialist brand and its warranty.
Watch-out Entry-level, so a simpler build than the flagship, and the fan and magnetic combination is basic.
The MERACH Nova Row R50 is the Amazon pick, a 32-blade air rower pitched as an affordable Concept2 alternative, and reviewers regularly note how close it looks and feels. It offers 10 levels of air resistance set by a manual lever, up to 50kg peak, driven by a nickel-plated steel chain rather than the cheap rope some budget rowers use, on an iron and aluminium frame.
Its extended 1365mm rail suits taller users, up to 2.1m, and it takes users up to 160kg, the highest here. The LCD shows time, 500m splits, distance, calories, stroke rate, watts and pulse, with FTMS Bluetooth for the MERACH and Kinomap apps and an iPad holder. It splits into two pieces for vertical storage and carries a two-year frame warranty. At around £484 on Amazon it is strong value.
Best for Buyers who want a Concept2-style air rower at a lower price, and taller or heavier rowers.
Watch-out As an Amazon-sold budget-brand machine, warranty and support differ from the specialist retailers.
An air rower has a fan, or flywheel with blades, that you spin by pulling the handle. Because moving air gets harder the faster you try to move it, the resistance rises automatically with your effort, pull gently and it is easy, pull explosively and it pushes back hard. Nothing needs adjusting mid-workout for the resistance to match what you are doing, which is exactly why air rowers are the tool of choice for interval training.
Most air rowers also have a damper, a lever that changes how much air reaches the fan, which alters the feel of each stroke rather than capping the resistance. A low damper feels like a light, quick boat, a high one like a heavy boat that takes more to move. The machines here offer eight to sixteen levels of adjustment. The key point is that whatever the damper setting, an air rower always responds to how hard you pull.
Who an air rower suits
Air rowers suit people who want a responsive, gym-style workout and who train with varied intensity, intervals, sprints, and hard efforts followed by easy recovery. The effort-scaling resistance rewards putting more in, and the drag-factor readouts on machines like the JTX let you fine-tune and compare sessions precisely. If you have used a rower at a gym or a CrossFit box, it was almost certainly an air rower, and these bring that same feel home.
They are less ideal if quiet is your top priority, since the fan makes a noticeable whoosh, or if the machine has to live in a room where noise carries. If that describes you, a magnetic folding rower is much quieter, and our folding rowing machines guide covers those, while a water rower offers a softer, swooshing sound if you want responsiveness with less mechanical noise.
How to choose an air rower
Think about noise
This is the big one with air rowers. The fan noise rises with your effort, and while most people find it manageable, and some even motivating, it carries more than a magnetic rower. A rubber mat and a carpeted or garage space help. If you row early mornings in a flat, weigh this carefully.
Check the resistance range
All air rowers scale with effort, but the damper range differs. Eight to ten levels, as on the JTX and Xterra, is plenty for most people. The adidas R-21x goes to sixteen with handle-mounted quick keys, which suits those who like changing resistance often. More levels are not automatically better, but on-the-fly control is genuinely useful for structured sessions.
Measure for length
Air rowers are long, typically around 240cm in use, so measure your space. Most fold or split for storage, the JTX machines separate into two pieces, the Xterra and MERACH fold vertically, so consider both the rowing footprint and the stored one.
Buy the brand and the warranty
At this price, support matters. JTX and Xterra are established names sold with proper warranties, JTX’s running to two years in-home. The MERACH is keenly priced through Amazon but comes with the different support that implies. A branded rower from a proper retailer is the safer long-term bet.
How we chose these rowers
Every machine here is scored on FitRank, our editorial rating out of 5 that weighs performance, build, value and features against each rower’s price and rivals. We do not rank by commission, and the order follows the scores. Our assessments draw on published specifications, resistance systems, pricing and independent owner and reviewer feedback rather than a single showroom session, and we would rather be honest about a machine’s limits than oversell it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best air rowing machine?
The JTX Ignite AirX is our pick, a commercial-grade air rower from a specialist British brand at £649, with a 10-point damper, live drag-factor readout and a two-year in-home warranty. For value the Xterra ERG780 at £499 covers the same ground for less, and the MERACH Nova Row R50 is a strong Amazon alternative to a Concept2 at around £484.
Are air rowing machines noisy?
They are the loudest type of rower, making a whooshing sound from the fan that rises with your effort. Most people find it manageable and some even find it motivating, but it carries more than a magnetic or water rower. A rubber mat and a carpeted or garage space help, and it is worth considering if you row early mornings in a flat.
Are air or magnetic rowing machines better?
It depends on your training. Air rowers scale resistance with your effort, which suits interval and varied-intensity work and feels like a real boat, but they are louder. Magnetic rowers are much quieter and usually more compact, with resistance set by level rather than effort. Choose air for responsiveness and a gym feel, magnetic for quiet and compactness.
What is a damper on an air rower?
The damper is a lever that controls how much air reaches the fan, changing the feel of each stroke. A low setting feels like a light, fast boat, a high one like a heavy boat that takes more to move. It does not cap the resistance, since an air rower always scales with effort, but it changes the character of the stroke.
Is an air rower good for weight loss?
It can be, because the effort-scaling resistance lets you work very hard and burn a lot of energy in a short, intense session, and rowing uses most of the body. As always, diet does most of the work in weight loss and exercise supports it. An air rower’s responsiveness makes it particularly good for the interval sessions that pack a lot of work into little time.
Are cheap air rowing machines any good?
The better ones are. The MERACH Nova Row R50 at around £484 uses a proper nickel-plated steel chain rather than rope, a 32-blade fan and a 160kg capacity, and is widely compared favourably to machines costing far more. The main compromises at this end are brand track record and, for Amazon-sold machines, the warranty and support compared with a specialist retailer.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
Water rowers give the most natural feel of any machine, a smooth, progressive catch and a soft swooshing sound that many people find genuinely calming. Here are the best water rowing machines in the UK, ranked on FitRank, from the handcrafted WaterRower to an affordable fold-away, with real specs and honest notes.
Water resistance works by turning a paddle through a tank of water, so the faster and harder you pull, the greater the resistance, exactly like moving a boat through water. That gives water rowers a smooth, dynamic feel that responds to your effort automatically, and the gentle swoosh of the tank is a big part of their appeal. They also tend to be the best-looking rowers, often built from wood, so they double as furniture in a way a fan-driven air rower never will.
The trade-offs are price and weight. Water rowers usually cost more than magnetic machines, and once the tank is filled they are heavier to move, though most stand upright for storage and roll on transport wheels. We have compared the water rowers worth buying in the UK, from £350 to £1,199, and ranked them on FitRank, our editorial score out of 5 that weighs performance, build, value and features against each machine’s price and rivals.
The quick list
Best overall · WaterRower Original Series · FitRank 4.5 · £1,199
Best for connectivity · adidas R-21 Water Rower · FitRank 4.2 · £699
Best value · Xterra ERG600W Water · FitRank 4.1 · £499
Best budget and most compact · MERACH Foldable Wood Water Rower · FitRank 3.8 · £349.99
1Best overall
WaterRower Original Series
4.5/5
FitRank
WaterWater resistance
The WaterRower Original is the machine that defined the category, a handcrafted wooden frame with a water tank and flywheel that gives the smooth, swooshing catch water rowers are loved for. It is the official water rower of British Rowing, and it is as much a piece of furniture as a rower, which matters when it has to live in a room you actually use. It stands upright for storage, taking up little more space than a chair, and the water stays safely in the tank.
It is a serious machine as well as a handsome one. The S4 Bluetooth performance monitor tracks pace, split times per 500m and 2km, power in watts, stroke rate and calories, with 17 programmes and connection to the WaterRower Connect and City Row apps. The dual wooden rails support users up to 315kg, the highest capacity here by a wide margin. It starts at £1,199 across four wood finishes, so it is a considered purchase, but it is the benchmark every other water rower is measured against.
Best for Buyers who want the definitive water-rowing feel and a machine that looks good on display.
Watch-out The premium price, and the S4 monitor is capable but plainer than the touchscreens on smart rowers.
The adidas R-21 brings the natural feel of water resistance together with the connectivity most water rowers lack. It offers seven levels of water resistance, set by how much water is in the tank, and pairs over Bluetooth with Kinomap for scenic routes, challenges and multiplayer sessions, with a 60-day Kinomap trial included. A chest strap and a built-in tablet holder come in the box, so you are set up for guided or entertained rowing from day one.
The adjustable LCD console shows speed, time, distance, calories, stroke rate, heart rate and 500m splits across four programmes. It takes users up to 150kg, measures 215 by 57cm on the floor and carries a two-year guarantee. At £699, down from £1,000, it is the pick if you want the water-rowing feel with app connectivity built in rather than bolted on.
Best for Rowers who want the water feel plus Kinomap connectivity and a chest strap included.
Watch-out A lower 150kg user limit than the WaterRower, and the four programmes are fairly basic.
The Xterra ERG600W delivers the same smooth water catch as machines twice its price. Its horizontal tank uses 16 impeller blades to mimic the pull of a boat through water, with six resistance levels set by the water volume, on a solid steel frame and a smooth dual aluminium rail. A 4.8-star retailer rating and a well-regarded build make it the value benchmark among water rowers.
The adjustable 5.5-inch LCD covers time, 500m splits, calories, distance, stroke rate and more across six programmes plus a recovery mode, with an optional heart-rate chest strap. The seat sits at a comfortable 13.5 inches to make getting on and off easy, and the whole thing folds with transport wheels for storage. It takes users up to 136kg, and the EXTRA20 code brings the £499 price down further at the time of writing.
Best for Anyone who wants the genuine water-rowing feel at the lowest sensible price.
Watch-out More functional in look and finish than the wooden WaterRower, and a 136kg user limit.
The MERACH wood water rower is the affordable way into water rowing, and the cleverest at solving storage. It pairs a solid wood frame with a 14-litre water tank for the progressive, speed-scaling resistance water rowers are known for, then folds 180 degrees, one-handed, with wheels on the base so it moves and stores like a large suitcase. The aerospace-grade tank seal is designed to stay leak-free even stored upright.
It has six water-resistance levels, a built-in LCD monitor showing time, distance, strokes and calories, and Bluetooth for the MERACH and Kinomap apps with a tablet holder fitted. Its 180kg capacity is higher than either the adidas or the Xterra, impressive at the price. At around £350 on Amazon it is comfortably the cheapest water rower here, accepting a budget-brand build and simpler finish.
Best for The lowest-cost route into water rowing, and small homes needing a genuine fold-away.
Watch-out A budget-brand build, and as an Amazon-sold machine, warranty and support differ from the specialist retailers.
A water rower has a paddle, or impeller, sitting in a sealed tank of water. As you pull the handle the paddle spins and has to push the water out of its way, and the faster you row the harder that becomes, so resistance rises and falls with your effort automatically. There are no motors and nothing to wear out in the resistance itself, which is part of why water rowers are so durable.
Most water rowers also let you set a base resistance by changing the amount of water in the tank, more water gives a heavier catch, less gives a lighter one. On the machines here that ranges from six levels on the Xterra and MERACH to seven on the adidas. The WaterRower works slightly differently, with resistance dictated mainly by how hard you pull, which is why it feels so natural. Either way, the defining quality of a water rower is that it responds to you rather than the other way round.
Who a water rower suits
Water rowers suit people who want rowing to feel and sound as close to the real thing as possible, and who value a machine that looks good enough to leave out. The smooth, self-scaling resistance is forgiving for beginners and satisfying for stronger rowers, and the calming water sound makes steady sessions more pleasant than the drone of a fan. If your rower has to live in a lounge rather than a garage, a wooden water rower is the one people are happiest to see in the room.
They are less ideal if you need the very quietest machine, since the moving water does make a noticeable sound, or if budget is tight, though the MERACH here shows water rowing can be done affordably. For the lowest-noise, most compact option, a magnetic folding rower is worth considering instead, and our folding rowing machines guide covers those.
How to choose a water rower
Wood or steel
Wooden water rowers like the WaterRower and MERACH look the part and absorb sound and vibration well, doubling as furniture. Steel-framed machines like the Xterra are more functional in appearance but sturdy and often better value. Choose on where the machine will live and how much its looks matter to you.
Check the user weight limit
This varies a lot here, from 136kg on the Xterra and 150kg on the adidas up to 180kg on the MERACH and a huge 315kg on the WaterRower. Check the figure against your own weight, since it is the specification most often overlooked and the one that matters most for safety and longevity.
Decide if you want connectivity
If following scenic routes or app workouts appeals, the adidas R-21 has Bluetooth and Kinomap built in with a chest strap included, and the MERACH connects to its own app. The WaterRower connects through its S4 monitor to the WaterRower Connect and City Row apps. If you just want to row, any of them will simply row.
Think about storage
Every rower here stands or folds for storage, but they differ. The wooden WaterRower stands upright taking up about the space of a chair, while the MERACH folds flat one-handed and wheels away like a suitcase. Measure your space and be honest about how often you will move it.
How we chose these rowers
Every machine here is scored on FitRank, our editorial rating out of 5 that weighs performance, build, value and features against each rower’s price and rivals. We do not rank by commission, and the order follows the scores. Our assessments draw on published specifications, resistance systems, pricing and independent owner and reviewer feedback rather than a single showroom session, and we would rather be honest about a machine’s limits than oversell it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best water rowing machine?
The WaterRower Original is the benchmark, a handcrafted wooden machine that is the official water rower of British Rowing, with a capable S4 monitor and a 315kg user limit, from £1,199. For a more affordable water rower the Xterra ERG600W at £499 gives a very similar feel for less, and the MERACH wood rower at around £350 is the cheapest way in.
Are water rowing machines better than air or magnetic?
They are different rather than better. Water rowers give the most natural feel and sound and often look the best, but cost more and are not the quietest. Air rowers are the most responsive for interval training but louder. Magnetic rowers are the quietest and most compact. Water suits people who want the closest thing to real rowing in a machine they are happy to leave on show.
Do water rowing machines need maintenance?
Very little. The water needs a purification tablet added occasionally, typically around every six months, to keep it clear, and that is essentially it. There are no motors or friction parts in the resistance to wear out, which is a big reason water rowers are known for lasting many years.
Are water rowers noisy?
They make a soft swooshing sound as the paddle moves through the water, which most people find pleasant and calming rather than intrusive. It is more noticeable than a magnetic rower but much less harsh than the fan of an air rower. In a flat or shared home it is rarely a problem, though a magnetic rower is quieter still.
Can you adjust the resistance on a water rower?
Yes, in two ways. The resistance scales automatically with how hard you pull, and you can also set a base level by changing the amount of water in the tank, more water for a heavier catch. The machines here offer six to seven water levels, while the WaterRower is governed mainly by your effort.
Are cheap water rowing machines any good?
The better budget ones are. The MERACH wood water rower at around £350 offers a genuine water tank, a 180kg capacity and a fold-away design for a fraction of a premium machine’s price. The main compromises at this end are build finish and, for Amazon-sold machines, warranty and support compared with a specialist retailer.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
By Chris Linford · Updated July 2026 · Rated with FitRank
A rowing machine is the closest thing to a full-body workout you can put in a spare corner, working your legs, back, arms and core in one smooth movement while sparing your joints. Here are the best home rowing machines in the UK, ranked on FitRank, across every resistance type and budget, with honest notes on who each one suits.
Rowing has quietly become one of the most popular ways to train at home, and for good reason. It is low-impact, it works most of the body at once, and a good session leaves you genuinely worked in twenty minutes. The catch is that rowers vary more than most people expect, the resistance type alone changes the feel, the noise and the price dramatically, so the right machine depends as much on your room and your budget as on your fitness.
We have compared the rowers worth buying in the UK and ranked them on FitRank, our editorial score out of 5 that weighs performance, build, value and features against each machine’s price and rivals. The picks below span air, water, magnetic and folding rowers from £149 to £1,999, so there is a sensible answer here whether you want a tuck-away first rower or a connected machine with a screen.
One honest note before the list. The name most serious rowers will mention is Concept2, the air rower that dominates gyms and competitive rowing. We do not stock it, and if you are training seriously and money is no object it is the default benchmark. For the great majority of home buyers, though, the machines below deliver what you actually need, a smooth, effective row that fits your space and budget, often at a lower price, and that is who this guide is written for.
The JTX Ignite AirX Rower is our pick of the range, and the one we would point most people to first. JTX is a specialist British home-fitness brand with a strong reputation for build quality and warranties, and this is its flagship rower. It uses air resistance, which scales with how hard you pull, so the machine matches your effort automatically whether you are warming up or sprinting.
At £649, down from £799, it sits in the sweet spot between the budget machines and the four-figure smart rowers. If you want one good rower from a brand that will still be around to honour the warranty, and you do not need a built-in screen, this is the sensible answer.
Best for Most people who want one dependable, well-built rower without paying for a screen.
Watch-out No built-in touchscreen, so you follow your own workouts or use a phone or tablet.
The WaterRower Original is the machine most people picture when they think of a water rower, a handcrafted wooden frame with a water tank that gives a smooth, swooshing catch and a genuinely pleasant rhythm. It is as much a piece of furniture as a rower, which matters if it has to live in a room you actually sit in.
Water resistance feels the most natural of any type, building progressively as you pull harder, and the Original is the benchmark for it. It starts at £1,199 and comes in four wood finishes, so it is a considered purchase, but it is the one water rower here with real heritage behind it.
Best for Buyers who want the classic water-rowing feel and a machine that looks good on show.
Watch-out A premium price, and being wooden and water-filled it is heavier to move than a folding rower.
If you want the Peloton-style experience of following live and on-demand classes on a built-in screen, the Echelon Row-7s is the most complete connected rower in the range. Quiet magnetic resistance, a large rotating display and Echelon’s class library make it the rowing equivalent of a premium studio bike.
The honest caveat is the same as it is for every connected machine, the screen depends on an Echelon membership to be worth having, so factor the ongoing subscription into the cost. If you know you are motivated by coached classes, that fee buys real consistency. If you are not, you are paying for a screen you will not use.
Best for People who stay motivated by coached, on-screen classes and will use a subscription.
Watch-out The £1,999 price is only part of it, the class experience needs an ongoing Echelon membership.
The Echelon Row Smart Folding is the pick if storage is your main constraint but you still want connectivity. It folds up between sessions, uses quiet magnetic resistance that suits a flat or a shared room, and connects to Echelon’s app so you can follow classes on your own tablet rather than a fixed screen.
At £599, down from £999, it is a lot of connected, foldable rower for the money, and the 4.9-star retailer rating suggests owners are happy with it. As with any Echelon machine, the app experience is subscription-based, so weigh that in.
Best for Smaller homes that want a foldable rower with app classes, using your own tablet.
Watch-out Full app features rely on an Echelon subscription, and magnetic feel differs from air or water.
If you want the smooth, natural feel of water resistance without the premium price of a WaterRower, the Xterra ERG600W is the value route in. It delivers the same progressive water catch in a more affordable package, and at £499 down from £899 it is less than half the price of the classic wooden option.
A 4.8-star retailer rating backs it up, and the EXTRA20 code brings it down further at the time of writing. It is the water rower to choose on a budget, accepting that the build and finish are more functional than the handcrafted WaterRower.
Best for Buyers who want the water-rowing feel at the lowest sensible price.
Watch-out More functional in look and finish than a premium wooden water rower.
The Xterra ERG780 is the value pick among the air rowers, offering the effort-scaling air resistance that suits interval training at a keen price. At £499 down from £899, it undercuts the flagship JTX while covering the same core brief, a responsive air rower for varied-intensity sessions.
A 4.7-star retailer rating suggests it holds up in daily use, and it connects with Kinomap for guided rowing if you want structure. For most people chasing a solid air rower on a budget, this is the one to compare everything else against.
Best for Interval and varied-intensity rowers who want air resistance without the flagship price.
Watch-out Air rowers are louder than magnetic or water machines, a factor in a flat or shared space.
The JTX Freedom Air is the most affordable way into the JTX range, an entry-level air rower from a specialist brand rather than an anonymous budget name. That brand backing matters at this price, because it usually means a better warranty and easier support than a cheap marketplace machine.
At £349 it is a straightforward, no-frills air rower for someone who wants to start rowing at home without a big outlay, and without dropping to the very bottom of the market. A sensible first rower.
Best for First-time buyers who want an affordable air rower from a brand that stands behind it.
Watch-out Entry-level, so expect a simpler build and console than the pricier JTX and Xterra air rowers.
The Viavito Sumi is the cheapest rower here and the one built purely around saving space. It folds away for storage and uses quiet magnetic resistance, which makes it a fit for a flat or a room that cannot give up permanent floor space. At £149, down from £299, it is an easy, low-risk way to find out whether rowing suits you.
Set expectations correctly, though. This is a light, entry-level machine for gentle, casual use rather than serious training, and committed rowers will outgrow it. As a first, affordable, tuck-away rower, it does the job.
Best for Tight budgets and small spaces, and testing whether rowing is for you before spending more.
Watch-out A light, basic machine for gentle use, most regular rowers will want to step up before long.
The single biggest decision with a rower is the type of resistance, because it shapes everything else. There are three main kinds, and none is simply best, they suit different people.
Air resistance
A fan provides the resistance, and it scales with how hard you pull, so the machine automatically matches your effort from a gentle warm-up to an all-out sprint. That responsiveness makes air rowers the choice for interval and varied-intensity training, and it is why they dominate gyms. The trade-off is noise, a spinning fan is the loudest of the three, which matters in a flat or a shared room. The JTX and Xterra air rowers here are the picks.
Water resistance
A paddle turns in a water tank, giving a smooth, progressive catch and a distinctive swooshing sound many rowers find pleasant and almost meditative. Water rowers feel the most natural and often look the best, frequently built from wood, so they double as furniture. They tend to cost more and are heavier to move once filled. The WaterRower Original and Xterra ERG600W cover the premium and value ends.
Magnetic resistance
A magnet provides quiet, consistent resistance set by level rather than effort, which makes magnetic rowers the quietest and usually the most compact and foldable. They are ideal for small spaces and early-morning sessions in a shared home, and they are common on connected and folding models. The feel is less dynamic than air or water, but the quiet and the fold-away convenience win a lot of people over. The Echelon and Viavito machines here use it.
Who a home rower suits
Rowing earns its popularity because it does a lot at once. A single stroke drives through your legs, swings through your back and core, and finishes with your arms, so you work roughly the whole body in one low-impact movement. That makes it efficient for general fitness and for people who want cardio without the joint impact of running.
It suits small spaces better than most gym kit too, particularly the folding and magnetic machines, which pack away between sessions. And because the movement is seated and smooth, it is approachable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels, provided the technique is sound. The one thing a rower asks of you is decent form, since rowing with a rounded back is the most common way people get sore, so it is worth learning the stroke properly early on.
How to choose your rower
Match the resistance to your room
If you row in a flat, a shared house or early in the morning, a quiet magnetic or water rower is kinder to everyone than a fan-driven air machine. If you have a garage or a dedicated space and want the most responsive workout, air is the classic choice.
Be honest about storage
A folding magnetic rower like the Viavito Sumi or Echelon Row disappears between sessions. A wooden water rower or a big air machine needs a permanent home. Measure your space before you fall for a machine that will not fit your life.
Decide whether you want a screen
Connected rowers with built-in screens and coached classes, like the Echelon Row-7s, add real motivation for some people, but the class experience depends on an ongoing subscription. If coached content keeps you consistent, it is worth it. If not, a good non-connected rower saves you the monthly fee.
Buy the brand as much as the machine
At this price a warranty and support matter. A rower from an established brand sold through a proper retailer is a safer bet than an anonymous marketplace machine, because when a part fails there is someone to call. It is why we lean towards JTX, Xterra, Echelon and the like over unbranded alternatives.
How we chose these rowers
Every machine here is scored on FitRank, our editorial rating out of 5 that weighs performance, build quality, value and features against each rower’s rivals and its price. We do not rank by commission, and the order follows the scores. Our assessments draw on published specifications, resistance type, pricing and independent owner and reviewer feedback rather than a single showroom session, and we would rather be honest about a machine’s limits than oversell it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best home rowing machine?
For most people the JTX Ignite AirX Rower is the best all-round choice, a well-built air rower from a specialist British brand at £649, with no screen or subscription to worry about. If you want the classic water-rowing feel, the WaterRower Original is the benchmark, and for a foldable connected machine the Echelon Row Smart Folding is excellent value.
Are air or water rowing machines better?
Neither is simply better, they feel different. Air rowers scale resistance with your effort and suit interval training, but they are the loudest type. Water rowers give a smooth, natural catch and often look the best, but cost more and are heavier. Choose air for responsiveness, water for feel and looks, and magnetic for quiet and compactness.
What is a good budget rowing machine?
The Viavito Sumi at £149 is the cheapest way to start rowing at home from an established retailer, and it folds away. Step up slightly and the JTX Freedom Air at £349 gives you an air rower from a specialist brand. Avoid the very cheapest unbranded machines, which usually mean no warranty and no support.
Do rowing machines give a full-body workout?
Yes, more than almost any other single machine. A rowing stroke works your legs, back, core and arms in one movement, which is why rowing is popular for efficient, low-impact cardio. The main caveat is technique, rowing with good form is what makes it effective and keeps your back happy.
Are folding rowing machines any good?
For their purpose, yes. Folding rowers, which are usually magnetic, are quiet and pack away, which makes them ideal for small spaces. They feel less dynamic than air or water machines and the cheapest are built for gentle use, but a mid-range folding rower like the Echelon Row is a genuinely capable machine that also stores away.
Do I need a subscription for a rowing machine?
Only if you buy a connected one for its classes. Machines like the Echelon rowers offer coached, on-screen or in-app workouts that rely on an Echelon membership. Plenty of excellent rowers, including the JTX, Xterra and WaterRower models here, need no subscription at all and simply let you row.
How much should I spend on a home rowing machine?
You can start at around £149 for a basic folding rower and spend up to £1,999 for a connected machine with a screen. The sweet spot for most people is £349 to £649, where brands like JTX and Xterra offer well-built air and water rowers with no ongoing fees. Spend more only for a screen or a premium water rower.
Is a rowing machine better than an exercise bike?
They are different rather than ranked. A rower works more of the body in each stroke, including the back and arms, while an exercise bike is simpler to use with good form and focuses on the legs. Both are low-impact cardio. If you want a fuller-body workout and do not mind learning technique, a rower has the edge, our exercise bikes section covers the other side.
Chris Linford · Fitness equipment reviewer 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.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our FitRank score. See our affiliate disclosure.
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