How to Choose a Rowing Machine

Five questions narrow a home rowing machine quickly: how much floor space you have, how loud it can be, whether you want coaching, what it costs in total with membership and warranty, and how it stores. Each answer below points to a guide. Prices and terms were read from the makers' pages on 2026-11-02.

MudderElla uses these same five questions as the criteria on its hub, best rowing machines for home. There is no right answer to all five at once, so decide which one is your hard limit first. If one answer rules most machines out, the rest of the list gets short.

Question 1: How much space do you have?

Measure the room, then the storage spot. Concept2 states its RowErg at 96 x 24 in assembled, and says it separates into two parts with no tools, at 25 x 33 x 54 in with standard legs. Hydrow's FAQ states the Wave at 80 x 19 in, and the Origin and Arc at 86 x 25 in. Hydrow sells an Upright Storage Kit at $80 for the Origin and Arc and a Vertical Anchor at $190 for the Wave. Ergatta says its rower "folds and stores with no additional equipment," but its length and width were not on the pages read.

Only the Echelon Row-s among the other models read is described by its own page as foldable; the Merach and Sunny rowers read store upright instead. If space is your hard limit, start with the small spaces guide and the foldable rowing machines guide.

Question 2: How much noise can you live with?

No maker page read gave a decibel figure, so noise rests on maker wording and outlet reports. Hydrow calls the Wave's drag mechanism "whisper-quiet" in its own words. Concept2's page states nothing, and Breaking Muscle (page last updated 2023-11-14) calls the RowErg loud. For Ergatta, BarBend (page last updated 2024-11-17) says the water tank is loud, while Athletech News (page dated 2025-11-12) calls the water resistance "smooth and fairly quiet." Those outlet pages were read only as summaries.

If sound is your hard limit, read air vs magnetic vs water rowing machines, which sets the types side by side, and ask the maker for a recording or a trial.

Question 3: Do you want coaching, games or just your numbers?

This is the question that separates the premium machines. Hydrow's Wave page lists "6,000+ workouts" in its own words, and its membership is part of the design. Ergatta's workouts are game-style, according to BarBend, which says it suits people who want competition without virtually coached rows. Concept2's page lists a PM5 monitor, a free ErgData app and "over 40 other apps," and no membership.

For a first-time buyer, the beginner rowing machine guide covers what to check. To weigh Hydrow against Peloton's rower, see Hydrow vs Peloton Row, which prints no Peloton numbers because none could be confirmed.

Question 4: What does it cost in total, with membership and warranty?

Count price plus 36 months of membership, because that is the number you will actually pay over three years. Shipping, tax and accessories are not included.

Warranty and return terms differ too. Hydrow lists five years on the frame and 12 months on components, screen, electronics and labor, with a 30-day home trial. Ergatta lists the screen at 1 year, parts at 3 and the frame at 5, with a 30-day risk-free trial. Concept2's page read did not state a warranty or return window, so none is printed here; check Concept2 directly.

If cost is your hard limit, see the budget rowing machines guide and the Concept2 RowErg review.

Question 5: How will it store between workouts?

Decide whether it stands upright, folds, or stays out. Hydrow's Wave page calls upright storage optional, with the anchor above. Concept2 comes apart into two sections. WaterRower's Original page says it stores upright, at 17.25 x 22.25 x 81.5 in, without removing the water. Whatever you choose, check ceiling height and where the stored footprint will sit. The foldable guide and the small spaces guide above cover this in more detail.

The three roles, and where Concept2 is simpler

Roles come from the criteria above; none is a winner claim, and each names who it is wrong for.

• Hydrow: coached classes with a paid membership. It is wrong for you if you do not want a recurring fee, since Hydrow says membership should not be considered optional. See the Hydrow review.
• Ergatta: game-style workouts on a water rower where membership is optional, by Ergatta's own FAQ. It is wrong for you if you want instructor coaching or the smallest total spend. See the Ergatta review.
• Bowflex Revolution: a strength home gym that Bowflex's page says "Converts to a rowing machine." It is not a dedicated rower, and no rowing seat or add-on was listed or priced on bowflex.com in the searches made. It is wrong for you if rowing is the main goal. Bowflex shows it at $2,199, with $2,999 also shown. See the Bowflex Revolution review.
• Concept2 RowErg: not promoted here. It is simpler and lower-priced: $990, no membership found, free apps. It is wrong for you if you want built-in classes or games.

Disclosure: the Hydrow, Ergatta and Bowflex links on this page are affiliate links. MudderElla may earn a commission if you buy after clicking one, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what a page says. How we link.

FAQ

What is the first thing to decide when buying a rowing machine?

Pick your hard limit among space, noise, coaching and total cost. That one answer usually rules out most machines before you compare details.

Do I have to pay a membership?

It depends on the maker. Hydrow says membership should not be considered optional. Ergatta's FAQ says a membership is not required. Concept2's page read shows none.

Is a more expensive rower better?

The pages read do not support that. They state different features, not a quality ranking. Concept2's RowErg at $990 is the simpler, lower-priced route.

Where do I check warranty and returns?

On each maker's own pages. Hydrow and Ergatta state theirs; Concept2's was not on the page read.

Can a home gym replace a rower?

Bowflex's page lists only "Converts to a rowing machine" about rowing, so the Revolution is not a dedicated rower. Read its review before choosing it for rowing.