Best Magnetic Rowing Machines Under $500
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- Reviewed and Compared By BEMH Indoor Rowing Team • Updated: January 2023
Get an injury risk free workout from your home with one of these quiet magnetic rowing machines under $500. Rowing is one of the most well-rounded methods of working out possible. Whether you are on the water or at home, the motion and effort of rowing can really get one into shape. Whether you are looking to lose weight or build that athletic muscle, rowing can most certainly help with that effort.
However, not everyone enjoys rowing outdoors or even the motion of water resistance indoor rowers. Fortunately, with modern technology has come the arrival of magnetic rowers. These machines are much quieter than other rowing machines and usually come with a belt drive magnetic resistance system in order to provide one of the smoothest and quietest rides out there.
Unfortunately, many of these magnetic resistance rowers can cost an absolute fortune. That’s where we come in. After weeks of research, we’ve come up with a list of some of the cheapest (but still quality) magnetic rowing machines under $500 on the market. These are for those looking to introduce themselves to the rowing market and those looking to get a solid piece of exercise equipment without going overboard on the price.
We used a number of factors when compiling the list which we will go over at the end of the article. Now, without further ado, let’s hop right into our list of the best magnetic rowing machines for under $500.
Top Indoor Magnetic Rowers Under $500 Comparison
| ROWER NAME | POWER IMAGE | ROWING FEEDBACK | USER WEIGHT | FOLDABLE FRAME | ROWER RESISTANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOROTO Fitness M35 Magnetic Rowing Machine |  | No-backlit, time, stroke count, calories | 220 Lbs | No, this magnetic rower doesn't fold away | 10-Level magnetic resistance |
| Women's Health Men's Health Magnetic Rower |  | No-backlit, watt, time, stroke count, distance, SPM, calorie burnt | 250 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 14-Level magnetic resistance |
| HouseFit Indoor Magnetic Rowing Machine |  | No-backlit, time, count, distance, stroke, calories, recovery | 300 Lbs | No, this magnetic rower doesn't fold away | 14-Level magnetic resistance |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5864 Magnetic Rower |  | No-backlit, stroke count, calories burned, and time | 250 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 8-Level magnetic resistance |
| ShareVgo Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine SRM1000 |  | No-backlit, 500 meter split time and stroke per min | 300 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 8-Level magnetic resistance |
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower |  | No-backlit, time, count, calories, total count, scan | 250 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 8-Level magnetic resistance |
| MaxKare Budget Magnetic Rowing Machine |  | No-backlit, time, count, calories, total count, scan | 243 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 16-Level magnetic resistance |
| Merax Indoor Magnetic Exercise Rower |  | No-backlit, time, count, calories, total count, scan | 264 Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 8-Level magnetic resistance |
| ECHANFIT Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine |  | No-backlit, distance, time, count, calories, total count, scan | 2645Lbs | Yes, this magnetic rower folds away | 16-Level magnetic resistance |
Best Overall Home Rower Choice Under $500
Our team at BEMH has already picked the best magnetic resistance rowing machines under $500 in 2023 and reviewed them down below. This part is where I search the market every month and pick the newest and best-value rowing machine with magnetic resistance under $500.
My choice for the best rower with magnetic resistance under $500 in 2023 is the Women’s Health Men’s Health indoor rower. This magnetic resistance rowing machine is affordable, made of solid materials, and has a lightweight frame, making it perfect for everyday quiet magnetic rowing machine workouts.
In addition to its beautiful look, this magnetic rowing machine under 500 boasts a good Bluetooth monitor that displays time, distance, strokes per minute, calories per hour, and pulse to keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals.
To provide a comfortable workout and allow you to make the most out of your quiet rowing machine workouts, this affordable magnetic rowing machine comes with an ergonomic seat, an active recoil system, and height-adjustable footplates with straps.
On top of all the features, I mentioned above, this rowing machine with water resistance under $500 is equipped with transport wheels for easy movement and can be stored standing. You can simply lift this water rower on its end and store it out of the way against your wall or closet when not in use.
Thanks to its 14-level magnetic resistance and drive mechanism, this rowing workout machine has less noise compared to many other magnetic rowing machines under $500. Receiving 5-star from almost every consumer, Women’s Health Men’s Health is my pick for the best home rowing machine with magnetic resistance under $500 in 2023.
Overview of Best Magnetic Rowers Under $500:
1. JOROTO Fitness M35 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Coming in at number one on our list of the top magnetic rowing machines under $500 is the JOROTO M35 Magnetic Rower. With a retail price of $399, this budget home rowing machine does not sacrifice quality on account of the price. It is designed with a solid aluminum flywheel, aluminum slide rail, and magnetic resistance.
These design choices make it so that the workout on the MR35 is much quieter and smoother than many other rowing machines, especially those with other resistance types. The magnetic resistance system that it comes with has 10 levels of resistance. The lower levels give a pretty minor challenge, though the upper ones can certainly provide a fight even for experienced rowers.
The MR35 comes with a monitor that will track the time, count, total count, and calorie data while also having a phone holder so that you can keep entertained while rowing. Unfortunately, this monitor doesn’t have any preset workouts, but this is a very minor complaint. The only maintenance that needs doing is to keep the rail clean and occasionally inspect the M35 for any parts that might come loose.
The other unfortunate fact is that the MR35 can’t fold up, which makes it less ideal for small apartments. This is an extremely good rowing machine, especially for those who are looking just to get into the field or don’t want to drop an absolute fortune on one of the higher-tier rowers.
Additional Information:
The M35 has a max user capacity of 220 lbs (100 kg) and weighs 53 lbs (24 kg). Its dimensions are 71 inches (180 cm) long, 21 inches (53 cm) wide and 36 inches (91 cm) tall. It comes with a 12-month free part replacement and warranty.
The Pros:
- You get the experience of being on a relatively high tier rower while paying the price for a mid-tier one.
- A quiet, smooth, and comfortable ride with the monitor and phone holder makes this a great rower for the value.
The Cons:
- The M35 does many things well, but it doesn’t exactly excel in anything.
- The fact that it can’t be folded is negative for those with less space in their homes.
2. Women’s Health Men’s Health Home Magnetic Rower
The Women’s Health Men’s Health Magnetic Rower is an extremely good magnetic rowing machine for the price that it comes with. A very simple rower in design, the Women’s Health Men’s Health does what it promises with some flair.
The 21 inch foam handlebar and pivoting foot pedals allow for a safe and comfortable workout, no matter how long you are actually working out for. It has 14 levels of magnetic resistance, allowing for a variety of challenges both easy and tough.
The LCD screen that comes with the rower measures watts, calories burned, time and distance. Nothing special, but nothing special is usually what is expected with monitors in this price range.
One of the cooler aspects about this rowing machine with magnetic resistance under $500 is that the Smart knob technology allows the rower to accurately measure how hard you pull, what distance you pull and what resistance level you are using to get the most accurate training metric. For the price, this is a pretty advanced feature. Overall, this is a very good rower for the retail price of just under $500.
Additional Information:
The Women’s Health Men’s Health can hold a max user weight of 250 lbs (113 kg) and weighs 64.3 (29 kg) lbs itself. Its dimensions when fully assembled are 80 inches (203 cm) long, 23 inches (58 cm) wide and 28.5 inches (72 cm) tall. When folded, its dimensions are 41.5 inches (105.5 cm) long, 23 inches (58 cm) wide and 57.5 inches (146 cm) tall. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty.
The Pros:
- A quiet, dependable rower that comes with a wide variety of resistance levels and a pretty cool Smart knob technology.
- Comfortable seating and the ability to fold are icing on the cake.
The Cons:
- It is one of the more expensive rowing machines on this list, falling just under the $500 price limit.
- It also doesn’t have any other advanced monitor features like preset programs.
3. HouseFit Magnetic Indoor Rowing Machine
The HouseFit Rowing Machine is an extremely reliable rower that falls just under the $500 price. The HouseFit has 14 levels of resistance manually selected using a knob on the central console. This range is pretty diverse, allowing for a range of different workouts.
Unfortunately, there are no preset workouts programmed into the HouseFit’s monitor. Speaking of the monitor, it is a pretty advanced one for this price range. It displays normal information like time, stroke count, distance, stroke speed, and calories.
It also doesn’t come with the ability to be hooked up to a chest strap for those who want to monitor their heart rate. So, you will need to use your own HR accessories if that’s what you want. The seat is a wide, generic seat that you can find on a number of rowers in this price category.
Nothing special, but it won’t hurt you. At the opposite end, the footrests are wide, adjustable, and will hold even the largest feet in place. Overall, the HouseFit is an extremely good rowing machine for just under $500.
Additional Information:
The HouseFit has a max weight of 300 lbs (136 kg) and weighs 78 lbs (35 kg). Its dimensions are 65 inches long, 22 inches wide and 32 inches tall when fully assembled. When stored standing, it is 65″ tall, 22″ wide and 32″ long. The warranty that comes with the HouseFit is 1 year for all the parts and the frame.
The Pros:
- The weight capacity of this rower is pretty good.
- Add in the 1 year warranty and the fact that it is already a very solid rower and you’ve got a great rowing machine for the value.
The Cons:
- There are no preset workout programs, which is a slight annoyance.
- The frame is not foldable so you would need to store it standing which is not always easy or recommended.
4. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5864 Magnetic Rower
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5864 Rowing Machine is a very solid rower, even if it can be a pain to actually say the name. It comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance. These offer a decent variety of workouts, though aren’t quite as customizable as some of the others on this list.
The monitor on the SF-RW5864 displays the time, count, calorie or total count depending on what you set it to. It isn’t particularly a big monitor, so you will only be able to see one of these at a time.
As for the actual comfort of the rower, the seat can be a bit uncomfortable on longer workouts. However, the footrests and handlebar are both extremely solid at what they do.
A very minor but positive fact is that this compact rowing machine with magnetic resistance under 500 sits higher than the average machine, which makes it easier to get on and off. For the retail price of $462, you get a very fine rowing machine in the SF-RW5864.
Additional Information:
The SF-RW5864 has a max user weight of 250 lbs (113 kg) and weighs 95 lbs (43 kg). Its dimensions are 73 inches (185 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 42 inches (106 cm) tall when fully assembled. When folded, its dimensions are 38 inches (97 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 65 inches (165 cm) tall. It has a 3 year warranty on the frame and 180 day frame on the parts and other components.
The Pros:
- A good rowing machine for the price.
- A decent amount of resistance levels for both beginners and advanced rowers.
- It has a display that works as it is supposed to and pretty comfortable footrests and handlebar.
The Cons:
- One of the more negative bits about this rower is that Sunny Health & Fitness seem to have some issues in their delivery.
- Rowers are reported as broken upon delivery or with missing pieces.
5. ShareVgo Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine SRM1000
The ShareVgo Smart SRM1000 is a recently released connected magnetic home rowing machine that comes with smart features and a foldable design that really sets it apart from other rowers. At a retail price of $326, you really will find some of the most advanced features on the rowers in this price range.
Namely, the Bluetooth compatible monitor that tracks workout time, distance, count, and total count. It also allows for the logging of your rowing workout data including 500 meter split time and stroke per min, and viewing your accomplishments with an intuitive dashboard. The SRM1000 also comes with 6 distance based workouts and 6 challenges.
Even though the display isn’t terribly big, just the sheer amount of cool features that it comes with makes this home magnetic rowing machine under $500 worth it alone. Multiple users can also register the same equipment, making it a good one for families. However, this rower isn’t perfect. The rowing itself isn’t too much to write home about.
The resistance settings aren’t terribly far apart from each other in terms of challenge. Due to its reliance on technology, when it breaks down, it can seem just about unusable at times. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen too often. It’s a good rower with some very advanced features, though it can seem like it leaves the actual challenge part behind in the process.
Additional Information:
The SRM1000 has a weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg). Interestingly enough, we couldn’t find its actual dimensions when fully assembled. However, when folded up its dimensions are 39 inches (99 cm) long, 19 inches (48 cm) wide and 52 inches (132 cm) tall. It comes with a 90 day warranty on all parts.
The Pros:
- The advanced technology that comes with this rower is really unusual and is what makes the SRM1000 so unique.
- They are really the shining features of this rowing machine.
The Cons:
- The rowing is not perfect on this machine.
- It can feel a bit weak for some.
- When it breaks, it really breaks due to its reliance on technology to make everything run.
6. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower
The name of this portable magnetic rowing machine under $500 might be a mouthful, but the machine itself is extremely solid for the price. It’s quieter than an air rowing machines and smoother than a hydraulic one. It has eight different levels of difficulty which can be selected using the knob beneath the display.
These allow for a range of workouts from light to intense. The monitor on the SF-RW5515 isn’t anything particularly special. It displays the sort of basic information you would expect; the time, stroke count, calories burned, and such.
Disappointingly, it does not display the distance traveled, which can be a useful metric to use while working out. Fortunately, it is foldable which makes it better for small apartments. It does have an issue where the seat can get somewhat uncomfortable on longer rides, but that can be fixed with a rower seat cushion.
Possibly the most noticeable aspect of the SF-RW5515 rower is how cheap it is. As of the time of this writing (during the COVID19 pandemic, with many rower prices inflated due to exporting issues) this rower can still be found for just above $200. That is absurdly cheap for the level of quality that you are getting with this rower.
Additional Information:
The SF-RW5515 has a max user weight of 250 lbs (113 kg) and weighs 60 lbs (27 kg). Its dimensions are 82 inches (208 cm) long, 19 inches (48 cm) wide and 23 inches (58 cm) tall. When folded its dimensions are 37 inches (94 cm) long, 19 inches (48 cm) wide and 53.5 inches (136 cm) tall. It has a 3 month warranty on the frame and parts.
The Pros:
- The SF-RW5515 does a very solid job as a rower.
- It is foldable and has a decent variety of resistance levels.
The Cons:
- The seat might feel a bit uncomfortable on the longer workouts or after prolonged use.
- The short warranty means that if something happens to the rower, you won’t have much time to do anything about it.
7. Merach Budget Magnetic Rowing Machine
The Merach magnetic resistance rowing machine is an extremely solid rower for the price. The Merach rower is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system (as the name might suggest).
This system offers an impressive 16 levels of resistance, with the 16th tension level definitely offering a competitive level for experienced rowers or athletes. As with all these magnetic resistance machines, it generates very little noise when used.
The wireless Bluetooth sensor on the Merach rower is pretty basic. It offers time, count (strokes per session), strokes per minute (SPM), total strokes and calories burned. You can connect your phone or tablet to the rower using the rowing application of your choice. A nice part of the Merach rower is that the seat remains fairly comfortable even on longer workouts.
The seat is padded foam and pretty comfortable, even on longer workouts. The footrests are made of nylon material and have a pivoting design that allows you to slightly adjust your feet on each pull while not making the motion distracting. Overall a very solid magnetic rowing machine under $500.
Additional Information:
The rower has a max user weight of 350 lbs (1150 kg) and weighs 50 lbs (24 kg) when fully assembled. Its dimensions are 76.4 inches (194 cm) long, 18.9 inches (48 cm) wide and 18.5 inches (47 cm) tall when fully assembled. It has a limited 1 year warranty.
The Pros:
- The Merach rowing machine is a very durable and comfortable rower.
- It has got a variety of resistance settings and can be folded for easy storage.
- All in all, a good rower for the price with electronic magnetic resistance.
The Cons:
- It doesn’t have a built in monitor so you need to use your own device which is quite annoying.
- No adaptive resistance level is also a minor complaint, as it means that no matter how hard you pull, the resistance level will stay the same.
- Not foldable and takes space when not being used, plus, keeping the machine standing is not an option if you have kids.
8. Merax Indoor Magnetic Exercise Rower
The Merax Magnetix Exercise Rower is a very good rower for those looking to enter the world of rowing. The user can adjust a magnet inside the main housing to move it closer or farther from the metal flywheel, which increases or decreases the resistance.
This resistance comes in 8 different levels, which is a good variety for beginners. Expert rowers might find that the upper level resistance is a bit light. The monitor shows the basic data that most of these rowers do.
Time, calories, the rowing count and total count are all displayed. It can also be folded up, which makes storage much easier. There are a couple of downsides to the Merax rower unfortunately. It is fairly comfortable to ride in, though like the SF-RW5515, the seat can become uncomfortable on longer workouts.
The footrest design is also somewhat questionable, as the feet seem to move around during intense workouts. This can become pretty inconvenient since you have to keep making sure that your feet stay in place.
Additional Information:
The Merax Magnetic rower has a max user weight of 264 lbs (120 kg) and weighs 74 lbs (34 kg) itself. Its dimensions are 73 inches (185 cm) long, 16 inches (41 cm) wide and 21 inches (53 cm) tall when fully assembled. When folded, its dimensions are 26 inches (66 cm) long, 16 inches (41 cm) wide, and 49 inches (124 cm) tall. It has a 3 year warranty on the frame and 180 day warranty on the parts and electronics.
The Pros:
- A good rower for beginners.
- It is cheap and has just enough resistance for beginners.
- Doesn’t provide too large of a challenge and can be folded for convenient storage.
The Cons:
- The limited resistance levels do mean that it is of limited use for experienced rowers.
- There are also a couple of design flaws that lower the overall quality of the rower.
9. ECHANFIT Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine
The ECHANFIT Rowing Machine rounds out our list of the best rowing machines for under $500. It offers more customization for rowers, having 16 levels of resistance in order to allow for just that right feeling while working out.
The console included with this ECHANFIT magnetic folding rowing machine under $500 tracks time, distance, RPM, count, and calories burned. However, it does not have any preset workout programs and cannot adjust the unit’s resistance automatically.
It is also a rather comfortable rower. A nice large seat, adjustable footrest and a cushioned handle all make it so that the workout is a comfortable one.
An unfortunate bit about this rower is that the tablet holder is placed in such a spot that means you won’t be able to read the monitor if you choose to put a tablet in it. The assembly process can also be a pain in the neck. For a retail price of around $300, you really get a steal with this rower.
Additional Information:
This rower comes with a weight limit of 265 lbs (120 kg) and weighs 61 lbs (27.6 kg). Its dimensions are 75.20 inches (191 cm) long, 19 inches (49 cm) wide and 33.5 inches (85 cm) tall. It has a 1 year warranty for the parts.
The Pros:
- A very comfortable ride with plenty of customization resistance levels.
- A monitor that gives the basic stats that you would expect and a low price point all make this a very good rower.
The Cons:
- The assembly can be a pain and the tablet holder is placed in a very inconvenient spot for those who want to have entertainment during their workout.
Consider These To Find a Good Magnetic Rowing Machine Under $500
As we said in the introduction, we’re now going to go over some of the factors that we took into account when compiling this list. While this is the order we recommend, we also realise that the top rowers might not fit everyone. Therefore it is important to take these factors into account when looking to buy your own rower.
The frame. A rower with a solid frame is important in deciding how the machine handles under intense workouts. The frame also helps determine whether or not the rower is foldable.
The seat, handlebar, and footrest. Many of the rowers on this list have no problems with the handlebars or footrests. However, with these budget rowing machines, you might find some more issues with them than those that cost more. There are some with some rather uncomfortable seats, though that can usually be handled by putting some cushions on top of the regular seat.
The monitor. Many of the more advanced consoles and monitors that you will find on rowing machines come on those that are significantly more expensive than $500. In this range, you will mostly find those that can give you the basic statistics, though there are a few exceptions like the ShareVgo Smart Rower.
The user weight and warranty. A good warranty is always good to have. Nobody wants to pay for a whole new rower once theirs breaks. The weight capacity is also important to determine how solid the ride is and how many users can safely use the indoor rower.
FAQs
Q: Does rowing help lose weight?
A: It most certainly does. Many of these rowing machines are capable of handling both lower intensity and higher intensity workouts. All high-quality indoor rowing machines under $500 can help lose and maintain weight. So, you don’t necessarily need to buy $2000 rowing machines to get in your dream shape.
Q: What muscles does a rower workout?
A: Some estimates state a rowing machine can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour and can work out 84% of your muscle mass! This amount of calories is not to magnetic rowers only, air and water rowers under $500 can also help burn the same amount of calories.
Q: Are magnetic rowers quiet?
A: Absolutely. They are some of the quietest indoor rowing machines out there, if not the quietest. Great for small apartments or those who have unusual workout orders. Any of the top-rated magnetic rowing machines under $500 listed here would be quieter than an air rower under $500.
Final Verdict!
There you have it. Our list of the best magnetic rowing machines that cost less than $500. As always, keep in mind what sort of aspects you want in one of these machines and read other reviews to really make sure it matches with what you expect. Additionally, if you think there is a rower that should be listed in our best magnetic rowing machine reviews under $500, please your comment below with the suggested models. We will check it out and if it has the criteria, we will add it to our list of best magnetic rowing machines under 500. Now go get rowing friends!
Sayed Hamed Hosseiny
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
