- Home > Rowing Machine Reviews > Best Rowing Machines Under $1000
- Review and Comparison By A Professional Indoor Rowing Team
Rowing comes with some of the best benefits known for indoor equipment. It provides a full body workout and can really help anyone trying to maintain a healthy exercise pattern. There’s always the option of rowing outside, but this can be hindered by both the weather and geography around us.
From those looking to lose weight to those who are trying to maintain athletic fitness, rowing machines can really provide one of the best workouts out there. Unfortunately, many of the top rowing machines can cost well above $1000. For those that don’t have that sort of money to drop on a piece of exercise equipment, there are some alternatives.
We’ve sorted through a host of rowing machines in order to find the best indoor rowers for under $1000. We’ve based this list on a variety of factors that we will cover in the buyer’s guide near the end of the review. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, as there are plenty of rowing machines out there that are quality and might fit your home better.
But these are generally what we have found to have the most features and do the best job for the price range we looked at. With all that out of the way, let’s jump right into our list of best home rowers under $1000.
Best Rowing Machines Under $1000 Comparison
| ROWER | METRICS | CAPACITY | CONNECTIVITY | FOLDABLE | RESISTANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine | Distance, calories, strokes, splits, watts, and heart rate | 500 Lbs | Bluetooth & ANT+ | Doesn't fold up but the frame separates for storing | 10-Level Dynamic Air Resistance |
| Mr Captain Home Rowing Machine | Distance, calories, strokes, and 500 splits | 275 Lbs | Bluetooth | Doesn't fold up but can be stored standing | Dynamic Water Resistance |
| BATTIFE Water Rowing Machine | Distance, calories, strokes, and 500m splits | 280 Lbs | N/A | Doesn't fold up but can be stored standing | Dynamic Water Resistance |
| MARNUR Water Rowing Machine for Home | Distance, calories, strokes, and time | 300 Lbs | N/A | Doesn't fold up but can be stored standing | Dynamic Water Resistance |
| JOROTO MR35 Magnetic Rower | Calories, strokes, and time | 220 Lbs | N/A | This rower folds up for storing | 10-Level Fix Magnetic Resistance |
| Marcy Turbine Rowing Machine NS-6050RE | Distance, calories, strokes, and time | 300 Lbs | N/A | This rower folds up for storing | 8-Level Dynamic Air Resistance |
| NordicTrack RW200 Indoor Rower | Distance, calories, strokes, and time | 250 Lbs | Bluetooth | This rower folds up for storing | 26-Level Electro-Magnetic & Dynamic Air Resistance |
| MaxKare Water Rowing Machine | Distance, calories, strokes, and time | 246 Lbs | N/A | Doesn't fold up but can be stored standing | Dynamic Water Resistance |
Editor’s 3 Choices Under $1000!
We have already picked and reviewed the top rowing machines for less than $1000. But they include 8 professional rowing machines under 1000 which means it might get difficult for some readers to narrow down the options.
Therefore, I created the editor’s best value rowing machine under 1000 choice. This is where I regularly search the market and update to make sure you are well-aware of the latest top home rower under $1000.
For this month, I picked 3 rowers under $1000 with different resistance system. Some of them are durable commercial rowing machines under 1000 and can offer ultimate rowing machine benefits to any fitness levels.
Quick Overview of Best Rowers Under $1000:
1. Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
Coming in at the top of our list of top home rowers under $1000 is the Concept2 Model D rowing machine. Concept 2 machines are the best-selling indoor rowing machine for good reason. The Model D is normally under 1000 USD but currently it is sold between $1000 to $1200. It comes with Concept 2’s signature PM5 Performance Monitor, which displays and keeps extensive data about the workout.
This PM5 monitor has Bluetooth wireless connectivity, allowing it to connect to many heart rate belts, fitness devices and apps. Not only that, but the PM5 also displays a variety of statistics about the workout. Strokes per minute, distance covered, time, heart rate, calories burned are all included with the monitor.
The frame of the rower really allows you to push this machine with all your might and it will still remain strong and stable underneath. It is also quite comfortable, with its flywheel designed in such a way that you can adjust it in order to get just that “right feel” while rowing.
While the Model D isn’t the cheapest rower out there, you are most certainly going to get value for that money. The features it comes with are ones that you might expect in the very top tier rowers, yet work just as well here. Finally, the Model D rower comes with a neat little feature of being able to be broken into 2 pieces in order to store it easier.
Additional Information:
The Model D has a max user weight of 500 lbs (136 kg) while weighing only 57 lbs (26 kg) itself. Its dimensions are 96 inches (244 cm) long, 14 inches (36 cm) wide and 24 inches (61 cm) tall. It comes with a generous 5 year warranty on the frame and 2 year warranty on the various parts.
- The Pros:
The PM5 monitor really shines, as it feels like one that you would get on a rower that is at least $500 more expensive. An extremely sturdy build, comfortable handles and a generous warranty all make this the best rower in this price range.
- The Cons:
It is expensive, coming in at $900. Therefore, while it is under $1000, it certainly isn’t by much. Some have reported that the seat feels uncomfortable on longer workouts, but that can be fixed with a comforter.
2. Mr. Captain Home Rowing Machine
The Mr. Captain Home Rowing Machine is one of the more unique looking water rowing machines under $1000 on this list. It is a pretty one to look at, most certainly. Made from solid Oak, the Mr. Captain is a fantastic rower that is let down a little by its monitor.
It uses a water resistance mechanism to provide resistance. The resistance level is changed by either adding or removing the water from the machine. Fortunately, this doesn’t significantly increase the maintenance of the machine because even if you don’t increase/decrease the water level, it will still respond to your effort. The harder and faster your pull the more difficult it gets because the resistance is dynamic.
Only one water purification tablet needs to be added to the tank every six months. The rowing position is very comfortable with its well-designed foot pads, ergo-handles and a wonderfully padded seat. You won’t start feeling uncomfortable on this machine.
As mentioned, the monitor is a bit of a let down. It displays the standard workout data such as time, distance rowed, calories used, stroke rate etc, but that’s it. No advanced features you might expect in the price range of just under $1000.
Additional Information:
The A1 has a max user weight of 320 lbs (145 kg) and weighs 55 lbs excluding the water. Its dimensions are 83.5 inches (212 cm) long, 22.25 inches (57 cm) wide and 20 inches (51 cm) tall. It comes with a 1 year warranty on the parts and frame.
- The Pros:
You get one of the best-looking rowers out there and it does its job extremely well. Comfortable, smooth, quiet, and provides a challenge for most rowers, you’ve got an extremely good rowing machine here. A generous warranty is also a boost.
- The Cons:
Nothing to complain about but if the monitor had a better backlit, it would have been better.
3. BATTIFE Water Rowing Machine
Another top-rated rower under $1000 with an elegant design, you can spend an embarrassing amount of time just staring at the red walnut finish of the BATTIFE Water Rowing Machine. The real red walnut wood provides such a nice aesthetic for any home out there, all while giving the benefits of being a rowing machine.
As the name suggests, it comes with a water resistance system, which means that you get the nice feeling of real rowing while never having to leave the indoors. The monitor keeps track of important statistics during your workout like strokes per minute (SPM), time spent, distance rowed, and average calories burned per hour.
Admittedly, it doesn do much more than keep track of those stats, which is a downside akin to the A1. A nice little feature is that this rower can be stored in an upward fashion without having to remove the water.
Because it is a decently large rower, this storage function makes it somewhat more compatible with smaller apartments. One might not think that with the wood design, it would be fairly hard to assemble. Fortunately, that is not the case, and it can be assembled quickly and easily. The price is decent at $750, though you still might expect some more from the monitor.
Additional Information:
The rower comes with a max user weight of 280 lbs (127 kg) and weighs about 100 lbs (45 kg). Its dimensions are 82.7 inches (210 cm) long, 22.4 inches (57 cm) wide and 20 inches (51 cm) tall. We were unable to find any information about the warranty.
- The Pros:
An extremely beautiful design and a solid workout ability are the two biggest pros for this rower. Easy storage makes it more adaptable to smaller apartments as well. Easy assembly is also a bonus.
- The Cons:
The monitor is still pretty simple for a rower in this price range. Some people might also not have a taste for the wooden aesthetic that can vary a bit in colour.
4. Snode Water Rowing Machine for Home
Featured as one of the best water rowing machines under $1000, you get very good value for the money on the Snode water rower. It comes with a 22.5 inch water tank, which allows for a large variety of resistance levels depending on how much water is put in.
The stainless steel structure of the rower also makes sure that it is stable even during the high-end workouts. One of the best features about this rower is that the seat is designed in such a way that you are able to be comfortable enough on some of the longer, high-end workouts.
It is ergonomically designed to closely fit your hip curve, and does that job spectacularly. It also comes with a handy LCD-backlit smart display, giving you access to information like calories burned, distance, time and speed.
A pretty handy feature is that this display is adjustable so that users of all different heights can put it to where it is most visible during the workout. The Snode Water Rower is pretty portable as well, which is a nice little feature. For a price of $499, there are plenty of features that come along with this rower to make it worth the purchase.
Additional Information:
The max user weight is 300 lbs (136 kg) and it weighs 92 lbs (42 kg). Unfortunately, we were not able to find the dimensions or warranties anywhere.
- The Pros:
For the price, you are getting a lot of top-end features with this rower. An adjustable monitor, comfortable seating, a large water tank for many resistance levels, and a sturdy frame all make this an extremely good rower in this price range.
- The Cons:
It can be louder than other rowers with magnetic resistance systems. The monitor also doesn’t come with any preset workouts, so you’ll have to come up with your own or find some on the internet.
5. JOROTO MR35 Magnetic Rower
With a retail price of $399, the JOROTO MR35 magnetic rower does not sacrifice large amounts of quality on account of the price. Designed with a solid aluminum flywheel, aluminum slide rail, and magnetic resistance, which will make the workout quieter and smoother.
The frame unfortunately is unable to be folded, but can be stored in a vertical position in order to minimize the room it takes up. The magnetic resistance system that it comes with has 10 levels of resistance. The lower levels give pretty little resistance, though the upper ones can certainly provide a challenge even for experienced rowers.
One of cooler aspects of the rower is that the MR35 comes with a digital monitor to track the time, count, total count, and calories data while also having a phone holder so that you can keep entertained while rowing. It does lack preset workouts on it, as well as the ability to read the user’s pulse.
Admittedly, these are features that you usually find on more expensive rowers, so it is no surprise that they are missing here. The only maintenance that needs doing is to keep the rail clean and occasionally inspect the M35 for any parts that might come loose. Overall an extremely solid magnetic rower machine under $500.
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:
A smooth and quiet ride are both what make the M35 a nice rower. Factoring in the extremely cheap price mixed with some features (like the monitor and phone holder) that usually come with more expensive rowers and you’ve got yourself a right steal.
- The Cons:
The M35 does many things well, but it doesn’t exactly excel in anything. The fact that it can’t be folded does make it somewhat impractical for smaller apartments.
6. Marcy Turbine Rowing Machine NS-6050RE
The Marcy Turbine Rowing Machine NS-6050RE is a very reasonably priced air rowing machine with plenty of features you would expect in a higher priced model. The NS-6050RE uses air resistance system with 8 different resistance settings.
These 8 settings offer a pretty decent range of workout options, so users generally will be able to find a resistance setting that will work for them. The air resistance system also means that it runs a bit louder than other types of rowers. While the NS-6050RE comes with a monitor, it is rather basic.
It will display the stats like time, calories burned, speed and distance, but won’t do much more. Comfortable footpads and a well designed seat also accompany this rower, making those longer workouts easier on the feet and bottom respectively.
A nice touch about the NS-6050RE is that it can be folded up nice and quickly. This means that it doesn’t take up too much space when not in use, which rowing machines have a tendency to do. Another rower for a retail price of $399, you are getting a pretty good amount of value for the money you are putting in.
Additional Information:
This top-rate air rower under $500 has a max user weight of 300 lbs (136 kg) and weighs 87 lbs (39 kg). Its dimensions are 55 inches (140 cm) long, 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide and 24 inches (61 cm) tall. Its folded dimensions are 44.5 inches (113 cm) long, 20.5 inches (52 cm) wide, and 58.75 inches (150 cm) tall. The warranty is only 30 days.
- The Pros:
A really solid frame and comfortable ride makes this an already solid rower for $400. Toss in a nice variety of resistance settings and how quiet the ride is and you’ve got yourself a good rower for the money.
- The Cons:
The monitor doesn’t give you much outside of the regular statistics. The warranty is also pretty terrible since it only allows for any refund or exchange within 30 days.
7. NordicTrack WR 200 Indoor Rower
The NordicTrack WR200 Rower is a new rowing machine with an extremely slick design. With a magnetic resistance system, the WR 200 comes with over 26 levels of electronically adjustable magnetic resistance available. You will most certainly be able to find what level of resistance most fits you. This variety also means that users of all athletic types will be able to hop on and find their spot, from beginners to expert athletes.
However, the console is probably the most standout feature of the WR200. It swivels up and down so you can find the perfect angle for your workout. It also has a very cool upward adjusting tablet holder above the console. A nice little addition to this console is a subscription to iFit, the training program that offers absolutely tons of workout programs.
In addition, it comes with pre-programmed workouts on the rower. So if you decide not to renew the iFit membership, you’ll still have a number of workout options to choose from. Plus, with the rower, you get a code that activates a 1-year free iFit memebership.
The motion of the rower is smooth and natural and you can adjust the handlebars as well as the pedal straps. Finally, the ability to quickly and easily fold up the machine for easy storage is the icing on the rowing machine cake.
Additional Information:
The NordicTrack WR200 comes with a weight capacity of 250 lbs (113 kg). We could not find how much the rower weighed itself. Its dimensions are 45.5 inches (116 cm) tall, 22 inches (56 cm) wide and 86.5 inches (220 cm)long. It comes with a 5-year warranty on the frame, with a 1-year warranty on the parts and labor.
- The Pros:
The NordicTrack WR200 is a really advanced rower that comes with plenty of cool technological features that you might expect on some of the extremely expensive rowers. Offering additional workouts and a comfortable ride means that you are getting a ton of features for the money spent on it.
- The Cons:
Speaking of money, you will have to pay a decent amount of it for this rower. The iFit subscription is automatically renewed (though you can cancel it and we recommend doing so once the free period is up). The NordicTrack WR200 is already at the higher end of the price range even on sale, so keep that in mind.
8. Circuit Fitness Water Rowing Machine
The Circuit Rowing Machine is one of the cheaper rowing machines out there. What it is not, however, is a piece of junk that deserves to be ignored. As the name implies, it comes with a water resistance system as its means of, well, resistance.
To set the resistance level, you need to add or remove water to find your optimum level. Then the harder you pull, the more the water resists you. The monitor on the rower is pretty simple, displaying information that includes 500 meter split times, strokes per minute and calories you’ve burned (all which are estimated).
By far the most interesting part about this monitor is that it offers a man versus machine race mode in an effort to make the workouts more exciting. These actually really do help spice up the routine, as it adds a competitive element to the otherwise repetitive workouts. The seat is rather basic, and can get somewhat uncomfortable during the longer workouts.
Otherwise, the footrests are large and have sturdy straps, and the fully foam-padded handles are comfortable. The only maintenance required is that you add a water purifier every couple of months, and maybe replace the water completely every 4 to 6 months.
Additional Information:
The rower has a max user weight of 300 lbs and weighs 80 lbs (36 kg). Its dimensions are 79 inches (200 cm) long, 22 inches (59 cm) wide and 34 inches (86 cm) tall. It has a rather poor 3 month warranty on the frame and parts.
- The Pros:
Solid rower for only a retail price of $449. You get a basic monitor and a unique racing mode with it. It can also be stored vertically without having to empty the water. Good for beginner rowers or those not looking to invest too much into a new hobby.
- The Cons:
The seat can be rather uncomfortable after a while. The warranty on the rower is also pretty poor, so you had best hope it breaks quickly or not at all.
Buyer’s Guide To Find The Best Rower Under $1000:
We are now going to look at some of the factors we took into consideration when making this list. These are also the factors and elements that you should take into mind when choosing which rower works best for you.
1: 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.
2: The seat, handlebar and footrest. Many of the rowers on this list have no problems with the handlebars or footrests. There are some with some rather uncomfortable seats, though that can usually be handled by putting some cushions on top of the regular seat.
3: The console. The rowers under $1000 range is a funny one for consoles and monitors. On one hand, you can find some excellent monitors that you would expect on the truly high-tier rowers. On the other hand you might find some that would make a sub $200 rower jealous. Really it just depends on how advanced a monitor you desire and what sorts of capabilities that monitor has.
4: The resistance system on the rower. There are magnetic resistance systems, which are typically quiet and compact. These have a magnetic brake that controls the amount of resistance that you get when you are rowing. Then there are air resistance rowers, which use a flywheel to spin the air and create resistance from that air. Finally, the other most common type of resistance is the water resistance. They work using paddles that are suspended inside an enclosed tank for resistance.
5: The warranty and weight capacity. A good warranty is always good to have when buying rowers under $2000 or $200. Nobody wants to pay for a whole new rower once theirs breaks. A great warranty can be found on the Model D, while the Marcy rower has one of the worst. The weight capacity is also important to determine how solid the ride is and how many users can safely use the rower.
6: The assembly and maintenance. Most of the assembly of these indoor rowers is pretty simple, and shouldn’t take more than 30-45 minutes. The maintenance is also generally pretty low. Water rowers usually take a bit more maintenance than others. It occasionally needs purifying and changing of water.
Indoor Rower FAQ
Q: What resistance type should I buy?
A: The easy answer is that it depends. Some prefer magnetic rowers, while others prefer the more natural feel of water resistance rowers. Just knowing what you’re looking for is the first step. Our rowing machine reviews under 1000 include all three rower resistance types.
Q: Does rowing help lose weight?
A: Absolutely. Rowing is one of the most complete workouts out there, and provides an excellent way to lose weight. Some experts say that rowing works up to 84% of muscles in the body.
Q: Am I too short or too tall for x rower?
A: That depends on the rower. Even some affordable rowing machines under 500 accommodate a wide variety of people, while others are more focused. Just research the dimensions and read other reviews to see what types of people can fit comfortably. Most rowing machines in the US can accommodate riders from 4’8″ to 6’5″ tall.
Conclusion!
There you have it. Our list of the best rowing machines for under $1000. As always, do some of your own research so that you can really get what rower best fits your situation. Our list is comprehensive because we did days of research to find and review the home use indoor rowers under 1000. But if you find another rower just over $1000 that fits all your needs, then by all means go for that one. Now get out there and get rowing!
