10 Best water resistance rowing machines 2025 in the United States

The YOSUDA Water Rowing Machine is a solid choice for home fitness enthusiasts. It features a water resistance mechanism, which provides a smooth and authentic rowing experience. The resistance levels are adjustable, allowing users to tailor their workouts. The build quality is robust with an aluminum frame that supports up to 350 lbs, ensuring durability and stability during use. Comfort is also a priority, with a super soft seat designed to fit the hip curve, which should make long workouts more bearable.

Ergonomically, the machine is well thought out, featuring dual aluminum slide rails that contribute to a quieter operation and a fluid rowing motion. The rowing-dedicated monitor tracks essential workout metrics and has Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to join live classes or work with a virtual personal trainer through an app. This could be advantageous for those who enjoy guided workouts or sharing progress with a community. The compact design of the machine is a significant advantage for those with limited space, covering only 4.27 square feet and equipped with wheels for easy movement.

Some may find that the water resistance mechanism, while quiet compared to air rowers, still produces a noticeable sound that might not be ideal for all home environments. Additionally, the monitor, while functional, uses AAA batteries which some users might find less convenient than a rechargeable option. Despite these minor drawbacks, the machine promises a full-body workout and comes from a reputable brand with a long-standing history in home exercise equipment, backed by a lifetime service promise.

The Sunny Health & Fitness Phantom Hydro Smart Water Rowing Machine offers a strong combination of features for those seeking an efficient and convenient home workout. Its water resistance mechanism provides a natural rowing experience, where the resistance dynamically increases with your effort, making it suitable for various fitness levels. The build quality is robust, with a durable alloy steel frame supporting up to 300 lbs, ensuring stability during intense workouts.

Comfort is also well-addressed with padded handlebars and a cushioned seat at an ergonomic height, reducing strain on your back. The machine’s monitor tracks essential metrics like time, distance, strokes, and calories, and it includes Bluetooth connectivity to sync with the SunnyFit App for additional features and virtual experiences. Its foldable design and transport wheels are ideal for users with limited space, allowing easy storage.

On the downside, the water resistance might be noisier than magnetic systems, possibly disrupting quiet environments. Additionally, while the digital monitor offers comprehensive tracking, some users might find the setup and app interface less intuitive. The rower suits fitness enthusiasts looking for a realistic rowing experience with advanced tracking and space-saving design.

The WaterRower Club is a top choice for those seeking a realistic rowing experience with smooth, water-based resistance that mimics rowing on actual water. Its handcrafted solid ash wood frame offers excellent build quality and durability, making it suitable for both home and gym use. The resistance automatically adjusts to your effort level, providing a natural feel without manual settings. This design is gentle on joints yet provides a full-body workout, engaging major muscle groups effectively.

Comfort is high thanks to ergonomic design, and though the machine is fairly large (82" by 22"), it can be stored upright to save space. The included S4 monitor tracks essential metrics like distance, heart rate, and stroke rate, which helps you follow your progress, although it doesn’t offer advanced tracking or connectivity features found on some other models. Noise from the water flywheel is minimal and tends to be more soothing than mechanical noises typical of other machines.

One downside is that the rowing machine is relatively heavy at around 117 pounds, which might make moving it challenging for some users. Also, it has a low resistance level ceiling compared to other water rowers, so more experienced or intense rowers may find it less challenging over time. This WaterRower is ideal if you want a durable, quiet, and smooth rowing machine with a natural feel and straightforward tracking, especially if you value craftsmanship and low-impact exercise.