Rowing Crazy

About Petra Amara

Written by Petra Amara - RowingCrazy.com
CEO & Founder of RowingCrazy, National Rower, Coxswain Womens Eight Team, Rowing Coach & Writer

Petra is a Mother of two and owner of Rowingcrazy.com. Petra lives and breathes rowing, she also has a passion for writing which lead her to start RowingCrazy.com to share her rowing experience and expertise with others.

Learn More About Petra Here!

12 Best Rowing Machines That Supersede All 2026

best rowing machine
 

Your Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Home Rowing Machine

Not all rowing machines are created equal. Depending on your needs, some will deliver better health and fitness results than others. There is a rich variety of them, some that are sleeker and more highly-refined and others that are less so.  read more

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Water Rower vs Air Rower 2026 – Which Is Better?

Water Rower vs Air Rower

Deciding what rowing machine is right for you can be a tough decision. When you start researching the different types of rowing machines it can be a bit overwhelming.

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Short on time but still want to know which rower is better between an air rower or water rower? Check out our answers by clicking on the links below:

  1. Hydrow Rowing Machine
  2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine read more

Water Rower vs Air Rower 2026 – Which Is Better? Read More »

Best Budget Water Rowing Machine 2026

Best Budget Water Rowing Machine

You can easily find a great water rowing machine even if you are on a tight budget! Don’t worry if you don’t have a ton of money, there is a plethora of options that might fall in your budget.

While there are a lot of different types of rowing machines on the market, an air rower or a indoor rowing machine based on magnetic resistance might not give you as good of a workout as a rowing machine that relies on a water tank to create its resistance. 

When you are choosing between the best water rowing machines consider which will help you get your heart rate elevated, as that’s the goal of any good cardio workout. In general, you will find that rowing machines do that better when they have a water tank instead of using a magnetic rower or an air rower, since the latter two types tend to be easier and not get your heart rate pumping as much.

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 5 Picks:

In a rush and want to find the best economical water rowing machines for all budgets? Check out my top picks.

  1. Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge 500 SF-RW5713
  2. MaxKare Water Rowing Machine
  3. MARNUR Water Rowing Machine
  4. HouseFit Water Rower
  5. Sunny Health & Fitness Phantom Hydro – SF-RW5910

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

Our analysis of rowing machines is listed below in this article, where we have provided a comprehensive assessment of each machine.

Whether you want to feel like you are rowing on the open water in an old fashioned boat or you want the latest and greatest in technology for your home gym, there is a rowing machine for everyone!

Click Here to Read My Full Review on Water Rowing Machines

Are Water Rowing Machines the Best? 

For starters, when you are looking for the best home rowing machine for your home gym ( see our list of top water rowing machines ), take a look at some rowing machine reviews and a review of the pros and cons of the best indoor rowing machines.

1. Sunny Health Fitness SF RW5713 Obsidian Surge 500

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Best Folding Water Rowing Machine for Tight Spaces 2026

Folding Water Rowing Machine

What comes to your mind when you think of water rowers? I’m betting words like beautiful, sturdy, soothing, and smooth come to mind, but how about folding?

Probably not, right? But guess what? The words water rowing machine and folding are not incongruous! You can have your water rower and fold it too!

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 5 Picks:

In a rush and want to find the best foldable water rowers for small spaces? Check out my top picks.

  1. Ergatta
  2. Sunny Health & Fitness Phantom Hydro
  3. HouseFit Wooden Water Rower
  4. Trunk Folding Water Rower
  5. Vilobos Heavy Duty Water Rowing Machine

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine below in this article.

Right Lets Get Into It! 

OK, so the water tank won’t fold, but as long as you can fold the machine up smaller, then you’re a step ahead!

If you’re interested in a water rowing machine but you need a foldable rower to store it, today’s list is for you!

Check out my list of the top 5 foldable water rowing machines and get ready to get a great workout!

Folding Water Rowing Machines

Everyone loves water resistance rowing machines because they not only sound like you’re rowing on the water, but they feel that way, too!

As wonderful as water rowing machines are, sometimes there is just no way around it – you need space to store it!

Welcome to the world of folding rowing machines! I’ve looked at more than two dozen water rowers to create this list of folding water resistance rowing machines just for you!

Are Foldable Water Rowing Machines Any Good?

Oh absolutely!

The only difference between a non-folding machine and one that folds is the fact that, in one way or another, you can store the rowing machine more easily.

It won’t make any difference to your workout, your cardiovascular health, or your heart rate. You’ll still get a full-body workout. Nothing is different other than folding rowers save space so that you can move them elsewhere.

Is it OK to Fold a Water Rowing Machine?

If the manufacturer gives you instructions on how to fold their rowing machine, then it’s perfectly OK to do so.

Keep in mind that not all rowing machines, whether they use water resistance or not, are capable of folding or coming apart for storage.

Even some magnetic rowing machines don’t fold, so make certain before you buy if space is at a premium at your house.

Are Water Rowers High Maintenance?

No more so than other rowing machines.

All rowing machines need at least a bit of maintenance. The only extra maintenance that a water rower would have would be that a chlorine tablet needs to be placed in the water tank every 6 months or so.

This is to keep the water clear and beautiful.

Otherwise, water rowers need no extra maintenance.

Are you ready? Let’s look at my top 5 picks for folding rowing machines.

Top 5 Foldable Water Rowers

1.  Ergatta

Get the Best Deal at Ergatta Compare on Amazon read more

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Are Water Rowers Better Than Magnetic Rowers? 2026

are water rowers better than magnetic rowers

If you are looking to purchase a rowing machine so that you can exercise at home or to add to your at-home gym collection, you might be wondering which type of rowing machine you should buy. Should you buy a magnetic rowing machine? Should you buy a water rowing machine? What are those, anyway? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

The simple fact of the matter is that water rowing machines and magnetic rowing machines each have their advantages and disadvantages.  Neither one is worse than the other. It all depends on your tastes, preferences, needs, and living situation. 

A water rowing machine simulates the natural feel and resistance of rowing on open water, by making the swishing sound of real water rowing.  A magnetic rowing machine however offers multiple resistance levels, plus is much quieter to use.  Both offer a great rowing experience, it just comes down to personal preference.

In the following article, we will answer all those questions for you and more. We will also include reviews of both a magnetic rowing machine and a water rowing machine to provide you with some options once you have decided which type of rowing machine is best suited to your needs and the needs of your living situation.

Magnetic Rowing Machines

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