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Top 5 Best Rowing Machines for Home Use of 2025
Time to read 8 min
Time to read 8 min
A rowing machine is the way to work on your fitness at home. Rowing offers an effective workout that burns a lot of calories in a short time, without putting a lot of strain on your joints. Thanks to the low impact and smooth rowing motion, it is ideal for both beginners and advanced athletes. In addition, regular use of a rowing machine contributes to your overall cardiovascular health.
We tested the top 5 best rowing machines on things like adjustable resistance, realistic rowing experience, built-in training programs and of course the price-quality ratio. Whether you choose magnetic resistance, natural resistance or hydraulic fluid, in this blog we help you make the right choice. From a compact foldable rowing machine to a sturdy semi pro with LCD screen: we have tested every solid rowing machine. Read on and discover which rowing machine to buy is an excellent choice for your goals and space.
The Avalo Rowing Machine is a sleekly designed rowing machine that has been specially developed for people who want to work on their fitness at home. Thanks to its compact size and foldable design, this rowing machine is perfect for limited space. The sturdy construction and adjustable resistance make the device suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. The LCD screen provides clear insight into, among other things, calories burned, distance, time and training intensity. With a maximum load of 120 kg and a comfortable seat, this rowing machine is ideal for regular and intensive use.
Easy to store thanks to foldable design
Our tests showed that the Avalo is a real space saver. The clever foldable design makes it easy to store after use – ideal for those living in an apartment or with limited space. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable training experience at home without the machine taking up unnecessary space.
Good adjustable resistance for a realistic rowing experience
The Avalo rowing machine has various resistance levels that are easy to adjust. This allows you to adjust the type of resistance to your training level, which ensures a realistic rowing experience. Whether you want to row quietly or train at high intensity, the machine always offers a suitable challenge.
Very attractive price-quality ratio
What we noticed during testing is that this rowing machine offers a lot for a relatively low price. The combination of a sturdy frame, durable materials and an LCD display make it the best rowing machine in its price range. It is without a doubt one of the best rowing machines if you are looking for the best price-quality ratio.
This magnetic rowing machine is ideal for home use and offers a quiet, smooth rowing motion that is perfect for beginners and advanced rowers alike. Thanks to the magnetic resistance with 8 different levels, you can easily determine the intensity of your workout. The LCD display clearly shows your performance, such as calories burned, time, distance and rowing strokes. With a sturdy frame and a maximum load capacity of 120 kg, this rowing machine offers a comfortable training experience for almost everyone. The compact design makes it an excellent choice for those who want to use a rowing machine at home without it taking up too much space.
Quiet in use, even at high intensity
During our test, we immediately noticed how quiet this rowing machine is, even with heavy use. The resistance ensures a smooth and silent experience - perfect for training at home without disturbing your housemates. This makes it particularly suitable for people who want to train sooner or later.
Versatile training options with adjustable resistance
The different resistance levels give you a lot of control over the intensity of your workout. This allows you to do both a light warm-up and a solid cardio workout. This versatile workout is ideal for those who want to vary and train in a targeted manner.
Compact and space-saving
The space-saving design makes this rowing machine suitable for homes with limited space. Despite its compact size, it offers a comfortable seat and a stable base. This scores high on the best price-quality ratio.
The Tunturi Cardio Fit R20 is a compact, foldable rowing machine that is ideal for home use. The rowing machine works with hydraulic resistance, which ensures a natural and gradual resistance while rowing. With 4 different resistance levels and a sturdy frame, this model is suitable for people who are looking for an effective way to improve their fitness. The foldable rowing machine takes up little space and fits perfectly in smaller spaces. The LCD screen clearly shows how many calories you have burned and how long you have been working.
Realistic rowing experience thanks to hydraulic resistance
Our test showed that the fluid mechanics provide a surprisingly realistic rowing experience. This natural resistance feels fluid and offers enough challenge for both beginners and experienced athletes. The resistance also responds well to the intensity of your stroke.
Very suitable for limited space
Thanks to the foldable design and compact size, you can easily store the Tunturi R20. The rowing machine therefore takes up little space and is an excellent choice for people with less space. This makes it ideal if you want to use a rowing machine at home.
Good choice for beginners and people who want to lose weight
This rowing machine offers a comfortable seat and low impact, which is ideal for those just starting out or looking to lose weight. It is a useful addition for those looking to lose weight with an effective way to exercise. The price and build quality together make it an excellent value for money.
The Fitfirst rowing machine is built for people who want to train regularly and intensively. The sturdy construction, comfortable seat and adjustable resistance make it a very solid rowing machine. It has an LCD screen on which you can follow your burned calories, time and rowing strokes. This rowing machine offers a good balance between comfort and performance and is suitable for home use thanks to its compact design. The Fitfirst is robust enough for longer training sessions and heavy use.
Suitable for taller people
During testing we noticed that this rowing machine is very suitable for taller users. The rails and seat provide sufficient freedom of movement for people over 190 cm. This is something that can be a problem with most rowing machines, but not here.
Robust build quality for semi-pro use
The stable construction and durable materials make this model ideal for semi pro users. The device feels stable and solid, even with heavy use. This makes it a good choice for experienced athletes as well.
Various training programs for extra challenge
A striking advantage is the presence of multiple pre-programmed programs. This means you don't have to think up your own schedule every time and you can work specifically on your condition. This versatile training makes it one of the best rowing machines for home use.
The VirtuFit Ergometer is a luxurious, foldable rowing machine with a sturdy frame and advanced features. This rowing machine offers a smooth, quiet rowing experience thanks to magnetic resistance and is suitable for intensive home use. With a built-in heart rate function, LCD display and training programs, it is aimed at both beginners and experienced athletes. The foldable design makes this rowing machine space-saving and easy to store. Thanks to the combination of quality, comfort and features, this is one of the best options for those who want to train seriously.
Heart rate function for targeted cardio training
A unique advantage from our test is the accurate heart rate measurement. This helps you to train in the right heart rate zone, which contributes to an effective cardio workout. Ideal for people who want to train with a goal in mind and improve their fitness.
Very versatile thanks to training programs
The virtufit row offers various training programs that provide variety and motivation. Both beginners and experienced athletes can benefit from this. The rowing machine offers an effective way to make continuous progress.
High quality construction and comfort
The comfortable seat, sturdy frame and durable materials ensure a comfortable experience. The VirtuFit Row 1.0 is clearly built for intensive use and stands firm during every session. This makes it an excellent choice with one of the best price-quality ratios on the market.
There are different types of resistance: hydraulic, magnetic, air or water resistance. Hydraulic resistance is often quieter and more compact, ideal for smaller spaces. Magnetic resistance offers a smooth rowing motion and is often adjustable in multiple levels. Air and water resistance provide a realistic rowing experience and respond to your rowing stroke, but make more noise. If you want to train in peace and quiet at home, a rowing machine with magnetic resistance or hydraulic fluid is an excellent choice. Most rowing machines we tested use these quiet systems.
It depends on the model, but many modern rowing machines have a compact design or are foldable. When folded, a foldable rowing machine often takes up less than half a meter of depth, which is ideal for those with limited space. The length of extended rowing machines varies between 150 and 220 cm. Also pay attention to the maximum load capacity and whether the machine is suitable for taller people. Thanks to the foldable design of models such as the Tunturi Cardio Fit R20 or the VirtuFit Row 1.0 , storage after use is very easy.
Absolutely. Rowing is a very effective way to burn calories and build muscle at the same time. By combining strength and cardio training, it is a high-intensity workout that helps burn fat. You can burn up to 600–800 calories per hour, depending on your weight and workout intensity. A rowing machine also offers a low impact, which means there is less chance of injury than running. This makes it ideal for anyone who wants to lose weight, even if they have knee or joint problems.
Important features include the type of resistance, the number of resistance levels, the presence of an LCD screen or training programs, and whether the machine is foldable. A comfortable seat, a sturdy frame and good dimensions are essential for a pleasant training experience. It is also useful if the LCD display shows information such as calories burned, time, distance and strokes per minute. For experienced athletes, extra features such as a heart rate monitor or pre-programmed workouts are a useful addition. Finally, the price also plays a role — look for a rowing machine with the best price-quality ratio that suits your training goal.
Couldn't find what you were looking for in our top 5 best rowing machines? Then check out the top 10 best-selling treadmills on bol.com here , which also includes a Focus fitness row and fitage rowing machine.
