Quick Comparison Table

WaterRower Club Machine

Harison 818

First Degree Fitness

Water Rower GX

Water Rower Oxbridge

First Degree Fitness Apollo Pro II

Water Rower 400 S4

Water Rower A1 S4

Water Rower Grunk M1

First Degree Fitness Vortex

Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Weight 117 lbs 99 lbs 68 lbs 103.5 lbs 117 lbs 79 lbs 100 pounds dry or 143 pounds with water 110 lbs 79 lbs n/a
Dimensions 84 x 21 x 22 in 85 x 22 x 23 in 20.1 x 20.9 x 77.8 in 82.25 x 22.25 x 20 in 84 x 21 x 22 in 84.1 x 21.7 x 21.3 in 84 x 22 x 21 in 83 x 22.5 x 22.5 in 88 x 275 x 221 in 74.8 x 31.5 x 33.5 in
Warranty 1 year warranty but this can be upgraded upon registration n/a 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty 1 year warranty, but this can be upgraded upon registration 11 year warranty but this is upgraded upon registration 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty 1 year warranty 1 year warranty but it can be upgraded upon registration 1 year warranty which can be upgraded with registration 10 year frame warranty, 3 year tank warranty, 2 year parts warranty
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Table of Contents

 

1

How to Select the Best Water Rowing Machine for the Money?

  • Knowing how to select the best water rowing machine for the money can all come down to your research. As there are so many different brands, makes, models and manufacturers to review, the whole process can become overwhelming.

    We try to make it as stress-free as possible by offering a range of different options within this buying guide. Each of these top rated water resistance rowing machines have different features and price tags to suit a wide variety of buyers.

 

Fitness Level

  • Every rower has a different level of fitness. Many people decide to purchase a rowing machine to get fit, whilst others opt for one in order to train during the off-season of competitive rowing. In order to get the best deal on a water rower, you need to first ascertain where you stand on the fitness scale.

    Are you looking for a top level machine packed full of features to track your progress? Or are you simply looking for a basic rower to provide the simulation of rowing, in the comfort of your own home? Once you have decided on your ultimate goal, the purchasing process becomes so much easier.

 

Storage

  • Not every water rower is easy to store away, out of sight and out of mind. Within our buying guide we show you several options – both those which can be stored away with ease, and those that need their own dedicated space.

    You will need to first determine your space requirements before you make any decisions on which is the best water rowing machine for the money.

 

Comfort

  • As you will be spending a lot of time on a rowing machine, you want it to be as comfortable as possible. While many manufacturers design their water rowing machines to feature premium levels of comfort, some don’t. You may find some seats aren’t padded very well, whilst others have harder foot pedals that are uncomfortable to use.

    Pay careful attention to each component of the water rowing machines to see whether your comfort level is going to be sufficient.

 

Features

  • Water rowers offer a range of different features not often seen on a standard rowing machine. Instead of using air, pistons or magnets, a water rowing machine relies on a water flywheel which revolves inside a tank of water. This allows the user to get their resistance which is created by the water moving around within the tank. You can also offset the drag by adjusting the water level within the tank.

    Generally, water rowing machines also feature a comfortable seat, durable handles and a solid frame that stands the test of time. Those that are on the higher end of the price scale also come with progress reporting monitors which allow you to export the data to a computer.

 

Maintenance

  • Water rowers generally require very little maintenance. This is because they have fewer components working together for resistance than that of piston, magnetic or air rowers. They will need cleaned of dust every now and again, wiped of sweat after each use, and the water changed or treated.

 

Budget

  • It can be hard to know how far to open your wallet when you’re looking to purchase the best water rowing machine for the money. After all, they all vary in price quite dramatically. This is why it’s important to review each of the features of top rated machines to see whether the cost is worth what’s on offer.

    If you’re particularly interested in a high end machine which tracks your progress and is heavy duty, be prepared to spend a little more. However, if a low end machine with minimal features will suffice, you can spend far less. In the end, you will need to spend upwards of $800.

2

Top 10 Rated Water Rowing Machine Reviews


#1 WaterRower Club Machine

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s quiet to use.
  • The rowing action is nice and smooth.
  • It has a Series 4 monitor to track your workout, stroke rate, heart rate and more.
  • It’s very solid in construction.
  • It’s well-made.
  • In comparison to its features, it’s well priced on the market.
  • It can be stored standing up to take up minimal space.

Cons:

  • You have to assemble it yourself.
  • Some users note it was difficult to put together due to misaligned nuts and bolts.
  • Altering the resistance is a manual process by adjusting the water level in the tank.

What’s included

  • WaterRower Club Machine

FAQ

QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QWhat is the weight rating?

A1000 pounds.


QDo you have to empty the tank to store it?

ANo.

Specs

  • Weight: 117 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 84 x 21 x 22 inches.
  • Warranty: 1 year warranty but this can be upgraded upon registration.

Overview

Designed for high traffic areas such as gyms and clubs, this WaterRower Club Machine is the epitome of quality. It’s easy to keep clean due to the soil-resistant finish, and provides excellent simulation of real-life rowing. Its monitor is high-tech with several progress options, and it’s even easy to store when not in use. You can even have peace of mind it will last the test of time due to its durable components and extended warranty upon registration. For the features it offers in comparison to the cost, it’s certainly one of the best water rowing machines for the money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read WaterRower Club Machine water rowing machine reviews.

 

#2 Harison 818

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s very aesthetically pleasing.
  • It comes with an iPad holder.
  • It’s water-resistant.
  • It offers a full body workout.
  • It’s very lightweight.
  • It measures your distance, time and resistance.
  • You can adjust your resistance level between 1 and 5.

Cons:

  • It’s very expensive.
  • It’s very large so it’s relatively difficult to store.
  • The seat foam isn’t covered so it’s difficult to keep clean.

What’s included

  • Harison 818 water rowing machine

FAQ

QDoes it come with an iPad for the holder?

ANo.


Q Does the tank need to be emptied before being stored vertically?

ANo.


QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo

Specs

  • Weight: 99 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 85 x 22 x 23 inches.

Overview

Although the design of this Harison 818 is environmentally friendly, it misses the mark on a few things. It’s large so it takes up a lot of floor space, and its components are very difficult to keep clean. Although it’s aesthetically pleasing and offers progress tracking, it doesn’t offer over-the-top features you would expect for the price tag. Therefore, it’s unaffordable for many people, and certainly isn’t one of the best water rowing machines for the money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Harison 818 water rowing machine reviews.

 

#3 First Degree Fitness

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s small and compact for easy home use.
  • The computer shows you your time, distance, strokes, calories and heart rate.
  • It’s very quiet to use.
  • Its handles and pedals are comfortable to use.
  • It’s very solid in construction.
  • It’s for sale at a very affordable price.
  • It’s designed to reduce arm and leg strain.

Cons:

  • It has a weight limit of 300 pounds – far less than several other models on the market.
  • The water levels have to be adjusted in order to change the resistance.

What’s included

  • First Degree Fitness water rowing machine.
  • 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty.

FAQ

QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QWhat is the weight capacity?

A300 pounds.


QCan it be stored upright?​​​​​

AYes.

Specs

  • Weight: 68 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 20.1 x 20.9 x 77.8 inches.
  • Warranty: 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty.

Overview

If you’re looking for a water rowing machine to fit nicely into your home, this First Degree FItness rower could be the one for you. It’s lightweight, affordable, exceptionally durable and very quiet to operate. The best thing about this rowing machine is how easily it is to store away when not in use. It really is a good option for a home user and represents good value for money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read First Degree Fitness water rowing machine reviews.

 

#4 Water Rower GX

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It is very durable.
  • It provides a full body workout.
  • It requires little to no maintenance.
  • It has a very aesthetically pleasing design.
  • It provides a realistic rowing simulation.

Cons:

  • It’s quite heavy.
  • In comparison to its features and its recommended use, it’s quite expensive.
  • It has a weight limit of 325 pounds which, in comparison to other rowers, is quite conservative.

What’s included

  • Water Rower GX water rowing machine.
  • 1 year warranty, but this can be upgraded upon registration.

FAQ

QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QDo you need to empty the tank to store vertically?

ANo.


QWhat is the weight capacity?

A325 pounds.

Specs

  • Weight: 103.5 pounds (with tank full).
  • Dimensions: 82.25 x 22.25 x 20 inches.
  • Warranty: 1 year warranty, but this can be upgraded upon registration.

Overview

If your rowing machine’s aesthetic features and brand name are important to you, this Water Rower GX rowing machine is a good match for you. However, if you’re more concerned about the rower providing you with a good workout and plenty of progress reporting features, it will be better to look elsewhere. Although this rowing machine is attractive, durable and smooth to operate, it doesn’t represent good buying. This is because it has a conservative weight limit and has very basic features which don’t explain the high price tag.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Water Rower GX water rowing machine reviews.

 

#5 Water Rower Oxbridge

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s very aesthetically pleasing.
  • It’s smooth and quiet to operate.
  • The wood absorbs sounds and vibrations.
  • It requires minimal maintenance.
  • It has very few moving parts so there’s a reduced risk of breakages.
  • It has a Series 4 performance monitor for progress tracking.

Cons:

  • The tanks are prone to leakages.
  • The machine creeps forward when in use.
  • The app for this machine isn’t very good.

What’s included

  • Water Rower Oxbridge water rowing machine.
  • 1 year warranty but this is upgraded upon registration.

FAQ

QHow do you adjust the resistance?

ABy removing or adding water to the tank.


QWhich parts of your body does this rowing machine work on?

AThe muscles in your back, biceps, lower body and core.


QHow easy is it to assemble?

AIt takes one person approximately 45 minutes.

Specs

  • Weight: 117 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 84 x 21 x 22 inches.
  • Warranty: 11 year warranty but this is upgraded upon registration.

Overview

If you want your water rowing machine to last the distance, the Water Rower Oxbridge is a good option. Although it’s on the higher end on the price scale, you do pay for quality. It’s durable, quiet, comes with great features and fits well into any home environment. It’s also very small, compact and is easy to store. For these reasons it’s easily one of the best water rowing machines for the money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Water Rower Oxbridge water rowing machine reviews.

 

#6 First Degree Fitness Apollo Pro II

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It has a high quality steel frame to make it more durable.
  • It offers progress tracking.
  • It has dial-controlled resistance instead of adjusting the water tank levels.
  • It’s smooth and quiet.
  • It’s lightweight and portable.
  • It’s aesthetically pleasing with its environmentally friendly look.

Cons:

  • It’s only suitable for entry level users.
  • It’s one of the most expensive models.
  • The fill line is on the opposite side to the fill hole. This is a design flaw.

What’s included

  • First Degree Fitness Apollo Pro II water rowing machine.
  • 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty.

FAQ

QWhat is the weight capacity?

A330 pounds​​​​​.


QDoes it have USB connection?

AYes.


QAre the footplates adjustable?

AYes.


QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.

Specs

  • Weight: 79 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 84.1 x 21.7 x 21.3 pounds.
  • Warranty: 5 year frame warranty, 3 year tank and seal warranty, 2 year mechanical warranty and 1 year parts warranty.

Overview

Taking a leaf out of Water Rower’s book, First Degree Fitness has produced an aesthetically pleasing rower. Natural wood framework appears to be a popular design option, and it’s clear to see they are onto a winner with this one. However, even though it has all the features many users will find convenient, its price tag is a little hard to comprehend.

It’s an attractive machine, it has high-spec technology for progress reporting, but it’s aimed at the “beginners” market. It’s hard to tell whether this is an oversight, or whether beginners really are willing to pay upwards of $500 more for a beginner machine, than they would for an expert machine.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read First Degree Fitness Apollo Pro II water rowing machine reviews.

 

#7 Water Rower 400 S4

Water Rower 400 S4

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s very durable.
  • It tracks your progress with a Series 4 performance monitor.
  • It’s aesthetically pleasing with its contemporary design.
  • It’s suitable for home or gym use.
  • It’s easy to clean and maintain.
  • It’s made in the USA which is important to some people.

Cons:

  • It only comes with a one year warranty.
  • It’s very expensive.

What’s included

  • Water Rower 400 S4 water rowing machine.
  • 1 year warranty.

FAQ

QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QIs it portable for storage?

AYes. it can be stored vertically.


QWho is it suitable for?

ABoth professional athletes and home users.

Specs

  • Weight: 100 pounds dry or 143 pounds with water.
  • Dimensions: 84 x 22 x 21 inches.
  • Warranty: 1 year warranty.

Overview

Although this water resistance rowing machine is the epitome of quality, the cost of it is bound to put a lot of people off. It’s well built, durable and exceptionally solid, but so are many others on the market that are $1000 cheaper. Aimed at both commercial users and home users, it’s a confused product that doesn’t quite know where it’s supposed to be placed in the market. For this reason it’s not the best water rowing machine for the money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Water Rower 400 S4 water rowing machine reviews.

 

#8 Water Rower A1 S4

Water Rower Grunk M1

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s suitable for use at home and at the gym.
  • It simulates real rowing very well.
  • It comes with an S4 performance monitor for progress tracking.
  • It’s very low maintenance.
  • It’s smooth and quiet.
  • It’s portable and easy to store.

Cons:

  • The dark wood frame is an acquired taste and won’t suit all households and gyms.
  • The instructions are a little hard to follow for assembly.

What’s included

  • Water Rower A1 water rowing machine.
  • 1 year warranty, but it can be upgraded upon registration.

FAQ

QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QCan it be stored vertically

AYes.


QDoes it need to be emptied before being stored?

ANo.

Specs

  • Weight: 110 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 83 x 22.5 x 22.5 inches.
  • Warranty: 1 year warranty but it can be upgraded upon registration.

Overview

This rower provides both the athlete and the home user with a premium opportunity to get fit and tone muscles. It‘s smooth to operate, quiet, and is very easy to store. It’s also quite well priced on the market to suit many people’s budgets. It ticks all the boxes, but it’s let down by its overall style. Although Water Rower has stuck with the ‘wood’ theme for the entirety of their range, this particular color is not for everyone. It’s a difficult colour to match in any homeowner’s decor, and is particularly out-of-place in a gym environment too. However, this is a very small negative and doesn’t affect the rower’s effectiveness.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Water Rower A1 S4 water rowing machine reviews.

 

#9 Water Rower Grunk M1

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s top rated on the market.
  • It’s very heavy duty and durable.
  • It can support up to 700 pounds of bodyweight, over double what some other rowers can.
  • It’s suitable for both home users and gym-goers.
  • In comparison to its durability and weight capacity, it’s very well priced when you buy online.

Cons:

  • It’s quite chunky which makes it difficult to store.
  • It requires a substantial amount of assembly.

What’s included

  • Water Rower Grunk M1 water rowing machine.
  • 1 year warranty which can be upgraded with registration.

FAQ

QWhat is the maximum user height when seated?

A38 inches.


QDoes it come pre-assembled?

ANo.


QWhat is the user weight?

A700 pounds.

Specs

  • Weight: 79 pounds.
  • Dimensions: 88 x 275 x 221 inches.
  • Warranty: 1 year warranty which can be upgraded with registration.

Overview

If you’re looking to lose weight and get fit, this Water Rower Grunk M1 rowing machine is a good option for you. Many rowing machines have a weight capacity of around 300 pounds. Although this is still quite good, it doesn’t cater to those who are a little more overweight and need help getting back on track. This machine is perfect for those people. It’s exceptionally heavy duty, is suitable for home and gym use, and is well priced on the market. It fills a void and does so without being overpriced. It’s easily one of the best water rowing machines for the money.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Water Rower Grunk M1 water rowing machine reviews.

 

#10 First Degree Fitness Vortex

 

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • It’s aesthetically pleasing.
  • It’s very durable.
  • It has motor controlled resistance levels, instead of having to drain or add water to the tank.
  • It has 20 resistance levels.
  • It’s very compact.
  • It tracks your progress on the high-tech monitor which can be exported.
  • It comes with a 10 year warranty for the frame.

Cons:

  • It’s very expensive.
  • It’s more suitable for professionals than beginners.

What’s included

  • First Degree Fitness Vortex water rowing machine.
  • 10 year frame warranty, 3 year tank warranty, 2 year parts warranty.

FAQ

QWhat is its weight capacity?

A450 pounds.


QCan it be stored vertically?

AYes.


QDo you have to empty the water out to store it?

ANo.

Specs

  • Weight: 74.8 x 31.5 x 33.5 inches.
  • Warranty: 10 year frame warranty, 3 year tank warranty, 2 year parts warranty.

Overview

It can be difficult to know where to place this water rowing machine in the market. Although it’s packed full of features, some seem to be unnecessary for homeowners, gym-goers and athletes. First Degree Fitness has produced a premium machine, there’s no doubt about it, but with a high price tag it’s hard to say whether it’s worth the cost.

However, it’s built to last, comes with an exceptional warranty and is very quiet and comfortable to use. It’s not the best water resistance rowing machine for the money, but it’s fairly close.

Reviews

Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read First Degree Fitness Vortex water rowing machine reviews.

 

3

FAQs


Where do you Buy Water Rowing Machines?

When you’re looking for the best deal in order to save yourself money, it’s best to buy online. You can often get top rated water rowing machines on Amazon for far less money than those sold in physical stores. However, it pays to read the reviews to make sure the one you believe is the right fit, is going to do everything you want it to do.

What are the Leading Water Rowing Machine Brands/Manufacturers?

  • Water Rower
  • First Degree Fitness

 

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