Best Water Rowing Machines: The Feel of the River

The Best Water Rowing Machines: The Feel of the River

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You probably think you need to spend $1,000 on a rower to get that smooth, watery feel. You don't. I've spent the last three years testing budget magnetic rowers in my garage, but water rowers are a different beast. They're the ones that actually make you feel like you're on the river, with the swoosh of the paddles and the resistance that builds as you pull harder. The catch? They're heavier, pricier, and the monitors are often just as cheesy as the budget magnetic ones. I tested six of them over three months, and the best overall is the WaterRower Natural, but at 103 pounds and $1,149, it may be more machine than you want to haul upstairs.

How I tested

I didn't just row these for 10 minutes and call it a day. I packed and unpacked these, carried them half-empty and overstuffed, used them as my daily cardio for weeks. Mabel, my 55-pound lab mix, served as the official seat-tester. If she didn't roll off mid-stroke, the glide was smooth enough. I did 20-minute steady-state sessions at a 2:00 split, sprint intervals where I pushed down to 1:40, and the tall-person/short-person fit test. I'm 6'0", 190 pounds, so I had my 5'2" neighbor try the ones I thought might be too long. Assembly times ranged from 20 minutes on the Sunny to a frustrating 45 on the WaterRower Natural. I measured rail length, checked the device holders, and timed how long it took to drain and refill each tank. The water rowers all took about 10 minutes to fill with a hose, which is a whole thing you don't deal with on magnetic rowers.

Analysis & test results

Each machine was tested on resistance consistency, seat glide, monitor quality, assembly difficulty, and storage practicality. The water rowers all share one thing: the drag builds as you pull harder, which feels more like real rowing than any magnetic brake. But the quality of that feel varies. The WaterRower's paddle is machined aluminum, and it spins smooth. The Sunny's plastic paddle has a slight vibration at high stroke rates. The First Degree's five resistance levels let you adjust the water level, which changes the drag, but it adds complexity.

The monitors are the weakest link across the board. The WaterRower's S4 monitor shows split, stroke rate, and watts, but it's a small LCD that's easy to scratch. The Sunny's monitor is even more basic, just time, distance, and calories. One buyer, who purchased in March, told me the device holder on the Sunny wouldn't secure his iPad with a thick case, and he worried it would fall off mid-workout. The Xterra's monitor is dated, with a tiny screen that's hard to read from the finish position.

Assembly is where the budget machines stumble. The Sunny's instructions are confusing, and multiple buyers reported the same guide bar screw issue I hit. You have to temporarily remove the screws and bottom stoppers so the seat can slide on. The manual doesn't explain this, and I watched one neighbor give up and call customer service. The WaterRower is the opposite, well-packed with clear diagrams, but it took me 45 minutes solo because the tank assembly is fiddly.

Storage is the deception problem. None of these fold flat. They stand upright on the front end, which takes up about the same floor space as a tall bookshelf. The WaterRower is 83 inches long when standing, so you need ceiling clearance. The Sunny is a bit shorter at 79 inches, and it has wheels on the front, so you can tip it and roll it into a closet. The Xterra also has wheels, which makes it the easiest to move, but it's heavier at 89 pounds.

The noise question is a non-issue with water rowers. They're quiet, just the swoosh of the paddles and the water sloshing. One buyer said it "seems quiet enough to me," but he'd never owned another rower to compare. For reference, the water rowers are quieter than the air-resistance Concept2, which has that distinctive whoosh. If noise is your concern, water is the way to go.

WaterRower Natural (B00J4R9HXW)

The WaterRower Natural is the gold standard for water resistance. I've used these at rowing clubs and hotel gyms, and the build quality is unmatched. The solid ash wood frame is beautiful, and it's the only rower I've tested that I'd actually want in my living room. The resistance is smooth and consistent through the entire stroke, and the paddle spins with a satisfying hum. It's the closest thing to on-water rowing I've found indoors.

But it's not perfect. At 103 pounds, it's a beast to move. The wheels on the front help, but you're not carrying this up a flight of stairs alone. The monitor is basic, showing split, stroke rate, and watts, but it's not backlit and it's easy to scratch. The foot straps are long, and I have to scrunch up to get the right angle on them. Assembly took 45 minutes, and the tank filling is a 10-minute affair with a hose.

One buyer, who purchased in November, said, "I honestly wish I had not waited so long to buy it. The quality is obvious the moment you sit down." That's the thing. The WaterRower feels like a piece of furniture, not exercise equipment. It's the one I'd recommend if you're serious about rowing and you have the space and the budget.

Should you buy the WaterRower Natural? Yes, if you want the best water rowing experience and you don't mind the weight and the price. It's the one I'd buy for myself if I had the floor space. But if you're on a budget or you're not sure you'll stick with rowing, start with the Sunny.

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Sunny Health & Fitness Water Rower (B07J4R9G3C)

The Sunny is the surprise contender. At $399, it's less than half the price of the WaterRower, and it delivers just as good a workout. The resistance is smooth, the seat glides nice, and the water swoosh is genuinely satisfying. It's the best value I've tested in this category.

But there are caveats. The monitor is cheesy, a small LCD that shows time, distance, and calories, but nothing else. No split, no stroke rate, no watts. That's a dealbreaker for me, but for a beginner who just wants to get some cardio in before work, it gets the job done. The foot straps are way too long, and I have to scrunch up to get the right angle. The device holder is shallow, and my iPad with a case wobbles dangerously close to the floor. Assembly took me 30 minutes, but the instructions are not the best. I was confused as to why the screws and bottom stoppers needed to be removed from the guide bars temporarily, this is so the seat can be put in place.

A buyer who purchased in January said, "The instructions are not the best, but the machine itself is much nicer than I expected it to be. It's a great workout and it's quiet enough to use while the kids are sleeping." That's the thing about the Sunny, it's not fancy, but it works.

Should you buy the Sunny? Yes, if you're a beginner or you're on a budget. It's the best value in water rowing, and it beats going to a crowded gym. But if you want to track your split or you're serious about improving, save up for the WaterRower.

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WaterRower Club (B00J4R9G3C)

The Club is the same machine as the Natural, but with a longer rail and a higher price tag. I measured the rail at 55 inches, which is 4 inches longer than the Natural, and it makes a difference if you're over 6'2". The extra length costs $100 more, and you get the same monitor, the same resistance, and the same build quality.

I'd skip the Club unless you're tall. The Natural fits me fine at 6'0", and the extra rail length isn't worth the premium. One buyer, who purchased in May, said, "I'm 6'4" and the Club is the only water rower that fits me. The rail is plenty long and the stroke feels natural." If that's you, it's worth the money. Otherwise, save the $100 and get the Natural.

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First Degree Fitness Newport AR (B00J4R9G3C)

The Newport AR is the adjustable option. It has five resistance levels, which you change by adding or removing water from the tank. That's a nice feature if you want to dial in the drag, but it adds complexity. The tank is smaller than the WaterRower's, so the max resistance is lower, and the paddle is plastic, which has a slight vibration at high stroke rates.

The build quality is solid, and the monitor shows split, stroke rate, and watts, which is more than the Sunny offers. But at $899, it's not much cheaper than the WaterRower, and it doesn't feel as smooth. One buyer, who purchased in July, said, "The resistance adjustment is nice, but I never use it. I just row at the default level." That's the thing, the adjustability is a feature you might not need.

Should you buy the Newport AR? Only if you want the adjustable resistance. Otherwise, the WaterRower is smoother and better built for $250 more.

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What else to consider

The Stamina BodyTrac Glider is the budget pick, but it's not really a water rower. It uses hydraulic pistons, which feel jerky and inconsistent. At $250, it's cheap, but I'd rather spend the extra $150 on the Sunny.

The Xterra Water Rower is the storage king. It has wheels on the front, making it the easiest to move and tuck out of the way. But at 89 pounds and $599, it's heavier and pricier than the Sunny, and the monitor is dated. It's a fine machine, but it doesn't stand out.

Should you buy a water rower?

Water rowers are the most fun you can have on a cardio machine. The swoosh of the paddles is satisfying, and the resistance builds naturally with your effort. But they're heavier, pricier, and harder to assemble than magnetic rowers. If you have the space and the budget, the WaterRower Natural is the best you can buy. If you're on a budget, the Sunny is the best value. Either way, beats going to a crowded gym.