7 Best Rowing Machines Under $500 in 2020

Beating all other models on our list is the Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine, a winning workout masterpiece that replicates that in-water rowing experience via its solid build and highly adjustable console. While it may be a little more expensive than the other products in this list, it gives you enough reasons to justify its cost as it has high-end features comparable to other more expensive brands – precisely why this equipment is our top pick.

From the makers of highly innovative cardio workout solutions, the Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine is all about quality and versatility. It allows you to submerge into a full-body aerobic workout via its fully adaptable console, which offers a wide range of adjustment features so you can exercise comfortably regardless of your height and resistance preferences. Exercise on your own terms right from the comfort of your living space – that’s Schwinn’s guarantee.

Some of its exemplary features include its 10 magnetic resistance levels, its over-sized, well-cushioned seats, and its powerful nylon transmission – all of which allow you to exercise conveniently, quietly, and persistently without having to worry about durability issues.

Our personal favorite is its large, readable display that helps you track important readings such as time, distance, count, calories, recovery, stroke, and pulse. This may be a small add-on for some, but this feature is actually what most of its competing models in this list lack.

The only major downside of the Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine is its heavy and large build, which is not suitable for small living spaces. But then again, if you’re looking for a solid investment that’s half the price of high-end ergs, this product is worth the second look.

What looks like the Iron Man in the world of indoor rowing machines is the MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine Folding Exercise Rower, a sturdy and highly innovative rower that almost stole the top spot from Schwinn Crewmaster. It only takes a glimpse for rowing enthusiasts to know why this machine effortlessly climbed its way to the top.

Fitness knows no limits, and that’s what MaxKare’s extra long slide rails and magnetic resistance prove. With a rail length reaching up to 49 inches, this equipment is ideal even if you’re well over 6’ tall – quite a great bargain if you’d consider its price. Adjustability wise, it was designed with 16 levels of magnetic resistance, making it easy for you to create customized workout regimens with improved range and accuracy. Play with old and new exercise patterns – MaxCare makes workout switches possible for you.

Aesthetically speaking, MaxCare is easy on the eyes, thanks to its high-quality design and build. Add to that, its foldability also makes storage easy and convenient, so if that’s one of your considerations, you might want to check out this product.

If there’s something missing about this machine, it’s a full display of important workout data such as rowing distance and strokes. Also, a few users complain about the durability of their unit after using it for a few months. But overall, if these users are proven wrong and durability isn’t really an issue, this product is one of the greatest buys on our list.

Easy on the pocket but mighty on performance, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine keeps you rowing towards your fitness goals through its quiet and smooth magnetic tension mechanism, which can be adjusted in 8 levels. Its easy-to-use tension knob allows you to make quick switches that regulate resistance and intensity levels so you won’t outgrow your machine even when your rowing skill gets an upgrade. Make different routines and workout patterns or stick to your regular program – SF-RW5515 enables you to do both.

The cherry on top: SF-RW5515 was built to offer you lasting comfort and convenience via its fully-cushioned seats, its non-slip, textured pedals, and its extra-long slide rails, which make rowing hassle-free even for taller people.

What most users don’t like about this product is its small digital monitor display that doesn’t provide accurate calorie readings and lacks meter display, too. Additionally, some units are said to be fragile, so make sure to double-check the warranty. If needed, you can get the 2-year extended warranty for an extra $25 just in case. While the SF-RW5515 is actually a steal considering its standout features, durability should never take the backseat, so we had to give it a 4.25 rating.

Combining a sturdy build with innovative solutions is the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower, a powerful rowing machine that keeps you just a row – and an app – closer to your health and fitness goals.

For its price point, this indoor rower has a lot of advantages over its competing models, but let’s start with some of our favorites first. Contrary to other rowers that make connectivity the least of their concerns, the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rowing Machine makes connectivity its pivotal feature by helping you track your progress and your goals via a FREE MyCloudFitness app, which is compatible on both Android and iOS.

This, along with a 3.5-inch LCD display that monitors calories, distance, strokes, time, and total count, helps you accurately identify stages of your fitness journey so you can set exercise routines according to your present needs.

Most importantly, the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower was built to offer you alternative workout options that can help you achieve targeted results. Each machine comes with 14 levels of magnetic resistance, which is paired with stabilizer foot pads that enable you to engage in other non-rowing exercises such as curls and front raises. Adjustable and versatile? It’s tough to beat that combo!

But just like other rowers, this equipment also has its fair share of ups and downs. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of this product is also its main feature – its app. While it aims to get you more in tune with your progress, many users have had a negative experience on the machine’s application because of issues with inaccuracy, so you may be slightly disappointed if you’re after real-time readings.

Also, while its rowing mechanism is quiet and smooth, it may not be an advisable rower for athletes who are looking for extreme workout intensities that other high-end models like the Concept2 Model can provide. But overall, this piece of equipment is a great contender if you’re just in the market for low to mid-priced rowers.

Enjoy seamless movements and unrivalled flexibility with ENCHANFIT Magnetic Rower’s tension system that enables smooth and quiet indoor rowing mechanisms. What makes this equipment a top contender in our list is its 16 resistance levels, which is definitely a great buying point if adjustability is one of your essentials. Mimicking the tension system used in magnetic upright indoor bikes, ENCHANFIT is engineered with a knob that controls its brakes. It just takes a quick clockwise or counter-clockwise twist to increase or decrease rowing resistance based on your preferred workout intensity.

Another feature that makes ENCHANFIT a great budget indoor rower is its ergonomic, space-saving folding frame design that makes storage the least of your concerns. Ideal for full-body cardio workout or recovery training, this indoor equipment brings comfort, adjustability, and quality straight to your doorstep.

Some of the areas it needs to work on, however, is its compact build, which is not really ideal for taller people, and its digital display that lacks pulse reading. But considering its remarkable features, this rower is definitely a great bargain particularly if you’re petite or average-sized.

Want to hit the water without stepping away from home? The Marnur Water Rowing Machine has you covered. Built with a water tank that fills up to 18 liters, this home rowing machine aims to offer you the complete outdoor rowing experience by adding actual water into the equation.

This machine’s mechanism is quite simple. Its 22.63-inch deep water tank is designed to hold different water levels, which directly affect workout resistance and intensity. A water pipe and an injection port allow you to conveniently replace and change water levels according to your own preferences. But aside from water levels, the intensity of your routine is also dependent on speed. As a rule of thumb, low to medium rowing speed builds up muscle endurance, while faster speeds aim for power.

Other than replicating an actual rowing experience, this product is also a winner because it claims to put less pressure on the joints, making it ideal for senior citizens or those with minor knee conditions that need to engage in-impact exercise.

Plus, the Marnur Water Rowing Machine also comes with a movable pulley that allows for easy movement and storage, along with an adjustable digital watch that tracks time, calories, distance, and strokes. Talk about convenience!

Now, unlike other models that come with a control knob, this product’s resistance level is based on water level settings, so your workout intensity may not be as easy to control. Also, assembly may come as a challenge, especially if it’s your first time using an indoor rowing machine with a water tank.

Hitting two birds with one stone, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine helps you create a holistic approach to achieving upper and lower body fitness via muscle-toning and sculpting exercises that you can perform in either a sitting or standing position.

Its main highlight: this rowing machine easily converts into an upper body-building equipment that successfully targets the muscles in your shoulders and biceps, making it easy for you to achieve all your fitness goals in just one space-saving equipment. Torn between circuit training and rowing exercises? You don’t have to choose one because SF-RW5622 Dual Function is here to help you do both.

How? Simple. Sturdy metal pads allow you to stand upright and therefore you can engage in a wide range of exercises that focus on your upper body muscles such as bicep curls, front shoulder raises, or overhead tricep extensions.

From rigorous rowing exercises to bicep curls, the SF-RW5622 gives you all the support and features you need.

Rowing wise, just like its top-performing sibling, Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515, this equipment is also designed with an 8-level adjustable resistance, which regulates intensity based on your needs. Its wide, cushioned seat also offers unparalleled comfort and support, making it a great indoor rower even without the ‘dual’ feature.

A fairly common complaint that users seem to have is that the tension is relatively weak. Stronger rowers or people looking for a more intense workout might feel a bit underwhelmed by the adjustable tension.

If, however, rowing for endurance on a lower setting is your thing, then we don’t see any problems for you, as there are no user complaints of the tension at the lower end of the scale.