The best rowing machine for home UK buyers depends on space and budget, going by published specifications. The Concept2 RowErg (around £990) is the lightest premium option at 26 kg, the WaterRower Original Oak (around £999) stores upright, and the JTX Freedom Air (around £429.99) and Sunny SF-RW5801 are lower-priced folding rowers. Prices checked Oct 2026.
Quick comparison
| Specification | Concept2 RowErg | WaterRower Original Oak | JTX Freedom Air | Sunny SF-RW5801 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative price (Oct 2026) | around £990 | around £999 | around £429.99 | No price set |
| Resistance | Air, damper 1 to 10 | Water, 17 litres | Air and magnetic, 8 levels | Magnetic, 16 levels |
| Length in use | 244 cm | 209 cm | 230 cm | about 196 cm |
| Weight | 26 kg | 29 kg dry, 46 kg filled | 40 kg | about 22.5 kg |
| User weight limit | 227 kg tested; 135 kg EN 20957-7 | 315 kg | 135 kg | 285 lb (about 129 kg); FAQ says 250 lb |
| Storage | Splits in two | Upright, 51 x 57 x 209 cm | Folds; size not published | Folds, about 92 x 58 x 119 cm |
| Warranty | Limited 2-year and 5-year | 5-year frame, 3-year parts | 2-year in-home repair | 3-year frame, 180 days parts (US markets) |
How should you read the user weight limits?
Treat them as separate figures from separate tests. Concept2 states 227 kg as tested by Concept2 and 135 kg under EN 20957-7, WaterRower lists 315 kg, JTX lists 135 kg without naming a test method, and Sunny's page gives 285 lb in the specification and 250 lb in the FAQ. A buyer near any of these numbers should read the manual and ask the maker or seller which figure applies, rather than picking the highest.
How much space does a rowing machine need?
More than most home cardio machines: Concept2 recommends 9 ft x 4 ft (274 x 122 cm) clear for using the RowErg, and WaterRower recommends 8.5 x 3.5 ft (240 x 100 cm). Start with space, then check the user weight limit and rail length against everyone who will use it, then storage, warranty and budget. For layout ideas in a small home, see the small apartment home gym guide.
How much should you expect to spend?
Indicative prices here run from around £429.99 for the JTX Freedom Air to around £999 for the WaterRower Oak, checked Oct 2026. No price is set on this site for the Sunny SF-RW5801, so check the retailer. Prices change, and delivery, assembly and accessories can add to the total, so confirm the final figure at checkout. For a closer look at the lower end, read the budget rowing machine guide.
Is the Concept2 Model D the same as the RowErg?
Yes. Concept2 says it renamed the Model D as the RowErg in May 2021 and that all features are the same except the leg construction: the standard legs are the former Model D, and the tall legs the former Model E. Retailers and older articles may still say "Model D", so check which leg option a listing describes. The Concept2 RowErg review covers the details.
Concept2 RowErg: comparable resistance, lightest premium option
It weighs 26 kg with standard legs (31 kg with tall legs), has a 54 in (137 cm) monorail, uses a PM5 monitor and offers tall legs for a 51 cm seat. The monitor reports drag factor, which Concept2 recommends for comparing machines, and connects over Bluetooth to the free ErgData app. Both leg options fit inseams up to 38 in (96.5 cm). Concept2 gives no noise figure.
WaterRower Original Oak: upright storage
WaterRower lists a solid hardwood frame, a 17 litre tank, an S4 Bluetooth monitor and a 5-year frame, 3-year parts warranty. It stands upright at 51 x 57 x 209 cm without draining the tank, and its maximum user height is 94 cm by inseam. It is 46 kg filled, and the tank needs purification tablets every four to six months per the maker. See the WaterRower Oak review and the air vs water comparison.
JTX Freedom Air: lower price, air and magnetic
JTX lists 8 levels of dual resistance, a 120 cm monorail, a 135 kg user limit, folding storage and a 2-year in-home repair warranty. It rates its own noise as "High" and has no wireless connectivity. The maker page showed it as out of stock when read. See the JTX review.
Sunny SF-RW5801: lightest, folds smallest
Sunny lists a weight of about 22.5 kg, a folded size of about 92 x 58 x 119 cm and 16 magnetic levels. The maker gives both 285 lb and 250 lb as user limits, and lists its warranty for US markets. See the Sunny review.
Is there a connected rower with a screen?
Yes: the NordicTrack RW700. NordicTrack's UK page lists 26 resistance levels and a 10 inch tilting HD touchscreen paired with iFIT, with 1 month of iFIT Pro included. The maker pages read did not show dimensions, weight or user limit, so it is not compared in the table. See the NordicTrack RW700 review.
Which rower suits which situation?
Each of the four leads on a different figure from its maker's page:
- Largest user weight limit: WaterRower (315 kg).
- Lowest indicative price: JTX Freedom Air.
- Lightest to move: Sunny SF-RW5801, then the Concept2.
- Smallest storage footprint: the WaterRower stored upright takes 51 x 57 cm of floor but needs 209 cm of height.
- Longest rail among the folding models: JTX, at 120 cm against Sunny's 43 in (about 109 cm).
Resistance types in plain terms
The four machines use three kinds of resistance. Concept2's RowErg is air-based: the damper changes how much air reaches the flywheel, and the monitor reports a drag factor. WaterRower uses a 17 litre tank, and the JTX combines air and magnetic resistance in 8 levels. The Sunny is magnetic only, with 16 levels. As reasoning rather than a measured result, a machine with numbered levels gives you a setting to return to, while an air or water rower's resistance also depends on how hard you pull.
What should you ask the seller before ordering?
Ask for the current user manual, the delivered box size and weight, the delivery arrangements (kerbside or room of choice), whether assembly is included, and the UK warranty terms in writing. The makers' pages do not all cover these points. GOV.UK's guidance for sellers says online purchases carry a 14-day cancellation period after receipt and that a faulty item returned within 6 months must be repaired or replaced, so keep the packaging while you decide. If the rower is for several people, check the user weight limit and inseam or rail guidance against the largest user.
How do the warranties compare?
WaterRower lists a 5-year frame warranty and 3-year parts warranty. JTX lists a 2-year in-home repair warranty covering parts and labour. Concept2 lists a limited 2-year and 5-year warranty without itemising what each covers on the page reviewed, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Sunny lists a 3-year frame and 180-day parts warranty for US markets. Compare these on the retailer's page, as the terms that apply to a UK purchase may differ.
Who should skip a rowing machine?
Anyone whose room cannot hold a machine of roughly 2 to 2.4 m in length, or who would rather have a smaller seated machine, should read rowing vs a bike. For general activity targets, the NHS recommends adults aged 19 to 64 build up to at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, so the best machine is one you can fit and keep using; speak to a GP or qualified professional if you have a health condition. Protect the floor with the flooring guide.
