Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Want cardio you can do while it's dark and freezing outside? A rower lives in the corner of your room and is ready whenever you are.
The big decision is the machine, and the rule is simple: measure first. Rowers are long, so check the full length and the folded or upright size against your space before you fall in love with one. Garage Gym Reviews also says most people want a seat rail of at least 42 inches, and taller rowers closer to 50. After that, it's extras: a heart rate monitor if you like training in zones, a big mat to protect the floor, and a towel, because you will sweat. Every pick comes from Garage Gym Reviews' rower and gear guides, and each card shows the drawback it called out, like a short seat rail or a loud fan.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want weights, not cardio; the Home Gym list has dumbbells, kettlebells and a bench.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Nov 1, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5801 | budget | $300-500 | a first rower that folds up after | 1 outlet |
| MERACH NovaRow R50 Air Resistance Rower | mid | $500+ | beginners who want the air-rower feel | 1 outlet |
| Concept2 RowErg | splurge | $500+ | rowing for years, not months | 1 outlet |
| YOSUDA RM12 Air Magnetic Rowing Machine Pro | mid | $500+ | rowing with an app instead of a membership | 1 outlet |
Best rowing machinebudget pick · 77 x 23 x 22.5 in
Best for a first rower that folds up after
Garage Gym Reviews' best budget rowing machine on Amazon: an inexpensive magnetic rower and a good starter machine that folds away.
Heads up. Shorter seat rail, no preset workouts and lots of plastic parts
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Budget Rowing Machine on Amazon.
$300-500
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mid pick · 95 x 24 x 40 in
Best for beginners who want the air-rower feel
Garage Gym Reviews' best budget rowing machine for beginners: an excellent option for anyone who wants a rower built to last without breaking the bank.
Heads up. Basic LCD display with no streaming, and the air resistance can be loud at times
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Budget Rowing Machine for Beginners.
$500+
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splurge pick · 96 x 24 x 14 in
Best for rowing for years, not months
Garage Gym Reviews' best budget rowing machine for athletes: the best-selling rower in the world, and one of the best pieces of cardio equipment in general, per Garage Gym Reviews.
Heads up. Pricey, and shipping costs are expensive
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Budget Rowing Machine for Athletes.
$500+
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mid pick · 94 x 23 x 50.5 in
Best for rowing with an app instead of a membership
Garage Gym Reviews' best magnetic budget rowing machine: a sturdy, durable rower with eight resistance levels and no subscription, since it pairs with an app on your own device.
Heads up. No built-in display, and the weight capacity could be better
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Magnetic Budget Rowing Machine.
$500+
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COOSPO H6 Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor | budget | $25-50 | heart rate zones on the cheap | 1 outlet |
| Wahoo Tickr Fit | mid | $50-100 | people who hate chest straps | 1 outlet |
| Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor | mid | $50-100 | accurate numbers and a long battery | 1 outlet |
Best heart rate monitorbudget pick · One strap size
Best for heart rate zones on the cheap
Garage Gym Reviews' best budget heart rate monitor: an affordable chest strap with solid accuracy and easy setup.
Heads up. Only one adjustable strap length, and shorter battery life than competitors
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Budget Heart Rate Monitor.
$25-50
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mid pick · 2 strap sizes
Best for people who hate chest straps
Garage Gym Reviews' best armband heart rate monitor: more accurate than a wrist monitor, without a chest strap.
Heads up. Short battery life, and less accurate than a chest strap
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Armband Heart Rate Monitor.
$50-100
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mid pick · Chest strap
Best for accurate numbers and a long battery
Garage Gym Reviews' best heart rate monitor overall: its top pick for ease of use, a secure fit, long battery life and accuracy.
Heads up. The small size only comes in black
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best Heart Rate Monitor Overall.
$50-100
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Best exercise matmid pick · 72 × 48 in
Best for protecting the floor under all your gear
Garage Gym Reviews' best large exercise mat: plenty of space to go under your gym equipment or for kickboxing and dance workouts.
Heads up. May slip on carpet, with potential durability issues
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best large exercise mat.
$100-150
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Best gym towelbudget pick · 16 x 27 in
Best for wiping down benches on the cheap
Garage Gym Reviews' best budget gym towel: a 320 gsm microfiber that's more durable than most competitors.
Heads up. Only available in one size
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best budget gym towel.
$15-25
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mid pick · 3 sizes
Best for a sweat towel, a hand towel and a shower towel in one buy
Garage Gym Reviews' best gym towel overall: three microfiber towels in different sizes, with a mesh carrying bag.
Heads up. Pricing varies by color
1 outlet. Garage Gym Reviews best gym towel overall.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
More than you'd guess. The picks here run from 77 to 96 inches long. Garage Gym Reviews says to measure, measure, measure, and to check the folded or stored size too, not just the full length.
Garage Gym Reviews points to the CDC's guideline of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous cardio a week, and notes that 20 minutes a day gets you to about 140, just shy of it.
Both work. Garage Gym Reviews says the MERACH's air resistance gives a challenging workout but can be loud at times. The Sunny uses 16 magnetic levels, and the YOSUDA mixes air and magnetic, with eight levels you change from the handlebars.