The Best Interactive Rowing Machines
A rower you can follow along to is a rower you actually use. The best interactive rowing machines pair quiet magnetic resistance with an app, Bluetooth tracking and a holder for your phone or tablet, so every session comes with a class to join and numbers to chase. We scored the connected options on app quality, guided content, metrics and value, and these four lead the way.
Disclosure: The Best Rowing Machine earns a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never costs you anything extra, and it does not change how we score.
The short version
The Merach Magnetic 400 is the most complete connected rower here, with app workouts, Bluetooth metrics and a sturdy 400 lb frame. Want the best app feel for less, go with the Merach Connected. On a budget, the Merach Magnetic brings app tracking for under 200 dollars.
Fast answers
Our picks at a glance
Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine 400 LB
The most complete connected rower here
This is the smart rower to buy if you want the whole package. It pairs quiet magnetic resistance with app workouts you follow on a propped tablet, Bluetooth so your stroke rate and distance sync as you row, and the sturdiest 400 lb frame on the page. Everything that makes an interactive rower worth owning sits in one machine.
What we liked
- App workouts and Bluetooth tracking built in
- Sturdy 400 lb frame
- Holder for following a class on your tablet
- Quiet enough for any room
Worth knowing
- Newer listing with fewer reviews so far
- The priciest pick on this page
Price and availability update on Amazon
Merach Connected Magnetic Rowing Machine
The smoothest app experience for the money
The Merach app is the reason to pick this one. Connect over Bluetooth and you get guided sessions, scenic rows and a clean log of every workout, all on a quiet magnetic rower that costs far less than anything with a built in screen. A strong middle ground if you want the connected feel without the flagship price.
What we liked
- Polished Merach app with guided rows
- Bluetooth metrics sync every session
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Strong owner rating across hundreds of reviews
Worth knowing
- You supply your own phone or tablet
- 350 lb frame rather than the 400 lb top pick
Price and availability update on Amazon
NICEDAY Magnetic Rowing Machine
The easiest connected rower to start on
If rowing is new to you, this NICEDAY makes the first month easy. It links to popular fitness apps over Bluetooth, so you can follow a guided class instead of guessing your way through, and the quiet magnetic pull is forgiving while you learn the stroke. More than a thousand owners rate it well, which is reassuring for a first rower.
What we liked
- Connects to common fitness apps
- Guided workouts that suit newcomers
- Quiet and low impact
- Well reviewed by over a thousand owners
Worth knowing
- App polish trails the Merach picks
- Console is simple on its own
Price and availability update on Amazon
Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine (16 Levels)
App tracking for the lowest price here
Proof you do not need to spend big to get a connected rower. For under 200 dollars you get Bluetooth, the Merach app for logging and guided sessions, 16 resistance levels and the deepest review history on the page. It is the value benchmark every other smart rower here gets measured against.
What we liked
- Lowest price for a connected rower
- Merach app and Bluetooth included
- 16 resistance levels to grow into
- Over 2,000 owner reviews
Worth knowing
- Lighter frame than the step up picks
- Seat padding is on the basic side
Price and availability update on Amazon
Side by side
How they compare
| Rower | Score | Resistance | Capacity | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Merach Magnetic 400 Best Overall | 95 | Magnetic | 400 lb | 4.5 (39) | $399 | Amazon › |
Merach Connected Best App Experience | 92 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.5 (368) | $259 | Amazon › |
NICEDAY Smart Rower Best for Beginners | 90 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.5 (1,107) | $199 | Amazon › |
Merach Magnetic (16 levels) Best Value | 88 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.4 (2,131) | $189 | Amazon › |
No guesswork
How we score a rowing machine
Every rower runs through the same scorecard, so the numbers mean the same thing across brands and across our guides. We weight the things owners feel day to day, then roll them into one score out of 100. Resistance feel and build carry the most weight, because a rower that feels cheap or wobbles is one you stop using.
Before you buy
How to choose an interactive rower
An interactive rower lives or dies on what you can follow along to. Here is what actually matters when you shop for one.
Built in screen or bring your own tablet
A few rowers ship with a fixed screen, but most of the best value smart rowers skip it and give you a sturdy holder for the phone or tablet you already own. That keeps the price down and lets you use any app you like. Every pick here takes the bring your own device route.
Bluetooth and the metrics that matter
Look for Bluetooth so the rower can send stroke rate, distance, time and an estimated calorie count straight to an app. Watching those numbers climb session to session is the single biggest reason people keep rowing, so this is the feature to insist on.
Guided workouts and scenic rows
The point of going interactive is having a class to join instead of staring at a wall. Branded apps like the Merach app bundle guided sessions and scenic routes, and many rowers also pair with third party apps. Try the free tier first and only pay for a subscription once you know you will use it.
Do not forget the basics
A smart rower is still a rower. Quiet magnetic resistance keeps it apartment friendly, a steady frame keeps it from creeping across the floor, and a comfortable seat keeps you on it. If feel matters more to you than apps, compare the best magnetic rowers or step up to a water rower.
Quick questions
FAQ
What makes a rowing machine interactive?
Do interactive rowing machines need a subscription?
Can I use my own fitness apps with these rowers?
Are smart rowers worth it over a basic one?
Do I need a tablet for an interactive rower?
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