Best rowing machines for home use in 2026 (EXR guide)
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Dreading another dull erg session? Not anymore. This guide ranks the best rowing machines for home use in 2026 that work with EXR, covering air, water, magnetic and dynamic resistance. Every pick is judged on what matters most: a solid Bluetooth connection, accurate data tracking, useful device setup and a smooth ride through EXR's virtual worlds.
Quick answer: The best rowing machine for home use with EXR is the Concept2 RowErg. It gives you the best all-round mix of value, reliable Bluetooth, accurate data and clean stroke tracking in EXR.
- Best overall: Concept2 RowErg
- Best affordable beginner pick: Lycan Elite Rower
- Best water rower: FluidRower series
- Best magnetic rower: Domyos Training Rower 900
- Best dynamic rower: RP3 Model S
- Best premium water rower: WaterRower Performance
- Best cheap water rower: Merach R14, if you accept weaker data and a less polished app experience
What is the best rowing machine for home use in 2026?
The Concept2 RowErg is the best all-round rowing machine for home use in 2026. It tracks your performance accurately and connects reliably to EXR, so your strokes sync smoothly with every session.
It's not the flashiest rower out there, and the competition is catching up fast. But if you want a machine that simply works, trains you well and keeps its value for years, the Concept2 with its PM5 monitor is hard to beat. It also ships with a tablet holder that fits everything from the smallest phone to the largest tablet.
Air, water, magnetic and dynamic rowers: key differences explained
Before you buy, it helps to know how each type of rowing machine feels. The way a machine creates resistance controls your whole experience.
- Air rowers feel powerful and responsive. The harder you pull, the more resistance you create, while the damper controls how much air enters the flywheel and changes the feel of the stroke. They're great for performance training, but the fan makes them louder than most home rowers.
- Water rowers feel smooth and natural. A water tank creates resistance, so the stroke has a softer, more realistic feel. They're ideal if you care about comfort, sound and home aesthetics, but data quality depends heavily on the model.
- Magnetic rowers are quiet and controlled. You set a resistance level before or during the workout, and magnets create resistance without a noisy fan or water tank. They're great for beginners and shared spaces, but the stroke can feel less smooth because resistance resets at the start of each stroke.
- Dynamic rowers move with you. Instead of your feet staying fixed while your body slides back and forth, the machine lets the footplate or flywheel system move with your stroke. This feels more fluid, can be kinder on your back and muscles, and is best for serious training or recovery. The trade-off is price and space.
Best air resistance rowing machines for EXR
Air rowers reward effort with more resistance the harder you pull. Here are the top picks that pair brilliantly with EXR.
1. Concept2 RowErg: Best overall
The Concept2 RowErg is the best value rower you can buy. The performance tracking is excellent, and in EXR you get smooth stroke syncing and a stable connection every session. It comes with a tablet holder that fits any device.
2. Technogym SkillRow: Best for design and strength training
The Technogym SkillRow is an air rower that goes beyond standard rowing. It feels great, and its adjustable resistance even lets you add strength training into the mix. The tracking is excellent and the design is stunning. The catch? It's expensive, its holder is mainly built for Technogym's own setup rather than a simple tablet experience, and EXR doesn't currently offer stroke syncing on this model.
3. Lycan Elite Rower: Best budget air pick
Budget rowers have come a long way, and the Lycan Elite leads the pack. It delivers a rowing feel that's surprisingly close to industry leaders like Concept2, sends clean data to EXR and includes a built-in tablet holder.
Honourable mention: Rogue Echo Rower. Build quality and tracking come close to a Concept2 for a slightly lower price. But app support falls short. There's no stroke syncing in EXR and no proper tablet or phone holder solution. A decent rower, but not quite as strong as the Concept2.
Best water resistance rowing machines for EXR
Want that real on-water glide? These water rowers deliver, and they work brilliantly with EXR.
1. FluidRower series: Best water feel
The FluidRower series stands out for its unique resistance system, which makes every stroke feel smoother and more satisfying. It connects to EXR with clean, instant data and strong stroke syncing, and you can add a quality tablet holder. Just make sure the tank is filled correctly, because water level affects the speed data. Our personal favourite is the Apollo Pro for its sleek design, but any Bluetooth-enabled FluidRower model is a great choice.
2. WaterRower Performance: Best premium water rower
The WaterRower Performance is the best WaterRower on the market. It rows beautifully, looks stunning in any room and delivers strong data, especially on newer models with the Performance Ergometer, PowerPulley setup or SmartRow alternative. These options bring data quality close to Concept2 level, making them some of the best water rowers for performance feedback. You can also buy excellent tablet holders directly from WaterRower, which makes the full home setup feel premium and practical.
3. WaterRower Lite: Best entry-level water rower
The WaterRower Lite is the entry-level option in the WaterRower range. It rows well and can connect to EXR, but you'll need to add the ComModule, around €85 extra, to send Bluetooth data. That ComModule data isn't optimal, but it does the job if you mainly want a basic connected setup. Once you factor it in, the price gap between the Lite and the Performance shrinks. It makes the Performance the smarter buy: better data, no extras needed and a more complete setup straight out of the box. The Lite still works if you're on a tight budget, but it's not the obvious value pick it might first appear to be.
Honourable mention: Merach R14. A water rower that connects to apps and feels decent to row. At this price, it's almost too good to be true. If you can stretch the budget, a rower with better data and comfort still wins. But if you just want something cheap for a quick daily session on EXR? Buy this, as long as you're comfortable trading data quality for price. The Merach R28 is a solid alternative too.
Best magnetic resistance rowing machines for EXR
Magnetic rowers keep things quiet and steady. Here's how the top picks stack up for EXR.
1. Domyos Training Rower 900: Best affordable magnetic rower
The Domyos 900 is affordable, good-looking and easy to set up. It runs on external power rather than a battery, so you avoid Bluetooth dropouts entirely. The rowing feel is comfortable and the data is decent for the price. It's our top magnetic pick, and a brilliant starting point for anyone new to indoor rowing.
2. Domyos Woodrower: Best-looking magnetic rower
The Domyos Woodrower has a great design and is built with app experiences like EXR in mind. It also doubles as a workout bench, so you can use it for other exercises and keep it looking good in your home. The downside? It runs on self-generated power, so after a short break you'll often have to reconnect it, which can become a hassle if you like to drink or eat during workouts. Its compact build also means it rows slightly less comfortably than the Domyos 900.
3. Matrix Rower: Best rowing feel with one big drawback
The Matrix Rower might offer the best rowing feel of any magnetic rower, with adjustable resistance too. The problem? It can't connect to apps at all. That's a serious limitation at this price, and the reason it lands third.
Honourable mention: Hydrow, NordicTrack and Peloton Row. These all-in-one connected rowers are comfortable, but you pay a premium price and get locked into their own platforms. They charge hundreds per year in subscriptions and don't support apps like EXR or Kinomap.
Best dynamic rowing machines for EXR
Dynamic rowers are a step up from the rest. They're far better for your muscles, back and recovery. They cost more and take up more room, but if you have a dedicated training space and the budget to match, they're worth it.
1. RP3 Model S: Best dynamic rower overall
For pure rowing feel, accurate tracking and best-in-class data, the RP3 Model S is one of the strongest dynamic rowers you can buy. It also has excellent stroke syncing because the data comes through so quickly. Compared with a Concept2, which can have a slight delay, the RP3 can feel especially responsive in EXR. But it comes with real trade-offs: a high price, a large size, noticeable noise and a tablet holder that doesn't fit larger screens. If you have a dedicated space and want the best dynamic experience, it delivers. Just know it's not built for small living rooms or tight budgets.
2. RP3 Aqua: Best immersive dynamic rower
The RP3 Aqua is the first dynamic rower built on water resistance. It comes with a built-in Android screen with EXR pre-installed, and you can add other apps like Kinomap too. It's large and feels slightly less refined than air-based dynamic rowers, with a rowing feel that's a little more dragging and less responsive than the Model S. Its standout feature? The screen sits separately from the footplate, so you stay the same distance from it throughout every stroke. No other rower does that. The price is also a major plus compared with many high-end dynamic alternatives.
3. Concept2 Dynamic: Best for Concept2 fans going dynamic
Already love Concept2 and ready to go dynamic? The Concept2 Dynamic is your best pick. The design is starting to show its age, connecting to apps takes a little more effort and there's no great tablet holder solution, but it still gets the job done.
Honourable mention: RP3 Model T. Think of it as the upgraded Model S: sturdier, better built and with a tablet holder that fits bigger screens. It's pricier, heavier and needs more space, so we lean towards the S for most buyers. But if you want the ultimate dynamic setup and have the room for it, go for it.
How to choose the right rowing machine
Pick your rower based on three things: your goals, your budget and your space.
- Chasing performance? The Concept2 RowErg is your best choice. If you have dedicated space and a bigger budget, a dynamic rower takes things even further.
- Just starting out? If you have the budget, choose the Concept2 RowErg. If you want to spend less, the Lycan Elite is a strong beginner-friendly alternative.
- Want a natural, home-friendly feel? The FluidRower or WaterRower series fit your needs.
- Design matters to you? The WaterRower series and Domyos Woodrower both look as good as they row.
- Want to row as cheaply as possible? The Merach R14 is the budget pick, but be clear about the trade-off: the data and app experience won't feel as polished as higher-end EXR-compatible rowers.
- Want full app flexibility? Almost every rower in this guide is EXR-compatible. We'll flag it clearly if one isn't.
Why EXR compatibility matters
A rower is only as good as the experience it unlocks. EXR turns plain indoor rowing into races, challenges and adventures through virtual 3D worlds.
Here's what makes EXR compatibility worth prioritizing:
- Stable Bluetooth connection: No dropouts mid-session. Plug-in rowers like the Domyos 900 are especially reliable here.
- Accurate stroke syncing: Your on-screen boat moves in time with every pull. Concept2, FluidRower and RP3 all perform especially well here.
- Immersive virtual training: Row iconic spots like Henley-on-Thames, follow structured training plans and row alongside people from all over the world.
Want to see the difference for yourself? Download EXR here or read more about our features.
FAQ: Choosing the best EXR rowing machine
What is the best rowing machine for beginners?
If you have the budget, the Concept2 RowErg is the best beginner rowing machine in 2026 because it's reliable, accurate and easy to keep using for years. If you want something more affordable, the Lycan Elite is a strong budget-friendly alternative with a surprisingly good rowing feel and clean EXR data.
Are water rowers better than air rowers?
Water rowers give a more natural, realistic feel, while air rowers offer sharper performance tracking and respond more directly to effort. For apps like EXR, FluidRower and Concept2 deliver especially strong stroke syncing. WaterRower can be excellent too, but the data setup matters: newer Performance options or SmartRow-style upgrades are much stronger than basic Bluetooth add-ons.
Do I need Bluetooth on a rowing machine?
Yes! Bluetooth is essential if you want to connect to training apps like EXR. It lets you track your performance, follow workouts and row in virtual worlds. Some machines, like the WaterRower Lite, need an add-on like the ComModule to send Bluetooth data.
Can I use EXR with any rowing machine?
EXR works with most smart rowing machines that support Bluetooth performance data. Supported brands including Concept2, WaterRower, Domyos, Merach, RP3 and FluidRower can all deliver a smooth experience, though data quality and stroke syncing vary by model. Always check the EXR compatibility list before you buy.
Which rowing machine has the best EXR integration?
The Concept2 RowErg leads on stable Bluetooth, accurate data and reliable EXR performance at great value. For water rower fans, the FluidRower series is a brilliant pick because it combines a natural rowing feel with strong, instant data. For dynamic rowers, RP3 offers some of the fastest and most responsive data in EXR. Whatever you choose, prioritise Bluetooth connectivity and check the EXR compatibility list to make sure you're all set.
Are fully integrated rowers like Peloton and Hydrow worth it?
Fully integrated rowers like Hydrow, NordicTrack and Peloton are comfortable but lock you into closed platforms. They cost hundreds per year in subscriptions and don't let you use apps like EXR or Kinomap. For more flexibility and lower long-term cost, choose an EXR-compatible rower instead.
Find your perfect rower and start rowing
The best rowing machine is the one that matches your goals, your budget and your space. Want the all-round champion? Grab a Concept2 RowErg. Want the most natural water feel at home? The FluidRower series and WaterRower series deliver. Just starting out on a tighter budget? The Lycan Elite has your back.
Whatever you pick, pair it with EXR to row, race and train in immersive virtual worlds. Start your free trial and crush your fitness goals!
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