The best budget rowing machines for 2024: Keep on rowing

A user-friendly rower at its most basic. Unlike lots of other rowing machines, this uses a hydraulic cylinder to generate 12 levels of resistance, making this great for beginners or more experienced users. It's a sturdy, durable design that should suit most people. It’s also extremely compact and can easily be folded away to slide under a bed, for example. 

There's a digital monitor too, which tracks reps, time spent rowing, and estimates your calorie burn. It also has a wide, well-cushioned seat for comfort. The handlebars also have excellent non-slip covers, and the pedals have the obligatory adjustable strap. If you want something small that has the features you need, this is it.  

It’s easy to assemble, with only the handlebar and digital monitor needing to be attached once you’ve unpacked it. And it comes with the tools you need.  
It can support users weighing up to 220 pounds (100 kilos), but its compact design means that taller folk may find it a little uncomfortable. But for a simple, compact and user-friendly rowing machine, this is a great choice.

Offering twelve tension settings, this HOMCOM rowing machine is perfect if you're new to rowing, and don't want to spend a fortune. Even though it’s quite small, it can still support up to 100 kilos (220 pounds). It's suitable for almost anyone, regardless of their height too. A padded seat and non-slip handlebars offer greater comfort, meaning you'll be able to exercise for longer. 

Pivoting foot plates with adjustable straps ensure a comfortable position for any rower. A small console keeps track of your strokes, minutes, time and calories burnt, making this an excellent all-round option for beginners and those with little space to spare. It's easy to assemble, too. 

One slight downside is that this rowing machine can't be folded. While it is relatively compact anyway, storage might be an issue for some.

For an affordable compact rowing machine, the DOMYOS Folding Rowing Machine 100 ticks lots of boxes. Costing under £200, this rowing machine can be folded down in less than five seconds, while two transport wheels mean getting it out and putting it away are as easy as possible. It's also relatively light, weighing 13 kg. Once folded, this machine takes up roughly the same amount of space as a chair. Despite its small size, it can support users weighing up to 110 kg (242 pounds). 

It comes with two elastic bands for resistance, so you can choose between moderate or high resistance. Having only a few resistance levels means this isn't as versatile as some other models, but it's perfect for a beginner, or someone who's returning to exercise after a long time away from it. 

Finally, it's all fully assembled at the factory – so all you need to do is unbox it, and you're good to go.

If you need an excellent rowing machine that can fit into your home life, then look no further. The Fit4home does exactly what it says on the tin, it's foldable, relatively light – weighing 23kg - and looks great. It's perhaps not the best choice if you're after high-demand, extreme workouts, as the resistance levels don't go as high as other machines. 

The foldable design is easily one of its best features. It's no secret that rowing machines take up a lot of room, so we always appreciate it when one can be folded away for convenience. The monitor displays speed, distance travelled, estimated calories burned, and the duration of your workout. The rowing machine is also compatible with the Fitshow app, which connects via Bluetooth and lets you create custom workout plans and track your progress.  

The Fit4home Air Rowing Machine can support users up to 110 kilos (242 pounds), and the horizontally adjustable seat makes this suitable for users of varying heights. Foam grip handles also make it more comfortable to use.

JLL is a leader in developing high-end fitness equipment, and its rowing machines set a great standard. With a range of equipment varying in price ranges, this 2024 model is one of the best you can pick up for the price currently. It’s easily assembled and a breeze to use. There are wheels on the back of the base to make it easier to move around, especially if you need to put it away after use – it weighs 26.2 kilos, so the wheels will help. 

With 10 levels of magnetic resistance, using this will always feel like a premium workout. It's easy to adjust the levels too, just by using a dial. The direct belt driving system is designed to be quiet and smooth, while foam seat and handles help user comfort - we only wish the seat was a little more on the comfortable side. 

The LCD monitor displays plenty of data: total strokes, estimated calories burned, strokes per minute, distance, and time, to give you plenty of insights into your performance.

The air and magnetic resistance on this rowing machine gives you eight levels of resistance to choose from by adjusting the air outlet. Though not as quiet as other machines, it isn't too bad. It's worth having in a closed-off dedicated space, however. It's almost two metres long, which is noticeably more than those above, but it does allow for users over 6ft.

Although it does take up a fair bit of room when in use, it folds away to make storage easier. It also features wheels that help move it around, so despite the size, it's rarely an obstacle.

The display will tell you your stroke count, the duration of your workout, and estimate your calorie expenditure. The padded seat is also oversized to try to make it more comfortable. It supports users up to 100 kilos (220 pounds).

The Opti Multi Rowing Machine offers a comprehensive workout with multiple resistance levels, ensuring both beginners and fitness enthusiasts can enhance their cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles efficiently in the comfort of their own homes.

This rowing machine features 12 resistance levels, and at the opposite end it’s designed for use as a sit-up bench – just in case you want to give your core an extra workout. The console displays time, stroke count, and calorie burn estimates to help you keep track of your efforts.

You're getting some serious value here, as well as an extremely unique home workout experience. The mini console is easy to use, and the extra comfort is something we always appreciate.

The Opti Multi rowing machine supports up to 110 kilos (242 pounds) and the foot plates pivot to make it more comfortable. The vertical bar that supports the handle is also located towards the centre of the unit. This does increase the risk of accidentally bashing into it while rowing.

Magnetic machines are smooth but rowers that use water resistance give the most realistic simulation of rowing. Like air machines, it's also very reliable. The water tank is designed to be leakproof, while the main frame is made of steel, meaning this rowing machine can support users weighing up to 300 pounds (around 136 kilos). Stabilisers stop the machine from wobbling while you’re getting your workout in. It also arrives 80 per cent built, so in theory at least, it won’t take too long to set up.

On this unit, the screen is adjustable to suit your height, and the wide seat is very comfortable. Adding to the comfort features here are some nicely adjustable pedals. The screen displays time, estimated calories burned, and total stroke count.

Just be aware that this is also a larger unit thanks to the water barrel, but it does have wheels at the end to make it easier to move. There's even an adjustable iPad holder – perfect for displaying apps like Kinomap via Bluetooth.

The Neezee Rowing Machine is a serious contender for one of the best budget rowing machines available. It’s easy to set up, and when it’s set up, it’s a sturdy bit of kit. It weighs 30 kilos thanks to its sturdy steel frame and can support users weighing up to 150 kilos (330 pounds).

For the budget, it offers an excellent tablet stand that can adjust to a range of tablet dimensions. For anyone using Kinomap, this is an ideal extra. If you just want to use the LCD display, you can keep track of your workout duration, estimated calorie consumption, distance covered, and more.

This rowing machine also comes 80 per cent pre-assembled, reducing the amount of work you need to do to get it set up. One of our few gripes is that the footplates are on the larger side, so smaller feet might struggle with strapping in.

The DOMYOS 500B uses a motorised, self-powered drivetrain system. Which in layman's terms, means that you don't need a power outlet to use it. Power is generated as you row on it, allowing you to keep track of the numerous metrics this device can track. This includes your stroke rate, distance covered, calorie expenditure, workout duration, total number of strokes and an estimate of your heart rate.

It's bigger and heavier than several of the options on this list, weighing in at a substantial 37-kg, in part because of the 6-kg flywheel. This does allow for 15 different levels of resistance, and nine built-in workout programmes to choose from. That makes this significantly more versatile than some alternatives. As you get fitter, chances are you'll need to increase the resistance to keep burning calories at the same rate. It also means it can support rowers up to 130-kg.

If you're going to be spending lots of time on here, the good news is that this has been designed to be comfortable. A wide, soft seat should help reduce any discomfort, while rollers under the seat are designed to keep movements as smooth as possible, even during high intensity sessions.

Finally, this model is also compatible with E-connected and Kinomap apps. E-connected allows you to set targets and record your performance. Kinomap lets you travel through real scenery as you row. It also offers a challenge mode, or you can compete with other members.