The 7 Best Hydraulic Rowing Machines For Your Home Gym

Hydraulic rowing machines are a popular choice for beginner rowers as they’re quite affordable. They’re also great for those who have less space, as they’re pretty compact in comparison to other rowing machines.

If you’re considering investing in a rower that’s perfect for both your skill level and your wallet, we’ve put together a list of the best hydraulic rowing machines on the market.

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Best Picks

Why Trust BoxLife?

Here at BoxLife, we’ve got decades of cumulative experience with every piece of gym equipment available. Rowing is one of the choice forms of cardio for CrossFitters, and between us, we’ve rowed on pretty much every type of rower you can get.

We know how they work. We know how they feel. And we know which one works best for different goals. Plus, we’ve done extensive research on every aspect of every machine… If we didn’t know it before, we sure do now!

We’ve gathered our knowledge and research together to provide comprehensive, detailed information so you can make an informed decision.

Who Should Choose a Hydraulic Rowing Machine?

Hydraulic rowers are the ideal choice for new rowers who aren’t completely sure that they’re going to love the exercise. They’re significantly more affordable than other rowing machines, so if you decide later on that you don’t really like it, you haven’t shelled out a fortune.

They’re also great for people who live in a small apartment and don’t have a lot of space for exercise equipment, thanks to their compact footprint.

We don’t recommend them for experienced rowers, as they don’t quite offer what an advanced rower would need.

To summarize, this guide is for you if you’re:

• Looking for the most affordable rowing machines
• Not completely sure if you like rowing but want to try
• In need of a rower that’s very compact

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How We Chose the Best Hydraulic Rowing Machines

All of us here at BoxLife have our own ideas of the best hydraulic rowing machines, but we didn’t just stop there. We scoured the internet to find valuable, information-packed reviews from real people who’ve used these machines.

We checked out reviews on Amazon, a variety of sports good retailers, and even fitness websites. To get a well-rounded idea of how people felt about the rowers, we also browsed through forum sites like Quora and Reddit. Real people, real opinions!

How We Tested Them

Once we’d found the hydraulic rowers that people really liked, we tested them by focusing on 7 specific features:

• Floor Space
• Build Quality
• Weight Capacity
• Height Capacity
• Resistance Levels
• Foldability
• Monitor Quality

These features make a big difference to the quality and durability of the machine, as well as the user experience. We’ll discuss them in more detail later on in the article.

The Best Hydraulic Rowers – Our Top Picks

Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 – Best Overall

The BodyTrac Glider is one of Stamina’s most popular pieces of equipment, as well as being very affordable. It’s versatile and easy to use.—the perfect hydraulic rower for home use.

Why We Like It

The Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 is great for beginner and intermediate rowers. It requires a space of 5′ x 4′ to use it comfortably, due to the way the arms move. Unlike other rower types, there are two independent arms that move in a wider range of motion than your conventional rowers.

One of the things we really like is that you can row in a traditional wide-arm rowing movement, or keep your hands closer together for a more gym-like experience. Whatever your preference!

A single-piston setup underneath the rail allows for 12 different resistance adjustments. It’s easy to adjust, just reach underneath the rail and turn the knob—you can even do this in the middle of your rowing session.

It’s worth noting that the resistance will increase as the oil in the piston heats up, but keep at it for too long and it may decrease again. For this reason, it’s recommended for beginner to intermediate rowers rather than advanced rowers.

Unlike many hydraulic rowers, the seat on this one does slide along the rail, which gives you a more full-body workout by increasing leg activation.

Surprisingly, this affordable rower has a steel frame that can handle up to 250 lbs of weight and accommodate rowers of up 6’ in height. Unscrew the arms and fold them inwards to reduce its footprint and save space.

Comes with a one-year frame warranty and a 90-day parts warranty.

Key Specs

Floor Size	58.25 x 42.5 x 18.12 inches
Build Quality	Great for the price
Weight Capacity	250 lbs
Height Capacity	Up to 6’
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	Digital, battery-powered
Foldability	Yes, to 23.5” x 46”

Best Hydraulic Rower

With a great build quality, wide range of motion, and ample resistance levels, we highly recommend this easy-to-use hydraulic rower.

Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine – Best for Tall Rowers

It can be tricky to find hydraulic rowers that are comfortable for taller users. The Lanos isn’t just great for tall rowers, but it can accommodate heavier rowers as well.

Why We Like It

The Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine is the rower of choice for tall (and short) rowers. According to the manufacturers, it can easily work for rowers between 4’2” and 6’7”!

This is rare but much appreciated by non-average sized rowers, but keep in mind that the arm length doesn’t change, which may cause the rowing stroke to be a little uncomfortable. You can switch them out with other, longer arms, though.

As well as being great for tall people, it has a max weight capacity of 330 lbs, allowing heavier rowers to use it with confidence and comfort as well.

Comfort is top of mind, helped by an oversized, padded seat, pivoting foot pedals with two strap positions, and foam padding on the handles.

A basic LCD screen gives you simple data to keep an eye on as you row. Keep in mind that there’s no way to calibrate the rower to your measurements, so calorie counters are likely to be inaccurate.

You’ll be pleased to know that assembly is very easy right out the box. So is folding the machine up, which you’ll get the hang of very quickly.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	50 x 36.22 x 20 inches
Build Quality	Good for its price
Weight Capacity	330 lbs
Height Capacity	Up to 6’7”
Resistance Levels	12 resistance level
Monitor	LCD, battery-powered
Foldability	Yes, to 49 x 23 x 29 inches

Perfect for Taller & Heavier Rowers 

If you’re an-average sized rower, you’ll appreciate this rowing machine for its lengthy rail. The sliding seat allows you to get a full range of motion quite comfortably, increasing both comfort and performance for tall rowers.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 – Best Budget Hydraulic Rower

Sunny Health & Fitness is the perfect choice for rowers on a tight budget. This single-handle rower is an excellent piece of equipment at an affordable price for apartment-dwellers. 

Why We Like It 

If you’re looking for a budget rower that offers more than you expect and gives you an excellent workout, this is the one. 

Unlike the two we’ve already reviewed, the SF-RW1205 doesn’t have two separate arms. Instead, it features a single handle on an arm that runs right between your knees when you’re sitting on the machine. 

This is the more traditional motion that you find on rowing machines at the gym. The handle is comfortably padded, and the motion is easier for those who are new to rowing and need to work on their form. 

Another excellent feature of this particular rower is the angled seat. It angles downwards towards the piston, which adds more natural resistance on top of the 12 resistance levels, increasing leg activation as you row. 

The rowing machine isn’t foldable, but it only weighs around 20 lbs so it’s easy to pick up and move. You only need a space of 4.5 ft x 2 ft to use it, so it’s ideal for those who live in small apartments. 

Although there are no built-in workouts, you can set your own time or distance goals on the console to give you a challenge. 

We also appreciate the warranty on this budget machine—a 3-year frame warranty and 6 months on the parts.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	20 x 54 x 23 inches
Build Quality	Good for lighter rowers
Weight Capacity	220 lbs
Height Capacity	Not for rowers over 6’
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	Digital, battery-powered
Foldability	No

Budget Pick

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, this is it. It’s surprisingly good quality for its price point, although keep in mind it’s made for smaller rowers.

Kettler Kadett Outrigger Rowing Machine – Best Warranty

The Kadett Rowing Machine is Kettler’s higher-end rowing machine. It might look a little complicated, but it’s easy and effective, plus it has a superb warranty. 

Why We Like It 

If you’re looking for the hydraulic rowing machine with the best warranty, you’ve found it. The Kettler Kadett Outrigger provides a lifetime warranty on the frame and a three-year warranty on everything else, which is significantly more than most. 

The build quality is top-notch, featuring a powder-coated steel frame and sealed bearings. Everything else is well-made too, including the comfortable seat and slightly pivoting foot pedals. 

This machine functions similarly to our first two, with two independent arms that move like an on-the-water actual rowing motion. The handles rotate, which is great as they move with your natural motion and prevent uncomfortable chafing during your wider rowing arc. 

You can adjust the levels of resistance of each arm independently thanks to the dual pistons, which is unusual but excellent for ironing out muscle imbalances. And for those who need more legroom, you can extend the foot plates to suit your height. 

As a nice touch, the rower comes with an infrared earlobe-clip heart rate monitor. This is handy, but can be uncomfortable. It’s also compatible with wireless chest HR monitors if you have one.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	49 x 31 x 10 inches
Build Quality	Excellent
Weight Capacity	285 lbs
Height Capacity	Up to 6’
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	LCD, battery-operated
Foldability	Arms fold inwards

Wonderful Warranty 

Those who value warranties will be pleased about this one. The Kettler Kadett Outrigger Rowing Machine offers a much more robust warranty than most, so if that’s something you require, we can highly recommend this rowing machine.

Afully Rowing Machine – Best Compact Hydraulic Rower

Want to get a good workout and simply slide your rower under the bed when you’re done? The Afully Rowing Machine is the one for you. 

Why We Like It

We love that this rower folds almost completely flat. Just slide it under a bed or stand it up inside a closet, and it’s out of your way. It’s perfect for small homes or those who don’t like their exercise equipment being left out. 

It’s not a complicated machine. Strap your feet into the non-slip, adjustable pedals, get comfortable on the padded, contoured seat, and start rowing with the arms. Separate arms means your range of motion is slightly larger, and you can adjust the resistance separately if necessary. 

The basic LCD screen shows you calories, stroke rate, time, and distance. Something else we like is the slightly angled rail, which adds a touch more resistance on the push.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	44 x 12 x 6 inches
Build Quality	Great
Weight Capacity	250 lbs
Height Capacity	Not specified, but shorter rowers
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	LCD, battery-powered
Foldability	Folds almost flat

Excellent for Small Spaces 

While most hydraulic rowers are already compact and fold even smaller, this one folds almost flat, allowing you to easily store it under a bed or table. Ideal for small spaces.

Harvil Hydraulic Rowing Machine – Best Range of Motion

Despite the compact footprint of this rowing machine, the Harvil provides a full range of motion that will make you feel like you’re out on the water for real. 

Why We Like It 

The separate arms on this rower offer a wide range of motion. Want to row in a straight line like the rowers at the gym? You can if you want to. Want to row in a real-world rowing circular motion? You can do that too. 

To increase muscle activation in the legs, Harvil has opted for a sliding seat as well. This gives you the real push-pull motion. 

A small but more than adequate LCD screen gives you a view of your stats, like how long you’ve been rowing, how far you’ve rowed, your row count, and calories burned. 

When you’re done with your workout, simply fold the arms inwards and slide the rower into a corner, under a bed, or place it in a cupboard. It also comes with a 180-day warranty.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	50 x 36 x 20 inches
Build Quality	Excellent
Weight Capacity	250 lbs
Height Capacity	Unspecified, but shorter rowers
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	LCD, battery-powered
Foldability	Yes, folds almost flat

Your Choice of Motion 

Those who want to have the option of rowing with a closed or open stance will appreciate the range of motion on this rowing machine. It’s versatile and yet extremely compact.

Efitment RW032 Total Motion Rowing Machine – Best Weight Capacity

This inconspicuous rowing machine can handle weights of up to 350 lbs, ideal for those who want to lose weight without spending a fortune on a cumbersome machine! 

Why We Like It 

We highly recommend this machine for heavier rowers who want to use rowing for weight loss without bringing a chunky piece of equipment into their space. 

A weight capacity of 350 lbs is impressive for a smaller rower such as this one. Although it has a smallish footprint, 55 x 13 x 10 inches, the weight capacity and extended rail make it suitable for both heavy and tall rowers. 

We like that you can set the arms to either fixed or movable, allowing you to choose your range of motion depending on your preference or your mood. 

As well as the movable arms, a cushioned seat, padded foam handles, and comfortable foot pedals make rowing on this machine a pleasant experience. 

This is one of the few hydraulic rowers that include a tablet holder for your device. You can easily watch a movie or series while rowing, because the motion is smooth and quiet.

Key Specs 

Floor Size	55 x 13 x 10 inches
Build Quality	Excellent
Weight Capacity	350 lbs
Height Capacity	Up to 6’, maybe taller (38” inseam)
Resistance Levels	12 resistance levels
Monitor	LCD, battery-powered
Foldability	No

Can Handle Anything 

The hardcore steel construction of this rower means it can handle a max weight capacity of 350 lbs and the extended rail means even tall people can use it with ease. Add to that the versatile range of motion, and you’ve got an excellent hydraulic rower. 

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Hydraulic Rowing Machine 

Not sure what to look for when deciding on a hydraulic rowing machine? Here’s what we recommend looking at before you choose the right one for you. 

Resistance Levels 

Although the resistance increases the hotter the oil in the cylinders gets, most hydraulic rowing machines do allow you to choose a resistance level for your workout. It’s usually controlled using a dial on the arms. 

Most hydraulic rowers offer up to 12 resistance levels. However, the resistance will naturally increase the harder you row, so don’t be surprised if fewer than 12 levels still offers excellent resistance! 

Seat Height/Rail Length 

Taller people will need a longer rail length to accommodate their leg length. It’s also easier for them if the seat or rail height is a little higher than normal. You don’t want to have to squat too far down to seat yourself on the rower. 

On the other hand, average-sized or shorter rowers shouldn’t have any problem fitting onto a rower with a shorter seat height and rail length.

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Dimensions & Foldability 

Hydraulic rowers are usually quite compact, more so than most other rowers. However, you’ll need to double-check that the size actually fits into the space you have. 

Some hydraulic rowing machines also have the ability to fold into a smaller footprint, so if you’re extremely short on space, this could be a good compact rower option for you. 

Weight Capacity 

Hydraulic rowing machines tend to be smaller and less durable than other rowers. This means they may not be able to handle as much weight as other rowers can. It’s important to check the weight capacity before investing in a hydraulic machine. 

If you can’t find a hydraulic rower that can handle the amount of weight you need it to, you may need to consider a different rower type. 

Comfort Level 

Comfort is important, especially on hydraulic rowing machines. They’re not usually designed for smooth, comfortable motion, so it’s important to make sure the rower you choose has a comfy seat, ergonomic handles, and a sturdy frame. 

Price 

Hydraulic rowers have the bonus of being the cheapest rowing machine type you can find. The price range starts at around $100 and extends to about $600, making them suitable for beginners who are looking for cheap and fairly effective indoor rowers.

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