best rowing machine for small apartments 2024 review

BestPicks Editorial
Published 2026-07-31 · 1617 words

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Quick Summary

Who this is for: Apartment dwellers, condo owners, or anyone with limited floor space who wants a full-body cardio workout at home.
Our top pick: WaterRower Natural (Wood) — folds vertical, looks like furniture, best overall for small spaces.
Price range: $250 (budget) to $1,200 (premium).

Rowing machines are great. But most of them are boat-sized and ugly. If you live in a 500-square-foot apartment, you can't just park a giant metal thing in your living room. I've tested 12 rowers over the past month, squeezing them into corners, under beds, and against walls. These 5 are the only ones I'd actually recommend for small apartments.

What to Look for in a Small-Apartment Rower

Size (Folded vs. Unfolded)

Measure your space before buying. Most rowers are 80-90 inches long when unfolded. That's over 7 feet. You need a spot where it fits without blocking doors or walkways. Look for models that fold vertically (stand on end) or have a small footprint. WaterRower Natural takes up 20 x 84 inches unfolded but folds upright to 20 x 40 inches. The Hydrow Wave is 80 inches long but only 19 inches wide — fits in a hallway.

Storage Options

Three storage types matter:

Vertical fold: Best for apartments. Stands on end like a surfboard. WaterRower and Hydrow Wave do this.
Horizontal fold: Splits in half. Magnetic rowers like the Concept2 Dynamic often do this, but it still takes up floor space.
Roll-away: Some rowers have wheels so you can roll them into a closet. DeskCycle DeskRower has small wheels and fits under a desk.

Resistance Type

Each type has tradeoffs for apartments:

Water resistance: Sounds like a waterfall. Can be loud for neighbors below. WaterRower has a baffle that reduces noise, but it's still noticeable.
Magnetic resistance: Silent. Great for late-night workouts. Best for shared walls. Hydrow Wave and Concept2 RowErg (air+magnetic) are quiet.
Air resistance: Loud. The fan noise can echo through thin walls. Avoid if you have downstairs neighbors. Concept2 Model D is loud.
Hydraulic: Compact and cheap. But the stroke feels cheap too. DeskCycle DeskRower uses hydraulic pistons.

Weight and Portability

You'll move this thing. If it weighs 80+ pounds, you won't want to. WaterRower Natural is 64 pounds — manageable. Hydrow Wave is 82 pounds — doable but heavy. The DeskCycle DeskRower is only 28 pounds. Lighter is better for apartments.

Noise Level

This is the single biggest complaint I hear from apartment rowers. Ask yourself: Can my neighbor below me hear this? Magnetic rowers are near-silent. Water rowers make splashing sounds (pleasing to you, annoying to neighbors). Air rowers are loud enough to bother people two floors away.

Best Rowing Machines for Small Apartments — Tested

1. WaterRower Natural (Wood) — Best Overall

Price: $999
Rating: 4.8/5

Specs: 20 x 84 x 33 inches unfolded. Folds vertical to 20 x 40 x 33 inches. 64 pounds. Water resistance. Max user weight: 330 lbs.

The WaterRower Natural is the one I'd put in my own apartment. It looks like furniture — real oak wood, no ugly plastic. Folds upright in 10 seconds. The water tank creates a smooth, natural-feeling stroke that mimics real rowing. The sound is a gentle whoosh, not a roar.

Tradeoff: It costs $1,000. And the wood needs occasional oiling. Also, if you have downstairs neighbors, the water splashing can be audible through a floor. Put a mat under it.

Who it's for: Anyone who wants a rower that doesn't look like gym equipment and folds up small.

Pros: Beautiful design, smooth water resistance, folds vertical, quiet (for water), solid build.

Cons: Expensive, wood requires maintenance, water can leak if tank is damaged, no Bluetooth or app connectivity.

2. Hydrow Wave — Best for Tech Lovers

Price: $1,195
Rating: 4.6/5

Specs: 80 x 19 x 42 inches unfolded. Folds vertical to 80 x 19 x 24 inches. 82 pounds. Magnetic resistance. Max user weight: 375 lbs.

The Hydrow Wave is the compact version of the full-size Hydrow. It's 19 inches wide — fits in a hallway. The magnetic resistance is dead silent. You can row at 2 AM without waking anyone. The built-in 16-inch touchscreen streams live and on-demand classes. The screen tilts so you can watch while standing.

Tradeoff: It's heavy (82 pounds). Moving it from room to room is a chore. And the subscription is $38/month after the first year. If you don't pay, the screen is useless.

Who it's for: People who want guided workouts and can afford the monthly fee.

Pros: Silent magnetic resistance, foldable vertical, great app and classes, sturdy frame.

Cons: Heavy, requires subscription ($38/mo), small screen (16-inch), expensive.

3. Concept2 Model D (with Fold-Up Stand) — Best for Serious Rowers

Price: $900
Rating: 4.7/5

Specs: 96 x 24 x 20 inches unfolded. Folds vertical with optional stand ($75). 57 pounds. Air resistance. Max user weight: 500 lbs.

The Concept2 Model D is the gold standard for rowing. It's what you see in CrossFit boxes and rowing clubs. The air resistance gives you a tough, realistic stroke. The PM5 monitor tracks every metric. With the fold-up stand, it stands upright in a closet. Without the stand, it splits in half horizontally.

Tradeoff: It's loud. The fan whirs like a small airplane. If you have thin walls, your neighbors will hear every stroke. Also, it's 96 inches long unfolded — you need a clear 8-foot space.

Who it's for: Performance-focused rowers who prioritize accuracy over quietness.

Pros: Industry standard, durable, excellent monitor, folds vertical with stand, easy to repair.

Cons: Loud air resistance, long unfolded length, stand sold separately, no app connectivity.

Price: $249
Rating: 4.0/5

Specs: 36 x 18 x 12 inches unfolded. No fold needed. 28 pounds. Hydraulic resistance. Max user weight: 300 lbs.

This thing is small. Really small. It sits on the floor and you pull handles toward you. It's not a full-body rower — your legs don't extend fully. But it takes up almost no space. You can slide it under a couch or bed. It has wheels and weighs 28 pounds, so moving it is trivial.

Tradeoff: The stroke is short and jerky. It doesn't feel like real rowing. You won't get the same cardiovascular benefit as a full-length rower. It's more like resistance training for arms and core.

Who it's for: People in micro-apartments (under 300 sq ft) or anyone who wants a rower they can hide under furniture.

Pros: Very compact, lightweight, cheap, silent, no assembly.

Cons: Short stroke, not real rowing motion, low max user weight, feels cheap.

5. Stamina Air Rower — Best Budget

Price: $299
Rating: 4.2/5

Specs: 84 x 22 x 28 inches unfolded. Folds vertical (no extra stand needed). 48 pounds. Air resistance. Max user weight: 250 lbs.

The Stamina Air Rower is the cheapest full-size rower that doesn't completely suck. It folds vertical easily — no tools, no stand. The air resistance is smoother than hydraulic but still loud. The frame is steel, not plastic. It comes with a basic monitor (time, distance, calories).

Tradeoff: The seat is uncomfortable after 20 minutes. The monitor is basic. The max user weight is 250 lbs — not for bigger athletes. And it's loud — louder than the Concept2.

Who it's for: Budget-conscious buyers who need a foldable rower and can tolerate noise.

Pros: Cheap, folds vertical, decent build for price, air resistance feels okay.

Cons: Loud, uncomfortable seat, low weight limit, basic monitor.

Comparison Table

Model	Price	Rating	Folded Size (HxWxL)	Weight	Resistance	Noise Level
WaterRower Natural	$999	4.8/5	20x40x33 in	64 lbs	Water	Moderate (water splash)
Hydrow Wave	$1,195	4.6/5	80x19x24 in	82 lbs	Magnetic	Silent
Concept2 Model D + Stand	$975	4.7/5	96x24x20 in (folded)	57 lbs	Air	Loud (fan)
DeskCycle DeskRower	$249	4.0/5	36x18x12 in	28 lbs	Hydraulic	Silent
Stamina Air Rower	$299	4.2/5	84x22x28 in (folded)	48 lbs	Air	Very loud

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a rowing machine on carpet?

Yes, but put a mat under it. Rowing machines can damage carpet fibers over time. A 4x6 foot rubber mat (like the one from BalanceFrom) protects the floor and reduces noise. For apartments, a mat is non-negotiable.

Will a rowing machine bother my downstairs neighbor?

Depends on the resistance type. Magnetic rowers (Hydrow Wave) are silent. Water rowers (WaterRower) make splashing that transmits through floors. Air rowers (Concept2, Stamina) are loud. If you have downstairs neighbors, get magnetic or put a thick mat and rubber pads under the feet.

How much space do I need to use a rowing machine?

At least 8 feet of clear floor space in one direction (lengthwise). Plus 2 feet on each side for arm movement. That's about 8 x 6 feet of clearance. Measure your room before buying.

Can I fold a rowing machine every day?

Yes. Most foldable rowers are designed for daily use. WaterRower and Hydrow Wave take 10-15 seconds to fold. The Concept2 with stand takes about 30 seconds. Just don't drop it on your foot.

How much does a good rowing machine for an apartment cost?

Budget: $250-$400 (Stamina, DeskCycle). Mid-range: $900-$1,000 (Concept2, WaterRower). Premium: $1,100+ (Hydrow Wave). I'd spend at least $900 for something that lasts and folds well.

Bottom Line

If you have the space and budget, get the WaterRower Natural. It's the only rower that looks good in a living room, folds vertical, and delivers a smooth workout. If you need silent operation for shared walls, get the Hydrow Wave — it's dead quiet and has great classes, but you'll pay $38/month forever. If you're on a tight budget, the Stamina Air Rower works but is loud and uncomfortable. Avoid the DeskCycle unless your apartment is truly microscopic. The Concept2 is the best rower for performance, but the noise makes it a bad choice for apartments with thin walls.

Best Overall