Water vs air rowing machine

Two kinds of effort-led resistance

On an air rower, the handle chain or strap spins a fan flywheel. The fan has to push air, and air resistance rises steeply with speed, so a harder pull meets more resistance. A damper lever on the fan housing changes how much air reaches the fan. A higher setting makes the stroke feel heavier and the flywheel slows faster between strokes; a lower setting feels lighter and quicker. See our explainer on Concept2 damper settings for how that works on the best-known model.

On a water rower, the strap turns paddles inside a sealed tank. Water is much denser than air, so the paddles meet heavy resistance at speed, but they also need a moment to get the water moving. That gives a brief lighter feel at the start of the drive, followed by a smooth build. You change the overall heaviness by adding or removing water within the marks on the tank, not with a lever.

How the stroke feels

An air rower picks up quickly. With the damper set low it feels light and fast; with it set high it feels like a heavier boat. The fan keeps spinning between strokes, so the recovery feels free and smooth. Many people find it easy to row at a steady rhythm and to sprint, because the response is immediate.

A water rower has a more rounded feel. There is a small slack moment at the catch while the water starts moving, then a firm, even pull through the middle of the drive. The water slows down noticeably during the recovery, so you tend to row at a slightly more measured rhythm. Neither feel is right or wrong. If you can, try both at a gym or showroom before you buy.

Sound, draught and where each fits

Air rowers are the louder of the two. The fan makes a whirring roar that rises with effort, and it blows air out of the housing. In a garage or gym that does not matter much. In a flat, the sound can carry through floors and walls, especially during hard sessions.

Water rowers make a rhythmic swish of moving water. It is noticeable but softer, and there is no draught. Many water rowers also have wooden frames, which is one reason people keep them in living rooms rather than hiding them away. For the quietest option of all, a magnetic rower is the usual choice; see our water or magnetic rowing machine comparison.

Footprint, storage and upkeep

Both types are usually long machines built for a full stroke, so allow for the working length plus room behind the seat. Many water rowers stand upright on end, but a full tank makes them heavy and top-heavy while you tip them. Many air rowers separate into two halves or stand on end. Check our guide to rowing machine dimensions before you measure up.

Upkeep differs. A water tank needs a purification tablet from time to time and should be kept out of direct sun to stop the water clouding; our tank filling and cleaning guide covers the routine. An air rower needs dust cleared from the fan cage and, on chain-driven models, the chain wiped and lightly oiled as the manual describes.

Note:Upending a long rower, especially a water rower with a full tank, is a two-person job if you are unsure. Tip it slowly, keep feet and fingers clear and make sure it is stable before you walk away.

Monitors and data

Air rowers built for clubs and gyms usually show pace per 500 m, watts, stroke rate and distance, and their numbers are widely used for comparing sessions. The relationship between pace and power follows a fixed formula on the best-known air rower: watts = 2.80 / pace cubed, with pace in seconds per metre. A 2:00 /500 m split works out at about 203 W. Our split and watts converter does the sum for you.

Water rower monitors vary by brand. Many show stroke rate, distance, time and a pace or intensity figure, and some connect to apps over Bluetooth. Because each brand calculates distance its own way, numbers from a water rower may not line up exactly with a gym air rower. If matching gym or club numbers matters to you, that points towards an air rower.

Which should you choose?

Choose a water rower if you want a quieter, more furniture-like machine for a living space and like the idea of resistance that follows your stroke with a softer feel. Our best water rowing machine guide and WaterRower models compared list current options.

Choose an air rower if noise is not a concern, you want a damper to tune the feel, and you want pace and watts figures that match club and gym machines. Browse the air rowers section for related articles, and see our best rowing machine UK guide for an overview of every type.

Frequently asked questions

Is a water rower quieter than an air rower? Generally, yes. A water rower makes a steady swish, while an air rower's fan gets louder as you pull harder and also blows air.

Do water rowers have resistance levels? Not in the usual sense. Resistance rises with how fast you pull. You can make the stroke heavier or lighter overall by changing the water level within the range marked on the tank.

Are water rowers different from regular rowing machines? Most gym rowers are air rowers. A water rower uses a tank instead of a fan, so it sounds softer and feels slightly different at the catch, but you row with the same technique.

Which type is easier to store? Both are usually long. Water rowers often stand on end but are heavy with water in them. Air rowers often split into two parts. Check the folded or stored size on the listing.