Best Used Rowing Machine: 5 Models That Actually Hold Up in 2026

The best used rowing machine in 2026 isn’t the one with the lowest price. It’s the one that still rows like it’s new after five or six years of someone else’s workouts. That comes down to which model you pick, not whether you find a deal. A used Concept2 RowErg in good condition runs $700 to $900 versus $1,099 new. A used Hydrow Wave goes for $850 to $1,300 against $1,495 retail. Real money, but only if the machine itself doesn’t quit on you.

I help people buy and sell used home gym equipment for a living. Rowers are one of the easier pieces to buy used because the wear pattern is predictable. You’re either looking at a chain or a belt, a flywheel, and a damper or magnetic resistance unit. Not many failure points. The trick is knowing which 5 models actually hold up over time and which ones you should walk past even if the price is good. This guide covers the best used rowing machine picks in 2026, what each one actually costs, and the inspection routine that separates a $600 steal from a $600 mistake.

Why Buy a Used Rowing Machine in the First Place

Rowers are one of the most-abandoned pieces of home fitness gear. People buy them with great intentions, use them for 90 days, then store them in a basement or a garage. The result is a steady supply of low-mileage machines on the secondhand market, often at 30 to 50 percent off retail.

The math gets even better because rowers, unlike treadmills, don’t have a lot of expensive parts that wear out fast. A Concept2 with 5 million meters logged on it will still feel almost like new if it’s been kept clean. The chain is replaceable for $30 and the flywheel housing is essentially indestructible. So you’re not buying someone’s worn-out machine. You’re buying a barely-used one at a steep discount.

The catch is that rowers vary wildly. A used air rower from a no-name Amazon brand is worth maybe $80. A used Concept2 RowErg is worth $750. Same category, different leagues. Picking the right model matters more than negotiating the price.

The 5 Best Used Rowing Machines in 2026

These are the five models I see hold up best on the secondhand market. Ranked by reliability and resale value, not retail price.

1. Concept2 RowErg (Model D / Model E)

The gold standard. Concept2 is what every commercial gym uses, what Olympic rowers train on, and what holds the highest resale value of any rower ever made. A 10-year-old Concept2 in working condition still sells for $600 to $700.

• Used price (2026): $700-$900 (Model D), $850-$1,000 (Model E)
• New price: $1,099 (Model D), $1,449 (Model E)
• What lasts: The flywheel and chain are nearly indestructible. The PM5 monitor pulls off and goes onto any other Concept2 if needed.
• What to check: Chain stretch, damper smoothness, monitor battery contacts

If you can only buy one used rowing machine and you don’t care about a screen with classes, this is the answer. Full stop.

2. Hydrow Wave

The smaller, newer Hydrow. It’s lighter than the original Hydrow, fits in tighter spaces, and uses magnetic resistance with a 16-inch HD screen for live and on-demand classes.

• Used price (2026): $850-$1,300
• New price: $1,495
• What lasts: The magnetic resistance unit is silent and has no wear surfaces. The frame folds vertically for storage.
• What to check: Screen for dead pixels, membership status (the screen is not very useful without it)

For people who want classes and won’t actually row without them, the Wave is the right used pick. Just budget $44 a month for the All-Access Membership on top of the purchase. For a deeper read on how Hydrow stacks up against the competition, our Hydrow vs Peloton Row comparison covers the screen-rower category in detail.

3. WaterRower (Natural / Classic / A1)

The wood-frame water rower. Beautiful in a living room, quiet, and the resistance feels closer to actual rowing than air or magnetic. They hold value because the wood frame ages well and the water tank rarely fails.

• Used price (2026): $700-$1,200 (Natural), $400-$700 (A1 Studio)
• New price: $1,295 (Natural), $895 (A1 Studio)
• What lasts: The wood frame, the tank, the monitor
• What to check: Water clarity (cloudy or green water means the chlorine tablets weren’t replaced), seal integrity around the tank, footboard wear

WaterRowers are the most “furniture-like” rower out there and they get used as living room equipment more than basement equipment. That tends to mean lower mileage on the used market.

4. Concept2 Model B (older but still excellent)

The pre-Model D Concept2. Made from the late 90s through 2003. Still uses a chain, still has a monitor (older PM2 or PM3), still rows beautifully. These show up on Craigslist constantly because the original owners upgraded.

• Used price (2026): $400-$650
• New price: No longer made
• What lasts: Same as the RowErg. Concept2 frames are tank-like.
• What to check: Older monitor batteries can be hard to source, chain wear

If you find a Model B for $400, grab it. The Model D is incrementally better, not categorically better. The Model B will last another 20 years.

5. Peloton Row

The newest entry on the list and a controversial pick. The Peloton Row is technically excellent, with auto-resistance, form coaching, and a 24-inch HD screen. But it’s also the most-resold rower in the secondhand market because some buyers found it more machine than they actually wanted.

• Used price (2026): $1,500-$2,200
• New price: $2,995
• What lasts: The frame is heavy-duty steel. The auto-resistance motor is solid.
• What to check: Membership status, screen condition, that the auto-resistance motor still works smoothly across all 5 levels

One of our customers, Will, sold his Peloton Row through us after deciding it was “a very expensive paperweight” he wanted out of his house. That’s actually good news for buyers. The supply on the used market is healthy, and the discount versus new is the steepest of any rower on this list.

Used Rowing Machine Comparison Table

Model	Used Price	New Price	Resistance Type	Best For
Concept2 RowErg	$700-$900	$1,099	Air	Serious training, longevity
Hydrow Wave	$850-$1,300	$1,495	Magnetic	Class-driven, smaller spaces
WaterRower Natural	$700-$1,200	$1,295	Water	Living-room placement, quiet
Concept2 Model B	$400-$650	Discontinued	Air	Budget pick, indestructible
Peloton Row	$1,500-$2,200	$2,995	Magnetic + auto	Form coaching, big screen

What to Inspect on a Used Rowing Machine

Run through this checklist before paying. Doesn’t matter if you’re buying off Craigslist or through a marketplace, the inspection is the same.

1. Pull the chain or strap through 10 full strokes. Listen for grinding, skipping, or uneven catch. The handle return should feel smooth.
2. Check the monitor. Power it on, watch the readouts. Strokes per minute, distance, and split time should all update in real time. If any reading freezes, the magnetic pickup is dirty or failing.
3. Inspect the seat track. The seat should glide silently from end to end. Sticky or noisy means the rollers are worn or the track is dirty.
4. Test the damper or resistance setting. On an air rower, slide the damper through all 10 positions. On a magnetic rower, cycle the resistance levels. They should change perceptibly.
5. Look at the chain or belt. Stretch, fraying, or rust means it needs replacement. Concept2 chains are $30 and easy to swap. Belt-driven rowers (Hydrow, WaterRower) are more involved.
6. Check the frame for cracks. Especially on aluminum-frame rowers. Hairline cracks at the joint between the seat rail and the front foot are bad news.
7. Confirm membership status (for screen-rowers). Hydrow Wave and Peloton Row need active memberships to be useful. Make sure the seller has cancelled theirs and the device is unlocked for re-registration.

If you’re buying remotely and can’t physically inspect, this is exactly the gap that an inspected marketplace closes. Drivers do a 30 to 50 point inspection on every rower before pickup, the buyer gets 60 minutes in their home to test the machine, and the deal is off if anything fails. One of our customers had a small issue with a rower they bought for their teenage son. We fixed it at no charge and made things right. That’s the layer that matters when you’re buying a $1,000 piece of equipment from someone you’ve never met.

Where to Buy a Used Rowing Machine

Three real options in 2026. Same as most used home gym gear, ordered by risk:

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Cheapest sticker prices. You’re picking up a 80 to 130 pound machine, paying cash, no inspection, no recourse. Fine for a Concept2 Model B from someone five miles away. Risky for a Peloton Row from a stranger across town.

OfferUp / Letgo. Same model as Craigslist, slightly more buyer protection through the app, still pickup-only in most cases. Worth checking but not categorically better.

Inspected marketplace with delivery. Platforms like Commonplace inspect, transport, and let you test the machine in your home before you pay. For a used rowing machine, the delivery service alone is worth $100 to $200 (rowers are awkward to move, especially Hydrow and WaterRower units, which are 6+ feet long).

Best Used Rowing Machine for Specific Use Cases

Not everyone needs the same rower. Quick recommendations by what you actually want:

• Best overall used pick: Concept2 RowErg, Model D or E. Lasts forever, holds value, used everywhere.
• Best used pick under $500: Concept2 Model B. Older but built like a tank.
• Best used pick for classes: Hydrow Wave. Smaller footprint than the original Hydrow, same screen and content.
• Best used pick for quiet apartments: WaterRower. The water tank is notably quieter than air rowers.
• Best used pick for form coaching: Peloton Row. The form-detection is the differentiator and it works well.
• Best used pick for tall users (6’2″+): Concept2 RowErg. Long monorail, accommodates a 38-inch inseam comfortably.

Used Rowing Machine FAQ

What is the best used rowing machine to buy?

The Concept2 RowErg is the best used rowing machine for most buyers. It holds resale value, lasts decades, and runs $700 to $900 on the secondhand market versus $1,099 new. If you want classes and a big screen, the Hydrow Wave is the best alternative at $850 to $1,300 used.

How long does a used rowing machine last?

A well-maintained rower lasts 15 to 25 years. The flywheel and frame on a Concept2 are nearly indestructible. The chain or belt is a $30 wear part replaced every few years. The monitor is the most likely failure point on older units, but most monitors are user-replaceable.

Are old Concept2 rowers still good?

Yes. A Concept2 Model B from 1995 still rows almost identically to a brand-new RowErg. The flywheel and chain mechanism haven’t fundamentally changed in 30 years. The only meaningful differences are monitor features (PM5 has Bluetooth, older PM2 doesn’t) and minor frame refinements.

How much should I pay for a used rowing machine?

Usually 50 to 70 percent of the new price for a 2- to 5-year-old machine in good condition. So a Concept2 RowErg ($1,099 new) is fair at $700 to $850. A Hydrow Wave ($1,495 new) is fair at $900 to $1,150. Below 50 percent often signals damage or missing pieces. Above 70 percent isn’t worth it versus a new unit with full warranty.

Can I use a used Hydrow or Peloton Row without a membership?

Sort of. Both screens have a “free row” mode that displays basic metrics (stroke rate, distance, split time) without an active membership. But the on-demand and live classes that justify the screen require the $44 monthly subscription. Most buyers pay it.

Does a used rowing machine come with a warranty?

Usually no. Manufacturer warranties on rowers (Concept2: 5 years frame, 2 years parts; Hydrow: 5 years frame, 1 year parts) are typically tied to the original owner and don’t transfer. Concept2 will service and sell parts for any unit regardless of age, which is a major reason their resale value is so high.

Final Recommendation: Should You Buy Used

For a rower, yes. Almost always. Rowers are mechanically simple, hold up well, and the secondhand discount is real. The Concept2 RowErg is the safest pick, the Hydrow Wave is the best class-driven pick, and the WaterRower is the best living-room pick. Skip no-name brands and you’ll do fine.

If you have a rower collecting dust, we’ll come pick it up, deliver it to a verified buyer, and pay you the day it leaves your house. No tire-kickers, no awkward Saturday meetups, no lowball Facebook messages.

If you’re shopping for a used rowing machine, browse our current inventory. Every unit is inspected before pickup, every buyer gets 60 minutes to test the rower at home, and you only pay if it passes. For more on the buying-process side, our used treadmill pricing guide walks through the same logic for treadmills, and the Hydrow vs Peloton Row comparison goes deeper on the screen-rower category specifically.

Shopping for one now? Browse our current used Concept 2 and rowing machine listings. Every Commonplace listing is inspected, backed by a 60-day warranty, and available with cheap delivery or pay on pickup.