Concept2 Rowerg vs Sunny Health And Fitness Sma

Concept2 RowErg vs Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Concept2 RowErg if you want the most proven, durable rower. Buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower instead if you have very little space.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Buy

Concept2 RowErg

Best for Best rower

Typically $990–$1,099

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Buy

Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower

Best for Small spaces

Typically $249–$349

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

Feature	Concept2 RowErg	Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower
Verdict	Buy	Buy
Typical price	$990–$1,099	$249–$349
Best for	Best rower	Small spaces
Key feature	The gym-standard air rower with an accurate monitor	Compact magnetic rower for small homes
Resistance	Air	Magnetic
Monitor	PM5	LCD + app
Storage	Separates or stands upright	Folds
Max user	500 lb	285 lb
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Main differences

Resistance

Concept2 RowErg: Air; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: Magnetic.

Monitor

Concept2 RowErg: PM5; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: LCD + app.

Storage

Concept2 RowErg: Separates or stands upright; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: Folds.

Max user

Concept2 RowErg: 500 lb; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: 285 lb.

Why buy it

Concept2 RowErg: the gym-standard air rower with an accurate monitor; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: compact magnetic rower for small homes.

Made for

Concept2 RowErg: best rower; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: small spaces.

Usual price

Concept2 RowErg: $990–$1,099; Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: $249–$349.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Concept2 RowErg if you

you want the most proven, durable rower
value gym standard

Check Price Paid link

Choose the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower if you

you have very little space
value compact

Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every model we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best rowing machines.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Concept2 · Rowing machines

Concept2 RowErg Tall Legs

Buy it if you have knee or back issues getting low.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Easy on/off
Typical price: $1,090–$1,199

Pros

Easier to mount
Same accuracy

Cons

Pricier

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

WaterRower · Rowing machines

WaterRower Natural

Buy it if you want a beautiful rower that sounds like water.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Beautiful and quiet
Typical price: $999–$1,299

Pros

Beautiful wood
Quiet water sound

Cons

Basic monitor

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Concept2 RowErg or Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: which should I buy?

Buy the Concept2 RowErg if you want the most proven, durable rower. Buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower instead if you have very little space.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Concept2 RowErg usually costs $990–$1,099 and the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower $249–$349. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Concept2 RowErg or Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower: the full reasoning

Concept2 RowErg or Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower? Both are strong rowing machines, which is exactly why the choice is hard. Here is the short version first: buy the Concept2 RowErg if you want the most proven, durable rower, and buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower if you have very little space. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Concept2 RowErg wins on the gym-standard air rower with an accurate monitor. The Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower answers with compact magnetic rower for small homes. Resistance: Air on the Concept2 RowErg, Magnetic on the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower. Monitor: PM5 on the Concept2 RowErg, LCD + app on the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower. Storage: Separates or stands upright on the Concept2 RowErg, Folds on the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower. Max user: 500 lb on the Concept2 RowErg, 285 lb on the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower.

Reasons to buy the Concept2 RowErg

Gym standard, Accurate PM5, Durable. What to accept: fan noise, long footprint. Usual price: $990–$1,099. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Concept2 RowErg review.

Reasons to buy the Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower

Compact, Quiet, Cheap. What to accept: short rail, basic. Usual price: $249–$349. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Magnetic Rower review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best rowing machines has every other model with its own call. Resistance: air rowers feel like real rowing and are the club standard; magnetic rowers are quietest for apartments.

Also consider the Concept2 RowErg Tall Legs ($1,090–$1,199): taller RowErg that is easier to get on and off. Buy it if you have knee or back issues getting low.

Also consider the WaterRower Natural ($999–$1,299): wooden water rower with a calming swoosh. Buy it if you want a beautiful rower that sounds like water.

US buyer tip

Concept2 rarely discounts, but its rowers hold value well; magnetic and water rowers see deeper cuts on Prime Day and Black Friday.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.