Merach NovaRow R50 rowing machine review: A budget-friendly alternative to the Concept2 RowErg

The Concept2 RowErg needs no introduction. This iconic rower is beloved by athletes and regular exercisers alike and has been used in professional indoor rowing competitions for over 40 years. It is one of our favorites, too. For three years running, we have named it the best option overall in our guide to the best rowing machines. There is just one issue with the Concept2 RowErg — the price. This model costs around $990 and is hardly ever on sale, placing it on the expensive end of the spectrum. However, for those who do not have the budget for it, there is now a worthy alternative. Meet the Merach NovaRow R50.

The Merach NovaRow R50 and the Concept2 RowErg are eerily similar in design and functionality. Both of these rowing machines come with a sturdy frame, 10-level air resistance flywheel, basic LCD display and Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, both can be connected to third-party apps like Kinomap, asensei or EXR. However, the Merach NovaRow R50 is more affordable. It costs $639.99, approximately $350 less than the Concept2 RowErg and is regularly on sale across major online retailers.

Merach NovaRow R50 review

Merach NovaRow R50: Set up and usability

• Relatively straightforward assembly
• Cannot be stored upright
• Suitable for taller individuals

The Merach NovaRow R50 can be put together in less than an hour from opening the box. This rowing machine comes largely preassembled; all you need to do is screw in the front legs, slide in the rail and insert the batteries into the LCD display. All tools and instructions are included in the package. Given some of our previous harrowing experiences with assembling exercise equipment, it was a refreshingly straightforward process.

That said, we would not call it easy. The Merach NovaRow R50 is a formidable piece of kit, both in size and in weight — it is heavier than the Concept2 RowErg by a solid 29 lbs (13.1 kg), for example — and while it could be put together by a single individual, it is far safer and easier done with another person around. Sliding the monorail into the flywheel can be a particularly tricky part of the assembly. These two parts need to be perfectly aligned to click into place, and that requires a surprising amount of strength and dexterity. This two-part design also has some significant ramifications for storage.

Unlike some other rowing machines, the Merach NovaRow R50 cannot be stored upright. If you want to minimize its footprint after each use, you can only do it by detaching the rail and placing it next to the flywheel. This constant process of putting it together and apart can be time-consuming and laborious, and even prove to be a deal-breaker for those who live alone.

On the bright side, this formidable design makes it exceptionally height- and weight-inclusive. The Merach NovaRow R50 is suitable for people weighing up to 350 lbs (158 kg) and it can accommodate individuals as tall as 6 feet 10 (208 centimeters). Quite impressive specs for a rowing machine at this price point.

Merach NovaRow R50: Design

• Two-tone display with basic metrics
• Soft, comfortable seat
• Adjustable footplates with six sizing options

Design-wise, the Merach NovaRow R50 is a mixed bag. On one side, it looks great and is surprisingly comfortable to ride. On the other, it has an underwhelming display and limited features.

Starting from the positives, this rowing machine has a much softer seat than the Concept2 RowErg, as it is made mostly of well-cushioned foam leather rather than tough plastic. We found it way more pleasant to sit on, especially when it came to longer, more endurance-based workouts. We also liked the handle. It was firm, grippy and slightly longer than the one in the Concept2 RowErg. It never aggravated our skin or got in a way of our smart ring.

The adjustable footplates also earned our approval. While we would prefer them to be slightly more flexible, they did not cause any pain or discomfort, either. Since they come with six different sizing options, it was relatively easy for us to find a good fit. That said, we would not recommend using them without proper training shoes.

What we did not like about the Merach NovaRow R50 was its basic two-tone LCD display. It comes on a handy collapsible arm and provides all the key rowing stats needed to assess rowing performance (time, time/500m, distance, calories, total strokes, SPM or Strokes Per Minute, wattage, and, if connected to an external heart rate monitor, also the heart rate), but we also found it difficult to read. The screen had poor visibility at times, especially in very bright conditions or under direct sunlight, and the display constantly flicked between different metrics. This can be particularly annoying if you want to target specific stats during a workout.

The phone holder could also use some improvement. According to the brand, it can fit devices measuring up to 11 inches. However, its small and narrow frame may not stop your tablet or phone falling out of the machine during some of the more vigorous workouts.

Merach NovaRow R50: Features

• 10-level air resistance flywheel
• Free Merach app with basic guided workouts
• Compatible with several third-party apps

The Merach NovaRow R50 is an air resistance rowing machine, meaning it creates resistance with a large mechanical flywheel. The faster you row, the faster its internal fan spins and the more challenging the workout. Most air resistance rowers feature 10 levels of intensity, which are then manually adjusted with a small lever located on the side of the flywheel — and this model is no exception.

The Merach NovaRow R50 is also Bluetooth-enabled, so it can be connected either to an external heart rate monitor, or to mobile apps, such as Merach, Kinomap, Apple Health, Google Fit and Fanton Fite. The designated Merach app is completely free, which is a big plus point given that most other compatible apps are hidden behind a paywall. That said, we did not think it was nearly as fun to use.

The Merach app is quite basic in design, and its main purpose is to track rowing stats collected during your training sessions. While it also allows you to participate in challenges and watch some guided rowing workouts, these features are nowhere near as robust and engaging as those in other fitness apps we tried. If you want races against other users or immersive virtual workouts in beautiful locations, you may need to invest in additional app subscriptions. The Kinomap app, for example, costs $11.99 per month or $89.99 per year.

Merach NovaRow R50: Performance

• Smooth rowing strokes
• Relatively quiet even at high speeds
• Good app connectivity

Performance is where the Merach NovaRow R50 shines the brightest. This rowing machine delivers a great workout experience, and in some ways, it is even better than the Concept2 RowErg. True, it has limited functionality and yes, some of the design solutions may not appeal to everyone, but we still think it is an excellent pick for budget-conscious rowing enthusiasts. Here's why.

We tested the Merach NovaRow R50 for three weeks, putting it through a range of different workouts, from slow recovery rides to intense HIIT (High Interval Intensity Training) sessions and, every time, we were quite satisfied with the results. The rowing strokes felt smooth and balanced and at no point did we experience any cable jarring or delayed response from the flywheel. Even at very high speeds, the Merach NovaRow R50 worked well and without interruptions. There was a significant difference in resistance between each concurrent intensity level.

We also appreciated how quiet it was. Air resistance rowing machines are notoriously loud and disruptive, especially at high rowing speeds. The aforementioned Concept2 RowErg, for example, can reach up to 100 dB — equivalent to sounds made by a lawnmower or juice blender. However, when we measured the Merach NovaRow R50 with a decibel-counting Sound Meter app, we did not register more than 77 dB. This is on par with noise on a busy street or inside a moving car.

The Bluetooth connectivity did not disappoint us, either. The Merach NovaRow R50 quickly and efficiently connected with the Merach app, and we experienced no lags or data transfer problems. All in all, this rowing machine has no major performance issues.

Merach NovaRow R50: User reviews

At the time of writing this review, Amazon's customers gave the Merach NovaRow R50 4.5 out of 5 stars, while the buyers at the Merach US store awarded it a near-perfect 4.8 score. This rowing machine was generally praised for its quality build, smooth strokes, ease of assembly and great value for money. Negative remarks, on the other hand, often revolved around the quality of the display and stiff footplates.

As one user commented, "The foot rest on the Merach is a much stiffer plastic that is a little harder to adjust and not very comfortable on the heel due to being a little too stiff and sharp. Not a deal breaker, but especially since I prefer to workout barefoot, less comfortable. [...] The monitor is another issue. I would just greatly prefer to be able to lock the screen onto showing meters/time, or calories/time, etc. Instead, what it does is scroll back and forth through all the metrics every 5 seconds which is a bit annoying as it seems to be always showing whatever one I don't care about when I glance up at the screen. [...] Even given those two less than ideal things, it is still a great machine and I am loving using it. It is a surprisingly solid for the price, and truly feels like all the parts came out of the same factory as the more expensive machines."

Should you buy the Merach NovaRow R50?

✅ Buy it if: You want a sturdy and well-performing rowing machine at a reasonable price. The Merach NovaRow R50 may not be the most advanced or feature-packed rower on the market, but it offers a great workout experience and top-notch durability for less than $650.

❌ Don't buy it if: You are looking for a smart rowing machine. There is plenty to like about the Merach NovaRow R50, but it does not feature a touchscreen, immersive workouts, games, races and other fun frills typical of premium rowers.

If the Merach NovaRow 50 is not for you

The Concept2 RowErg is a perfect alternative to the Merach NovaRow R50. This rowing machine is continuously impressing rowers with its smooth strokes, sleek design and data-tracking prowess. However, it costs around $350 more and it can also be relatively noisy.

If you would rather invest in a quieter, magnetic rower, consider the ProForm 750R instead. It may not have a flashy touchscreen display, myriad of connected apps or other frills, but it is sturdy and delivers a comfortable rowing experience for less than $600.

Need something foldable? The Echelon Smart Rower is a great option here. It is stylish and easy to store, plus it comes with a vast range of classes available via the Echelon app. The caveat? It is slightly more expensive than the Merach NovaRow R50 — it costs between $700 to $900, depending on the retailer.

How we tested the Merach NovaRow R50

We tested the Merach NovaRow R50 for nearly three weeks, carefully assessing its setup, usability, design, durability and features. We checked how comfortable and easy to use it was, and gave our verdict on its overall functionality and value for money.

Most importantly, we put this rowing machine through a wide range of workouts — including gentle active recovery rides, intense lung-busting sessions and guided workouts — to fully assess its exercise performance and share our thoughts on the overall user experience. Moreover, we measured its noise levels with the Sound Meter decibel-counting app to check how it compared to other rowing machines we tested.