Dripex Water Rowing Machine Review – A Lot of Rower for the Money

Dripex Deserves a Little More Attention

Dripex is one of those companies that makes great quality gear but seems to stay in the background behind some of the larger companies in the budget space, which is a shame because I actually think these guys deliver better value for money than most. Over the years, I’ve been impressed with what they offer for the price.

And the Dripex Water Rowing Machine is no exception. It’s a solid oak rower, weighs over 50lb and is priced around the $300 mark. Just a few years ago, even a budget wooden rower would have cost you over $500. Now a company like Dripex can offer something even better for considerably less.

Solid Oak Without the Premium Price

And that’s why the Dripex is one of my favorite wooden rowers. It’s solid oak, it’s sturdy, and they haven’t cut back on any of the essentials. Somehow, they’ve still managed to keep the price low.

You get that smooth dynamic water resistance, a long dual slide rail, a decent 400lb weight capacity, and a folding design that makes it much easier to live with at home.

There’s nothing fancy about it, and there doesn’t need to be. What I like about the Dripex is that most of the money seems to have gone into the actual rower, and at this price, that’s exactly where I want it spent.

The Dripex is a rowing machine worth taking a much closer look at, not just because it’s so affordable, but because it really is an impressive water rower. It’s not just another cheap Amazon rower. This thing is solid. So today, I’m going to take a closer look at everything it has to offer, including any drawbacks.

Also, at the end of the review, I want to compare it with another fav of mine in this price range, the Wenoker Water Rowing Machine. It’ll be interesting to see how these two budget solid wood rowers match up.

First, let’s take a quick look at the Dripex Water Rower specs, pros, and cons!

Specs

Why Do We Like The Dripex Water Rower?

What impresses me most about the Dripex Water Rower is that it’s just that bit heavier than the other $300 wooden rowers out there. The Dripex weighs 55lb, which is almost 15lb heavier than some in this price range. It has a sturdier, more premium look and feel because of it.

The wood frame is slightly thicker too, and that extra weight will help keep the rower planted to the floor when you row hard.

You’re getting a lot of rower for your money with the Dripex. Yeah, it’s still a long way from being a heavy duty machine, but it’s about as close as you’ll get in this price range.

Dynamic Resistance

Okay, so we know the build quality is right up there with the Dripex, certainly one of the most impressive I’ve found in this price range, but what really sells the Dripex rowing machine is the resistance system.

It’s a dynamic resistance system, and by that I mean the harder and faster you row, the stronger the resistance becomes, just like rowing on water. It’s a resistance system that mimics the real feel of rowing on water, which is exactly what you want from a home water rower.

You also have a 14 liter water tank, and the sound of the paddles pushing through the water really adds to that immersive feel.

And what really impresses me here is that you don’t have to pay a high end price for the privilege anymore. Only a few years ago, a well-made wooden rower with dynamic resistance would have cost considerably more. Now companies like Dripex are producing them for around $300.

That’s a big deal because dynamic water resistance is one of the best resistance systems you can have on a home rower. It’s smooth, naturally gets tougher the harder you row, and gives you a much more realistic rowing feel than most budget resistance systems.

Click here to check price of the Dripex Water Rower on Amazon

Long Duel Slide Rail

What I like about a dual rail is that it gives the seat a little more stability, something you don’t get with most single-rail magnetic rowers. It also allows the seat to be nice and wide, which adds some comfort, and because it’s ergonomically designed, there’s enough support there to stop your butt slipping even during the push phase of the rowing stroke.

And it’s a long dual rail, allowing users up to 6’6″ to achieve a full rowing stroke, which is really impressive at this price point.

Basic but a Monitor I Like

In this price bracket, you’re not going to find any advanced monitors with high-end features, but sometimes that’s a good thing because there are no endless menus to scroll through. A basic monitor is fast to set up and very easy to use.

And yes, it’s fairly basic, but it still tracks all your essential workout data, including distance, time, SPM, total count and calories, which is all you really need.

Also, the monitor is app compatible, so for those of you who need more, you can use apps like Kinomap or Zwift with this rower, which will add that something extra to your workouts and help keep you coming back for more.

So yes, I like this monitor. It’s easy to use, the LCD is fairly large, so it’s easy to read while rowing, it’s also height adjustable, and because it’s a basic monitor, it helps keep the overall price of the rower down.

Drawbacks of The Dripex Water Rower

There’s not too much to complain about with the Dripex, especially when you consider the price. Most of the drawbacks are really just things you’d expect from a budget water rower rather than any serious problems with the machine.

• No resistance adjustment on the handle. If you want to change the base resistance, you’ll need to add or remove water from the tank. Personally, I don’t see this as much of an issue because the resistance naturally increases the harder you row.
• The seat is quite low to the floor. That’s normal for this style of wooden rower, but it might make getting on and off a little awkward for anyone with limited mobility.
• The monitor is fairly basic. It tracks all the essentials and you have app support if you want more, but don’t expect built-in workouts or any advanced training features.
• It’s still a budget rower. The 55lb weight and solid oak frame are impressive for the money, but don’t expect the same heavy-duty feel or finish you’d get from a water rower costing two or three times as much.

Will I Need a Rowing Mat?

The only time people really need a rowing mat is to protect their hard, polished floors from scratches. Since the Dripex rower comes with 4 capped feet, this shouldn’t be an issue. Also, the capped feet on the Dripex prevent slippage, so you won’t need a mat for that either.

The one time I would reccomend using a rowing mat with the Dripex or any rowing machine is if you live in an apartment or shared housing, as a rowing mat will help soak up most of the vibrations from your workouts. A really good idea of you want to keep your neighbours happy.

Folds For Easy Storage

Okay, so no vertical storage with this rower; still, you have a very easy to use folding system- just remove the pin and fold. Literally takes a few seconds. And once folded, you more than halve the rower’s overall footprint. So it’s great for anyone tight on space.

And if you just need to move the rower, you can tilt it and roll it on the built-in transport wheels

Final Verdict

For the price, the Dripex Water Rowing Machine is hard to fault, especially when compared with others in this price range. What made it stand out for me was the overall build quality. It’s more impressive than the other $300 wooden water rowers I’ve reviewed. The Dripex has that extra weight and thicker wooden frame, so it feels more premium than budget.

It’s a solid rower for the price. The essentials are all there, which is what matters most. Some of you may find the monitor a little disappointing, but for around $300, you really won’t find much better.

How Does The Dripex Compare To The Wenoker WR51 Water Rower?

Dripex vs Wenoker Water Rowing Machine

This is a close one because I really like both of these rowers. The Wenoker is another budget wooden water rower that gets the important stuff right, and there’s actually not much separating the two.

Both use 14-liter water tanks, long dual slide rails, belt drive systems and very similar basic monitors. Both fold for storage, both give you that smooth dynamic water resistance, and both are excellent choices for beginners and intermediates.

Where the Dripex edges it for me is the build.

The Wenoker weighs around 42lb, which is fairly typical for a wooden rower in this price range. The Dripex weighs 55lb and uses a thicker wooden frame, and you can feel the difference that extra weight makes. It gives the Dripex a more planted, almost heavy-duty feel that you don’t normally get from a rower costing around $300.

That’s not to take anything away from the Wenoker. It’s still one of my favorite budget water rowers, and if you can find it considerably cheaper than the Dripex, I’d happily save the money and go with the Wenoker.

But if they’re sitting at a similar price? I’d spend my money on the Dripex. They offer much the same rowing experience and share many of the same features, but that extra weight and thicker frame give the Dripex the edge.

Still comparing rowing machines? Read Next: Best Water Rowing Machines

Dripex Water Rowing Machine FAQs