JOROTO MR280PRO Water Rowing Machine Review

JOROTO Is Back, and I Like What I’m Seeing

I’m glad to see JOROTO back in the mix doing what they do best, and that’s making low-cost, quality fitness gear. These guys disappeared for a while, so it’s a nice surprise to see them building their gear again.

And I like this company. They’ve always focused on build quality while keeping prices low, and their all oak water rower is no exception. Users love it, with many saying it feels much more expensive than the price point, which is exactly what you want to hear about a budget rower.

Surprisingly Good Tech Without the Subscription

The tech is pretty impressive too, which surprised me for a rower at this price. JOROTO has updated its app, and it now includes a ton of rowing workouts to test and challenge you. It’s the sort of app that should keep you coming back for more, and best of all, it’s free.

There’s no expensive subscription to worry about with the JOROTO Water Rowing Machine. You can use their app for free, or if you prefer, sync with another app like Kinomap.

And I think that matters. We’re starting to see some excellent budget water rowers hit the market, but it’s not often you find one with a solid wood build and decent tech without being asked to pay a monthly subscription on top.

So yes, an impressive start from JOROTO. The build quality is there, their updated app is still free, and most importantly, they’ve kept the price of their new water rower affordable.

It’s not a heavy-duty beast like an Ergatta, and we shouldn’t expect it to be. But for under $400, it’s about as good as it gets.

Only a Handful Are Worth Taking Seriously

Out of about 15 budget water rowers on the market, there’s just a very small handful worth taking seriously, and the JOROTO MR280PRO is one of them.

So let’s take the time to have a proper close look at this impressive water rower. I want to cover everything it has to offer, where JOROTO has got things right, and, of course, any drawbacks you need to know about.

And We’ll Compare It With Another Favorite of Mine

Also, at the end of the review, I want to compare the JOROTO to another favorite of mine in this price range, the YOSUDA Water Rower, as it’ll be really interesting to see how these two silky-smooth machines match up.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the JOROTO MR280PRO specs, pros, and cons!

Specs

Why Do We Like The JOROTO Water Rowing Machine?

One of the first things I like about this water rower is the attention JOROTO has paid to the tank. Honestly, you’d be surprised how many budget water rowers have problems with leaking tanks, and it’s a headache you really don’t want.

Thankfully, JOROTO has made a real effort here, equipping the tank with an advanced leak proof system designed to prevent leaks even when the rower is folded and stored. It might sound like a small feature, but it makes a big difference. Nobody wants a leaky water rower.

But what really sells the JOROTO Water Rower for me is the build quality. I’m liking the solid oak frame. Okay, it’s not the thick, heavy oak you’ll find on a premium water rower, but it’s substantial enough and certainly doesn’t look cheaply made. Weighing over 50lb, there’s enough weight here to give the rower a nice solid feel.

And remember, once you fill the tank with water, you’re adding even more weight right at the front of the rower, which should really help with stability.

Then there’s the low-profile design. The center of gravity is very low on this rower, perhaps even a little too low for anyone with bad knees who struggles getting down close to floor level.

Still, when it comes to stability, low is good. That low center of gravity, the weight of the water tank, and the solid oak frame should all help keep this rower planted.

Dynamic Resistance – That Rowing on Water Feel

Okay, let’s face it, one of the main reasons most of us want a water rower is because we want to get as close as we can to that feeling of rowing on actual water at home.

And that’s where dynamic resistance comes in.

The harder you pull on the handle and the faster you row, the stronger the resistance becomes. You don’t have to stop and mess around with resistance levels. The rower simply responds to how much effort you put into each stroke.

And then you’ve got the sound of those paddles pushing through the water in the tank. I’ve always liked that about water rowers. It’s a smooth, calming sound and adds to that immersive rowing feel.

But there’s something else I like about the JOROTO. You can also use the amount of water in the tank to change how heavy the rowing stroke feels.

If you’ve owned the rower for a few months and start to find the stroke a little too easy, you can add some more water to the tank. More water means the paddles have more water to push through, giving the stroke a heavier feel and providing you with a little more room to progress. Just make sure you stay within JOROTO’s recommended fill limits.

So yes, I’m impressed with the resistance setup here. It’s smooth, it’s dynamic, and you’ve still got some control over how heavy you want the rowing stroke to feel. For a budget water rower, that’s exactly what I want to see.

Click here to check price of the Joroto MR280PRO on Amazon

Impressive Long Dual Slide Rail

The slide rail on the JOROTO really is an impressive one. It’s a dual rail, and this is what I like to see on a water rower. Why? Because a dual rail gives the seat that extra stability, and with the smooth-running rollers, the seat should glide effortlessly along the rails.

And the rails are long too. There’s enough travel here for up to a 39″ inseam, which roughly gives us a max user height of around 6’5″. That’s impressive for a budget water rower and means taller users shouldn’t have any problems achieving full leg extension.

And I love the seat design. It’s nicely contoured, which helps keep you centered when rowing hard, and there’s a high lip at the back to help stop your butt sliding too far back during the push phase of the rowing stroke.

These might sound like small details, but a smooth rail and a seat that keeps you in place make a big difference once you start putting some effort into your workouts.

So yeah, a big thumbs up from me for both the seat and dual rail design. JOROTO has got the important stuff right here.

Fuss-Free but Decent Monitor With a Free App

Okay, the monitor isn’t anything to shout about, but then this is a budget rower. We can’t expect HD pivoting screens at this price. I’d much rather JOROTO spend the money on the build quality of the actual rower, and let the tech come second.

And that’s pretty much what you get with the JOROTO MR280PRO. The build quality of the rower is excellent, while the monitor is basic. But I like it. It’s fuss-free, easy to set up and use, and tracks all the workout data you need.

Plus, you have Bluetooth and JOROTO’s updated app, which comes with a load of rowing workouts and other handy features to give your workouts a bit more variety and keep things challenging.

And what’s really nice is you don’t have to pay a subscription to use the best features of the rower. Unlike many high-end machines, there’s no expensive yearly subscription hanging over you. The app is free, and that’s a big plus in my book.

Overall, the monitor is basic, but it gets the job done. And if you’ve got a large tablet to use with the app, even better. Add that to the smooth dynamic resistance and the sound of the paddles pushing through the water, and you can get that immersive rowing feel at home without spending a fortune.

Folds in Seconds

The folding system on the JOROTO Rower is so easy to use. It takes just a few seconds to remove the pin and fold the rower, and once folded, you’ve more than halved its overall footprint. It’s an excellent space-saving design and perfect for any of you guys who are tight on space.

And considering this is a full size rower with enough rail length for a 39″ inseam, being able to fold it down this easily is a big plus.

You also have built-in transport wheels, making it easy to move from room to room. Just tilt and roll. It’s that easy.

Any Drawbacks?

Honestly, there isn’t much to fault about the JOROTO MR280PRO, especially when you remember this is a budget water rower. JOROTO seems to have spent the money where it matters, on the frame, tank, rail and resistance system, rather than trying to make the machine look more expensive than it really is.

Still, there are a couple of things worth mentioning.

The Monitor Is Pretty Basic

We’ve already talked about the monitor, and while it does everything you need, it’s certainly nothing special. The display is basic, and anyone hoping for a large built in screen or advanced onboard workouts will be disappointed.

Personally, I don’t think this is much of a drawback at this price. Give me a well-built rower with a basic monitor over a cheaply made rower with a fancy screen any day. And with Bluetooth, the free JOROTO app and somewhere to place your tablet, there are plenty of ways to add some tech when you want it.

The Foot Straps Could Be Better

The other small complaint concerns the foot straps. A few users have mentioned having to tighten them during workouts, which can get annoying, especially when you’re halfway through a longer rowing session and just want to get on with it.

It’s hardly a deal-breaker, but secure foot placement is important on a rower, and this is one area where I think JOROTO could improve things.

And Remember, This Isn’t a Heavy-Duty Rower

Lastly, keep your expectations realistic. The JOROTO weighs just over 50lb before you add the water. The oak frame looks well made and the low center of gravity should help considerably with stability, but this isn’t a 100lb+ premium wooden rower like an Ergatta.

And that’s okay. It isn’t trying to be one.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate rower looking for a well-built water rower for regular home workouts, I don’t think this will bother you at all. But larger, powerful rowers planning on hammering out hard sessions every day may be better off spending more on something heavier-duty.

Nothing Here Would Put Me Off

And really, that’s about it. A basic monitor, foot straps that could be better, and a lighter frame than the premium machines. There are no major deal stoppers here, and considering the price point, I think JOROTO has made some pretty sensible compromises.

Will I Need a Rowing Mat?

Most of the time, people buy a rowing mat to protect polished floors from scratches and also to prevent any slippage. The JOROTO MR280 is fitted with capped feet, which will do a good job of protecting your floors while giving the base of the rower a little extra grip. So I wouldn’t recommend buying a mat for this reason alone.

One time a mat is well worth considering is if you live in an apartment or shared housing, since a rowing mat will absorb a lot of the vibrations from your workouts. A good idea if you want to keep your neighbors happy.

I find there’s no need to spend a lot of money on a rowing mat,  Sunny Health & Fitness makes some excellent low-cost equipment mats, I leave a link here in case you need one: Sunny Health Equipment Mats Amazon

Final Verdict

What I like most is that people have a choice now. No longer is the magnetic rower the only sensible choice for people on a budget. You can now get hold of a very decent solid wood water rower at an affordable price as well.

And I love what water rowers offer: the smooth dynamic resistance, the sound of the paddles pushing through the water, and that rowing-on-water feel. It’s something a magnetic rower just doesn’t offer, and it’s nice to be able to get that immersive rowing experience at home without having to pay a huge amount for the privilege.

And yes, JOROTO has made one of the best budget water rowers out there. It’s hard to find much fault with it. The build quality is there, they haven’t cut corners on the essentials, and that long dual rail is really impressive for the price. Even the basic monitor does its job, and the free app is a nice bonus.

Of course, it’s not a heavy-duty beast like an Ergatta, but we wouldn’t expect it to be at this price. What matters is that JOROTO has got the important stuff right.

For the money, it’s hard to beat. The JOROTO MR280PRO certainly deserves a top spot among the best budget rowers.

How Does The Joroto MR280PRO Compare To The Wenoker R51?

JOROTO MR280PRO vs WENOKER R51

This is an interesting comparison because the JOROTO and WENOKER are very similar water rowers. Both have solid wood frames, 14L water tanks, long rails, Bluetooth and app support, and both use those clever 180° folding designs.

They’re also target the same sort of user, beginners and intermediates looking for a good water rower without spending a fortune.

There is one important difference, though. The JOROTO is the more expensive of the two, with an official Amazon price around $379. So the real question isn’t simply which rower is better, it’s whether the JOROTO is good enough to justify spending the extra money.

For me, I think it is.

The main reason is the build. The JOROTO weighs around 52lb compared with just 42lb for the WENOKER, and that’s quite a difference between two similarly sized wooden rowers.

Add water to the tank and combine that extra weight with the JOROTO’s low center of gravity, and it should have the edge when it comes to that solid, planted feel we all want from a home rower.

I also prefer the JOROTO’s long dual-rail design. There’s enough room for around a 39″ inseam, so most users up to roughly 6’5″ should be fine, and having two rails gives the seat that extra bit of stability.

The WENOKER fights back with a claimed max user height of 6’7″, so if you’re particularly tall, that’s one reason you might prefer the WENOKER.

There’s not much between them when it comes to resistance. Both use 14L water tanks and give you that smooth dynamic resistance we’re looking for from a water rower. Pull harder and the resistance increases naturally, and you can adjust the amount of water in the tank if you want to change how heavy the rowing stroke feels.

Tech is pretty close too. Both have Bluetooth and app support, although I like that JOROTO has its own app as well as Kinomap compatibility.

Neither monitor is anything to get to shout home about, but honestly, I’d rather these companies spend the money on the rower than the screen, especially at this price.

So yes, the WENOKER is the cheaper machine, and if you’re trying to keep costs as low as possible, it’s a very good alternative. You’re still getting a solid wood frame, smooth water resistance, app support, and an excellent folding design.

But if your budget can stretch a little further, I’d choose the JOROTO. That extra money seems to have gone into the right places. It’s nearly 10lb heavier, I prefer the dual-rail design, and overall it looks like the more substantial of the two machines.

Is it worth paying extra for? I think so. The WENOKER gives you a lot for the money, but for me, the JOROTO MR280PRO is the better water rower overall.

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

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