In-Depth Review: Sunny Phantom Hydro Rowing Machine

Sunny Health & Fitness has been around for over two decades. These guys specialize in building high-quality, affordable cardio gear. Ive reviewed a ton of their products, and every time they impress, bang for buck Sunny always delivers.

Their rowing machines are some of the best out there and their water rowers for the price are usually unbeatable I recently reviewed their Obsidian Surge Water Rower, and I was surprised at just how good it was for the price point.

Includes Comparison With Obsidian Surge Water Rower.

The Sunny Phantom is undoubtedly a water rower worthy of some serious consideration, and today I want to take a close look at all of its pros and drawbacks. I’ll also compare the Phantom with the lower-priced but equally impressive Sunny Obsidian Surge water rower at the end of the review.

First, a quick look at the Phantom product specs!

Why Do We Like The Sunny Phantom Hydro Water Rowing Machine?

The best feature of this rowing machine has to be its dynamic resistance system.

A dynamic resistance system is the most realistic resistance system we can use for a rowing machine because it closely mimics an outdoor rower’s feel. How? The resistance you feel from the rowing handle only gets stronger the faster you row, just like it would if you were rowing on water.

Also, because this is a water rower, we get the sounds of the blades pushing through the water in the tank adding to the natural feel of the rowing machine.

Suitable For Any Fitness Level

The best bit about water resistance being dynamic is that it allows for a limitless amount of resistance levels, which makes this type of rower suitable for a complete beginner or seasoned pro. Anyone can reap the benefits of a water rower at home, which is one reason they are becoming so popular.

Click here to check price of Sunny Phantom Water Rower on Amazon 

There’s Nothing Complicated About Water Rowers

A few years ago, people were wary of water rowers believing they were complicated to set up and use; heck, they’re no harder to set up and use than any other rowing machine type. All you need to do is assemble the machine and fill the tank with water.

7 Water Levels For the Tank

I’ve already mentioned that the main way to control resistance strength is through your workout pace, but you can also determine how strong resistance is by how much water you fill the tank with.

There are seven water levels marks on the Phantom water tank. The less water you put in, the less water the blades have to push through; thus, slightly less resistance. I recommend filling to about level 5 for strong, smooth resistance at a medium stroke rate.

Build Quality – Stability

We can’t expect gym quality in this price range, but with a 90lb heavy-duty frame, the Sunny Phantom is heavy for an affordable water rower. That extra weight is a telling sign this rowing machine is made from quality materials. It also helps with stability, keeping this rower planted to the floor.

There are a few other stability features included with this rower, and one feature I’m happy to see is the adjustable levelers. These are handy for keeping the rower stable on uneven surfaces.

Also, we have nice wide stabilizing feet at the front and rear of the rowing machine to help prevent wobbles.

And lastly the seat, the seat is perfectly contoured to prevent slips in the leg push phase of the rowing stroke, plus the padding is made from high-density foam, this is the good stuff. It’s not too soft to cause stability issues or too hard to be off-putting. It’s just right.

Decent Monitor For Price Range

For a water rower, the Sunny is a relatively low-priced machine, so you can’t expect an advanced monitor with an HD screen and tons of workouts programs and apps, but I think it’s pretty good for a basic monitor.

You have everything you need with this monitor its tracks all the essential workout data such as time distance and stroke rate etc. plus, it includes wireless pulse monitoring. Still, the only downside here is you need to buy an HR chest strap separately.

There is also goal setting and race mode, the screen is large, and the monitor is easy to use. And best of all, it’s height-adjustable, so no matter your size, you’ll be able to adjust to your desired level.

Any Other Features Worth a Mention?

There’s a couple of other useful features. The first is the folding future, simply remove a pin and it folds to almost half its original footprint. A handy feature if you dont have a permanent space to house a rowing machine. And it has built-in transport wheels, just tilt and roll to move.

The angled rail is something else I liked about this rowing machine and something you dont see on many water rowers. An angled rail intensifies the leg push phase of the rowing stroke and accelerates the recovery phase. Great for building the legs.

And I should mention this rower includes a surprisingly long rail with a 40″ inseam, which means it should allow users as tall as 6’4″ to achieve full leg extension.

Lastly is just how smoothly the seat glides across the rail, and it’s something I know a few users were praising, and this is thanks to Sunny using three sets of rollers and high-grade ball bearings.

Alternative

Sunny Health Obsidian Surge Water Rower

This is Sunny’s low-cost water rower, the Obsidian Surge currently retailing at about $100 less than the Sunny Phantom. Ita another well-built machine and one of my favorites in the Under $500.

Apart from where the water tank is placed on the Obsidian Surge, it lays flat rather than at an angle, there is no big difference between these two rowers, and if you’re wondering, an angled water tank has no more benefit than a flat one.

Both rowers are heavy; they both weigh around 90lb in fact, the Surge is a few pounds heavier. Both boast long rails, the same 16 blade water resistance systems, and both include high-density foam padded seats that run on three sets of rollers and high-grade ball bearings.

The only real difference between the two rowing machines is the monitor. The Obsidian Surge monitor is more basic but not by much. The Obsidian Surge monitor doesn’t include Goal setting or Race workout programs.

And the Surge doesn’t fold for storage.

Instead, the Obsidian Surge rower can be stored vertically, which I feel is the best way to store a rowing machine. It takes up much less room, just 0.20 squares meters of space.

Both of these rowing machines are excellent water rowers for the money. Still, if you dont mind a more basic monitor and want to save yourself $100, it might be worth checking this impressive machine from Sunny.

To Sum Up

For around $600, I was impressed with the Sunny Phantom Hydro Water Rower, its a machine that has got all the essentials right. Essentials such as a smooth rowing stroke, a sturdy build thats never going to feel cheap or unstable, a long rail, and most importantly a quiet dynamic resistance system thats suitable for all users.

If you want to get as close to the feel of outdoor rowing indoors? The Sunny Phantom is one of the best water rowers out there for the job. Well built, easy to assemble, and store, it’s a good all-rounder from Sunny.