Wenoker Rowing Machine Review: A Budget Rower Worth a Closer Look

Not a Brand I’d Heard Of… Until Now

New fitness brands seem to appear on Amazon almost every month, and Wenoker is one of the latest ones. Even though I’ve been reviewing budget fitness equipment for years, I hadn’t come across these guys before, so I really wanted to find out whether this rowing machine was worth it.

And just because I haven’t heard of these guys before isn’t really a bad thing, all it means is that they are just starting to make their mark in the industry. But let’s hope they’re not here one summer and gone the next, like so many budget brands that pop up on Amazon.

A Surprisingly Solid First Impression

I’m liking the look of the Wenoker Rowing Machine. It’s a sturdy, compact rower that’s surprisingly stable, which makes a nice change because so many budget rowing machines are plagued by stability issues.

The Wenoker, on the other hand, feels like a solid machine, and users have mentioned that it has a more premium feel than they expected, which is exactly what you want to hear.

It’s certainly a rowing machine that deserves a much closer look. Yeah, it’s not perfect, but all the essentials are there, and that’s what really matters.

So, in today’s Wenoker Rowing Machine Review, I’m going to take a closer look at everything the Wenoker has to offer, including any drawbacks.

I’ll also compare it to another favorite of mine in this price range, the MERACH Rowing Machine, one of Amazon’s best-selling magnetic rowers, as it’ll be interesting to see how these two stack up.

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

Specs

Why Do We Like the Wenoker Rowing Machine?

What I like most about the Wenoker Rowing Machine is that these guys have really thought about the design. Budget rowing machines don’t have the weight of the high-end models to help keep them planted to the floor, so they have to rely much more on clever design features to improve stability, and this is where Wenoker has done really well.

Stable Design

I love the wide front and rear stabilizing feet. They really help keep the rower planted during workouts, and because they’re rubber-capped, they also stop the machine from sliding around on hard floors.

Better still, they’re adjustable, so if your floor isn’t level, you can quickly tweak the feet to keep everything nice and stable. It’s one of those little features that makes a big difference.

The slide rail deserves a mention too. It’s nice and wide, which helps improve stability while keeping the seat gliding smoothly up and down the rail.

A Seat That’s Been Properly Thought Through

The seat itself is impressive. The cushioning isn’t too soft, so you don’t sink into it and lose stability, but it’s not too firm either, so it’s not off-putting. Wenoker has got the balance just right.

The seat is also nicely contoured, and they’ve raised the back lip, which I really like because it helps stop your butt sliding too far back during the push phase of each stroke. Again, it’s another small design feature, but it all adds up.

So, a big thumbs up to Wenoker for the overall design and stability.

That Premium Feel?

Let’s not get carried away. “Premium” is a word I’d normally save for rowing machines costing $800 or more, so I wouldn’t quite go that far.

What I will say is that the Wenoker is better made than a lot of budget rowers. The thoughtful design, solid build, and impressive stability give it something that many cheaper machines just don’t have. It comes across like a rowing machine that’s been properly thought through rather than thrown together just to hit a price point.

Just don’t expect an $800 rowing machine to turn up on your doorstep. The Wenoker is still a budget rowing machine, it’s just a very well-made one.

Click here to check price of Wenoker Rowing Machine on Amazon

16 Levels of Smooth Magnetic Resistance

You need to remember this isn’t a heavy-duty rowing machine, so even at the higher resistance levels, it isn’t going to feel that strong.

It’s more than enough for beginners and even intermediate users, but that’s about where it tops out.

For weight loss, improving your cardio fitness and general home workouts, it’s more than enough. But if you’re a serious rower in training, a budget rowing machine like the Wenoker isn’t the way to go. You’ll need to spend at least twice as much on something that’s built for serious resistance.

One of the Quietest Ways to Row

Still, buying a magnetic rowing machine, even one under $200, comes with a ton of benefits. Magnetic resistance is incredibly smooth, and because it’s completely frictionless, it’s also whisper quiet.

It makes for a much smoother rowing experience, and unlike friction resistance, there’s virtually no maintenance to worry about either.

The Wenoker has a claimed noise level of under 30 dB, so it’s a great choice if you don’t want to disturb everyone else in the house while you’re working out.

Another thing I like about this rower is that it uses a belt drive system rather than a chain.

Belt drives are much quieter than noisy chain drives, and when you combine one with a smooth magnetic resistance system, you end up with one of the quietest and smoothest rowing experiences you can get from any type of rowing machine.

Slide Rail Length Disappointing

There’s a lot I like about the Wenoker slide rail: it’s wide, the seat glides smoothly, and it’s slightly inclined. It’s actually designed well. But it’s the length that lets it down, at just 39″, it’s only going to allow users up to 6ft to achieve a full rowing stroke.

So yeah, not a problem for anyone 6ft and under, but for taller users, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

It’s a shame to see such a short rail on a rowing machine that pretty much has all the essentials right so far. If Wenoker wants to compete with Yosuda, Merach, and Sunny, all of whom have longer rails, they’ll need to extend the rail length.

Okay, not a drawback for users under 6ft, but really, we should be looking at least 44″ slide rails even for budget rowing machines.

Easy To Use Monitor, but Basic

You’ll find that all the budget rowing machines are fitted with pretty basic monitors, there are no high-end features like VR or Pivoting HD screens.

Still, basic isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What I like about the basic monitors is that they’re easy to set up and use, and you can just jump on the rower and get rowing. There’s no messing around, scrolling through menus, wasting an hour just trying to learn how to use the thing.

The Wenoker monitor tracks all your essential workout data, such as time, distance, SPM, total count, and calories, and that’s really all most people need. And for anyone who wants more, Wenoker has thankfully added Bluetooth to their monitor, making it compatible with apps like Kinomap.

So overall, yes, a basic monitor as I’d expect in this price range, but it’s decent, the LCD screen is quite large as well, making it easy to read while working out.

Will you need a Rowing Mat?

The reason a lot of people will buy a rowing mat is to stop their rower from sliding around on polished floors. You shouldn’t need a mat for this reason, as the Wenoker Rowing Machine has those adjustable rubber-capped feet, which are enough to prevent any unwanted movement.

Another reason for buying a mat is to prevent scratches on hard floors, but again, those rubber-capped feet of the Wenoker should prevent this, too.

The only other time you might need a rowing mat is if you live in an apartment or shared housing, as a rowing mat can soak up to 80% of the vibrations for your workouts. Which makes it a great idea if you want to keep your neighbors happy.

I’ve found that Sunny Health & Fitness makes the best low-cost equipment mats. Here’s the link in case you need one: Sunny Health Equipment Mat

Drawbacks of The Wenoker Rowing Machine

For under $200, it’s hard to fault the Wenoker Rowing machine. The resistance is strong for a budget rower, and overall, it’s a well-made, sturdy machine. I really feel Wenoker has got all the essentials right with their rower. Still, if I were to be picky, there are a couple of drawbacks worth noting:

• What I don’t understand is why such a short rail was used. It limits the maximum user heigh to just 6ft, which is disappointing.
• Also, I didn’t like that Wenoker chose not to tell us the flywheel weight; it’s nowhere to be found.  I checked everywhere. So, unless you want to take the rowing machine apart, disassemble the resistance system, and weigh the flywheel, you’ll never know what it weighs.

So yeah, a few drawbacks, nothing major as long as you’re 6ft or under.

Vertical Storage Better Than Folding?

Personally, I prefer vertical storage to folding. When stored vertically, the rowing machine’s overall footprint is reduced by 80%; when folded, it is just 50%, which is a huge difference. Also, folding systems can be fiddly and annoying to use.

With vertical storage, all you have to do is tilt the rower, roll on the built-in transport wheels, and store it against a wall. It’s so easy and quick.

So yeah, I liked the vertical storage system of the Wenoker rowing machine, it saves a ton of space, making it a great choice for those of you who need to store the rower after each workout.

Beginner Friendly Assembly (30 minutes)

Normally, rowing machine assembly can be a little tricky, but Wenoker has made assembly of their rowing machine beginner-friendly, and by that I mean, all the complicated stuff, like resistance/drive systems, flywheel housing, comes pre-assembled.

Actually, I think 85% of the Wenoker Rowing machine comes pre-assembled, which is pretty good.

Still, you will need to attach the rail to the flwyheel hopusing the seat to rail, attach the monitor, and attach the stabilizing feet to the rail. All parts bags come numbered, which is a big help, and the instructions are clear. Most people got it together in about half an hour.

Final Verdict

What’s most important about the Wenoker Rowing Machine is that it’s well-made, it’s not another one of those cheap rowing machines that’s going to last a year before you outgrow it, as many users have said resistance is strong, okay, it’s not heavy duty, but as a beginner, you shouldn’t outgrow it any time soon.

Also, I liked how Wenoker has thought about the design, its study, it’s not troubled by any stability issues.

The monitor is lacking, but they all are at this price point, so I can’t mark it down for that, at least the LCD is fairly large and it’s backlit. And being able to use it with an app like Kinomap does bring something extra to your workouts.

The only real drawback as I’ve mentioned a couple of times in the review is that short rail, so it’s not a good choice for taller users, still if you’re 6ft or under, you will be able to achieve a full rowing stroke.

How Does The Wenoker Rowing Machine Compare With the Merach Q1S?

Merach Q1S Rowing Machine

The Merach Rowing Machine has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, because just like the Wenoker rowing machine, it’s sturdy, well-made, and there are no annoying wobbles. This machine is solid.

Also, it boasts a dual rail, which is almost unheard of in this price range. A dual rail adds even more stability and really allows that seat to glide smoothly.

And resistance is strong in the upper levels, and that’s because the Merach Q1S is fitted with a 12lb flywheel, which is surprisingly heavy for a budget rower. Also, that heavy flywheel helps keep the rowing stroke nice and smooth.

It really is an impressive magnetic rowing machine for the price point.

Yes, the Merach is very similar to the Wenoker rowing machine as both rowers are well-made, sturdy, weigh about the same, both include 16 levels of resistance, both use a belt drive system, both include Bluetooth monitors and use vertical storage, and are pretty easy to assemble.

Still, I’m slightly more impressed with the Merach because we know it has that 12lb flywheel keeping resistance strong and smooth, also the Merach has a long dual rail which allows users up to 6’6″ to achieve a full rowing stroke, and to find a rowing machine under $200 with a long dual rail is rare, to find one that’s also well-made is even rarer.

So yes, for under $200, the Merach Q1S is the most impressive rowing machine around right now, it’s just that little bit more impressive than anything else. The Wenoker isn’t far behind it. It still offers excellent value for money, but that short single rail lets it down.

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

Wenoker Rowing Machine FAQs