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Merach Novarow Q3 R21 vs. Merach R28 Wasser-Rudergerät compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8181Gut
8282Gut
Value for money
81Excellent
88Excellent
Best price
€379.99€459.99−17 %
€369.99
Price advantage
—
€10.00 cheaper
Offers
2 shops
1 shop
Rank in category
Rank 18 of 62
Rank 15 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach Novarow Q3 R21Overall rating 81Merach R28 Wasser-RudergerätOverall rating 82
Merach Novarow Q3 R21Merach R28 Wasser-Rudergerät
Stroke feel & resistance70/10080/100
Ergonomics & stability82/10076/100
Console & app80/10074/100
Noise level92/10086/100
Footprint & handling78/10091/100
Build quality & ease of use75/10079/100
Stroke feel & resistance
70
80
Ergonomics & stability
82
76
Console & app
80
74
Noise level
92
86
Footprint & handling
78
91
Build quality & ease of use
75
79
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
Novarow Q3 R21
R28
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Magnetic brake
Water resistance
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
181 kg (400 lb)
180 kg (395 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
Rail lengthUsable length of the rail according to the manufacturer, not the overall length of the rowing machine.
100 cm (39 in)
FoldableAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine can be folded or stored upright; transport wheels alone don’t count.
Yes
Yes
App connectivityAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine pairs with at least one training app (manufacturer app or third-party app such as Kinomap).
Yes
Yes
Resistance & drive
Resistance adjustmentType of resistance adjustment according to the manufacturer; air or water rowing machines without a damper or magnet count as speed-dependent.
Electronic, stepped
Speed-dependent only
Pull mechanismType of power transmission according to the manufacturer; list center pull with chain or strap separately.
Cable (center pull)
Cable (center pull)
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the effective flywheel mass.
6 kg (13 lb)
Water fill volumeRecommended water tank fill volume according to the manufacturer; only fill in for water rowing machines.
15 l (4 gal)
Operating noise (normal pace)Noise level when rowing steadily at medium resistance, measured or according to the manufacturer, not when sprinting.
40 dB
FootrestsFootplate design according to the manufacturer; this refers to the adjustability of the heel support.
Fixed
Height-adjustable
Resistance levelEditorial assessment of the maximum resistance reached in reviews, not the number of levels.
High
Medium
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
16 levels
0 levels
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Set up ready for training in cm, length × width × height – e.g. “210 × 55 × 50 cm”
187.7 × 81.3 × 45.2 cm (74 × 32 × 18 in)
104 × 44.5 × 45.5 cm (41 × 18 × 18 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
80 × 45 × 178 cm (31 × 18 × 70 in)
53 × 44 × 95 cm (21 × 17 × 37 in)
Seat heightSeat height above the floor according to the manufacturer, unloaded.
29 cm (11 in)
22 cm (8.7 in)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine has wheels for moving it when set up or folded.
Yes
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled rowing machine without packaging and without water, according to the manufacturer.
26 kg (57 lb)
22.95 kg (51 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Wood
Wood
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LED display
LCD display
Backlit displayAccording to the manufacturer, the display is backlit.
No
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not only in the app.
TimeDistanceTotal strokesStrokes per minuteCalories
TimeDistanceTotal strokesStrokes per minuteCalories
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Self-powered (generator)
Batteries
Adjustable consoleAccording to the manufacturer, the monitor’s tilt or height can be adjusted.
Yes
Tablet holderHolder for a tablet or smartphone according to the manufacturer; mark optional accessories separately.
Integrated
Integrated
Programs & connectivity
Workout programsNumber of preinstalled workout programs according to the manufacturer, excluding app workouts.
10 programs
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
IntervalManual
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomapZwift
Manufacturer appKinomap
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the console according to the manufacturer, not those of the chest strap.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Heart rate monitoringHow heart rate is measured; empty = no heart rate monitoring
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and screen are fully usable without a subscription (Hydrow, iFit)
optional
none
Subscription costRegular monthly price of the subscription; empty if there is no subscription
0 €/month
Standards & classification
Product classClassification according to the manufacturer or our editors, based on construction and continuous load capacity.
Entry level
Entry level
General
Warranty
2 years
1 years
Price segment
Mid-range
Budget
In the box
Montagewerkzeug, Aufbauanleitung
Rudergerät, elektrische Wasserpumpe, Werkzeug, Videoanleitung
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Das Merach Novarow Q3 R21 ist ein sehr leises Holz-Rudergerät mit Magnetbremse, das ohne Steckdose läuft und mit Kinomap den Widerstand automatisch regelt. Für große Heimsportler bis etwa 1,95 m und moderates Ausdauertraining in der Wohnung ist es aus unserer Sicht eine klare Empfehlung. Der Haken: Erst ab Stufe 11 fordernd, eine Watt-Anzeige fehlt, und am Testgerät gab es kleine Montagemängel.
Pros
- Sehr leise, in Tests unter 40 dB bestätigt
- Eingebauter Generator, keine Steckdose nötig
- 100 cm lange Schiene für Körpergrößen bis etwa 1,95 m
- Kinomap regelt den Widerstand automatisch über Bluetooth
- Widerstand per Taste am Griff ohne Unterbrechung verstellbar
- Rahmen gibt trotz 26 kg Eigengewicht bei kräftigen Zügen nicht nach
Cons
- Stufen 1 bis 10 für Trainierte kaum spürbar
- Keine Watt-Anzeige für Leistungstraining
- Fußstützen starr, Winkel nicht verstellbar
- Kein Faltgelenk, nur hochkant zu verstauen
- Billiges Werkzeug, Wackelkontakt und wackelnde Pedale am Testgerät
Das Merach R28 ist ein klappbares Wasser-Rudergerät aus Holz, das mechanisch mehr bietet als erwartet: Der Rahmen steht bei Sprints fest, der Zug läuft leise und ohne Leerweg. Wir halten es für eine gute Wahl, wenn du in der Wohnung regelmäßig für die Ausdauer ruderst und Daten per Tablet und App erfasst. Der Haken: unbeleuchteter Monitor ohne Wattanzeige, ein sehr tiefer Sitz und oben zu wenig Widerstand für Kräftige.
Pros
- Massivholzrahmen bleibt auch bei Sprints fest, ohne Knarzen
- Leises Wasserrauschen, Gespräche in Zimmerlautstärke möglich
- Gleichmäßiger Zug ohne Leerweg am Anfang des Zugs
- Gefaltet nur 53 x 44 cm Stellfläche, auf Rollen verschiebbar
- Bluetooth mit Kinomap und kostenloser Merach-App, kein Abo
- Elektrische Pumpe zum Befüllen und Ablassen im Lieferumfang
Cons
- Monitor unbeleuchtet, ohne Wattanzeige, Distanz und Kalorien nur geschätzt
- Sitzhöhe von 22 cm erschwert Aufstehen bei Knieproblemen
- Widerstand für kräftige Ruderer oben zu weich
- Gurtführung ab Werk nicht entgratet, Gurt kann verschleißen
- Garantie laut Datenblatt nur 1 Jahr
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