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Merach R23 Rudergerät vs. NordicTrack RW900 compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8383Gut
8383Gut
Value for money
86Excellent
50Okay
Best price
€290.69€341.99−15 %
€1,799.00
Price advantage
€1,508.31 cheaper
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Offers
1 shop
1 shop
Rank in category
Rank 12 of 62
Rank 14 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach R23 RudergerätOverall rating 83NordicTrack RW900Overall rating 83
Merach R23 RudergerätNordicTrack RW900
Stroke feel & resistance87/10085/100
Ergonomics & stability87/10084/100
Console & app73/10082/100
Noise level78/10092/100
Footprint & handling86/10068/100
Build quality & ease of use86/10085/100
Stroke feel & resistance
87
85
Ergonomics & stability
87
84
Console & app
73
82
Noise level
78
92
Footprint & handling
86
68
Build quality & ease of use
86
85
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
R23
RW900
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Water resistance
Magnetic brake
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
160 kg (355 lb)
136.1 kg (300 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
195.6 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Rail lengthUsable length of the rail according to the manufacturer, not the overall length of the rowing machine.
92.5 cm (36 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.
Speed-dependent only
Electronic, stepped
Pull mechanismType of power transmission according to the manufacturer; list center pull with chain or strap separately.
Cable (center pull)
Strap
Water fill volumeRecommended water tank fill volume according to the manufacturer; only fill in for water rowing machines.
15 l (4 gal)
FootrestsFootplate design according to the manufacturer; this refers to the adjustability of the heel support.
Height-adjustable
Adjustable and pivoting
Resistance levelEditorial assessment of the maximum resistance reached in reviews, not the number of levels.
High
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
6 levels
26 levels
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Set up ready for training in cm, length × width × height – e.g. “210 × 55 × 50 cm”
180.5 × 42 × 41.5 cm (71 × 17 × 16 in)
203.5 × 55.4 × 133.9 cm (80 × 22 × 53 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
89 × 42 × 104 cm (35 × 17 × 41 in)
Seat heightSeat height above the floor according to the manufacturer, unloaded.
30 cm (12 in)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine has wheels for moving it when set up or folded.
Yes
Yes
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled rowing machine without packaging and without water, according to the manufacturer.
32 kg (71 lb)
71.7 kg (160 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
WoodSteel
Aluminum
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LCD display
Touchscreen
Backlit displayAccording to the manufacturer, the display is backlit.
Yes
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not only in the app.
TimePace (time/500 m)DistanceCaloriesStrokes per minutePower (watts)Total strokesHeart rate
TimeStrokes per minuteHeart rateDistancePace (time/500 m)
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Batteries
Power adapter
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
Programs & connectivity
Workout programsNumber of preinstalled workout programs according to the manufacturer, excluding app workouts.
0 programs
2 programs
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
Target (time/distance)
Manual
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomapZwift
iFit
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
Yes
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the console according to the manufacturer, not those of the chest strap.
Bluetooth
Wi-FiBluetooth
Heart rate monitoringHow heart rate is measured; empty = no heart rate monitoring
Bluetooth chest strap
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and screen are fully usable without a subscription (Hydrow, iFit)
required for full functionality
Subscription costRegular monthly price of the subscription; empty if there is no subscription
39 €/month
Data storage / interfaceType of workout data storage according to the manufacturer, not just the app display.
Cloud/online logbook
User profilesNumber of user profiles that can be saved separately on the console, according to the manufacturer.
5 people
Standards & classification
Product classClassification according to the manufacturer or our editors, based on construction and continuous load capacity.
Entry level
Advanced
General
Warranty
2 years
2 years
Price segment
Mid-range
Premium
Model year
2026
In the box
Rudergerät, Werkzeug & Schrauben, Anleitung, elektrische Wasserpumpe, Chlortabletten, 2 Batterien
Rudergerät RW900, 30 Tage iFIT-Pro-Mitgliedschaft
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Das Merach R23 ist ein klappbares Wasser-Rudergerät mit Holzschiene, das im Test ruhig und gleichmäßig zieht. Wir halten es für ein stimmiges Gerät fürs Heimtraining auf wenig Platz, für Nutzer bis etwa 195 cm. Der Haken liegt beim Digitalen: Der Computer hat keine festen Programme, und die Hersteller-App läuft nicht rund. Für harte Sprints fehlt dir zudem Widerstand nach oben.
Pros
- Gleichmäßiger Zug ohne Totpunkt auf ruhiger Doppelschiene aus Holz
- Halb-Klappmechanismus bleibt liegend standfest, mit Transportrollen
- Schiene von 92,5 cm reicht in Tests bis etwa 195 cm
- Beleuchtetes Display mit Watt-Anzeige, Tablethalterung verdeckt es nicht
- Offenes Bluetooth FTMS für Kinomap und andere Apps
- Aufbau in 30 bis 45 min dank vormontierter Teile
Cons
- Keine festen Trainingsprogramme am Computer, nur Zielvorgabe
- Hersteller-App mit Abstürzen und ungenauen Trainingsdaten
- Widerstand für Sprints und wettkampfnahes Training begrenzt
- Wasserrauschen bis 68 dB lauter als eine Magnetbremse
- Watt und Kalorien nur geschätzt
Der NordicTrack RW900 ist ein sehr leises Magnet-Rudergerät mit großem, drehbarem Touchscreen, das seine Stärken fast nur mit iFit-Abo zeigt. Für Kursliebhaber im Mehrfamilienhaus passt es gut, der Trainer verstellt den Widerstand automatisch. Der Haken: Ohne Abo bleiben zwei Programme, für kräftige Ruderer ist der Höchstwiderstand eher knapp, und aufgebaut belegt es dauerhaft rund 203 x 55 cm.
Pros
- Sehr leiser Gurtzug mit Magnetbremse, gut für hellhörige Wohnungen
- SmartAdjust verstellt den Widerstand im iFit-Kurs automatisch
- Drehbarer Touchscreen mit rund 61 cm auch für Training neben dem Gerät
- Stabile Bauweise, wackelt in Tests auch bei kräftigem Zug nicht
- 26 elektronische Widerstandsstufen mit spürbaren Abständen
- Bis zu 5 Nutzerprofile für die ganze Familie
Cons
- Ohne iFit-Abo nur manueller Modus und 2 Programme
- Höchstwiderstand für kräftige, ambitionierte Ruderer zu knapp
- Nicht klappbar, belegt aufgebaut rund 203 x 55 cm
- Widerstand fällt im Rücklauf ab, Verstellung nur am Bildschirm
- Vereinzelt Displayausfälle mit teurer Ersatzkonsole
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