Select and compare
Merach R23 Rudergerät vs. Sportstech WRX500 compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8383Gut
8484Gut
Value for money
86Excellent
90Excellent
Best price
€290.69€341.99−15 %
€339.15€399.00−15 %
Price advantage
€48.46 cheaper
—
Offers
1 shop
2 shops
Rank in category
Rank 12 of 62
Rank 11 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach R23 RudergerätOverall rating 83Sportstech WRX500Overall rating 84
Merach R23 RudergerätSportstech WRX500
Stroke feel & resistance87/10083/100
Ergonomics & stability87/10086/100
Console & app73/10080/100
Noise level78/10080/100
Footprint & handling86/10081/100
Build quality & ease of use86/10080/100
Stroke feel & resistance
87
83
Ergonomics & stability
87
86
Console & app
73
80
Noise level
78
80
Footprint & handling
86
81
Build quality & ease of use
86
80
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
R23
WRX500
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Water resistance
Water resistance
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
160 kg (355 lb)
120 kg (265 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Rail lengthUsable length of the rail according to the manufacturer, not the overall length of the rowing machine.
92.5 cm (36 in)
72 cm (28 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
Speed-dependent only
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)
12 l (3.2 gal)
Operating noise (normal pace)Noise level when rowing steadily at medium resistance, measured or according to the manufacturer, not when sprinting.
60 dB
FootrestsFootplate design according to the manufacturer; this refers to the adjustability of the heel support.
Height-adjustable
Height-adjustable
Resistance levelEditorial assessment of the maximum resistance reached in reviews, not the number of levels.
High
High
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
6 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”
180.5 × 42 × 41.5 cm (71 × 17 × 16 in)
192 × 52 × 69 cm (76 × 20 × 27 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
89 × 42 × 104 cm (35 × 17 × 41 in)
69 × 52 × 192 cm (27 × 20 × 76 in)
Seat heightSeat height above the floor according to the manufacturer, unloaded.
30 cm (12 in)
42 cm (17 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)
30 kg (66 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
WoodSteel
WoodSteel
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LCD display
LED display
Backlit displayAccording to the manufacturer, the display is backlit.
Yes
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
TimeDistancePace (time/500 m)Strokes per minuteTotal strokesCaloriesHeart rate
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Batteries
Power adapter
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.
0 programs
0 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
Manufacturer appKinomap
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
Yes
Yes
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
Bluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and screen are fully usable without a subscription (Hydrow, iFit)
optional
Subscription costRegular monthly price of the subscription; empty if there is no subscription
7.49 €/month
Standards & classification
Usage classUsage class under DIN EN ISO 20957 according to the manufacturer.
H – Home use
Accuracy classAccuracy class of the power display under DIN EN ISO 20957 according to the manufacturer.
Class C
Product classClassification according to the manufacturer or our editors, based on construction and continuous load capacity.
Entry level
Entry level
General
Warranty
2 years
2 years
Price segment
Mid-range
Budget
Model year
2025
In the box
Rudergerät, Werkzeug & Schrauben, Anleitung, elektrische Wasserpumpe, Chlortabletten, 2 Batterien
Rudergerät, Montagematerial und Werkzeug, Netzteil, Benutzerhandbuch, handbetriebene Wasserpumpe
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
Das Sportstech WRX500 ist ein ehrliches Einstiegsgerät mit Holzrahmen, das im Test einen flüssigen Zug ohne toten Punkt zeigt. Die 42 cm hohe Sitzposition erleichtert dir das Auf- und Absteigen, und per FTMS läuft es mit Kinomap und weiteren Apps. Der Haken: Es ist nur bis 120 kg freigegeben, und das kleine Display zeigt die Werte nur nacheinander an.
Pros
- 42 cm Sitzhöhe erleichtert älteren Menschen das Auf- und Absteigen
- Flüssiger Zug ohne toten Punkt, gleichmäßig in der Umkehrphase
- Offenes Bluetooth FTMS für Kinomap und Sportstech Live
- Pulsempfang per Bluetooth-Brustgurt für Training nach Pulszonen
- Mit gefülltem Tank hochkant auf rund 52 x 69 cm verstaubar
- Sauber lackierter Eichenrahmen, steht rutschfest und kippelfrei
Cons
- Belastbarkeit laut Hersteller nur 120 kg
- Kleines Display zeigt die Werte nur nacheinander
- Keine eingebauten Trainingsprogramme, Abwechslung nur per App
- Fußplatten nur bis Schuhgröße 45 bis 46 nutzbar
- Montage dauert 60 bis 90 Minuten, am besten zu zweit
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