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Merach R28 Wasser-Rudergerät vs. Skandika Freki compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8282Gut
8181Gut
Value for money
88Excellent
74Fair
Best price
€369.99
€599.00
Price advantage
€229.01 cheaper
—
Offers
1 shop
3 shops
Rank in category
Rank 15 of 62
Rank 19 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Merach R28 Wasser-RudergerätOverall rating 82Skandika FrekiOverall rating 81
Merach R28 Wasser-RudergerätSkandika Freki
Stroke feel & resistance80/10076/100
Ergonomics & stability76/10085/100
Console & app74/10084/100
Noise level86/10088/100
Footprint & handling91/10064/100
Build quality & ease of use79/10076/100
Stroke feel & resistance
80
76
Ergonomics & stability
76
85
Console & app
74
84
Noise level
86
88
Footprint & handling
91
64
Build quality & ease of use
79
76
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
R28
Freki
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.
180 kg (395 lb)
130 kg (285 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
200 cm (6 ft 7 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.
89 cm (35 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)
Cable (center pull)
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the effective flywheel mass.
12 kg (26 lb)
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
Height-adjustable
Resistance levelEditorial assessment of the maximum resistance reached in reviews, not the number of levels.
Medium
High
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
0 levels
24 levels
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Set up ready for training in cm, length × width × height – e.g. “210 × 55 × 50 cm”
104 × 44.5 × 45.5 cm (41 × 18 × 18 in)
177 × 52 × 108 cm (70 × 20 × 43 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
53 × 44 × 95 cm (21 × 17 × 37 in)
Seat heightSeat height above the floor according to the manufacturer, unloaded.
22 cm (8.7 in)
46.5 cm (18 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.
22.95 kg (51 lb)
43.6 kg (96 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Wood
Steel
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LCD display
LCD display
Backlit displayAccording to the manufacturer, the display is backlit.
No
Yes
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not only in the app.
TimeDistanceTotal strokesStrokes per minuteCalories
TimeDistanceStrokes per minuteTotal strokesPower (watts)CaloriesHeart 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.
19 programs
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
Heart rate controlled (HRC)
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomap
Kinomap
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the console according to the manufacturer, not those of the chest strap.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
SubscriptionWhether workouts and screen are fully usable without a subscription (Hydrow, iFit)
none
optional
Subscription costRegular monthly price of the subscription; empty if there is no subscription
0 €/month
Standards & classification
Usage classUsage class under DIN EN ISO 20957 according to the manufacturer.
S – Commercial
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
Pro/gym grade
General
Warranty
1 years
2 years
Price segment
Budget
Mid-range
In the box
Rudergerät, elektrische Wasserpumpe, Werkzeug, Videoanleitung
Rudergerät, Bedienungsanleitung, Montageanleitung, Werkzeug und Schrauben
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
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
Das Skandika Freki ist ein leises, bequemes Magnet-Rudergerät in Studio-Bauweise: In Tests blieb die Plus-Variante unter 60 dB, Sitzhöhe 46,5 cm und Rückenlehne erleichtern Einsteigern den Start. Der Haken ist das gleichförmige, wenig lebendige Rudergefühl, dazu nur geschätzte Wattwerte und keine echte Klappachse. Für Wohnzimmer-Fitness halten wir es für eine solide Wahl, als Ersatz für ein Ruderergometer taugt es nicht.
Pros
- In Tests unter 60 dB, auch bei hohem Widerstand
- Stabiles Stahlgestell der Einsatzklasse S, wackelt bei kräftigen Zügen kaum
- Hoher Sitz mit 46,5 cm und gepolsterter Lehne erleichtern den Einstieg
- 19 Programme mit Watt- und Pulssteuerung, Pulsempfänger eingebaut
- Plus-Variante: Kinomap passt den Widerstand automatisch an
- 89 cm lange Schiene reicht laut Tests bis 200 cm Körpergröße
Cons
- Rudergefühl gleichförmig, weniger dynamisch als bei Luft oder Wasser
- Feste Rückenlehne stört erfahrene Ruderer im Endzug
- Keine klassische Klappachse, hochkant rund 147 cm hoch
- Watt und Kalorien nur Schätzwerte (Genauigkeitsklasse C)
- Eigene Programme nicht speicherbar, Kunststoffverkleidung wirkt stellenweise billig
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