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MERACH R50 R11 Novarow vs. SportPlus SP-WR-1800 compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8585Gut
8585Gut
Value for money
90Excellent
73Fair
Best price
€599.99
€799.99
Price advantage
€200.00 cheaper
—
Offers
3 shops
3 shops
Rank in category
Rank 5 of 62
Rank 9 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
MERACH R50 R11 NovarowOverall rating 85SportPlus SP-WR-1800Overall rating 85
MERACH R50 R11 NovarowSportPlus SP-WR-1800
Stroke feel & resistance92/10083/100
Ergonomics & stability92/10080/100
Console & app80/10074/100
Noise level67/10084/100
Footprint & handling78/10078/100
Build quality & ease of use92/10081/100
Stroke feel & resistance
92
83
Ergonomics & stability
92
80
Console & app
80
74
Noise level
67
84
Footprint & handling
78
78
Build quality & ease of use
92
81
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
R50 R11
SP-WR-1800
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Air resistance
Water resistance
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
158.8 kg (350 lb)
150 kg (330 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.
111 cm (44 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.
Mechanical, stepped
Speed-dependent only
Pull mechanismType of power transmission according to the manufacturer; list center pull with chain or strap separately.
Chain (center pull)
Strap
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the effective flywheel mass.
3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
Water fill volumeRecommended water tank fill volume according to the manufacturer; only fill in for water rowing machines.
18 l (4.8 gal)
Operating noise (normal pace)Noise level when rowing steadily at medium resistance, measured or according to the manufacturer, not when sprinting.
70 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.
Very high
Very high
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
10 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”
242.5 × 40 × 102.1 cm (95 × 16 × 40 in)
210 × 57 × 78 cm (83 × 22 × 31 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
83 × 72 × 137 cm (33 × 28 × 54 in)
53 × 57 × 210 cm (21 × 22 × 83 in)
Seat heightSeat height above the floor according to the manufacturer, unloaded.
28.5 cm (11 in)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine has wheels for moving it when set up or folded.
Yes
Yes
Splits into two partsAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine separates into two parts without tools, e.g. for storage.
Yes
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled rowing machine without packaging and without water, according to the manufacturer.
33.3 kg (73 lb)
27 kg (60 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Steel
Wood
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
No
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not only in the app.
TimePace (time/500 m)DistanceTotal strokesStrokes per minuteCaloriesPower (watts)Heart rate
TimeCaloriesDistanceHeart rateStrokes per minuteTotal strokesPace (time/500 m)Power (watts)
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Batteries
Batteries
Adjustable consoleAccording to the manufacturer, the monitor’s tilt or height can be adjusted.
Yes
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.
12 programs
3 programs
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
ManualIntervalHeart rate controlled (HRC)Target (time/distance)
ManualIntervalTarget (time/distance)
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomapZwiftQZ Fitness (qdomyos-zwift)
KinomapMyHomeFIT
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
optional
Standards & classification
Standards complianceStandards compliance stated by the manufacturer according to the spec sheet.
Both parts of the standard
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.
Pro/gym grade
Pro/gym grade
General
Warranty
2 years
2 years
Price segment
Budget
Premium
In the box
Rudergerät, Werkzeug und Schrauben, 2 × AA-Batterien, Bedienungs- und Aufbauanleitung
Holzrudergerät, Wasserpumpe, Montagewerkzeug, Bedienungsanleitung
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Das MERACH R50 R11 Novarow ist ein Luftruderer im Studioformat, der sich in Tests sehr ähnlich wie ein Concept2 rudert und bei harten Intervallen ohne Wackeln steht. Sitz und Fußriemen fallen sogar bequemer als beim Vorbild aus. Der Haken: Das Windrad rauscht mit rund 70 dB, und die Konsole wechselt alle 5 s die Anzeige. Fürs Heimtraining ohne Wettkampfanspruch halten wir es für eine starke Wahl.
Pros
- Rudergefühl in Tests sehr nah am Concept2
- Steht bei harten Intervallen auch mit 100 kg ohne Wackeln
- Weicher, hoher Sitz ohne Druckstellen bei 45 bis 60 min
- Breite Fußriemen schneiden auch bei Sprints nicht ein
- Ruhiger Kettenrücklauf, leiser als beim Concept2
- Bluetooth mit Kinomap, Zwift und Pulsgurt-Kopplung
Cons
- Windrad rauscht bei hoher Intensität mit rund 70 dB
- Konsolenanzeige springt alle 5 s zwischen zwei Ansichten
- Merach-App mit häufigen Verbindungsabbrüchen in einem Test
- Watt- und Splitwerte schwanken, nicht wettkampftauglich
- Hochkant-Lagerung umständlich und wacklig
Das SportPlus SP-WR-1800 ist ein Wasserrudergerät aus Eiche mit ruhigem, gleichmäßigem Zug auf stabiler Doppelschiene. Wir halten es für eine ehrliche Empfehlung fürs Wohnzimmer, auch wenn du über 1,90 m groß bist. Der Haken: Das Display ist unbeleuchtet, Watt und Kalorien sind nur geschätzt, und das unbehandelte Holz verträgt keinen Keller. Zusammenklappen lässt es sich nicht, du stellst es hochkant auf 53 x 57 cm.
Pros
- Gleichmäßiger Zug ohne Ruckler durch Wasserwiderstand und Gurtzug
- Doppelte Eichenschiene, auch bei kräftigem Zug kein Wackeln
- Plätschern erreicht in Tests höchstens Zimmerlautstärke
- Hochkant verstaut auf nur 53 x 57 cm Grundfläche
- Bluetooth für Kinomap und MyHomeFIT, Tablethalterung und Brustgurt-Empfang
- Für Körpergrößen bis 200 cm, Schiene 111 cm lang
Cons
- Display ohne Beleuchtung, bei Gegenlicht schlecht lesbar
- Unbehandeltes Holz, ungeeignet für Garage oder feuchten Keller
- Watt und Kalorien nur Schätzwerte der Genauigkeitsklasse C
- Nicht zusammenklappbar, hochkant braucht es 210 cm Raumhöhe
- Fußschnallen fummelig, Pedale für breite Füße häufig zu schmal
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