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MERACH R50 R11 Novarow vs. Sportstech sRow compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
8585Gut
8787Gut
Value for money
90Excellent
68Fair
Best price
€599.99
€679.00
Price advantage
€79.01 cheaper
—
Offers
3 shops
3 shops
Rank in category
Rank 5 of 62
Rank 4 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
MERACH R50 R11 NovarowOverall rating 85Sportstech sRowOverall rating 87
MERACH R50 R11 NovarowSportstech sRow
Stroke feel & resistance92/10088/100
Ergonomics & stability92/10086/100
Console & app80/10082/100
Noise level67/10095/100
Footprint & handling78/10086/100
Build quality & ease of use92/10085/100
Stroke feel & resistance
92
88
Ergonomics & stability
92
86
Console & app
80
82
Noise level
67
95
Footprint & handling
78
86
Build quality & ease of use
92
85
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
R50 R11
sRow
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Air resistance
Magnetic brake
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
158.8 kg (350 lb)
130 kg (285 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
200 cm (6 ft 7 in)
190 cm (6 ft 3 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
Electronic, stepped
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)
4 kg (8.8 lb)
Operating noise (normal pace)Noise level when rowing steadily at medium resistance, measured or according to the manufacturer, not when sprinting.
70 dB
65 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
High
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
10 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”
242.5 × 40 × 102.1 cm (95 × 16 × 40 in)
220 × 50 × 109 cm (87 × 20 × 43 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
83 × 72 × 137 cm (33 × 28 × 54 in)
101.5 × 45.5 × 181.5 cm (40 × 18 × 71 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)
40 kg (88 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Steel
SteelAluminum
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.
No
Yes
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
TimePace (time/500 m)DistanceTotal strokesStrokes per minuteCaloriesPower (watts)Heart rate
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
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
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
ManualIntervalHeart rate controlled (HRC)Target (time/distance)
IntervalManual
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomapZwiftQZ Fitness (qdomyos-zwift)
Manufacturer app
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the console according to the manufacturer, not those of the chest strap.
Bluetooth
BluetoothWi-Fi
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
required for full functionality
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.
Pro/gym grade
Advanced
General
Warranty
2 years
2 years
Price segment
Budget
Premium
Model year
2023
In the box
Rudergerät, Werkzeug und Schrauben, 2 × AA-Batterien, Bedienungs- und Aufbauanleitung
Rudergerät, Display-Computer, Montagematerial und Werkzeug, Bedienungsanleitung, Netzteil
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 Sportstech sRow ist ein sehr leises Magnet-Rudergerät mit großem, schwenkbarem Touchdisplay, das dich mit Trainerkursen zu festen Zeiten aufs Gerät holt – auch spät am Abend in der Mietwohnung. Der Zug läuft in Tests gleichmäßig, die Schiene steht stabil. Der Haken: viele Funktionen nur mit Abo, und Kinomap oder Zwift laufen auf dem Display nicht. Wir halten es für eine gute Wahl fürs Kurstraining zu Hause bis 130 kg.
Pros
- Sehr leiser Lauf dank Magnetbremse und Gurtzug, laut Hersteller 65 dB
- Gleichmäßiger, ruckelfreier Zug trotz nur 4 kg Schwungmasse
- 21,5-Zoll-Touchdisplay in Full HD, um 330° schwenkbar, mit Lautsprechern
- Stabile Aluminiumschiene, die auch bei kräftigen Zügen nicht wackelt
- Widerstand in 24 fein abgestuften Stufen am Display einstellbar
- Hochklappbar ohne Werkzeug, mit Transportrollen
Cons
- Viele Funktionen wie Streaming und Kurse nur mit kostenpflichtigem Abo
- Keine Drittanbieter-Apps wie Kinomap oder Zwift auf dem Display
- Belastbarkeit mit 130 kg für die Preisklasse eher knapp
- Sitz in einem Test bei Einheiten über 40 Minuten zu hart
- Hochgeklappt 181,5 cm hoch, braucht rund 2 m Deckenhöhe
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