Magnetic rowers are quiet, low-maintenance, and predictable. The Marcy Compact 8-Level Magnetic Rowing Machine delivers on that promise with a simple resistance knob that adjusts tension in eight distinct steps. At the lowest setting, you can pull through full strokes at high speed for a steady-state sweat. Crank it up, and the resistance builds smoothly without the jarring catch you get from air or water rowers.

The frame folds up for storage, which matters if your home gym is a corner of the living room. Built-in wheels let you roll it into a closet without lifting. The contoured seat is comfortable enough for 30-minute sessions, and the adjustable foot straps keep your heels planted during aggressive pulls. Weight capacity is 300 pounds, which covers most users without feeling flimsy.

One honest limitation: the magnetic resistance doesn’t simulate the dynamic feel of a water rower or the wind resistance of an air rower. It’s consistent, not reactive. That makes it better for steady-state cardio than for sprint intervals where you want instant resistance changes. If your goal is controlled, quiet, joint-friendly rowing at home, this machine handles it well.