WaterRower has been building its machines by hand in Rhode Island since the mid-1980s. The Club S4 BLE is their latest iteration, and it stays true to the original vision: a rowing simulator that looks like furniture and works like a piece of gym equipment. The frame is made from sustainably sourced Appalachian hardwood, and the water resistance is generated by a sealed WaterFlywheel that uses actual H2O. It feels smooth and immersive, not jerky like air or magnetic rowers.

The resistance comes from paddles churning through water inside the tank. Pull harder and the water resistance increases naturally, matching your effort without any magnetic drag curves or fan noise. The S4 BLE monitor tracks stroke rate, distance, and heart rate via Bluetooth. It pairs with apps like Kinomap and ErgData for structured workouts. The Lo-Rise color option keeps the profile low and the aesthetic clean. It supports up to 300 pounds.

One thing to note: this is a water rower, so there is some maintenance. You need to add a purification tablet every few months to keep the water clear. The sound is also distinct—a gentle swoosh rather than silence. If you want whisper-quiet operation, a magnetic rower is a better fit. But if you want a machine that feels like actual rowing and looks good in your living room, this is the one.