I now agree the Meadows row is better than the dumbbell version. But I think it is worth it to use a handle, at least for heaviest weights, rather than just the bar. I worked up to 270 lbs. on single arm rows which surprised me.
But there are different handles. You can only put so many plates at the end of a standard bar. The first handle I bought took up a lot of shaft and was secured by a spring collar. You could get five medium plates on the bar.
The second handle only takes up under 2” of bar, and is better secured with a T-screw, which will allow me to get up to eight medium 45” plates on the bar. Future goals!