Some people want to go systematically over the items when exploring. I certainly tend to operate that way, and it’s infuriating when the UI is making it difficult for no good reason.
1) Fixed height rows: lower information density (excess white space around some of the items), but easier to scan systematically
2) Masonry layout: higher information density (no excess white space around items), but harder to scan systematically
Nobody is “right” here, it’s simply user-by-user preferences about what you prefer.