Hydrow vs Concept2: Which Rowing Machine Is Right for You?
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Bottom line: For beginners who are self-motivated, the Concept2 is the better buy: $990 once, versus about $3,800–$4,000 for a Hydrow over three years at list price.
- Best for self-coached rowers: Concept2 RowErg
- Best Hydrow for most buyers: Hydrow Wave
- Best for a big screen: Hydrow Origin
Concept2 RowErg
- Price (list)
- $990
- Membership
- None needed
- Resistance
- Air (flywheel, damper 1–10)
- Monitor / screen
- PM5
- Footprint
- 96 × 24 in (244 × 61 cm); allow 9 × 4 ft in use
- Machine weight
- 57 lb (26 kg)
- Max user weight
- 500 lb (Concept2 testing); 300 lb under EN 20957-7
- Max inseam
- 38 in (longer needs the extra-long monorail)
- Seat height
- 14 in (36 cm)
- Storage
- Separates into two pieces without tools; caster wheels
- Power
- Two D-cell batteries (no outlet needed)
- Warranty
- 5 yr frame; 2 yr moving parts and monitor; 30-day money-back
Hydrow Wave
- Price (list)
- $1,995 list (on sale for $1,845 when checked)
- Membership
- $50/month per household
- Resistance
- Electromagnetic drag
- Monitor / screen
- 16" touchscreen (1920 × 1080)
- Footprint
- 80 × 19 in, 43 in tall
- Machine weight
- 102 lb
- Max user weight
- 375 lb (170 kg)
- Max inseam
- 36 in ("typically accommodates users up to 6'6"")
- Seat height
- not published
- Storage
- Upright only with the Vertical Anchor ($190, sold separately)
- Power
- not published
- Warranty
- 1 year (per product page)
Hydrow Origin
- Price (list)
- $2,195 list (on sale for $1,745 when checked)
- Membership
- $50/month per household
- Resistance
- Electromagnetic drag
- Monitor / screen
- 22" touchscreen (1920 × 1080)
- Footprint
- 86 × 25 in, 47 in tall
- Machine weight
- 145 lb
- Max user weight
- 375 lb (170 kg)
- Max inseam
- 36 in ("typically accommodates users up to 6'6"")
- Seat height
- not published
- Storage
- Upright only with the Upright Storage Kit ($80, sold separately)
- Power
- Outlet; 100–240 VAC, 35 W average
- Warranty
- 1 year (per product page)
| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Wave | Hydrow Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (list) | $990 | $1,995 list (on sale for $1,845 when checked) | $2,195 list (on sale for $1,745 when checked) |
| Membership | None needed | $50/month per household | $50/month per household |
| Resistance | Air (flywheel, damper 1–10) | Electromagnetic drag | Electromagnetic drag |
| Monitor / screen | PM5 | 16" touchscreen (1920 × 1080) | 22" touchscreen (1920 × 1080) |
| Footprint | 96 × 24 in (244 × 61 cm); allow 9 × 4 ft in use | 80 × 19 in, 43 in tall | 86 × 25 in, 47 in tall |
| Machine weight | 57 lb (26 kg) | 102 lb | 145 lb |
| Max user weight | 500 lb (Concept2 testing); 300 lb under EN 20957-7 | 375 lb (170 kg) | 375 lb (170 kg) |
| Max inseam | 38 in (longer needs the extra-long monorail) | 36 in ("typically accommodates users up to 6'6"") | 36 in ("typically accommodates users up to 6'6"") |
| Seat height | 14 in (36 cm) | not published | not published |
| Storage | Separates into two pieces without tools; caster wheels | Upright only with the Vertical Anchor ($190, sold separately) | Upright only with the Upright Storage Kit ($80, sold separately) |
| Power | Two D-cell batteries (no outlet needed) | not published | Outlet; 100–240 VAC, 35 W average |
| Warranty | 5 yr frame; 2 yr moving parts and monitor; 30-day money-back | 1 year (per product page) | 1 year (per product page) |
| Source | Concept2 spec pagechecked 2026-10-02 | Hydrow spec pagechecked 2026-10-02 | Hydrow spec pagechecked 2026-10-02 |
Hydrow vs Concept2 is really a choice between two ways of rowing at home. Hydrow is a class platform: a big screen, instructor-led workouts filmed on real water, and a $50 monthly membership. Concept2 is a rower: a $990 machine whose monitor is calibrated to a shared standard, with nothing to pay monthly.
Specs and prices below come from hydrow.com and concept2.com.
Cost
| Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Wave | Hydrow Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine (list) | $990 | $1,995 | $2,195 |
| Membership | none | $50/month | $50/month |
| 1 year | $990 | $2,595 | $2,795 |
| 3 years | $990 | $3,795 | $3,995 |
| 5 years | $990 | $4,995 | $5,195 |
Hydrow is often on sale (the Origin was $1,745 when we checked), but the membership is the bigger cost after a couple of years.
What you get for the money
With Hydrow you get classes on the rower, plus strength, yoga and Pilates classes off it, leaderboards, and progress tracking, all on a 16-inch (Wave), 22-inch (Origin) or 24-inch (Arc) screen. The membership covers everyone in the household. Without it, Hydrow's Just Row mode gives you metrics and adjustable drag but no workout videos, music or saved stats.
With Concept2 you get the PM5 monitor, Concept2's free online logbook and app, and readings that match every other Concept2 in the world. There are no built-in classes; you use an app on your phone or tablet, or follow a plan like our 4-week beginner workout.
Noise and feel
The Concept2's fan is loud and gets louder as you work harder. Hydrow uses electromagnetic drag, which is much quieter; you mostly hear the seat and the class audio. Both respond to how hard you pull; Hydrow says its drag is designed to feel like water.
Size and fit
| Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Wave | Hydrow Origin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 96 in | 80 in | 86 in |
| Weight | 57 lb | 102 lb | 145 lb |
| Max user | 500 lb (Concept2 testing) | 375 lb | 375 lb |
| Max inseam | 38 in | 36 in | 36 in |
| Storage | Splits in two | Upright with $190 anchor | Upright with $80 kit |
The Wave is the shortest; the Concept2 is the lightest and runs on two D-cell batteries, while the touchscreen Hydrows plug in.
Data and progress
If you want to know whether you're getting fitter in a way that means something outside your living room, the Concept2 wins. Its pace and watts follow a published formula (see our erg pace calculator), so your scores compare directly with erg benchmarks by age, club tests and recruiting standards. Hydrow tracks your progress within Hydrow, which is all many people need.
Which should you buy?
Choose Concept2 if you'll row on your own, want comparable numbers, or want to spend the least.
Choose Hydrow if you know classes are what keep you exercising, you want a quiet machine, or several people at home will use the membership. Start with the Wave unless you want a bigger screen; see Is Hydrow worth it? for the full breakdown.
Also deciding on a WaterRower? See Hydrow vs WaterRower vs Concept2.
The machines at a glance
Best for self-coached rowers
Concept2 RowErg
Air (flywheel, damper 1–10) resistance · $990
Who it's for: Anyone who will follow a plan or app on their own, wants comparable numbers, or wants to spend under $1,000.
Pros
- PM5 numbers are comparable with every other RowErg, so your 2K means something
- No subscription; free Concept2 logbook and ErgData app
- Lightest machine here at 57 lb, and splits in two for storage
- Runs on two D-cells, so it doesn't need an outlet
Cons
- The fan is loud compared with water or magnetic rowers
- No built-in classes; use a phone or tablet app
- Long footprint at 8 ft, more with clearance
Best Hydrow for most buyers
Hydrow Wave
Electromagnetic drag resistance · $1,995 list (on sale for $1,845 when checked) + $50/month per household
Who it's for: People who need instructor-led classes to stay consistent and want the smallest Hydrow.
Pros
- Cheapest and lightest Hydrow: 102 lb vs 145 lb for the Origin
- Shortest footprint of the machines here at 80 in
- Same class library as the bigger Hydrows
Cons
- $50/month membership for classes and saved workouts
- Smaller 16-inch screen
- Upright storage needs a $190 accessory
Best for a big screen
Hydrow Origin
Electromagnetic drag resistance · $2,195 list (on sale for $1,745 when checked) + $50/month per household
Who it's for: Class-driven rowers who want a 22-inch screen, especially when it's on sale.
Pros
- Large 22-inch screen for the on-water classes
- Quiet electromagnetic resistance
- One membership covers everyone in the household
Cons
- $50/month membership; without it the machine runs in a basic "Just Row" mode
- Heaviest machine here at 145 lb
- Numbers aren't comparable with Concept2 scores
Verdict
For beginners who are self-motivated, the Concept2 is the better buy: $990 once, versus about $3,800–$4,000 for a Hydrow over three years at list price. Choose a Hydrow only if guided classes are the difference between rowing and not rowing; in that case the Wave gives you the same classes for less.
Frequently asked questions
›Is Hydrow worth it compared to Concept2?
Only if you'll use the classes. Over three years at list price, a Hydrow Wave plus membership costs $3,795 and an Origin $3,995; a Concept2 costs $990 with no subscription. Without a membership, a Hydrow runs in a basic Just Row mode with no workout videos or saved stats.
›Which is better for beginners, Hydrow or Concept2?
Hydrow's classes teach technique and structure workouts for you, which helps beginners who don't know where to start. A Concept2 with a free app or a written beginner plan does the same job for much less if you're happy to follow it on your own.
›Can I compare Hydrow scores with Concept2 scores?
No. Only Concept2 machines are calibrated to a shared standard, so Hydrow times won't match a Concept2 2K. If you need a score for a team or recruiting, test on a Concept2.
›Which is quieter?
Hydrow. Its electromagnetic drag has no fan, so the main sounds are the seat and the screen audio. The Concept2's fan gets louder the harder you row.
Best for self-coached rowersConcept2 RowErg
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