Rowing Machine Buyer's Guide: Concept2 vs WaterRower vs Hydrow
Buying a rowing machine is one of the best fitness investments you can make. Rowing works 86% of your muscles, burns more calories per hour than most cardio equipment, and is low-impact enough to use daily into your 80s. But with prices ranging from $300 to $2,500+, choosing the right machine matters.
This guide compares the three most popular rowing machines on the market — Concept2, WaterRower, and Hydrow — plus a few other options worth knowing about.
The Three Main Types of Resistance
Before comparing brands, understand how rowing machines create resistance. The mechanism determines how the machine feels, sounds, and performs.
Air Resistance (Flywheel)
A fan spins as you pull. The harder you pull, the more resistance you get. This is how the Concept2 works, and it's the closest feel to rowing on water — the resistance is smooth and responds naturally to effort. The tradeoff is noise: an air rower sounds like a loud fan.
Water Resistance
Paddles spin through a water-filled tank. The feel is smooth and the sound is a pleasant whoosh of water. WaterRower is the most well-known brand. Resistance is similar to air — it scales with effort — but the feel is slightly softer at the catch.
Magnetic Resistance
Magnets create resistance against a flywheel. Nearly silent and compact, but the feel is artificial — resistance doesn't scale naturally with effort. Most budget machines under $500 use magnetic resistance, though Hydrow uses a combination of electromagnetic resistance with a more refined feel.
Concept2 Model D / RowErg
Price: ~$990 | Resistance: Air | Weight: 57 lbs
The Concept2 is the industry standard. Every rowing team, CrossFit box, and Olympic training center in the world uses one. If you've ever rowed indoors, you've almost certainly used a Concept2.
Why It's the Standard
- The PM5 monitor tracks every metric that matters: pace (split), watts, stroke rate, distance, heart rate (with ANT+ strap). It's accurate to the watt, and every Concept2 in the world measures identically — your 2K time is directly comparable to anyone else's.
- The online logbook lets you log pieces, join challenges, and compare yourself globally. It's free and has been running since 2001.
- Durability is legendary. These machines last 20+ years with minimal maintenance. Commercial gyms run them 12+ hours a day.
- Resale value holds at 70-80% of retail for years because demand always exceeds supply.
Drawbacks
- Noise. It's a fan. Not ideal if you're rowing in a shared living space at 5 AM.
- Aesthetics. It's a piece of gym equipment, not furniture. The black industrial look doesn't blend into a living room.
- No built-in screen workouts. The PM5 is powerful but utilitarian. If you want guided classes, you'll need a tablet and a third-party app like asensei or ErgData.
Best For
Serious rowers, competitive athletes, CrossFitters, and anyone who wants accurate performance data. If you care about tracking progress and comparing scores, nothing else comes close.
WaterRower
Price: ~$1,195-$1,695 | Resistance: Water | Weight: 73-117 lbs (varies by model)
The WaterRower is a rowing machine that doubles as furniture. Made from solid hardwood (ash, cherry, or walnut), it stores upright and looks good in a living room.
Why People Love It
- The sound. The whoosh of water is genuinely pleasant. Many people find it meditative. It's dramatically quieter than an air rower.
- The aesthetics. A cherry WaterRower standing upright in a corner looks like a piece of modern furniture. This matters if the machine lives in a shared space.
- The feel. Water resistance is smooth and natural. The catch feels softer than air resistance, which some people prefer.
- The S4 monitor tracks basic metrics: pace, distance, stroke rate, calories, and heart rate. It works, but it's less precise and less connected than the Concept2 PM5.
Drawbacks
- No universal benchmark. WaterRower times are not directly comparable to Concept2 times. There's no shared logbook or competitive ecosystem.
- Maintenance. You need to add a purification tablet to the water every few months and occasionally top off the tank. It's minor but it's not zero.
- The monitor. The S4 is functional but dated compared to the PM5. Data export and connectivity are limited.
Best For
Home users who want a quiet, beautiful machine for general fitness. If you're not trying to compare scores or train for competitive rowing, the WaterRower delivers a great workout with much better aesthetics.
Hydrow
Price: ~$2,495 (plus $44/month subscription) | Resistance: Electromagnetic | Weight: 145 lbs
Hydrow is the Peloton of rowing: a large touchscreen with live and on-demand classes, coached by Olympic and national-team rowers, filmed on real waterways.
Why People Love It
- The content. The classes are genuinely well-produced. Having a coach talk you through a workout is motivating, especially for beginners who don't know how to structure a session.
- The community. Leaderboards, challenges, and social features add accountability.
- The feel. Electromagnetic resistance is smooth and quiet. It's not quite the same as air or water, but it's refined.
- Off-rowing content. The subscription includes yoga, stretching, and strength classes on the same screen.
Drawbacks
- The price. $2,495 upfront plus $44/month adds up fast. After 3 years you've spent $4,000+.
- Subscription dependency. Without the subscription, the machine loses most of its value. The hardware alone doesn't have robust standalone training modes.
- Weight. At 145 lbs, it's heavy and awkward to move. It doesn't fold or store upright easily.
- No performance ecosystem. Like WaterRower, times aren't comparable to the Concept2 standard.
- Durability questions. The Hydrow has a touchscreen, electronics, and connectivity — more things that can break. It hasn't been around long enough to prove 20-year durability.
Best For
People who are motivated by guided classes and aren't interested in self-directed training. If you love Peloton-style fitness and want rowing to feel like a premium experience, Hydrow delivers.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Concept2 | WaterRower | Hydrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$990 | ~$1,195-$1,695 | ~$2,495 + $44/mo |
| Resistance | Air | Water | Electromagnetic |
| Noise | Loud | Moderate | Quiet |
| Monitor | PM5 (excellent) | S4 (basic) | 22" touchscreen |
| Guided workouts | No (third-party) | No | Yes (subscription) |
| Competitive ecosystem | Yes (global) | No | Limited |
| Durability | 20+ years | 10-15 years | TBD |
| Storage | Separates in 2 pieces | Stands upright | Does not fold |
| Weight | 57 lbs | 73-117 lbs | 145 lbs |
| Resale value | Excellent | Good | Fair |
Other Machines Worth Knowing
Aviron ($2,199+)
A Hydrow competitor with gamified workouts — think racing games and arcade-style challenges on a 22" screen. Uses dual air + magnetic resistance. Good for people who get bored easily.
Ergatta ($2,199+)
A WaterRower with a touchscreen bolted on. Combines the water resistance feel with game-based training software. Beautiful hardware with the WaterRower build quality.
Budget Air Rowers (Stamina, Sunny Health — $200-$500)
Functional but compromised. The monitors are inaccurate, the chains feel loose, and the build quality won't survive years of heavy use. If budget is tight, save for a used Concept2 instead.
The Best Value: Used Concept2
Here's the insider tip: a used Concept2 Model D is the best deal in fitness equipment. They hold value because they're nearly indestructible, and you can find them for $600-$800 on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or through our classifieds directory.
A 10-year-old Concept2 with a working PM5 performs identically to a brand-new one. The fan, chain, and frame don't degrade meaningfully with use. Replace the chain ($30) and you're set.
How to Decide
Choose Concept2 if: You want accurate data, competitive benchmarks, durability, and the machine used by every serious rower on earth.
Choose WaterRower if: You want a quiet, beautiful machine for your living room and don't care about comparing scores.
Choose Hydrow if: You want coached workouts on a big screen and the class-based experience motivates you to row consistently.
If you're still unsure: Buy a Concept2. It's the safest choice — the resale value means your risk is near zero. If you don't like it, sell it for $800 and try something else.
More Resources
- Browse rowing equipment in our directory — ergometers, accessories, and more
- Rowing manufacturers — every major boat and erg maker
- Erg benchmarks by age and level — find out what times to aim for
- How to improve your erg time — training plans and technique tips