Concept2 Model D Rower vs WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Concept2 Model D Rower (#1, best overall) vs WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine (#3): in our Rowing Machines scoring the Concept2 Model D Rower totals 9.7/10 and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine 8.5/10, the Concept2 Model D Rower leading on Row Feel and Resistance Type.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Concept2 Model D Rower | WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1209 | $1260 |
| Resistance | Air (damper 1-10) | Water |
| Monitor | PM5 | — |
| Length | 96" (14" stored) | 84" |
| Seat Height | 14" | — |
| Max User | 500 lbs | — |
| Material | — | Solid ash wood |
| Storage | — | Stands upright |
| Water Tank | — | 17L max |
How they differ in real use
Built from our rowing machines scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Concept2 Model D Rower and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine made our Top 5 Rowing Machines, at #1 (best overall) and #3. The undisputed rowing king found in every CrossFit gym and Olympic training center. PM5 monitor excellence with virtually indestructible construction. Living room-worthy handcrafted ash wood with realistic water resistance. The soothing sound of actual water creates meditative rowing experience.
We score rowing machines on Row Feel (35%), Resistance Type (25%), Build Quality (20%), Features (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Concept2 Model D Rower totals 9.7 out of 10 and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine 8.5. The widest gap is Row Feel, where the Concept2 Model D Rower scores 10 against 9 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine — stroke smoothness. Resistance Type also separates them: 10 for the Concept2 Model D Rower versus 9 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Resistance — Air (damper 1-10) on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine; Length — 96" (14" stored) on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus 84" on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $1,209 for the Concept2 Model D Rower and $1,260 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine, a $51 difference in the Concept2 Model D Rower's favor. Owners praise the Concept2 Model D Rower for industry gold standard and PM5 monitor excellence; the most common complaint is air resistance is loud. Owners praise the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine for beautiful wood construction and realistic water resistance; the most common complaint is expensive.
Concept2 Model D Rower
- Industry gold standard
- PM5 monitor excellence
- Virtually indestructible
- Separates for storage
- Air resistance is loud
- Basic aesthetics
- No built-in streaming
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
- Beautiful wood construction
- Realistic water resistance
- Soothing water sound
- Stores upright
- Expensive
- Water tank maintenance
- Basic S4 monitor
Which should you buy?
The Concept2 Model D Rower is the better fit for serious rowers and crossFit athletes — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Row Feel and Resistance Type. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is the better fit for aesthetics-conscious users and living room placement. Since the Concept2 Model D Rower is both the higher scorer and $51 cheaper, the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine only makes sense for aesthetics-conscious users. The Concept2 Model D Rower is a poor fit for quiet environments; the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is a poor fit for tech enthusiasts.
Choose the Concept2 Model D Rower if
- Serious rowers
- CrossFit athletes
- Those wanting the best
Skip it if
- Quiet environments
- Streaming workout fans
Choose the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine if
- Aesthetics-conscious users
- Living room placement
- Realistic rowing feel
Skip it if
- Tech enthusiasts
- CrossFit-style training
Common questions
Is the Concept2 Model D Rower better than the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine?
In our Rowing Machines ranking the Concept2 Model D Rower scores higher overall, 9.7 to 8.5, with the biggest advantage in Row Feel. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine cost than the Concept2 Model D Rower?
$51 more as of February 1, 2026: $1,260 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine against $1,209 for the Concept2 Model D Rower. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Concept2 Model D Rower and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine?
The headline spec difference is Resistance: Air (damper 1-10) on the Concept2 Model D Rower versus Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. In use, the gap that matters most is Row Feel (10 vs 9 in our scoring): stroke smoothness.