Hydrow Rower vs WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
Hydrow Rower (#2, best premium) vs WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine (#3): in our Rowing Machines scoring the Hydrow Rower totals 9/10 and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine 8.5/10, the Hydrow Rower leading on Features and Build Quality and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine on Value.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Hydrow Rower | WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Electromagnetic | Water |
| Screen | 22" HD touchscreen | — |
| Length | 86" | 82" |
| Storage | Upright kit available | Stands upright |
| Max User | 375 lbs | — |
| Monitor | — | S4 Performance Monitor |
| Material | — | Solid ash wood, honey oak stain |
| Water Tank | — | 17L max |
| Weight | — | 66.5 lbs dry (103.5 lbs with water) |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
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 Hydrow Rower and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine made our Top 5 Rowing Machines, at #2 (best premium) and #3. The Peloton of rowing: a 22" HD screen streams on-water classes with whisper-quiet electromagnetic resistance. Beautiful design for living spaces. 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 Hydrow Rower totals 9 out of 10 and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine 8.5. The widest gap is Features, where the Hydrow Rower scores 10 against 6 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine: monitor and connectivity. Build Quality also separates them: 10 for the Hydrow Rower versus 9 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Resistance: Electromagnetic on the Hydrow Rower versus Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine; Length: 86" on the Hydrow Rower versus 82" on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine; Storage: Upright kit available on the Hydrow Rower versus Stands upright on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Hydrow Rower for 22" HD touchscreen and on-water filmed classes; the most common complaint is $44/mo membership required. Owners praise the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine for beautiful wood construction and realistic water resistance; the most common complaint is expensive.
Hydrow Rower
- 22" HD touchscreen
- On-water filmed classes
- Whisper quiet
- Electromagnetic resistance
- $44/mo membership required
- Very expensive
- Heavy (145 lbs)
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 Hydrow Rower is the better fit for connected fitness enthusiasts and quiet home gyms; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Features and Build Quality. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is the better fit for aesthetics-conscious users and living room placement, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. The Hydrow Rower is a poor fit for budget shoppers; the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is a poor fit for tech enthusiasts.
Choose the Hydrow Rower if
- Connected fitness enthusiasts
- Quiet home gyms
- Premium experience seekers
Skip it if
- Budget shoppers
- Subscription avoiders
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 Hydrow Rower better than the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine?
In our Rowing Machines ranking the Hydrow Rower scores higher overall, 9 to 8.5, with the biggest advantage in Features. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Hydrow Rower and the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine?
The headline spec difference is Resistance: Electromagnetic on the Hydrow Rower versus Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. In use, the gap that matters most is Features (10 vs 6 in our scoring): monitor and connectivity.