WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine vs Echelon Row-s Connected Rower
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine (#3) vs Echelon Row-s Connected Rower (#4, best value): in our Rowing Machines scoring the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine totals 8.5/10 and the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower 7.7/10. At $1,260 versus $1,299, the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine costs $39 less.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Feb 1, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine | Echelon Row-s Connected Rower | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1260 | $1299 |
| Resistance | Water | Magnetic (32 levels) |
| Material | Solid ash wood | — |
| Length | 84" | — |
| Storage | Stands upright | — |
| Water Tank | 17L max | — |
| Screen | — | 21.5" HD touchscreen |
| Folded Length | — | 43" |
| Max User | — | 300 lbs |
| Monitor | — | Built-in |
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 WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine and the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower made our Top 5 Rowing Machines, at #3 and #4 (best value). Living room-worthy handcrafted ash wood with realistic water resistance. The soothing sound of actual water creates meditative rowing experience. Connected rowing on a budget—live classes and 21.5" HD screen at roughly half the Hydrow price. Folds compact for storage.
We score rowing machines on Row Feel (35%), Resistance Type (25%), Build Quality (20%), Features (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine totals 8.5 out of 10 and the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower 7.7. The widest gap is Row Feel, where the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine scores 9 against 7 for the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower — stroke smoothness. Build Quality also separates them: 9 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine versus 7 for the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower. The Echelon Row-s Connected Rower claws back ground on Features and Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Resistance — Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine versus Magnetic (32 levels) on the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $1,260 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine and $1,299 for the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower, a $39 difference in the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine's favor. Owners praise the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine for beautiful wood construction and realistic water resistance; the most common complaint is expensive. Owners praise the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower for live and on-demand classes and much cheaper than Hydrow; the most common complaint is $39.99/mo membership.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine
- Beautiful wood construction
- Realistic water resistance
- Soothing water sound
- Stores upright
- Expensive
- Water tank maintenance
- Basic S4 monitor
Echelon Row-s Connected Rower
- Live and on-demand classes
- Much cheaper than Hydrow
- 21.5" HD touchscreen
- Magnetic resistance
- $39.99/mo membership
- Less polished than Hydrow
- Resistance feel not as smooth
Which should you buy?
The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is the better fit for aesthetics-conscious users and living room placement — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Row Feel and Build Quality. The Echelon Row-s Connected Rower is the better fit for budget connected fitness and streaming workout fans, and the stronger choice if Features and Value matter more to you than the overall score. Since the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is both the higher scorer and $39 cheaper, the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower only makes sense for budget connected fitness. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is a poor fit for tech enthusiasts; the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower is a poor fit for premium experience seekers.
Choose the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine if
- Aesthetics-conscious users
- Living room placement
- Realistic rowing feel
Skip it if
- Tech enthusiasts
- CrossFit-style training
Choose the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower if
- Budget connected fitness
- Streaming workout fans
- Space-conscious users
Skip it if
- Premium experience seekers
- Subscription avoiders
Common questions
Is the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine better than the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower?
In our Rowing Machines ranking the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine scores higher overall, 8.5 to 7.7, with the biggest advantage in Row Feel. The Echelon Row-s Connected Rower is stronger on Features and Value, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower cost than the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine?
$39 more as of February 1, 2026: $1,299 for the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower against $1,260 for the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine and the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower?
The headline spec difference is Resistance: Water on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine versus Magnetic (32 levels) on the Echelon Row-s Connected Rower. In use, the gap that matters most is Row Feel (9 vs 7 in our scoring): stroke smoothness.