The Concept2 RowErg and the WaterRower are the two best-known home rowers, and they take opposite approaches. The RowErg uses an air flywheel and a PM5 monitor and is the standard for training and competition. The WaterRower uses a water tank and a wood frame, with a quieter, more natural sound.
Both are excellent, but they feel different. The RowErg is louder and more metrics-driven, while the WaterRower is quieter and more attractive, with a smooth stroke. We compare them and six other water and air rowers on resistance, weight rating, noise, monitor and price.
Below are our top picks, a comparison table, detailed reviews and a buying guide. For related reading, see the best water rowing machines, air rowing machines for home gym and air vs magnetic rowing machines.
Top 3 Rowers for This Comparison
WaterRower with S4 BLE Monitor
- Original WaterFlywheel design
- Handcrafted in the USA
- S4 BLE monitor
- Stands upright for storage
- Air flywheel with damper 1 to 10
- PM5 performance monitor
- About 96″L x 24″W, ~500 lb max user
- Splits in two for storage
- 22 L (5.8 gal) water tank, 4-blade paddle
- FSC beech wood, 400 lb max user
- Folds 180 degrees, wheels
- Bluetooth monitor, Kinomap
Concept2 RowErg vs WaterRower Comparison
| Rower | Best For | Key Specs | Amazon Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WaterRower with S4 BLE Monitor | Best for Quiet Feel | Original WaterFlywheel design; Handcrafted in the USA; S4 BLE monitor | 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| 2. Concept2 RowErg | Best for Training | Air flywheel with damper 1 to 10; PM5 performance monitor; About 96″L x 24″W, ~500 lb max user | 4.9/5 | Check Price |
| 3. YOSUDA Foldable Water Rower | Best Foldable Water Rower | 22 L (5.8 gal) water tank, 4-blade paddle; FSC beech wood, 400 lb max user; Folds 180 degrees, wheels | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| 4. Merach R280 Foldable Water Rower | Best Merach Water Rower | Water tank resistance; Solid wood, 400 lb max user; One-handed 180-degree fold | 4.6/5 | Check Price |
| 5. JOROTO Foldable Water Rower | Best JOROTO Water Rower | Water resistance; FSC solid oak, 400 lb max user; 180-degree vertical fold | 4.6/5 | Check Price |
| 6. YOSUDA R2 Air Rower | Best Cheaper Air Rower | Air resistance, one-piece airbox; Self-powered monitor (no batteries); 350 lb max user, 65.5 lb | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| 7. MERACH R50 Pro Air Rower | Best Budget Air Rower | 32-blade fan, 10 damper levels; 440 lb max user, 72 lb; 95″L x 24″W | 4.5/5 | Check Price |
| 8. Concept2 RowErg with Tall Legs | Best Tall-Legs Erg | Air flywheel with damper 1 to 10; PM5 monitor; 20-inch seat height, 500 lb max user | 4.8/5 | Check Price |
1. WaterRower with S4 BLE Monitor – Best for Quiet Feel
- Original WaterFlywheel design
- Handcrafted in the USA
- S4 BLE monitor
- Stands upright for storage
Pros
- ✓ The classic water rower
- ✓ Commercial-grade components
- ✓ 4.7 stars
Cons
- ✗ About $1,324
- ✗ Does not fold, stands upright
- ✗ Heavy
The WaterRower with S4 BLE monitor is our top pick for people who value a quiet, natural stroke and a machine that looks good in the living room. It has a 4.7-star average and a smooth water-tank feel that rises with effort.
WaterRower’s classic S4 uses the original WaterFlywheel design, hand-built in the USA with commercial-grade components and an S4 Bluetooth monitor, and stands upright for storage.
It is the reference water rower, with 555 ratings averaging 4.7 stars.
It costs about $1,324 and does not fold.
The sound of water is calming rather than loud, and the wood frame fits a home better than a metal erg. The S4 monitor tracks key metrics and connects by Bluetooth. The trade-offs are a higher price than most magnetic rowers and a monitor that is less detailed than a PM5. For home use where noise and looks matter, it is the better fit.
Best for: Quiet home rowing and good looks
May not fit: Training purists
2. Concept2 RowErg – Best for Training
- Air flywheel with damper 1 to 10
- PM5 performance monitor
- About 96″L x 24″W, ~500 lb max user
- Splits in two for storage
Pros
- ✓ The standard erg for racing, CrossFit and online rankings
- ✓ 4.9 stars on 13,000+ ratings
- ✓ PM5 data is consistent across machines
Cons
- ✗ About $990
- ✗ Needs roughly 9 x 4 ft of floor
- ✗ Louder than magnetic rowers
The Concept2 RowErg has an air flywheel, a PM5 monitor and a 4.9-star average.
Concept2’s RowErg is the standard erg for racing, CrossFit and online rankings, with an air flywheel and damper from 1 to 10, a PM5 performance monitor and a roughly 500 lb user rating, in a 96 by 24 inch frame that splits for storage.
Its PM5 data is consistent across machines, and more than 13,000 ratings average 4.9 stars.
It costs about $990, needs about 9 by 4 feet of floor and is louder than magnetic rowers.
On paper, you get air flywheel with damper 1 to 10, pm5 performance monitor, about 96″l x 24″w, ~500 lb max user. Its biggest strengths are the standard erg for racing, crossfit and online rankings and pm5 data is consistent across machines; keep in mind about $990 before ordering.
Best for: Serious training and benchmarks
May not fit: Quiet spaces
3. YOSUDA Foldable Water Rower – Best Foldable Water Rower
- 22 L (5.8 gal) water tank, 4-blade paddle
- FSC beech wood, 400 lb max user
- Folds 180 degrees, wheels
- Bluetooth monitor, Kinomap
Pros
- ✓ 4.8 stars
- ✓ Folds upright
- ✓ Real water sound and feel
Cons
- ✗ About 85 ratings
- ✗ Heavy at 55 lb
- ✗ About $300
YOSUDA’s foldable water rower has a 4.8-star average.
YOSUDA’s foldable water rower uses a 22 liter (5.8 gallon) tank with a 4-blade paddle in an FSC beech wood frame rated to 400 lb, and it folds 180 degrees onto wheels with a Bluetooth monitor and Kinomap support.
A 4.8-star average and the real sound and feel of water for about $300 stand out.
It weighs 55 lb and has only about 85 ratings.
The specifications to note are fsc beech wood, 400 lb max user, folds 180 degrees, wheels, bluetooth monitor, kinomap. In daily use the advantages are folds upright and real water sound and feel, and the drawbacks are heavy at 55 lb and about $300.
Best for: Smaller spaces wanting water resistance
May not fit: Training purists
4. Merach R280 Foldable Water Rower – Best Merach Water Rower
- Water tank resistance
- Solid wood, 400 lb max user
- One-handed 180-degree fold
- Monitor: distance, time, calories
Pros
- ✓ Folds like a WaterRower but cheaper
- ✓ 280+ ratings at 4.6
- ✓ Leak-resistant tank
Cons
- ✗ About $300
- ✗ Water adds weight
- ✗ Basic monitor
Merach’s R280 is a foldable water rower with a 4.6-star average.
Merach’s R280 is a solid wood water rower rated to 400 lb with a leak-resistant tank, a one-handed 180-degree fold and a monitor that tracks distance, time and calories.
It folds like a WaterRower for far less, and more than 280 ratings average 4.6 stars.
The monitor is basic and the water adds weight.
Key details include water tank resistance, solid wood, 400 lb max user, one-handed 180-degree fold. Buyers most often praise that it is folds like a waterrower but cheaper and 280+ ratings at 4.6, while the main trade-offs to weigh are about $300 and water adds weight.
Best for: Water feel on a budget
May not fit: Heavy training
5. JOROTO Foldable Water Rower – Best JOROTO Water Rower
- Water resistance
- FSC solid oak, 400 lb max user
- 180-degree vertical fold
- Bluetooth monitor
Pros
- ✓ 250+ ratings at 4.6
- ✓ Saves up to 60% of floor space folded
- ✓ Solid oak
Cons
- ✗ About $430
- ✗ 52 lb
- ✗ Basic display
JOROTO’s foldable water rower has a 4.6-star average.
JOROTO’s foldable water rower uses solid oak rated to 400 lb, a 180-degree vertical fold that saves up to 60% of floor space and a Bluetooth monitor.
More than 250 ratings average 4.6 stars with a solid oak build.
It weighs 52 lb, costs about $430 and has a basic display.
On paper, you get water resistance, fsc solid oak, 400 lb max user, 180-degree vertical fold. Its biggest strengths are 250+ ratings at 4.6 and solid oak; keep in mind about $430 before ordering.
Best for: Another foldable water option
May not fit: Training data seekers
6. YOSUDA R2 Air Rower – Best Cheaper Air Rower
- Air resistance, one-piece airbox
- Self-powered monitor (no batteries)
- 350 lb max user, 65.5 lb
- 95″L x 24″W, 53.7″ rail
Pros
- ✓ Self-powered monitor never needs batteries
- ✓ Long 53.7-inch rail for tall rowers
- ✓ Concept2-style layout for about $600
Cons
- ✗ Only about 10 ratings so far
- ✗ Monitor data is not comparable to a PM5
- ✗ 95-inch length needs room
YOSUDA’s R2 is an air rower with a self-powered monitor for about $600.
YOSUDA’s R2 is an air rower with a one-piece airbox, a self-powered monitor, a 350 lb user rating and a long 53.7 inch rail at 65.5 lb.
The monitor never needs batteries and the layout resembles a Concept2 for about $600.
Only about 10 ratings and its monitor data is not comparable to a PM5.
The specifications to note are self-powered monitor (no batteries), 350 lb max user, 65.5 lb, 95″l x 24″w, 53.7″ rail. In daily use the advantages are long 53.7-inch rail for tall rowers and concept2-style layout for about $600, and the drawbacks are monitor data is not comparable to a pm5 and 95-inch length needs room.
Best for: A Concept2-like layout for less
May not fit: Buyers wanting many reviews
7. MERACH R50 Pro Air Rower – Best Budget Air Rower
- 32-blade fan, 10 damper levels
- 440 lb max user, 72 lb
- 95″L x 24″W
- Backlit monitor + MERACH app
Pros
- ✓ High 440 lb user rating
- ✓ Backlit monitor with 20+ training modes
- ✓ Arrives about 90% assembled
Cons
- ✗ About 55 ratings
- ✗ App data is not Concept2-comparable
- ✗ About $560
MERACH’s R50 Pro has a 32-blade fan and a 440 lb rating.
MERACH’s R50 Pro is an air rower with a 32-blade fan, 10 damper levels, a 440 lb user rating, a backlit monitor and 20-plus training modes at 72 lb.
It arrives about 90% assembled with a high weight rating.
Only about 55 ratings and the app data is not Concept2-comparable.
Key details include 32-blade fan, 10 damper levels, 440 lb max user, 72 lb, 95″l x 24″w. Buyers most often praise that it is high 440 lb user rating and backlit monitor with 20+ training modes, while the main trade-offs to weigh are about 55 ratings and app data is not concept2-comparable.
Best for: Budget air rowing
May not fit: Data-driven trainers
8. Concept2 RowErg with Tall Legs – Best Tall-Legs Erg
- Air flywheel with damper 1 to 10
- PM5 monitor
- 20-inch seat height, 500 lb max user
- Splits in two, needs about 9 x 4 ft
Pros
- ✓ Same race-standard erg as gyms, raised 6 inches
- ✓ Easier to get on and off for older or less mobile users
- ✓ 4.8 stars on about 570 ratings
Cons
- ✗ About $1,550, roughly $560 more than the standard RowErg
- ✗ Taller frame is harder to store under things
- ✗ Same fan noise as any air rower
The RowErg with tall legs raises the seat to 20 inches.
Concept2’s RowErg with tall legs is the standard erg raised to a 20 inch seat height, with the same air flywheel, PM5 monitor and 500 lb user rating.
It is easier to get on and off and averages 4.8 stars on about 570 ratings.
It costs about $1,550 and the taller frame is harder to store.
On paper, you get air flywheel with damper 1 to 10, pm5 monitor, 20-inch seat height, 500 lb max user. Its biggest strengths are same race-standard erg as gyms, raised 6 inches and 4.8 stars on about 570 ratings; keep in mind about $1,550, roughly $560 more than the standard rowerg before ordering.
Best for: Easier getting on and off
May not fit: Compact storage
How to Choose a Water Rowing Machine
Look at the frame and storage
Wooden frames look good and feel solid, while steel frames are lighter and cheaper. Many water rowers fold or stand upright for storage, which matters in small rooms. Check the folded dimensions against your space, and make sure the rail and seat glide smoothly without wobble.
Compare monitors and tracking
A basic monitor tracks time, strokes, distance and calories. Better monitors add stroke rate, split time and Bluetooth, and some connect to apps. If you want to compete or track progress, look for a monitor that reports accurate pace and syncs data.
Match weight capacity and seat comfort
Weight capacity ranges from about 250 to 400 pounds. Check the seat height, padding and foot straps, because comfort decides how long you will row. Taller users should look for longer rails and extension, and shorter users should check that the seat is not too high.
Set a realistic budget
Water rowers range from about 250 dollars for compact folding models to over a thousand for premium wooden machines like the WaterRower. Spend more for build quality, a quieter stroke and a better monitor, and less if you want occasional cardio in a small space.
Understand how water resistance works
A water rower uses paddles spinning in a tank, so resistance rises smoothly the harder you pull. This produces a natural, quiet stroke with a sound many rowers love. The amount of water you add changes the feel, usually from a light, quick stroke to a heavier, slower one. There are no settings to dial, which keeps things simple.
Check the tank design and size
Tanks vary in size, material and visibility. A larger tank gives a heavier feel and more stable resistance, while a compact tank saves space. Look at whether you can see the water, which many people enjoy, and whether the tank is easy to fill and drain with a hose or pump.
FAQ
Is Concept2 or WaterRower better?
The Concept2 is better for training and metrics, while the WaterRower is better for quiet and looks.
Which is quieter?
The WaterRower is quieter, with a gentle splash instead of the air flywheel’s roar.
Which is better for beginners?
Both are easy to learn, and the WaterRower is gentler on a small apartment.
Which is more durable?
Both last for many years, and the Concept2 has a long record in gyms.
Which costs more?
The RowErg is about $990 and the WaterRower S4 usually costs more, depending on the model.
Which folds or stores easier?
Both store upright, and foldable water rowers are the most compact.
Final Verdict
Choose the WaterRower S4 if you want a quiet, attractive rower for home use, and the Concept2 RowErg if you want the best training tool with a PM5 monitor. YOSUDA’s foldable water rower is the best choice for small spaces.
For a cheaper air option, YOSUDA’s R2 is a good start. See best rowing machines for more.
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