WaterRower vs Concept2 rowing machine: which model should you buy?

It's worth comparing WaterRower vs Concept2 rowing machines when kitting out your home gym. The two well-known brands each bring something unique to the machine, so we'll help you settle on the best option for your setup.

Both also produce some of the best rowing machines, but there are significant differences. The popular Concept2 Model D uses air resistance to power your workouts and is a regular feature at many gyms and fitness centers.

Meanwhile, the WaterRower opts for a water-based resistance system that closely mimics the rowing experience. The company produces several machines, though our WaterRower Natural review found that model one of the top choices.

But as home gym equipment isn't a small investment, you want to be sure you're choosing the best machine for your needs. We'll compare the Water Rower vs Concept2 to help you decide.

 WaterRower vs Concept2: Design 

The first thing you should know is that the Concept2 rower comes in three different variants (Model D, Model E and the Dynamic), whereas the WaterRower is just one standard model. The reason for Concept2’s staggered offering is just to cover all ranges of user accessibility. We’ll focus on the standard variant, Model D, for now, though. 

Its designs might look a little dull compared to WaterRower, but Concept2 has been making waves (sorry) in the rowing machine industry for over 40 years, so it certainly knows how to put together a good quality machine. This is why many commercial gyms love using this brand’s Model D rower, as it’s known for its reliable, high-quality design.

Measuring 61x137cm, the Concept2 will fit into most living areas comfortably and if space is a major concern, it features a quick-release frame lock mechanism that makes it easy to disassemble and store away. Like the best treadmill models, which often come with a folding mechanism, the Concept 2 has home storage in mind. 

The WaterRower is not quite as versatile when it comes to design and storage, however. Measuring 51x56.5x209cm, it’s not only much longer than the Concept2, but it isn’t dismantle-able, if that’s even a word? On the plus side, the WaterRower is aesthetically gorgeous and an undeniably stunning piece of equipment, which by far makes up for its somewhat cumbersome size. Crafted from sustainable hardwood sourced from the Appalachian Mountains, it’s definitely something you’ll want to show off to your friends...or admire yourself using in the mirror during lockdown.

•  WINNER: So who wins design? Well, this one will have to be a draw, as it all comes down to preference.  

 Water Rower vs Concept2: Features and performance  

The Concept2 is a fan rower, meaning that it relies on air for its resistance. While this creates a super smooth and somewhat authentic rowing experience, it will cause a considerable amount of noise during a workout - especially if you're really going for it with good rowing machine form. So, if you’re planning to do lots of rowing and you’re in a shared house, or you live in a studio with your significant other, then this might not be the rower for you because of the wailing noise of the fan is guaranteed to cause some upset. 

In terms of performance monitoring, all Concept2 rowing machine models come with an exercise tracking device known as the PM5. This device is super easy to operate, and will display and record your distance, speed, pace, calories, and watts as soon as you get rowing. There’s also wireless connectivity, which allows you to sync your PM5 data up to Concept2’s own ErgData app and heart rate monitors. This innovative bit of kit certainly has the edge over WaterRower’s equivalent offering. 

The cheapest, entry-level WaterRower model, the A1, ships with an A1 monitor so that you can successfully monitor workouts. It measures time, distance, speed, intensity, and stroke rate but - unlike the Concept2 - it doesn’t record heart rate. There is another feature, however, called workout programs, which allows you to set an exercise for a specific length of time.

In terms of resistance, the Concept2 has fan cages that are numbered so you can set the resistance level with a damper lever to a particular value between one and 10. These establish how much air is drawn into the cage on each stroke.

The higher the damper setting, the more air can be drawn into the flywheel housing, which creates more resistance and, as a result, requires more work to accelerate it on the next stroke, in turn upping the intensity level of your row. It’s a simple idea that not only allows you to easily customize the difficulty of your workout, but works effortlessly. 

As we noted in our WaterRower Natural review, these machines uses a water drum to create the resistance you need to get all hot and sweaty. This provides a beautifully smooth operation that mimics the natural feeling of gliding through water - an ideal quality for those that like to row outdoors and want to replicate that at home when the weather’s playing up.

There’s no customizable resistance here though like you find on the Concept, it’s simply a matter of the harder you rower the higher the resistance will become. While this is a nice idea, we do prefer to have more control over the intensity of a workout.

•  WINNER: As for the tech and the features on offer as well as the customisable resistance, the Concept2 takes the biscuit over the WaterRower.  

 Water Rower vs Concept2: Price 

So, the big one: price. How do these two beasts compare? Well, there isn’t that much difference here, to be honest. 

In the US and the UK, the Concept 2 can currently be picked up at Amazon for around $1,030. In the UK, you can get one on GymKitUK for £899.

At a similar price, the WaterRower Club Rowing machine costs around $1,260 at Amazon, and its official UK one for £849. 

•  WINNER: When it comes to price, these machines are pretty much neck and neck so it'll all come down to personal preference.

 Water Rower vs Concept2: Verdict 

While they’re similar in price, the WaterRower and the Concept2 are two very different machines. While the latter is fan-based, meaning it relies on fans for resistance, the former water-driven machine features a water drum and paddles for a more natural rowing experience that is much quieter, too. 

The Concept2 has better tech in the form of an onboard workout monitor and customizable resistance, but the WaterRower, in our opinion, is way more beautiful to look at, but because it offers a good, all-round rowing experience for a decent price.