Hydrow Vs WaterRower: Which Is Best For At Home Cardio?

Quick Comparison Of The Hydrow Vs WaterRower 

We’ll cover each of the features in-depth later on, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick comparison of the winning machine for each feature of the Hydrow and WaterRower.

Hydrow Rowing Machine: An Overview  

Hydrow is a well-known name in the rowing industry, and not just because the brand has created a machine that looks good in any room. The Hydrow company designed its world-class rower to work for anyone at any fitness level. Although it doesn't fit every budget, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking for an advanced rowing machine with lots of tech integration.

According to Hydrow, this machine “brings the outdoors into your home with immersive, full-body live and on-demand workouts.” Aside from the interactive workouts, the best part of investing in a Hydrow rower is that it targets 86% of your muscles, which is almost twice the engagement of biking, running, and other forms of cardio.

The machine itself is sleek and stylish, and the workouts are engaging and interactive. These workouts are accessed through a Hydrow subscription, which connects users to workouts filmed on stunning waterways and scenic locations around the world.

All of the on-demand workouts are led by athletes who are considered professional rowers and make the workouts fun while immersing users in a life-like row that’s realistic and smooth.

Pros & Cons Of The Popular Hydrow Rower 

No cardio machine is perfect, not even one that’s as highly recommended as the Hydrow rower. There are both good and bad aspects of the Hydrow, like the fact that this is one of the most expensive rowers on a budget. Even though the workouts are designed for everyone, the price tag is not.

Here’s a full breakdown of the Hydrow pros and cons.

WaterRower Rowing Machine: An Overview  

There are a lot of good things to say about the WaterRower brand. They describe their machines as “functional fitness furniture” that don’t need to be hidden away like other unsightly gym equipment. Even if you place your WaterRower in a common area of your home, it’ll serve as a nice addition to the room. 

Most rowers these days use digital or magnetic resistance, like the Hydrow, but WaterRowers utilize water to create resistance that mimics on-water rowing. So while you row, you'll not only experience a workout that feels a lot like being on the water, but you’ll also hear the calming swish of water as it moves through the machine’s flywheel.  

There are a few different WaterRower models to choose from, but we’ll be focusing on the popular Vintage Oak rower. The frame is made entirely of wood, so you can use the machine as a statement piece in your living room or home gym.  

Pros & Cons Of The Popular WaterRower 

Just like the Hydrow, the WaterRower machine has both pros and cons. While this machine is fantastic in most ways, there are a couple things that stuck out to me as I was testing it.

Hydrow Vs WaterRower - Which One Is Better For At Home Cardio? 

Before getting into the comparisons between the Hydrow vs WaterRower, you should know that both machines are an excellent choice. We’ll ultimately name a winner at the end of this, but that doesn’t mean that the “winning” machine is necessarily the one for you.

When deciding on a rower, there’s a lot to think about, like cost, footprint, storage, rowing motion, tech features, and more. While one person might have a high budget and want all the coolest tech features, another might be happy settling with a more basic model with a lower price tag.

Below, you’ll find a comparison of all the main features to think about when deciding on a rower, so be sure to consider which features are most important to you before selecting one.

Footprint & Storage 

Rowing machines are large in nature, so neither of these machines can really be described as "compact." However, both the Hydrow and WaterRower come with storage features that make it easy to set the rower aside when you want it out of the way.

For the WaterRower, the storage position takes up about the same amount of space as a kitchen barstool, and it can be secured upright against a wall or in the corner of the room. The Hydrow has similar storage capabilities, but it unfortunately requires a special kit to store the machine upright. This kit costs about $70, so if you want to store it vertically, you’ll have to pay extra.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the WaterRower is significantly lighter than the Hydrow. It weighs 108 pounds compared to Hydrow’s 145-pound design. The WaterRower also has a slightly smaller footprint, so that’s worth keeping in mind if you have limited space available.

Comfortable & Realistic Rowing Experience  

The Hydrow rower uses an electromagnetic resistance system to create “drag” that replicates the drag you’d feel against the paddles while rowing a boat. It’s extremely smooth, and it utilizes a patented technology that you won’t find with any other rower. The motion targets 86% of the body’s muscles while also remaining low impact and easy on the joints.  

Although we love the feeling of the Hydrow’s rowing motion, the WaterRower’s water resistance system is slightly more realistic in terms of rowing experience. This all has to do with the flywheel moving through water; instead of using electronic resistance, the flywheel is in a water tank, so you’ll even hear the same swooshing sound you’d hear while rowing a boat.

Both machines are comfortable to use, but we don’t love the WaterRower’s footrests. The distance between footrests is not adjustable, which isn’t ideal if you prefer a wide stance. Other than that, everything from the handgrips to seat padding is comfy and high in quality for both rowers.  

Performance Monitoring & Workout Options 

Compared to Hydrow, the WaterRower is extremely basic when it comes to performance monitoring. The rower comes with a Series 4 monitor that tracks distance, calories, time, and intensity, but that’s about it. There’s no large display or touchscreen with the WaterRower, so if you consider technology an important part of your fitness routine, the Hydrow is the clear winner. 

Weight & Height Capacity 

The WaterRower’s wooden frame is surprisingly sturdy, and that’s made obvious by the machine’s 700-pound weight capacity. That’s right… This rower can hold up to 700 pounds, which is almost twice as much as the Hydrow’s 375-pound limit.  

Both rowers are suitable for tall and short people alike, but the WaterRower has a slightly higher inseam capacity of 37” (compared to Hydrow’s 36” max inseam). This won’t make much of a difference for most people, but if you’re taller than 6’4”, you might find the WaterRower to be more comfortable.  

Aesthetics & Build Quality  

The good news is that both rowers are stunning, and both are built with high-quality materials that are durable and likely to last. Many people love that the Hydrow's frame is built around the internal mechanisms, which means that the resistance system isn't visible to the eye; it's enclosed in the sturdy, stylish aluminum casing with black and silver accents.  

Integrated Tech Features  

Right off the bat, it’s clear that the Hydrow rower is the more advanced one in terms of tech features and integrated workouts. To access the live and on-demand workouts on the 22” touchscreen, you will need to sign up for Hydrow’s paid monthly membership (it’s $38/month), but each membership includes unlimited user profiles, so you won’t have to pay more for multiple users.  

There’s no required subscription or membership with the WaterRower, but that’s not necessarily a positive quality. Unlike the Hydrow, this machine doesn’t come with any fancy tech features; it only includes the small S4 monitor for fitness tracking.  

If you prefer the WaterRower’s frame but the Hydrow’s tech integration, there is another option: the Ergatta Rower. The Ergatta utilizes the same WaterRower machine, only it adds a much more interactive workout experience through the 17.3” digital touch screen. Ergatta workouts are "gaming-inspired," simulating a video game more than an actual workout, so they're truly unique.  

If you want to know more about this rower, check out our full Ergatta review.  

Ease of Assembly 

With the Hydrow, there's minimum assembly required, but due to the machine's heavy weight, it's best to have someone help you put it together. Assembly shouldn't take more than an hour, and thanks to the clear instructions, it's fairly easy to do. Once everything is put together, just follow the on-screen prompts to create or log in to your account and agree to the terms of service. 

Because there are no fancy tech features with the WaterRower, putting it together is a piece of cake. All you have to do is secure the main components together, which can be done with only an Allen wrench. WaterRower has some helpful video tutorials to get your machine up and running.

The most challenging part of the WaterRower’s assembly process is probably adding water to the tank. Luckily, the company has made it easy by providing a hand siphon pump with the rower, but you can also use a hose if that works best. Just be sure not to overfill the tank - you’ll see a clearly marked “fill” line to prevent overfilling.

Purchase Price & Ongoing Costs 

If you’re looking for a more affordable rower, then you’ll definitely find the WaterRower to be more appealing. It’s still an advanced rower with a high price tag, but it’s cheaper than the Hydrow. Plus, you don’t need to pay for a monthly subscription to access your workouts.

While the Hydrow is by no means a budget-friendly machine, the price tag is justified. The added initial cost mainly has to do with the more advanced tech features and large touchscreen; some people even call this the “Peloton” of rowers.

Hydrow Vs WaterRower: Features & Specs Comparison

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are water rowers better than air rowers? 

It depends on your resistance preference. Some people prefer the realistic rowing experience of water rowers, while others like the challenging air resistance system. For more insight, here’s what Livestrong has to say about the functionality of water vs air rowers: 

Is Hydrow good for seniors? 

Yes, Hydrow rowers can be used by people of all ages, including seniors. This machine is smooth, rhythmic, easy on the joints, and even promotes bone density, so seniors who are looking for a low-impact workout can really benefit from it. 

How long does a WaterRower typically last? 

As long as you perform the recommended maintenance, your WaterRower should last anywhere between 5 and 10 years.

The main thing to focus on is the water in the tank, and according to the maintenance guidelines, “periodic maintenance is required to maintain the condition of the water in the tank.” It’s best to use municipal tap water that contains chlorine and other chemicals to keep it free from bacteria, and you should add a purification tablet to the water every 6 months.

How much water do you need to fill a WaterRower? 

Your WaterRower obviously doesn’t ship with water in the tank, so you’ll need to fill it before you can start rowing. You’ll need about 3½ gallons to fill the tank to the desired water level.

Conclusion

Deciding between the WaterRower vs Hydrow machines really comes down to what you’re looking to get from your rowing workouts. The WaterRower is a machine that’s nice to look at with a striking wood design, and the water flywheel replicates actual rowing that you’d perform on the water. However, it’s lacking the tech features that many fitness fanatics look for these days.  

For that reason, we recommend the Hydrow for anyone who wants a high-end machine with lots of advanced features and workouts. The rowing workouts accessible through the Hydrow subscription are fun, interactive, and filmed on water, so even though you’ll be on dry land, you’ll actually feel as if you’re rowing a boat.