Concept2 RowErg vs Hydrow Wave: Which Rower Should You Buy?
Concept2 is the data-and-durability standard. Hydrow is the guided-content experience. Pick based on whether you want training data or workout vibes.
Concept2 if you'll row to a podcast or audiobook and want best-in-class data. Hydrow if you'll genuinely use guided content and want the touchscreen experience.
| Product | Rating | Pros | Cons | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Concept2 RowErg PM5 monitor, 20-year service life. The competitive-rowing standard. | 4.9 |
|
| ~$990 | Buy on Amazon |
Hydrow Wave Magnetic resistance, 16" touchscreen, real-rower content. The guided-experience pick. | 4.5 |
|
| ~$1,495 | Buy Direct |
Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price before purchasing.
Different products for different rowers
Concept2 is the rowing-as-training tool. Hydrow is the rowing-as-experience tool. They're priced differently because they solve different problems.
Data fidelity
The PM5 monitor on the Concept2 measures watts (power), not just distance or pace. That's why Olympic teams, CrossFit competitions, and online rowing leaderboards all standardize on the PM5. Hydrow's display is gorgeous but coaches can't compare a Hydrow split against a Concept2 split — they're on different scales.
Content economics
Hydrow's $44/month adds up to $528/year. Over 5 years, that's $2,640 in content cost on top of the $1,495 hardware. The Concept2 + a Spotify Premium subscription does most of the same job for ~$120/year.
The real test
Ask yourself: will you actually open a guided rowing class three times a week for the next three years? If yes, Hydrow earns its keep. If you're going to row to your own playlist, Concept2 wins by a mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Concept2 with the Hydrow app?+
No. The Hydrow content is locked to Hydrow hardware. Concept2 has its own ErgData app, plus integrations with Zwift and Kinomap.
Will the Concept2 keep its value?+
Yes. Used C2s sell for 70-80% of new price 5 years out. The resale market is unusually strong.
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