Concept2 RowErg
Gym Score 86/100
Best for
Serious rowers + anyone who values longevity over polish
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Concept2 vs Hydrow vs Ergatta — Best Rower 2026
The rower market splits three ways. Concept2 is the long-running default — air flywheel, no subscription, a fixture in CrossFit gyms and rowing clubs. Hydrow brought magnetic resistance + premium video classes. Ergatta gamified the whole experience. Each wins for a different person.
Quick verdict
Concept2 wins for serious rowers and anyone who hates subscriptions. Hydrow wins for class-first users. Ergatta wins for adults who need gamification to stay consistent.
The contenders
Concept2 RowErg
Buy on AmazonGym Score 86/100$990.00
Hydrow Origin
Buy on AmazonGym Score 69/100$2,195.00
Ergatta Rower
See our reviewGym Score 73/100$2,499
Hydrow Origin
Gym Score 69/100
Best for
Class-driven users who like outdoor scenery
Ergatta Rower
Gym Score 73/100
Best for
Beginners who need gamification to stay consistent
Side by side
| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Origin | Ergatta Rower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym Score | 86/100 | 69/100 | 73/100 |
| Rating | ★ 4.9 (13,086) | ★ 4.1 (152) | ★ 4.4 (520) |
| Tier | premium | premium | premium |
| Best price | $990.00 | $2,195.00 | $2,499 |
| Resistance Type | Air | Magnetic | Water |
| Monitor | PM5 | — | — |
| Max User Weight | 500 lb | — | — |
| Damper | 1-10 setting | — | — |
| Display | — | 22" HD touchscreen | Tablet-style |
| Membership | — | $50/mo | $39/mo month-to-month (annual plans from $27/mo) |
Pros & cons
Concept2 RowErg
Pros
- +PM5 monitor included, with splits comparable across every RowErg
- +Air resistance scales with how hard you pull
- +Separates into two pieces for storage
- +Concept2 sells replacement parts and publishes maintenance guides
Cons
- −Fan noise carries in a shared room or thin-walled apartment
- −No built-in class screen; workouts run through the PM5 or apps
- −Needs a 9 × 4 ft use area, more than its 8 × 2 ft frame
Hydrow Origin
Pros
- +Live Classes
- +Smooth Stroke
- +Display Quality
Cons
- −Subscription Required
- −Price Point
Ergatta Rower
Pros
- +Gamified Workouts
- +Build Quality
- +App Experience
Cons
- −Price Point
- −Small Community
See all rowing machines
These are three popular picks. The full rowing machines category has more, ranked by Gym Score.
Browse all Rowing Machines →Your next step
Want more than these three? Here's the ranked field.
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