Concept2 RowErg
Gym Score 72/100
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 eternal default — flywheel-based, no subscription, used in every CrossFit gym in the world. 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 72/100$899.99
Hydrow Origin
Buy on AmazonGym Score 76/100$2,195.00
Ergatta Rower
See our reviewGym Score 73/100$2,499
Hydrow Origin
Gym Score 76/100
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 | 72/100 | 76/100 | 73/100 |
| Rating | ★ 4 (12,988) | ★ 4.5 (1,200) | ★ 4.4 (520) |
| Tier | premium | premium | premium |
| Best price | $899.99 | $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 | — | $44/mo | $29/mo |
Pros & cons
Concept2 RowErg
Pros
- +PM5 monitor is the gold standard
- +Air resistance feels natural
- +20+ year service life
- +Globally standardized watts metric
Cons
- −Loud (air rowers always are)
- −Not on Amazon (direct from Concept2)
- −No built-in classes
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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