Concept2
Concept2 RowErg
$990
Released 2003
Best Rowing Machines · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Echelon Row-s is cheaper at $799.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Concept2
$990
Released 2003
Echelon
$799.99Cheaper
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The Echelon Row-s is the cheaper at $799.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $990 | $799.99 |
| Brand | Concept2 | Echelon |
| Released | 2003 | — |
| Resistance type | air | magnetic |
| Max user weight (lb) | 500 | 350 |
| Footprint (in) | 96 x 24 | 84 x 21 |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Monitor or touchscreen | PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) | 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen |
| Subscription required | No | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 57 | 114 |
| Release year | 2003 | — |
Sources — Concept2 RowErg: concept2.com (verified 2026-06-15). Echelon Row-s: echelonfit.com (verified 2026-06-15).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Both whitelisted hands-on testers — Wirecutter and Garage Gym Reviews — rank the Concept2 RowErg the best rower they've tested. Shared praise: a sturdy, commercial-grade build that doesn't feel cheap, clear and reliably accurate PM5 metrics, and strong durability with easy parts replacement. Shared gripe: the roughly $1,000 price and a simple monitor with basic built-in programming. Wirecutter alone credits the secure, non-slip foot holsters and flags loud operation plus having to stop mid-workout to change resistance; Garage Gym Reviews alone notes the seat hardens over long-term use. Noise is the one clear disagreement. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Best rower / best workout experience of all machines tested; Sturdy, commercial-grade build that doesn't feel cheap; PM5 monitor metrics are clear and reliably accurate.
Flagged: Expensive at roughly $1,000; Simple monitor with minimal built-in interactive programming; Loud flywheel — noisiest rower Wirecutter tested.
No sourced tester review yet.