Concept2
Concept2 RowErg
$990Cheaper
Released 2003
Best Rowing Machines · head-to-head
Concept2 RowErg vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Concept2 RowErg is cheaper at $990. Every spec and price links to its source.
Hydrow
Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)
$2195
Released 2020
Which is better: the Concept2 RowErg or Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)?
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The Concept2 RowErg is the cheaper at $990.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $990 | $2195 |
| Brand | Concept2 | Hydrow |
| Released | 2003 | 2020 |
| Resistance type | air | magnetic |
| Max user weight (lb) | 500 | 375 |
| Footprint (in) | 96 x 24 | 86 x 25 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) | 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen |
| Subscription required | No | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 57 | 145 |
| Release year | 2003 | 2020 |
Sources — Concept2 RowErg: concept2.com (verified 2026-06-15). Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro): hydrow.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Concept2 RowErg and Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Resistance type: Concept2 RowErg air vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) magnetic
- Max user weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 500 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 375
- Footprint (in): Concept2 RowErg 96 x 24 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 86 x 25
- Monitor or touchscreen: Concept2 RowErg PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen
- Subscription required: Concept2 RowErg false vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) true
- Weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 57 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 145
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Concept2 RowErg
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.
Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)
Four whitelisted outlets hands-on tested this exact flagship (the original Hydrow, now sold as Hydrow Pro/Origin): Garage Gym Reviews, BarBend, TechRadar and Reviewed. All four praise the near-silent electromagnetic resistance and the immersive scenic on-water classes with pro coaching; all four flag the steep ~$2,195 price plus a required monthly subscription. None published lab-measured numbers. (4 sourced reviews, 4 lab-tested.)
Praised: Near-silent electromagnetic/magnetic resistance, quiet enough to work out without disturbing others; Immersive scenic on-water classes with strong instructor/pro coaching; Smooth, natural stroke that feels close to rowing on real water.
Flagged: Expensive (~$2,195) relative to typical $1,000-$1,600 rowers; Full features require an ongoing monthly subscription; drops to basic 'Just Row' mode without it; Large footprint and heavy (~145 lbs), not easy to move.