Concept2
Concept2 RowErg
$990Cheaper
Released 2003
Best Rowing Machines · head-to-head
Concept2 RowErg vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Concept2 RowErg is cheaper at $990. Every spec and price links to its source.
WaterRower
WaterRower Original Series (Oak)
$1199
Which is better: the Concept2 RowErg or WaterRower Original Series (Oak)?
The Concept2 RowErg wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Concept2 RowErg is the cheaper at $990. The Concept2 RowErg both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | WaterRower Original Series (Oak) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $990 | $1199 |
| Brand | Concept2 | WaterRower |
| Released | 2003 | — |
| Resistance type | air | water |
| Max user weight (lb) | 500 | 700 |
| Footprint (in) | 96 x 24 | 82 x 22 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) | S4 Performance Monitor (LCD) |
| Subscription required | No | No |
| Weight (lb) | 57 | 67 |
| Release year | 2003 | — |
Sources — Concept2 RowErg: concept2.com (verified 2026-06-15). WaterRower Original Series (Oak): waterrower.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Concept2 RowErg and WaterRower Original Series (Oak)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Resistance type: Concept2 RowErg air vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) water
- Max user weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 500 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 700
- Footprint (in): Concept2 RowErg 96 x 24 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 82 x 22
- Monitor or touchscreen: Concept2 RowErg PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) S4 Performance Monitor (LCD)
- Weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 57 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 67
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.
WaterRower Original Series (Oak)
Three whitelisted testers (Wirecutter, BarBend, Garage Gym Reviews) hands-on reviewed the WaterRower Original/Classic series and broadly recommend it as a quiet, beautiful, sturdy water rower. All praise its meditative whooshing sound and compact vertical storage; all flag a bare-bones monitor with paid tech add-ons (no built-in Bluetooth). Wirecutter warns its distance/time readouts run optimistically fast. GGR's spec card lists an Oak frame with the S4 monitor while its body copy calls the unit the 'WaterRower Natural' — the same machine mechanically. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Quiet, meditative water-whooshing sound; Sturdy, premium solid-wood construction (5/5 durability); Compact vertical storage; blends into home decor.
Flagged: Basic monitor, no built-in Bluetooth; tech add-ons cost extra; Water-rower time/distance readouts skewed — not ideal for serious training; Whooshing sound can be loud in shared or early-morning spaces.