# Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) (Hydrow) and WaterRower Original Series (Oak) (WaterRower) among rowing machines. WaterRower Original Series (Oak) is the cheaper of the two at $1199.

## Side by side

| Spec | Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) | WaterRower Original Series (Oak) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $2195 | $1199 |
| Brand | Hydrow | WaterRower |
| Released | 2020 | — |
| Resistance type | magnetic | water |
| Max user weight (lb) | 375 | 700 |
| Footprint (in) | 86 x 25 | 82 x 22 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen | S4 Performance Monitor (LCD) |
| Subscription required | Yes | No |
| Weight (lb) | 145 | 67 |

## Key differences

- Resistance type: Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) magnetic vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) water
- Max user weight (lb): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 375 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 700
- Footprint (in): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 86 x 25 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 82 x 22
- Monitor or touchscreen: Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) S4 Performance Monitor (LCD)
- Subscription required: Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) Yes vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) No
- Weight (lb): Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 145 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 67

## What reviewers say

**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.)

**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.)

## Sources

- Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro): https://hydrow.com/products/rowers/hydrow-rower/ (hydrow.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- WaterRower Original Series (Oak): https://www.waterrower.com/us/products/waterrower-oak-rowing-machine-with-s4-monitor (waterrower.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/hydrow-origin-vs-waterrower-original/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) ($2195) vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) ($1199) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/hydrow-origin-vs-waterrower-original/
License: CC BY 4.0.