# NordicTrack RW900 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the NordicTrack RW900 (NordicTrack) 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 | NordicTrack RW900 | WaterRower Original Series (Oak) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $1999 | $1199 |
| Brand | NordicTrack | WaterRower |
| Resistance type | magnetic | water |
| Max user weight (lb) | 250 | 700 |
| Footprint (in) | 82 x 22 | 82 x 22 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen | S4 Performance Monitor (LCD) |
| Subscription required | Yes | No |
| Weight (lb) | 158 | 67 |

## Key differences

- Resistance type: NordicTrack RW900 magnetic vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) water
- Max user weight (lb): NordicTrack RW900 250 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 700
- Monitor or touchscreen: NordicTrack RW900 24-inch HD pivoting touchscreen vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) S4 Performance Monitor (LCD)
- Subscription required: NordicTrack RW900 Yes vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) No
- Weight (lb): NordicTrack RW900 158 vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) 67

## What reviewers say

**NordicTrack RW900** — Three whitelisted hands-on reviews - Garage Gym Reviews (2023), Reviewed/USA Today (2021), and BarBend (2024) - rate the NordicTrack RW900 a strong-value smart rower. All three praise iFIT's instructor-led and scenic on-water classes, a solid/durable build with a smooth, stable stroke, and the large 22-inch tilting/pivoting HD touchscreen that enables off-rower workouts. GGR and BarBend additionally call the magnetic resistance quiet and the padded, contoured seat comfortable. GGR and Reviewed flag the low 250-lb weight limit; GGR and BarBend note that full functionality effectively requires a paid iFIT subscription and that the current unit is large and does not fold or store vertically. BarBend alone measured the 53-inch monorail, 15-inch seat height, and 13-inch pedals, and alone faulted resistance uniformity across the 26 levels. (3 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

- NordicTrack RW900: https://www.nordictrack.com/product/rw900-rower (nordictrack.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/nordictrack-rw900-vs-waterrower-original/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, NordicTrack RW900 ($1999) vs WaterRower Original Series (Oak) ($1199) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/nordictrack-rw900-vs-waterrower-original/
License: CC BY 4.0.