Are WaterRowers good rowing machines?

Yes - they offer a smooth, quiet, self-scaling water resistance and famously attractive, durable frames. The main trade-off versus an air rower like the Concept2 is less detailed performance data unless you buy a connected model.

Which WaterRower model should I buy?

The hardwood Natural is the icon for home use; the Club is the tougher, higher-capacity version; the aluminium S1 and budget A1 give you the same water feel for less. Choose by how much the wood-frame looks and build matter to you.

Do WaterRowers need water refills or maintenance?

Very little. You fill the tank once and top up or add a purification tablet occasionally to keep the water clear. There's no chain to oil; upkeep is far lower than many buyers expect.

WaterRower Rowing Machines: The Full Range, Reviewed

A guide to WaterRower's range - Natural, Club, A1, S1 - the water-resistance feel, the wood vs metal frames, and how they compare to Concept2 and Ergatta.

WaterRower built its reputation on two things: the soothing whoosh of a paddle pulling through an actual water tank, and furniture-grade frames that look at home in a living room rather than a garage. The flagship hardwood models are as much a piece of decor as a fitness machine, and the resistance feel - smooth, self-scaling, never harsh - is the reason owners stay loyal.

The trade-off is data: a stock WaterRower gives you the essentials rather than the rich, standardised metrics of a Concept2, unless you step up to a connected model. Here's the full range we've reviewed, from the iconic Natural to the gym-focused Club and the budget-minded A1 and S1, plus how they stack up against the air and connected rowers people cross-shop them with.

WaterRower rowing machines we've reviewed

WaterRower Natural

Water rower · ~$1,200

4.1/5

Best for: Home users who want a beautiful, quiet machine and an immersive feel more than lab-grade data.

Read our full WaterRower Natural review

WaterRower Club

Water rower · ~$1,399

4.0/5

Best for: Buyers who want an authentic, quiet water-rowing feel in a handsome, commercial-grade wooden machine and don't need a large app-driven touchscreen.

Read our full WaterRower Club review

WaterRower A1 Home

Water rower · ~$895

3.6/5

Best for: Buyers who want WaterRower's signature wooden build and smooth water feel for steady-state home rowing and don't care about connected metrics or training apps.

Read our full WaterRower A1 Home review

WaterRower S1

Water rower · ~$3,100

3.9/5

Best for: Buyers who want a premium, design-forward water rower with a near-indestructible stainless steel frame and prefer a quiet, natural rowing feel over screen-based features.

Read our full WaterRower S1 review

Wood vs metal: which WaterRower frame

The hardwood Natural and Club are the classic WaterRowers - beautiful, heavy, and stable, with the Club built tougher for higher-traffic use. The aluminium S1 and the value-focused A1 deliver the same water feel in a less expensive, less decorative package. If the look matters to you (and for many WaterRower buyers it genuinely does), the wood frames are the draw; if you only care about the rowing, the metal models save money.

Where the water feel wins - and where it doesn't

Water resistance self-scales with effort like air does, but quieter and smoother, with no fan blast - just a low, pleasant swish. It's the most 'on-the-water' feel you'll get indoors short of a dynamic erg. What you give up is the precise, comparable performance data that competitive and CrossFit rowers rely on, which is why we so often pit the Natural against the Concept2 Model D.

WaterRower comparisons

Cross-shopping? These head-to-heads pit WaterRower against the machines buyers weigh it against most.

Concept2 vs WaterRower: Air or Water Rowing Machine?WaterRower Natural vs Club: Which Wooden Rower Wins?Ergatta vs WaterRower: Which Water Rower Should You Buy?WaterRower Natural vs S1: Wood or Stainless Steel?

The bottom line

Buy a WaterRower if you want a smooth, immersive pull and a machine you're happy to leave on display - the Natural is the icon, the Club the more durable version, and the A1/S1 the affordable way into the water feel.

If accurate, standardised training data or instructor-led classes matter more than looks and feel, read our WaterRower-vs-Concept2 and WaterRower-vs-Ergatta comparisons first.

Frequently asked questions

Are WaterRowers good rowing machines?: Yes - they offer a smooth, quiet, self-scaling water resistance and famously attractive, durable frames. The main trade-off versus an air rower like the Concept2 is less detailed performance data unless you buy a connected model.
Which WaterRower model should I buy?: The hardwood Natural is the icon for home use; the Club is the tougher, higher-capacity version; the aluminium S1 and budget A1 give you the same water feel for less. Choose by how much the wood-frame looks and build matter to you.
Do WaterRowers need water refills or maintenance?: Very little. You fill the tank once and top up or add a purification tablet occasionally to keep the water clear. There's no chain to oil; upkeep is far lower than many buyers expect.

References

What Damper Setting and Drag Factor to Use on the Concept2 RowErg - Concept2

Still deciding between brands? See all rowing machine brands, our best rowing machine guides, or the full reviews library.