Rowing Machine NerdErgatta vs WaterRower: Which Water Rower Should You Buy?
Here's a comparison between two machines that feel almost identical to row but cost wildly different amounts. The Ergatta and the WaterRower Natural are both beautiful wooden water rowers with smooth, self-adjusting water resistance - but the Ergatta wraps that in a gamified 21-inch touchscreen platform at around $2,199, while the WaterRower Natural keeps it simple with a basic monitor at around $1,200.
So the question isn't really about the rowing - it's about whether the screen and the software are worth nearly doubling the price.
Verdict: Depends on tech: gamified screen (Ergatta) or simple, beautiful, and cheaper (WaterRower).
Ergatta Rower vs WaterRower Natural: at a glance
| Ergatta Rower | WaterRower Natural | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.8/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Price | ~$2,199 | ~$1,200 |
| Resistance | Water (self-adjusting, no preset levels) | Water (variable; self-regulating tank) |
| Monitor / screen | 21" HD touchscreen (Luxe); 17.3" on earlier model | S4 (pace, distance, watts, calories, HR) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (headphones / heart-rate strap); Apple Watch compatible on Luxe | S4; optional Bluetooth (Connect module) |
| Max user weight | 500 lbs | 375 lb (170 kg) |
| Footprint / size | 86" L x 23" W x 40" H | ~84" × 22" × 21" (213 × 56 × 53 cm) |
| Storage | Stands upright; folded footprint ~23" x 22.5" | Stands upright on end; front wheels |
| Warranty | 5-year frame, 3-year parts, 1-year tablet | 5-yr frame / 3-yr parts (home use) |
Full Ergatta Rower review Full WaterRower Natural review
The rowing itself: nearly identical
Strip away the electronics and these are very similar machines. Both use genuine water resistance that self-adjusts to your stroke, both deliver that smooth, immersive feel and pleasant whoosh, and both are furniture-grade wooden frames that store upright and look superb in a living room. If all you care about is how it feels to row, you could be happy with either.
The Ergatta even edges ahead slightly on raw specs - a 500 lb capacity and accommodation for rowers up to 6'8", versus the WaterRower Natural's 375 lb. But in the actual water stroke, the two are remarkably close.
Tech and motivation: the real divide
This is what you're paying for. The Ergatta's 21-inch touchscreen runs a game-based platform - races, intervals, and challenges that make training genuinely engaging and competitive. For someone who needs that hook to stay consistent, it transforms the machine from a quiet tool into something you want to return to.
The WaterRower Natural offers none of that: its S4 monitor shows the basics and nothing more. For a self-directed rower who just wants to put in the meters, that simplicity is fine - even preferable. But if on-screen motivation is what keeps you training, the bare S4 won't provide it, and that's the entire case for spending nearly double on the Ergatta.
Price, subscription and value
The WaterRower Natural is the clear value pick - roughly $1,000 less up front and no subscription at all. You buy it once and row. The Ergatta costs nearly double and, while its membership is recommended rather than strictly required, you get the most from it by paying around $29-39/month for the platform that justifies the screen.
So the honest framing is this: if you'll use and value the gamified software, the Ergatta is a fair price for what it does. If you wouldn't - if you'd row to a simple monitor just as happily - the WaterRower Natural gives you the same beautiful water-rowing experience for half the money and no ongoing fees.
Choose the Ergatta Rower if…
- On-screen, gamified motivation will genuinely keep you rowing
- You want a large 21" touchscreen and competitive challenges
- You're taller or heavier (up to 6'8" / 500 lb capacity)
- You're happy to pay a membership for the platform
Choose the WaterRower Natural if…
- You want the same beautiful water feel for around $1,000 less
- You're self-directed and don't need on-screen motivation
- You want zero subscription and a buy-once machine
- You prefer simplicity and the classic WaterRower look
Our verdict
If gamified, on-screen motivation is what will keep you on the machine, the Ergatta is worth it - it's the same lovely water-rowing experience plus a genuinely engaging platform, and its capacity and screen are excellent. For the right person, the premium buys real consistency.
But for a self-directed rower, the WaterRower Natural is the smarter buy by a mile: nearly identical water feel and the same gorgeous wooden build for around half the price and no subscription. Be honest about whether you'll actually use the Ergatta's software - if not, you'd be paying roughly $1,000 plus monthly fees for a screen you don't need.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Ergatta or WaterRower better?
- They feel nearly identical to row - both are genuine wooden water rowers. The Ergatta adds a gamified 21-inch touchscreen at nearly double the price; the WaterRower Natural keeps it simple and cheaper. Choose Ergatta if on-screen motivation matters, the WaterRower if you're self-directed.
- Is the Ergatta worth nearly double the WaterRower's price?
- Only if you'll genuinely use its gamified software to stay motivated. The rowing feel is very similar between the two, so the premium is entirely for the touchscreen platform. A self-directed rower gets the same water experience from the WaterRower Natural for about half the cost and no subscription.
- Does the WaterRower Natural have a screen like the Ergatta?
- No - it has a basic S4 monitor showing essentials like pace, distance, and heart rate, now with Bluetooth to connect to an app on your own device. The Ergatta has a built-in 21-inch gamified touchscreen, which is the main reason for its higher price.
Jordan Lockwood (BSc, CPT)
Certified personal trainer (CPT), sports-science graduate, and lifelong rower. Jordan writes and reviews every guide on Rowing Machine Nerd.