Rowing Machine NerdHydrow vs Hydrow Wave: Which Hydrow Should You Buy?
Hydrow makes two rowers, and the good news is they share the same content library and the same near-silent electromagnetic resistance, so whichever you pick you're getting the core Hydrow experience. The decision is really about size, screen, and price: the original Hydrow at around $2,195 versus the more compact Hydrow Wave at around $1,695.
Spend the extra $500 on the original, or pocket it and go compact? Here's how they differ.
Verdict: The better value and smaller footprint - the right Hydrow for most people.
Hydrow Rower vs Hydrow Wave: at a glance
| Hydrow Rower | Hydrow Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.8/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Price | ~$2,195 | ~$1,695 |
| Resistance | Electromagnetic (computer-controlled, adjustable 50-300) | Computer-controlled electromagnetic (magnetic), strap drive |
| Monitor / screen | 22" Full HD (1920x1080) pivoting touchscreen | 16" HD touchscreen (1920 x 1080), non-tilting, front-facing speakers |
| Connectivity | ANT+ and Bluetooth (heart rate and audio); Wi-Fi required | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth (headphones, heart rate monitors, Apple Watch) |
| Max user weight | 375 lbs | 375 lbs |
| Footprint / size | 86"L x 25"W x 47"H | 80" L x 19" W x 43" H |
| Storage | Upright storage with separately purchased wall kit | Monitor folds flat; frame does not fold; vertical storage kit ~$190 (sold separately) |
| Warranty | 5 years frame / 1 year monitor & labor | 5 years frame; 1 year components, electronics and labor |
Full Hydrow Rower review Full Hydrow Wave review
Screen and immersion
The original Hydrow has a larger 22-inch HD touchscreen that pivots, while the Wave has a sharp but smaller 16-inch screen that doesn't tilt. For pure on-rower immersion, the bigger pivoting display on the original is the more cinematic experience, and the pivot makes off-rower (floor and strength) classes easier to follow.
That non-tilting screen is the Wave's main functional compromise: if you plan to do a lot of off-machine workouts from Hydrow's library, following them on a fixed 16-inch screen is more awkward. If you'll mostly be rowing, you'll barely notice the size difference once you're moving.
Size, weight and storage
The Wave is the more apartment-friendly machine in every dimension - shorter (80" vs 86"), narrower (19" vs 25"), and significantly lighter (102 lb vs 145 lb). If floor space or moving the machine is a concern, the Wave is clearly easier to live with.
Neither folds, and both need a separately purchased vertical storage kit, so plan for a dedicated spot either way. But the Wave's smaller, lighter frame makes that spot easier to find and the machine easier to reposition.
Price and value
Both machines carry the same roughly $44/month membership and deliver the same content, the same quiet resistance, and the same 375 lb capacity. So you're paying the extra $500 for the original purely for the bigger pivoting screen and a heavier, more substantial frame.
For most buyers, that makes the Wave the smarter pick - it's the same Hydrow experience for less, in a package that fits more homes. The original earns its premium only if the larger pivoting screen genuinely matters to you, especially for off-rower classes.
Choose the Hydrow Rower if…
- You want the largest, most immersive 22" pivoting screen
- You'll do a lot of off-rower (floor/strength) classes that need a tilting screen
- You prefer a heavier, more substantial frame and have the space
- The $500 premium for the bigger display is worth it to you
Choose the Hydrow Wave if…
- You want the same Hydrow experience for around $500 less
- You have limited space and want a more compact, lighter machine
- You'll mostly be rowing rather than doing off-machine classes
- You want the best-value way into the Hydrow ecosystem
Our verdict
For most people, the Hydrow Wave is the one to buy. It delivers the same content, the same quiet resistance, and the same capacity as the original Hydrow, in a smaller, lighter, more affordable package. Unless the bigger screen is a priority, the Wave is simply better value.
The original Hydrow is worth its extra $500 if you want the larger 22-inch pivoting screen - particularly for following off-rower classes, where the Wave's fixed 16-inch display gets awkward - or if you simply prefer a more substantial machine and have the room for it.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between the Hydrow and Hydrow Wave?
- They share the same content library, near-silent electromagnetic resistance, and 375 lb capacity. The original Hydrow has a larger 22-inch pivoting screen and a heavier, bigger frame; the Wave has a smaller 16-inch non-tilting screen, a more compact and lighter body, and a lower price.
- Is the Hydrow Wave worth it over the original Hydrow?
- For most people, yes - it's the same Hydrow experience for around $500 less, in a more apartment-friendly size. Choose the original only if you specifically want the bigger pivoting screen, especially for off-rower classes.
- Do the Hydrow and Hydrow Wave use the same subscription?
- Yes. Both use the same Hydrow All-Access membership (roughly $44/month) and access the same library of live and on-demand classes.
Jordan Lockwood (BSc, CPT)
Certified personal trainer (CPT), sports-science graduate, and lifelong rower. Jordan writes and reviews every guide on Rowing Machine Nerd.