Rowing Machine NerdHydrow Wave vs Echelon Smart Row: Compact Connected Rowers
Both of these are aimed squarely at the apartment connected-rowing buyer: quiet, screen-led, and more affordable than the flagship machines. The Hydrow Wave (around $1,695) brings Hydrow's polished instructor-led content and smooth electromagnetic resistance; the Echelon Smart Row (often around $800) brings a similar class concept at less than half the price, and it folds.
Here's how the two compact connected rowers compare on the things that matter in a smaller home.
Verdict: The nicer machine and experience - choose the Echelon mainly for folding and a lower price.
Hydrow Wave vs Echelon Smart Row: at a glance
| Hydrow Wave | Echelon Smart Row | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.0/5 | 3.4/5 |
| Price | ~$1,695 | ~$800-$1,900 |
| Resistance | Computer-controlled electromagnetic (magnetic), strap drive | Magnetic, 32 electronic levels |
| Monitor / screen | 16" HD touchscreen (1920 x 1080), non-tilting, front-facing speakers | 22" HD swivel touchscreen (Row-S); device holder on base Row |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth (headphones, heart rate monitors, Apple Watch) | Bluetooth, Echelon Fit app |
| Max user weight | 375 lbs | 300-350 lbs (varies by source) |
| Footprint / size | 80" L x 19" W x 43" H | Approx. 84-85" L x 21-24" W x 45" H |
| Storage | Monitor folds flat; frame does not fold; vertical storage kit ~$190 (sold separately) | Folds for storage |
| Warranty | 5 years frame; 1 year components, electronics and labor | 1-2 yr standard; up to 5 yr with Premier membership |
Full Hydrow Wave review Full Echelon Smart Row review
Content and feel
The Hydrow Wave's edge is quality - Hydrow's beautifully produced instructor-led rows on a sharp 16-inch screen, over genuinely smooth, near-silent electromagnetic resistance that avoids the slightly flat feel of cheaper magnetic rowers. It's the more premium experience to use.
The Echelon Smart Row matches the basic formula - a large 22-inch swiveling touchscreen and Echelon's class library over quiet magnetic resistance - and its bigger, swiveling screen is actually handy for off-rower classes. But the resistance feel and content production aren't as refined as Hydrow's.
Storage and build
This is the Echelon's clear practical win: it folds for storage, which is genuinely valuable in a small space, where the Hydrow Wave doesn't fold and needs a separately purchased vertical-storage kit. If you have to put the machine away between sessions, the Echelon is easier to live with.
On build, the Hydrow Wave feels more solid and refined, while the Echelon's plastic shrouding undercuts its frame a little. Both are compact and apartment-appropriate, but they trade off differently - Echelon on packability, Hydrow on feel.
Price and subscription
The Echelon is the big upfront saving - often less than half the Wave's price - while both charge a similar monthly membership (Echelon around $40, Hydrow around $44). So the decision is mostly about upfront budget versus experience quality.
If you want the better-feeling, better-produced machine and can spend more, the Wave is the nicer buy. If you want to get into compact connected rowing cheaply and value a folding frame, the Echelon makes a lot of sense.
Choose the Hydrow Wave if…
- You want smoother resistance and more polished classes
- Build quality and feel matter more than packing it away
- You have a dedicated spot and don't need to fold it
- You're happy to pay more for the better experience
Choose the Echelon Smart Row if…
- You want connected rowing for less than half the price
- A folding frame for a tight space is a priority
- A larger swiveling screen for off-rower classes appeals
- You'll use the membership and don't need premium polish
Our verdict
Between these two, the Hydrow Wave is the nicer machine and experience - smoother resistance, more polished classes, a more refined build - and if your budget stretches to it, it's the one we'd pick for compact connected rowing.
The Echelon Smart Row wins on value and practicality: it costs less than half as much, folds for storage, and delivers the same core screen-and-classes concept. For a tight space or a tighter budget, it's the sensible choice - just expect a less refined feel and content library than the Wave.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Hydrow Wave or Echelon Smart Row better?
- The Hydrow Wave is the more refined machine - smoother resistance and more polished classes. The Echelon Smart Row costs less than half as much, folds for storage, and has a larger swiveling screen, making it the better value and the more practical pick for tight spaces.
- Which folds, the Hydrow Wave or Echelon Smart Row?
- The Echelon Smart Row folds for storage. The Hydrow Wave doesn't fold and needs a separately purchased vertical-storage kit, so the Echelon is easier to store in a small space.
- Do both the Hydrow Wave and Echelon Smart Row need a subscription?
- Yes - both rely on a membership of roughly $40-44/month to unlock their classes. The ongoing costs are similar, so the main difference is the large upfront price gap and the Echelon's folding design.
Jordan Lockwood (BSc, CPT)
Certified personal trainer (CPT), sports-science graduate, and lifelong rower. Jordan writes and reviews every guide on Rowing Machine Nerd.