Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Hydrow Arc
Best Smart RowerNordicTrack RW900
Best for Coaching & ClassesPrice
$2,195-$2,495
$1,299-$1,599
Summary
The best connected rowing experience money can buy, with a 24-inch immersive display and world-class live and on-demand workouts. PCMag's Editors' Choice for smart rowing.
The top pick for iFIT-powered coaching with a large built-in touchscreen and auto-adjusting resistance during classes. Quiet magnetic resistance makes it apartment-friendly.
Pros
- 24-inch rotating display with immersive scenic and instructor-led workouts
- Refined rowing-first experience with upgraded performance analytics
- Screen rotates for yoga and off-rower workout classes
- PCMag Editors' Choice for best smart rowing experience
- Large color touchscreen with extensive iFIT class library
- Magnetic resistance auto-adjusts during iFIT workouts
- Quieter operation than air-resistance machines
- Strong value for the feature set compared to Hydrow
Cons
- Requires ongoing subscription for full content library
- Significantly more expensive than non-connected rowers
- Less ideal for competitive training compared to Concept2
- Requires iFIT subscription to unlock full functionality
- Bulkier footprint than standard rowers
- Content experience tied to one ecosystem
Our take
For people who need the motivation of a class-based experience to actually use their rower, the Hydrow Arc is worth every penny — the content quality is genuinely in a different league than competitors.
If you're already in the iFIT ecosystem or want a machine that automatically adjusts resistance mid-workout, the RW900 is the smartest buy — the auto-adjust feature alone sets it apart from most competitors.
Buy
