Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Hydrow Arc
Best Smart RowerYosuda Rowing Machine
Best BudgetPrice
$2,195-$2,495
$200-$350
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 best entry-level rowing machine for beginners who want a solid workout without the Concept2 price tag. Real owners praise it as a great budget rower that gets the job done.
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
- Significantly cheaper than premium options like Concept2 or WaterRower
- Praised by real owners as a reliable daily-use machine
- Good entry point for beginners testing their commitment to rowing
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Requires ongoing subscription for full content library
- Significantly more expensive than non-connected rowers
- Less ideal for competitive training compared to Concept2
- Not suitable for competitive training or serious athletes
- Build quality and durability don't match premium machines
- Limited performance metrics compared to Concept2 or smart rowers
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.
Don't overthink it if budget is your constraint — the Yosuda gets you rowing consistently, and consistent rowing on a budget machine beats an expensive machine you never buy.
Buy
