Updated 1 Nov 2026
Is the Hydrow Wave worth it?
Yes — if you'll keep paying for the classes.
Computer-controlled magnetic resistance makes it far quieter than a fan rower, and the 16-inch touchscreen streams thousands of live and recorded rows led by former Olympians on lakes and rivers, plus yoga, Pilates and strength classes off the machine. It's smaller and lighter than the original Hydrow. The classes need Hydrow's monthly membership, and without it the machine does little. The screen doesn't swivel, the seat runs on fewer rollers than the original's, and storing it upright needs an extra kit.
Good to know
- Classes and tracking need a monthly membership.
- The catch at the start of each stroke can feel a little notchy next to an air or water rower.
- The seat is thinly padded and has a little side-to-side play.
- Upright storage needs an extra kit.
- The screen is fixed, so it doesn't turn for workouts off the rower.
- 16-inch screen with coached rows on real water
- Quiet electromagnetic resistance
- Smaller and lighter than the original Hydrow
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Get it if…
- Coached classes keep you going.
- You need a quiet rower for a flat.
- You're new to rowing and want help with form.
Skip it if…
- You don't want a monthly fee.
- You want the smoothest stroke for serious training.
- You want to turn the screen for floor workouts: it's fixed.
More on the Hydrow Wave
How we reached this verdict
Live Science calls it a masterstroke: the original Hydrow's coaching and realistic resistance in a smaller, cheaper machine. T3 found it compact, sturdy and good value, with only the odd noise from the seat. Expert Reviews liked the coaching and how quiet it is, but found the stroke less smooth than a Concept2's or a WaterRower's, the seat thin, and the machine fairly one-dimensional without the membership.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Live Science, T3, Expert Reviews, Breaking Muscle, Live Science, T3, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 1 Nov 2026How we decide