Product Review · Rowing Machines & Indoor Bikes · #6 Ranked
WaterRower Natural Ash
Handcrafted water-resistance rower · Reviewed by Drew · amazon.com live, Sept 28 2026
Why it scored a 79
At $1,729.99 the WaterRower Natural Ash is a handmade Rhode Island water-resistance rower whose solid ash frame and smooth water stroke make it the quietest, best-looking machine in the category. Satisfaction leads at 94 and Quality sits at 90. Value settles at 62 and Features at 60 because the S4 monitor is dated, needs an add-on ComModule for Bluetooth, and its data is less precise than a Concept2 PM5, making this a lifestyle purchase more than a training tool. The tank needs a purification tablet every few months, and the wood should avoid damp basements. It is for buyers who want a quiet, furniture-grade rower in a living space.
What you're getting
- Water flywheel in a polycarbonate tank, no dial
- Resistance rises with how hard you pull each stroke
- Solid Appalachian ash frame, handmade in Rhode Island
- 82" L x 22" W x 20" H; stores upright on one end
- About 103 lb filled and 64 lb dry; 300 lb listed capacity
- S4 monitor runs on 4 AA; Bluetooth needs add-on ComModule
- 5-year frame, 1-year parts and monitor warranty
- Tank needs a purification tablet every few months
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- Water resistance, no dial; polycarbonate tank
- Solid ash frame; 82" L x 22" W; stores upright
- 5-yr frame, 1-yr parts/monitor warranty; USA made
- Price$1,729.99
- TierHandcrafted water-resistance rower
- Category rank#6 of 10
Should you buy the WaterRower Natural Ash?
The WaterRower Natural Ash is for the person who wants a rowing machine they are willing to leave in the living room. Handmade in Rhode Island from solid Appalachian ash, it uses a water flywheel in a polycarbonate tank, so resistance rises naturally with how hard you pull and the sound is a soft swish rather than a roar. It stores upright on one end. Serious athletes who want precise splits and watts should buy the Concept2 RowErg; this machine is about the feel and the look, and it is priced accordingly at $1,729.99.
Where it earns its score
- Satisfaction scores 94. Owners love the stroke feel and the sound, and Quality scores 90 to match.
- Real wood, real craft. The solid ash frame is built by hand, and it is the only rower here that doubles as furniture.
- Quiet and self-regulating. Water resistance responds to effort with no dial to fiddle with, and it is far quieter than the air-resistance RowErg.
- Stores on end. At 82 inches long it takes real floor space in use, but it tips upright to a small footprint between sessions.
What to know first
- Features is the lowest factor at 60. The S4 monitor runs on four AA batteries, and Bluetooth requires the add-on ComModule. The interface feels a generation behind the PM5.
- Value scores 62. You are paying roughly $740 more than the Concept2 for a lower ViperScore. The premium is for materials and appearance.
- Tank maintenance. The water needs a purification tablet every few months to stay clear.
- Heavy when filled. Roughly 103 lb with water in the tank, 64 lb dry, with a 300 lb user capacity.
Our verdict
The WaterRower Natural Ash scores 79, Fair Buy, ranking sixth in the category. Buy it if quiet operation and a beautiful object matter as much as the workout. If you want the best training tool for the money, the Concept2 RowErg (90, $990) wins on every factor except noise.
Concept2 RowErg
Questions buyers ask
Is the WaterRower better than the Concept2?
Not on our scale. The WaterRower scores 79 to the Concept2's 90, and trails on Features and Value. It wins on noise and looks, and the stroke feel is a matter of preference.
Does the WaterRower have Bluetooth?
Not out of the box. The S4 monitor needs WaterRower's add-on ComModule to connect to apps.
How much maintenance does a WaterRower need?
Very little. Add a purification tablet to the tank every few months to keep the water clear, and keep the ash frame away from direct sun and radiators.
Ready to check it out?
WaterRower Natural Ash · ViperScore 79 · Fair Buy · $1,729.99
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