tldr; The standard WaterRower configuration with S4 monitor. Praised for quiet operation and small-space suitability. S4 monitor widely criticized as 'outdated tech' with inaccurate splits.
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Best praise vs top criticism for WaterRower S4
“I’ve had my water rower for a couple of years. I love it. I’m not trying to be an Olympic rower or anything. I live in a condo and I wanted something that wouldn’t take up too much space and didn’t clash with my furniture. Aesthetics aside, I wanted something that would compliment my cycling. While I workout for fitness, I must enjoy my workouts. Rowing on the water rower is enjoyable and therapeutic. I love hearing the sound of moving water. I mainly row steady state for about 30-45 mins 3x per week. It’s highly meditative, for me. It’s done wonders for my mental and emotional health. I enjoy rowing in silence or listening to a podcast. I sometimes do the Apple fitness workouts when I want some variety. I’ve used the C2 before and it’s great, it’s just not something that I would choose over the water rower for my home. Machine: WaterRower Club ( https://www.waterrower.com/us/products/waterrower-club-rowing-machine-with-s4-monitor )”
“If you have very thin walls — or just hate the sound of the fan, then a WR may be the way to go. But if data is important to you, you should know that the splits on the S4 monitor are overly generous, like to the tune of 20-30/seconds per 500. I swapped out the pulley for a SmartRow power meter and now my splits are much closer to my C2 times. You can order a WR with a SmartRow built in now (performance package).”
12 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 2/24/2026