This paper presents the effect of rotor geometry on the performance of a small-scale Wells turbine for wave energy conversion. In this study, four kinds the Wells turbine of blade profile were selected from previous studies. The types of blade profile included in the papers are as follows: NACA0020 ; NACA0015; CA9; and HSIM 15-262123-1576. The experimental investigations have been performed for two solidities by testing model under steady flow conditions. The effect of blade profile on the running and starting characteristics under sinusoidal flow conditions have also been investigated by a numerical simulation based on a quasi-steady analysis. In addition, the effect of sweep on the turbine characteristics has been studied for the cases of CA9 and HSIM 15-262123-1576. Based on the evaluation, a suitable choice of these design factors has been suggested. As a result, it seems that a suitable choice of the sweep ratio of 0.35 for the blade profile of the Wells turbine.