By 2022 the inflatable paddleboard industry has successfully passed its first trial and error phase.
Modern iSUPs (made in the 5-7 years) have proved to share similar characteristics to rigid SUPs, and there’s a large following for this inflatable market.
The good news is that the paddleboard companies are working hard to provide the best value boards to consumers, and we, the customers – are given a wide variety of options to choose from. The only thing that makes it hard on which paddleboard to choose – is the excessive variety of different boards.
How to choose an inflatable SUP?
- Type – Touring, All-around, Surfing, Yoga?
- Size – Choose the right size as each board type size varies slightly.
- Budget – Under $400 vs or up to $1000.
- Brand & Model
What is the average inflatable paddleboard size for adults?
10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ is the most-used iSUP size.
Length variations:
11′ and taller – Great for touring or long-distance riding
Under 10′ – Suitable for slow cruising, surfing, or for kids (8′)
Width variations:
Under 30″ – Found on fast, race SUPs for example
Over 33″ – Great for extra stability – such as a Yoga SUP.
Thickness variations:
Under 6″ – Kids’ iSUPs.
Over 6″ – Multi-person iSUPs.
What does a complete SUP bundle include?
- Inflatable paddleboard
- Paddle – Adjustable, generally 3-piece
- Hand pump – Often equipped with a pressure gauge. Dual-action for fast inflation.
- Carry backpack – To store the board.
- Repair kit
- Valve wrench
- A coil leash
- Valve
✓
In this review, we’ll be reviewing a bunch of paddleboards with the best ratings and value online!
Table of Contents
Best Under $1000 Paddle Boards
In this section, you are going to explore quite noticeable upgrades in terms of materials, stitches, extras, and the overall increase in quality & technologies.
Pau Hana – Big Ez Hawaiian
MSRP: $999
Number one in this list is a premium board made by a premium SUP brand that started making rigid paddle boards in 2006. Pau Hana’s inflatable paddle boards range consists of 8 boards, and the 11-foot Big EZ is their premium all-rounder. More known by their touring boards, they have mastered the art of making a single product for a wide variety of uses – and there’s literally nothing that lacks about this combo.
The feedback reveals that many Big EZ owners didn’t recognize the difference between a rigid and an inflatable board. The customers are also surprised by the quality of the parts – the pump, carry-bag etc – this bundle is of premium quality, inside-out.
11’0″ x 32″ x 6″
Capacity – 338lbs
Board – 22lbs
Volume – 240L
Connelly
Tahoe – Larger than your average paddleboard which is great for heavier users, or going out with two people.
SIZE
11′ x 6″ x 33″
Board – 23.4 lbs
Volume – 330l
Weight capacity – 300 lbs
INCLUDES
- Connely paddleboard
- 3 piece adjustable carbon paddle
- Carrying bag
- High-pressure 2-stage pump w/gauge
- Patch & repair kit
- Coil leash
- One removable 9″ center fin
FEATURES
- Deck cleats with bungee cord storage
- 2 piece soft sanded EVA pad
- 6” dual-layer high-pressure drop-stitch construction
- Fusion wrapped rails for extra rigidity
- Fixed side fins
Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $700
This is where the mid-range paddleboards come around. Here you can choose between different types and performance boards.
Stand on Liquid
MSRP: $699 Stand On Liquid
The Caspian Air is considered a premium deal in the game. Comparing the 700-dollar paddleboard to 3-400 dollar boards is obviously the build quality which makes a huge difference in long-term use. As the board will be inflated and deflated numerous times, it is obviously reasonable to invest more if you would want the product to last longer.
SIZE
11′ x 32″ x 6″
Volume: 220L
Board weight: 22 pounds
The whole package: 30lbs
Max pressure: 20 PSI
Weight capacity: 320lbs
Inflation time: Less than 5 minutes
INCLUDES
- Wheeled travel backpack
- Triple-action dual-chambered hand pump
- 3-piece fiberglass adjustable paddle
- 2L Dry Bag
- Coil ankle leash
- Patch kit
- 8″ removable fin
- 1- year warranty
FEATURES
- Multi-layer fusion lamination technology
- Universal Standard fin box allows you to easily interchange with different fin styles
- Soft croc-skin textured EVA foam deck pad
- Two-built in side fins
- Traction pad made of soft EVA foam
- Four-point D rings for the bungee cord
Available at – StandOnLiquid.com
Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400
This is the most popular range where people buy their first paddleboard. 400 dollars for an inflatable SUP is right about enough to get an all-rounder board – whether you are a beginner or a seasoned paddler. Under 400 boards are entry/mid inflatable boards when it comes to the world of beginner’s inflatable SUP’s.
As you can see by the sheer number of reviews and ratings, this is the most popular price range to get an inflatable SUP online!
SereneLife
Bestseller – over 13,000 ratings
SereneLife iSup has the best value under the 400-dollar range. It’s got a whole bunch of positive feedback on Amazon which is quite hard to beat. It has been by far the best inflatable paddleboard in 2019, and will most likely be also in 2020, 2021 and in 2022 as well.
SIZES
– Thunder Wave: 10’ x 30” x 6″
– Free Flow: 10’5 x 30″ x 6″
– Rising Flow: 10’6 x 32″ x 6″
Weight: 19.6lbs / 9kg
Max Capacity: 275lbs / 125kg
INCLUDES
- PVC inflatable paddleboard
- 3 bottom fins
- Coiled ankle cuff safety leash
- Foldable paddle
- Valve wrench
- Manual air pump
- Patch repair accessory kit
- Storage bag!
FEATURES
- 4x D rings and a bungee cord for storage
- 5x D rings on the bottom part of the deck
- Carry handle
- Removable fins
ROC
Best inflatable paddle board in 2021!
With tens of thousands of boards sold across the world, you can trust ROC as the leader board in terms of value. This USA family-owned company has been the favorite for thousands of people by their awesome product.
10’ x 32” x 6”
Weight – 17.5 pounds—that’s 20% lighter than competitors’
Recommended – 15 PSI
Max recommended weight – 300 lbs
Inflation time – 5 mins
INCLUDES
- Inflatable paddleboard
- Adjustable paddle
- Carry bag
- Coil leash
- Hand pump
- Fins
- Waterproof bag
FEATURES
- Made of the highest quality military grade materials
- Durable lightweight board on the market, using the same materials as boards costing $699.
- The extra-wide design creates an incredible all-around board for people of all skill level
- Our boards are an industry-leading weight of only
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty at no additional cost.
Runway – Kohala
Increased weight capacity
Number one in this list in no particular order, but the Kohala paddle board is something you’d want to come across when looking for a cheap iSUP. The length, width, and thickness of this board is something that’s best for beginners and experienced paddleboarders, or why not go out with your kids or pets – this board can handle a ton. Sure, only when a ton is 350lbs in this context. There’s quite a good feedback with plenty of reviews on it to not consider it as an awesome deal.
11′ x 36″ x 6″
Package weight – 25 lbs
Max weight capacity – 352lbs (160kg)
INCLUDES
- Paddleboard
- Backpack
- Foot leash
- High-pressure pump
- Three fins
- Paddle
- Repair accessories kit
- Instruction
FEATURES
- Made of high-quality PVC material, lightweight and high-intensity
- Non-slip deck with a unique pattern
Bote Flow Aero
Kids’ SUP under $400
This 8-feet kids paddleboard is designed for the young weighing up to 100lbs. With a planing hull and a weight of 17 pounds, it is a great first-time paddle board for kids to explore the world of paddleboarding. Read more BOTE’s brand review to find out more.
Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $300
What is the least amount of money to pay for an inflatable stand-up paddleboard, and what to expect?
Considering the fact that you are basically paying for a chunk of air-tight PVC plastic, a canvas bag and a stick made of plastic – $300 sounds about enough, right? After all, cheap paddle boards are built for one thing only – and it’s obviously for stand-up paddleboarding. We’ve seen a bunch (at least 30-50) of $300 budget iSUPs with a score above 4.3/5 and 300+ ratings which means there’s a great market for that.
Feel free to go through some of the feedback yourself to see what kind of an experience SUP owners have had. You’ll be amazed by the large majority of the paddleboard reviews have good comments.
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1. XYLOVE CO
Best inflatable paddleboard for surfing on the cheap!
Size – 11′ x 33″ x 6″
Max Capacity – 350 lbs
This iSUP bundle has got everything to get you on the water at a reasonable price tag. XYLOVE claims that their boards share the same value as most other boards on the more expensive spectrum. A sharp nose and shallow tail make it a great iSUP for surfing some smaller whitewater waves as well! The only downside to this is the somewhat low-quality pump which doesn’t have a gauge to check the pressure.
- The 33″ width is quite convenient to use as a Yoga Paddle Board.
- The surfboard shape allows to is this on small waves, although an average Surf SUP is around 9’0″ long.
How to pump the iSUP without the pressure gauge?
If you don’t have a gauge on your pump, you can feel if the board is stiff and won’t wrinkle. It has to be rigid, and that’s what they were purposely designed for anyway so don’t be scared of overinflating the board.
INCLUDES
- Inflatable paddleboard
- Collapsible aluminum paddle
- Safety leash
- Hand pump
- Upgraded backpack
FEATURES
- Highest quality military-grade materials.
- Durable & lightweight.
- Non-slip deck.
- Carry handle in the middle.
- Removable fin.
AKSport
700+ ratings
- Size – 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″
- Max capacity – 300lbs
- Board weight – 17lbs
Another awesome banger deal for under $300. This time the package comes with a pump that’s got a gauge. The outline on the AKSport SUP is best suited for all-around cruising since its got the most average size there is out there. There’s a large area on the front for storing away more gear than on your average board.
101 & FAQ
iSUP = inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard
What is an inflatable paddleboard?
Best use: paddling, yoga, cruising, exploring
Inflatable paddleboards are one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to get on the water and simply enjoy the peaceful nature around you. You don’t need a fancy boat or a rigid kayak, instead – paddleboards offer a ton of variations to explore the sea life around you. When it comes to inflatable SUP’s – there’s hardly anything else that’s so convenient to transport.
When deflated, iSUP’s can be easily stored in any car, compared to rigid SUP’s where you definitely need roof racks and a paddleboard carrier.
You don’t have to have a special storing and hauling extras to make it happen!
What PSI – Pressure to use?
Each board has its own recommendations so make sure to check the owner’s manual. Generally ranging from 15-20 PSI. The board has to be nearly rock hard and not have any wrinkles.
How do I choose an inflatable paddleboard?
The most average inflatable paddleboard is around 10’6″ in length, 30″ wide and 6″ thick with a maximum load capacity around 240lbs +. When you don’t have too much sporting background and you tend to be a “slow learner” – wider than 30″ will be your best bet to have an easier transition into paddleboarding.
SUP Size Range:
- Short – Under 10′
- Average size – 10-12′
- Long – 12-14′
What is the best inflatable paddleboard
- Paddleboards with the best feedback on AMAZON: ROC, SereneLife
- Best inflatable paddle board company: Kiola, StandonLiquid, ROC, Serenelife, etc.
What is the difference between the inflatable paddle boards?
- Dimensions – Generally the length and width of the board vary – which creates a different feel to the board
- Materials – More expensive iSUP’s are made using better technologies and materials – making them more durable and lighter
What’s the average iSUP weight?
An average inflatable paddleboard that’s 10’6″ long, 32″ wide, and 6″ thick weighs around 17lbs.
Single or Triple fin setup?
3 fins ( x 2 side fins) are for extra stability and tracking the board where needed
Store your board out of direct sunlight with the deck pad facing down. Sunlight over time will begin to slightly fade.
▪ Please pay attention to the pressure when using an electric pump to inflate; Pressure Measurement Principle: Only when the pressure reaches a certain level will the pressure level be detected and the pointer will move/rotate, normally at 5 PSI.
▪ Operating instructions of the pump: the side marked with “OUT” is to inflate, the other side marked with “IN” is to deflate, the air will release quickly.
Are Inflatable paddle boards any good after all?
ISUP’s are not a new thing anymore, and when inflated to recommended pressure – there is very little difference between a rigid SUP and ISUP to a recreational user.
Why get a iSUP instead of a RIGID paddleboard?
- Cheaper
- Convenient to transport
- Don’t take much room at home
Why get a RIGID SUP instead of an inflatable one? Rigid SUP’s are more durable, stable and they have a different “feel”. Rigid paddle boards are also categorized as a watercraft, so you have to be careful around other beachgoers/swimmers!
How long do inflatable paddle boards last?
If taken proper care of – paddle boards can hold up for quite a long time which might surprise an average/first time buyer. If you maintain your board properly, it can last for hundreds of hours easily. Try to avoid direct UV-rays for extended amounts of time, and rinse it with clean water after using it in salt-water.
Do iSUP’s lose air? Over long periods of time – yes. After all, they are designed to hold 200+lbs weight on the water for hours – so if you notice deflating in that period of time – you should check for punctures.
Does the paddle float?
Some paddleboard companies reviewed here claim their paddle to float for a few minutes. It’s best to test it out on shallow water to be sure!
How do check for punctures?
- Inflate the board
- Mix dishwasher/soap with water
- Spray the board and look for bubbles coming up
How to repair an inflatable SUP?
Just like repairing a bicycle tube
- Inflate the board
- Locate the puncture
- Clean the area – wipe it dry
- Apply glue – patch it
- Let it cure for a few hours
Can I keep my paddleboard inflated when not in use?
Yes, but it should be placed away from direct sunlight, and some pressure should be delated to so it wouldn’t be rock-hard.
Pets and inflatable paddleboards
When paddling in flat waters – it’s an awesome idea to bring pets with you. Especially dogs who are more into the active lifestyle and into swimming.
Safety
- Make sure that your paddleboard is fully inflated
- It should be nearly rock hard and when standing on the board in the water it should not bend
- Your paddleboard will flex with your weight, but it should not bend to the point of creating a crease
- Inflatable SUPs make awesome starter boards or perfect “second” boards for rigid board owners who are on-the-go
Inflatable paddleboard on roof racks?
It’s a NO, as paddleboards don’t like to be tied town and wrinkled when inflated.
Should I wear a life vest?
Paddle-boarders who can’t swim should carry a life vest with them.
Avoid paddling on shallow waters!
Sharp rocks and dead branches underwater can end your awesome day at the water very quickly. Plan carefully your upcoming route to prevent any dangers that can puncture your ISUP
Do Inflatable paddle boards puncture easily?
Depending on the sharpness of the object, speed, and shallowness of the item – this is still considered one of the biggest downsides to inflatable boards.
Does paddle boarding hurt your back?
Proper paddling technique and using the paddle with a suitable length will not hurt your back unless you have a previous/ongoing injury.
Paddleboarding is very beneficial to your inner/core muscles. When standing on a board, your body is always leveling and many muscle groups get in tone.
Read next
13 Different Types of SUP Boards
Inflatable Paddleboards Size Guide
About the author
Ermo Joeleht
I created Nulltuul to share my experience, knowledge, and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels, I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.
thanks for sharing this informative blog…