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Ready to hit the water with a brand new paddle board? Check out these top picks, including the best budget SUP and the best paddle board for touring.
McKenzie is a certified Sleep Science Coach and mattress expert. She has personally tested over 150 beds and a variety of different sleep products. Before she was writing about sleep, she was writing music news for an online entertainment magazine.
It's officially summertime, making it the perfect time to break out your paddle board and hit the water on your favorite lake, river or ocean. What better way to spend the season than gliding through the water, enjoying the light breeze and gentle splashes that hit your legs as you paddle along. It's one of the few activities that's a workout and a relaxing hobby at the same time.
I took up paddle boarding in early 2020, when everyone decided to pick up a hobby at the start of the pandemic. What better way to self-isolate than in the middle of a lake? Now, if I'm not in my office for work, you can find me on the water with my paddle board and a cooler packed with goodies strapped to the front (if the wind permits).
Whether you're a beginner looking to get into paddle boarding, a veteran SUPer or somewhere in between, it's a great time to treat yourself to a new board. This best paddle board list is a roundup of my top favorite picks from the collection of SUPs I have tested, including rigid boards and inflatables. Some are built for speed, some are best for balance and others offer a great value – it all depends on your skillset and what you're looking to use it for.
Continue below for the best paddle board picks, from the best inflatable paddle board to the best yoga SUP.
A great paddle board should have these three qualities: stability, maneuverability and durability. On top of that, most people also look for a good bang for their buck. The Breeze Aero from BOTE checks a ton of boxes for what your average paddler wants in a new, quality SUP. Not to mention, it's one good-looking board.
The BOTE Breeze Aero provides balance, speed, durability and maneuverability all in one SUP package. Speaking of packages, you also get additional gear with the board like a paddle, pump, repair kit, fin and travel bag. The BOTE Breeze Aero backpack was my favorite from the bunch. Not only is it spacious, but there's comfortable padding in the shoulder straps, so it's comfortable to haul around on your back. It's also a lot easier to transport than a solid paddle board is, along with the other inflatable boards on this list.
This SUP feels fairly light; it weighs around 20 pounds. That being said, it measures 10 feet, 8 inches long and 33 inches W, making it feel just as stable as any solid paddle board. I never felt like I was going to tip over, even when gliding over large wakes.
One of my favorite things about this board, besides its stability, is its compatibility with BOTE's inflatable seat. It instantly transforms your paddle board into a mini makeshift kayak. If you get the kayak paddle to go along with it, you have yourself a multifunctional board.
Retrospec is a popular paddle board brand you might have seen advertised on your Instagram or Facebook feeds. The Weekender model is its entry-level board, and I was really impressed with how nice the board is for the price. Hands down, this is one of the best paddle boards you can get for your money.
The Weekender 10' paddle board is 10 foot long and 30 inches wide. It has a single-layer PVC design with drop stitch tech. It comes included with all the additional accessories you'll need, including a pump, three detachable fins, ankle leash, paddle, backpack, repair kit and even a waterproof phone case you can hang around your neck. I also love the colors the Weekender 10' is available in. I think it offers the most versatility in style compared to the other boards.
That waterproof case was a game-changer for taking photos and didn't come with any of the other paddle boards I tested. It may be a small addition, but it's a testament to the value you get with the Weekender 10'.
The Weekender 10' is incredibly lightweight, weighing 17 pounds, and easy to carry around. On the water, it glides with ease and is great for speed. You can gain good momentum with this board. However, it was a little harder to balance on than other SUPs. After 10 to 15 minutes on the board, you find your footing and find the hang of it -- even if you're a beginner. I think it's a great, all-around paddle board with an incredibly wallet-friendly price tag.
The Connelley Voyager SUP was my first paddle board and what a great board it is. I began taking it out to the beautiful (but chilly) Lake Tahoe to learn how to paddle board. Thanks to the stability and quality of the Connelley Voyager, balance wasn't an issue when winds picked up, and I was hard-pressed not to fall into the 57-degree water.
The wider and longer a board is, the more stable it will be. The Connelley Voyager is 10 feet, 6 inches long and 32 inches wide. It weighs 34 pounds. It has a four-point bungee near the top to strap down a cooler, shoes or any other gear you want to bring along with you. The Connelley Voyager is also designed with a ding-resistant thermo shell and thermo shell seam reinforcement for maximum durability.
Speed isn't necessarily this SUP's forte, but it also doesn't offer the drag that the yoga and fishing paddle boards do. It is, however, great for stability and tracking. Keeping a straight path with the Connelley Voyager is a breeze, and it effortlessly glides over boat wakes or small waves.
It doesn't come with any extra accessories, but it's sold in stores like Dick Sporting Goods where you can go pick out your own paddle and additional gear you may want. Because The Connelley is sold at such an affordable price compared to other solid boards, you're able to spend the extra money on accessories to beef it up. This board is an all-around great pick for any skillset, including beginners who are just dipping their feet in the sport.
From the mile-high state comes the High Society ZG inflatable paddle board. It offers a nice balance of stability and speed, and boy did I love how zippy this board was. I could gain speed and keep it with little effort, often trailing ahead of my paddle partner, who was taking the BOTE Breeze for a spin.
The High Society ZG SUP package includes all the accessories needed for an inflatable board, including a pump, travel bag, detachable fin, repair kit, paddle, and an ankle leash. The High Society paddle was my favorite of the ones I tested. Paddles tend to loosen up at the handle, allowing them to twist and turn as you paddle through the water. The High Society paddle, however, stayed sturdy and didn't twist an inch.
The ZG paddle board is 10 feet, 6 inches long by 32 inches wide. It's made with commercial-grade PVC that's been through a multistep inspection for quality assurance. The grip on the deck of the board is similar to that on the premium Infinity E-Ticket Touring board, with a diamond grooving that helps slippery feet gain better traction.
Another strength of this inflatable paddle board is its ability to keep water from the deck. Its rocker profile keeps the nose of the board poking slightly upwards, which helps prevent water from soaking your belongings.
Keep an eye out for generous promotions from High Society. At the time of this post, the ZG board is over 50% off.
The adventure paddler who likes to travel long distances will love the sleek and functional design of the Infinity E-Ticket Touring paddle board. As Infinity says itself, this SUP has the performance aspects of a race board, but the generous widths and style of a touring board.
Inspired by the 2015 Blackfish model, the E-Ticket SUP has a wide, square-shaped tail and a wide-pointed nose for even more added stability and maneuverability. It promotes high speeds through glassy waters, and allows you to stay stable when it gets choppy.
It's made with Carbon Innegra glass and closed cell EVA foam in the foot pad for a dry and comfortable grip. Another great thing about the deck is that it's recessed, promoting a lower center of gravity to help with stability. It's also surprisingly lightweight for its size. It's available in four sizes from 11 feet and 6 inches to 14 feet long, and with weights ranging from 26 pounds to 32 pounds.
Paddles, ankle leashes and any other extras are sold separately, but I think the price of this touring board is fair enough that you can opt to spend money on added accessories without breaking the bank.
The ultimate functional paddle board award goes to the Bote Rackham Aero 11', and it's also the best paddle board for fishing. It's one of the most decked-out paddle boards I have ever seen and it's compatible with add-on fishing accessories to upgrade your set-up.
There are two inflation nozzles on the Rackham Aero; one in the front for the nose and sides and one in the back for the base. It's almost like a paddle board and kayak hybrid because the edges are raised, enclosing you in a little boat-like SUP. This design also helps keep water from collecting on the top, keeping your belongings safe and dry.
That's just the start of what the Rackham Aero can do. The board is designed with add-ons like cooler-tie down points, several D-rings, accessory mounts and even a magnetic cup holder (compatible with Bote Magnepod accessories). It also includes a sheath for both your paddle and a sand spear for easy storage while you fish. I should also mention it's the only paddle board with rear and front bungee straps, allowing you to secure your items at both points. It has everything a paddling fisher might need to enjoy their time on the water.
Staying stable while you fish won't be a problem on the Rackham Aero, even if you're trying to hook a big catch. Its recessed base and 36-inch width help keep you perfectly balanced. However, you shouldn't expect to win any SUP races on the Rackham Aero -- it's not very fast, especially when you have all your gear strapped on.
The board weighs 36 pounds, and the case is around 50 pounds with the board and all the accessories packed in. It's definitely heavy, but the bag has small wheels attached to the bottom like a suitcase, allowing you to easily roll it during transport.
Yogis who want to take their craft to the water may be interested in a paddle board specifically designed for yoga. As peaceful as yoga can be, there's something about the water that makes it even more centering. The secret to a nice yoga paddle board is a wide and long base to balance on. My personal favorite is the Dhyana paddle board from Aqua marina.
Balance is made easy with its 11-foot by 36-inch dimensions. It's the most stable SUP I tested next to the fishing paddle board. Unless I was practicing a difficult yoga move I hadn't done before, I felt like I was never going to fall off that thing. And although it's such a big board, I was pleasantly surprised with its lighter 22-pound weight. Compare that to the BOTE Rackham, that's the same size but 14 pounds heavier.
The Aqua Marina Dhyana is made with PVC, drop stitch technology and a non-slip crocodile-grooved foot pad that covers almost the whole board so you can use a ton of space. The foot pad is softer than the padding on traditional paddle boards, making your different yoga poses feel more comfortable.
Not only that, but the crocodile grooving allows you to keep better traction. As you can imagine, it gets pretty slippery out there on the water. Also, there isn't a handle protruding out from the middle of the board, allowing you to sit or lay comfortably when you're in ground poses.
Besides your standard inflatable paddle board accessories like a pump, leash, backpack, fin and paddle, you'll also receive a yoga board strap to carry your board like a yoga mat, a paddle holder to use while you do yoga and a connection strap you can use to hook your paddle board to other objects.
For yoga teachers or paddlers who want to recruit more friends, Aqua Marina also offers a 9-foot, 6-inch dock you can connect up to eight boards to. (This is where that connection strap comes in handy.)
CNET health and wellness editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. Each paddle board was tested individually on the same body of water to determine speed, tracking and balance performance. Tests were completed when wind conditions were below 10. SUP was inflated to its suggested PSI, typically between 10 to 15.
There are two kinds of paddle boards you can buy, inflatable or rigid/solid. One isn't better than the other -- it will primarily depend on your current circumstances and what you're looking to get out of your board.
Solid paddle boards tend to be better for the ocean because they're more durable and can likely withstand the hit from jagged rocks and coral reefs. They're also more stable when you hit choppy waters, boat wakes and waves. However, they're usually heavier, harder to transport and harder to store.
Inflatable paddle boards allow you to easily store it in small spaces like apartments, studios or the trunk of your car. They are also easier to get to the water, especially if you don't own a truck or vehicle with roof racks.
You can buy specific types of paddle boards you can buy that are ergonomically designed for certain activities. There are different lengths, widths and styles to maximize functionality.
You can find a wide price range with paddle boards, so you can enjoy the sport at almost any budget. Inflatable boards tend to be more affordable than hard-top ones, while performance and racing boards are among the most expensive you can buy. For a good paddle board, prices start around $300 and go all the way up to $2,000 or more.
Once upon a time, I lived in a one-bedroom, 750-square foot apartment and bought a 10-foot paddleboard. Did I have a detached garage? No. Did I have an abnormally large storage closet? No, I didn't have that either. Not understanding the sheer size of a paddleboard, I didn't take storage into account. So, I had to buy wall mounts to hold my paddle board above my bed, almost like a make-shift headboard. Before I knew it, my place felt like a beach house in the middle of Reno, Nevada.
Moral of the story is, make sure you have the storage space for a solid SUP before you buy if that's the kind you're leaning toward.
That depends on what you want to use it for. Shorter boards are slower, but easier to maneuver and carry around. Longer paddle boards tend to be faster, but weigh more than shorter boards. Boards under 10' long are best for kids or people who want to surf.
The wider your paddle board, the more stable it's going to be. If balance and stability is your main concern, keep an eye out for an SUP that's 33 inches wide or larger. Though, wide paddle boards are slower than long, narrow paddle boards.
If properly stored and taken care of, your inflatable paddle board can last up to 5 to 10 years. Most inflatable boards also come with a repair kit if you experience a puncture.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.