10 Best Efoil Boards in 2023 | Complete Buyer’s Guide - EU-Vietnam Business Network (EVBN)

We’ve made the most comprehensive guide to the efoil. Here you can find the answer to any questions you may have about efoil. You can also discover how to get started, how to find the right efoil and general tips for starting your efoil journey. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that this beginner’s guide to efoil will answer.

What is an efoil?How does an efoil work?

How to efoil?

What happens if I fall off?

How are efoils different to surfboards?

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What is an efoil?

An efoil is a type of hydrofoil that uses an electric motor to push the board, rather than a sail. Also known as electric foil, electric hydrofoil, and e-hydrofoil, this new niche of water sport is exciting because it allows you to go faster than windsurf boards (that are only equipped with a sail) and surfboards that require waves.

How does an efoil work?

Most efoils work through a lithium-ion battery that powers a motor that is attached to a hydrofoil. The motor has propellers that push the hydrofoil forward creating lift and thrust by displacing the water behind the hydrofoil.

How to efoil?

For your first ride make sure to take things slow and become familiar with the controller and handling of the board in order to build confidence and comfort with the efoil. Make sure to set your controller to a low setting and turn it off before taking your efoil into the water.

Find a wide open water area that has smooth water and no obstructions such as swimmers, buoys, or boats. It’s important that the water is flat as riding your efoil on rough water will make it difficult for you to find your balance and stand up.

Additionally, make sure the water is deep enough for your board to float before placing your efoil, so that the hydrofoil doesn’t get damaged by coming into contact with the sea bed.

Slide onto the board and lie on your belly and turn the controller on to ride. Gently engage the throttle and slowly accelerate while still lying on your belly.

Make some gentle turns and get comfortable with both the board and throttle. From there move to your belly to your knees and increase acceleration until the board becomes more stable.

Once you are comfortable with the speed and stability, slowly transition from your knees to your feet while maintaining the throttle. Try to take a wider stance when standing for additional stability when riding.

What happens if I fall off?

If it’s your first time on an efoil you will probably fall off when trying to stand up. Don’t worry if you fall off, as you should hit the water relatively softly, and assuming you’re wearing a personal flotation device, you should be fine.

Do make sure to use the last bit of control you have when riding the board to bail, by pushing or jumping away from the board. It’s important to put as much distance as possible between you and the board when falling off to avoid getting hit by the propeller.

It’s important to remember to stop your board after you’ve fallen into the water as the efoil will only stop if you release the trigger found on the controller. The efoil doesn’t have a leash (for safety reasons) meaning you will have to swim back to it.

How are they different from surfboards?

Efoils are different to surfboards in a number of ways. Firstly, you don’t need a wave to ride an efoil, all you need is a charged battery and waves might actually make it harder to ride the efoil.

Secondly, you can go much faster than on a surfboard and your board won’t be making contact with the water at faster speeds, giving you a smoother and more comfortable ride.

For surfboard enthusiasts, electric surfboards offer an alternative to efoils, however they maintain contact with the water and do not have hydrofoil technology. Instead, electric surfboards offer a motorized version of a surfboard.

If you’re interested in an electric surfboard check out our guide to electric surfboards here.

If you’re more likely to take up traditional surfing make sure you check out our guide to surfboards here.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best Efoil to buy in 2023?

We’ve tested and reviewed more than 10 different efoils for all the major brands.
Over time we’ve gotten to love these 5 the most:

Easily Best Value:
Waydoo Flyer One+ (EPP)
All Round Favorite:
Lift eFoil 3 4’9”
All Round Star:
Fliteboard
For Carving:
Lift Pro eFoil
Fastest:
Lift Cruiser eFoil

What should I know before buying an efoil?

Glad you asked.
We’ve created an extensive guide on efoiling with some pointers for you:

What exactly is an efoil?
How does an efoil work?
How to efoil?
What happens if I fall off?
How are efoils different from surfboards?

How long does an efoil charge last?

The ride time you have on the efoil depends on how long the charge lasts. Of course, the charge lasts a different amount depending on the brand of efoil you are using and the selected settings. Generally, you should be able to get between an hour and a half to two hours out of a single charge.

What size efoil should I buy?

The size of efoil you should buy depends on a number of different factors. The rider’s size and weight should be taken into consideration for choosing a size as bigger efoils tend to have a higher weight capacity. Additionally, the rider’s experience level is also a factor that plays into choosing the right efoil size. Efoils with large surface areas will have more stability and are prefered by beginners to the sport. On that note, if riding an efoil is a bit daunting for you, you may want to start with something with a much shallower learning curve, such as riding a classic bodyboard.

How long does an eFoil take to charge?

Depending on battery size and efficiency the charge can last anywhere between 60 to 120 minutes on the water, or 1-2 hours.

How much power does an eFoil need?

To power an eFoil the battery of the board will need to be anywhere between 6kW and 10kW.

How much does an eFoil cost?

E-foil prices vary anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000. Cost depends on materials, battery power, as well as size, design and wings.

What size eFoil should I buy?

If you are an experienced foiler any size will fit and for beginners wider and larger boards, with larger wings, tend to provide more stability when on the water. A smaller board size will be more manoeuvrable, making it easier to carve and learn tricks.