7 Best Cheap Paddle Boards of 2023 – Budget Paddle Board Guide

Stand up paddleboards or SUP’s have become one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world.  Inflatable SUP’s are a super convenient way to give paddleboarding a try without the large cost and storage space needs that a rigid SUP board requires. Owning an inflatable paddleboard doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The iRocker Nautical is the best cheap paddle board out there. The Nautical comes with a composite paddle and bag with optional wheels. It uses 2 layer PVC construction for durability. The deck pad and D-Rings are a notch above other cheap paddle boards.

Our Pick

iRocker Nautical

Best Cheap Paddle Board

The iRocker Nautical is one of the best value paddle boards out there. It has double layer construction and a grooved deck pad with lots of D-Rings and mounts. The composite paddle is nicer than any aluminum paddle that usually comes with cheap SUPs.

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See our guide to the best inflatable paddleboards under $500 for the next step up in price and performance.

1 – iRocker Nautical

☆ Best Overall ☆

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Overall Score

75

Stiffness

7.0

Stability

7.0

Speed Performance

7.0

Tracking

8.0

Accessories

7.0

Portability

9.0

What we liked:

• Fiberglass paddle
• Durable and stiff 2 layer construction
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Lots of D-Rings and carry handles

What we didn’t like:

• Lower weight capacity than other iRocker boards
• Not as stiff as the rest of the more expensive 3 Layer iRocker boards

Summary

The iRocker Nautical is the entry level board from well known iRocker. iRocker produces mid to high end boards under the iRocker and Blackfin names. The Nautical is the best value out there in paddleboards. The Nautical has a 2 layer PVC laminate construction and really nice fiberglass paddle. This board sells for the price of many single layer PVC boards with cheap aluminum paddles.

It has a durable backpack and double action pump. It is available in 2 sizes, 10’6″ and 11’6″. Anyone over 200 lbs should consider the 11’6″ version of the board. iRocker has done a very good job at producing a cheaper budget board that retains the quality and performance they are known for.

Review

See our review of the iRocker Nautical to learn more.

Specifications

• Size – 10′6″ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 240 lbs
• Board Weight – 20 lbs
• Construction – 2 Layer
• Warranty – 2 years
• D-Rings – 17
• Paddle -3 piece fiberglass paddle
• Pump – Double action pump

Get the iRocker Nautical at iRocker and at Amazon.

2 – Freein Stand Up Paddle Board Kayak SUP

☆ TOP PICK ☆

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What we liked:

• Convertible paddle has drip rings
• Low cost for a complete package
• Carbon reinforced rails make board stiffer than most single layer PVC boards

What we didn’t like:

• Seat could use a little more support
• Not as stable as wider 32-34″ boards

Summary

The Freein Stand Up Paddle Board Kayak SUP is a great value complete package. It includes a seat and convertible paddle that actually has drip rings. You won’t get water all over yourself on every paddle stroke. The board is a single layer PVC board with carbon fiber reinforced rails. This makes it a little stiffer than the average single layer board. It won’t feel like it is flexing every time you move on it. The board is 10’6″ x 31″ x 6″. It’s not as stable while standing as a 33 or 34 board. It helps it glide through the water a little faster. The included seat works well but could use a little more back support.

Specifications

• Size – 10′ 6″ x 31″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 286 lbs
• Board Weight – 18 lbs
• Construction – Single Layer PVC with carbon reinforced sides
• Warranty – 2 year
• D-Rings – 9
• Paddle – 4 Piece aluminum convertible
• Pump – Double Action

Get the Freein Kayak SUP at Freein and Amazon.

3 – FunWater Tiki Inflatable Paddle Board

☆ Best Value ☆

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What we liked:

• Low price package
• 2L board with okay performance
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Lots of bang for the buck
• Good cheap way to get started

What we didn’t like:

• The single action pump is takes a long time to pump up the board and has no ability to deflate
• The pump is not durable
• It takes a lot of effort to load the deflated paddleboard into the top opening bag

Summary

The Funwater Tiki is one of the cheapest and most popular paddle boards on Amazon. It is one of the cheapest ways to get started with paddleboarding. It comes with very basic accessories such as a single action pump and basic draw string top bag. It performs okay on the water. It’s got a lot of bang for the buck factor. If you want to have fun but don’t want to spend a lot, Funwater paddleboards are a good way to go.

Specifications

• Size – 10′ 6″ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 330 lbs
• Board Weight – 17.6 lbs
• Construction – 1 Layer
• Warranty – 1 year
• D-Rings – 5
• Paddle – 3 piece aluminum
• Pump – Single Action

Get the Funwater Tiki at Funwater and at Amazon.

4 – Freein Overall – 11

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Overall Score

80

Stiffness

9.0

Stability

9.0

Speed Performance

7.0

Tracking

8.0

Accessories

8.0

Portability

7.0

What we liked:

• Double layer PVC construction makes board stiff and not bouncy
• Fun and easy to paddle board
• Fiberglass paddle
• Good double barrel triple action pump

What we didn’t like:

• Difficult to get back into the bag
• Not many handles or accessory mounts on board

Summary

The Freein Overall 11′ is a great value paddleboard with better than average construction, paddle and pump. Freein makes a popular line of cheap paddleboards available on Amazon. They also make second line of more upscale boards with double layer construction. They sell these directly through their website only.

The Overall is a good all around board that is fun to paddle and easy enough for beginners. At 11′ x 33″ it is long enough to have good glide and it’s wide enough to be stable for first time paddlers.

The board has double layer PVC construction and did well in our paddleboard stiffness test. It comes with a fiberglass paddle. It is one of the cheapest boards available with a double barrel triple action hand pump. The pump actually works well and inflates boards quickly. The only downside is that it’s difficult to get it back into it’s bag.

Review

Read Freein Overall 11 Full Review

Specifications

• Size – 11″ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 265 lbs
• Board Weight – 22.5 lbs
• Construction – 2 Layer
• Warranty – 2 years
• D-Rings – 15
• Paddle – Fiberglass
• Pump – Triple Action

Get the Freein Overall 11 at Freein.

5 – Drift Inflatable SUP

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What we liked:

• Stylish wood grain deck appearance
• Very stable board that is easy to paddle for beginners
• Better aluminum paddle than in a typical package
• Made by BOTE brand known for high end high quality paddleboards
• Very lightweight overall package good for hiking and travelling

What we didn’t like:

• No D-Rings around middle of board for mounting a kayak seat
• Not as stiff as higher cost paddleboards
• No rear bungee

Summary

The Drift inflatable SUP is a low cost board from popular BOTE brand. It is aimed at giving you the best of BOTE at a cost competitive with cheap generic Amazon paddleboards. It has all the style and looks of a BOTE brand board in a lower tech simplified package. The Drift SUP is available in 2 sizes, 10’8″ and 11’6″. Larger paddlers over 200 lbs should get the 11’6″ version. The Drift boar uses single layer PVC construction with a wood grain deck. It uses a typical 3 fin arrangement. It comes with a better than average aluminum paddle and double action pump.

The Drift is a very stable beginner friendly board. It has overall good tracking and glide for it’s size. It would be a fun board to take to the lake or beach. It’s lightweight package makes it easy to travel with.

Specifications

• Size – 10’8″ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 250 lbs
• Board Weight – 19 lbs
• Construction – 1 Layer
• Warranty – 1 year
• D-Rings – 7
• Paddle – Aluminum 3 piece
• Pump – Double action hand pump

Get the DRIFT Inflatable SUP at Amazon.

6 – SereneLife Inflatable SUP

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What we liked:

• Good value for a low cost complete paddleboard package
• Easy to maneuver board shape
• Good for first time paddle boarders who don’t want to invest too much to try out the sport

What we didn’t like:

• Thin feeling materials throughout
• Paddle is flexible with soft blade

Summary

The SereneLife paddleboard is the most popular paddleboard available on Amazon with 15,000 ratings. It is a basic cheap paddleboard with 2 layer construction and basic accessories. It comes with a double action pump and adjustable 3 piece paddle with basic carrying backpack. The board is 10′ with an all around shape that is easy to paddle and turn. This board will get you on the water with a board you can enjoy at a very reasonable price. Heavier paddlers above 200 lbs should look for a board that is at least 10’6″.

Specifications

• Size – 10′ x 32″ x 6″

• Weight Capacity – 275 lbs
• Board Weight – 19.6 lbs
• Construction – 1 Layer
• Warranty – 1 year
• D-Rings – 11
• Paddle – 3 piece aluminum paddle
• Pump – double action

Get the SereneLife Paddle Board at Amazon.

7 – DAMA Inflatable SUP

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Overall Score

76

Stiffness

6.0

Stability

7.0

Speed Performance

8.0

Tracking

8.0

Accessories

7.5

Portability

9.0

What we liked:

• The board looks really good with the fake wood top and grooved deck pad
• The board shape is easy to paddle with good glide. Would make a great beginner board
• Good value overall package. This board feels like it should cost more.

What we didn’t like:

• The manufacturing of the board is a little sloppy. D-Rings aren’t centered on the board.
• Check new boards to make sure there aren’t any leaks. A few users have had leaks around the air valves or other areas of the board.
• Board feels bouncy for heavier paddlers

Summary

The DAMA Paddleboard is one of the best looking cheap paddleboards available. The wood deck and deck pad give it a premium appearance that looks much more expensive than its $300 price. The board is available in 3 different lengths. Most paddlers will want the 10’6″ or 11′ versions. The accessories including the pump and backpack are basic and work. The fit and finish of the board are not what you would find on a $500 or more expensive board but on par for its price.

Review

Read DAMA Inflatable SUP Full Review

Specifications

• Size – 11′ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity – 330 lbs
• Board Weight – 19.8 lbs
• Construction – 1 Layer
• Warranty – 1 year
• D-Rings – 8
• Paddle -3 piece aluminum convertible
• Pump – double action

Get the DAMA Inflatable Paddle Board at Amazon.

Cheap Paddle Board Guide – What to look for

Stand Up Paddle Boards are an excellent way to get around on the water. They are designed to be used anywhere from flat water calm lakes to out in the surf. They are incredibly versatile. Inflatable stand up paddle boards are a convenient solution for those who don’t want the hassle of transporting and storing a hard paddle boards. Who wants to bother with a roof rack every time they use their paddleboard?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the important features of paddleboards.

Materials

All inflatable SUP’s are made of PVC.  This is because PVC is a lightweight durable plastic material that is commonly used in marine inflatables.  PVC is a good choice for inflatable SUP construction because it can be easily thermobonded into the hull shape and the core.  The core of almost all SUP hulls are made from a drop stitch sandwich which is 2 layers of material with connecting threads that maintains a flat shape when inflated.  The drop stitch core is the key to creating the long flat thin board section.   

For more information on SUP materials click here.

Board Stiffness

One of the ways to measure how well an inflatable board is made and how well it will perform is how stiff it is. To measure this we set the board up on 2 stands 8 feet apart. We loaded the board up with 120 lbs of weight and measured how much the board deflected under load.

1 Layer boards are not as stiff and rigid as 2 Layer boards or boards using advanced construction. They are the cheapest paddleboards for those on a budget. People have a lot of fun on 1 layer boards.

Length

Common inflatable SUP boards tend to be between 9 feet and 12 feet long.  The longer a board is, the better it will be at gliding across the water and the less you’ll have to work while paddling on flat water. A longer board will also get blown around by the wind more so there is a trade off.    Anyone over 200 lbs should look at boards that are at least 10′ 6″ long. A lighter paddler can get by with shorter boards.

Width

The wider a SUP board is, the more stable it will be.  A 33 inch board will feel much more stable to stand on than a 29 inch board.  The wider a board is, the more drag it will have going through the water so the slower it will feel.  As a beginner or if you plan on doing SUP Yoga on the board, you will want it to be as wide as possible. Beginners should look for a board at least 32 inches wide.

Cheap Paddle Board FAQ

What is the best value paddle board?

The iRocker Nautical is the best value out there for an entry level inflatable paddle board. It has decent 2 layer construction that is durable. It has plenty of D-Rings and comfortable grippy deck pad. It comes with an upgraded fiberglass paddle that is a ton better than an aluminum paddle. The bag doesn’t have wheels but they sell a wheel option for it.

Do cheap paddle boards work?

Cheap paddle boards can work well for paddleboarders who don’t care or need a lot of performance. You can have a lot of fun on a cheap paddleboard. They will have soft 1 layer construction and cheap accessories that may not last. They have soft construction so heavier paddlers over 200 lbs will feel them flexing a lot which also makes them slow.

What is a good paddle board price?

I recommend spending at least $500 for an inflatable paddle board and moving up to the 2 layer and 3 layer construction boards. If that sounds like a lot then spend $300 for an iRocker Nautical which is a small step down.

Which paddle board is best for beginners?

A beginner needs a stable paddle board that is easy to balance and stand up on. This means a wider board with a lot of volume. Look for a board that is at least 10’6″ long and 32″ wide. Going even wider makes it even easier.

Is it worth buying your own paddle board?

Do you have a convenient affordable place to rent paddle boards where you are? Do you like exploring new rivers or lakes that don’t have rentals? If you have good rentals near by then renting a SUP is a great option. If you don’t that means you need to buy your own. We like trying out new places and most here do not have rentals.

Is SUP harder than kayak?

SUP is harder than kayaking because you have to stand up and balance on the board. It’s not easy for everyone. Most people can master standing on their board with a little practice. Stand up paddle boards do have a few advantages over kayaks. They are easier to get back on after capsizing or falling in the water. Inflatable SUPs are much easier to transport and store than a rigid kayak.

How many years will a paddle board last?

A well loved and cared for inflatable SUP will last between 5 and 10 years or longer.

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Steve Reed
Staff Writer | Water Sports

Steve spent his time growing up in South Carolina doing as much as possible on the water. He is an avid stand up paddleboarder and kayaker and loves hitting the lakes and rivers near home. He is a competitive sailor and has competed in sailing at the collegiate level as well as 7 Mackinac Island races.

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