Best cheap paddle boards for 2023 (under $400)

Our top 10 products

Goosehill Paddle Board

Great affordable board that is very popular in a complete package.

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Surfstar Paddle Board

Great board in a complete package available for the cheapest price.

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Serene Life Paddle board

Good quality board that is loved by many, but is heavier and smaller.

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Aqua Marina Fusion

Good quality complete package for a very low price.

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ACOWAY Paddle Board

A great board that can hold up to 400 lbs.

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Aquaplanet Pace Paddle Board

Nice and stable with complete package, but accessories are known to break quickly.

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Hydro-Force Oceana Paddle Board

Package includes kayak seat and kayak paddle for a very low price.

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There are a lot of different Stand Up Paddle Boards on the market these days, with big differences in quality, completeness and pricing.

A lot of factors play a role in the decision to pick a particular Stand Up Paddle Board.

As this guide is meant to help as many readers as possible to find the best cheap paddle board, I have aimed it at all-round paddle boards that can be used for multiple purposes.

Also it must be noted that this guide is aimed for the best cheap paddle boards under $370, which is why all the paddle boards in the list are inflatable.

Inflatable paddle boards are cheaper and easier to transport. The technology of these boards has improved a lot over the years, which makes them almost hard to distinguish from epoxy paddle boards.

Other interesting articles for you:

As I like to go out to the water on my bicycle for paddle boarding I almost always use inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards as well.

These also have models that cost over a $1000 with very high quality, but for this article I will focus on the best cheap paddle boards below $370 that give the best value for money.

For beginners this is good because they want to spend as little as possible for a good board to get started and find out if Stand Up Paddle Boarding is suited for them in the long run.

But on the other hand, if you start on a very cheap paddle board with bad quality, you will not feel comfortable and grow to dislike the sport because of failing to stay on the board.

This is why I have made this list with the best cheap paddle boards for under $370.

If you are a professional you obviously need better gear to perform tricks and achieve high speeds, but for people that have up to 5 years of experience these boards are great!

Always be aware of the maximum carrying capacity of a board, if you get too close to this the board will bend and it will be a lot harder to paddle board!

Below I will first tell you about what are important factors when choosing a paddle board, after that I will continue with my top 8 of best cheap paddle boards for 2023. (Unless you click the button below).

Important factors when choosing a Stand Up Paddle Board:

There are 5 factors that are important when choosing a Stand Up Paddle Board:

Size

This partially goes together with the purpose of the paddle board, but also has to do with the stability.

A bigger board gives you more stability and you are less likely to lose balance and fall in the water.

For beginners it is nice to have a larger board for this reason. They are also better suited for longer trips as you have to put less effort into keeping balance and you can focus on your stroke.

Of course this also decide if you can take multiple persons, extra luggage or possibly a pet with you on a trip.

There are small boards for children up to boards for 8 people at once, so the range of stand up paddle boards is immensely big.

If you want to go Stand Up Paddle Boarding on your own, it is easier to purchase a paddle board that is designed for this.

This makes it a lot harder to achieve speed and boards of less than 6″ are therefor not recommended to use. (Unless you are looking for a children’s paddle board).

Weight capacity

The maximum weight capacity is what you always have to look for, as this determines if the board can carry your weight without bending through.

The higher the maximum weight capacity, the more you can carry along and you can take a pet, partner or possibly camping gear along with you.

The weight capacity depends on the size and the quality of the board.

Always keep in mind a margin of 30 to 40 lbs. below the maximum carrying capacity, so you can always be sure to keep your feet dry on your Stand Up Paddle board.

Purpose

People do not all like to do the same thing on their paddle board, there are a lot of different purposes.

Do you want an inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board purely to paddle around for fun and a little exercise along the shoreline?

Then you need a different board from someone that wants to take long trips, touring adventures or even yoga exercises.

Often it is made clear if the board has a really special purpose, like (wind)surfing paddle boards, fishing paddle boards (with rod holders and coolers) or yoga boards (special shape).

Before you purchase a Stand Up Paddle Board, clearly imagine what you are planning to do on your paddle board and look for paddle boards that suit this purpose.

As an all-round paddle board is meant for multiple purposes and can often be used for not only recreational paddle boarding, but also for touring, yoga exercises and sometimes even to bring along a child or pet.

Accessories

For Stand Up Paddle boarding you do not only need the paddle board itself, but also a number of accessories for effectiveness and for safety.

Preferably you want everything included in your purchase, so you do not have to buy a separate paddle, leash, pump or other necessities.

Items that are mandatory for Stand Up Paddle boarding:
1. Paddle
2. Pump
3. Leash
4. Backpack

Paddle

Of course you need a paddle to move forward on the water, it is great if a paddle is already included with the package so you do not have to purchase an extra one.

With cheaper paddle boards often an aluminum paddle is included, to get you started.

Most paddles are height adjustable and can be used for years, so you do not need a new one soon.

Once you have become more advanced an more experienced, you can always opt for a carbon paddle to make paddling even easier.

Pump

A pump is necessary to inflate your Stand Up Paddle board, as it is impossible to achieve the needed pressure by inflating it with your mouth.

Almost every paddle board has a pump included in the package. If you do not enjoy the exercise of a manual pump, you could also purchase a separate electrical pump for faster inflating without any effort.

Always purchase a paddle board pump with a PSI meter, so you know exactly when your paddle board is it the right pressure.

I have written extensively about the best paddle boards pumps of 2023, you can read about it here.

Leash

Of course you could also go out without a paddle board leash, but I would highly recommend to not ignore this vital accessory.

The leash is attached to your ankle with a Velcro shackle and makes sure your board will always stay close.

If you fall off of your board you can easily climb back on it and you will not lose it in the water.

A leash is most vital because when you fall in the water you could get stuck in an underwater current.

Without a leash it would be hard to get back up and reach the surface, this is why this accessory is vital and could save your life.

I would recommend a coiled leash like in the image below. This is comfortable and compact so you will not trip over it, but it will extend when you happen to fall off.

Backpack

As you want to easily carry your Stand Up Paddle board to the water, you need a backpack to carry it along with you.

Generally an inflatable paddle board will weigh between 17 and 33 lbs, which is quite a lot to carry without a backpack.

So far every single inflatable Stand Up Paddle board I have seen has included a backpack, so you will never have to purchase this separately.

The quality of the backpack may vary though. I prefer backpacks that also have wheels, so they can be pulled along very easily until you reach the beach.

Price

Price is always an important factor when purchasing anything and with the purchase of a paddle board this is no different.

As beginners do not want to spend a lot of money on their first board but still want quality, I find it important to give them some guidance.

As I have said before in other reviews: I am not looking for the cheapest thing, I am always looking for the best value for money.

Do not spend more than $500 on your first paddle board. First be sure you like the sport and later upgrade your board to a more expensive version.

Make sure you purchase a complete package with (almost) all accessories included, so you do not end up spending a lot more than you intended.

Read my top 8 of best cheap paddle boards for 2023 below.

Top 8 of best cheap paddle boards for 2023 (under $370)

Surfstar Paddle Board
✓ 18.8 lbs / 8.5 kg
✓ $309.99
✓ 10’6″ x 33″ x 6”
✓ Max. weight 320 lbs / 145 kg
✓ Incl. paddle, pump, leash

Buy this board on Amazon

Serene Life Paddle Board
✓ 31.4 lbs / 14.2 kg
✓ $339.99
✓ 10’0″ x 32″ x 6”
✓ Max. weight 275 lbs. / 125 kg.
✓ Incl. paddle, leash, pump

Buy this board on Amazon

Aqua Marina Fusion Paddle Board
✓ 19.0 lbs / 8.6 kg
✓ €399
✓ 10’4″ x 30″ x 6″
✓ Max. weight 286 lbs. / 130 kg.
✓ Incl. paddle, leash , pump

Buy this board online

ACOWAY Paddle Board
✓ 22 lbs / 10.9 kg
✓ $259.95
✓ 10’6 ×32″×6
✓ Max. weight 400 lbs / 197 kg
✓ Incl. paddle, pump, leash

Buy this board on Amazon

Aquaplanet Pace Paddle Board
✓ 24.25 lbs / 11 kg
✓ $439
✓ 10’6″ x 31″ x 6″
✓ Max. weight 300 lbs. / 136 kg.
✓ Incl. pump, sidewings

Buy this board on Amazon

Hydro-Force Oceana Paddle Board
✓ 36.3 lbs / 16.5 kg
✓ $320
✓ 10’0″ x 33″ x 4.75”
✓ Max. weight 243 lbs. / 110 kg.
✓ Incl. seat, kayak paddle, pump, leash

Buy this board on Amazon

KingDely Paddle Board
✓ 23 lbs / 10.4 kg
✓ $299
✓ 10’6″ x 31″ x 6”
✓ Max. weight 300 lbs. / 136 kg.
✓ Incl. paddle, pump, leash

Buy this board on Amazon

The Goosehill Paddle Board is the best cheap paddle board in this list because it has a good size, a complete package and with a price of only $379 it offers so much value for your money.

With a size of 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ it is bigger than most all around boards, which offers another bit of extra stability for beginners.

This board weighs 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg and has a maximum carrying capacity of a whopping 440 lbs. / 200 kg.

For the price of this board it is always a great purchase and if you want to pay less than $400 for a great and complete package this board is surely worth it!

Out of all the online reviews 90% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5-star rating, which is amazing and shows why this board is so good! (Based on 1182 ratings as on 22nd of September 2022)

I have to say I always love the look of the Surfstar paddle boards, the colorful look really appeals to me and it feels great to take it on the water.

The board has a size of 10’6″ x 33″ x 6″ and has a system of 3 fins on the bottom, of which the big fin is detachable.

This board weighs only 18.8 lbs / 8.5 kg and has a maximum carrying capacity of 320 lbs. / 145 kg.

The Surfstar paddle board comes in a very complete package, which allows you to get directly to the water without purchasing anything extra at the lowest price possible.

Out of all the online reviews 77% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5 star rating. (Based on 291 ratings as on 22nd of September 2022).

The Serene Life paddle board includes every accessory you need to get on the water and is very sturdy, which surely makes it belong in this list of best cheap paddle boards.

With over 7500 reviews on Amazon right now this board is incredibly popular, and for very good reasons.

The board is available in 6 different colors, prices may vary per color.

The prices vary a lot all the time, just check the current prices on the products and buttons below to find out how much they currently cost. At the start of the season boards are available more and are generally cheaper, unless you manage to find an End Season Sale.

This is a very high quality board of sturdy material that will surely last you a long time for a low purchase price.

The board has a size of 10’0 x 32” x 6” and can carry up to 275 lbs.

The biggest downside of this board is that the paddle does not float.

Out of all the online reviews 96% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5 star rating, which is incredibly high and indicates the quality of this product. (Based on 20.022 ratings as on 22nd of September 2022)

Aqua Marina has become a huge brand in the last years and their Aqua Marina Fusion is one of the most sought after boards and best cheap paddle boards in Europe.

This bright orange board with striking design delivers a very good performance for every all-round paddle boarder.

The size of this board is 10’4″ x 30″ x 6”, with a weight of 18.5 lbs / 8.4 kg and a carrying capacity of 286 lbs / 130 kg.

Accessories that come with the board have a good quality and the price for this board is very low, but the availability in the US is rather poor and the board is hard to get outside of Europe.

Moving on with the Pathfinder Paddle Board, that has a complete package with it and also floats nicely on the water.

The Pathfinder has a size of 10′ x 31” x 5”, which is smaller and thinner than all the previous boards on the list.

It offers less stability than the other boards and can carry less weight with its maximum carrying capacity of 240 lbs / 109 kg.

The board weighs 24.5 lbs / 11.1 kg, which is rather low compared to the maximum carrying capacity it has.

The low price of $299 makes this the cheapest board on this list, but not the best one because of the lower stability.

Out of all the online reviews 89% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5 star rating. (Me and my big mouth…) (Based on 625 ratings as on 6th of April 2021)

The Aquaplanet paddle board also comes in an extensive package as you can see above.

With a size of 10’6″ x 31″ x 6″ it also offers a pretty good stability and it has a nice design.

This board weighs 24.25 lbs / 11 kg and has a maximum carrying capacity of 300 lbs. / 136 kg.

It it called the Pace because of the pointy nose, which should give it a bit more speed than other rounder boards have.

Downsides to this board are that the accessories are of lower quality, with some mentions of bags that broke easily and the single action pump that often breaks.

This board currently costs $439 online, which is why it will be removed from this guide on the next update.

Out of all the online reviews 87% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5 star rating. (Based on 594 ratings as on 22nd of September 2022)

The Hydro-Force Oceana board is mostly featured on this list because it is the only paddle board that comes with a seat included and a kayak paddle.

So if you want to paddle board sitting down, this board is best to do it as it offers a cheap but complete package for kayaking on your paddle board.

This board weighs 36.3 lbs / 16.5 kg and has a maximum carrying capacity of 243 lbs. / 110 kg.

The three fins on the bottom are not removable, which makes it more difficult to roll up the empty paddle board and take it home.

The size of the board is 10’0″ x 33″ x 4.75”, which makes it the thinnest board on this list and is more suitable for sitting down than standing up.

This board can be found online at $320 for the complete package, which is a good deal for a paddle board with a seat and kayak paddle included.

Out of all the online reviews 87% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5 star rating, which shows the difference with the previous boards. (Based on 987 ratings as on 6th of April 2021)

Last and certainly least (it is a top 8 after all ;-)) is the KingDely paddle Board, which also is delivered in a complete package.

For a price of $295, you should this paddle board with a size of 10’6″ x 31″ x 6″, which is a good size.

This board weighs 22 lbs / 10 kg and has a maximum carrying capacity of 240 lbs. / 109 kg.

Out of all the online reviews, 60% of customers that bought this item gave it a 4 or 5-star rating, by far the lowest of all the boards in this test. (Based on 542 ratings as of 23rd of January 2020)

The board itself is not that bad and if you are lucky it could be pretty good, but for $295 you could find a lot of better boards in this list.

So I’m really putting this one on the list for completeness, but don’t go and take the risk to actually purchase this board 😉

The problem is that also quite some of these boards have problems with quality with the seams and that leakage may occur, which is a very bad sign.

Conclusion best cheap paddle boards for 2023 (under $370)

There are a lot of cheap paddle boards on the market. Some good, a lot of them not worth even a bit of money.

It is important to start off on a decent paddle board. If you start paddle boarding on an unstable board this could cause you to keep falling and not have any fun with this sport.

Make sure you start on a good quality board, but do not spend too much money if you are not sure you want to continue paddle boarding in the future.

Another issue I have been trying to counter in this guide is that boards sometimes keep massively raising prices. Two times I had to remove the number one in this guide (so far) because they raised their prices by no less than 50%.

I try to keep this up to date as often as I can, but brands like ROC and Nautical made this really hard so far and it is starting to get rather annoying that brands think it is ok to raise prices by huge amounts.

I would recommend getting the paddle board in the top 3 that suits you best and that also appeals to you on the matter of design.

Do you prefer a paddle board to sit down and kayak on, then the Hydro-Force Oceana Paddle board is the way to go with the included seat and kayak paddle.

Whatever the case, always make sure you have a complete package when purchasing your first paddle board and you do not have to order extra parts to get going.

You cannot be sure you will like Stand Up Paddling and if you happen to not like it (which I doubt!), you will not have spent a lot of money on a board that will not be used.

For less than $400 you could purchase a complete package and try the sport out!

So start on a quality paddle board that you will also learn to love the sport, instead of hating it because paddling on a low quality and imbalanced board is too difficult.

Looking for a better board? Read the Best Paddle Board Guide and find an amazing board from $549.

Do you have a paddle board yet or are you planning to purchase one of these boards in the future?

Which board are you opting for and what do you think is most important of all when you are purchasing a board?

Let me know in the comments and WIN A FREE REPLY BY ME! 😛