BEST INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARD UNDER $400
- $179.95 – FunWater Cruise 11′: Good All-Around Performance
- $299.00 Runwave Kohala 11′: Excellent Stability
- $344.95 – Roc Explorer 10′: Lightweight and Reliable
- $379.99 – Goosehill Sailor 10′6: Best for Cruising on Calmer Water
BEST SLIGHTLY-ABOVE $400 SUP BOARDS
- $449.00 – Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6: Maneuvrable and Glides Good
- $469.99 – Nautical 11′6: Very Stable and Comfortable
UNDER $400 INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARDS COMPARISON
| PRODUCT | PRICE | USE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | CAPACITY | COMES WITH | REVIEW | SHOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FunWater Cruise 11′ Good All-Around Performance |
$179.95 | All-around | 11′ x 33″ x 6″ | 18.9 lbs |
330 lbs | – Adjustable paddle – Backpack – 1-Chamber 1-Action pump – 3 fins – Leash – Dry-bag – No repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
Runwave Kohala 11′ Excellent Stability |
$299.00 | All-around | 11′ x 33″ x 6″ | 25 lbs | 350 lbs | – Adjustable paddle – Backpack – 1-Chamber 1-Action pump – Fin – Leash – Repair kit – User manual |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
Roc Explorer 10′ Lightweight and Reliable |
$344.95 | All-around | 10’ x 33” x 6” | 17.8 lbs | 350 lbs | – Adjustable Paddle – Backpack – 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump – Fin – Leash – Dry Bag – No repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 Best for Cruising on Calmer Water |
$379.99 | All-around | 10’6 x 32″ x 6″ | 20.5 lbs | 440 lbs | – Aluminum paddle – Backpack – 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump – Fin – Leash – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on Amazon.com |
| SLIGHTLY ABOVE $400 BEST SUP BOARDS | ||||||||
Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 Maneuvrable and Glides Good |
$449.00 | All-around | 10’6 x 30″ x 6″ | 19 lbs | 280 lbs | – Carbon shaft paddle – Wheeled backpack – 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump – Fin – Leash – Repair kit – Action mount sets – Waterproof phone case |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on OutdoorMaster.com |
Nautical 11′6 Very Stable and Comfortable |
$469.99 | All-around | 11’6 x 32” x 6” | 22 lbs | 265 lbs | – Fiberglass paddle – 1-chamber 2-action pump – Wheeled backpack – Leash – 3 fins – Repair kit |
Jump to Review |
Check Price on iRockerSUP.com |
UNDER $400 PADDLE BOARD REVIEWS
FunWater Cruise 11′
Good All-Around Performance
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Incredibly low price. – Almost unheard of value – Lightweight. – Solid all-around performance. – Easy to carry and transport. – Easy to store in a small apartement. | – More challenging to maneuver. – Limited storage area. – No quality control make some receive defective boards or accessories and had to return/change them. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- People looking for an affordable way to get on the water.
- Small paddlers looking for an easy to carry SUP.
- Beginners seeking for a comfortable amount of stability.
- Paddlers looking for an all-around SUP that glides well and tracks.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- Flat water.
- Ocean calm water.
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $179.95
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11′ x 33″ x 6″
- Weight: 18.9 lbs
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs
- Comes with: Adjustable paddle, Backpack, 1-Chamber 1-Action pump, 3 fins, Leash, Dry bag, No repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
FunWater Cruise 11′ REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
Due to the pointed nose and the side cut of the FunWater Cruise 11′, this board glide through the water nicely.
The same thing with its speed, this board is very fast, which surprises considering its price.
- STABILITY
Paddling in calmer water conditions, this board has a comfortable amount of stability for most novice paddlers.
Compared to other board, its less stable than ones that are more uniformly wide from front to back.
- TRACKING
Despite being an all-around paddle board, FunWater Cruise 11′ is slightly designed more for straight tracking with its 3-fin underneath.
- MANEUVERABILITY
What made this board glide well and keep a straight line make its maneuverability limited, requiring a little effort to quickly turn and requiring a larger turning radius to make a U-turn.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Due to its lighter weight of just 18.9 lbs, this board is easy to carry even for small paddlers.
- EASE OF INFLATION
FunWater Cruise 11′ is also easy to inflate up 12 psi (lower end of the recommended pressure range).
Its also pretty quickly compared to many budget paddle boards in the same price range.
- ACCESSORIES
FunWater Cruise 11′ comes with everything (liste above) needed to get out on the wate. You even get a bonus dry-bag.
The floatable paddle you get gives you time to recover it if it falls in the water, but its quality not durable. So you should be easy on it while paddling.
The included backpack is simple enough to use with its top opening and drawstring closing, but I still prefer the wider opening of a full-zip.
The straps on this backpack are comfortable enough.
Pump is what I didnt like about this board package, it single-chamber single-action makes inflating the board to the maximum recommended air pressure of 15 psi impossible or very hard.
Runwave Kohala 11′
Excellent Stability
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Relatively lightweight. – Affordable price. – Excellent stability. – Easy to maneuver. – Fairly fast to inflate/deflate. – Super easy to transport as the bag is about the size of a carry on. – Can be checked in on an airplane – Visual and well-written user manual. | – Flexes a bit. – Paddle quality isn’t the best and a little smaller. – The bag tore at the seam removing the board and doesn’t have wheels. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Beginners looking for a stable SUP board to learn on.
- People on a budget looking to get out on the water.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- Flat water.
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $299
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11′ x 33″ x 6″
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Comes with: Adjustable paddle, Backpack, 1-Chamber 1-Action pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit, User manual
TODAY’S PRICE
Runwave Kohala 11′ REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
Runwave Kohala 11′ glides smoothly and pretty fast with the correct paddle strokes.
- STABILITY
Runwave Kohala 11′ excel at stability due to the board dimensions, especialy its width of 33″, making it ideal for beginners.
- TRACKING
This board tracks very well and straight in the water with its long length.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Despite having a long length, Runwave Kohala 11′ is easy to maneuver for a beginner.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Being fairly lightweight, compact when deflated in its bag that is about the size of a carry-on makes transporting this board super easy.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating this board takes about 10 minutes.
Inflating a paddle board is always quite a workout, epecially with a single-chamber and single-action pump, like the one you get with this board.
- ACCESSORIES
Runwave Kohala 11′ comes with everything needed to start paddleboarding (liste above).
The paddle your get with this package is length adjustable for easy storing and to be used by paddlers of different heights.
Its shaft from aluminum makes it durable but heavier, which is not a big deal for a beginner.
The backpack is strong to hold everything in it and its big enough to likely fit two iSUPs, with wheels to roll it if the package is heavy for you.
The pump you get with this board is limited in terms of speed and ability to inflate the board to its recommended max air pressure.
In addition to many buyers got malfunction hand pumps, its what you should pay attention to as long as you are still within the product return period.
Roc Explorer 10′
Lightweight and Reliable
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Its weight of just 17.8 lbs makes carrying it easy, even for youth paddle SUPers. – Feels stable for big or small paddlers. – Good performance for beginners. – High weight capacity for a board this lightweight. – Comes with everything needed and a bonus dry bag. | – A little bit on the slower side. – Inflation valve may need some tightening from time to time. – Less-durable backpack needs to be careful with. – Becomes unstable in rough water. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Paddlers on a budget looking for a stable board to learn on.
- Small people seeking an easy to carry inflatable paddle board.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- flat water.
- Slow rivers.
- Ocean calm water.
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $344.95
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’ x 33” x 6”
- Weight: 17.8 lbs
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Comes with: Adjustable Paddle, Backpack, 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump, Fin, Leash, Dry Bag, No repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
Roc Explorer 10′ is not very fast due to many factors, including its rounded nose.
- STABILITY
This board is pretty well stable for big or small paddlers. It has enough stability for people never tried this water activity before.
- TRACKING
For recreational paddleboarding in calm water, Roc Explorer 10′ does a fine job of keeping a straight line while paddling.
Unfortunately, this board tends to veer off track in heavy winds or strong currents.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Roc Explorer 10′ is able to make tight turns doable without a hassle due to its lighter weight and nose shape.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Roc Explorer 10′ is very easy to carry on your back or transport in your car.
It’s compact when packed inside its bag and amongst the lightest inflatable paddle boards that I know of.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating the Roc Explorer 10′ using the hand pump it comes with is fairly easy. It gets completed in about 10 minutes, and the more experience you get the faster it becomes.
- ACCESSORIES
This board package includes everything needed (listed above) to start having fun.
Being made of aluminum, the paddle you get with this board is sturdy but heavy, being good enough for a beginner.
The hand pump that you will get is single-chamber dual-action, meaning it can get air from one chamber and both, downstroke and upstroke.
For a paddle board under $400, this is the best hand pump you can get included. It’s a little bit faster than a single-action one and can complete the job in under 10 minutes.
You also get an ankle leash that you should always wear to stay safe and not lose your board.
The bag that the Roc Explorer 10′ comes with has plenty of room, but it can tear easily if you are not careful.
Goosehill Sailor 10′6
Best for Cruising on Calmer Water
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Great value for a low purchase price. – Easy and fun to paddle. – Maneuvrable and feels solid. – Tracks better than expected for a 32″ paddleboard. – Glides smoothly. – Extra stable due to its nose and tail that does not taper too sharply. – Super comfortable paddling, sitting or kneeling. – Take very little effort to paddle and propel forward. – Can handle chop and windy conditions. – Provides plenty of room to move around. – Very easy to carry when inflated or inside its backpack. – Comes with a durable paddle that feels good to use. – Deck pad provide excellent grip. – Look great. | – The paddle it comes with is heavy. – No d-rings for attaching a paddleboard seat. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- Lighter weight paddler cruising on calm water.
- People on a budget.
- Small paddler looking for a very easy to carry SUP board.
- Beginners looking for a SUP board to learn on.
- Famillies looking to share the same board between adults and kids.
- As a backup board for family or friends to use.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- Flat water.
- Can handle chop and windy conditions.
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $379.99
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6 x 32″ x 6″
- Weight: 20.5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 440 lbs
- Comes with: Aluminum paddle, Backpack, 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 glides smoothly but isn’t the fastest, which is to be expected.
- STABILITY
Keeping almost the same width of 32″ along the length of the board, with the design of the nose and tail all helped it be extra stable in the water.
- TRACKING
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 tracks better than expected from a 32″ paddleboard.
- MANEUVERABILITY
This board takes very little effort to turn and maneuver because it’s lightweight and is not long in length.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 is easy to transport to and from the water because it only weighs 20.5 lbs.
- EASE OF INFLATION
This blow-up paddle board can be inflated in about 5-6 minutes to inflate this board to 15 PSI.
- ACCESSORIES
Goosehill Sailor 10′6 comes with everything included (listed above) to start SUP paddling.
The included paddle uses aluminum in its shaft, making it extremely durable, heavy, but feels good to use overall.
The paddle adjustability makes it shareable between paddlers of different heights and easy to store.
The hand pump you get with this board is a good one. It’s easy to use and reach the desired air pressure with its dual-action feature.
The backpack you get in this package is just large enough, so you have to make sure you folded the deflated board really well to fit inside.
Despite that, it remains very comfortable with its extra padding and waist strap.
SLIGHTLY ABOVE $400 BEST SUP REVIEWS
Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6
Maneuvrable and Glides Good
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Stable enough for beginners. – Responsive with good glide. – Takes less effort to turn and maneuver. – Suit different water conditions. – Its durable construction makes it very rigid, with very little flex. – Easy to paddle. – Quite comfortable for an intermediate paddler with a dog. – Lightweight. – Large bungee sections to keep your essentials safe and secure. – Safety handles on bungees make kids feel safer on water. – Feels comfortable standing or kneeling. – Very portable. – The durable and strong paddle lets you paddle further with less fatigue or pain. | – Not stable enough to paddle with a kid or dog as a beginner. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- People on a budget.
- Paddlers looking for a board to learn on and still love to use after that.
- Novice to intermediate paddler seeking a board thet glides nicely.
- Paddlers looking for a SUP that is very easy to secure a kayak seat.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- Flat water.
- Calm ocean.
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $449
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 10’6 x 30″ x 6″
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Weight capacity: 280 lbs
- Comes with: Carbon shaft paddle, Wheeled backpack, 1-Chamber 2-Action Pump, Fin, Leash, Repair kit, Action mount sets, Waterproof phone case
TODAY’S PRICE
Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
Its shape and its slightly rounded nose make it has a good glide and require very little effort to propel forward.
- STABILITY
Despite being narrow, Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 is still stable enough for beginners.
- TRACKING
This board tracks quite well with its touring fin attached underneath.
- MANEUVERABILITY
The smaller size of the Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 makes it take less effort to turn and maneuver.
What I like about this board, is that after you will you became an intermediate paddler, you will appreciate how quickly it turns.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Weighing only 19 lbs, this board is easy to carry inside its backpack and comfortable carried inflated using its good padded center handle.
If you have a kid that wants to help carry the board from or to the car, he still has wheels on the bottom of the bag to easily roll it.
- EASE OF INFLATION
Inflating the Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 using this included hand pump takes about 7 minutes.
Another nice security feature is the valve that makes over-inflating it impossible by automatically releasing a little air if the board is inflated past its recommended air pressure.
- ACCESSORIES
Chasing Blue Aqua Spirit 10′6 comes with everything (listed above) you will need plus a bonus to start paddleboarding right out of the box.
Its backpack opens widely to easily get the board and accessories in and out of it, with insulating materials that keep the board safe in all temperatures and wheels for easy rolling.
The carbon shaft paddle is durable, strong, and does not twist while paddling. Its weight of just 28 oz helps you paddle further with less fatigue or pain.
The included hand pump with this board is dual-action, meaning you can pump air on the upstroke as the downstroke for efficient and fast inflation.
The pump is also easy enough to use.
You also get an ankle leash for the safety of you and your board not getting swept away if you fall from it.
You also get a repair kit, action mounts for your camera, phone holder, or fishing rod holders, and a waterproof phone case as a bonus.
Nautical 11′6
Very Stable and Comfortable
| WHAT I LIKE | WHAT I DON’T LIKE |
|---|---|
| – Enough performance for beginners. – Can handle a medium-weight paddler with a kid or pet. – Three fins are able to remove instead of just the center one makes its performance more adjustable. – Looks clean. | – For a board in its price range, it would be nice to get a 2-year warranty. |
IDEAL CHOICE FOR:
- First-time paddlers looking for a board with good stability.
- Paddlers in flat water or slow moving rivers.
- Small/lighter paddlers looking for and easy to carry paddleboard.
GREAT IN CONDITIONS LIKE:
- Flat water.
- Ocean calm water
QUICK SPECS
- Price: $469.99
- Use: All-around
- Dimensions: 11’6 x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 22 lbs
- Weight capacity: 265 lbs
- Comes with: Fiberglass paddle, 1-chamber 2-action pump, Wheeled backpack, Leash, 3 fins, Repair kit
TODAY’S PRICE
Nautical 11′6 REVIEW
- GLIDE & SPEED
For recreation paddling, Nautical 11′6 doesn’t feel sluggish.
It’s also able to get up to a reasonable speed due to its fairly long length and its width of only 32”.
- STABILITY
Stability is where this board excels. Nautical 11′6 is very stable even in choppy water.
- TRACKING
This board have impressive tracking if you know how to paddle and balance yourself, because keeping a straight line while paddling has more to do with you that the board itself.
- MANEUVERABILITY
Despite being a paddle board under $500 on sale, NAUTICAL 11’6 has impressive maneuverability.
It also feels very stable when doing a step-back turn technique.
- EASE OF TRANSPORT
Carrying this lighter board on your back is comfortable.
- EASE OF INFLATION
For adults with an average shape, you can inflate it with the included pump after a good workout, but this is expected even with top-rated hand pumps.
For light or small people, it can be difficult, especially those last PSI
- ACCESSORIES
This board comes with everything (listed above), so no additional things to buy to start having fun on the water.
The paddle has only a fiberglass shaft, but it remains of good quality and lighter than the ones of some competitors in the same price range.
The bag you get with this board is far nicer than the ones you get with other affordable inflatable paddle boards, it is made of quality materials.
As said before, the included pump does the job and its dual-action feature does make getting the last bits of the recommended air pressure a bit easier.
As usual, even with the best hand pump, I still see that a paddleboard electric pump is the first upgrade to think of.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN INFLATABLE SUP UNDER $400
TRACKING
The board’s ability to keep a straight line has more to do with its fins, construction, and shape.
Bendy and short fins, very wide, short length, and poor construction that flexes a lot all make the board veer off track.
STABILITY
The board stability has a strong correlation with its weight capacity, width, and length.
Generally speaking, the larger and more weight capacity the board has, the more stable it will feel under your feet.
MANEUVRABILITY
Stability and maneuverability are trade-offs, shorter inflatable paddle boards (about 10′6) tend to be more maneuverable than longer ones (11′).
FAQ
My Best Inflatable Paddle Board Under $400 is …
For big paddlers, I recommend the FunWater Cruise 11′, for just $249.95, you get a good all-around performance enough for many beginners.
For small paddlers, I recommend Roc Explorer 10′, for just $300 you get a reliable board that this easy to carry from and to your car.
Can I Trust a Cheap Inflatable Board?
Most SUP boards around $200 on Amazon are not safe because their paddles can easily break on you while you are in the water, which is dangerous, especially if you are far from the coastline.
FunWater Cruise 11′ for big paddlers and Roc Explorer 10′ for small paddlers are both safe enough for me to recommend them.
Updated on January 18, 2022 by Ben
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