We all know the worst thing about paddle boards are the price. That is why we are here to help you enjoy the amazing sport of paddle boarding with out breaking the bank by going over our list of the best inflatable paddle boards under $400.
- SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
- Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
- FBSPORT Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
- Bestway Inflatable Hydro-Force Wave Edge
- What To Consider When Looking For The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400
- The versatility of the SUP
- How it fares against paddle strikes, rocky shores
- The ideal PSI level
- How much weight can it support?
- The stability of the paddle board
- Which Inflatable Paddle Board Will You Choose?
SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Excellent maneuverability & decent speed!
In its price range, the SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is our favorite and is one of the Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400.
Although it is only a tiny bit better than the average budget board, the SereneLife offers a complete package to get you started paddle boarding.
We will take a look at the SereneLife iSUP, step by step,
After unboxing, the SereneLife package contains an adjustable three-part aluminum paddle with a nylon blade, a double-action manual pump with a PSI gauge on top, a coiled leash, repair kit, one detachable fin, and a backpack that fits them all.
The board itself has a front bungee cord area with four D-rings for storing cargo. On the middle section, an EVA foam deck pad prevents accidental slips. Moreover, it has a central carry handle for better portability.
As for D-rings, there are four around the deck pad for attachments or a kayak seat. Plus, a rear D-ring for the leash.
The pump comes with removable handles. It also has settings for single and double action. When starting with inflation, it is better to use the double-action setup. After that, it gets increasingly difficult to pump in higher PSI. To reach 12-15 PSI, we recommend the single-action form.
An electric pump would make the inflation process much more manageable.
Afterward, we need to attach the fin. The fin box is open on one side. Unlike the traditional fin box, we can easily slide the fin in it. Also, a small slidable lock helps to keep the fin secured in its place. Unfortunately, the fin attachment can grow weak over time.
On the water, SereneLife boasts an acceptable performance. While standing still, it can be a bit unstable. Managing balance can be tiresome in this stance. The problem goes away when the board starts gliding.
For better stability, it is advisable to stay on calm water with the SereneLife iSUP.
SereneLife is considered a shorter board compared to the upper spectrum of iSUPs. It is about 10’6″ in length, 32″ wide, and 6″ thick. Despite being an all-arounder, it is surprisingly agile on the water.
The aluminum paddle is adjustable. It has a flip-lock system and a measured upper handle. However, as it has no channel, it keeps twisting quickly.
The paddle may float for a short while. Though, we would recommend not leaving it on the water.
Even for an iSUP, SereneLife is lightweight. It weighs about 19 lbs and can safely support about 275 lbs.
This SUP is excellent for starters. Moreover, to learn to balance, there is nothing better than mastering the SereneLife iSUP!
PROS:
- Cost-effective
- Fantastic maneuverability
- Decent glide
- Lightweight
- Portable
CONS:
- Unstable when standing still
- Weak fin setup
VERDICT:
The best Inflatable paddle board under $400.
Source: www.amazon.com/Roc-Inflatable-Accessories-Backpack-Waterproof/dp/B079FYRYDK
Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Lightweight & versatile!
Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is another option when looking for the Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400. This because it is a lightweight budget board and has a simple design that can support a wide range of SUP activities.
The board itself is about 10′ in length, 32″ wide, and 6″ thick. It weighs around 17.5 lbs and has a carrying capacity of 275 lbs.
In front, there is a bungee cord cargo area. The middle part has an EVA foam deck pad with diamond patterns for better grip. There is a carry handle in the middle. Surrounding the deck pad are four D-rings for accessories, kayak seat attachment. The inflation valve is on the tail end, along with a single D-ring for attaching the safety leash.
Kit contains a high-pressure hand pump, adjustable three-piece paddle, coiled leash with padded ankle cuff, detachable fin, dry bag, and a travel backpack.
The Roc iSUP is one of the lightest in its price range. However, it is a bit shaky on the water, and the inflation valve tends to weaken often.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Excellent entry-level board
CONS:
- A bit unstable
- Weak valve
VERDICT:
Affordable, lightweight, versatile iSUP.
FBSPORT Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
Cost-effective and flexible!
FBSPORT Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is one of the budget-friendly boards with a decent performance. It stands out because it’s flexible and supports all skill levels.
The FBSPORT iSUP is about 10’6″ in length, 31″ wide, and 6″ thick. It weighs around 22 lbs and can support up to 280 lbs.
Onboard, there is a front bungee cargo area, UV-resistant soft EVA deck pad, a central carrying handle, D-rings and, a high-pressure inflation valve.
The package also includes a three-piece adjustable paddle, manual hand pump with pressure gauge, coiled leash with padded ankle cuff, emergency whistle, detachable fin, and a backpack.
From beginner to expert, all can paddle with the FBSPORT Premium Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. Nevertheless, FBSPORT on rough waters is somewhat weak and is not very durable.
PROS:
- Flexible
- Lightweight
- Supports a variety of skill levels
- Excellent safety gear
CONS:
- Weak durability
- Unstable on rough water
VERDICT:
Ideal paddleboard for typical paddling.
Bestway Inflatable Hydro-Force Wave Edge
Budget board with low maintenance!
Bestway Inflatable Hydro-Force Wave Edge is the budget board that requires minor maintenance. Even forgetting it on some storage corner won’t be able to damage the board beyond repair.
The board is 10’2″ in length and 27″ in width. It weighs 16 lbs and has a carrying capacity of 220 lbs.
Onboard, it has a front bungee cargo area, anti-slip deck pad, carrying handle, a steel tow ring, and a quick inflation-deflation valve.
The package contains an aluminum paddle, inflation pump with pressure gauge, a repair kit, and travel bag.
This iSUP is excellent for workouts and can be left alone for the most part. However, on the water, its heavy paddle can sink quickly.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Requires little maintenance
- Lightweight
- Supports beginners and intermediate paddleboarders
- Excellent w2orkout SUP
CONS:
- Heavy paddle
- Thinner board
VERDICT:
The best low-maintenance iSUP under $400.
For more details, check out “Bestway Inflatable Hydro-Force Wave Edge 10′ SUP Review.”
What To Consider When Looking For The Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400
The versatility of the SUP
An all-around iSUP is best for the beginner SUPer. In contrast, specialized SUPs should perform better if you have some experience and specific activity in mind.
How it fares against paddle strikes, rocky shores
Budget-boards are not as durable as the top Red paddle co or Atoll boards. However, it is still necessary to check if they can perform on rocky shores or at the very least survive accidental paddle strikes.
The ideal PSI level
Usually, the ideal PSI for these boards is 12-15. Any SUP that supports a higher PSI would be more rigid and perform better on water.
How much weight can it support?
Safe carrying capacity is worth considering when looking for an iSUP. The weight of the paddleboarder and supplies should be in the range of what the board can safely support. An overloaded SUP will suffer a severe performance penalty.
The stability of the paddle board
For a beginner, stability is the first aspect to look for in an iSUP. It does not need to be highly stable. However, a stable iSUP would be far better for learning SUPing than a high-difficulty race board.
Which Inflatable Paddle Board Will You Choose?
The right iSUP can make or break a paddleboarder’s day. We recommend the all-around, lightweight iSUP for most paddlers. As such, SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board stands to be the best Inflatable Paddle Board Under $400.
For more details on cheap SUPs, check out our article on “Best Paddle Boards Under $400.”