Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400

Are you looking for a high-quality inflatable SUP that costs less than $400? The good news is that there are plenty of excellent paddle boards in a variety of styles available for less than $400. Explore our selection of ‘Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400.’

This guide to the best SUPs under $400 is a subset of our comprehensive list of the best paddle boards. As paddle boarding has grown in popularity as a recreational, fitness, and social activity, a slew of new companies have entered the market.

The companies are designing and manufacturing good paddle board kits at reasonable prices for the value they provide.

Read our full and In-depth Best Paddle Board Drink Holders Blog here.

How To Choose the Right Inflatable SUP

While many reviewers or companies simply provide a list of the “best” inflatable paddle boards, the reality is a little more complicated. Don’t worry, we can help you choose the best SUP for you with a few simple tips and guidelines, and we’ve included a list of some great options below.

Weight Capacity

You’ll notice that each of the SUPs we describe below has a total weight capacity number, which you should not disregard. This is the total amount of weight that the board can support (including you, any pets, gear, or friends). Overloading a board causes it to sit too low in the water. This means it won’t paddle or maneuver well, and you’ll probably get wet.

Consumer Recommendations: We recommend purchasing a board with a maximum capacity that is at least 50 to 75 LBS greater than what you intend to have on board on a regular basis.

SUP Stability And Speed

It is critical to understand that the wider the paddle board, the more stable it will be. And the longer and narrower the paddle board, the faster it will be. Again, while it would be easier to recommend a single “best paddle board,” life is all about tradeoffs. One of them is SUP stability vs. speed.

The width of most all-around style paddle boards will be between 30 and 36 inches. The majority will be in the middle, with board widths ranging from 32′′ to 33′′.

Buyer Recommendations: If you want a more stable SUP, look for one that is at least 33 inches wide. If you want to paddle faster straight lines, look for something longer than 11′ or 12′ and narrower than 33′′.

Paddler Size (Height And Weight)

In general, the larger you are, the larger your paddle board should be. In many ways, sizing paddle boards is similar to sizing skis or a bike. Larger skiers require longer skis or larger bike frames.

Personal preference plays a role in some of it. A smaller paddle board will be more maneuverable overall, but it will most likely be slower. Exactly like skis!

Buyer Recommendations: Paddlers who are larger or taller should consider larger paddle boards. If you are taller than 6’6″ or weigh more than 200 pounds, we recommend that you do not buy anything shorter than 10’6″ long. If you are shorter than 5’5″ and weigh less than 150 lbs, boards between 9’6″ and 10’6″ should fit your height and weight without being too large.

Your Budget

It would be nice to have an unlimited budget for your new paddle board, but most of us don’t. Choosing a paddle board that fits your budget is just as important as other considerations such as length or design.

A budget of $400 for an inflatable paddle board will get you a high-quality, enjoyable-to-paddle SUP. It’s fine if you want to spend more money on extra features or a specific design. Just don’t feel obligated to.

List of Best Inflatable Paddle Boards Under $400

1. SereneLife Free Flow & Thunder Wave
2. Drift 10’8″
3. ROC 10′
4. Aksport
5. FunWater Tiki 10’5″
6. Dama 9’6″
7. FunWater 11′
8. Cooyes 10’6″
9. Aqua Plus 10’6″

SereneLife Free Flow And Thunder Wave

SereneLife manufactures some of the most popular paddle boards on the market. The Free Flow and Thunder Wave paddle boards are ideal for beginner and intermediate paddlers looking for a great all-around board for less than $400.

With a width of 32′′, these boards are an excellent middle-of-the-road choice for stability and speed. Plus, they fold up into a small backpack that you can take with you on any adventure and weigh only about 20 pounds.

Recommend For:

Beginner and intermediate paddlers looking for a good mix of stability and speed.

Dimensions:

• Free Flow: 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ | 19.6 LBS | 275 LBS Capacity
• Thunder Wave: 10′ x 32″ x 6″ | 19 LBS | 275 LBS Capacity
• Rising Wave: 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″ | 19.6 LBS | 275 LBS Capacity

SereneLife SUP Kit Includes:

• Inflatable SUP with handle & non-slip deck padding
• Paddle
• 3 Fins
• Ankle leash
• Manual inflation pump
• Carry bag/backpack
• 1-year warranty

Drift 10’8

Drift is a standout company based in Destin, Florida. They not only make great paddleboards, but they also have excellent after-sales customer service if you ever need help. They also come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty to keep you covered.

While the price of this board is slightly above $400, we included it because it is a standout SUP. Its length of 10 feet 8 inches is slightly longer than the average board on this list, and its 33-inch width makes for a very stable platform.

The construction is incredibly durable and top-notch for the extra money spent on this board compared to some other cheaper options. The outer skin is nearly indestructible and can withstand the scrapes and bumps that come with this water sport. The inner baffles are also made of high-quality drop stitching, which results in a very rigid board for a great paddling experience.

Dimensions:

• Drift Paddle Board: 10’8″ x 33″ x 6″ | 19 LBS Board Weight | 250 LBS Capacity

DRIFT SUP Kit Includes:

• 10’8″ Inflatable board
• 3-piece aluminum paddle
• Fins
• Manual paddle board pump
• Backpack carry bag
• Repair kit

ROC Explorer 10’

The ROC is an excellent board for the weekend warrior paddler looking for stability and ease of paddling at a low cost. The company is a family-owned business in the United States that is extremely dependable.

How dependable and popular is the ROC SUP? More than a MILLION Roc paddleboards have been sold worldwide. They include a one-year warranty to cover their boards if anything goes wrong. They truly believe in their products.

Recommend For:

This is an excellent all-around board that is stable enough for use on lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and flat oceans. The 32′′ width and slightly shorter length than some of the other boards on this list make it extremely maneuverable and stable for any fun water activity.

Dimensions:

• Size: 10′ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight: 17.5 LBS
• Capacity: 300 LBS

ROC Kit Includes:

• 10′ Paddle Board
• Collapsible aluminum paddle
• Manual board pump
• Stability fin
• Safety ankle leash
• Waterproof bag for phone etc
• Heavy-duty backpack for storable and carrying

Aksport 10’6

The Aksport is one of the less well-known SUPs on this list, but it stands out for a few reasons. This board, in particular, is extremely light! It only weighs 17 pounds. Given its size of 10.5 feet long and 32 inches wide, this is an impressively low number. This makes it easier to paddle transport and store.

The backpack’s padded straps are another great feature. That, combined with the lightweight, makes you want to take it to a small backcountry lake and have it all to yourself.

This board’s tapered bow and tail also help it move through the water quickly and with little effort. We recommend the Aksport if you want a fast and easy-to-paddle board.

Recommend For:

Paddlers looking for a lightweight, easy-to-transport, and store SUP that will allow them to paddle quickly and easily while still providing good stability.

Dimensions:

• Size: 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight: 17 LBS
• Capacity: 300 LBS

Aksport Kit Includes:

• Inflatable board
• Manual hand pump
• Fins
• Adjustable alloy paddle
• Carry bag with straps and backpack
• Coiled ankle leash

Fun Water Tiki 10’6’

If you’ve been looking for the best paddle boards under 400$, you’ve probably come across the name FunWater. The Tiki is another popular FunWater board that measures 10’6″ long and 33″ wide.

The board has received excellent customer feedback and is reasonably priced considering the entire package. Because of its wide width, the FunWater Tiki is an excellent choice for an all-around board if you want to ensure that you get something very nice and stable.

The tapered tail of the board is another great feature that we like about this SUP. Despite its slightly wider size, this board will still paddle quickly and maintain a nice straight line. So there’s a nice balance of stability and speed.

Dimensions:

• Size: 10’6″ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight: 17.6 LBS
• Capacity: 300 LBS

Tiki Kit Includes:

• 10′ Funwater Inflatable Board
• 3 removable fins
• Manual pump
• Carry a backpack and storage bag
• Phone dry bag
• Ankle leash

Dama 9’6’

First and foremost, we adore the design of this board, which resembles the wooden decking on a ship. Sure, it’s an inflatable board, but a little flair goes a long way. The Dama SUP is smaller than most of the boards on this list, measuring 9’6″ long and 30″ wide, and is an excellent choice for smaller paddlers or those who prefer maneuverability over carrying capacity or speed.

It’s worth noting that the capacity limit on this board is 220 LBS, whereas many of the other boards on this list have capacities of 275 LBS or higher.

Recommend For:

The Dama is ideal for smaller paddlers weighing less than 150 pounds or standing less than 5’6′′ tall. This size is more manageable and maneuverable than the larger boards on this list.

Dimensions:

• Size: 9’6″ x 30″ x 6″
• Weight: 20 LBS
• Capacity: 220 LBS

Dama Kit Includes:

• Inflatable board
• Hand pump
• Removable center fin
• Repair kit
• 3-piece aluminum paddle
• Carry and storage bag

Fun Water 11’

With a length of 11 feet and a width of 33 inches, this FunWater is one of the largest boards on this list. All of this volume gives it a large carrying capacity, allowing you to comfortably board with your cooler, dog, or even a friend.

FunWater makes some very affordable paddle boards under 400$, that are still of high quality. With its tapered note, this board will be a pleasure to paddle for years to come.

Recommend For:

This board is ideal for larger paddlers or those who need to bring a lot of gear. Because of its 33′′ width, it is also one of the most stable options.

Dimensions:

• Size: 11′ x 33″ x 6″
• Weight: 17.6 LBS
• Capacity: 330 LBS

FunWater Kit Includes:

• 11′ Funwater Inflatable Board
• 3 removable fins
• Manual pump
• Carry a backpack and storage bag
• Phone dry bag
• Ankle leash

Cooyes 10’6’

The Cooyes SUP is a lesser-known brand of paddleboards, but they are a rising star for good reason. It’s a great all-around style board for recreational paddling, touring with a dog, or even doing some casual yoga or fishing at 10.5 feet long and 32 inches wide.

The board’s particularly sporty shape distinguishes it from some of the others on the list. Because of its streamlined shape, the highly pointed bow and 100% tapered tail allow for faster paddling speeds.

Recommend For:

If you want an all-around paddle board that outperforms other boards in the same size category in terms of speed. The Cooyes is a fast, all-around board that should be on your list.

Dimensions:

• Size: 10’6″ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight: 19.5 LBS
• Capacity: 330 LBS

Cooyes Kit Includes:

• 10’6″ Cooyes SUP board
• Removable fin
• Safety leash
• Waterproof bar & repair kit
• 3-section aluminum paddle
• Manual inflation pump
• Backpack carrying bag

Side By Side Comparison Of best SUPs