Best Stand-Up Paddle Boards for 2024 - CNET

Article updated on September 28, 2024 at 1:23 PM PDT

There's nothing worse than being at a beach without a paddle. But what are the best stand-up paddle boards? Let's find out.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Solid vs. inflatable board

Not all stand-up paddle boards are inflatable; some are solid, which makes for easier setup but not necessarily transportation. Solid boards may also be better for the ocean because of their durability.

Purpose of owning a paddle board

Some paddle boards provide for more speedy transportation across the water, while other paddle boards are built for yoga or offer more stability. The best stand-up paddle board for you depends on how you'll be using it.

Price

How much do you want to spend on a paddle board? There's a range of prices.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Solid vs. inflatable board

Not all stand-up paddle boards are inflatable; some are solid, which makes for easier setup but not necessarily transportation. Solid boards may also be better for the ocean because of their durability.

Purpose of owning a paddle board

Some paddle boards provide for more speedy transportation across the water, while other paddle boards are built for yoga or offer more stability. The best stand-up paddle board for you depends on how you'll be using it.

Price

How much do you want to spend on a paddle board? There's a range of prices.

The autumn season is here, which means it's time for sweater weather, pumpkin spice drinks and staying in to get cozy by the fire. But with so much more time on our hands, there's zero excuse to put off your dreams of a new paddle board. After all, why wait until next spring?

A stand-up paddle board is useful for many different reasons, and not all of them have to do with catching the sun's rays at the beach during summer. There's yoga, racing, and even touring around lakes and rivers to fish if you're so inclined. Think of stand-up paddle boards in a way similar to kayaks, only with much more flexible movement.

If your current board isn't up to the task -- or if you're ready for a lighter, better board -- we've sat down and tested the best stand-up paddle boards on the market to ensure you get a board that fits your skill level and needs.

A great paddle board should have these three qualities: stability, maneuverability and durability. On top of that, most people also look for a good return on their investment. The Breeze Aero from BOTE checks a ton of boxes for what your average paddler wants in a new, quality SUP. Not to mention, it's one good-looking board.

The BOTE Breeze Aero provides balance, speed, durability and maneuverability all in one SUP package. Speaking of packages, you also get additional gear with the board like a paddle, pump, repair kit, fin and travel bag. The BOTE Breeze Aero backpack was my favorite from the bunch. Not only is it spacious, but there's comfortable padding in the shoulder straps, so it's comfortable to haul around on your back. It's also a lot easier to transport than a solid stand-up paddle board, along with the other inflatable boards on this list.

This SUP feels fairly light, weighing in at around 20 pounds. That being said, it measures 10 feet 8 inches long and 33 inches wide, making it feel just as stable as any solid paddle board. I never felt like I was going to tip over, even when gliding over large wakes.

One of my favorite things about this stable board -- besides its stability -- is its compatibility with BOTE's inflatable seat. It instantly transforms your paddle board into a mini makeshift kayak. If you get the kayak paddle to go along with it, you have yourself a multifunctional board.

The Connelly Voyager SUP was my first stand-up paddle board and what a great board it is. I began taking it out to the beautiful (but chilly) Lake Tahoe to learn how to paddle board. Thanks to the stability and quality of the Connelly Voyager, balance wasn't an issue when winds picked up, and I was hard-pressed not to fall into the 57-degree water.

The wider and longer a board is, the more stable it will be. The Connelly Voyager is 10 feet 6 inches long and 32 inches wide. It weighs 34 pounds. It has a four-point bungee near the top to strap down a cooler, shoes or any other gear you want to bring along with you. The Connelly Voyager is also designed with a ding-resistant thermo shell and thermo shell seam reinforcement for maximum durability.

Speed isn't necessarily this SUP's forte, but it also doesn't offer the drag that the yoga and fishing paddle boards do. It is great for stability and tracking. Keeping a straight path with the Connelly Voyager is a breeze, and it effortlessly glides over boat wakes or small waves.

It doesn't come with any extra accessories, but it's sold in stores like Dick Sporting Goods where you can go pick out your own paddle and additional gear you may want. Because the Connelly is sold at such an affordable price compared to other solid boards, you're able to spend the extra money on accessories to beef it up. This board is an all-around great pick for any skill set, including beginners who are just dipping their feet in the sport.

Retrospec is a popular paddle board brand you might have seen advertised on your Instagram or Facebook feeds. The Weekender model is its entry-level board, and I was really impressed with how nice the board is for the price. Hands down, this is one of the best paddle boards you can get for your money.

The Weekender 10' paddle board is 10 feet long and 30 inches wide. It has a single-layer PVC design with drop stitch tech. It comes with all the additional accessories you'll need, including a pump, three detachable fins, ankle leash, paddle, backpack, repair kit and even a waterproof phone case you can hang around your neck. I also love the colors the Weekender 10' is available in. I think it offers the most versatility in style compared with the other boards.

That waterproof case was a game-changer for taking photos and didn't come with any of the other paddle boards I tested. It may be a small addition, but it's a testament to the value you get with the Weekender 10'.

The Weekender 10' is incredibly lightweight, weighing 17 pounds, and easy to carry around. On the water, it glides with ease and is great for speed. You can gain good momentum with this board. That said, it was a little harder to balance than other SUPs. After 10 to 15 minutes on the board, you find your footing and find the hang of it -- even if you're a beginner. I think it's a great, all-around paddle board with an incredibly wallet-friendly price tag.

The iRocker brand is fairly popular among riders and for good reason; it offers a range of different models and quality boards at affordable price points. I tested the 10' All Around Ultra SUP and found it to be a great travel-friendly, lightweight board to take with you on a pre- or post-paddle adventure.

Measuring 10 feet long and 32 inches wide and weighing 19.8 pounds, this inflatable SUP easily folds down to fit into a backpack that's more compact and preferably sized than others that I've tested. It's also a lot more carry-on friendly for travel. Rather than a tall and skinny SUP backpack, the iRocker bag is more square and sits more comfortably on my back. I'm a shorter rider and tend to feel like I'm going to fall over when I carry a heavy, tall SUP backpack.

In the water, the iRocker All-Around Ultra board is easy to maneuver and smoothly coasts along the water at a quick speed without much effort. I'm also a big fan of the paddle. It's made with carbon fiber and ergonomically designed to get good pushes in the water. It's also the only five-piece paddle I've tested, making it more compact and easy to pack.

The board has a woven, drop-stitch construction and features bungee cords both in the front and rear allowing you to secure all your gear. There are even four D-rings along the sides of the board so you can strap down a seat or cooler. For the bottom of the board's base, there are two long fins for easy tracking that connect to tethered flip locks. It's a fin-lock system I've never seen before, and it makes it easier to secure your fins to the board.

Last but certainly not least, it comes with a chargeable electric pump that makes inflating your SUP way easier. After a taxing hike to the lake, an electric pump is a huge help. Even if you're going right outside your house, an electric pump comes in really handy.

Pro tip: The 10' board is best for people 5 feet 5 inches tall and under, so taller riders should opt for the 11-foot model.

The adventure paddler who likes to travel long distances will love the sleek and functional design of the Infinity E-Ticket Touring paddle board. As Infinity says itself, this SUP has the performance aspects of a race board, but the generous widths and style of a touring board.

Inspired by the 2015 Blackfish model, the E-Ticket SUP has a wide, square-shaped tail and a wide-pointed nose for even more added stability and maneuverability. It promotes high speeds through glassy waters and allows you to stay stable when it gets choppy.

It's made with carbon Innegra glass and closed-cell EVA foam in the foot pad for a dry and comfortable grip. Another great thing about the deck is that it's recessed, promoting a lower center of gravity to help with stability. It's also surprisingly lightweight for its size. It's available in four sizes from 11 feet 6 inches to 14 feet long and with weights ranging from 26 to 32 pounds.

Paddles, ankle leashes and any other extras are sold separately, but I think the price of this touring board is fair enough that you can opt to spend money on added accessories without breaking the bank.

The ultimate functional paddle board award goes to the Bote Rackham Aero 11', and it's also the best paddle board for fishing. It's one of the most decked-out paddle boards I have ever seen, and it's compatible with add-on fishing accessories to upgrade your set-up.

There are two inflation nozzles on the Rackham Aero; one in the front for the nose and sides and one in the back for the base. It's almost like a paddle board and kayak hybrid because the edges are raised, enclosing you in a little boat-like SUP. This design also helps keep water from collecting on the top, keeping your belongings safe and dry.

That's just the start of what the Rackham Aero can do. The board is designed with add-ons like the cooler tie-down points, several D-rings, accessory mounts and even a magnetic cup holder (compatible with Bote Magnepod accessories). It also includes a sheath for both your paddle and a sand spear for easy storage while you fish. I should also mention it's the only paddle board with rear and front bungee straps, allowing you to secure your items at both points. It has everything a paddling fisher might need to enjoy their time on the water.

Staying stable while you fish won't be a problem on the Rackham Aero, even if you're trying to hook a big catch. Its recessed base and 36-inch width help keep you perfectly balanced. You shouldn't expect to win any SUP races on the Rackham Aero -- it's not very fast, especially when you have all your gear strapped on.

The board weighs 36 pounds, and the case is around 50 pounds with the board and all the accessories packed in. It's definitely heavy, but the bag has small wheels attached to the bottom like a suitcase, allowing you to easily roll it during transport.

Yogis who want to take their craft to the water may be interested in a paddle board specifically designed for yoga. As peaceful as yoga can be, there's something about the water that makes it even more centering. The secret to a nice yoga paddle board is a wide and long base to balance on. My personal favorite is the Dhyana paddle board from Aqua Marina.

Balance is made easy with its 11-foot by 36-inch dimensions. It's the most stable SUP I tested next to the fishing paddle board. Unless I was practicing a difficult yoga move I hadn't done before, I felt like I was never going to fall off that thing. Although it's such a big board, I was pleasantly surprised with its lighter 22-pound weight. Compare that with the BOTE Rackham, which is the same dimensions but 14 pounds heavier.

The Aqua Marina Dhyana is made with PVC, drop stitch technology and a nonslip crocodile-grooved foot pad that covers almost the whole board so you can use a ton of space. The foot pad is softer than the padding on traditional paddle boards, making your different yoga poses feel more comfortable.

Not only that, but the crocodile grooving allows you to keep better traction. As you can imagine, it gets pretty slippery out there on the water. Also, there isn't a handle protruding out from the middle of the board, allowing you to sit or lay comfortably when you're in ground poses.

Besides your standard inflatable paddle board accessories like a pump, leash, backpack, fin and paddle, you'll also receive a yoga board strap to carry your board like a yoga mat, a paddle holder to use while you do yoga and a connection strap you can use to hook your paddle board to other objects.

Since this post was created, High Society has remade the ZG Inflatable SUP and added kayak compatibility and two action mounts. We tested the previous model; the newer one is available for pre-order now.

From the mile-high state comes the High Society ZG inflatable paddle board. It offers a nice balance of stability and speed, and boy did I love how zippy this board was. I could gain speed and keep it with little effort, often trailing ahead of my paddle partner, who was taking the BOTE Breeze for a spin.

The High Society ZG SUP package includes all the accessories needed for an inflatable board, including a pump, travel bag, detachable fin, repair kit, paddle and an ankle leash. The High Society paddle was my favorite of the ones I tested. Paddles tend to loosen up at the handle, allowing them to twist and turn as you paddle through the water. The High Society paddle stayed sturdy and didn't twist an inch.

The ZG paddle board is 10 feet 6 inches long and 32 inches wide. It's made with commercial-grade PVC that's been through a multistep inspection for quality assurance. The grip on the deck of the board is similar to that on the premium Infinity E-Ticket Touring board, with a diamond grooving that helps slippery feet gain better traction.

Another strength of this inflatable paddle board is its ability to keep water from the deck. Its rocker profile keeps the nose of the board poking slightly upward, which helps prevent water from soaking your belongings.

My first impression of the Pioneer 2.0 is that it's equally as speedy as it is easy to balance. After being used to my own board for so long, it took me a few minutes to find my footing and get comfortable with a few models during my testing process. I immediately clicked with ISLE's Pioneer 2.0 paddle board like I'd been riding it for years. It offers a fun, sturdy ride for all skill levels and is especially great for beginners.

The Pioneer 2.0 has a double-layer drop-stitch construction and measures 10 feet 6 inches long by 34 inches wide. It's a little heavier than the smaller models on this list at 24 pounds. It has front and rear bungee cords allowing you to store coolers, shoes, a jacket or other belongings you want to take paddling with you.

I found the nose of the Pioneer 2.0 does a great job of staying up out of the water. I kept my phone and shoes strapped under the front bungee and they stayed nice and dry. There are also two small straps attached to the side so you can secure your paddle when you're taking a break on the water which I greatly appreciate.

One of my favorite things about the Pioneer, besides its smooth ride, is the padding material. Other boards I've tested are made with extra-grippy, textured traction pads that without a doubt help with traction. The traction pad on the Pioneer 2.0 is made with a soft, smooth fabric-like material that offers great traction and is more comfortable -- especially when you're on your knees (a big plus for beginners).

The Pioneer 2.0 comes with a carbon hybrid paddle, hand pump, storage/travel bag, fin and leash. The travel bag comes with straps on the inside to secure your board, a good touch I don't see very often. The fin is a little more complicated to put on than other boards, but that's hardly a con, just something worth mentioning.

The Pioneer 2.0 is out of stock, but the ISLE Pioneer 3 is available with a folding fin box, full-length deck pad, and Airtech construction that shaves five pounds off its weight.

CNET health and wellness editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. Each paddle board was tested individually on the same body of water to determine speed, tracking and balance performance. Tests were completed when wind conditions were below 10. SUP was inflated to its suggested PSI, typically between 10 to 15.

There are two kinds of paddle boards you can buy, inflatable or rigid, aka solid. One isn't better than the other -- it will primarily depend on your current circumstances and what you're looking to get out of your board.

Solid paddle boards tend to be better for the ocean because they're more durable and can likely withstand the hit from jagged rocks and coral reefs. They're also more stable when you hit choppy waters, boat wakes and waves. They're also usually heavier, harder to transport and more difficult to store.

Inflatable paddle boards allow you to easily store it in small spaces like apartments, studios or the trunk of your car. They are also easier to get to the water, especially if you don't own a truck or vehicle with roof racks.

You can buy specific types of paddle boards you can buy that are ergonomically designed for certain activities. There are different lengths, widths and styles to maximize functionality.

You can find a wide price range with paddle boards, so you can enjoy the sport on almost any budget. Inflatable boards tend to be more affordable than hard-top ones, while performance and racing boards are among the most expensive you can buy. For a good paddle board, prices start around $300 and go all the way up to $2,000 or more.

Once upon a time, I lived in a one-bedroom, 750-square-foot apartment and bought a 10-foot paddleboard. Did I have a detached garage? No. Did I have an abnormally large storage closet? No, I didn't have that either. Not understanding the sheer size of a paddleboard, I didn't take storage into account. I had to buy wall mounts to hold my paddle board above my bed, almost like a makeshift headboard. Before I knew it, my place felt like a beach house in the middle of Reno, Nevada.

Moral of the story is, make sure you have the storage space for a solid SUP before you buy if that's the kind you're leaning toward.

That depends on what you want to use it for. Shorter boards are slower but easier to maneuver and carry around. Longer paddle boards tend to be faster but weigh more than shorter boards. Boards under 10 feet long are best for kids or people who want to surf.

The wider your paddle board, the more stable it's going to be. If balance and stability are your main concerns, keep an eye out for an SUP that's 33 inches wide or larger. Keep in mind, wide paddle boards are slower than long, narrow paddle boards.

If properly stored and taken care of, your inflatable paddle board can last five to 10 years. Most inflatable boards also come with a repair kit if you experience a puncture.