The 7 Best Inflatable Paddle Boards For Every Experience Level & Budget

If you’re someone who seeks adventure and wants to feel those endorphins without high intensity, consider giving paddle boarding a try. This water sport is a fun and accessible activity that builds strength and endurance while offering meditative perks. The best part? If you opt for one of the best inflatable paddle boards, you don’t need to stress over storage or portability.

“For the majority of paddlers, inflatable paddle boards offer an excellent paddle boarding experience,” explains Julian Kidd, owner and CEO of Green Water Sports, a specialty paddle board store.

“Inflatable paddle boards are typically cheaper, lighter, and more durable than equivalent composite or hard plastic paddle boards,” he adds, noting that these boards are particularly great for beginners, since there are no hard edges to clip if you fall.

Whether you’re brand new to the sport or have some experience and are investing in a new board, you’re in the right place. These are the best paddle boards when it comes to quality of materials, price, accessories, and ease-of-use. In other words, these options are totally worth the money.

When shopping for an inflatable paddle board, Kidd says the four main things to consider are length, width, thickness, and volume. “These will dictate what style of the board it is, how it will paddle and track, how stable it will be, and whether it can carry you.”

Length: As far as length is concerned, most paddle boards are around 10 feet long, though some (especially ones built for tandem) can run a little longer. According to Kidd, the length of a board governs how it turns and how well the board will track (aka, go in a straight line). “Longer boards will paddle straighter and glide better while shorter boards will be easier to turn,” he notes.

Width: Most paddle boards range between 30 and 35 inches, though the common sweet spot is between 32 and 34 inches. “With is one of the major factors in the stability of the board,” Kidd explains. “It also affects the overall speed of the board,” he adds, noting that narrow boards are fast but not as stable, while wide boards are much more stable.

Thickness: It might not seem like thickness is a big deal, but it’s worth considering because, when coupled with the volume, Kidd says board thickness will control how stiff the inflatable board will be and how much weight it can carry.

Volume: “The volume is measured by how much water it would displace if completely submerged,” says Kidd. With that said, the volume gets a little tricky, and with an inflatable board, Kidd notes that it’s basically about how much the board can carry. If you’re concerned about how much weight a board can hold, most companies note the weight capacity, which is the same thing.

Whether you’re brand-new to paddle boarding or have some experience, there are a few tips worth considering to maintain your board and get the most out of the water sport. First and foremost, Kidd says to always follow the manufacturer’s directors for maximum inflation pressures since board brands and models vary in what pressures they can handle and are designed to be used at. For example, just because one board can handle a certain inflation pressure doesn’t mean another one can.

According to Kidd, it’s also super important to store your inflatable paddle board out of direct sunlight to maintain its quality. “As with anything outdoors or marine, UV rays will eat into the materials and glues and accelerate wear and tear,” he explains. Speaking of care, Kidd says it’s also best to rinse your board with fresh water and dry it before putting it away. “This will prevent the build-up of any fungus or mold, especially during the off-season.”

Many inflatable paddle boards come with accessories to make the experience even more enjoyable. While it’s not essential a paddle board kit include one, it’s worth purchasing a storage bag for your inflatable paddle board if it isn't provided. This will help keep the board clean and maintain the overall integrity. It also makes for more compact storage, which is a benefit to an inflatable paddle board vs. a solid style.

And, of course, if your board doesn’t come with a paddle (surprisingly, some don’t!), you’ll definitely want to add one to your cart.

Paddle boarding is a fun water sport to try at nearly any age. While the physical activity certainly has some health benefits, many additional factors can play a key role in longevity. First, paddle boarding is a highly physical activity that can impact body mass and increase endurance, which according to research1, impacts longevity.

Additionally, paddle boarding is an activity that many people actually enjoy doing, which is one of the biggest barriers of physical activity. In getting past that, those who paddle board can actually improve their health.

In addition to physicality, paddle boarding requires concentration and can be a meditative sport, which research indicates leads to improved longevity2. Plus, paddle boarding is an outdoor activity involving time in nature. According to research, time spent in nature can significantly decrease stress which can wreak havoc on health and interfere with longevity. If you can paddle board somewhere with greenery, such as a lake in the mountains, research shows that the green scene can also promote longevity.

Paddle boarding is a fun and relaxing outdoor water sport that promotes longevity and boosts mood and mental health by offering a stress-free and meditative experience. When shopping for the best inflatable paddle board, it’s worth considering the length, width, thickness, and volume (or weight capacity) as all of these can help you better understand the board and whether or not it will serve your needs. Once you choose a paddle board, don’t forget to take proper care of it so that your investment lasts longer. Looking for more endorphin-boosting activities that feel more like fun than exercise? Check out the best pickleball paddles of 2023.