Waves lapping against the shore, children laughing, seagulls calling overhead, the deafening expulsion of air as a paddleboard is deflated – these are the essential sounds of any good seaside trip.
The best paddleboards have become a key ingredient of British beach holidays. As the market continues to grow, prices are being driven down, and you can now even pick up an inflatable paddleboard at supermarkets like Aldi.
But that doesn’t mean you should splash your cash on the first, or cheapest, option you find – which is why I’ve been busy testing the best paddleboards for 2025. If you’re new to this trendy pastime, stability is key for building confidence, so you’ll want a shorter, wider board that has lots of volume and sits higher on the water. Seasoned paddleboarders, on the other hand, may be chasing a speedier ride. For this, look for less volume, more length and a thinner deck, as this shape lends itself to travelling at significant speeds.
No matter how experienced you are, some attributes should be common to every SUP (stand-up paddleboard, for the uninitiated). They need to be quick to inflate and deflate, with practically placed handles for portability. A non-slip deck that’s comfortable to stand on is a non-negotiable, as well as cargo areas (in the form of bungee straps) to transport everything you want to take with you. That’s why the
If you want to know which SUP to buy, take a look at my tried and tested guide below to see which boards have me pumped this year.
How I tested
- Real-world testing – I took to the water off the South Devon coastline, setting off from the beach, paddling to an estuary, then paddling up the river so I could test each board in different kinds of water conditions. If it wobbled or wavered, it didn’t make the cut.
- Inflation systems – The pump is pretty important when it comes to an inflatable paddleboard, but they have come a long way since the days when blowing up an inflatable on the beach would leave you a sweaty mess.
- Set-up – All the boards included below were easy and quick to inflate, especially those that came with high-pressure double-action pumps.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jon Axworthy is an expert in outdoor apparel and activity testing. After reviewing everything from kayaks and mountain bikes to hiking rucksacks, he knows exactly what to look for when it comes to outdoor sports. Jon has been an expert tester for many years and is your go-to for all things adventure, fitness and the great outdoors.
The best stand-up paddleboards for 2025 are:
- Best overall – 1Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package, Qurocpaddleboards.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Wave Tourer 2.0: £189.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for kids – Red Paddle Co snapper: £599.95, Supinflatables.co.uk
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Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package
Best: Stand-up paddleboard overall
Length: 12ft 6in
Width: 30in
Depth: 6in
Volume: 345l
Max rider weight: 110kg
Package: Paddle, backpack, board backpack, pump, fins, repair kit, leash and belt
Why we love it
- Copes well with choppy conditions
The allwater from Quroc is perfect if you’re looking for a more advanced board, as its shaping is such that it improves paddling without making any compromise on stability.
The extra length you get with this 12ft 6in ride makes it the perfect point-and-shoot board for touring. Just find your heading and it’ll track superbly, no matter how hard you’re paddling.
As the name suggests, it’s built to be adventurous, and the increased volume means it can cope brilliantly with choppy sections of the sea and stays stable in the wind – it even performs against a turning tide. All it takes is a little extra effort on the paddle and you can get to any target quickly.
Buy now £789.00, Qurocpaddleboards.co.uk
Wave tourer 2.0 paddle board
Best: Budget stand-up paddleboard
Length: 10ft 3in or 11ft 3in
Width: 32in
Depth: 6in
Volume: Unspecified
Max rider weight: 130kg or 140kg
Package: Backpack, paddle, safety leash, dual-action pump
Why we love it
- Lots of fun
- Great value
Take note
- Bit unstable in choppy water
This is a great board, at a great price, from the Newcastle manufacturer, offering taller paddlers lots of stability.
Particularly suited for calmer waters, at just under 32in wide, it’s a quick board and offers good stability, while enabling you to progress your paddling skills and boost confidence. The foam deck pad offers lots of traction and will help keep you on your feet but it’s comfortable if you’re out for hours on end.
We inflated and deflated in around five minutes; there’s a three-bungee strap cargo area (with drinks holder), so plenty of room for extras; and the padded grab handle and light weight makes it a very portable board.
Buy now £189.99, Wavesupboards.com
Red 9ft 4in 3-in-1 snapper MSL kids' inflatable paddle board package
Best: Stand-up paddleboard for kids
Length: 9ft 4in
Width: 27in
Depth: 4in
Volume: 134l
Max rider weight: 60kg
Package: Backpack, pump, leash, paddle, windsurf rig and fins
Why we love it
- Can switch between SUP, windsurfing or surfing modes
This Devon-based manufacturer is always innovating and it’s come up with a great way for kids to make the most of their time on the water. The brand’s three-in-one board can switch between SUP, windsurfing or surfing modes, thanks to detachable handles and fins.
It was the performance of the snapper as an SUP that we were most interested in, and our pint-sized paddler had an absolute blast on the board. It strikes a good balance between width, volume and narrowness, so it’s easy for smaller ones to get their paddle in the water and make progress.
Its 27in width offers stability while keeping the fun factor and responsiveness for quicker turns and playing in the waves. A robust core also means the board can take plenty of punishment.
Buy now £799.00, supinflatables.co.uk
Red 10ft 2in ride MSL paddleboard
Best: Stand-up paddleboard for beginners
Length: 10ft 2in
Width: 29in
Depth: 4in
Volume: 182l
Max rider weight: 90kg
Package: Board carry strap, water-resistant phone case and safety leash
Why we love it
- Feels stable
- Great for surfing
Take note
- No paddle included in the basic package
- Low volume
Red has added to its extremely popular “ride” series of boards, with this easy paddler that’s well suited to younger, lighter boarders.
The brand has kept the rounded nose that’s characteristic of the series, so the board feels stable when you’re on it, despite its lower volume, but its slimmer width means it’s quick (the faster you go, the more stability will improve).
This is why it’s an excellent kids’ board or a good board to try SUP surfing, as it’s got bags of manoeuvrability and makes nice tight turns, the grip and comfortable deck pad also adds to its suitability for surfing and newbie riders.
As we’ve come to expect from Red, the construction is top notch and the board will be able to take plenty of punishment, without you having to worry about repairs. Nice and quick to inflate – great for impatient younger paddlers – the board has three carry handles, cargo straps and a safety leash, which is important for rookie riders and surfers alike.
Buy now £579.00, Red-equipment.co.uk
Thurso surf waterwalker 126 all-around SUP
Best: Fast stand-up paddleboard
Length: 10ft 6in
Width: 31in
Depth: 6in
Volume: 270l
Max rider weight: 135kg (58-81kg recommended for beginners)
Package: Paddle, rechargeable electric air pump, backpack, leash and fins
Why we love it
- Very quick
- Adapts to lots of conditions
We really liked the shape of this 10ft 6in board, and we liked it even more when we got it out on the water, as it’s very quick.
This is a good option for the more confident riders out there, as it’s adaptable to seas, rivers and lakes. Plus, its shape, design and weight enable you to try out manoeuvres such as the step-back turn, where you shift your body to the back of the board and lift up the nose, so you turn more easily out of tight spots.
Quick inflation and the addition of Velcro straps for securing your paddle when you’re not using it are also very welcome, as is the inclusion of an electric air pump in the package, which takes all the effort out of getting the waterwalker ready to use.
Buy now £409.00, Thursosurf.com
Red Paddle 10ft 8in activ MSL inflatable yoga paddle board package
Best: Stand-up paddleboard for yoga
Length: 10ft 8in
Width: 34in
Depth: 5.9in
Volume: 160l
Max rider weight: Unspecified
Package: Backpack, pump, leash, paddles, fin
Why we love it
- Great stability
- Made with yoga in mind
Yoga mats are yesterday’s news. Yoga paddleboards (YSUPs), however, offer the chance to take your practice to the next level.
Obviously, stability becomes even more important for aqua asanas, and this board offers up 333l of volume and a deck that’s 34in wide and 10ft 8in long, so your downward dog won’t turn into a drowned rat. The blunt-nose shape keeps the board steady, and, when maximally inflated, it offers a good hard surface on which to practise.
Red has conceptualised the board well for yoga, too, moving the carry handles to the side of the board, so they don’t get in the way of your flow, and by including Velcro straps to stow your paddle while you’re in warrior pose.
Buy now £899.00, Red-equipment.co.uk
Thurso Surf waterwalker 132 all-around SUP
Best: Stable stand-up paddleboard
Length: 10ft 6in
Width: 33in
Depth: 6in
Volume: 322.5l
Max rider weight: 149kg (72-95kg recommended for beginners)
Package: Electric pump, backpack, paddle, fins and leash
Why we love it
- Perfect for adventuring
If you want to banish the wobble factor that plagues many beginners, the larger size of the previously mentioned waterwalker is the most stable platform we paddled.
Even though it shares the same name, this 132 board has very unique paddling characteristics, and its 31in width and squared-off tail minimises side-to-side movement and is a real confidence booster, even when you’re picking up speed.
The 132 is really well made and you won’t have to worry about damage if you get too close to jagged rocks while you’re adventuring, either. The inclusion of an electric pump and one of the most compact and comfortable backpacks on test only add to the board’s appeal.
Buy now £479.99, Amazon.co.uk
Thurso waterwalker 120
Best: Short stand-up paddleboard
Length: 10ft
Width: 30in
Depth: 6in
Volume: 240l
Max rider weight: 45-70kg
Package: Three-piece paddle, backpack, pump and safety leash
Why we love it
- Very versatile
- Nice detailing
Another, shorter version of the waterwalker, this 10ft SUP impressed us with its all-around performance. Keeping the design of its more-elongated siblings, with its squared off tail, the 10ft version keeps any confidence-sapping, side-to-side movement to a minimum, which is great when you’re picking up speed.
The design also really highlights the board’s hybrid capabilities, just add the nicely padded Thurso surf kayak seat (£59.99, Amazon.co.uk), using the D-rings, and the board turns into an excellent hybrid paddler. Like the other waterwalkers in the series, this one is well-crafted and robust, with a nice textured deck pad if you’re off touring.
Included are three comfortable handles, bungee cargo areas at the nose and tail, and a handy paddle holder, if you want to take a break and chill out for a bit.
Buy now £291.00, Thursosurf.com
Fanatic allwave paddle board
Best: Stand-up paddleboard for surfers
Length: 7ft 9in
Width: 28.5in
Depth: 6in
Volume: 105l
Max rider weight: Unspecified
Package: Pressure vent screw, 3 x allwave 5in RTM
Why we love it
- Combines paddle boarding and surfing
Whether you’re a surfer keen to try out paddleboarding or a paddleboarder keen to try out surfing, the allwave is well-equipped to give you the best possible chance of doing both.
With plenty of volume, the allwave sits quite low in the water, boosting stability and therefore confidence when taking on the waves. There’s a new swallow-tail design, too, which allows for some easy turning, even in some quite messy waters.
With five sizes to choose from, ranging from 7ft 9in (which we had on test) all the way up to 9ft 2in, you can match the length to your height, weight and competence.
Buy now £1449.00, 2xs.co.uk
Your stand-up paddleboard questions answered
Which is the best stand-up paddleboard?
Looking for a board that will grow with you as you progress your paddling skills? The Quroc allwater 12ft 6in touring SUP package will boost your confidence, while still challenging you to progress your technique every time you go out. It comes with a great package and hardy construction.
If your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, I also love the Wave tourer 2.0. It’s well-equipped to take you wherever you want to go, whether that’s exploring the coast from the water, going point to point, or just messing about with some friends.
What type of paddleboard should I buy?
The main decision when picking a paddleboard is whether you want an inflatable one or a solid one. Inflatable boards are easier to transport and store, and tend to be on the more affordable side. Surprisingly, they are also more durable than solid ones – quality boards are made from super-duper strong materials, so they won't dent or scratch in the same way solid boards might. That being said, in terms of performance, solid boards usually have the edge. They have a more agile approach to gliding through the water and, for those interested in SUP surfing, they are better at catching waves.
What size paddleboard do I need?
The general rule for SUPs is that the larger the board, the faster it is, whereas shorter boards are better for manoeuvrability. So, the size you should buy depends on your plans. Short boards (less than 10ft) are best for kids or those wanting to surf. Medium (10-12ft) is the most popular size, and best for general use as well as SUP yoga. Longboards (12-14ft) are ideal for taller users chasing fast-paced paddling or long-haul adventures.
What to wear when paddleboarding
First of all, I have to advise wearing safety gear before you hit the water. With waves and weather being so unpredictable, personal flotation devices of any kind can be vital. When it’s summer, your favourite swimsuits will do just fine, but in the winter (because SUP is a year-round all-weather sport) wetsuits, dry suits and some water shoes are good ideas. Rash vests are also a strong choice year-round to protect yourself from the environment. Of course, SPF is another must, no matter the month.
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