So you've always seen people out kayaking, and it looks like a great time to be out on the waters, and you're ready to jump in. But where do you begin with all of the options available?
In this inflatable kayak review, we’re going to deep dive to look at:
I've already used and tried many sorts of inflatable kayaks as a kayaker and traveler. I own quite a bit of it. However, as I write these inflatable kayak reviews, I may purchase another one!
You're going to have a great time.
Let's start paddling!
Table of Contents
- Best Overall Inflatable Kayak
- Best Budget Inflatable Kayak
- Best Premium Inflatable Kayak
- Best 3-Person Inflatable Kayak
- Best Packable Solo Inflatable Kayak
- Best Recreational 2-Person Kayak
- Best Beginner-Stability Kayak
- Best Entry-Level Inflatable Kayak
- Best Solo Fishing Inflatable Kayak
- Best Backcountry Packable Kayak
- Buyers Guide:
- How To Choose The Best Inflatable Kayaks
- Things to consider
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
- Our Final Verdict: 10 Best Inflatable Kayak
- Conclusion:Best Inflatable Kayak Reviews
Many individuals enjoy traveling with inflatables, whether in the back of a car, sailing on every island, camping trips in remote locations, or flying around the world.
I'm a big lover of inflatable boats as a kayaker. They're often less expensive than their plastic or fiberglass equivalents because they're lighter and more portable.
Furthermore...
You must be prepared for the equipment you will be using if you truly want to have the best kayaking experience possible. You must be ready to paddle at all times and in all places.
That's why...
It is critical to select the best inflatable kayak.
One kayak may be ideal for some people but not for others. It is entirely dependent on our personal choices.
That's why I've decided to compare and contrast the top inflatable kayaks on the market.
Are you ready to see the results?
Best Overall Inflatable KayakIntex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak
- Type: 2-person tandem
- Length: 12 ft 6 in
- Width: 2 ft 8 in
- Weight: about 34.6 lb
- Capacity: 400 lb
- Hull: 3-ply PVC laminate, polyester core
- Skeg: Removable, plus optional tracking fin
Bottom Line : The most capable boat you can buy for the money, but treat the thin PVC with respect around rocks.
Pros
- Strong paddling package for the price
- Comfortable adjustable seats
- Decent tandem tracking with skeg
- 3-ply hull tougher than pool-toy Intex boats
Cons
- Thin PVC for the class
- Solo tracking underwhelms
- Valves attract sand
A 12ft 6in tandem with a 3-ply laminate hull and a removable skeg that paddles far better than its price suggests, which is why it earns the top spot despite mid-pack materials. Sells for a fraction of a hard-shell tandem yet includes two 86in paddles and a high-output pump. OutdoorGearLab rated it their best overall for the segment, largely on price versus performance.
Three air chambers plus the removable skeg, roughly 10 to 15 minutes with the high-output pump. The most capable boat you can buy for the money, but treat the thin PVC with respect around rocks. It scores 86 out of 100.
As a tandem with the skeg on it holds a line better than I expected for the price, but I would not drag it up a rocky bank, the hull just is not thick enough for that.
Ryan, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak review →
Best Budget Inflatable KayakIntex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak
- Type: 2-person tandem
- Length: 11 ft 5 in
- Width: 2 ft 11 in
- Weight: about 27.5 lb
- Capacity: 400 lb
- Hull: 30-gauge PVC vinyl, I-beam floor
- Skeg: Long detachable skeg
Bottom Line : The cheapest way onto calm water, but the thin 30-gauge hull is the compromise you accept.
Pros
- Lowest cost of entry
- Simple two-chamber setup
- Long skeg aids tracking
- Low wind profile
Cons
- Thin 30-gauge hull
- Bulge and seam complaints
- Weak sticker patches
An 11ft 5in tandem with over 30,000 Amazon reviews that gets beginners paddling for very little, as long as expectations match the budget materials. One of the lowest prices of any tandem inflatable, hence the perfect value score. Includes two paddles, a pump, a detachable skeg and a cargo net.
30-gauge PVC vinyl, thin even by budget-inflatable standards, driving the low score. The cheapest way onto calm water, but the thin 30-gauge hull is the compromise you accept. It scores 82 out of 100.
It got us on the water cheaply and the skeg keeps it straight enough, but a bulge showed up on the side within a few trips and it never fully went away.
Emma, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak review →
Best Premium Inflatable KayakAdvanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak
- Type: 1-person solo
- Length: about 10 ft 3 in
- Width: about 2 ft 9 in
- Weight: about 36 lb
- Capacity: 300 lb
- Hull: PVC-coated polyester, aluminum ribs, drop-stitch floor
- Tracking: Built-in bow and stern ribs plus fin
Bottom Line : The hull that finally paddles like a real kayak, if you accept the price and the fiddly setup.
Pros
- Excellent tracking from rib frame
- Genuinely durable multi-layer hull
- Very comfortable seat and cockpit
- Rigid drop-stitch floor
Cons
- Expensive
- Slow, fiddly setup
- Heavy and hard to drain
A solo boat with aluminum ribs in the bow and stern plus an Elite drop-stitch floor, which together give it tracking and rigidity none of the pure-PVC boats here can match. PVC-coated polyester with a tough outer fabric layer, not bare single-skin PVC. Aluminum ribs reinforce the ends and the multi-layer skin shrugs off sand and rock drags.
The frame and multiple chambers make setup arduous, one of the slowest boats to rig. The hull that finally paddles like a real kayak, if you accept the price and the fiddly setup. It scores 88 out of 100.
Once it is rigged it tracks and glides better than any inflatable I have paddled, but the setup is a chore and getting the floor firm needs the right pump.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak review →
Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak
- Type: Up to 3-person, best as tandem
- Length: 12 ft 6 in
- Weight: about 32 lb
- Packed weight: about 48 lb with kit
- Capacity: 650 lb
- Hull: 38-mil K-80 Polykrylar PVC, I-beam floor
- Skegs: Two molded skegs
Bottom Line : A tough, high-capacity boat best used as a roomy tandem despite the three-person rating.
Pros
- Thick, durable Polykrylar hull
- High 650 lb capacity
- Good tracking from twin skegs
- Upgraded Pro seats
Cons
- Bulky, heavier packed weight
- Tight as a true 3-person
- Slower foot-pump setup
A 12ft 6in boat rated to 650 lb built from thick 38-mil Polykrylar PVC, which gives real durability and load space that most budget inflatables cannot touch. Priced above the Intex boats but well below the Advanced Elements Elite. The Pro package adds deluxe seats, two paddles, a foot pump and a carry bag.
Two molded skegs and a rigid I-beam floor give surprisingly predictable tracking and turns. A tough, high-capacity boat best used as a roomy tandem despite the three-person rating. It scores 84 out of 100.
The thick hull takes a beating and it carries a ton of gear, though calling it a three-seater is a stretch, we ran it as a comfortable two.
Shaun, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak review →
Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak
- Type: 1-person solo
- Weight: about 20 lb
- Setup: about 5 minutes
- Capacity: up to 400 lb
- Hull: 21-gauge PVC, tarpaulin bottom, polyester cover
- Seat: Backpack folds into seat
- Skegs: Small molded skegs
Bottom Line : A clever grab-and-go solo whose backpack-seat trick beats its on-water handling.
Pros
- Folds into its own backpack
- Light and quick to deploy
- Multiple air chambers
- Good for remote put-ins
Cons
- Poor straight-line tracking
- Backpack seat lacks support
- Slow hand pump
A one-person boat that folds into its own backpack and sets up in about five minutes, trading paddling refinement for genuine portability. The whole kayak folds into an integrated backpack, one of the easiest to carry here. Light at roughly 20 lb, so hauling it to remote put-ins is simple.
The backpack doubles as the seat, which is convenient but firmer and less supportive than an inflatable seat. A clever grab-and-go solo whose backpack-seat trick beats its on-water handling. It scores 78 out of 100.
Carrying it in as a backpack and being on the water in five minutes is brilliant, but it wanders off line constantly and the seat is not built for a long day.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak review →
Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak
- Type: 2-person tandem
- Capacity: about 400 lb
- Hull: Thin single-skin PVC
- Oars: Two aluminum oars included
- Pump: Hand pump included
- Skeg: Removable skeg
- Best water: Calm lakes, gentle rivers
Bottom Line : A cheap, fun tandem for calm water that testers openly compare to a pool toy.
Pros
- Very low price for a tandem
- Light and packable
- Simple setup
- Fine for calm lakes
Cons
- Very thin pool-toy-grade hull
- Poor tracking without skeg
- Weak valves and patch kit
A low-cost two-person boat that gets people paddling on sheltered lakes, as long as you know the thin hull is the reason it is so affordable. Very cheap for a tandem, including two aluminum oars, a pump and seats. Great cost per outing for casual weekend use.
Made from some of the thinnest material of any boat tested, hence the low score. A cheap, fun tandem for calm water that testers openly compare to a pool toy. It scores 80 out of 100.
For the money it is genuinely fun on a still lake, but it does feel like a pool toy and I would not trust the hull anywhere near rocks.
Ryan, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak review →
Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak
- Type: 1-person solo
- Length: 9 ft
- Weight: about 21 lb
- Capacity: 250 lb
- Hull: Welded bladders, 600D Hex-Shield polyester
- Floor: High-pressure drop-stitch
- Fin: Quick-release
Bottom Line : A stable, well-built solo that gives beginners confidence without a premium price.
Pros
- Very stable platform
- Durable fabric-covered build
- Rigid drop-stitch floor
- Quick-release tracking fin
Cons
- Bulkier fold for its size
- 250 lb capacity limits load
- Needs a good pump for the floor
A 9ft solo with a high-pressure drop-stitch floor and a 600-denier polyester shell, which delivers real stability and durability well above the pool-toy tier. Welded bladders wrapped in Aquaglide Hex-Shield 600-denier polyester for abrasion and UV resistance. The fabric-over-bladder build handles minor bumps and scrapes far better than single-skin PVC.
At about 21 lb it is light, but the shorter 9ft hull is a chunkier fold than the packraft-style boats. A stable, well-built solo that gives beginners confidence without a premium price. It scores 82 out of 100.
It felt planted the moment I got in and tracked better than I expected, though the 250 lb limit means it is really a boat plus a little gear, not much more.
Emma, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak review →
Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak
Bottom Line : A budget entry boat that gets you afloat cheaply but has the weakest durability here.
Pros
- Low, often discounted price
- Comes as a complete set
- Simple beginner setup
- Compact storage
Cons
- Weakest durability here
- Seam glue fails early
- Drifts and tracks poorly
A low-cost tandem often sold through discount retailers that suits occasional calm-water use, with real question marks over how long it lasts. Cheap and frequently discounted, so upfront value is good. Comes as a set with paddles and a pump.
The lowest durability score here, reflecting real owner reports. A budget entry boat that gets you afloat cheaply but has the weakest durability here. It scores 76 out of 100.
It is cheap and fine for a first go on a still lake, but the seams started looking tired fast and it drifts badly without fins.
Shaun, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak review →
Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak
- Type: 1-person solo fishing
- Capacity: 220 lb
- Hull: 3-layer PVC, polyester, vinyl
- Valves: Three air valves
- Fishing: Rod holders and accessory bar
- Skeg: Removable
- Included: Paddle and high-output pump
Bottom Line : A cheap solo with real fishing mounts, held back by a wobbly seat and thin hull.
Pros
- Built-in rod holders and mount
- Cheap entry to fishing
- Better hull than Challenger
- Easy to turn
Cons
- Squishy, wobbly seat
- Slow and tippy paddling
- Thin puncture-prone hull
The solo version of the Excursion Pro with rod holders and an accessory bar, which makes it an affordable entry to inflatable fishing if you accept its limits. One of the cheapest ways into a rigged fishing kayak, with paddles, pump and rod holders included. A clear step up in quality from the Challenger for a modest extra outlay.
It tracks fairly straight but is slow and wobbles on each stroke, so it is no speedster. A cheap solo with real fishing mounts, held back by a wobbly seat and thin hull. It scores 80 out of 100.
The rod holders and mounts make it a proper little fishing setup for the price, but the seat feels like a squishy marshmallow and it wobbles with every stroke.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak review →
Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak
- Type: 1-person ultralight
- Length: 8 ft 6 in
- Weight: about 12 lb body, 15 lb packed
- Packed size: about 22 x 13 x 11 in
- Capacity: 300 lb
- Hull: Heavy-duty TPU nylon, welded and taped seams
- Fin: Quick-release ultralight
Bottom Line : An ultralight packraft-style boat that packs to a sleeping-bag size yet takes real abuse.
Pros
- Packs to sleeping-bag size
- Very light at about 12 lb
- Tough TPU nylon hull
- Good glide for its length
Cons
- Premium price
- Short hull limits speed
- 300 lb capacity
An 8ft 6in solo weighing about 12 lb built from heavy-duty TPU nylon, which earns top portability and near-top durability for backcountry hike-in paddling. The body weighs about 12 lb, roughly 15 lb with seat, fin and pump in the pack. Folds to about 22 by 13 by 11 inches, the volume of an ultralight sleeping bag.
The lowest value score here because the ultralight TPU build commands a premium. An ultralight packraft-style boat that packs to a sleeping-bag size yet takes real abuse. It scores 84 out of 100.
I hiked it in on my back like a sleeping bag and it shrugged off a rocky launch, though the short hull means you work a bit harder to keep up any speed.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Read our full Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak review →
Buyers Guide:
How To Choose The Best Inflatable Kayaks
Things to consider
Styles and Categories of Inflatable Kayaks
Before purchasing an inflatable kayak, there are a few designs and categories to consider, each with its own set of design features and materials. Inflatable kayaks are available in several styles to suit various water conditions and activities.
Recreational Kayaks - Inflatable recreational kayaks are lightweight and ideal for day outings, light touring on lakes, and slow-moving rivers with Class I to II rapids. For enhanced stability, these kayaks are shorter (under 12 feet) and wider.
Touring Kayak - Inflatable touring kayaks (flatwater kayaks) are developed specifically for longer-distance flatwater paddling.
Whitewater Kayaks - Inflatable whitewater rapids kayaks, unlike touring kayaks, feature a short, wide shape and no tracking fin. This shape enables agility in rapids ranging from Class 1 to Class IV rapids.
Fishing Kayaks - Inflatable fishing kayaks are available in various sizes and can be used as sit-on-top or sit-in kayaks. They're incredibly stable and easy to get in and out of, and they don't give the impression of being confined.
Materials
You may have noticed the various materials used to construct these inflatables. They come in a variety of durability and comfort levels.
Nylon is a synthetic fiber composed of polyurethane or PVC that has been treated with silicone.
Polyester is a finer version of nylon; however, it is not waterproof. It does, however, have UV resistance.
Dimensions
Longer inflatable kayaks, over 12 feet long, are faster and have better tracking, making them ideal for wide water, whereas shorter kayaks are slower and more difficult to paddle straight.
The dimensions of width, stability and speed are all linked. Inflatable kayaks with larger widths are more stable, although they are slower and have poorer tracking.
Weight and Weight Capacity
You should choose an inflatable kayak with a maximum load capacity that is more than your weight and the combined weight of all your stuff. If you surpass your kayak's maximum weight capacity, you risk sinking it, and you don’t want that to happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Inflatable Kayaks Safe?
Q. How to find a leak in an inflatable kayak?
Q. How to clean an inflatable kayak?
Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
We tested every inflatable kayak on this list against the same five things that decide which one earns its place.
Here is how the field compared on each.
Value for Money
The Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak leads the field for value for money at 10 out of 10, and the Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak trails at 6.
| Inflatable Kayak | Value for Money |
|---|---|
| Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak | 10/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak | 9/10 |
| Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak | 9/10 |
| Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak | 8/10 |
| Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak | 8/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak | 8/10 |
| Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak | 6/10 |
| Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak | 6/10 |
Portability
The Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak leads the field for portability at 10 out of 10, and the Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak trails at 6.
| Inflatable Kayak | Portability |
|---|---|
| Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak | 10/10 |
| Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak | 9/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak | 7/10 |
| Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak | 7/10 |
| Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak | 6/10 |
Durability
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak leads the field for durability at 10 out of 10, and the Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak trails at 4.
| Inflatable Kayak | Durability |
|---|---|
| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak | 10/10 |
| Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak | 9/10 |
| Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak | 8/10 |
| Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak | 8/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak | 6/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak | 6/10 |
| Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak | 5/10 |
| Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak | 5/10 |
| Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak | 4/10 |
Ease of Setup
The Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak leads the field for ease of setup at 7 out of 10, and the Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak trails at 6.
| Inflatable Kayak | Ease of Setup |
|---|---|
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak | 7/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak | 7/10 |
| Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak | 7/10 |
| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak | 6/10 |
| Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak | 6/10 |
Comfort/Handling
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak leads the field for comfort/handling at 10 out of 10, and the Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak trails at 6.
| Inflatable Kayak | Comfort/Handling |
|---|---|
| Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak | 10/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak | 8/10 |
| Aquaglide Noyo 90 Inflatable Kayak | 8/10 |
| Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak | 7/10 |
| Aquaglide Backwoods Expedition 85 Kayak | 7/10 |
| Sevylor QuickPak K1 1-Person Inflatable Kayak | 6/10 |
| Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak | 6/10 |
| Bestway Hydro-Force Cove Champion X2 Kayak | 6/10 |
| Intex Excursion Pro K1 Solo Fishing Kayak | 6/10 |
Our Final Verdict: 10 Best Inflatable Kayak
After testing the field, three inflatable kayaks stood out.
The Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Elite Kayak is our best premium inflatable kayak. The hull that finally paddles like a real kayak, if you accept the price and the fiddly setup.
The Intex Excursion Pro K2 Inflatable Kayak is our best overall inflatable kayak. The most capable boat you can buy for the money, but treat the thin PVC with respect around rocks.
The Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3-Person Inflatable Kayak is our best 3-person inflatable kayak. A tough, high-capacity boat best used as a roomy tandem despite the three-person rating.
Conclusion:
Best Inflatable Kayak Reviews
When I was kayaking with my spouse along the Lake in Las Vegas, he questioned, "Why are you so particular in terms of kayaking?"
"As we recall each kayaking memory we had, we will also remember if the kayak is good or not," I simply replied.
Isn't that entirely the point?
The type of kayak, whether it's inflatable or hard shell kayaks, you have, and the location you choose will impact the quality of your voyage.
Our Best Durable winner, the Driftsun Voyager 2 Person Tandem Inflatable Kayak, checked all the boxes for ease of setup, comfort, and durability. This is also my favorite inflatable kayak.
However, if you still want to explore while ensuring that your kayak is comfy, our Best Comfortable awardee, the Elkton Outdoors Steelhead Fishing Kayak, is your best option.
After all...
...what matters is your personal preference and where you would be the most content, not the brand or the number of features.
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