10 Best Kneeboards of 2021
Knee-boarding is a very exciting and enjoyable watersport. All you need is a good boat and a kneeboard to have fun, but there are so many kneeboard types and designs out there.
Each type or design also offers specific features that give it an advantage over the rest. So, you must take a little time first to discover the most important features of kneeboards, before making your choice.
This kneeboards review provides you with that information and includes a list of the market's top offers below, to help make your choice faster and easier.
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10 Best Kneeboards – Review
- 1. Zup You Got This – Best Overall Kneeboard
- 2. SereneLife SLKB10 – Best Budget Kneeboard
- 3. Leader Accessories – Best Multi Colored Kneeboard
- 4. Hydro Slide Revolution – Best Spoon Shape Kneeboard
- 5. Hydro Slide Magna – Best Beginner Kneeboard
- 6. O'Brien Radica – Beveled Edge Kneeboard
- 7. Airhead AHKB-3 – Kneeboard With Channeled Bottom
- 8. Zup DoMore – Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard
- 9. Driftsun Crush – Twin Tip Kneeboard For Kids & Adults
- 10. O'Brien Black Magic – Kneeboard With Retractable fins
- How to Buy the Best Kneeboards
- Conclusion
10 Best Kneeboards – Review
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FEATURES |
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1. Zup You Got This (Best Overall) |
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2. SereneLife SLKB10 (Best Budget) |
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3. Leader Accessories (Best Multi Colored) |
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4. Hydro Slide Revolution (Best Spoon Shape) |
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5. Hydro Slide Magna (Best for Beginner) |
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6. O'Brien Radica (Beveled Edge Kneeboard) |
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7. Airhead AHKB-3 (With Channeled Bottom) |
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8. Zup DoMore (Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard) |
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9. Driftsun Crush (Twin Tip For Kids & Adults) |
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10. O'Brien Black Magic (With Retractable fins) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Zup You Got This (Best Overall) |
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2. SereneLife SLKB10 (Best Budget) |
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3. Leader Accessories (Best Multi Colored) |
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4. Hydro Slide Revolution (Best Spoon Shape) |
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5. Hydro Slide Magna (Best for Beginner) |
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6. O'Brien Radica (Beveled Edge Kneeboard) |
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7. Airhead AHKB-3 (With Channeled Bottom) |
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8. Zup DoMore (Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard) |
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9. Driftsun Crush (Twin Tip For Kids & Adults) |
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10. O'Brien Black Magic (With Retractable fins) |
1. Zup You Got This – Best Overall Kneeboard
Photo: Zup
- Dimensions: 57 x 25 x 5 inches
- Materials: ABS
- Weight: 16.5 pounds
Zup makes great kneeboards and this one is no exception. It's a board and handle combo, giving you everything you need to immediately start having fun. Secondly, you can also use the package as a wakeboard, water ski, and boogie board. This completeness and versatility make it our best kneeboard on this list.
Zup makes it using ABS plastic and EVA foam materials and it features a molded construction, which makes it able to last a long time. There are integrated tow hook and integrated handles with soft rubber covering. This board lets you hold on, kneel, or stand will confidence.
Although it comes with slip-in foot straps, it lacks a real safety strap, and some might find this to be a cause for concern. Else, it's a great and universal water board for the entire family, and it's covered by a 1-year warranty.
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2. SereneLife SLKB10 – Best Budget Kneeboard
Photo: SereneLife
- Dimensions: 50 x 20 x 4.5 inches
- Padded strap: Has one, but not padded
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 13 pounds
Also great for kids and adults, this SereneLife SLKB10 kneeboard is a perfect option for families on a budget. It features superior quality construction, which includes corrosion and water resistance.
It's also a relatively lightweight kneeboard for its size, weighing just 13 pounds, but tough and durable. Then it features a universal design that accommodates people of all sizes.
Serene Life also includes a safety strap but it's not padded, so comfort issues might arise. Else, the strap makes the board safe and the package is offered at a great price, so it's still a good deal for those in search of the best cheap kneeboards.
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3. Leader Accessories – Best Multi Colored Kneeboard
Photo: Leader Accessories
- Dimensions: 50 x 20 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: Plastic, EVA
- Weight: 13 pounds
With this offer, you get a nice kneeboard that's great for kids and adults and comes in a range of colors to choose from. The board is 50 inches long and 20 inches wide, plus it weighs only 13 pounds.
The Leader Accessories company makes it available in different patterns, including Blue , A-Green , Golden , Red , and Yellow . It's this variety of choice that makes it one of the best water kneeboards in the market.
It also includes an adjustable 3-inch safety strap that's padded, so it doesn't eat into your skin while you're out on the water. For its knee wells, Leader Accessories uses EVA material to also make it as comfortable as possible.
For issues, you may consider its size, since there are larger kneeboards out there. But keep in mind that they are not that very much larger.
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4.
Hydro Slide Revolution
– Best Spoon Shape Kneeboard
Photo: Hydro Slide
- Dimensions: 52 x 20.8 x 4.5 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 11 pounds
This kneeboard features the classic spoon shape design and this makes it a smooth and easy-riding kneeboard, perfect for those who don't like to push things.
It's also beautifully made, featuring lovely pattern designs that are available in either black or white . There are EVA pads for the knee wells and a 3-inch padded strap for safety.
Hydro Slide also includes its Hydrohook to secure the handle while getting up, making things easier for first-timers. The Hydrohook returns and remains flush when not needed, blending it beautifully with the rest of the board.
What's missing here are fins for those who love to use them. Else, this is a great board that looks, feels, and handles amazingly well.
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5. Hydro Slide Magna – Best Beginner Kneeboard
Photo: Hydro Slide
- Dimensions: 43.5 x 20 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 8 pounds
Hydro Slide also offers this Magna kneeboard, which is great for beginners and intermediate riders. It features a classic shape for a smooth and easy ride while remaining thin and very lightweight.
This board weighs only 8 pounds, but it comes with everything you need, including an EVA pad with deep wells for the knees, a 3-inch padded strap for safety and control, and its thin profile and design that just looks great.
For downsides, it doesn't come with fins and it's not recommended for riders that are heavier than 120 pounds. If you weigh below 120 pounds though, then you may just love this best kneeboard for beginners.
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6. O'Brien Radica – Beveled Edge Kneeboard
Photo: O'Brien
- Dimensions: 49.7 x 20 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 14 pounds
If you want a kneeboard with fins, then you may want to check out this offer from O'Brien Watersports. It also features a beveled edge that makes it sit low in the water, an idea O'Brien gets from water-skiing.
O'Brien also adds four molded fins to this board to improve edging and carving, an influence from the world of wake-boarding.
The EVA pad measures 3/4 inch, providing enough comfort for the knees, while the included padded strap provides safety and improved control.
One issue with this board, however, is its availability in blue only. It would have been great if it came in yellow or some other colors. But colors aside, this is a very innovative kneeboard from a popular kneeboard company.
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7. Airhead AHKB-3 – Kneeboard With Channeled Bottom
Photo: Airhead
- Dimensions: 50.5 x 20.2 x 4.5 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 11.8 pounds
Named the Wake Shaker, this Airhead kneeboard features a channeled bottom design that sets it apart from the rest and makes it a pleasure to ride.
It additionally features a massive rocker and beveled edges for easier and sharper turns. Then there are the deep knee wells to provide more comfort and improved control.
This Airhead Wake Shaker also includes an integrated EZ UP hook for easier starts, and measuring 50.5 inches in length makes it a great kneeboard for all ages and all skill levels.
Still, there are larger boards out there. But the largest of them aren't that much larger anyway. So, its good features remain more important.
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8. Zup DoMore – Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard
Photo: Zup
- Dimensions: 59 x 25 x 4 inches
- Materials: Foam, fiberglass
- Weight: 15 pounds
With this DoMore kneeboard from Zup, you are truly able to do more, because this board serves as a kneeboard, a wake-board, and as water skis, so there's always fun on the water.
You get integrated handles with slip-in foot straps that combine to make it a universal board for all skill levels and all sizes from kids to adults.
Zup also makes it from fiberglass and then offers it in a variety of color and pattern options, including Joey , Tartan , Scotty , Stars & Stripes , and Tropical to make it the best fiberglass kneeboard on this list.
For downsides, it's one of the heaviest on this list and it doesn't offer knee straps for knee-boarding. But you can do a lot with it and it even comes with removable fins for better tracking.
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9. Driftsun Crush – Twin Tip Kneeboard For Kids & Adults
Photo: Driftsun
- Dimensions: 52 x 22 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: EVA, plastic
- Weight: 12 pounds
Here's a great option for anyone searching for the best kneeboard for kids. It comes from Driftsun and measures 52 x 22 inches, making it one of the largest on this list.
Despite its size, it weighs just 12 pounds, making it a relatively lightweight kneeboard as well. There's an EVA flex pad that makes it comfortable for kids and adults, plus an easy-start tow hook for easier starts, especially for beginners.
This kneeboard also includes a 3-inch padded knee strap for safety and better control of the board, but it lacks fins. If you're not interested in improved tracking anyway, then this shouldn't matter.
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10. O'Brien Black Magic – Kneeboard With Retractable fins
Photo: O'Brien
- Dimensions: 51.5 x 22.3 inches
- Padded strap: Yes
- Materials: EVA, plastic
- Weight: 16 pounds
O'Brien Watersports also offers the Black Magic kneeboard, which is a great family board measuring 51.5 x 22.3 inches.
It features O'Brien's famous cable-actuated retractable fin system. Then there is the aquatic hook for easier, hands-free starts, and a soft EVA pad for improved comfort. This board also features a 3-inch adjustable padded strap for safety and control.
For downsides, it's one of the heaviest offers on this list. But, unless you are small and weak, this weight difference won't matter much.
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How to Buy the Best Kneeboards
Photo: SereneLife
1. The Type Of Kneeboard
The first issue to consider is the type of kneeboard that you want to get because there are recreational and competition kneeboards and they are both designed for different purposes. If you're just starting, then a recreational is the best kneeboard to buy. Else, if you want a little challenge, then you may want to consider a competition kneeboard.
Here's a little more detail about both board types.
Recreational Kneeboards. Recreational kneeboards are the best choice for beginners and they offer you the best enjoyment because they are more stable and forgiving. These recreational boards offer soft and wide edges, that allow for smoother rides with easier and more enjoyable turning.
Competition Kneeboards. With competition kneeboards, you get a board that's designed for speed, improved tracking, and sharper tricks. Competition kneeboards are lighter, thinner, and costlier than recreational kneeboards, but they are the number #1 choice for intermediate and competition-level kneeboarders.
2. Board Style
Asides from basic design, kneeboards also differ in their style, and this has nothing to do with skill level. Kneeboard styles determine what you can do with the board, which is either slalom boarding or trick boarding. So, it's left for you here to know what you plan on doing in the water and to get the right board.
3. Kneeboard Size
This also comes down to personal choice, so you'll have to choose what best suits you. The simple truth is that a longer and wider board is easier to ride. So, if you want to enjoy yourself, then go for a board that's at least as high as you.
4. The Rocker Number
A kneeboard's rocker number indicates the level of curvature in the board's bottom. This is important because it lets you know how fast the board will go and how easily it will turn. A kneeboard with a higher rocker number will turn more easily, while one with a lower rocker number will go faster with ease.
5. Fins
Kneeboards can also come with fins, just as you have on sharks and other fish. These fins face downward, however, and are very helpful in steering the board. This makes fins good for recreational kneeboards, which often feature them. Competition kneeboards, on the other hand, hardly feature fins, because fins make it more difficult to perform tricks.
6. Construction Materials
Most kneeboards feature the same construction materials, except custom designs, for instance. You'll usually find plastic or foam cores, with a fiberglass exterior. Also, advanced boards may feature a fiberglass and graphite composite for their exterior.
7. Padded Straps & Safety
Most boards come with safety straps to help keep your legs on the kneeboard. But different manufacturers offer different strap qualities, so you also need to keep an eye on the straps. What you want is a strong and padded strap that will not cut into your skin and that will last long.
8. Also, Consider Ropes
Knee-boarding ropes are slightly different from skiing ropes. So, you may want to get the more specialized knee-boarding rope if you haven't got one.
Conclusion
We've come to the end of this kneeboards review and you've seen all the exciting and impressive kneeboards out there. Now's your turn to make a choice.
For an easy choice, we recommend the best overall kneeboard, the Zup You Got This , with its board and handle combo offer, versatility as ski and wakeboard, and its 1-year warranty coverage.
For a low-cost board, we recommend this SereneLife SLKB10 with its lightweight construction, easy design for all ages, and low price.
Else, if you like to take things nice and easy, then we recommend the Hydro Slide Revolution , with its classic spoon shape for smoothness, comfortable design, and availability in black or white options.