Misc

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.

10 Best Kneeboards – Review

IMAGE

​PRODUCT

​FEATURES

1. Zup You Got This (Best Overall)

  • Nice board and handle combo
  • Easy to use design
  • Also a wakeboard, wake surf, and ski
  • Works for all ages
VIEW ON AMAZON

2. SereneLife SLKB10 (Best Budget)

  • Universal kneeboard construction
  • Comes at a low and attractive price
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Corrosion proof and durable
VIEW ON AMAZON

3. Leader Accessories (Best Multi Colored)

  • Universal design for kids and adults
  • Offered at an attractive price
  • Comes with a 3-inch padded strap
VIEW ON AMAZON

4. Hydro Slide Revolution (Best Spoon Shape)

  • Cool and trendy kneepad design
  • Its spoon shape offers smooth and easy rides
  • Available in black or white
  • Includes a 3-inch padded strap
VIEW ON AMAZON

5. Hydro Slide Magna (Best for Beginner)

  • Nicely sized kneeboard for beginners and intermediates
  • Very lightweight kneeboard weighs just 8 pounds
  • Features a 3-inch padded safety strap
  • Also features a patented hook tow point
VIEW ON AMAZON

6. O'Brien Radica (Beveled Edge Kneeboard)

  • Kneeboard with a 3/4-inch EVA pad
  • Features a padded and adjustable strap
  • Also features four molded fins
  • Offers a built-in hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

7. Airhead AHKB-3 (With Channeled Bottom)

  • Very lightweight at just 11.8 pounds
  • Channeled bottom provides good stability
  • Also features deep knee wells for comfort
  • Offers an integrated hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

8. Zup DoMore (Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard)

  • 4-in-1 versatile water board
  • Also serves as a wakeboard and water ski
  • Perfect board for all skill levels
  • Plus exchangeable fins
VIEW ON AMAZON

9. Driftsun Crush (Twin Tip For Kids & Adults)

  • Large 52 x 22-inch kneeboard
  • Offers an EVA flex pad for comfort
  • Includes a 3-inch padded knee strap
  • Also includes an Easy-Start tow hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

10. O'Brien Black Magic (With Retractable fins)

  • Great kneeboard for the entire family
  • Four retractable fins provide performance
  • Comes with an adjustable padded strap
VIEW ON AMAZON

PRODUCT

1. Zup You Got This

(Best Overall)

  • Nice board and handle combo
  • Easy to use design
  • Also a wakeboard, wake surf, and ski
  • Works for all ages
VIEW ON AMAZON

2. SereneLife SLKB10

(Best Budget)

  • Universal kneeboard construction
  • Comes at a low and attractive price
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Corrosion proof and durable
VIEW ON AMAZON

3. Leader Accessories

(Best Multi Colored)

  • Universal design for kids and adults
  • Offered at an attractive price
  • Comes with a 3-inch padded strap
VIEW ON AMAZON

4. Hydro Slide Revolution

(Best Spoon Shape)

  • Cool and trendy kneepad design
  • Its spoon shape offers smooth and easy rides
  • Available in black or white
  • Includes a 3-inch padded strap

5. Hydro Slide Magna

(Best for Beginner)

  • Nicely sized kneeboard for beginners and intermediates
  • Very lightweight kneeboard weighs just 8 pounds
  • Features a 3-inch padded safety strap
  • Also features a patented hook tow point
VIEW ON AMAZON

6. O'Brien Radica

(Beveled Edge Kneeboard)

  • Kneeboard with a 3/4-inch EVA pad
  • Features a padded and adjustable strap
  • Also features four molded fins
  • Offers a built-in hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

7. Airhead AHKB-3

(With Channeled Bottom)

  • Very lightweight at just 11.8 pounds
  • Channeled bottom provides good stability
  • Also features deep knee wells for comfort
  • Offers an integrated hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

8. Zup DoMore

(Versatile 4-In-1 Kneeboard)

  • 4-in-1 versatile water board
  • Also serves as a wakeboard and water ski
  • Perfect board for all skill levels
  • Plus exchangeable fins
VIEW ON AMAZON

9. Driftsun Crush

(Twin Tip For Kids & Adults)

  • Large 52 x 22-inch kneeboard
  • Offers an EVA flex pad for comfort
  • Includes a 3-inch padded knee strap
  • Also includes an Easy-Start tow hook
VIEW ON AMAZON

10. O'Brien Black Magic

(With Retractable fins)

  • Great kneeboard for the entire family
  • Four retractable fins provide performance
  • Comes with an adjustable padded strap
VIEW ON AMAZON

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.

Pros:

  • Nice board and handle combo
  • Fun and easy to use design
  • Works as a kneeboard, wakeboard, etc
  • Backed by a 1-year warranty

Cons:

  • It doesn't feature safety straps
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Sturdy kneeboard construction
  • Offered at a low and attractive price
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Works for almost all ages

Cons:

  • Its strap is not padded
  • The board doesn't come with fins
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Large kneeboard for adults and kids
  • It's available in five different colors
  • Offered at an attractive price
  • Includes a padded strap

Cons:

  • You can get larger kneeboards
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Nice and modern kneepad design
  • Features a spoon shape for smooth and easy rides
  • Available in a black or white option
  • Includes a 3-inch padded strap

Cons:

  • It's not available with fins
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Nicely sized kneeboard for beginners and intermediates
  • Very lightweight kneeboard weighs just 8 pounds
  • Features a 3-inch padded safety strap
  • Also features a patented hook tow point

Cons:

  • It doesn't have fins
  • Not recommended for riders above 120 pounds
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Kneeboard with a 3/4-inch EVA pad
  • Includes a padded and adjustable strap
  • Comes with a built-in hook
  • Also includes four molded fins

Cons:

  • It's only available in blue
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Very lightweight kneeboard at just 11.8 pounds
  • Features a channeled bottom for stability
  • Also features deep knee wells for comfort
  • Comes with an integrated hook

Cons:

  • You can find larger boards
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Four-in-1 board works for most water sports
  • Serves as a kneeboard, wakeboard, and water ski
  • Perfect board for all skill levels
  • Includes removable fins for better tracking

Cons:

  • It's one of the heaviest kneeboards on this list
  • There are no knee straps
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Large 52 x 22-inch kneeboard
  • Offers an EVA flex pad for comfort
  • Includes a 3-inch padded knee strap
  • Also includes an Easy-Start tow hook

Cons:

  • It doesn't feature fins
Check Price on Amazon

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.

Pros:

  • Great board for the entire family
  • Offers retractable fins for performance
  • Includes an adjustable 3-inch padded strap
  • With an aquatic hook for easier starts

Cons:

  • It's one of the heaviest kneeboards here
Check Price on Amazon

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.

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