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The Best Wakeboard

Last updated on November 1, 2021

We looked at the top 11 Wakeboards and dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Wakeboards.

Best Wakeboard

Our Review Process

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Wakeboarding is a sport that got its start approximately 30 years ago as a hybrid between surfing, snowboarding and water skiing. The origin of the sport is often attributed to surfer Tony Finn, who created the first wakeboard in 1985 and named it the Skurfer. This new water activity allowed individuals to be pulled by a boat and perform tricks in the wake. The wakeboard has evolved over the years, allowing riders to have the most amazing experiences while out on the water.

As you shop for your first wakeboard, you’ll need to consider both the board’s length and your weight. Riders under 100 pounds will need to stick to shorter boards, while riders between 100 and 160 pounds do best with medium-sized boards. Long boards are meant for riders who weigh 160 pounds or more. There are online sizing charts you can refer to that will help you match your weight to the ideal board length, which is generally listed in centimeters.

Review the board’s construction materials next. First, you’ll want to consider the core: Do you want a stiffer, more standard foam middle, or a more pliable wood core? Then, look at the exterior. In general, you’ll want to find a wakeboard that is designed using layered glass for durability and strength with a touch of flex.

Look at the board’s shape. Wider boards pop off the water well but don’t curve as well. Narrow boards offer the opposite experience.

You’ll also need to look at the board’s rocker, which refers to how it curves when it’s placed on a flat surface. Each offers a different kind of ride. There are boards with a single continuous curve, which offers a smooth and predictable ride. Flat or 3-stage rockers have curved sides and a flat bottom for less speed, more pop. Camber boards have a raised bump along one section of their profile, offering less height but more control off the wake.  You can also find hybrids of the above types.

You can get sidewalls on your board to reinforce its strength. If you’re a beginner, you can also look for squared-off edges, which provide better tracking, or rounded edges to help land tricks more easily. Boards with v-shaped spines break up the water on impact and allow easier edge transitions. Fins and channels are also features you may wish to consider.

Don’t forget to take style into consideration. You’ll find wakeboards that feature simple color combinations, such as blue and white, as well as boards that are decorated with bright geometric shapes.

Our Picks For The Top Wakeboards

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Driftsun Throwdown Beginner Foam Core Wakeboard

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Driftsun

Throwdown Beginner Foam Core Wakeboard

Both beginner and intermediate riders will love this wakeboard. It's constructed with a double concave base and features an EVA traction pad. The fins are customizable, so you can use them or remove them for better control.

Overall Take

High-Quality PickThis wakeboard has a weight capacity of up to 250 pounds.

 Stable Ride

Ronix Vault Lightweight Hook Fin Wakeboard

Ronix

Vault Lightweight Hook Fin Wakeboard

If you're looking for a stable ride, this wakeboard is the way to go. It features two fins that are molded into place and a toeside rail that is thinner than other models. The heelside rail, however, is much thicker, so you won't have any trouble balancing the board.

Overall Take

Everything You NeedThis wakeboard comes with a pair of divide wakeboard boots, making it a budget-friendly deal.

 We Also Like

Full Throttle Absolute Outdoor Extreme Wakeboard Kit

Absolute Outdoor

Full Throttle Extreme Wakeboard Kit

Adults will love this wakeboard and its smooth ride. The board features lace-up boots that rotate to fit each rider's specific needs. It also has a unique, yet modern design that most skiers will find attractive.

Overall Take

Lightweight and PortableSince this wakeboard weighs just 15 pounds, you won't have any trouble transporting it from your house to the lake.

 Also Consider

RAVE Sports Impact Wakeboard & Charger Boots

RAVE Sports

Impact Wakeboard & Charger Boots

Designed for beginners, this wakeboard has a weight capacity of 125 pounds. It's built to last and constructed from high-quality materials that are able to stand up to big waves. Users will also appreciate the adjustable boots, removable fins and reinforced edges.

Overall Take

Economical OptionThanks to its affordable price tag, you'll have money leftover for a bathing suit after purchasing this wakeboard.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
18

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the wakeboards available to purchase.
11

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

10

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Wakeboard Critic, Surf Hungry, Mom Dot, Best Reviews Guide, The Genius Review.

410

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 11 Wakeboards and also dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Wakeboards.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

RAVE Sports Impact Wakeboard & Charger Boots

User Summarized Score

9.0
53 user reviews

Our Take

Designed for beginners, this wakeboard has a weight capacity of 125 pounds. It's built to last and constructed from high-quality materials that are able to stand up to big waves. Users will also appreciate the adjustable boots, removable fins and reinforced edges.

What to Look For

  • When not in use, keep your wakeboard out of the path of direct sunlight. If you have a garage or outdoor shed, these are excellent storage options. Of course, you can always keep them in the trunk of your car if you plan on heading back out for more fun in the next few days.
  • Always rinse your wakeboard with fresh water after use in saltwater. The salt can corrode the wakeboard’s fittings, which are typically made from metal or chrome.
  • Unlike surfboards, wakeboards do not need to be waxed.
  • Use caution when applying sunscreen. You don’t want to take a chance that the sunscreen will land on the wakeboard. If it gets in the bindings, it will not only make the bindings slippery, but may also deteriorate the rubber portions of the bindings.
  • A binding lube is permitted if needed.
  • Cracks happen sometimes when you land hard or in an unusual manner. Those cracks, however, can quickly lead to a broken board. It’s best to examine your wakeboard before and after each use and fix any issues sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you may end up having to replace the board entirely.
  • Take time to improve upon your wakeboarding skills during the cold winter months. Grab a balance board and practice on it while watching various wakeboard videos. If you enjoy doing daring tricks and stunts, you can also spend some time practicing moves on a trampoline.
  • Choose your accessories carefully. If you have a non-stretch rope and a handle that’s comfortable to hold, you won’t need to purchase a pair of gloves as well.
  • Construction materials and board size play a big role when it comes to the price of a wakeboard. You’ll find wakeboards that are more basic are budget-friendly, while wakeboard’s with a layered glass construction have a higher price tag.

Wakeboard Rankings

1. Driftsun Throwdown Beginner Foam Core Wakeboard

Overall Score: 9.9
Reviews Included: 1

2. Ronix Vault Lightweight Hook Fin Wakeboard

Overall Score: 9.8
Reviews Included: 1

3. Full Throttle Absolute Outdoor Extreme Wakeboard Kit

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 1

4. Hyperlite Agent Removable Fin Bindings Wakeboard

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

5. RAVE Sports Impact Wakeboard & Charger Boots

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

7. Obrien Dual Channel Wakeboard Package

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

8. Ronix Vision 3-Stage Kid’s Wakeboard, 120-Centimeters

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 4

9. Airhead AHW-3020 Radical Wakeboard

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 3

10. CTRL Scope Men’s Wakeboard, Blue

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 1

11. CWB Connelly Surge Kid’s Wakeboard, 125-Centimeters

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 6

More to Explore

When it comes to wakeboarding, you’ll find plenty of Guinness World Records have been achieved.

  • The record for oldest competitive wakeboarder goes to Linda Brown. Brown competed at the Battle of Bull Run Wakeboard Tournament on July 25, 2009 in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, at 63 years of age. She came in fifth place in the women’s division.
  • The record for most wakeboarding inverts in 1 minute goes to the U.K.’s Nick Davies. On June 18, 2014, Davies completed 24 inverts in just 60 seconds on the set of the show “Officially Amazing.”
  • The record for longest continuous marathon wakeboarding goes to the U.K.’s Harrison Woodward. Woodward stayed on his wakeboard for a total of 10 hours, 18 minutes and 27 seconds in Chertsey, U.K. He used this attempt at a record to raise money for a multiple sclerosis charity.
  • The record for fastest crossing of the English Channel by wakeboard goes to Edward Bosson. Bosson made it across the channel on September 5, 2010 in 2 hours and 2 minutes.
  • The record for fastest time to wakeboard in all 50 U.S. states goes to Rebecca Stuck. Between July 9 and Aug. 1, 2016, Stuck traveled to each state and wakeboarded there within 23 days, 6 hours and 5 minutes.
  • The record for farthest distance wakeboarding in 24 hours by a team goes to Wake Nation Cincinnati. The group traveled 509.2 miles inside a Cincinnati facility (doing 1,453 laps) on June 26, 2010 to win the record.

More to explore