The Best eFoils – 2023 Buyer’s Guide

eFoils have introduced a new frontier for water sports and recreation. These remarkable watercraft can glide through almost any water surface including ocean, lakes, or rivers.

Are you an experienced surfer looking for a new toy to play with? Perhaps you are a beginner water sports enthusiast looking for a simple activity. An eFoil could be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s similar to a small, electric surfboard that flies above the water’s surface.

Buying an eFoil is a significant financial commitment. An efoil can cost as much as a used car, so you want to get it right! An eFoil, on the other hand, is a lot more fun than any car at the same price, so keep reading to see our top picks for the best eFoils available.

How To Choose The Right eFoil

There are a few characteristics of eFoils to consider when making your final decision. We’ll compare each product based on the following set of criteria.

The Board

The board and hydrofoil will influence how the board rides, how it feels, how stable it is, and other factors. Aside from pricing, it is the most crucial thing to consider.
Let’s begin with the eFoil board itself. Volume is the amount of water the board would displace if submerged in a water tank. It is essentially the width x length x height of the board.

A board with a bigger capacity will be more stable, especially at low speeds or when standing still in the water before it’s up on the foil. The “volume” of the board, which is normally measured in Liters, is the most important number to consider here (110 L, 120 L, etc).

Heavier folks will want a board with a larger volume in order for it to be stable and buoyant enough to operate before the board speeds up on the foil.

You might pick a board with less capacity if you’re seeking for maximum speed/maneuverability and a lower-weight foil. Because it takes up less room, it will also be easier to move.

The Hydrofoil

The hydrofoil attached to the board will affect the ease with which the board rises out of the water, the top speed, the capacity to turn while foiling, and, in general, all of the flying characteristics.

The wonderful thing about hydrofoils is that the majority of the elements are removable, allowing you to swap out different components over time for a different feel. The front wing is the most significant section of the foil in terms of ride characteristics.

A larger front wing, as measured in centimeters squared (cm2), gives earlier lift out of the water at lower speeds and more stability during foiling. A smaller wing is less stable, but it allows for higher top speeds and the ability to whip turns more aggressively (if you can maintain balance).

Another important aspect of the foil is the mast. The distance between the wings and the board itself is affected by the mast, and thus how high you can fly above the water while keeping the wing submerged.

If you intend to ride your efoil in largely flat water, a shorter mast will suffice (around 60-70cm). This will be lighter weight and you will be able to ride in more shallow seas.

If you want to ride largely in the ocean or lakes with a lot of chops, a longer mast may be beneficial (80-90cm). This will give you more room to ride over the chop without your board collapsing or your foil wings flying away.

Battery and Power

Electric propellers on eFoils are powered by massive batteries incorporated into the board itself. The key factors to consider here are:

• Riding range (usually given in miles/kilometers)
• Top speed (also will vary based on foil)
• Battery life/ride time
• Battery Replacement/Swappabile? (important if you have a faulty battery or want to swap between 2 batteries so you can still ride while one is charged).

One thing to keep in mind is that heavier riders will have lower performance in terms of riding range, ride time, and stop speed. Simply, it takes less energy to move around a lighter person than a heavy one.

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Top 5 eFoils To Buy

Let’s take a look at our ranked list of the top eFoils currently available on the market now that we are familiar with the characteristics that should be favored when shopping for an efoil.

Fliteboard

At this point in time, Fliteboard is one of the industry leaders in eFoils, and they have just recently released their “Series 2” of eFoil products. When it comes to the process of configuring the board, the Series 2 offers a wider variety of choices than many of its rivals do, which is one of the things that sets it apart from the competition.

To begin, the Fliteboard model is their most well-liked product and represents their “middle of the road” option. It has a volume of 100 L, is 5’8″ in length, and is 28″ in width. This is a solid board that can handle any type of riding thanks to its all-around design. It is available in five distinct finishes.

The Fliteboard is followed by the Pro (67L, 5′ x 24.5″) and the Ultra (54L, 4’2″ x 23″) models of the board. These are designed for advanced riders who consider themselves to be “extreme” and are looking for the most responsive and lightweight eFoil riding possible. Because of the low volume, you are going to require excellent balance in order to get started.

The Air is an inflatable eFoil board that is also pretty cool to look at. At 150L and 6′ x 30″, it’s a big, stable board that’s great for beginners, surf shop rentals, yacht toys, etc. It’s also nice that it folds up so it’s easy to move and store.

There are two different kinds of batteries for the Fliteboard. The “Sport” battery is the standard one, and it will run for about an hour. You can pay $400 more at checkout to get the “Explore” battery, which can run for 90 minutes.

If you wanted to buy a spare battery, it would cost you $3000 for the Sport and $3400 for the Explore by themselves.

Key Features

• Price: ~$12,495
• Warranty: 2 Years
• Models (Volume): Fliteboard (100L), Pro (67L), Ultra (54L), Air – Inflatable(150L)
• Mast: 60cm or 75cm
• Foil Wings: 10 options available depending on skill and riding style
• Battery: Two options – “Sport” (Ride Time 60 minutes), “Explore” (Ride Time 90 minutes)
• Top Speed: Anywhere from 20-40km/h (12-25 mph)

Lift eFoil

When compared to Fliteboard, all Lift eFoils have a price tag of $12,000 and do not provide nearly as many opportunities for customization. This is something that may work to your advantage if you are a novice rider who finds the sport intimidating.

There are four different lengths available for the Lift eFoil boards: the Pro (4’4 inches), the Sport (5’0 inches), the Cruise (5’6 inches, and the Explorer (6’2 inches). As their names imply, longer boards will provide you with a ride that is more beginner-friendly and will provide you with greater stability. On the other hand, shorter boards will allow you to be more aggressive with your turns and how you choose to ride the board.

When it comes to the foil wings, Lift provides customers with a wide range of options that fall into one of two categories: “classic” or “surf.” Because the wings of the Classic model are a single unit, the front wing, fuselage, and rear wing cannot be detached from one another or switched places. The Surf line is more of a mid-aspect wing than the classic, which means that it is a little bit wider than the classic. It was introduced in 2022. When riders get moving, this should provide them with a greater sense of stability.

Key Features

• Price: $12,000
• Warranty: 1-year board, 2 years foil/wing, 1-year battery
• Models (Volume): Pro, Sport, Cruiser, Explorer (Volumes not given)
• Mast: 28 inch / 71cm
• Foil Wings: Classic (three options) or Surf
• Battery: 60 to 90 minutes ride time and 120 minutes recharge
• Top Speed: 40km/h (25 mph)

Mantafoil Volt

In comparison to the first two eFoils on our list, the Mantafoils Volt is a more wallet-friendly alternative. Because these are shipped directly from China, they eliminate a number of intermediaries and provide customers with what is likely the best value in eFoils for those who do not have $12,000 to spend.

In addition to two different sizes of inflatable boards, Mantafoils offers a carbon board with a volume of 65 liters that is designed for more advanced and sporty riders. If you are looking for something to start out on that you won’t outgrow too quickly, the 110L is a good option to consider.

What Mantafoils are doing with their masts and propellers is probably the most interesting thing about them, though. You can use the board as a regard wing foiling board if you get the Volt Starter mast. All you have to do is take off the e-propeller, disconnect the battery, and you’re good to go.

Their Volt Pro mast, which uses the propeller as the fuselage, is another interesting innovation by this company.

If you are not an experienced rider, I would advise you to steer clear of going with the Volt Pro. It is in your best interest to avoid damaging that propeller by letting it come into contact with any rocks. When you upgrade to the Pro setup, you can no longer use it as a regular foil that doesn’t use electronics.

Key Features

• Price: Starts at $6875 – $8000
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Models (Volume): Carbon 65L, Inflatable 110L, and 145L
• Mast: 65cm and 80cm
• Mast: 65cm, 75cm, 80cm
• Front Wing: 1600cm2 Carbon
• Battery: Up to 90minute ride time with a 40km range
• Top Speed: 40km/h (25 mph)

Foil

“Foil” is a new company that has both a website that is very well designed and a product that looks fantastic. There is only one board available for foil, and there are no different choices for foil wings. However, they do offer a choice of five distinct hues.

The only choice you need to make when purchasing a Foil is the type of motor you want. The Standard and Long Range models both come equipped with a motor that is 7.5 MPH, but the Performance model comes with a motor that is 9 HP, increasing your maximum speed from 22 MPH to 28 MPH.

Foil works for riders weighing up to about 250 pounds and boasts top speeds that are slightly higher than those of competing brands.

Foil is also thought to be one of the cheaper types of products when it comes to prices. If you pre-order now, you can save $1,000, but at the time of this writing, the boards are still at least 4 months away from being available again after being back-ordered. If you preorder, you can get the Performance model for the price of $6,999.

Key Features

• Price: $4,999 – $7,999
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Models:  Standard, Long Range, Performance
• Mast:  n/a
• Foil: n/a
• Battery:  2.6kwh phase changing. Up to 90 minutes ride time. Up to 29km (~20 miles) range. 120minute charge time
• Top Speed: 45km/h (22-28 mph depending on model)

Vefoil

The potential of VeFoil is very exciting to us. Vefoil says that its propulsion system is the best and safest on the market and that the boards’ glossy finishes and unique designs make them look great.

The VeFoil’s thruster is its defining feature. If you look closely at the top picture, you won’t be able to spot the propeller. Instead of an exposed propeller, this board makes use of a shielded impeller.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this. The downside is that an external propeller, which can get you moving at higher speeds and is likely a bit more efficient, is more powerful.

The lack of a protruding propeller makes the boat safer for both passengers and crew, and the fewer moving parts make it less likely that something will break. VeConcepts also claims that you can reduce your speed while riding a wave by closing the throttle while stopping a propeller would result in immediate loss of momentum.

Key Features

• Price: Price not yet released
• Warranty: 1 Year (extendable)
• Volume: 191 L
• Mast: 71cm
• Front Wing: Veflow Foil, 84cm wide (surface size not given)
• Battery: Vecell Lithium. 40-50minutes of ride time
• Top Speed: 32km/h (20 mph)

More eFoil Options

The following didn’t make our top five list but these eFoils are more than capable!

Waydoo Flyer Ohttps://amzn.to/3IVUBp1ne

With its low price tag, the Waydoo Flyer is a popular eFoil choice. The quality is not compromised despite the lower price. With its closed-cell EPP foam construction, it will last a very long time. With its low weight, solid stability, and high resistance to impacts, the Waydoo Flyer is an excellent choice for first-time riders. This brand of board, however, has a louder motor than others. Depending on where you intend to use your eFoil, this may not be a drawback.

Waydoo entered the market for electric boards at a time when eFoil enthusiasts were left feeling let down by their prohibitively high prices. Waydoo has already had great success providing an eFoil at roughly half the price of comparable platforms, and with the Flyer One+, they plan to continue that trend.

We went from being skeptical and wary of the Flyer One+ EPP to being completely stoked after using it for a while. Like a soft top surfboard, the EPP coating makes it easy to fall off without damaging the board. It safeguards your home and vehicle during transit and storage.

Power is not an issue thanks to the 6000W motor. Depending on your skill level and weight, a full charge will last anywhere from 45 minutes to 70 minutes of riding time. We discovered that a full charge takes about 2 hours from a 10% initial discharge.

PWR eFoil

The PWR e-Foil was designed by Red Wood Paddle for those looking for a more exciting extension of their SUP and foil experiences. The PWR eFoil is ideal for floating over the water’s surface due to its solid and sturdy board that is lightweight. The board has three speeds and modes and is controlled by a remote control. PWR has 4 eFoil sizes with Red Wood Paddle, so there is a board for everyone and all levels, making this eFoil great for first-time foilers to advanced foilers.

PWR has created a dependable, durable, and lightweight eFoil in four different sizes and three different colors after two years of product development. When purchasing a PWR board, you can choose between 1500cm2 and 2000cm2 mast and wing sizes, which are as customizable as it gets in this new market.

With two battery options ranging from the classic to the long-range model, these boards can be customized to meet your specific needs, ensuring fun and comfort on the water. The battery charges quickly, in 1.5 to 2 hours at most, which is ideal for charging quickly and using the board for extended periods of time.

Summary

Now more people may enjoy water activities than ever before thanks to the development of the eFoil. These fantastic items make foiling possible on any body of water, be it a river, lake, or the open sea.

This article should have given you a better understanding of the amazing new sport of eFoiling, and the eFoils on this list provide a glimpse into the best options for you.

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eFoil Frequently Asked Questions

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