10 Best Boogie Boards in 2023
We gave our watersport team one job:
Find the best boogie board. They found 11, tested and reviewed them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
Originally invented in 1971 by Tom Morey, the boogie board has become one of the most fun ways to ride the surf, rather than get pushed around by it.
Also known as a body board, it’s easy to get started and there are even competitions. But all you need to start out is your bathing suit and a boogie board.
With many boogie boards of different length and shape available it can be hard to know which one will be right for you. To this end, we have reviewed a number of boogie boards and have found the best models available on the market for you to consider.
The Top 6 Boogie Boards in 2023
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1
Best of the Best: Morey Mach 7 -
2
Best Value/Durable: Thurso Surf Quill -
3
2nd Best Overall: Decathlon Radbug 100 -
4
Best for Kids: South Bay Onda -
5
Best for Beginners: BPS Storm -
6
Best Budget: GoPlus
All the Boogie Boards We've tested
One of the more exceptional boogie boards on the market, the Morey Mach 7 offers a high level of performance and can be used to ride waves of up to 3 meters. It’s a great body board option for experienced kids and medium sized bodyboarders.
Perhaps an homage to the late Tom Morey, this bodyboarding model honors him with its quality.
The Morey Mach 7 boogie board is ideal for riders looking to invest in a high quality body board that is adaptable and provides a high level of performance.
The price of this board is reflective of the quality and features it provides the rider. One of the most impressive features of this model is the high density polyethylene bottom with channels that help riders with controlling the board’s direction when on a wave.
The Mach 7 also has a power rod stringer that reinforces the sturdiness and durability of the board.
Specs & Features
- Material: Polyethylene core
- Length: 42” or 43”
- Capacity: 180 lbs
- Weight: 4.15 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Sturdy, comfortable and adaptable -
Maneuverable and fast
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Crescent tail adapts to rider
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Comes in 2 different lengths
Things we don't like:
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Lower weight capacity
The Thurso Surf Quill offers something great for beginners. It’s because of the versatility and responsiveness when riding waves.
This boogie board is great for different types of riders and conditions and comes in 3 different colors to suit your style.
Not only do Thurso Surf make some great paddle boards, they also make some high quality boogie boards.
The Thurso Surf Quill is designed with a sturdy EPS core making it lightweight, buoyant and rigid and can be used in most wave conditions.
The bottom of the board is reinforced with a plastic mesh allowing for more control and responsiveness when riding waves.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam with FRP stringer
- Length: 45”
- Capacity: 210 lbs
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Lightweight
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Offers stability and control
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Comfortable to ride
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Buoyant and rigid
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Comes in 3 different colors
Things we don't like:
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Only 45” length available
The Decathlon Radbug boogie board is an easy to use and durable boogie board that comes in three different sizes and is suitable for beginners all the way to advanced riders.
The Decathlon Radbug 100 bodyboard is designed for use with fins in waves of up to 1 meter. This board is comfortable and sturdy providing an ideal shape for the rider’s comfort and enjoyment while also being buoyant enough to help with catching waves.
The Radbug 100 bodyboard is an easy to use and intuitive bodyboard aimed at beginners and includes a wrist leash so you don’t lose it when wiping out.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam and polyethylene
- Length: 36”, 39”, 42”
- Capacity: 200 lbs
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Strong and durable
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Provides control and comfort
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Compliments the use of fins
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Available in 3 different lengths and 3 colors
Things we don't like:
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Not suitable for tall waves
The South Bay Onda boogie board is a fantastic choice for families who want a fun and easy-to-use recreational bodyboard that can be used by any member of the family.
Featuring high quality material in the board’s construction South Bay Board Co. have developed their boogie board into a beginner friendly boogie board that offers exceptional performance for riders of all shapes and sizes allowing it to be used by every member of the family.
This boogie board also has a nose rocker that helps riders catch and stay on waves while increasing the rider’s overall control over the board.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 42”
- Capacity: 220 lbs
- Weight: 3 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Lightweight
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Durable and stable
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Flexible enough for maneuvering
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Suitable for waves up to 3 meters
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Available in 2 different colors
Things we don't like:
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Only one size option
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Slippy board face
The BPS Storm board comes in a number of lengths and colors and is best suited for maneuverability on the wave thanks to the board’s crescent tail design and rigidity.
The BPS Storm boogie board offers boogie boarders a comfortable and versatile board that can be used from small to large waves.
This board features high density polyethylene on the bottom of the board that helps riders catch waves and maneuver with speed. With a crescent shaped tail, the board is designed to adapt to the rider’s body shape and increase the fluidity of the board.
The board comes with a coiled wrist leash and swim fin savers that stop you from losing your fins.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 33”, 37”, 41”
- Capacity: 210 lbs
- Weight: 3 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Lightweight
-
Maneuverable and fast
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Crescent tail adapts to rider
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Comes in 3 different lengths and multiple colors
Things we don't like:
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Not the most rigid board
Prioritizing maneuverability and speed (and price) over stability, the GoPlus boogie board is great for kids who want to catch small to medium sized waves.
The GoPlus boogie board is one of the most lightweight boogie boards on the market. The IXPE deck offers impact strength and durability while providing comfort.
With 60/40 rails and a crescent tail that adapts to the rider, the GoPlus boogie board is designed for small to medium size waves.
This boogie board is suitable for young or small riders as it only has a capacity of 145lbs.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 33”, 37”, 41”
- Capacity: 145 lbs
- Weight: 2 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Lightweight
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Durable and buoyant
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Fast and flexible on waves
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Excellent comfort and control
Things we don't like:
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Very low weight capacity
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Can’t take impact from very large waves
The Woowave boogie board is a lightweight body board for kids. It comes with a coiled wrist leash for safety and features a comfortable EVA surface to minimize the impact of bodyboarding crescent breakers.
The Woowave boogie board is not the sturdiest or most stable board, but what it lacks in stability it makes up for in being maneuverable and fast. This board is made for gliding through waves, cutting through the water and picking up speed.
The Woowave boogie board is fun and easy to use and can provide you with recreational boogie boarding fun at the beach or anywhere that you can catch a wave. This board is not only durable but also stable allowing you to use it as a swimming aid if needed.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 33”, 37”, 41”
- Capacity: 145 lbs
- Weight: 2 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Lightweight
-
Durable and buoyant
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Fast and flexible on waves
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Excellent comfort and control
Things we don't like:
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Can’t take impact from very large waves
The Kinbor boogie board is a well designed body board that’s suitable for riders under 180 lbs. This board is rigid, stable and durable providing a high level of buoyancy when riding waves.
The Kinbor boogie board is a dynamic model that provides padding–and therefore–comfort for smaller riders looking to catch small to medium sized waves. The board is constructed with an EPS core that makes it lightweight and features an IXPE deck that helps increase board stiffness.
Additionally, the board has a high density polyethylene deck that makes the bottom of the board extremely smooth allowing the rider to pick up more speed when catching waves.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 37”
- Capacity: 180 lbs
- Weight: 1.9 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Ultra lightweight
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Comfortable
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Rigid and stable
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Fast thanks to super smooth rails
Things we don't like:
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Not very maneuverable
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Low weight capacity
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Only available in one length
The Hydro Zapper boogie board is a fantastic recreational option for larger riders rocking medium sized waves.
With a wooden stringer that provides extra strength and stiffness, this body board can take a beating and won’t break under the pressure of the waves.
The Hydro Zapper’s core is strong and lightweight allowing for more flexibility when riding waves.
This board has integrated polyethylene in the deck, rails and bottom of the board for a smoother and more controlled ride.
The Hydro Zapper is ideal for riders weighing between 192 and 255 lbs and includes a leash so you don’t have to worry about losing the board.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 45”
- Capacity: 255 lbs
- Weight: 3 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Fun to ride
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Lightweight
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Sturdy and comfortable
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Smooth bottom of the board
Things we don't like:
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Only 45” length available
The Wavemaster Pro provides a high level of comfort and sturdiness making it a good choice for casual riders looking for an exceptional all-around bodyboarding experience.
Designed to offer heavier body boarders a high level of performance, the Wavemaster Pro boogie board is well made. The use of EPS to make the core of the board means it is lightweight and thanks to the super strong polymeric chains used in its design the board is durable and sturdy, able to be used in both warm and cold water environments without getting brittle.
The Wavemaster Pro features grooved slots on the bottom of the board to help channel the wave, increasing the rider’s control when boogie boarding.
Specs & Features
- Material: EPS foam
- Length: 44”
- Capacity: 250 lbs
- Weight: 4 lbs
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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High weight capacity
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Sturdy and durable
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Adaptable crescent tail design
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High quality materials
Things we don't like:
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Black letters might come off on swim shorts and stain
Related Reviews
Boogie Board Buyer’s Guide:
Tom Morey brought the boogie board into being in 1971 as a playful way of surfing smaller waves. Interest and the vibe for excitement led to riding bigger waves and competitions too. Using fins to make it easier to catch waves–because of the smaller board making more difficult to hand paddle–body boarding caught on and is now an established, popular recreation as well as a sport.
There are plenty of options, as we just reviewed, but we’ve tried to keep cheaper models that will break out of the guide. This is what we looked at when choosing these boards.
Material
Boogie boards are composed of a number of different materials depending on the part of the board. The core of the board is usually made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) that is a rigid, thermoplastic foam material.
The bottom of the board is made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) as it is smooth and allows for less friction in the water, allowing the rider to pick up speed, catch waves and have more fun.
Length
A boogie board that is too small will not be buoyant enough to catch waves and will lead to you missing the majority of waves.
On the other hand, a boogie board that is too big will be hard to handle, making it difficult for you to ride waves.
To get the right size for your body, you will need the nose of the board to come up to your belly button.
Weight
Most boogie boards weigh between 1lb and 4lbs. The lighter the board, the more portable it is, however it will also have less weight capacity and it will also be more likely to be damaged in large waves.
Heavier boogie boards are more sturdy and can handle more weight, but they are also less portable and can be difficult for kids to use.
Tail Shape
The most commonly used tail shape for boogie boards is the crescent tail shape. This is because it provides more control over the board and is more comfortable for prone riders.
Alternatively, you can also get boogie boards that have a bat tail design. This board is aimed at heavier riders or for catching small waves as it provides more weight at the back of the board.
Fins
Depending on the conditions and the speed of waves you might want to consider using a proper pair of fins to help you catch more waves. Investing in a pair of fins is the best way to make the most of your bodyboarding experience.
It’s also important to keep water out of your ears so make sure that you get yourself a pair of earplugs.
Boogie Boarding vs Bodyboarding
And to answer the question of bodyboarding or boogie boarding, they’re both the same but bodyboarding has come to describe the more ambitious side of the water sport. Check out the world tour circuit to see the competitive culture and you’ll start to understand why they use bodyboarding.
The real answer behind the confusion stems from the trademarking of the name “boogie board” by a toy company that produces products with nothing to do with waves or water. Hence bodyboarding, even though people will still call their foam board by its popular boogie name.
We pay our respects to the founder of bodyboarding, the inventor of the boogie board, Tom Morey who passed away in the autumn, 2021. May he ride waves of grace to a gnarly crescendo.
If you plan on Bodyboarding you might want to take a look at the 20 Best Men’s Swim Trunks to choose the right ones for the activity.
Frequently asked questions
Pretty much any foam square big enough to keep you buoyant will do as boogie boards. That said, the best bodyboards are lightweight, sturdy and have a number of features that help you catch waves.
Check out our list of the best boogie boards:
- Morey Mach 7 Boogie Board
- Hydro Zapper Boogie Board
- Thurso Surf Quill Boogie Board
- South Bay Boogie Board
- BPS Storm Boogie Board
- GoPlus Boogie Board
- Woowave Boogie Board
- Kinbor Boogie Board
- Decathlon Radbug 100 Boogie Board
- Wavemaster Pro Boogie Board
Read this article to find out more about the best boogie boards on the market.
Often called styrofoam, Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) is a plastic material–usually looking like white foam–produced from solid beads of polystyrene. While it is usually used for packaging and insulation it’s rigid properties make it a great resource for making affordable sporting equipment like boogie boards, or bodyboards.
It is easy to boogie board as it is fun and accessible. To boogie board you will need to lie with your belly resting on the boogie board. When a wave is coming, start kicking with your legs to pick up some speed in order to match the momentum of the wave. Finally catch the wave and enjoy the ride.
Boogie boards can cost anywhere from $20 to $200. It’s important to buy a boogie board that reflects your level as recreational boards are much more affordable than advanced boogie boards.
Click here to see our list of the best boogie boards currently available.
There are a number of different factors to consider when buying a boogie board including the material used, the length, shape and weight of the board as well as any additional features the board offers.
To find out more about what to look for when buying a boogie board check out our Boogie Board Buyer’s Guide.
Make sure you have a bodyboard that is suited for your height and weight otherwise you will struggle to catch waves. To size a boogie board, you will need the nose of the board to come up to your belly button.
To find out more information about sizing a boogie board, check out our Boogie Board Buyer’s Guide.
There is no difference between boogie boarding and bodyboarding. The Boogie Board was trademarked and so other manufacturers other than the official brand market their versions as bodyboards.
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