The 17 Best Jet Skis in 2023 | Buyer’s & Brand Guide

This is one of the most affordable and upgradeable models available. It’s designed for fun and joy and costs less than half of some other leading options. It’s available in 2- and 3- person variants that hide the fact that everything about the different versions of this PWC is essentially the same.

The engine on the cheaper 60 HP Spark is the same 900 ACE motor in the more powerful variants. Like Tesla’s OTA upgrades, Sea-Doo programs the 900 ACE to 60, 90 or 120 HP. The latter is the power that the Sea-Doo Trixx has–also the same engine. Unlike Teslas, though, efficiencies can’t be programmed in to make any Spark model a long-range boat. Nor will this ever be a supercharged motor. But, this is a great, playground PWC.

The 3-person, called 3-up, model has a longer seat and platform. But the 3-up can become a 2-up and vice-versa. What’s cool about this, is the set of available upgrades and mods. It might void the warranty, so be warned, but it gives a really affordable and fun base model the appeal of space to tune and tweak for performance.

But the base model is really light and, even with the base model, lots of tricks and whips can be done. What the 2-up doesn’t have is the optional sound-system and the ability to go in reverse. But these can be modded on.

The 2023 update to Yamaha’s FX series’ Cruiser High output waverunner added features and versatility. This is a luxury boat with extra storage space and an optional recreational deck, or RecDeck, that adds a swimming or diving platform with a modular design for accessories. Those accessories include a backward-facing lounge chair, for example.

This is not a performance PWC, rather it’s a premium boat designed for comfort. While there is plenty under the hood–enough for wakeboarding, for example–this isn’t a trick boat. In fact, don’t expect to be rocking any donuts.

But a solo driver will be able to hit 60 mph and, where it lacks in playfulness, it makes up for it in stability and reliability. Even with two bigger riders, there’s no tipping scare. For more power, the supercharged FX SVHO is worth considering.

The Kawasaki Ultra 310LX is a PWC that stands on its head for performance. A multi-person craft with smart towing capacity, the Ultra 310LX is a heavy jet ski that provides stability for water sports and swimming from the back platform.

Paying for what you get, Kawasaki has made a boat that will appeal to those prepared to invest in something that will thrill the solo adventurer as well as provide something for the family. There are more pros than cons found in the Ultra 310LX.

A speed demon coined as the “Choice of Champions” for its Supercharged Super Vortex High Output Yamaha Marine Engine and tight carving profile.

It is race ready, and with its industry-only Auto Trim technology, you never have to fiddle with the buttons on your handlebars to get the desired bow position for carving corners and launch control for quick acceleration.

The Yamaha GP1800r SVHO delivers much more than just a racing machine. Seating for three allows riders to engage in other water recreation activities like tubing and skiing. And with the RiDE reverse/brake system and TDE (Thrust Directional Enhancer) onboard, maneuvering in tight spaces is made easier.

So whether you are looking for a Waverunner that offers peak performance or just a super fast PWC, the Yamaha GP1800r SVHO has it all, starting at $16,499.

Sea Doo’s FishPro Scout 130 is a mid-price, punching-above-its-weight jet ski for the avid angler. Its design also makes it an ideal recreational boat for family excursions because of its storage capacity and stability.

The LinQ accessory system makes transforming this boat from hunter to cruiser quite easy. The included features for navigation coupled with a top speed of 52 mph puts this fishing jet ski near or at the top of this segment of niche jet skis.

While its size makes it less ideal for big time game on the Mexican Gulf, it’ll thrive at coastal fishing and excel in rivers and lakes.

The 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro is a jet ski designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers who want to explore the water in a new way. The Explorer Pro is well-known for its stability and control, ideal for open-water maneuvering and long trips. It can carry up to three passengers and has a remarkable cargo capacity.

The Explorer Pro is also a great jet ski for novices and intermediate jet ski drivers who want a high-performance jet ski that can handle various conditions. People who want to explore new waterways, go fishing, or go island hopping will gravitate to this boat. Time to strap on the life jacket as we dive into the 2023 Sea Doo Explorer Pro.

The Yamaha Superjet remains a fan favorite as one of the first standup models on the market. The latest update to this craft is a 4-stroke engine making it an agile, stable, and intuitive jet ski on the waters.

The Yamaha Superjet is a stand-up model made for leisure and fun. With the upgrade of a four-stroke engine on the Yamaha Superjet model in 2021, this jet ski is easier and a lot more fun to ride. Reaching speeds of 54mph there is no doubt that this model is a lot faster than its predecessor.

Enter L-mode to turn the beastiness of the Superjet down a notch in order to get the hang of it before unleashing the fury of its fun.

The improved model is sporty and agile and with more power the Yamaha superjet also is more efficient with fuel consumption, making it a more environmentally friendly option and a lot cheaper to run. This jet ski is excellent for all levels of riders, and its confidence-inspiring and stability make it an excellent choice for beginners.

This wave-shredder is a high-performance jet ski that offers immense speed, power, and control. Its T3-R hull design and Shark Gill mid-hull feature give its rider exceptional control and maneuverability.

Equipped with a Rotax 1630 ACE supercharged engine, it delivers an intense 300 HP to suit any high-octane request.

There are an impressive suit of features, including electronics, navigation and storage that are often overlooked compared to the performance of this jet ski. But, in particular, the Navionics chartplotter with places of interest and friend-connectivity makes this boat more than a speed demon.

At first glance, its price tag may seem too high, but it matches the kind of jet ski it is. This is not a beginner-friendly jet ski. This model is meant for the experienced rider seeking a race-bred performance machine. Due to its nature, the engine will be louder than the standard jet ski and consume more fuel. These drawbacks are to be expected from such a high caliber ride.

The Sea Doo RXP-X 300 is a popular choice among thrill-seekers. Its top speed of 67 mph and control make it a power-packed adrenaline rush. If you’re looking for a watercraft to help you push the limits, you’ll want to consider looking at this beast.

Let’s DIVE IN and find out how it can take you there.

Speed and flare give this jet ski model all the power it needs for rushing over the water’s surface. It’s a dirt bike on the water and incredibly affordable. Eye-catching and incredible for performing tricks, this jet ski is one of the best products on the market.

Innovative and stylish, the Sea Doo Spark Trixx is a bestseller on the market. These jet skis are lightweight and include a wide variety of unique features such as angled foot supports, adjustable handlebars, and extended VTS. Turn up the VTS all the way to enter wheelie mode!

A high-capacity engine gives these jet skis excellent speed on the water, up to 50mph. These features make the Sea Doo Spark Trixx an excellent choice for riders looking to try stunts and freestyle tricks.

The 2023 Jet Blaster Waverunner is one of two freestyle jetskis in Yamaha’s lineup. It’s a 110 horsepower fun toy with a trim that lets you do water wheelies.

This is Yamaha’s answer to the Sea Doo Spark Trixx, providing a solid body with some modest features that start at around $10,000.

Solid handling, good towing capacity and a well-thought-out swim platform for reboarding make this a fun option for riders with some previous experience.

Reliable and stable the Sea Doo GTI SE models (130 and 170) provide for an excellent touring and leisure jet ski experience. Built for comfort, and relaxing these jet skis are ideal for those looking for a secure and lightweight jet ski, easily transportable and ideal for holidays. Go for the more HP if you can.

Built to provide comfortable, secure, and stable rides the Sea Doo GTI SE jet ski is lightweight and reliable. With two versions of the Rotax 1630 ACE engine available, these jet skis provide excellent acceleration whilst being fuel-efficient. The 130-horsepower engine gives a top speed of 50mph whilst the 170-horsepower engine gives a top speed of 56mph.

Despite the different engines, both versions of the jet ski, GTI SE 130 and GTI SE 170 are relatively similar. Both models are stable on the water, including unique features designed to make the rider’s experience excellent. The unique feature of a built-in Bluetooth speaker system makes riding the Sea Doo GTI SE fun. These jet skis are ideal for leisure and relaxed touring.

After revamping their entire FX series Yamaha has made some upgrades on all their models to ensure that their products get a boost in comfort, luxury, and speed. The new SVHO engines provide these jet skis guarantee an incredibly smooth and powerful ride.

SVHO (Super Vortex High Output) engines are flexible, smooth and efficient. The built-in cooling and air intake systems demonstrate the strong engine internals whilst producing jet skis that are comfortable and fast to ride. Differentiating it from other Yamaha jet skis is the material used to construct the hull of the Yamaha FX SVHO. It’s made from the unique NanoXcel2 material, a material that is very light whilst remaining strong and sturdy. This lightweight hull and powerful SVHO engine mean that the Yamaha FX SVHO has incredible on-water performance with outstanding acceleration, high speeds, and comfort.

With a capacity for 1 to 3 people, the Yamaha FX SVHO jet ski also includes a lot of additional storage for personal items and an incredible color display of the F-N-R, speed, trim, and RiDE system status. This jet ski is built to take you further and provide the ultimate, comfortable jet skiing experience.

The 2023 Ex Sport Waverunner is a fun jet ski from Yamaha. It’s under $10,000 yet it has some features you might expect on more expensive personal watercraft.

This PWC does towing and seats 3 riders. It’s one of the easier jet ski to tow and store.

That lightweight profile makes it less ideal for ocean cruising–even though it’s playful and fun. It’s also going to be less stable with 3 people when just floating idly in the water.

The Yamaha Ex Sport is a more fun version of the base model Waverunner and is worth the price for a little more water sports.

The Taiga Orca is a revolutionary jet ski pioneering a class of its own. The Orca is the first electric jet ski in the world. For all other electric models to come, Taiga is trying to set the bar high.

The Orca comes in three different variations: sport, performance, and carbon. All are environmentally friendly with their electric motor. These models are lightweight, and easy for beginners to use. With virtually no maintenance required, you can spend even more time on the water. Let’s DIVE IN to what the Orca has to offer.

The fourth model in the Rec Lite EX series the Yamaha EXR and the added ‘R’ at the name of this model is for the racing inspiration Yamaha had for this model. Lightweight and maneuverable, this entry-level performance jet ski is easy to handle whilst remaining powerful.

The Yamaha EXR is an upgrade of the EX series. This jet ski is incredibly fast, responsive, and intuitive. By keeping a lot of the popular attributes of the EX series, this jet ski is made smaller and affordable, however, the EXR is a lot faster, reaching a top speed of 54mph, at least 4mph faster than other Yamaha models. Another notable improvement is on the responsiveness compared to the EX series, this jet ski is a lot more agile making it playful and more aggressive on the water.

This is the only stand-up jet ski in the Kawasaki brand. With a four-stroke engine, this craft is stable and holds a dominant presence on most water surfaces. The Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R is big, bulky, and stable providing riders with excellent speed and acceleration.

With bigger dimensions, the updated version of the Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R is bulky, sturdy, and reliable on the water. This bigger size and width make it incredibly stable on the water and therefore an ideal choice for beginner riders. Unfortunately, this does mean that it is less agile for tricks and freestyle riding.

With a four-stroke engine, this jet ski can accelerate and reach speeds up to 62mph. This jet ski is made for play, high speed and excellent stability make it an excellent choice for those looking for a leisure craft to race around buoys. Confidence-inspiring the Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R is one of the best models for stand-up jet skiing.

The Sea Doo RXT-X’s light platform combined with its speed and maneuverability provide great jet ski performance in rough water. This jet ski features a 300hp engine and can reach 60mph in just a few seconds (though 90+ octane fuel is needed to reach maximum performance).

If you are looking for exhilarating adventures, top speed and acceleration the Sea Doo RXT-X is an excellent choice. Boasting an incredible acceleration, powered by a supercharged 300 horsepower Rotax® 1630 ACE™ engine, this jet ski can reach top speed in seconds. Although this craft is fast it is remarkably stable and secure and makes for the perfect offshore adventure jet ski.

With a large swimming platform, excellent storage and a large flat deck/seating area, you can easily spend a good few hours on this craft. Although it has the most powerful engine on a Sea Doo jet ski this craft is surprisingly comfortable. Riders can easily change from the 3-person configuration to a large flat rear deck, ideal for resting and picnics.