You could save 130 on this Which?-tested paddleboard

Paddleboards can be a pricey investment – especially for beginners – often coming in at around £300. But one that our Which? experts have tested is now reduced.

What is it and where can you get one?

The Bestway Hydro Force Aqua Glider, despite sounding like something out of a superhero comic, is an inflatable paddleboard that comes with the essentials you need to start paddleboarding.

While you can pick it up from Argos, Decathlon, Go Outdoors, or Halfords, it becomes a lot more expensive – costing between £300 and £400 depending on the retailer.

You can also buy it direct from Bestway, but it will set you back £399.99, making it one of the most expensive places to buy.

You can compare prices below:

Is the Bestway Hydro Force Aqua Glider any good?

How much does an inflatable paddleboard typically cost?

All of the inflatable paddleboards we've tested cost between £200 and £350. You can pick up our Best Buy paddleboard for under £300. We've also found that price and quality don't necessarily correlate, so we'd recommend reading our reviews before buying. 

If paddleboarding doesn't appeal to you, you can check out our guide to the .

Our testing team on their field tests of inflatable paddleboards, including the Bestway Hyrdo Force Aqua Glider, pictured bottom-left.

What should I look for when buying an inflatable paddleboard?

We tested each paddleboard for a laundry list of things, but the most important to look for are:

Easy manoeuvrability Stability on the water Easy to get up to speed The ability to glideHigh-quality, sturdy paddleEasy inflating and deflatingDurable and portable carry bagWhat should I know before buying a paddleboard?

While paddleboarding can seem like a relaxed, low-stakes activity, as with all water sports, there's a lot that can go wrong without the proper precautions. Here are some tips we learned while we were testing paddleboards.

Get a life jacketTake a lesson

The best way to learn the basics of anything is to take a lesson or two before you go out on your own. In a lesson, expect to learn how to self rescue, rescue others, how to balance on the board, adjust your paddle, and how to deal with cold water shock when paddleboarding.

Our experts stress the importance of safety on the water. Matt Knight, one of the heads of our testing team, said 'Lessons can be a great way to set you up on a paddleboard, making sure you understand elements such as water currents and leash safety.'

Read our safety tips

It takes a lot of balance to stand on a paddleboard, and if you fall into the water getting back on is harder than you'd think.

Where to paddleboard

Using a paddleboard in most UK waterways, like rivers or canals, typically requires a licence.

Other Which?-tested paddleboardsCommon paddleboard upgrades

If you're enjoying paddleboarding, these are some common upgrades that can improve your experience on the water.

A quick-release waist belt: A better paddle:A wetsuit: A rigid paddleboard:undefined

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/bestway-inflatable-paddleboard-deal-ajtNv1S6jrCe