Best Bodyboards in 2021: Review and Buyer’s Guide

If you want to experience the waves but you don’t want to carry around a giant longboard, a good-quality bodyboard could be your best option. But to ensure the top performance, you need to use proper equipment. Let us help you with the best bodyboards review.

Top 5 Best Bodyboards

These boards have the best features and are made from the toughest material. We’re sure that you’ll find the right bodyboard for your style and needs here.

Bo-Toys Body Board

Star Rating: 4.3 out of 5

Best Lightweight Bodyboard with an EPS Core from Bo-Toys

Description:

  • Available in fun colors and designs.
  • Very durable, high-impact bodyboard.
  • Water-resistant and can be used in all kinds of waves.
  • Available in two sizes come with a leash.

Features:

  • Dimensions: 31 x 2.2 x 18 inches, 1.22 pounds
  • Board Sizes: 33 and 41-inch
  • Material: EPS core, HDPE bottom
  • Special Features: channels along the bottom, crescent tail, with leash and wristband, in four different colors
  • Accessories:  Pro Quality leash with a wristband

The Bo-Toys Bodyboard is made for beginners and expert riders. It is light with a very durable EPS core, it’s easy to use and will give you more speed when you need it. The slick is HDPE and is equipped with channels to allow water to move more efficiently along the board. The crescent tail allows better maneuverability and stability.

This bodyboard has 60/40 rails making it great for riders of all skill levels. It comes with a variety of colors and designs to work with your style. Finally, this bodyboard comes with a long leash and wristband with Velcro fasteners. 

Pros

  • Strong, durable, and impact-proof.
  • Lightweight, easy to maneuver.
  • Fast and strong in all kinds of water/waves
  • With a slick bottom.
  • Comes with a long leash and wristband.
  • Available in different colors that are easier to spot in the water.

Cons

  • Available only in two sizes.
  • The leash is not coiled.
  • Does not come with fin tethers.

WOOWAVE Bodyboard

Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5

Best Lightweight Bodyboard with Slick Bottom and EPS Core for All Ages from WOOWAVE

Description:

  • This is a very light bodyboard.
  • Comes with a leash and cuff, comfortable to use.
  • Can be used in all types of waves.
  • Ideal for beginners and expert users.

Features:

  • Dimensions: 41.75 x 19 x 2 inches, 1.3 pounds
  • Board Sizes: 33, 36, and 41 inches
  • Material: EPS Core
  • Special Features: with a slick bottom, lightweight, available in three neon colors 
  • Accessories: coiled wrist leash and swim fin tethers

The WOOWAVE bodyboard comes in three sizes and is very lightweight. A beginner can easily handle this board in any kind of water because it’s easy to hold, use and train in. It is built with an EPS core which makes it very durable and strong. The slick bottom keeps you fast but still in control.

This bodyboard is best for kids and adults new to the sport. It has a basic design that is easy to maneuver plus, it’s available in four fun and easy to see colors. The WOOWAVE bodyboard is very versatile and comes in three sizes. You also get a coiled wrist leash to keep the board close by and fin tethers so you won’t lose them while in the water. The WOOWAVE bodyboard is very light, fast, easy to use, and ready for all water conditions.

Pros

  • This is a lightweight bodyboard.
  • It is for beginners and expert riders.
  • It is made from very strong, high-quality materials.
  • It is available in different fun and striking colors so you’re easily seen in the water.
  • Comes with a leash with cuff and fin tethers, great value for your money.

Cons

  • Complaints that the color of the board fades.
  • Some complaints that the leash is not as durable.

BPS ‘Shaka’ Body Board

Star Rating: 4.1 out of 5

Best High Speed and Lightweight Bodyboard from BPS

Description:

  • Available in 10 different neon colors.
  • Very light with a smooth/slick surface.
  • Can be used in all wave conditions, offers balance and easy maneuverability.
  • Available in different sizes. 

Features:

  • Dimensions: 30 x 18.4 x 2.5 inches, 1.5 pounds
  • Board Sizes: 33, 37, and 41 inches
  • Material: EPS Core
  • Special Features: available in different designs and colors, lightweight, high-speed surface
  • Accessories: coiled leash, neoprene cuff with Velcro

The BPS bodyboard can take you faster but safer in any type of water. This is the “Shaka” bodyboard that’s very light and has a slick surface which will work best for experienced riders. It comes with a very durable EPS core that enhances the board’s buoyancy and balance. It is also easier to move because of its lightweight and enhanced design.

The slick is HDPE, very durable, and will work double time in keeping you safe yet smooth in the water. You’ll find the coiled leash handy as you don’t have to worry about it tangling in your arms as you move. The cuff is very comfortable as it’s not just made of Velcro but soft and strong neoprene.

You can choose from more than ten different colors and color combinations. You’ll notice that these colors are very striking so you’ll be easily seen in the water. This board is available in three standard sizes: 33 inches for riders up to 65 pounds, 2’ to 4’, 37 inches board for riders 60 to 12 pounds, 4’ to 5’7” and 41 inches for riders with 120 to 188 pounds and 5’5” to 5’9”.

Pros

  • Very light bodyboard that’s quicker and easier to move.
  • With a faster slick.
  • With a well-designed coiled leash and neoprene straps.
  • This is available in different board sizes.

Cons

  • Does not come with fin tethers.
  • Too fast/quick for beginner riders.

Own the Wave Bodyboard

Star Rating: 4 out of 5

Best Bodyboard with Leash and Fin Tethers from Own the Wave

Description:

  • With a slick bottom for improved performance.
  • A strong bodyboard offers a resistance-free ride.
  • With a leash and fin tethers, great value for your money.

Features:

  • Dimensions: 33 x 18 x 3 inches, 1.6 pounds
  • Board Sizes: 33, 37, and 41 inches
  • Material: EPS Core, HDPE bottom
  • Special Features: with a slick bottom, crescent tail
  • Accessories: lightweight coiled bodyboard leash, a set of fin tethers

The Own the Wave bodyboard is dubbed as the “Wave Weapon” is available in many fun and striking colors. It has an EPS core which makes it very strong, durable, and safe to use. It has an HDPE slick bottom that holds the board in place during rough waves but offers smooth, resistance-free movements.

The tail has a crescent shape which helps enhance the board’s movements. It comes with rear channels so water moves steadily to keep you fast. This board comes with a bonus coiled leash with Velcro fasteners and fin tethers.

Pros

  • With a strong, durable, and lightweight core.
  • .Moves steadily and effortlessly in the water.
  • Available in different colors and sizes.
  • Comes with a free coiled leash and fin tethers.

Cons

  • Complaints that the surface starts to peel in a few days.
  • Some complaints of “bubbling” or trapped air underneath the surface.

BIGTREE Bodyboard

Star Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Best Boogie Board for Pool from BIGTREE

Description:

  • Lightweight with a strong EPS core.
  • Can be used in a pool, river, beach, or waterpark.
  • Comes with a leash for added stability and safety while in the water.

Features:

  • Material: EPS core, wooden stringers
  • Special Features: lightweight
  • Accessories: wrist leash

The BIGTREE Bodyboard or kickboard is also great for surfing, wakeboarding, and skimming. You can use it at the beach or in the pool as it comes with a very durable EPS core with strong double wooden stringers.

This board has a fun and colorful design. You can also select from two other designs Hawaii and Yellow Hawaii boards. It’s only in one size but comes with a wrist leash for enhanced stability in the water.

Pros

  • This is a lightweight and buoyant board.
  • Easy to control.
  • Very durable with two wooden stringers.
  • Comes with a long wrist leash.

Cons

  • The leash is not coiled.
  • Available in one size.
  • Does not come with fin tethers.

How to Buy the Best Bodyboards in 2021

Bodyboards may look simpler and smaller than longboards, surfboards, and wakeboards but shopping for the right board is also crucial to a safe and efficient ride. The right bodyboard will help you move smoother and effortless in the water plus, will help you keep steady and safe. There are so many awesome bodyboard designs and styles but these should only be secondary factors. You must consider foremost the board size, rocker, flex and bottom, your experience level, and how it works with you in the water.

It’s important to point out that although buying bodyboards and other water sports equipment online is the easiest, you should still consider personally buying a board. You need to test a bodyboard to make sure that it suits you well. Take note of the following factors.

Get to know the different parts of a bodyboard

If you’re new to using a bodyboard, you should first learn and understand the different parts.

  • Deck – the bodyboard deck is the surface where the rider sits or lies. Some boards have improved grips while some have plain, smooth decks.
  • Nose – the bodyboard nose is the top. This is usually the part that you hold on to when you lie on the board. 
  • Tail – the tail is the opposite of the nose. There are many tail shapes and the shape determines how the board moves in the water. The most common shape is the crescent, a new moon, and a bat tail/wings. The bat tail is the most popular among expert users as it is quicker and easier to move in.
  • Rails – the rails are the sides of the bodyboard. Straight rails make the board quicker while a rounder one will make the board easier to maneuver.
  • Stringer – the stringer is a rod that’s inserted through the core. This ensures the board’s stiffness and improves the board’s lifespan.
  • Channels – the channels are the grooves at the board’s bottom. These moves the water to improve overall control and enhanced performance
  • Accessories – accessories in many bodyboards are the leash and fin tether. The leach comes with a wristband fastened using Velcro fasteners. This will make sure that your board stays with you no matter how hard the waves hit. The fin tethers will keep the fins close by in case these come off.

Take special note of the material

The core material is the most important factor in strong and durable boards. Most have polyethylene or PE or a material called polypropylene or PP. PE is heavier but more flexible compared to PP. it also works best in cold water and when you’re working with big waves. However, PE will eventually absorb water; when this type of board suffers any damage, it can also become damaged. This is why PE boards have a stringer.

PP is more expensive but is waterproof. This type of material is also lighter, tougher, and thus, more durable. It is the best choice for warmer waters and in areas with smaller waves. PP and PE boards are available in different grades and consistency. These factors can eventually affect the board’s price.

The core of a bodyboard combines different types of foams like EPS or expanded polystyrene and EVA or ethylene-vinyl acetate. EPA is mostly used in more affordable bodyboards. 

If the surface facing the rider is the deck, the downward-facing part or the bottom is usually covered with a material called slick. The slick gives a bodyboard speed. A softer slick is called a surlyn which is flexible and very responsive. This is the best type of slick for experts and those who want to do more with their bodyboard.

The other type of slick is the HDPP or high-density polypropylene which is thicker, denser and has no flex. HDPP is common in beginner bodyboards. Finally, the LDPE or HDPE or low/high-density polyethylene is in EPS or PE bodyboard. The qualities of an LDPE or HDPE are the same as HDPP slicks.

Bodyboards are boogie boards

Another term for a bodyboard is boogie board so when you hear or find people talking about boogie boards, they are referring to a bodyboard as well. Another common slang among surfers that refer to bodyboards is “esky lids.” They also refer to bodyboard riders as “boogers.” Why learn slang? To fully immerse in the pastime or sport. You can easily talk to all kinds of people about your bodyboard experience and relate to theirs when you’re familiar with the different formal or informal terms.

The bodyboard size

The bodyboard size is very important. You can’t ride a board that’s taller than you or too small for your body; you’ll end up unable to control the board well and getting stuck in between waves.

The ideal bodyboard size is that the nose of the board must be along with the height of your navel. A board that smaller can sink and a bigger one will be harder to control. A good size bodyboard must be easy to tuck under your arm. You’ll be doing this a lot when you move in the water and out of the water.

If you’re buying a bodyboard for a child then you should take a board that’s a few cm longer to match his growth.

Test the board

Another important factor is the board’s rocker. To test it, place it on a flat surface or floor and examine its shape. The nose should be slightly curved and the body must be flat from the tail. There must be minimal rocking. If the board rocks excessively then it may be warped. Warping is usually due to the board kept in hot or very humid areas.

The flex matters

Check the bodyboard for flex by placing the board up with its tail on the ground. A good board is flexible as you need it to move with you in different obstacles. So, gently flex the board and see if it can spring back afterward. If it does then it’s a good, flexible bodyboard.

Consider the bottom of the board

Check every inch of the board especially the bottom. It must not have any cracks or bumps. If it does then the board may be improperly kept. Choose a smooth and clean board with no imperfections whatsoever.

All about your age

Beginners and kids don’t need a fancy, expensive bodyboard as they will eventually outgrow them. An affordable, basic board with a simple bottom will do as beginners and kids are not yet experts in catching the waves. They can move to a better board once they have improved their skills. For adults and older kids, boards with stringers and bottom channels will work just fine.

Accessories add value to your purchase

Most beginner bodyboards come with accessories like leash and fin tethers giving you more value for your purchase. Leashes must be long and coiled so they won’t tangle when you’re moving; these must-have comfortable and easy to put on bracelets. The fin tethers must also be long enough for the user. 

FAQs

These are the most frequently asked questions about bodyboards

Are there affordable bodyboards?

Beginner bodyboards are more affordable as they have a basic design, do not come with stringers, and are made from basic materials. These can be around $40 to $200.

What is the best brand of bodyboards?

The best bodyboard brands of 2021 are Morey, NMD Board Co., and Empire. You should also check out other brands as some may not be too popular but offer great quality products for beginners.

What’s the difference between a bodyboard, skimboard, and a surfboard?

A bodyboard is smaller and users are mostly kneeling or lying chest down on the board. A bodyboard has no fins but may have the same material as skimboards and surfboards. Skimboards are smaller than surfboards. Surfboards are longer and wider and are equipped with fins for easy maneuverability in the water.

Can you ride a bodyboard even without fins?

You can ride a bodyboard without fins and this depends on what you want to do with a bodyboard. If you want to use it in deeper water for exploration then you need fins.

Do you need to wax a bodyboard?

You must wax the areas where your hands hold on to the board, near the chest, and along the rails. Extra wax is needed on the area where you place your chest.

How to keep a bodyboard?

Keep a bodyboard in a place or storage area that’s not too hot and not too cold. Place it inside a protective bag or use a cover. Clean the old wax off before you store your board for a longer time. When you’re ready to use it, apply a new layer of wax.

Conclusion

From our list of the best bodyboards in 2021, the Bo-Toys Bodyboard and the WOOWAVE bodyboard seal the deal. Both bodyboards are made from tough materials, are durable, flexible, and lightweight. You can choose from different sizes and colors and are perfect for beginners and expert users. These are safe, easy to maneuver, and fun. If you’re looking for a good quality bodyboard then you’ll likely choose from these two bodyboards.