Best Wakeboard Reviews 2023

In general, wakeboards average about $200 – $300, and many packages come with bindings. Getting a wakeboard and bindings package usually brings the overall cost down. On the low end, you can expect to pay around $200 for a cheap wakeboard that’s appropriate for newbies to the sport, but little else. As you gain skill and expertise, you’ll probably need to shell out at least $300 – $400, and up to $800 for a wakeboard with enhanced design features and custom bindings.

Enhanced design features include options such as removable fins, and the newest models from the best wakeboard manufacturers in the biz. Fiberglass seems to be the material of choice for the outer “skin” of a wakeboard. The core of the wakeboard tends to be made of foam, which is cheaper and lighter, or wood which costs more but is more flexible.

There’s a big difference between boards for beginner riders, and those for intermediate or advanced riders, so pay attention to the features. Further, you’ll need to select a board that’s the right length for your weight class. To help you out with this, we’ve included a chart in the Performance section of this article, outlining the correct board length for your weight.

Here are the most important features to look for when selecting the right wakeboard:

• Length of board
• Materials used
• What skill level the board is designed for
• Single tip or double tip (double is round at both ends and works well for snowboarders)
• A fast, smooth continuous rocker or a 3-stage rocker for higher lift off the wake
• Deep fins for beginners, and shallow or removable fins for advanced riders
• Wider boards for more pop off the wake and advanced stunts
• Narrow boards for smooth carving on the “glass”
• Adjustable bindings for beginners, and customer bindings for advanced riders
• Hard edges for better tracking, or rounded edges for landing advanced stunts

As you can see, there are lots of factors when it comes to selecting a wakeboard. Now we’ll go into construction, so you can better understand how they factor into performance while wakeboarding.

For buoyancy, most boards have a fiberglass coating and an internal core of foam, wood, or honeycomb combined with resin. Boards average at around five feet long and about two feet wide. You’ll want to check out our guide in the Performance section to make sure the board length you select is appropriate for you or the person you’re purchasing a wakeboard for.

Bindings attach your feet to the board, and can be adjustable or custom-fit for more advanced wakeboarders. Twin-tipped wakeboards are an up-to-date design that allow for lots of variety when doing stunts. Twin-tips tend to be the design of preference for those with skateboarding or snowboarding experience.

You can save a few pennies and a few pounds by selecting a wakeboard with a foam core, plus foam core wakeboards tend to take a beating and last longer than those with a wooden core. But many advanced wakeboards are made with a wooden core, which allows the board to snap better off the wake. Boards made with graphite are firmer, and provide a steadier, more controlled ride.

The shape of the board is called the “rocker”. A smooth and consistent curve or bend to the board is called a continuous rocker. Continuous rockers allow you to go faster and offer a smoother ride. A three-stage rocker has undulating curves incorporated into the design, which lets you pop into a high lift off the wake, giving you more air time for stunts.

Fin depth and placement affect the wakeboard’s mobility and the type of stunts you can do with the board. Deep fins are ideal for beginners, as they lock you into position on the wake better. However, surface tricks such as flat spins are best supported by a shallow fin. Shallow fins and removable fins are a good choice in wakeboard design for intermediate to advanced wakeboarders.

Whether you want to try a basic flip and roll, or max out your moves with a double front roll (called a Speedball), you’ll want to choose a board that’s right for your stature and skill level. Like snowboards, each person usually has a preference for which foot feels comfortable in the forward position. A left foot forward stance is “regular”, and left foot back is “goofy”. By turning your wakeboard 180 degrees, you can do a “switch stance”.

Pick a shorter board for lots of spins and tricks, or select a long board if you’re looking for a smooth ride and clean landings. If you want optimal release off the wake, pick a board with fins that are placed close to the center of the board. Wakeboards with fins near the tip and tail of the board allow you to stay hooked in the wake longer for a steadier ride.

Here’s a good guide to help you with your selection for wakeboard length, based on your body weight:

Wakeboard Length Guide Based on Body Weight

• Up to 130 pounds — 49.6 in. to 52.4 in.
• 130 – 150 pounds — 51.9 in. to 53.5 in.
• 150 – 175 pounds — 52.4 in. to 55.1 in.
• Over 175 pounds — 54.7 in. to 57.9 in.

Keep in mind that longer wakeboards are better for beginners.

Remember to always get in a good stretch before you hit the wake. You’re going to need excellent coordination to manage the wake and perform stunts, so you’ll want full mobility when it comes to your muscles. And make sure you wear a life jacket, even if you’re a great swimmer.

Now that we gave you the full run-down of wakeboard designs and features, outlining how they affect performance, it’s time to pick out the right wakeboard for you. Let’s check out some of the most popular wakeboards on the market.