Using the correct equipment for bodyboarding is important if you want to get the most out of the sport.
There is no way to state which bodyboard is the best as all surfers have unique preferences, but that being said, some brands and models stand out among the rest.
Let’s take a look at a few of the best bodyboards available on the market.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Good Bodyboard
Before looking into which bodyboards are best, you will need to understand what makes a bodyboard a good board and, therefore, worth buying.
Materials
The materials that your board is created from will, in a large way, determine the durability, performance, and price of a bodyboard.
Polystyrene and EPS bodyboards are lightweight and cheap, but they aren’t very durable.
Polyethylene (PE) bodyboards are the most common and guarantee a durable core that is flexible and suitable for most conditions.
Polypropylene (PP), also known as “polypro” boards, as well as new tech cores such as Kinetic Core, NRG+, and M Core, are the most expensive boards on the market.
PP boards are the most durable but have less flex, so aren’t ideal for cold water.
New tech cores and blended cores solve this problem by creating durability, flex, and optimum performance.
Correct Size
Using a bodyboard that’s incorrectly sized will either leave your legs hanging too far in the water and thus cause too much drag or be too large and buoyant to control or duck dive with.
Wider boards are more buoyant but are difficult to turn.
Bodyboards that are more narrow can be controlled easily but sacrifice some buoyancy.
As a general rule of thumb, your bodyboard should reach your belly button when standing upright at your feet.
Alternatively, your board should reach from your waist to your chin.
This is, of course, a suggested size, and you can adjust your board length as it suits you.
Trusted Brands
It’s true that a brand isn’t everything, but a trusted brand can tell you a lot about a product, customer care, and the community surrounding it.
A well-known bodyboard brand doesn’t guarantee that the board will be perfect for you, but with trusted bodyboarding companies, you’ll easily be able to find reviews, contact customer care, and assume a high-quality product.
That being said, you should never buy a bodyboard just because of the associated brand.
Doing this could result in you overspending on a product you are less than satisfied with.
Correct Shape
As mentioned above, the wider a bodyboard, the harder it will be to control.
This is also true with the general shape of the board.
Older bodyboard designs are straight and more like a plank with a rounded nose.
This doesn’t work unless you only want to cruise straight towards shore.
Newer bodyboards are thinner, more narrow, and have a smaller tail which allows for better water flow and control.
You don’t need to buy the latest model on the market, but don’t go looking for an original boogie board that was made in the 1980s.
What Are the Best Bodyboards for Beginners?
NMD, Matrix Eps
Best for Beginners
NMD, Matrix Eps
$129.99
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The NMD Matrix is a perfect beginner board as it’s cheap but doesn’t lack a unique design.
The thermal-formed deck grips ensure you remain on your board while graduated channels assist with water flow.
- Core: Litecell EPS Core
- Stringer: Single
- Deck: IXLPE 4mm
- Slick: LDPE
- Tail: Crescent Tail
- Rails: 50/50
VS Bodyboards, Inferno Eps
Best for Beginners
VS Bodyboards, Inferno Eps
$129.99
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Another ideal entry-level bodyboard, the Inferno boasts graduated channels, reinforced stringer backing, thermal grip, and 100% waterproof extreme composite care, which offers great flex, high speed, and supportive flotation, all while being light and durable.
- Core: EPS
- Stringer: Single
- Deck: IXLPE 4mm
- Slick: LDPE
- Tail: Crescent Tail
- Rails: 55/45
Random Softboards, Razer
Best for Beginners
Random Softboards, Razer
$49.00
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The Razer is an ideal beginner’s board for those who aren’t 100% sure about dedication to bodyboarding.
The board is light, cheap, and easy to control in most small wave conditions.
Although this board will suit those new to bodyboarding, it is an entry-level board and will not perform well in a larger swell.
- Core: EPS
- Stringer: Single
- Deck: Soft IXPE Layer
- Tail: Crescent Tail
What Are the Best Intermediate Bodyboards?
Morey Boogie, Mach 7
Best For Intermediate
Mach 7 Bodyboard
$132.59
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The Mach 7 from Morey Boogie is one of the most popular bodyboards in the world and one of the best boogie boards on the market.
Ideal for almost every condition, whether the waves are big or small, or the water is warm or cold, the Mach 7 will hold its own.
- Core: PE
- Stringer: Single power rod
- Deck: TCB PE deck
- Slick: HDPE
- Tail: Crescent Tail
- Rails: 50/50
NMD, Njoy
Best For Intermediate
NMD, Njoy
$169.99
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Sealed with Buzz-Tech lamination and boasting a CNC shape, the Njoy is a breeze to catch waves with.
The Sealed Air 2.4 PCF Ethafoam™, PE core keeps the board light and flexible but durable enough to use in a heavier swell.
- Core: Ethafoam PE
- Stringer: Single EXT stringer
- Deck: IXL PE
- Slick: WaveSlick HD
- Tail: Rolled crescent tail
- Rails: 55/45
Custom X, Titan XPE
Best For Intermediate
Custom X, Titan XPE
$244.99
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A go-to for the pros but an ideal board for intermediate bodyboarders, the XPE is fast, durable, and light.
The combination of the Tight Cell Deck Material and the Wave-Plank PE core provides the perfect amount of flex while keeping the board durable and sturdy.
- Core: Wave-Plank PE core
- Stringer: Single/ Double stringer, depending on board size
- Deck: Tight Cell Deck
- Slick: High-grade Surlyn Slick
- Tail: Crescent Tail
- Rails: 50/50
What Are the Best Pro Bodyboards?
VS Bodyboards, Stoogie
Best for Pro
VS Bodyboards, Stoogie
$399.99
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Although labeled as a stand-up bodyboard, the Stoogie is a great pro board that will support prone and DK riding as though it was made specifically for them.
The extra thick PP core provides added buoyancy for stand-up bodyboarding, while the triple stringers and mesh keep the board sturdy and durable.
- Core: Kinetic Polypropylene (PP)
- Stringer: Triple EXT Stringer
- Deck: NX LPE
- Slick: Suryln (DuPont with Mesh)
- Tail: Crescent Tail with Tail Piece
- Rails: 55/45
Drag, Chippa Wilson Signature
Best for Pro
Drag, Chippa Wilson Signature
$319.95
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The Chippa Wilson Signature board is a board made for the pros by the pros.
The board offers reinforced mesh, a CFT stringer, and nose bulbs to maximize grip while you are shredding the waves or dropping into a monster.
- Core: Kinetic Polypro
- Stringer: Single CFT
- Deck: NX L PE
- Slick: HDPPS with mesh reinforcement
- Tail: Clipped Crescent tail
NMD, Player Roam
High-Quality Bodyboards
NMD Bodyboards, Player Roam
$299.99
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Designed with a CNC and X FL Armour, the Player Roam is durable, fast, and responds in an instant.
This board is light and easy to control with its added nose bulbs.
Graduated Channels assist with water flow to improve speed, and an NRG/ PP core keeps it durable yet flexible.
- Core: NRG 1.4lb polypro
- Stringer: Single EXT stringer
- Deck: Wavecrush Air 8lb PE deck
- Slick: HDPE
- Tail: Clipped Crescent
- Rails: 55/45 double rails
What Are the Best Bodyboards for Drop Knee?
Catch Surf Kalani Robb, Odysea Stand Up
Best Bodyboards for Drop Knee
Catch Surf Kalani Robb, Odysea Stand Up
$249.99
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Designed by surfers from San Clemente, Catch Surf creates boards dedicated to fun and good vibes.
The Rob Signature Model is wide and long, which makes it ideal for stand-up bodyboarding and drop knee riding.
- Core: Stiff dual composite core
- Stringer: Two Maple / Ply stringers
- Deck: Old school PE deck
- Slick: HDPE
- Tail: Rolled Vee Tail
- Rails: Double rails
Morey Boogie, Mach 7-SS
Best Bodyboards for Drop Knee
Morey Boogie, Mach 7-SS
$249.95
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Morey Boogie is without a doubt one of the leading bodyboard producers in the world, and the Mach 7-SS is one of their top pro boards.
The flattened crescent tail is ideal for DK riders and prone riders alike.
The board is versatile and features knee contours for perfect control while shredding up the waves in DK.
- Core: X-Flex Polypro core
- Stringer: Dual Power Rod stringers
- Deck: TCB PE deck
- Slick: Surlyn
- Tail: Crescent Tail
- Rails: Upper chine rails
Hubboards, Dubb Edition PP HD
Best Bodyboards for Drop Knee
Hubboards, Dubb Edition PP HD
$132.00
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The Dubb Edition is one of the best all-around boards on the market.
This model is ideal for drop knee but won’t fall short if you prefer prone riding.
The board is lightweight and has a double EXT stringer (a triple stringer is used on the 45.5’ board).
The crescent tail is a DK favorite, while the added Tail Piece provides extra control and style.
- Core: Kinetic Polypropylene (PP) core
- Stringer: Double or Triple EXT stringer available
- Deck: 8lb PE deck
- Slick: HDPE
- Tail: Crescent tail and tailpiece
What Are the Best Bodyboard Brands?
There is an abundance of quality and trusted bodyboard brands.
This can be helpful as it provides you with variations of sizes, shapes, and materials, but it can also be a curse.
With so many bodyboarding companies, it’s easy to get lost in all the information, let alone the opinions of your friends and other local bodyboarders.
Although there is no way to say which bodyboarding company is the best, some companies stand out among the rest.
A few of these include:
- Morey Boogie
- NMD
- VS Bodyboards
- Catch Surf Bodyboards
- Science
- Custom X
- Hubboards
This list is just a place to start, but once you begin digging deeper into bodyboarding companies, you will realize that your options are almost limitless.
What Should I Avoid When Buying a Bodyboard?
Knowing what you want from a board is one thing, but knowing what to avoid is also important if you want to ensure you get the most out of your board and that your bodyboard lasts a long time.
These are a few common mistakes you should avoid when buying a board:
- Buying a bodyboard from anywhere instead of a dedicated bodyboard store.
- Sticking to a single brand and limiting yourself to fewer styles and designs.
- Buying the incorrectly sized board.
- Buying a core suited for the wrong temperature.
- Trusting advice from people that are simply guessing will leave you wasting your money and not getting what you want.
Final Thoughts
Every bodyboarder will have their own perfect board, but that doesn’t mean that there are some similarities in the boards people buy.
Finding a bodyboard that works for you is important, but with so many options, the list above is a great place to get started.
Once you have decided on which bodyboard you want to get, it’s time to begin accumulating the rest of the essential equipment for bodyboarding such as a wetsuit, surf wax, a leash, and some bodyboarding fins.