7 Best Inflatable Kayaks of 2023

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Perfectly portable kayaks to give more accessible outdoor adventures.

Methodically paddling along rivers, marshes and ponds in a kayak during the warmer months, is one of more relaxing outdoor activities. However, figuring out how to lug a plastic boat out of storage to your car and then to a body of water is not. An inflatable kayak, though, gives you a little more freedom for storage and transportation as you can inflate and deflate it closer to the water, while still performing just as well as their hard-sided counterparts.

To find the best inflatable kayaks for every summer adventure, our product experts conducted independent editorial research and relied on years of kayaking experience to cull down to the very best. We also consulted with pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute, who regularly evaluate thousands of products to find the best travel gear and health and fitness products, for insight into what makes a good kayak, based on categorical expertise.

Read on to find our top choices in a variety of sizes and styles, plus what to consider when choosing one for your lifestyle and why you should trust the Good Housekeeping experts.

The Advanced Elements line of inflatable kayaks comes pretty close to the speed and maneuverability of a hard-sided kayak. That's thanks to the built-in aluminum hull, which gives more of a smooth glide against water. It also features three layers of material with a tough waterproof fabric shell as the outer layer.

Assembly is quite easy too — just inflate it, attach the ergonomic seat and you can set off on the water. When you’re done, you can pack it up in the carrying case. There are seven inflatable chambers to keep the boat afloat and will ensure that a pop in one of the chambers doesn't lead to the kayak sinking. However, there isn't a drain valve in the main cockpit, which could lead to a bit of water gathering during rougher waters.

At a quite affordable $100ish price point, this pick comes with two aluminum oars and an air pump to inflate the kayak. The seats are also inflated and can be adjusted for a more comfortable ride, and the thick edges make it harder to flip as well.

It's made of a durable polypropylene material but probably isn't safe in rougher rides: it is a bit bouncier and inflated compared to our top pick, so it's ideal for stiller waters as a casual paddle between two people. And despite being made for two, it only holds 400 pounds, so be mindful of that before hopping in.

This kayak was built for two. Made with 1,000 denier-reinforced heavy-duty PVC material and overlapped seams, it may be one of toughest kayak on our list and claims to be suitable for everything from casual paddling to Class IV whitewater kayaking. Aside from being incredibly scratch- and tear-resistant, it has a removable blade that hangs from a slot in the hull (also known as a skeg) that can improve tracking and maneuverability.

Inflation time can take up to eight minutes, ​​but it does come with everything you need to get moving, including paddles, a pump and a carry bag. It also has a weight limit of 750 pounds, meaning it could theoretically hold two adults and a small child if needed.

Setting up an inflatable kayak on your own can be quite daunting, but the Sevylor QuickPay is compact enough to carry as a backpack and comes with a pump and paddle as well. The brand claims it takes as little as five minutes to inflate it on your own, and it's made of durable 24-gauge PVC material and has a tarpaulin bottom to prevent punctures.

In the case a tear does happen, there are multiple air chambers to still keep the kayak inflated. The included bungees and D rings allow for simple storage and other equipment to be attached. The weight limit is on the lower end, but that allows it to be lighter for carry.

Though it's meant more for advanced 'yakkers, the BOTE is multifunctional working as a single-rider kayak, or the seat can be removed so it functions as a standup paddleboard. It's made with fishers in mind, too, with a sit-top design and option for a fishing pole holder and cooler attachment to store your catch of the day. But these additions must be purchased separately.

It also includes a center fin for maneuverability, a removable foot bar for extra stability, a paddle, a repair kit, a hand pump and travel bag. This kayak is a bit heavier than other inflatable kayaks, but it is well warranted with all of the features. Plus it features four inflated air chambers for both security and solid movement on lakes and rivers.

More adventurous kayakers can still take advantage of inflatable kayaks such as the Driftsun Rover. It's specifically designed to handle Class III and IV rapids with good speed and control, featuring self-bailing ports, tie-down points and there's even a front action camera mount if you want to capture the action.

You can feel secure in this option, too, with reinforced double-layered PVC that can stand up to rough waterways sans tears, and the high-pressure drop stitch floor adds additional stability. It should be noted that because it is an inflatable kayak, it can get more easily stuck on obstacles compared to hard-sided options.

Although it's technically not inflatable, the origami-style folding kayak from Oru is a worthy contender. I’ve personally used the Beach LT model to transport a kayak on a golf-cart-only island, and I found that it was both smooth on marshy water (even in rising tides) and incredibly easy to transport.

Made of double-layered, custom-extruded polypropylene, there are perforated folds that allow the kayak to fold into the carrying case — the top piece becomes the cockpit and it holds both the seat and paddle within the "case." It has additional bells and whistles such as an adjustable footrest and backrest and cockpit handles for stability. Folding and unfolding it can be a bit of a challenge at first, and new users may want to practice at home with tutorial videos before winging it by the water.

Testing the Oru Kayak Beach LT.

Our editors researched a variety of inflatable kayaks to determine the best of the best, while also relying on personal experience and considering experts’ thoughts on these small boats. When choosing inflatable kayaks, we considered factors such as:

✔️ Inflation mechanism: Since inflating and deflating the kayak will likely occur near a body of water, we looked into how long the kayak would take to blow up and deflate as well as how easily it was to do. We also considered how portable the included pump was, as you’ll likely need to bring it on board with you if you can't stash it near the dock.

✔️ Dimensions: Depending on how many people can fit in the kayak, we looked into the length and width of the inflated kayak to determine both stability and maneuverability. If it's too bulky, it won't glide as quickly, but if it's unbalanced you’re more at risk of tipping over

✔️ Durability: Water can get rough and is filled with debris, so we prioritized inflatable kayaks made of durable PVC material and multiple layers to help avoid any potential tears. It was also important that a kayak had multiple air chambers to ensure flotation if a nick does happen.

✔️ Portability: For optimal ease in travel, we looked at how portable a kayak was, including its weight, if there was an included carrying case and any special features that make it easier to move about.

Choosing an inflatable kayak is a bit different than what you need in a hard-sided kayak. You’ll need to consider the portability alongside the need to inflate and deflate it to begin your journey on the open water. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a portable kayak:

✔️ Pump: Most inflatable kayaks will come with your standard manual pump. But if you want something more efficient (and less work on you), you may need to purchase an electric pump separately.

✔️ Inflation time: The longer it takes for your kayak to inflate, the longer it will be until you can hit the water. The same goes for deflation, where you’ll need to likely whip the kayak dry before removing the air to avoid any mold in storage. Most kayaks will only need around five to six minutes to inflate and deflate.

✔️ Air chambers: As a safety precaution, many inflatable kayaks are fitted with multiple air chambers during the inflation process. This ensures that if one of the chambers is damaged, the kayak still has others to keep it floating on. Each air chamber will have its own valve to fill the kayak with air as well as release the air.

✔️ Number of seats: Consider how many people will be riding in the kayak. You can remove the seat in a double kayak, making it more versatile if you want just one rider occasionally. But these tandem kayaks are typically longer and can be harder for one person to maneuver. You should also consider the weight limit before adding more than one person to the boat.

✔️ Material: Inflatable kayaks need to be durable enough to stand up to rough waters and rocks, sticks or other debris you may encounter. Ideally, you should pick one that is made of PVC, a thick synthetic polymer of plastic that is less likely to tear easily, and one that has multiple layers. The denier of the fabric will tell you how thick it is. Anything with 100 deniers or higher is considered to be heavy-duty, but too high a denier will make the kayak heavier and harder for beginners to move.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing consumer products that make life easier for more than 100 years. This roundup was written by contributing writer Courtney Campbell, a longtime product reviewer and self-proclaimed kayaker, who selected products based on hours of research and her personal experience with portable kayaks.

Courtney (she/hers) has spent the past 5 years testing everything from reusable straws to standing desks to homemade kombucha kits. A longtime reviewer, deals hunter, and lifestyle writer, she currently heads up the American Kennel Club's product review site Retrievest and previously worked as the Shopping Editor for USA Today's Reviewed. Additionally, she has covered design and lifestyle trends for Apartment Therapy, Domino, SELF, and more. A graduate of Elon University, she loves telling everyone about what race she's planning on running next while raving about her favorite running headphones (they’re bone conducting!).

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