eFoils are a blast. We tested a variety of options from the top eFoil manufacturers on the market to give you our thoughts. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

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What are eFoils? In the last few years, eFoils have emerged as an entirely new category of personal watercraft. Short for “electric foil board,” eFoils are hydrofoil boards with integrated electric propulsion systems that allow the rider to experience the incredible freedom and sensations of flying above the water on a hydrofoil without depending on the power of the wind, wave, or boat tow, and without learning how to manage a kite, wing, or wave in addition to the foil itself. While they still have a learning curve and require skill to ride, eFoils are more accessible than most other types of foil craft, creating new options for folks who want to get foiling sooner rather than later. 

For this review, we tested and reviewed efoils from the top efoil brands on the market to give you our overall impressions of each system, and what they offer you, the rider, to help you choose the right eFoil for your needs. For the short story, hop down to our TL;DR, or you can just dive straight into our top-pick systems, Flite and Lift (you can’t go wrong with either). Beginner efoilers, boaters, and the budget-conscious will also want to check out Waydoo’s all-new EVO PRO Plus eFoil.

Navigate To: Comparison Table | How We Tested | Buyer’s Guide

The Best eFoils of 2024

Best Overall eFoil System: Flite

Most Versatile/Runner-Up Best Overall: Lift

Best Value eFoil: Flite AIR

Best for Beginners/Runner-Up Best Value: Waydoo Flyer EVO

Best eFoil for Experts and Riding Waves: Flite Ultra L2 

A Solid All-Around eFoil: SiFly Stellar S/R

A Great Choice for People Who Already Foil: Foil Drive/Other Foil Assists

Carving in front of the Golden Gate bridge on the Flite UL2. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

How to Choose an eFoil

We suggest that you start with considering a few key questions, and then keep the answers in mind as you look at what’s on the market.

Who is going to ride your eFoil, and do they have any prior foiling experience? How are you going to use your eFoil? Is your goal to learn to foil so that you can use that skill with other foil sports? Are you going to cruise around your local lake or harbor? Teach your kids? Ride waves? Launch from a boat? Will you be able to keep your eFoil assembled between sessions and during transportation, or are you going to need to disassemble it more frequently? Finally, what is your budget, both in terms of time and money? 

These are all factors to consider as you dig into which eFoil system might be best for you. 

The Waydoo EVO makes beginner eFoiling easy. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

TL;DR: Best eFoils for Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced Riders

Beginners will want to start with a relatively large board and a larger foil, and will also want to give extra consideration to the ease of use and durability of their eFoil setup. Beginners may also want to consider a board made of softer material, or an inflatable board, as this will reduce the potential for bumps and bruises while learning. For beginners and intermediate riders, we particularly like the Flite AIR, Waydoo Flyer EVO, and the Lift eFoils with the Blowfish accessory.

Advanced riders will be best served by getting into a more comprehensive eFoil lineup from Lift or Fliteboard. You really can’t lose with either of these well-proven systems, and both have a wide selection of all the components – most importantly of hydrofoil wings, which is where advanced riders are going to want to experiment and adapt to their riding style, conditions, and discipline. 

If you’re an experienced, expert-level foil rider looking for top-of-the-line dedicated eFoil and your wallet can handle the price, there’s no doubt you’ll be stoked with the amazing Flite Ultra L2. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an e-assist to add to your existing foil quiver, Foil Drive is a highly functional solution that fills exactly that niche. 

Read on for the full details of each system that we tested.

Best Overall eFoil System: Flite

Available Models: Flite AIR/AIR Pro ($6,995), Fliteboard/Pro ($8,995), Flite Ultra L2 ($15,780), Flite x Marc Newson ($19,995), Flitescooter ($12,495) 

Features: Clean aesthetics, great dealer support network

Pros: Extensive lineup of boards offers something for everyone from beginner to pro
Cons: Flite is efoil-only, for now, so no cross-discipline compatibility

After testing all of the eFoils we could get our hands on, we were left with the clear impression that Flite currently has both the widest range of offerings and the best combination of innovative design and performance to support eFoil riders from novice to full-on experts and wave-riding pros. From the top-notch AIR series to the all-around Fliteboard, the smaller PRO, the high-performance Ultra L2, and the Flitescooter, Flite offers something for everyone as part of a comprehensive system, including a selection of masts, drive systems, batteries, and hydrofoil wings to support riders through their eFoil journey. There are even adapters (see Foil Systems in our Buyer’s Guide) that give you access to the full range of foils from AXIS, expanding your options even further. 

Lift is a very close and worthy competitor to Flite, with a full range of offerings and the added benefit of cross-compatibility of its hydrofoil wings between its eFoil and non-eFoil boards. Lift has a long history in the foiling industry and its eFoil designs have proven to be high-performing and reliable.

We give a slight edge to Flite mainly because Lift’s offerings are a bit narrower in terms of board design and sizes — Lift really only has one board, the Lift4, a slight improvement over the Lift3 which is still offered as a wallet-friendlier model. Flite has a much wider lineup with the user-friendly AIR and expert-level Ultra L2 (both featured below) to complement the Flite/Flite Pro boards which are very similar to the Lift 4. One thing Lift does have in its lineup is the Blowfish, a strap-on accessory that adds rib-like pontoons to the sides and front of the foil board for added buoyancy and stability. 

Most Versatile/Runner-Up Best Overall: Lift

Available In: 4’2” Pro, 4’9” Sport, 5’4” Cruiser, 5’9” Explorer

Features: Highly evolved fourth-generation design 

Pros: Wide range of components, deep history in the industry, foils are compatible for non-electric foiling as well
Cons: More costly than entry-level eFoils, limited selection of board models. 

Lift has been in the foiling business since 2010 and was probably the first to market with an eFoil product. They have a long history not just in eFoils but in surf, kite, wing and downwind foiling, so Lift really knows its stuff and is dedicated to supporting foil riders of all types. Its eFoils are known for performance and reliability, with many users reporting years of trouble-free service.

Lift offers a wide range of board sizes, masts, drive systems, hydrofoil wings, batteries, chargers, and other accessories, as well as an extensive network of dealers and demo locations to support riders. With the Lift4 ($12,995), Lift’s eFoil system is now in its fourth generation, so you can be sure that everything works well as a result of years of testing, use, and evolution. We loved the simple, rugged design of the Lift Gen4 battery system, its ergonomic hand controller, and wide range of components, especially the innovative Blowfish accessory. 

We rode the full range of Lift4 boards from 5’9” down to 4’2” and four different wings including 210 Camber Pro, 200 Surf V2, 220 High Aspect X, and 150 High Aspect X. As an experienced foiler, our tester loved the smaller and faster wings, especially the 150 – and also appreciated the smooth progressive lift of the larger wings. In addition to the full range of Lift foils, there are adapters (see Foil Systems in our Buyer’s Guide) that give you access to foils from AXIS and Armstrong, expanding your options even further. The Lift3 is also still sold as the Lift3F, made with fiberglass and aluminum components for a wallet-friendlier ride at $8,995.

In terms of board size, we recommend the Lift 4’9” or 5’4” for almost all riders, in part because these two board sizes are compatible with Lift’s unique Blowfish accessory. Suppose you’re looking for an eFoil system that can accommodate everyone from beginners and larger riders to more advanced riders. In that case, being able to add or remove the inflatable Blowfish to a smaller board creates a highly versatile system that can’t be matched by any other eFoil. With the Blowfish installed, you’ll have a large, stable, highly buoyant platform that is easy to ride and can even potentially serve as a dinghy. Remove the Blowfish and you’ll have a smaller, high-performance eFoil board that you can progress with well into intermediate and advanced riding. 

If you dig what Lift is offering, you can’t go wrong with its eFoil setup, as you’ll be buying into an established, well-proven system with a comprehensive lineup of interchangeable components that will support you for years of riding and progression in eFoiling. Lift riders also have the advantage that the foils are interchangeable between its eFoil and surf/wing/downwind foil setups. With the versatility of the Blowfish add-on, the Lift system is our best option as a single eFoil for families. 

Best Value eFoil: Flite AIR

Available In: 110 liter AIR and 80 liter AIR PRO

Features: Unique rigid inflatable design 

Pros: Durable, bump-resistant, great value
Cons: Doesn’t accommodate the largest battery pack, less aero- and hydro-dynamic than traditional boards 

We gotta say: Flite has really crushed it with its rigid-inflatable AIR eFoil lineup. We got our hands on an AIR PRO and were blown away by the quality, looks, rider-friendly construction, versatility, and value. The board itself combines a rigid foam-and-carbon core with a reinforced inflatable outer section to create a lightweight, durable, and beginner-friendly soft surface that performs just as well as a hard board for beginners and flat water riders. If you’re familiar with inflatable stand-up boards, the AIR is similar, but even stiffer and more stable given its rigid core. The Flite AIR package includes everything you need, including a pump for the inflatable board and an elegant carrying case for all of the components. 

With Flite, you’re buying into an extensive eFoil system that includes a wide range of mast, drive, and foil options and a global network of dealers and riders, making the AIR a great choice for beginners who want to eventually progress to more advanced gear. Since most riders are going to progress fairly quickly, the smaller 80L AIR PRO is the way to go unless you are over 200lbs, in which case we’d probably recommend the larger 110L AIR. 

We recommend configuring the AIR with the Performance 80cm mast which includes Flite’s conical foil mount, giving you the widest choice of high-performance foils. We rode the Flite AIR with the Flow S 1300 wing and 245 tail, which is an upgrade from the default Cruiser 1100 wing, perhaps a little more challenging to ride but still very user-friendly. Looser, more fun to turn, and with more glide. 

One thing to consider in terms of trade-offs is that while the Flite AIR is a screaming value, especially if you ride a lot, you may progress fairly quickly to the point where you find yourself wanting a lower-volume board that has better hydrodynamics for touchdowns and takeoffs (inflatables are a bit stickier than hard boards), and that is less bulky than an inflatable. Also keep in mind that the AIR accommodates Flite’s Nano (20Ah) and Sport (30Ah) Flitecell battery packs, but not the largest Explore (40Ah) pack—something else to consider if maximum ride time is an important factor for you. 

That said, if you’re looking for the best price-to-performance ratio and the simplest, no-brainer, fun, cool, and colorful way to get into eFoiling, or a great family ride, we don’t think you’ll go wrong with the Flite AIR. 

Best for Beginners/Runner-Up Best Value: Waydoo EVO

Available In: 130L Max, 90L Pro, 75L Master 

Features: soft-top EPP material, high-tech features including Flight Assist (on Plus models)

Pros: Durable, bump-resistant, affordable, innovative
Cons: bit of a techy look, not a ton of foil selection

Waydoo’s Flyer EVO lineup is geared mostly towards beginner and intermediate riders looking for an affordable, full-featured, rider-friendly eFoil. The larger 130L and 90L EVO boards are made of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP), making for a softer and more durable construction than traditional hard-top boards. For some users, this unique EPP board construction is going to be reason enough to go with the Waydoo. If, for example, you intend to use your eFoil on a yacht or for teaching or rentals in a situation where the board could impact hard surfaces, having a soft board that won’t easily damage – or get damaged by – bumping into things is a game changer. Our testing showed how durable the EPP boards are, and Waydoo gets major points in our book for anyone whose eFoils are going to get hard use. 

We tested the 90L Waydoo Flyer EVO PRO Plus with the Voyager 1500 and 1100 front wings and the Gliding Tail 320 stabilizer (the other two sizes of board have yet to hit the market). The board is plenty big enough for riders under 200lbs, and the 1500 wing provided easy and progressive lift, but felt pretty chunky for our advanced rider, and not as smooth as the 1300 beginner wing on the Sifly (see below). The 1100 wing was looser and faster enough to offer some progression for intermediate riders, but nowhere near as smooth or elegant as more refined wings from Lift or Flite. Waydoo’s lineup of hydrofoil wings is currently a bit limited, focused mainly on larger, mid-aspect foils.

But fortunately for Waydoo buyers, Waydoo has a wider range of wings available for its previous Flyer One eFoil, so we expect they will increase the range of wings for the EVO in the future. There are also adapters available (see Foil Systems in our Buyer’s Guide) that allow you to mount hydrofoil wings from AXIS and Sabfoil. All of that said, the weight and general design of the Waydoo system is not geared to advanced riders and is never going to be as nimble as a smaller, lighter board, no matter what foil you mount — something to keep in mind as you make your eFoil decision. 

Waydoo’s parent company is renowned drone maker DJI, and it shows in the features. Some unique aspects of Waydoo’s eFoil setup include a grab handle at the front of the board that helps in getting to your feet (and also serves as an accessory and camera mounting point) and a simple, integrated screen with real-time status on the battery itself. We also liked that Waydoo has a dedicated magnetic power switch for the board, allowing you to turn the board on and off without opening a battery door. Waydoo is also currently the only eFoil on the market with a plug-in battery-mast connection with no battery compartment door or cables to fiddle with, making for a simple, elegant battery connection. This type of modularity also makes it very easy to upgrade individual components of the efoil as you progress, rather than needing to start from scratch. 

Drawing on DJI’s drone tech, Waydoo also offers a “Smart Flight Assistance System” (aka Flight Assist) on the “Plus” models of the EVO which uses sensors on the bottom of the board to smooth out takeoffs and landings, provide balancing assistance, and even a fixed flight altitude (which can be set to low, medium, or high) while you ride. This feature partially automates some of the more challenging aspects of learning to ride an eFoil, which may appeal to riders looking for a more accessible, super-stable ride, or those interested in using the board as a platform for photography/videography. When we rode with Flight Assist turned on, we found it to be remarkably effective, making it super easy to get up on foil and even to switch from riding on our knees or sitting down to standing up and back again, without crashing. The video below provides a good visual explanation of what Flight Assist looks like in practice.  

Overall, the Waydoo system worked flawlessly for our testers, and our novice riders were able to get up on their knees within the first twenty minutes and get their first stand-up foiling rides after just an hour of practice, and that was without using Flight Assist. If the high-tech aesthetic and features of the Flyer EVO appeal to you, and you’re looking for an affordable, durable, beginner-oriented, high-tech eFoil that’s easy to ride, the Flyer EVO is a great way to go! 

Best eFoil for Experts and Riding Waves: Flite Ultra L2 (UL2)

Available In: 49 liters / 4’4″ / 40lbs (w/ Nano battery)

Features: designed specifically for ultra-high performance and riding waves

Pros: Smallest, lightest, lowest drag eFoil system
Cons: Doesn’t accommodate the largest battery pack

If you want to use your eFoil to chase swell and ride waves you’ll want a setup with a smaller, lighter board and faster, higher-aspect wings designed for making turns and gliding efficiently. Of course, you’ll need to have the skill to ride such a small setup, as well as experience with reading and riding waves. If you’re hoping to eFoil in the waves without any wave-riding background, eFoiling can be an effective entry point, but it will take some real commitment and access to suitable conditions. 

Flite threw all its design expertise and eFoil experience into making the Ultra L2 (aka UL2) capable of riding real waves. We took the UL2 out under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in heavy wind and a strong ebb tide, in the same conditions that local kite- and wing-foilers often ride, and we’re super stoked to confirm that they’ve done it! Our 5’11”, 180lb test rider—an expert wing-foil rider—had no trouble getting up and riding the board, which has a shape that performs well both in eFoil takeoff mode and out riding, whether carving turns in the flats or dropping into swell. 

Flite’s Ultra L2 is the smallest and lightest board in the Flite range, specifically designed for wave riding and for riders who want maximum performance in the smallest package. All of the components are optimized for low weight, maximum agility, and high performance. Not only is the board smaller, but the UL2 also comes with a stiff and light MN Carbon Wave mast built around a slim 46mm fuselage that slips through the water more efficiently than Flite’s standard 60mm fuse or any of the much larger mast & fuse combos on bigger eFoils. The UL2 drive system has Flite’s conical wing interface and comes configured with its folding prop, both of which further reduce drag, especially when you depower the eFoil on a wave. 

We were pleased to find that while of course the folding prop and smaller motor don’t produce as much thrust as larger setups, we had no trouble taking off, ripping out the Gate into a 25-knot headwind, and catching swells. Given the smaller size of the board, the UL2 accommodates Flite’s Nano (20Ah) and Sport (30Ah) Flitecell battery packs, but not the largest Explore (40Ah) pack. Even so, we got plenty of ride time because of the efficiency of the UL2 setup. Of course, the more time you spend depowered riding waves over trying to catch them, the longer your actual ride time will be. 

We rode the UL2 with a variety of Flite’s outstanding hydrofoil wings, including the Mark Newsom 1300C, the Wave 1000C, Wave 850C, Flow 900, and the Flow S 1100. With all of these, we felt Flite’s excellence in wing design, and we were stoked with the wide selection and ability to dial in exactly the wing size and feel that we would want for a particular mission and conditions. 

Like all of Flite’s products, the aesthetic, construction, and quality are outstanding, and they’re backed up by an extensive dealer network, an enthusiastic, friendly rider community, and some pretty deep pockets for R&D and future product development (as well as customer support) as part of the Brunswick Group, which includes Mercury Marine. We loved riding the UL2 and can see how this board would be a real ripper for advanced and wave-oriented foil riders to add to their quiver. Highly recommended! 

A Solid All-Around eFoil: SiFly Stellar

Available In: 170 liter E, 120 liter R, 98 liter S

Features: simple, functional design

Pros: very reasonable cost
Cons: no unique innovations

SiFly (pronounced “see fly”), based in Bulgaria and distributed in the U.S., offers a well-designed, affordable eFoil system aimed at beginner and intermediate riders. We rode the 170-liter E board as well as the 98 liter Stellar S, both with the Cruiser 1300 wing. The huge E board is larger than most riders will need, but could be suitable for heavier people or riders who want a big, super-stable platform. For most riders, the R or S will offer plenty of volume and stability in a more moderately-sized package. Board construction is EPS/carbon with a hard surface, just like a traditional surf, windsurf, or wing-foil board. 

Sifly currently offers only three choices of hydrofoil wings, a huge 1900, the mid-range 1300, and the much smaller 700. We didn’t get a chance to ride the 700 or the 1900, but the 1300 was very smooth and progressive, offering easy takeoff, stable riding and groovy turns. Our novice riders found the SiFly 1300 even friendlier than the Waydoo 1500 beginner wing, although in both cases they were up and foiling within their first hour of riding an eFoil. 

The SiFly battery system is like most of the others on the market, with two cables that connect from the mast to the battery, and a door that covers the battery compartment. Similarly, there isn’t a dedicated power switch for the board; the board simply powers on when the battery door is closed. This is very simple and functional, but there were a couple of times when the SiFly board seemed to power off, or we couldn’t reconnect to the controller. As far as we could tell, the only way to reconnect in this situation was to open and re-close the battery door, which did work and can even be done on the water, but seems less than ideal. As with the entire system, SiFly keeps it simple by offering just one (very capacious) 45Ah size of battery. 

Overall, SiFly offers a straightforward, functional, well-thought-out eFoil system. Assembly, charging, and pairing are all simple, and the ride is smooth, very approachable, and also offers plenty of speed and dynamic movement. If you’re looking for a great all-around eFoil at an affordable price point for beginner or intermediate riders, SiFly is a solid choice. 

Also Worth Considering 

The Foil Drive with an Axis Foil Drive board and Axis foil setup is an awesome carving machine. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

E-Assist Systems for Foil Riders

For people who are already into foil sports like wing-foiling or downwind foiling, an e-assist system that mounts to a foil setup from an established foil brand such as AXIS, F-One, Armstrong, Code, Unifoil, or one of the many others may make more sense than a dedicated eFoil. While e-assist systems like Foil Drive, Manta, and Stoke don’t have the range or full system integration of true eFoils, the flip side is that they are far smaller and lighter, and can be configured in ways that dedicated eFoils cannot. 

Most importantly, you can run an e-assist setup with your full quiver of existing boards and foils, creating unlimited possibilities for assisted wing, prone, and downwind foiling. You can mount an e-assist motor low on the mast for more of an eFoil setup or high on the mast to maximize glide for prone or downwind foiling. There a ton of riders out there loving these systems and pushing the envelope of what can be done with minimalist eFoil setups. 

As part of our testing for this guide, we rode a Foil Drive Assist Max with an AXIS integrated mast, 60 liter AXIS Foil Drive board and 1100 and 900 sq cm Spitfire wings. The whole setup weighed in at about 33 pounds—already markedly lighter than any eFoil—and that could be made even lighter with a smaller board, battery, and foil. We know some FD riders using 30 liter prone boards and tiny, fast foils to create a ripper setup that still provides for similar ride times to eFoils due to the light weight, efficiency, and the amount of time spent gliding depowered on waves (and pumping) vs using the motor to get up on foil. 

Keep in mind that these systems are more complicated to install and use than a dedicated eFoil, but they’re not really in the same category anyhow. If you’re already riding foils and interested in adding an electric boost to your ride, you should definitely look at Foil Drive or one of the other e-assist systems. Foil Drive is the main pioneer of the foil-assist space, and the only foil-assist system we’ve tried thus far, and as such, it’s our main recommendation here. 

Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Handlebars and Scooter-Type eFoils

Before he even got on the board for the first time, the first question one of our novice eFoil riders asked was “Do any of these come with a handle?” Indeed, in addition to regular eFoils that you ride like a surfboard, there are eFoils with upright handlebars in front, giving you a riding experience more like a kick scooter, motorcycle, or jet ski.

We didn’t include the full range of handlebar eFoils in this test, but we did get the chance to ride a Hydroflyer, and our take is that quite a few people who are in the market for an eFoil might be better-served by something like the Hydroflyer or one of the other handlebar-eFoil options like the Flitescooter, Waydoo Scooter kit, or SiFly DragonFly. Our riding experience on the Hydroflyer showed us how the leverage of a handlebar vastly improves the beginner experience, both in getting up on foil and in actual riding. The Hydroflyer was incredibly confidence-inspiring and still just about as agile as an eFoil. Most importantly, it was a ton of fun to ride. 

Overall, we’d say that the handlebar makes for a different riding style that might not appeal to everyone looking at eFoils, being a lot less “surfy” but that will appeal to some riders who are open to considering all their options. If these characteristics sound appealing, and especially if you’re new to foiling and/or not as athletic, we highly encourage you to include scooter-type eFoils in your decision process. 

Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Wraparound Inflatable  

We were super impressed with Lift’s Blowfish and the versatility and value that this single accessory can add to an eFoil setup for relatively little additional cost. The Blowfish is sort of an inflatable bumper that wraps around your eFoil board, adding width, length, volume, buoyancy, and stability. It slides on and off right around the board in a minute or less, and transforms your hard, high-performance eFoil into a soft-sided, mini foiling hybrid boat/board. For one, this add-on makes it possible to buy a smaller board and rig the Blowfish for larger or beginner riders. It also makes the board nearly indestructible and guards the edges and bow of the board from dings and potential impact with riders. Especially if you are going to share your eFoil with multiple family members, or between beginners and more advanced riders, give the Blowfish a look — it might well be enough to steer you to Lift as your eFoil of choice. 

Other Brands

We’re confident that this list represents a solid selection from the current eFoil market, but it’s not possible for us to get our hands on every single model and brand — and new offerings are appearing (and disappearing) all the time. We’re always keeping an eye out for innovations and updated eFoil models, and we’ll update this guide periodically to reflect the development of the eFoil landscape. Some of the other eFoil brands that we might add to this guide in the future include Awake, Audi/Aerofoils, Defyen, Peak, Level, Jetfoiler, and XFoil, among others. 

Setting up the Lift eFoils with the Blowfish attachment for some side-by-side testing. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Comparison Table (Alphabetical Order)

Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best eFoils

Testing eFoils means going eFoiling as much as possible – and that means not just riding them, but putting them together and taking them apart, charging batteries, pairing controllers, reading manuals, updating firmware, swapping out different wings and boards, and carting them around to different places so we can ride them in conditions ranging from butter-flat water to Pacific swells under the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Our lead tester for this review is Bowen Dwelle, a San Francisco native and lifelong sailor, windsurfer, kitesurfer, kitefoiler and wingfoiler, adventure guide, and writer. Bowen has logged thousands of miles of high-wind foiling in SF Bay over the years. For this review Bowen tested eFoil boards from all the manufacturers in this review, working with the brands, as well as local shops like 101 Surf Sports, to coordinate demos and get in the testing time required to speak to all the pros and cons of each product. In addition to direct testing, we also spoke with other eFoil riders and retailers to gather more information about various eFoil models and riding experiences. Our Senior Gear Editor Will Sileo also participated in the testing, along with several novice guest riders/testers.

Side-by-side testing of the Waydoo EVO and Sifly Stellar R Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Best eFoils Buyers Guide

Terminology 

Foiling refers to riding a board with a hydrofoil. There are several foil-board sports including kitefoiling, wingfoiling, windsurf foiling, SUP or stand-up, prone, downwind, pump, tow, and wake foiling. 

An eFoil is a foil board equipped with an electric motor and battery driving a propeller or water jet propulsion system, creating a personal watercraft that can be used for everything from cruising flat water to catching and riding swell. On an eFoil, propulsion is provided by a propellor (or “prop”) or water-jet impeller, powered by a battery and controlled with a hand-held wireless controller. All eFoil systems come with a dedicated battery charger designed to charge the battery properly. 

The hydrofoil, or “foil” can refer to a fully-assembled combination of mast, fuselage, front and back wing, but is also often used to refer to just the front hydrofoil wing. 

the Lift4 hydrofoil assembly is simple, and the foil wings can be used with regular non-electric foil boards as well. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

The mast connects the board to the fuselage (and thereby to the front and back wings). 

The fuselage, aka “fuse” is where the front and back wings and mast all come together. 

The front and back hydrofoil “wings” are the real guts of the foil. The front wing creates the lifting force that levitates the board out of the water, and the back wing creates downforce to counterbalance the lift created by the front wing and make the foil more stable. Unfortunately, the ambiguity of terms in use means that “foil” can mean your whole setup or just the front foil wing. 

The back or rear wing is also known as the “stabilizer,” or “stab.” 

Fun times on the Waydoo EVO PRO Plus. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Types of eFoils

eFoils have been around for around ten years now, and several disciplines or activities have emerged including flat water cruising, freestyle, wave riding, and even racing. A lot of people also use their eFoils to learn or to teach foil riding skills to people who want to move on to learn other foil sports. 

There are also e-assist systems like Foil Drive which generally consist of a battery, motor, and controller that you attach to your existing board, mast, and foil. 

Finally, there are other electric-drive watercraft like the Hydroflyer that are similar to or based on eFoils, as well as other things like jetboards which have nothing to do with foils at all. 

A propeller guard, like this one on the Sifly Stellar S, protects the rider from encountering the prop but adds some drag. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Safety

Safety and risk deserve consideration with any action sport. Fortunately, eFoiling is not a particularly risky activity, but there are a couple of things to be aware of. First, hydrofoils are quite pointy and somewhat sharp. You don’t want to fall onto the foil or have the foil hit you. The board is also not fun to fall on. Especially as a beginner, it’s important to learn to fall away from your efoil. Secondly, falling off an eFoil at speed can make for a significant impact with the surface of the water. For these reasons and others, we recommend wearing a helmet and an impact vest, ideally a PFD (personal flotation device) that doubles as impact protection. 

It’s also important to be aware of where you’re riding, the limits of your abilities, and the range and capabilities of the eFoil you’re riding, so as to not put yourself in a situation where you can’t get back to where you started. Don’t take the stated ride time as any guarantee. Familiarize yourself with the range of your eFoil until you are comfortable with how long the battery will last in the conditions that you actually ride in. Always maintain a safety margin of extra battery charge. Plan on turning around before you reach 50% charge, and plan on returning with at least 20% left. Remember that getting up on foil consumes more battery, as does running at high speed. 

We also recommend carrying your phone in a waterproof pouch, and using a service like the free Strava Beacon to track your position in real-time and share it with friends. If you are riding in open water, we also recommend carrying a waterproof VHF radio. Throw an energy bar and a soft water bottle into your riding kit while you’re at it! 

Smaller wings make for sharper turns, and higher-aspect wings allow for more glide. The Lift 150 HA X is a foil that embodies both of these characteristics. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Hydrofoil Wings: Size and Shape

Because an eFoil flies on its hydrofoil “wings,” of all the differences between various eFoil systems, it’s probably wing size and shape that makes the most difference in terms of riding experience, and so it’s very important to understand how wings work and how they affect your ride. 

Hydrofoil wings for eFoils vary widely, and all vendors offer a variety of foil sizes and shapes. Different manufacturers name their foil sizes in different ways, but most often, foil “size” refers to the surface area in square centimeters, written as (for example) 1300 sq cm or 1300 cm2. 

Foil shape matters a lot. Aspect Ratio doesn’t tell you everything about a foil, but it’s a good rule of thumb to start with. Photo: F-One

Aspect ratio (AR)

Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between wingspan (width) and surface area. Because foils are complex shapes, the following formula is used: AR = (span²) / (area). In general, higher-aspect wings fly faster and more efficiently (glide better), but are harder to turn, while lower-aspect foils take off more readily and turn more easily, but are less efficient. Lower-aspect wings are wider and more shovel-shaped, while higher-AR wings are narrower and longer. Hydrofoil wings range from an AR of perhaps 4 at the low end to 7–9 in the mid-range and 10–13 at the high end. 

Aspect ratio isn’t going to be a big consideration for beginner or intermediate eFoil riders, but as you progress to whipping fast turns, gliding, pumping, racing, or using your eFoil to chase swell and ride waves, you’ll want to choose a system that provides a wide variety of wing options including smaller and higher-aspect wings. 

Rear Wing/Stabilizer

Your rear wing or “stabilizer” needs to be well-matched to the front wing. All eFoil systems offer some range of rear wings for different performance characteristics. In general, a larger stab is going to be more stable and generate more lift in the front of the board (requiring more front foot pressure), while a smaller rear wing allows your foil setup to turn more easily, fly faster, and require less front foot pressure. 

In general, just use the rear wing that the manufacturer recommends to go with the front wing that you’ve chosen. You can experiment with different rear wings if you want to, but most people will end up changing their front wing before messing around with different stabilizers. 

The Sifly Stellar S can be purchased with a 60cm or 75cm mast (pictured). Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Mast Length

Most eFoil manufacturers offer a variety of mast lengths, which tend to range from about 70cm up to about 90cm. Typical eFoil mast length for an experienced rider is 80-85cm. A longer mast is going to allow you to navigate over chop and waves more easily, and also to heel the foil over farther while turning without breaching the tips of the foil or sinking the rail of your board. For these reasons, if you ride in rough water or make radical turns, be sure to choose a system with a longer mast. 

If you’re a beginner, it will certainly be easiest to learn with a shorter mast, but if you plan on progressing to more high-performance eFoiling, a longer mast will suit you better when you get there. 

The Lift Blowfish adds a ton of volume to an existing eFoil setup, great for sharing and beginners who are keen on progressing. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Board Size (Volume) and Materials

For beginner and intermediate eFoil riders, board shape and dimensions in terms of length, width, and thickness are far less important than the overall volume of the board, which is stated in liters. Volume translates directly into how much weight the board can support by this simple formula: 1 liter of volume supports (floats) 1 kg of rider weight, and to be able to easily stand on the board with good stability you’ll need a board with more than your weight in board volume. 

eFoil boards come in sizes ranging from 170 liters all the way down to around 40 liters. Choose a board that matches your weight, skill level, and riding goals. A good general rule of thumb for beginners is to choose a board that is at least 20-30 liters larger than your weight in kilograms. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs, that’s about 82 kg and so you’d want to choose a board that is at least 100-110 liters in volume. 

More advanced riders will want to go smaller, with perhaps 80-90 liter board for all-around riding, and boards down to the 40-50 liter range for expert riders. If you have previous experience riding stand-up boards or other foil boards, you can go with a smaller board, which will weigh less, be more maneuverable, and be easier to transport. However, keep in mind that a smaller board will be less versatile if you are going to share your board with others. One solution to this problem is the Lift Blowfish accessory, letting you add a ton of volume to a smaller board when you want it. 

The Waydoo EVO is made from a soft EVA material that’s great for beginners and boaters. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Most eFoil boards are made with materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, various types of foam, and rigid-inflatable technologies. Boards like the Waydoo EVO, made from Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) or Flite’s rigid-inflatable AIR series are a great option for beginners and other eFoil users who will bang their boards around a lot because both these constructions are softer and therefore less likely to get damaged — or injure the rider during a fall. They are also both cheaper than carbon. Fiberglass provides the wallet-friendlier performance most similar to carbon fiber, although it is a bit heavier, and carbon fiber is the most expensive, lightest, and highest performing. 

At only 40 lbs, the Flite UL2 is one of the lightest eFoils on the market. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

Weight 

Because they include not just a board and foil but also a motor, controller, and battery, eFoils weigh a lot, and it’s important to consider how the weight of your setup is going to play into your enjoyment of eFoiling. Most eFoils weigh in at 50-80 pounds fully assembled, with the battery typically amounting to 20-30 pounds of the total. Smaller setups for more advanced riders can get down to 50 or even 40 pounds, but these are going to be shorter, lower-volume boards with smaller batteries. 

The weight of an assembled eFoil is such that most people can carry one, but it’s cumbersome, and much easier with the battery removed. Give careful consideration to where you are going to be launching and storing your eFoil, and whether you are going to need to transport it to your riding location(s). Moving all of these heavy components around can be taxing, and if the places you intend to launch and ride require carrying the gear more than even a hundred feet, you may want to consider some method of assisting with transportation, like add-on wheels. The Waydoo EVO is available with a wheel add-on that screws directly into the board, while Lift sells a board bag with beach wheels ready for the sand. 

Most eFoils mount the battery in a compartment under the deck of the board. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Batteries and Charging 

All eFoils currently use highly efficient and sophisticated batteries with computerized charging and battery management. Your eFoil system is going to come with a dedicated battery charger unit specifically designed to charge the battery properly. Keep in mind that most of these high-powered chargers have a cooling fan that makes some noise when charging, something to keep in mind when thinking about where you will charge your eFoil battery. Lithium batteries also require some attention to battery care over time. See below under maintenance for further details. 

Most manufacturers now offer a range of battery sizes. You’re going to use more power and perhaps want a larger battery if you like to ride fast, are a beginner or a bigger person, or if you’re set on getting the maximum possible ride time from a single charge. The trade-off for a larger battery is weight, which will be most relevant for folks who use their eFoil to catch and ride waves; in that case, you’ll probably want a smaller battery to minimize weight and maximize maneuverability. 

As for battery range or ride time, keep in mind that ride time on any given amount of charge is going to vary widely depending on your skill, weight, riding conditions, and even the efficiency of the foil you have mounted. Ride time on any given battery is also going to decrease over the lifetime of the battery. Overall, we were very satisfied with the ride time matching up with our expectations on all of the eFoils we tested, easily achieving more than an hour on larger batteries, even for novice riders. 

Controllers for the Waydoo EVO, Foil Drive, and Sifly Stellar R efoils (from left to right). Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Controllers

All eFoil boards that we tested use a hand-held remote control with an integrated display that shows battery status and other information and a trigger throttle to control power. Controllers are typically rechargeable using USB or wireless charging, and since they are small devices, they don’t necessarily have to be recharged before every ride. Overall, even though of course they are all different, we were very satisfied with how the controllers worked, charging, pairing, and—most of all—how the controller allows you to modulate the power level or ‘throttle’ and ‘gears’ of the eFoil propulsion systems. They all have safety cutouts that kill the power if you fall, and they all reconnect quickly and easily after falls. 

A folding prop reduces drag for better glide when the motor is disengaged. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Propulsion: Prop, Folding Prop, and Water Jet 

While most eFoils use a standard propeller, nowadays there are other options including free-spinning props, folding props, and impeller/water jet drives. As detailed in this explainer from Fliteboard, a propeller-driven efoil is more powerful and uses less energy, while a jet-driven efoil is a little smoother. It also eliminates any worry of danger from encountering the prop, which might be a concern for some people (and is in fact required by safety regulations in some countries/states). However, it is also less efficient than a prop, which means you’ll get less ride time. 

Many manufacturers also now offer the option of a folding prop, which is the ideal choice for people intending to use their eFoil to ride waves — the folding prop reduces drag when depowered on a wave, just keep in mind that it will also be less powerful. 

The Foil Drive makes for a light and high-performing eFoil setup. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Performance: Takeoff, Speed, Smoothness, Turning, Glide

Finally, we’re getting down to the characteristics that matter most in terms of direct sensation to the rider: takeoff, speed, smoothness, glide, and turning. 

Takeoff 

When a foil board starts moving and goes from flotation mode onto foil, we call that “takeoff.” This is sort of like when a waterskier gets pulled out of the water by a boat: at first, it takes a lot of power, and then much less once the skier pops up. All of the eFoils we reviewed had plenty of power for takeoff, and while they vary in terms of how the controller modulates power delivery, they all worked well to allow the rider to control the power delivery smoothly and easily. 

Just as with takeoff, the way power delivery is modulated by the controller is going to play a big part in how good it feels to ride your eFoil. You want a smooth power delivery, not herky-jerky sudden jumps in power delivery. Thankfully, all of the eFoil systems we tested here have highly developed and well-modulated power delivery systems that deliver a smooth ride. 

Speed on the Foil Drive with the Axis Foil Drive Board and the Axis Spitfire foil. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Speed

The first question any foil rider gets is usually “how fast can you go on that thing?” As an experienced rider, I can tell you the honest answer is almost always “faster than you want to.” 

Most eFoils have a top speed well over what you will want for most of your riding. Also keep in mind that the more time you spend riding at high speed, the quicker you’ll drain the battery. Quoted ride times are never for all-out top-speed riding. Furthermore, some eFoils are not designed to run continuously at top speed and will go into auto-slowdown mode to prevent the battery from overheating when they are run at top speed for too long. All of the eFoils we’ve reviewed will go plenty fast, and most riders—even experts—will run their rigs well below top speed most of the time. 

Laying into a turn on the Foil Drive with the Axis Foil Drive board and integrated mast. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Turning

How easily and quickly you can turn your eFoil depends on your skill level, the weight of the board, and also on your choice of foil. As a beginner, it will probably feel like you don’t want to risk turning much at all, but that will soon change. Designing a board and foil combination that makes it easy for a beginner to get up on foil, ride with stability, and also turn reasonably well is quite a challenge, but all of the beginner-friendly eFoils that we tested offer a friendly, approachable, fun ride for beginners. As you progress, a smaller board and more aggressive foil shapes will allow you to turn much faster, if you wish. 

The Flite UL2 is one of the glidiest eFoil setups out there, optimized for unpowered wave-riding. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

Glide

For most people, the magical feeling of glide is really what foiling is all about, whether it’s eFoiling, wing-foil, downwind, kite- or whatever else. How well your eFoil glides will be determined mostly by the shape, and overall efficiency of the hydrofoil you have mounted, as well as how much drag your chosen drive system adds (this is where something like a folding prop comes in handy). Some foils are designed for maximum glide but don’t turn as well; some foils glide remarkably well and also turn well, while beginner foils tend to get up on foil easily and ride with great stability, but don’t necessarily glide very well. 

Since glide derives primarily from the efficiency of the foil, glide also affects how long and far you will be able to ride on a given battery charge. As a beginner, you’re going to be using a larger, slower foil that gives you lots of stability and lift but not much glide. As you progress, you can swap in a smaller, more efficient foil that glides better and/or one that is more maneuverable. This will be especially important if you are getting yourself into situations where the energy of a wave can push the foil along without input from the motor. 

Most beginner riders should start with the standard wing offered with the eFoil that you choose, but if you’re already an experienced foil rider getting into eFoiling, you’re probably going to want to start something smaller and faster — and you’re probably also going to want to choose an eFoil with a wide selection of available wings like Lift or Flite. 

Sensors on the bottom of the Waydoo EVO can help manage altitude and stability through the Flight Control mode. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Stability

Overall stability is a combination of how stable a foil is on the pitch and roll as well as the abovementioned smoothness of power delivery. “Pitch” refers to front-to-back movement, and all of the eFoil setups we tested are relatively “pitch stable,” meaning that they resist suddenly jumping up or diving down. “Roll” refers to side-to-side movement, and a setup that is “roll stable” will resist rolling from side to side, but won’t turn as fast. All of the eFoils that we tested were stable when set up for beginners and intermediate riders. The Waydoo EVO has a special feature called Flight Control that uses sensors on the bottom of the board to compensate for the rider and increase the pitch and roll stability. 

The Flite UL2 is a great choice for swell and wake-riding. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

Progression: Board Sizes, Cruising, Freestyle, and Waves 

Beginning riders may progress to smaller boards and foils, but then again, you don’t necessarily have to move on from the gear that you start on, as long as you’re having fun. Don’t feel compelled to go to a smaller board unless you have actually reached the limits of performance of your current setup and want more. One easy way to adapt your setup to the progression of your skills is with a system that offers a good range of wing sizes, which allows you to move to a smaller or faster hydrofoil wing; a relatively easy swap, and much less expensive than moving to a smaller board. We’re also huge fans of the Lift Blowfish in this regard, essentially giving the owner two boards in one. 

One thing that often comes up, especially for more advanced riders, is the possibility of chasing swell and riding waves with an eFoil, and some manufacturers have specific board and foil options (for example, the Flite Ultra L2 reviewed above) that are designed to appeal to riders wanting smaller, faster, more maneuverable eFoil setups that can be used to catch and ride waves. The Lift 4’2″ with a folding prop and the right size wing has also been proven to be a great choice for waves, however, we didn’t get a chance to test one in such conditions.

With the proper foil shapes, it’s possible to glide along with no power from the motor at all, getting pushed by the power of the moving wave or swell. As this can also extend ride time since you’re not using the battery as much, this kind of ‘hybrid’ riding mode has a huge appeal for some advanced riders, especially those that live in areas with ocean swell (or ship traffic that creates rideable wakes). Foil-assist designs like the Foil Drive are gaining tons of popularity in such use cases. 

On the other hand, many eFoil riders won’t have access to waves of any kind and will want to maximize their experience in flat water conditions. This usually involves carving turns and 360’s, often progressing to the point where you are going “tips out” with the foil—breaching the wing tips through the surface of the water. Some people will also be interested to learn to jump their eFoil, or get involved in group rides or even racing. 

The Waydoo EVO is a super-modular eFoil. Every part can be swapped out/upgraded with ease. Photo: Mackite

Foil Systems, Modularity & Interchangeability 

All eFoil systems offer some degree of modularity and interchangeability, allowing you to swap out various hydrofoil wings, masts, batteries, and drive systems to configure your eFoil for different conditions or to upgrade to more advanced equipment as your skill improves. Due to the proprietary designs of eFoils, you cannot mix and match components or boards from different manufacturers, but adapters are available that will allow you to use hydrofoil wings from third-party foil systems like Axis, SABfoil, and Armstrong (all top-tier foil brands) with eFoil systems including Fliteboard, Lift, and Waydoo, giving you a wide selection of wings. 

Riding with friends is always a blast. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

Community and Support

An important aspect of any sport is the community that we become part of as we participate and progress. We’ve found that every sport—and every brand—has a unique vibe, and these days most sports and manufacturers have online rider communities, either hosted by the brand itself or on social media platforms. We found enthusiastic rider communities on Facebook for Waydoo, Flite, Lift, SiFly, and Foil Drive, with other riders eager to help out or meet up for group rides. 

All of the eFoil systems that we tested offer extensive support for assembly and usage by way of videos or PDF manuals. We’re pleased to say that we found the support materials for all of the gear in this test to be helpful and adequate to answer our questions, which mostly had to do with pairing boards and remotes and getting full use of some of the more advanced features. 

After riding (especially in salt water), it’s important to hose down your efoil with fresh water, and make sure the battery compartment dries out completely. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Care and Maintenance 

Let’s be real—an eFoil is an expensive and complicated electric vehicle that you are going to operate in the water. Given the potential for corrosion and electrical shorts, it’s critical that you follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures to get the expected life out of your eFoil. Typically you’ll be expected to wash it with fresh water, wipe it down, and dry the battery compartment after every ride, as well as lubricate certain seals and screws as necessary. 

Lithium batteries also require some attention to battery care over time. Most manufacturers provide specific instructions about how to keep your battery charged, how to discharge it for storage, and how to get the longest possible life out of the battery pack. Just keep in mind that some care is involved here, and if neglected, your precious eFoil setup won’t be as reliable or last as long as it would with proper maintenance. 

Cost and Resale Value

eFoils are complicated, highly engineered electric vehicles, and so it should be no surprise that even entry-level models cost several thousand dollars. Mid-range eFoils run into the ten to twelve thousand dollar range, with the highest-end models nearing $20K. Any way you slice it, an eFoil is a significant investment, and while you may be able to resell it at some point down the road, you should count on any of these units to depreciate fairly quickly due to wear and tear and new models coming to market. You should also consider the battery a consumable item—it’s going to last, but it’s also going to degrade over time, and will eventually wear out and need replacement. 

The Flite UL2 comes with a nice hard-sided carrying case to keep the foil safe during transport. Photo: Bowen Dwelle//The Inertia

Covers, Cases, and Travel

One of the joys of an outdoor action sport is finding new places to do your thing, and getting out of the proverbial backyard. Although eFoils aren’t the easiest things to move around, we encourage you to explore and ride your eFoil in different spots. 

As for packing your eFoil for transport, most manufacturers provide a case that accommodates the foil wings, mast and propulsion unit, controller, other hardware, and sometimes even the charger. The board itself usually goes in a bag. 

Keep in mind that since an eFoil is powered by a fairly large battery, you almost certainly won’t be able to take it on a plane (some foil-assist units are small enough), but it can be fun to travel with an eFoil setup in a van or RV, as long as you can find places to charge it on the road. Some campgrounds have electric plugs available. We don’t recommend using a generator to charge your batteries, as it consumes a lot of fuel, but it can work in a pinch. 

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Editor’s Note: As well as eFoils, we’ve covered wing foiling gear extensively. If you’re thinking about getting started winging, here’s our Beginner Wing Foil Gear Guide, and be sure to check out our article on The Best Wing Foil Packages. Need a wetsuit? We’ve reviewed those too. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. 

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