Best Kayaks of 2025

"I've had the Lifetime Kayak out three times now, and I couldn't be happier with its performance. It's extremely stable and tracks straight, making it perfect for fishing in both rivers and lakes. It holds all my gear and even allows me to stand comfortably. If you're looking for a kayak that's fun to customize, this is the one!"

"This kayak is a fantastic option for anyone looking to fish. It's lightweight and easy to manage solo, even for someone like me who has a heavier canoe. I added an anchor and trolley system, which has made it even better for fishing. While the seat could be upgraded, it works fine for me."

"We absolutely love our Lifetime Tamarack Angler Kayak! It's sturdy, easy to maneuver, and perfect for beginners. After a small issue with missing seat cushions, Lifetime's customer service was outstanding, quickly sending replacements. We're planning to get more from them, as their craftsmanship is impressive!"

"I bought the Intex Challenger K1 to try kayaking without a big investment. Paddling was enjoyable on my small lake, and I found it easy to inflate and pack. I recommend getting a better quality paddle since the one included broke after three weeks. Despite a tough 11-mile trip through fallen trees, my Challenger remained intact. After months of storage, it still had no leaks. Overall, it's a great choice for beginners!"

"As an experienced angler, I found this kayak perfect for fishing. It assembles quickly and is comfortable for someone like me, even at 5'6”. I can cast while relaxing, and its stability allows for easy movement. The storage is impressive, and I managed to keep all my gear organized. After hours on the water, it stayed inflated and was easy to clean up. This kayak beats fishing tubes hands down!"

"I was excited about the Intex Challenger for its features and value. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my order as it didn't arrive. The cancellation process was smooth, which I appreciated. Though I didn't get to try it, I’ve heard great things from others and believe it would be a fantastic option for recreational kayaking in calm waters. I hope to purchase it in the future!"

"I did extensive research before buying this kayak, and I'm glad I chose it. It's held up well during multiple outings. Inflating it is easy, although I did face some issues with the hand pump, which broke while I was filling it. I had to finish inflating by mouth, but despite that, it performed well on the water."

"I bought this kayak towards the end of summer for $94 and set it up in about 20 minutes the first time. It fits nicely in my car trunk, and while the paddles are a bit small for my liking, they work fine. The kayak doesn't feel as fast as a hard plastic one, but for the price, I'm really happy with it."

"After using this kayak for a mild river run, I can confidently say it holds up well in Class I to II rapids. It's very puncture resistant and easy to maneuver. We had a great four-hour outing with two adults on board, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a solid kayak."

"I grew up on the water in Maine and have guided paddle trips. I absolutely love this kayak! It's super compact, fitting two in the back of my small SUV, and incredibly stable. Even with my 280 pounds, my two-year-old can barely rock it. The versatility is stunning; within 90 minutes, we reconfigured it for various activities. It's almost nimble for its size, and setup takes just about 15 minutes. Overall, I regret waiting so long to purchase this!"

"I bought this kayak on sale and used it for the first time recently. The setup was easy, and it feels very sturdy. It handled well on a windy lake day, and the included pump worked perfectly for inflation and deflation. I'm looking forward to many more adventures with this kayak!"

"After a whole season of use, I found this kayak to be very sturdy and durable. It performs well in lakes and calm rivers, with options for shallow or deep skegs. While it doesn’t move as fast as rigid kayaks, its portability is a huge plus. However, I did find that the clips for the seat backs sometimes dug into my legs. Despite this, I still use it frequently and believe it was a wise decision."

"After extensive research, I found this kayak that I can easily lift and carry. At just 36 pounds, it handles beautifully on the water. While I wish the front compartment was deeper, it doesn’t hinder my enjoyment. I’ve had a fantastic time paddling independently. It's perfect for spontaneous outings!"

"I just took my new kayak out for its first trip, and I couldn't be happier! It's incredibly lightweight, making transportation a breeze. Despite the strong current on Lake Michigan, it performed excellently. The two holes in the back are for drainage and don’t affect performance. Definitely worth every dollar!"

"I recently replaced my old kayak with this one, and I’m thrilled! It glides smoothly and is perfect for my local waterways. The price was excellent, and I absolutely love it! It's a fantastic addition to my summer activities."

"This is my first kayak, and at 45, I doubted I could paddle. But it's amazing! The skeg really works to get me moving forward. For less than $1,000, it's a great entry-level fishing kayak that I can upgrade. I'm reaching spots I couldn't before, and I feel great using it for physical fitness and mental well-being. The seat is incredibly comfortable; I could sit all day!"

"I've taken this kayak out about ten times, and I was surprised by how wide it is. It's extremely stable, especially with a Pelican rudder control and Minn Kota trolling motor added. With a 100ah lifpo battery, it moves quickly and feels like a fishing machine. The adjustable seat is comfortable, and there's plenty of space for my daughter in the front, but it is a bit bulky and heavy to transport."

"I recently unwrapped my kayak, and it was missing some small but important pieces. It's unfortunate, but overall, I've used it several times and found it to be very stable and comfortable. I can spend all day on it without any issues."

"I absolutely LOVE my two Lifetime Sit-on-top Kayaks! We found an amazing deal at Walmart for just $119.50 each. My family and I have taken them out multiple times, and the stability is impressive. My kids enjoy them, and we even went on a 10-mile trip with friends. I’m planning to buy a third one soon!"

"I purchased four of these kayaks because the price was unbeatable! They are simple yet perfect for what we need. My ten-year-old hopped in without any issues. The paddles are sturdy, and I feel like I got a great deal without compromising quality."

"I had some issues with my kayak initially, as it filled with water on my first outing. I reached out for a warranty claim but was disappointed by the response. I received a patch instead of a replacement. Overall, I feel let down by the company, especially since I was also shorted a paddle upon delivery."

"This is my first kayak, and I absolutely love it! The center compartment is great, although not waterproof. I've had no issues with water getting in, but I'll have to see what happens if it flips. It's a fun kayak for fishing! Just a heads up, the seat isn't comfortable, so I recommend getting a cushion."

"After much research, I decided on the Pelican Angler for my girlfriend and me. Delivery was flawless, no scratches at all! These kayaks are lightweight and stable even for my size (6 ft, 230 lbs). The storage areas are impressive, but I found the foot rests too close and the seat a bit lacking in comfort. While it’s marketed as a fishing kayak, it’s better for exploring than actual fishing."

"I recently purchased this kayak for my teenagers. It's a decent entry-level option, better suited for smaller paddlers. The seat is basic but reasonably comfortable. Overall, it’s a nice light kayak for the price."

"I just received the kayak, and it looks so fun! It arrived a day earlier than expected, which was a nice surprise. I had some trouble putting together the rudder, but it turned out we received a defective part. I contacted Reel Yak with a picture of the issue, and they responded incredibly fast—within an hour! They offered to send me a replacement part right away. I truly appreciate their outstanding customer service! After using it for two weeks, I can say transporting it is super easy; it fits perfectly in my SUV. Snapping the two halves together is a breeze, and I was relieved to find out that the halves float on their own without water seeping in. The paddle fins work smoothly, allowing me to move even against wind and current. I was initially worried about the size of the 9.5-foot kayak, but it feels very stable and is well-equipped for everything I need. I only added a drink holder and an anchor rope tie-off. You can't find a better foot-powered kayak at this price point. I’m really happy with my purchase!"

"As a woman in my 50s who often goes camping alone, I needed a kayak that could fit into my Skoolie and be light enough for me to carry. I was determined to avoid towing a trailer or using a roof rack. I managed to assemble the entire kayak by myself, including the rudder, without any issues. Each piece is manageable for me to carry, and it fits perfectly on my bus. I considered inflatables, but living in Florida with alligators, I wanted something sturdier. After an all-day paddle this weekend, I found that the kayak performed excellently. I had to get out and portage several times, but it handled it like a champ. I even stood up in shallow, calm water, though it took quite a bit of balance. I noticed it was much more stable than the other kayaks we used. Overall, this kayak has been impressive! It’s easy to carry, assemble, and incredibly fun to use. This has been the best purchase I’ve made for camping!"

"I recently bought this kayak because I have a Toyota Corolla, and while it doesn't fit completely, it works well enough for me! It comes with almost everything needed right out of the box—pedal drive, rod holder, stadium chair, and paddle. My paddle arrived bent, but I managed to fix it. Assembling it was straightforward, although the rudder was a bit challenging at first. On the water, it's fantastic! I'm 5'8" and weigh 145 lbs, and I didn't encounter any issues. This is my first kayak, so I don't have much to compare it with, but I love that it comes in two parts and fits easily in my home. It gives me the freedom to kayak fish and is built very well—definitely worth the price!"

"I was really surprised by how stable and durable this inflatable kayak is, especially for the price. It was easy to set up in about 10 minutes. The high-volume hand pump worked well, but I wish it had a pressure gauge instead of a ruler for checking inflation. I wouldn't recommend it for larger people, though. I’m 5'9" and 170 lbs, and while it fits us fine, I don't think it would work well for anyone over 185-190 lbs."

"This kayak has been a fantastic choice for our short camping trips at the lake. It inflates quickly, and we can easily pull it in and out of the water. The drain plug at the bow is a great feature! It feels very sturdy with two smaller adults or an adult with a child. I’m giving it 4 stars for now, but I’ll update my review after more trips this summer."

"I live in a small apartment, so I opted for this inflatable kayak because I couldn't store a rigid one. I found it fairly easy to inflate, especially with a separate air compressor. However, it took about 45 minutes to an hour due to all the air pockets. The comfort was decent for the first half-hour, but after almost 3 hours, we felt sore due to lack of lower back support. Overall, I loved the experience and am excited to use it again, maybe for a shorter duration next time!"