Best SUP Pumps: Electric & Hand for Inflatable Boards

The conveniences of inflatable paddle boards have made them a favorite among paddle boarders. To use this type of board, you need a pump to inflate it to the right PSI level. In this regard, there are electric and manual pumps you can pick from.

While most inflatable paddle boards come with hand pumps, you can still get an electric one for faster inflation. However, the choice between electric and hand pumps is all up to you as each comes with their respective advantages and disadvantages.

In this article, we present the best SUP pumps in the electric and hand categories for you to pick from.

1. OutdoorMaster SUP Pump 20PSI

For the best experience with your inflatable paddle board, our real-life reviews gave us the OutdoorMaster Shark air pump as the best of them all. It’s a 2-stage pump that inflates your board to 20PSI in a few minutes.

It comes in a small package that allows it to fit into small backpacks or a small part of your car and gets it power from your car’s accessory outlet (car charger port). After setting the needed PSI level, you let it run and, in a few minutes, you’ll be ready to hit the water with your paddle board or kayak.

The other advantage with this SUP pump is that it automatically goes off when the set PSI has been attained. This is important as it helps prevent damage to the paddle board caused by too much inflation.

It also comes with a deflation connector which helps in quick and safe deflation of your SUP after you’re done using it. Another safety feature is proper cooling which enables it to inflate up to 4 boards before needing to cool down. It also comes with a fuse to shut off the power whenever it experiences a power surge.

Pros

• Works with the car’s 12V power output accessory.
• H3 valve works with other inflatables besides paddle boards.
• Dual stage high pressure inflation.
• Auto-shutoff for safety.
• Can be used to deflate the paddle board.
• Fused for safety.
• Quick inflation to 20PSI in a few minutes.
• Flexible hose.

Cons

• You need a car nearby to use it.

This is the best pump on the market and will inflate various inflatables in a very short while.

2. Seamax 20PSI Intelligent Double-stage Electric Air Pump

Winding up our list of the best electric pumps for your SUP is the Seamax 20PSI electric pump. As its name denotes, it can pump inflatables to a PSI of 20 and takes only 10 minutes to do so. Most SUP’s will take about 5 minutes to get fully inflated as they need about 15PSI.

It derives its power from your car’s cigarette lighter (car charger) port which is a major convenience. When you set the desired pressure level, the pump automatically shuts off after attaining it or after 20 minutes of running. This works well in preventing overinflation of the paddle board.

Besides having 5 universal valve adapters, the Seamax 20PSI comes with compatibility for Bravo and Halkey-Roberts valves out of the box. You can this be sure that it’ll work with jut about every inflatable available.

It’s also one of the few ruggedized pumps as it has a reinforced air hose that ensures there are no air leaks or damage for years on end. Besides that, it’s made of nylon and marine grade ABS materials for longevity against salt water and other such conditions.

Pros

• Tow-stage inflation for speed and safety.
• Maximum pressure of 20 PSI.
• Auto-shutoff feature for safety.
• Compatible with Bravo and HR valves besides having 5 universal valve adapters.
• Works with car charger port.

Cons

• Tends to overheat.

These fives names are the very best when it comes to electric pumps for your SUP. The good news is that you can use these pumps for other inflatables as well. These include kayaks, mattresses, kites and many others.

3. Serenelife SLPUMP50 Rechargeable Electric SUP Air Pump Compressor

This is the kind of pump that you set and walk away or sit there like a boss while it does its job. Owing to the fact that it is rechargeable, you can use it anywhere anytime to inflate as well as deflate you paddleboard and other inflatable water sport toys.

 Following are the features Serenelife electric pump

It is equipped w/ maneuverable 3.3ft long flexible air hose so you can easily inflate/deflate your stand up paddleboard in no time.

It comes with a built-in 12V LI-ION, 6000mAh rechargeable battery and can also be powered via integrated car cigarette plug power cable sou you can use it anywhere and everywhere.

Very lightweight and portable- has a space-saving compact design w/ housing access lid to store power cable and a convenient carry handle for easy travel. Can be easily assembled and disassembled

Serenelife paddle board inflatable electric SUP pump features smart inflator design w/ air pressure preset and is equipped w/ a digital LCD screen and touch button control panel for easy operation. It also has an LED flashlight

It features 0-16 PSI (Up to 1.10 Bar) adjustable PSI air pressure settings w/ selectable pressure units to PSI / Bar so you can set the target level to prevent over inflation

Most users have found it very convenient to use but some users point out issues with the battery especially when you are inflating in battery mode.

Though it slightly costs more than other electric pumps, it is definitely an accessory you should try out.

4. Tuomico Max 20 PSI SUP Electric Air Pump

This is yet another top SUP electric pump that makes inflating and deflating your paddleboard almost effortless and fast. All you need is to plug it in, set your desired psi, and let it do the rest.

Tuomic comes with the following features

Tuomico electric pump supports 110W, DC 12V cigarette lighter plug can connect with your car to get power directly. Very little noise ≤85dB

This sup electric air pump has built-in digital display and real-time pressure monitoring that can set your target pressure and monitor the pressure in real time. 3.6 ft long hose can inflate and deflate your inflatables more easily

Comes with 6 nozzles for other inflatable accessories. You can use it for different valves of SUP, inflatable boats, Kayaks, float, rafts, water sport pool, island, ball and so on, saves you money, time and of course a lot of energy

Comes with two air ports-inflate & deflate, low airflow: 350(B)L/min, high airflow: 70(A)L/min. Supports pressure range: 0.5-20 PSI. Stops automatically once the target pressure is reached

It has powerful 20 PSI can inflate a 9ft inflatable boat in about 10 minutes.

With a size is of 9.8 x 6.9 x 6.1 in, and only 3.4lb, it is lightweight and portable. These size measurements make it easy to use both in indoor and outdoor

5. Bravo SUP Pump- BTP Mano Electric Turbo

This is a 2-stage electric pump that inflates the paddleboard to 14.5 PSI in a few minutes. It’s one of the best electric pumps and has two versions one with a battery and the other one relying on external power input to work.

You can choose either one depending on your situation and what best works for you. With the battery version, you can inflate the paddle board many times over with a single charge.

When the desired PSI is attained, the pump will switch itself off automatically as a safety feature.

In our review, we took both versions of the pump and ended up going for the one with a battery. The fact that you get to fill up your paddle board several times over on a single charge is something you don’t easily find in your typical electric pump.

Pros

• 2-stage pressure inflation.
• Auto-shutoff for when the paddle board is fully inflated.
• Available as a battery-only or power-only option.
• Battery-only options stores enough charge for several inflations.
• Fits various other inflatables.

Cons

• Doesn’t use the car charger port.

We loved the fact that you can inflate your paddle several times over with a single charge of the pump’s battery.

Hand SUP Pumps

For the hand or manual pumps, our top picks are as follows:

1. Solstice SUP High-Pressure Pump

Rounding up our list of the 5 best hand pumps is the Solstice high-pressure pump. This pump is one of the cheapest makes we can recommend as it offers all you’ll need without any unnecessary extras.

It comes with a dual-action pressure mechanism to provide a fast and safe inflation for your paddle board and other inflatables. The fact that it uses the standard H3 valves means you can use it with lots of inflatables without a hitch.

If you need a simple upgrade from the pump that came with your paddle board without spending much, this is that upgrade.

Pros

• Dual action high pressure action.
• Gauge for determining the pressure level.
• Uses the H3 valves for universal compatibility.
• Has a second hose for inflatables in need of low pressure.

Cons

• Slightly slower than the premium versions.

These five hand pumps are what you need if you’re not into electric ones. The advantage with a hand pump is that you won’t need to worry about having batteries or cables.

2. Goplus Double Action Hand Pump

With a PSI of up to 29, this is one of the fastest manual SUP pumps for your paddleboard. If hand pumps are your favorite, Goplus is what you should look for.

• Made of aluminum alloy and PP pump body, ABS valve, making it durable and reliable
• Unique design featuring bold anti-slip handle helps with a comfortable grip, while the widened and thickened base design ensures stability at the base.
• Comes with a long inflatable hose along with snap-on joint design, suitable for high-pressure valves making it difficult to fall off.
• Dual Action Mode enables Fast Inflation. Double Action mode can be used in the initial stage of inflation to speed up inflation. When the pressure is high, you can switch to use the Single Action mode to inflate your board quickly.
• Compatible with any inflatable paddleboard on the market. Perfect for inflatable SUP, boat, and kayak, etc. Compact and lightweight design allows you to carry and store our hand pump easily.
• Built-in pressure gauge shows the pressure reached inside the sup board or boat allowing you to check the status easily.
• Compact and lightweight design for easy to carry and store

Specifications:

Color	Upper half black, lower blue
Material	PP + Aluminum Alloy + ABS
Dimensions	4.5×10×25 inches
Inflatable Tube Length	49 inches
Net Weight	2 lbs
Maximum Pressure	2.0 bar (29 PSI)
Capacity	2*2000 CC
Operation System	Push-push switching system
Package Contents	1 x hand pump 1 x inflatable tube

3. THURSO Surf Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Hand Pump

This hand SUP pump is a must-have accessory if you love paddling. The Thurso uses the INF port to inflate and the DEF port to deflate your iSUP. INF port is located on the pump body instead of on the handle, to avoid the hose moving up and down during inflation.

Traditionally located inside the pump body, the connecting tube is moved to the outside to lower friction and increase efficiency. As a result, it is remarkably light and easy to push down and pull up the handle when pumping.

More Features

• Both single and double action models. Use the double action mode to generate large volume of air at low pressure. When pumping becomes hard, switch to the single action mode to finish up inflation.
• The ergonomic oval-shaped handle is comfortable to use. The handle can also be disassembled to save space when packing up.
• High accuracy pressure gauge on the pump body is easy to read during inflation. Recommended pressure is highlighted on the gauge. Reading up to 29 psi.

4. YASKA SUP Hand Pump

Most hand pumps are double action but Yaska is a single action with incredible airflow on each stroke.

• Easy to use. Has attachments and a psi reader for other uses as well.
• Built-in air pressure gauge and sand protection filter for long lasting inflator chamber
• Light weight and reliable aluminum inflator shaft

5. Advanced Elements Double-action Hand Pump w/Pressure Gauge

This a high-flow durable hand pump that looks basic but gets the job done in no time.

• It is made of multiple adaptors
• This high flow pump inflates and deflates
• Designed with a pressure gauge

6. Aqua Plus Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Manual Pump

This is a double-action pump with high pressure…up to 27 PSI

• Can be used to fully deflate your board.
• Integrated pressure gauge
• High Volume manual iSUP pump

Electric vs Manual Pumps

Your paddle board will come with a hand pump out of the box and, for a good number of people, that’s enough. However, others may find these default pumps underwhelming and may want to upgrade. If you need to upgrade, the choice between an electric and hand pump will depend on whether you have one paddle board or more, and how often you use your paddle board.

If you have one paddle board and only occasionally venture out unto the water, you’re better off sticking with the default pump or going for a hand pump. If you have more than one paddle or use yours frequently, an electric one is a good upgrade.

When making the choice, the pros and cons of each type of pump are as follows:

Electric Pumps

Pros

• Take less time to inflate.
• Easier to use in general.
• Little input on your end.

Cons

• Can damage the board if they don’t shut off automatically due to overinflation. 
• Expensive.
• Tend to overheat.

The main advantages with electric pumps is that they are faster and easier to use.

Hand Pumps

Pros

• Cheaper than electric ones.
• Included with the paddle board.
• Cannot damage the board due to overinflation.
• No need for battery or car.

Cons

• Takes long to inflate a board.
• Requires some energy to use.

As seen here, an unbiased assessment of these pumps reveals that you can have either with its benefits and be just fine.

Buy Guide: What to Look for When Buying SUP Pumps

Whether you’re going for an electric or manual pump, the aspects to consider include the following:

Cost

The best pumps will cost a significant amount of money. However, let not the cost be the only aspect you base on as some expensive pumps may have features you really won’t be needing.

Functionality

The functionality aspects to consider include the number of stages a pump offers. For a single-stage make, the pump is meant to steadily blow air into the paddle board until the set PSI is attained. On the other hand, a dual-stage pump starts at a high volume then reduces it after a certain level to save time and reduce the chances of the paddle board being overinflated.

You should also consider the power of the pump for both electric and manual pumps. The more powerful an electric pump is, the nosier it’ll be. For a more powerful hand pump, you’ll need more energy to pump it.

Having the feature to deflate the paddle board is another advantage you can look for in a pump as it makes deflation easier and safer.

Compatibility

In this regard, you need a pump that has a valve compatible not only with your paddle board, but also with other inflatables. While most pumps will come with universal valve adapters, compatibility with Halkey-Roberts, H3, HR, H-valves, Leafield, Pinch, Double Lock, Boston or Bravo valves is an added advantage.

At best, get a pump that’s compatible with at least the H3 and Bravo valves as they’re among the most used worldwide.

Speed of Inflation

The inflation speed is especially important if you have more than one paddle board to inflate. Basically, the higher the speed, the better the pump.

Pressure Gauge

Most pumps come with a pressure gauge to help you attain the recommended PSI for your paddle board or other inflatable. For the electric ones, having the ability to shut off automatically is vital in keeping the board safe. You can choose between a digital and analog gauge although the digital ones are more accurate.

Source of Power

Most electric pumps use either a car’s battery power or an internal battery. A few use power from a wall socket. You should go for a pump that uses a power source that’s easily accessible to you. When using a car battery, it’s better to keep the engine running to avoid draining the battery and get a higher power output from it as well.

For the hand pumps, the source of power is the pumping mechanism from your arms or legs.

Length of Connectors

In this case, the connectors are the hose for delivering air to the paddle board and the power cord. While longer connectors are better, very long ones will make it hard to inflate the board as they require more power to work.

Maximum Pressure

Pressure is measured in PSI (pound per square inch) and the higher the attainable pressure, the better. While most paddle boards only require about 15 PSI, going for a pump with a maximum PSI of up to 25 or more is better as it allows you inflate other items with a higher pressure requirement.

Size and Weight

If you’ll be having a car, the weight will not be an issue since most of these pumps weigh less than 4 pounds. However, if you’ll be carrying it in a backpack or have a bike to carry it, consider going for a small and light option that won’t strain you.

Other Aspects

The miscellaneous aspects in this regard include having a carry bag, the amount of noise generated, and the deflation capability of a pump. While not dealbreakers, you still need them for a complete experience with the pump.

These aspects are important when deciding which pump to go with. Keep in mind that what features you go for mostly depend on your personal choice and the situation you’re in.

How to Inflate & Deflate Your Inflatable SUP

Inflating

Deflating

Further SUP Ideas & How-tos

The following is a collection of more Stand up paddleboarding ideas and board guides

SUP Equipment & Accessories

• Best SUPs for Bigs Guys & Multi-person(6-10)
• Best Bamboo Paddle Boards
• Best SUP-Kayak Hybrid Boards
• Best Fishing SUPs
• What Size Paddle Board Do I Need?
• Types of Stand Up Paddleboards
• Inflatable vs Solid/Rigid Paddleboards
• How Long Do Inflatable Paddle Boards Last?
• How to Store SUPs-Storage Ideas & DIY Option
• Best Paddle Board Roof Racks for Cars, SUVs & Trucks

Paddleboarding

• What to Wear for Stand Up Paddleboarding?
• How to Paddle Board-Is it Hard? SUP Beginner Techniques & Tricks
• SUP Paddleboarding Tips & Tricks Every Paddleboarder should know
• How to Get on a Paddle Board, After Falling & from a Dock
• How many Calories does Paddleboarding Burn?
• Best Paddle Board Workouts/Exercises to Improve Your Fitness
• Benefits of Paddleboarding(SUP)