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Best Kickboards

Updated October 2021
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
TYR Kickboard
TYR
Kickboard
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Best for Experts
Bottom Line

Trusted by the pros and made from high-quality materials by a reliable brand.

Pros

Large design is easier to use. Comes in multiple sizes making it great for both adults and kids. Made from EVA foam which makes it reliable and durable. Versatile and perfect for recreational or professional use.

Cons

No finger holes.

Best Bang for the Buck
Speedo Junior Team Kickboard
Speedo
Junior Team Kickboard
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

The same quality you would expect from Speedo, this foam design is for younger swimmers.

Pros

Side finger scallops promote proper hand position. Underside finger grooves for easy gripping. Textured EVA foam creates a non-slick surface. Good for starting out on the swim team or just learning how to swim. Choice of colors. Measures 14.5 x 10.375 inches. Durable.

Cons

Not as stable as larger boards, but that's because of the smaller size.

Poolmaster Swim Board Trainer
Poolmaster
Swim Board Trainer
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Durable & Rugged
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Durable plastic is best for larger children and adults who want to exercise rather than play.

Pros

Provides buoyant support. Made of unbreakable Polyethylene. Two sets of integrated handles for optional body positioning. Choice of small or large size. Recommended for ages 8 and up. More durable and buoyant than a foam board.

Cons

Made of hard plastic, so if someone gets hit with the board, it will hurt.

FINIS Swimming Kickboard
FINIS
Swimming Kickboard
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

A lightweight and durable option that is made from materials that prevent irritation.

Pros

Lightweight design is ideal for beginners. Comes in multiple sizes ranging from kid sizes to adult sizes. Foam material prevents skin irritation that can occur on other boards. Durable and long-lasting.

Cons

Not as buoyant as others.

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dart Dolphin Kickboard
Melissa & Doug
Sunny Patch Dart Dolphin Kickboard
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Best for Kids
Bottom Line

Everything is more fun with a friend. Your child will love learning to swim with this dolphin design.

Pros

Styrofoam board with colorful polyester casing. Colorfast fabric withstands chlorine and sun exposure. Helps develop gross motor skills and confidence in the water. Sides are easy to grip. Well made. Measures 17.75 x 13 inches. Lightweight.

Cons

Fabric stains and shifts relatively easily.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
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124
Consumers
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12
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best kickboards

You wouldn't think of doing yoga without your favorite accessories — mat, blocks, resistance bands, balance ball — and the same goes for swimming. Whether you’re perfecting your technique or you just want to get a tougher lower body workout, a kickboard is the tool that can help you get the job done.

When searching for the best kickboard, it’s important to choose the type that is designed for your specific needs. If you want a general-purpose adult kickboard, for instance, that is a different model than one that is crafted to help you lower your sprint times. The right kickboard should be comfortable, easy to hold, and durable.

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Although some companies claim a kickboard is a one-size-fits-all item, it's essential to find a model that is specific or adaptable to your individual needs or you could hurt your technique.

Key considerations

Types of kickboards

Believe it or not, all kickboards are not the same. They are manufactured with key differences that make them better suited for different purposes. The following are the four main types of kickboards.

Traditional: A traditional kickboard is what you see at most pools. It is the thick, foam item that resembles a brightly colored tombstone. The shape may vary slightly, but these general-purpose kickboards are designed to be one-size-fits-all items that provide a great deal of buoyancy. The only downside with this type is that some swimmers can develop pain in their shoulders because the kickboard is higher in the water than is natural for their strokes. For most swimmers, however, this is a negligible factor.

Children's: A child's kickboard is smaller, which helps the child achieve a better body position for most strokes (adult-sized kickboards can raise a child's upper body too much for an ideal stroke position). Additionally, these models are brightly colored and designed to be gripped by smaller hands. Many also feature fun designs.

Alignment: This triangular kickboard floats just below the surface of the water, making it the best model for serious swimmers who want to perfect the nuances of their strokes. The streamlined quality lets the kickboard glide effortlessly through the water. It is important to point out that these kickboards are the only ones that may be safely used for the butterfly.

Pull-kick: This kickboard features a two-in-one design: the swimmer can grab the kickboard with their hands or squeeze it between their legs. With this type of kickboard, you can focus on either the arms or legs during swimming drills. The main benefit of this type is that it reduces the amount of gear a swimmer needs to carry to and from the pool.

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Did you know?
Depending on your intensity, you can burn anywhere from 250 to 400 calories in approximately 45 minutes of swimming with a kickboard.
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Features

Once you know the type of kickboard you need, there are a few other elements to consider.

Handles/grips

Some kickboards are a uniform thickness and have no designated place to position your hands. Others have thinner sections along the sides and/or top to facilitate gripping the board. Another style has cutouts with built-in handles, so you know precisely where to hold the kickboard. The grips do not affect how the kickboard functions, but they do make it much easier to hold.

Shape

As previously noted, many kickboards resemble a tombstone with a concave bottom (to accommodate the swimmer's head). However, there are many variations on that design. The important aspect to keep in mind is the more streamlined the kickboard, the better it will function.

Size

Many manufacturers only make one size kickboard. Though children can use an adult kickboard, it isn’t the best situation. Ideally, when holding a kickboard from the top, a swimmer's elbows should rest on the kickboard, leaving adequate room for the head to be in the water if desired. Also, a kickboard should be no wider than the swimmer's shoulders.

Durability

Your kickboard needs to be thick enough or strong enough so it won't easily break. And you want a kickboard that won't fade due to pool chemicals or sunlight. The best kickboards are waterproof and nonabsorbent so they dry off as soon as they’re removed from the pool.

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Did you know?
Individuals who swim recreationally can use a kickboard to keep their heads out of the water so that they can converse with a friend.
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Accessories

If you're serious about your swim training, you want to be sure you have all the gear you need. Here are a few other items you might want to consider.

Swim goggles: Aqua Sphere Kayenne Swim Goggles
Goggles protect your eyes and let you see underwater. Though somewhat pricey, we like this pair from Aqua Sphere for kids in particular, as they fit the face with little to no discomfort.

Swim cap: The Friendly Swede Silicone Swim Caps
A swim cap protects your hair from the damaging effects of chlorine and keeps hair out of your eyes while you’re swimming. Additionally, a swim cap can help keep water out of your ears. This two-pack of caps from The Friendly Swede can be used for children or adults. Choose from a wide variety of colors and designs.

Swimming gloves: TAGVO Aquatic Gloves
The webbing between the fingers of swimming gloves makes your workouts tougher. If you’re looking to maximize resistance while exercising in the water, check out this pair from TAGVO. The gloves are available in two color choices and three sizes, so kids and adults can use them.

Kickboard prices

Kickboards are not high-end products. For the most part, they’re all made from roughly the same materials, although some are definitely higher quality and more durable.

Inexpensive: You can find a bargain model for just $5 or $6, but these kickboards might not hold up as well as you’d like.

Mid-range: The $8 to $15 range is where you strike gold. Just about anything you can imagine is available in this price bracket.

Expensive: If you'd like a kickboard with an advanced hydrodynamic design to reduce drag or a pull-kick or alignment kickboard, you can expect to pay between $15 to $25, but these items are often more than the average swimmer needs.

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Did you know?
If you experience pain in your shoulders when using a kickboard, it means the kickboard is too buoyant for your needs.
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Tips

A kickboard is a fairly basic item; it’s essentially a flat board that floats. The versatility and effectiveness of a kickboard ultimately depend on how you hold it. The following are a few different ways to grip your kickboard.

  • Prone (traditional): Wrap your hands around the top edge of the kickboard, resting your elbows on the flat surface of the board, and kick. Your face can either be out of the water or in the water. This is a multipurpose position that works with a number of strokes and drills.
  • Prone (extended): Hold the bottom of the kickboard, extending your arms fully, and put your face in the water. This is an excellent method for achieving a streamlined position for the crawl.
  • Prone (using grips/handles): Some kickboards have cutout handles or other specific areas to place your hands for optimum stability. If your kickboard has these, it’s recommended that you use them.
  • Supine: If you’d like to practice strokes that you perform while on your back, lie on your back and hug the kickboard against your chest. This will support your upper body so you can focus on kicking.
  • Between the legs: Some specialty boards are designed to be placed sideways, like a shark fin, so you can squeeze them between your legs and focus on your arms. You might be able to do this with a regular kickboard, but it isn’t recommended. You will be focusing on holding the kickboard in place rather than focusing on your body position and stroke.
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Care must be taken when using a kickboard. If it’s forcibly submerged, it can rocket to the surface with enough force to injure you or a nearby swimmer.

FAQ

Q. Aren't kickboards just for little kids who don’t know how to swim?
A.
No, not at all. Anyone can benefit from using a kickboard no matter their skill level. A beginner can use a kickboard to gain confidence, while a competitive swimmer can use a kickboard for training. Anyone who is interested in improving can benefit from adding a kickboard to their swim accessories.

Q. How can a kickboard help lower my race time?
A.
If you’re a competitive swimmer, a kickboard allows you to fine-tune your stroke and build muscle in areas you might be inadvertently neglecting. Many swimmers focus on arms and body position, but the kick is what can help you shave off that time so you can advance to the next level.

Q. I'm not a competitive swimmer. Is a kickboard of any use to me?
A.
Definitely. Swimming is a low-impact aerobic activity that allows you to elevate your heart rate without putting any strain or pressure on your joints. Using a kickboard helps you to learn body position and balance while in the water even if you’re doing leisurely laps.

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