Most iSUPs come equipped with a manual pump in the kit. Depending on how strong you are, or how good your cardio is, it can take about 10-15 minutes to inflate. 15 minutes may seem like no big deal, but once you get your board past around 6 PSI, using the manual pump gets to be a decent workout. Getting those last 3-5 PSI can also be very challenging for smaller paddlers pressing against an inefficient hand pump.
Because of this, we see tons of people out on the water with half-inflated boards, not having as much fun as they could be. This is why an electric pump is our number one recommended accessory when it comes to building out your paddle kit.
We also want you as our reader to be aware that we only add pumps to the best list that we’ve heavily tested for over a year. We’re super picky about which pumps we suggest to you because about 50% of the pumps we get fail on us before year’s end, and we don’t want you to have that experience based on our recommendation.
Most (not all) electric SUP pumps are under $150 and are better than a manual pump in every single way. They are smaller, lighter and easier to pack than a manual pump, and many can be made portable with a small battery. Electric pumps save your time and energy for your paddle, will deflate your board to make for an easy pack up, and will overall help you have a better, more relaxing day on the water.
With that said, let’s get into our list of our top 9 recommended electric pumps to help you narrow down your selection and make the best choice to fit your needs.
Best Electric Pumps for Inflatable Paddle Boards (iSUPs)- 2024
- Outdoor Master Shark II Electric Air Pump
- iRocker 12 V Electric Pump
- BEWELLAERO SUP Air Pump w/ Rechargeable Battery
- Nixy Ventus Paddle Board Electric Pump
- Sea Gods Battery Electric SUP Pump
- Honu E-Pump
- Swonder SeaWolf SUP Air Pump
- ThursoSurf Rechargeable Electric Pump
- Outdoor Master Whale Electric Pump
Outdoor Master Shark II SUP Electric Air Pump (See Full Review)
Note: Use code: PUMP2023 to get 20% off, just for being a SupBoardGuide reader!
- Can inflate 3 boards in a row without stopping (we actually tested this during 110 degree heat, and it pumped up 12 boards in a row before we stopped the test. No, we DO NOT recommend doing that, but can say that 3 boards in a row is doable with the Shark 2)
- Built-in cooling system (makes for a more durable pump)
- Long power cord and hose
- Just works. This was one of the first electric pumps that we tested that didn’t give us problems.
- Not much. We love the Shark II and it has yet to give us anything we’d call a ‘con’
- If we are being picky, we would like it to have a bag for storage and transporting it.
The Outdoor Master Shark II Air Pump is going to hold its spot at the top of our list of best electric pumps. We have been able to use this pump for well over two years now without a hitch, and believe me, we put it through the wringer. The addition of Outdoor Master’s patented shark cooling system allows us to pump up 3 boards in a row with no rest period. We actually went way beyond 3 boards in our testing in over 110F heat, but we don’t recommend that!
As for the specs, the Shark II can pump up to 20 PSI in about 12 minutes, and under our testing pumped up a typical 10’ board in just over 11 minutes. It features an automatic shut-off as well, so you can set your desired pressure using the digital display and walk away without worrying about running the motor too long or over-inflating your board. We also liked that it came with 6 valve options. Rather than being connected to the hose with a plastic string, the valve pieces all come separated in a bag within the Shark II box. This may seem super nit-picky, but when all the valve pieces are connected, they get in the way screwing and unscrewing the valve, and when wrapping up the hose; it’s just one of our pet peeves.
This pump is also easy to carry around and store given its carry handle and flatter, oval-like shape; it could fit in the front or main zipper pocket of most iSUP bags. The power cord can easily be wrapped around the handle for storage and connects right to your car’s cigarette lighter, so you don’t have to pop the hood and access your battery.
Overall, we love this pump and will likely use it until we run it into the ground. We love that it’s fast, but love even more that it can inflate more boards with less rest period, though we do recommend using some caution on extremely hot days as it will be easier for the pump to overheat. We also love that it’s backed by a 1-year warranty, and have been happy with Outdoor Master’s customer service.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | 12 V car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 psi |
| Max Use Time (constant): | 30 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 20 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic, once PSI is reached |
| Weight: | 3.6 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 11.9” X 9.45” X 4.84” |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
iROCKER 12 V Electric Pump:
- Reliability: we’ve used this pump a ton since we’ve gotten it and have yet to see any issues
- Quick inflation time
- Compact: this pump easily fits into the top pocket of iRocker’s bags
- Thick hose that won’t melt under high heat
- 20 PSI limit will let you inflate almost any board
- The cord storage box keeps things organized
- Would like to see iROCKER incorporate an internal cooling mechanism
- Would like to see them come in the same storage case they come in with the iROCKER Ultra iSUPS
As we’ve said before, we love working with iRocker. They’re a reputable company that stands behind their products and takes great care of their customers. Like the Shark II, we’ve put iRocker’s 12V electric pump to the test. So far, it’s been able to handle everything we’ve thrown at it. It inflates fairly quickly (up to 20 PSI in about 12 minutes), and we’ve yet to have an issue with overheating.
Like all the other pumps on this list, iRocker’s 12V electric pump features an auto-shutoff when you’ve reached your selected PSI. We’ve found that it can inflate a 10’ iRocker board to 18 PSI within 11 minutes. It connects via cigarette lighter cord to your car, or with alligator clips, depending on your preference. We also really liked the cord storage box on the pump to help everything stay compact and organized.
Though we would like to see an internal cooling mechanism included, we also haven’t run into any severe issues with overheating by simply allowing the pump to cool for a couple of minutes between boards.
To summarize, iRocker has done a great job building a pump that inflates quickly, is easy to store and carry, and is at an average or below-average price point for electric pumps. iRocker also offers a 1-year warranty on the 12V electric pump.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | 12V Car outlet or direct to car battery |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 20 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 30 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic, once PSI is reached |
| Weight: | 4.2 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 10” X 7.5” X 4” |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
BEWELLAERO SUP Air Pump with Rechargeable Battery
- The fastest pump we have used to date. It can blow up a board to 16 PSI in under 5 minutes.
- Powerful and efficient; it can pump up four to five boards in a single use.
- Can inflate 2 boards at once with its unique air hose kit (sold separately)
- Battery Powered: It is a cordless inflator and deflator due to its integrated 10000 mAh Battery.
- Clear digital display, and automatic shut off
- Up to 25 PSI maximum pressure
- This is a loud pump. It seems to only have a single pumping phase, so there is no quieter initial inflation
- In order to house the internal system for such a fast pump and a battery, this pump is quite large and heavy
- This is also the most expensive pump on our list at over $150
The BEWELLAERO is a powerful electric SUP pump that can inflate two boards at once if you purchase its unique air hose kit along with it (which we strongly recommend if you have more than one SUP). But no worries if you opt against purchasing the air hose kit; it can inflate up to 5 boards to 16 PSI in a single session and can inflate one board to 16 PSI in less than 6 minutes. That is not only incredibly fast for single board inflation, but by inflating multiple boards at once you can inflate two boards nearly 3 times faster than a standard electric pump.
Honestly, after using this pump, we have started to feel really spoiled. Our exact time for pumping up a large board to 16 PSI was 4:58:63, which is less than half the time it has taken us with the other electric pumps on this list. Also, it is cordless and completely battery powered, which is extremely handy and eliminates any anxiety that might come from keeping your car running when using a 12V charger. However, it cannot inflate or deflate a board while it is charging, so make sure to charge it up for at least two hours before attempting to use it on a SUP.
It also has a clear LCD digital display, and there is a + and – button for adjusting the PSI, which we appreciate. If you happen to miss the PSI you desire, you can click the – button instead of having to surpass the maximum PSI and start over (like on some e-pumps). It goes up to 25 PSI and the digital display is very clear and easy to read. We have not had any problems with it overheating, and we have used it plenty of times in over 100-degree weather. Although we cannot find any direct information on whether it has a built-in cooling system.
While this pump is awesome and inflates boards at an impressive rate, it is quite loud and is the most expensive option on our list. Once you click go, it comes roaring to life right away. It also is the most expensive option on this list with an MSRP of over $250, but you do get what you are paying for. It’s a very versatile pump and can be used to inflate anything from kayaks to air mattresses, to wading pools.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal battery only |
| Max PSI Capability: | 25 |
| Max Use Time: | About 30 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 10 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic, once PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 13.78 x 11.02 x 6.3 |
| Warranty: | Exact time unknown |
NIXY Ventus iSUP Electric Pump:
- Built-in cooling system to avoid overheating
- Included travel bag to keep all your pieces together
- Auto-shutoff if pump starts to overheat despite the cooling system
- Quick inflation
- Long cord, so you don’t have to awkwardly set it up outside of your car
- The hose seems to get pretty hot (though we’ve not seen this have any negative effect on the pump and would need to do more testing to verify if it’s actually hotter than the other pumps)
The Nixy Ventus pump was a strong contender for the third spot on our list, and at this point, we are calling it a tie with the iRocker 12 V Electric Pump. The main reason the Nixy Ventus is “below” the iRocker pump is simply because we have not put it through as much use.
Nixy has made loads of improvements with the Ventus pump. They added a cooling mechanism (what they call ‘Active Cooling Tech’), which is a great thing to look for when shopping for a good electric SUP pump, as one of the most common issues is overheating. This pump is also extremely easy to use with the digital display and automatic shutoff. You just need to set your desired PSI (the Ventus can inflate up to 20 PSI) and walk away expecting your board to be fully inflated in 10 minutes.
We loved the features of this pump as well. It comes with a travel bag that has a nice carry strap and an inside zipper pocket to store the hose and its 7 valve pieces. Its 10’ cigarette lighter cord makes it super convenient to just plug into your car, but it also comes with optional alligator clips to attach to your battery if you’d like to. The cord is also able to be stowed away by wrapping it around the bottom of the pump and tucking the lighter connection into its slot, which makes storing and transporting this pump a breeze. It also is covered by a one-year warranty in case you do run into overheating issues.
Again, we really liked this pump. We’re excited to see how it holds up over more tests but its cooling mechanism and organizational features keep the Nixy Ventus on the top end of our list, and I would not be surprised to see it move up a space as we put it through more use.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | 12V Car outlet or alligator clips |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 psi |
| Max Use Time: | About 20 minutes (pay attention just in case the pump gets too hot) |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 10 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 10” X 5” X 8” |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
Sea Gods Battery Electric SUP Pump
- Internal rechargeable battery so you don’t have to plug it into a running car
- It also has a 12V charger that goes to a vehicle in case you forget to charge it up beforehand
- 2 USB ports
- 3 small lights on the front so you can use it in the dark, or use it like a lantern.
- Has the battery percentage displayed so you always know exactly how charged it is.
- Small form factor
- Maximum pressure is only 16 PSI
- Slightly slower than other battery and plug-in pumps
Much like the Sea Gods iSUPs, the Sea Gods Electric Pump is very aesthetically pleasing. It’s compact size packs a lot of punch and even includes an internal storage compartment for the cord, a convenient carry handle that folds down, three small lights on its front side, and a bright teal finish. Also, it fits into a small carry case that you can easily store in your car or closet along with the included wall charger. We admire Sea Gods and their ability to mix aesthetics with quality, and they have done it again with this pump.
We found it to inflate a large (11’ 6” x 34” x 6”) SUP to 16 PSI in 16:45:38 while using the 12V car charger, and 16:17:34 while relying on the internal battery. It went from 100 percent to 43 percent after charging one large SUP, so it doesn’t have the battery capacity to inflate more than one large SUP to 16 PSI at a time. However, it can inflate two average size paddle boards on a single charge.
As for the inflation times, they are slightly slower than some other pumps on this list. But, it does have quite a bit of versatility with the inclusion of two USB ports to charge your devices and three bright LED lights to use as a flashlight when packing up after a long day on the water.
All in all, we like this pump and its versatility. We think it is a nice option for those who like to camp because it does have its own internal battery and you can use it as a lantern and as a source to charge your phone.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal battery or 12v car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 16 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 30 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 10 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 8.5 x 5 x 6.5 |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
Honu E-Pump
- Goes up to 22 PSI
- Has a + and – button so you can easily adjust to your desired PSI
- Comes in a handy carry case for easy storage
- Simple and sleek design with a carry handle built in
- Minimally noisy
- Long cord with no designated spot for it – you have to wrap it around the pump itself
The Honu E-pump has made our list of top electric iSUP pumps because of its ease of use and its ability to efficiently inflate and deflate a wide range of iSUPs. It comes with multiple valves including the Boston, C7, H3/HR, Pinch, and an 805, which are all attached to the hose via a tiny string. It takes about 7 – 8 minutes to pump up the Honu Byron to full capacity, and about 12 minutes to pump up an extra large SUP to 16 PSI (Blackfin XL).
Like the majority of electric pumps, it draws power through a 12v plug that is compatible with most cars and 12v pump batteries. The most prominent feature this SUP pump has against other pumps is its ability to go up to 22 PSI. We like this because it means it is a great option for people who have iSUPs with the ability to go up to 20 PSI, like the Honu boards themselves, and beyond (like Red and Starboard). Also, we appreciate its straightforward design. There are 4 buttons on the front of the pump with a small digital screen; a PSI bar button, a + and – to move to your desired pressure in 0.5 PSI increments, and an on/off button. Also, the small pocket above the digital display meant for carrying ease is a nice touch.
The pump fits neatly into the included carrying case with a zippered pocket, and there is a mesh lid that fits the hose and extra valves. The charger cord is rather long, which is nice, but there is no designated spot for it so you do have to either wrap it around the pump or tuck it into the side of the carrying case. But that is only a big deal when critiquing the aesthetics of the pump, and has nothing to do with its inflation abilities. The additional adapter valves come attached to the hose with a plastic string, but there is a zippered pocket in the bag if you choose to cut the string to get the other adapters out of your way while using the pump.
Unfortunately, it does not have an active cooling fan, and we would love to see Honu incorporate one into its next design. However, we have used this pump extensively over the last year and have never had a problem with it overheating!
Specs
| Voltage Required: | 12V Car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 22 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 20 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 10 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 11 x 9 x 5 |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
Swonder SeaWolf SUP Air Pump
- We love the internal battery as it has a great capacity; it can pump up 4+ boards the sizes of the Blackfin XL and counting.
- Battery powered (10000mAh Li-ion Battery)
- Active cooling system
- Inflates up to 20 PSI
- Comes in three different color options
- The pump shows battery level via a voltage reading on the screen and a series of LEDs on the side (which also double as charging indicators)
- We’d love the option to run it from a car dc outlet in case the battery isn’t full
- With an internal battery it would also be nice to have a USB port for charging phones and other devices
The Swonder SeaWolf SUP Air Pump has an excellent internal battery and can inflate four large inflatable SUPs to 16 PSI before running out of power with its internal battery. It is a pretty quick pump, too, only needing about 10 minutes to inflate those large SUPs to 16 PSI.
The SeaWolf has two methods of determining available battery power, but both are more general than specific. There is a series of LED lights on the side of the pump, and the LCD screen displays the battery’s current voltage. We’d love to see Swonder add a feature for battery percentage on the LCD screen or some other more concise better level indicator in the future. However, inflating four large paddle boards in a row is a major feat!
The SeaWolf pump has a unique angular shape with a wing-like handle on the back side. It fits nicely into the front pocket of a SUP bag, and it comes in three different stylish color options: Army Green, Swonder Cyan, or Seawolf Black (black and red). It’s not very often that we see an e-pump that comes with a color variety, so even though it doesn’t have much to do with its ability to inflate a board, we want to give Swonder props for that. If you live and paddle in hotter climates (like us) we do recommend going with one of the lighter color options to help prevent overheating. Though, you should always try to keep any electric pump operating in the shade for best performance and longevity.
Additionally, it has an active cooling system that helps control its internal temperature, which allows it to use its battery power at a slower rate. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the option to plug it into a car and charge a SUP up with the 12V cigarette lighter, so you need to remember to charge its battery before taking it to the water. We’d love to see them add that along with a more specific battery meter..
Overall, this is a handy pump that can inflate a handful of boards just using its internal battery. It gets the job done promptly!
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal Battery or 12v car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 20 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 5 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 13.8 x 8.4 x 5.1 |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
ThursoSurf Rechargeable Electric Pump (kit)
- Comes as a part of a Thurso iSUP kit.
- Battery powered and has a 12V DC car charger
- Comes in a sturdy carrying case that has extra room for more items
- Fits into the Thurso SUP bag
- We’d love to see an internal cooling system added to the pump
- The quick release connections can sometimes untwist themselves if the hose is wound up when connected
Thurso has recently started including an electric pump with their Waterwalker iSUPs and offering it as a built-in upgrade for their other paddle boards as well. First off, we love this and are thrilled that Thurso decided to upgrade their kits to include an e-pump. Second, it’s a great pump that is battery-powered and also has the option to be plugged into a 12V DC car charger. We like this dual capacity because it means that if the battery dies, or you forget to charge it beforehand, you can still inflate your board. Phew!
We found that it charges a big board (the size of a Thurso Max Multi-Purpose) to 16 PSI in just over 11 minutes when relying on the battery, and 10.5 minutes when using the 12V cord. So while it is slightly faster when using the 12V charger, there isn’t a huge difference. Plus, we found that we could pump up 2 and a half boards before the battery died! That’s not as many as some internal battery pumps, but when taking into consideration that this comes in a kit, we see it as a fantastic deal.
It comes in a sturdy carrying case that is bigger than other pump cases, leaving room for extra small accessories like your phone and keys. The pump and hose fit nicely into it as well, and it then fits right into the SUP bag that also comes as a part of the kit. Altogether, it’s a valuable package with exceptional organization!
The hose uses a unique quick connect system that only needs to be turned 90° rather than screwing onto the pump body. This is a really nice addition, however we did run into an issue where if the hose was twisted “backward” to connect to the board the hose can vibrate loose and come off the pump. Once we realized what happened and made sure the hose wasn’t twisted when starting up it has not been a problem since.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal battery or 12v car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 30 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 10 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Dimensions: | 10.5 x 8 x 5 |
| Warranty: | 2 years from time of purchase |
Outdoor Master Whale Electric Pump (See Full Review)
- Rechargeable battery to let you be fully portable on a full charge
- Built in cooling system so you can inflate more boards at one time
- 6 included nozzles give you a lot of usage versatility
- Higher price point
- Only inflates up to 16 PSI
When Outdoor Master came out with the Whale electric pump, we were super excited to see how it would compare to the Shark II. While the two do have a lot of similarities including the built-in cooling mechanism, digital display, cigarette lighter cord, auto-shutoff, and the addition of 4 nozzles, there are a few major differences.
The main reason the Whale stands out is that it comes with a built-in rechargeable battery, enabling you to have a fully portable electric pump that you can use anywhere without having to be glued to your car. We found that we could even inflate 6 boards in a row (following the recommended use time and rest period instructions) using a full charge, which is extremely impressive. It is slightly slower than pumps without a rechargeable battery pack when connected to the cigarette lighter, but only by about 2 minutes. We also have had no problems with overheating at this point, but have yet to use it on a scorching day, so we still would suggest using some discretion. However, if you do run into mechanical issues with this pump, Outdoor Master offers a 1-year warranty.
The Whale does have a few drawbacks though. It cannot inflate above 16 PSI, so if you have a board above that range, you’ll need to go with a different pump. We also would like to see some improvement in the cord storage box at the back of the pump; it needs to be bigger to fit the cords in there without constantly popping open.
The concept of a fully portable- rechargeable pump is great, and Outdoor Master is definitely capable of manufacturing an excellent pump that holds up through some serious use.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal battery or 12v car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 16 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 30 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 15 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Weight: | 3.6 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 14.56 X 8.66 X 6.69 |
| Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
Honorable Mentions
Although the 6 pumps listed above are our most recent favorites, we also have an arsenal of “old reliables”. Below, we’ll go over some pumps that have previously been listed on this page and have withstood some heavy testing from us in the past.
SereneLife Rechargeable Pump
- Built in rechargeable battery makes this pump portable
- Can inflate 3-4 boards on a full charge
- Carry handle is collapsible so it doesn’t get in the way for storage
- Has a 16 PSI cap (we like it to be around 20)
- Warranty is only 30 days
The SereneLife Rechargeable pump is another portable pump option for those who do not want to be reliant on their car to inflate their SUP. This pump has an internal battery pack, meaning there’s no need to purchase an additional battery. Yet it also has a 12V charger that you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter.
Although it only inflates pumps to 16 PSI, it is still suitable for most boards since the recommended range is typically within 12 – 18. It has a digital display, and an automatic shut off so you can walk away from your board as it inflates. We like the collapsable carry handle on this pump, as well as its included carry bag and 5 extra nozzle pieces.
If kept cool in the bag, the SereneLife pump can inflate 3-4 boards on a full charge, though we recommend giving it a rest after 2 to avoid overheating. In the case that your pump does overheat, it’s covered by a 30 day warranty. We’d appreciate a longer warranty period, but given the lower price for a portable pump, it may be a fair trade-off.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | Built-in 6000 mAh rechargeable battery or 12V car outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 16 psi |
| Max Use Time: | 20 minutes |
| Cool Down Period Required: | 30 minutes |
| Stages: | 1 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached |
| Weight: | 4.85 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 11.2” X 8.6” X 7.7” |
| Warranty: | 30 days from time of purchase |
Gili 12V Electric iSUP Paddle Board Pump
- Built-in overheat protection mechanism
- Small/ lightweight
- Handle makes it easy to carry
- Nozzle pieces come attached to the hose and get in the way
Gili’s 12V electric iSUP paddleboard pump is a standard electric pump. We weren’t blown but we also weren’t disappointed in its function. It inflates up to 20 PSI in about 12 minutes and has a max run-time of about 20 minutes, so you should be able to inflate 2 smaller boards with it before needing to give it a rest. It also has a cigarette lighter cord and optional alligator clips, a digital display with the option to pre-set your PSI, an auto-shutoff, and is covered by a 1 year warranty.
Although the most recent pump we’ve received from Gili feels sturdier, we’ve had issues in the past with these pumps, and similarly shaped pumps, burning up pretty quickly. Gili claims that there is an over-heat protection mechanism in their pumps now, so I’m interested to see if there’s any change as we use this pump more. Stay tuned for more testing on our newest pump from them, but for now it is going to sit lower on our list.
Specs
| Voltage Required: | 12V car outlet or car battery |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 PSI |
| Max Use Time: | 20 minutes |
| Stages: | 2 |
| Auto Shut off: | Yes |
| PSI selection: | Digital |
| Shut off: | Automatic when PSI is reached | Warranty: | 1 year from time of purchase |
Portable Power Units
One thing we’ve mentioned a few times throughout this post is portable power units. These are newer within the SUP electric pump space, and there can be some confusion on why exactly you’d even want a portable power unit, if nearly every electric pump can simply plug into your car’s cigarette lighter. Below, we’ll go over the advantages of having a portable power unit, so you can decide if it’s something you’ll want to add to your gear bag.
Portability/ Convenience
One of the best things about iSUPs is that they roll up into a duffle bag, and are way more portable than hard SUPs. However, relying on your car to inflate your board can take away some of that portability that we love so much.
With the addition of a portable power bank, you can make any electric pump, a portable electric pump. You can simply put the power bank and electric pump in your bag, and inflate your board once you get to your paddle spot regardless of where your car is. These are perfect for people who like to hike their boards into more remote spaces or even if you’ll just simply have a long walk to the beach.
We also love the convenience of being able to recharge the power unit. You can charge it up while you load your car or during your drive, and we’ve found that we can inflate around 2 boards with a single full charge.
Diversity
Another thing we like about portable power banks is that they can power a wide variety of devices. As long as there’s a USB port, you can use the same power bank that you use for your iSUP to charge your phone, laptop, camera, and most other electronics without needing to search for an outlet.
It’s a great idea for someone that’s a frequent flier and constantly finds themselves in airports scrounging for a place to charge up. They’re also great for general safety, as you could hook up your phone to charge and throw it in your drybag to avoid the risk of a dead phone in the case of an emergency on the water.
Affordability
Although there’s a wide range of prices for portable power banks depending on their capacity, most that you’ll need for inflating iSUPs will sit between $80-$150. Of course, you could expect to spend more if you’re looking for a power bank that can inflate 6-8 boards at a time, but most within this range should be good for inflating 2 boards on a full charge.
Where to Buy
We have not been able to thoroughly review portable power units yet, but we’ve been super happy with iROCKER’s electric pump battery so far. iROCKER is also a reputable company that we’ve enjoyed working with and are confident in their products.
Tips for Electric Air Pumps
Once you’ve purchased your first electric pump, you’ll love being able to crack a drink or apply some sunscreen while your board inflates. However, we want to give you some general tips that can help you get the most out of your electric pump while also protecting your board.
Make sure your valve pin is up:
There’s nothing worse than waiting for your iSUP to inflate, getting excited and ready to paddle, and then hearing that whoosh of air, or multiple PSI, escaping when you disconnect the hose from your board’s valve. The easiest/ only way to avoid this is by making sure your valve pin is up, in the locked position, before you connect the air hose.
If it so happens that you forget that your valve pin is down, and you end up releasing some air between disconnecting the hose and closing the valve, always check to see how much PSI you lost. It may not seem like much, but if you’re only a few PSI from your recommended range, your board will taco under you and you simply won’t have a great time. It’s much easier to just spend the extra few minutes re-pumping in that lost air.
Be careful inflating multiple SUPs in a row:
Although most electric pumps advertise that they can inflate up to 2 boards in a row without needing a break, it’s always a good idea to check the temperature of your pump after your first board to decide if it needs a break.
There are a lot of variables that can lead to your pump burning up, outside of simply over-using it. Those of us that live in hot climates need to keep an even closer eye on our electric pumps. There’s also the possibility of your pump’s vent system getting clogged with sand or dirt, as well as consistently inflating to a higher PSI.
When in doubt, it’s always better to give your pump a 5-10 minute break in between boards than to be stranded with a dead pump. This is also why we always suggest bringing a manual pump as a backup.
Use a tarp, blanket, or landing mat:
One of the only ways you can cause serious damage to your iSUP is by letting it come into constant contact with concrete and other hard surfaces. Because of this, it’s always a great idea to inflate your SUP on top of towels, a tarp, or a landing mat to separate it from any hard surface that could scrape up the exterior PVC layer.
Nixy sells a great landing mat that we use for our SUPs, while a bigger tarp would do great for inflating more than 3 boards on one surface.
Inflate to your PSI limit, don’t exceed it:
We all know that the more PSI in an iSUP, the better it will perform. Once the grunt work of inflating your board is taken away by an electric pump, it can be tempting to put some more PSI than necessary in your board. However, this is super damaging over time for your iSUP. It will cause things to pop and break, and it’s just not worth it for a minor, ultra-temporary improvement in performance.
Use your electric pump to deflate:
Deflating your board is super easy, so most people forget that their pump even has a deflate option. It’s best to use your electric pump to finish deflating your iSUP, as it will suck any remaining air out and make it exponentially easier to roll up and pack away your board. Also, failing to fully deflate your iSUP can permanently damage the board shape over time.
Conclusion: Choose the Most Reliable Electric iSUP Pump
Overall, the differences between how each electric pump on this list performs are going to be very minor. Some are faster than others, and some have higher or lower PSI caps, but at the end of the day, we’ve heavily tested all of these pumps and are confident that they will do just fine inflating your board within 15 minutes without you having to do the work.
The most important thing to look out for when shopping for an electric pump is reliability. If you’re shopping outside of this list, keep in mind that a common issue with electric pumps is that the motors overheat. Make sure to check reviews, check out each pump’s max run time, and go with companies that you know already make reliable products. Even better, is if the company offers a 12 month warranty that covers overheating.
Once you’ve found a reliable pump, you can start to look for features that are important to you such as included travel bags, cord storage, and carry handles. It’s also a great idea to double check that your pump has a deflation function, as it will save you time, energy, and protect your board shape.
Overall, we think an electric pump is one of the best additions you could add to your SUP kit. As you’re in the market for an electric pump, check out our more detailed review of the Shark II.
SupBoardGuide
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Great article ! I noticed though that the Atoll sell the exact same pump as the Oudoor Master Shark – Same product !
Nathalie
Nathalie, yes – Atoll recently started selling the same pump. It’s been tough to get inventory this year, and Outdoor Master is one of the pumps that has been available (so it’s great that it’s a solid pump!).
The pictured pump from Atoll look exactly like the BTP Mano pump I bought from Sea Eagle. Inflated my Fish Skiff 16 three times and quit. Connected it to the trolling motor battery and tried the car battery. Just would not turn on. I’ve had it a week. Going to try to return it.
Jeff,
Yes – a lot of these brands use pumps made by the same company. There is some tweaking each brand can make to the pump, but not all do. I can’t recommend enough looking at the new iRocker pump. It has been the most solid pump we’ve tested so far, and they are a great company that stands behind the product.
Sorry to hear your pump from BTP Mano didn’t work out!
Thanks for the info! I ordered the Outdoor Master with your discount. I haven’t even received my iSUP yet, but watching the videos of people pumping them manually made me realize I needed an electric pump.
hello where did u get the discount code
tks
Larry, just use code: SupBoardGuide
That should give you 20% off right now for the OutdoorMaster pump.
For the NIXY the length of the power cord is listed as a con because it’s only 10′, but for the Outdoor Master 9′ is listed as a pro. Makes no sense.
Pete,
Thanks, not sure how that got in there like that! We are actually in the process of updating all of these for 2021, but I appreciate you pointing that error out!
Do all ISUP use the same fitting for filling? If I buy the irocker 12V pump will it fill my Body GLove Performer 11
It depends on the valve of the board, and you might have to swap out the o-ring (the pump comes with a few different sizes). I haven’t gotten my hands on a new Body Glove Performer this year, but if it’s similar to last year’s then you should be fine. It has the halkey roberts valve, correct? I just want to double check – we’ve had readers that say one brand/model of board and actually have a different one. Again, brand wont’ matter, but the valve will.
Hi,
Wondering if you got paid by these individual sup pump companies to review them? I’ve been looking for one for a few weeks now. Vamo, OUtdoor Master were recommended but I have a hard time making decisons:)
Looking for an electric pump as i have used hand pump on my Solstice (the board ended up “exploding” at the valve site cuz i was an idiot and left it in the sun for 2 days but it was easy to pump by hand. I now have a Naish and it’s great but maybe just since better more durable material, it takes me forever to pump by hand and the crappy $25 pump i got at big5 doesnt really work well. With all that being said. I’d like one that i can set to 14 psi and it pumps up in 5-10min. Thanks in advance for helping this undecided person!
Cindy,
Great questions! In terms of pay, we earn a small affiliate commission when you buy any of our recommended sup pumps. That allows us to rank the SUP pump that we actually find to be the best (and just so you know, we actually make a higher commission on a few of the pumps that are not our top rated one). Our goal is to just give you the best information/review – and we hope it helps!
As far as which electric pump we recommend for inflatable paddle boards, I still would recommend the iRocker pump. I’ve been using ours non stop for 2 years now without a single problem. I love the shape, how the cord can be stored in the little compartment, and LOVE how iRocker has a portable battery you can buy (it’s seriously a game changer). I go out several times a week, and that’s the pump I grab every time. I also do really like the Outdoor Master and NIXY pumps, but so far have had the iRocker longer so from a durability standpoint, I recommend that one the most.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the reviews, very helpful. We recently bought a similar pump, and it’s a huge help. But it has the same sort of inflexible nylon hose that seems to be standard. It’s very awkward to connect, since the fittings don’t rotate. Are you aware of any pumps with a more flexible braided hose or maybe another aftermarket option? Thanks.
Scott, this may sound weird but you don’t want a more flexible hose (at least not any that I have tested). The more flexible hoses tend to melt when things get hot – and these pumps create a lot of heat. I have about a 50% melt rate on those flexible hoses, so while the inflexible, harder hoses are kind of a pain that’s what I choose every time for durability reasons.
Hi there, thanks for a great article,
I use a Kampa gale 12v pump for the air awning on my caravan but none of adapters supplied with the pump fits my wife’s Tiki SUP.
Do you know of an adapter that I could buy?
Thanks
Chris
Chris, Most iSUPs use a Halkey-Roberts valve, so a Halkey-Roberts adapter should work for you.
The discount code for the Outdoor Master pump is giving a 10% discount not 20%.
Frank, thanks for the heads up! We’ll work that out with Outdoor Master.