Outdoor Master Shark 3 Electric Pump
Pros
- Incredibly fast inflation times
- Internal battery can easily inflate 4 boards plus 12v power option
- SUP, Kite, and Mattress modes with memory recall
- Simple, easy to use button touch pad and digital screen.
- 2-year warranty
- Internal cooling fan and quiet operation.
- 7 nozzle adapters for SUPs, IKs, Kites/Wings, Mattresses and more
Cons
- 12v power mode is much slower than battery power, but is on par with other 12v electric pumps
- Large and heavy
- Screen can be difficult to tread in bright sunlight
Outdoor Master is one of the best-known brands for electric SUP pumps. They’ve been in the business for many years and have constantly evolved their pump technology.
Outdoor Master’s latest electric SUP pump is a true chart-topping device. The Shark 3 electric pump has blown away the competition for inflation speed and become my go-to electric pump and first recommendation to anyone looking for an electric pump.
The Shark 3 offers easy operation, a stylish design, functional accessories, multiple memory recall modes, alternate power source options, battery bank functionality, and fast inflation.
Add to that an industry-leading 2-year warranty, a very reasonable starting price, and 15% off with our code SupBoardGuide15, and it’s easy to see why we here at SUP Board Guide don’t mind being bit by the Shark 3 pump.
Outdoor Master Shark 3 Electric Pump Specs
| Voltage Required: | Internal Battery or 12 V Car Outlet |
| Max PSI Capability: | 20 PSI |
| 15 PSI Inflation Time (Isle Switch): | 5:43 |
| Max Use Time (Constant): | 30 Minutes |
| Cool Down period Recommended: | 10 Minutes |
| Stages: | 2 Stages: Stage 1: 350 liters per minute Stage 2: 70 liters per minutes |
| Shut off: | Inflation: Automatic once PSI is reached Deflation: No automatic shutoff |
| PSI Selection: | Button touchpad with digital screen 3 Memory Recall Modes |
| Weight: | 6.4 lbs |
| Dimensions: | Length: 13.8’’ Width: 10.6″ Height: 8.6’’ |
| Battery Capacity: | 74 Wh / 4 board inflations |
| Warranty: | 2 years, 30-day returns |
Who Should Buy This Electric Pump:
Electric pumps are our first accessory recommendation for any inflatable paddle board. They not only take the guesswork out of “how much longer!” and whether or not that hand pump gauge is reading 13, 14, 15, or some other number, but they also let you get everything else ready while the board is inflating. You can get your paddle and fins ready, attach the leash to your board, put on sunscreen, and more with the peace of mind that once your board is inflated, the pump will automatically shut off to prevent over-inflation.
You should get the Outdoor Master Shark 3 pump if you:
- Are tired of having to inflate your SUP manually and want something that will do the hard work for you
- Find yourself struggling to get the air out of your SUP and would like something that can assist you
- Have multiple paddle boards in a row you need to get inflated without wearing yourself out
- Have a smaller, younger, or weaker paddler who is unable to inflate their paddleboard by themselves
- Want a completely portable device that doesn’t need to be plugged in to a car to operate
- Want a quieter electric pump
- Use different pressure settings for different boards, kayaks, wings, kites, or other inflatable devices
- Want the fastest inflation times to get you on the water sooner
Performance
Stages/Speed
Like most electric SUP pumps, the Outdoor Master Shark 3 uses a dual-stage pump to inflate your board.
The first stage is a high-volume / low-pressure mode that rapidly brings your board up to shape and up to about 1 PSI in pressure. Once the Shark 3 reaches this point, it automatically switches to its second stage, which is a low-volume / high-pressure mode that uses the dual-piston compressor to quickly bring your board up to your desired pressure level.
I was impressed by both the inflation speed and the relatively lower noise level of the Shark 3.
Most electric pumps are very loud, and there isn’t much difference in their volume. While measuring actual sound output accurately is difficult, it doesn’t take special technology to hear how much quieter the Shark 3 operates than other iSUP pumps. I’d give it a 30-40% reduction in volume compared to just about every other pump I’ve used.
So, how fast can the Shark 3 inflate your SUP? We devised a test using a rather large paddle board (the 11’6 x 35.5” x 6” Isle Switch Pro to be exact) to put these electric pumps through their paces.
When fully charged, the Outdoor Master Shark 3 pump will inflate the Isle Switch Pro to 15 PSI in just 5 minutes and 43 seconds. That’s incredibly fast.
The Shark 3’s internal 74Wh battery packs enough juice to inflate four paddle boards on a single charge. As you get closer to the end of the battery, the inflation time does slow down, but only by around 1 minute slower for the fourth board. If you forgot to charge the Shark 3, you can use the included 12v power cable to run the pump, though it does operate at roughly half-speed when plugged in. This just puts it back to an “average” speed compared to most electric SUP pumps!
While there is an internal cooling fan inside the pump, Outdoor Master recommends allowing the Shark 3 to cool down for 10 minutes for every 30 minutes of use. With sub-6-minute inflation times, though, most people won’t need to run it that long, even when inflating multiple boards! However, overheating is a concern for electric pumps, so it’s always best to use the pump in the shade or allow it to cool down for a few minutes between boards if you do have to use it in the sun.
PSI Cap/Measuring:
The Shark 3 pump has a maximum pressure capacity of 20 PSI (1.38 Bar). Most modern inflatable SUPs have a manufacturer-recommended capacity between 15 and 20 PSI, so there’s no real need for a higher-pressure pump for most users.
The control buttons on the top of the Shark 3 allow you to adjust the desired pressure setting in 0.1 PSI or 0.01 Bar increments. You can also read the real-time pressure and change that pressure setting while the pump is working in case you forgot to adjust it between boards. Once the Shark 3 inflates your board to that pressure setting, it will automatically turn the pump off.
One of the unique features of the Shark 3 is its three memory recall modes: SUP mode, KITE mode, and MAT (mattress) mode. The SUP and KITE modes operate identically. Simply set your desired pressure (between 0.1 and 20.0 PSI) and turn the pump on. You can set one pressure level in SUP mode and a second pressure level in KITE mode, and the Shark 3 will remember these settings between uses.
MAT mode for air mattresses and other low-pressure inflatables uses a timer and the first pump stage only instead of a pressure setting and both pump stages. You’ll need to monitor the pump the first few times you use the MAT mode to make sure you have selected the correct amount of time for your inflatable. Like the other two modes, the Shark 3 will remember your settings for the MAT mode between uses.
Automatic Shutdown:
The Outdoor Master Shark 3 will inflate your SUP to your desired pressure and then automatically disengage the pump. The screen will stay on for two more minutes before the pump enters standby mode and turns the screen off.
There is no automatic shutoff when using the Shark 3 to deflate your board. You’ll want to monitor the pump while deflating and manually turn it off once all of the air is removed from the board.
The Shark 3 will also automatically turn itself off if it begins to overheat. This can happen during continuous use in direct sunlight. If this happens, disconnect the hose from your board and move the Shark 3 to a shady place to cool down for approximately 10 minutes. The pump will not turn back on until it has cooled down to a safe internal temperature.
Electric Pump Design/Shape
The Outdoor Master Shark 3 is an angular and stylish-looking pump. However, it is quite large to accommodate the high-speed pump and internal cooling mechanisms. It is 13.8” long, 10.6” tall, 8.6” wide, and weighs a hefty 6.4 pounds—almost double the weight of the Shark II pump.
But with all of that extra size and weight, you do get a high-performance pump with a 74Wh internal battery. The internal battery can also be used as a power bank for phones and other small electronic devices via the USB-C port on the front of the pump.
If you forget to charge the Shark 3 or run out of power while inflating, it comes with a 12v power plug to connect the pump to your car’s 12v accessory port (“cigarette lighter” plug). While many battery-operated SUP pumps can charge via a 12v power source, the Shark 3 is one of the only ones that will also operate from that 12v source.
Along with the pump and 12v power cable, you also get a USB-C fast-charging cable (the Shark 3 can charge with up to a 40W fast charger) and the pump hose with 7 different nozzles to fit a variety of inflatables. While it doesn’t come with a bag, the Shark 3 does have a large nylon carrying strap on the back of the pump, and the nozzles come attached to the hose.
Electric Pump Operation
Digital LCD Screen and Buttons:
The Outdoor Master Shark 3 has a large two-color LED screen and four easy-to-use buttons for simple operation. The orange bars on the outside of the screen indicate the Shark 3’s battery level, with each section representing roughly 25% capacity. Large numbers in the middle of the screen indicate the current pressure setting (or real-time pressure during operation), PSI/Bar indicator, and indicators for SUP, KITE, and MAT modes. The screen is very large and easy to read indoors and in the shade, but it is difficult to read in direct sunlight, requiring you to shade the screen with your hand to read it.
Shark 3 Buttons:
- Power Button. Holding the power button for two seconds will turn the device screen on and allow you to change the mode and settings. When ready to use the Shark 3, pressing the power button once will activate the pump. Pressing it again will deactivate the pump. Holding the power button for two seconds will then turn the screen off.
- Arrow Button. The arrow button has two functions. Pressing the button once will cycle the Shark 3 through its different modes (SUP, KITE, Mat). Holding the button will change the pressure units from PSI to Bar (and back) in SUP and KITE mode.
- + Button. Use the + button to change the pressure settings to a maximum of 20 PSI / 1.38 Bar. A single press will adjust the pressure in 0.1 PSI or 0.01 Bar increments. Holding the button will adjust the pressure setting continuously (roughly 2 PSI per second). Once you have reached the maximum pressure, pressing or holding the button will not change anything.
- – symbol. Use the – button to change the pressure settings to the minimum 0.1 PSI / 0.1 Bar. A single press will adjust the pressure down in 0.1 PSI or 0.01 Bar increments. Holding the button will adjust the pressure setting continuously (roughly 2 PSI per second). Once you have reached the minimum pressure, pressing or holding the button will not change anything.
12v Electrical Outlet and USB-C Power Cables:
The Outdoor Master Shark 3 comes with two power cables – a 12v cable and a USB-C cable. The USB-C cable is rated for use with up to 40W fast chargers to charge the internal battery quickly. You can also charge small devices like phones and headphones from the same USB-C port.
The 12v cable plugs into your car’s 12v accessory (“cigarette lighter”) plug and slowly charges the Shark 3 when the pump is not in use. However, the 12v plug also allows you to power the Shark 3 from your car when the internal battery is exhausted. Doing so runs the pump at half-speed, so it is a slower inflation method.
Nozzles:
While most of the time you’ll only need one nozzle, having adapters for items other than your paddle board can be very handy. The Shark 3 comes with adapters for the following valves (left to right, top to bottom in the image above):
Boston Valve: For use with many common boat tubes, water floats, and some air mattresses.
Military Valve: For other inflatable boats
Leafield Valve: For Leafield C7 and D7 valves on some inflatable kayaks, rafts, and iSUPs.
Pinch Valve: Two sizes for inflating small inflatables, such as pool rings or platforms, and some air mattresses.
HR Valve: For inflating most iSUPs with Halkey-Roberts inflation valves.
805 Valve: For other inflatable boats
The HR (Halkey-Roberts) valve will fit 90% or more of iSUPs worldwide. Occasionally, an iSUP will have a Leafield valve. However, many inflatable kayaks, rafts, and other boats use a variety of valve types.
Warranty
The Outdoor Master Shark 3, like Outdoor Master’s other electric SUP pumps, is built to last. While we’ve only had the Shark 3 for a few months at this point, we’ve been using it a ton here in the desert southwest summer heat with no issues. However, if something does go wrong or you aren’t entirely satisfied with the electric pump, Outdoor Master has a 30 day guarantee and 2 year warranty on the Shark 3 electric pump. For our part, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences dealing with Outdoor Master, finding them quick to respond to our questions and helpful in explaining the design of their electric pump. We heartily recommend the Outdoor Master electric pump.
Conclusion/Bottom line
The Outdoor Master Shark 3 is amazing. Bottom line—if the Shark 3 is on your short list of pumps already, just go for it. It’s fast, easy to use, relatively quiet, and you don’t need to be near a car to use it (though it will run on 12v power if you wear the battery down).
The only drawback to the Shark 3, in my opinion, is the size. If you are looking for a smaller, more portable electric pump, Outdoor Master has you covered with the Cachalot 2S. While it’s not as fast as the Shark 3, the Cachalot 2S is impossibly small for what it can do.
The Shark 3 is my main electric pump, and it gets me on the water fast—usually faster than I can inflate a board with a hand pump. So what are you waiting for?
SupBoardGuide
Latest posts by SupBoardGuide (see all)
- NIXY Newport G5 iSUP Review – Tested (2024) - September 30, 2024
- How to Paddle Board in a Straight Line | Bill’s Paddle Boarding Tips - September 30, 2024
- Honu Bondi Surfing SUP Review | An Inflatable SUP Surfboard that RIPS! - September 24, 2024