Besides maneuvering the kayak, a kayak paddle also defines how fast the kayak travels and how quickly you can pivot the kayak while ensuring that your hands don't get fatigued. The good news is that scoring a high-performance kayak paddle doesn't ask for loads of money; you can get one well under $100. To ease the process for you, we've compiled a list of some of the best kayak paddles under $100. While all of them are excellent in some ways, Bending Branches Whisper is the one we liked the best.
Before we dive into the detailed reviews of the best kayak paddles, here's a list of everything that the article provides you:
- A quick and efficient summary of every paddle reviewed in the article.
- Detailed reviews of 4 of the best kayak paddles.
- A list of frequently asked questions to satiate any question you might have.
Quick Summary: Top 4 - Best Kayak Paddle Under $100
If you are in a hurry and need a quick glance over all the products mentioned in this 'Best Kayak Paddle Under $100' list, this is the right place.
Best Overall: 1. BENDING BRANCHES Whisper
It is ideal for low angle kayaking and comes in four different sizes.
Best for Beginners: 2. OCEANBROAD Kayak Paddle 230CM/90.5 Inches
An ideal choice if you are a beginner or an intermediate kayaker.
Best Budget: 3. SeaSense X1 Kayak Paddle
It is the best budget option on this list, can float, and is lightweight.
Best for Fishing: 4. Poseidon Angler Fishing Lightweight Kayak Paddle
It has drip rings and the blades are impact resistant and durable.
Top 3 Quick Comparison
Product | Photo | Shaft Material | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |   | Aluminum | |
Best for Beginners |   | Aluminum | |
Best Budget |   | Aluminum |
Our Reviews
Best Overall
If you are a professional, Bending Branches Whisper is not the kayak for you. However, it is one of the best kayak paddles if you are a beginner and are looking for excellent low angle kayaking.
Quick Specs
This versatile kayak paddle has just the right weight. It is available in four different sizes varying from 210 cm to 240 cm.
This kayak paddle can be broken down into two pieces to allow easy transportation and storage. The shaft is made up of Aluminum, making it light and robust. The handgrip is pretty smug-fitting and hence doesn't jerk or slip while paddling. It has been coated for comfort and is easy to paddle. It makes you less fatigue so that you can carry heavy loads for a longer time.
The paddle blades are round in shape, are lightweight, and are made up of a blend of injection-molded nylon and fiberglass. As claimed by the manufacturers, the breakage rate of this kayak paddle is 0.03%. So rest assured, your paddle won't be breaking very quickly. There's a hook retrieval notch that can be used to pull out the fishing line if the cast was not perfect.
The kayak paddle features a snug-fitting, three-hole snap button for various angles varying from 0 degrees to 60 degrees on both sides, left and right control. It enables flutter free strokes, even if you are a beginner. One of the drawbacks is that the push button that locks the two pieces together is made up of plastic. So, it might woggle or even break if not handled carefully.
Product Review
"The Bending Branches Whisper is an exceptional value when one is looking for a rugged paddle for casual kayaking."
Best for Begginers
Ideal for beginners and intermediate kayakers, Oceanboard Kayak Paddle is durable and efficiently gets through the wildness of water.
Quick Specs
It is 90.5 inches in length, making it suitable for a majority of kayakers. This beautiful kayak paddle is available in five different colors. It can be broken into two pieces for easy storage and easy travel.
The paddle shaft is made of high-quality Aluminium that has 1.1 mm shell thickness and provides long-lasting assurance. It is designed with a shrinking PE tube cover for a better grip. This reduces the chances of getting blisters on your fingers. It also protects your hands from getting cold by holding the metal, especially in winters. The blades are reinforced with PP fiberglass. (1)
The kayak paddle comes with a paddle leash that ensures your paddle sticks with the boat and prevents you from losing your paddle overboard. It features drip rings at the shaft ends that prevent water from dripping down the shaft and wetting you while paddling. It also has three locking positions for different angle preferences. The kayak paddle floats in water, so even if it somehow gets overboard, you can get it back without much trouble.
Product Review
"Needed this for use in a kayak. Very well made. Strong but lightweight. Can come apart and put back together. Came well packaged and on time."
Best Budget
At only $32, SeaSense X1 Kayak Paddle is one the most affordable kayak paddles under $100.
Quick Specs
It provides the perfect balance between strong propelling power for when you are in a hurry and turning control and stopping power for when you need to fight momentum.
SeaSense X1 Kayak Paddle is a two-piece paddle that can easily collapse into a portable form. It gets easy to transport and store it. You can quickly snap it back when you are ready to tread the waters. It is lightweight, and the shaft is made up of durable Aluminium that provides extra rigidity. The kayak paddle is made to float in water so that it is easy to get hold of whenever it gets far away from you.
The kayak paddle features 3 set locking positions for adjusting the blades. The handgrips are built from ergonomic foam, and the kayak blades are made up of high-quality plastic that won't degrade or fall apart for a long time. They are standard in shape and take up extra energy to paddle because of their build. They provide extra elasticity in each stroke, but individual strokes are less efficient in case of heavy resistance.
Product Review
"This paddle is one of the cheapest I could find on Amazon so I was sort of bracing for some "junkiness", but was surprised; this thing is solid."
Best for Fishing
Poseidon Angler Fishing Leightweight Kayak Paddle is the best kayak paddle under $100 for fishing.
Quick Specs
Its integrated hook retrieval system enables you to pull back the fishing line if the cast was not perfect, and you want to throw in the lure again. Making it fishing ready, it has a tape measure along the shaft that lets you keep track of the fishing line's length.
Its 99 inches length makes it ideal for wider kayaks. The blades are made of fiberglass reinforced plastic, which provides it with optimum performance and durability. They are fairly flexible; hence they are impact-resistant, making the best kayak paddle when paddling through rocky waters. The paddle blades are significantly cheaper than carbon fiber blades, making it affordable for everyone while retaining the major benefits. (2)
Best for recreational kayakers, the kayak paddle has adjustable drip rings that ensure you do not get wet from the water dripping along the shaft. They also ensure that your hands stay dry and hence provide a better grip. The kayak paddle also has adjustable 0 degrees to 65 degrees feather angle.
Product Review
"Very nice paddle. Really like the measuring stick printed on it, eliminates the need to carry a tape measure. I use it on my fishing kayak."
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use them, but they are usually not durable or efficient. We recommend that you purchase an additional paddle for greater efficiency.
The right kayak paddle length is proportional to your height and weight.
A kayak paddle made out of fiberglass is lighter and more durable than aluminum.
Final Thoughts
Next to the kayak, a paddle is the most significant item when in water. So picking the right one is of utmost importance. It all comes down to personal preference and how long you'll be paddling. However, if you ask us, we'll recommend that the best kayak paddle under $100 is Bending Branches Whisper. It is durable, long-lasting, has the ideal weight, and is the perfect companion for your boat trip.
Made after a considerable amount of research and due diligence, we hope this list of best kayak paddle under $100 has served its purpose.
If you're looking for other kayak accessories, you may click here.
Our Top Pick
Best Overall
If you are a professional, Bending Branches Whisper is not the kayak for you. However, it is one of the best kayak paddles if you are a beginner and are looking for excellent low angle kayaking.
References
(1) PE tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zNMhSQkhvM
(2) carbon fiber - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/carbon-fiber
