Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayaks Australia 2024
Want to paddle with a friend, but don’t have an extra acre of garage space lying around?
If we told you 10 years ago that you could replace your traditional hard shell kayak with an inflatable one, you probably wouldn’t believe us. Fast forward, and with advances in design and materials engineering, the best inflatable kayaks can now rival the big, bulky hard shells.
We’ve looked at hundreds of 2 person inflatable kayaks and picked the top contenders to review. Through our rigorous testing and expert analysis, we’ve carefully rated our top ten 2-person inflatable kayaks around or under $1600 to help you make the best decision when you’re looking to buy an inflatable kayak for two people.
Two-Person Inflatable Kayak Comparison
Compare the specs or jump straight down to the inflatable kayak reviews.
Rank
9.2
Size
430 x 84cm
Weight
12.9kg
Capacity
288kg
Price
$$
Rank
8.8
Size
378 x 97cm
Weight
14kg
Capacity
272kg
Price
$$
Rank
8.2
Size
460 x 82cm
Weight
23.5kg
Capacity
249kg
Price
$$$
Rank
7.0
Size
410 x 85cm
Weight
15.5kg
Capacity
210kg
Price
$$$
Rank
7.0
Size
442 x 94cm
Weight
18kg
Capacity
227kg
Price
$$
Rank
6.8
Size
384 x 94cm
Weight
20kg
Capacity
180kg
Price
$
Rank
6.8
Size
365 x 103cm
Weight
16kg
Capacity
150kg
Price
$$
Rank
6.4
Size
340 x 86cm
Weight
12kg
Capacity
227kg
Price
$
Rank
5.8
Size
320 x 90cm
Weight
12kg
Capacity
180kg
Price
$$
Rank
5.4
Size
345 x 76cm
Weight
17.3kg
Capacity
180kg
Price
$
What are we looking for in the best 2-person inflatable kayak? We’re after something relatively light and that packs into a small package, sets up and packs down quickly and easily, has enough space to fit two people and gear comfortably, feels stable, glides through the water and has the firmness of a drop-stitch or Tech-Stitch floor. Check out our article on How To Choose The Best Inflatable Kayak for more information.
In this review, we’ve kept to a price limit of around $1500. There are some great kayaks available above this price, but for people who might just be getting into kayaking, $1500 or under is a more realistic initial commitment so we’ve specifically looked at kayaks within that price range.
Have questions about inflatable kayaks? Skip to our FAQ section.
2 Person Inflatable Kayak Reviews
Know what you’re looking for? Get straight to it:
Best Overall: Razor Kayaks R2 Ultra
High Performance: Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible
Best Family Fun: Intex Excursion Pro K2
Most Portable: Sea Eagle 330
Summary
Best For: Calm water.
Pros: Insanely affordable, stable.
Cons: It’s uncomfortable, doesn’t track well, and lacks durability.
Verdict: Simple at best, but its affordability puts it on our list.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 4
Setup: 6
Value: 7
OVERALL: 5.4
Best inflatable kayak #10: Airhead Montana
Summary
Best For: Calm water, recreation.
Pros: Simple setup, stable, tracks well.
Cons: Lacks firm surfaces, very cramped for two people.
Verdict: A decent lower-cost option for people that don’t mind snuggling up.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 5
Setup: 6
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.8
Where to get it
Summary
Best For: Calm water, recreation.
Pros: Simple setup, stable, tracks well.
Cons: Lacks firm surfaces, very cramped for two people.
Verdict: A decent lower-cost option for people that don’t mind snuggling up.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 5
Setup: 8
Value: 6
OVERALL: 6.4
Where to get it
Summary
Best For: Solo or occasional tandem paddlers looking for a stable, portable kayak for short, calm-water trips.
Pros: Stable, portable and has an easy setup.
Cons: Limited space, poor tracking and no footrests.
Verdict: A beginner-friendly kayak prioritising stability and portability, though it's not the best for speed or tracking.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 5
Setup: 8
Value: 7
OVERALL: 6.8
Where to get it
Summary
Best For: Calm water.
Pros: Comfortable and packed with all the bells and whistles, affordable.
Cons: Not the most durable materials used.
Verdict: Value for money for recreational paddlers.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 5
Setup: 8
Value: 8
OVERALL: 6.8
Best inflatable kayak #7: Advanced Elements Packlite
Summary
Best For: Choppy waters, recreational touring.
Pros: Sturdy and easy to manoeuvre.
Cons: Doesn’t include the pump, pump adapters, and paddles.
Verdict: Good design and performance for leisure and multi-day excursions.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 5
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 7
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it
Best inflatable kayak #6: Driftsun Rover
Summary
Best For: Recreational paddling on all waters.
Pros: Easy to set up and well-made.
Cons: It’s too short to comfortably seat two people.
Verdict: A high-quality kayak but it can be improved.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 7
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it
Best inflatable kayak #4: Aquaglide Navarro 110
Summary
Best For: Coastal, flat water.
Pros: Fast, great weight capacity.
Cons: Narrow interior, big and heavy packed size, takes a long time to set up and to dry after use.
Verdict: Some serious downsides in ease of use, but impressively fast and stable on the water.
Rating
Performance: 10
Size/Weight: 7
Durability: 10
Setup: 7
Value: 7
OVERALL: 8.2
Where to get it
Best inflatable kayak #2: Itiwit X500
Summary
Best For: All types of water.
Pros: Easy to inflate, comfortable and versatile.
Cons: Not drop-stitch.
Verdict: Your go-to kayak for any type of water - if it had a drop-stitch floor it would be perfect!
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 9
Durability: 8
Setup: 10
Value: 8
OVERALL: 8.8
Where to get it
Best inflatable kayak #1: Aquaglide McKenzie 105
Summary
Best For: All types of water.
Pros: Durable, easy to paddle, quick setup and packdown, great for any water.
Cons: Not the fastest among the high-performing kayaks we’ve tested.
Verdict: Couldn’t ask for more, and at a very reasonable price to boot.
Rating
Performance: 10
Size/Weight: 10
Durability: 9
Setup: 10
Value: 7
OVERALL: 9.2
Where to get it
And there you have it! Ten of the best 2 person inflatable kayaks Australia. Still not sure how to pick? Read our guide on How to Pick the Best Inflatable Kayak. If you do end up getting one, head over to our How-Tos to get the lowdown on everything paddling, or check out our Destinations section to discover where you could take yours!
Is it a good idea to buy an inflatable kayak?
Inflatable kayaks are a great way to explore new waterways or enjoy the outdoors without needing a huge amount of space or specialised gear to transport them. In general the best inflatable kayaks in Australia will suit a lot of people because they take up very little storage space and are much easier to transport than a hard shell kayak.
Should I get a 1-2 person convertible kayak?
If you’re not sure whether you’ll use your kayak more on your own or with a friend, convertible kayaks can be a great solution. Look out though: a lot of convertible kayaks can be too long for one person to handle, or the cockpit too cramped for two people to fit into - or both! We’d recommend comparing their length to other pure 1P and 2P kayaks out there - if you’re mostly wanting to paddle on your own, go for something shorter than the pure 2P kayaks.
What do two person inflatable kayaks cost?
They can range from super cheap (approx $380) right up to a top of the range kayak costing around $2000 or more. While the cheaper kayaks might seem like a bargain, it’s worth spending a little more to get something that will last longer and glide through the water. You’re not going to want to use a kayak that’s not enjoyable to paddle.
Is it easy to paddle inflatable kayaks?
The best inflatable kayaks feel really similar to hard shell kayaks, gliding easily through the water and tracking well in a straight line. Look out for materials like drop-stitch or Tech-Stitch™ that make the kayak’s hull rigid, and if you’re newer to paddling, choose a more stable design that’s wider kayak with lower sides.
Are hard and inflatable kayaks very different?
An inflatable kayak inflates and deflates so it can be packed away into a smaller package for storage and transport, whereas a hard shell can’t be made any smaller (unless it’s a packable hard shell, which we haven’t reviewed here). Hard shells have traditionally delivered superior performance on the water and still do outperform cheaper, less rigid inflatables, however inflatable kayaks using drop-stitch or Tech-Stitch™ can seriously rival the performance of a hard shell.
Is it easy to set up an inflatable kayak?
That depends on the design of the kayak, but most are easy to set up, particularly those with fewer inflation points and matching valves. Most usually take 5-10 minutes of pumping depending on what type of pump you use, as well as clipping in any seats, fins and footrests.
Can inflatable kayaks puncture easily?
The best inflatable kayaks that use reinforced PVC are as tough as some lifesaving RHIBs and white water rafts and won’t puncture easily (but cheap ones may!). Most manufacturers also include a repair kit in the event of a puncture, and the designs generally have multiple air chambers so if your inflatable kayak does puncture while paddling, you’ll be able to make it back to shore with the support of the remaining chambers.
How long do inflatable kayaks last?
Lower cost inflatable kayaks will have a much shorter life span than higher quality kayaks simply because they’re more prone to puncture. Taking care of your inflatable kayak by ensuring it’s fully dry before being stored, storing it in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight will prolong its life.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.