04.12.2025 • 16 Min.

These two categories look similar but ride completely differently. An eFoil flies silently above the water; a jetboard surfs on the surface at up to 60 km/h. The right choice depends on where you ride, how fast you want to go, and what experience you're after. This is eFoil Insider's most-downloaded episode. Andreas Lakeberg has tested both extensively since 2017 and gives you the comparison that most buying guides avoid. What this episode covers: The fundamental difference: eFoils fly, jetboards surf — two entirely different sensations Battery life: eFoils 60–90 minutes, jetboards only 20–40 minutes — and why physics explains the gap Speed: jetboards up to 60 km/h, eFoils up to 45 km/h — cruising speeds overlap at 25–30 km/h Weight: eFoil ~30 kg vs. jetboard ~50 kg — why it matters for transport and handling Legal differences in Germany: jetboards classified as personal watercraft with route restrictions on inland waters Water depth: eFoils need minimum 1.20 m — critical for lake riding Noise: eFoils nearly silent, jetboards considerably louder When a jetboard makes more sense than an eFoil Verdict: for most riders on inland waters, an eFoil delivers the better experience. Jetboards are the right choice for ocean riding, maximum speed, or traditional surface surfing. Full article: https://www.e-surfer.com/en/blog/jetboard-or-efoil/ Compare at E-SURFER: https://www.e-surfer.com/en/shop/ E-SURFER — testing all electric surfboards ourselves since 2017.