The Best Two-Person Inflatable Kayak UK 2024
If we told you 10 years ago that you could replace your traditional hard shell kayak with an inflatable one, you’d probably laugh and give it a pass. With years of innovation and technological advancements, the best inflatable kayaks can now rival hard-shell kayaks.
We’ve looked at over 100 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 under £1300 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, watch our video review or jump straight down to the inflatable kayak UK reviews.
Rank
7.4
Size
460 x 82cm
Weight
23.5kg
Capacity
249kg
Price
£££
Rank
7.0
Size
442 x 94cm
Weight
18kg
Capacity
227kg
Price
££
Rank
5.4
What are we looking for in the best 2-person inflatable kayak? Ideally, we want something that packs down small and isn’t too heavy, sets up and packs down quickly and easily, has ample space for the two of us and some gear, feels nice and stable, cuts 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.
Inflatable kayaks can be pretty expensive - for the purposes of this review, we’ve limited our selection to kayaks within a more realistic £1300 budget, for which you can still get an extremely high-quality kayak without going bankrupt.
Have questions about inflatable kayaks? Skip to our FAQ section.
Otherwise, let’s crack on with the reviews!
Watch our video review to see how we've chosen the best 2-person inflatable kayak UK
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 Elite
Best Family Fun: Intex Excursion Pro K2
Most Portable: Gumotex Twist 2/1
Three people? No. But a decent budget option for two.
The Tahiti Plus was designed as a family edition, equipped with three seats and intended for two adults and one child. For us, it’s more more suitable as a two-person, disregarding the weirdly-spaced configuration for two, and has a lot going for it in terms of portability. We’re also not convinced by its durability, but you get what you pay for.
Summary
Perfect For: Lakes and calm rivers.
Pros: Affordable, stable, easy to transport.
Cons: Inefficient to paddle, lacks firmness.
Verdict: Not big enough for three, but if you use it as a two-person it’s a great lower-cost option.
Rating
Performance: 2
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 3
Setup: 7
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.2
Where to get it
The uncomplicated budget boat.
The Intex Challenger K2 is clearly made for casual and occasional recreational paddling. We were impressed by the stability of this kayak and the surprisingly streamlined design that even first-timers won’t have a hard time paddling along. It feels a little squishy and cramped to sit in, but is a good deal for the price.
Summary
Best For: Lakes and calm rivers.
Pros: Insanely affordable, stable.
Cons: It’s uncomfortable, doesn’t track well, and it lacks durability.
Verdict: Simple at best, but its affordability puts it on our list.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 4
Setup: 7
Value: 6
OVERALL: 5.4
Where to get it
The featherweight champ.
This comes first on portability (packed size and weight), not to mention it sets up in less than 10 minutes! We like how it is extremely lightweight, but it compromises on its capacity. We think it is best for an adult and a child, or two small-average sized adults. The two rear skegs allow better tracking, and the hull shape performs well against rough water - but it does feel like sitting in a marshmallow.
Summary
Best For: Rough water, casual recreation.
Pros: Extremely lightweight and easy to paddle.
Cons: Uncomfortable and small.
Verdict: Very easy to carry and inflate, but there’s room for improvement on space and firmness.
Rating
Performance: 4
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 6
Setup: 8
Value: 6
OVERALL: 6.4
The beginner-friendly option.
It’s hard to find any issue with comfort here. The adjustable seats, spacious interior, and drainage port make for a good day out. But comfort aside, we also can’t ignore the lower quality choice of materials, which we understand based on its incredibly low price - but can’t rate as highly as we’d like.
Summary
Best For: Calm waters.
Pros: Comfortable and packs everything you need, extremely affordable.
Cons: Not the most durable or high-quality build.
Verdict: Value for money for recreational paddlers.
Rating
Performance: 7
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 6
Setup: 7
Value: 8
OVERALL: 6.8
Where to get it
A step up from the cheaper options.
In terms of basic design, the Gumotex Twist 2/1 is very similar to the kayaks below it on our list - short, wide, and not a lot of super-firm surfaces. However, use of their own Nitrilon material gives Gumotex the confidence to suggest we inflate this kayak to 3 psi, giving that little bit more pressure - and therefore firmness - than others in this class.
Summary
Best For: All types of water except whitewater.
Pros: Very portable, convertible, firmer than others of this design, handles well.
Cons: Lacks serious firmness, uncomfortable seats.
Verdict: Definitely the highest-quality of this class of portable, low-pressure inflatable kayaks.
Rating
Performance: 6
Size/Weight: 8
Durability: 7
Setup: 8
Value: 6
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it
A dependable, high-quality pick.
When we look at the Aquaglide Navarro 145, we see a great deal of versatility and durability everywhere. It’s well-built, with 600 denier hex ripstop polyester and a drop-stitch floor. There was no issue with manoeuvrability, but a few hiccups with staying in a straight line. Overall a great choice for anyone looking to go downriver, touring, and cruising.
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 great performance for leisure and multi-day excursions.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 9
Setup: 7
Value: 5
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it
Amazon
Paddle Outlet
Watersports World
Wetsuit Centre
Coast Water Sports
The full package in performance.
You could take this on some serious touring, coastal exploration or full-day sightseeing. The only trouble we found was carrying the heavy backpack where it’s packed into, and we needed a lot of patience for setting it up and drying it up after use. But performance-wise, it exceeded our expectations. Stability, rigidity, and beautiful tracking and handling make this a great choice for almost any use.
Summary
Best For: Coastal, flat water.
Pros: Fast and huge 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, but impressively fast and stable on the water.
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 9
Setup: 5
Value: 8
OVERALL: 7.4
Where to get it
‘The Flash’ in setup and on water.
The Itiwit X500 2 Person is pretty similar to its 1 person edition. It comes with the same rigid drop-stitch hull, which is an automatic plus for us, and was somehow easier to manoeuvre. Keep in mind though that where the 1P is unstable, the 2P is even longer and has two people rocking around in it… so for experienced paddlers only. It’s a big boy, so to be able to pack this down into a trolley bag was much appreciated!
Summary
Best For: Calm lakes and rivers.
Pros: Stays on course, more manoeuvrable than the 1 person.
Cons: Little space for storage, heaviest kayak in the list, unstable.
Verdict: A heavy yet speedy kayak.
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 6
Durability: 9
Setup: 9
Value: 8
OVERALL: 8.2
Where to get it
A great companion for any type of water.
If you’re looking for an easy to inflate kayak that performs well on the water, you’re in for an adventure with the Aquaglide Mckenzie 125! As an upscale version from its older models, it has made significant changes and you bet it’s definitely a competitive one on the market. At only 14kg, this lightweight kayak is built with a sturdy reinforced PVC construction and a large touring fin that really helps with tracking. Its Evo-Beam floor is its major downside for us, but it offers impressive firmness for a non-drop-stitch kayak.
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, but without the drop-stitch, just not quite there.
Rating
Performance: 8
Size/Weight: 10
Durability: 8
Setup: 9
Value: 9
OVERALL: 8.8
Where to get it
A well-constructed kayak that ticks all our boxes.
Built with the same materials found in rescue boats, the Razor Kayaks R2 Ultra is a dependable kayak. What sets this apart from the rest is the durable Tech-Stitch™ floor - like drop-stitch on steroids. It’s super quick to set up and fast to dry, stable and tracks well in the water, and has a good amount of space while still remaining the lightest 2-person kayak we reviewed.
Summary
Best For: All types of water.
Pros: Durable, easy to paddle, quick setup and packdown, great for any water.
Cons: One of the more expensive kayaks on our list (though still very reasonable for its quality).
Verdict: Couldn’t ask for more.
Rating
Performance: 9
Size/Weight: 10
Durability: 10
Setup: 10
Value: 9
OVERALL: 9.6
Where to get it
And there you have it! Ten of the best 2 person inflatable kayaks out there. 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!
Want More?
Check out previously reviewed kayaks:
Inflatable Kayak FAQs
Should I get an inflatable kayak?
It depends on your situation, but in general the best inflatable kayaks will suit a lot of people because they take up minimal storage space and are much easier to transport than a hard shell kayak. They’re a fantastic way to explore new waterways or enjoy the outdoors without needing a huge amount of space or specialised gear to transport them.
Should I get a 1-2 person convertible kayak?
Convertible kayaks can be a great solution if you’re not sure whether you’ll use your kayak exclusively on your own, or always with a friend. Something to watch out for though is that a lot of convertible kayaks can be really long for one person to handle, or a squeeze for two - 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.
How much are inflatable kayaks?
Two-person inflatable kayaks can range from super cheap (£150) right up to a top of the range kayak costing around £1700 or more. While the cheaper kayaks might seem like a bargain, in terms of durability and ease of paddling it’s worth spending a little more to get something that will last longer and glide through the water.
Are inflatable kayaks easy to paddle?
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 that make the kayak’s hull rigid, and if you’re newer to paddling, choosing a wider kayak with lower sides will make for a more stable option.
What’s the difference between a hard and an inflatable kayak?
An inflatable kayak inflates and deflates so can be packed away into a smaller package for storage and transport, whereas a hard shell can’t be made any smaller. Hard shells have traditionally delivered superior performance on the water and still do outperform cheaper, less rigid inflatables, however inflatable kayaks using drop-stitch can seriously rival the performance of a hard shell.
Is a folding kayak or inflatable kayak better?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both folding and inflatable kayaks. Inflatable kayaks need to be pumped to set up, and some are covered in fabric which means they take longer to dry. They’re also susceptible to puncture, although most have multiple chambers to allow you to return to shore if that happens. However, if you capsize a folding kayak and it fills with water, it’s going to sink, which won’t happen with an inflatable. It all depends what’s most important to you.
Are inflatable kayaks easy to set up?
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.
Do inflatable kayaks puncture easily?
Some cheaper inflatables that use lower-grade materials may puncture easily, however the best inflatable kayaks that use reinforced PVC are as tough as some lifesaving RHIBs and white water rafts and won’t puncture easily. 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.