SereneLife Inflatable Review

The SereneLife comes with all of the tools and accessories you need to get out on the water for less than half the price of most higher-end boards, making it a fantastic buy for families new to the sport. Compared to more expensive boards, the materials and construction are slightly lower quality, the board is smaller and less stable, the onboard storage is minimal, and the included paddle isn't the best. But for newer paddlers, many of those things don't matter when you're out on the water, and the SereneLife makes getting out there possible without breaking the bank.

Performance Comparison

Stability

The 10-foot SereneLife is not as stable as many of the larger boards that we tested. Although rated for a 275-pound capacity, it seems better suited for smaller, lighter passengers. This is especially true if you're actively trying to get somewhere. The SereneLife can accommodate several lightweight passengers if you're just splashing around in the water, but the lack of stability might slow you down from reaching cruising speed.

While stepping onto this board feels less stable than our highest-scoring models, its square tail and recreational-style dimensions keep it reasonably well-balanced. The platform feels more secure once you get your sea legs and gain some momentum. The long center fin helps the board track in a straight line and provides a bit of added stability. This is a reasonably steady board for beginners, but it's not the most forgiving teacher and isn't our first choice for a yoga board or rough water unless you're pretty small, have fantastic balance, or are just not that concerned about getting wet. There is a quite a bit of flex with this board, especially if you weigh a bit more or are in choppy water.

Glide Performance

A medium-size SUP, the SereneLife offers decent all-around performance for various tasks, but it's not built for high speeds. Generally speaking, longer boards are faster, and this one is among the shortest in our lineup. The square tail shape that aids stability also shortens the craft, ultimately slowing its glide. The rounded nose and flat bottom also translate to casual recreation but hamper top speed. Still, once you gain momentum and paddle steadily, the sense of headway is pleasant enough. You're not fighting to push a barge through the water, but you'll lose your flow if you stop paddling for a moment.

Maneuverability

The SereneLife is a reasonably maneuverable board thanks to its shorter length, rounded nose, and flat bottom. This geometry makes it somewhat less stable and a bit slower overall but also allows it to plane across the surface of the water easier and facilitates quicker, sharper turns. While turning and maneuvering largely depend on a paddler's skill, this board makes it easier for users of all abilities to make turns and point the board in the direction they want to go.

Ease of Use

A center handle makes it easy to haul this reasonably lightweight board around when inflated. Unfortunately, the lack of handles in the front and back means that you can't share the task with anyone, and it's tricky to grab the craft at its end to haul it in or out of the water. But when you're ready to pack things up and head home, this board rolls up pretty easily. It has a thinner, more plasticky feel than other pricier options, which allows it to roll smoothly and tightly. It fits back into its carry case relatively easily.

Like many modern inflatable SUP kits, everything you need packs into a single backpack for easy portage. We're talking board, paddle, pump, fin, leash, and repair kit. Since the SereneLife is a smaller board, the backpack is pretty easy to cart around. An included strap holds the folded vessel tightly together to help you wrestle it back into the bag. The pack itself is functional and reasonably durable, but it offers less structural support and carrying comfort than most other models in our lineup.

The pump included with the SereneLife is sturdy and connects securely to the board's valve. Compared to other boards with larger overall volumes, this one is a breeze to inflate thanks to its smaller size. While pumping up a SUP by hand is never an exciting prospect, remember to use your legs and body weight and keep your arms as straight as possible, and you'll be ready to go in no time.

Construction Quality

The SereneLife isn't the most impressively made SUP we've seen by a long shot. That said, we're not shocked by this as the price is well below most options on the market. It has a PVC layer of board rails and a claimed corrosion-resistant construction.

The paddle that comes with this board also isn't the most comfortable or efficient. Its flexible blade slices sideways through the water, compromising forward momentum. Buying a new paddle is likely a good idea to get the most glide out of the SereneLife. However, although the included paddle is lower-quality, some high-end modern paddles cost as much as this entire board, and most beginner paddlers will be content with the standard equipment that comes with this package.

Should You Buy the SereneLife Inflatable?

Offering a package that includes everything you need to hit the water at less than half the price of most of the boards in our review, this board's value is its best feature. With its perceived lower durability, its lifespan can certainly be extended by carrying it by the center handle and refraining from dragging it across rocks or pavement. If you do this, the board should escort you through many seasons of splashy fun.

What Other Inflatable SUPs Should You Consider?

It doesn't stack up to the best boards we tested, but the SereneLife gets the job done, providing everything you need to start paddling at an extremely accessible price point. If you already know you want to step things up, the Bote Wulf Aero is our favorite all-around, affordable board. While more expensive than the SereneLife, it's still a steal. If you've got money burning a hole in your wallet and lean toward preferring rigid boards, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon has more of that feel. If you want to step up but not spend a significant amount, check out the ROC Scout, which, when on sale, actually beats the affordability of the SereneLife.