Whether to buy a Jetboard or eFoil depends on personal preferences as well as the area you want to ride your eSurfboard. Fast and zippy or elegant curves is ultimately a matter of taste.
By Andreas Lakeberg — Founder of E-SURFER, tester of eFoils and jetboards since 2017 and board member of the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA)
As of April 2026
Jetboard or eFoil - which is better? According to E-SURFER, the eFoil is the better choice for beginners: It doesn’t require a license, is quieter, and offers 60 to 90 minutes of riding time per battery charge. A jetboard is the better choice if you want to feel the spray and prefer the classic sensation of surfing on the water’s surface.
The question is somewhat similar to the discussion of whether to ski or snowboard, as a significant part of the decision depends on personal taste. Some want to feel the water spray and experience high speeds, while others want to glide elegantly over the water. But there are also technical and legal reasons that can influence the decision.
Jetboard or eFoil: Fun Factor
The fun factor is similar for both the jetboard and the eFoil (surfboard with motor), but it’s just a little different. Riding an electric hydrofoil is often compared to snowboarding in powder snow. I would even say it is closer to surfing than jetboarding. I say this because the foil board is similarly easy (or even more sensitive) to steer by shifting weight. A jet board, on the other hand, doesn't have the same turning ability due to the drive at the end of the board. That's why you see the sportier boards also equipped with foot-straps and handles to make turning easier.
When it comes to speed, the jetboard comes out on top. If you like high speeds of up to 60 km/h and want to corner steeply, you should consider a jet board. While the eFoils aren't slow at up to 45 km/h, the cruising speed is actually 25-30 km/h. You wouldn't necessarily shoot the slope with a snowboard either, but you would probably with a ski. In addition, a fall at 45 km/h on an eFoilboard would be a lot more dangerous and painful than at 60 km/h on the water surface because of the height to the water surface.
If anyone wants to race, it would be with an eJetboard. This is not to say that an eFoil is boring. Here, too, riders are pushing themselves further and further. For example, the first attempts at backflips and 360-degree turns can already be seen on videos.
Our verdict after hundreds of test rides: The eFoil offers a more unique and sustainable experience - similar to the difference between backcountry snowboarding and carving on the slopes. The jetboard makes more noise and creates more spray, but the eFoil leaves a stronger impression.
Jetboard or eFoil – Technical Differences
The key technical difference: Jetboards offer 20–40 minutes of ride time, while eFoils provide 60–90 minutes - and with special high-efficiency wings, even up to two hours. The reason is physical: as soon as an eFoil takes off, water resistance is drastically reduced and energy consumption drops by up to 70 percent.
A jetboard, on the other hand, is constantly battling against the water’s surface. The result: eFoil batteries are smaller, lighter, and charge faster. An eFoil weighs about 30 kg including the battery, while a comparable jetboard weighs 50 kg or more.
Legal Considerations - Jetboard or eFoil
In Germany for example, all motorized surfboards over 2.2 kW must be registered and have a license plate. While eFoils pass as small vehicles, jet boards must be registered as a personal watercraft (jet ski). Jet skis, and thus jet-boards, may be ridden on inland waters only on designated jet ski routes. Outside such routes, the jet boards may thus only be used for a so-called hiking trip. A hiking trip is a straight drive from A to B without making unnecessary turns. This is quite counterproductive when jetboarding 😉
The reason for this is the increased noise emissions due to the jet drive as well as the wave impact, which does not occur with the eFoils.
The riding spot
Jetboard or eFoil? So the legal aspects can have an influence on the choice whether to buy a Jetboard or eFoil. On some lakes you would rather get problems with the authorities with jetboards. The situation is different at the sea. Here there are hardly any restrictions for eJetboards.
But there are also area-specific hurdles for the electric hydrofoils. Shallow water or sandbars, for example. To ride an eFoil, the water should be at least 1.20 meters deep, otherwise it can happen that you touch down. Shallow areas, where you sometimes have to walk 100 meters or more to get it deep enough, can also be a pain for e-foil riders.
Speed limits on lakes, which are usually around 25 km/h (at least here in Germany), would again be an argument for the electric foil board. Here you are in the range with the above-mentioned cruising speed. With the 40 to 60 km/h fast jetboards rather not. Many small and sporty jetboards can not be ridden at all below 25 km/h, because otherwise the planning is not achieved and thus the buoyancy is not enough.
Jetboard or eFoil - Difficulty level
You would think that e-foiling is more difficult to learn than riding a jet board. In principle, this is true, because an e-foilboard is very sensitive to weight shift as soon as it takes off. So you have to have a good sense of balance. However, the comparison also depends on the particular model. A big jet board like the mo-jet SURF with 210 liters volume is very easy to ride. Definitely easier than any e-foil. On the other hand, a small jet board, like the Awake Rävik Ultimate with only 61 liters of volume is harder to ride than a bigger electric foil board with a large wing. Especially for heavier riders.
On top of that, when you ride an electric hydrofoil on the surface (i.e. not taking off), the underwater wing gives you further stability. But ultimately, the eFoil is meant to float. All in all, the eFoil is a little more difficult, but can be mastered within an hour by anyone with water sports experience. With the Lampuga, you just stand on it and go.
Frequently Asked Questions - Jetboard or eFoil
What is the difference between a jetboard and an eFoil?
A jetboard rides on the water's surface like a traditional surfboard, but with an electric motor. An eFoil lifts out of the water thanks to its hydrofoil mast and hovers up to 80 cm above it. The riding experience is fundamentally different - a jetboard stays close to the surface and is agile, while an eFoil is smooth and glides effortlessly.
Which is easier to learn - jetboarding or eFoil?
A jetboard is easier to learn because it stays on the surface of the water and feels intuitive, just like surfing. E-foiling requires a sense of balance to stay airborne, but with the right setup, you can master it in 1 to 2 hours. We offer test rides and lessons for both.
Which is faster - a jetboard or an eFoil?
Both reach top speeds of 40 to 55 km/h. High-performance jetboards like the Awake RAVIK or JETSURF are marginally faster at the upper limit. In everyday use, both travel at speeds between 25 and 40 km/h - but the eFoil feels subjectively much faster because it hovers.
Which is more expensive - a jetboard or an eFoil?
Prices for both categories start at around 10,000 euros and go up to over 20,000 euros for top-of-the-line models. eFoils incur additional costs due to battery wear and wing accessories. Jetboards have higher maintenance costs for the propulsion system. All in all, the two categories are in a similar price range.
Do you need a driver's license to ride a jetboard or an eFoil?
In Germany, both are classified as light vehicles and must be registered if their engine power exceeds 2.21 kW (3 hp). People aged 16 and older may drive them without a driver’s license as long as the engine power is less than 15 hp (11 kW). For electric models, however, the limit is 7.5 kW.
Which is better for beginners - a jetboard or an eFoil?
If you’re a complete beginner looking for something with no learning curve, a jetboard is the easier option. But if you’re seeking that spectacular gliding experience and are willing to invest 1 to 3 hours in learning, an eFoil is the better choice in the long run - the riding experience is more unique and, according to our customers, far more addictive.
Jetboard or eFoil - Conclusion
Choose the eFoil if you’re riding on German inland waters, want long sessions without interruption, and are looking for that gliding sensation. The battery life is three times longer, the legal requirements are significantly less, and the riding experience is more unique.
Choose the Jetboard if you’re riding at the ocean, want maximum speed and the classic surfing feel on the water’s surface—or if you don’t want to deal with a learning curve.
In the E-SURFER training sessions led by Andreas Lakeberg since 2017, we’ve compared both devices with hundreds of riders.
If we had to choose one: it would be the eFoil. Not just because of the battery life or the quiet operation—but because the feeling of gliding silently over the water stays with anyone who’s experienced it. You can test ride both types of equipment in our Berlin showroom and decide for yourself.
I look forward to your opinion and feedback in our forum. There you can of course also ask further questions.
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