Invented in the 1930s by US Olympic champion Adolph Kiefer, kickboards and floats soon became a staple piece of training equipment for competitive and beginner swimmers alike. By isolating the arms with a kickboard or the leg muscles with a pull buoy, swimmers can focus their energy on enhancing their stroke and kick separately.
Speedo, Zoggs, Finis, and Maru all offer top-quality kickboards for adults and children looking to improve. We've ranked the 10 best kickboards, alignment boards, and pull buoys money can buy from the always-reliable Amazon and Argos, with plenty to choose from, from junior inflatable pink boards for pool use to elite kickboards for outdoor exercise.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of swimming kickboards women available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Speedo | 2 ![]() Finis | 3 ![]() Zoggs | 4 ![]() Mad Wave | 5 ![]() No Label | 6 ![]() Maru | 7 ![]() Zoggs | 8 ![]() No Label | 9 ![]() Scale Swimming | 10 ![]() Beco |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Elite Kickboard | Alignment Kickboard | Kickboard | Alignment Kickboard | Kickboard | Pull Buoy | 3-in-1 Kickboard & Back Float | 2 in 1 Pull Kick Board | Pull Buoy | Kids' Swimming Kickboard |
Features | A Classic Kickboard With Handles and Elbow Rests for Every Type of Swimmer | A Hydrodynamic Alignment Board With Strap for Experienced Swimmers | A Kickboard Built for Speed, Featuring a Hydrodynamic Profile | An Advanced, Streamlined 2-In-1 Kickboard to Promote a Faster Glide | The Pro Handled Kickboard for Any Age to Keep You Swimming for Longer | A Colourful Pull Buoy Range Made From Non-chafing Foam in Both Adult and Child Sizes | A Kid-Friendly Float With 3 Separate Swimming Aids Styled Like a Jetpack | A 2-In-1 Board Featuring Leg and Hand Grooves From a UK-Based Brand | A Sleek Pull Buoy With an Ergonomic Design, Perfect for Adult Training | Basic, Budget-Friendly Kids Kickboards With a Sea-Life Theme in either Pink or Blue |
Price | £18.48 | £18.99 | £18.00 | £16.99 | £15.90 | £9.99 | £18.45 | £14.99 | £13.85 | £9.95 |
Type | Kickboard | Alignment board | Kickboard | 2-in-1 alignment | Kickboard | Pull buoy | 3-in-1 | 2-in-1 | Pull buoy | Kickboard |
Best for | Legs | Gliding | Legs | Legs, arms and glide | Legs | Legs | Legs, arms, gliding | Legs and arms | Arms | Legs |
Child-Friendly | No | No | No | No | One size fits adults and kids | Kids size available for under 12's | Yes, under 25 kg, 2-6 years | Yes | No | Yes, under 15 kg, 1-3 years |
Handles | Yes | Yes, strap | Yes | No, strap sold separately | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Dimensions | 35 x 27 x 4 cm | 30 x 30.5 x 7.5 cm | 42 x 30 x 3.8 cm | 28 x 28 x 6 cm | 46 x 28 cm | Adult 23.3 x 15.3 x 8 cm, child 22.5 x 12 x 9 cm | 24.5 x 18 x 8.5 cm | 27 x 23.8 x 5.8 cm | 22.3 x 11 x 10.7 cm | 34 x 21 x 3 cm |
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The most popular and well-known type is, of course, the classic floating kickboard. These foam slabs are designed to be held with both hands with your arms projected forward and your legs behind you.
This eliminates the potential for swim strokes and focuses your forward momentum into your leg muscles. The kick is an often overlooked aspect of swimming that everyone can benefit from improving, whether that's for fitness or technique.
The second type to consider isn't actually a kickboard per se, as it cancels kicking from the equation by sitting snugly between your legs as you swim. These 'pull buoys', as they're known, are great for slowing a swimmer down and helping them to focus on their strokes in a more deliberate manner.
If you can't decide on whether a kickboard or pull buoy would be more beneficial, then don't fear, as your indecision has been catered for. As the name suggests, two-in-ones offer both styles in one clever design.
These multi-use products have the outline of a kickboard with a defined, dug out middle part that aims to find a groove between your legs. This interchangeability makes for a complete swim training floatation device; however, it also means it won't necessarily excel at either discipline.
In a similar light, some child-focused kickboards are known to moonlight as both types too. These two or even three-in-one devices offer kids a back float and one or two boards in a single product through a stacked system.
While only available in a handheld form, a streamlined design could be the ticket to the swimming edge you so very desire. Streamline or 'alignment' kickboards are often made using a lighter foam and have a more triangular-shaped outline.
These two factors coupled together are why streamlined kickboards offer a more hydrodynamic slice through the water. This ergonomic shape ensures less resistance through forward motion and therefore lessens the load on your shoulders. The advancements do mean streamlined kickboards generally have a higher price tag, though.
Get even more streamlined with a swimming cap!
Kickboards designed with children in mind bring a certain element of fun to the pool that standard adult ones do not. Seen as a key to pool confidence for children, a kids' kickboard will help them improve their stroke and will have increased safety features thrown in for good measure.
As previously hinted, kickboards for kids can either come as a single kickboard with a colourful theme or as a triple stack with a strap that enables them to be also used as a back float. Whichever you go for, look for the age recommendation to ensure they are safe and suitable for your child.
Goggles are also an excellent way to increase your child's confidence!
Handles are a welcomed feature of many modern-day kickboards. They are commonly set as two ergonomic holes up at the front to provide your elbows with somewhere to rest. Slipping your hands into these dedicated holes instead of latching onto the sides of the kickboard will allow for a secure grip that's made to fit.
Another added handle bonus is you'll begin to notice your shoulders will feel more relaxed, helping sustained training sessions along with as minimal shoulder ache as possible. If a kickboard doesn't come equipped with handles, be on the lookout for any straps that might do a similar job.
mybest UK product recommendations are reviewed and curated by our writers in-house. We focus on in-depth research and analysis of product reviews to carefully select the best products available for the best prices.
£18.48
Type | Kickboard |
---|---|
Best for | Legs |
Child-Friendly | No |
Handles | Yes |
Dimensions | 35 x 27 x 4 cm |
£18.99
Type | Alignment board |
---|---|
Best for | Gliding |
Child-Friendly | No |
Handles | Yes, strap |
Dimensions | 30 x 30.5 x 7.5 cm |
£18.00
Type | Kickboard |
---|---|
Best for | Legs |
Child-Friendly | No |
Handles | Yes |
Dimensions | 42 x 30 x 3.8 cm |
£16.99
Type | 2-in-1 alignment |
---|---|
Best for | Legs, arms and glide |
Child-Friendly | No |
Handles | No, strap sold separately |
Dimensions | 28 x 28 x 6 cm |
£15.90
Type | Kickboard |
---|---|
Best for | Legs |
Child-Friendly | One size fits adults and kids |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | 46 x 28 cm |
£9.99
Type | Pull buoy |
---|---|
Best for | Legs |
Child-Friendly | Kids size available for under 12's |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | Adult 23.3 x 15.3 x 8 cm, child 22.5 x 12 x 9 cm |
£18.45
Type | 3-in-1 |
---|---|
Best for | Legs, arms, gliding |
Child-Friendly | Yes, under 25 kg, 2-6 years |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | 24.5 x 18 x 8.5 cm |
£14.99
Type | 2-in-1 |
---|---|
Best for | Legs and arms |
Child-Friendly | Yes |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | 27 x 23.8 x 5.8 cm |
£13.85
Type | Pull buoy |
---|---|
Best for | Arms |
Child-Friendly | No |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | 22.3 x 11 x 10.7 cm |
£9.95
Type | Kickboard |
---|---|
Best for | Legs |
Child-Friendly | Yes, under 15 kg, 1-3 years |
Handles | No |
Dimensions | 34 x 21 x 3 cm |
Written and researched by Connor Macanally
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