Usually, SUP (Stand up paddleboard) can be pumped either manually with your hand or electrically using an electric pump. However, there are three ways to pump up a SUP.
- Complete manual hand pumping
- Combination of electric voltage + manual high pressure
- Combination of electric low pressure + electric high pressure
Here are the advantages of using each type:
- Complete manual hand pumping
This option is applicable for club players who have to play multiple boards at the same time. It can be used anywhere but needs extra effort. You may even get exhausted before grabbing a SUP board for paddling. It takes 10-15 minutes to pump manually. Furthermore, manual pumps may cost 50 USD to 150 USD.
- Combination of electric voltage + manual high pressure
This option can really save your energy, especially when you have to pump a family of people at the same time.
- Combination of electric low pressure + electric high pressure
This is the most portable and convenient type in terms of size and pumping. You do not have to put in any extra effort. You should remain next to the mains source to pump it electrically. You can inflate it within a minute. In case the frequency of use is low, you can use the DC12V models. If the frequency of use is high, it is better to buy the pump with built-in battery models, or external batteries. Furthermore, electric pumps may cost 75 USD to 300 USD.
All the above three pumping methods have varied time duration to pump up a SUP paddleboard. Manual pumping takes more time compared to electric pumping.
Here is the list of commonly available manual pumps in the market:
- 1.8-liter double-cylinder pump
- 1.2-liter double-cylinder pump
- 1.8-liter single-cylinder pump
- 1.2-liter single-cylinder pump
For electric series pumping, here is the list of electric pumps available in the market:
- High-efficiency AC low-pressure single air pump
- Battery model low-pressure single air pump
- Single high-pressure pump
- Double pump electric pump
Furthermore, there is a ranking order of these manual and electric pumps in terms of efficiency:
- First: high-efficiency AC low-pressure single air pump + single high-pressure pump
- Second: 1.8-liter double-cylinder manual pump
- Third: Battery models low-pressure single air pump + single high-pressure pump
- Fourth: Double pump electric pump
- Fifth: Mini 1.2-liter double-cylinder pump
- Sixth: 1.8 liters of single-cylinder pump
- Seventh: 1.2-liters of single-cylinder pump