Best Kayak Paddles Under $100 [Buying Guide 2021]

2. Bending Branches Whisper Dream Paddle – Best for Low Angle Kayaking

If you are new to kayaking and need a paddle that suits you, Bending Branches Whisper is the paddle you are looking for. It has rounded blades that are nicely manufactured and are lightweight and a blend of injection-molded nylon and fiberglass make it easier to paddle for a long time with less fatigue even with a heavy load. Blades also have a silent design which makes them enter and leave water swiftly.

Bending Branches claim their paddles have a breakage rate of less than 0.03%, and I am here to tell you that I can hardly doubt it. It has adjustable construction and can be separated easily into two pieces for compact and easy traveling, so you don’t have to worry about the space needed to store the paddle.

Moreover, the Dream paddle comes with a snug-fitting three-hole snap button which can be adjusted for feathering angles, Zero degrees, and 60 degrees for both left or right control. It makes you able to pull through the water smoothly and helps you keep a flutter-free stroke even if you’re a beginner. Grips are firm as they are ovalized and the shaft is also coated for the comfort of the user.

3. Carlisle Magic Plus Kayak Paddle – Best for Touring and Recreational

The efficient and energetic Carlisle Magic Plus comes next on our list of best kayaking paddles under 100. It paddles as well as any expensive unit and has been my best choice for touring and recreational purposes. It’s asymmetrical, slightly spooned blades and flexible fiberglass shaft produces swift yet energetic strokes.

Carlisle Magic Plus has a fiberglass shaft that makes it sturdy and provides a balance needed between stiffness, strong paddle stroke, and flex required to lessen the stress on the body. It can be adjusted for feathering from zero to 60 degrees for both right and left blades.

This paddle comes in three different sizes, 220 cm, 230 cm, and 240 cm, and can be reduced to two pieces which makes it easier to store. When it comes to design and looks, these are vibrant and really good-looking paddles, come in three colors. Its vibrancy not only makes it look good but also serves safety purposes as these colors are visible from a long distance.

Bending Branches Whisper Dream Paddle Vs Carlisle Magic Plus Kayak Paddle

4. Shoreline Marine – Best Inexpensive Kayak Paddle

If you’re running short on budget and looking for a kayak’s paddle you can afford, Shoreline Marine is the paddle you’re looking for. It comes in two colors; black and blue and I really can’t separate which one looks more decent. It comes in two sizes; 72 inches and 96 inches enabling you to select the paddle according to your height. The design is simple yet classy.

When it comes to material, the shaft is made up of aluminum and is painted black to give it a more decent look. The gripping area is made up of foam making it comfortable for the user. Drip guards are also there to prevent you from getting wet. The blades are 18 inches in length and 7 inches at their widest point.

Another feature worth mentioning is that blades are of a narrower shape which is suitable for you if you want speed, but they work just fine if you take them to recreational kayaking. It is also a lightweight paddle so yeah good for recreational kayaking again. Moreover, the paddle has three locking positions enabling the feathering from zero degrees to 60 degrees for both left and right blades.

This paddle is lightweight and is not a good choice if you are looking to kayak in heavy waves or marshy river areas and moreover, its blades are narrow and don’t really provide much speed.

5. Carlisle Predator Angler Kayak Paddle – Best for Fishing

Just like Magic Plus, Predator Angler is another fine production of Carlisle. Carlisle is working pretty hard to come up with the best kayaking equipment. Their products have improved a lot over time. From manufacturing the kayak and its equipment to repairing it, they are doing it all. So, Carlisle is the company you can rely on and we bet they won’t disappoint you.

Coming to the Angler, it is an affordable, well-performing, and durable kayak paddle. Just like the Magic Plus, it has an exotic design. It comes in camo, lime camo, and urban camo colors. Blades are vibrant and look really cool. As described before colors not only give the paddle a good look but also ensures safety as it can be seen from a long distance.

The shaft is made up of fiberglass making it a lightweight paddle, so you can take it on a long run without worrying about stress on your muscles and joints. The blades are made of fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene which makes it quite a great balance between low weight and durability. Quality of material enables this paddle to bear all the abuse yet giving you an efficient performance.

The sizes available are 230 cm, 240 cm, and 250 cm, so you can select the size of your desire and it comes in two pieces enabling you to store it in a lesser space.

One cool feature which has become part of the new paddles is the hook retrieval system that is integrated into its blade which helps to pull off or lure in the fishing line. This system assists a lot to the people who are new to kayak fishing and if you are not able to cast line properly? No worries, Predator Angler is there to help you out. I will put it as the best paddle for fishing.

Carlisle Magic Plus VS Carlisle Predator Angler

6. Cannon Paddles Escape E Kayak Paddle – Best for Beginners

Escape E Kayak paddle is the best paddle there is. It severs all the purposes from recreational kayaking to professional kayaking, it is perfect for all forms of kayaking.

It comes in three sizes 220 cm, 230 cm, and 240 cm, so both short-sighted and high-sighted people can benefit from it. The black color is the only one it is available in.

Talking about the material used in its construction, when it comes to the shaft, it is made up of heat-treated and anodized aircraft-grade aluminum. Blades are constructed with reinforced black nylon which can stand a lot of abuse water has to offer consequently making it a durable paddle.

One feature I love about this paddle is that Cannon has kept user compliance very much into account while designing this paddle and has made the shaft ovalized at the gripping points which gives the user a fine, comfortable, and steady grip preventing you from getting tired.

As it has become a norm with the paddles, the shaft has three locking positions which enable the feathering from zero to 60 degrees so you don’t have to worry about the wind during the kayaking.

7. ADVANCED ELEMENTS Orbit Kayak Paddle – Best for Inflatable Kayaks

Almost all the previously reviewed paddles come in different sizes but ADVANCED ELEMENTS Orbit has something contrary to that. It doesn’t come in different sizes, but its size is adjustable. Its size can be adjusted from 225 to 235 cm, so yeah different sizes in the same paddle.

Angles of Orbit’s blades are designed delicately, so provide swift yet efficient thrust with every stroke. The design of the blades enables feathering during windy conditions.

When it comes to the material used, the shaft of the Orbit is constructed from rigid fiberglass and is made corrosion-proof. Since it’s made up of rigid fiberglass, it has less flexibility than the other paddles made up of simple fiberglass. So, if you are used to flexible paddles and they’re bouncing off after you tackle some rocks, this might not be that efficient on that front, but this gives durability. Blades are made up of glass-filled nylon.

8. Kwik Tek Kayak Paddle – Best for Beginners

Kwik Tek Kayak Paddle comes in only one size that is 84 inches or 7 feet. It comes in two pieces. So, being 7-feet and coming in two pieces makes it easy for storing and transport. You also need to be mindful of its length if you have kayaks with fairly high gunwales as this will require you to hold the paddle very high and at a large angle to reach the water which can be very tiring. Kwik Tek has also come up with models which have three and four sections.

When it comes to the material used, the shaft is made up of lightweight aluminum, which makes it durable and corrosion-resistant, but people have been complaining of it being rusty after being in contact with seawater. The blades of this paddle have been made curved which promotes good paddling efficiency. Angles of the blades can be adjusted for standard or offset paddling.

Moreover, the shaft has foam hand grips for comfort and dripping guards are also there to keep you dry and to help paddle float in case you accidentally throw it away. It only comes in one color that is red which can be seen from a distance if you are paddling with other people. It is lightweight and sturdy and snaps up easily.

ADVANCED ELEMENTS Orbit Kayak Paddle VS Kwik Tek Kayak Paddle

9. Seasense x-1 Kayak Paddle – An All Purpose Paddle

Next on our list of best budget kayak paddles is Seasense x-1 which is the predecessor of the Xtreme-2 which has already been reviewed at the start of the list. From exploring ponds to navigating almost any river, it is best for any exploration. It’s a two-piece paddle with the shaft of aluminum making it lightweight and blades are constructed from molded plastic.

The aluminum shaft makes it lightweight and can be used in long-run recreational kayaking. Blades are made from plastic ensuring maximum elasticity, but heavy resistance from water may render it inefficient.

One cool feature is that it has dripping rubbers which can be adjusted according to the flow of the water. These rubbers stop water from running down and keep you dry. The blades are of a narrower size, so it doesn’t provide the fast speed but it’s good for recreational kayaking trips. It has foam grips which are nice and comfortable.

10. Shoreline Marine Propel Motion Kayak Paddle – Best for Speed Kayaking

The first thing you will notice about Shoreline Marine Propel Motion is its looks. It is one of the best-looking paddles. It comes in two sizes, 84 and 96 inches. Blades are of white color which is printed with green or blue color. The shaft is either of green or blue color and I find that really cool.

It has a shaft that is made up of aluminum making it lightweight and comfortable. The foam grip is installed for a steady, firm, and comfortable grip. Blades are constructed from plastic giving them flexibility and the ability to stand abuse from water.

Conveniently, it has three locking positions which enable the feathering at different positions making it good for righties as well as lefties. Blades also have dripping guards which make the paddle float and keep you dry.

As it can happen with any paddle, the drip rings can sometimes slide down the shaft which can get the paddler slightly wet, but this can be fixed with a few 1/8″ wide zip ties and put just above the point you want your drip guards to be fixed at.

Marine Propel Motion has the least weight of all the paddles on our list. Its blades are also wider in size and have nice curved ends. Its lightweight and wider and curved blades give kayak the speed one needs. It can be disassembled into two pieces for easy storage and convenient transport.