Most people who search for a SUP motor are in one of two places. Either they own a paddleboard they like and want it to go further with less effort, or they want powered paddling and have not bought a board yet. The right answer is different for each. Waydoo Europe sells both routes, a motor kit for your own board and a complete electric paddleboard, so here is an honest comparison of the two.
Two routes to a powered paddleboard
A motor kit is an add-on. You keep your board and mount a compact motor to it, and you can take it off again. An electric paddleboard is a board designed around its power system from the start: the battery, the drive and the float are made to work together. The kit is the smaller purchase. The complete board is the bigger one, with more stored energy and a drive that is part of the board rather than attached to it.
The motor kit route: Subnado SUP Kit
The Subnado SUP Kit adds a portable Subnado unit to a paddleboard you already own. It uses a quick-release mounting system, so setup and removal are simple. The Subnado has a 98 Wh built-in lithium battery, is listed as airline approved and supports 100 W USB-C fast charging. At the time of writing one set costs €439 and two sets cost €869. To fit it to your board, the Subnado Board Bracket, €45, attaches with high-strength adhesive pads to compatible SUP boards, kayaks and bodyboards.
It suits riders who already have a board, who travel, and who want light assistance rather than a powered craft. We go deeper into fitting in how to motorise your paddle board and what you need to fit a SUP motor kit.
The complete board route: UniRide eSUP
The UniRide eSUP Bundle is a complete electric paddleboard. The UniRide Core carries the PowerFlight Battery 15, a 1.5 kWh pack that swaps in seconds, even on the water. The Foldable Propulsion Module retracts into the board when you are not using it, so the bottom stays flush for shallow water and beach landings. The eSUP float carries two riders up to 180 kg, runs for up to 5 hours and reaches up to 20 km/h. The bundle includes the float, Core, battery, drive, remote, charger, fin, leash, carbon paddle and hand pump. At the time of writing it costs €3,751.
The same Core also runs four other floats, from a two-person touring board to an eFoil, which come in the UniRide All-in-One Pack. Our guide to the five UniRide setups covers them.
The two routes side by side
| Subnado SUP Kit | UniRide eSUP Bundle | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at the time of writing | €439 (1 set), €869 (2 sets) | €3,751 |
| Board included | No, uses your own board | Yes, inflatable eSUP float |
| Battery | 98 Wh per Subnado | 1.5 kWh PowerFlight Battery 15 |
| Drive | Subnado on a quick-release mount | Foldable Propulsion Module, retracts into the board |
| Published runtime and speed | See the product page | Up to 5 hours, up to 20 km/h |
| Riders | Depends on your board | 2, up to 180 kg |
| Air travel | Listed as airline approved | Ask the team before you plan it |
UniRide figures were tested with one 75 kg rider: runtime at 6 km/h, top speed in calm water over 30 seconds.
Three questions that decide it
Do you already own a board you like? If yes, a kit keeps the board and adds power for a fraction of the price. If you do not, you are buying a board anyway, and a complete electric paddleboard like the UniRide puts that money into a board built for power.
How long are your sessions? The UniRide battery stores roughly fifteen times the energy of one Subnado unit, and the store publishes up to 5 hours on the eSUP. For long days, two riders or distance along a coast, the complete board is the stronger match. For short sessions and a lighter boost, a kit does the job.
Do you fly to the water? The Subnado is compact and listed as airline approved. If your paddling happens on holiday, the kit travels with you. A complete board with a 9.1 kg, 1.5 kWh battery is one to plan around a car; ask the team before you plan air travel with it.
Two more routes, for completeness. If underwater exploring interests you as much as paddling, a Subnado Standard works as a dive scooter on its own. And if you want to fly rather than paddle, read UniRide eFoil or Flyer EVO.
Talk to the Waydoo Europe team
Related reading: which UniRide package to buy, building your own SUP motor or buying a kit, and SUP motor kits explained.
