The Best Wave Riding E Foil & Foil Assist Boards
The ultimate guide to the LiftX, Fliteboard, FLITELab AMP Jet*, and Foil Drive, revealing which eFoil is best for you.
At Kiteboarding Closeouts, we’re dedicated to innovative water sports equipment, and Billy has thoroughly reviewed some of the leading electric foil systems available: LiftX, Fliteboard, FLITELab AMP Jet*, and Foil Drive.
This video explores their features, performance, and value to guide you in selecting the ideal setup for your riding style.
Lift X: The Hybrid Powerhouse
The LiftX from Lift Foils is a hybrid board that bridges the gap between eFoiling and unpowered foil surfing, drawing inspiration from Lift’s downwind foil heritage. This isn’t just an eFoil-It’s an entirely new way to ride. Where surf meets powered foil. Available in three sizes (4’3”, 4’8”, and 5’2”), it’s designed for riders seeking versatility. Its carbon fiber construction is lightweight yet durable, with a pronounced rocker and tapered tail for quick planing and efficient glide. It’s the first-ever hybrid foil platform designed to let you harness natural forces, then switch seamlessly to power propulsion. It’s the ultimate crossover ride for those who refuse to be limited.
Ride the wind, harness the swell, or engage electric propulsion at the push of a button. No limits. No compromises. Just pure, uninterrupted flow.
Pros:
Quiet Operation: Delivers a near-silent ride for a serene on-water experience.
Quick Setup: The Lift Connect System ensures fast, hassle-free assembly.
Travel-Friendly: Lift Connect System simplifies disassembly for easy storage and transport.
Smooth Ride: Offers a balanced and stable foiling experience across conditions.
High-Mount Option: High-mount propulsion mast enhances performance in choppy waters.
Quality Foils: Includes high-aspect 148 Havoc LCS wings for versatile, smooth performance.
Variety: Available in three board sizes with multiple color options for personalization.
Cons:
Bulky Controller: The large hand controller can feel cumbersome during extended use.
Strong Torque: Significant torque on takeoff may challenge less experienced riders.
Fixed Configuration: No customizable ordering; base model requires separate add-on purchases.
Battery Travel Restrictions: Current battery design is not approved for air travel, limiting portability.
Power:
- Battery Cell: 0.9 kWh capacity delivering averages of 45 minutes of ride time, perfect for reaching beyond the break.
- High or Low motor positions available
Safety:
- Watertight Protection: IP68-rated double-walled enclosure for enhanced durability.
- Proactive Safety Measures: Fault detection and short protection for secure operation.
- Auto Shutdown: Drop detection system with automatic shutdown if water ingress is detected.
- Automatic Tilt Detection: This feature is designed to prevent unintentional motor engagement and will automatically shut of the motor if the board tilts past a certain angle. This helps to reduce the risk of injury.
- Automatic Motor Shutdown: When the hand controller is released or if it’s submerged in water the motor will shut off.
Best For: Experienced foilers who want a simple crossover board for both eFoiling and unpowered surfing.
Flite Ultra L2: High End Performance
The ULTRA L2 blurs the line between eFoil and surf foil. Impossibly light, slim, stiff and hydrodynamically efficient, it performs like nothing else. They created an eFoil so light, agile and responsive, it feels like an unpowered surf foil. Designed with steep takeoffs and sharp turns in mind. ULTRA L2 has evolved into a slimmer board, boasting enhanced responsiveness and agility allowing seamless transitions and touchdowns. Less weight.
More performance.
By centralizing the mass of the battery over the mast and narrowing the shape of the board they minimized the swing weight of ULTRA L2. The result is an eFoil that effortlessly transfers from edge to edge, allowing for deeper carves and sharper cutbacks.
Pros:
Lightweight Design: Offers a balanced, agile feel for effortless control.
Inline Propulsion: Prevents prop breaches, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted rides.
Battery Options: Multiple battery choices cater to different ride durations and preferences.
Customizable Ordering: Configurable purchase options allow tailored setups from the start.
Foil Compatibility: Works seamlessly with FLITELab* foils for enhanced versatility.
Robust Safety: Packed with safety features to protect riders and equipment.
Feature-Rich App: The Lift app includes advanced tools for performance tracking and customization.
Cons:
Noisy Operation: Lower-pitched motor sound but noticeably louder during rides.
Non-Intuitive Components: Parts, controllers, and charger lack user-friendly design.
Complex Startup: Requires pressing multiple buttons on the controller to start and engage the throttle each ride.
Assembly Hassle: Numerous parts to assemble, increasing setup time.
Subpar Foils: Foils underperform compared to competitors’ offerings.
Premium Price: High cost may deter budget-conscious buyers.
Limited Options: Only one board size and color option available.
Power:
- Flitecell Sport: 23.4 lbs / 10.6 kg, 30 AH, 1.6 kWh Capacity. Foil time up to 1.5 hours.
- Flitecell Nano: 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg, 16.8 AH, .8 kWh Capacity. Foil time up to 45 min.
- Prop or Jet Options
- Motor output 3kW.
Safety:
- Arming Procedure: Flite uses a safety lock for arming the motor. To unlock / arm the motor, pull the trigger and release it. Then, press and release the minus button. From there you have five second window to pull the trigger. This feature removes the risk of accidentally pulling the trigger and running the motor when you don’t want to.
- Instant Power Cut-Off: This feature allows for quick and reliable way to disable the motor in emergency situations, providing peace of mind
- Flite Controller: Fliteboard detects when the Flite Controller is submerged and immediately shuts down the motor to avoid injury.
- Automatic Tilt Detection: The board’s inertial measurement unit (IMU) detects the board’s angle. If the angle exceeds a certain threshold, the motor automatically cuts off, preventing accidents, even if the user is still holding the trigger.
- Motor Test Mode: This mode allows users to test the motor and assembly on land before riding, ensuring everything is functioning correctly and reducing the risk of accidents during actual use.
- Motor Cool Down Mode: Advanced sensors monitor the motor’s temperature. If overheating is detected, a cooling procedure is initiated, limiting the eFoil to low gears to protect the motor components.
- Flitecell Battery Safety: Advanced safety features include monitoring the battery temperature via the Flite Controller. In the event of overheating, the Flite Controller alerts the user, and the safety system will shut down the Flitecell as needed.
Best For: Riders seeking a premium, versatile eFoil with cutting-edge features and a focus on safety.
Foil Drive: The First Ever Foil Assist System
The Foil Drive is the worlds first foil assist designed to electrify any mast, any foil for any discipline. As pioneers and industry leaders of hybrid foiling, foil drive provides a high performance, quality product with incomparable support. They offer customizable options to match your unique riding style. The system is designed to be a super-lightweight retrofit motor kit and provide just enough boost to get on the foil while keeping weight low and performance high. Less weight. More agility.
It’s designed for maximum flexibility, allowing riders to customize their setup for prone, pump, or wing foiling. It’s small battery prioritizes weight savings over long runtime, making it ideal for short, assisted sessions.
Pros:
Universal Compatibility: Configurable to work with any existing foil setup for maximum versatility.
Lightweight Design: Lighter construction enhances pumping efficiency and maneuverability.
Battery Variety: Multiple battery options cater to different ride durations and preferences.
Travel-Friendly Batteries: Includes batteries approved for air travel, simplifying transport.
Affordable Pricing: Competitive price point offers strong value for a premium eFoil.
Agile Performance: Delivers rippable, responsive handling, especially with the slim model.
Mast Options: Various mast heights available to suit different riding styles and conditions.
Cons:
Complex Assembly: Numerous parts require significant time and effort to assemble; a dedicated mast with Foil Drive pre-installed is recommended.
Subpar Small Parts: Smaller components lack the premium quality of the main system.
Sensitive Batteries: Batteries require careful handling and maintenance to avoid issues.
Noisy Ride: Loud operation due to the propeller often breaching the water surface.
Connectivity Issues: Prone to intermittent connection problems, which can disrupt performance.
Power:
- Battery Time Range: 30min – 2hrs.
- Max Sport Battery: 332.64 Wh
- Max Sport Power: 498.69 Wh
- Max Hight Power: 594 Wh
- Slim Endurance: 241 Wh
- Slim Performance: 166 Wh
- Assist Plus: 12.6 Ah
- Assist Plus Small: 4.2 Ah
- High Power Motor: 30kg of maximum thrust
- Standard Motor: 25kg of thrust
Safety:
- Inactivity Alarm: Motor will pulse briefly creating an audible sound to remind users to remove the battery from the unit when it’s not in use.
- Throttle Lock: The throttle automatically locks when the system and controller are turned on, users can press and hold the trigger for three seconds to unlock the throttle.
Best For: Experienced foilers who want a cost-effective assist for wave-catching without committing to a full eFoil.
FLITELab Amp Jet: Next Level Foil Assist System
Pros:
Lightweight Construction: Enhances maneuverability and reduces fatigue for extended sessions.
No Mast-Mounted Motor: Eliminates extra drag for a smoother, more efficient ride.
Prone-Focused Design: Optimized for prone foiling, ideal for wave-riding enthusiasts.
Nimble Performance: Easy pumping and highly responsive, delivering a rippable ride.
Travel-Safe Batteries: Batteries are approved for air travel, simplifying transport.
Universal Compatibility: Works with any foil and mast setup for maximum flexibility.
Versatile Board Use: AMP Jet Board can be used without the Jet insert by swapping in a foam blank.
Enhanced Safety: No exposed propeller and additional safety features reduce injury risks.
Cons:
Limited Motor Use: Cannot motor around to catch multiple waves without pumping, reducing ease of use.
Wave Dependency: Requires waves to get on foil, limiting flat-water performance.
Skill Requirement: Demands prone or surf skills, less accessible for beginners.
Untested Technology: As of August 1, 2025, the tech lacks user testing, raising reliability concerns.
Unavailable Motor Assist: Electric motor and prop assist not yet available as of August 1, 2025.
Power:
- Amp Cell: 142Wh fly-safe batteries
- Amp Jet: 25kgof max thrust when using 2 x battery cells
Safety:
- Advanced Battery Monitoring System: Continuously monitors the battery’s health and performance, ensuring it operates within safe parameters.
- Phase Change Material: Provides thermal headroom for battery, preventing overheating and ensuring safe operation even under stress.
- Humidity Sensor: Detects any moisture ingress into the battery compartment, altering the rider to potential sealing issues.
- Sight Glass: Allows for visual inspection of the battery compartment for any signs of moisture, providing a backup to the sensor.
- Launch Pad Auto-Cutoff: The launch pad not only controls the jet’s power but also automatically cuts power when the board is out of the water, preventing unintended operation and conserving battery life.
- Integrated Design: The Amp jet is fully integrated into the board, minimizing drag and potential hazards associated with external components and propellers.
- Hands-Free Operation: The Launch Pad allows for hands-free control of the jet, enabling rider to focus on their riding
Best For: Advanced foilers looking for a lightweight, powerful assist for prone or wing foiling.
Comparison and Recommendations:
Beginners: The Fliteboard Ultra L2 is ideal due to its forgiving learning curve, and robust safety features. The Fliteboard’s cruise control-style controller simplifies speed management.
Intermediate to Advanced Riders: The Fliteboard Ultra L2 offers unmatched performance and customization, while the LiftX excels for those prioritizing cross-discipline compatibility.
Wave Riders: The FLITELab AMP Jet* is perfect for advanced foilers chasing uncatchable waves, The Foil Drive Gen 2 is a solid alternative for those with existing foil setups.
Budget-Conscious: Foil Drive offers the best value for experienced riders with a foil setup.
Final Thoughts:
Each of these systems brings something unique to the table. LiftX blends eFoiling with unpowered foiling, Fliteboard sets the standard for premium eFoils, FLITELab AMP Jet* pushes the boundaries of foil assists, and Foil Drive offers unmatched flexibility. At Kiteboarding Closeouts, we recommend demoing before buying to find the best fit for your skill level and riding goals. Check out our shop for the latest eFoil and foil assist gear, and let us know your thoughts in our video comment section.