Let the battle for the best compact paddleboard begin with the Aquaplanet Allround 10 vs Bluefin Compact Lite – both SUPs are built around the same idea — a compact paddleboard that’s easy to carry, easy to store, and doesn’t take up a ton of space in your garage when you’re not using it. Both are lightweight 10ft boards aimed at beginners and recreational paddlers who want a small SUP without the usual faff of storing and transporting a full-size board.
I’ve broken this comparison down into 20 individual points across design, portability, performance, kit, and value, and awarded each to whichever board does it better.
It’s close. Very close, but you’ll have to keep reading to find out which is the winner!
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Aquaplanet loaned me the Allround 10/Bluefin gifted the Compact lite for review. All opinions are my own.
Quick Comparison
Here’s how the two compact paddleboards stack up at a glance before we get into the full breakdown.
| Aquaplanet Allround 10 | Bluefin Compact Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £249 | £329.99 |
| Board Weight | 7.8kg | 9.5kg |
| Width | 33″ | 34″ |
| Pump | Electric (12V) | Manual dual-action |
| Bag | Tote | Backpack |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 years |
The numbers and stats only tell you so much though — the real differences show up once you’re actually carrying, packing and paddling these boards.
5% discount applied via Aquaplanet links | Save £10 off Bluefin SUPs with code STEVEBFIN
Design & Build Quality
DeckPad
This is a close one. The Compact Lite is more comfortable underfoot for longer durations, which is why it wins, but the Croco Grip EVA deck pad doesn’t fold away anywhere near as compact as the Allround 10’s Gecko Grip. For me, comfort wins out over pack size, especially if you’re planning sessions longer than an hour or two, but I get why some people would call it the other way.
Attachment Points
Metal D-rings win over fabric for durability and longevity. I also found the fabric loops a little awkward in comparison, particularly when I was trying to clip on a kayak seat. The metal rings just feel more solid and give you a bit more confidence they’ll hold up over the years.
Construction
Aquaplanet uses heat-fusion welded seams, whereas Bluefin uses ESL technology as well as military-grade PVC construction and super-reinforced composite drop-stitch. More going on in the Compact Lite’s build, which is why it takes this one. Both are well made boards for the price, but Bluefin are clearly putting more layers of tech into the way this one’s put together.
Style
If there’s one thing Bluefin never fails at, it’s creating stunning-looking boards that stand out with bold, vibrant colours and funky designs. The Compact Lite comes in a Pink Coral (orange/pink) and a Blue Lagoon (teal/blue) option, and both look eye-catching on the beach. Don’t get me wrong, the Aquaplanet Allround 10 has style too and comes in more colourways, but it still loses out on this point.
Portability
Backpack
The Allround 10’s tote bag is great, but I still prefer a backpack for comfort and ease when carrying it over any distance. Once you’ve got the straps over both shoulders rather than slung over one, the difference on a longer walk down to the water is obvious. The Compact Lite’s padded straps distribute the weight properly, so even though it’s the heavier board on paper, it still feels easier to carry.
Handles
When it comes to manoeuvring your board in and out of the water and on land, 3 handles are always better than 1. It makes a real difference getting the board off a roof rack, hauling it up a bank, or just repositioning it on the beach — the Allround 10’s single centre handle does the job, but it leaves you with fewer options when you actually need them.
Weight
7.8kg makes the Allround 10 one of the lightest paddleboards on the market, whereas the Compact Lite is 9.5kg, which is quite a difference but typical of Bluefin SUPs, which are often heavier than most. You’ll feel that difference the moment you pick either board up one-handed — the Allround 10 barely registers.
Overall Portability
The Compact Lite wins this round, even though it’s the heavier of the two, thanks to its additional handles and comfortable backpack, over the Allround 10’s tote and single centre carry handle. Weight on paper is one thing, but how a board actually feels to carry from the car to the water is another, and the Compact Lite has the edge here.
Storage & Pack Size
This is where the “compact” in compact paddleboard really gets tested — how small each one actually goes once it’s rolled up and packed away.
Cargo
At first sight I would have given this to the Allround 10, but out on the water I found the Compact Lite’s cargo to be more secure with better tension. It may look unconventional in its design, but it performed better — a dry bag or spare layer stayed put where I’d have expected it to shift about.
SUP Packed Size
This is an easy win for the Allround 10, which is noticeably smaller when rolled up alongside the Compact Lite, as well as the fact that the accessories are also designed to be as compact as possible — 4-piece paddle, electric pump, the lot. If shelf space or boot space is tight, this is the board that’s going to take up less of it.
Packed Storage
The Allround 10 is quite a bit smaller, lighter and more compact, with all items — including the paddle — fitting inside the bag. The Compact Lite’s paddle has to sit on the outside of the bag, making it more awkward to store, and it’s one more thing to think about if you’re trying to fit everything into a boot or a cupboard.
5% discount applied via Aquaplanet links | Save £10 off Bluefin SUPs with code STEVEBFIN
Performance on the Water
Manoeuvrability
Both boards are identical when it comes to length — both are 10 foot. The Aquaplanet has more of a pointed tip compared to the Compact Lite’s round tip, meaning the Allround 10 cuts cleaner through the water. The reduced weight and narrower width also help the board glide and manoeuvre better, so if you’re after something a bit more responsive under the paddle, this is the one.
Stability
As mentioned above, the narrower width on the Allround 10 makes for a quicker board at the sacrifice of stability. Honestly, both are wide, beginner-friendly boards, but don’t let anyone tell you that extra inch doesn’t make a difference — it’s noticeable the moment you’re standing up in choppier water.
Kit & Accessories
Fin
Bluefin’s 9in US fin box — although a little fiddlier than a quick clip-in, it’s more secure and provides better tracking once you’re out on the water. The fin box also allows for more versatility, accepting a wider variety of fins if you ever want to swap it out for something with more bite. The Allround 10’s clip-in system is faster to set up, but versatility wins out on this point.
Pump
The Allround 10 comes complete with an electric pump. Need I say more? Plug it into your car’s 12V socket, and it does the work for you while you sort the rest of your kit out. The Compact Lite’s dual-action manual pump is a decent bit of kit in its own right, but there’s no getting around the fact that one board makes you do the inflating and the other doesn’t.
Paddle
Both have pretty standard aluminium paddles, so this one comes down to how they pack away rather than how they perform on the water. The Allround 10 wins here due to its compactness, breaking down into 4 pieces instead of 3, which means it fits inside the tote bag rather than needing to be strapped on separately.
Leash
Both leashes are coiled with a padded ankle strap, but Aquaplanet takes the lead with this accessory thanks to its quick-release mechanism. It’s the sort of feature you hope you never need, but if you ever come off in a hurry near rocks or shallow water, being able to ditch the leash in a second rather than fumbling with a strap is important.
Camera Mount
This is an easy one — the Compact Lite includes a threaded action camera mount, while the Allround 10 is missing a camera mounting option altogether. If you’re the sort who likes to capture your paddles, that’s one less accessory you need to buy separately and rig up yourself.
Value for Money
Warranty
Bluefin offers an industry best when it comes to warranty (5 years) – matched only by a few premium brands — winning over Aquaplanet’s 3 years. That said, 3 years is still more than many others, who typically only offer a 1–2 year warranty on their SUPs, so it’s not like Aquaplanet are behind the market here; Bluefin are just ahead of it.
Cost
Aquaplanet beat Bluefin on price, and that’s even with an electric pump included. Bluefin are industry leaders when it comes to build quality and warranty, so the price isn’t unjustified, but if you’re looking from a purely budget-friendly point of view, Aquaplanet take this one. £80 buys you a fair bit elsewhere in your kit list.
Final Score
That’s all 20 points covered, from the deck underfoot to the price tag. Neither board ran away with it — the Allround 10 held its own on weight, pack size and manoeuvrability, while the Compact Lite kept picking up points on comfort, stability and kit. Add them all up, though, and one board does come out ahead.
And the winner is… drumroll please…
WINNER – Bluefin Compact Lite 10″ with 12 points out of 20
Bluefin wins out here on points, but only just — it’s very close!
Which Should You Buy?
The Compact Lite is the better option overall, and once you tot up the numbers it’s not hard to see why. It’s easier to transport, both in the backpack and once it’s inflated, and it’s more comfortable underfoot, gives you a more versatile setup for gear and action cameras, and the construction, style, stability and warranty all edge it too. Put all that together, and the win doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
The Allround 10 fights back on accessories, packs down smaller, is lighter, is more budget-friendly, and manoeuvres better on the water. None of that should be overlooked either — if you’re paddling regularly rather than just a handful of times a year, that extra manoeuvrability and the money saved start to count for a lot more.
If you’re a complete beginner looking to use this purely on a recreational basis, the Compact Lite is going to be a fun compact paddleboard that lasts you a long time. The Allround 10 is going to grow with you a bit more as your paddleboarding experience grows, thanks to its better manoeuvrability and shape, and it’s much easier to store. The electric pump is a great point in its favour too — but this board really comes into its own if you’re looking to use it beyond just occasional recreational paddling.
At the end of the day, these are two boards built for slightly different paddlers rather than one being a straight upgrade on the other. The Compact Lite pips it on points, but the margin’s small enough that it shouldn’t be the only thing deciding it for you — think about how you’ll actually use the board, and the right choice tends to follow. You won’t go far wrong with either.
For more detail on each one individually, take a look at my full Aquaplanet Allround 10 review, or where the Compact Lite fits into my Bluefin paddle boards guide.
5% discount applied via Aquaplanet links | Save £10 off Bluefin SUPs with code STEVEBFIN
Aquaplanet Allround 10 vs Bluefin Compact Lite FAQs
What’s the best compact paddleboard for beginners?
Both of these boards are built specifically as compact, lightweight paddleboards, so either is a solid choice if storage and portability are your priority. The Bluefin Compact Lite edges it for pure beginners thanks to its extra stability and fuller accessory package, while the Aquaplanet Allround 10 is the smaller and lighter option if you’re really tight on space.
Which board is better for a complete beginner?
The Bluefin Compact Lite. It’s more stable thanks to its extra inch of width, more comfortable underfoot, and comes with a stronger accessory package for anyone just getting into the sport.
Which board is better value for money?
The Aquaplanet Allround 10, purely on price. At £249 including an electric pump, it undercuts the Compact Lite by around £80.
Which board packs down smaller?
The Allround 10. It rolls up noticeably smaller than the Compact Lite, and its accessories — including the paddle — all fit inside the same bag.
Does either board come with an electric pump?
Only the Allround 10. It ships with a 12V electric pump as standard. The Compact Lite comes with a manual dual-action pump.
Which board has the longer warranty?
The Bluefin Compact Lite, at 5 years, compared with 3 years on the Allround 10.
Can either board be used with a kayak seat?
Yes, both support kayak conversion via their D-rings, though the Compact Lite’s metal D-rings are more straightforward to clip into than the Allround 10’s fabric loops.
Related Guides & Reviews
The resources below cover the basics, common questions, and related kit to help you get more out of your time on the water.
- Best Budget Paddle Boards in the UK
- Best Paddle Board for Beginners UK: 8 Top SUPs Compared
- Best Paddle Board Accessories: Best SUP Gear
- Aquaplanet Max 10’6 Review | The SUP That Delivers
- Bluefin Cruise 10’8 Review
About the Author
Steve Cleverdon is an outdoor adventure specialist with 15+ years of hiking, camping, and paddle boarding experience. He has conquered Europe’s toughest trails including the GR20 in Corsica, walked 3,000km solo across New Zealand, and worked professionally in the outdoors industry. Steve’s gear reviews and recommendations are based on real-world testing across four continents, from coastal waters to mountain peaks. Learn more about Steve or get in touch.
