Past Season Cheap Snowboards Lists

BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: Burton Good Company

Price: $439

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freestyle Rating Score : 85.3/100

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Good Company (formerly named the Kilroy Twin) comes in at a little more than last year's winner for this category did last year (Arbor Relapse, which was $389) but the category as a whole has increased by $26 on average (average price last year was $448). 

And the Relapse went up by $59, so whilst it's still good value for money (see alternatives below), it's no longer the best value, in my opinion. 

The Good Company is a good $35 less than the average price of all freestyle boards I looked at - and well above the average score. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• Of the top half of the 37 boards, the average price was $496.
• The Good Company fit in 11th - and was $57 cheaper than the average in the top 18. 
• Of the top 18 only two boards (the YES Basic and the DC PBJ) were cheaper than the Good Company.
• The average score for the 10 boards that cost $439 or less was 79.3.

Alternatives

• DC PBJ (83.7 points | $389); 

• YES Basic (84.2 points | $429)
  
  
• Arbor Relapse (85.9 points | $449);

• Slash Happy Place (85.9 points | $449);

• Bataleon Disaster (90.8 points | $459);

• YES Dicey (87.5 points | $469);

• Niche Wraith (87.0 points | $469);

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: Bataleon Whatever

Price: $499

SnowboardingProfiles.com All-Mtn-Freestyle Rating Score : 86.5/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Bataleon Whatever is a playful all-mountain freestyle board that offers great value for money. 

It’s my 8th overall pick for all-mountain-freestyle snowboards (which doesn't take price into account) and it’s $26 cheaper than the average snowboard in this category, while being a good 4.5 points above the average score. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $27 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $51 higher than the freestyle category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 13) was $582, making the Whatever $83 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list.
• The Whatever was the equal lowest priced board in the Top 13
• Of those costing $499 or less, the average score was 77.9

Alternatives

The next closest in terms of value for money, IMO, would be the Capita D.O.A., coming in at $499 and with 84.8 points. 

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARD

Board: Slash Brainstorm

Price: $469

SnowboardingProfiles.com All-Mountain Rating Score : 89.6/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The reigning champion retains its title in the all-mountain category. And it's been here a while - and for good reason. 

At $77 cheaper than the average score and with a score way above the average score - and being the cheapest board in my top 10 all-mountain snowboards list (coming in at #6), this was again a no-brainer for this year.

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $42 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $21 higher than the all-mountain-freestyle category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 19) was $569, making the Brainstorm $100 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list.
• The Brainstorm was the third lowest priced board in the Top 19
• Of the 10 boards costing $469 or less, the average score was 77.3

Alternatives

Honorable mentions to:

• Capita Outerspace Living ($449, 86.0 points);

• YES Typo ($499 | 87.2 points);

• GNU Essential Service ($499 | 86.0 points)

• Dinosaurs Will Die Wizard Stick ($449 | 84.6 points); (note at time of writing the price for the 2023 model was unknown, so this is going off the 2022 model's price - the 2023 model may well cost more, when it finally comes out! DWD always slow to release their new models)

BEST CHEAP AGGRESSIVE ALL-MTN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: DC The 156

Price: $549

SnowboardingProfiles.com Aggressive All-Mtn-Free Rating Score : 86.4/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

Seems crazy to have a $549 board make a "cheap" snowboards list, of course, but if you're looking for an aggressive all-mountain-freestyle board, you're looking at least $529 (of the 14 I rated - this is a pretty niche category).

The 156 is $65 cheaper than the average price for boards in this list and scores more than the average score. It ranked #6 out of the 14 boards in the category. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $37 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $68 higher than the all-mountain category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 7) was $619, making the The 156 $70 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list.
• And perhaps even more telling, the 5 boards above the 156 in this category cost and average of $647 - almost $100 more than the The 156.  

Alternatives

• Salomon Assassin Pro ($599 | 90.3 points)

There are also some cheaper semi-aggressive all-mountain freestyle boards that were taken into account in the all-mountain freestyle section and not here. If you're looking for a cheaper option and willing to not quite go as stiff/aggressive, the two best semi-aggressive value for money options are, IMO: 

• the Capita DOA ($499 and 84.8/100); and

• the Niche Crux ($529 and 87.6/100); 

BEST CHEAP AGGRESSIVE ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARD

Board: Rome Stale Crewzer

Price: $529

SnowboardingProfiles.com Aggressive All-Mtn Rating Score : 84.2/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Stale Crewzer isn't the most aggressive, aggressive all-mountain board going around, but that's the nature of snowboard pricing.

More aggressive tends to mean stiffer and stiffer almost always means more expensive, when it comes to snowboards. So the less aggressive options tend to be the not as stiff ones, so tend to be less aggressive. That said, the Crewzer is still a more aggressive than average board - or else it wouldn't be in this category at all. 

And at a price $74 cheaper than the average but with a score pretty above the average, the Stale Crewzer is the best value for money when it comes to this category.

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $17 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $57 higher than the all-mountain category and $11 lower than the aggressive all-mountain freestyle category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 9) was $661, making the Stale Crewzer a massive $132 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. The Stale ranked 8th out of the 19 boards.
• The Stale Crewzer was the lowest priced board in the Top 9 and was the 4th lowest price in the whole list.

Alternatives

In a category that has a very high average price, there aren't too many cheap options, but the following were notable alternatives: 

• Nitro Team Camber ($549 | 84.2 points);

• Nidecker Thruster ($569 | 84.2 points); 

BEST CHEAP FREERIDE SNOWBOARD

Board: YES Pick Your Line (PYL)

Price: $549

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freeride Rating Score : 90.8/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

This one was kind of a no brainer this year. It was #1 in our top 10 freeride snowboard list this year and it's $74 cheaper than the average price. 

It's not only the lowest priced option in the freeride top 10, it was the cheapest option for the whole top half of the list (top 17). 

Some other notable numbers: 

• Bucking the trend of prices going up by quite a bit this year, the average price for this category went up by only $4 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is still the highest of all the categories - $9 higher than the next highest category (aggressive all-mountain freestyle) and $20 higher than the aggressive all-mountain category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 17) was $637, making the PYL $88 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. 
• Of the 7 boards not named the PYL and that were $549 or under the average score was 80.3

Alternatives

• Nidecker Alpha APX ($569 | 85.3 points);

• GNU Banked Country ($599 | 85.9 points); 

• Jones Hovercraft ($599 | 85.3 points); 

• YES Optimistic ($549 | 84.2 points); 

• Salomon Super 8 ($529 | 81.5 points)

BEST CHEAP MELLOW FREERIDE SNOWBOARD

Board: Capita Navigator

Price: $499

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freeride Rating Score : 89.8/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Navigator comes in $74 cheaper than the average price for this category and way higher than the average score. In fact, it was #3 in our top 10 mellow freeride snowboards list (which doesn't take price into account). 

The Navigator is the reigning champ for this category and holds it's place, despite a great challenge from the Bataleon Cruiser (see alternatives below). 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $17 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $50 lower than the freeride category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 16) was $592, making the Navigator $93 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. 
• Of the 7 boards not named the Navigator and that were $499 or under the average score was 79.8.

Alternatives

The Bataleon Cruiser ($459 | 87.5 points) was a very close second and the

Burton Pow Wrench ($549 | 88.1 points);

Arbor Single ($549 | 87.5 points) and

Rome Ravine ($529 | 85.2 points),

all deserve a mention too. 

BEST CHEAP BEGINNER SNOWBOARD

Board: Nitro Prime

Price: $299

SnowboardingProfiles.com Beginner Rating Score : 92/100

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Prime is the cheapest I looked at for this category (and that's saying something in a beginner category) and ranks 2nd overall in my top 15 beginner snowboards list.

It's a nice $148 cheaper than the average price. A steal for that first board to progress on and a no-brainer to take this spot again this year.   

Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boards – so this is somewhat skewed for this category.  

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $17 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is the lowest of all the categories, naturally being a beginner list - and with those that are suited to this category being softer flexing snowboards. 
• Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boards – so this is somewhat skewed for this category. 
• The average price for the top half (top 20) was $404, making the Prime $105 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. The bottom half of the list had a higher average price than the top half though - because price in this case influenced the scores. 

BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: Arbor Relapse

Price: $389

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freestyle Rating Score : 86.3/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Arbor Relapse, before even taking price into account, is a great freestyle board. In fact it ranks 6th/36 for 2022 in the Top 10 Freestyle Snowboards. 

Then taking price into account, it is a good $59 less than the average price of boards I looked at - and well above the average score.

There are some cheaper freestyle snowboards, but they're not that much cheaper and as far as value for money goes, the Relapse tops the list. 

The Slash Happy Place has occupied this spot for a few years now and is also an awesome freestyle deck and great value for money. But after testing the relapse, it had to surpass it this year, but the Happy Place still easily second on the list. 

Note: The average score for the 12 boards that cost $399 or less was 79.8.

Notable Alternatives

• Slash Happy Place (85.7 points | $399), which was a close second place; and
• YES Dicey (88.5 points | $429); and
• Burton Kilroy Twin (85.2 points | $419); and
• The YES Basic (84.6 points | $399)

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: Capita Outerspace Living

Price: $449

SnowboardingProfiles.com All-Mtn-Freestyle Rating Score : 85.6/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

Even though the Outerspace Living actually went up $30 in price this year, it's still the best value for money all-mountain-freestyle board, IMO. 

It’s my 9th overall pick for all-mountain-freestyle snowboards (not taking price into account), and it’s $48 cheaper than the average snowboard in this category.

So, it scores well above the average and a price well below the average, and ranking above a number of boards that cost a good bit more than it, the Outerspace Living is the obvious choice here, for me.

Alternatives

The next closest in terms of value for money, IMO, would be the Endeavor BOD, coming in at $429 ($68 below the average) and with 83.3 points. 

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARD

Board: Slash Brainstorm

Price: $429

SnowboardingProfiles.com All-Mountain Rating Score : 88.3/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

At $78 cheaper than the average score and with a score way above the average score - and being the cheapest board in my top 10 all-mountain snowboards list (coming in at #7), this was a bit of no-brainer for this spot this year.

In fact this board went down in price by $20 (which is almost unheard of in this industry for boards to go down in price, but it does happen - the Brainstorm case in point). 

Alternatives

Honorable mentions to:

• the YES Typo ($449 | 87.7 points); and
• the Dinosaurs Will Die Wizard Stick ($449 | 84.6 points); and
• GNU Essential Service ($459 | 86.4 points)

BEST CHEAP AGGRESSIVE ALL-MTN-FREESTYLE SNOWBOARD

Board: Salomon Assassin Pro

Price: $549

SnowboardingProfiles.com Aggressive All-Mtn-Free Rating Score : 90.7/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

Seems crazy to have a $549 board make a "cheap" snowboards list, of course, but if you're looking for an aggressive all-mountain-freestyle board, you're looking at least $499 (of the 12 I rated - this is a pretty niche category - especially after changing my definition for it this year).

The Assassin Pro is $28 cheaper than the average price for boards in this list, was the cheapest in my top 5 aggressive all-mountain-freestyle list - and also tops that list.  

Alternatives

There are some semi-aggressive all-mountain freestyle boards that were taken into account in the all-mountain freestyle section and not here. But there are some cheaper options there that are semi-aggressive, if you're looking for a cheaper option. The two best value for money, IMO: 

• the Niche Crux ($499 and 88.5/100); and
• the Capita DOA ($499 and 83.3/100); and

BEST CHEAP AGGRESSIVE ALL-MOUNTAIN SNOWBOARD

Board: Nitro Team Camber

Price: $499

SnowboardingProfiles.com Aggressive All-Mtn Rating Score : 83.1/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

Whilst not the most aggressive, aggressive all-mountain board going around, it's still something you can get aggressive on. And at a price over $87 cheaper than the average but with a score pretty close to the average, the Nitro Team Camber is the standout when it comes to this category.

It’s the 3rd cheapest overall that I looked at in this category and was also ranked 9th best.

Alternatives

In a category that has a very high average price, there aren't too many cheap options, but the

• Jones Frontier (though only semi-aggressive) ($479 | 80.9 points); and
• the Slash ATV ($529 | 91.0 points) is another good cheaper option (ranked #1 in my aggressive all-mountain list) 

BEST CHEAP FREERIDE SNOWBOARD

Board: GNU Banked Country

Price: $529

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freeride Rating Score : 87.4/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

Whilst not too many would consider $529 cheap - for a freeride board, it really is. With a price $90 less than the average, it's considerably lower priced than most in this category. 

And it still managed to claim the #5 spot in my top 10 freeride snowboards list and scores way above the average score. 

Alternatives

• Niche Maelstrom ($569 | 86.8 points); and
• Burton Flight Attendant ($579 | 89.0 points); and 
• Salomon Super 8 ($499 | 81.3 points)

BEST CHEAP MELLOW FREERIDE SNOWBOARD

Board: Capita Navigator

Price: $479

SnowboardingProfiles.com Freeride Rating Score : 90.0/100

>>See Full Review

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Navigator comes in $77 cheaper than the average price for this category and way higher than the average score. Enough said. 

Alternatives

The Endeavor Scout ($399 | 87.8 points) was a very close second and the GNU Gremlin ($499 | 84.4 points) deserves a mention too. 

BEST CHEAP BEGINNER SNOWBOARD

Board: Nitro Prime

Price: $299

SnowboardingProfiles.com Beginner Rating Score : 92/100

Why This Board Was Chosen

The Prime is the equal cheapest I looked at for this category and ranks 5th overall in my top 15 beginner snowboards list. It's a nice $131 cheaper than the average price. A steal for that first board to progress on.    

Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boards – so this is somewhat skewed for this category.