Lift Foils makes three current eFoils, and they are not just three price points on the same board. The LIFT5, the LIFT5 F, and the LIFTX are built for three different riders. One is the all-carbon all-arounder with the longest range and the widest rider window. One is the fiberglass value build that gives you the same Gen5 battery and ride time for four thousand dollars less. One is the lightweight carbon performance board that handles like a surfboard. Pick the right one up front and you will love it for years. This guide walks you through all three so you choose the right board the first time. You can browse the full Lift eFoil collection any time, but read this first.
The Gen5 Lineup at a Glance
Here is the whole current Lift lineup side by side. Every one of these boards rides on the Gen5 platform, so the differences come down to construction, battery, weight, and the kind of ride you are after.
| Spec | LIFT5 | LIFT5 F | LIFTX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $14,999 | $10,999 | $13,999 |
| Construction | Carbon board, carbon mast | Proprietary fiberglass board, aluminum mast | Carbon board, carbon mast |
| Battery and ride time | Gen5 Full Range, 2.2 kWh, up to about 90 min, 80% in about 80 min | Gen5 Full Range, 2.2 kWh, up to about 90 min, 80% in about 80 min | LIFTX Light, about 0.9 to 1.0 kWh, up to about 45 min, 80% in about 30 min |
| Board sizes | 5'4 Cruiser, 4'9 Sport, 4'4 Pro | 5'4 Cruiser, 4'9 Sport | 5'4, 5'2, 4'8, 4'3 |
| Max rider weight | Up to 250 lb (285 lb with Blowfish) | Up to 250 lb (285 lb with Blowfish) | Up to 220 lb |
| Controller | Elite Hand Controller | Lift Hand Controller | Lift Hand Controller |
| Rigged weight | About 65 to 70.5 lb by size | About 68 to 71 lb by size | About 44 to 47 lb by size |
| Who it is for | All-around carbon rider who wants the longest range and the widest rider window | The smart first board: same Gen5 range, lower price | Lightest, most agile, surf-leaning rider |
LIFT5: The All-Around Carbon Flagship
The LIFT5 is the board most people picture when they think of a premium eFoil. Carbon board, carbon mast, the Gen5 Full Range 2.2 kWh battery for up to roughly 90 minutes of ride time, and a recharge to 80 percent in about 80 minutes. It also ships with the Elite Hand Controller, the carbon housed unit with GPS ride tracking and a sunlight readable display. This is the full carbon experience with nothing held back.
Where the LIFT5 really earns its place is range and rider window. It comes in three sizes, and the rider weight ceiling goes higher than any other board in the lineup:
- 5'4 Cruiser, up to 250 lb. The most stable and forgiving size, and the widest rider window in the family. Add the Blowfish and that ceiling climbs to 285 lb.
- 4'9 Sport, up to 220 lb. The middle ground, a step more responsive while still very approachable.
- 4'4 Pro, up to 190 lb. The most compact and playful LIFT5, suited to a lighter, more confident rider.
Fully rigged, the LIFT5 lands roughly between 65 and 70.5 lb depending on size. That is the heaviest end of the lineup, but in exchange you get the longest ride time, the widest rider range, and the full carbon build. If you want one eFoil that does everything, that any guest can ride, and that gives you the most time on the water per charge, the LIFT5 is the answer.
LIFT5 F: The Smart First Board
The LIFT5 F is the board we point most new owners toward, and the reason is simple. It runs the exact same Gen5 Full Range 2.2 kWh battery as the carbon LIFT5, with the same up to roughly 90 minutes of ride time and the same 80 percent recharge in about 80 minutes. The performance that matters most, how long you can ride and how far you can go, is identical. What changes is the build. The LIFT5 F uses Lift's proprietary fiberglass board on an aluminum mast instead of full carbon, and it ships with the Lift Hand Controller rather than the Elite. That is what brings it in at $10,999, a full $4,000 below the carbon LIFT5.
It comes in two sizes, and the rider window is just as generous as the carbon board:
- 5'4 Cruiser, up to 250 lb. The same big, stable platform as the flagship, and the same 285 lb ceiling once you add the Blowfish.
- 4'9 Sport, up to 220 lb. A touch more nimble, still an easy board to learn on.
Here is the honest take. The carbon on the LIFT5 makes it lighter to carry and stiffer underfoot, and it holds its finish beautifully over the years. But fiberglass is tough, it shrugs off the bumps and dings of a learning curve, and it costs a lot less to own. For a first eFoil, the LIFT5 F is the smart money. You are not giving up range or ride time. You are trading carbon for fiberglass and saving $4,000.
LIFTX: The Lightweight Performance Board
The LIFTX is the opposite philosophy from the LIFT5 F. Instead of trading carbon for value, it trades range for weight and agility. It is full carbon, board and mast, but it runs the smaller LIFTX Light battery at about 0.9 to 1.0 kWh, good for up to roughly 45 minutes of ride time, and that smaller pack recharges to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The whole package is the lightest in the lineup, roughly 44 to 47 lb fully rigged, which is more than 20 lb lighter than a rigged LIFT5.
That weight is the whole point. The LIFTX uses a 55 mm motor and a folding propeller that closes for a clean glide off throttle, and the board comes in four sizes that get progressively smaller and more surf-focused:
- 5'4, up to 220 lb. The most stable LIFTX, the easiest place to start.
- 5'2, up to 200 lb. A slightly tighter, more responsive feel.
- 4'8, up to 185 lb. Compact and quick to turn.
- 4'3, up to 175 lb. The smallest, most surf-leaning size for a light, advanced rider.
On the water the LIFTX feels alive. It is the most agile board Lift makes, it carves like a surfboard, and because it is so much lighter, it is easier to carry, load, and handle on the beach. The tradeoff is range. With about 45 minutes of ride time, you get roughly half the session of a Full Range board before you swap or charge. For a rider who values feel and portability over maximum time on the water, that is a trade worth making. For a rider who wants the longest sessions, it is not.
How to Choose: A Simple Decision Framework
Three boards, four questions. Run through these and the right board usually becomes obvious.
- By budget. If price is the deciding factor, the LIFT5 F at $10,999 gives you the most board for the money: the same Gen5 range and ride time as the flagship for $4,000 less. Step up to the carbon LIFT5 at $14,999 only if you want the lighter carbon build and the Elite controller. The LIFTX sits at $13,999 and is chosen for feel, not for value.
- By skill level. Brand new to foiling? The bigger, more stable sizes are your friend, and the long Full Range battery means more time practicing per charge. The 5'4 LIFT5 F or 5'4 LIFT5 are the most forgiving places to start. If you already surf, wing, or foil and you want a board that responds the instant you lean into it, the LIFTX is built for you.
- By rider weight. This one is not optional, it is a safety and performance limit. Heavier riders should look at the LIFT5 or LIFT5 F, which carry up to 250 lb, or up to 285 lb with the Blowfish stability collar. The LIFTX tops out at 220 lb on its largest size, so a heavier rider will be happier and safer on a Full Range board. Be honest about the number here.
- By how you want it to ride. Want the longest sessions, the widest rider window, and a board any guest can hop on? Go LIFT5 or LIFT5 F. Want the lightest board, the quickest turns, and a surf-style feel, and you are fine with shorter sessions and faster charges? Go LIFTX.
One more lever worth knowing about. The Blowfish stability collar is a $599 add-on that increases stability and raises the maximum rider weight. On the 5'4 LIFT5 and LIFT5 F, it pushes the ceiling from 250 lb up to 285 lb. It is a great equalizer for a heavier rider, for a first-timer who wants extra forgiveness, or for a board that gets shared across a wide range of guests. It comes in 4'4, 4'9, and 5'4 sizes to match the board.
If you want to go deeper on board size specifically, our guide on choosing your eFoil board size breaks down volume and stability by rider, and our introduction to the LIFT5 and LIFTX walks through what changed on the current generation.
Still Not Sure? Talk to a Lift Dealer
Most of the time, picking between these three comes down to two honest answers: how much do you want to spend, and how do you want the board to feel under your feet. If those answers point clearly at one board, trust them. If they do not, that is exactly what we are here for. There is no wrong board in this lineup, only the right board for the way you ride, your weight, and your budget.
Luxury Surf is a proud Lift Foils dealer, and we ride what we sell. Tell us your weight, your experience, where you ride, and how long you want to stay on the water, and we will steer you to the right board, the right size, and whether the Blowfish makes sense for you. Browse the full Lift eFoil collection when you are ready, or reach out and let us help you get it right the first time. We are here for the whole journey, not just the sale.
