5 Best Jet Skis of 2023!
When shopping for the newest, best jet skis, you could easily find yourself navigating through rough water. The top jet ski brands offer multiple recreational, luxury, and performance models, so choosing the best jet ski takes a lot of consideration. Also, the best jet skis are difficult to test drive as the water conditions where you live could differ greatly from the location where you’re testing.
We’ve driven the most popular and highly regarded best jet skis in 2023 in a variety of conditions, including inshore and offshore. We’ve looked at the biggest brands in the PWC industry as well as a few lesser-known manufacturers. In this guide, we give an honest review of our top 5 best jet skis based on four factors: performance, comfort, reliability, and price.
What are the 5 Best Jet Skis for 2023?
Here are our picks for the 5 best jet skis for 2023:
- Yamaha WaveRunner VX Limited HO
- Kawasaki Ultra 310x
- Sea-Doo GTX 230
- Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX
- Orca Electric PWC
1. Yamaha WaveRunner VX Limited HO Jet Ski
Forever this blog’s favorite recreational jet ski brand, Yamaha sets the gold standard with their VX line. The VX Limited HO gets you enough top range while delivering a super comfortable ride, and is one of the sweetest and best jet skis we’ve driven. While the performance and comfort are great, the reliability of the Waverunner brand is legendary. This model is also perfectly set up to tow water skiers as it has built-in tow support and a fairly large back platform. Something to keep in mind is that the HO (High Output) jet ski features more speed and quicker acceleration, so if you don’t need the added juice, go for the non-HO VX Limited instead.
| Performance | 9/10 |
| Price | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 10/10 |
Pros
Cons
X-FACTOR
*Unlike many of the rival best jet skis, WaveRunners are able to be towed in the water at medium to high speeds. This adds to their reliability and versatility, and comes in handy if you need to get the jet ski off the water in a pinch!
Features & Specs
2. Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310X
The Kawasaki jet ski is world-renowned for its performance. The engines are top-of-the-line, and the feeling that you get from zipping through the water in a Kawasaki is unparalleled. We especially like the Ultra 310X because of its power and incredible acceleration. With a super-charged inline 4-cylinder, 4-stroke engine, this thing is one of the fastest and best jet skis on the market! While it’s a little more pricey than some of the other brands, we think it’s totally worth it.
| Performance | 10/10 |
| Price | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 9/10 |
Pros
Cons
X-FACTOR
*The Kawasaki Ultra 310X acceleration is unrivaled amongst the other best jet skis with comparable price points. If you like to quickly get to top speeds, the Ultra 310X is the jet ski for you!
Features & Specs
3. Sea-Doo GTX 230 Jet Ski
Built for touring, the 230 GTX makes the list of the best jet skis of 2023 because it offers industry-standard stability and an enormous fuel tank of 18.5 gallons. But don’t be deceived; just because the GTX is big and comfortable doesn’t mean it’s slow! Boasting a supercharged, 4-stroke Rotax 1630 ACE engine rated at 230 HP, the 230 GTX is pretty darn fast and has great acceleration. If you like to travel far and wide in a single session, the Sea-Doo 230 GTX might just be the one for you.
| Performance | 9/10 |
| Price | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 10/10 |
| Reliability | 9/10 |
Pros
Cons
X-FACTOR
*The Sea-Doo GTX offers a rare combination of long-distance capabilities, comfort, and quickness. Although it’s built for touring, the super-charged engine can go 0 to 60mph in 5.29 seconds!
Features & Specs
4. Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX Sit-Down Or Stand-Up Jet Ski
The Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX is, in our humble opinion, one of the best trick jet skis ever manufactured. With adjustable handlebars and step wedges in the footwells, the TRIXX accommodates a variety of riding positions that are essential for performing tricks. The hull and deck are made from an impact-resistant polytec material which makes the TRIXX super lightweight and resilient. But what makes the TRIXX really stand out to us is the extended range variable trim system, which allows riders to raise or lower the nose and perform tricks that no other jet ski can do (think about a “wheelie” on water). With adjustable handlebars, multi-position step wedges, a variable trim system, and its ultra-light weight, the TRIXX offers the perfect combination of features for trick riding on the water!
| Performance | 10/10 |
| Price | 10/10 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 8/10 |
Pros
Cons
X-FACTOR
*The Sea-Doo Spark Trixx is unlike any other jet ski made. The extended range variable trim system allows riders to perform “wheelies” in the water, and the adjustable handlebars and multi-position step wedges make performing a variety of tricks possible.
Features & Specs
5. Taiga Orca Performance Electric
It’s hard not to be skeptical of first-of-its-kind tech, especially when it comes to a vehicle like an electric jet ski. While we understand that the Taiga Orca is only going to improve with time, we still think it’s a solid machine now (that’s why it made the list!). The performance is great, it looks amazing, and what’s not to like about zero emissions? It’s also got some great features: it’s lightweight, has high horsepower (180hp), and has a closed-loop cooling system, meaning you don’t have to flush the jet ski after each use. We love the advanced features and futuristic feel of this jet ski!
| Performance | 10/10 |
| Price | 8/10 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 9/10 |
Pros
Cons
X-FACTOR
*The Taiga Orca Performance reaches similar top speeds as its gas-powered rivals. If you’re worried about the performance lacking due to it being fully electric, don’t be.
Features & Specs
FAQ
What is a Jet Ski?
A jet ski is classified as a Personal Water Craft (PWC). Jet skis are designed to plane on water, like a boat, and have basic controls such as acceleration, reverse, and neutral. The best jet skis typically can hold up to three people. Jet skis are typically classified as recreational jet skis, performance jet skis, and/or luxury jet skis. In the past, almost all models were stand-up jet skis. Now it’s mostly the opposite, as the majority of the best jet skis are made to ride while sitting.
What do I need in order to drive a Jet Ski?
Typically, a driver really only needs a Boater’s License and a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), otherwise known as a Life Jacket, or Life Vest. Sometimes drivers will wear appropriate dress such as a wet suit as well. Jet skiing can be a ton of fun, but make sure you are fully prepared before departure!
Where can I buy the best Jet Skis?
To buy the best jet skis mentioned in this article, you can use any of the links above (they take you straight to the manufacturer’s website)! Or, feel free to stop in at your local dealership.
Related Content
Want to explore other Water Sports besides Jet Skiing? Check out this list of 100 Awesome Alternative Water Sports Ideas for 2023!
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