Best Jet Ski Brands: The Big Three & The Challengers

The unmistakable buzz of a jet ski is something we all recognize on a day out to the beach or lake. Known generically as personal watercraft or PWCs, these fun, sporty recreational vessels soared to popularity in the ‘70s and ‘80s and have remained a firm favorite ever since. 

Jet skis have come a long way from those early models, which were smaller than today’s and were originally designed to ride standing up. These days, we’re seeing ever beefier models, with all manner of electronics, luxury additions, and comfortable seating for two and even up to four people. The vessels are stable and fun, easy to maneuver, and offer all the adrenaline-pumping enjoyment you could want. They can easily be trailered, too, making them popular lake boats, and they’re also one of the top water toys to have on your boat if it’s large enough. 

The jet ski started life as the brainchild of Kawasaki, and its brand name, Jet Ski, has now become commonly used by boaters regardless of brand, although the term PWC is also used widely and Yamaha call all their models WaveRunners. It was Clayton Jacobson II of Arizona, a motocross enthusiast, who is credited with first designing what was essentially an on-water motorbike. 

Despite the worldwide popularity of the jet ski, you may be surprised to learn that there aren’t all that many brands building them. Yamaha, Kawasaki and Sea-Doo (made by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)) have long dominated the market, with dozens of new models to choose from and hundreds of past used models. However, as we’ll see here, there are some up and comers building some excellent jet skis that are competing with the big boys. In this article we look at some of the best brands for different uses, but it’s important to note that there is a big overlap and what might be the best brand for one person, may not tick all the boxes for another.