7 Best Pontoon Boats For The Money (For Every Budget)
Buying a pontoon boat in Arizona is all about getting the best pontoon boat for the money that can keep up with what you want to do with it. Pontoons are known as ‘party boats’ because they have tons of comfortable seating and big open spaces to socialize and entertain. They have a higher maximum capacity than other types of boats and newer pontoons are built with for watersports and fishing,
Find top quality high end finishes and attention to detail with a luxury top-range model. Mid-range pontoon boats use high quality construction and are priced to sell. While value-range brands offer an affordable variety of key features that will keep you and your friends happy while boating on the lake.
These are the top 7 best pontoon boats for the money in each range plus the most popular key features. But, before you buy a boat there are a few things to know to help you decide which pontoon boat is best for your money.
What To Know Before You Buy A Boat
There are 2 important steps to take when buying a new boat. First, decide which range is right for what you want to use your pontoon for, then choose the best dealer in your area. Be prepared by asking yourself a few key questions.
Purpose
Decide what you want your pontoon to do out on the lake. Pontoons are the quintessential “party boats,” but have come a long way over the years. They’ve gotten faster, smoother, and even cooler than they were before.
You can use a pontoon to entertain while cruising around the lake and playing awesome party games with your friends. Or bring the wake board or go tubing because a lot of pontoons are built with watersports in mind. If you like to go fishing, a pontoon gives you more space to walk around plus rod holders, live wells, and space to bring a grill.
Ranges
Boats are organized into ranges. Top-range luxury brands, mid-range brands, and value-range brands. Value-range pontoon boats are typically priced at $20,000 or less and have everything you need to get out on the water. Mid-range brands have everything you need, but are made with higher quality materials and will have more cool features than value-range boats. They are priced around $20,000 - $50,000. And luxury top-range brands are focused on longevity, quality craftsmanship, and top quality materials. They usually start at $50,000+ for a luxury “value” model and average around $100,000.
Dealers
The best boat dealer for you is one you can access fairly easily. They’re close enough to your home that you can drop by the dealership and ask questions or bring in your boat to be serviced. Choose a dealer with a convenient location that has experience selling and servicing the brand and motor you’re interested in. You want to make sure the service department has the right equipment and knowledge to keep your boat running smoothly.
Key Questions
There are a few key questions to ask yourself to make sure you find the best pontoon for what you need.
Which range am I shopping in?
What do I want to do out on the lake?
How many people will I be bringing out on the boat?
How big of a boat am I comfortable with?
How much money do I have in my budget?
Learn more about how to buy a new or used boat
Best Top-Range Luxury Pontoon Boats For Your Money
Luxury brands use heavy duty material, have better practices, better furniture, higher grade upholstery, are more durable, and are boats designed for longevity.
The top luxury brands are Barletta, Manitou, Bennington, Harris, Premier, Crest, Avalon/Tahoe, and Godfrey/AquaPatio.
Each luxury brand has a “value” model, which is less expensive than the rest but still carries the luxury brand name. Each is made with top quality construction methods and are built well, but if you look closely you may notice little things that are not quite as nice. Things like having cup holders that don’t light up or fencing that isn’t quite as rigid as the more expensive models. You will still get a great boat with one of the ‘value’ models.
1. Bennington 25 LSBA
Bennington 25 LSBA is part of the high-end L Series which offers a luxurious line of pontoon boats. Bennington brand is known for its top quality construction and focus on making boats that will last. Each Bennington has a lifetime structural warranty and a 10 year warranty from bow to stern. This pontoon boat is made for watersports and has all the high quality finishes and attention to detail you’d expect from a top-range boat.
Key Features
Fully functional tow point
Open arch for wakeboard racks and can speakers
Horizontal diamond furniture pattern
Large lumbar pocket for extra comfort and storage
High speed USB and USB-C charging stations
Blue Ice LED speakers
Optional 13-color illumination on speakers, cupholders, underwater lighting, and more
Roswell premium audio package
Chrome rocker switches
Custom steering wheel with tilt steering
Maximum 150HP
Max capacity 14 passengers
Price
Starting at $150,000
2. Harris Solstice 250 Pontoon
The Solstice line of Harris boats puts an emphasis on features, high tech extras, and watersports. It’s sporty with a chestnut interior, great layout for socializing and sunning, and a beautiful color scheme. It’s perfect for up to 14 of your favorite people who like to ride in sophisticated style.
Key Features
Beautiful helm console with high back Captains chairs
CZONE digital switching for lighting and controls
SimRad Touchscreen
Upgraded JL Audio stereo control
Easy access to console
Very comfortable helm chair
Woven teak deck flooring with chestnut interior
Sporty wakeboard tower
Large swim deck platform
Plenty of room to sit and stretch
Ski tow bar
Sun lounger
Stainless steel cup holders
Diamond level JL Audio system
Ottoman with integrated cooler
Mercury 300HP
Max capacity 14 passengers
Price
Starts just under $100,000
3. Sylvan S5 CLZ DH Pontoon
Sylvan pontoon boats have a reputation for building beautiful boats and offer a Lifetime 6+ warranty. They have been making top quality boats for 5 generations. With innovative planing technology since 2006 and hat-channel construction, Sylvan boats are built with a greater lifespan, better weight distribution, and stronger than the competition. One of the best high end features is its teak woven carpet that doesn’t feel wet, so you never feel like you're walking around on a dirty floor. The other best feature is the Sun Lounger with phone charger and stereo control.
Key Features
Popular Seating configuration with Sun Lounger
Phone charger stereo control from Sun Lounger
Deck Mounted Chrome Ski Tow
Chrome ladders
Diving Board
Chrome fencing
Pop Up Changing Station under Sun Pad
Upgraded JL Audio system
Stainless steel storage
Sink and water system
Top quality countertop
Sport arch with speakers
Dual high back Captain’s Chairs
Ample bench seating
SimRad Go 7 Helm
Mood and Cup holder lights
Tritoon
Teak Weave Carpeting
Yamaha 300 HP Motor
Max capacity 14 passengers
Price
Starts at $140,000
Best Mid-Range Pontoon Boats For Your Money
Mid-range brands are often made by the same manufacturers. The largest are Forest River, White River, SmokerCraft, and Brunswick. You’ll get lots of really cool features and everything you are looking for in a pontoon.
4. Berkshire 23 Ultimate Lounger STS 3.0
Berkshire pontoons are owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Unlike other pontoon boats, Berkshire boats that were made in 2021 or later were manufactured with a lighter and stronger composite deck. This makes them go faster , be more fuel efficient, and more comfortable than other pontoon boats. Berkshire uses mold and rot-proof construction. The Berkshire 23 Ultimate Lounger has a really cool adjustable sun lounger that can be used for laying flat, lounging, or sitting.
Key Features
Adjustable sun lounger that lays flat, lounges, or can be a double-sided bench
Composite deck makes the boat lighter than competitors
Modern and trendy color scheme
SimRad gauge
Popular light controls
Wet sound stereo
Built In phone holder / charger
Get high-end options like a waterslide and wet bar
Outboard Mercury 250HP
Max capacity 14 passengers
Price
Starting at $40,000
5. Lowe SS 230 Series Dual Helm Conversion Lounge
Lowe pontoon boats are known for quality and affordability. For over 45 years they’ve been building reliable boats that stand the test of time. They have more than 26 customer satisfaction awards and stand by their products. Our favorite thing about the Lowe SS 230 Conversion Lounge pontoon are the versatile seating options that move and adjust to keep everyone entertained.
Key Features
Large sun lounger can be converted to face either direction on the boat
Dual helm design
Ergonomically designed helm
Ample storage
Lighting system
Jensen stereo
Stainless steel fencing
Mercury 200HP
Max capacity 12 passengers
Price
Starting at $29,000
Best Value-Range Pontoon Boats For Your Money
A value-range pontoon is going to give you everything you need at a reasonable price. You won’t get all the key features and high-end materials of the mid and top-range boats, but you’ll still get a nice vessel to take out on the lake.
6. Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 Fishing Pontoon
Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 is a fishing pontoon with everything you need to have a great day looking for the big catch. You’ll have plenty of rod holders, an aerated live well, and comfortable fishing chairs. But since it’s a pontoon, you also get additional seating options and open spaces to socialize and maneuver around the boat. All Sun Tracker boats are backed with a 10+ life warranty.
Key Features
Twin bow fishing chairs
Aft L-lounge
Helm Seat
Rod holders in the console
9 gallon aerated livewell
No-Feedback steering
Courtesy lighting
Front and Rear swim platforms
Boarding ladder
Fold down cleats
One-piece full length M-bracket deck supports
24” diameter logs with internal bracing and robotic welding
50 HP Mercury Outboard motor
Max capacity 7 passengers
Price
Starts at $17,500
7. Sea Doo Switch Compact Pontoon Boat
For something different, check out the Sea Doo Switch Compact with a personal watercraft (PWC) style steering system. It doesn’t have a steering wheel. You’ll have a great time cruising with a Rotax 1630 ACE engine, 100 HP, and a jet motor that blasts water. It has a great price which includes the trailer.
Key Features
Unique steering system uses PWC-style handlebars (no wheel)
Smaller than typical pontoons
Polytec material
Adjust seats and cup holders with a lever
Rotax 1630 ACE engine with 100 HP and a jet motor (no outboard motor)
Max capacity 5 passengers
Price
Starts at $18,000, including trailer