The great SVB life jacket test - the best life jackets in comparison

The great SVB life jacket test 2024 - the best life jackets in comparison

Nowadays, there's such a wide range of life jackets on the market, it's difficult to know which is the right one for you. You can start by looking at the different basic types, i.e. foam life jackets, semi-automatic and automatic life jackets, but buoyancy classes are also likely to play an important role. So how exactly do you know, when there's so many to choose from?

150 N automatic life jackets in the test

Automatic life jackets with 150 N buoyancy are suitable for almost all areas of use. They’re a good choice in coastal waters, on yachts or motor boats. However, on high seas and in rougher conditions, you should opt for a life jacket with more buoyancy, as 150 N jackets are not able to flip the person over in the water if he or she is wearing heavy oilskins. We compare our bestsellers and TOP life jackets for you:

The great SVB life jacket test 2024 - the best life 150 N jackets in comparison

March 2024
1
Test winner:
Rating: very good
2
Price-performance winner
Rating: good
3
Best seller
Rating: very good
4
Rating: good
5
Rating: good
6
Rating: good
7
Rating: good
8
Rating: good
Item no.
47397
99012
99013
26630
57599
47742
57597
99007
Reviews and customer opinions
(2)

(57)

(89)

(9)

(2)

(1)

(8)

(32)

Buoyancy class
150 N
150 N
150 N
150 N
150 N
150 N
150 N
150 N
Chest circumference
60.0 - 150.0 cm
55.0 - 145.0 cm
55 - 140 cm
55.0 - 145.0 cm
70.0 - 135.0 cm
60.0 - 145.0 cm
60 - 135 cm
55.0 - 140.0 cm
Fleece neck
Emergency beacon
Automatic lock
Buoyancy
170 N
165 N
180 N
220 N
165 N
170 N
220 N
180 N
Spraycap
Crotch strap
Inspection window
Automatic Trigger
UML Pro Elite Sensor
UML-Mk5
UML Pro Elite Sensor
UML Pro Elite Sensor
SECUMATIC 4001 S
UML-Mk5
SECUMATIC 4001 S
UML Pro Elite Sensor
Harness / Lifebelt / D-Ring
Availability / Price
10 in stock
only €289 87
Buy now
more than 100 in stock
only €63 82
Buy now
more than 100 in stock
only €83 99
Buy now
more than 100 in stock
only €113 40
Buy now
Only 5 in stock
only €155 42
Buy now
8 left in stock
only €183 99
Buy now
Only 3 in stock
only €294 08
Buy now
Item will be ordered for you
only €100 80
Buy now

275 N automatic life jackets in the test

275N life jackets are designed to have enough force to turn even those wearing heavy oilskins safely on their backs after they have gone overboard. In our comparison you will find the 275N Yacht test winner compared with our customer favourites and recommendations:

The great SVB life jacket test 2024 - the best life jackets in comparison

March 2024
1
Test winner
Rating: very good
2
Price-performance winner
Rating: very good
3
Best seller
Rating: very good
4
Rating: good
5
Rating: good
6
Rating: good
7
Rating: good
Item no.
47466
99014
99124
57589
57594
47739
57578
Reviews and customer opinions
(6)

(38)

(3)

(3)

(2)

No rating yet
No rating yet
Buoyancy class
275 N
275 N
275 N
275 N
275 N
275 N
275 N
Chest circumference
60.0 - 150.0 cm
55.0 - 145.0 cm
55.0 - 154.0 cm
60.0 - 135.0 cm
60.0 - 135.0 cm
60.0 - 145.0 cm
70 - 135 cm
Fleece neck
Emergency beacon
Automatic lock
Buoyancy
275 N
300 N
300 N
280 N
280 N
275 N
290 N
Spraycap
Crotch strap
Inspection window
Automatic Trigger
UML Pro Elite Sensor
UML Pro Elite Sensor
UML Pro Elite Sensor
SECUMATIC 3001 S
SECUMATIC 4001 S
HAMMAR MA1
SECUMATIC 4001 S
Harness / Lifebelt / D-Ring
Fit
Ergonomic
Standard
Ergonomic
Standard
Ergonomic
Standard
Ergonomic
Availability / Price
10 in stock
only €336 09
Buy now
more than 100 in stock
only €117 61
Buy now
more than 100 in stock
only €138 61
Buy now
6 left in stock
only €180 63
Buy now
Only 4 in stock
only €331 89
Buy now
Only 3 in stock
only €403 32
Buy now
Only 5 in stock
only €478 95
Buy now

The foam life jackets in the test

Foam bouyancy aids are the classic life jacket. Classic life jackets usually have a buoyancy of 50 - 100 N. They are therefore not life jackets as such, but more buoyancy or flotation aids. They are usually not able to turn people who have gone overboard onto their backs. Nevertheless, these PFDs are popular and widely used. In our test, we have listed the best foam life jackets.

The great SVB life jacket test 2024 - the best foam life jackets in comparison

March 2024
1
Test winner
Rating: very good
2
Preisleistungssieger
Rating: good
3
Best seller
Rating: good
4
Rating: good
Item no.
57464
57571
57415
57486
Reviews and customer opinions
(53)

(11)

(46)

(29)

Chest circumference
82.0 - 96.0 cm
80.0 - 90.0 cm
82.0 - 104.0 cm
82 - 104 cm
Buoyancy
60 N
60 N
45 N
45 N
Availability / Price
44 in stock
only €32 73
Buy now
45 in stock
only €20 13
Buy now
57 in stock
only €36 93
Buy now
38 in stock
only €32 73
Buy now

How do I decide which life jacket to buy?

This question has been asked by various sailing magazines, all of which come to very different conclusions. In life jacket tests, the various models were evaluated based on various criteria. The following factors were included in the evaluation: buoyancy, activation, cartridge inspection window, lifebelt, harness, harness fastener, crotch strap, spray cap, signal light, weight, freeboard and wearing comfort.

In offshore and coastal areas, the use of an automatic life jacket is recommended. These models have much higher buoyancy than foam life jackets and are therefore more suitable for use at sea.

We compare our top sellers in the 275 N buoyancy class and 150 N buoyancy classes. We looked at what accessories come with the life jacket as standard, how well it fits and what is the cheapest automatic life jacket. The test winner is shown in our comparison table.

If you want to find out more about buoyancy class, be sure to check out our guide "How do I find the perfect life jacket?".

Our assessment categories

  1. Customer popularity (bought and recommended by customers the most)
  2. Best value for money (lowest price with best features)
  3. Top product (best features regardless of price)

How are life jackets tested?

Since most manufacturers test their life jackets under very different conditions, any direct comparison is often difficult. In addition to its release system, probably the most important feature of a life jacket is its ability to turn an unconscious person in the water. If a person goes overboard, the life jacket should turn the person onto their back and prevent them from drowning. In the best case scenario, this should be possible even if the person is dressed from head to toe in sailing clothing.

But this is where the problem begins. Most life jackets are not tested under these "original" conditions, and although the manufacturers' specifications provide information on newtons, i.e., the buoyancy force, the "naked" body weight of the wearer should not be the main point of reference here. More important is the actual body weight. And this increases as soon as more clothes are worn. Water and air that has accumulated between the body and clothing can also impede the jacket's ability turn a person who has fallen overboard. So even the best life jackets will fail if they are not properly tested. Our comparison also shows that the best life jacket is not necessarily the most expensive.

We have compared various well-known manufacturers of automatic life jackets with 275 N, mid-range life jackets with 175 N buoyancy and test foam life jackets.

This also includes looking at both the features and fit of the life jackets. Regarding buoyancy, trigger mechanism etc., we based our analysis on the "Yacht" test for top-of-the-range life jackets from issue 23/2019 and the comparison of life jackets with 150 N from 01.10.2020. (Source: yacht.de)

What does a good life jacket cost?

A basic distinction is usually made between life jackets, i.e., automatic and semi-automatic, and buoyancy aids, i.e., foam life jackets.

Prices of life jackets and buoyancy aids vary between 40€ and 400€. You should always first consider how you will be using your life jacket and what it should be able to do, rather than try to save money and buy something unsuitable. For this reason, the most expensive does not necessarily mean the best, and the cheapest the worst. There are pros and cons of all models, so it's worth doing some research before buying. You can find everything about life jackets in our Life jacket Guide.