I bought a cheap ($600 CAD) inflatable paddleboard at a big box, non-specialized store. I like paddle-boarding and am thinking of getting another one. A local outdoor store has $1500 one discounted to $1100 for sale. It's not substantially different in features, but I expect it to be better quality in some ways.
Now, if this was a road bike, I know what doubling the price would mean: less weight, most likely. If it was a mountain bike, I'd expect more durability, i.e. going from a budget mountain bike that will fall apart on tough trails to one that can take the punishment. A higher end backpack would be more durable, better layout, more waterproof, etc... If a kayak, I know that plastic is heavier, scratches more easily and will drag more than fiberglass.
But what should I expect from a paddleboard? Faster, stabler, more durable? What are the likely advantages of getting a better board rather than just buying another discount one? I am not unhappy with my budget one as such but it was a bit of an entry-level model.
(I do know one likely advantage already, the cheap one's paddle broke and I had to replace it with a new one).