Are cheap Intex kayaks worth it or a waste of money?

For occasional flatwater paddling, the consensus across r/Kayaking and outdoorgearlab.com is that they're legitimately good value. The same sources are blunt that they're not built for ocean swell, fast rivers, or season-after-season heavy use. One r/Kayaking reviewer described their Intex as 'a cheap disposable meant for one season,' which sets honest expectations.