The Best Basketballs
We looked at the top 17 Basketballs and dug through the reviews from 13 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Basketballs.
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Basketballs
- 1. Wilson Evolution Indoor Signature EVO-Feel Basketball for Women
- 2. Senston Premium-Rubber Outdoor Basketball
- 3. Champion Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball
- 4. Nike Elite All-Court Leather Indoor & Outdoor Basketball for Women
- 5. GlowCity 29.5-Inch LED Light Up Basketball
- 6. SKLZ 29.5-Inch Control & Dribbling Training Weighted Basketball
- 7. HOLOWIN 29.5-Inch Reflective Night Basketball
- 8. Senston Sun–Activated Glow-In-The-Dark Bright Basketball for Women
Available with six color options for the logo text, the 27.5-inch-diameter youth-sized Wilson Evolution basketball features a composite cover with a textured design for good control. It's suited for indoor use and is standard in high schools around the country.
Comfortable to UseConsider this indoor composite option if you want a soft-touch ball with good grip and control.
Grab a few friends and this basketball and head to the courts for an afternoon of fun. The ball is safe to use both indoors and outdoors and is constructed from an eco-friendly rubber that is extremely durable. Included with the basketball is a pump and needle for inflating the ball anywhere anytime.
Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this basketball is available in black gold, blue gold, red black and yellow black.
Available in green, blue, pink and purple, as well as traditional orange, this basketball is official size. The ball has a durable rubber cover that not only keeps the ball protected, but also provides the perfect bounce. It even offers maximum air retention, so you don't have to re-inflate it very often.
Use on Any SurfaceYou can use this basketball outside when the weather is nice or in an indoor court when the weather turns sour.
This high-quality 28.5-inch composite leather basketball from Nike is the standard brown color, with black and silver logo text. It has sweat-control features and is suitable for both outdoor and indoor courts. It also has a deep-channel design for precise control.
Suits Any SettingIf you want a durable and versatile basketball, consider this composite choice from Nike.
Two Hi-Bright LEDs light up the entire ball, making this basketball perfect for playing in poorly-lit conditions. The lights use Smart Play, which illuminates the ball automatically when you're playing, then shuts them off when the ball is idle. You'll get about 30 hours of gameplay before needing to change the batteries, which means you'll need to...
Fun IdeaKeep your eye on the ball at all times with this basketball, which lights up to add a little spark to your game.
Whether you're training indoors or outdoors, this basketball is the way to go. It's constructed from a high-quality synthetic leather and has a circumference of 29.5 inches. The ball is weighted and designed to strengthen a player's fingers, wrists and forearms.
Faux Leather DesignImprove your dribbling, passing and rebounding skills with this premium basketball.
Since this basketball is designed to appear holographic, it does a great job of reflecting the light on the court or the flash of a camera. It's official NBA size and made from a quality leather with 100% nylon windings and a rubber bladder. There's also a non-slip grip that allows for better control of the ball.
Cool PickThis basketball can be used for both indoor and outdoor play.
It glows in the dark! This basketball has a cover made of composite leather and soft grip technology. The text on the ball remains luminous for two hours after 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight. You can pick from three fun designs. It comes with a pump, too.
Has Fun FeatureIf you play at night, you might appreciate the glow-in-the-dark feature this ball offers.
Buying Guide
You only need two things to shoot hoops: a hoop and a basketball. If you want to play against someone else, you’ll need at least one other player, as well. But if you have a hoop handy, you may find that you can’t always access basketballs, especially if you play at the park or in your own backyard.
But as you start shopping around for a basketball, you’ll quickly realize there are many variations. The top consideration of any basketball is grip. You’ll want a basketball that resists slipping around to make sure when you finally do gain control of the ball, you don’t accidentally drop it. For that reason, most basketballs feature a textured surface that’s easier to grip.
Comfort is also a consideration. Some basketballs are built to allow you to easily grasp them, with slight indentations that help you grab on. If you play recreationally, or you’re new to the game and want comfort as you get started, this can be a great choice. It’s important to keep in mind if you play on a team, though, that you may get used to playing this way, only to have to adjust to a ball without this feature at game time.
Why we recommend these basketballs?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Champion Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball
Key Takeawy
Available in green, blue, pink and purple, as well as traditional orange, this basketball is official size. The ball has a durable rubber cover that not only keeps the ball protected, but also provides the perfect bounce. It even offers maximum air retention, so you don't have to re-inflate it very often.
What to Look For
- Some basketballs are designed for both outdoor and indoor use, while others specify one or the other. Basketballs can suffer significant wear when played on surfaces like concrete, so you may want to go for durability versus comfort if you’re buying for outdoor play.
- Some brands sell basketballs in varying sizes. You may want a smaller, 27.5-inch version for a youth player, for instance, or an intermediate ball for a new player who’s learning. Once you’re ready to play as part of a team, though, you’ll likely graduate to the “official” size, which is 29.5 inches, so it’s important to get used to playing with this larger size once you’ve practiced a while.
- If you’re buying a ball for official gameplay, make sure the basketball is rated for play by the appropriate association. High school basketballs are rated for play by the National Federation of State High School Associations, for instance.
- You’ll need to keep a pump handy for when your basketball needs a little extra air.
- If you’re playing in a pool, standard basketballs likely will prove too slippery in wet hands. Look for basketballs that are specifically designed for water use.
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