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The Best Basketballs

Last updated on September 8, 2022

We looked at the top 18 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.

Best Basketballs

Our Review Process

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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.

Our Picks For The Top Basketballs

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best for Women

Wilson Evolution Indoor Signature EVO-Feel Basketball for Women

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Wilson

Evolution Indoor Signature EVO-Feel 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.

Overall Take

Comfortable to UseConsider this indoor composite option if you want a soft-touch ball with good grip and control.

Pros
" Intended for indoor use, this ball features thousands of micro-pebble touchpoints for an outstanding grip. Mositure-wicking inlaid channels. Cushioned core. Good grip with soft feel."
 Top Pick

Senston Premium-Rubber Outdoor Basketball

Senston

Premium-Rubber Outdoor Basketball

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.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this basketball is available in black gold, blue gold, red black and yellow black.

Pros
" Featuring eye-catching design and colors, this basketball is great for new players looking to learn the basics of the game."
Cons
"Sometimes deflates quickly"
 Runner Up

Champion Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball

Champion

Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball

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.

Overall Take

Use on Any SurfaceYou can use this basketball outside when the weather is nice or in an indoor court when the weather turns sour.

 Best Seller

Nike Elite All-Court Leather Indoor & Outdoor Basketball for Women

Nike

Elite All-Court Leather Indoor & Outdoor Basketball for Women

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.

Overall Take

Suits Any SettingIf you want a durable and versatile basketball, consider this composite choice from Nike.

Pros
" It’s distinctly rubberized with a tacky surface for durability, but still has a softness to the touch. Deep channels give you precise hand alignment and control, while a tacky surface helps you keep your grip."
Cons
"It is not designed for asphalt surfaces – so make sure not to use it on outdoor concrete courts. We recommend using it on indoor courts only to ensure longevity."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
25

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the basketballs available to purchase.
18

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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13

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Ball Are Life, Insightsgame, Dudley's Reviews, Best Reviews Guide, Queen Ballers Club.

75,418

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 18 Basketballs and also dug through the reviews from 13 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Basketballs.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Champion Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball

User Summarized Score

8.8
1,759 user reviews

Our Take

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.

Basketball Rankings

2. Senston Premium-Rubber Outdoor Basketball

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 4

3. Champion Sports Official Rubber Nylon Basketball

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 1

5. GlowCity 29.5-Inch LED Light Up Basketball

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

8. HOLOWIN 29.5-Inch Reflective Night Basketball

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

9. Spalding NBA Zi/O Indoor-Outdoor 29.5-Inch Basketball

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

10. AND1 Xcelerate 29.5-Inch Rubber Basketball & Pump

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

11. GoSports Water Basketballs, 2-Pack

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

12. Wilson Evolution Official Size Game Basketball

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

13. Senston 27.5-Inch Youth Basketball

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

14. MACGREGOR Multicolor 29.5-Inch Rubber Basketball

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

16. Chance Premium Rubber Outdoor & Indoor Basketball

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

18. Chance Bright & Colorful Rubber Basketball for Women

Overall Score: 8.3
Reviews Included: 5

More to Explore

Basketball is commonly known to have been invented by James Naismith, but many may not realize that he was a physical education teacher at the YMCA. In 1891, his supervisor asked him to come up with a good wintertime activity, and Naismith created the game that’s now known as basketball.

Naismith wrote the original rule book for the sport, as well as founding the basketball program at the University of Kansas. Initially, the game wasn’t played with the basketball we know today. Instead, players used a soccer ball and peach baskets, which required the referee to retrieve the ball and put it back in play every time someone landed one in.

String baskets came along in 1900 and backboards were later added to prevent spectators from stopping a shot from making its way in.

More to explore