Before you take to the basketball courts, the onus is on you to find the best basketball that is ideal for your game. The basketball that is ideal for your game can be determined by multiple factors, ranging from the type of basketball game you wish to take part in, to the desired outcomes for your basketball game.
In this article, we present the basketball options available to you in 2021, and offer you substantial guidance on what basketball factors matter most and under which playing circumstances those factors matter.
The Top 10 Best Basketballs On The Market In 2021
Basketball
Specifications
Price
1- Overall Basketballs To Buy
The Wilson Evolution Game Basketball is the number one selling basketball in the United States. That is primarily because the Wilson Evolution Basketball simply feels superior to any other ball currently available on the market, which has a considerable amount to do with the microfiber cover on the ball. It provides an exceptionally soft feel, without you ever getting the sense that the makers of the product have compromised on quality and performance.
The channels also share a similar texture and material to the rest of the ball, which enhances your comfort and performance while competing or training on the court. The key word most associated with basketball performance is control, which is all that you get with the Wilson Evolution Game Basketball...and then some. The basketball also has a cushion core that helps create more scoring opportunities for you around the rim, because of the softer touch.
Pros
Cons
2- Best Budget Basketball
The Spalding NBA Courtside Team Outdoor Basketball actually ticks off most of the boxes on our checklist. Chief among them is affordability but it is also now regarded by many to be the top basketball available for the outdoors. Something else that should come under the radar when selecting a basketball, especially when it is so affordable, is the ability of that basketball to retain pressure or hold air. Vendors like Amazon will probably deliver this ball pumped, and the shape that you get it in will normally be a sign of how well this basketball will endure. There is scant evidence to suggest that it will let you down in any way on that front.
Pros
Cons
3- Best Indoor Basketball Brands
Pros
Cons
4- Best Outdoor Basketball Brands
The Spalding Street Outdoor Basketball was previously considered by many to be one of the top basketball for the outdoors. It is honestly touch and go between this and the ball that we have featured for Best Budget Basketball (Number Two on our list). This basketball is easy to handle and it has a durable cover. It is not just affordable but it is also valuable.
Pros
Cons
5- Basketballs For Training
The GoSports Mini Basketball has been designed for players who wish to train by shooting at mini-hoops. While the ball is an exciting addition for the young people in the household, adults will love this because of the training element. Meanwhile youngsters will love this basketball because of the accessibility it provides, especially when they are still developing an interest in the sport. The ball is durable in all conditions, and in any weather, so there is seldom anything that would be hampering your basketball development here either.
Pros
Cons
6- Basketballs For Women
The Sunseams Women’s Basketball is actually suitable for women, girls, boys, and youth basketball players. That is largely to do with the size of the basketball, but the design of it is also compelling for the more casual players, perhaps still getting into the sport.
When you purchase this basketball, you are likely to be more concerned with the fun element of the sport and the ball that provides value for your buck. This basketball is affordable and it is durable, which means you tick both of those boxes off.
Pros
Cons
7- Basketballs For Kids
If you have your eyes firmly set on becoming a much better player, the SiQ Smart Basketball is precisely the product for you. While training hard is something that should never be frowned upon, the ball players who tend to get ahead are the ones who train a little smarter. Everything about this basketball ball will help you achieve that, and then some.
If you are a young person, trying to learn faster, this is the basketball for you.
Pros
Cons
8- Basketballs For Water
The most compelling feature about the Spalding Street Phantom Outdoor Basketball is that it grips very well, which is always reassuring for people who feel compelled to keep playing basketball in the rain. However, we cannot dismiss the role that sweat will have when trying to grip a basketball. If you sweat buckets or you are competing against somebody who sweats buckets, then this is the basketball for you.
Pros
Cons
9- Basketballs For Professionals
The Spalding NBA Official Game Ball has been designed for ball players who have professional ambitions - people who take the sport a little more seriously than most. Everything about the ball speaks professional too, from the branding on it, to the material, to the color of the ball. Just holding it courtside will make people take you a little more seriously, even if you don't really have the talent to match the look.
Pros
Cons
10- Basketballs For Competition
The Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball is as close to the real deal as you are likely to get. A compelling feature about this ball is that it can be used to compete both indoors and outdoors.
However, the benefits do not end there either, as the ball is durable, it grips well (regardless of how much you sweat), and it cushions well. The soft cushion allows you to shoot for the hoops with a bit more confidence that you ordinarily would when shooting with another ball.
Pros
Cons
Factors That Help You Buy The Right Basketball
1- The Recommended Size For a Basketball
Size 3 Basketball
A size 3 basketball is 22 inches in diameter, which makes this the smallest size basketball, for the smallest pair of hands. If you have a young child still learning to play the game, this is the basketball size that will be most suitable for him/her.
Size 4 Basketball
The size 4 basketball is 25.5 inches in diameter, which makes it most suitable for the slightly older child (about eight years old). It is big enough to aid a child’s basketball development but not big enough to stunt that child’s confidence on the basketball court.
Size 5 Basketball
The size 5 basketball is 27.5 inches in diameter, making it most suitable for players aged between 8-11 years old. This is the first basketball to become really important for children competing in youth leagues, where this size is usually the standard. Sometimes, authorities will give some allowance in size, by permitting a basketball that is 27.75 inches in diameter.
Size 6 Basketball
The size of this basketball is 28.5 inches in diameter. That makes it most suitable for women’s basketball players and teenage boys. Some men with slightly smaller hands would probably prefer to play with these too, although that might sometimes hinge on the regulations of the basketball league that you are playing in.
Size 7 Basketball
The size of this basketball is 29.5 inches in diameter, making it most suitable for men’s basketball and professional basketball. These basketballs are probably the easiest to find, whether you are shopping online or in a bricks and mortar store.
2- The Basketball Playing Environment
Before you buy a basketball, you should have some meaningful clarity on whether you will mostly need to use that basketball while playing indoors, outdoors, on a polished wooden surface, or on a concrete slab. In some instances, you will be playing basketball on the streets or in the driveway, where we are dealing with straight out tar. The survival (and often value) of that basketball hinges heavily on the surface and playing environment.
3- Basketball Materials
The basketballs are made from leather, some are made from composite leather, while others are made from rubber. You will also find basketballs made from polyurethane, sponge rubber, evo microfibre ( a compelling option), and faux leather. The material you want for your basketball hinges largely on the surface that you plan to compete on.
However, it will also take into account some of the smaller details - like whether you sweat heavily or not when playing basketball. Some materials absorb moisture better than others. In some instances, you will be playing basketball in a wet and dirty environment, in which case the material becomes relevant yet again.
Some basketball players just have small hands and struggle with grip, and so they will also take matters of grip into account when considering material.
These are just some of the factors that determine the material you go for when buying a basketball.
How To Test a Basketball that fits For You?
The best place to help determine the basketball is by researching and reading basketball reviews, especially from customers online. Things that people are most likely to comment on are moisture resistance of the basketball, pressure retention, and the feel of the basketball. These are all things that can be tested better than most.
Conclusion
The basketball that you choose in 2021, will be determined by your age, gender, and skills level.
The skill level for your basketball game is usually determined by the league that you are competing in. The reason the league you are competing in matters so much is that basketball leagues in general have a set of standards that need to be adhered to, to improve the quality of the competition and the fairness of that competition.
Once you have conducted some level of assessment on this, which is something that we help you with in this article, you will be better placed to make an informed decision when trying to find the basketball that fits you.
Hey, I’m Aleksandar and I am a Basketball freak! That is why I decided to create this blog. Teaching people How to dunk a basketball and How to Jump Higher in this sport or other related sports that require vertical jumping, is my specialty. If that’s your aim, then you have come to the right place.