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10 High-Performance Indoor Basketball Reviews: Play to Win in 2024

Actually in October 2024
25 Products Tested
2963 Reviews Scanned
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LAST UPDATE March 31, 2020
READING TIME loader Minutes
Sports & Outdoors
10 High-Performance Indoor Basketball Reviews: Play to Win in 2024

Bball game hurting? Discover the best indoor basketball today and go from hack to Shaq. Read our reviews now.

Best of the best Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball
5/5
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PROS

A universally popular, tried-and-tested ball

Excellent value for money

Soft to touch

Enhances grip and overall game

CONS

The soft cover makes it slightly less durable

Lacks the typical genuine leather feel

Most Buying Spalding Precision Basketball Spalding Precision Basketball
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Excellent grip and soft touch

Comes in two different sizes

Durable – doesn’t lose its quality over time

CONS

Doesn’t feel like natural leather

Not ideal for concrete surfaces

Best for the money Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Good value for money

Easier to grip and control

Valve cover makes for a consistent bounce

Symmetrical ball is great for shooters

CONS

Might feel too tacky

Bladder not the best

Avatar Writer Valeria
How We Decided
  • 31Products
    Tested
  • 67Hours
    Spent
  • 04Experts
    Interviewed
  • 15Consumers
    Consulted
RUNNERS UP Also good products

The Rock- Basketball – Official Mens

4/5

A seriously underrated ball that’s just as good as the big boys, but at an even lower price.

pros
  • Excellent value for money

  • Great grip and handling

  • Super soft, tacky feel enhances control

  • No break-in needed – game-ready ball

  • Durable – the ball retains its shape even after a long time

cons
  • Quality drops if used outside of the PSI range

  • Not as popular as Spalding or Wilson

Season Creator Premium Indoor Game Basketball

3.8/5

A relatively new basketball that stands out with its cool features and vibrant colors.

pros
  • Excellent grip

  • Feels lightweight

  • Choice of different colors

cons
  • A bit expensive considering it’s a new entrant in the market

  • Can lose shape and quality even after slight misuse

  • Limited use – only on wooden floors

Spalding TF-1000 Legacy

3.5/5

Great features and handy size; best for women and shooters.

pros
  • Great for shooters and women

  • Close control

  • Improved air retention

  • High-quality grip

cons
  • Slightly expensive

  • Feels too rubbery

  • Loses quality over time

Molten X-Series Composite Basketball

3.4/5

Boasts the Giugiaro design, which uses color contrast to track the rotation visibility of the ball.

pros
  • Great handling and shooting

  • Consistent bounce

  • Giugiaro design improves rotation visibility

  • Warranty in case anything goes wrong

cons
  • Might feel too tacky initially

  • Composite cover doesn’t feel exceptional

  • Difficult to inflate

Under Armour 695 Indoor Composite Game Basketball

3.2/5

Decent features at an affordable price, but at the expense of quality and durability.

pros
  • Cheaper than other options

  • Good air retention

  • Good grip

  • Moisture-wicking

cons
  • Low quality cover material of the ball

  • Low durability

  • Uneven bounce

Adidas Performance New Pro Basketball

3/5

An inexpensive rubber ball with basic features. Best for casual players and budget buyers.

pros
  • Low price – if you’re not a regular player, this might work just fine for you
cons
  • Low quality material and ball

  • Feels small in the hands

  • Take time to break in

Table of Contents

10 High-Performance Indoor Basketball 2024

    Davi Martins Melo
    EXPERT CONSULTANT

    He is fond of football and other sports since 5 years. In college, he played for the local team.

    Davi Martins Melo

    Playing basketball indoors won’t be fun if your ball isn’t made for the very purpose. That’s why finding the best indoor basketball is so important.

    Here’s why:

    You see, indoor surfaces are much smoother than their outdoor counterparts. And indoor basketballs are made specifically from soft, high-grade materials so you can bounce, dribble, and shoot them like a dream when playing indoors.

    Here’s all you need to know about indoor basketballs before buying your next one!

    Research You Can Trust

    To bring you this brutally honest in-depth review, we looked through tons of different basketballs until our eyes were red, put in hours and hours of research, and read ALL about what customers and industry experts have to say. Safe to say, you can trust this review with your eyes closed. But you do need to keep them open to read it!

    best indoor basketball

    The 30-Second Review

    Choosing the right indoor basketball can be tough; you have so many options! But, if you know exactly what to look out for, making a choice will be easy-peasy.

    A great indoor basketball offers excellent grip, has a consistent bounce, and typically fits your budget. You should also consider if you’re getting the right size – size 7 is the official size for men, while size 6 is the official size for women.

    The material your ball is made of also directly impacts how well it performs. If you like a hard, tough surface and are willing to pay for it, consider investing in a genuine leather ball. If not, a composite leather ball will be the best option for you. If you’re on a strict budget and don’t plan on playing regularly or professionally, get a cheaper ball made of rubber.

    10 High-Performance Indoor Basketball 2024

    Buyer's Guide

    Buyer’s Guide – How to Pick the Best Indoor Basketball in 2018

    If you’re reading this, you probably already know the difference between indoor and outdoor basketballs.

    If you don’t, here’s what it is:

    Indoor basketballs are suitable for indoor surfaces, like wood, which are typically softer than outdoor surfaces, like concrete. Manufacturers, naturally, use softer materials for indoor balls to enhance grip and control.

    Now, when dozens of companies are selling more or less the same thing in the market, it’s normal for the average consumer to get things wrong.

    That’s why we’ve narrowed down some important factors you should look out for when you go out there to buy your next indoor basketball:

    Grip

    In a good all-around basketball, excellent grip is a MUST.

    The right material and cover of the ball can enhance the grip, which helps you not only dribble your way through the game, but also shoot effectively from a long way out.

    Poor, low-quality material can compromise on the grip of your ball – it may start to slip eventually and ruin your game.

    You should also know that sweat may affect the grip-ability of the ball. To tackle this, you should go for a basketball with moisture-managing features.

    Lastly, the width and depth of the ‘grooves’, or channels, can also affect the grip. An ideal basketball is one that offers just the right channel design for your fingertips and palms, so you can play with ease and confidence.

    via GIPHY

    Material

    Most indoor basketball are made of rubber or composite leather. Some are even made of genuine leather.

    As you’d imagine, rubber basketballs are the cheapest to own, whereas a basketball made of genuine leather is VERY expensive.

    But the most common material is composite leather, which is basically synthetic leather designed to feel like the real thing with some improvements.

    Now, rubber basketballs typically lack the bounce required for a good game. Plus, they barely offer any support to your hands for a nice grip. They’re much cheaper, though, so they’re a good option if you’re on a budget or if you don’t play regularly.

    Composite leather balls offer excellent grip and a softer feel than genuine leather. Plus, they cost less, too!

    Fun fact: The NCAA Basketball Tournament Game Ball is made of composite leather.

    So, why would someone want to buy a genuine leather ball?

    Well, if you’ve ever owned a genuine leather basketball, you’ll know these balls take a number of games to really show what they are capable of. This particular break-in period feature of a leather ball is considered a good thing by some and bad by others.

    But the results? Pretty impressive!

    Another fun fact: The Official NBA Game Ball is made from genuine full grain leather.

    Bounce

    You know what a great basketball does? Bounce nicely.

    It’s important to get a ball that offers consistent and predictable bounce, so you make less wrong moves in the court. A ball will typically bounce nicely if it has the perfect width and depth between each groove (or, channel).

    Oh, and make sure the ball doesn’t have deep pebbles because that will eventually affect the bounce. Balls with uneven covers or those made of cheap materials also tend to ruin the bounce.

    Size

    Of course, there’s a standard size of basketballs used in professional tournaments.

    But, official sizes change depending on who’s playing. Here’s a breakdown of different basketball sizes and when they’re used:

    • The women’s official NBA ball is a size 6 by traditional ball-measurement standards. Size 6 translates into 28.5 inches in circumference.
    • The men’s official NBA basketball size is a size 7 by traditional ball-measurement standards. Size 7 translates into 29.5 inches in circumference.

    Now, if you’re looking for a ball for your little boy or girl, you shouldn’t go ahead and buy the standard sized balls. Why? Children’s arms and shoulder are fragile, and heavy balls can be dangerous.

    We suggest you look into some other ball sizes for your kids:

    • Middle school boys (aged between 12 and 14) should go for the 28.5 inches basketball
    • Children between ages 9 and 11 should go for a smaller basketball – 27.5 inches is a good fit

    THE WINNERS

    Additional Concerns

    Usage

    For starters, we’d suggest you use indoor basketballs ONLY for indoor purposes. You can try using them outside if you want, but you’ll risk wasting all the money you’ve spent.

    Price

    Not surprisingly, the price of the ball does sometimes affect the quality. Let’s compare the industry averages.

    Naturally, most premium quality basketballs cost anywhere between $100 and $150, or more. They also tend to be more durable and are mostly made of genuine leather (which drives their prices up).

    Really cheap quality basketballs can be bought for $10-$25. These are usually made of rubber, have uneven bounce and little to no durability.

    The ideal indoor basketball should cost somewhere between $50 and $100. These are usually made of composite leather, offer excellent grip, and have a consistent bounce and a great overall feel.

    via GIPHY

    Brand

    We agree. The brand doesn’t matter as much as the features and performance of the actual ball. But you know, going for a tried-and-tested brand isn’t always a bad decision. In fact, it’s much less risky!

    Spalding is one of the most popular basketball brands out there. They’ve been an official NBA partner since 1983 and have been in the sports manufacturing business since the late 1800s! If you don’t want to risk going for a lesser known brand and have enough money to spend, buying a Spalding basketball isn’t a bad choice.

    Other brands like Wilson, Baden, The Rock, Adidas, Molten also offer a great range of indoor basketballs.

    Air Pump

    When you purchase a basketball online, chances are it will be delivered to you deflated.

    As such, it’s important for you to own an air pump, so you can fill the ball up and start using it.

    Why does this matter?

    Well, if your ball is over-inflated or even slightly deflated, it will affect your game. In most cases, deflation causes an uneven response by the ball, which is a big NO for any basketball player.

    There are many hand pumps, foot pumps and electric pumps available in the market. Just make sure you fill the ball up to its ideal required air and you are good to go!

    How to Care for Your Indoor Basketball

    If you’re going to spend your money, make sure you know how to care for your basketball. If you don’t, you’ll never be able to make the most out of it. Here are some tips:

    • If you’re a regular basketball player, consider investing $5-10 in a nice basketball rack for your room. This will let you store your ball at room temperature, away from sunlight or heat that can potentially destroy its quality
    • Keep the basketball in your room or locked in the gym when you leave for home
    • After playing, take a cloth and wipe off any excess dirt or moisture on your ball
    • If your ball is meant to play indoors, don’t even consider playing outdoors with it – follow the instructions given by the company for best use
    • Deflate the ball when you’re traveling

    via GIPHY

    The Bottom Line

    Picking the best indoor basketball is easy if you know what to look out for! Just make sure you know how much you plan to play and if you want to stretch your budget for better quality. A good indoor basketball offers great grip, consistent bounce, and durability.

    Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball
    Best of the best

    Wilson Evolution Indoor Game Basketball

    Bball game hurting? Discover the best indoor basketball today and go from hack to Shaq. Read our reviews now.

    Spalding Precision Basketball
    Most Buying

    Spalding Precision Basketball

    Bball game hurting? Discover the best indoor basketball today and go from hack to Shaq. Read our reviews now.

    Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball
    Best for the money

    Baden Elite Indoor Game Basketball

    Bball game hurting? Discover the best indoor basketball today and go from hack to Shaq. Read our reviews now.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the recommended inflation level of an indoor basketball?

    That really depends on the basketball you decide to buy. For Spalding balls, the recommended inflation level is 7-9 PSI. Always check the instructions that come with your basketball to make sure you don’t underinflate or overinflate it.

    What is the difference between composite leather and genuine leather?

    Composite leather is manmade, or synthetic, as opposed to genuine leather. Composite leather typically requires no break-in period like real leather does and costs less too.

    How do I break in my genuine leather basketball?

    Simple: you play with it. You don’t need any machinery or tools. All you need is time and effort, and your ball will soon be game-ready after a few practice sessions.

    How do I know my basketball is too old to use?

    Typically, a basketball can last for 2 or 3 years of regular use. But, if you don’t really use it too often, it can much longer.
    If your basketball starts to crack, pop, lose its grip, or even lose its shape (despite inflating it), consider throwing it out. If you find a hole in it, definitely throw it out.

    THE TEAM

    We made this review
    Davi Martins Melo

    He is fond of football and other sports since 5 years. In college, he played for the local team

    Soccer Player Davi Martins Melo
    Mahnoor Sheikh

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    Writer Mahnoor Sheikh
    Jessica Simms Writer Jessica Simms
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