5 Best Basketballs For Indoor and Outdoor Reviewed
I started my search for the best indoor outdoor basketballs when my 8-year-old son started to get more and more into basketball and has worn through a couple of basketballs in his young career. A Baden Hex 29 all surface ball that he got from attending coach Derrin Hansen’s University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks basketball camp. Great camp, but the ball was a little heavy and lopsided (it did not make our list). Then a Spalding brand basketball my son bought with his own money at the store Five Below for $5.00. I have to admit, it isn’t a bad basketball for the money while it lasts, but it is on its last legs after about 3 months (it didn’t make this list either).
You can’t beat the convenience of an indoor outdoor basketball. You can use, as the name implies, an indoor basketball outdoors and an outdoor basketball indoors If you have kids who want to play all year long this is an excellent choice for you. They can withstand the scuffs an outdoor ball may get playing on the driveway and still give you the feel of an indoor ball when you play in the gym. My family has found these hybrid basketballs a great fit for our young basketball players.
My recommendation is to stick with an indoor\outdoor game ball until your kids hit junior high. Then perhaps you can splurge for a more expensive indoor ball. I spent hours over the course of a week researching and bouncing balls at local new and used sport’s stores. My apologies to the guys at Play It Again Sports and Dick’s in Omaha, Nebraska. Based on that research and my testing here is a review of the best indoor outdoor basketballs that are also available on Amazon.
5 Best Basketballs For Indoor and Outdoor:
- Spalding NBA Tack Soft Basketball
- Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball
- Molten BG3800 Basketball
- AND1 Chaos Rubber Basketball
- Spalding NBA Zi/o Basketball
1. Spalding NBA Tack Soft Basketball
Features:-
- Excellent Value
- Great grip
- Size 6 28.5 inches and Size 7 29.5 inches
- Looks good feels good
The Spalding NBA Tack Soft Basketball is great for any basketball player at any level. Its premium composite cover is designed to feel like an official game ball, yet it’s soft enough for indoor play. The ball features the official NBA logo and colors.
Its faux leather texture gives you great grip and it can take a pounding on any kind of surface. It is also available in women’s NCAA size 6 and men’s size 7.
This ball is made for use on rough concrete or asphalt courts. The leather does not wear down easily even on your park’s cracked concrete. This ball will give you an authentic leather ball feel.
This Spalding basketball performs exceptionally well on courts and the tactile surface. It gives you an even dribble due to the soft cushion padding.
It may get a little slippery if you are playing on dusty concrete for a long time or when your hands get too sweaty.
This ball delivers what it promises. Spalding is trusted globally. It makes a great indoor basketball as well.
A few users complained that the ball shipped deflated. So keep an air pump ready. It looks expensive even though it is reasonably priced. It is a great product for its value. You just can’t find a better ball under $30. You can also check out the rubber Spalding NBA street outdoor basketball.
2. Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball
Features:-
- Made of a moisture absorbing material
- Designed for indoor/outdoor play
- Full-grain leather cover
- Men’s, Women’s and Youth sizes
The Wilson NCAA basketball has a great feel. The quality composite leather used makes it sturdy and durable. It will take the abuse of dribbling on hard concrete or asphalt surface and it will only show basic wear and tear.
The ball is pretty sticky at first and may pick up some dust and feel slippery. The grip is good overall when clean. It is the most durable synthetic outdoor ball to play with and offers great value for the money.
A negative is that this ball tends to deflate and not hold air as well as the other balls.
The ball is constructed with moisture-absorbing material to offer superior grip ability designed for indoor/outdoor play. The ball comes complete with NCAA logos and is packaged in a clear display case with a commemorative plaque.
Overall, this ball is great if you’re a beginner or play for fun, or looking for a budget-friendly leather ball.
3. Molten BG3800 Basketball
Features:-
- Nice grip
- Multicolor
- FIBA approved
- Lightweight
Approved by FIBA, the Molten BG3800 ball has an excellent grip based on the way the channels are placed. You get a superior backspin and net whip with this ball. It goes easy on your soft hands.
Generally, the composite leather slices up your fingers with excess use which is not the case with this ball gladly. The bounce is quite well and even better than some Nikes. It even feels lighter than them.
The multi-color look makes it easy to spot the ball rotation while shooting which is a big plus. The spin is a tad bit more clear with this unique function. You will love the extra panels as compared to most balls.
The lightweight is another amazing feature. The ball arrives flat and you will have to inflate it. It might not seem true to size initially but will grow to its true size eventually. Summing up, it is a nice product for the money.
4. AND1 Chaos Rubber Basketball
Features:-
- Nice grip
- Funky designs
- Great Gift
- Great bounce.
Available in nine different funky designs, the AND1 Chaos basketball. The visually appealing coral colors make it an awesome gift, perfect for Christmas.
The air pump sent along is great and inflates the ball quickly. You need to be a little careful with the pump needle through or might break. The packaging is nice and the shipping is quite quick.
The excellent leather quality makes it so durable that you can use it indoors/outdoor in summers/fall and in winters as well. It is good for playing outdoors and better for beginner practice sessions. Much better than other outdoor basketballs we tested.
The quality is great and the graphic designs are very fascinating especially for the kids. The grip is firm and the bounce is perfect. You do not have to worry about your kids’ hands as this ball has a very smooth texture and pebbling as compared to many premium balls.
If you are a serious player who is looking for a durable and brilliant sooting grip, this will disappoint you. Otherwise, it is good value for money.
5. Spalding NBA Zi/o Basketball
Features:-
- Great value for money
- Durable
- Perfect size for women
- True to weight
The Spalding NBA ball is a boss, the GOAT of all. It is bouncy and has a wonderful grip. The smaller NCAA size for women is way better than the regular men’s size. It will give you a better hold and more scores.
When taking it outside, keep a towel/cloth handy to keep it clean as it may pick up the dust/dirt from the courts with other materials. The air-inflated once holds fine even after multiple games. The ball will not lose grip easily.
But if you play outdoors more than indoors, go for a rubber leather hybrid which will give you a better dribble and bounce on that surface.
The quality is sturdy and the ball is made to last. There are no signs of tear after rough handling on outdoor courts. It is made to handle the rigors of concrete and harsh surfaces. The ball is true to its size and weight. The labels aren’t slippery.
It is an all-purpose ball with durability and at a great price. It even spins flawlessly on the fingers. What else could you ask for! You get what you pay for and actually more than you invest. The satisfaction would be beyond explanations. It is hands down the best product listed. It is a great one to consider when looking for the best indoor outdoor basketballs
Best Indoor Outdoor Basketballs Buying Guide
Navigating between hundreds of brands, designs, and materials and choosing our ideal basketball is not as easy as it seems. Even if you are a newbie with zero knowledge about the game and the prerequisites of the ball, we have got your back. We have prepared a buyer’s guide to help you skim through these clouds of haziness and doubts.
Only the right type of ball for you will help you unlock the potential in you. Thus, when buying a basketball, remember to checkmark the following points-
Basketball Size by Age
Choosing the right size is the first factor when getting a basketball. The palm shall hold the ball firmly and not be slippery or too big or too small. The better clasp results in better handling and more points of course!
There are three standard sizes to choose from:
- Size 5:The 27.5-inch diameter ball is good for young players and amateurs. These balls are lighter and have a firm grip. Get good know-how of the basics of the game with these.
- Size 6:The 28.5-inch diameter ball is perfect for teens and women shooters.
- Size 7: The 29.5-inch diameter is the quintessential choice for hardcore ballers and NCAA pros.
The Spalding Zi/o just has the right size for men and for women players too.
Air Retention
Having to inflate your ball every day before the match just sucks right? The ball shall hold air for long without needing to be pumped every now and then. That would be such a pain. Isn’t it?
The right kind of ball will not deflate rapidly in any kind of weather and the retention period would be longer.
Bounce
The bounce of a ball is a major determinant of your chances of winning or losing. It takes a long time to recognize and learn the bouncing pattern of a ball. The greater the bounce, the better is the dribble. This totally depends on your personal choice and the amount of bounce you want. All the listed balls are very bouncy though.
Price
If you are more brand conscious, the price tends to go up. The indoor balls are rather expensive than the outdoor ones due to the difference in their composition. Composite leather basketballs which are apt for indoor/outdoor games may generally range between 40-75$.
While investing your pennies always bear in mind to prefer quality over anything. Do not buy something cheap and regret your decision later. Brands like Wilson and Spalding are top choices for most professional players and are very affordable too.
Moisture Wicking
Most of the balls may be of high brands but suck at moisture control which tends to make them slippery and wet and increase the chances of the ball getting out of your control. The grip, grooves, material, and the pebbling are main determinants of the ball’s grip and moisture-locking.
So, for a serious game always buy a ball with high moisture wicking or keep a towel handy to wipe off the dirt and sweat accumulated on the ball. Most indoor/outdoor balls are built to handle it.
Material
The basketballs are available in three major types of materials- rubber type, composite leather, and genuine leather. The rubber type is made for outdoor usage since it enhances the bounce and overall life of the ball. This guards it against abrasion. This makes it withstand the rigors of the hard court surface. But at the same time, this will not work for an indoor game.
Composite and genuine leather balls are more suitable for indoor/outdoor matches. The durability and bounce are better and thus these tend to be priced higher than the outdoor ones. But the decision boils down to your needs and budget only. So choose judiciously!
Conclusion
Having the right indoor/outdoor ball will impact your performance in a drastic way. Getting the right grip and maneuverability is the only thing that matters in a game.
As per our research, the Spalding zi/o is the GOAT, Kobe of all the other reviewed balls. It weighs exactly the same as the NBA ball weight, has the ideal tack and softness, and at such a minimal price yet feels so premium. It will last a long time and is an all-rounder. Check out recommendations on the best outdoor basketball and best indoor basketball as well.
You can check out some of our posts on basketball rules such as carrying, traveling, or charging.
Troy Wright
I am a lifetime basketball enthusiast and loved playing basketball competitively through high school. I still try and play at least 3 times a week and explore all kinds of equipment and training to keep myself on the court and continually getting better. I am a college basketball fanatic and move onto the NBA when March Madness ends.
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