It does not matter if you are an indoor player, or love to play outdoors. The fact is that you love to get your exercise in by shooting some hoops and you want the best experience possible, meaning you need to get the best ball that you can. There are so many different models and brands being sold that brand themselves as the best indoor or outdoor basketball, and even more reviews of each kind. How could you possibly sift through all this information to make sure you get the one that is going to feel right in your hands? Well, good news! I did all the work for you as you will find in the below article.
Best Outdoor / Indoor Basketball in 2015 With Reviews
| Ball | Made From | Size | Price | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spalding NBA Zi/O Excel Basketball | Composite Leather | 6 & 7 | $$ | 4.1 | Click Here |
Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Composite | Composite Leather | 5 | $$ | 4.7 | Click Here |
94Fifty Smart Sensor Basketball | Synthetic Leahter | 6 & 7 | $$$ | 4.5 | Click Here |
Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball | Composite Leather | 6 & 7 | $$ | 4.6 | Click Here |
Wilson NCAA Wave Microfiber Composite Basketball | Composite/Microfiber | 7 | $$ | 4.3 | Click Here |
Now that you know our top pick for which basketballs you should be considering, think about where you are going to use these. Are you going to be going to a local court in your neighborhood? Are you going to be using a portable basketball hoop in your own driveway? No matter your choice, each of these balls is going to be a good choice. Let’s get into the these basketball reviews shall we?
Spalding BNA zi/O Excel Indoor Outdoor Basketball
If you are new to shooting around a ball in your front yard, you may want to consider another choice. However, if you are the type that lives and breathes the sport, this might be the ball that you want to pick up today? Why? Well, for starters, this is the ball that is used in official games! You can chose from 2 different styles. A smaller size, and then the official size 7 with the same weight, size and look that the professionals use in the NBA.
When it comes to the feel of this basketball, it is hard to match. The zi/O is made from composite leather which is hard enough to bounce around comfortably, but when you are dribbling around, it feels “sticky” on your fingers for excellent user control. This is the best of both worlds and perfect for a pickup game in your neighborhood or just practicing shooting hoops by yourself. It is constructed well and is sure to last many years using it inside as well as outdoors.
I mentioned that it gives a sticky feel to your fingers. The reason for this is that the ball has a foam design on the underside of the leather. This gives you insane grip and usability. I know how annoying it can be where you lose control of the ball when moving around on the court and this small design change really helps keep you in control of your game.
My favorite aspects of this ball are:
- Very Durable – will last for years of heavy use
- Feels excellent in your hands. Firm enough but soft enough for comfort
- Priced just right
- Same weight and size that professional players use!
Any downsides?
If you are extremely picky, you may not like some of the big branding that is posted all over this ball. I do not think this is a valid complaint but some of the reviewers did not like this fact. Another thing that kept coming up is that it tends to lose air over time more quickly than other products. If you do not have a pump, this could be problematic, but can easily be fixed by having your favorite pump close by.
Spalding Rookie Gear Indoor/Outdoor Basketball
This is our best pick for a basketball if you are a kid or have kids of your own. This is not a professional ball by any means, but if you have kids and they need a ball to play around with friends, this is one that you should take a look at. It is produced by Spalding which is a leading brand of basketball products and they produce products that have unmatched quality in the industry. They even make the balls that are used by NBA players so you know they are the real deal.
So what makes this a great youth basketball? The first fact is that this weighs a lot less than other competitor products. This product is about 25% lighter allowing kids to handle, toss, shoot, and dribble with better precision. I would recommend this ball for any kid that is under 10 years old or is just a beginner. Anyone over that age should probably consider something a little better. I like to recommend that parents get this for their kids, and when their kids grow or progress in the game, to invest into a different basketball.
This is another basketball that is made of composite leather. This is great news because we know that kids will sometimes leave their stuff outdoors. We want it to hold up to the elements and composite leather does just that! It is incredibly durable but also very soft so they will love the feel of this. If you want your child to get into the sport while they are growing, learn the game and some moves, this is the perfect companion for them.
Pros of this basketball are as follows:
- Many different colors are available
- Perfect size for the hands of children
- Lower weight than normal basketballs
- Amazing soft grip
While reading the reviews, the only real complaint that we came up with is that some people had a hard time getting this unit to stay pumped up. If you do not have something to put air into your ball, you may want to get something else!
94Fifty Smart Sensor Basketball
While everyone loves a good price, sometimes you want to get the best the world has to offer. If you have the money for it, then this smart sensor basketball is what you need. It is probably the best quality unit on our list but does come with a higher price tag. If you coach people, or just want to measure your own performance while you are playing, this is what you should be buying. There really is no other choice!
What makes this more expensive than other units is that there is a sensor inside the actual ball. This can be hooked up to a smartphone to measure performance while it is being used by players. When you hook it up to your phone, you get a few different things. The first is you can see your performance using visual cues such as a graph. You also will be able to listen to audio. Combine these two things and analyzing the data will allow you to become a much better player and athlete.
Probably the coolest feature this basketball has is that there is a shot arc analyzer built into the sensor. This will come in handy when you are practicing your free throws and want to get a better shot. It also comes with a release timer to see how to get it out of your hands at a faster speed. Just working on this can lead to more points and better game play. You will also be able to take a look at the amount of backspin you are getting, how hard you are dribbling the ball, and many other things. To charge up the ball (no you do not plug it in), you simply set it on top of the station it comes with and it will charge wirelessly. Pretty cool right?
The only reason you should NOT consider this indoor basketball is because it is a big higher price. If that is not an issue, get it! What are you waiting for?
Wilson NCAA Replica Game Basketball
Up next we have a ball that can check off each of the NCAA requirements and pass with flying colors. This is great for youth players and even people who are shooting hoops at home and just want to get something that is quality and made well.
My absolute favorite reason for picking this up is that this ball does not absorb all the sweat from your hands right away. The way it is made, Wilson figured out a design to get rid of the moisture from your hands or the elements. This keeps the ball dry and easy to handle leading to better dribbling, better control, and a more fun game experience.
This is another one made from composite leather. We all know how great this stuff is but it is also some of the best material you can get for the money. Bang for your buck is important here. Not only will you get a great deal, but the ball will hold up under stress so it is sure to last you or your kid nearly a lifetime. Perfect for indoor and outdoor surfaces, you know this is one that is made to last and made to play hard!
Overall, probably the number one reason you should pick one up is that it is an NCAA replica game ball. This means you are getting a quality product that has passed strict standards. The grip is great, and the basketball simply looks fantastic. Some people complained about how it feels, but at this price, I think this is an excellent choice for any level player.
Wilson NCAA Wave Micofiber Composite Basketball
Finally we have the Wilson Wave! If you have heard the brand name Wilson before, you know what you are getting! Wilson is a brand known for putting out products that are durable, look great, and perform well. Out of all the products we have gone over in this post, this one has some pretty cool features.
The biggest feature that it comes with is what is called as the Wave technology. As you can see from the video below, this technology leads to a LOT better control of the ball during every bit of game play. Passing, dribbling, shooting hoops, and anything else are going to be easier and you will have more control because of this. So what is it? Well, there are going to be a lot more groobes which give you better traction when you are handling the basketball. See the video below for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D5ndHFyDbo
If you want to purchase the best indoor outdoor basketball that the market has to offer, you would be hard pressed to find something better than this. Not only does it come with the wave technology but it also has another feature called cushion core. This takes two types of rubber, puts it under the leather, and allows you to grip the ball a lot better than other other product. It also helps the ball stay cool and moisture free leading to even better handling.
If you take a quick look at the video above, you will notice that the rubber lines may look a bit different. This is because they are a different type of rubber used instead of what is normally used. The reason for Wilson going with this new rubber called Aqua Grip is to again, aid in your grip.
3 technologies bundled into one make this basketball one of the highest quality, yet more durable products out there. If you pick up another model, you may have to replace it in a year or two, but with this, you can be sure it is going to last years without wearing down at all. This is the best the market has to offer for indoor/outdoor balls so give it a once over and see if it is something you would like to have.
Wrapping It Up
So to conclude here, you have taken a look at 5 different models that I think make up some of the best choices you can look at. These are the best indoor outdoor basketballs out there but I know there are a lot of other products. I would recommend that you just take a look at these because I had to do a lot of research to narrow them down. Think about what you will be using yours for, what type of play you usually do, how much money you have to spend, and what you want your product to look like. Once you have that in your mind, read the above reviews, and you can come to a conclusion on which product will work best for you and your situation.
When playing basketball, the type of ball you have is going to make or break your game. If you want to play at a high level, you need to have high level equipment. The choice is up to you, but I would think you want to be the best, so play with the best. Good luck on your choice and let me know in the comments what you end up getting!
Leave a Reply